Kingdom Essays - Allah, Deities, God, Infinity,

Kingdom Of God The "Kingdom of God" is a commonly used phrase in the Christian community. It rolls off the tongue of believers worldwide, yet the meaning of this dominant idiom is rarely explained. What exactly is the "kingdom of God?" What does it mean to be apart of God's kingdom? These inquiries gnaw at the heart and soul of every believer, and the principles shared by Pastor Chad Hyatt have successfully provided answers. The word kingdom can be divided into two words - the king's domain. Of course, as Christians, God(and, or Jesus) is our king. This then implies that we, believers, are Christ's subjects. We are God's domain. Therefore, the kingdom of God is not "abstract or immaterial," but very real and living - heavy with a purpose to carry out. The words king's domain imply the act of ruling. We can therefore draw the conclusion that Christ in us rules our hearts, and that we are his domain or place of rule. It was mentioned earlier that the kingdom of God has a purpose to carry out. This purpose encompasses many things. It includes the recruitment of the others into the kingdom and carrying out the heart and will of the king, or God. This definition and explanation of the kingdom of God brings its purpose to one final word: INFLUENCE. God said that we are to be "salt and light." The King has commissioned his domain to attend church, read the Bible, and to pray in order to train so that we may be able to "compete" with Satan in the world. We must train ourselves in order to influence, so that we may recruit. This is truly serving our king, which is the purpose behind salvation. In essence of how Pastor Chad Hyatt relates it, the kingdom of God is in us. It is where the king rules. It is who the king rules. It is how the king conducts his rule. When altogether stated, the kingdom is us.

9 Networking Hacks to Improve Your Career

9 Networking Hacks to Improve Your Career Networking is daunting, but it doesn’t have to be so hard. While it’s super important- critical even- to your success, there are a few tricks you can try to make the process a bit more enjoyable and fruitful for yourself. Follow these simple strategies so none of your contacts-to-be feel like they’re being â€Å"networked† or exploited, and you might just enjoy yourself in your working world a little more.1. Make friends, not contacts.The more you look at potential contacts as potential friends, the better off you’ll be. Everybody gets to feel like a human an no one goes home feeling slimy or mercenary. Don’t treat people like business cards. Try and genuinely open up and share things about your goals and yourself. You might not get a job from every conversation, but you might end up with a whole lot of friends.2. Listen- don’t just pretend to listen.Too often this is a thing people forget to do, especially in networking situations. Th ey make their pitch and shake hands and swap cards, but they don’t actually connect. Don’t just say your piece and move on. Stay and listen to what your future contact has to say. Sadly, this will really set you apart from the vast majority of people in the world. Plus, you’ll end up making better and deeper and more lasting connections.3. Tell your story.Don’t let things stay impersonal. Turn whatever ask you’re sidling around the party with into a chance to share what makes you special in your industry. This is like your elevator pitch, but more human. And it will open a great many doors- more, probably, than just an email address to send a query to.4. Ask for intros.Not only is this a great way to meet people you might be too shy or removed from to get beside, it’s a great way to befriend the people who can get you into that person’s eye line. A warm lead beats a cool lead. Plus, you get to make a new contact feel super helpful and important right out of the gate.5. Get your handshake straight.You won’t get very far with a limp or limb-breaking handshake. Work on yours until it’s right. This is your first impression, after all. Don’t forget eye contact and one good non-weak/non-knuckle-crushing squeeze.6. Don’t take other people’s awkwardness personally.In networking situations, it’s exceedingly common to find yourself the odd man in an already in progress conversation, trying to join, or stuck in a lull with a new contact’s conversation. Remember it’s not all your fault. It takes two sets of social graces to make a successful conversation. Be as generous as you can be with your social graces and try not to take things personally when others fail.7. Skip the business card.Why bother wasting a tree when you can hand your new friend your phone and have them input their phone number directly? This gets you past the awkward email intro stage and straight int o a texting relationship, if appropriate. And if you do need to take a card, make sure to write a wee note on the back with any details you want to make sure not to forget.8. Give more than you ask.For every ask you’re about to make, make sure you’ve given about 10 times more in recompense. Figure out how you can help the person you’re going to ask for help. And make your offers (or give your help) before asking for what you want or need. Most importantly, if you give your word: keep it. Be there. Be reliable. Follow up when you promise to.9. When in doubt, introduce yourself.It may seem like the most obvious bit of advice for a networking venture, but it’s an invaluable tool in any setting. You never know who you might meet if you just walk up to them and say, â€Å"Hi, I’m so and so!† Networking is awkward for everyone. No need to be afraid.

New Perspective Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

New Perspective - Essay Example To be able to feel what they feel as they see that world as being one of them and not as an outsider poking in. I would also be in touch and be friends with those whom many consider as a â€Å"threat† and see how they perceive things. The only downside to it is that I will also share the prejudices against them and will run the danger of being ostracized. Having a different religion which allows multiple wives (up to four) might allow me to experience how it is to live in an extended family; with different wives or husbands with children or siblings with different mothers or fathers. If the extended family proves to be cohesive, that would be a very strong support system. The downside to it however is that the arrangement is prone to jealousy especially with the wives who has a common husband. And if the husband does not have much, it will really cause trouble on how to keep the multiple wives. If I choose to work in the Middle East or any Arab country, the adjustment would be easier on my part as I will be accepted by the host country as one of their own sharing the same kind of Faith. Although this would subject me to discrimination in non-Muslim country where prejudices against Muslims is strong. I would have the chance to befriend and be really close with peers from school who are Mohammedans. In turn, I will have the opportunity to learn what a typical student does; and see for myself if they are different from us. But this is with the risk that I will be viewed with skepticism for bonding with Muslims and might be accused of being a terrorist! Before the change, I have to admit that I share the prejudices against Muslims. Admittedly, I too view them with skepticism and a bit of fear and spite. But after undergoing the change and living their world, that perspective will change as I understand them more. That

Explain a Marketing concept for MKGT 3000 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Explain a Marketing concept for MKGT 3000 - Essay Example We would be discussing few major factors that significantly impact purchase behavior and consumption pattern of the products that are used in marketing a product. Customers’ purchase behavior is quite complex because it is intensely influenced by socio-economic and psychological paradigms. It is true that consumers purchase products only when they perceive the need for it. But at the same time, the need could have triggered either by advertisement or by observing other people which could lead to the purchase of the product. Various factors like price, buying value, consumption value and after sales performance add credibility to the purchase. If customer is satisfied, the organizations are not only able to retain them but they are also liable to get new ones through word of mouth publicity that greatly establishes their market credibility. Arnould et al (2004) assert that consumer behavior is also motivated by desired goal that is need based. Products that are bought mainly as a lifestyle statement are prompted by motivated goals. Luxury brands and trend setting goods are major indicators of changing lifestyle pattern that people are ready to adopt to keep up with the times. People are prone to adopt new lifestyle that reflects that changing socio-economic status in society. It also reveals their new value system, tastes and indeed changing preferences.

See attachment Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

See attachment - Research Paper Example The quintessence of a modern man is presented by the poet while describing the loneliness and the hesitancy of the urban denizen, Prufrock. The apprehensions of a solitary man amidst the modern society are visible in the thoughts of Alfred Prufrock. Alfred intends to express his love but the thoughts of the modern society are so disconcerting for him, so much it prevents him from doing so. â€Å"Do I dare Disturb the universe?† (Eliot, lines 44-45). These words by Prufrock reveal his fears, when he compares his social circle with the universe. For him, disturbing the society with which he is not acquainted well is equal to disquieting the universe. How the society will react to his expression of love? This query is forestalling him from taking a firm decision. Another aspect that is perturbing him is his looks. He is worried by his appearance, according to which the modern society judges a person. â€Å"He becomes self- conscious of his appearance; his baldness and his lean frame.† (Matheikal 122). That is, he is under the impression or opinion that due to baldness and thin hands as well as legs, people wo uld not take him seriously and with attention. â€Å"With a bald spot in the middle of my hair—[They will say: "How his hair is growing thin!"†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦They will say: "But how his arms and legs are thin!"]†. (Eliot, Lines 39-43)†. Thus, the modern man is more concerned about how the society perceives him physically, rather than his own views. Prufrock also behaves in the manner, expected from him by the society, without bringing out his own views. He is leading his life according to the expectations of the society. In an attempt to please the society, the modern man has become more apprehensive about his outward appearances rather than his true self. Prufrock also envisages himself through the opinion of the society, which is superficial, and in the process suppressing his identity. In the poem, the urban residents are so engrossed

Mainstream Literature Does this Worsen the Text?

