Alvin Ailey's Polotics in the Art of Dance Research Paper

Alvin Ailey's Polotics in the Art of Dance - Research Paper Example Ailey was most popular as one of the first few African Americans who dared revolutionize their dance styles, which ultimately led to his contribution to modern American dance. It is in this respect though that he was able to subtly express for the first time his political convictions. At the height of his success as a choreographer, when he was recognized no longer just for his art but also for how he used it to advance his political cause, Ailey was awarded the Spingarn Medal. Renowned composer-conductor Leonard DePaur, his presentation of the award, mentioned that Ailey â€Å"would confound and confuse America's critics by refusing to conform to their pre-conceptions of what a black choreographer must be† (NAACP 1977, p. 100). With this distinction, it is clear that Ailey had been able to infuse his politics in the development of his choreography and in the performance of his dance. Through his art, he was able to challenge stereotyping that was brought about by racism and b igotry. This paper seeks to explain the bases why Ailey incorporated his political activism into the art form that he specializes in and how this has contributed to America’s struggle against racism. I. ... Aside from the treatment that they receive from the whites because of their race, Ailey and his mother also suffered due to their constant lack of income. Ailey’s family was basically working class and his mother picked cotton and occasionally did domestic chores for the more affluent white families (Cardwell 2006, p.38). This childhood of want and inequality had influenced the development of Ailey’s political views early on. However, it took time before this actually was brought out into the open through his choreography. Prompted by his keen interest in dance, Ailey went to undergo formal training in dance with the tutelage of Lester Horton, who was recognized then as the principal promoter of the modern dance in Los Angeles. In the 1940’s, it was in Los Angeles and New York only that African Americans could train alongside with the whites. It was also during this period that Ailey was able to come across other African America dance artists who trained under Ho rton. When Horton died though, Ailey took over the company. As a result, he achieved a freer hand in determining the styles and contents of every dance production that the company came up with. During these particular times though, it was clear that Ailey was more concerned with the rapid development of his artistic talents in dance, as well as the continuous improvement of his dancer’s talents. However, by 1958, when the struggle for the civil rights of African Americans reached its peak, Ailey also began to show his political inclinations. The most glaring examples of these are Blue Suite and Revelations, which â€Å"focused on the experience of African Americans† (Foulkes 2002, p. 180). Both dance productions highlighted the uniqueness of the

Causes of a Problem of Haier Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 11

Causes of a Problem of Haier - Essay Example These systems were very successful regarding the Chinese culture of management but since the company wants to increase its global installed base there is a question on how it is going to achieve it by following the same human resource management practices. These are the following: increase of employee internal competition by implementing an internal ranking of employees. Employees are judged by all performance dimensions and they have to complete their tasks the same day and have continuous self-assessments. Each employee is almost an independent profit center so entrepreneurship is developed. Managers are also continuously appraised like employees and both are given chances to improve their performance by providing abundant training. A talent pool inside the company is also created. Haier has followed a product diversification strategy i.e. it has expanded to 86 different product categories. It is doubtful if Haier can pursue the same following strategy since product expansion requires heavy investment. Then the second part of its strategy was product innovation to niche markets i.e. developing products for specific market segments. Under careful consideration, this is a strategy that can be pursued at the current moment. Globalization which is the third component of the strategy is expanding to other countries in all aspects i.e. production, alliances etc. Globalization can also be limited for the time being since it requires heavy financial investment when it comes to building new factory sites that can be quite risky at this period of time. Globalization demands also understanding foreign cultures so it requires further research on this issue. The fourth component was marketing initiatives that emphasized product quality and market research.

Real Danger Men: Begin To Think Like Computers

Real Danger Men: Begin To Think Like Computers This quote by Sydney G. Harris has several connotations to it. In one view, it essentially shows that how we work, how we live and even the way we think is constrained by the tools that we use. Explaining it with a very simple example, as an adult in the world today, we do not have to write anything at all. We just type everything. So, there really is no call for proper handwriting. It is very similar to another famous quotation If you have a hammer, every problem looks like a nail. It narrows your thought. It narrows your skills and diminishes your imagination. The essential significance of this quote by Sydney G. Harris is that one should open up ones mind and realize the peril that we all face today, and not what we perceive to be the real threat. Today, the predilection is for us to think about how one day, machines and computers might be able to think like us, and the troubles that that might bring for the human race. Have we all not given a thorough thought to it after watching the Sci-fi Hollywood movies set in the 22nd century, where the true enemy of earth is the army of machines that men themselves once created? But people do not realize the real hazard that faces us today, which is that if we start thinking, behaving and acting like the machines do; it would be by far more disturbing than the former. Let us try and answer some very simple questions to understand what Mr. Harris is all apprehensive about. What is that inimitable human trait that we stand to lose and in the process become like machines? What is it that separates humans from computers? Is it our ability to think? Or is it our ability to comprehend and learn? As quoted by Edsger W. Dijkstra The question of whether computers can think is just like the question of whether submarines can swim. They do not do it on their own, but it solves the purpose. With the development of expert systems and advanced technologies, machines do now think by themselves and learn on their own. So, what is the fine line between humans and machines? May be it is our ability to feel, to imagine, to be intuitive and to have emotions. As Albert Einstein once said, Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to k now and understand. Let us look at the difference between this imagination, intuitiveness and facts, the knowledge accumulation. Blaise Pascal was one of the very famous physicist, mathematician and philosopher, who also invented the first digital computer to add or subtract up to eight digit numbers. One of his most famous works is called the Pensà ©es, explained the distinction between the spirit of geometry and the spirit of finesse, the difference between machines and humans. The key distinction between these two modes of according to Pascal is that while the spirit of geometry analyses observable facts into clearly definable elements and uses deductive reason to construct a system of knowledge and rules based on meticulous attestation, the spirit of finesse concerns ideas and perceptions which cannot be precisely defined or broken down into parts, and uses instinctive reason to make sense of the relevant phenomena as a whole. Furthermore, the spirit of finesse results in imperfect opinions about which intellectual people may from time to time argue. A computer thus, works as a spirit of geometry and humans as a mix of the spirit of geometry and the spirit finesse which gives them the ability to reason logically and also to have an intuitive mind, which has a suppleness of contemplation for things it loves. Such a brain is accustomed to adjudicate at a single glance and that too tacitly, without mechanical rules. For example, Einstein did not uniquely possess any piece of information that was not accessible to physicists of that era when he developed the theory of relativity. He merely deduced the same existing facts in a completely different manner, and then made testable prophecies on the basis of them. This explains another of the very famous quotes by Albert Einstein Laws are only reached by non-logical methods. To make a law one has to have an intellectual love of the subject. We may now deduce the apprehensions of Mr. Harris. While the mechanical thinking of computers implies that every predicament has a definite and clearly definable solution, still not all the human thinking can be equated with problem-solving. There are no set rules and theorems which can logically conclude many important questions that confront us in the human life What is religion?, Does God truly exist?, How should one choose a career path?, Am I truly in love? These questions do not have unambiguous solutions, but these queries are difficulties that require thoughtful illumination. [Richard Van de Lagermaat, 2002] The danger of losing our humanly thoughtful illumination is very evident in todays world. Apart from the example of using computers for writing, we can deduce from the classroom teachings, how we lay heavy importance on facts and information. Every school focuses on a truck load of information which is stormed into the young brains. We inculcate the substance of logic in our children at a tender age, thus, taking away the essentials that make them more human than anything else, the originality in thinking, in perceiving, in imagining all by them themselves. A quote from Charles Dickens novel, Third Times strengthens this school of thought: Facts alone are wanted in life, Plant nothing else, and root out everything else. You can only form the minds of reasoning animals upon Facts; nothing else will ever be of any service to them. It shows the direction that we are moving. But this is not the lone want from our life and our education. It is also a must to understand how to think intelligently on the basis of raw facts, make consequential connections between them, and come up with imaginative original ideas. The above discussions pose computers as an evil creation of humans. Does that mean that computers are truly an iniquity? Are they destroying the very nature of mankind? Evidently and quite rightly it is untrue. According to some researchers, programs such as clip art and Microsoft Word encourage creativity in children by making it possible for them to write and edit documents without getting encumbered with the mechanics of handwriting and spelling [Provenzo,1999]. The computer is thus, not evil unless it is used as an alternate to learn the fundamentals, such as writing, reading and basic mathematics. The time that we become dependent on computers and start using it as our numero uno resource of education, we lose the basics which build everything else. This is when we lose our creativity, originality and narrow our thinking to programmable machines. Thus, this quote expresses an extraordinary message, that even though technology is highly advantageous and it truly makes our life a lot easier for us, if used incongruously, it is also as devastating as it is obliging. For example, a car is surely is a faster and more comfortable way of commuting from one place to another, especially over long distances. And with time, it has only improved to better suit the needs and comfort of ours. However, while exploiting the luxury and ease, we tend to become so used to this comfort that we start neglecting the very nature of ours, walking, as and when possible. From the very first word to the last one in this quote, Sydney G. Harris is trying to differentiate between a humans lifestyle and a computers lifestyle. By saying that men will begin to think like computers, he indicates that our future is likely to be lazy because this is what the tool all of us use gives us. Computers are out hammers which drill all the nails by themselves. It give s us shortcuts for all the problems we feed it; it does things the easy way. The same implies to any other technology. Consider the following questions. Has Google made us lazy? Are Facebook friends our true friends? Are we more efficient when we are multi-tasking on our android and windows hand-held devices? We need true answers to all these questions. What we need is a real-time realization, a quick snap back to the time when we did not have all or any of this. That time, we used to read in libraries to find out about people, places and things and in this process used to learn more in the library than what we do through Google, just the overview. We used to be close to our dear friends and met them often, confided in them instead of dropping a virtual hippopotamus on them through Facebook. We used to be more focused. We used to have more time than we seem to have right now with all the technology and we thought multi-tasking was saving us all the energy and time in the world. We used to be healthier than we are. We used to go out and play under the sky on a green earthly carpet of grass instead of building virtual farms, cities and caring for pets that did not exist. We need a quick consciousness, to apprehend that we live inside a computer now. We have our own virtual lives and cities and events, all inside a computer. And between this entire clamour, we are forgetting how it felt to be real, to be human. Through this quote, Mr. Harris is trying to turn us around to face the real danger and make us understand that, in fact, we are losing our inherent humanness. He is trying to alarm us that if we humans continue on this path to think, act and behave like computers, the consequences will be far more severe. The author of the quote has surely achieved his ambition by saying this quote. John F. Kennedy once said Man is still the most extraordinary computer of all. The discussions surely suggest that we may not be far from the time when this quote becomes the unintended reality of the human race and we are all reduced from the most extraordinary creature to have walked the planet, to the most extraordinary computer to exist. To conclude, in this progressively more computer subjugated and fact-driven world, as the quotation by Sydney G. Harris suggests, the real danger is not that machines would start thinking like humans, but neither is it that humans will start thinking like machines. The biggest concern is that humans will stop thinking like humans do. We will lose the very innate nature that makes us humans. We face the hazard that people begin to think solely like computers and that we lay more value to technical proficiency than astuteness, and mathematical calculations than sound acumen. We live in virtual lives and in process forget the wonder of natural life we have been bestowed by the almighty. We are succumbing into our own trap, into our own creation. Hence, following the theory of Pascal, we must inculcate from childhood in our students, not merely the spirit of geometry, but more importantly, the more difficult and ever so obscure, the spirit of finesse.

