Educational performance Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Educational performance - Case Study Example Thus, there is a greater impact of the social class on the education of the children and the parents' attitudes towards the education of the children. In this case there are two main concepts given and these are known as resistance and conformity. These two concepts are the main ones in order to understand the attitudes of the parents towards the education of their children. There is a higher probability that the parents shall be resisting or conforming to the children acquitting the college degree. These parents need to ensure that there is an important role being played by education in the success of the children in future. It has also been seen that there are higher chances of the occupational success of the children who have the higher education. However, in this case Librarians of Institutes of Education (Great Britain), British Library (2000) observed that the acquiring of education is dependent on the social status of parents as the poor people are against the education and degree acquisition from the British universities. In this case a great deal of research has been done on the children as well as the British parents and it has been observed that there are many parents are not developed socially and they resist the education of the children at grade 1 level in the British schools. Because of this resistance there is a change in the concept of self and the desire to get the education. In this case, the main role is also played by the beliefs that are held by the parents. There are many parental differences that make a difference in the attitudes of the children towards the schooling and it is realized that the schooling has been realized that if the schooling is realized as a socializing agency. According to the concepts that have been given in this case, Cox, (2000) says that the education of a pupil is dependent on the educational potential that the pupil has and the pupil is in turn dependent on the social position of the pupil. There are some assessments of the parents that are related to the children and their education and the social status of the parents play important roles. Vermeulen and Perlmann (2000) say that the assessments of the British parents are related to social representations. The carrier systems of the social interpretations are included in the analysis of the social interpretations. There are some studies carried out that make sure that there is an inclusion of the educational experiences of the parents as if the education of the parent is higher than the expectations of the children from the children are higher. It has been seen that the social representation of the parents has been included in the educational opportunities. There are many theories that have been given in relation to these attitudes and Rogers (2005) has observed that if the parents are educated, they are nearer towards the education system and they realize the changes that are taking place in the education system as well as the needs that are needed in the children. In addition to this, they understand the importance of the education in the children

Life Is a Dream Essay Example for Free

Life Is a Dream Essay Historical background: Spain was united after the Moorish occupation (711-1400s). However, it also left Spain as a cultural powerhouse in Europe which was still largely medieval in 15th century. Spanish philosophers and scholars exerted strong influence and their craftsmen were well known across Europe. Ferdinand and Isabella united Spain and by 1492 expelled the Moors entirely form the country. They were determined to Christianize Spain and instituted the Inquisition to hunt down and punish heretics/in addition to the Moors tey expelled all the Jews from the country. Influences from both the Moors and Catholics are evident in the Spanish drama: Moorish heritage in the attitude towards women and honor; Catholic influence-religious faith and doctrine-God and church. Spain was the dominant world power for almost two centuries-1492 expansion and occupation of many lands in America, Africa parts of Europe-Portugal, Sicily, Netherlands. This gave the nation a sense of stability, confidence, energy-also evident in the theater. Religious drama-auto sacramentale- were extremely popular and performed regularly even after they had become obsolete in the rest of Europe. Professional troupes were organized for this purpose-best writers were hired to write them. They were produced on carts (carros) roughly 16 feet long and 36 feet tall-thus having two levels. Eventually they used 4 carros as a permanent stage-actors were reharsing for a long time and were presenting for the city council before the performance could get approved for the public. Autos were performed for 200 years until the decline in mid 1700s By the end of the 16th century-several dramatic geners appeared Comedia-3 act dramas or comedies. Cape and Sword-about lowly gentlemen and Cuerpo (Noise) about kings and mythological characters, saints-actions in remote places. Lope de Vega 1562-1635- One of the most famous and prolific playwrights-a nobleman, soldier, businessman, lover and finally a priest. He wrote over 1600 plays some-450 have survived. Often compared to Shakespeare, he did not have the depth and insight into human nature-he preferred to end plays with happy endings-looking at the positive side. Pedro Calderon de La Barca 1600-1681 Wrote about 200 plays of which a 100 survived. He wrote â€Å"Cape and Sword† comedies-love triangles that are happily resolved. He also wrote serious plays about jealousy and honor. Most famously he wrote a number of autos-his were the most popular and the form declined after his death. LIFE IS A DREAM 1636 A philosophical allegory about the human situation and the mystery of life. It is a tragi-comedy-has elements of both. All major characters suspended between different duties-promises and expectations of what is to be done. Clotaldo has a duty to kill anyone who sees Segismundo but also can not kill his own daughter—as his duty is to protect her. Sgismundo kills his helpers the rebels as he has a duty to the kingdom. As in a classical comedy everyone gets married at the end but the couples are strange or unexpected-Segismundo marries Estrella instead of Rosaura-she marries Astolfo as he has ruined her honor. Analogies Dreams to theater as theater to life Dreams to life as life to afterlife Basilio is rebuked in the play as he wants to find out his fate-only God knows your fate. Women were allowed on stage from the end of the 16th century. Cross-dressing was forbidden so Rosaura appears as a half-monster-half-male, half female clothing.

