The Real Estate Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Real Estate Business - Essay Example Real estate business as other businesses has its challenges. Inflation can affect the businesses to a point of closing them down or operating on losses. The recession in the U.S economy has affected the real estate business. The residential housing Market has turned around. For instance, the Gross Domestic Product growth in the U.S declined from 4.9% in the third quarter to 0.6% in the fourth quarter of 2007. Unemployment rate has gone up, and this has seriously affected the lifestyle of people in the U.S. spending becomes a problem, and most people go for cheap product even in personal consumption (Lynn, 2009). In the U.S, real estate business is facing a formidable challenge, and this affects the country and global economic growth. Investment in the real estate business has been affected by the finances and lending institutions. The for- sale housing market has had an enormous challenge, and the business is going down. This is as a result of low affordability, tight lending standar ds and excess supply in many regions. When a country is going through a recession, the market finds itself in the bad shape. People refrain from buying the products in the market because their spending power is weakened (Lynn, 2009). The real estate is also affected due to the increased cost of materials from suppliers. The reason why the suppliers increase their costs in many counties is because during recession time the government adjusts the policies of taxation. The materials are taxed highly, and therefore the supplier has no option than to increase the cost of construction materials. This affects the market place, and the business will go down, and the end result is poor economic growth. Taxes are particularly burdensome, and businesses suffer when they are taxed unfairly. Like in the U.S taxation system is regarded as the most unequal and unjust in the word. This can also be seen in other parts of the world. Political leaders may take advantage of their power to manipulate th e taxation policies. Their businesses are not taxed in the same ratio as for the citizens. Economic development to them becomes a task of the citizens who pays the largest amount in paying taxes (Hinkel, 2008). The government should try and subsidize taxes so that companies and suppliers venturing into a business do not suffer losses. The customers also will be willing to buy or rent houses because the prices will be affordable. The tax law should be reviewed in a way that they favor both parties. The seller and the purchaser are the parties in question. They should be in a position to do transactions without incurring much cost. The government should ensure there the transactions are fair by reviewing the tax laws (Hinkel, 2008). According to Hinkel (2008), real estate is governed by the state law. The state law varies from one state to the other. The law s control the ownership rights to the property, the form and content of the various documents and procedures involved in the sal e, leasing, financing, and inheritance of the property. The legal profession spends time and client’s money worrying about the ownership of property. This becomes difficult for the investor or the buyer to use the property because until the process is over the buyer has no right over the property. Therefore, if the buyer wanted to put up business in the estate, it will take him/her a

The Robot in the Crib Essay Example for Free

The Robot in the Crib Essay 1) The background or motivation for the study, and the authors’ hypotheses or expectations. One’s life is the distance that one covers from the womb to the tomb. It is the mammoth journey, the joint efforts of about 500million sperm. They travel through the vagina, move to the uterus and reach the fallopian tube. Since sperm have a sense of smell, they smell their way to the egg. When egg and sperm merge and become one, conception takes place. ..And this is the beginning of enquiry, for a set of individuals that are outside the womb-the brain scientists/the developmental psychologists! The growth of two separate yet one consciousnesses, one growing within the other, is the marvel of nature, which is the concern of scientists for investigation. The actual study related to the subject of this article is the post-womb growth of the child, when it comes out after completing the nine month’s journey within. Research has revealed that human beings develop the capacity to understand other’s intentions during early in the first year of life. The developmental scientists lay emphasis of the brilliance of little minds and caution not to underestimate the brain capacity of the babies. It has been observed that the newborn babies, 42 minute old, imitate facial expressions. Stick your tongue out and see that the baby sticking its tongue out. This behavior is the pointer to something intense and deep within. The baby knows more than what you imagine it to know. Why and how the infants behave the way they do? Will roboticsts be able to match and reproduce the movements and talents related to various expressions of infants accurately? This is the prime motivation for research by the Developmental Psychologists. 2) A brief description of the participants, procedure, and methods: What is fundamental to human thought is the ability to read the intentions of other people. Not the physical motions involved, but the goals or intentions that cause these motions are important. Initially, infants’ action is that of grasping. Secondly even when the baby does not physically act on, it has the foundation for understanding when others attend to objects. To cite an example, when a person opens the lid of a box, the baby becomes aware that the goal is not the box, but the object inside the box. Further developments will provide the foundation, the initiative to learn from their caregivers. During the second year, children adopt critical abilities, like language, culturally appropriate behavior etc. They constantly observe the adults and try to emulate them. â€Å"Developmental psychologists have dedicated significant effort to studying the developmental progression of infant imitation skills, because imitation underlies the infant’s ability to understand and learn from his or her social environment.†(Demirisa†¦.) This has been an ideal issue for the roboticsts to intervene and make efforts to equip robots with the ability to observe and emulate human actions. The abilities acquired thus, will equip robots to observe and imitate human actions, paving way for rapid teaching of robots to perform specified tasks. Therefore the analysis relates two fronts. â€Å": (a) initial conditions what is innate in infants, and what functionality is initially given to robots, and (b) Developmental mechanism how does the performance of infants improve over time, and what mechanisms are given to robots to achieve equivalent behavior.†(Demirisa†¦.) The Development of Inverse and Forward Models is another set of model that makes detailed study of infant responses vs. their application in the science of roboticsts, but the child always proves smarter and leaves the robot stranded. Another important theory is the Emotion Theory. Here the mechanism employed is to give the robot with rich, recurring enforcement through emotive channels of communication. This theory offers explanations and possible solutions to the associated questions like how the robot can learn to associate the emotive content on the caretaker’s face with immediate stimulus conditions and action. 3) The main results and important points in the authors’ discussion. The important points in the author’s discussion are the Nature vs. the Nature debate in the natural sciences. The simple tasks performed by the child are very complex from the point t of view of getting them done through robot. It is unanimously agreed that tabula rasa algorithms for robot learning are not going to provide the desired results. It is not practicable to pre-impose designer’s own conceptions on the control structure of robot. â€Å"Imitation, which is seen as a fundamental avenue of learning in humans has been proposed as a promising method for a compromise between the two approaches. The robot architecture is designed to adapt in order to benefit from other agents’ knowledge; imitation can be used as a mechanism of learning for the robot in human and robot societies.†(Demirisa†¦)Human infants are the subject of study by the developmental scientists for more than a century, by observation and experimental techniques. Their issue was simple and direct. With what capabilities the infants are born and how these develop over the period with experience and time. Imitation is one of the important factors. Soon the infants transcend the imitate-the-actions stage and grasp the underlying intentions and goals of demonstrators. Developmental studies of infant imitation skills are the foundation for roboticsts new algorithms. It provides the method for transferring skills from humans to robots 4) In addition, you are required to provide your OWN critique (and not one that was provided by the author/s), which may include problems with any aspect of the study (and how these problems/issues can be addressed), and/or suggestions for future research (if you are suggesting a future study, try to be as specific as possible). Robotics has made tremendous strides but there can never be a perfect robot of an infant. Many things can be achieved, there can be a good robot, but the ultimate robot will never be commissioned. For, robot is the mind product, and the infant is beyond-the-mind product. The knowledge of the robot is pre-programmed, but not that of infants. The comparison between infants and the related robots is as good as comparing the original currency with the devalued currency if not the duplicate one. The infants’ situation is mostly unclear and unpredictable. Infants do observe others to get some of their goals. But they also act with their own intuition and inspiration and perform random acts, which baffle their elders. They have their own special source, the incomparable one, of motivation, for which no precedent exists. So, the original question remains the original question! There can never be a complete robot—but all infants are complete. Every infant is original. For its response follows a pattern known only to it. It has no precedents. Model-based approach to the issue will continue to be researched and modified and the state of finality and perfection can never be reached. Developmental psychology, however, offers infinite possibilities for study and research. The infants are integrated personalities-their traits are that of Commander and soldiers integrated into one. In the role of a commander, the infant will assert its wish, as a soldier will exhibit discipline by obeying the command. This is an unpredictable issue and that is the problem of robticsts, which eludes the solution so far. New issues surface. For example, hierarchical formulations have been proposed and used. This is an interesting area for research with limitless possibilities. The technological advancement and the impact of the TV culture is going to affect the infant responses and the robot designers need to do overtime, to study and understand the implications. Infant development is an extraordinary process, as for brain and behavior. It is the culmination of thousands of experiences each day that happen—their intensity increases as babies move independently and explore their own world. The actions and functions of the robots can only be consequential.