Alcohol Fetish Essay -- Alcohol

As humans, we all yearn to be free, yet we are trapped by expectations, responsibilities and standards placed upon us by the modern world. Alcohol creates freedom and vulnerability for individuals oppressed by the dynamics and speed of everyday life especially in very developed ‘high class’ nations. Alcohol particularly creates this freedom for individuals in disenfranchised populations, where expectations from a foreign â€Å"sophisticated† ideology overwhelm the people of the once free nations. And because alcohol creates a free and youthful state of mind, it becomes fetishized. In order for one to defetishize alcohol, and drinking to escape from reality, one must look at their reality and question what reality they are escaping in the first place. In the paper, I first examine the history of alcohol in different cultures and societies. I then talk about how the type of culture a person lives in, whether it is sophisticated or more ‘third world’, re flects one’s relationship with alcohol. Sex and vulnerability also plays an important role in the fetishizing of alcohol in most communities; I observe this next and how it relates to individual’s overall creation of freedom. Lastly, I look at how individuals are better able to have fun, at all ages, when drinking. All in all proving that drinking alcohol creates a state of freedom for people who lack freedom because of their realities. The history of alcohol, unlike many other commodities on the market dates back very far into history. Each and every part of the world seems to have their own personal relationships with the popular beverage. Brewing of alcohol dates back to the beginning of written civilization, and possibly before. Ancient Babylonians, as well as the Ancient Egyptians ... ... Brave Heart, M., Chase, J., Elkins, J., & Altschul, D. B. (2011). Historical Trauma Among Indigenous Peoples of the Americas: Concepts, Research, and Clinical Considerations. Journal Of Psychoactive Drugs, 43(4), 282-290. doi:10.1080/02791072.2011.628913 Hanson, David J. Preventing Alcohol Abuse: Alcohol, Culture and Control. Wesport, CT: Praeger, 1995 Mohindra, K. S., Narayana, D. D., Anushreedha, S. S., & Haddad, S. (2011). Alcohol use and its consequences in South India: Views from a marginalized tribal population. Drug & Alcohol Dependence, 117(1), 70-73. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.12.021 Yuan, N. P., Eaves, E. R., Koss, M. P., Polacca, M., Bletzer, K., & Goldman, D. (2010). â€Å"Alcohol is Something That Been With Us Like a Common Cold†: Community Perceptions of American Indian Drinking. Substance Use & Misuse, 45(12), 1909-1929. doi:10.3109/10826081003682115

Merton Truck

MERTON TRUCK COMPANY Sol 1 : Given : Selling Price od Model 101 truck : 39000 Selling Price of Model 102 truck : 38000 We know, Contribution C = SP – VC VC for Model 101 : Direct Material + Direct Labor + Variable Overhead : 24000 + 4000 + 8000 = $36000 VC for Model 102: Direct Material + Direct Labor + Variable Overhead : 20000+ 4500+8500 = $33000 Let no of Model 101 produced be X Let no of Model 102 produced be Y Z= (39000-36000)X + (38000=33000)Y Z=3000X + 5000Y So objective is to Maximize Z Constraints : 1| Engine Assembly | X + 2Y

Romanticism and Death

Death Death is something that cannot truly be defined. It in fact is a word with a plethora of meanings. Some feel that death is something good for you because you will now be with God and spend a beautiful eternity in the afterlife. Some feel that it is a negative concept because you are leaving those you love and you are Just gone. Others are confused, not knowing what happens after you die and are actually scared of the hold concept. These different meanings were thought out during many different literary eras such as the Renaissance, Neoclassical, Romantic and VictorianThe Renaissance was a time period in which had a much more calm way of eras. Looking at death. Yes they were a bit fearful of what happens after death, but they also viewed it as a way out for them, a place where they could go in order to lose all the pain they were feeling. Death was known as a sense of relief to the people, it was an escape from reality. William Shakespeare was a writer during the Renaissance and as one could tell from his pieces, he as well viewed death more positively versus negatively.In the Neoclassical Era, death was viewed as a portal to the afterlife. In a writer's perspective, they usually spoke about it leading to heaven instead of hell, but the people of this time knew that heaven wasn't the only place they could go, they knew hell was an option too. One writer is John Done who wrote â€Å"Death be Not Proud†. In this pieces of literature, Done speaks of death like it's a human, telling it that it isn't as scary as it thinks. One could tell that Done is from the Neoclassical Era when he says, â€Å"One short sleep past, we wake eternally'.This shows how the people of this Era thought. That no matter how or when you die, you will awake in the afterlife and live on forever. In the Romantic Era, death was focused more on an emotional approach, rather than on the actual action. Authors such as John Keats wrote to express and share their feelings towards death. Keats does so in Ode to a Grecian Urn, he says, She cannot fade, though thou hast not thy bliss, forever wilt thou love, and she be fair! † The Romantic period thought death was a negative action.As shown in the quote above, people couldn't stand watching their loved ones pass. Keats expresses devastation when he sees that his beloved is passing, showing a whole new view on the definition of Death then we have seen so far. The Victorian Era was more similar to the Romantic, but they mourned a lot more about the passing of their loved ones. The way the people in this Era viewed death is more of what we see in today's society. When someone passed, in order to honor them, the people would mourn. Everyone, even children were aware of what was going on when a person passed.Death was the only thing people knew would definitely append to them, so they taught their children that as well. A piece called Richard Core by Edwin Arlington Robinson shows that everyone is destined to die wh ether they are rich or poor. A man named â€Å"Richard† is viewed as a â€Å"king† because of all his money. The townspeople all envied him, but in the end found out he killed himself because he wasn't â€Å"happy'. The Victorian Era was one in which brought death to a reality. They knew it existed and that it would happen to everybody so they decided it was best to honor those that passed by mourning over them.The view on death as changed in the past hundreds of years and I believe the views are based upon experiences that happened to those people. The definition on death changes with what one experiences causing them to see things differently. These days we see death as possibly all four of the examples I listed. Some believe it's something to be a bit fearful of because we don't know what happens after we die, some believe we go to heaven or hell, normally we are affected emotionally over our loved ones and lastly we all know that death is destined for each and eve ry one of us.

Game of Life (LOF) symbolise essays

Game of Life (LOF) symbolise essays I once saw a movie about a man and his wife. They were stranded on a desert island. Together, alone, full moon and stars everywhere. Sounds romantic right? Wrong, no cooked food, fruit everyday, no hope for rescue or anyway to let anyone know where they were. Not so romantic, just deadly. Now, put a bunch of young kids on an island. Alone, no responsibility, no rules, sounds like fun and games. This game turns into the game of their life. It doesnt turn out very well for anyone but without Piggys glasses it is the last game any of these boys will ever play. In William Goldings Lord of the Flies Piggys glasses are a symbol of hope for rescue because they provide fire for survival, the smoke signal and represent Piggys insight. On area the glasses symbolize rescue is they make the fire so the boys can develop a smoke signal for passing ships to see. The boys have no radios, there arent any cell phones, and they have no way to inform the rest of the world of their position on this huge planet. Then it hits them, We can help them find us. If a ship comes near the island they may not notice us. So we must make smoke on top of the mountain. We must make a fire. (38) This is the first great idea they have to use Piggys glasses. Ralph understands the importance of keeping the fire going. He knows the importance of a smoke signal. Jack lets the fire go out while hunting, and Ralph gets very angry. There was a ship out there... They might have seen us. We might have gone home. You and your blood Jack Merridew! You and your hunting! (70) Without the smoke signal they never will be rescued, but thanks to Piggys glasses, some quick thinking, and a lot of luck, they are. A second area the glasses give hope is they provide the fire needed for survival. They need it to cook their food. If they have to be there for a long period of time they will be able f ...