Beginners Guide To Orchids

Beginners Guide To Orchids Orchid is one of the most fascinating, beautiful and peculiar variety among the flowering plants. They have always been considered difficult to grow. But given the right climatic and cultural conditions, they can thrive anywhere and will flower regularly. These plants belongs to the Orchidacae family, with all the difference in size, shape, color, scent or lack of it. They are the most rapidly changing group of plants on earth with over 880 genera and 28,000 species. Understanding Orchids Orchids have been considered a plant difficult to grow because of lack of knowledge about these fascinating plants. Taking a closer look at the plant will help us understand it better and take away our hesitation to nurture them in our gardens. Basic Characteristics: Orchids are easily distinguished from other plants, as they share some very evident apomorphies. Among these, bilaterally symmetric (zygomorphic), many resupinate, one petal (labellum) is always highly modified, stamens and carpels are fused, and the seeds are extremely small. Orchids belong to the most diverse family of plants known to man. There are over 880 genera, 28,000 species and well over 300,000 registered cultivars currently documented. These numbers only begin to tell the true story behind the evolutionary success of modern day orchids. Orchids are the most rapidly (genetically) changing group of plants on earth and more new species have been discovered over the last few thousand years than any other plant group known. Orchids produce seed pods with literally hundreds of thousands of seed that are released and scattered by the wind. Orchid seeds must establish a symbiotic relationship with a special fungus to survive its first year of life. The fungi gathers water and minerals for itself and the seedling, and the seedling shares its sugars from photosynthesis with the fungus. Only one or two orchid seeds will ever germinate and survive on that perfect crevice or depression that is both moist and has the fungus present. Even then, its chances to survive in the wild long enough to bloom are slim. Orchid Stem and Roots: All orchids are perennial herbs and lack any permanent woody structure. Orchids can grow according to two patterns: Monopodial and Sympodial. Monopodial orchids have a central stem which grows continuously from the tip. They have no pseudobulbs, but produce new growth from the crown of the plant. Flowers are produced from the stem between the leaves, usually alternately from side to side. Monopodial orchids often produce copious aerial roots along their stems. The aerial roots have green chlorophyll underneath the grey root coverings, which act as additional photosynthetic organs. These aerial roots attach themselves to any surface they meet, thus providing support to the plant. In the older parts of the roots, a modified spongy epidermis called velamen has the function to absorb humidity. It is made of dead cells and can have a silvery-grey, white or brown appearance. In some orchids the velamen includes spongy and fibrous bodies near the passage cells. These structures are named tilosomes. Sympodial orchids possess a rhizome which sends out a shoot. This develops into a stem and leaves and eventually produces flowers. In time, from the base of this growth, a new shoot develops and so on in a continuous cycle. The buds are often, though not always, protected by a sheath. Sympodial growth is more common among orchids. Most of these orchids have pseudobulbs which function as storage reservoirs for food and water. The plant will hold pseudobulbs vertically and send out new growth horizontally between the pseudobulbs. They function very much like rhizomes on terrestrial plants, although they are part of the plant rather than a root. The growth begins at the base of the pseudobulb and is called a lead. Both the shoot and roots will grow from this lead. Many times more than one growth at a time will be present. Leaves can last for several years and provide nourishment to the plant until they turn brown and die. Even without a leaf, the pseudobulb will continue to support the plant and provide nourishment for growth and flowering. Some sympodial terrestrials, such as Orchis and Ophrys, have two subterranean tuberous roots. One is used as a food reserve for wintry periods, and provides for the development of the other one, from which visible growth develops. In warm and humid climates, many terrestrial orchids do not need pseudobulbs. With ageing, the pseudobulb sheds its leaves and becomes dormant. At this stage it is often called a backbulb. A pseudobulb then takes over, exploiting the last reserves accumulated in the backbulb, which eventually dies off too. A pseudobulb typically lives for about five years. Comparison of Sympodial and Monopodial Orchid Growth Pattern Orchid Leaves: Like most monocots, orchids generally have simple leaves with parallel veins, although some Vanilloideae have a reticulate venation. Leaves may be ovate, lanceolate, or orbiculate, and very variable in size. Their characteristics are often diagnostic. They are normally alternate on the stem, often plicate, and have no stipules. Orchid leaves often have siliceous bodies called stegmata in the vascular bundle sheaths (not present in the Orchidoideae) and are fibrous. The structure of the leaves corresponds to the specific habitat of the plant. Species that typically bask in sunlight, or grow on sites which can be occasionally very dry, have thick, leathery leaves and the laminas are covered by a waxy cuticle to retain their necessary water supply. Shade species, on the other hand, have long, thin leaves. The leaves of most orchids are perennial, that is they live for several years, while others, especially those with plicate leaves, shed them annually and develop new leaves together with new pseudobulbs, as in Catasetum. The leaves of some orchids are considered ornamental. The leaves of the Macodes sanderiana, a semiterrestrial or lithophyte, show a sparkling silver and gold veining on a light green background. The cordate leaves of Psychopsiella limminghei are light brownish green with maroon-puce markings, created by flower pigments. The attractive mottle of the leaves of Ladys Slippers from tropical and subtropical Asia, (Paphiopedilum) is caused by uneven distribution of chlorophyll. Also Phalaenopsis schilleriana is a pastel pink orchid with leaves spotted dark green and light green. The Jewel Orchid (Ludisia discolor) is grown more for its colorful leaves than its fairly inconspicuous white flowers. Some orchids, as Dendrophylax lindenii (Ghost Orchid), Aphyllorchis and Taeniophyllum depend on their green roots for photosynthesis and lack normally developed leaves, as do all of the heterotrophic species. Orchid Flowers: Orchids are well known for the many structural variations in their flowers. Some orchids have single flowers but most have a racemose inflorescence, sometimes with a large number of flowers. The flowering stem can be basal, that is produced from the base of the tuber, like in Cymbidium, apical, meaning it grows from the apex of the main stem, like in Cattleya, or axillary, from the leaf axil, as in Vanda. As an apomorphy of the clade, orchid flowers are primitively zygomorphic (bilaterally symmetrical), although in some genera like Mormodes, Ludisia, Macodes this kind of symmetry may be difficult to notice. The orchid flower, like most flowers of monocots, has two whorls of sterile elements. The outer whorl has three sepals and the inner whorl has three petals. The sepals are usually very similar to the petals (and thus called tepals), but may be completely distinct. The upper medial petal, called the labellum or lip, is always modified and enlarged. The inferior ovary or the pedicel usually rotates 180 degrees, so that the labellum, goes on the lower part of the flower, thus becoming suitable to form a platform for pollinators. This characteristic, called resupination occurs primitively in the family and is considered apomorphic (the torsion of the ovary is very evident from the picture). Some orchids have secondarily lost this resupination, e. g. Zygopetalum and Epidendrum secundum. The normal form of the sepals can be found in Cattleya, where they form a triangle. In Paphiopedilum (Venus slippers) the lower two sepals are fused together into a synsepal, while the lip has taken the form of a slipper. In Masdevallia all the sepals are fused. Orchid flowers with abnormal numbers of petals or lips are called peloric. Peloria is a genetic trait, but its expression is environmentally influenced and may appear random. Longitudinal section of a flower of Vanilla planifoliaOrchid flowers primitively had three stamens, but this situation is now limited to the genus Neuwiedia. Apostasia and the Cypripedioideae have two stamens, the central one being sterile and reduced to a staminode. All of the other orchids, the clade called Monandria, retain only the central stamen, the others being reduced to staminodes. The filaments of the stamens are always adnate (fused) to the style to form cylindrical structure called the gynostemium or column. In the primitive Apostasioideae this fusion is only partial, in the Vanilloideae it is more deep, while in Orchidoideae and Epidendroideae it is total. The stigma is very asymmetrical as all of its lobes are bent towards the centre of the flower and lay on the bottom of the column. Pollen is released as single grains, like in most other plants, in the Apostasioideae, Cypripedioideae and Vanilloideae. In the other subfamilies, that comprise the great majority of orchids, the anther, carries and two pollinia. A pollinium is a waxy mass of pollen grains held together by the glue-like alkaloid viscin, containing both cellulosic stands and mucopolysaccharides. Each pollinium is connected to a filament which can take the form of a caudicle, like in Dactylorhiza or Habenaria or a stipe, like in Vanda. Caudicles or stipes hold the pollinia to the viscidium, a sticky pad which sticks the pollinia to the body of pollinators. At the upper edge of the stigma of single-anthered orchids, in front of the anther cap, there is the rostellum, a slender extension involved in the complex pollination mechanism. As aforementioned, the ovary is always inferior (located behind the flower). It is three-carpelate and one or, more rarely, three-partitioned, with parietal placentation (axile in the Apostasioideae). Orchid Fruits and Seeds: The ovary typically develops into a capsule that is dehiscent by 3 or 6 longitudinal slits, while remaining closed at both ends. The ripening of a capsule can take 2 to 18 months. The seeds are generally almost microscopic and very numerous, in some species over a million per capsule. After ripening they blow off like dust particles or spores. They lack endosperm and must enter symbiotic relationship with various mycorrhizal basidiomyceteous fungi that provide them the necessary nutrients to germinate, so that all orchid species are mycoheterotrophic during germination and reliant upon fungi to complete their lifecycle. As the chance for a seed to meet a fitting fungus is very small, only a minute fraction of all the seeds released grow into an adult plant. In cultivation, germination typically takes weeks, while there is a report of one paphiopedilum that took fifteen years. The main component for the sowing of orchids in artificial conditions is the agar agar. The substance is put together with some type of carbohydrate which provides qualitative organic feed such as banana, pineapple, peach or even tomato puree or coconut milk. After the cooking of the agar agar, the mix is poured into test tubes or jars where the substance begins to jelly. The seeds have to be put in the dish above boiling water, in the steam because that secures sterile conditions. The test tubes are put diagonally after that. Reproduction: Orchids have developed highly specialized pollination systems and thus the chances of being pollinated are often scarce. This is why orchid flowers usually remain receptive for very long periods and why most orchids deliver pollen in a single mass; each time pollination succeeds thousands of ovules can be fertilized. Pollinators are often visually attracted by the shape and colours of the labellum. The flowers may produce attractive odours. Although absent in most species, nectar may be produced in a spur of the labellum, on the point of the sepals or in the septa of the ovary, the most typical position amongst the Asparagales. In orchids that produce pollinia, pollination happens as some variant of the following. When the pollinator enters into the flower, it touches a viscidium, which promptly sticks to its body, generally on the head or abdomen. While leaving the flower, it pulls the pollinium out of the anther, as it is connected to the viscidium by the caudicle or stipe. The caudicle then bends and the pollinium is moved forwards and downwards. When the pollinator enters another flower of the same species, the pollinium has taken such position that it will stick to the stigma of the second flower, just below the rostellum, pollinating it. The possessors of orchids may be able to reproduce the process with a pencil, small paintbrush, or other similar device. Some orchids mainly or totally rely on self-pollination, especially in colder regions where pollinators are particularly rare. The caudicles may dry up if the flower hasnt been visited by any pollinator and the pollina then fall directly on the stigma. Otherwise the anther may rotate and then enter the stigma cavity of the flower. The labellum of the Cypripedioideae is poke-shaped and has the function to trap visiting insects. The only exit leads to the anthers that deposit pollen on the visitor. In some extremely specialized orchids, like the Eurasian genus Ophrys, the labellum is adapted to have a colour, shape and odour which attracts male insects via mimicry of a receptive female. Pollination happens as the insect attempts to mate with flowers. Many neotropical orchids are pollinated by male orchid bees, which visit the flowers to gather volatile chemicals they require to synthesize pheromonal attractants. Each type of orchid places the pollinia on a different body part of a different species of bee, so as to enforce proper cross-pollination. After pollination the sepals and petals fade and wilt, but they usually remain attached to the ovary. Gallery of Common Orchids There are over 25,000 types of orchids and, in fact the Orchidaceae family is the most numerous in the plant world. These beautiful plants have been around for over 100 million years and plants can range from microscopic to reaching several feet in height. The flowers have a distinctive look with 3 inner petals surrounded by 3 outer petals and a cupped petal that is distinct from the others. Some orchids even resemble other creatures like bees, moths and lizards. Although we think of orchids as a tropical flower they can actually grow in almost any climate. They can grow on the ground or on trees and even rocks. Orchids are classified depending on their water