Film Franchises Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Film Franchises - Essay Example The Harry Potter (#5,7,11,14) film franchise, meanwhile, is a pentalogy while the Star Wars series (8,17,20) is an octology (IMDb. All-Time Worldwide Box Office). It is worthwhile to mention that the James Bond film franchise, which consists of a series of 23 films ranks first The hereinabove data is a potent proof of the reality that in the movies, moviegoers would rather prefer to patronize movies which they are familiar with in terms of the characters and the story lines and which they know beforehand that there is a high possibility of them enjoying the movies to the hilt. They would rather not risk their money and time with films which they are not so sure whether the quality, the acting and the direction and the story would be to their liking. Like in books, comic strips, TV serials, one good thing must lead to another. are a ready, hard-core audience, a marketing hook and a possibility of generating new fanatics by simply improving the visual quality of the succeeding serials through the taking advantage of advances in cinematic technology especially the special effects phase of film making. Sadly though, many movie producers fail to sustain the movie going public's interest in their purported movie franchises, inevitably run out of steam and end up only in the sequel stage. Others run short of ideas and need the most opportune time to stage another reboot or even a prequel to continue the movie franchise undertaking. An example of this is The Chronicles of Narnia which had already netted more than $1.168 billion but is at the moment stymied in its production of a third serial, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, due to a finalisation of a more convincing and appealing screenplay (Sammons 2004, p.48). The most crucial challenge to all though, would be how to vigorously maintain the franchise's commerc ial appeal and potential and yet make it firmly self-contained as a narrative so that it will not end up churning a "series that outstays its welcome" (Thompson 2008, p.7). History of Film Franchises The movie world took a while to discover the magic and the marketing power of film franchises. Since the birth of cinema on December 28, 1895 when French

Womens oppression in womens perspective Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Womens oppression in womens perspective - Essay Example Simon de Beauvoir, Jeanne Hyvrard, Darina Al-Joundi, and Mary Wollstonecraft, even though a dedicated all-time existentialist, claim restrictions to the existentialist principle of self-definition and self-creation, reinforce the total freedom of Sartre. On the contrary, these feminists represents an unclear image of human freedom, where in women endures the evident weaknesses of the female body. In the novels of these feminists, namely, (1) La femme rompue by Hyvrard, (2) Le Jeune Morte En Robe De Dentelle by Al-Joundi, (3) and Le jour ou Nina Simone a cesse de chanter by Simon de Beavouir, they outline a form of existential development of a woman’s existence: a narrative of how an attitude of a woman towards her being, body, and societal roles transforms, and of how society shapes this belief. In their novels, they discuss the core of the central issue of female representation: Are the alleged weaknesses of the female body ‘real’ weaknesses which are present obj ectively in every society, or are they only ‘interpreted’ to be disadvantages by the human society? These feminists resolve this issue by examining empirical evidence of the different levels of female existence. In these pieces of empirical evidence the female body is embodied as both negative and positive, and females as both free and oppressed. The female body is the place of this uncertainty, because she can employ it as a means to here liberty and feel demoralised by it. There is no fundamental reality of the issue: it relies upon the degree to which a woman views herself as a liberated entity rather than society’s object of denigration. Hyvrard (1990) remarked that whatever we see, such as other individuals, is made an ‘object’ of our scrutiny and is stereotyped by us. De Beauvoir adopts this argument and relates it to men’s view of women. The core idea of ‘woman’, as argued by de Beauvoir (1997), is a masculine notion: the f emale is constantly the ‘other’ because the man is the ‘seer’ (Alison 2005, 81): ‘he is subject and she the object—the ‘meaning’ of what it is to be a woman is given by men’ (ibid, p. 81). In the aforementioned novels, which will be the sources of the analysis of feminist themes in French literature, it was argued that it is not the natural position of women as such that comprises a disadvantage: it is how a woman sees this situation which makes it negative or positive. As shown in Al-Joundi’s novel, none of the unique experiences of women, such as the menstruation, pregnancy, have a significance in themselves; however, in an oppressive or antagonistic society they can acquire an essence of being a disadvantage and a weakness, as women decide to accept the stereotypes of a patriarchal society. De Beauvoir (1997) stresses that pre-adolescent girls and boys are actually not especially different: they â€Å"have the sam e interests and the same pleasures† (ibid, p. 295).This essay will review the feminist themes of the French novels mentioned above, with an emphasis on the works of De Beauvoir and Wollstonecraft. The Oppression of the Female Body De Beauvoir (1997) claims that as the development of a female’s body takes place, each new phase is endured and separates her ever more roughly from the opposite sex. As the female body develops, society responds in a more and more aggressive and threatening way. Wollstonecraft (2004) refers to the dynamic of ‘becoming’, which is the mechanism whereby an individual understands oneself as a bodily, and sexual being open to the scrutiny of others. This does not have to be detrimental, but inopportunely, girls are frequently compelled to ‘become’ against their free will (De Beauvoir 1997): The young girl feels that her body is getting away from her... on the street men follow her with their eyes and comment on her anatom y. She would like to be invisible; it frightens her to become flesh and to show flesh (ibid, p. 333).