Operating Systems Essays (862 words) - Computer Architecture

Operating Systems.txt Essays (862 words) - Computer Architecture Operating systems What is Operating System? An operating system is a program that acts an intermediary between a user of a computer and the computer hardware. The purpose of an operating system is to provide an environment in which a user can execute programs. The main purpose of an operating is to make the computer system convenient to use and user can the computer hardware in an efficient manner. An operating system is similar to a government. The components of a computer system are its hardware, software, and data. The operating system provides the means for the proper use of these resources in the operating system. Like a government, the operating system performs no useful function by itself. It simply provides an environment within which other programs can do useful work. The Operating System With Advantages and Disadvantages Nowadays, most of the computers are using the Window as their operating system. Microsoft-designed computer operating system, a program that controls the basic functions of personal computers. Windows started life as Microsofts take on a graphical user interface (GUI). Windows 3.0, Window 3.1, and Window 3.11 were the three earliest versions of Microsofts Windows operating system. Windows 95 is a major upgrade to Windows 3.1. This operating system is a true operating system and not an operating environment as were the 3.x version of Windows. Windows 95 does not require a separate version of DOS, although some DOS features are included for compatibility. One advantage of Windows 95 is its improved graphical user interface, which makes working with files and programs easier than earlier versions. Another advantage of Windows 95 is most programs run faster under it because it is written to take advantage of newer 32-bit processors and supports cooperative multitasking. Window 95 include s support for peer-to-peer networking and e-mail. Windows 95 does not include the tools for developing Internet Web pages and operating Web page server. After some times, Microsoft comes out another operating system to upgrade the Windows 95which named as Windows 98. Windows 98 is able to provide faster system startup and shutdown, better file management, support for few multimedia technologies such as digital video disk (DVD) and Web TV. Windows 98s Internet integration allows for automatic delivery of Web pages to your computer and an optional Web page-like user interface. Like Windows 95, Windows 98 can run 16 and 32 bit software, which means it can run software designed for DOS and other versions of Windows. Windows 98 comes with excellent online help specifically designed to troubleshoot gaffe with your hardware, operating system, and applications. Its called the Windows 98 Resource Kit Plus Tools Ampler. There are some disadvantages for Windows 98, it is easier for trashing or what we call hang compare to Windows 95. Microsofts Windows NT (for new technology), also referred to as NT, is a sophisticated graphical user interface operating system designed for client-server networks. Windows NT is a complete operating system but not an operating environment. The advantages of Windows NT, the capability of working with multiple CPUs using symmetric multiprocessing, preemptive multitasking and multithreading, it can support of most major networking communications protocols, and Windows NT also include the user and account system security. The disadvantages of the Windows NT are it requires more disk space, memory, and the faster processors just for the tools for developing Internet web pages and operating system. UNIX, which is also a real operating system. More than one person can run multiple applications, making it a multi-user and multitasking operating system. With UNIX, each user logs in using a login name. Optionally, the user must also supply a password. The password ensures that the person logging on with the user login name is really who she claims to be. If the computer is attached to a network, it has several other identifying items, including, but not limited to, a domain name and an IP address. UNIX will run on just about every platform made. Linux is a full-fledged operating system. It provides full multitasking in a multi-user environment. It gives a high quality of software for a cost far lower than other commercial versions of Unix. There are many advantages of Linux, it is cheap, almost all the distributions are available in their entirety as

#10 El Nino Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

#10 El Nino - Essay Example In normal years, ocean current flows to the north towards the Equator down the western coast of South America. The water on the ocean surface was being drawn away from the continent and to be replaced by cold nutrient-rich water pushed upwards from the ocean depth. This process is known as upwelling. During this season, a good harvest is being anticipated by fishermen of the area. Further, colder weather is experienced by the people living in this area since the ocean surface is cold during this time. During El Nià ±o year, the warm pool of water flows eastward until it spreads in the entire Pacific Ocean. For this reason, the cool water of the South American coast is replaced by warmer waters, thus weakening the upwelling process (Trenberth 1997). In effect, the surface of the sea temperature rises beyond the normal range. This occurrence means heavy rainfall and eventual flooding in some South American countries and drought and very dry season in Indonesia, Australia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and Northeastern South America with altered patterns of tropical storms in the tropical belt (Enfield n.d.). Global warming is also a great contributor to this kind of phenomena. The coastal warming is being associated with a more widespread irregular ocean warming to the International Dateline and it is this Pacific basin-wide phenomenon that forms the link with strange global climate patterns. This component joined to El Nià ±o is called the Southern Oscillation (Trenberth 1997). ENSO (El Nino-Southern Oscillation) is the phenomenon where the atmosphere and ocean collaborates together. The El Nino phenomenon is the warm phase of ENSO, and its opposite, La Nià ±a, the occurrence where cooling of the tropical Pacific takes place corresponds to the cold phase of ENSO. The El Nià ±o, or ENSO for scientists, can be considered as a normal occurrence based on nature patterns studied by some scientists. But still, it greatly affects global climate

Fake Brands Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Fake Brands - Case Study Example As promulgated in different copyright laws in various countries, intellectual property rights ought to be observed. In terms of the right to produce and distribute certain products, only firms with patents have the right to do so (Kotler & Armstrong, 2010). Essentially, the aim of each business is to make profits and the interests of different businesses can only be protected by different copyright and intellectual property laws that are designed to protect the interests of individual companies. These laws help to prevent other unscrupulous people from reaping profits where they did not sow in the first place. The sale of counterfeit products is regarded as a form of high degree fraud and also classified as a serious offence. Luxury brands are in most cases the victims of counterfeit trade mainly as a result of the fact that they have premium prices that are beyond the reach of many people. In most cases, counterfeit trade is intentional but it has spiral impacts on the original producers of goods that are imitated. The companies will end up failing to realise their envisaged profits as a result of the fact that the consumers will prefer to buy affordable copycats at the expense of the producers of original brands. On the other hand, unsuspecting consumers can also be defrauded since they are hoodwinked into believing that they are buying original brands only to realise that they are fake when they have been delivered. Counterfeit trade is a problem of serious concern across the whole globe. According to The Gurdian (28 April, 2014), â€Å"A specialist police unit has shut down more than 2,500 websites selling counterfeit goods believed to be worth tens of millions of pounds.† This shows the extent to which this problem is a serious cause of concern in different parts of the globe. Trade of counterfeit goods is a bad product though some people may justify it

Computer Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Computer - Assignment Example hat did not want to spend a lot on their learning management system and would be able to delegate employees to run the system while blackboard was found to be appropriate for the institutions that had the money to buy the best learning system. The institution customized learning system required the institution to create the learning system from scratch but it was also a costly venture but it would cater for the system needs since it was tailored specifically for the system. In conclusion it was found that virtual learning systems are now very important in learning institutions, for it operate smoothly and to prevent the cumbersome old traditional methods that used to give instructors and students a hard time. Santiago et al (2007) enumerates that various studies have shown that achieving a satisfying learning environment and teaching frame work requires the use of open source learning platforms and virtual learning environments. They are therefore critical for learning institutions. Rosenberg (2001) further states that online training and learning platforms is a viable mode of instruction. But virtual learning packages should not be a replication of in class training. Structure can vary but the needs of the students should be first and foremost in the delivering training through virtual learning environments and open source platforms. Open source software is made up of broad reaching movement of individuals who create a platform that is available to all and can be modified by anyone. It promotes sharing and modification of the software by the individuals who access it and have an interest in it. The main difference between open source and virtual learning environment propriety systems is that propriety software have property rights that is they have patents and have restrictions and conditions imposed by the software license. In open source learning software users are granted the rights to both program’s functionality and methodology, with propriety software

Reserach proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Reserach proposal - Essay Example The postmodern media revolution could only aggravate the situation further with, especially since 9/11 disaster, misrepresentations and distorted images of Islam and Muslims gaining unprecedented and higher visibilities in the Western public spheres. However, despite the seeming ruptures this process of representation and misrepresentation has a definite historical and political backdrop embedded within huge cultural politics spanned across the centuries, ever since negotiations of different sorts had commenced between the Christian and Muslim cultures. This project attempts to study about western perceptions of Islam especially since the middle ages to the contemporary times and the surrounding cultural politics, both international and domestic. The specific objectives of the study are: 1. To deconstruct the meaning and understanding of Islam and Muslim culture at large as they are predominantly represented within the western culture – since the medieval to modern times. 2. T o throw light upon the historical and political backdrop and the cultural elements invariably involved in the production of knowledge about Islam and its culture in the west. 3. ... The attempt is precisely oriented towards exposing the hidden cultural politics behind stereotyping a whole culture and on what basis such stereotypes get reception and get reproduced over different periods of time. Contextualising the project and review of literature As I mentioned earlier the proposed project shall focus on the image of Islam in the West from the medieval ages to the present. The study is immensely significant since the â€Å"West must deal with Islam as a growing social, political and religious reality† (Quinn, 2008: 17). A significant development in the recent global politics, especially in the aftermath of the 9/11 incidents and the recent war on Iraq and the related events, is the emergence of a fungible notion of Islam and terrorism. Issues pertaining to Islam are already finding their place in the cutting edge of political, military and economic interests of the West. The terrain is much complicated, and still adds onto it, with the fact that a great d eal of ignorance about Islam and its culture in general is further manipulated by those in the political forefronts in the West to build upon a historically and culturally constructed notion of hostility and incongruity between Islam and Christian cultures. The images, representations, and perceptions of Islam are â€Å"abound in the academic and popular press† throughout the twentieth-century world (Mirza, 2007: 2). Perhaps with the intellectual and technological changes, together with the recent historical events in the contemporary Muslim world, greater attention to certain institution or faith such as Islam has become widely possible (Esposito, 1999: ix). Bassiri (2010) has traced this synonymous usage between Islam and terrorism back to the age of Reagan