Mainstream Literature Does this Worsen the Text? How far does conceding to the popular mainstream strip a text of its literariness? (Explore the ways in which your chosen essay texts negotiate competing demands of literary and the popular) William Faulkner said of Ernest Hemingway: He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary (UOI, 1947) attempting to demean the literariness of his works. Hemingway responded; Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words? I know them all right. But there are older and simpler and better words, and those are the ones I use. (Ross, 1950) His response to Faulkners elitism suggests that a text does not have to adhere to the implicit, often judgemental rules that define a piece of work as literary in order to be worthy of such a title. Using the poems of Linton Kwesi Johnson and The Hunger Games by Susanne Collins, I will analyse how both authors navigate the fine line between what is popular and what is literary, and whether this affects the overall impact of their work or its integrity as literary fiction. I intend to argue that a text does not have to present itself in a literary fashion in order to be considered worthy of the te rm literary, and similarly, literary texts can exist without conforming to the demands of mainstream culture whilst still being appreciated by modern society. In its simplest definition, literature is simply a written work; it is only when we place the boundaries of what is considered intellectual, or art, upon it that there becomes any kind of speculation as to whether a writers work is literary or not. In contrast, popular culture is a term associated with primarily Western entertainment, news, technology and sports. In its initial conception, the idea of popular was one associated with the uneducated working class, in comparison to the literary culture of the upper classes. Pop culture was the culture of those outside the power establishment; it was entirely separate from scorned and excluded by those in power, who had their own official culture (Berrong, 1986). As a result, there is an ongoing elitism toward popular culture, with many labelling it trite or unintelligent, or suggesting that low culture stress substance, form and being totally subservient; there is no explicit concern with abstract ideas or even with fictional forms of contemporary social problems and issues content to depict traditional working class values. (Gans, 2008) As a result, creators and audiences of popular culture are by association considered to be superficial or lacking in intellect. Popular fiction is defined as plot-driven fictional works, written with the intent of fitting into a specific literary genre, (French, 2010) so as to appeal to mainstream readers who buy into the pre-existing format because it is familiar, recognisable and easily digested. These so-called conventions of popular fiction are specific settings, roles, events and values that define individual genres and their subgenres (McKee, 1997) and often, publishing houses are known to present obligatory guidelines for authors to follow in order to have their works considered for publication. Any literature in fitting with these conventions is usually considered separate from literary fiction by critics for being stereotypical and poorly written; those texts are created solely to provide escapism to its readership as opposed to meaningful, carefully crafted prose that might incite thought or action. Literary fiction refers to works that hold so-called literary merit, which here means that they compr ise of political commentary, comments on societal hegemonic ideologies and the human condition. Like its popular counterpart, literary fiction is written purposely with its own set of conventions in mind, with the difference being that the focus of the works involved lingers more on themes than on fast-paced plot progression or audience appeal. It is arguable that pop culture is the easiest way to appease the mainstream, an audience fundamentally made up of young people; technology has transformed culture, especially popular culture, into the primary educational site in which youth learn about themselves and the larger world (Giroux, 2000). There has always been contentious debate regarding the discrepancies between high art, a category into which literature falls, and popular culture. However, it is arguable that this debate is obsolete; the distinction between the two is blurred just because a piece of work is easily accessible and appeals to the masses, does not necessarily sacr ifice its credibility or deem it an unintelligent piece of work that is lacking in thought. A televised adaptation of Austens Pride and Prejudice, or Baz Luhrmans modern reimagining of Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet, for instance, could be considered literary in an intertextual manner, being as their origins hail from classic literature. For instance, author John Storey would argue that the quantitative definition of culture has the problem that much high culture is also popular (Storey, 2014), making the two difficult to separate into distinguishable categories. It also could be said that pop culture is more intrinsic to society than so called high art, because it wields so much influence over the general public and which media they do or do not consume; in the struggle over the symbolic order that characterizes our times, popular culture developed by name brands and various forms of media, including the Hollywood film industry is crucial in creating the identities and representat ions that our youth embrace (Reynolds 2006). Linton Kwesi Johnson is a Jamaican writer based in the United Kingdom the second living poet, and the only poet of colour, to be immortalised in the Penguin Modern Classics collection. Johnson is a dub poet a genre that is, according to him, overcompensation for deprecation and as a writer, refuses to conform to English standards of poetry; he uses Creole patois as a political statement, defying the expectations society holds for poets. This phonetic, unstandardized transcription of his own language is certainly not that of great literary figures Jane Austen, George Orwell or Charles Dickens, and yet, he has been awarded the Golden PEN award in 2012 for a Lifetimes Distinguished Service to Literature. His idea of poetry has been passed through generations, and did not simply consist of standard Received Pronunciation English or what was deemed publishable but included traditional slave songs. Johnsons poetry is heavily inspired by the Black Panther movement, a group in which he be came active during his school years; their belief being that violence in the face of constant racism is necessary, using militant revolutionary force against the racist police and segregation of 1960s London. He himself describes his writing as a political act [à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦] poetry was a cultural weapon (Wroe, 2008). It was during Johnsons childhood that the SAS law, or the 1824 vagrancy act, was reintroduced, which enabled the police to arrest someone they suspected had intentions of committing a crime, allowing police to exploit and arrest people of colour in London without any evidence. The subject matter of his poetry is usually political, depicting his experiences as an African-Carribean living in Britain, but has also focused on foreign policies and police brutality. Johnsons poem If I woz a tap natch poet serves not only as an example of his subversion from the conventions of literary work but simultaneously describes his rejection of the canon, and his interstitial position between musician and poet, between high art and popular culture, between politics and aesthetics (McGill 2003). For instance, he begins if I waz a tap-natch poet, like Chris Okigbo, Derek Walcot ar T.S Eliot (Johnson, 2004); the opening challenges any predispositions suggesting that canons operate according to transparent principles of coherency or homogeneity. Chris Okigbo signals an alternative to the Western Canon advocated by critics. In contrast, Derek Walcott is a Nobel laureate, and his appearance suggests a movement back towards conservative tastes. However, the inclusion of T.S. Eliot demonstrates that the canon Johnson is crafting is unfortunately one made up entirely of people of colour. He continues by saying if he were top-notch himself, he would write a poem so h dyam deep/dat it bittah-sweet (Johnson, 2004), implying that the works of Okigbo, Walcott and Eliot create work that is deep or poses intellectual questions, a prerequisite of literariness. Moreover, the poem appears to carry another irony when analysed more thoroughly in that T. S Eliot appears as a token white poet, which is reflective of the way in which right-wing institutions that anthologise the zeitgeist of the times, such as anthologies, are known for including very few people of colour, sometimes just a single person, to demonstrate supposed diversity and avoid criticism or backlash from minorities. On perhaps the other end of the literary spectrum to Johnson is Suzanne Collins, an American writer, renowned for her young adult dystopian trilogy The Hunger Games. She was born in Harvard, Connecticut but being the daughter of a military officer, consistently moved across America. Consequently, inspired by her fathers career in the Air Force, her work tackles themes of war and its effects on the world, including poverty, starvation and innocent civilian death. The Hunger Games is set in Panem, a post-apocalyptic America made up of the Capitol and 12 surrounding districts; every year, two children from each district, male and female, are chosen to take part in an obligatory, televised fight to the death, known as the Hunger Games. The staggering popularity of her work resulted in her being named one of Time magazines most influential people of 2010 and as of March 2012, became the best-selling Kindle author of all time. It is not unusual for creators of literature to use so called p op culture tropes and appropriate them into high culture works; with the blurred lines of literary and popular first identifiable in the Romantic period where romance fiction became a substantial influence on future literature, despite having been previously disparaged. More recent examples include Andy Warhols use of the Campbell soup can in his pop art, as well as artist Jeff Koons conceptualising kitsch and pornography, subject matters often vilified for lacking in culture or finesse, to create new work which is supposedly worthier of the label high art. This same technique of intertextuality and the idea that any one piece of literature is created by combining several others is arguably evidenced in Collins dystopian novel; on the surface, it is a young adult romance implementing the typical formulaic conventions and character archetypes evidenced in the majority of mainstream pop culture, arguably inspired by the critical success of Stephanie Meyers Twilight saga. However, when discussing the origin of The Hunger Games, Collins cites the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur as the most significant inspiration for her book a classic Greek tale wherein Minos forces the people of Athens to sacrifice 14 women and children to be slaughtered by the Minotaur in the never-ending labyrinth. She also interweaved the concept of the Roman gladiator games; an all-powerful and ruthless government, people forced to fight to the death, and the games role as a source of popular information (Scholastic, 2010) and in doing so, she successfully brings re nowned, classic Greek literature to the mainstream audiences, albeit in a more easily digestible fashion, by reimagining the stories in a fashion that appeals to pop culture fans. Contrastingly, Johnsons poetry focuses not on fabled morality tales, but on real life issues of racism, segregation and police brutality, particularly in London, where he grew up. It can be assumed that, as this is not a topic to which popular culture utilise for its audiences, he does not concern himself with the opinions of critics, or of his audience for that matter, on his work. It is my understanding that it is more important for Johnson to promote anti-racial messages and protest against the mistreatment of people