The Return: Shadow Souls Chapter 12

Elena checked the edges of the hotel room's draperies for signs of dawn. Bonnie was curled up, drowsing in a chair by the window. Elena and Meredith had been up all night, and now they were surrounded by scattered printouts, newspapers, and pictures from the Internet. â€Å"It's already spread beyond Fell's Church,† Meredith explained, pointing to an article in one of the papers. â€Å"I don't know if it's following ley lines, or being controlled by Shinichi – or is just moving on its own, like any parasite.† â€Å"Did you try to contact Alaric?† Meredith glanced at Bonnie's sleeping figure. She spoke softly, â€Å"That's the good news. I'd been trying to get him forever, and I finally managed. He'll be arriving in Fell's Church soon – he just has one more stop first.† Elena drew her breath in. â€Å"One more stop that's more important than what's going on in that town?† â€Å"That's why I didn't tell Bonnie about him coming. Or Matt either. I knew they wouldn't understand. But – I'll give you one guess as to what kind of legends he's following up in the Far East.† Meredith fixed dark eyes on Elena's. â€Å"Not†¦it is, isn't it? Kitsune?† â€Å"Yes, and he's going to a very ancient place where they were supposed to have destroyed the town – just as Fell's Church is being destroyed. Nobody lives there now. That name – Unmei no Shima – means the Island of Doom. Maybe he'll find something important about fox spirits there. He's doing some kind of multicultural independent study with Sabrina Dell. She's Alaric's age, but she's already a famous forensic anthropologist.† â€Å"And you're not jealous?† Elena said awkwardly. Personal issues were difficult to talk about with Meredith. Asking her questions always felt like prying. â€Å"Well.† Meredith tipped back her head. â€Å"It isn't as if we have any formal engagement.† â€Å"But you never told anybody about all this.† Meredith lowered her head and gave Elena a quick look. â€Å"I have now,† she said. For a moment the girls sat together in silence. Then Elena said quietly, â€Å"The Shi no Shi, the kitsune, Isobel Saitou, Alaric and his Island of Doom – they may not have anything to do with each other. But if they do, I'm going to find out what it is.† â€Å"And I'm going to help,† Meredith said simply. â€Å"But I had thought that after I graduated†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Elena couldn't stand it anymore. â€Å"Meredith, I promise, as soon as we get Stefan back and the town calmed down, we'll pin Alaric down with Plans A through Z,† she said. She leaned forward and kissed Meredith's cheek. â€Å"That's a velociraptor sisterhood oath, okay?† Meredith blinked twice, swallowed once, and whispered, â€Å"Okay.† Then, abruptly, she was her old efficient self again. â€Å"Thank you,† she said. â€Å"But cleaning up the town might not be such an easy job. It's already heading toward mass chaos there.† â€Å"And Matt wanted to be in the middle of it all? Alone?† Elena asked. â€Å"Like we said, he and Mrs. Flowers are a solid team,† Meredith said quietly. â€Å"And it's what he's chosen.† â€Å"Well,† Elena said drily, â€Å"he may turn out to have the better deal in the end, after all.† They went back to the scattered papers. Meredith picked up several pictures of kitsune guarding shrines in Japan. â€Å"It says they're usually depicted with a ‘jewel' or key.† She held up a picture of a kitsune holding a key in its mouth at the main gate of the Fushimi Shrine. â€Å"Aha,† Elena said. â€Å"Looks like the key's got two wings, doesn't it?† â€Å"Exactly what Bonnie and I thought. And the ‘jewels'†¦well, take a close look.† Elena did and her stomach lurched. Yes, they were like the â€Å"snow globe† orbs that Shinichi had used to create unbreakable traps in the Old Wood. â€Å"We found they're called hoshi no tama,† Meredith said. â€Å"And that translates to ‘star balls.' Each kitsune puts a measure of their power into one, along with other things, and destroying the ball is one of the only ways to kill them. If you find a kitsune's star ball, you can control the kitsune. That's what Bonnie and I want to do.† â€Å"But how do you find it?† Elena asked, excited by the idea of controlling Shinichi and Misao. â€Å"Sa†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Meredith said, pronouncing the word â€Å"sah† like a sigh. Then she gave one of her rare brilliant smiles. â€Å"In Japanese, that means: ‘I wonder; hmm; wouldn't want to comment; my gosh, golly, I really couldn't say.' We could use a word like that in English.† Despite herself, Elena giggled. â€Å"But, then, other stories say that kitsune can be killed by the Sin of Regret or by blessed weapons. I don't know what the Sin of Regret is, but – † She rummaged in her luggage, and came up with an old-fashioned but serviceable-looking revolver. â€Å"Meredith!† â€Å"It was my grandpa's – one of a pair. Matt's got the other one. They're loaded with bullets blessed by a priest.† â€Å"What priest would bless bullets, for God's sake?† Elena demanded. Meredith's smile turned bleak. â€Å"One that's seen what's happening in Fell's Church. You remember how Caroline got Isobel Saitou possessed, and what Isobel did to herself?† Elena nodded. â€Å"I remember,† she said tautly. â€Å"Well, do you remember how we told you that Obaasan – Grandma Saitou – used to be a shrine maiden? That's a Japanese priestess. She blessed the bullets for us, all right, and specifically for killing kitsune. You should have seen how spooky the ritual was. Bonnie almost fainted again.† â€Å"Do you know how Isobel is doing now?† Meredith shook her dark head slowly. â€Å"Better but – I don't think she even knows about Jim yet. That's going to be very tough on her.† Elena tried to quell a shudder. There was nothing but tragedy in store for Isobel even when she got well. Jim Bryce, her boyfriend, had spent only one night with Caroline, but now had Lesch-Nye disease – or so the doctors said. In that same dreadful night that Isobel had pierced herself everywhere, and cut her tongue so that it forked, Jim, a handsome star basketball player, had eaten away his fingers and his lips. In Elena's opinion they were both possessed and their injuries were only more reasons why the kitsune twins had to be stopped. â€Å"We'll do it,† she said aloud, realizing for the first time that Meredith was holding her hand as if Elena were Bonnie. Elena managed a faint but determined smile for Meredith. â€Å"We'll get Stefan out and we'll stop Shinichi and Misao. We have to do it.† This time it was Meredith who nodded. â€Å"There's more,† she said at last. â€Å"You want to hear it?† â€Å"I need to know everything.† â€Å"Well, every single source I checked agrees that kitsune possess girls and then lead boys to destruction. What kind of destruction depends on where you look. It can be as simple as appearing as a will-o'-the-wisp and leading you into a swamp or off a cliff, or as difficult as shapeshifting.† â€Å"Oh, yes,† Elena said tightly. â€Å"I knew that from what happened to you and Bonnie. They can look exactly like someone.† â€Å"Yes, but always with some small flaw if you have the wits to notice it. They can never make a perfect replicate. But they can have up to nine tails, and the more tails they have, the better at everything they are.† â€Å"Nine? Terrific. We've never even seen a nine-tailed one.† â€Å"Well, we may get to yet. They're supposed to be able to cross over freely from one world to another. Oh, yes. And they're specifically in charge of the ‘Kimon' Gate between dimensions. Want to guess what that translates to?† Elena stared at her. â€Å"Oh, no.† â€Å"Oh, yes.† â€Å"But why would Damon take us all the way across the country, just to get in through a Demon Gate that's run by fox spirits?† â€Å"Sa†¦But when Matt told us you were headed to someplace near Sedona, that was really what decided Bonnie and me.† â€Å"Great.† Elena ran her hands through her hair and sighed. â€Å"Anything else?† she asked, feeling like a rubber band that had been stretched to its utmost. â€Å"Only this, which ought to really bake your cookies after all we've been through. Some of them are good. Kitsune, I mean.† â€Å"Some of them are good – good what? Good fighters? Good assassins? Good liars?† â€Å"No, really, Elena. Some of them are supposed to be like gods and goddesses who sort of test you, and if you pass the test they reward you.† â€Å"Do you think we should count on finding one like that?† â€Å"Not really.† Elena dropped her head to the coffee table where Meredith's printouts were scattered. â€Å"Meredith, seriously, how are we going to deal with them when we go through that Demon Gate? My Power is about as reliable as a low battery. And it's not just the kitsune; it's all the different demons and vampires – Old Ones, too! What are we going to do?† She raised her head and looked deeply into the eyes of her friend – those dark eyes that she had never been able to classify as this color or that. To her surprise, Meredith instead of looking sober, tossed back the dregs of a Diet Coke and smiled. â€Å"No Plan A yet?† â€Å"Well†¦maybe just an idea. Nothing definite yet. What about you?† â€Å"A few that might qualify for Plans B and C. So what we're going to do is what we always do – try our best and fall all over ourselves and make mistakes until you do something brilliant and save us all.† â€Å"Merry† – Meredith blinked. Elena knew why – she hadn't used that diminutive for Meredith for more years than she could remember. None of the three girls liked pet names or used them. Elena went on very seriously, holding Meredith's eyes, â€Å"There's nothing I want more than to save everybody – everybody – from these kitsune bastards. I'd give my life for Stefan and all of you. But†¦this time it may be somebody else who takes the bullet.† â€Å"Or the stake. I know. Bonnie knows. We talked about it while we were flying here. But we're still with you, Elena. You have to know that. We're all with you.† There was only one way to reply to that. Elena gripped Meredith's hand in both of hers. Then she let out her breath, and, like probing an aching tooth, tried to get news on a sore subject. â€Å"Does Matt – did he – well, how was Matt when you left?† Meredith glanced at her sideways. Not much got past Meredith. â€Å"He seemed okay, but – distracted. He would go off into these fits where he'd just stare at nothing, and he wouldn't hear you if you spoke to him.† â€Å"Did he tell you why he left?† â€Å"Well†¦sort of. He said that Damon was hypnotizing you and that you weren't – weren't doing all you could to stop him. But he's a boy and boys get jealous – â€Å" â€Å"No, he was right about what he saw. It's just that I've – gotten to know Damon a little better. And Matt doesn't like that.† â€Å"Um-hm.† Meredith was watching her from under lowered eyelids, barely breathing, as if Elena was a bird that mustn't be disturbed or she'd fly away. Elena laughed. â€Å"It's nothing bad,† she said. â€Å"At least I don't think so. It's just that†¦in some ways Damon needs help even more than Stefan did when he first came to Fell's Church.† Meredith's eyebrows shot up, but all she said was, â€Å"Um-hm.† â€Å"And†¦I think that really Damon's a lot more like Stefan than he lets on.† Meredith's eyebrows stayed up. Elena finally looked at her. She opened her mouth once or twice and then she just stared at Meredith. â€Å"I'm in trouble, aren't I?† she said helplessly. â€Å"If all this comes from less than one week riding in a car with him†¦then, yes. But we have to remember that women are Damon's specialty. And he thinks he's in love with you.† â€Å"No, he really is – † Elena began, and then she caught her lower lip between her teeth. â€Å"Oh, God, this is Damon we're talking about. I am in trouble.† â€Å"Let's just watch and see what happens,† Meredith said sensibly. â€Å"He's definitely changed, too. Before, he would have just told you that your friends couldn't come – and that was it. Today he stuck around and listened.† â€Å"Yes. I just have to – to be on my guard from now on,† Elena said, a little unsteadily. How was she going to help the child inside Damon without getting closer to him? And how would she explain all she might need to do to Stefan? She sighed. â€Å"It'll probably be all right,† Bonnie muttered sleepily. Meredith and Elena both turned to look at her and Elena felt a chill go up her spine. Bonnie was sitting propped up, but her eyes were shut and her voice was indistinct. â€Å"The real question is: what will Stefan say about that night at the motel with Damon?† â€Å"What?† Elena's voice was sharp and loud enough to awaken any sleeper. But Bonnie didn't stir. â€Å"What happened what night at what motel?† Meredith demanded. When Elena didn't answer immediately, she caught Elena's arm and swung her so that they were face-to-face. At last Elena looked at her friend. But her eyes, she knew, gave away nothing. â€Å"Elena, what's she talking about? What happened with Damon?† Elena still kept her face perfectly expressionless, and used a word she'd learned just that night. â€Å"Sa†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Elena, you're impossible! You're not going to dump Stefan after you rescue him, are you?† â€Å"No, of course not!† Elena was hurt. â€Å"Stefan and I belong together – forever.† â€Å"But still you spent a night with Damon where something happened between you.† â€Å"Something†¦I guess.† â€Å"And that something was?† Elena smiled apologetically. â€Å"Sa†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"I'll get it out of him! I'll put him on the defensive†¦.† â€Å"You can make a Plan A and Plan B and all,† Elena said. â€Å"But it won't help. Shinichi took his memories away. Meredith, I'm sorry – you don't know how sorry. But I swore that nobody would ever know.† She looked up at the taller girl, feeling tears pool in her eyes. Can't you just – once – let me leave it that way?† Meredith sank bank. â€Å"Elena Gilbert, the world is lucky there is only one of you. You are the†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She paused, as if deciding whether to say the words or not. Then she said, â€Å"It's time to get to bed. Dawn is going to come early and so is the Demon Gate.† â€Å"Merry?† â€Å"What now?† â€Å"Thank you.†