requirements. Paphiopedilum, Cymbidium and Odontoglossum need a moist environment all year long. Cattelya, Oncidium and Dendrobium only need water when they are actively growing and the vanda Ascocend doesnt really need water at all. Below you will find pictures of some of the commonly found orchids. It is easy to identify them by their flowers. Aceras antropophorum Anacamptis pyramidalis Barlia robertiana Cephalanthera longifolia Cephalanthera rubra Coeloglossum viride Cypripedium calceolus Dactylorhiza elata subsp. sesquipedalis Cephalanthera damasonium Dactylorhiza maculata subsp. meyeri Corallorhiza trifida Dactylorhiza sambucina subsp. insularis Epipactis atrorubens Epipactis helleborine subsp. muelleri Epipactis palustris Goodyera repens Gymnadenia conopsea Himantoglossum hircinum Limodorum abortivum Neottia nidus-avis Listera ovata Neotinea maculata Nigritella nigra subsp. nigra Ophrys apifera subsp. apifera Ophrys insectifera subsp. insectifera Ophrys catalaunica Ophrys fusca Ophrys omegaifera subsp. dyris Ophrys lutea subsp. lutea Ophrys scolopax subsp. apiiformis Ophrys speculum Ophrys scolopax subsp. scolopax Ophrys sphegodes subsp. litigiosa Ophrys sphegodes subsp. sphegodes Ophrys tenthredinifera Orchis conica Orchis coriophora subsp. fragans Orchis coriophora subsp. martrinii Orchis laxiflora subsp. laxiflora Orchis mascula subsp. mascula Orchis morio subsp. champagneuxii Orchis militaris Ophrys sphegodes subsp. passionis Orchis coriophora subsp. coriophora Orchis ustulata Orchis provincialis subsp. provincialis Serapias lingua Orchis simia Platanthera bifolia Platanthera chlorantha Pseudorchis albida Spiranthes spiralis Serapias vomeracea Growing Orchids Tips for Beginners Orchids have always been considered difficult to grow. Once the cultural needs of these fascinating plants are understood, growing orchids is relatively simple, and it becomes a deeply satisfying activity. If given the right climatic and cultural conditions, they can thrive anywhere and will flower regularly. Some species of orchids may flower two or three times a year and some flower annually. The following is a brief guideline of the role of essential and beneficial mineral nutrients that are crucial for growth. Eliminate any one of these elements, and plants will display abnormalities of growth, deficiency symptoms, or may not reproduce normally. Macronutrient Nitrogen is a major component of proteins, hormones, chlorophyll, vitamins and enzymes essential for plant life. Nitrogen metabolism is a major factor in stem and leaf growth (vegetative growth). Too much can delay flowering and fruiting. Deficiencies can reduce yields, cause yellowing of the leaves and stunt growth. Phosphorus is necessary for seed germination, photosynthesis, protein formation and almost all aspects of growth and metabolism in plants. It is essential for flower and fruit formation. Tropical orchids are no more difficult to grow than other plants, but because most of them are epiphytes (tree dwelling plants) their culture is different from that of other types of plants. British orchid growers failed in the early 1800à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ²s when they attempted to grow tropical orchids under dark, hot, and steamy conditions. They succeeded only when they realized that most tropical orchids grew at higher, cooler elevations and in the upper branches of trees where they got considerable light and perfect drainage. Lighting In the greenhouse, most orchids require some shading to prevent the leaves from overheating. In the home, however, orchids need the maximum light available. Placing them outside under the shade of tall trees during the summer months is very beneficial. Do not place them in full sun, however, or the leaves will burn. Also, do not place the plants on the ground, for insects and slugs (snails) can enter the pots and damage the plants. Pot hangers can be used to suspend the plants from tree branches, chains, strong trees, or other structures. Temperature In the home, placing the orchids in a room with relatively cool temperatures will help guard against dehydration. Most orchids are actually most happy at temperatures below the comfort level of humans, especially at night. Orchid greenhouses are usually maintained at 55-65 degrees at night. Soil Potting mixes for tropical orchids are loose mixtures of organic material such as fir bark (not pine bark), tree fern, osumda fiber, with small amounts of peat, perlite, cork, or charcoal added. The object is to have a mix that drains well, but holds some moisture. Most commercial orchid growers supply ready-to-use orchid mixes in small quantities. Orchids usually need repotting only once every two to three years. Moisture In watering orchids, it is best to soak the potting mix thoroughly and wait until the surface is relatively dry before watering again. Most orchids in fir bark based mixes will need watering no more than once every 5 to 7 days. Fertilizer All plants can be fertilized safely with a water-soluble urea free fertilizer such as Growmore 20-10-20 about once a month. Some orchid growers prefer to mix water-soluble fertilizers weaker than indicated on the package instructions and to use them every second or third watering. Always water before fertilizing and remember that it is best to under-fertilize rather than to over-fertilize. With the lower light and drier conditions in the home, orchids cannot use as much fertilizer as they can use in the greenhouse. Some growers like to increase the humidity around their orchids in the home by using humidity trays or trays of wet gravel around or under the plants. Pots should not touch the surface of the water. Water One of the big mistakes that people make is over watering their orchids. People assume that since they are tropical plants they need a lot of water and this is not necessarily the case. While they do appreciate the humid environment, over watering can kill them. The amount of watering necessary depends on the temperature any type of orchid a general rule of thumb is to water once a week. You may want to water more frequently in the summer and a little bit less in the winter. The Cymbidium, Miltonia, Odontoglossum and Paphiopedilum varieties like to be kept with the soil a bit moist even between wanterings while the Ascocenda, Vanda and Phalaenopsis prefer to have their soil become dry in between. Which Orchid Plants Are Easy to Grow? We have seen what orchids are and how to take care of them. The obvious question is which of these orchids can I grow at home, and which ones are easy to grow. As a novice to the world of orchids, you only need to concern yourself with the name of the genus. Most plants within the same genus will require similar growing conditions, so if you want to keep things simple, dont worry about the species or variety at this point. Orchid Genera for the Novice Novice orchid growers should start with members of the following genera, since these are relatively easy to grow orchids: Phalaenopsis, Paphiopedilum, Dendrobium, and Oncidium. Phalaenopsis Orchids Phalaenopsis, or Moth Orchids, are one of the easiest orchids for beginners to grow, as well as one that is commonly found in stores. Members of this genus have multiple large, showy flowers on each spike; flowers that may remain open for six weeks or longer. Often when a spike is cut after its blooms are gone, a secondary spike will develop on the old stalk below the original flower head, thus extending the blooming season. Phalaenopsis is a genus of approximately 60 species of orchids. The abbreviation in the horticultural trade is Phal. Phalaenopsis shows a monopodial growth habit. An erect growing rhizome produces from the top one or two alternate, thick and fleshy, elliptical leaves a year. The older, basal leaves drop off at the same rate. The plant retains in this way four to five leaves. If very healthy, they can have up to ten or more leaves. They have no pseudobulbs. The raceme appears from the stem between the leaves. They bloom in their full glory for several weeks. If kept in the home, they usually last two to three months, which is considered quite a long time. Some Phalaenopsis species in Malaysia are known to use subtle weather cues to coordinate mass flowering. Caring For Phalaenopsis: In nature, they are typically fond of warm temperatures (20 to 35  °C), but are adaptable to conditions more comfortable for human habitation in temperate zones (15 to 30  °C). At temperatures below 18  °C watering should be reduced to avoid the risk of root rot. Phalaenopsis requires high humidity (60-70%) and low light of 12,000 to 20,000 lux. Flowering is triggered by a night-time drop in temperature of around 5 to 6 degrees over 2 to 4 consecutive weeks, usually in the fall. Phalaenopsis prefer to be potted in medium fir bark. They can also be potted in sphagnum moss or mounted. Keep them in pots with a lot of drainage. Keep the potting media fairly moist but not wet. Water when the potting media is just approaching dryness, but still a bit moist and never allow the potting media to become bone dry. Do not let water flow into the center of the plant or it can potentially die from crown rot. One of the most numerous blunders that new growers make is to rot the roots. Overwatering and poor drainage cause the roots to deteriorate, therefore killing the plant. Being careful to water when you feel the soil is dry through and through is the safest thing to do. Light is quite vital to the well-being of the phalaenopsis orchid. Keep it in indirect light near a southern window. Be sure the sun does not directly reach the leaves, which will cause burning and brown marks. If the leaf feels hot to the touch, move it away immediately. On the other hand, phalaenopsis grown in poor dark areas tend to grow floppy dark green leaves and rarely flower. Phalaenopsis roots are quite thick, and the green point at the ends signifies that the root is actively growing. It is okay for them to climb out of the pots. Plant may be fertilized with a 1/4 diluted strength balanced fertilizer three times out of four waterings. The flower spikes appear from the pockets near the base of each leaf. The first sign is a light green mitten-like object that protrudes from the leaf tissue. In about three months, the spike enlongates until it begins to swell fat buds. The buds will thus bloom. Usually you can tell what color the phalaenopsis is by looking at the bud color. After the flowers fade, some people prefer to cut the spike above the highest node (section). This may produce another flower spike or more rarely a keiki (a baby orchid plant that can be planted). Paphiopedilum Orchids Paphiopedilum is a genus in the orchid family (Orchidaceae) of approximately 91 species. Paphiopedilum, the so-called Venus Slipper orchid, is easily recognizable. Most have a single flower per stalk, but there are varieties with multiple flowers. They are relatively easy to coax into bloom if you provide the plant with the right temperature range: mottled leaves need warmer conditions than do solid green leaves. Paphiopedilum (sometimes colloquially referred to as Paphs) are considered highly collectible by growers due to the curious and unusual form of their flowers. Most naturally grow in humus layers as semi-terrestrials on the forest floor, in rocky outcroppings or in trees. Caring For Paphs: Most paphs are intermediate growers and do well in medium to medium-high light. Most paphs should be kept evenly moist year-round. There are exceptions to these general guidelines, especially among the Chinese paphs some of which encounter winter temperatures near freezing, so it is important to research the cultural needs of a specific paph, especially if growing species. All paphs need a fresh environment and benefit from good air circulation and frequent repotting. The rule of thumb for paphs is to repot them every year, usually after flowering or in the spring so they can establish themselves before hot weather sets in. Paphs benefit from high humidity. Dendrobium Orchids Dendrobium, abbreviated as Den in horticultural trade, is a large genus of tropical orchids that consists of about 1200 species. Dendrobium inflorescences are loaded with blossoms and are also long lasting. These plants can often be split when mature, since small additional offset plantlets are frequently produced. When an offset has produced several aerial roots, it can be cut from the parent plant and will frequently flower after one year of growth. The species are either epiphytic, growing on a tree, or occasionally lithophytic, growing over a rock. They have adapted to a wide variety of habitats, from the high altitudes in the Himalayan mountains to lowland tropical forests and even to the dry climate of the Australian desert. The orchids in this genus often develop pseudobulbs, which unite into a long reedlike stem with a typical length of more than 30 cm. Some appear densely covered with short white hairs. The short, ovate leaves grow alternately over the whole length of the stems. The axillary flower buds develop into short flower stalks with one or two terminal flowers. The orchids grow quickly throughout summer, but take a long rest during winter. In the spring, new shoots are formed from the base of the main plant and the dormant buds come back into action. The blooming flowers are found on pseudobulbs formed in the previous year. Caring For Dendrobium: Care depends on specific species. Plants generally require a reduction of watering or with holding of water during the winter due to dormancy period. Plants grow in a variety of temperature ranges and lighting ranges which is dependent on the species. Plants can usually be mounted. Oncidium Orchids Oncidiums, commonly referred to as the dancing girls orchid, are also easy to grow. Abbreviated as Onc in horticultural trade, Oncidium is a genus that contains about 330 species of orchids from the subfamily Epidendroideae of the orchid family (Orchidaceae). Since this is a large genus with different species originating in a wide variety of climates, it is helpful to know the growing requirements of the particular species you select. Still, these hardy plants generally flower well even under adverse growing conditions. The flowers of the Oncidium genus come in shades of yellow, red, white and pink. The petals are often ruffled on the edges, as is the lip. The lip is enormous, partially blocking the small petals and sepals. Caring For Oncidium: Oncs grow in cool to warm conditions with moderate to bright light. Water the plant right before the potting mix starts to dry. Plants should be potted in a well drain medium such as medium fir bark. Tips for Choosing a Healthy Orchid Plant Orchids are found in a variety of climates, so choose an orchid that closely matches the growing conditions of your environment. This means assessing your light sources, available space, temperature range, and humidity. Armed with this information, do a bit of research to find out which orchid plants match your environment. These will be the easiest types of orchid plants to grow and your success will encourage you to develop more skil