of colour. Johnson himself said that writing anti-establishment poetry during the Race Riots could be considered an act of protest, an act that could have been to his great detriment as a result of the United Kingdoms fervent racism. This shows Johnson to have integrity he is writing about what he believes is important and worth saying; one way to perform a test of literary merit must be, first, the sincerity of the writer. I would be willing, I think, even to add t he seriousness of purpose of the writer (Peters, 2006). From this, one can argue that Johnsons sincerity in his writing of his experiences, and his determination to express anger and encourage reactions to political issues makes his work literary. In If I waz a tap-natch poet, he purposely distinguishes himself from any of the other writers he mentions; he seems to exist in a liminal space, and it is difficult to discern where he sees himself within the hierarchy of literary and popular. It is arguable that he doesnt consider himself a part of either category, because neither of them serve any importance to him. However, whether a text is deemed literary or popular is very rarely a decision made by its own creator; Johnson is simply distancing himself from the process, as he feels it is unnecessary. Although his work holds no evidence of popular culture references, it is certainly popular amongst a specific minority group; people of colour. They have experienced many of the atrociti es he writes of, and can relate to them in a way that the white Western mainstream cannot. As a result, I would argue that Johnsons writing is certainly popular amongst a niche audience, and that appealing to the mass market is not the only category that makes a text worthy of the title. Johnson first became active in the poet community in school, but he was not published until 1974, in the journal Race Today. In the same year, Harper Lees controversial bildungsroman To Kill a Mockingbird was also released. Both Johnson and Lee tackle the subject matter of racism, albeit in different areas of the world, and Lees novel is regarded as one of the greatest of our generation. The difference between Harper Lee and Linton Kwesi Johnson is that one is a privileged white woman, and the other a Jamaican man of working-class background, whose poetry is not isnt carefully pre-packaged in the standard Oxford Dictionary English, the mainstream being young white heterosexual teenagers, who of cour se, prefer to access literature in this way. Johnson is angry about his mistreatment, and that of so many other people of colour, at the hands of white policemen and politicians and civilians. When declaring a text worthy of literary merit, critics significantly consider the moral or messages the story is trying to create, usually through the medium of symbolism or allegory. The metonymic concept of bread and circuses becomes particularly apt when looking at The Hunger Games, as the Latin translation Panem et circenses served as inspiration for the name of the novels fictional setting, Panem. The phrase, first used by Juvenal, who was degrading the sheep-like nature of common people, their selfishness and obliviousness to wider concerns and civic duty, alludes to an appeasement with a lack of substance. It refers to the way in which supposedly democratic governments make use of superficial distractions to satisfy the immediate, shallow requirements of a populace in order to continue to manipulate them for hegemonic gain. Although this could make reference to the Capitols attempts to placate the districts so they cannot overthrow their regime and dismantle their hierarchy, it could also be an allegory for the way in which popular culture works in the real world. When taking a Marxist reading of the novel, it is arguable that Collins was inspired by the Industrial Revolution, most noticeably the living conditions in 19th century Europe. Katniss illustrates this by saying What must it be like, I wonder, to live in world where food appears at the press of a button? How would I spend the hours I now commit to combing the woods for sustenance if it were so easy to come by (Collins, 2008). Collins plot coincides with Marxs socialist philosophy; Panem is comprised of two groups, the proletariat, or the people of the districts, and the bourgeoisie, or the Capitol. This highlights what is a fundamentally unfair system wherein the majority of wealth is held by the minority whilst the general public struggle to maintain a living. This is further evidenced by President Snows hosting of the Hunger Games, themselves, wherein his government hold complete power over the Districts and their people, who have absolutely no hope of ascending to higher status. Katniss, the protagonist of the novel, lives in the district that is hardest hit by the Capitols regime. She represents the lowest of the proletariat, whereas the closer the districts are to the Capitol, the more advantageous; Its tempting, so tempting, when I see the bounty waiting there before me. And I know that if I dont get it, someone else will. That the Career Tributes who survive the bloodbath will divide up most of these life-sustaining spoils. (Collins, 2008) Here, Katniss describes the Career tributes are more likely to survive, having received training for their entire lives to prepare for the games. Whilst Districts One and Two still have to supply children for the games, this is a mere faà §ade, bread and circuses; Snow makes the districts think everything is equal, but in actuality, the Career tributes are much likelier to survive and win the Games, thus maintaining the bourgeo isie whilst slowly killing off the poor. However, Katniss follows the Marxist ideology and seizes the means of production. Collins writes Without a victor, the whole thing would blow up in the Gamemakers faces. Theyd have failed the Capitol. Might possibly even be executed slowly and painfully, while the cameras broadcast it to every screen in the country (Collins, 2008) By refusing to conform, rejecting the role of victor and encouraging Peeta to do the same, this forces the Gamemakers to change the rules and allow both to win. Katniss is still aware, though, that the Capitol would have the power to make an example of the Gamemakers to restore order. These allusions to Marxism and communist theory imply that there is a lot more depth to Collins work than it at first seems; by incorporating themes of real life class issues, she is commenting on societal problems and posing a moral question regarding Americas modern class system. When asked how he would define literariness, critic Walter Van Tilburg Clark declared the final test of literary merit, is the power to endure obviously such a test cannot be applied to a new or recent work, and one cannot, I think, offer soundly an opinion on the probability of endurance (Peters, 2006). Here, he is arguing that the most significant criterion of the definition is that if a text can endure, it can be considered worthy of literary merit. It is not, then, necessary for a text to follow the other rules regarding context, connotations or conveying a higher meaning; if a text is popular, it is likely to endure. The Hunger Games Trilogy spent 50 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and has been translated to the screen as a multi-million dollar film series. Such a lengthy stay at the top of a highly-regarded rating system is suggestive of endurance, and therefore, regardless of the issues the trilogy presents in terms of stereotypical pop-culture tropes and character moulds, it can be defined as literary. In addition, the concept of literariness is one that is inherently subjective; particularly because aesthetic value is entirely based in personal preference. It is, according to critics, a relic of a scholarly elite.Similarly, the predispositions regarding popular texts and its dismissal as uncultured also seem to be outdated views stemming from old-fashioned beliefs. The examination and understanding of popular culture, therefore, is necessary to understanding ourselves, our identities and the world that surrounds us. A text that is considered brilliant by one, will be terrible to another; we each have different interests and tastes, and there is never going to be unanimity when defining literary and popular and the difference between them. The study of popular culture enables us to consider literature in a less judgemental, more open-minded fashion, voiding the inherent laws of what makes a text literary or fundamentally good. Popular cultur e does not exclusively lend itself only to companies to churn out poorly-written prose lacking in value and increase financial revenue, although it is manipulated by those in power to detract from real life issues; just because this is the case some of the time, it doesnt define all literature that falls into the category of popular as unworthy of also being literary. The two terms are not mutually exclusive, and a text does not give up its right to being one by adhering to some characteristics of the other. The spectrum of defining literary and popular categories, albeit arbitrary in nature, which are not binary opposites in terms of literature, is, in my opinion, one that is entirely personal, and each individual will hold opinion on where any given text falls; that does not make them true, as there are no correct answers. Word Count: 3496 _____________________________________________________________________ References Johnson, L. K (2002) If I Woz a Nap-Natch Poet, Mi Revalueshanary Fren: Selected Poems London: Penguin Collins, Suzanne (2008) The Hunger Games New York, Scholastic University of Iowa (1967) An Interview With William Faulkner The Western Review: A Literary Quarterly, Volume 15, Number 4 Ross, Lillian (1950) Profiles: How Do You Like It Now, Gentlemen? The New Yorker, F. R. Publishing Corporation, New York. Berrong, R.M (1986) Rabelais and Bakhtin: Popular Culture in Gargantua and Pantagruel University of Nebraska Press Gans, Herbert J (2008) Popular culture and high culture Basic Books. pp. 8-10 Storey, J (2014) From Popular Culture to Everyday Life Routledge French, C.T Literary Fiction vs Genre Fiction[online] http://www.authorsden.com/categories/article_top.asp?catid=10id=18884 (accessed December 2016) McKee, R (1997) Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting New York: HarperCollins. p. 87 Giroux, Henry (2000) Stealing Innocence: Youth, Corporate Power and the Politics of Culture, New York, St. Martins Press Reynolds, W (2006) Cultural curriculum studies, multiplicity and cinematic-machines Journal of Curriculum Theorizing, Caddo Gap Press Wroe, N (2008) I did my own thing [online] https://www.theguardian.com/books/2008/mar/08/featuresreviews.guardianreview11 (accessed December 2016) McGill, R (2003) Goon poets of the black Atlantic: Linton Kwesi Johnsons imagined canon Textual Practice, Vol. 17, Issue 3 Scholastic (2010) Video: Classical Inspiration, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins [online] http://ww(w.scholastic.com/thehungergames/videos/classical-inspiration.htm (accessed December 2016) Bill, M; Peters, N (2006) Howl on Trial: The Battle for Free Expression City Lights Books. p. 224. Poland as a Potential Market: Environmental Analysis Poland as a Potential Market: Environmental Analysis 1.  INTRODUCTION Servcorp is an Australian-owned services company that specialises in the provision of business solutions. Its main offerings include fully-serviced office packages (office space bundled with IT and communications infrastructure and accompanied by IT and administrative staff), virtual office products such as communications and address services, and meeting rooms for hire (Servcorp, n.d.). Servcorp has expanded its operations into New Zealand, the U.S., Asia, and Europe. While the company operates in the UK, Belgium, and France, it does not currently operate in Poland. In this report, I will analyse five environmental factors relevant to the consideration of Poland as a potential market for Servcorp. These are the country’s political and legal environment, economic environment, trade and financial environment, social and cultural environment, and infrastructure. The ensuing discussion will integrate these findings and provide an overall outlook for Poland. Finally, based on these analyses, a number of recommendations will be put forward regarding Servcorp’s potential expansion into Poland. 