Cost functions Final Exam Essay

1. The degree of operating leverage is equal to the ____ change in ____ divided by the ____ change in ____. 2. The short-run cost function is: 3. Theoretically, in a long-run cost function: 4. Evidence from empirical studies of long-run cost-output relationships lends support to the: 5. In the linear breakeven model, the breakeven sales volume (in dollars) can be found by multiplying the breakeven sales volume (in units) by: 6. In a study of banking by asset size over time, we can find which asset sizes are tending to become more prominent. The size that is becoming more predominant is presumed to be least cost. This is called: 7. Buyers anticipate that the temporary warehouse seller of unbranded computer equipment will 8. In the long-run, firms in a monopolistically competitive industry will 9. In the short-run for a purely competitive market, a manufacturer will stop production when: 10. A firm in pure competition would shut down when: 11. Asset specificity is largest when 12. Uncertainty includes all of the following except ____. 13. Experience goods are products or services 14. Declining cost industries 15. Of the following, which is not an economic rationale for public utility regulation? 16. ____ as practiced by public utilities is designed to encourage greater usage and therefore spread the fixed costs of the utility’s plant over a larger number of units of output. 17. The practice by telephone companies of charging lower long-distance rates at night than during the day is an example of: 18. When the cross elasticity of demand between one product and all other products is low, one is generally referring to a(n) ____ situation. 19. In natural monopoly, AC continuously declines due to economies in distribution or in production, which tends to found in industries which face increasing returns to scale. If price were set equal to marginal cost, then: 20. A cartel is a situation where firms in the industry 21. The existence of a kinked demand curve under oligopoly conditions may result in 22. Which of the following is an example of an oligopolistic market structure? 23. Even ideal cartels tend to be unstable because 24. In a kinked demand market, whenever one firm decides to lower its price, 25. Some industries that have rigid prices. In those industries, we tend to

Health and Social Care Essay

There are many indicators of health to find out about my volunteer’s present health. Firstly, there is the peak flow meter. My volunteer’s peak flow reading is 410 therefore this shows that she shows no signs of asthma and her breathing rate is average and shows that her health is in a positive state. My volunteers BMI shows that she is slightly overweight keeping this in mind I have set her targets which will help her to have a average weight. Last of all, my volunteer’s blood pressure is approximately a reading of 120/80 mmHg which is in general an average reading of blood pressure. Therefore this shows that she does not show signs of high blood pressure and this also indicates that she is not under a lot of stress or pressure from work and studies. This also reveals that my volunteer’s present blood pressure is proportional to average and that her present health is essentially positive. Page 1Zoom in Page 1 2 3 4 5 Next Level: GCSE Subject: Health and Social Care Word count: 1506 Save View my saved documents Submit similar document Share this Health and Social Care Download this essay Print Save GCSE HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE An extract from this document†¦ Task 1: There are many indicators of health. Indicators of health can help you find out about an individual’s health. The main indicators are: * Height weight charts * Body Mass Index (BMI) * Blood pressure * Peak flow meter * Resting pulse and recovery after exercise Height weight charts: When babies are born, they are weighed and measured regularly to display whether they are fed properly. They are also assessed to show their growth rates and see if they are growing properly. Also to see if the baby is underweight, overweight, average etc†¦ Additionally, they are weighed every week for the first two months of their lives. Body Mass Index (BMI): Body mass index is an indicator of good health as it measures the amount of fat in an individual’s body in association to his or hers height. It is a formula used to show your body weight in relation to your height to see whether you are underweight, average or overweight. BMI equals weight in kilograms divided by height in meters. Blood pressure: Blood is carried from the heart to all parts of your body in vessels called arteries. Blood pressure is the pressure in which the blood is applied in the arteries and the force in which the heart pumps blood. According to Google, they define blood pressure as, â€Å"the level of pressure that the blood exerts against the walls of the arteries as it passes through them. † This is also a successful indicator of an individual’s health as it measures how fast your heart is pumping blood therefore it advises you if you need to do certain things to help slow down the rate at which your heart pumps. As you can see, it’s a very positive thing and can help stop you from developing diseases such as heart disease and can make your kidney work harder which is very damaging. Blood pressure is very vital to the body and if it is average then your lifestyle will be much more satisfied. Peak Flow Meter: Another way of checking on your health is by using a peak flow meter. A peal flow meter is a special kind of instrument that measures the breathing rate and the volume of air taken in by an individual in the time of each breath. In addition, they are also used to distinguish how efficient a person’s lungs are. To use a peak flow meter, a person has to blow as hard as he/she can into the mouthpiece and then examine the pointer and check the reading however you must do this three times to assure that you get an accurate reading. The measurement is used to estimate the width of the air flow in the bronchi. This is a positive indicator and you can use it to find out whether an individual is breathing properly or if they are managing their asthma correctly etc†¦ Resting pulse and recovery after exercise: A person’s resting pulse rate is the pulse rate when a person is sitting still without moving. You can measure your pulse rate by placing pressure on your wrist or your neck. Your recovery heart rate is the number of beats per minute your heart drops when you stop moving. The higher the fitness levels the faster the drop in heart rate. The most common recovery heart rate can be measurement of up to 1 to 2 minutes however a complete recovery heart may consist of up to an hour. This is a positive indicator of health considering it shows how healthy and athletic your body is after exercise. If your heart does not pump that fast then you are in a healthy and fit state so your body can be affected by much less diseases or illnesses therefore it is very beneficial and helpful. Task 2: There are many indicators of health to find out about my volunteer’s present health. Firstly, there is the peak flow meter. My volunteer’s peak flow reading is 410 therefore this shows that she shows no signs of asthma and her breathing rate is average and shows that her health is in a positive state. My volunteers BMI shows that she is slightly overweight keeping this in mind I have set her targets which will help her to have a average weight. Last of all, my volunteer’s blood pressure is approximately a reading of 120/80 mmHg which is in general an average reading of blood pressure. Therefore this shows that she does not show signs of high blood pressure and this also indicates that she is not under a lot of stress or pressure from work and studies. This also reveals that my volunteer’s present blood pressure is proportional to average and that her present health is essentially positive. Task 4: I have set 3 targets for my volunteer to meet and stick to in order for her to improve her health. Those three targets that I have set are: 1) To have a balanced diet 2) To do regular exercise 3) To improve personal hygiene I think that to improve my volunteer’s health needs, she must stick to these particular targets so that her lifestyle can be developed and progressed so that she can achieve her overall needs. Task 5: Previously, I had chosen 3 targets for my volunteer to stick to in order to improve her health. Here is a health plan for each of those targets for my volunteer to know thoroughly how to improve and stick to her targets. Wash clothing and linens on a regular basis. However, the dilemma is germs and bacteria can develop and increase in your dirty clothes basket so try to be persistent on a weekly cleaning schedule.