Images of Blood in William Shakespeares Macbeth Essay -- GCSE Course

Images of Blood in William Shakespeare's Macbeth  Ã‚   In Shakespeare?s tragic play Macbeth, the symbol of blood is portrayed often and with different meanings. Blood as a symbol is developed throughout the play until it becomes the dominating theme. Perhaps the best way to show how the symbol of blood changes throughout the play is to follow the character changes in Macbeth. First he is a brave honored soldier, but as the play progresses acknowledged and trusted by his king, he becomes a treacherous person who has become identified with death and bloodshed, and ends up killing Duncan who put so much trust in him. This is ironic because the previous thane of Cawdor was executed for treason, which is the first thought that comes into his mind when he is appointed thane. He knows that the king?s trust was misplaced; the fact that he murdered his king plays upon his conscience and shows his guilt in different forms. The situation worsens for him after he murders Banquo, who was one of his most loyal and trusted friends. A similar idea can also be applied to lady Macbeth, as her character changes dramatically throughout the course of the play. Hers and Macbeth?s roles can be seen to swap in a way. When the idea of killing Duncan come s into the minds of Macbeth and lady Macbeth, Macbeth is uncertain, he seems withdrawn about the whole idea. Lady Macbeth comes across as evil and bloodthirsty, for it is she who ensures that the murder takes place. Towards the end of the play though, although both characters show the immense guilt of what they have done, it is lady Macbeth who is now withdrawn, and Macbeth who comes across as evil, for the full spell of the witches has now taken effect, he does not believe that the Scots will be d... ...s that he is guilty, when he says "But get thee back, my soul is too much charg'd with blood of thine already.? Of which, Macduff replies, "I have no words, my voice is in my sword, thou bloodier villain than terms can give thee out." After the death of Macbeth at the hands of Macduff, the symbolic theme of blood swings back to the theme of triumph and glory that it was at the beginning of the play. It is the symbol of honor to Malcolm this time. The death of Macbeth is an honored feat that Macduff is congratulated for. As we have seen, the meaning of the symbol of blood changes from honor to treachery, and then to guilt, after this, it returns to the symbolic meaning of honor once again after the villain that changed the meaning from honor to tyranny is killed. Works Cited: Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. Ed. Dietrich Klose. Stuttgart: Reclam, 1970.