3.  ANALYSIS OF THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT 3.1.  Political and legal environment Poland has become one of the most politically stable European countries since it joined the European Union (EU) in 2004 (Bujnicki, 2013). In 2012, Poland ranked below the OECD average on the FDI Regulatory Restrictiveness Index (where a lower score indicates fewer restrictions on FDI) (OECD, 2012). Poland also has a number of state aid measures in place to attract foreign investment. For example, the country has 14 Special Economic Zones; these areas have relaxed income taxation rules and have the appropriate infrastructure in place for starting a business, though businesses require a license to operate in these zones (Lex Mundi, 2013). In Poland, then, Servcorp would find political environment that actively encourages FDI with the view that it is vital to developing the country’s economy. While Poland has few restrictions on FDI, its overall regulatory environment is somewhat complex. The World Bank (2013) ranked Poland 45 of 189 countries on the ease of doing business in 2013, though pointed out that the country’s tax system remains complex and outdated. It takes an average of 685 days to enforce contracts in Poland compared to the OECD average of 529 days, and a number of other bureaucratic hurdles remain (World Bank, 2013). For Servcorp, these factors mean that the company might have to do substantial research into Poland’s tax system, as it contains intricacies not present in Australia’s taxation laws. Property registration is a vital consideration for Servcorp, as the nature of the business means that they must acquire office space to hire out to clients as well as a building for their own use. The World Bank (2013) ranked Poland 54 on the ease of registering property. This is compared with a rank of 40 for Australia; however, there is only one more procedure involved in registering property in Poland than there is in Australia, so red tape in this arena is only slightly more pronounced. 3.2.  Economic environment Real GDP growth in Poland ranged from 1.6% to 6.8% during the period 2005-2012; Poland was the only country in the EU to experience a growth in GDP during the 2008-2009 global financial crisis (OECD, 2013). Real GDP in Poland is expected to grow by 2.7% in 2014 and 3.3% in 2015 (OECD, 2013). However, Poland experienced a small slump in economic growth in 2013; recent changes in fiscal policy have been aimed at encouraging economic growth through expanding the budget deficit and eliminating restrictions on fiscal stimulus measures (Onoszko Krasuski, 2013). Overall, demand for the modern services provided by Servcorp may increase as Poland’s citizens experience an increase in wealth and the economy continues to grow at a healthy rate as a result of these fiscal measures. The slight downturn in real GDP growth in 2013 has been accompanied by low inflation (Eglitis, 2013). This is promising for Servcorp, as it means that the business may be in a better position to make long-term plans with the knowledge that their purchasing power will not decline, and borrowing costs may be lower. With the Polish government’s planned relaxation of fiscal policy, however, Servcorp must continue to track changes in inflation given that these measures may work to raise inflation. 3.3.  Trade and financial environment Relevant bilateral agreements between Australia and Poland include the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement and the Double Taxation Agreement (DFAT, 2013). These agreements ensure that the interests of foreign investors are protected in Poland, and in the case of the latter agreement, that foreign businesses do not have to pay taxes on their business profits in each of the two countries. In short, both agreements are conducive to Servcorp doing business in Poland. A discussion regarding tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade in Poland will not take place here as Servcorp is not seeking to export to or import from Poland—rather, this report considers the risks and opportunities Servcorp faces in establishing operations in Poland. For similar reasons, free trade agreements that Poland has with other European countries will not be discussed here. In 2012, Poland ranked 37 on the Financial Development Index, which along with other factors, considers a country’s financial stability (World Economic Forum, 2012). Specifically, the WEF found that Poland performed particularly well in terms of the stability of its exchange rate and banking system. The leniency with which currency transactions are treated in Poland depends heavily upon the nature of the relationship between the transactor’s home country and Poland (Lex Mundi, 2013). Because Australia has a tax treaty with Poland (ATO, 2012), Australians can expect to face minimal problems when engaging in currency transactions in Poland. It appears that Servcorp would face little financial risk in the country. 3.4.  Social and cultural environment In Poland, 60.9% of the total population live in urban areas (Central Intelligence Agency, 2013). This is compared to 80% in the UK, 97% in Belgium, and 85% in France. Poland’s comparatively low rate of urbanisation suggests that there may be less of a demand for the services that Servcorp offers (office space, IT and communications infrastructure for businesses) in Poland compared with the other European countries in which the company operates. Religion plays a prominent role in Poland, with 89.8% of the population identifying as Roman Catholic (Central Intelligence Agency, 2013). Servcorp must recognise and close business on religious occasions that are not recognised as national holidays in Australia, such as Corpus Christi. Poland also tends to score highly on uncertainty avoidance, meaning that citizens may reject unorthodox or innovative ideas put forward by some businesses (The Hofstede Centre, n.d.). This poses a small risk to Servcorp given that much of their product offering rests on their â€Å"virtual office† innovation; Poles may be wary of this unfamiliar idea. In terms of corruption, Poland’s score on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) in 2013 was 60 of a possible 100 (where 100 indicates no corruption whatsoever), above the world average (Transparency International, 2013). However, there is some concern that Poland does not have the appropriate frameworks in place to manage the growing risk of foreign bribery that comes with its expanding economy (OECD, 2013). Servcorp must be aware of this risk while simultaneously recognising that bribery is not an endemic part of Polish culture. 3.5.  Infrastructure Poland’s score on the Logistics Performance Index (LPI) in 2012 was 3.10 (where the maximum possible score is 5) (World Bank, 2012). This is substantially lower than the 2012 scores received by the European countries in which Servcorp currently operates (the UK, Belgium, and France, which received scores of 3.95, 4.12, and 3.96 respectively). The OECD (2013) remarked that the quality of Poland’s transport and communications infrastructure â€Å"are among the lowest in the OECD† (p. 217). A finding of particular concern is that Poland’s fixed broadband coverage is the lowest in the EU, at only 69.1% (Point Topic, 2012). Poland’s relatively low fixed broadband coverage may prove problematic for Servcorp given that a substantial portion of their business model rests on their provision of modern IT and communications infrastructure to organisations. When acquiring office space for company use as well as for hiring out to clients, a constant concern may be whether or not there is broadband access at that location. Though this is an issue, things may be set to improve: a joint venture between Hawe and TP Teltech is aimed at substantially improving Poland’s broadband infrastructure (van Blommestein, 2012). 5.  REFERENCES Australian Taxation Office. (2012). Countries that have a tax treaty with Australia. Retrieved January 5, 2014, from http://www.ato.gov.au/General/International-tax-agreements/In-detail/Tax-treaties/Countries-that-have-a-tax-treaty-with-Australia/ Bujnicki, P. (2013, February 23). Zloty climbs as Fitch revises Poland rating outlook to positive. Bloomberg News. Retrieved January 5, 2014, from http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-02-22/zloty-climbs-as-fitch-revises-poland-rating-outlook-to-positive.html Central Intelligence Agency (2013). The World Factbook: Poland. Retrieved January 7, 2014, from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pl.html DFAT. (2013). Poland country brief. Retrieved January 5, 2014, from http://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/poland/poland_brief.html Eglitis, A. (2013, November 15). Polish October inflation rate drops to lowest in four months. Bloomberg News. Retrieved January 5, 2014, from http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-14/polish-october-inflation-rate-drops-to-lowest-in-four-months.html Lex Mundi. (2013). Doing business in Poland. Retrieved January 5, 2014, from http://www.lexmundi.com/lexmundi/Guides_To_Doing_Business.asp Ministry of Treasury (2012). Fast growth of business services sector in Poland and prospects of its continuation – business services centers are becoming Polish specialty. Retrieved January 5, 2014, from http://msp.gov.pl/en/polish-economy/economic-news/3641,Fast-growth-of-business-services-sector-in-Poland-and-prospects-of-its-continuat.html OECD (2012). FDI Regulatory Restrictiveness Index. Retrieved January 5, 2014, from http://www.oecd.org/investment/fdiindex.htm OECD. (2013a). Country statistical profile: Poland. Retrieved January 5, 2014, from http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/economics/country-statistical-profile-poland_20752288-table-pol OECD. (2013b). Poland – Economic forecast summary. Retrieved January 5, 2014, from http://www.oecd.org/eco/outlook/polandeconomicforecastsummary.htm OECD. (2013a). Poland needs strategy to meet growing risk of foreign bribery. Retrieved January 7, 2014, from http://www.oecd.org/daf/anti-bribery/polandneedsstrategytomeetgrowingriskofforeignbribery.htm OECD. (2013b). Economic policy reforms: Going for growth 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2014, from http://www.oecd.org/inclusive-growth/Economic%20Policy%20Reforms%202013%20Going%20for%20Growth.pdf Onoszko, M., Krasuski, K. (2013, July 17). Poland to relax budget and fiscal rules to stimulate economy. Bloomberg News. Retrieved January 5, 2014, from http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-16/polish-government-relaxes-budget-fiscal-rules-to-boost-economy.html Point Topic. (2012). Broadband coverage in Europe in 2012: Mapping progress towards the coverage objectives of the Digital Agenda. Retrieved January 7, 2014, from http://point-topic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Point-Topic-Broadband-Coverage-in-Europe-in-2012-Final-Report-20130813.pdf Servcorp. (n.d.). About us. Retrieved January 6, 2014, from http://www.servcorp.com.au/en/about-us/ The Hofstede Center. (n.d.). Poland. Retrieved January 7, 2014, from http://geert-hofstede.com/poland.html Transparency International. (2013). Corruption Perceptions Index 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2014, from http://cpi.transparency.org/cpi2013/results/#myAnchor1 van Blommestein. (2012). Is Poland finally getting out of the broadband slow lane? Retrieved January 7, 2014, from http://www.zdnet.com/is-poland-finally-getting-out-of-the-broadband-slow-lane-7000003129/ World Bank. (2012). Logistics performance index: Quality of trade and transport-related infrastructure [Data set]. Retrieved January 7, 2014, from http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/LP.LPI.INFR.XQ World Bank. (2013). Doing business 2014. Retrieved January 5, 2014, from http://www.doingbusiness.org/~/media/GIAWB/Doing%20Business/Documents/Annual-Reports/English/DB14-Full-Report.pdf World Economic Forum. (2012). The Financial Development Report 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2014, from http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_FinancialDevelopmentReport_2012.pdf