Source Analysis Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Source Analysis Paper - Essay Example To the family and other Englishmen, this brought about a reality check in terms accepting Eunice’s choice to stick with the Indians out of her own consent. To the father, John Williams who professed a puritans faith, Eunice’s refusal to come back, called for a concerted prayer for redemption. In this context, the redemption meant freeing Eunice from harm or distress. While, Eunice does not view her action as wrong, the puritans remain adamant for redemption to save her from the Native Americans. The action by Eunice presents a pattern of trying to assimilate into another culture. This choice, results in pain and anguish to John Williams, the father. Among the English, the choice by Eunice then, was viewed as a lost cause. However, there is need to consider fact that, Eunice decided live according to how she sees it fit. In essence, Eunice’s case in this story brings to light how choices and liberty manifested in 1700s United States. Among the custom was, having f reedom to make own choices (Demos 37). As part of exercising one’s own liberty, Eunice deviated from her English roots. This involved converting to Catholism and disowned her name (Demos 107). Such events clearly indicate dissatisfaction with her previous roots. During 1700s, colonialists explored the Americas to practice religious freedom. There was freedom in terms of practicing own religion without disapproval from the King. However, regions such as New England adopted protestant faith, and was regarded more superior than other faith. This is evident when John Williams assert that, â€Å"Eunice should not loss her protestant faith in the hands of the captives† (Demos 37). The book further, reflects on a lack of respect to French Jesuits by the English Protestants. However, Demos assert that, â€Å"the Native Americans were not easily swayed to alien model† (Demos 171). The lack of religious tolerance forced John Williams to spend only a few moments talking to Eunice. It might seem that, Eunice disliked the over dependence on God among the English and her family in New England. Despite the disapproval by John Williams regarding her daughter’s choice, Eunice displayed one of the pinnacle American choices, which is, individual freedom and choice. The Native Americans regard Eunice as an equal, compared to limited liberty allowed by the English at that period in history. In reality, Eunice experienced two conflicting civilizations (Demos 175). In this story, and particular, a focus on Eunice, reflects on the freedoms instituted in the American society. Further, this story picture a period in America when religious tolerance was gaining momentum. Religious tolerance is today identified by all Americans as a vital possession. The choices made by Eunice, reflects on the Bill of Rights. Despite the story being petite histoire, illustrations about liberty are evident in a large way. In addition, the choices by Eunice have established a pr ecedent for future generations of the American society. The precedent, involves freedom to make own choices. The ideals that shape the American society today, reflects back to the journey taken by Eunice in pursuit for choice and liberty (Demos 255). In a review of Demos and Cronon’s arguments, both focuses on history related to New England. Cronon on one hand focuses on ecological changes by comparing Indians and the Europeans. Demos on the other hand, highlights on the puritans roots compared to French Jesuit and the Native American

The seductive play of power in Richard III Essay

The seductive play of power in Richard III - Essay Example The Middle Ages in England was characterized by power politics. Buckingham is as seduced by power as Richard is. In fact even before Richard explicitly reveals his intention of seizing the crown, Buckingham is seen hatching plots so cunningly, that Richard is delightfully tempted to say: "My other self, my counsel's consistory,/My oracle, my prophet! My dear cousin,/ I, like a child, will go by thy direction./ Towards Ludlow then, for we'll not stay behind." It is interesting to note that the women characters are not fleshed out in the play and are only allowed declamations. This is reasoned by Miner and Irene G. Dash who refers to the women in the play as "ciphers" or "nonpersons" because they are widows and their sole source of power and of social identity-their husbands-is gone. However, it is Richard's play. No other role matters much. He is a grand parodist - of himself, of stage conventions and of other characters. That is the secret of his outrageous charm. His great power over the audience and the other figures in his drama is a compound of terror and charm. Richard's zest, his antic glee in his own diabolism, is infectious. The sadomasochistic seduction of Lady Anne by Richard is by far the most fascinating episode in the play. She is seduced by the power of his rhetoric and his forceful emotional argument when he bares his chest and hands her his sword asking her to either kill him or take him up: "for I did kill King Henry-/But 'twas thy beauty that provoked me./ Nay, now dispatch; 'twas I that stabb'd young Edward-/But 'twas thy heavenly face that set me on." (Act I scene ii) Harold F. Brooks calls this Richard's "breathtaking impudence". Another instance where Richard seduces through the power of his language is in Act IV, scene iv. In order to consolidate his power, he falsely swears to Queen Elizabeth that he is in love with her daughter, and to gain credibility he wishes upon himself a curse that should take effect if his vow proves false: "God and fortune, bar me happy hours!/ Day, yield me not thy light, nor, night, thy rest!" His most triumphant parody occurs in Act III scene vii when he dupes the citizens of London into petitioning him to be their king. By imitating a holy man and appearing reluctant to accept the crown, Richard succeeds in getting the power he craves: "Would you enforce me to a world of care/ Well, call them again. I am not made of stone,/ But penetrable to your. kind entreats,/ Albeit against my conscience and my soul." Shakespeare's greatest originality in Richard III which redeems what some critics call an otherwise cumbersome and overwritten drama, is the hero-villain's startlingly intimate relationship with the audience. From the first line of the play, Richard woos the audience through the seductive power of his soliloquy: "Now is the winter of our discontent/ Made glorious summer by this sun of York;" Enthralled, the audience is on unnervingly confidential terms with him. They are unable to resist Richard's outrageous charm, making Machiavels out of them all. They are entertained by the suffering of others. Richard co-opts them as fellow-torturers, making them share guilty pleasures with the added frisson

Evaluate the Decision Making Process Assignment

Evaluate the Decision Making Process - Assignment Example Despite the forth coming problems, an effective and true decision, which is taken at right time, may also saves many of the important organizational resources (Ingram, 2010). According to the experts, the basic goal of the decision making process is to achieve some desired and set goals and objectives and avoid negative and poor consequences (Krehbiel, 2012). The firms’ managers always try to take a right decision at right time so that they can support the other organizational activities and thus giving a better output productivity. When any decision is taken in the organizational perspective than for sure it will help the organizational mangers but at the same time there can be some good or best decisions which not only support the organizational system but also add up to the efficiency of the organizational activities and the operations (Krehbiel, 2012). The process of decision making is a systematic progression which actually works in a step by step series. The process may starts with the recognition of the problem. This can be happen when the manager or any of workers may predict or forecast any possible problem or contingency in the very short run for the organization (Heckman & Crowston, 2011). Here it is not necessary that there will be a prediction of the problem rather the manger may come to know about the problem when they are badly struck in it. The critical point is that the manger or the firm mya truly identify the problem in the situation. Many of the mangers may get confuse between the actual problem and its symptoms. In most of the situation, the symptoms are very clear but the mangers may not track the problem exactly. Therefore, at first step the real identification of the problem is very important (Heckman & Crowston, 2011). Now in this situation the managers must carefully analyze all the possible factors and the reasons, so that they may come to know about the difference between the symptoms and the actual problem

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

Tinas Restaurant - Case Study Example There exist a higher number of potential customers. The region also has a higher level of income with are being segmented to give room for her to issue variety while offering services. The diverse nature of Hamilton road in the city of London provides him with the opportunities to offer customers with a wide range of products. The threats come from his potential competitors who include Montana’s Cookhouse, Kelsey’s, and Boston Pizz. The other threat is the unpredictable nature of the customers with trends changing on consumer preference. As a new business Tina faces an uphill task in ensuring that she penetrates the market. The loyalty of customer in London city may make her face challenges while marketing the products to customers. Lack of a viable plan may affect Tina’s effort of penetrating the market and offering her customers better services than her potential competitors. The major competitors of Tina are including Montana’s Cookhouse, Kelsey’s, and Boston Pizz. Montana cookhouse owned by Cara operations Limited, provides the greatest competition to Tins. They boost of two products include the smokehouse rib and fresh Canadian AAA steaks. The restaurant is located in Hyde Park. It boost of 700 branches across Canada. The restaurant sales are estimated to be over $1m for the single unite and a system wide sale of $1.5 billion. They utilize their official website to market their products. The billboards are the other avenues the company has focused on in selling their products to the market. Among their services include customized services for the customers. They offer variety in their products. The other competitor in the line of business is the Boston Pizza. It is located north west of London town. They share a geographical location with Montana’s Cookhouse. Boston Pizza also boasts of a large market share with over 350 branches of the same restaurant across the country.

Existence of Aliens Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Existence of Aliens - Assignment Example The author of the paper states that maybe there is more than just human life or the human race remains the first and the most technologically advanced race. Human modesty and their ill feelings towards humanity never let us believe in this theory. However, it is only possible that human beings are more advanced as compared to different forms of life. Alien existence has continued to draw attention from different quarters across the globe and currently, it is not established whether they exist or not. However, it is definite that the alien phenomenon started long before the existence of human beings though living on a different planet. With this in mind, this argumentative essay will try to establish whether aliens really exist or whether they are just a phenomenon.  Considering the relative ease with which human life seems to evolve on earth and the extent of the observable universe, it is apparent that life exists elsewhere in the universe. However, that leads to three different q uestions of interest. Is human life the most intelligent life in the universe? Do aliens exist on earth? Will we ever contact the aliens? Almost certainly not considering there are n any evidence that seems to indicate that any human being has either visited or seen them. Stories about aliens are mostly conspiracy theories that are yet to be established (Lewis, 2012). Therefore, it is quite difficult to establish whether Aliens do exist. The question as to whether aliens do exist is also not specific. Generally, alien life, highly probable considering the fact that we all know how life started on earth. The fine biological details that form the earth life remain very fortuitous, thus the result of how universal life happened to initially form and evolve. This, therefore, means that it will be difficult to encounter or establish the same biochemistries types elsewhere (Lewis, 2012). Alternatively, we almost certainly not be facing humanoids of popular mythology.