Contributions of Imam Ali to his Culture Essay -- essays research pape

The purpose of this is paper is to show how great the contributions of Ali were to his culture. Ali was born miraculously, his mother Fatima-bint-Asad, the wife of Abu Talib, was Divinely Guided with sudden labor pains to the Holy Kaaba. As her immense labor pains weighed her down, Fatima knelt before the Kaaba and began praying to Allah(GOD) to make the birth of her child comfortable and easy. Before she knew it, the walls of the Kaaba miraculously split open by the Will of Allah. Fatima entered the Kaaba, and then the Holy walls reunited and joined as one. She stayed in the Kaaba for three days, during which she gave birth to a virtuous baby boy. As the fourth day approached, the Kaaba doors reopened and Fatima walked out with her pride and joy in her arms. A few years after his birth,The Prophet asked his uncle, Abu Talib, to allow Ali to be under his care so he can raise him as if he were his own child. Ali had the honorable privilege of moving to and living with the Ho ly Prophet of Islam, Muhammad. Ali learnt a lot from the holy prophet and then contributed to his culture by his broad knowledge. He was also a great warrior and he always fought for his culture, and he also protected the prophet and saved his life two times. He is also the successor of the prophet for the shia's and the fourth successor for the Sunnis. Therefore he was a very honored person. As described by the prophet ?I am the city of knowledge and Ali is its gate.? Ali was very knowledgeable and he helped his culture a lot with his knowledge, he helped in making judgements, helped in answering other peoples questions and also gave advises to the people of what is right to do. Here are some examples of his knowledge. A person was about... ...overs because he wanted to see the Prophet's look before he was killed. As he removed the covers, to his surprise and the rest of the murderers with him, he discovered that it wasn't Prophet Muhammad. Instead, it was Ali, the cousin of the Prophet, the Prophet's right-hand man, the Prophet's savior. The assassin's were infuriated that there plan had failed. Therfore Ali was always ready to put his life at risk to save the Prophet's life because he knew the muslims needed the Prophet. In conclusion, it can be said that ali contributed alot to his culture and religion. he used his knowledge to improve his culture and used his strength to protect his religion. Nevertheless he saved the prophets life twice, and without the prophet Islam could not exist and therefore without Ali islam could not exist. Hence it can be said that Ali is the saviour of islam.

Calyx flower case

Managing Profitable Growth Recommendation : Increase Internet advertising. There are several reasons to support It. 1 . Less Cost, more tailored communication with customers In case of the catalog, the acquisition cost of new customer Is too expensive. This makes new customers unprofitable. (see table 1) Instead of the catalog, the company can send email directly to their target customer with less expense. The company already have a web page, so the firm can use the system without huge investment.Also, if the company makes use of the internet more, the firm can gather customer data more efficiently. So the company can increase the ability to track the behavior of individual customer. This enable the firm not only to tailor communication with the customers, but also to build a long-term relationship with the customers compared to mass-media marketing and catalog. Eventually, it will lower the acquisition cost of the current and new customers and increase retention rate and response ra te, the taxation which makes the customer more profitable In terms of the life time value. . Concentrate on the growth of the potential customer. As the Infrastructure of the Internet Improves, the customer who purchase the product through internet will increase. This change of business environment would be a good opportunity for the company. While the competitors focus on mass-media marketing, the company can concentrate their budget on the target customers who have a high potential growth. With low advertising cost per customer and high customers' satisfaction with tailored communication, the company can differentiate itself from the other competitors. . Make the customers more inelastic to price. The products of Calyx are fresher than that of the competitors. This Is the one of the differentiated factor of the company. And also, using online could be one of the differentiated factor of the company. As mentioned above, with fluent data of the customers and tailored communication, the company can raise the customers' satisfaction. From these, Calyx can create customer loyalty.The loyalty is not from the lower price, but from the differentiation from the other competitors. This makes the customers more inelastic to price. 4. Enlarge the customer base by cross selling of the other business units' products By integrating the web pages with other business units or making bundle packages, the flower business can enlarge the customer base, which consists of professional women mostly. From this, the company can alma at market share expansion.