Narcolepsy Essay -- Sleep Disorders Sleeping Papers

Narcolepsy Narcolepsy is a permanent sleep disorder that gets worse with age. It is estimated that about 40,000 to 135,000 people in the United States have narcolepsy. (Narcolepsy, 2002). Most people who have narcolepsy are often times misdiagnosed because the symptoms, especially if noticed at the beginning stages, are very similar to other sleep disorders. Some of the symptoms that go along with narcolepsy are excessive sleepiness, especially during the daytime or when sleep is inappropriate, cataplexy which is when a person suddenly looses control of their muscles, sleep paralysis which is when the person is unable to move for a short period of time after they wake up from sleep, and hypnagogic hallucinations which is very vivid dreams, often experienced minutes after falling asleep. (Wunder 2002). For a person with narcolepsy, the message about when to sleep and be awake often arrive at the brain at the wrong time or wrong place, causing them to fall asleep while their emotions are high or even during physical activities. According to Margan (2003), narcoleptic patients have a shortage of neurons which produce excitatory neurotransmitters such as hypocretin and orexin. With less of these neurotransmitters, the signals for when to sleep and when to be awake is sent at the wrong times. Scientists have found that narcoleptic patients lack a chemical in the brain called hypocretin. Hypocretin helps to regulate sleep and stimulates arousal. It was also discovered that the number of neurons which secrete hypocretin is also reduced. (Wunder 2002). It is uncertain why these are missing. Treatment for narcolepsy is limited, but there are possible medications to help limit the effects of this disorde... ...ness Associated With Narcolepsy. American Family Physician. pp. 973. Ault, Alicia. (1999, January). FDA Approves First New Narcolepsy Drug in USA in Decades. Lancet. pp. 131. Morgan, K. (2003, March). No Rest for the Waking. Science News, 163, 181. O'Brien, James C. (2004). Facts about narcolepsy – frequently asked questions. Retrieved April 2, 2004, from http://www.talkaboutsleep.com/sleepdisorders/ Narcolepsy_FAQS.htm Seydel, C. (2000, August). Wake Up Call for Narcoleptics. Science Now, 2. Takahashi, Joseph. (1999, September). Narcolepsy Genes Wakes Up the Sleep Field. Science. pp. 2076. Travis, J. (2000, September). Brain-Cell Loss Found In Narcolepsy. Science News, 158, 148. Wunder, Heidi T. (2002). Living with narcolepsy. Retrieved April 2, 2004, from http://www.sleepfoundation.org/publications/livingnarcolepsy.cfm