Different throught processes during World war 2 and vietnam a contrast Essay

Different throught processes during World war 2 and vietnam a contrast in thinking - Essay Example The speed at which life changed and the number of social issues that were in conflict made the world a very different place, thus supporting a citizenry that was in conflict with its government, a nation that was in a social civil war trying to change what would lead toward a more enlightened society. The 1940’s was a time that marked the beginning of world in which the oppressed would stand tall and the domination of the white male social group would come into challenge. However, this was not seen from inside this time, only from the retrospective point of view that represents the changes that took place during this time. The social control of the world before this time resided deeply within the group defined by white Western males who dominated in the economic and social spheres from which the world was primarily defined. However, this group had taken some damage during the press of the economic pressures during the 1930’s that had whittled away both pride and resources. As World War II took those same men far from the shores of the United States, a new world would blossom during their absence. During World War II, the support for the war extended into most aspects of life within the United States. The first sacrifice was made by the men who enlisted in droves to support the end of tyranny within the world by participating in the military efforts. However, there was a great deal of sacrifice made on the home front because of the participation of men and the use of resources that might not have been required without the existence of the war. The entry into World War II came on the heels of a Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor which incited the passions of the citizens towards revenge and preservation of the way of life that was the American culture. According to Hormats, â€Å"On the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, President Franklin Roosevelt proclaimed his confidence that the

Agricultural pollution Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Agricultural pollution - Research Paper Example Agricultural pollution is often thought of as something that affects only the rural areas or the crops on the farm and the people who grow them.However,agricultural pollution is the one reason why large tracts of land become unusable after some time,why certain groups of organisms die from lack of plant food Agricultural pollution is usually caused by monoculture of plants as well as other wasteful and faulty farming methods that usually lead to the destruction of the soil, the excessive use of insecticides and the exposure of humans to any of the chemicals used on the farm. Agricultural pollution damages not only the ecosystem but also human health, and the solution to this problem is a combination of methods from the joint efforts of individuals, social organizations and the government. Problems There has been much evidence which shows that the problems in the United States concerning agricultural pollution are actually brought about by the very nature of the structure of American farms as well as the nature of the prevailing government policies concerning agricultural lands and farming. Such policies actually favor large farm size and, more importantly, crop monocultures. It is there monocultures, especially corn monocultures, which cause the greatest harm to agricultural lands. As imperatives to diversify crops disappear from the context of American agriculture, what is slowly replacing this is the reward for monoculture, resulting in a lack of rotation and eventually leading to a high degree of vulnerability of the agroecosystem to high inputs of harmful chemicals (Altieri, 2000). The chemicals used in very large farms where monoculture is practiced are actually the ones that become pollutants to the agricultural lands (Altieri, 2000). The explanation is pretty simple. If there is only one type or two types of crops used on a farm, then it is inevitable that pests would easily build up on this type of crops because it would be easy for them to adapt to the m. Moreover, considering that the farms on which a single type of crop is planted are large farms, then the attack of pests is also on a wide scale basis. Thus, a large number of pests would also require a large amount of pesticide. The nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus contents of these pesticides are actually the ones responsible for the pollution of the farm itself, of its soil and of the nearby water reserve systems. Moreover, one variety of corn, the genetically engineered Bt corn, may have reduced the number of pests that infest it thus reducing the amount of pesticide as well, but the treatment of the Bt corn seed using neonicotinoid insecticides has become the issue instead. According to a 2012 report from the Union of Concerned Scientists, these neonicotinoid insecticides are responsible for the collapse of honeybee colonies and other cases of mortality concerning other species of bees. The real problem with this is that â€Å"35 percent of U.S. crops rely on bees and oth er pollinators to be productive† (Expanding Monoculture, 2012). Thus, even if such a genetically modified crop such as Bt corn is planted to offset the usual pests that bother traditional corn crops, there will still be problems concerning the type of chemical used to treat this genetically modified crop. As always, it is clearly evident that there is always a problem with monoculture. As implied from the previously stated information, the planting of Bt corn can eventually even prove to be extremely harmful to the planting of all other agricultural crops (Expanding Monoculture, 2012). Another problem concerning agricultural pollution is the use of new types of herbicides. Some large-scale farmers decide to use genetically engineered crops that are herbicide-tolerant, especially those that are resistant to 2,4-D and dicamba, which are two of the oldest known herbicides. Thus, considering the resistance of crops to these

Benchmark Assessment Essay Example for Free

Benchmark Assessment Essay Micah, an eleventh grader with a learning disability in written expression and reading comprehension, is pending placement into a special education classroom. He is involved in extracurricular activities and does not want to stand apart from his friends and peers in regards to accommodations being made for his instruction time. Following is a look into the different placement options and why or why not Micah would benefit from it, technology and related services that he would need to help him progress in his areas of need, collaboration models for each placement that will help Micah’s teachers provide appropriate instruction, and a description of the most appropriate placement option with two Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Standards that align with the placement option. Inclusion Inclusion, simply put, means that all students interact and belong (National Inclusion Project, 2015). This type of placement is not getting the special needs student prepared for the general education class, rather it is getting the general education class ready for the special needs student (Tomko, 1996). This placement option would benefit Micah in that he would be in the same classes as his peers and friends. The inclusion environment is one of the least restrictive environments for Micah. However, Micah would not be able to focus solely on his learning disabilities in the inclusion setting, which makes this setting not the most appropriate placement option for him. Related Services Related services are provided to those with exceptionalities to help in their learning experiences and to enhance their abilities. In the inclusion classroom, Micah would benefit from guided notes. This type of note taking  technique provides students with a print-out of the lesson’s notes with certain words omitted for the students to fill in. Another related service for the inclusion setting is the availability of ‘test readers’. Micah would need this service based on his disability in reading comprehension. However, having someone read him his tests may put him in a negative light in front of his peers. Technology Technology use in an inclusion setting is almost a necessity. For Micah, he may want to use a tape recorder to record lectures and any assignment directions for understanding and accuracy. Another form of technology that would be necessary for Micah would be a Smart Board or a Promethean Board. These two pieces of technology will help Micah to be more interactive in class, and they will allow his instructors to monitor his comprehension of the materials being taught. Collaboration Model If Micah were to be placed in the inclusion setting, his teachers would use the ‘team teaching’ approach of collaboration. The ‘team teaching’ approach is when both, the general education and the special education teacher, teach the same lesson at the same time (Special Education Resource Center, 2007). This collaboration model allows the special education instructor to focus on the students who need extra help while the general education teacher continues to teach. This is also known as the ‘tag team teaching’ collaboration model. Each educator uses their expertise in their specific field to engage classroom instruction. Resource The resource room in special education is a classroom in which students with specific learning disabilities receive more direct and specialized instructions in smaller groups (US Legal Inc., 2015). If Micah were to be placed in the resource room, he would be able to receive extra help with his written expression and reading comprehension. This placement option would work for Micah in that it would only be one class period so that he could keep his disability from his peers and friends, as well as maintain or enhance his learning in his other classes. Related Services During his time in the resource room, Micah would have access to a number of  related services. One of these services would be access to counseling. Micah is very social but he has concerns about standing out from his peers and friends because of his disabilities. A counselor will be able to help build up his self-esteem so that he will not have to be ashamed of his learning issues. Another related service that Micah can receive is a tutor to help him with his written expression and reading comprehension. Technology Technology in the resource room is abundant. Computers with appropriate educational web sites and software are easily available. This is great for Micah because he can use the software and web sites to help build upon his written expression and reading comprehension. Also available in the resource room are copies of the textbooks for each of Micah’s classes. This allows Micah the extra time he may need to understand instructions for assignments and lectures handed to him in his core subjects. Finally, the resource room has a student dictionary. This dictionary will help Micah define words that he may not understand, thus building upon his reading comprehension and written expression skills. Collaboration Model The collaboration model that works best in the resource room is the Resource/ Consulting Teacher Program, or RCT. The RTC model is supported by the triadic model with many opportunities for teachers, students, and parents to interact (Dettmer, Knackendoffel, Thurston, 2013). With the RTC model, emphasis is placed on training students in the curriculum used within each mainstreamed student’s general education classroom (Dettmer, Thurston, Dyck, 2005). Also, the teachers’ expectations and reinforcements are identical for the resource room and the general education class setting (Dettmer, et al., 2005). This collaboration model is perfect for the resource room because it includes everyone involved in the student’s education. Self-Contained A self-contained classroom is the most restrictive placement option that Micah could end up with. However, since instruction is provided by one teacher for all subjects, this would not be an appropriate option for Micah. This placement would prevent Micah from interacting with his friends. The self-contained classroom is more for those students with severe physical,  mental, social, intellectual, and behavior disabilities. Since Micah participates in extracurricular activities, he does not have a severe disability that would require him to be placed in a self-contained classroom. Related Services Related services in the self-contained classroom include occupational, physical, and speech therapies. Micah appears to be an athletic student, and he may benefit from the physical and occupational therapies; however, these related services are not what he needs for his learning disabilities. Micah would be required to also partake in group therapy sessions. Even though Micah has a disability in written expression, the speech therapy will not suffice because he is a very social eleventh grader. Technology There is an abundant amount of technology available in a self-contained classroom just as in a resource setting. Some students with communication problems will use communication pads to be social. There will also be computers, iPads and tablets, and possibly audio players available to assist students with assignments, comprehension, and reading. Micah has a specific learning disability in which these devices may prove to be beneficial, but he would not be able to focus solely on his areas of need. These devices will help improve Micah’s reading comprehension, but they will decrease his abilities in his other core areas. Collaboration Model In the self-contained classroom, finding a collaboration model may be a little harder than all the other placement options. Since the self-contained classroom only has one teacher and usually all the same students throughout the school day, collaboration is usually limited between teacher, student, and parent. For this reason, the most appropriate collaboration model is the collaborative-dependent model. In this model, the consultee (parent and/or student) relies on the consultant (teacher) for help while both parties bring their specific background and skills to solve the specific problem(s) (National Counselor Examination, 2013). Micah and his parents/ caregiver would reach out to the teacher for suggestions on how they can improve his written expression and reading comprehension. Summary After reviewing all of the possible placement options for Micah, the most appropriate classroom setting will be the Resource Room. Micah has specific learning disabilities solely in written expression and reading comprehension. By placing him in the resource classroom, he will be able to concentrate on these two content areas; all the while participating in his extracurricular activities and remaining in his general education classes with his friends and other peers without a feeling of inferiority. The resource room will provide ample opportunities for Micah to focus on the areas with which he struggles by way of the available technology, more personal assistance from the instructor, and the availability of a student dictionary and counselor. Other reasons for this placement include the avoidance of student separation and labels, the teacher can be more consistent with concentration on the areas of need; and students can practice study skills, basic skills, keyboarding, and social and behavioral skills (Lucas, 2013). CEC Standards The placement option for Micah aligns with the Council for Exceptional Children’s (CEC) Standards four and eight. Standard four focuses on the instructional strategies of the teacher. This standard promotes positive learning outcomes in both general and special education classrooms; increases self-awareness, self-management, self-control, self-reliance, and self-esteem; and it enhances the learning of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills (CEC, 2004). With the daily use of technology in the resource setting, standard eight is being utilized and implemented. This standard’s emphasis is assessment. Regular monitoring of the student’s progress of learning needs in both the general and special education curriculum can be easily done in the resource environment. In addition to progress being monitored regularly, the resource instructor will be able to adjust instruction based on the assessment results (CEC, 2004). References Council for Exceptional Children (2004). Beginning Special Educator Standards. The Council for Exceptional Children: Definition of a Well-Prepared Special Education Teacher. Arlington, VA: Council for Exceptional Children Dettmer, P., Knackendoffel, A., Thurston, L.P. (2013). Collaboration, Consultation, and Teamwork for Students with Special Needs, Seventh Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Dettmer, P., Thurston, L.P., Dyck, N.J. (2005). Consultation, Collaboration, and Teamwork for Students with Special Needs, Fifth Edition. Pearson/ Allyn and Bacon Lucas, M. (2013). The Benefits of the Resource Room Model. Retrieved February 11, 2015 from www.prezi.com/ae7v10oo2nzb/the-benefits-of-the-resource-room-model/ National Counselor Examination (2013). Consultation Models. Retrieved February 11, 2015 from www.hgst.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Consultation-models-NCE.pptx National Inclusion Project (2015). What is Inclusion? Retrieved February 9, 2015 from www.inclusionproject.org/lets-all-play/what-is-inclusion/ SERC (2007). Teaching Learning Initiative. Six Approaches to Co-Teaching. Retrieved February 10, 2015 from www.ctserc.org/initiatives/teachandlearn/coteach.shtml Tomko, C.F. (1996). What is Inclusion? Retrieved February 9, 2015 from www.kidstogeth er.org/inclusion.htm US Legal, Inc. (2015). Resource Room (Education) Law Legal Definition. Retrieved February 10, 2015 from www.definitions.uslegal.com/r/resource-room-education/