Art using hand and brain Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Art using hand and brain - Essay Example I have been crazy about drawing since I was six years old. I have always been interested in pictures and paintings. Drawing has occupied my mind since I was a kid, and has strengthened its root as I have grown older. People see images everywhere around them, and think that the artists draw those images out of the blue, without much thought and without much effort. However, that is not true at all. The truth is that artists spend ample time in thinking about the ideas behind every picture, and them bringing those ideas to life using imagination and innovation. However, that imagination, originality, and creativity is a gift of God that only some people possess. Artists think a lot before creating a picture. This is because they hold the responsibility for the message that they have to convey through the picture. Sometimes, the picture does not even have to be beautiful to convey the message. The artist uses his brains to deliver the message in the most beautiful way, so that the peopl e do not only enjoy the beauty of the picture, but also get the message in it. Whenever I have to draw a picture, first of all I make a sketch of it using pencil. This sketch is not beautiful at all unless I try to put the idea I have in mind into the picture, using my imagination. But of course, I cannot bring the picture to life without using my brains. The imagination comes from the brain; whereas, the hand can only draw some lines here and there. Hand lays the foundation, and the brain builds the whole building on that foundation. After I have drawn the basic sketch, I put color and beauty in it, keeping in mind that the basic message gets conveyed properly. Most often, I try to convey message about life. Once, I drew a sketch of a dark sea with bright blue horizon. When it was only a pencil sketch, it conveyed no message. But in mind, I had made a picture of happiness and gloom. Since life is a combination of happy and sad moments, I colored the sea very dark to represent gloom , and colored the horizon very bright to represent happiness. The picture turned out to be very remarkable, as it was a combination of sparkling colors, which actually depicted a contrast as happiness and sadness. The point I want to mention is that hand can only draw a basic outline of a picture, but to convey the true message, the artist uses his brains, from where the imagination comes from. Innovation arises from mental understanding of the message. If I had not put in the colors in the above mentioned picture, there was no way to convey the message properly. I am also very fascinated by street art. It is also a beautiful combination of hand and brain. It is an art which, sometimes, is regarded as an annoyance or as an act of vandalism; but most often, it is considered as a means of expressing disapproval about social or political issues prevailing in the society. This aspect of expressing dissent and using art to ask questions from the public or the government makes street art a form of public art. It is actually one of the most convenient means for the artist to show to the superiors what the public is going through and what they want. People find street art interesting, capture images, and discuss them with curiosity. This makes them ponder over what is the idea behind. The artist makes extensive use of his imagination, and puts that imagination into reality through the use of hand and brain. Putting it all together, art cannot be expressed in its true form, if the artist does not know

The IMO Future of Nursing Report Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The IMO Future of Nursing Report - Research Paper Example The IOM report has put forth recommendations with regard to core areas of nursing among which nurses' education command greatest priority. What this vision document has envisaged in the field of nurses' education is the interest area of this paper, the specific recommendations of the IOM report being, 1) increase the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to 80% by 2020, 2) double the number of nurses with a doctorate by 2020, and 3) take steps to ensure that nurses engage in lifelong learning (Hassmiller, 2010, p.7). As far as my career as a nursing professional is concerned, these recommendations have great value just because increasing my level of education will enhance my competence in the job market, where professional autonomy and high level competence are to go hand in hand in the future (Fights, 2012). Keeping myself under a life-long learning regime will also help me fulfill the new and demanding roles that a nurse has to perform in modern health care scenario (Fig hts, 2012). As envisaged by the IOM report, for nurses to become a perfect workforce in terms of quality and quantity, the recommendations on nursing education are of paramount importance. As the nation is facing nurses' shortages, it is a contradiction that nursing schools owing to fund constraints, are rejecting â€Å"thousands of qualified applicants† (Linda, 2011, p.196). ... The practicing nurses are constrained by the difficult-to-practice provisions that require them to have â€Å"additional degrees† in order to get â€Å"faculty or APRN positions† (Linda, 2011, p.196). The ground reality being this, the IOM recommendations to increase the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to 80% by 2020, double the number of nurses with a doctorate by 2020 and make nurses engage in lifelong learning, are integral part of the real reform one is looking ahead of. This is also necessary just because 60% of the nurses in the workforce are now entering the profession with a n associate degree or even less academic qualification (Linda, 2011, p.196). Relaxing of procedures for working nurses to get additional degrees is also a part of the IOM package recommended (Linda, 2011, p.197). The benefits of a better educated nursing work force starts with enhanced â€Å"patient outcomes† and completes with a leadership role for nurses in the heal th care sectors (Linda, 2011, p.197). It is in this context researchers like Linda (2011) has called for the nursing education reform to shift â€Å"entry level nursing education [†¦] entirely to the baccalaureate level† through mobilizing government funds (p.198). Equally important to educational reforms, is the necessity to engage the already employed nurses in a life long learning process (Kuehn, 2010, p.2345). This is not any more a luxury that a few can enjoy but a basic requirement for a health care system where nurses have to be full partners with physicians and take up a leadership role (Kuehn, 2010, p.2345). Nursing is a highly competitive professional environment in which every new recruit has to keep up to the challenging and changing demands of the

Motivation and Reward Systems Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Motivation and Reward Systems - Research Paper Example Rewards are classified into two groups, namely, extrinsic (e.g. promotions, salary increases) and intrinsic (e.g. job satisfaction, enhanced self-confidence). Intrinsic rewards arise from the interplay between the job and the individual. Fundamental intrinsic aspects involve knowledge of outcomes, accountability, and meaningfulness (Rothwell & Kazanas, 2003, 234). Knowledge of outcomes is associated with feedback on employee performance. Accountability is related to the extent employees feel responsible for the outcomes of their performance. Meaningfulness refers to the extent employees see their job as valuable. In order to build employee motivation, a job should substantially possess all three aspects. It must involve a variety of tasks, generate concrete outcomes, and affect others (Rothwell & Kazanas, 2003). These aspects are associated with meaningfulness. The work must also result in self-reliance. This aspect is associated with accountability. Ultimately, the job must give way to feedback on performance. This aspect is associated with knowledge of outcomes. Extrinsic rewards must satisfy five conditions, namely, significance, flexibility, frequency, visibility, and expense. In terms of significance, members of the organization should give importance to the possible rewards arising from their performance. With regard flexibility, because individuals differ in the forms of rewards they want, an effective reward system should accommodate individual differences (Griffin & Moorhead, 2011).... Meaningfulness refers to the extent employees see their job as valuable. In order to build employee motivation, a job should substantially possess all three aspects. It must involve a variety of tasks, generate concrete outcomes, and affect others (Rothwell & Kazanas, 2003). These aspects are associated with meaningfulness. The work must also result in self-reliance. This aspect is associated with accountability. Ultimately, the job must give way to feedback on performance. This aspect is associated with knowledge of outcomes. Extrinsic rewards must satisfy five conditions, namely, significance, flexibility, frequency, visibility, and expense. In terms of significance, members of the organization should give importance to the possible rewards arising from their performance. With regard flexibility, because individuals differ in the forms of rewards they want, an effective reward system should accommodate individual differences (Griffin & Moorhead, 2011). As regards frequency, the mor e frequently rewards are granted and the more immediate they follow performance, the more successful they are expected to be. However, several rewards become ineffective when granted habitually. In terms of visibility, rewards are boosted when other individuals are aware of them. And lastly, as regards expense, the organization should be capable of giving out rewards (Rothwell & Kazanas, 2003). The Truth about Money as a Motivator and a Type of Reward Monetary rewards can raise motivation. Individuals need financial resources and hence desire money. Financial incentives can build motivation but it is not the sole driver of motivation. Wallace and Szilagyi explained that financial aspects can fulfill several