Is There A Timeless Wisdom To Neorealism Politics Essay

Is There A Timeless Wisdom To Neorealism Politics Essay Neo-realism is the starting point of international politics analysis and the basis of construction for the variant posterior theories. However, nowadays the emergence of new challenges against the neorealist thought lead to the partial marginalisation of the theory. This essay attempts to demonstrate that neo-realisms wisdom, is diachronic and its main arguments can be proved over the time, considering the past and contemporary international system. To prove my argument, I will mainly focus on the theoretical analysis given by the two most significant representatives of neo-realism, Waltz and Mearsheimer. Firstly, I will examine neorealisms fundamental assumptions regarding its interpretation of structure, power and alternations of war and peace, with a parallel evaluation of them. Throughout this process I will mention relevant examples taken from the past and recent history. Secondly, I will discuss the controversial criticisms made against the theory with a coincidently judgment o f them. Finally, in the conclusion I will argue that instead of the recent decline, neo-realisms depictions continue to be and always will remain a timeless wisdom for evaluating the International Relations. Neo-realisms worldview about structures and alternations of war Neo-realist theory comes to the front of politics debates before the beginning of Second Cold War, as a reaction to the new challenges of globalisation, as a resurrection of states role over the system and to restate the significance of bipolarity and systemic constraints in international politics (Burchill 2009: 87). To begin with, we should consider the neo-realist main theoretical arguments to form a clear view about the continuity of the theory until the present. Waltz was the first who dedicated the autonomy of international politics, as a separate field, apart from domestic politics, in his attempt to introduce the scientific rigour to the study of politics (Waltz 1990: 27-28; Burchill 2009: 88). Waltz suggests that the system is formed by structural and unit levels (Waltz 1990: 29). Therefore, he makes a distinction between external and internal factors that affect the international system (Waltz 1990: 27-28) and he proposed the so-called systemic theory as a key to explain the behaviour of the states in the international system (Keohane 1986: 13). Waltzs theory can be valuable for predictions (Burchill 2009: 89). According to him, there is a defined structural continuity over the time situated in the anarchical condition of the international system (J.G. Ruggie 1986: 134). The variety of the units structures, secures a disproportion in their policy outcomes. Hence, similarities in political structures between states sound similarities in their political effects (Waltz 1986: 81). Internationally, the anarchy is the superior law that rules the universe and produces the perpetual willing of survival and power between them (Waltz 1986: 70-97). Though states are characterised by variety domestically, their foreign policy has an exceptional analogy: international political systems stand in relations of coordinationà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦No one is entitled to command and none is required to obey (Waltz 1986: 81). States concede an existence of some systemic constraints (commanded by the situation of anarchy) between them, which determinatively affect the relations and impose the game of diplomacy and survival. States reconcile their interests and goals looking to their neighbours (Burchill 2009: 90; Waltz 1986: 70-97). As a result, the structure of the international system is defined by the position each state possess in the whole world ordering (Waltz 1986: 72). Waltz analyzes his ambitious political structure concept reliant on three necessary calculations, in his attempt to distinguish the domestic politics from the international (J.G. Ruggie 1986: 134). The ordering principle of anarchy In international politics, the existence of anarchy indirectly demands from its members to take part in a process of a continuous competition, an informal battle. The international system is formed by self-regarded autonomous units. There is no centralised authority upon them to ensure their integrity, so each unit has the right to fashion its foreign policy and fight for its survival. Waltz states, that the balancing of power must be the ultimate aim of all states (Waltz 1986: 81-93, 99-115; J.G Ruggie 1986: 134-135; Mearsheimer, 2007: 72-75; Burchill 2009: 91-92) At the same time, from the side of offensive realists, Mearsheimer, an equally significant representative of the neo-realism theory, further argues that states are always preparing to confront gainfully a future possible attack or even to gain the opportunity to be a powerful hegemony. Thus, there is no other path except for the pursuit of power in a self-help world. (Mearsheimer 2007: 72-75). Each country sets its own aims and goals which are always depend upon their capabilities. There is no night-watchman who can command powerful states such as United States, so they continue to have the priority among the others. (Mearsheimer 2007: 72-75; Waltz 1986: 81-93, 99-115). Even an international organization such as the United Nations has no influence upon its most powerful members. Indicative is the case of the war against Iraq. Even though the Security Council did not approve the war, the US disregarded the decision and invaded Iraq (Mearsheimer 2006: 699; Weiss Kalbacher, 2008: 332). Furthermore in Europe regional institutions such as NATO and European Union do not have the ability to enforce their member states to go against their strategic interests (Mearsheimer 2006: 699-700). The intentions and the character of a state This assumption allows for the fact that no one state always acts exclusively to ensure its survivalà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦States are free individuals who often make decisions under the heavy pressure of events (Waltz, 1986: 85). Simplifying this statement, neo-realism argues that we cant just trust that a culture or a democratic regime or the peaceful history or a status-quo character of a country or ideology can guarantee the deterrence of a war. The intentions of a country are not always certain (Waltz, 1986: 87-92, 99). Viewing the past, many traditionally peaceful states have changed their pure intentions into aggressive war strategies. This becomes worse if we account that every state has the military capability to do this. This is evident in the United States policy. Does any from the above reasons dissuaded Americans from declaring war against Iraq? The answer is no. This necessity imposed by the anarchy, began an endless game of power between the states. This competition actually is inevitable because no one can predict and be sure about the further intentions of a state. Of course the interests of statesmen are not always predictable as well. In the case of Germany for example, if the world knew from the beginning that Hitlers ambitious plans, was to make his country an empire and a great power all over the world, I am sure that a big number of countries would have changed their foreign policy radically (Mearsheimer 2007: 72-75; Waltz 1986: 81-93, 99-115). And Mearsheimers point completes the meaning: In anarchic systemà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦states that want to survive have little choice but to assume the worst about the intentions of other states and to compete for power with them. This is the tragedy of great power politics (Mearsheimer 2007: 75). The distribution of capabilities among the states The distribution of capabilities among the states also helps to define the structure of the international system. As Waltz argues, states are differently placed by their power. The units of the anarchic system distinguished by their greater or lesser capabilities for performing similar tasks (Waltz, 1986: 92-93). Although states seek to ensure their survival in the political order, they dont have equal capabilities (Waltz, 1986: 101). A states capability of possessing military power for instance, can strike the fear in its competitors and the necessity of having an equally powerful military force. Consequently, neo-realists divide the states as great and small powers according to their place in the global system. (Burchill, 2009: 92) A vivid illustration is the United States. As Mearsheimer states, no country in Western Hemisphere would dare to strike the USA, because it is so powerful relative to its neighbours (Mearsheimer, 2007: 74; Waltz, 1986: 92-93, 99-115). We can illustrate the diachronic value of neo-realism, by looking at the past behaviour of certain states. On the twentieth century Imperial Germany, Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan have all tried to establish their hegemony by conducting great wars, but they failed (Mearsheimer, 2007: 77). In addition, Mearsheimer interestingly examines the case of China, which is parallel with Germanys past behaviour. While USA had established its regional hegemony in the twentieth century, the gradual growth of Chinas power over Asia frustrated United States and Chinas neighbours. How the world will react on Chinas challenge? Will China balance its power with the other great powers or will it assert the hegemony as a new Germany? Surely, the great powers will not just stand by and watch to their concrete position in the world being lost and consequently they will try to chain Chinas increased development. So, no one is to guarantee that Chinas rise will be peaceful (Mearsheimer 2007: 82-86). Chang es like this in power distribution may cause a future war (Mearsheimer 2007: 78). A growing power always light the suspicions of the dominant powers and the dominant state knowing its days at the pinnacle of power are numbered, has strong incentives to launch a preventive war against the challenger to halt its rise (Mearsheimer 2007: 82). Germany for instance, seeing the threatening rise of the Soviet Union in the 90s launched preventive wars in 1914 and 1939 correspondingly, to maintain its power in Europe. Furthermore, nowadays we can see Chinas rise as a similar case, since as I have already mentioned before, its significant growth keeps United States and its neighbours in a constant lookout (Mearsheimer 2007: 78-82). A controversial matter which neo-realism also tries to identify, is how many great powers are enough to rule the world (Mearsheimer 2007: 75). The most significant representatives of neo-realism, Mearsheimer and Waltz, converge in their analysis about the ideal polarity system and on how dangerous the unipolar system is. Both point out that the end of bipolarity between the United States and the Soviet Union in the 90s and the latter unipolarity of United States is the single most dramatic change in contemporary world politics. The theorists who claim that bipolar systems are less war-prone than unipolar, rely on the distribution of capabilities theory (Burchill 2009: 97-98). Waltz proposes that with the end of bipolarity, the distribution of capabilities among states has become lopsided and the growing inequality between states would undermine the peace (Waltz, 2000: 7). As a result of Americas dominance over the world, other states would attempt to balance against it or reach its p ower. Moreover, United States would probably feel militarily secure to impose its domination to other regions and try to reorder their polity, as in the case of Iraq and Afghanistan (Burchill 2009: 80). Critics and challenges against neo-realism The importance of neo-realism has been widely recognized as the primary school that established the international politics as autonomous field in politics (Keohane 1986: 16). However, the theoretical exhibition of neorealists approaches in the 90s was and continues to be the reason of the countless divergences between the critics, who mainly judge Waltzs theories and propose new ways on viewing international relations. Some of them criticized Waltzs theory for its omissions. Ruggie, for example, provides his institutional transformation concept (Keohane 1986: 17), an attempt to prove that Waltzs political concept was substantively mistaken (Ruggie, 1986: 152), because he didnt account structures property relations changes, such as dynamic density variations (Keohane, 1986:17, Walt, 1990: 28). Keohane, also discusses the weakness of Waltzs theory to include further explanatory elements of the internationals system structure, like economic interdependence, international institutions and the information richness (Keohane, 1986: 18). They both believe that Waltzs theory should paid more attention to aspects of world politics that ignores (Keohane 1986: 24). Waltzs response, is that these elements, even though are important, cannot be a part of a states theory because they are matters of practical interest and cannot alone write a theory. In contrast the positional picture of a state should stay the main explanation key for states relations because simply the anarchy rules the whole. States are positioned in a self-help world where there is a perpetual game of survival. Moreover, as Waltz argues, theories are useful for understanding and explaining and are not necessarily guides for application (Waltz 1986: 329-330; Waltz, 1990: 28-29). Therefore, critics of neorealist theory fail to understand that theory is not a statement about everything that is important in international political life, but rather a necessarily slender explanatory construct (Waltz, 1990: 30). Other critics underestimate the conservative character of Waltzs theory. They support that, Waltz presents structures as given political fixtures and the international system as a cyclical pattern (Burchill, 2009: 93-94). As a result, Cox argues, neo-realism legitimizes the status-quo, which favours the great powers and establishes a permanent disability of weak states for positional change (Burchill, 2009: 94). In other words, the prospects for alternative expressions of political community are limited (Linklater 1995: 258-9; Burchill 2009: 99). But Waltz identifies that Coxs accusations are based on the fact that he overstates the states role as units in the international system and thereby make them static (Waltz 1986: 338). Other theoretical perspectives have also emerged as a response to neorealist thought, and challenged neorealist. An example of those theories is liberalism. With childish naivety these theories strongly support the ideas of a big economic community co-operation, pacification and globalisation. In other words, neo-liberalists put the importance of ruling the world peace, not in the military capabilities like neo-realists, but on economic factors. Neo-liberalists argue that the new challenges of globalisation, the technological evolution and the appearance of non-state actors, have established a borderless world where states have now a very low profile (Burchill 2009: 95-97). Doyle suggests that because the unit-members of a liberal democracy have pounded continuously from violence and wars as a product of the anarchic system, now they have reduced their aggressive incentives and they are ready to co-operate with each other in the name of peace (Doyle 1986: 1151-1169). But, these hopes for a peaceful world in terms of economic globalisation and democracy were shattered in the wake of September 11 and neo-realism has made a stunning comeback in the realm of international relations (Mearsheimer 2007: 86). (Besides, I dont believe that Cyprus could ever be as equal as United Kingdom politically or economically nor as able as it to pretend rights on the international foreground. This cant be accomplished because, states are rational actors. The higher amount of power each state has, the higher security will enjoy (Mearsheimer, 2007: 74). ) Furthermore, neo-liberalists havent consider countries such as Africa which are unaffected by globalisation and consequently have little opportunity to take part in this community (Burchill 2009: 95-97). In addition, Krasner claims that, not all the constituent parts of a nation-states sovereignty are equally vulnerable to globalisation and the transnational corporations are not as global as first thought. Despite their popular image, they remain largely anchored at home (Krasner 1999). Burchill concludes that, the distribution of capabilities will always remain the primary key for understanding politics because the economic interdependence of the last century failed to prevent the First World War and some conflicts among this alleged economical community of the world, like the break-up of Yugoslavia. Nuclear weapons and the possession military power will always have the greatest importance in International Relations (Waltz 2000: 4-7; Burchill 2009: 95-97). Waltz further accounts, that a state will never diminish its self-interests for the sake of international order (Burchill, 2009: 93). This will happen because the states constantly looking for opportunities to gain advantage over each other, with the ultimate prize being a hegemony (Mearsheimer, 2007: 77). Conclusion This essay has argued that neorealisms main assumptions could constitute a diachronic guide book for states and statesmen. One claim made about neo-realism, is that neo-realism died with the end of Cold War, because the new challenge of globalisation guarantees the world peace in terms of cooperation, liberalisation and paralyzes the role of states. Another suggests that neo-realism is old-fashioned because now the idea of democracy and the subordination on laws recommendations overflow into the world. However, there are strong evidence that the neo-realists view of politics will always remain a fundamental and essential key to explain world affairs and states behaviours (Burchill, 2009: 86). Firstly, the units function in an anarchic international system. Domestically, the variety of the units still leads to differently potential outcomes and interests. Internationally, states still seek to maximize their power or balancing each other to survive. Secondly, states always fear for possible attacks and therefore try to acquire as much power as possible in order to ensure their security. The inequality of capabilities gives a state the opportunity to be a threat against others or even to assert the hegemony. There is no one above states to safeguard their integrity and so states are never certain if other states intentions are aggressive or defensive. Associatively, the military and security power still remain the main concern for international politics with economic factors coming second. Thirdly, neorealists views on what causes war, seems that are still well-timed. A change in the distribution of capabilities can light the suspicions and launch a preventative war. In terms of polarity, states struggle to gain the label of a great power and thereby to succeed their interests. As a result, even more states have the right and the opportunity to participate in this game of power which it may cause a war. Those reasons, as neo-realism dictates, somehow coerce states to march each other temporally to keep a balanced peace or to cause a likely war. Therefore, though the theoretical line of neo-realism is fashioned on the past, it can also apply to the present and the continuity of the theory can be detected in neorealists approaches over the years. The world remains a dangerous placeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦States still worry about their survival, which means that they have little choice but to pay attention to the balance of power. International politics is still synonymous with power politics, as it has been for all of recorded history (Mearsheimer, 2007: 86).

Leonardos Laptop :: essays research papers

Ben Shneiderman, in Leonardo’s Laptop, introduces the idea of new education, which uses technology for active learning and collaborative teaching methods. In this new education, a part of the new computing, Shneiderman envisions an educational online web tool, which he calls LEON. This method of e-learning would provide a student oriented view of what is on the web. Students could gather information and acquire resources. It would allow students to recognize truth and useful information. LEON would allow for students to work in collaborative teams. Students and teachers will be able to work together and post the outcomes of the collaborations. It would allow for student participation, whether one on one or groups. E-learning would produce results that are meaningful to someone outside the classroom. An archive would be provided for students and teachers everywhere. These explain the idea’s for Shneiderman’s LEON in the new education, a part of the new computing.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I agree with all parts of LEON. It would be an interest catching educational tool; Shneiderman proposes graphics and sound to captivate the student. As a creative outlet it would be ideal for students to explore everything technology has to offer while learning. A tool to gather information and acquire resources, I believe I agree that it would be useful for students to learn how to use the web to gather useful information. At the same time they would learn to avoid dangers and false information. I think that it would be great as a tool to work in collaborative groups. Here students would be able to share ideas and allow large amounts of people to work together. I agree that LEON would help to develop ambitious projects by students. By using LEON students know that others will be seeing their work, and this makes them polish them to perfection. Other students would be able to put their input in as well.

What Are Obama’s Possible Solutions to This Economic Crisis We Are Going Through and How Long to Until This Goal Is Achieved?