Googles Methods of Motivating Employees Essay Example for Free

Googles Methods of Motivating Employees Essay What is life like at Google? After extensive research I found a wide variety of opinions about life at Google. Google’s website portrays Google as the best of all places to work. They offer many luxuries including on site massages and health clubs in addition to free dining and vending options. The management style of Google is very lackadaisical and far from serious. Their motto is search, search, and search. Googleplex located out of San Jose, California has a unique method of motivating employees vastly different from other corporate America companies. New hires are flabbergasted by Google’s reputation. If they pass the unorganized and exhausting interview process, they will be able to utilize the extravagant perks that attract many to Google initially. Google’s goal is to keep employees focused on work by eliminating anything that might interfere with production. Current employees make use of this concept depending on their length of employment with the company. Ex-employees have a different view of Google’s culture and the driving forces that power it. Many of Google’s old employees feel this atmosphere leads to 24/7 working days with no personal time. They feel overworked and underpaid with little advancement opportunities available. With that being said, my assessment of the working environment at Google is similar to that of former employees. I feel Google is mirroring the college environment by meeting the basic needs of their employees. By making the basic needs readily available within the working environment, they eliminate outside distractions thus hoping to increase production. However, I feel this philosophy is comparable to that of many cults. They entice employees with so-called spectacular benefits and average pay all the while neglecting to tell them how demanding the working environment is at Google. I am surprised that Google does not offer on-site living arrangements too. Robbins and Coulter (2009) state, â€Å"Google has been named the ‘best company to work for’ by Fortune magazine two years running. † I have no doubts they are not a fantastic company to call home, but they are not retaining life time employees. At some point these associates are losing motivation and decide to look for better opportunities. These situations tell me that Google is failing their employees at some point. I believe the break-down begins at the top of the organizational structure within Google. They emphasize their benefits but neglect to explain employee expectations or job demands to their staff. After the orientation phase, employees get the real taste of Google: little time for the perks, exhausting hours, unorganized working environments, lacking management guidance, little advancement opportunities, minimal pay and a child-like atmosphere. This is the perfect recipe for burnout. Sequentially burnout creates Google’s biggest challenge. It has been said that middle management at Google might oversee over 100 people at one time. How can this be effective? Management needs to be involved and become more hands on with their employees. They could start with career plans, training and promotable reviews. Also, I feel Google should balance their perks by offering less on-site and more down time or empathy to their associates on a personal level. The perks offered are great but they are missing the most important factor-a sincere personal touch. If I were managing a team of Google employees I would try to implement a â€Å"hands on† type of approach. I would set up monthly meetings and give my staff appropriate feedback to help them grow and excel. A rewards and recognition program would be beneficial to them as well as a career plan. It would also be helpful to have training sessions when needed. Lastly, I would empathize with my employees by stressing balance between family and working time. Google has a nice platform; however, I feel these few changes could be vital assets to enhancing their working place while keep long term associates.