An Overview of the Works of John Pierpont Morgan

John Pierpont Morgan (1837 – 1931) is one of the more controversial figures in the history of America and the world of finance. Described as a sui generis, a colossus (McCallum, p. 2), â€Å"the organizer† (Miller, 2003), â€Å"banker of last resort† (Andrews, 1999), and â€Å"the man of the hour† (Corey, p. 348), John Pierpont Morgan has also been called a â€Å"robber baron† (Andrews, 1999). Thus, it is evident that J. P. Morgan was a man who was as much praised for his actions in saving the American economy during the 1895 and 1907 crises, as he was criticized and derided for what was seen as his calculated control of the financial world and American business. Viewed from the lens of financial history, however, there can be little doubt that no person, either before or since, has left â€Å"upon the great art of money getting so important an influence.† (Flynn, p. 452) Indeed, Morgan†s acumen in finance and business is clearly illustrated by the fact that the U.S. government had to set up a whole array of government institutions, from the Federal Reserve to the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Department of Transportation, to carry out the market stabilizing functions that Morgan had once assumed (Andrews, 1999). But perhaps, the biggest testimony to Morgan†s financial astuteness and power lies in the role he assumed as defacto central banker in 1907. For, there can be little doubt that J. P. Morgan single-handedly rescued the American economic system from falling into disarray. The key to understanding how one man could possibly act as the defacto central banker for as democratic, large and influential a country like the United States, lies in not so much analyzing the actual event, but in J. P. Morgan†s personal history. For, only such an approach could possible explain how he possessed the financial power to avert the collapse of one of the richest banking systems in the world. John Pierpont Morgan was born in Hartford, Connecticut on April 17, 1837. The son of a rich commodity broker, Morgan was exposed to the world of finance and business from an early age (1000 Management Giants, 1999). Interestingly, call it sheer coincidence or the hand of destiny, the day of Morgan†s birth saw all the banks in New York suspending specie (currency) payment, with banks in Hartford following suit the next day. Thus, as Flynn (p. 462) points out, the future money king came into the world amid the din of crashing banks. Environmental influences may have played a role in instilling in the young Morgan an early interest in business. However, it appears that Morgan also had a natural interest in and gift for figures. For, even as a child, he is reputed to have kept a meticulous account detailing the receipt and expenditure of his allowance (1000 Management Giants, 1999). Further, this early interest was no fluke since he repeatedly proved his prowess with figures in both school and college. So much so, that his high school teacher is reported to have called him a prodigy after witnessing Morgan†s ability to mentally solve problems in cubic root and decimals. But perhaps the greater compliment to Morgan†s mathematical ability came when the University of Gottingen offered the graduate student Morgan, a professor†s chair in mathematics (Flynn, p. 454, 464). Fortunately for the business world, and unfortunately for the mathematical one, Morgan refused. Morgan entered the business of finance in 1857 as an accountant in the New York based Duncan, Sherman and Company. Morgan†s first job, as well as the work he did with his father†s international firm, gave him a unique perspective on specie standardization necessity for credit and commerce (obits.com). It is also interesting to note that Morgan began his career in a year of panic, just as he began his life amidst the din of crashing banks. But, perhaps this was a fortuitous start since, as Geisst (p. 89) observes, the panic of 1857 proved to be a fertile training ground for many future financiers. In Morgan†s case, this was probably true since he later demonstrated that he knew the value of financial stability and solidity. Besides the valuable learnings of the initial years, the civil war that followed must also have taught Morgan a great deal in terms of identifying business opportunities in downturns, the effect of war on monetary policy and credit, and most important, the role of courage, confidence, and faith in taking business decisions. In fact, this probably accounts for one of Morgan†s most famous sayings, â€Å"Remember, my son, that any man who is a bear on the future of this country will go broke.† (McCallum, p. 2) Morgan proved his abilities in business very early. For, it is apparent that he quickly learnt the financial ropes to become an increasingly influential member of the firm, Dabney, Morgan & Company (1864-1871), before moving on to become a partner in Drexel, Morgan & Co. In fact, it was the latter firm that grew to be recognized as one of the world†s most powerful financial institutions, both before and after it came to be known as J. P. Morgan & Co. in 1895 (Netstate, 2005). The reputation of J. P. Morgan & Co. was primarily earned in the decade 1879-89 when the House of Morgan consolidated its financial power and developed the institutionalized mechanism for the control of investment resources and of industry. Indeed, this is evident in the fact that by 1889, J.P. Morgan had secured control of many important railroads by virtue of his use of new forms and functions of finance such as the formation of trusts, acquisitions and mergers. In fact, this is when â€Å"Morganization,† or the control of finance over industry, and consequently, the centralization of industry and finance, was first established (Corey, p. 131-2). Morgan†s interest in consolidating the railroads, however, was not just for profit reasons. He was genuinely interested in achieving stabilization in the interests of the American economy. Therefore, he improved railroad properties and services, increased safety and efficiency, and decreased costs to operators, shippers, and the traveling public (Destler, p. 39; Moody, p. 134; Wagenknecht, p. 56). Morgan achieved this through providing the railways with enormous amounts of capital, which they needed for investment. More important, he put a stop to all price wars, thereby prevented likely bankruptcies, ensuring in the process that the capital was put to good use (Andrews, 1999). Much like his interests in the railways, Morgan also invested in consolidating other core sector businesses such as steel and power. For instance, he funded Thomas Edison in setting up the Edison General Electric Company. He later acquired and merged Thomas Houston Electrical with Edison to form General Electric in 1892, to emerge as the controlling force in the power industry (Geisst, p. 115) Similarly, by 1901, he had created U.S. Steel, North America†s first billion dollar company (McCallum, p. 2). Morgan achieved this through merging his Federal Steel Company with Andrew Carnegie†s Carnegie Steel Company (obits.com). After the merger, he then proceeded to offer the public the largest to date stock offering of $1.4 billion (Geisst, p. 115-6). However, much like the railways, Morgan†s principal reason for taking an interest in the steel industry was his goal of achieving a stable American economy through stabilization and prevention of violent fluctuations, which the steel industry in particular was subject to. This, Morgan felt, was a critical task because such fluctuations invariably resulted in creating periods of inflation and depression for many other industries, which were dependent on steel (Weinberg, p. 148). The key to Morgan†s success in amassing wealth and financial control lay in his ability to mobilize funds, overseas and at home, for the various trusts he controlled. In the absence of a central bank, these trusts quickly gained in clout as financiers and bankers aided and contributed to the consolidation of many smaller, innovative companies by merging them into industrial giants (Geisst, p. 124). Therefore, it is hardly surprising that J.P. Morgan & Co., First National, and National City Bank, a trio dominated by Morgan, held a total of 341 directorships in 112 companies with aggregate capital resources (in money of the day) of between $ 22-25 million in 1912 (Andrews, 1999; Wagenknecht, p.50). Thus, Morgan†s path to success explains the colossal power he possessed in the financial and business circles of America. So much so, that even the U.S. government turned to him for help on several occasions. One such occasion was in 1985, when the U.S. Treasury was facing a rapidly melting gold reserve. Morgan responded promptly by organizing a syndicate, which supplied the U.S. government with $62 million dollars in gold. This timely action shored up the reserves to a safe limit of $100 million and probably saved the dollar (McCallum, p. 2; Wagenknecht, p. 55). This action, plus the indisputable power of his holdings, makes it evident that by 1907, J. P. Morgan was seen as the first among equals in American finance and industry. Therefore, it is hardly surprising that Wall Street, banks, trusts, and the government turned to him when banks began failing in 1907. There were several factors that precipitated the 1907 banking crisis. The chief of these was the rampant speculation that took place between 1905 and 1906 in the background of a prosperous economy, easy credit, and low interest rates (Moody, p. 134-6). To make matters worse, businesspersons such as F. A. Heinze and C. W. Morse regularly used the shares and resources of banks they owned to buy shares in other banks, or finance their more speculative undertakings (Cahill, 1998; Corey; p. 339-40; Moody, p. 138-141). The unchecked and unregulated American financial system of that era did not help matters any, giving speculators free rein to speculate in rail, copper, and indeed, any issue which Wall Street threw their way, no matter how unsound (Corey, p. 339; Moody, p. 135-6). The first signs of warning of an overheated economy and a bubble actually came in 1906 when Wall Street demand loans and merchant†s discounts began commanding the highest rate in more than 30 years. In fact, in September 1906, New York banks reported a deficit in reserves, leading to the U.S. Treasury depositing government surplus funds in banks (Noyes, p. 357). The action of the U.S. Treasury, however, only resulted in a brief respite. For, in March 1907, prices crashed on the New York Stock Exchange with reports of slackening production and earnings. The situation was further aggravated when large financiers were forced to liquidate their â€Å"indigestible securities† (Corey, p. 340) by a liquidity crisis (Moody, p. 142; Cahill, 1998). This second mini-crisis was once again averted due to the intervention of the U.S. Treasury, high money rates drawing gold from Europe, and funds returning to New York post the end of the crop season (Moody, p. 143). These stop gap measures, however, did not address the real issue, namely, speculation and unregulated financing of businesses. Thus, in October 1907, when the shares of United Copper collapsed due to Heinze†s attempts to corner them, it led to the collapse of a prominent brokerage firm run by his brother, the Heinze controlled Butte (Montana) Savings Bank and the Mercantile National Bank (Corey, p. 340-1; Moody, p. 144). The New York Clearing House Committee agreed to bail out Mercantile to restore depositor confidence. However, the action failed to do so, owing to a ripple effect that occurred once the committee publicized its findings on Heinze and Morse†s speculative activities. This ripple effect led to a run on several banks and trusts such as the Knickerbocker Trust associated with Heinze and Morse (Corey, p. 340; Cahill, 1998). From this point, the panic spread to the rest of the country owing to a loss of confidence in the economy and the American system. In addition, the accompanying credit and liquidity squeeze only deepened the crisis. The collapse of the Heinz and Morse controlled empire and the subsequent run on banks led to financial forces coming together rather automatically under Morgan†s leadership. Even the U.S. government looked to Morgan to solve the problem, with Secretary of the Treasury, George Cortelyou, rushing to New York to confer with Morgan and his associate financiers. In the absence of a central banking institution, Morgan had no choice but to step in and do what he could in an improvised and dictatorial style. In fact, Morgan was the only man in a position who could do so. For, J. P. Morgan & Co. was in sound condition, having learnt the importance of maintaining a high degree of liquidity from previous experiences (Corey, p. 341-2). In any case, Morgan was known for his conservatism and aversion to speculation (Destler, p. 53; Wagenknecht, p. 56). Therefore, if anyone could be trusted to see America safely through its latest crisis, it was J. P. Morgan. Morgan rose to the occasion admirably. While banks crashed and investors panicked, Morgan mobilized the available money in the banking system and trusts, along with the $25 million handed over by the Treasury, to distribute to the banks and other financial institutions. In addition, J. P. Morgan & Co. announced that it would anticipate all interest and dividend payments payable through the firm (Corey, p. 343-44; Geisst, p. 119). Morgan also stepped in at every crucial juncture of the crisis. For instance, Morgan organized a pool of $ 3 million to prevent the Trust Company of America failing. Similarly, when the New York Stock Exchange showed signs of a financial collapse under the weight of all the margin selling that the trusts and banks were forced into, Morgan bailed out the institution by quickly mobilizing a $25 million pledge of funds (Geisst, p. 119-120). Morgan†s role in the bank crisis of 1907 led to the press hailing him as America†s savior and â€Å"man of the hour.† (Geisst, p. 120; Corey, p. 348). Unfortunately, however, criticism soon followed with accusations ranging from his having engineered the crisis for profiteering purposes to being a robber baron. This led to the Federal government setting up the Pujo commission in 1912 to investigate Morgan†s suspected violations of anti-trust laws. The experience, in fact, is said to have broken Morgan who thereafter chose to retire. Morgan died in Rome on August 31, 1931. When he died, he left behind a legacy in investment banking and finance that is revered till today. The debates on Morgan†s motives may go on. But there is one fact that cannot be contested. And, that is, that he single-handedly saved America from one of its worst financial crises.