Barack Obama â€Å"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek. † These are some words from President-Elect Barack Obama talking about that Americans have the power to the change they have been longing for in their government. Barack Obama was born in August 4, 1961 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Obama attended Occidental College in Los Angeles from 1979 to 1981 before transferring to Columbia University and graduating with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He also received a degree from Harvard Law School in 1991. In February 2007 he announced that he would be running for president and 18 months later he became the Democratic presidential nominee. At the end of Election Day, Obama won a decisive victory over McCain with 365 electoral votes to McCain’s 162. Obama marks a change in America’s conventional trend of white American presidents and is the leader in Americas 4 year journey for change. He has a long road full of challenging issues to overcome. One very important issue to the majority of Americans is â€Å"What are Obama’s possible solutions to this economic crisis we are going through and how long to until this goal is achieved† To answer this question I researched Obama’s economic policies to improve this crisis as President and they include jumpstarting the economy, providing the middle class with tax reliefs, and improving conditions for small businesses. One of Barack Obama’s first polices to improve the economy will be to jumpstart the economy in two ways. One will be to â€Å"enact a windfall profits tax to provide a $1000 emergency energy rebate to American families. †(barackobama. com), taken directly from Obama’s website on his economic policies. This would be good because it can help families pay some money in their rising bills and reduce some of it. Secondly Obama is going to provide a â€Å"$50 billion of stimulus to jumpstart job creation and help local communities that are struggling due to our economic downturn. †(Video of Obama’s economic â€Å"Blue Print†) This is a primary source coming straight from the source. On his website it states that $25 billion is to prevent state and local cuts and the other $25 billion to prevent cutbacks in road and bridge maintenance and fund school repair. This can help less fortunate communities with local problems to jumpstart their economic problems and improve repairs on important buildings in the neighborhood. In addition, he wants to provide middle class Americans tax relief because the majority of America consists of middle class necessary to stabilize it. He proposes that â€Å"If you make 250,000 or less we will not raise your taxes, we will cut your taxes; in fact my plan provides 3 times the amount of tax relief to middle class families than John McCain’s†¦ † (Video of Obama’s economic â€Å"Blue Print†) He also says â€Å"I will cut taxes – cut taxes – for 95% of all working families† (Speech confronting the economic crisis in Golden, Co) Also on his website â€Å"they will create a new â€Å"Making Work Pay† tax credit of up to $500 per person, or $1,000 per working family†. The â€Å"Making Work Pay† tax credit will also eliminate income tax for 10 million Americans. Moreover, Obama will eliminate income taxes completely for seniors making less than $50,000. It will eliminate income tax for about 7 million seniors and save them an average of $1400 a year (http://www. barackobama. com/issues/economy). Some 27 million seniors will not need to file an income tax return. Furthermore Obama said â€Å"To help low- and middle-income families, I will ease the burden on struggling homeowners through a universal homeowner's tax credit. (Speech confronting the economic crisis in Golden, Co) He continues to explain that it will â€Å"add up to a 10 percent break off the mortgage interest rate for 10 million households†. This will add another $500 each year for many families. Likewise, Obama supports and wants to improve the conditions of small businesses because they are the base to this economy. Barack Obama is choosing his economic experts to advis e him â€Å"on ways to create jobs and bring stability to the ailing financial system† (Fouhy and Espo). Fouhy and Espo are Associated Press writers therefore are reliable because they write without any bias. To do this Obama wishes to eliminate all capita per gain taxes on start-up companies to encourage innovation and job creation. Obama emphasizes the importance of investing â€Å"$15 billion a year in new green technologies that can create up to 5 million jobs a year† (Video of Obama’s economic â€Å"Blue Print†) Obama continues saying that we must rebuild the economy with clean energy that will open new job opportunities to young people and that we are going to create the new cars of the future â€Å"right here in America†. In addition, he proposes to create a national network of public-private business incubators to support entrepreneurship and spur job growth. These incubators â€Å"facilitate the critical work of entrepreneurs in creating start-up companies. † In Obama’s plan, he will invest in $250 million a year in the amount of incubators for less fortunate communities who need it the most. Basically, Obama wants to repair the base of America’s economy by jumpstarting it, providing tax relief to the middle class, and improving conditions for small businesses. It is hard to remember a time when America’s economy was prosperous and stable. Many countries have never even seen a time in history when their own nation was a leading competitor in the world’s economy. With Obama’s economic plans for America, that time is near and getting closer every day. At time when this great nation we know as America will strive economically and will lead the world into a world of equality and peace. â€Å"At this moment, in this election, we must pledge once more to march into the future. Let us keep that promise, that American promise, and in the words of scripture hold firmly, without wavering, to the hope that we confess. † Word Count:1002

Americas Economic Development during the Colonial Period

During the 17th and 18th centuries, European nations were heavily influenced by the economic system of mercantilism—a system which aims at maximizing the wealth of a nation (Scott, 2001). Europeans came to the Americas to increase their wealth, expand their influence, gain more power, and build an empire. To acquire wealth for their motherland, Europeans had to have colonies. The colonists regulated the economic activities of their colonies and then accumulated wealth for the European powers (Score, 2006).From 1607 to 1732, the Europeans colonized thirteen countries, grouped as follows: (1) New England Colonies (New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut)—more on shipbuilding and fur trading; (2) Middle Colonies (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware)—more cosmopolitan and trading raw materials for manufactured items; and (3) Southern Colonies (Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia)—predominantly rural ec onomy (Conte & Karr, 2001).The discovery of these countries resulted in a movement of European populations into the colonies. This demographic change facilitated the economic progress of the colonies. Their citizens of different origins developed a synergy to live together in harmony; utilized their crafts; and created towns with shops, markets, town halls (Think Quest). As the colonies became prosperous, the English realized that the colonies could expand their trade and further prosper.In 1650s and 1660s, England instituted a set of Navigation Acts to limit colonial trade solely to British—and colonies’ exports to and imports from other countries had to be shipped through Great Britain, thereby increasing the latter’s import duty collections, and incomes for re-exportation of goods (Scott, 2001). These trade restrictions somehow benefited the colonies, e. g. , New England’s ship building industry benefited from foreign competition protection, South Caro lina gained from an indigo subsidy, North Carolina profited from bounties on tar and lumber, and various other exporters benefited from zero import tariffs (Scott, 2001).The Navigation Acts were strictly enforced in 1763, which heightened the interest of the colonies to gain their independence from Britain (Scott, 2001). References Conte, Christopher, and Albert R. Karr. (2001). Chapter 3 – The U. S. Economy: A Brief History. An Outline of the U. S. Economy. Retrieved May 25, 2008, from U. S. Department of State's Bureau of International Information Programs Web site: http://usinfo. state. gov/products/pubs/oecon/chap3. htm. Score. (2006). A Study of the colonial economy from 1600-1750.Retrieved May 25, 2008, from Schools of California Online Resources for Education (Score) Web site: http://score. rims. k12. ca. us/score_lessons/. Scott, Carole E. (2001). Mercantilism and the American Revolution. In American Economic History. Retrieved May 25, 2008, from Ancestry. com Web sit e: http://freepages. history. rootsweb. ancestry. com/~cescott/mercan. html. Think Quest. (n. d. ). The Colonial Period. Retrieved May 25, 2008, from Oracle Education Foundation Web site: http://library. thinkquest. org/C007803/colonia_period. htm.

How to Take a Test

How to Take a Test Got a big test coming up? While studying is important, it helps to get your head in the game in order to ace an exam. Here are tips to help you make the most of test day. Before You Take the Test Get Some RestA good nights sleep is ideal. If you cant manage that, try for at least a few hours. Eat BreakfastEven if your test is later in the day, breakfast can help with your test outcome. A light, high-protein meal is recommended. Arrive EarlyGet to the test center early enough to get comfortable and relaxed. Prepare Your MaterialsMake sure you have pencils, a watch, a calculator (with good batteries), test forms, and any other required supplies. RelaxTake a few deep breaths. Have a Positive AttitudeDont psych yourself into failure. When You Get the Test Download What You KnowFor science tests, such as chemistry and physics, you may have memorized constants and equations. Write these down. Write down anything you remember that you feel you may forget during the test. Preview the TestScan the test and identify the high-point questions. Also look for easy questions. Mark questions about which you are unsure to skip over until later. Read the InstructionsDont assume you know how to answer a question until you read the directions. Tips for Taking the Test Get StartedStart with a high-point question you can answer. Budget Your TimeWork through the test from highest to lowest point value, answering questions about which you feel confident. In some cases, you may want to write an answer that covers the important points, then go back later to expand on your answer and provide examples. Answer All Questions...unless you are penalized for quessing. If you are penalized for wrong answers, eliminate answers you know are incorrect, then make a guess (if you have eliminated enough answers to risk the guess). Be Sure You Answered All QuestionsDouble-check for completeness. Check Your WorkIf you have the time, this is very important. Science tests are notorious for problems in which answers depend on earlier sections. Dont Second-Guess YourselfDont change your answer unless you are sure of the new answer. 10 Best Tips for Passing a Chemistry Test

Free Essays on Wal-Mart Case Study

I. Introduction Wal-Mart is the world’s largest retailer, operating more than 2,600 discount stores, 888 supercenters (including sizable grocery departments), 475 Sam’s Clubs, and 19 Neighborhood Markets in the U.S., plus 1072 foreign stores in Latin America, Europe, Canada, and Asia as of 1/31/01. Sam’s Clubs are membership-only operations in about 475 sites and Mexico and Puerto Rico, averaging about 121,200 sq. ft. Merchandise includes bulk displays of name brand hard goods, some soft goods and institutional size grocery items. Each Sam’s club also carries products such as sporting goods, toys and books; most clubs have fresh food departments II. Beginning and Early Years Sam Walton began his retail career as a J.C Penney management trainee and later leased a Ben Franklin-franchised dime store in Newport, Arkansas, in 1945. In 1950 he relocated to Bentonville, Arkansas, and opened a Walton 5. By 1962 Walton owned 15 Ben Franklin stores under the Walton 5 name. After Ben Franklin management rejected his suggestion to open discount stores in small towns, Walton, with his brother James â€Å"Bud† Walton opened the first Wal-Mart Discount City in Rogers, Arkansas, in 1962. Growth was slow at first, when Wal Stores went public in 1970 with 18 stores sales reached $44 million. It took them until 1980 to reach $1 billion in sales, and then only 16 years later they hit $100 billion in sales. Sam Walton, a leader with an innovative vision, started his own company and made it into the leader in discount retailing that it is today. Through his savvy, and sometimes unusual, business practices, he and his associates led the company forward for thirty years. Today, nine years after his death, the company is still growing steadily. Wal-Mart executives continue to rely on many of the traditional goals and philosophies that Sam’s legacy left behind, while simultaneously keeping one step ahead of the ever-changing technology ... Free Essays on Wal-Mart Case Study Free Essays on Wal-Mart Case Study I. Introduction Wal-Mart is the world’s largest retailer, operating more than 2,600 discount stores, 888 supercenters (including sizable grocery departments), 475 Sam’s Clubs, and 19 Neighborhood Markets in the U.S., plus 1072 foreign stores in Latin America, Europe, Canada, and Asia as of 1/31/01. Sam’s Clubs are membership-only operations in about 475 sites and Mexico and Puerto Rico, averaging about 121,200 sq. ft. Merchandise includes bulk displays of name brand hard goods, some soft goods and institutional size grocery items. Each Sam’s club also carries products such as sporting goods, toys and books; most clubs have fresh food departments II. Beginning and Early Years Sam Walton began his retail career as a J.C Penney management trainee and later leased a Ben Franklin-franchised dime store in Newport, Arkansas, in 1945. In 1950 he relocated to Bentonville, Arkansas, and opened a Walton 5. By 1962 Walton owned 15 Ben Franklin stores under the Walton 5 name. After Ben Franklin management rejected his suggestion to open discount stores in small towns, Walton, with his brother James â€Å"Bud† Walton opened the first Wal-Mart Discount City in Rogers, Arkansas, in 1962. Growth was slow at first, when Wal Stores went public in 1970 with 18 stores sales reached $44 million. It took them until 1980 to reach $1 billion in sales, and then only 16 years later they hit $100 billion in sales. Sam Walton, a leader with an innovative vision, started his own company and made it into the leader in discount retailing that it is today. Through his savvy, and sometimes unusual, business practices, he and his associates led the company forward for thirty years. Today, nine years after his death, the company is still growing steadily. Wal-Mart executives continue to rely on many of the traditional goals and philosophies that Sam’s legacy left behind, while simultaneously keeping one step ahead of the ever-changing technology ...