Maru: Love and Yellow Daisies Essay

Introduction Maru is a book that reflects on the life of an orphaned young girl of Basarwa tribe who gets an opportunity of teaching and she is sent to teach in a remote village in Botswana where her own people are kept as slaves. Her existence separates a community which does not recognise Basarwa people as human beings thus condemn her to the lonely life of an outcast. This Book Maru in a way reflects on the life of its writer Bessie Head who is recognised as one of the best African writers, she also went through traumatising life experiences of racial prejudice in the late South-African government. She fled South Africa seeking refuge in Botswana where she settled in a small village which was filled with tribalism and people of her tribe were in slaved Part One That year the rains were so late, though the atmosphere was mysterious and threatening with menacing dark clouds, the summer season climatically was hot and dry. The clouds brought confusion in people’s minds as each evening roaring sounds of thunders and lightning would be heard only to live people with empty promises of rain. The man was fully equipped with necessary tools planning for the seasonal ploughing ground breaking was done for easy sowing two brand new tanks were installed on the nearby houses waiting for the rains to fall so they catch and contain the storm water. He wanted to plough something that will signify his wife’s beauty and resemble his true love for her and for that he prepared a flower garden of yellow daisies. The man’s desire was to fulfil his destinies no matter how many he had; though he knew life was short he was a born leader with an affection of pleasing and archiving his goals no matter the consequences, even if attain his goals th reatened his position as a leader he will still go for the execution as planned. â€Å"I’ll be going now (Head, 1971)† quietly said Maru to a group of three working man who were building vegetable beds. He took his time as he was nervous to speak. The three men were not ordinary farm boys but close friends of Maru who shielded and have always been there for him through his entire life, he said some harsh words to them which annoyed them but because he was their leader they said â€Å"Maru is always impossible!† they spoke in a low voice out of respect behind him, fearing being heard. â€Å"Ranko† said Maru in a deep sharp voice of annoyance. ‘Didn’t I tell you not to break the up the clods? They are for conserving moisture in the soil’. (Head, 1971) Ranko stirred up the skies like he wished God will see his sorrows or he could see answers in the skies of what exactly his leader wants him to do, he wiped his nose with one arm out of confusion. In Setswana Ranko meant a person with a big nose, since when had people not had their vegetable garden raked in a decorated fancy way. Each and every new idea no matter how impossible it looked it had to be put into practise, making no allowance for preju dice. This to him was too much and painful like his big nose, the three men knew no other life but the one of serving and pleasing their leader Maru. Without him they were lost souls wuthering around with nowhere to go and this on its own inflicted fear into their lives. Maru was their king whom loathed the kingship like a husband who hated his annoying, most demanding ever complaining wife from the deep bottom of his heart, they knew he wanted to give up his leadership seat and it was a scary shocking secret to them which brought confusion and fear which they couldn’t be at peace with. The secret was kept among him and them, they knew it has to circulate around them only though they didn’t know the verdict none the less had answers to the outcome of events when the time comes only their leader who was planning to abandon them knew what he was doing. They knew when time comes they will just pretend as if their leader passed away. Maru paused for some time and looked up the skies, where the storm looked mysterious and threatening with dark clouds. The shrubs always looked and turned black in the evening when darkness was falling and sudden breeze swerved the very dry white grass. He was in his zone where he could communicate freely with his thoughts with less or total absence of distraction and interruption from his people. The place was filled with cemetery silence. His mind, body, soul and heart communicated freely with beautifully much appreciated desired feedback. He knew that people hated him though they thought they hid it so well behind their fake smiles towards him, he could tell of their evil deeds planned for him he could feel it in their blood running up and down their veins, only if they knew what he knew wouldn’t they have ripped, torn him to pieces a long time ago, just to keep their secrets and their evil safe where bad and darkness is the ruler and possesses all things? It was an anticip ated vision that slowly accepted or permitted one dream to rule and dominate his life. The small little brown, filled with dust walk path, turned a blind eye on the noisy fast highways of life. Alongside the dusty footpath grew the yellow daisies which always danced in the sun and wind, the sight and the beautiful rhythm of dancing movements of the yellow daisies will eventually dominate his fantasies, an overwhelming feeling, filled with joyful moments. So much it made his heart beat pound with everlasting joy. He promised himself that as soon as the first rain fell he will sow those yellow daisies alongside the walking path that leads to his house as he was reflecting and joyfully feasting on his dreams on which he brought to life for that peaceful moment, at least the present and the on-going moment was simple to interpret, though he kept a deep secret of things to happen which only him was holding like those black clouds which knew what they kept beneath them which no man could interpret but hope for the best out of them, he had that cloud coiled in him, waiting to be unleashed like clouds filled with plenty of water that will cause a storm so strong and heavy it will cleanse and wash away all those ugly undesirable bad things that he forever despised and bring forth happiness which was hindered by all those things he hated. As he walked on tortoise pace walking on a path that will land him at his house he was doing so with his eyes leaned towards the sky on which a clear display of beautiful fantastic vision of things to come were set resembling a beautiful tale. As he silently entered the house his wife fearfully gazed at him from the dinner table she was preparing. He sometimes had an angry and hurtful mood whereas every word he said was verbally abusive and repeatedly hurt one’s feelings. Most certainly she never kept into her heart all past experiences of pain and suffering. Most often she felt full of joy and hallucinated by happiness it was not an everyday thing for her to parade around the whole day with a very excited smile drown on her face, because the days of being deliberately been hurt and pain inflicted on her were few thus were over shadowed by the days of deeply showered and expressed love. The darkest days may have been there as to balance the situation. Maybe Maru had to face an d experience reality to know how bad man can be to one. He moved with confidence. He never took a second thought over his Godly conscious. The major threat in his life was Moleka. He was afraid that one day his anger will get the best of him and drive him to kill Moleka one way or the other. His wife’s heart had two rooms filled with love for both men Moleka and Maru. Maru feared and dreamt that his room of love in his wife’s heart would eventually be over taken on by Moleka. This fearful dream continuously occurred. He dreamt Moleka with a broken leg and bleeding from a wound that was from his mouth and heart. His wife always cried with pain whenever Maru had these dreadful dreams. He usually woke up to his wife’s tears pouring on him as her eyes were closed. ‘Why are you crying?’ asked Maru, in pretence that he did not know. She would see the tears but feared to account to them as to what they were for when she woke up as she was not aware of them when she was sleeping, except the tears she cried for Maru. He had no power over destroying the love his wife had for Moleka. He seemed to have no control over his wife’s affair as much as the raging jealousy he had that drove him crazy as much as it did on Moleka. No one else was. Maru allowed Maleka to do and as he pleased to avoid any further fights. He did not care about other people’s judgments. He allowed Moleka to have his most desired and best woman, his wife. She had all the good attributes of a real lady, intelligent, eye catching and caught everyone’s attention. These entire things seemed to have caught Moleka interests, as he also caught people’s eye. What did he want with a woman who did not suit people’s interest? In fact, after he married her she had turned into an infidelity woman of the village, well enticing men of her interest. Moleka did not want to live his life as a joke and anger and could have avoided exposing her wrong doings. The community was always around. A well-known man tried to please the people. When he decided to take charge he thought twice on what he thought would suit both him and Moleka. He thought hard about this. Perhaps he had under estimated Moleka’s power, That Moleka beard more quality than him who he had no control over .Was he loved the most? Or did he just have more power? He believed in love but not the power as power can change into anything. He would cry too, over that Moleka could have stronger love than him. His heart interpreted that Moleka had more power than him, and he felt no guilt over what he had done to his wife as Moleka beard feelings for her to. The intense thoughts and confusion made him have so much anger and hatred. Maybe his heart had forsaken him and one day he would end up giving up his wife to Moleka, as he had concluded that Moleka’s love was stronger than his. If this feeling was within him, he would go up to his wife and tell her that ‘I only married you because you were the only woman in the world who did not want to be important. But you are not at all important to me, as I sometimes say you are’. This could destroy the world. The worlds turned to darkness as his words were all coming to action. That night he was so jolly. The yellow daisies. As he walked through the door and said, softly ‘My sweetheart.’ Those were very beautiful words, if only one had the knowledge of what damage could the human heart. ; Horrible danger that seemed very dangerous because the main causers of it were so tender. Children adopted this behaviour from their parents. Parents spat on the ground to show belittlement and disgust, Low nation passed by. Children took over from the ir parents. They disrespected one. They hurt you. They danced very hard. Introduction Maru is a book that reflects on the life of an orphaned young girl of Basarwa tribe who gets an opportunity of teaching and she is sent to teach in a remote village in Botswana where her own people are kept as slaves. Her existence separates a community which does not recognise Basarwa people as human beings thus condemn her to the lonely life of an outcast. This Book Maru in a way reflects on the life of its writer Bessie Head who is recognised as one of the best African writers, she also went through traumatising life experiences of racial prejudice in the late South-African government. She fled South Africa seeking refuge in Botswana where she settled in a small village which was filled with tribalism and people of her tribe were in slaved Part One That year the rains were so late, though the atmosphere was mysterious and threatening with menacing dark clouds, the summer season climatically was hot and dry. The clouds brought confusion in people’s minds as each evening roaring sounds of thunders and lightning would be heard only to live people with empty promises of rain. The man was fully equipped with necessary tools planning for the seasonal ploughing ground breaking was done for easy sowing two brand new tanks were installed on the nearby houses waiting for the rains to fall so they catch and contain the storm water. He wanted to plough something that will signify his wife’s beauty and resemble his true love for her and for that he prepared a flower garden of yellow daisies. The man’s desire was to fulfil his destinies no matter how many he had; though he knew life was short he was a born leader with an affection of pleasing and archiving his goals no matter the consequences, even if attain his goals th reatened his position as a leader he will still go for the execution as planned. â€Å"I’ll be going now (Head, 1971)† quietly said Maru to a group of three working man who were building vegetable beds. He took his time as he was nervous to speak. The three men were not ordinary farm boys but close friends of Maru who shielded and have always been there for him through his entire life, he said some harsh words to them which annoyed them but because he was their leader they said â€Å"Maru is always impossible!† they spoke in a low voice out of respect behind him, fearing being heard. â€Å"Ranko† said Maru in a deep sharp voice of annoyance. ‘Didn’t I tell you not to break the up the clods? They are for conserving moisture in the soil’. (Head, 1971) Ranko stirred up the skies like he wished God will see his sorrows or he could see answers in the skies of what exactly his leader wants him to do, he wiped his nose with one arm out of confusion. In Setswana Ranko meant a person with a big nose, since when had people not had their vegetable garden raked in a decorated fancy way. Each and every new idea no matter how impossible it looked it had to be put into practise, making no allowance for prejudice. This to him was too much and painful like his big nose, the three men knew no other life but the one of serving and pleasing their leader Maru. Without him they were lost souls wuthering around with nowhere to go and this on its own inflicted fear into their lives. Maru was their king whom loathed the kingship like a husband who hated his annoying, most demanding ever complaining wife from the deep bottom of his heart, they knew he wanted to give up his leadership seat and it was a scary shocking secret to them which brought confusion and fear which they couldn’t be at peace with. The secret was kept among him and them, they knew it has to circulate around them only though they didn’t know the verdict none the less had answers to the outcome of events when the time comes only their leader who was planning to abandon them knew what he was doing. They knew when time comes they will just pretend as if their leader passed away. Maru paused for some time and looked up the skies, where the storm looked mysterious and threatening with dark clouds. The shrubs always looked and turned black in the evening when darkness was falling and sudden breeze swerved the very dry white grass. He was in his zone where he could communicate freely with his thoughts with less or total absence of distraction and interruption from his people. The place was filled with cemetery silence. His mind, body, soul and heart communicated freely with beautifully much appreciated desired feedback. He knew that people hated him though they thought they hid it so well behind their fake smiles towards him, he could tell of their evil deeds planned for him he could feel it in their blood running up and down their veins, only if they knew what he knew wouldn’t they have ripped, torn him to pieces a long time ago, just to keep their secrets and their evil safe where bad and darkness is the ruler and possesses all things? It was an anticipated vision that slowly accepted or permitted one dream to rule and dominate his life. The small little brown, filled with dust walk path, turned a blind eye on the noisy fast highways of life. Alongside the dusty footpath grew the yellow daisies which always danced in the sun and wind, the sight and the beautiful rhythm of dancing movements of the yellow daisies will eventually dominate his fantasies, an overwhelming feeling, filled with jo yful moments. So much it made his heart beat pound with everlasting joy. He promised himself that as soon as the first rain fell he will sow those yellow daisies alongside the walking path that leads to his house as he was reflecting and joyfully feasting on his dreams on which he brought to life for that peaceful moment, at least the present and the on-going moment was simple to interpret, though he kept a deep secret of things to happen which only him was holding like those black clouds which knew what they kept beneath them which no man could interpret but hope for the best out of them, he had that cloud coiled in him, waiting to be unleashed like clouds filled with plenty of water that will cause a storm so strong and heavy it will cleanse and wash away all those ugly undesirable bad things that he forever despised and bring forth happiness which was hindered by all those things he hated. As he walked on tortoise pace walking on a path that will land him at his house he was doing so with his eyes leaned towards the sky on which a clear display of beau tiful fantastic vision of things to come were set resembling a beautiful tale. As he silently entered the house his wife fearfully gazed at him from the dinner table she was preparing. He sometimes had an angry and hurtful mood whereas every word he said was verbally abusive and repeatedly hurt one’s feelings. Most certainly she never kept into her heart all past experiences of pain and suffering. Most often she felt full of joy and hallucinated by happiness it was not an everyday thing for her to parade around the whole day with a very excited smile drown on her face, because the days of being deliberately been hurt and pain inflicted on her were few thus were over shadowed by the days of deeply showered and expressed love. The darkest days may have been there as to balance the situation. Maybe Maru had to face and experience reality to know how bad man can be to one. He moved with confidence. He never took a second thought over his Godly conscious. The major threat in his life was Moleka. He was afraid that one day his anger will get the best of him an d drive him to kill Moleka one way or the other. His wife’s heart had two rooms filled with love for both men Moleka and Maru. Maru feared and dreamt that his room of love in his wife’s heart would eventually be over taken on by Moleka. This fearful dream continuously occurred. He dreamt Moleka with a broken leg and bleeding from a wound that was from his mouth and heart. His wife always cried with pain whenever Maru had these dreadful dreams. He usually woke up to his wife’s tears pouring on him as her eyes were closed. ‘Why are you crying?’ asked Maru, in pretence that he did not know. She would see the tears but feared to account to them as to what they were for when she woke up as she was not aware of them when she was sleeping, except the tears she cried for Maru. He had no power over destroying the love his wife had for Moleka. He seemed to have no control over his wife’s affair as much as the raging jealousy he had that drove him crazy as much as it did on Moleka. No one else was. Maru allowed Maleka to do and as he pleased to avoid any further fights. He did not care about other people’s judgments. He allowed Moleka to have his most desired and best woman, his wife. She had all the good attributes of a real lady, intelligent, eye catching and caught everyone’s attention. These entire things seemed to have caught Moleka interests, as he also caught people’s eye. What did he want with a woman who did not suit people’s interest? In fact, after he married her she had turned into an infidelity woman of the village, well enticing men of her interest. Moleka did not want to live his life as a joke and anger and could have avoided exposing her wrong doings. The community was always around. A well-known man tried to please the people. When he decided to take charge he thought twice on what he thought would suit both him and Moleka. He thought hard about this. Perhaps he had under estimated Moleka’s power, That Moleka beard more quality than him who he had no control over .Was he loved the most? Or did he just have more power? He believed in love but not the power as power can change into anything. He would cry too, over that Moleka could have stronger love than him. His heart interpreted that Moleka had more power than him, and he felt no guilt over what he had done to his wife as Moleka beard feelings for her to. The intense thoughts and confusion made him have so much anger and hatred. Maybe his heart had forsaken him and one day he would end up giving up his wife to Moleka, as he had concluded that Moleka’s love was stronger than his. If this feeling was within him, he would go up to his wife and tell her that ‘I only married you because you were the only woman in the world who did not want to be important. But you are not at all important to me, as I sometimes say you are’. This could destroy the world. The worlds turned to darkness as his words were all coming to action. That night he was so jolly. The yellow daisies. As he walked through the door and said, softly ‘My sweetheart.’ Those were very beautiful words, if only one had the knowledge of what damage could the human heart. ; Horrible danger that seemed very dangerous because the main causers of it were so tender. Children adopted this behaviour from their parents. Parents spat on the ground to show belittlement and disgust, Low nation passed by. Children took over from their parents. They disrespected one. They hurt you. They danced very hard.