Issues facing european low cost airlines

Issues facing european low cost airlines As predicted in the beginning of the millennium year by the International Air Transport Association, the low cost airline sector has grown at a rapid pace during the last decade from carrying 6.3% of the domestic and international passengers within Europe in 1999 predicting to increase to 16-18% in 2005 and has become the order of day in Europe. Although the European airline sector was dominated by flag carriers such as British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France etc. with a share of 70%, this fact transformed with the deregulations coming into effect, increasing the need for an optimal model of operation. That is, as the average airfares in the low-cost airlines sector account for just 3% of the average monthly EU industrial wage, customers turned towards these airline services (Datta Chakravarty, n.d). 3.0 Ryanair Profile in brief Ryanair Airlines, founded by the Ryan family was initially a full service conventional airline in 1985 which was introduced as an alternative travelling between Ireland and the UK to then state monopoly Aer Lingus. However due to financial issues it successfully restructured itself in early 1990s as the first low-fares, no frills carrier in Europe modeling based on Southwest Airlines. The responsibility of Ryanair was taken over by a management team lead by Michael OLeary and was soon floated on both Dublin and London Stock Exchanges in 1997 and admitted among NASDAQ 100 (OHiggins, 2007). Ryanair as a leading low-fares airline offers cheap flights to 150 destinations up-to-date along 1000 low cost routes and provide its customers with cheap and fast air travel excluding fuel surcharges with 100% possibility for online check-ins (Ryanair website, n.d). Although Ryanair has not published its vision and mission clearly, they look to find the big picture and set a broad direction and OLearys direction is to be the largest Low Cost Leader in the European airline industry. This vision is supported by absolute dedication to low cost performance in every element of the value chain, quick gate turnarounds, nonunion operations, performance-based incentive compensation plans, standardization on one type of aircraft, and flying (in most cases) to secondary airports, which provides significant savings for Ryanair (Box Byus, 2007). 4.0 Internal Analysis 4.1 Organizations Strategic Capability Analysis Ryanair has positioned itself as the largest low-fares carrier in Europe and as a business which returns value for money to its fare-concuious leisure and business customers. That is, as Ryanair explains, At Ryanair we guarantee you the lowest air fares on the internet. However our success is due not just to our low fares but also a winning combination of our No.1 on-time record, our friendly and efficient people and our new Boeing 737-800 series aircraft (Puget, 2003) which all add up to its value. Its ancillary services improve its value which is 13% of the total revenue. Although there are low-fares airline services in the European market due to the effectiveness of Ryanair it has been able to become market leader with 29.9% of market share in 2006. Their competitors have not been able to effectively copy the low cost strategy and usage of secondary and regional airports. Inimitable Organised Ryanair holds its uniqueness in its operating strategy which is based on low-cost. It adopts point-to-point flights to secondary or regional airports which no other service follows and occupies a one-way pricing policy which eliminates direct comparison with competitors (Ryanair, n.d). Ryanair is well organized within its low-cost strategy. It offers 100% online check-ins and flies to 150 European destinations along 1000 routes. There is no physical check in where passenger is required to forward his passport and reference number (Marketing Teacher Ltd, n.d). It has one-way pricing strategy which eliminates minimum stay requirements within airports (Ryanair, n.d). Valuable Rare 4.2 Company Resources The resources of Ryanair could be categorized and explained according to the following. Type Ryanair resources Physical resources Head office at Dublin airport Ireland 202 Boeing 737-800 aircrafts with 189 capacity 150 destinations through 1000 routes (as at 2010 April) Financial resources Total assets worth à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬4,634.2 million Shareholder equity of à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬1,992 million Total operating revenues worth à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬1,693 million (all as at 2006 March) Human Resource Over 6,300 employees (2008) CEO Michel OLeary Intellectual resources Market share of 29.9% (2006) Customer base of 34.9 million (2006) Largest travel website in Europe The fifth most recognized brand on Google Most profitable airline in the world based on operating and net profit margins on a per-airplane and per-passenger basis (2006) 4.3 Company Competencies No frill, low cost leadership could be considered the most significant aspect of Ryanair and thereby cater from low to middle level customers The ancillary revenue methods such as accommodation services, care rental, in-flight sales etc. which add up to 15.3% (2006) which had a 36% increase during 2005-2006 Possessing the preemptive advantage and being the market leader provides opportunity to expand into other markets including USA, Asia and Africa. Allowing internet access to its consumers leads to elevate sales and reduce the per-units cost Point-to-point short haul flights and usage of secondary and regional airports reduce passenger congestion and thereby avoid high airport charges. The personality of Michel OLeary has a great impact on the success of Ryanair where he personally looks into unique marketing strategies. 4.0 Industry Analysis 4.1 Porters Five Forces 4.1.1 Competitor rivalry -High and increasing The direct and main low-cost competitors of Ryanair include easyJet, Air Berlin, Germanwings, Lufthansa and Tranavia and the industry was joined by approximately 60 new low-cost airlines in 2004 (Experience Festival, n.d). A major reason for the development of this sector was the airline deregulation in 1997 due to which many companies were attracted towards the industry. This resulted in full-service airlines adopting the low-cost strategy eg. Aer Lingus 2002. The economical recession increased the aggressiveness of all competitors as they were compelled to survive in the market which resulted in frequent flyer programmes by many competing businesses including Lufthansa, Aer Lingus etc (flyertalk, n.d). However the attractiveness of the industry is high for Ryanair due to its low-cost structure, use of secondary airports and first-mover advantage along with experience of almost 2 decades. 4.1.2 Threat of new entrants Moderate Although it is accepted that the European budget airline industry is healthy with huge potential and incremental growth, the effect on Ryanair from new entrants could be considered as moderate due to its position in the market, its strong brand name and economies of scale achieved with time. For instance, Ryanair saved 42.6% of marketing and distribution costs through direct bookings in 2002 (Brophy George, 2003). Although the deregulation practices minimized the barriers of entering the industry challenging the market leader would consume both time and resources of the new companies. 4.1.3 Bargaining power of suppliers Low to Moderate Types of suppliers of Ryanair would mainly be fuel suppliers, aircraft suppliers, airport authorities and suppliers of support services. Travel agents would not count at present due to on line bookings. Ryanair has no control on fuel prices which is totally governed by world trade and Middle Eastern countries. However it has a very healthy relationship with the main aeroplane supplier, Boeing (Brophy George, 2003) which also provides the company with ancillary goods and services including technical support and training, spare parts support, training of flight crew etc. Accordingly it could be said that the power of suppliers is at low to moderate level. Eg. Ryanair cancelled its contract with OnAir, the supplier of the on board mobile communication service due to financial issues (Robertson, 2010). 4.1.4 Bargaining power of consumers High The passenger base of Ryanair was 34.9 million in 2006 and 58.5 million in 2008 (Ryanair, n.d) and increasing due to recessionary effects and current recovery stage resulting in attraction towards low-cost air travel. As Brophy and George (2003) explain, the power of buyers depends on standardization of product, elasticity of demand, brand identity and the quality of service. The switching cost is very low for customers due to the parity of services and online bookings. Accordingly Ryanair is compelled to practice competitive pricing. 4.1.5 Threat of substitutes Low to Moderate The major substitutes for air travel in Europe are rail, road and to some extent boat travel. With advantages such as ability of localization, easier accessibility along with safety railway is significant but may take longer to reach the destination. Ryanair with its low-fare structure is comparatively cheaper than railway which directly substitutes its services through excellent continental services. Road travel would provide similar benefits but Ryanair could overcome it through emphasizing on effective short haul schedules. Development in communication could also be a threat to some extent as business professionals could communicate through video conference etc. from one corner of the world to the other instantly sitting at their office desks. 5.0 Macro-environmental analysis 5.1 PESTEL analysis 5.1.1 Political Government laws and regulations regarding increase of airport landing charges The law for carbon emissions passed by the government on the aviation industry charging environmental taxes EU regulation to reduce the inconvenience caused to passengers by delays, cancellations and denied boarding where airlines are to provide standardized and immediate assistance to them Severe security measures imposed by UK authorities due to terrorist attacks 5.1.2 Economical Real GDP growth rate of EU at a reducing trend since 2007 -4.2% in 2009 (eurostat, n.d) Reduction in inflation rate of the EU from 3.7% in 2008 to 1.0% in 2009 (eurostat, n.d) Recessionary effects and current practices for recovery and depreciation of the US dollar 5.1.3 Social Increase in numbers of business travellers Negative perceptions on air travel due to safety issues Attraction to low-cost airlines after the economic recession 5.1.4 Technology Internet competition for online bookings Fuel efficiency, low carbon emissions and low noise emissions from Boeing aircrafts Other technological expansions e.g. Web sales 5.1.5 Environmental Cancellation of thousands of flights due to spread of volcanic ash from Iceland Strict regulations on carbon emissions Considerations on global warming and noise pollution 5.1.6 Legal Laws relating to airport charges and route policies Safety measures taken by governments due to terrorism regarding passengers and airline staff Regulation regarding misleading advertising 6.0 SWOT Analysis 6.1 Strengths Brand image and reputation Ryanair possesses the privilege of being the initial company to the low-fare air travel industry in Europe and thereby has the advantage of being the First Mover or preemptive mover. Most importantly as the market leader Ryanair presents its brand as a bundle of functional benefits including punctuality and efficiency (Puget, 2003). Pricing strategy As the first low-fares airline in Europe their pricing strategy was extremely unique where 70% of the seats are sold at lowest two fares and the rest is at higher prices with 6% sold at the highest and customers are ruled out of fuel surcharges (Marketing Teacher Ltd, n.d). Customers are content with the aspect of value for money and best prices compared to other competing airlines. Marketing strategy They utilize adverts which basically communicate the low-fares factor to its customers. Mostly they use controversy as their promotion method where for instance, bidding to purchase Aer Lingus, the Irish rival of Ryanair, charging  £1 per person for the use of washroom on board from 2010 (Crouthamel 2010), publishing controversy calendars with female cabin crew for charity purposes etc. Also another important factor is the ancillary services or non-flight scheduled services such as hotels, car hires, in-flight sales etc. 6.2 Weaknesses Cost Structure Ryanair is at continuous attempt to reduce costs at any possible situation and therefore it has a negative impact on customer satisfaction due to this high cost consciousness. According to a poll by TripAdvisor in 2006 Ryanair was voted as the worlds least favourite airline and Ryanair is ranked as a 2 Star low-cost airline by airlinequality.com (n.d) which also explains the negative perspective of customers about low quality. Also this cost structure is constantly challenged by the fluctuations of fuel prices. Staff issues Ryanair scores low regarding industrial relations where they are alleged of providing poor working conditions. Ryanair recruit young pilots who could work hard and with experience and knowledge gathered at Ryanair they tend to move on as a result of low commitment. 6.3 Opportunities Expansion to the USA The low-fares structure is not common in the US as it is in Europe and therefore Ryanair would be the first mover to the US domestic airline market as it plans to extend itself under a different brand for long haul flights between US and Europe (McGrath, 2007). It is said that Ryanair would be the cheapest USA flights in history and its popularity and success in Europe would spill over to the new brand. Recession Price has become an extremely important factor in making purchase decisions and therefore Ryanair could score due to its low-fares nature during and at the aftermath of the global economic recession. The grid (Appendix B) illustrates the increased demand towards Ryanair where its passenger numbers has grown by 13% from 2007-2008. New aircrafts and focus on business professionals Ryanair currently owns 189 Boeing 737-800 which are more environmental friendly and larger in capacity. Also discussions are underway for an order for 200-300 aircrafts for 2013-2016 requirements (centre for aviation, 2009). Also with changes in the business world and focus on countries such as China and USA the demand for long haul flights have increased. 6.4 Threats Fuel prices and other charges As Ryanair does not pass on fuel surcharges to its customers, the unpredictability in fuel prices and inexperience in effective hedging compared to its competitors it is at risk of continuing with lowering costs. Also increase in airport and handling charges and route charges due to expansion would also threaten its cost structure. Political influence As Ryanair operates in more than one country it is influenced by various legal requirements which are different to one another and therefore faces difficulties in standardizing processes and practices. 7.0 Recommendations Considering a much more structured marketing strategy which does not depend on controversy publicity. Taking measures to reduce negative publicity through practicing CSR projects and demonstrating ethical behaviour moving away from merely being profit conscious Proving customers with benefits of the low-cost structure through effective customer service which would increase numbers and thereby would positively affect profit margins although costs may increase in the process. 8.0 Conclusion Ryanair as the largest low-fares carrier and the market leader of the European budget airline market has been able to succeed due to its unique and out-of-the-box thinking. With a high rate of rivalry within the industry with big players such as easyJet, Lufthansa, Air France practicing competitive strategies time-to-time Ryanair is required to follow the correct strategies in order to remain at its throne. Accordingly effective analysis of its internal, external and industrial aspects would increase its possibilities. Ryanair with its low-cost strategy and powerful brand reputation could match its strengths with the opportunities in the market, especially those which have arisen due to the economical downturn increasing the demand for low-cost travel. Furthermore, due to its capabilities the industry attractiveness is at a high level for Ryanair. However the business is at a spotlight due to its controversy practices which they utilize as a means of publicity could negatively affect its brand in the long run and therefore should take steps to reduce these effects.