3 Important Skills Youll Acquire with Proposal Writing Training

3 Important Skills You'll Acquire with Proposal Writing Training Writing a proposal is one of the most important processes in business, and knowing the key elements of a great proposal versus a good or average proposal can make a world of difference to your career and to your business revenue. Here are some key elements for a successful proposal that you will discuss and practice throughout yourproposal writing training: 1. AudienceThroughout your career, you will have to write proposals for a variety of people. Every proposal will need to be focused differently, depending on the audience. With proper training, you will learn how to identify your audience and your audience's needs so you can properly address them in your proposal.Is a potential client most focused on budget, or the quality of your solution, or ongoing support, or your industry experience? This matters deeply. You must shape content so it matches each reader's focus. Keeping your audience in mind throughout the writing process can be challenging, and this proposal course will offer skills and guidance along the way to make sure you are always addressing your reader appropriately.2. OrganizationYou already know what elements your proposal needs, but how should you structure it? Our training will teach you the proper way to organize and structure your proposal logically so each point builds on each other and the overall argument is clea r and compelling to the reader.A very common error is starting a proposal with an introduction to your company and why you are suited to solve this audience's needs. That never works. Do not open a proposal with information about your company or service. Instead, focus on the client's need and problem. This confirms to your potential client that you understand their business and their need.3. ToneMastering the tone of your proposal is key to making sure your document is easily understood by your audience. If you are presenting a proposal to a financial firm, for example, your tone needs to be careful and exact. If you were to use tone that is too casual to this financial firm, you won't win the business. Conversely, if your proposal is to an avant-garde marketing firm, you would not want tone to be too formal. This training will teach you how to modify your tone depending on your audience so you will always come across as competent and compelling without confusing or off-putting you r reader. And, you'll learn how to avoid industry jargon and language bloat. We understand that writing is a constant process of learning and practicing. That's why we offer plenty of opportunities to practice writing proposals throughout the course. You submit incremental exercises, that build to a final proposal. And, you will receive help and feedback from your instructor throughout the writing process. A writing coach reviews your final proposal with you, live via WebEx. By the end of the course you will have the tools and skills you need to maximize your success when it comes to writing proposals. Learn more about proposal writing training.

Nervous system Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Nervous system - Essay Example In connection to the practical with the central nervous system of maggots, it is significant to note that Maggots have one unique feature: that is they keep on recycling especially when it comes to their neurons. Equipped with a nervous system that helps them to crawl and feed, they change into intricate animals with sophisticated behaviors and sensory system such as flying and walking. Maggots lack motor neurons that can make the transition into adult. During metamorphosis, the neurons start to spread and seek out adult links. In order to understand the central nervous system of a maggot, it is significant to look at the role that hormones play in initiating these intricate behaviors required to molt. Eclosion hormone is an insect neurohormone that makes the larvae to initiate the intricate behaviors required to molt in that it assists in removing an exoskeleton in order to mobilize the needed changes in the entire central nervous system. The nervous system neurons expand from the n erve body. The dendrites and axons are tied together which help conduct and transmit signals. The neurons are categorized as either sensory, interneurons or motor (Brodal, 2010, p. 52). The sensory neurons help in sending information to the central nervous system from external and internal environment. Motor neurons assist in carrying information from the central nervous system to muscles, glands, and organs. Lastly, the interneuron spread signals between sensory and motor neurons. The nervous system of a man has motor neurons, unlike maggots that lack motor neurons thus making them unable to transition into adult. The practical conducted reveals that the Maggots have three major sensory receptors, which link with three major ganglia or collection of nerve tissue, which enable the larva to sense their environment and move to food sources. Maggots can respond to odor, temperature, moisture, and chemicals. These sensory organs allow maggots to be attached to or repelled from specific environments. Sensory organs are normally excitable cells that allow information transmission to occur (Sawin, Harris, Campos, & Sokolowski, 1994, p. 355). In connection to the nervous system, it comprises of the spinal cord, intricate network of neurons and the brain. This system is very important in that it helps in receiving, sending, and conceptualizing data from all parts of the body. Further, just like discovered in the practical, the nervous system reacts to transformation in the outside environment, and helps monitor and coordinate internal work of body organs. The spinal cord has nerves that assist in transmitting information from body organs and outside environment to the brain and directs data from the brain to the rest of the body. The spinal cord nerves are fiber like that travel in two distinct manners. Descending nerves carry data concerning the motor function from the brain to other body parts. The ascending nerves transmit data from the body to the brain (Brodal, 20 10, p. 89). In order to aid their movement, the maggot can respond to light since they have photoreceptors on their heads and can move towards light, known as positive photo taxis. First instar animals have negative photaxic responses and third instars are positive phototaxic in nature. The rate of

The significance of empowerment and partnerships within the purview of Essay

The significance of empowerment and partnerships within the purview of the Social Work practice - Essay Example Also I will review the code of ethics and its impact on the practice of Social Work. Through the use of various literatures, I will examine the use of skills and values in Social Work practice as it affects service users, carers and other professionals. The Social Work profession promotes social change, problem solving in human relationships and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well-being. Utilising theories of human behaviour and social systems, Social Work intervenes at the points where people interact with their environments. Principles of human rights and social justice are fundamental to Social Work. (Bolton, 2003:2). It applies to Social Work practitioners and educators in every region and country in the world. In a similar vein, Wikipedia Encyclopedia (2006) states that a Social Worker is a "professionally trained person employed in the administration of charity, social service, welfare, and poverty agencies, advocacy, or religious outreach programs". Social Workers are employed by health agencies or just work voluntarily with communities; however a large number of Social Workers are employed by the government. I. Child, family, and school social workers: these are the workers who find foster homes for abused or neglected children. They also provide assistance to parents teaching them how to care for their children better. Most Social Workers in schools work as 'guidance counsellors' and offer students and teachers advice about learning, behavior and social problems, like bullying or shyness. II. Medical and public health Social Workers: these are the Social Workers who work in the health sector directly or indirectly helping people who are sick or who have had health problems for a long period of time. They give advice families about how to deal with their sick. III. Mental health and substance abuse Social Workers: clinical social workers as they sometimes called help people who are challenged with mental illness, upset feelings, or drug or alcohol abuse. They organize sessions involving talking- therapy with people in order to identify their problems and teach classes about how to make a budget, deal with anger, or get other life skills. No matter their focus, most Social Workers spend the day in an office and some are volunteers who have their own businesses or hold other job but have a passion for the work. Skills in Social Work. A skill is defined as the "ability to do something well and is usually gained through training or experience" (Encarta, 2005). Skills in Social Work can therefore be described as the relevant experience or ability needed to perform the functions of the profession. In her book Social skills, author Pamela Trevithick (2000) writes that "skills can be used in practice to enhance effectiveness and help

My passion for wildlife biology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

My passion for wildlife biology - Essay Example I sat enthralled as a spider spun its web underneath our porch. I gaped in amazement when I first witnessed a foal being born in our barn. I sat for many hours pondering how our chickens managed to lay eggs and break them open. Where did those chicks come from? I once wondered aloud. During certain seasons, wolves would become the bane to the lives of livestock. I spent a number of my nights as a teenager keeping that wild creature away from our farm. I hated the sound of gunshots ringing through the night air. It did not seem right to kill a creature without knowing why it was attacking other animals. My summers were spent building birdbaths for the migratory birds passing by our farm. We often had a lot of stray animals dropping by our farm in need of sustenance. When I realized that the wolves and other wild animals were just hungry, I researched on the kinds of plant food that they might be interested in eating. I encouraged my father to then plant these very plants on our farm in order to feel the wild life and save our livestock from further harm. It was a plan that actually worked. It brought down the rate of attacks by wild life on our farm animals. It was that research and passion to preserve wild life that led me down the path of further Wild Life Biology studies. I hope that I will be given a chance to learn more about my passion at the hands of the great educators of the Sterling College Biology Department. I believe that I will make a fantastic addition to your roster of students, I just need to be given a chance to prove myself to the admissions and academic members of the

Conservation focusing on Animal Extinction Essay

Conservation focusing on Animal Extinction - Essay Example People engaged in the fight for conservation, in a worthy and patriotic cause, most often try to sully their reputation by opposition, and the dramatic fervor of such opposition has constituted a major liability. It is also important to recognize that conservation neither arose from a broad popular outcry nor centered its fire on the private corporations which have often supported conservation policies. "Conservation, above all, was a scientific movement, and its role in history arises from the implications of science and technology in modern society. Conservation leaders sprang from such fields as hydrology, forestry, agrostology, geology, and anthropology It is from the vantage point of view of applied science, rather than of democratic protest, that one must understand the historic role of the conservation movement." (Hays, 1999, p 2). Therefore, conservation issues have historically offered topics of debates and one of the ongoing political controversies in the United States sinc e 1977 has been the debate concerning oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). ... Debates over conservation issue concerning drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge have a pertinent role in the understanding of Hays's view that one must understand the historic role of the conservation movement from the vantage point of view of applied science, rather than of democratic protest. The debates over this conservation issue have been in place ever since President Jimmy Carter approved a bill in 1980 for the approval of the Congress to allow drilling in ANWR. It has been one of the most-widely used issues as political device, by both the Democrats and the Republicans. The major argument against the drilling in the 1002 area of ANWR is that it would potentially harm the natural wildlife in the area, especially the calving ground of the Porcupine caribou, whereas the supporters of oil exploration in the region highlight the amount of economically recoverable oil, relating to the world oil markets. The major arguments in favor of oil drilling in the 1002 area of ANWR underlie some basic assumptions about 'Nature' and economic growth and the debates concerning the topic illustrate that the wise use of natural resources may be either technical or largely political. According to the supporters of oil drilling in ANWR, it could radically lower the price of oil, which can lead to a major economic boom, and it can be effective measure to lessen the nation's dependence on foreign oil, particularly in the Middle East. As opposed to the arguments of the critics of the procedures, they maintain that drilling could be done without disrupting the sanctuary or damaging the environment. Similarly, it can considerably help the

SLP 1 MGT - 491 STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Essay

SLP 1 MGT - 491 STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - Essay Example All the steps involved in formulating a strategic hiring process will be discussed in details. This analysis will be of importance in my future career as a Human Resource Manager either employed by an organization or being self-employed. The first step in the hiring process is identifying a vacancy and evaluating the needs of that vacant position. Vacant positions may be created due to growth demands of the organization, an employee quitting the job or the need for a specialized service. Once a vacant position is identified; the HR will require revisiting the organizational goals so that a proper evaluation of the kind of person required is done. Evaluation is guided by the current and future demands of the post and the overall long-term and short-term goals of the organization (Arthur, 2012). This assessment helps the HR manager to identify the competency required of the person to be hired. Important details such as tasks to be completed and employee’s work hours are also determined based on the post evaluation. Once the HR has identified the vacant position and has come up with the requirements for the position, the next step is the preparation of a post description. The description of a position determines the kind of people who will be attracted. A job description creates the first impression to a potential employee. A good position description should include the responsibilities of the employee, and this document can be used later to access the performance of the hired employee. Moreover, it guides the training and career improvement programs that the hired employee will undergo after hiring. The general information to be presented to the prospective interviews will include payroll title, salary and name of the department. Other special requirements such as a driving license and the BFOQ’s will depend on the kind of position in question. A description of the purpose of the position will include details such as specific roles, position duration