Famous Quotes from Woodrow Wilson

Famous Quotes from Woodrow Wilson Woodrow Wilson (1856-1927), the 28th president of the United States, while not considered a terrific orator- he was more comfortable debating than orating- gave many speeches around the country and in Congress during his tenure. Many of them contained memorable quotations. Wilson's Career and Accomplishments Serving two consecutive terms as president, Wilson distinguished himself by leading the country into and out of the World War I and presiding over landmark progressive social and economic reforms, including the passage of the Federal Reserve Act and the Child Labor Reform Act. The 19th Amendment to the Constitution ensuring all women the right to vote was also passed during his administration. A Virginia-born lawyer, Wilson began his career as an academic, eventually landing at his alma mater, Princeton, where he rose to become president of the university. In 1910 Wilson ran as the Democratic Party’s candidate for New Jersey governor and won. Two years later he was elected president of the nation.   During his first term Wilson grappled with the war in Europe, insisting on U.S. neutrality, however by 1917 it was impossible to ignore German aggression, and Wilson asked Congress to declare war, asserting that â€Å"The world must be made safe for democracy. When the war ended, Wilson was a strong proponent of the League of Nations, a forerunner of the United Nations that Congress refused to join.   Notable Quotations Here are some  of Wilson’s most notable quotes:   The Constitution was not made to fit us like a straitjacket.†- A  speech about â€Å"Americanism† at the Cooper Union, in New York, NY, November 20, 1904.Life does not consist in thinking, it consists in acting.- Announcing his presidential campaign in Buffalo, NY, September 28th, 1912.I am not one of those who believes that a great standing army is the means of maintaining peace, because if you build up a great profession those who form parts of it want to exercise their profession.- from a speech in Pittsburgh, quoted in The Nation, February 3, 1916.I believe in democracy because it releases the energies of every human being.- At the Workingman’s Dinner, New York, September 4, 1912.If you think too much about being re-elected, it is very difficult to be worth reelecting.- Address at the celebration of the rededication of Congress Hall in Philadelphia, October 25, 1913.One cool judgment is worth a thousand hasty counsels. The thing to do is to supply light and not heat.- Address at Soldiers Memorial Hall, Pittsburgh, January 29, 1916. There is a price which is too great to pay for peace, and that price can be put in one word. One cannot pay the price of self-respect.- Speech at Des Moines, Iowa, February 1, 1916.The world must be made safe for democracy. Its peace must be planted upon the tested foundations of political liberty. We have no selfish ends to serve. We desire no conquest, no dominion. We seek no indemnities for ourselves, no material compensation for the sacrifices we shall freely make.- on the State of War with Germany during an Address to Congress. April 2, 1917.The Americans who went to Europe to die are a unique breed.... (They) crossed the seas to a foreign land to fight for a cause which they did not pretend was peculiarly their own, which they knew was the cause of humanity and mankind. These Americans gave the greatest of all gifts, the gift of life and the gift of spirit.- speech at the American Memorial Day while visiting American graves at Suresnes Cemetery, May 30, 1919. Sources: Craig H. 1952. Woodrow Wilson as an orator. Quarterly Journal of Speech 38(2):145-148.Wilson W, and Pestritto RJ. 2005 Woodrow Wilson: The Essential Political Writings. Lanham, Massachusetts: Rowman Littlefield.Wilson W, and Hart AB. 1918 [2002]. Selected Addresses and Public Papers of Woodrow Wilson. Honolulu, Hawaii: University Press of the Pacific.Wilson, W, and Link, AS. 1993. The Papers of Woodrow Wilson. Princeton University Press.