The IMO Future of Nursing Report Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The IMO Future of Nursing Report - Research Paper Example The IOM report has put forth recommendations with regard to core areas of nursing among which nurses' education command greatest priority. What this vision document has envisaged in the field of nurses' education is the interest area of this paper, the specific recommendations of the IOM report being, 1) increase the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to 80% by 2020, 2) double the number of nurses with a doctorate by 2020, and 3) take steps to ensure that nurses engage in lifelong learning (Hassmiller, 2010, p.7). As far as my career as a nursing professional is concerned, these recommendations have great value just because increasing my level of education will enhance my competence in the job market, where professional autonomy and high level competence are to go hand in hand in the future (Fights, 2012). Keeping myself under a life-long learning regime will also help me fulfill the new and demanding roles that a nurse has to perform in modern health care scenario (Fig hts, 2012). As envisaged by the IOM report, for nurses to become a perfect workforce in terms of quality and quantity, the recommendations on nursing education are of paramount importance. As the nation is facing nurses' shortages, it is a contradiction that nursing schools owing to fund constraints, are rejecting â€Å"thousands of qualified applicants† (Linda, 2011, p.196). ... The practicing nurses are constrained by the difficult-to-practice provisions that require them to have â€Å"additional degrees† in order to get â€Å"faculty or APRN positions† (Linda, 2011, p.196). The ground reality being this, the IOM recommendations to increase the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to 80% by 2020, double the number of nurses with a doctorate by 2020 and make nurses engage in lifelong learning, are integral part of the real reform one is looking ahead of. This is also necessary just because 60% of the nurses in the workforce are now entering the profession with a n associate degree or even less academic qualification (Linda, 2011, p.196). Relaxing of procedures for working nurses to get additional degrees is also a part of the IOM package recommended (Linda, 2011, p.197). The benefits of a better educated nursing work force starts with enhanced â€Å"patient outcomes† and completes with a leadership role for nurses in the heal th care sectors (Linda, 2011, p.197). It is in this context researchers like Linda (2011) has called for the nursing education reform to shift â€Å"entry level nursing education [†¦] entirely to the baccalaureate level† through mobilizing government funds (p.198). Equally important to educational reforms, is the necessity to engage the already employed nurses in a life long learning process (Kuehn, 2010, p.2345). This is not any more a luxury that a few can enjoy but a basic requirement for a health care system where nurses have to be full partners with physicians and take up a leadership role (Kuehn, 2010, p.2345). Nursing is a highly competitive professional environment in which every new recruit has to keep up to the challenging and changing demands of the

Topshop Case Essay Example for Free

Topshop Case Essay Introduction A company that’s does business domestically and internationally runs on strong values and foundations. Whenever the thought comes up, of opening up a franchise in a new location, it becomes mandatory for research to be done. The research intensifies when the franchise is supposed to be open in a new country. The following report will give an in depth analysis of the popular clothing retail company â€Å"Topshop† as it would assess the company and   shed light on where the corporation stands now.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The report would also indicate the marketing possibilities of the company of opening up its franchise in Thailand based on assertive theories and research. This would help assimilate about the company’s future motive of continuous prosperity. Company Profile Topshop is one of the leading retail clothing and apparel store for men and women in the world. It success and attribution in UK is very high. Topshop is an apparel retail group of Arcadia owned by Sir Philip Green. Topshop operates more than 300 stores in United Kingdom itself and boast of more than 50 outlets in other countries. Its 90,000 square foot store in London at Oxford circus is an iconic store on its own. The organization has a website from which it takes thousands of orders every day. ‘Topshop is the fashion destination on the British high street. Selling an average of 30 pairs of knickers a minute, 6,000 pairs of jeans a day and 35,000 pairs of shoes every week, its an unrivalled, iconic brand. Blending cutting edge style with purse-friendly prices, Topshop attracts women from their teens to the 40s searching for a weekly fashion fix’ (Topshop).    Company Mission    ‘Our core values relating to any of our activities are integrity, dialogue, transparency, excellence and innovation’  Ã‚   (Topshop). Company Portfolio    Topshop has the best ranged street clothing Great Britain. It has a varied collection of tops, dresses, shoes, knitwear, outerwear, skirt, trousers, accessories, jewellery, lingerie, nightwear and many on hand latest dresses by the famous designers. Financial performance and management    The company after being launched had always done substantial business, by the early 1990’s there was a major dip business. The Topshop was addressed with names and was reckoned to fail. Jane Shepherdson joined the company at a basic level and with hardwork and talent she climbed up the ladder of success ultimately becoming a brand director in the year 1999. Under her guidance and arc, the company blossomed and started having a massive turnover of  £500million of the entire Topshop outlets. Currently Jane Shepherdson has resigned form the post and Kate Moss is now responsible for running the creative designing part. The above graph represents an estimated dip in sales of Topshop from the year 2005 to 2007.The above figures is in Pounds and represent in millions. Price    Topshop price is mid ranged and has a very affordable line of clothing and accessories Marketing Strategy    Topshop has a very definite ‘hit’ marketing strategy.   It believes in conceptualizing the ‘in thing’, in fashion. It basically works on a strategy that takes has high speed and development technique. The following will give a hint of the marketing strategy occupied by Topshop: ‘Young celebrities style themselves in a way that’s moved on to the next season. A year ago when Sienna Miller wore that gilet, we had to pull them forward fast and bump up the order. If you’re in the fashion business, you have to be fast to take the risk out of it. Part of (our success) was that we brought a lot of our production closer to home. We source about 60% of it from Eastern Europe now as opposed to the Far East’ (Jasmine Smith 2007).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The above piece indicates that, Topshop uses a strategy which is based on celebrities and also which is considered as one of the running things in the fashion industry. Also it produces a similar line and range which goes around as the latest gimmick, and all this is manufactured in Eastern European countries which is logistically faster to reach the stores and outlets in Great Britain. Promotion    Topshop using a very street smart strategy doesn’t really have to stress on its promotion much. Time and again it associates themselves with celebrities and all they do is showcase their product in magazines and newspapers. Also already having carved a niche as a brand that promotes the ‘in fashion’, buyers flock into stores and its outlets and it has been seen a no. of times that the fashion stock get purchased in a matter of hours. Also Topshop’s product marketing through has been considered as one of the biggest hit promotional scheme for the company, as it seen thousands of female buyers associating with the brand purchase merchandise online itself. Selling Ambience    Topshop’s outlet and stores have a pretty decent ambience, that entices customers and the feel good factor is shelved in them by the color scheming of the interiors. Its 4 storied monstrous and elegant store at Oxford Circus is magnificently built to lure customers. Topshop’s major shop is also its website, which also is very smartly developed and the customer seeing the verified credentials of purchasing safely, makes the customer feel safe, which is one of its reasons of having thousands of orders to fulfill via the internet.    Topshop’s unique merchandise    Topshop has always founds ways of alluring customers of all fronts. It has gained expertise in making maximum profits by targeting females of all ages and sizes. One of the most unique collections of Topshop is its maternity collection, where popular designs of the store are tailored for pregnant females. It is a unique concept in wooing pregnant females and their range for them is also considered to be one of the best. Topshop also has a very unique collection known as ‘vintage’, which highly reciprocates the collection of the yesteryears, thus providing customers with a choice of clothes between today and yesterday. The biggest hit concept is however the â€Å"tall and petite†, concept, where an entire line is devised for tall and short women. Also the organization is one of the very few in the world who along with clothing line have a very standard and fashionable line of shoes, whose range changes every year.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This unique merchandise has made Topshop a hot favorites amongst people, and because of this diversity, customers have a very high rating for the store. Topshop Staff    Topshop’s strength can be assessed because of its staff. The company’s employees are the biggest boost, when the customer approaches the store, it is these employees who treat them equally and since they have a certain amount of fashion knowledge; they suggest and help customers to choose products from the store. Also with ever pleasing personalities, they help customers during rushes and are look after giving customer refreshments, when the buyer is scanning through the company’s products.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A happy staff can be considered as the pioneer of any company and since the company has very transparent rules for promotion, the staff at Topshop becomes more working as they know that higher performances can bag them upper jobs in the company, of which Jane Shepherdson is a prime example, as she had joined the company on entry level and she got opportunities to ultimately become a brand director of the organization. Customer Segmentation    Topshop because of its all time varied clothes line and shoe range, it has a very solid customer background which can be demographically stated from teenage to females above 40s. However a correct demo graph cannot be branded as the no. of females who buy from the company is a lot more than one can imagine. Its high brand awareness and positive strategy has actually not spared many females in the United Kingdom who haven’t ventured into Topshop even one once.    