Job Evaluation. Whole foods Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Job Evaluation. Whole foods - Case Study Example Evaluation is not an easy task; instead it involves various sub tasks which compose the entire job of operating on a particular principle. Job evaluation is generally carried out on the basis of certain steps and predefined principles. These steps and procedures help the officials to carry out the evaluation procedure in an effective manner. The type of procedures used in job evaluation purely depends on the type of industry and the nature of work. The work load and the operations pertain to a particular industry and this differs from one industry to another. The type of work has gone through a change when compared to the past and the development in each industry has contributed to the expansion at a larger pace. Due to this factor, it becomes difficult for an organization to maintain the same old procedures in evaluating the jobs and analyzing the operations. Though job evaluation is an important concept in an organization, the way in which it is implemented plays a major role. The process of implementation involves several steps that define the operations to be executed while evaluating the particular work. The efficiency of work purely depends on the environment and the situation in which the particular work is carried out. ... Competition in this sort of environment is certainly difficult and the employees have to prove their mettle in order to improve and develop the organization. Job Evaluation at Whole Foods Each industry has a specific set of regulations based on which they perform their operations. These regulations are altered to suit the needs of the customers. Since change is inevitable, these organizations must incorporate new ideologies and policies to have an edge over the other similar organizations. This can be achieved only if they follow a set of predefined procedures to perform job evaluation. When compared to the other industries, food industry is the one that is more prone to problems. Since people have a direct contact with the workers of the food industry, it is important for them to evaluate and analyze their job at regular intervals. (Milkovich & Newman, 2008). This will ensure that the customers are satisfied and it will also enable the officials to know about their expectations. The Whole Foods market is one among the popular food markets and it is one of the most sought after markets in the city. Whole Foods has already completed the process of job analysis and the job descriptions have also been presented. As a consultant I would suggest them to prepare a job structure which is purely based on the description of job. Job evaluation is generally done based on the job description. The job structure can be designed by inspecting the type of work and the operations involved in the particular job. The job structure includes the job titles and the job description. Job evaluation is done by defining and checking the operations involved in each and every job. Job Structure As given in the case study, each job is analyzed and

SLP 1 MGT - 491 STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Essay

SLP 1 MGT - 491 STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - Essay Example All the steps involved in formulating a strategic hiring process will be discussed in details. This analysis will be of importance in my future career as a Human Resource Manager either employed by an organization or being self-employed. The first step in the hiring process is identifying a vacancy and evaluating the needs of that vacant position. Vacant positions may be created due to growth demands of the organization, an employee quitting the job or the need for a specialized service. Once a vacant position is identified; the HR will require revisiting the organizational goals so that a proper evaluation of the kind of person required is done. Evaluation is guided by the current and future demands of the post and the overall long-term and short-term goals of the organization (Arthur, 2012). This assessment helps the HR manager to identify the competency required of the person to be hired. Important details such as tasks to be completed and employee’s work hours are also determined based on the post evaluation. Once the HR has identified the vacant position and has come up with the requirements for the position, the next step is the preparation of a post description. The description of a position determines the kind of people who will be attracted. A job description creates the first impression to a potential employee. A good position description should include the responsibilities of the employee, and this document can be used later to access the performance of the hired employee. Moreover, it guides the training and career improvement programs that the hired employee will undergo after hiring. The general information to be presented to the prospective interviews will include payroll title, salary and name of the department. Other special requirements such as a driving license and the BFOQ’s will depend on the kind of position in question. A description of the purpose of the position will include details such as specific roles, position duration

R.W. Emerson and Transcendentalism Essay Example for Free

R.W. Emerson and Transcendentalism Essay Saying Ralph Waldo Emerson is the same as saying Transcendentalism. A word not many understand, a concept seen in his convictions; not only a literary movement but a lifestyle movement and the beginning of a long term change in society. † What is popularly called Transcendentalism among us, is Idealism;† (Emerson, The Trancendeltalist, from Lectures, 1842)this movement allowed intellectual support and leadership to a number of social reforms that would not have been able to occur without the ideals of Emerson. Looking at Emerson’s’ Nature, Self-Reliance, and other works along with his most recognized follower Henry David Thoreau’s Walden; there are many similarities in their context that apply to life today. One of the main ideals in the literary contributions of the Transcendentalist authors of the 1830-1880’s was the idea that man is not governed by the predisposition of the Calvinist movement during that time but rather a vessel himself to be closer to god and the divine. Gone were the text like writings of the earlier American authors and a new more feeling and personal literature emerged. Emerson believed that each person held a â€Å"spark of divinity† he advocated for nature and the lessons learned from it. Both Emerson and Thoreau were influenced by nature and both opposed to the political issues of their day; Thoreau being the more vocal in regards to the political issues as read in Civil Disobedience (MCMichael, 2007). But both avid supporters in social reform in America during the 1800’s in such areas as religion, education reform, and civil rights. The Transcendental movement started by Emerson also consisted of authors such as Louisa May Alcott, Frederick Douglass, Margret Fuller, Emily Dickinson and many others that have greatly influenced not only America’s literary movement, but major changes in political and social injustices that have plagued our nation since conception. Although both authors reflect on the elements, both Nature and Walden also address the underlying ideals of spirituality, simplicity and the value of self and the soul. Thoreau’s Walden is an actual attempt to live Emerson’s ideas wrote in Nature. â€Å"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan- like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and, if it proved to be mean, why then to get the whole and genuine meanness of it, and publish its meanness to the world; or if it were sublime, to know it by experience, and be able to give a true account of it in my next excursion. † (Thoreau) This personal statement reflective of transcendentalism, is directly influenced by the works of Emerson writes â€Å"The foregoing generations beheld God and nature face to face; we, through their eyes. † Thoreau in living on Walden Woods, recounts a little over two years of living off the land; growing his own food, building his own shelter, and reflecting in nature. Thoreau has walked back to the â€Å"foregoing generations† and attempted to reconnect with nature around him thus living out the ideas expressed in his mentors, Nature. Thoreau, in doing so realized the affects of simplicity in expanding our minds and understanding of self by observing the ever-changing nature around us, how it coexists and how we can reach enlightenment. The statement â€Å"A lake is the landscape’s most beautiful and expressive feature. It is Earth’s eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature. † (Thoreau) Is an insight into the motivation of the experiment Walden. It is also reflective of Emerson â€Å"In the woods we return to reason and faith. There I feel that nothing can befall me in life,-no disgrace, no calamity,(leaving me my eyes,)which nature cannot repair. Standing on the bare ground, my head bathed by the blithe air, and uplifted into infinite space, all mean egotism vanishes. I become a transparent eye-ball; I am nothing; I see all;† (Emerson) Wherein Emerson is stating that in nature he is able to let go of the realities of the industrial world and really see into one’s self and better understand our society and culture as a whole. Emerson attempted to change the view of people to a broader more objective and simple way of looking at life. By seeing the balance and simplicity of nature; really seeing, one can see into their own soul and better live life as it should be lived. â€Å"Nature always wears the colors of the spirit. † (Emerson) Not only did both Emerson and Thoreau believe in the simplicity of life in an effort to keep clarity of sight and mind, but they both believed in the importance of caring for and excepting self in the individual soul. Thoreau wants to get in touch with his soul and Emerson points out the vastness of the soul and the lack of complete usage of most. Emerson also says, â€Å"The soul circumscribes all things. As I have said it contradicts all experience. † (Emerson, The Over-Soul, Essays the first series, 1841) Emerson was a philosopher and teacher in the sense that he used his education and religious beliefs in creation of an alternate way of seeing things. America has been directly changed and in my opinion for the better by the ideal of Emerson. Many past, present and future leader in the areas of education and sociological reform were inspired by the words of Emerson and Thoreau . There are no days in life so memorable as those which vibrated to some stroke of imagination (Emerson) The wider impact that the ideas of Transcendentalism had on the development of America have changed and shaped our country as no other movement could. The views behind Transcendentalism include personal freedom, simplicity, dignity and value of every human life. The concept of God is not un-presented, rather excepted and added to the views that all man is responsible to live for himself to the best of himself and therefore be closer to the divine nature of self. Beware when the great God lets loose a thinker on this planet. Then all things are at risk. It is as when a conflagration has broken out in a great city, and no man knows what is safe, or where it will end. (Emerson) Many of the abolitionists and reformers of the 1800’s were seen as the embodiment of Transcendentalism. While others major social reformers, activists and philosophers such as Martineau Gandhi, and even Barack Obama have been influenced by Emerson and Thoreau. However no matter how great the influence and the outcome Emerson was a thinker waiting for the rest of the world to catch up with him in his beliefs. The reason he is and always will be a beacon of reason and hope to all of humanity can in a few words be reflected by his sense of divinity of self. â€Å"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense. †(Emerson) Sources; Emerson, R. W. Nature. Emerson, R. W. (1841). The Over-Soul, Essays the first series. Emerson, R. W. (1842). The Trancendeltalist, from Lectures. Boston. MCMichael. (2007). Anthology of American Literature. Upper Saddle River: Pearson. Thoreau, H. D. Walden. http://www. transcendentalists. com/index. htm http://www. rwe. org/ http://www. npr. org/programs/morning/features/patc/walden/

Redang Island

Redang Island Redang Island Redang Island Superb destination for alland divers too! What would you expect a PERFECT island holiday going to be like? Crystal clear seawater? Checked. Accommodation for people of all age? Checked. Beach and sea activities for all? Checked. How about well equipped diving resorts with good dive spots to explore around? Checked! So where is this place that have all these checked? Redang island! Thanks to the Summer Holiday movie starred by Richie Ren and Sammi Cheng, Redang island had since then becomes one of the most popular holiday destinations in Malaysia. The beach resorts gradually upgraded their facilities from just snorkeling to more varieties of activities to meet the needs from all sort of visitors. If you are looking for banana boat riding, sea kayaking, beach volleyball, beach soccer, or even beach-front clubbing session, they are easily available and offered by many resorts. And what if you are a diving enthusiast or want to try out diving? Ask the resorts and most likely they are also the dive centre you are looking for! The dive resorts would provide activities for beginners and certified divers alike, with discover day diving, diving courses, shore dives and boat dive trips as the usual offers. Best if you could check around the diving packages offered by the resorts before getting to the island, as they would usually have better value-for-money factor if compared to per dive rates offered over the counter in the dive resort. And some dive packages might even throw in unlimited shore dives, where you can dive as many times as you (and your body limit) would like to! Dive sites in Redang are filled with wide varieties of corals and sea creatures, and not to mention large pelagic fishes such as barracudas, jacks, trevallies, and sharks. You would have fairly high chances of being able to spot green turtles and hawksbill turtles due to turtle conservation efforts going on within the marine park. But if you are really lucky enough, whale shark could just grace by during your dive! While it is recommended to dive in the spots distanced away from snorkelers for best diving experience, the shore dive would able to offer you the chance to spot fishes such as titan triggerfish, grouper and even moral eel or sharks! And now you know there is this destination that can enjoy your time in exploring the beauties deep down below while your family are occupied with all the beach activities, it would just all depends on how well you could talk to your loved ones and make Redang as your next vacation spot! Picture reference: Redang Tanjung Tokong Green Turtle : http://www.asiadivesite.com/malaysia-dive-sites/redang/tanjung-tokong.php Redang Pulau Kerengga Humphead Parrotfish: http://www.asiadivesite.com/malaysia-dive-sites/redang/pulau-kerengga.php Redang Mak Cantik Anemone: http://www.asiadivesite.com/malaysia-dive-sites/redang/mak-cantik.php Redang Pulau Ekor Tebu Titan Triggerfish: http://www.asiadivesite.com/malaysia-dive-sites/redang/pulau-ekor-tebu.php