Essay --

The Juvenile Justices System: How Does It Really Work For Our Girls? Girls become delinquent for many different reasons then boys based on biological, social and cultural differences in each gender. From hormones and brain development, to the child’s upbringing by families, to the way girls are expected to act in public compared to boys; a different set of circumstances exists for the reasons why girls become delinquent compared to boys. Siegel, (2007, p.174) explains this by stating. â€Å"There are indications that gender differences in socialization and development do exist and that they may have an effect on juvenile offending patterns.† Girls react differently to most situations, so it’s important to take gender into consideration when evaluating a youth’s past. For example, peer and romantic relationships often have opposite effects on young girls and boys. While boys are less likely to be involved in criminal activity when in a romantic relationship, girls tend to commit more offenses. Girls are also more likely to be afflicted with mental health disorders than boys, because of the numerous differences between male and female juvenile offenders, the ways that they need to be treated should be different as well. According to a study done by the Girls Justice Initiative, 89% of the 118 attorneys and 61% of the 97 judges interviewed across the county agree that girls in the juvenile justice system do not receive adequate services. This report offers best practices starting from how to communicate with girls when first enter to the juvenile justice system to how to best serve them after they leave in ord er to reduce recidivism rates and address the circumstances that led to their incarceration. (Bolton, 2012) Boys an... ... family time, have an open and honest communication line and never be afraid or embarrassed to seek out aid from professionals in your school, community and neighborhood. By doing some of these little things, you prevent the negative socialization that can lead to deviant behavior, at the same time you will model good behavior and keep those biological and psychological factors at bay so that you have time to deal with issues before they become real problems. As the current information exists, both boys and girls are racing towards delinquency faster and faster and though it may be a tie between the genders, the girls may be pulling in front of the boys. In any event, there are way too many participants in the race and we as parents and members of society need to help in reducing the number of racers in the sprint towards juvenile hall and ultimately adult prison. Essay -- The Juvenile Justices System: How Does It Really Work For Our Girls? Girls become delinquent for many different reasons then boys based on biological, social and cultural differences in each gender. From hormones and brain development, to the child’s upbringing by families, to the way girls are expected to act in public compared to boys; a different set of circumstances exists for the reasons why girls become delinquent compared to boys. Siegel, (2007, p.174) explains this by stating. â€Å"There are indications that gender differences in socialization and development do exist and that they may have an effect on juvenile offending patterns.† Girls react differently to most situations, so it’s important to take gender into consideration when evaluating a youth’s past. For example, peer and romantic relationships often have opposite effects on young girls and boys. While boys are less likely to be involved in criminal activity when in a romantic relationship, girls tend to commit more offenses. Girls are also more likely to be afflicted with mental health disorders than boys, because of the numerous differences between male and female juvenile offenders, the ways that they need to be treated should be different as well. According to a study done by the Girls Justice Initiative, 89% of the 118 attorneys and 61% of the 97 judges interviewed across the county agree that girls in the juvenile justice system do not receive adequate services. This report offers best practices starting from how to communicate with girls when first enter to the juvenile justice system to how to best serve them after they leave in ord er to reduce recidivism rates and address the circumstances that led to their incarceration. (Bolton, 2012) Boys an... ... family time, have an open and honest communication line and never be afraid or embarrassed to seek out aid from professionals in your school, community and neighborhood. By doing some of these little things, you prevent the negative socialization that can lead to deviant behavior, at the same time you will model good behavior and keep those biological and psychological factors at bay so that you have time to deal with issues before they become real problems. As the current information exists, both boys and girls are racing towards delinquency faster and faster and though it may be a tie between the genders, the girls may be pulling in front of the boys. In any event, there are way too many participants in the race and we as parents and members of society need to help in reducing the number of racers in the sprint towards juvenile hall and ultimately adult prison.

Subliminal Advertising :: essays research papers

Throughout mass media there are illegal messages that still appear, such images are also known as Subliminal Advertising. Though illegal, such incidences can never be tried nor taken to a court of law. It is highly impossible and unlikely to notice these messages. However, they are triggered by the subconscience and send neural messages to your brain that you are unaware of, thus making it hard to notice when you are seeing these things. They are illegal because it was believed in earlier incidences that cigarette ads were sending similar messages telling the youths of America to smoke. I have witnessed similar messages called â€Å"Threshold Messages†, these are images that are digitally re-mastered so that you don’t notice what you are seeing but the neural pathways in the human brain hone in on and receive these messages. If you look very carefully at most Liqueur ads you will notice that the nude upper body of a woman is thrown into the ice in a wine ad, or there is the word â€Å"sex† etched into the eyes of a female in a herbal essence ad. However even such images are even unseen to the naked human eye. Unless your light threshold is low, you will not be able to encounter these images, but if you do have a low threshold for light, all you simply need are a little time, patience, and energy. As I was browsing through a Skateboarding Magazine, I had noticed an ad that was a â€Å"Absolute Vodka† ad, I looked all over the add for about an hour, finally I had seen a picture of a skull and crossbones in the ice that was in the glass. Though these images did not appeal to me, think about how they might appear to you average alcoholic or lush. One technique used by most corporations is a technique usually described as using â€Å"buzz words†, this is found more in print than is used on television or radio. If we are scrolling through a newspaper and we see an exciting flashy word, our eyes tend to draw towards it. Companies are entirely aware of this, so they flash words on us like, â€Å"Free,† †New.† †Hurry†. Something about these words makes us want to see what all the fuss is about, and to read the company’s ad. Now when you do read the ad, there will be â€Å"buzz words† embedded into he ad that do not even look flashy.

Siddhartha Essays: Form, Style, and Content -- Hesse Siddhartha Essays

Form, Style, and Content in Siddhartha   Ã‚  Ã‚   Joseph Mileck asserts in Hermann Hesse: Life and Art that Siddhartha is a perfect exemplification of what he calls, "conscious craftsmanship". For Mileck, Hesse consciously synchronized form and substance in Siddhartha to best illustrate a feeling of unity and the journey through the mind, body, and soul. In Siddhartha, Hesse consciously crafted a piece that is unified in form, style, and content, and created an atmosphere in which each one of these elements is perfectly complementary with the others.    In order to communicate most accurately the inner journey of Siddhartha through the three stages of experience, Hesse maintains appropriate rhythm and form throughout the novel. In terms of structure, Siddhartha is comprised of twelve chapters broken down into three groups of three chapters, in which each group is subsequently followed by an interlude. The interlude serves the function of dissipating and refocusing the energy which is built in the preceding three chapters. For example, the first three chapters describe Siddhartha's experiences in the land of the spirit, and ends with the interlude, "Awakening", in which Siddhartha is awakened with the idea that he is spiritually unattached and must seek a new path.    In the next three chapters, Siddhartha experiences the land of the senses and of corporal pleasure. This second group of three chapters is followed by the interlude, "By the River",which serves "to consolidate the experiences just past and prepare Siddhartha for those to come." The final three chapters are concerned with working towards a synthesis of the spiritual and the sensual, which is achieved in the final chapter, "Om". Siddhartha is completed wit... ...t the novel imparts a systematic, methodical tone to Siddhartha, and together with the consciously created form unifies the experiences of Siddhartha, permitting a feeling of closure and meditation on the thoughts and ideas presented therein. There is certainly a unique rhythm to Siddhartha which is skillfully communicated both consciously and subconsciously. One can appreciate the conscious craftmanship" of the novel's structure and style, while at the same time allowing the rhythm, feelings, and experiences to sift into one's mind on a deeper, more subconscious level. Works Cited: Farquharson, Robert. An Outline of the Works of Hermann Hesse. London: Forum House Publishing Company, 1973. Hesse, Herman. Siddhartha. Dover Publications, 1998. Mileck, Joseph. Hermann Hesse: Life and Art. Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1978.   

How Does Counselling Differ from Other Helping Skills

INTRODUCTION TO COUNSELLING ASSIGNMENT ONE HOW DOES COUNSELLING DIFFER FROM OTHER HELPING SKILLS? Lorna Wilson 15/12/09 How does Counselling Differ from other Helping Skills? In everyday life people experience difficulties and problems that they feel they are not able to deal with on their own and need help with. The help that people receive to overcome their problems can be in many different forms. People may receive help in an informal way, such as having a chat to a close friend or relative, who can offer support and advice or they may seek help in a more formal capacity from various helping professionals, such as counsellors, social workers, psychiatrists, doctors, etc. For all of these professionals it is their formal role to help people manage distressing problems of life, but the help that is given can be very different depending on the profession of the helper & their specific skills. This assignment aims to consider how counselling differs from other forms of helping. Not every person who uses counselling skills is designated a counsellor. We can distinguish two groups of people who use counselling skills. People who are called counsellors, who engage in counselling as a distinct profession and others who use counselling skills as part of their role. We may go to a doctor to discuss a problem we are facing and a helping relationship is formed, but what the doctor offers is not counselling. They may well use their counselling skills, by listening to the patient to gain an understanding of their distress, but they also use other skills such as giving advice and providing factual information. The British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy define counselling as ‘taking place when a counsellor sees a client in a private and confidential setting to explore a difficulty the client is having, distress they may be experiencing or perhaps their dissatisfaction with life, or loss of a sense of direction or purpose. It is always at the request of the client, as no-one can properly be sent for counselling’. It is a supportive relationship that enables clients to explore, understand, come to terms with and resolve their problems. Hough (2006) describes counselling as a relationship which is often between two people, but can sometimes be in a group setting. The counselling relationship is unique to other forms of helping for various reasons. One reason is due to the special form of communication that takes place between the client and counsellor. A primary difference between counselling & other forms of helping is the way in which counsellor’s listen. By listening attentively and patiently the counsellor begins to perceive the difficulties from the client’s point of view and can help them to see things more clearly or from a different perspective. Active listening involves thinking behind the client’s words and about their feelings and emotions. It also involves being aware of non-verbal communication such as eye contact, facial expressions and body language. All of which can provide the counsellor with information about what the client may be experiencing. Some helping relationships involve giving advice, which means telling people what they should do. This should not take place in counselling. The counsellor may well talk through with the client what is possible and explore different ways that problems could be resolved but it is about helping the client to take responsibility for finding a solution that feels right for them. This enables the client to take control of their own life and is based on the principle of empowerment. Freud (1920) even cautioned against giving advice. He felt that people should be helped to come to their own independent decisions without pressure. Confidentiality is also an essential part of the agreement between counsellor and client, but it can also be important to other helping professionals in their work. During counselling, clients may reveal intimate details about their lives. They would not want these private details to be passed on to other people and need to be reassured of confidentiality, probably more so than in other helping professions due to the depth and intimacy of the information that is being discussed. However, it is not always that simple and there may be some instances when it is not possible to maintain total confidentiality and the counsellor my have to pass on certain information that was revealed. For example, if a crime has been committed or if there is a risk of harm to another person. In this case the counsellor must be clear with the client what information they may have to pass on and to whom. Professional counsellors are also bound by other ethics such as being non-judgemental and should not exploit their clients in any way. They must be respectful of how their clients choose to live and their right to self-determination. Counsellors must not impose their own thoughts or feeling on other people & should not have any expectations or impose any conditions on their clients. The relationship between counsellor and client should be one of equality. Although, the client may not feel that there is equality, they may feel powerless, as they are seeking help. The counsellor must try and convey a sense of equality and use their skills and knowledge to enable the client to take control of their life and feel empowered. The setting where counselling takes places is also very important. The counsellor must have an environment that feels comfortable, safe, private and consistent to enable the client to feel more at ease and therefore able to talk more freely about difficulties they are experiencing. Professional counsellors also have to undergo specific training. As previously mentioned many helping professionals use counselling skills such as listening and attending to clients, asking questions, helping clients to clarify their thoughts etc. Professional counsellors become experts at using these particular skills. Professional counsellors also have training in the theory behind counselling and for example have knowledge of the process of human development and personality, knowledge of problems which can occur at different stages of the lifespan and how the environment and other influencing factors can affect people’s ability to deal with everyday life. They are aware of common psychological processes such as bereavement, loss and attachment and how people form and interact in relationships. Personal development is also another aspect of the role of a counsellor, as it is essential that they have increased self-awareness. The more self-aware the counsellor is the more they will be able to understand their clients. They often have their own supervision or counselling to enable them to reflect on their own thoughts and feelings. To summarise, people experience difficulties and problems that they feel they are not able to deal with on their own and need help with. The help that they receive to enable them to overcome their problems can be in different forms, it can be informal advice from a friend or family member or it can be help from a professional that has particular skills in helping others. It was identified that many professionals use helping skills in their work but this differs from the work of a professional counsellor. Counselling is a supportive relationship that enables the client to explore, understand and resolve their problems in a private and comfortable setting. There is a special relationship between counsellor and client that is based on equality, respect, confidentiality and a non-judgemental attitude. The counsellor uses expert skills such as listening, enabling them to perceive the difficulties from the clients point of view. They also have specific training to develop these skills and have knowledge of the theory behind counselling and increased self-awareness through personal development. Word Count: 1300 References British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (2005) What is Counselling? , London: BACP. Egan,G. (1998) The Skilled Helper, Brooks/Cole Publishing Company Freud, S. (1920) A General introduction to Psychoanalysis. New York: Horace Liveright. Hough, M (2006) Counselling Skills & Theory, London: Hodder Arnold Swain, J (1995) The Use of Counselling Skills: A Guide for Therapists, Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.