buy custom Should Cars be More Efficient essay

buy custom Should Cars be More Efficient essay The world is today faced by many challenges raging from environmental problems to depletion of key resources that are very vital for the growth of the world economy. The production of fossil fuels has gone down considerably in the resent years, and it also pollutes the environment. This challenge has primarily risen due to inefficient car models. Many countries are now facing serious economic challenges because of the high cost of fuel prices that has been felt across the world. In light of this challenge, I contend that effective cars should be made in order to curb environmental degradation. PROPONENTS OF EFFECTIVE CARS Apart from petroleum products, other sources of energy such as electricity, and solar can also be used to power cars. A solar car is powered using solar energy. In this case, a solar panel is placed on the roof of the car and it taps solar energy that is used to charge the car battery. Car engineers have discovered that electric cars have many advantages compared to cars that have internal combustion engines. For example, they do not produce exhaust fumes that can pollute the environment. They also have a sustainable source of energy. This is because the batteries that they use are always recharged using electricity, which can be renewed easily. Hybrid vehicles that use batteries can have over fifty percent fuel economy. This can be achieved by manufacturing down sized engines together with large electric motors. The fuel economy of plug in hybrids can also be sufficient. Batteries or ultra capacitors can work in hybrid vehicles that are powered using hydrogen fuel. The fuel economy that can be derived from using hydrogen vehicles can be two to three times greater than the fuel economy of vehicles powered by gasoline(Husain 34). The advantage of fuel economy derived from this process is exclusive of the efficiency involved in the production of hydrogen using primary sources of energy. Roads should be redesigned to facilitate effective driving of cars. For example, there should be specific lanes for commercial vehicles and lanes for fast cars. This will reduce traffic snarl ups, which cause high fuel consumption by vehicles. The cities should also be designed in a manner that will facilitate walking and riding of bicycles. For instance, more paths can be created to make walking and cycling easier. Moreover, roads should be designed to accommodate electric cars. Decentralization of services can be employed as a strategy for reducing the rate of commuting. For instance, rezoning of towns and cities can facilitate easy access to services, hence, people will not have to travel long distances in order to get them. This will make people to work close to their residence and, they will not have to drive to work(Kidd 78). The reorganization of traffic is also important in this process. For example, it should be organized in such a way that heavy commercial tracks can use the roads at night when there is less traffic on the roads. Car pools should be rewarded, and the idea of travelling to work by private cars ought to be discouraged by governments. Car pools involve a situation where people travel over long distances together in the sae car(Colls 167). If the public transport services can be improved by making them more comfortable, and convenient, many people can stop driving on a regular basis. In this case, electric trains can be developed in many parts of the cities because they can facilitate faster transportation of people(Leedy 169). Individuals who drive cars that consume a lot of fuel are supposed to be charged high taxes by ensuring that they pay high charges for their car licenses. The extra money collected from them can be used for controlling environmental problems that arise due to the use of such cars. Governments should revoke the licenses of individuals who have poorly maintained cars that pollute the environment. Besides this, car manufacturers that still produce cars that are not environmentally friendly must be stopped from operating(Evana). This can compel them to produce better vehicles. Advertising of expensive vehicles that consume a lot of fuel also lure people to buy them. Hence, such advertisements should also be stopped because they indirectly contribute to environmental pollution. The cost of environmental damage and reclamation has to be added to the cost of owning and operating a car(Environment Research Inc). For instance, the cost of buying a vehicle should be raised, and the government can stop giving subsidies to car owners. Although increasing the cost of maintaining cars can be a solution, it should not involve increasing the fuel prices. Moreover, motorists need to be advised on how to best maintain their cars so that they do not pollute the environment. They can be advised on various methods of saving fuel consumption in their cars. Apart from developing efficient cars, the manner they are driven also impacts on their efficiency. For example, there is an emerging group of enthusiasts who develop and practice driving techniques to increase fuel efficiency and reduce consumption(Hayre 124). It is also important for people to change their shopping habits by trying to buy goods within their localities instead of driving to other places to buy them. This can limit environmental pollution. Apart from cars, there are also factories and machines, like generators, which consume fossil fuels(Schwela 190). Such machines should also be improved so that they can be environmentally friendly. Companies can invest more in wind and solar energy instead of relying on fossil fuels as a source of energy. OPPONENTS OF EFFECTIVE VEHICLES Even though efficient vehicles are increasingly being recommended by environmentalist, they have greatly been ignored. For example in the recent past, the sales of the Toyota Camry Hybrid dropped 40 percent, Civic Hybrid sales plummeted by 77 percent and Honda Fit numbers fell off by 19.7 percent(Guzzela). A number of questions have emerged concerning the dwindling demand for the efficient automobiles. Generally, the size and turn weight of most of these efficient cars have been condensed so that they can be propelled with as little energy as possible. In this context, many people travelling as a family find such cars veery inconvenient and absolutely uncomfortable. Al though many individuals can fail to provide credible evidence about the impact of an accident on a tiny car, most of them are well aware of the fact that small cars are likely to be more risky when they get involved in a major accident. For example, many people can be maimed if the car they are travelling by rams into a bigger car. The number of comfort enhancing accessories installed in efficient cars is relatively low. Hence, their level of comfort cannot much the taste and class of some motorists. For instance, features like power windows, orchestral-quality sound systems, and computerized navigation draw current(The Green Car Club). The primary challenge associated with installation of such features in hybrid cars is that they will definitely affect their mileage. Automakers have made great progress towards making convenient high mileage automobiles by adding comfort enhancing features. Therefore, they are suitable for daily transport. However, such additional features have extra costs attached to them both directly and indirectly. Such cars are not easy to acquire, and they also need high energy for their propulsion. The reality is that every car or truck ever made represented a balance among a variety of factors, including price, weight, power, convenience, comfort, safety, and practicality(Guzzela 213). Therefore, less weight for more fuel efficiency means less power, comfort, safety and convenience(Guzzela 214). In 1865, English economist William Stanley Jevons discovered an efficiency paradox: the more efficient you make machines, the more energy they use(Environment Research Inc). This occurs because their effectiveness makes them gain demand since they are cheap to service. This makes them to be over used by people. Consumers and producers may enjoy this trend, but the environment may extremely suffer from constant pollution. Moreover, the goal of effective fuel consumption may be unattainable in this context. Lastly, the initial cost of buying an eclectic car is relatively high compared to normal cars, which have internal combustion engines. This is because the lithium-ion battery is very expensive, and it is the one that is used to power electric cars. Another limitation is the lack of proper infrastructure that can support the use of such cars. For example, recharging facilities for the electric car batteries are not readily available. CONCLUSION Environmental effects of using cars are likely to spiral out of control in the near future if decisive measures are not adopted. Environmentalists have recommended various methods of mitigating the negative effects of using cars(Environment Research Inc). Those recommendations should not only be adopted by the governments themselves, but by everyone. This is because the government cannot manage to maintain the environment without the support of the citizens. The government should advice car manufacturers to come up with more environmentally friendly cars that do not have adverse effects on the environment. This can be achieved by ensuring that they do not produce toxic gases that pollute the air. Buy custom Should Cars be More Efficient essay

Philosophy of Emotion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Philosophy of Emotion - Essay Example In view of the prolifertion of incresingly fruitful exchnges between reserches of different stripes, it is no longer useful to spek of the philosophy of emotion in isoltion from the pproches of other disciplines, prticulrly psychology, neurology nd evolutionry biology. While it is quite impossible to do justice to those pproches here, some sidelong glnces in their direction will im to suggest their philosophicl importnce.In this ppr I will criticlly nlys th concpt of motion s it is rfrrd by svrl rsrchs nd philosophrs. I will py spcific ttntion to th dfinition of motion by Solomon nd Russll who invstigtd th phnomnon profoundly nd from diffrnt prospctiv s th mjority of uthors. Philosophrs hv bn concrnd nd oftn worrid bout th ntur of motion sinc Socrts nd th "prSocrtics" who prcdd him, nd lthough th disciplin hs grown up s th pursuit of rson, th motions hv lwys lurkd in th bckground, s thrt to rson, s dngr to philosophy nd philosophrs, s just plin unrsonbl. Prhps tht is why on of th most nduring mtphors of rson nd motion hs bn th mtphor of mstr nd slv, with th wisdom of rson firmly in control nd th dngrous impulss of motion sfly supprssd, chnnlld or, idlly, in hrmony with rson. But nowhr hv th unruly nd thrtning powr of th motions bn mor t odds with wht hs oftn bn clld "rson" thn in th rlm of justic, whr both compssion nd its vicious "ngtiv" countrprt, vngfulnss, hv bn condmnd s disruptiv, irrlvnt nd, t worst, downright dngrous (Jms, 1889). Robert Solomon (1980) spurred both interest nd opposition with his provoctive thesis tht emotions re judgments, lbeit judgments of prticulr kind, chrcterized by their mode of hste nd their evlutive content. Under the influence of (Srtre 1948), he lso dopted the view tht emotions could be understood s strtegic choices, collectively driven by the gol of protecting nd enhncing self-esteem (Solomon 1984). In his more recent work he hs lso written bout the emotionl dimension of justice, nd dvocted n enrichment of emotion theory through cross-culturl perspectives nd the integrtion of scientific perspectives (Solomon 1999). Th rgumnts tnd to focus on th llgd "cpriciousnss" nd "prjudic" of motions, lthough, ltrntivly, thy r ttckd for thir "intrctibility" nd thir stupidity. On th on hnd, consrvtivs lov nothing mor thn to lmbst th "do-goodrs" nd "blding hrts," nmly thos who xprss thir flings rthr thn stick by som bstrct nd oftn ruthlss, but in ny cs "hrd-hdd" thory. On th othr hnd, thr is th g-old insistnc on "th rul of lw," shrd by both librls nd consrvtivs, which insists on "not rturning vil for vil," nd, ccordingly, th forswring nd condmntion of rvng. But compssion nd rvng r but two sids of th sm coin, nd ginst th wisdom tht gos bck to Plto. Rson is not th mstr hr, nor should it b. (Nor, of cours, should it b slv.) Wht must b shown is tht th motions do not nd should not ply n infrior rol in dlibrtions bout justic, nd tht it is fls tht motions r mor primitiv, lss intllignt, mor bstil, lss dpndbl, nd mor dngrous thn rson. Rson nd motion r not two conflicting nd ntgonistic spcts of th soul. Rtionl motions constitut justic, which is nithr dispssiont nor mrly motionl. "I hd been dvised erly in life tht sound decisions cme from

I wore a mask, and my face grew to fit it Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

I wore a mask, and my face grew to fit it - Essay Example I was lucky because I have very supporting parents. However, reflecting back on those experiences, I could say that those were the times when I wore a mask. Wearing a mask means not showing my real feelings but feigning them just to please my parents. Every good child wishes for his/her parents to be happy. In order to make them happy, one would normally do things that would please one’s parents and make them proud. For example, a child would study hard, aim for good marks, or aspire for the most valuable player award. To please my parents, I wore a mask to be what my parents expected me to be. During times I felt weak and afraid, I wore that mask of courage and aggressiveness. When I felt longing to hide at my father’s back on the first day of school, I wore a mask of confidence to avoid disappointing him. When I felt like sinking in my mother’s lap, I wore a mask of strength to perform an oratorical speech in school. In fact, I have worn many masks in many places just to make my parents feel proud. The mask allowed me to be the person my parents wanted me to be and to bring out the best in me. At first, the mask felt rather unfit and too tight, but as I wore it, it felt comfortable to use, it was as if my f ace grew to fit it. Using the mask that my parents caused me to wear has made me the person that I am right now, full of courage, strength and goals. The mask allowed me to discover my capabilities and talents. If I did not wear it in grade school, I would have been ostracized. If I do not wear it today, I will not gain acceptance in the university, and will not have the means to achieve my dreams. The mask has allowed me to exist in the present world, where other mask wearers like me exist (Shadowmat.org). It has gained me appreciation and respect not only from my parents but also from other people around me: my teachers, classmates, friends, and neighbors. The