Informix Revenue Recognition Essay -- essays research papers

MEMORANDUM Re:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Group 2 - Case 2.1 â€Å"Software Revenue Recognition: Informix Corporation† Companies following GAAP can manage earnings by simply altering its accounting policy to select those accounting principles that benefit them the most. Entities have a host of reasons for selecting those principles that will paint the rosiest financial picture. Some would argue that the market demands it, as reflected by the stock price punishment for companies that differ by as little as one penny per share from prior estimates. External market pressures to â€Å"meet the numbers† conflicts with market pressure for transparency in financial reporting. Most fraudulent financial reporting schemes involve â€Å"earnings management† techniques, which inflate earnings, create an improved financial picture, or conversely, mask a deteriorating one. Premature revenue recognition is one of the most common forms of fraudulent earnings management and the case of Informix Software Inc. unfortunately illustrates closely this practice. The analysis of this case will shed light on issues like: v  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Informix’s revenue recognition policy prior to 1990 and its compliance with FASB Concept #5, FASB Statement #86, GAAP protocols. v  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Informix’s reactions to AICPA SOP in changing the revenue recognition procedures and Informix’s reason to prematurely and voluntarily implement the new policy v  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The changes that took place at Informix and the financial results reported during 1990 Furthermore, we will also evaluate the software industry practices and the regulations in place at that time. We conclude with lessons learnt and recommendations towards identifying and discouraging non-GAAP revenue recognition practices. 1986-1990 Revenue Recognition Policy at Informix Corporation REVENUE RECOGNITION POLICY BEFORE THE PROPOSED AICPA SOP Prior to 1990 the software industry had the FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Concept No.5 and the FASB Statement No. 86 to provide guidance in the revenue recognition concepts. The Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) No. 45 which discussed long-term construction type contract was also available but did not specify application for the software industry and so it was ignored. Before 1990 (refer exhibit 1) Informix recognized ... ...nbsp;  ($1,503.00)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  ($327.00) Net Income(Losses)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  $0.00   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  ($10,311.00)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  ($11,146.00)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  ($1,503.00)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  ($327.00) Income per Share Before Extraordinary Items  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  $0.00   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  ($0.80)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  ($1.00)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  ($0.13)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  ($0.05) Net Income (Loss) per Share (Fully Diluted)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  $0.00   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  ($0.80)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  ($0.94)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  ($0.12)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  ($0.03) Total Assets  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  $0.00   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  ($32,102.00)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  ($17,173.00)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  ($3,411.00)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  ($573.00) Long-Term Obligations  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  $0.00   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  $0.00   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  $0.00   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  $0.00   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  $0.00

Discrimination Challenges Essay -- Racial Relations, Social Issues, Ha

Growing up in the early 1900’s was not easy especially if you were a women and/or black. Hansberry was both and with that, she faced discrimination challenges. As she grew as a women and writer, a person respected her more and saw her for more than her race and the fact she was a woman. Throughout her life, she fought for her rights and stood up for a cause, until her early tragic death from cancer. Lorraine Hansberry grew up during the American Civil Rights movement, managed to overcome the hard times of segregation, the lack of women’s rights, and the harsh criticism of the critics to become a strong writer, which she used to make a difference for African Americans through all her writings. #1 Hansberry grew up in trying times with her two parents, from the beginning she wanted to make a difference. â€Å"Lorrain Vivian Hansberry was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1930, to Carl A. Hansberry and Nanny Perry Hansberry and was the youngest of four children.†(#4) â€Å"Throughout her childhood, thanks to her family’s deep involvement in the black community, she was surrounded by black politics, culture, and economics. Her father, a relator, was very active in the NAACP and†¦her mother, a former schoolteacher, was a ward committeewoman†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (#4) When she was eight her family moved into a white community but was later forced out. â€Å"Hansberry learned another lesson in pride in 1938 when her father, risking jail, challenged Chicago’s real estate convents, which legally upheld housing discrimination, by moving his own family into a white neighborhood.† (#4). â€Å"Hansberry herself believed religion was a crutch†¦ and this belie f is reflected in her near-dismissal of both Christianity and the native religion of Zatembe in Les Blancs.† (Paper #2). Facing many ... ... in the Sun; Canned Film Festavel special award and Screen Writers Guide nomination, both 1961, both for screenplay, A Raisin in the Sun.† (http://libproxy.wcjc.cc.tx.us:2368) (#9) â€Å"Hansberry was named the â€Å"most promising playwrite† of the season by Variety’s poll of New York drama critic’s.†(#9) â€Å"But most critics did not perceive Hansberry as a particulary political or â€Å"black† writer, but rather as one who dealt more with human universals.† (#9) With only a short amount of time spent in this world, Hansberry was able to make difference to many people inside and outside of the literature world. She stood up for her rights, which helped her find love and peace. Hansberry faced many tough challenges throughout her life from race discrimination to harsh critics on her books and plays but she believed in herself and took charge to try to make a difference.

Benefits of Cost Allocation in an Organization

Introduction: The Need for Cost Accounting and Allocation A product or a service cannot be provided without costs going into its creation. The ability to transform a raw material into the final product, whatever the final product may manifest, is unavoidably connected with a cost. Often costs are incurred in a manner that is not even directly related to the making of the final product but to activities that are necessary for the production process.Activities such as planning and administration come under the support activities that are not directly related to the creation of a product or service but they are necessary for a organization to operate. Often a situation arises when a cost becomes attached to more than one product or department. The question as to whom to ascribe a cost to when more than one party seems responsible for the charge had been a highly problematic issue for accountants for long while. Many schools of thought have sprung up with regard to this dilemma.Some feel that costs can be assigned based on dividing space, or percentages of use. Others were of the view that there is no need to allocate costs at all. â€Å"A third group preferred no allocation at all, because regardless of the method applied, bottom-line would not change† (Doost, 1997). The introduction of Activity Based Costing further pushed cost allocation into the background (Doost, 1997). However, Activity Based Costing had a major shortcoming in that not all cost incursion are clear-cut enough to be charged to the ultimate users.The need to allocate costs in the face of multiple users remained. Cost allocation is also known as cost apportionment and cost distribution. Defining Cost Allocation Cost allocation is the process of accounting developed to deal with a situation in which assigning costs to a particular product or department is difficult. The process involves identifying and linking the costs incurred with the cost objectives. Cost allocation consists of three ma in steps: ? Defining an â€Å"object† to link costing to ?Accruing the costs linked to the object Determining a method to link the object with the accrued cost The cost object can be thought of as an activity or a process, a product or service or even a part of the organization for which a separate measure for costs is required. Definition of the object is based largely on the needs and circumstances of the organization. After costs are incurred, they undergo an appraisal and are assigned to various pools depending upon a criterion that has been determined to link costs to the object. The costs are of two types; direct and indirect (Ijiri, 1975).Direct costs are traceable to the cost object through a highly objective, uncomplicated relationship. Indirect costs are the real purpose of cost allocation and are cost incurred without any traceable source. They must be assigned according to some bridging activity that will form the link between costs and cost object. The Benefits o f Cost Allocation Most literature follows the disadvantages of cost allocation and shows why it should not be used. However, cost allocation continues being used in numerous organizations.Two authors, Horngren and Kaplan have been the exceptions in relating this aspect and Zimmerman builds on their work to show, that in spite of what research, what benefits are derived from cost allocation which makes it popular among the practitioners. Horngren and Kaplan refer to the benefits to managerial behavior. Zimmerman (1978) divides this into the agency problem and using allocation as a proxy. The agency problem arises whenever a relationship is formed between a principal and an agent, such as that between the owners of the company and its managers (Jenson and Meckling, 1976).This situation assumes that the agent will do his or her best to increase the welfare of the principal; however, in reality an agent will sometimes act in ways that reduce the welfare of the principal. This is due to the lack of optimal monitoring systems. The monitoring system can restrict such acts but not completely stop them. The portion that can not be reduced is, thus, a expenditure and is known as agency costs that a principal needs to bear. A similar situation occurs between a superior and a subordinate when costs are allocated. The subordinate has his own interests at heart, including his chances of advancement.Thus, by allocating to the subordinates the superior’s expenditures, motivation is created for subordinate to carefully monitor their superior’s spending and ensure that the superior does not spend unnecessarily or for personal gain on the company’s tab. Thus, the subordinate will monitor the spending by the superior, ensuring less shirking and adequate spending on perquisites (non monetary incentives e. g. air conditioning in the office). Thus, the superior’s welfare is dependent directly on the subordinate’s productivity, subordinate’s compensation and the agency costs related to this relationship.This agency costs include the monitoring costs, bonding costs and residual loss. Excessive consumption of prerequisites by the superior, thus, negatively affects the subordinate's future promotions. To avoid this, the subordinate would either go over the direct superior’s head or attempt to convince the direct superior to reduce spending. Thus, cost allocation itself allows a principal-agency relation to be created in the organization, and using allocated costs, a means of monitoring superiors is created.This monitoring is not so effective if done by a person higher-up than the superior (because of one-to-many relation and lack of incentives), and is one reason that costs allocation are widely used in organizations. Another assumption made is the fact that lump-sum tax can also reduce an agent’s spending on perquisites. Here, costs allocations act as a lump-sum tax as they allow costs to be allocated to dif ferent departments. Thus, if a cost is allocated among five departments, then for each department this is similar to a lump-sum tax, and this is reduce the agent’s spending on perquisites in each of the departments.However, if this tax amount is tied to profits, then theory shows that mathematically the perquisites spending may actually increase. Thus, non-controllable costs are allocated to managers to decrease their perquisite spending and should be based on lump-sum overhead allocation rather than tied to profits. The above discussion also implies that costs allocations are better used when other forms of monitoring costs are high, perhaps due to geographical locations etc. Another benefit of cost allocation is observed with regards to manufacturing overhead costs.Zimmerman (1978) shows that a shared resource inflicts costs on others, for instance, for a shared resource a user will be constantly expanding his utilization. Besides the overuse, this agent is also inflicting a delay costs on other whose work may be affected by the delay they have to endure. After a certain point though, the costs will be more than the benefit derived from the shared resource and it would be more profitable to expand resources. Costs allocation acts a proxies to this expansion costs and allows proper allocation of costs which can be monitored. Thus, the manufacturing overhead issue is as follows.For a manufacturing concern, its main costs are its direct material used, direct labor required and manufacturing overhead, which are not directly traceable to one product but are incurred in manufacturing. When a principal assigns an agent, he also passes on the responsibilities and decision making thus resulting in a decentralized organization. In such a setting, each person will choose that level of inputs which minimizes the overall costs. This will be at a point when minimum variable costs are used by decreasing inputs and using maximum fixed costs, which are indirect costs. This will firstly not operate at optimum level, and secondly this will impose costs on other departments by using more of the manufacturing overhead costs. Hence, a need for centralized decision making arises. By using centralized decision making, a level of inputs is selected which minimizes input costs. . Also, manufacturing overhead is allocated based on requirements rather, than to show minimum costs. Thus, cost allocation allows optimal distribution of indirect costs, and also incorporates other immeasurable costs like delay costs, expansion costs etc.Doost (1997) also shows how cost allocation is useful for determining actual product costs by using all relevant costs, and can be used for control purposes. He demonstrates that the budgeted amount of manufacturing overhead costs allow monitoring of overspending or under spending and is the responsibility of the specific department. Conclusion Cost accounting is a highly useful method of accounting that is very accommodating to c ontrol and coordination measures of various costs. The importance of cost allocation has not diminished over the years.Cost allocation continues to be as important today as it was in the seventies. The basic principle behind cost allocation has remained largely the same; however, new methods of forming the link between costs and cost objects are continuously being formed. It continues to finds its application in cost control and accountability. By no means a cure-all, cost accounting does, however, provide a sound foundation for increasing responsibility, control and accountability by changing the very behavior of managers and creating an environment where cost reduction can be linked to advancement.