Methods Of Domination Essays - Social Inequality, Discrimination

Methods Of Domination Essays - Social Inequality, Discrimination Methods Of Domination Methods of Domination Power and domination are the driving forces in society. Throughout history, there have always been those in power and those that are dominated. Many tactics have been used to keep this cycle of domination in tact. Two of these tactics are described in Erika Apfelbaums Relations of Domination and Movements for Liberation: An Analysis of Power between Groups. Through the descriptions of these methods of domination, the correlation between the methods of domination and the effect it makes on the subordinated is shown. One method described in Apfelbaums analysis is that of grouping. In grouping individuals together, the dominator separates himself from those he wants to dominate by some physical attribute, real or imaginary to distinguish itself. power can be maximally exercised when there exists two disparate groups that have been differentiated to the point of a clear distinction between us and them. (Apfelbaum 197) In finding a difference the dominating group can mark the subordinates as lower because they possess the said defect. An example of this is shown in Ronald Takakis Iron Cages. The enslaved blacks were grouped together by their dark complexions. One American, Dr. Benjamin Rush, further distinguished blacks as not only savage in their lifestyles but came to the conclusion that blacks suffered from a form of leprosy. Dr. Rush offered observations intended to prove that the color and figure of Negroes were derived from a modification of leprosy. (Takaki 30) The traits found in blacks such as the big lip, flat nose, and woolly hair were all a part of his diagnosis for their difference from that of their white superiors. After hundreds of years of domination, blacks found a way to counteract the negative impact of white subjugation. As stated by Bell Hooks in Black Looks Race and Representation., blacks need to learn to cherish their blackness, and their other distinguishing figures. Cone calls upon whites, blacks and all other non-black groups to stand against white supremacy by choosing to value, indeed to love, blackness. (Hooks11) By embracing their difference and relishing in it, blacks can try to over turn the vicious cycle of domination. One example of embracing blackness is that during the 1960s and 1970s or even during the Reconstruction period, black pride took the place of black or self -hatred. By reclaiming their views about their own beauty, blacks began the bitter struggle to gain victory over oppression. Another tactic of domination is degrouping. Apfelbaum describes degrouping as stripping the grouped subordinates of their identity and anything else that provided some sort of link to one another. the to-be-subordinated group is plunders of its self-identity and becomes less and less able to fulfill, for the individual member, the important role of providing the ground on which he stands, which gives or denies him social status, gives or denies him security and helpParadoxically, then, the marked collectively, at the same time that it is becoming an excluded group, is having its group essence destroyed-that is, it is in the process of being degrouped. (Apfelbaum198) By destroying the common bonds shared by the subordinate groups, the dominators keep the dominated separate from one another, thus hindering any uprisings that would lead to a disruption of the cycle of domination. Another way to degroup a group is by isolating each member from another. Apfelbaum states an increasing isolation of members of the group from one another, as if partitions had come between them, blocking more and more of those communications relevant to, and functional for, the groups autonomous life. (Apfelbaum200) By alienating the members, the dominating group disposes of the interdependency within the group, leaving the subordinates to depend on their superiors. One example of a group that has been degrouped as a form of domination is that of women. Apfelbaum states that women would constitute a collectivity that is completely degrouped. (Apfelbaum200) Women have been alienated from each other for hundreds of years. Audre Lorde shows in her piece, The Masters Tools Will Never Dismantle the Masters House, how women are degrouped. there was no examination of mutuality between women, no systems of shared support, no interdependence (Lorde 98) As long as women have no connections with each other, they cannot change