Religious fundamentalism and terrorism

Religious fundamentalism and terrorism are products of globalization. Discuss. † Following evidence of a revitalization in religious faith throughout the world, and a series of terrorist incidents purportedly motivated by religious fundamentalism, various commentators have argued globalization has ushered in new forms of radical religious belief and expression and a unique form of contemporary terrorism.This essay contends that while various forms of religious belief and terrorism have been present in all human societies where congregation of groups has occurred, religious individualism and the current examples of terrorism are distinctly modern phenomena intimately bound to the processes and consequences of globalization. This essay will examine firstly how globalization has acted as a catalyst for the growth in religious fundamentalism and a resultant rise in religiously Justified violence, and secondly how the unequal experiences of globalization has led to a rise in terrori st activity.Specifically, the notion of a perceived necessity for a reassertion of religiosity as a response to globalization will be examined, particularly as a result of; the nonviolence and clash of beliefs and ideas; forces of secularism; the consequences of modernity and the anxieties associated with social disruption; and the issue of increased power convergence and a resultant increase in general powerlessness will be investigated.Expressions of religion, and political violence have been ever-present in society, and are generally reflective of that particular period of human relations; religious fundamentalism and contemporary terrorism thus, are the extreme expressions of the globalizes world. The notion of globalization is somewhat undefined, it is not altogether new, but is coming increasingly synonymous with the twentieth century. Simply put, globalization is an ongoing trend whereby the world has – in many respects and at a generally accelerating rate – bec ome one relatively borderless social sphere. Specifically the last twenty to thirty years have seen an exponential increase in the speed of globalization and its affects. 3 McGraw defines globalization as â€Å"a historical process involving a fundamental shift or transformation in the spatial scale of human social organization that links distant communities and expands the reach of power elation across regions and continents. â€Å"4 Globalization is then, the trend towards an increasingly interconnected society, with a convergence of cultures, spread of information and ideas.From the technological boom that created commercial air travel, telecommunications and the internet, societies and cultures are more linked and influenced by one another. Jan Intervene Pitters argues that increasing cross- cultural communication, mobility, migration, trade, investment, and tourism all generate awareness of cultural difference, leading to ambiguity and complexity in the orientation of self-id entity. 5 It is this uncertainty that has led commentators to assert that religious fundamentalism and contemporary terrorism are products of globalization.Religious fundamentalism can be broadly defined as a particular form of religious expression. Fundamentalists claim to be the upholders of orthodoxy that is the ‘right' creeds, values and beliefs; they also claim to uphold orthographies that is the ‘right' codes of conduct and behaviors. 6 In terms of the religious community, fundamentalism is distinct from conservatism and traditional belief, and lies to the extreme of religious expression. According to Earthen, â€Å"it is a religious way of being, that manifest itself in a strategy by which beleaguered believers attempt to preserve their distinctive identity as a people or group in the face of modernity and colonization. â€Å"8 Here Earthen contends that in the ever-changing globalizes world, in the face of ambivalence and ambiguity, individuals and groups turn to religion in order to provide a sense of certainty and social identity.For religious fundamentalists, religion itself provides a ready-made package of solutions, they assert their own understanding of these as the key to clarifying humanity mission in life; as the way to explain why things are going wrong in the world; and as a way to empower those who feel powerless and buffeted by the world. It is contended that it is the results of globalization that have pushed many to religious fundamentalism.Terrorism has been present as long as people have congregated in societies, although the term terrorism is considered to most likely have originated around the French Revolution of the 18th century in reference to the reign of terror. Al A universal conceptual definition of terrorism, Lutz and Lutz argue, has never been established and agreed upon, they point to the lack of a common classification in the international sphere as evidence of this. 2 However for the purposes of progress, Be rgsten contends that terrorism can be defined as, â€Å"the premeditated use of violence by a non-state group to obtain a political, religious, or social objective through fear or intimidation directed at a large audience. â€Å"13 Simply, terrorism involves three main factors; first the use or threat of use of violence, secondly it is mimed at achieving a political objective, and third it requires an audience larger than the immediate victims of the violence itself.Significantly, terrorism is a microcosm of the broader society from which it is drawn;14 thus it will constantly mutate and be always unique to a particular time period, however, the present debate surrounds the contention that in the contemporary era, it is globalization that has motivated and shaped the form terrorism has taken.Globalization and the convergence and clash of ideas, information and beliefs intrinsic to it has presented a challenge of plural and parallel claims too single god r belief system, it is argu ed that this process of globalization has pushed many to fundamentalist forms of religious expression, to reassert the ‘correctness'1 5 of their religion. As Featheriness notes, â€Å"the process of globalization leads to the compression of culture. Things formerly held apart are now brought into contact and juxtaposition. 16th experience Featheriness highlights is now common on a global level because of globalization, with the exposure of new ideas, of religion and god being compared to previously held beliefs. Believers of monotheistic religions, such s Islam, Judaism and Christianity all face new and plural claims to their religion, also claiming to possess knowledge of and access to the ‘one true' god, and ‘one true' way to communicate with themed.Karen Armstrong argues that a turn to religious fundamentalism and for some, religiously motivated violence is an attempt to reaffirm their god, religion and particular belief system, and is an attempt to push the un iversal application of their beliefs. 18 Here similar to the response to a confused world, globalization creates challenges to current religious beliefs, this halogen questions the beliefs of many, pushing many to respond.Some Armstrong argues, are motivated to violent expressions of their desire for religious universality, claiming that much contemporary religiously motivated terrorism is a reaction to the awareness of the plurality of religions, a result of the processes of globalization. Furthermore, religions face additional challenges, from a plurality of claims to being the ‘one true' god, religion's risk a relativistic of all claims. Featheriness points out that, â€Å"the spiral of relativism of culture through increased contact, Juxtaposition and lashing, creates many questions about long-held formations of culture. Rehire Featheriness notes that awareness of numerous claims of monotheistic religions to be the sole universal religion risks devaluing all these claims, god may no longer be universal but more culturally or racially specific. Malaise Earthen describes the uncertainty this creates as a â€Å"crisis of faith† and further illustrates it as â€Å"anxieties generated by the thought that there are ways of living and believing other than those deemed by one's group's version of the deity. 20 Similarly to plural claims of monotheistic religions, the challenge posed by a relativistic of religion argues Armstrong,21 pushes many to believe that the reassertion of religious universality is necessary, prompting many to simply restate and attest to their religions universality and superiority by turning to extreme forms of religious fundamentalism, but also is responsible for current trends of religiously motivated terrorism as a response to the largely modern phenomenon that is globalization.The advent of globalization has further tested religion by preaching the spread of secularism and the normalization of religion intrinsic to it. As a response, many believers have been further hardened towards fundamentalist approaches to religion, whilst others have been inspired to violence in order to reassert the importance of religion in the modern secularism world. Malaise Earthen argues that the secularist ideal that religious beliefs should be substituted for scientific evidence and rationality has left no room for religion in mainstream society. 2 The current trend being that religious notions are thought to be somewhat subjective and that more objective and reliable forms of governing society should be used, pushing elision out of the public sphere, and into only the private sector. Gerrymanders suggests that â€Å"fundamentalists oppose secularism; they believe it is the reason for the social and moral decline of society. â€Å"23 Here contending that fundamentalists view secular governance as the enemy of religion, they reject the notion that reason and rationality can provide them meaningful solutions to their s ocial and personal problems.Walter Liqueur discusses this rejection with reference to the Muslim Brotherhood operating in Egypt. 24 Egypt had seen the failure of secular leaders, who industrialists believed were responsible for decisions that uprooted tradition and gambled their culture. The brotherhood believed that they must restore their communities moral compass and pride, here they resisted and rejected claims of the supposed secular government superiority. 25 Similar attacks by Christian groups against abortion clinics and places it sees as homosexual havens, are designed to purify the ills of society and restore its moral fiber.Here secularist forces of globalization have provoked extreme religious responses, as well as many violent expressions of dissatisfaction. Current religiously Justified violence is not solely directed outwards by perpetrators, many see the concessions that many mainstream believers have made as a requirement to participate in the modern globalizes worl d as requiring adjustment. The demands that the contemporary globalizes world places upon the individual in their daily lives are immense and the sacrifice of numerous religious practices is often inevitable.Gerrymanders outlines the problems associated with living a religious life in the modern globalizes world, pointing especially to the stricter interpretations of the major religions as being particularly prone to forced disobedience. 27 Gerrymanders exemplifies his point by pointing to the daily prayer rituals of the major religions and the inability of these to fit within many westernizes occupations, as well as this the requirement to turn-the-other-cheek approach to some of the more liberal elements of society, at odds with many of the major religions. 8 The notion of sacrifice in the globalizes world is not an unknown quantity, all individuals at one time or another have been forced to sacrifice meeting, be it family, friends, business, politics or leisure, religion is no di fferent and it is this point Gerrymanders makes. However, the sacrifices of many mainstream, Jews, Christians and Muslims are viewed as a betrayal and dangerous by more fundamental groups of believers. Rainstorm points to the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Hiawatha Rabin in 1995,29 following actions some fundamentalists viewed as a betrayal to the Jewish homeland.Yell Learner, an outspoken extremist Israeli supported the assassin's actions, arguing that political assassination of Jewish leaders should be supported who were felt to be dangerously irresponsible and were De facto enemies of Judaism. 30 Further, Rainstorm suggests that anger concessions of mainstream religious groups is not limited to Judaism, citing examples of bombings of abortion clinics in America and other Western nations by Christian fundamentalists. 31 A further example is the AAA Qaeda group that has as one if its stated aims the re-establishment of an Islamic state based on the strict Habits teachings. 2 Here the unique demands that the modern globalizes world places upon religious individuals as well as the religion as a whole are immense, provoking some fundamental elements to terrorism to rectify what they see as dangerous. The process of globalization and the increased speed of change it has bought to the daily lives of individuals, communities and nation-states, has led to a form of ‘cultural crisis,'33 that has created constant alteration and consequently instability and unpredictability to the lives of many has pushed a revival of faith to provide stability and predictability to the lives of those affected.Anticipating Banyan's notion of ‘liquid modernity Rainstorm argues that, â€Å"the accelerated dissolution of traditional inks of social and cultural cohesion within and between societies with the current globalization process, combined with the historical legacy, and current conditions of political repression, have all led to an increased sense of fragility , instability and unpredictability for the present and the future. 35 Noting that in the current climate means of defining identity are no longer as conspicuous as they once were, creating a situation where one is dislocated and disengaged from society, unsure as to what beliefs and values are indeed the ones to be believed. Rainstorm further contends hat â€Å"they take refuge in religion, which provides centuries old-ideals by which to determine goals; they find physical or psychological sanctuary against repression. 36 Stating that people turn or return to religion, as religion itself provides a readmes package of solutions, including authority structures and institutions to regulate behavior as well as rules and answers to moral questions, providing something solid and consistent where it previously didn't. Lacquerer summarizes, stating that â€Å"if these are the norms of today, the prospects for tomorrow are bleak, and once again he certainties of their religion, their god a nd their text are appealing. 37 Banyan argues that it is the perceived need of these dislocated people to assert these religious codes and creed onto society for their lives, which pushes some to a point where violence appears appropriate or even preferable as a means of achieving it. 38 It is thus the worldwide experience of dislocation and unpredictability inherent to globalization largely unique to contemporary times that has thrust many to religion as a solution; some perceive a need to use terrorist violence to achieve their aims.Similarly globalization has instituted a situation where many are powerless to affect their own destiny, turning to terrorism as a ‘politics of last resort'. 39 Marty and Appleby argue that through foreign ownership, government amalgamations and the liberation's of social, economic and public sectors, globalization has removed much of the ability of individuals to affect their immediate surroundings. 40 Noting here that the power to control socie ty is increasingly converging into the hands of a few elites and away from the masses, as a result of globalization.Further, Lingers argues that these feelings of hopelessness and desperation are considerably more likely to occur and to a more extreme extent in the more marginal groups within society, specifically minorities and the disadvantaged. 41 Significantly then, those within society who have been traditionally denied political, social and economic rights and control over their lives, are further disenfranchised by the processes of globalization.Armstrong contends that this powerlessness, fuels feelings of firstly hopelessness, and eventually an overwhelming frustration to alter ones lot in life. 42 This ‘solicitation process'43 of increasing frustration ultimately pushes individuals to cross a Violence threshold'. 44 At this point argues Glare rational choice is made that traditional peaceful means of protest and dissent are no longer effective, and violence becomes a ‘politics of last resort'. 5 The inability to control one's destiny as a result of globalization, it is argued has pushed those most drastically affected towards terrorism as a means of remonstration. The experience of globalization is incredibly complex and ambivalent, being unique to every nation, community and individual. Globalization through the removal of space and time, the distribution of knowledge and expertise and a growth in technological development, promises countless benefits, however it is these same developments that have catalysts a growth in religious fundamentalism and politically motivated violence.Significantly the compression of space and time has juxtaposed supposed universal religions against one another, provoking conflict; the notion of secularism and scientific discovery as unsurpassed has motivated a reassertion of religiosity, specifically a more extreme form; further the modern world ND the sacrifices from mainstream forces required to operate wit hin it, have aggravated an extreme and sometimes violent response, and finally, the growth of a powerful global elite, controlling the globe from a distant has resulted in feelings of powerlessness and generated frustration in the more marginal's pockets of the world.Globalization has delivered much progress for society, however the fact that the benefits of this progress are generally unevenly distributed and have disrupted many traditional cultures and beliefs, it has often provoked unforeseen consequences.

PSTD essays

PSTD essays Post Traumatic Stress Disorder After experiencing a traumatic event, the mind has been known to horde away the details and memories and then send them back at unexpected times and places, sometimes after years have passed. It does so in a haunting way that makes the recall just as disturbing as the original event. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is the name for the acquired mental condition that follows a psychologically distressing event outside the range of usual human experience (Bernstein, et al). There are five diagnostic criteria for this disorder and there are no cures for this affliction, only therapies which lessen the burden of the symptoms. The root of the disorder is a traumatic event which implants itself so firmly in the mind that the person may be shackled by the pain and distress of the event indeinately, experiencing it again and again as the mind stays connected with the past rather than the present, making it difficult to think of the future. The research on this to pic is all rather recent as the disorder was only added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) in the last twenty years. Yet, the disorder is quite common, threatening to control and damage the lives of approximately eight percent of the American population [5% of men and 10% of women]. Any person is a potential candidate for developing PTSD if subject to enough stress. There is no predictor or determining factor as to who will develop PTSD and who will not. Although all people who suffer from it have experienced a traumatic event, not all people who experience a traumatic event will develop PTSD. Each persons individual capacity for coping with catastrophic events determines their risk of acquiring PTSD. And not everyone will experience the same symptoms; some may suffer only a few mild symptoms for a short period of time, others may be completely absorbed, still others who experience great trauma may never develop any sympt...