Equality And Diversity Essay

Discuss issues of equality and diversity and ways to promote inclusion with your learners. Review other points of referral available to meet the potential needs of learners. Acknowledging the student’s needs and goals whilst respecting each individual student, giving them the appropriate help and support when needed without favouritism or prejudice, will allow the student to achieve entitlement, equality, inclusivity, diversity and differentiation in a classroom. Equality and Diversity; From this, the students will be able to understand the value of themselves and others as equal individuals. It will ensure that each individual is treated fairly without prejudice and that it is their right to have access to the course. The course should therefore be open to all, regardless of their gender, race, age, religion, sexual orientation or mental or physical ability. Identifying a student’s personal needs will help them succeed within their chosen subject. This support can come from; The tutor/lecturer Supportive friends and/or family Having access to literature and the internet Some prior knowledge of the subject being taught The students needs should be identified when making initial contact with the college. This will enable potential problems to be identified and if necessary, other departments informed so that specialist advise can be given. Needs that should be identified include; Physical access or difficulties Unsupported friends/family Financial problems

Chapter 5 Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes

Harry spun faster and faster, elbows tucked tightly to his sides, blurred fireplaces flashing past him, until he started to feel sick and closed his eyes. Then, when at last he felt himself slowing down, he threw out his hands and came to a halt in time to prevent himself from falling face forward out of the Weasleys' kitchen fire. â€Å"Did he eat it?† said Fred excitedly, holding out a hand to pull Harry to his feet. â€Å"Yeah,† said Harry, straightening up. â€Å"What was it?† â€Å"Ton-Tongue Toffee,† said Fred brightly. â€Å"George and I invented them, and we've been looking for someone to test them on all summer†¦.† The tiny kitchen exploded with laughter; Harry looked around and saw that Ron and George were sitting at the scrubbed wooden table with two red-haired people Harry had never seen before, though he knew immediately who they must be: Bill and Charlie, the two eldest Weasley brothers. â€Å"How're you doing, Harry?† said the nearer of the two, grinning at him and holding out a large hand, which Harry shook, feeling calluses and blisters under his fingers. This had to be Charlie, who worked with dragons in Romania. Charlie was built like the twins, shorter and stockier than Percy and Ron, who were both long and lanky. He had a broad, good-natured face, which was weather-beaten and so freckly that he looked almost tanned; his arms were muscular, and one of them had a large, shiny burn on it. Bill got to his feet, smiling, and also shook Harry's hand. Bill came as something of a surprise. Harry knew that he worked for the wizarding bank, Gringotts, and that Bill had been Head Boy at Hogwarts; Harry had always imagined Bill to be an older version of Percy: fussy about rule-breaking and fond of bossing everyone around. However, Bill was – there was no other word for it – cool. He was tall, with long hair that he had tied back in a ponytail. He was wearing an earring with what looked like a fang dangling from it. Bill's clothes would not have looked out of place at a rock concert, except that Harry recognized his boots to be made, not of leather, but of dragon hide. Before any of them could say anything else, there was a faint popping noise, and Mr. Weasley appeared out of thin air at George's shoulder. He was looking angrier than Harry had ever seen him. â€Å"That wasn't funny Fred!† he shouted. â€Å"What on earth did you give that Muggle boy?† â€Å"I didn't give him anything,† said Fred, with another evil grin. I just dropped it†¦.It was his fault he went and ate it, I never told him to.† â€Å"You dropped it on purpose!† roared Mr. Weasley. â€Å"You knew he'd eat it, you knew he was on a diet -â€Å" â€Å"How big did his tongue get?† George asked eagerly. â€Å"It was four feet long before his parents would let me shrink it!† Harry and the Weasleys roared with laughter again. â€Å"It isn't funny!† Mr. Weasley shouted. â€Å"That sort of behavior seriously undermines wizard-Muggle relations! I spend half my life campaigning against the mistreatment of Muggles, and my own sons â€Å"We didn't give it to him because he's a Muggle!† said Fred indignantly. â€Å"No, we gave it to him because he's a great bullying git,† said George. â€Å"Isn't he, Harry?† â€Å"Yeah, he is, Mr. Weasley,† said Harry earnestly. â€Å"That's not the point!† raged Mr. Weasley. â€Å"You wait until I tell your mother -â€Å" â€Å"Tell me what?† said a voice behind them. Mrs. Weasley had just entered the kitchen. She was a short, plump woman with a very kind face, though her eyes were presently narrowed with suspicion. â€Å"Oh hello, Harry, dear,† she said, spotting him and smiling. Then her eyes snapped back to her husband. â€Å"Tell me what, Arthur?† Mr. Weasley hesitated. Harry could tell that, however angry he was with Fred and George, he hadn't really intended to tell Mrs. Weasley what had happened. There was a silence, while Mr. Weasley eyed his wife nervously. Then two girls appeared in the kitchen doorway behind Mrs. Weasley. One, with very bushy brown hair and rather large front teeth, was Harry's and Ron's friend, Hermione Granger. The other, who was small and red-haired, was Ron's younger sister, Ginny. Both of them smiled at Harry, who grinned back, which made Ginny go scarlet – she had been very taken with Harry ever since his first visit to the Burrow. â€Å"Tell me what, Arthur?† Mrs. Weasley repeated, in a dangerous sort of voice. â€Å"It's nothing, Molly,† mumbled Mr. Weasley, â€Å"Fred and George just – but I've had words with them -â€Å" â€Å"What have they done this time?† said Mrs. Weasley. â€Å"If it's got anything to do with Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes -â€Å" â€Å"Why don't you show Harry where he's sleeping, Ron?† said Hermione from the doorway. â€Å"He knows where he's sleeping,† said Ron, â€Å"in my room, he slept there last -â€Å" â€Å"We can all go,† said Hermione pointedly. â€Å"Oh,† said Ron, cottoning on. â€Å"Right.† â€Å"Yeah, we'll come too,† said George. â€Å"You stay where you are!† snarled Mrs. Weasley. Harry and Ron edged out of the kitchen, and they, Hermione, and Ginny set off along the narrow hallway and up the rickety staircase that zigzagged through the house to the upper stories. â€Å"What are Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes?† Harry asked as they climbed. Ron and Ginny both laughed, although Hermione didn't. â€Å"Mum found this stack of order forms when she was cleaning Fred and George's room,† said Ron quietly. â€Å"Great long price lists for stuff they've invented. Joke stuff, you know. Fake wands and trick sweets, loads of stuff. It was brilliant, I never knew they'd been inventing all that†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"We've been hearing explosions out of their room for ages, but we never thought they were actually making things,† said Ginny. â€Å"We thought they just liked the noise.† â€Å"Only, most of the stuff – well, all of it, really – was a bit dangerous,† said Ron, â€Å"and, you know, they were planning to sell it at Hogwarts to make some money, and Mum went mad at them. Told them they weren't allowed to make any more of it, and burned all the order forms†¦.She's furious at them anyway. They didn't get as many O.W.L.s as she expected.† O.W.L.s were Ordinary Wizarding Levels, the examinations Hogwarts students took at the age of fifteen. â€Å"And then there was this big row,† Ginny said, â€Å"because Mum wants them to go into the Ministry of Magic like Dad, and they told her all they want to do is open a joke shop.† Just then a door on the second landing opened, and a face poked out wearing horn-rimmed glasses and a very annoyed expression. â€Å"Hi, Percy,† said Harry. â€Å"Oh hello, Harry,† said Percy. â€Å"I was wondering who was making all the noise. I'm trying to work in here, you know I've got a report to finish for the office – and it's rather difficult to concentrate when people keep thundering up and down the stairs.† â€Å"We're not thundering, â€Å"said Ron irritably. â€Å"We're walking. Sorry if we've disturbed the top-secret workings of the Ministry of Magic.† â€Å"What are you working on?† said Harry. â€Å"A report for the Department of International Magical Cooperation,† said Percy smugly. â€Å"We're trying to standardize cauldron thickness. Some of these foreign imports are just a shade too thin – leakages have been increasing at a rate of almost three percent a year -â€Å" â€Å"That'll change the world, that report will,† said Ron. â€Å"Front page of the Daily Prophet, I expect, cauldron leaks.† Percy went slightly pink. â€Å"You might sneer, Ron,† he said heatedly, â€Å"but unless some sort of international law is imposed we might well find the market flooded with flimsy, shallow-bottomed products that seriously endanger -â€Å" â€Å"Yeah, yeah, all right,† said Ron, and he started off upstairs again. Percy slammed his bedroom door shut. As Harry, Hermione, and Ginny followed Ron up three more flights of stairs, shouts from the kitchen below echoed up to them. It sounded as though Mr. Weasley had told Mrs. Weasley about the toffees. The room at the top of the house where Ron slept looked much as it had the last time that Harry had come to stay: the same posters of Ron's favorite Quidditch team, the Chudley Cannons, were whirling and waving on the walls and sloping ceiling, and the fish tank on the windowsill, which had previously held frog spawn, now contained one extremely large frog. Ron's old rat, Scabbers, was here no more, but instead there was the tiny gray owl that had delivered Ron's letter to Harry in Privet Drive. It was hopping up and down in a small cage and twittering madly. â€Å"Shut up, Pig,† said Ron, edging his way between two of the four beds that had been squeezed into the room. â€Å"Fred and George are in here with us, because Bill and Charlie are in their room,† he told Harry. â€Å"Percy gets to keep his room all to himself because he's got to work.† â€Å"Er – why are you calling that owl Pig?† Harry asked Ron. â€Å"Because he's being stupid,† said Ginny, â€Å"Its proper name is Pigwidgeon.† â€Å"Yeah, and that's not a stupid name at all,† said Ron sarcastically. â€Å"Ginny named him,† he explained to Harry. â€Å"She reckons it's sweet. And I tried to change it, but it was too late, he won't answer to anything else. So now he's Pig. I've got to keep him up here because he annoys Errol and Hermes. He annoys me too, come to that. Pigwidgeon zoomed happily around his cage, hooting shrilly. Harry knew Ron too well to take him seriously. He had moaned continually about his old rat, Scabbers, but had been most upset when Hermione's cat, Crookshanks, appeared to have eaten him. â€Å"Where's Crookshanks?† Harry asked Hermione now. â€Å"Out in the garden, I expect,† she said. â€Å"He likes chasing gnomes. He's never seen any before.† â€Å"Percy's enjoying work, then?† said Harry, sitting down on one of the beds and watching the Chudley Cannons zooming in and out of the posters on the ceiling. â€Å"Enjoying it?† said Ron darkly. â€Å"I don't reckon he'd come home if Dad didn't make him. He's obsessed. Just don't get him onto the subject of his boss. According to Mr. Crouch†¦as I was saying to Mr. Crouch†¦ Mr. Crouch is of the opinion†¦Mr. Crouch was telling me†¦They'll be announcing their engagement any day now.