A Geographical Study of Sydney

Population growth in Sydney is mostly due to natural increase (more births than deaths). The rest of Sydney's growth comes from immigration. Sydney has a population of 4.1 million people and is expected to grow by 40,000 people a year for the next 25-30 years. People & Housing In Sydney, the average household is becoming smaller. This means more dwellings are needed to house the same number of people. This is becoming a problem and in the future, we will need around 23,500 new homes every year. These dwellings will be flats, units and villas. Age Profile The population in Sydney is aging as people are living longer. The number of people aged over 65 will double in the next 25 years. p.11 I believe that these issues are good reflections of the problems in Sydney. From my experience, urban growth – high demand for growth, housing – a lack of space and smaller dwellings, ageing communities – a lack of facilities that care for the elderly, the protection of Sydney's natural environments – little park areas in the city, a lack of infrastructure, poor transport systems, and the time needed to travel outer Sydney are all issues that I have noticed. TASK 4 The Government expresses a desire to be sustainable. Is this a realistic goal given the extent of the key issues facing Sydney? What do you think we should do? The government expresses a desire to be sustainable, but is this a realistic goal? I believe so, however, a lot of changes have to be made to achieve this ambition of sustainability. Before it can be fully decided whether this statement is realistic and whether anything can be done about it there has to be an analysis of the problems. Sydney's natural environment makes it a beautiful and outgoing place to live. However, it won't stay like this forever. Cars are still a major contributor to poor metropolitan air quality. The city is facing many challenges in sustainably managing its natural and cultural resources to ensure they meet the needs of current and future residents of the region. It is getting harder and harder for Sydney to fund infrastructure which must be taken into consideration. The population is increasing due to higher birth rates and net migration, this increasing population means households are becoming smaller. Sydney also needs to provide quality jobs as it is a global city that attracts international investments and careers. We need to manage our use of natural resources more wisely. As a big city we consume large amounts of resources and dispose of large amounts of waste to landfill. The costs of building and maintaining infrastructure to supply water and energy to meet increasing consumption and population growth are extremely high. Apart from these major sustainability problems of natural resources, employment, transport, housing, urban growth, infrastructure and natural environment, there are other issues relating to lack of public space, ethnicity, crime, affordability, demographics and much, much more. As a team working community, Sydney may be able to change the forecasts and find sustainable ways with which to manage its issues. It needs to value the land that surrounds it so that trade-offs are clear. It could create balance between roads and public transport provision and use. It could build more facilities for walking and cycling. It needs to make the most of public transport, energy, water and waste facilities, school and hospitals before new infrastructure is built. Well located land for industry, supported by transport and communications infrastructure, is also needed. A special challenge is to increase the number of quality jobs in western Sydney. New land development on Sydney's fringe will need to more elf-sustaining by providing services locally including a good range of jobs, as well as access to transport, parks and community services, including schools and hospitals. If we link with the regions close by and try these sustainability problems there is a good chance that Sydney could become sustainable in the future. If we look after our environment, support a competitive economy and create better places to live and work Sydney can reach sustainability. It is about improving the quality of life without leaving a burden on future generations.

Imposing a Narrative: Political Agendas in Film Essay

Writers all face the same sensitive situation when beginning to compose a story, to create a narrative which accurately reflects the appropriate political commentary. Journalists often claim to be apolitical and purely objective, however, the fact of the matter is that the best a journalist can do is to aim to be as nonbiased and formal as possible in their political assertions. Other writers have it easier in that they are able to perhaps lean a bit further into one political direction over another, to make a story more personal and informal. For example, Michael Moore’s recent film Sicko places focus on the health care system as being in need of reform, utilizing obviously pro-Democratic rhetoric (2007). Moore calls attention to the socialist ideals in Europe which have strengthened the health care system in ways such as reducing costs to patients and increasing quality of life, in comparison to the United States. Some screenplay writers are confident in their aim to politicize certain issues, to use their artistic talent to call attention to social problems. See more: how to start a personal narrative essay examples Nora Ephron claims that â€Å"for something to matter it must be political†, asserting the point of view that it is vital for writers to impose a narrative on the audience in an effort to open minds to political perspectives (1992, 453). In incorporating the objective truth of events into films, it is essential to add enough personal and political opinion to be able to create a story which is full of touching meaning and excitement rather than purely disjointed factual analysis. Purpose of Screenwriter Ephron claims that imposing a narrative about an actual event or true life story is the writer’s â€Å"version of what†¦ happened† (1992, 454). This version of reality necessitates some elements of fiction, in that there is rarely a time when any writer knows the exact sequence of events in detail. The best that a writer can do, the responsibility of a writer, is to fill in the gaps with educated, plausible, exciting, and political guesses as to what may have occurred. When researching events, even events which may have just happened the day before, the writer is often faced with â€Å"historical fact and ongoing myth† (Ephron, 1992, 454). It is the responsibility of the talented and politically minded writer to supplement what is known with what is unknown, in order to weave a fuller fabric through storytelling. In screenwriting, the writer is concerned with taking what is known to be objective fact and interspersing these facts with creative images and ideas, so that the writer is able to tell a story which has a political agenda and imposes a certain narrative on the audience. Although many journalists disagree with the artistic elements of screenwriting, in which known facts are supplemented with interesting guesses and thought provoking speculations, there is simply no other way to produce an effective film without the influencing element of subjective narration. It would be impossible to create a movie about the life of Marilyn Monroe without adding some devised elements of pure fiction to what is actually known to be factual information about her life. Without the fiction, the facts would stand alone, hanging there as spots of time. No one person knows exactly the thoughts and activities of any other person, so if one person wants to create a film about the life of another person, is it essential to be able to inject the story of what actually occurred with what may have occurred. In this way, the story becomes full, interesting, and rich. The writer is able to contribute something of oneself into the final product. In this way, the completed film becomes a personal and meaningful sequence of events, some events being factual, and some events being fictional. In any case, one can rest assured that writers take time and energy necessary to infuse their documentary screenplays with colorful characters and powerful emotion, so that audience members are able to be moved and swayed in accordance with the intention of the creative process. Narrative in Film When considering the purpose of storytelling in film, particularly when the film is based upon the true story of a person’s life, it is important to be able to appreciate the ways in which facts are coupled with fiction in the effort to produce scenes and characters which come to life for the audience. This liveliness is often romantic, dramatic, political, yet is vital for the richness of the tale and the ability of the writer to devote oneself to the story on a personal and passionate level. One particularly moving film is A Beautiful Mind, based on the life of John Forbes Nash, Jr. , Nobel Laureate in Economics (Howard, 2001). Nash developed a highly respected theory of economics which is referred to as the Nash Equilibrium, which basically states that the motives of the individual and the motives of the group are correlated, in support of cooperative decision making. Nash was also known to have been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, a fact acknowledged in the film. However, the bar scene where Nash unsuccessfully tries to strike up conversations with women and admits to his pals that he is â€Å"better with numbers than with people† is a fictional story devised by the screenwriter. It is personal situations such as this, the drawing together of Nash’s tremendous genius and social insecurity into a college bar excursion with his buddies, which aim to personalize and politicize the story of a person’s life. It is up to the audience to determine whether or not they believe Nash tried to pick up on women and failed, if his insecurity was the result of a mental illness or of experiencing the assault of human society, if he was simply shyer and less aggressive than other men, if he was learning something about economics when faced with this social situation. The possibilities are endless. In creating this personal interlude into what could have been a plausible occurrence in Nash’s life, the writer brings the audience into a fabricated yet intimate scene of what could have contributed to the experience of what it meant to be Nash. Conclusion In addressing the truth of the world through the medium of film, it is essential for writers to be aware that their documentaries necessarily must be empowered by bridging cultural divides and inspiring hope in overcoming political turmoil. It is essential that writing expose the harsh realities of a volatile world, educate and motivate people, and utilize entertainment through modes of humor and drama (Barnard, 2007). In films such as A Beautiful Mind, the lives of the characters become intimate appraisals of the human soul, and audience members reflect upon their own personal experiences and judgments as a result of this delving into the story of another person’s life. Political events in films, such as suggesting that psychiatric medication was not helpful to Nash, have a reverberating effect on the entire society and force people to make personal conclusions about what is right and wrong in the world. Although it is not the job of a screenwriter to misconstrue the facts, it is certainly the job of a writer to decorate the story with intimate yet fictional events, to make certain that the audience is absorbed in the entertainment of the imposed narrative, and to take the meaning of the story in just enough of a political direction to inspire people to think about their world a little bit differently than they may have done before.