Strength Weaknesses Opportunities Threats Has a sound reputation in the market Lack of financial planning   Can diversify into more new ventures Could distract from core business Topshop till now has been operating in more than 30 countries. Till date it has had a successful stint with its franchises in other countries and to confirm it as one of the leading members of the worldwide retail industry, it becomes mandatory for companies of Topshop’s ability to keep increasing its franchises and explore its product into new countries. In the following part of the report, it will be seen of Topshop’s future in Bangkok and its marketing capacity will be assessed for this venture. Bangkok    Bangkok, the capital of Thailand is one of the leading metropolitan cities of the world. It is often considered as one a city with high amount of tourists and an empowering nightlife. Bangkok is considered to be the gateway of Asia and is a unique mixture of development and tourism. Bangkok market    The city is famous for high purchase of clothing and along with the locals, the foreigners who visit the place too shop for clothes. The clothing retail sector still relatively is untapped for bigger names like Topshop, though merchandise of most of big names is available in the city. Topshop’s marketing mission    The company has a marketing mission to enhance and produce their goods in all parts of the world. PESTLE ANALYSIS    Political- the capital of the country always faces worse fate than the country. The country in its initial days was under monarch rule and it was only in the year 1997 that the constitutional amendment was made for holding general election. Thailand has been a country of political uncertainty, but somehow it has not caused much of a hassle to the retail market or to its tourism. The   elected of Tahksin was deposed by a military coup in 2006, due to the allegation of the   government being highly corrupt. The latest condition of the political scene is as follows: ‘The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) Wednesday passed a government draft bill to lift a ban on registering new political parties by 149 to 4 votes. The draft law is soon expected to take effective after receiving royal approval’ (The Nation politics). Because of the coup the market was affected, but every country has got its fair share of problem, and though there is a mount of political uncertainty, it is expected from the nation to let the markets and shops and tourism prevail in peace. Economic  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Bangkok is the high earning capital city of the nation. Thailand’s    economic can be assessed from the following :   Ã¢â‚¬ËœWith a well-developed infrastructure, a free-enterprise economy, and generally pro-investment policies, Thailand appears to have fully recovered from the 1997-1998 Asian Financial Crisis. The country was one of East Asias best performers from 2002-04. Boosted by strong export growth, the Thai economy grew 4.5% in 2007. Bangkok has pursued preferential trade agreements with a variety of partners in an effort to boost exports and to maintain high growth. By 2007, the tourism sector had largely recovered from the major 2004 tsunami. Following the military coup in September 2006, investment and consumer confidence stagnated due to the uncertain political climate that lasted through the December 2007 elections. Foreign investor sentiment was further tempered by a 30% reserve requirement on capital inflows instituted in December 2006, and discussion of amending Thailands rules governing foreign-owned businesses. Economic growth in 2007 was due almost entirely to robust export performance despite the pressure of an appreciating currency. Exports have performed at record levels, rising nearly 17% in 2006 and 12% in 2007’ (CIA world fact book).Bangkok can be considered as a metropolitan city as it has the infrastructure that is required can be compared to other western nations. Socio Cultural  Ã‚   Bangkok like any other metropolitan city has its chare of foreigners staying, thus enriching the culture and the heritage. Out of the total population it is estimated that 94% are Buddhists, the rest are Muslims, Christians and Hindus and also some other religions. Apart from the usual partition of the rich and the poor, Bangkok and also the whole of Thailand also suffer from the heat of AIDS. The no. of AIDS patients has increased tremendously, killing mostly the young people of the nation. The people of the city however are avidly interested in different types of cuisines and also shopping. Most of the generation of the country is pretty much young and also the female population is higher than the men in the country. The country’s educational trend can be assessed by the following: ‘The adult literacy rate among Thailand population too has gone up from 78.6 in 1970 to 95 percent in 1997.   The trend, however, reversed after the economic crises, as the literacy rate went down to 93.1 in 2000.   It is estimated that literate population of 15 years and above will reach to 97 percent in the year 2010’ (World health Organization).    Technological  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The country and especially the city rides on technology. The latest technology is all grasped by the youth and the city can be seen using technology well for its advancements. Environment   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As most of the cities in the world, Bangkok is also fighting a losing battle with pollution like the rest of the major cities. However it is still less compared to that of other cities like Beijing and New Delhi, but still the rate of pollution is pretty high. Bangkok has beautiful flora and fauna and tourists from all over the world flock the city and around it to get mesmerized in its beauty. Marketing Strategy Bangkok is a place that is booming with the retail sector and more and more people are getting attracted to it. Thailand over the period of years has seen a huge rise in the purchase power of the consumer. The following will help cement the fact about budding scope of retail business in Bangkok: ‘The retail sector has been active throughout the year while protests from small local retailers against national discount stores were growing. However foreign retailers shrugged off the protests and continued to open stores nationwide. The biggest retail development is Siam Paragon, a joint venture between Bangkok Intercontinental Hotels Co (BIHC) and the Mall Group’ (Amazing Thailand). The hunger for having more and more retail stores is endless in the city. It is has been planned of having the outlet in ‘Siam Paragon’. This edifice had been constructed after the tearing put a star rated hotel and the way it has been constructed has been a marvel for most, a sit it is considered as one of the best malls in Asia. This mall caters to the rich and the moderately wealth people. To have a store in the edifice would firstly mean that the That the organization could cater to people who are well to do and also mainly the people who come in the upper middle class section. With thousands of people visiting the mall everyday, the shop couldn’t be in any better place in Thailand for that matter. Topshop has a tradition of delivery fashion quickly. This is possible because of manufacturing units being in nearby locations or in nearby countries. Topshop can also open up a manufacturing unit in Thailand, as here the labor is considerably cheap. This would have two major advantages, which are as follows. The basic cost of the clothing line would come down, which in turn would increase more profits at lower costs. From Malaysia, Topshop can export to other Asia countries that are closer like Malaysia and Singapore. The entire export unit would have to face lower costs for manufacturing and warehousing as costs compared to eastern European countries and United Kingdom is much cheaper hence Topshop would have an outlet at the busiest and the most happening mall of Thailand and would have costs that would be marginal as local labor and resource would be used to get the trade moving. The creative department can also do something for the clothes lineups on the basis of Thai silk, which is supposed to be the best and affordable silk in the world.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The announcement of the arrival of Topshop can be made with a lot of fanfare, which would include local celebrities as brand ambassadors and also lots of publicity can be arranged through the print media. Competitor Analysis Bangkok has many outlets of leading brands, but most of them are not legal bands and a huge population of branded clothes available is duplicate with made in China references. Topshop frankly doesn’t have much competition to face in the city, as the brand itself is very popular on its own. However it would have to watch out for not getting into the piracy and duplicity scandal of clothing line going well in Thailand. Integrated Marketing communications    The publicity of Topshop can be done with popular links and websites of the nation. SEO’s can be put up in websites which has gaming to newspapers to current trendy social networking sites of the city. This kind of publicity would strengthen the integrated marketing campaign of the company and would ensure more and more orders via the internet.    Strength Weaknesses Opportunities Threats Location of the outlet Brand still unknown in Asia   Can use the labor, and start the in fashionable line up for Bangkok at nominal costs Could become a victim of duplicity of clothes lines. Conclusion    It can be assessed from the following report the current situation of the company and its desire to open up an outlet in Bangkok. Bringing the outlet in Thailand would globalize the company on Asian terms, as Bangkok is one of the major access points of Asia. Not only Asians but also people from all over the world come and visit this enticing city. Bringing an outlet to a place where it could get recognition from all four corners is one of the best business future expansion a company can have.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The company from here can only expand, if it can keep a check over a few shoddy elements. Once the market of Bangkok is captured, then it can be assumed that Topshop has made its major entry in Asia, even though it has its outlets in other Asian countries. Works cited: Topshop official website. Accessed on April 28, 2008 from site http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/TopCategoriesDisplay?storeId=12556catalogId=19551 The nation politics, â€Å"Ban on political activities lifted†. Accessed on April 28, 2008 from site http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/07/18/politics/politics_30041398.php Central Intelligence Agency, The world fact Book, â€Å"Thailand† . Accessed on April 28, 2008 from site https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/th.html World health organization, â€Å"TRENDS IN SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT†. Accessed on April 28, 2008 from site http://www.searo.who.int/EN/Section313/Section1525_10862.htm Amazing Thailand, â€Å"Thailand’s economy†. Accessed on April 28, 2008 from site http://www.amazing-thailand.com/Economy.html â€Å"Siamparagon’s official website†. Accessed on April 28, 2008 from site http://www.siamparagon.co.th/v3/index2.html â€Å"Political crisis in Thailand†. Accessed on April 28, 2008 from http://www.anu.edu.au/thaionline/Political%20Crisis%20in%20Thailand.pdf Hadley freeman, â€Å"Topshop will open in New York, with help from Moss†. November 29th Accessed on April 28, 2008 from site http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2007/nov/29/lifeandhealth.fashion RUTH LA FERLA, New York Times, â€Å"But Will It Play in Manhattan?† July 21st Accessed on April 28, 2008 from http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/21/business/worldbusiness/21topshop.html Jasmine Smith, â€Å"Topshop’s turnaround†. June 6th Accessed on April 28, 2008 from site http://www.insideretailing.com.au/articles-page.aspx?articleType=ArticleViewarticleId=651