Funny Quotes of Wit and Wisdom

Funny Quotes of Wit and Wisdom These funny quotes also shed light on more than a little bit of the truth in the form of witty wisdom. Famous writers  and philosophers often express lifes irony wrapped up as comedy and humor helps to drive the point home. Wit and Wisdom Quotes If you read a lot of books, youre considered well-read. But if you watch a lot of TV, youre not considered well-viewed. -Lily TomlinAdvice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didnt. -Erica JongBefore you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes. -Jack HandeyI know that there are people who do not love their fellow man, and I hate people like that! -Tom LehrerClothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society. -Mark TwainA synonym is a word you use when you cant spell the word you first thought of. -Burt BacharachA signature always reveals a mans character- and sometimes even his name. -Evan EsarIf you cannot answer a mans argument, all it not lost; you can still call him vile names. -Elbert HubbardHe who believes that the past cannot be changed has not yet written his memoirs. -Torvald GahlinI guess a drag queen’s like an o il painting: You gotta stand back from it to get the full effect. -Harvey Fierstein Jealousy is all the fun you think they had. -Erica JongIf were not supposed to eat animals, how come theyre made out of meat? -Tom SnyderIf you dont know where you are going, you will wind up somewhere else! -Yogi BerraInstead of holding on to the Biblical view that we are made in the image of God, we come to realize that we are made in the image of the monkey. -Lin YutangIn spite of the cost of living, its still popular. -Kathleen NorrisI think of myself as an intelligent, sensitive human being with the soul of a clown, which always forces me to blow it at the most important moments. -Jim MorrisonPeople are too durable, thats their main trouble. They can do too much to themselves, they last too long. -Bertolt BrechtDon’t look back, something might be gaining on you. -Satchel PaigeIn my day, we couldn’t afford shoes, so we went barefoot. In the winter we had to wrap our feet with barbed wire for traction. -Bill Flavinï » ¿If the English language made any sense, lackada isical would have something to do with a shortage of flowers. -Doug Larson

How to Make a Homemade Roman Candle

How to Make a Homemade Roman Candle A Roman candle is a simple traditional firework that shoots colored fireballs into the air. It consists of a cardboard tube that is sealed at the bottom and lit by a fuse from the top, with one or more charges stacked along the length of the tube. Typically the charges are separated from each other by a layer of clay or sawdust. Here are instructions on how to make a homemade Roman candle. Roman Candle Materials Roman candles come in a variety of sizes. For a home project, its best to start small. The 1/2 tube probably is the easiest/safest to work with, since you have some space to add the materials, yet have a fairly small charge. 1/4 - 1/2 cardboard rocket body tube1/8 fuse, about a footBentonite clayBlack powder or pyrodexStar composition (sample recipe provided in instructions)Masking tape Make a Roman Candle Work in a cool area, away from sources of flame. Dont grind pyrotechnic compositions be gentle. Cut the tube so that you have a 10 length. Its a good idea to measure and note the length so that you know, for future projects, whether to adjust the length shorter/longer.Wrap the tube with paper or masking tape. The purpose of this is to reinforce the tube so that the charge shoots up and out of the tube rather than splitting the cardboard open.Seal the bottom of the tube with a clay plug. About 1/2 of clay should be good, although more is fine. You can substitute epoxy glue, if you prefer. The point is to seal the tube so that the charge moves up and out of the tube rather than escaping through the bottom.Run the fuse down the tube to the clay plug. The firework will be lit from the top, burning down the fuse to light successive charges.Add a layer of black powder (about an inch). One easy way to deliver the powder into the tube is by sprinkling it into a rolled sheet of paper.Add your star composition. There are numerous formulas for this, depending on the effect you want. One s traightforward recipe is to collect the coatings from two 6 inch sparklers, mix it with a small amount of flash powder and black powder or Pyrodex (by volume, 60% sparkler, 20% flash powder, 20% Pyrodex). Add water to this mixture, a drop at a time, until you can roll it into a ball that just fits inside the bore of your tube. Roll as many of these as you need for your candle; allow them to dry. Drop a ball into the tube, on top of the black powder. Press tissue paper or sawdust or a small amount of clay on top of the ball. You can tamp the paper or sawdust into the tube using the eraser end of a pencil. This is the delaying charge, that prevents additional layers of material from burning all at once so that each charge will shoot into the air. This completes your first charge. If this is your first Roman candle, this is a good stopping point to see what you will get/know what to expect. Otherwise... repeat layers of black powder, a star, and the delaying charge until the tube is filled.With any tube-shaped fireworks, its a good plan to shoot them off in a depression or hole, preferably in a tube or packed into soil so they cannot point in an unintended direction. Light the firework and get clear. The expected range of the firework is about 30 feet. Troubleshooting If you need the charge to shoot higher, try using a longer tube or slightly more black powder in your lift charge.If the colored fireball doesnt ignite, try adding a higher percentage of Pyrodex in the star mixture. Safety Notes This is a project for adults who already have some pyrotechnic experience. If you are new to making fireworks, try one of the other firework projects, such as a homemade smoke bomb or sparkler.Be aware of the laws where you live! Roman candles may be prohibited. If so, obviously, dont make one or set it off.Do not ignite a Roman candle in your hand. Do not point a Roman candle at anyone or anything.Use good judgment and follow safe practices when lighting making or lighting this or any other firework. Be sober, away from flammable materials and clear of pets, people or structures. Disclaimer: Please be advised that the content provided by our website is for EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. Fireworks and the chemicals contained within them are dangerous and should always be handled with care and used with common sense. By using this website you acknowledge that ThoughtCo., its parent About, Inc. (a/k/a Dotdash), and IAC/InterActive Corp. shall have no liability for any damages, injuries, or other legal matters caused by your use of fireworks or the knowledge or application of the information on this website. The providers of this content specifically do not condone using fireworks for disruptive, unsafe, illegal, or destructive purposes. You are responsible for following all applicable laws before using or applying the information provided on this website.