† â€Å"Have you had a good summer, Harry?† said Hermione. â€Å"Did you get our food parcels and everything?† â€Å"Yeah, thanks a lot,† said Harry. â€Å"They saved my life, those cakes.† â€Å"And have you heard from -?† Ron began, but at a look from Hermione he fell silent. Harry knew Ron had been about to ask about Sirius. Ron and Hermione had been so deeply involved in helping Sirius escape from the Ministry of Magic that they were almost as concerned about Harry's godfather as he was. However, discussing him in front of Ginny was a bad idea. Nobody but themselves and Professor Dumbledore knew about how Sirius had escaped, or believed in his innocence. â€Å"I think they've stopped arguing,† said Hermione, to cover the awkward moment, because Ginny was looking curiously from Ron to Harry. â€Å"Shall we go down and help your mum with dinner?† â€Å"Yeah, all right,† said Ron. The four of them left Ron's room and went back downstairs to find Mrs. Weasley alone in the kitchen, looking extremely bad-tempered. â€Å"We're eating out in the garden,† she said when they came in. â€Å"There's just not room for eleven people in here. Could you take the plates outside, girls? Bill and Charlie are setting up the tables. Knives and forks, please, you two,† she said to Ron and Harry, pointing her wand a little more vigorously than she had intended at a pile of potatoes in the sink, which shot out of their skins so fast that they ricocheted off the walls and ceiling. â€Å"Oh for heaven's sake,† she snapped, now directing her wand at a dustpan, which hopped off the sideboard and started skating across the floor, scooping up the potatoes. â€Å"Those two!† she burst out savagely, now pulling pots and pans out of a cupboard, and Harry knew she meant Fred and George. I don't know what's going to happen to them, I really don't. No ambition, unless you count making as much trouble as they possibly can†¦.† Mrs. Weasley slammed a large copper saucepan down on the kitchen table and began to wave her wand around inside it. A creamy sauce poured from the wand tip as she stirred. â€Å"It's not as though they haven't got brains, she continued irritably, taking the saucepan over to the stove and lighting it with a further poke of her wand, â€Å"but they're wasting them, and unless they pull themselves together soon, they'll be in real trouble. I've had more owls from Hogwarts about them than the rest put together. If they carry on the way they're going, they'll end up in front of the Improper Use of Magic Office.† Mrs. Weasley jabbed her wand at the cutlery drawer, which shot open. Harry and Ron both jumped out of the way as several knives soared out of it, flew across the kitchen, and began chopping the potatoes, which had just been tipped back into the sink by the dustpan. â€Å"I don't know where we went wrong with them,† said Mrs. Weasley, putting down her wand and starting to pull out still more saucepans. â€Å"It's been the same for years, one thing after another, and they won't listen to – OH NOT AGAIN!† She had picked up her wand from the table, and it had emitted a loud squeak and turned into a giant rubber mouse. â€Å"One of their fake wands again!† she shouted. â€Å"How many times have I told them not to leave them lying around?† She grabbed her real wand and turned around to find that the sauce on the stove was smoking. â€Å"C'mon,† Ron said hurriedly to Harry, seizing a handful of cutlery from the open drawer, â€Å"let's go and help Bill and Charlie.† They left Mrs. Weasley and headed out the back door into the yard. They had only gone a few paces when Hermione's bandy-legged ginger cat, Crookshanks, came pelting out of the garden, bottle-brush tail held high in the air, chasing what looked like a muddy potato on legs. Harry recognized it instantly as a gnome. Barely ten inches high, its horny little feet pattered very fast as it sprinted across the yard and dived headlong into one of the Wellington boots that lay scattered around the door. Harry could hear the gnome giggling madly as Crookshanks inserted a paw into the boot, trying to reach it. Meanwhile, a very loud crashing noise was coming from the other side of the house. The source of the commotion was revealed as they entered the garden, and saw that Bill and Charlie both had their wands out, and were making two battered old tables fly high above the lawn, smashing into each other, each attempting to knock the other's out of the air. Fred and George were cheering, Ginny was laughing, and Hermione was hovering near the hedge, apparently tor n between amusement and anxiety. Bill's table caught Charlie's with a huge bang and knocked one of its legs off. There was a clatter from overhead, and they all looked up to see Percy's head poking out of a window on the second floor. â€Å"Will you keep it down?!† he bellowed. â€Å"Sorry, Perce,† said Bill, grinning. â€Å"How're the cauldron bottoms coming on?† â€Å"Very badly,† said Percy peevishly, and he slammed the window shut. Chuckling, Bill and Charlie directed the tables safely onto the grass, end to end, and then, with a flick of his wand, Bill reattached the table leg and conjured tablecloths from nowhere. By seven o'clock, the two tables were groaning under dishes and dishes of Mrs. Weasley's excellent cooking, and the nine Weasleys, Harry, and Hermione were settling themselves down to eat beneath a clear, deep-blue sky. To somebody who had been living on meals of increasingly stale cake all summer, this was paradise, and at first, Harry listened rather than talked as he helped himself to chicken and ham pie, boiled potatoes, and salad. At the far end of the table, Percy was telling his father all about his report on cauldron bottoms. â€Å"I've told Mr. Crouch that I'll have it ready by Tuesday,† Percy was saying pompously. â€Å"That's a bit sooner than he expected it, but I like to keep on top of things. I think he'll be grateful I've done it in good time, I mean, its extremely busy in our department just now, what with all the arrangements for the World Cup. We're just not getting the support we need from the Department of Magical Games and Sports. Ludo Bagman -â€Å" â€Å"I like Ludo,† said Mr. Weasley mildly. â€Å"He was the one who got us such good tickets for the Cup. I did him a bit of a favor: His brother, Otto, got into a spot of trouble – a lawnmower with unnatural powers – I smoothed the whole thing over.† â€Å"Oh Bagman's likable enough, of course,† said Percy dismissively, â€Å"but how he ever got to be Head of Department†¦when I compare him to Mr. Crouch! I can't see Mr. Crouch losing a member of our department and not trying to find out what's happened to them. You realize Bertha Jorkins has been missing for over a month now? Went on holiday to Albania and never came back?† â€Å"Yes, I was asking Ludo about that,† said Mr. Weasley, frowning. â€Å"He says Bertha's gotten lost plenty of times before now – though must say, if it was someone in my department, I'd be worried†¦.† â€Å"Oh Bertha's hopeless, all right,† said Percy. â€Å"I hear she's been shunted from department to department for years, much more trouble than she's worth†¦but all the same, Bagman ought to be trying to find her. Mr. Crouch has been taking a personal interest, she worked in our department at one time, you know, and I think Mr. Crouch was quite fond of her – but Bagman just keeps laughing and saying she probably misread the map and ended up in Australia instead of Albania. However† – Percy heaved an impressive sigh and took a deep swig of elderflower wine – â€Å"we've got quite enough on our plates at the Department of International Magical Cooperation without trying to find members of other departments too. As you know, we've got another big event to organize right after the World Cup.† Percy cleared his throat significantly and looked down toward the end of the table where Harry, Ron, and Hermione were sitting. â€Å"You know the one I'm talking about, Father.† He raised his voice slightly. â€Å"The top-secret one.† Ron rolled his eyes and muttered to Harry and Hermione, â€Å"He's been trying to get us to ask what that event is ever since he started work. Probably an exhibition of thick-bottomed cauldrons.† In the middle of the table, Mrs. Weasley was arguing with Bill about his earring, which seemed to be a recent acquisition. â€Å"†¦with a horrible great fang on it. Really, Bill, what do they say at the bank?† â€Å"Mum, no one at the bank gives a damn how I dress as long as I bring home plenty of treasure,† said Bill patiently. â€Å"And your hair's getting silly, dear,† said Mrs. Weasley, fingering her wand lovingly.† I wish you'd let me give it a trim†¦.† â€Å"I like it,† said Ginny, who was sitting beside Bill. â€Å"You're so old-fashioned, Mum. Anyway, it's nowhere near as long as Professor Dumbledore's†¦.† Next to Mrs. Weasley, Fred, George, and Charlie were all talking spiritedly about the World Cup. â€Å"It's got to be Ireland,† said Charlie thickly, through a mouthful of potato. â€Å"They flattened Peru in the semifinals.† â€Å"Bulgaria has got Viktor Krum, though,† said Fred. â€Å"Krum's one decent player, Ireland has got seven,† said Charlie shortly. â€Å"I wish England had got through. That was embarrassing, that was.† â€Å"What happened?† said Harry eagerly, regretting more than ever his isolation from the wizarding world when he was stuck on Privet Drive. â€Å"Went down to Transylvania, three hundred and ninety to ten,† said Charlie gloomily. â€Å"Shocking performance. And Wales lost to Uganda, and Scotland was slaughtered by Luxembourg.† Harry had been on the Gryffindor House Quidditch team ever since his first year at Hogwarts and owned one of the best racing brooms in the world, a Firebolt. Flying came more naturally to Harry than anything else in the magical world, and he played in the position of Seeker on the Gryffindor House team. Mr. Weasley conjured up candles to light the darkening garden before they had their homemade strawberry ice cream, and by the time they had finished, moths were fluttering low over the table, and the warm air was perfumed with the smells of grass and honeysuckle. Harry was feeling extremely well fed and at peace with the world as he watched several gnomes sprinting through the rosebushes, laughing madly and closely pursued by Crookshanks. Ron looked carefully up the table to check that the rest of the family were all busy talking, then he said very quietly to Harry, â€Å"So – have you heard from Sirius lately?† Hermione looked around, listening closely. â€Å"Yeah,† said Harry softly, â€Å"twice. He sounds okay. I wrote to him yesterday. He might write back while I'm here.† He suddenly remembered the reason he had written to Sirius, and for a moment was on the verge of telling Ron and Hermione about his scar hurting again, and about the dream that had awoken him†¦but he really didn't want to worry them just now, not when he himself was feeling so happy and peaceful. â€Å"Look at the time,† Mrs. Weasley said suddenly, checking her wristwatch. â€Å"You really should be in bed, the whole lot of you you'll be up at the crack of dawn to get to the Cup. Harry, if you leave your school list out, I'll get your things for you tomorrow in Diagon Alley. I'm getting everyone else's. There might not be time after the World Cup, the match went on for five days last time.† â€Å"Wow – hope it does this time!† said Harry enthusiastically. â€Å"Well, I certainly don't,† said Percy sanctimoniously. â€Å"I shudder to think what the state of my in-tray would be if I was away from work for five days.† â€Å"Yeah, someone might slip dragon dung in it again, eh, Perce?† said Fred. â€Å"That was a sample of fertilizer from Norway!† said Percy, going very red in the face. â€Å"It was nothing personal!† â€Å"It was,† Fred whispered to Harry as they got up from the table. â€Å"We sent it.†