Process of Meiosis | Experiment

Process of Meiosis | Experiment In this experiment we observed the process of meiosis by looking at different slides. Meiosis is a process in which a diploid (2n) parent cell is divided into four haploid (n) daughter cells. The daughter cells have half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell. Meiosis mainly occurs in sex cells (gametes) of humans through the process of spermatogenesis (males) or oogenesis (females). It is essential for sexual reproduction, and thus is seen in all eukaryotes that reproduce sexually. Before the cell undergoes meiosis, it first replicates its DNA. Meiosis includes 2 cycles of division- meiosis I and meiosis II. After meiosis I is completed, DNA is not replicated, which leads to the final daughter cells being haploid (n). The first step of meiosis I is prophase I. During prophase I, DNA can be exchanged between homologous chromosomes by tetrads crossing over, a process referred to as recombination. The new combination of DNA provides for genetic variation for the daughter cells. I n addition, in prophase I, the nuclear envelope disintegrates, and the two centrioles move to opposite ends of the cell. In metaphase I, homologous chromosomes are aligned at the metaphase plate (site where the cell will divide) in pairs. The side at which homologous pairs will lineup is random and further improves the chances for genetic variation. The centrioles attach kinetochore microtubules to the chromosomes, so that they can be pulled apart to the different ends as the cell divides. In anaphase I, the microtubules shorten, pulling the pairs of homologous chromosomes apart from one another. In telophase I, the chromosomes arrive at their respective ends and the cell divides to form two haploid cells. The nuclear membrane is reformed, and the microtubules disappear. The chromosomes uncoil back into chromatin. Note, that even though the first meiotic division led to two haploid cells, each chromosome still contains a pair of sister chromatids. Thus, meiosis II begins without DNA replicating beforehand. The steps in meiosis II are very similar to the ones in meiosis I. In prophase II, the nuclear envelope disintegrates, the centrioles move to the opposite end of the pole, the chromosomes condense and prepare for the second division. In metaphase II, the chromosomes again line up randomly at the plate, but this time independently, not in pairs. The spindle network is formed is also formed. In anaphase II, the sister chromatids are pulled apart and move toward the opposite ends of the pole. Lastly, in telophase II, the cells are cleaved and the nuclear envelope reappears. The chromosomes uncoil and the end result is 4 haploid daughter cells. In spermatogenesis, the 4 daughter cells are the spermatids. However, in oogenesis, even though 4 haploid daughter cells are created, 3 are polar bodies, while the last is an ootid (egg), which might be fertilized by a spermatid. During fertilization (when the spermatid and ootid join), the number of chromosomes reverts b ack to 2n (diploid). The random alignment and crossing over are very important to the process of meiosis because they provide for greater genotypic diversity. However, if the chromosomes are not able to separate, several errors can arise. Klinefelter and Turner syndromes are due to nondisjunction, during which there is an extra X chromosome present in males, or missing an X chromosome in females, respectively (Russell, 346-349). We also observed the life cycle of the insect drosophila. We will be experimenting on them in the coming weeks. This insect serves as a great experimental organism in the field of genetics due to its short, unique life cycle, and since Mendels laws of inheritance (law of segregation, law of independent assortment) are clearly visible when they mate. The law of segregation states that when any individual produces gametes, the copies of a gene separate so that each gamete receives only one copy. The law of independent assortment states that alleles of differen t genes assort independently from each other during gamete formation. The purpose of this experiment was to familiarize ourselves with the process of meiosis and the insect drosophila, as we will be working with them in future experiments. We used slides from human testis, rat testis, and chorthippus testis, to compare the process of meiosis in different eukaryotes. I predict that I will be able to see the stages of prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase in the slides. Hypothesis: I believe that the process of meiosis will be the same in all three eukaryotes, and I will be able to view the cells differentiating. I should be able to see the different structures of the insects and be able to distinguish male and female drosophilas based on their appearance. I believe that I will be able to witness the different stages of meiosis in the slides. Methods: Obtain the slides and the compound light microscope from the instructor. Place the first slide on the stage of the microscope (the microscope should be on the lowest power- 40x) and use the coarse adjustment knob to focus the slide. Turn to the next highest power (100x), and this time, use only the fine adjustment knob to bring the slide into focus. Turn the microscope to the 400x power, and again focus the slide. Sketch what you see on a separate sheet of paper and label the different structures. Before moving on to the oil immersion power, put a little drop of oil in the middle of the slide. Focus the image under oil immersion and sketch the results once again. After youre done sketching the slide, lower the stage and put the microscope back to the lowest power (CAUTION: be careful not to get oil on the 400x power when turning the objectives as this will ruin the lens). Repeat these steps for the rest of the slides (NOTE: for the drosophila male and female slide, the lowest power, 40x, is good enough to get a good overview). The slides we viewed were: chorthippus testis, generalized animal cell, human chromosome (metaphase state), turtle liver mitochondria, drosophila chromosome, drosophila (male and female), rat testis, and human testis. At the end of the experiment, clean all the slides that have oil on them, wipe the oil immersion lens, and return the materials to the instructor. Results: Questions: 1. What major chromosomal event occurs between leptonema and zygonema? Between leptonema and zygonema, the major chromosomal event that occurs is the pairing of the homologous chromosomes. 2. Do any of the chromosomes at zygonema appear to consist of two parallel parts? How do you account for this appearance? Yes, chromosomes at zygonema appear to consist of two parallel parts, which is probably due to the paired homologues. 3. Consult your textbook for a definition of the term chromomere. Can you detect chromomeres in any of the meiotic cells you are examining? At what substages of prophase I are chromomeres evident? Chromomeres are dark regions of chromatin condensation. Yes, you can detect chromomeres in meitotic cells; they are usually seen in zygonema of prophase I. 4. Do you observe a large, darkly staining structure in the nucleus during leptonema and zygonema? This body represents an already highly condensed (heterochromatic) X chromosome. Can you follow the fate of this chromosome through the rest of the substages of prophase I and metaphase I? Yes, it should be possible to follow the fate of this chromosome through the rest of the substages of prophase I and metaphase I. This X chromosome will not align with the rest of the chromosomes at the metaphase plate and will be near one end of the splitting cell or the other. 5. Briefly list major differences between zygonema and pachynema. At zygonema, the chromosomes are much less condensed than those at pachynema. Crossing over occurs at pachynema. The number of chromosomes can be determined at pachynema, but not at zygonema. 6. Locate cells in diplonema. Can you observe a) the two homologous chromosomes in a pair? b) individual chromatids in a chromosome? c) chiasmata? a) Yes, the homologous chromosomes in pairs are visible. b) Yes, the chromatids are also visible, since the chromosomes at this stage are much coiled. c) Yes, the chiasmata is visible, it is the point where the pair of homologous chromosomes exchange genetic material. 7. Because of the degree of condensation of the chromosomes, diakinesis is an ideal stage at which to determine the chromosome number. Count the chromosomes in a grasshopper cell at diakinesis. Record the number here. Does this represent the diploid number? Justify your answer. Note that sex in grasshoppers is determined by an XO mechanism in which the female is XX, but the male has a single X chromosome. Therefore, the X chromosome that you observe in diakinesis is not a tetrad. What is the significance of this information for determining chromosome number in grasshopper males versus females? Since grasshopper males are missing an X chromosome, to find their diploid number of chromosomes, one would have to count the haploid number (n), double it (2n), but then subtract 1, since it is missing an X chromosome. In females, the subtraction will not be necessary; they will always have double their haploid number of chromosomes (example- if haploid number equals 14 chromosomes, male diploid number will equal (2n-1 = 28-1) 27 chromosomes, while the females will have 28 chromosomes in a diploid cell). 8. Observe several cells in metaphase I. Do you notice a chromosome in an unusual position with respect to the other chromosomes in the cell? What chromosome might this be? Yes, this chromosome could be the X or Y chromosome. 9. Can you find cells in other stages of meiosis or sperm differentiation? If so, briefly describe their appearance and state what stages you think they might be. Yes, it is possible to find other stages of meiosis. In metaphase, the chromosomes are lined up at the metaphase plate. In anaphase, the chromosomes are being pulled apart, and in telophase the cells should be separating via cytokinesis. Conclusion: The process of meiosis is very complicated, but is necessary for sexual reproduction. There are five substages of prophase I in meiosis. Prophase I is the most important stage in meiosis, since this is the stage where crossing over occurs between homologous pairs of chromosomes, which is essential for genetic variation. The first substage is leptonema where chromosomes begin to condense into long strands and begin to look for their homologous pair. In the second substage, zygonema, the chromosomes have found their pairs. The third substage, pachynema, is where crossing over occurs. In addition, the chromosomes are condensed enough so that one can count the number of chromosomes. In the fourth substage, diplonema, portions of the chromosome begin to separate, and the chiasmata (the site where crossing over takes place) is made visible. The last stage, diakenisis, is where the nucleoli disappears, the nuclear membrane disintegrates, and the four tetrads of a pair of homologous chromoso mes are clearly visible (the chromosomes are fully condensed) (Meiosis Prophase I). When looking at the drosophilas, males were easily distinguishable from females. Males were smaller in size compared to the females. The end of the male was more rounded, while the female was pointier. Females had more of a striped pattern on their ends, while males have black as the dominant color. Lastly, males have a sex comb at the joint of each front leg (males also have a penis) (Hammersmith Mertens, 5). In the generalized animal cell, I was able to identify the nucleus and the nuclear envelope. In the human chromosome slide of metaphase, the chromosomes were lined up, which means they were about to be separated. In the human, rat and chorthippus testis, I had a difficult time identifying the different cell types, or cells in different phases of meiosis. Meiosis is an essential process, and if an error occurs, the consequences could be lethal.

Essay About Family: A Portrait of a Sister :: Personal Narrative essay about my family

A Portrait of a Sister Sitting at my desk, trying to organize all my server sales reports from work, photo-copied papers, coupons, gift-certificates and important receipts, I start laughing to myself at how much I am like my sister. The sound of her soft voice echoes through my mind, â€Å" Lee, photo-copy all these documents, and don’t forget to keep your receipts.† That is my sister’s fetish; anything important must be photocopied, unless a sin. It’s those little things she says and does that I have always teased her about that I find myself doing now. I glance up looking on my desk for the FAFSA document, and the picture of my sister and me driving the cardboard school bus catches my eye. January 1988 Sitting in my living room, my grandma and mom were taking down the Christmas decorations, and putting them in cardboard boxes. My sister always had my grandma’s creativity, which they both passed on to me. My sister turned to me and said, â€Å" I have a fun project for us, Lee.† Rolling my eyes and looking back over my shoulder, to my sister, I said, â€Å"Oh, no way. Last time you had a fun project I ended up having my hands tied behind my back.† She informed me that it would be really fun, she swore. The whole week we secretly stashed cardboard boxes in the closet in our room, and then we cut out all different shapes. The shapes together were going to make up a school bus. Since my mom is a schoolteacher we stole her paint, and later that week we painted the cardboard yellow. Two weeks later, we presented our project to my mom and grandma at dinner. We were so proud of ourselves. Looking back now, I remember that the school bus was our favorite toy for that week. I also remember that the following week my sister had a new â€Å"project†. May 1996 My first week of JV Kickline tryouts. I come home and say, â€Å"We have a mission on our hands.† I tell her it is now time to make me the next member of the Bethpage JV Kickline team. During that whole week of tryouts, I am practically in house arrest. I think this is when my sister really teaches me that no one is perfect and she shows me how to use my strongest strength.