History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 4

History - Essay Example According to him, â€Å"The main problem was that in giving free reign to ethnic claims the European map came to resemble a patchwork mosaic which had no real coherence and which shattered the balance of power that had prevailed in the nineteenth century† (Mitchell 147). He asserts that in the early 1920s, the political and economic situation in Europe was fragmented and it became a conducive place for the outbreak of World War II. He cites the two main defects of the Treaty of Versailles are: it did not give satisfaction to any country, and that there was no strong leader to back it up. France was not happy about the compensation and the security issue, while Germany was suffering from the harsh treatment inflicted on it by the winning countries, and Italy was a victim of unfulfilled promises of territory in exchange for joining the war. The other countries under the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the new and reconstituted states also had their own grievances. Because of these g rievances, the countries were divided and were never united. Aldcroft continues to assert that the Allied statesmen did not do a good job in clearing the mess after the World War I. 1 If they had done a good job, then Europe would have been more stable than fragmented. Moreover, he declares that the Allies were also disunited themselves and have different self interests and concerns. They were more concerned about their own welfare than that of Europe. On the contrary, Mark Mazower, in â€Å"Two Cheers for Versailles,† History Today (July 1997), does not support the idea that the Treaty of Versailles was responsible for the outbreak of World War II. According to him, â€Å"If we want to find guidance in the past for how to tackle the problems of nationalism that remain in Europe, we cannot do better than return to the diplomats who gathered in Paris eighty years

Baseball Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Baseball - Essay Example The team switches their roles as soon as three members of the defense gets three hitters out in any of the several ways. An innings refers to the turn on offense for each team. The team scoring most of the runs at the end wins the game. The professional Major League Baseball teams of North America are categorized into National League and American League each of which is comprised of three subdivisions – East, West and Central. The champion is decided by the playoffs comprising of four teams. There are three regular season division winners and one wild card team, which is the one with best record out of the league’s non-division winners. The younger players get a chance to develop their skills through experience against opponents on the field with similar levels of expertise. The pitchers played a strong role in the game during the 1960s and early 1970s. Players have attempted strikes but came back when their jobs faced some threats. The baseball at the college and professional level is played in nine innings where every team may get a turn to bat and attempt to score runs. The other team pitches and defends in the field. Baseball at the highschool level is played in seven innings while a six innings game is played in the field. Each inning is divided into two halves where one team (away team) bats in the first half and the home team bats in the second half. The defense in the game always possess the ball and this also distinguishes baseball from other sports. Whenever the defending team gets three players out from the batting team, the teams undergo switching. Pitching is an integral part of the game of baseball. Pitching should be effective and it mainly helps the defensive team to prevent the scores of the runners from getting a base. A proper full game would ensure above one hundred pitches from each team but a pitcher tends to become tired before

Etruscan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Etruscan - Essay Example This paper also notes the important contributions of the Etruscans to the enhancement of the Roman culture. The Etruscans have complex burial ceremonies. This may mean that they had strong beliefs that a part of the soul remained with the body or the body is important for the life after death. They also performed cremation and ashes are kept in decorated urns. ("Mysterious Etruscans") As a sign of the Etruscans' strong belief about death, they decorated tombs and urns to make them look like huts or houses. By doing this, they believed that the lives of the dead would be prolonged ("Columbia Encyclopedia"). Aside from this, the Etruscans also used burial ceremonies as a common subject of their paintings and other art works. Experts observed that banquets are the usual theme in Etruscan art. They think that this may have double meaning since the banquet is a basic part of funerals. The Etruscan funeral ceremonies involved the festive banquet which included the relatives of the deceased. At this banquet, the Etruscans believed that the spirit of the one who died would attend. ("Mysterious Etruscans") Unlike most civilizations in the ancient times, gender inequality seemed to not have been very notable in the Etruscan culture (Hooker). ... They also raise all the babies that are born regardless of who the actual father is. ("Mysterious Etruscans") The Etruscans' attitude towards gender roles or the equality of men and women is manifested in their art. For instance, paintings featured lavish receptions wherein both men and women were entertained by musicians and dancers while being waited upon by servants. Other art forms also have both men and women as the main theme like the terra cotta sarcophagus lid figures of a man and woman, husband and wife, enjoying a leisurely moment together. ("Mysterious Etruscans") "Romanisation" of the Etruscans Etruria was attacked by Rome beginning 498 BCE and lasted until 264 BCE when Etruria was completely conquered. Unlike its other conquests, Rome was more considerate for the Etruscans. This may be attributed to the fact that the Roman civilization was substantially influenced by the Etruscan culture as would be discussed in the following section. ("Mysterious Etruscans") With the entry of the Roman conquerors, the Etruscan language and religion were gradually eroded. The long process of "romanisation" wiped the Etruscan culture off the ancient world. ("Mysterious Etruscans") Etruscans' Contribution to the Roman Culture As emphasized, the Etruscans have greatly influenced the Romans. In terms of art, the Etruscan art is mainly comprised of sculpture in clay and metal, fresco tomb painting and fine pottery exhibiting local elements and reflects Etruscan religious beliefs ("MSN Encarta"). This type of art was highly influential on the Roman Art ("Encyclopedia Britannica"). The Etruscans also inspired renowned artists like Alberto Giacometti with their