Combating Human Trafficking

Combating Human Trafficking Free Online Research Papers Over the past several years, human trafficking has become a sizable worldwide problem. Human Trafficking has had a considerable effect on the World and the United States. To combat this, several laws and initiatives have been enacted. While this allows for some headway in combating this problem, there are still several things that we can do to help. This review of the literature on Human Trafficking focuses on these areas and provides information on the steps that can help combat this epidemic. Human trafficking, also known as trafficking in persons is slavery. The United Nations defines human trafficking as The recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. The Department of Justice notes that human trafficking frequently involves the trafficking of women and children for sexual exploitation and also often involves the exploitation of agricultural and sweatshop workers, as well as individuals working as domestic servants. The University of Pittsburghs Legal Paper (Jurist Law) estimates that human trafficking victimizes some 800,000 people worldwide. (Jansen, 2006) While the article Slavery in the Suburbs (Smith, 2007) reports its an industry thats worth some $32 billion worldwide. Trafficking in persons is also the third most profitable criminal activity after illegal weapons and drugs. (Morse, 2006) This is a vicious and senseless crime that has become an epidemic of the world. It affects several areas of the worlds economy and relations. In October 2001, the State Department (DOS) created the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, and in June 2002, it published a report, under the direction of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, assessing the efforts made by 89 countries to combat trafficking in persons. This report is the most comprehensive anti-trafficking review to be issued by any single government. (Lackzo Gramegna, 2003) This report (updated in 2007) lists each country based on the extent of government action to combat trafficking, rather than the size of the problem, into one of the three tiers. The DOS describes Tier 1 as Governments that fully comply with TVPA; Tier 2 as Governments that are making significant efforts to meet the minimum standards. There is also a Tier 2 Watch List which includes countries whose governments do not fully comply with the Acts minimum standards but are making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with those standards, and: The absolute number of victims of severe forms of trafficking is very significant or is significantly increasing, or There is a failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat severe forms of trafficking in persons from the previous year; or The determination that a country is making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with minimum standards was based on commitments by the country to take additional future steps over the next year. They define Tier 3 as Governments that do not fully comply and are not making significant efforts to meet the minimum standards. Two examples, India and Thailand, of the findings as stated in the DOS Trafficking in Persons Report, 2007 are listed below: • INDIA (Tier 2 Watch List) India is a source, destination, and transit country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation. Indias trafficking in person problem is estimated to be in the millions. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) estimates that 90 percent of Indias sex trafficking is internal. Women and girls are trafficked internally for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced marriage. Children are subject to involuntary servitude as factory workers, domestic servants, beggars, and agriculture workers. Men, women, and children are held in debt bondage and face involuntary servitude working in brick kilns, rice mills, agriculture, and embroidery factories. India is also a destination for women and girls from Nepal and Bangladesh trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation. Bangladeshi women reportedly are trafficked through India for sexual exploitation in Pakistan. Although Indians migrate willingly to the Gu lf for work as domestic servants and low-skilled laborers, some later find themselves in situations of involuntary servitude, including extended working hours, non-payment of wages, restrictions on movement by withholding of passports or confinement to the workplace, and physical or sexual abuse. Bangladeshi and Nepali men and women are trafficked through India for involuntary servitude in the Middle East. Figure 1. Photo by Kay Chernush for the U.S. State Department. Shown above, a 9-year-old girl toils under the hot sun, making bricks from morning to night, seven days a week. She was trafficked with her entire family from Bihar, one of the poorest and most underdeveloped states in India, and sold to the owner of a brick-making factory. She has no means of escape, and is unable to speak the local language; the family is isolated and lives in terrible conditions. (Human Trafficking Website, 2007) • Thailand (Tier 2) Thailand is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor. Regional economic disparities drive significant illegal migration into Thailand, presenting traffickers with opportunities to force, coerce or defraud these undocumented migrants into labor or sexual exploitation. Women and children are trafficked from Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Peoples Republic of China (P.R.C.), Russia, and Uzbekistan for commercial sexual exploitation in Thailand. A number of women and girls from Burma, Cambodia, and Vietnam transit through Thailands southern border to Malaysia for sexual exploitation primarily in Johor Bahru, across from Singapore. Thai and hill tribe women and girls are trafficked internally and to Japan, Malaysia, South Africa, Bahrain, Australia, Singapore, Europe, Canada, and the United States for sexual exploitation. The denial of Thai residency to ethnic minority women and girls who reside in T hailands northern hills makes them more susceptible to trafficking and delays repatriation due to lack of citizenship. Widespread sex tourism in Thailand encourages trafficking for sexual exploitation. Figure 2. Photo by Kay Chernush for the U.S. State Department. Shown above, a woman in her early 20s was trafficked into a blue jean sweatshop, where she and other young women were locked in and made to work 20 hours a day, sleeping on the floor, with little to eat and no pay. Luckily, she managed to escape and was brought to the government-run Baan Kredtrakarn shelter in Bangkok. She eventually felt safe enough to tell her story, the police were informed and they raided the sweatshop, freeing 38 girls. (Human Trafficking Website, 2007) While this illustrates the worldwide reach, it also has an effect on America. Ricardo Veisaga saw an employment ad in the local Spanish newspaper to work in a restaurant. He applied and was promised more than $1,000 a month, meals, a place to sleep and possible overtime. Instead, he wound up working 12-hour days at a restaurant in Greenwood, Ind., earning an equivalent of 51 cents an hour. According to his account, he was fed only rice and water and on three occasions, he was beaten and threatened with kitchen knives. (Kelly, 2006) Like Ricardo, Esperanza was in hopes of a better future as she left Mexico with the promise of a job in the United States. Esperanza was taken to a home and a sewing shop in which an angry woman owner told the young Mexican she owed a lot of money for her passage into the U.S. and would have to work hard to pay it off. She was forced to work 17-hour days in a sweatshop, forced to sleep in the shop, only given ten minutes to eat one meal a day, and was told not to talk to the other workers, some of whom were being paid. (Hidalgo, 2005) Several steps are being taken to combat this problem both here and abroad. These steps include laws and organizations whose goal it is to stop and educate the public on human trafficking or slavery. The United Nations (UN) has recently set up a global fund to combat human trafficking. Additionally the UN protocol against Trafficking in Persons was ratified in 2003 and has been signed by 117 countries, which makes human trafficking an international crime. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), with financial support from the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has set in motion a Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT). The process, formally launched in London on 26 March 2007 is designed to have a long-term impactÂâ€"to create a turning point in the world-wide fight against human trafficking. Throughout 2007 and 2008, events will take place across the globe to raise awareness, reduce the vulnerability of potential victims examine the human impact of this crime and take action to stop it. The goal of this initiative is to prevent potential victims from falling prey to traffickers, protecting those who do, and punishing the criminals involved. (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2007) While these are positive steps, the enforcement and punishment tend to be light. (Rosenthal, 2007) Human rights lawyer Siriwan, states the following in response to the human trafficking laws in Thailand A good law is often not enforced because of deep prejudices that can paralyze the legal system, We cannot expect the problem of slavery to go away unless we tackle our own prejudices that endorse the exploitation. (Human Trafficking Organization, 2007). While Siriwan attributes some of the problems to our own prejudices, examples of corruption also run rampant. For example, in Bosnia, Human Rights Watch found evidence of visa and immigration officials visiting brothels for free sexual services in exchange for ignoring the doctored documents produced by traffickers to facilitate transport through the country. (Agbu, 2003) In America, the punishment can be more stringent. As reported in the Standard News Wire (2007), Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales has made combating human trafficking a top priority of the Justice Department. He illustrates this by showing that in the last six fiscal years, the Civil Rights Division, in conjunction with U.S. Attorneys Offices, has increased by six-fold the number of human trafficking cases filed, quadrupled the number of defendants charged, and tripled the number of defendants convicted. So how can we help combat this epidemic? Education is one important step. While the world and UN are playing a key role by supporting the international anti-human trafficking initiatives, education is something we can do on a local level. Allison Lowe in her paper Human Trafficking: A Global Problem with Solutions that Begin at Home, calls for us to reach out and educate young people, not only because they are the future policy-makers and social workers of our country, but also because runaways and street children are highly susceptible to being ensnared by traffickers and pimps. (Lowe, 2007) Training is another step we can take. Often people cannot recognize those that are victimized by human trafficking. Richard Danziger, Head of International Organization for Migrations (IOM) Counter-Trafficking Division, explained that one of the most basic challenges is training people to recognize trafficking victims. There is confusion between smuggling, illegal immigration, and human trafficking. He further says Today, despite all the talk about trafficking, trafficked children are still being deported to their home countries or even transit countries. Victims, slaves, are still being treated as criminals. To clear this up the IOM along with the Department of State have recently created an in-depth package of training programs aimed at immigration and law enforcement officials, legislators and nongovernmental organizations. Human Trafficking is one that affects us all. It allows for the victimization of hundreds of thousands people worldwide. While there are several steps in place to combat this, including the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 and the UN global initiative, there are still things that need to be done. We as Americans can directly support efforts to educate, train and have a hand at combating this terrible crime. References Agbu, O. (2003). Corruption And Human Trafficking: The Nigerian Case. West Africa Reivew, 4, 7-8. Gramegna, M., Laczko, F. (2003). Developing Better Indicators of Human Trafficking [Electronic version]. The Brown Journal of World Affairs, 10, 179. Hidalgo, E. (2005). Human trafficking in the U.S.:A harsh reality. Retrieved Dec 4, 2007 from the-tidings.com/2005/0318/traffic.htm Human Trafficking.Org, A web resource for combating human trafficking. 50 Year Old Anti-Slavery Law Used in Thailand to Combat Human Trafficking. (2007). Retrieved Dec 2, 2007 from humantrafficking.org/updates/633 Human Trafficking Website. (2007). Retrieved Dec 10, 2007 from http://gvnet.com/humantrafficking/ Jansen, J. (2006). Human trafficking still major problem: US report. Jurist Legal News and Research. Retrieved Dec 4, 2007 from http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase/2006/06/human-trafficking-still-major-problem.php Kelly, K. (2006). Sold in the U.S.A. Retrieved Dec 09, 2007 from chicagoreporter.com/ Lowe, A. (2007). Human Trafficking: A Global Problem with Solutions that Begin at Home. Praxis Journal of the Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work, 7. Retrieved Dec 10, 2007 from luc.edu/socialwork/praxis/pdfs/vol7_chapter6.pdf Lubetkin, W. (2006). New Training Programs Will Help Fight Trafficking in Persons. Department of State International Information Programs. Retrieved Dec 6, 2007 from http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-englishy=2006m=Novemberx=20061128171520cwniktebul4.951113e-02 Morse, J. (2006). Journalist Urges More Enforcement of Laws Against Human Trafficking. Department of State International Information Programs. Retrieved Dec 6, 2007 from http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-englishy=2006m=Novemberx=20061129155338ajesrom0.928982 Rosenthal, E. (2007). UN Fund to Combat Human Trafficking. Retrieved Dec 4, 2007 from iht.com/articles/2007/03/26/news/human.php Smith, T. (2007). Slavery in the Suburbs. Retrieved Dec 4, 2007 from cbsnews.com/stories/2007/09/12/eveningnews/main3254966.shtml Standard News Wire: Woman Pleads Guilty to Human Trafficking Related Charges. (2007). Retrieved Dec 10, 2007 from standardnewswire.com/news/628101202.html The Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking. (2007). Retrieved Dec 4, 2007 from unodc.org/pdf/gift%20brochure.pdf Trafficking in Persons Report. (2007). Retrieved Dec 4, 2007 from state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2007/82804.htm Research Papers on Combating Human TraffickingExempt vs Non-Exempt EmployeesProbation OfficersIs the Use of Psychotropic Drugs in the Treatment ofQuebec and CanadaGenetic EngineeringDefinition of Export QuotasA Marketing Analysis of the Fast-Food RestaurantDeontological Teleological TheoriesThe Equal Rights AmendmentWhat are Stock Options