Media - The Relationship of Self and Advertising Essay -- Exploratory

The Relationship of Self and Advertising      Ã‚  Ã‚   Advertising has an extremely strong hold on society. Due to the overwhelming presence of mass media in popular culture, products are often recognized solely by how they are portrayed in their advertisements. Regardless of how truthful or misleading it may be, advertising is how companies spread the message about what they have to offer to the public. Advertising appears in various forms, including printed material, television, audio, and even down to its simplest form-word of mouth. Without good advertising, a product would not succeed and would lack added publicity given to it through advertising. Consumers would not always be informed of the best products and prices without ads. Both the corporation and the consumer directly benefit from advertising. However, potential buyers should proceed with caution. There is misleading information circulating through advertisements on a daily basis. Products are often glamorized and appear as something they really are not. The truth is that people can be easily influenced by advertisements that appeal to them. Until this group of consumers can see through the hype often associated with advertising, they will continue to be mislead by the ads presented before them.    Manufacturers' dependence upon advertising is evident on everyday television, but is especially obvious during Super Bowl night, one of America's most hallowed evenings. A few seconds of advertising to the countless number of football fans watching the Super Bowl can cost businesses millions of dollars. If this were not an effective means of drawing customers to a product, nationally renowned companies would not spend this much money for just a f... ...lf. The two (advertising and self) help each other out. Advertising communicates information to the self while benefitting it most of the time. The self keeps advertising alive by purchasing the displayed products and following the media as closely as it does. Despite occasional glamorizations of products by advertising, the public should appreciate advertising and enjoy the ads for what they are. Advertising should inform and assist the consumer in purchasing a product and not be the only reason one purchases something. Take them for what they're worth; advertisements are good!    Works Cited Berger, John. Ways of Seeing. London: Penguin, 1972: 129-54. Scheidell, John M. Advertising, Prices, and Consumer Reaction. Washington, D.C.: AEI Publishing, 1978. Sutherland, Max. Advertising and the Mind of the Consumer. Sydney: Griffin, 1993.

Co Curricular Activities – Boon or Bane

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES : BOON OR BANE? Seminar, trainings, workshops, cultural and sports activities are some of the many tasks the students get involved in school which we call co-curricular activities. This involves actual learning of real life situations where students involve in the process and learn the process of the different activities. In a sense, co-curricular activities prepare students practically for the future which provide opportunities for students to work in teams, to exercise leadership, and to take the initiative themselves.Most co-curricular activities are physically active, getting the student out from behind their desk and making them try new things which is healthy and ensures that students are exposed to practical tasks, not just what is taught in class. Co-curricular activities are nice, but they have never been shown to actually play a vital role in a student’s life which now became harmful to their studies because students were overwhelmed of the f un they get in the many activities they were involved.Aside from that, student participants are excused from their classes and given the highest possible score. With this, they also exempt themselves from self-studying because of the freebies they enjoyed in the classroom. In addition, students are aware of the DepEd Memorandum which excuses them from classes and should maintain their grades in every subject area if ever they get a lower grade in a particular grading period where they represented the school. Thus, mediocre students take for granted their studies for they are contented of the passing grades they will be receiving.On the other hand, honor roll students find it difficult to focus on two things: studies and activities. The activities divide their attention and focus in their studies even though they are given the highest possible score. Sometimes, they can’t attend lectures and missed their class because of the activity and they find it difficult to cope up their lessons due to absences. It is also unfair to students who can’t afford to join the different co-curricular activities for it is really expensive joining such gig.Some parents struggled most to finance these activities just to make their children join the race and be on top of the class when the school year ends. We should come to realize that we should balance what we can afford and what we can manage. Quality education is what we need in preparation for life. We need to get the most of it by focusing on our studies and value the things we learned in and outside of the school campus by simply minimizing the attendance to school activities and other co-curricular activities.

Negative Utilitarianism: An Overview

Most utilitarian theories deal with producing the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of people. Negative utilitarianism (NU) requires us to promote the least amount of evil or harm, or to prevent the greatest amount of suffering for the greatest number. Proponents like Karl Popper, Christoph Fehige and Clark Wolf argue that this is a more effective ethical formula, since, they contend, the greatest harms are more consequential than the greatest goods. Karl Popper also referred to an epistemological argument: â€Å"It adds to clarity in the fields of ethics, if we formulate our demands negatively, i. e. if we demand the elimination of suffering rather than the promotion of happiness. †(Karl R. Popper,1945) Most forms of utilitarianism hold that we ought to do that which maximises the good and minimises the bad. There is some disagreement about what the good and the bad are– whether the good is people being happy and the bad is people being unhappy, or the go od is people getting what they want and the bad is people not getting what they want, or whatever–but most utilitarians agree that whatever the good and the bad are, we ought to bring about as much of the former and as little of the latter as is possible. Negative utilitarians disagree. Negative utilitarians are concerned only with minimising the bad. They don't think we ought to maximise the good and minimise the bad, and that when we must choose between the two we must weigh the difference that we can make to the one against the difference that we can make to the other; rather, negative utilitarians hold just that we ought to minimise the bad, that we ought to alleviate suffering as far as we are able to do so. Suppose that I have a choice to make: I can either make the happiest man in the world even happier than he already is, or I can alleviate some of the suffering of the unhappiest man in the world. Suppose further that the difference that I can make to the happy man is much greater than the difference that I can make to the unhappy man. Most utilitarians would say that in this case I ought to help the happy man. As I can make a greater difference to the life of the happy man than I can make to the life of the unhappy man, it is the happy man whom I should help. Negative utilitarians disagree. Negative utilitarians hold that it is more important to alleviate suffering than it is to promote pleasure, and that I should therefore always choose to alleviate suffering rather than promote pleasure when forced to choose between the two. In most supporters of moderate NU the preference to survive is stronger than the wish to be freed from suffering, so that they refuse the idea of a quick and painless destruction of life. Some of them believe that, in time, the worst cases of suffering is defeated and a world of minor suffering can be realized. The big problem with negative utilitarianism is that it appears to require the destruction of the world. The world contains much suffering, and the future, presumably, contains a great deal more suffering than the present. Each of us will suffer many calamaties in the course of our lives, before those lives finally end with the suffering of death. There is a way, however, to reduce this suffering: we could end it all now. With nuclear weapons technology, we have the capability to blow up the planet, making it uninhabitable. Doing so would cause us all to suffer death, but death is going to come to us all anyway, so causing everyone to die will not increase the suffering in the world. Causing us to die now, though, will decrease the suffering in the world; it will prevent us from suffering those calamaties that were going to plague us during the remainder of our lives. Destroying the planet, then, will reduce the suffering in the world. According to negative utilitarianism, then, it is what we ought to do. That, though, is surely absurd. Negative utilitarianism, therefore, is false.

Mamluks

The emergent of Mamluks started under Hasan Pasha's whose intent was to strengthen his personal base of power by creating a group of disciplined military and civil functionaries committed uniquely to him and not to the government at Istanbul or the Arabs of Baghdad. A page corps was formed, originally recruited from local families but later composed almost exclusively of slaves imported from the Caucasus and Georgia (Thomas Philipp, Ulrich Haarmann, 1998. These slaves were instructed in reading and writing, but also horse-manship and swimming, a combination of martial and bureaucratic virtues making them superior to Turks and Iraqis as civil servants. Their training emphasized a sense of interdependence and â€Å"esprit de corps. † They were made to feel that they owed their privilege to their master and to the Mamluks institution. John Joseph Saunders in the â€Å"The History of the Mongol Conquests† noted that the Mamluks dominated the power elite, but as an alien force, and they were merciless to any suspected rival to their authority. A close disciplined fraternity, and the only effective civil and military organization within the country, they provided their pashas with the power of an independent monarch. He argued, nevertheless, Mamluk pashas at no time renounced allegiance to the sultan of the Ottoman Empire. He went on to explain how they defended Iraq from the Wahhabis and Persians but did not create war on neighbors within the empire. They were the only Islamic dynasty that withstands the invasions of the Turks and Mongol. They were slave boy children captured and trained carefully groomed for life as military men. They were leaders’ corps of warrior-slaves, mostly from Turkic or Kurdish Central Asia, but also including some Christians from the Caucasus region of south-eastern Europe. They were called the Mamluks which literally mean slave. According to historians, Mamluks were young boys who were not Muslim and groomed to be Sunni Muslim soldiers( Saunders 2001). The Mamluk institution creates a lot speculation and comment among pre modern observers. Consequently, James Waterson reported that the Mamluks are the slave warriors of medieval Islam who overthrew their masters, defeated the Mongols and the Crusaders and established a dynasty that lasted three hundred years. He continued to say that these young boys turn out to be great soldiers. Interestingly, Halperin commented that at the same time as the Islamic world was combating off Christian Crusaders from Europe, the great Muslim general Saladin conquered Egypt in 1169, founding the Ayyubid Dynasty. He also stated that Saladan and his descendants used increasing numbers of Mamluk soldiers in their struggles for power. In fact, according Charles Halperin a researcher in the field of history commented how during this time the Crusaders controlled several small coastal principalities in the Holy Land. † He explained that during the war the Mongols approached the Mamluks offering them an alliance against the Muslims. The Crusaders' former enemies, the Mamluks, also sent representative to the Christians offering a deal against the Mongols. † They feared that the Mongols were a more immediate threat, the Crusader states opted to remain nominally neutral, but agreed to allow the Mamluks’ armies to pass unhindered through Christians’ occupied lands.