Elli Essays

Elli Essays Elli Essay Elli Essay Elli: Coming of Age in the Holocaust The book Elli: Coming of Age in the Holocaust provides much information on what happened during this time. It is a biography by Livia E. Bitton Jackson. Livia Jackson was thirteen when she was taken to Auschwitz. After liberation, she completed high school in displaced person camps in Germany. In 1951, she traveled to the U. S. on a refugee ship and completed her higher education, later receiving a Ph. D. from N. Y. U. Since, she has taught at several colleges and became Professor of Judaic Studies at Herbert H. Lehman College of The City University of New York. She later married, and made her home in Israel, where she currently teaches at Tel Aviv University. This is her first book. Livia E. Bitton Jackson came from a Jewish family. She loved her school, her family, the Danube countryside, the season, life itself. Elli lived in Somorja, a small sunny town, at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains when the Holocaust started. The slow drag of the war, food shortages, getting worse as the days went on, and lack of news of the soldiers on the fronts thickened the winter fog. Daily, broadcasts from Hitler were made. One of his broadcasts became a catch phrase with the Hungarian Nazis: â€Å"We will play football with the heads of the Jews. † Elli’s father used to tell her not to believe in this, that they were just trying to scare the Jews. As the winter wore on, however, her father seemed to become more and more distant. With the winter over, Elli’s birthday comes. She was now thirteen. Many wonderful things were happening. Jancsi Novack, her crush, said hello to her, she passed examinations, and she wrote for application forms to the Jewish Gymnasium in Budapest. Later that night, the Nazis returned to Elli’s house. They raided the whole entire house, tearing it to pieces. They took whatever they would like from the store, plus the family’s most precious belongings. A couple of nights later, Elli heard voices in the kitchens, which she came to find out is her Bubi. He had news for the family. The Germans invaded Budapest! Nobody knew anything about it. When the father came home from the synagogue the next morning, they thought something is wrong with Bubi because no one had heard anything about this invasion. They thought it was a false alarm, and they urged Bubi to return and finish his classes. They asked their neighbor, Mr. Kardos, who also had a son in Budapest, and he had heard nothing. They send Bubi on a train at 1 o’clock. At 1:20, Mr. Kardos returns to the family, saying he had news from his son that the Germans have invaded Budapest. Father felt horrible for sending his son back. The next morning, the town received the news. Two days late. Jews are being arrested on sight everywhere. They are herded into trains, which are locked and taken away. During that night, Bubi returned from Budapest. He managed to sneak in undetected. He tried to go on with his normal life, but people told him to run, to go home. Bubi then returned home, thinking he was safe. Nothing happened during the week in town. No news from other towns came. Then, on Saturday morning, all schools were closed. It was March 25, 1944-three months before Elli’s graduation day. Her homeroom teacher announced â€Å"Class, the royal Hungarian Ministry of Education has terminated instruction in all schools of the country-to safeguard our interest. † They were ordered to return home. That was the beginning of the end. The end came rapidly. On Monday morning, all Jews were ordered to appear at the town hall. They had to deliver all jewelry, radios, and vehicles. They had to line up and were counted, registered, and supplied with tags. A week later, Father took Elli to the basement, where he showed her a spot that he had buried the most precious jewels, in case she was the only one to return. The next morning, all Jews were declared to wear the yellow star on the left side of the chest. Any Jew seen without the star would be arrested. It also had to be painted on the wall of every Jewish home. A couple of weeks later, all kids were to report to the schools, for their report cards would be handed out. Elli found out she had received the class honor scroll. On Wednesday morning, Jews were forbidden to have any contact with Gentiles. They were prohibited to enter public places. A week passed. Another message came. All Jews were to be put into a ghetto in another town-Nagymagyar. In five days, each Jew must be ready to leave. They head out, and eventually arrive at their ghetto. Everything they brought with them was now in the yard. Elli, however, liked the ghetto. For the first time in her life, she was happy to be a Jew. She fell in love with a boy named Pinhas. He became central to Elli’s life in the ghetto. Later, they heard news about internment and labor camps. Many Jews had already been deported there. A couple of weeks after they were ordered to move to the ghetto, every man between the ages of eighteen and forty-five are to report the gate the next morning. Weeks later, the rest of the camp finds out they are being taken somewhere else. It is dark when Elli is awakened to leave. Everyone is lined up in lines. The police make them march around the town before loading onto the wagons. They travel until they reach Dunaszerdahely. This is where they were handed over to the German’s. They are put in the synagogue where there is no room to even stand, let alone sleep. They came to find out there were more than 6,000 Jews in this one place. After spending a week in the synagogue, they are deported again. Sometime during the fourth night of riding in the wagons, they arrive in Poland, understanding they are being taken to Auschwitz. They are ordered out of the wagons, and lined up in a large column. He stops each line and sends some to the left, some to the right. Elli is too young to go to the right side, however the guard tells her to say she is sixteen and sends her to the right. The road to the left leads to the gas chambers. They are taken into a long building, and ordered to undress. Anyone with clothes on in five minutes would be shot. They are then herded into the next hall, and all hair is shaven off. Then herded to the next hall, gray dresses are given to everybody to wear. Twice daily, they are ordered to line up for the Zehlappel, meaning roll call.

Berkshire Hathaway Company Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Berkshire Hathaway Company - Essay Example The company is now a holding company that holds many diverse subsidiaries. What is the company’s Mission Statement? What is the company’s Vision Statement? Who are the Primary Stakeholders of the company? Primary stakeholders are those who have a direct interest or stake in the organization. The stakeholders of almost all the companies are same. Stakeholders can affect or be affected by the actions of a business. The primary stakeholders of Berkshire Hathaway include the owner of the company, the employees, its customers, suppliers, its creditors, the trade unions, its stockholders and the government. The employees of Berkshire have a great stake in the organization because they are directly linked to the company’s performance (BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY, INC 2010) Similarly the stockholders share the same stake in the business of Berkshire Hathaway. What are the five forces of Competition and how they impact on the company? The five forces of competition present in the environment and that affect the competition include the competitors of a firm, bargaining power of suppliers, bargaining power of the customers, new entrants and the substitutes available. Competitors of a firm result in rivalry. ... Berkshire Hathaway has very good relations with its suppliers. Plus the company owns so many subsidiaries that it has a large numbers of suppliers, thus resulting in a low bargaining power of the suppliers. Looking at the customers as a force, they have a high bargaining power as opposed to the suppliers. Berkshire Hathaway honors its customers in every possible way. Then comes the threat of the substitutes. Berkshire has a very diverse range of business activities and it offers so many products to so many different markets. There is a threat of substitutes but Berkshire Hathaway has a very strong financial and capital position that whenever there is an alternative investment available in the market, it does not hesitate in acquiring that alternative. Berkshire faces competition but the competition is not very huge because the number of firms present in the holding industry is not very large. There are only few holding firms that equal the size of Berkshire Hathaway. So the competiti on is low as compared to other industries. All the forces of competition lead to rivalry, but in the case of Berkshire these forces are not that intense and thus do not result in huge rivalry. SWOT Analysis SWOT analysis is a tool that is used to look into the strengths and weaknesses of the company. It helps to determine the opportunities and threats posed by the external environment. Basically the analysis sets a direction for the organization as to how it should use its strengths to minimize the threats posed by the external environment and also to make use of the opportunities in order to overcome its weaknesses. Though Berkshire Hathaway is well established holding company but still it is not possible that it won’t have any weaknesses or

Philosophy - Ethical Subjectivism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Philosophy - Ethical Subjectivism - Essay Example The need of the hour is to redefine the emotional and rational aspects of decision taking with reference to the changing life situations. As Baby Theresa’s father, I had to consider both the emotional and rational aspects of decision making within a very short span of time. I had to take care that I was not overcome by my emotions in the process. It is difficult for anyone to see her/his newborn suffering every minute in their imminent journey to death. But what is unthinkable is to allow others to take her life for whatever reasons. What I needed to make sure that these emotional extremes were not the only factors that influenced my decision. Once the doctors explained to me what Anencephaly is, what struck me most was the meaninglessness of Baby Theresa’s extended hours on the face of the earth, since she had no hope at all to lead a conscious life. It was nothing different from a brain death. The only hope to see her ‘live’ meaningfully in some way was to let her organs donated. That way, at least a fragment of her existence could be of use to this world, and we could be content that she lives through the infants who received her organs. I strongly believe that every form of life in this world has some purpose to serve to the cosmic pattern, and I felt I should help the essence of life in baby Theresa should be allowed the same, instead of watching it perish meaninglessly. Even as we loved Theresa as she was, we knew that the presence of life and the healthy organs she had will never be of any use to her. We would have loved to see her grow up in her own way if there had been the slightest chance of conscious living for her. On the other hand, she was not destined to have a quality life other than a mere survival for a matter of days in biological terms. We needed to make sure that whatever is healthy in her body is made useful to the world, which is badly in need of what we were willing to provide. One has to face the reality and

Convinving a friend to stop smoking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Convinving a friend to stop smoking - Essay Example Wouldn't it be wonderful for you to quit smoking Imagine the improved health, physically and mentally not to mention the extra savings from cigarettes expenses each week. Allow me to show you why you need to stop smoking. The American Heart Association (AHA) in their recent survey indicates that smokers live an average of 14 years less than smokers (Marrow, 2008). There are many reasons for this, one of them being the diseases associated with smoking. Health authorities usually puts a warning on each cigarette box against the would be smokers but I think you need more than this. Listen to this from think.quest.org estimates that over 3000 chemical substances exist in tobacco smoke. Nicotine, carbon monoxide, sulpher dioxide, methanol are just a few. Assuming now somebody comes to you and says "hey you want to inject a dose of sulpher dioxide in your blood stream." Would you deny it Yet that is what you are doing each time you smoke. Diseases such as lung cancer, cardiovascular diseases, pulmonary diseases, asthma, osteoporosis, smokers cough, cancers of lynx and tongue are derived from such chemicals, and the risk is directly proportional to the cigarettes smoked. Apart from the diseases other condit ions can be foul body odor and general ill feeling (Marrow, 2008). So how do you exactly stop smoking Firstly sit down and write a list of thing that compels you to stop smoking then set a date for the action.

International Business Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4500 words

International Business - Assignment Example However, the big question is what is the reason that made companies to take their venture on the global scale? The answer is not just the intention of the companies to expand the business volume, but companies are actually experiencing extreme difficulties to sustain in the market place with only domestic operation. Thus, international business not only worked as a factor that helped in business expansion but acted as a saviour of business as well. Moreover, the opening of the world economy and globalization has fostered the companies to embrace international expansion. The study intended to investigate about the features of international business environment and the way it differs from the domestic business environment. In addition, it also tried to assess how the chosen company Samsung deals with competition in the overseas market. The key findings of the study are that Samsung generally uses competitive pricing, mass targeting and product differentiation strategy to deal with the competition of overseas market. Introduction The notion of international business can be traced back to the early 1960s. During this epoch, several multinational enterprises emerged as a centre of focus and interest for the economists as well as general public. Majority of the literature from this era has been able to provide only a time bound perspective about this phenomenon (Campbell, 2009; Kapil, 2011). Paradoxically, economist of this phase treated multinationals as the by-products of the post world war II. It has resulted into global financial integration, improved the communication system and along with that developed the transportation technologies. From the point of view of common people, international business was seen as a way of making business expansion (Dooley, Guy, Goymer, Richards and Richards, 2006). Since that phase, the impact of international business on the global economy was phenomenal. Companies that started to operate on a global scale were truly signified as ‘multinationals’ (Nelson, 1999; Onkvisit and Shaw, 2004). With the expansion of European and East Asian firms in the international markets, a new cross-national strategic partnership came into existence. The historiography of global enterprises was tremendously enriched by some of the eminent scholars such as Mira Wilkins, D. K. Fieldhouse, Peter Hertner, Shin'ichiYonekawa, among others, who not only threw light on the origins of multinational business on the twentieth century, but have also linked their scholarly works with the wider reinterpretations of the business evolution dynamics. One of the interesting facts of international business is that since the 1960s, the international business environment is being controlled by a single country thereby reflecting a single - nation dominance (Clifton, 2012). For example, the phase of 1880 to 1914 was dominated by the United Kingdom, whereas 1950s and 1960s were dominated by the United States. However, the scenario drasti cally changed after the 1960s as the world experienced continual growth of the multinational operation and reflected a steady shift in the external factors

Human Resource Policy and Actions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Human Resource Policy and Actions - Essay Example Founded in 1924, Tesco is the largest retailer in the UK market as well as the largest UK-based international supermarket chain with 1,780 stores in the UK and 586 outlets internationally. The company which originally focused on food retailing has now expanded into retailing of clothing, household electronics, financial services, the Internet, and telecommunications. With over 1780 stores spread across the UK and a strong presence in Ireland and a host of other countries, with its 586 international outlets, Tesco employes 367,000 employees in its global operations with 250,000 of them based in the UK. With annual sales revenue of more than  £37bn and a pre-tax profit report of  £2bn, the Tesco is the market leader accounting for 30% of the total UK retail market (Paton 2005). Gap Analysis of Human Resource Practices at Tesco Plc In a massive scale business operation as Tesco, the management of human resource becomes a very challenging task. Key functions of HRM which includes the HR Forecasting, Job Analysis and Specifications, Recruitment and Selection, Training and Development, Performance Appraisal, Reward systems, Termination procedures and management of Employee Relations need to be updated and modified to suit the changing business environmental conditions (Bratten & Gold 1999). Organizations, which adopt a dynamic approach to its managerial process, will realize the need for assessing existing practices and identifying the gap areas, which needs to be addressed through implementation of effective HRM principles.

Technology in Society Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Technology in Society - Essay Example Where once ‘robots’ simply meant ‘robotic arms exhibited in the science lab’, today they have evolved into full-on automatons. Where once cellphones were extremely huge, bulky and cumbersome, they can now fit anywhere and be carried anywhere one goes. Music players that were once the size of a small filing cabinet can now be easily held in one hand. Truly, our fascination for technology has allowed us to create great things, and this will no doubt continue to be the case for years to come. This fascination also shows in various areas of pop culture. Works such as Ghost in the Shell or the long-running Gundam franchise are both examples of the lengths to which we envision or predict that technology will evolve, while others such as the .hack franchise portray how technology has very much become hardwired into our lives. This particular paper aims to review two such works – the novel Halting State and the first Terminator movie – due to their rel evance especially in today’s day and age. ... While nowhere near the status of such smash hits such as the Harry Potter series, for example, this novel has still managed to gain more than a modest degree of success for itself – enough to be nominated for both the Hugo and Locus awards (Worlds Without End, 2008). The story begins on a relatively mundane note – a faux job offer email sent to Nigel MacDonald for a stint as a home-based programmer for Hayek Associates LLC. At the same time, within the MMORPG known as Avalon Four, a cybercrime has taken place. Specifically, a small band of orcs together with a dragon had been found to have stolen thousands of euros’ worth of prestige items from the game’s central bank. And while this could easily have been written off as a mere in-game offense, it is soon discovered to be much worse when Hayek stocks and cryptographic keys are found to have been compromised in the process. From then on, the story introduces us to three more central characters: Sue, a polic e officer (herald); Elaine, an investigator (mentor); and Jack Reed, a programmer who happens to be a hardcore gamer. While each of their story lines at first run parallel to each other, they eventually intertwine as these three characters team up to unravel a conspiracy. Eventually, Jack and Nigel are revealed to be one and the same – Nigel MacDonald being the pseudonymous identity. However, soon enough, an even more earth-shattering revelation is revealed – that the entire European network backbone has been hacked into by Chinese hackers. This is the climax at which all pretenses of things being a game are dropped, and also where Jack and Elaine begin to fall in love. Together, the couple make use of Spooks as a sock puppet in order to

International Business Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4500 words

International Business - Assignment Example However, the big question is what is the reason that made companies to take their venture on the global scale? The answer is not just the intention of the companies to expand the business volume, but companies are actually experiencing extreme difficulties to sustain in the market place with only domestic operation. Thus, international business not only worked as a factor that helped in business expansion but acted as a saviour of business as well. Moreover, the opening of the world economy and globalization has fostered the companies to embrace international expansion. The study intended to investigate about the features of international business environment and the way it differs from the domestic business environment. In addition, it also tried to assess how the chosen company Samsung deals with competition in the overseas market. The key findings of the study are that Samsung generally uses competitive pricing, mass targeting and product differentiation strategy to deal with the competition of overseas market. Introduction The notion of international business can be traced back to the early 1960s. During this epoch, several multinational enterprises emerged as a centre of focus and interest for the economists as well as general public. Majority of the literature from this era has been able to provide only a time bound perspective about this phenomenon (Campbell, 2009; Kapil, 2011). Paradoxically, economist of this phase treated multinationals as the by-products of the post world war II. It has resulted into global financial integration, improved the communication system and along with that developed the transportation technologies. From the point of view of common people, international business was seen as a way of making business expansion (Dooley, Guy, Goymer, Richards and Richards, 2006). Since that phase, the impact of international business on the global economy was phenomenal. Companies that started to operate on a global scale were truly signified as ‘multinationals’ (Nelson, 1999; Onkvisit and Shaw, 2004). With the expansion of European and East Asian firms in the international markets, a new cross-national strategic partnership came into existence. The historiography of global enterprises was tremendously enriched by some of the eminent scholars such as Mira Wilkins, D. K. Fieldhouse, Peter Hertner, Shin'ichiYonekawa, among others, who not only threw light on the origins of multinational business on the twentieth century, but have also linked their scholarly works with the wider reinterpretations of the business evolution dynamics. One of the interesting facts of international business is that since the 1960s, the international business environment is being controlled by a single country thereby reflecting a single - nation dominance (Clifton, 2012). For example, the phase of 1880 to 1914 was dominated by the United Kingdom, whereas 1950s and 1960s were dominated by the United States. However, the scenario drasti cally changed after the 1960s as the world experienced continual growth of the multinational operation and reflected a steady shift in the external factors