Whistle-blowing Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Whistle-blowing - Research Paper Example As high officials in the organization, they became privy to information that they thought would be damaging to the company. The Government Accountability Project (GAP) defined a whistle blower as: An employee who discloses information that s/he reasonably believes is evidence of illegality, gross waste or fraud, mismanagement, abuse of power, general wrongdoing, or a substantial and specific danger to public health and safety. Typically, whistleblowers speak out to parties that can influence and rectify the situation. These parties include the media, organizational managers, hotlines, or Congressional members/staff, to name a few. These 3 women could not be properly called whistle blowers under the rules cited in Chap 4 of Whistle blowing,:â€Å"employees who follows established procedures is not a whistleblower† As in definition above, whistle blowing should take into account to whom the information is given in order to achieve the desired change. Merely passing information to higher authorities in the organization is not whistle blowing and is only part of their duties. Their testimony in Congress could not be called whistle blowing as they were legally required to do so, and were not done voluntarily. Their memos only formed part of exhibits for testimony. Rowley could not be a whistle blower because her position requires utmost confidentiality, so she could not divulge to outer sources. Watkin’s advise. When Sherron Watkins wrote a lengthy memo to her boss, Ken Lay, she knew of the ticking time bomb that would explode into a scandal. She uncovered fraud that involved many persons in the organization. When she advised Ken Lay to develop a â€Å"clean up Plan†, she probably meant to have an organizational clean up that would correct the system, and purge erring employees. In an ethical perspective, she was

FINAL REPORT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 9000 words

FINAL REPORT - Essay Example The researcher was appointed as an accounting clerk and placed at Almajal security firm where the individual’s fundamental responsibility was to support accounting operations which mainly involved filling up of documents. In addition to that the researcher was also responsible for settlement of financial statements as well as run a simulation package. This reflective report has primarily been segmented into two sections. The first segment involves an exploration of different learning curves attained during the placement program. Alongside that, a thorough analysis of learning outcomes will be done via a self reflective report with the help of theoretical models that emulate the overall mechanism of learning. Thereafter is the second segment where the research topic will be addressed. In this segment the researcher will basically conduct an in-depth research by means of an investigative study over the implications of automating the process of accounting followed within an organization. This analysis will be presented in context of the organization where the researcher was placed. One of the major issues witnessed in contemporary accounting organizations is accounting error, manipulation or fraud. On one hand where accounting regulators such as the Internal Accounting Standards Board is trying their level best to unify accounting principles in order to enhance the transparency and understandability of financial statements, accounting officials are either committing huge errors or indulging in fraudulent activities which in turn is increasing the cost borne by the company. This is where the relevance of an automated accounting process lies, that strives to minimize the probability of error and in turn enhance efficiency of the organization under concern. This in turn would enable the company to increase its profit margin while bringing down the cost. As conclusion, it was stated that incorporating technologically enabled

Obvious Solution to a Problem in the Work Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Obvious Solution to a Problem in the Work - Essay Example During my employment in Science lab a chemist, I was a member of a research that required collecting and evaluating a considerable total of information pertaining to the human mind as we were attempting to create a vaccine. We were so mixed up at that time because all my further experiments depend upon that result and then we began to guess about it. We reprised the whole experiment again just to attain certain that there is no human error in our stamping ground and we had to manage the analysis again which may forbid it. Â  And so it got very clear that a dissimilar case of analysis would have been more pertinent to the problem and would have given results that supported our theory. We changed the regression technique within the model and re-ran the data. I would have concentrated mainly on the robustness of the information we accumulated and then progress to a correct analysis on which our whole research depended.

FINAL REPORT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 9000 words

FINAL REPORT - Essay Example The researcher was appointed as an accounting clerk and placed at Almajal security firm where the individual’s fundamental responsibility was to support accounting operations which mainly involved filling up of documents. In addition to that the researcher was also responsible for settlement of financial statements as well as run a simulation package. This reflective report has primarily been segmented into two sections. The first segment involves an exploration of different learning curves attained during the placement program. Alongside that, a thorough analysis of learning outcomes will be done via a self reflective report with the help of theoretical models that emulate the overall mechanism of learning. Thereafter is the second segment where the research topic will be addressed. In this segment the researcher will basically conduct an in-depth research by means of an investigative study over the implications of automating the process of accounting followed within an organization. This analysis will be presented in context of the organization where the researcher was placed. One of the major issues witnessed in contemporary accounting organizations is accounting error, manipulation or fraud. On one hand where accounting regulators such as the Internal Accounting Standards Board is trying their level best to unify accounting principles in order to enhance the transparency and understandability of financial statements, accounting officials are either committing huge errors or indulging in fraudulent activities which in turn is increasing the cost borne by the company. This is where the relevance of an automated accounting process lies, that strives to minimize the probability of error and in turn enhance efficiency of the organization under concern. This in turn would enable the company to increase its profit margin while bringing down the cost. As conclusion, it was stated that incorporating technologically enabled

Death Penalty Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Death Penalty - Research Paper Example The death penalty Introduction There are many punishments that a criminal can face if found guilty of a greater crime, but none is as jarring and final as the death penalty. The death penalty is the sentencing of death to a person who has been found guilty of a criminal offense. When a crime results in the death penalty, the crime is known as a capital crime or capital offense. A lesser crime does not hold the possibility of resulting in the death penalty; a person may face the death penalty if they are found guilty of first degree murder, but not for grand larceny. The death penalty in the United States is only inflicted when the guilty offender has willingly taken the innocent life of another or more than one person. In some states, attempted suicide can be met with the death penalty as the person is attempting to take a life (Carmen, 2008). The ultimate purpose of the death penalty is to take a life for another life. The death penalty is considered to be one of the most controvers ial punishments for criminal offenders. While there are people that believe the punishment follows the adage â€Å"eye for an eye†, there are still others that feel that governments and countries should be â€Å"practicing what they preach† instead of condoning murder by killing another, even if it is done in the name of justice. Regardless of these opinions, the death penalty is alive and well in thirty-five states, the United States military, and the United States government, as well as countless other countries. History of the death penalty law The death penalty has been around for hundreds of years in the United States, though it also has history in Europe in the pre-America era. Practiced by many countries and villages, the death penalty was not nearly as sophisticated as it is today. First and foremost, the death penalty was not only limited to murder, but expanded to include sexual crimes, such as adultery and sodomy, drug and human trafficking, and treason. Som e countries today still recognize some of these offenses as crimes being worthy of the death penalty. Treason resulting in the death penalty is still highly common among militaries throughout the world. If another life was taken or put at stake, then the person who placed them in that position would be faced with death. The methods of how the death penalty was to be implemented have also evolved. One of the earliest methods of the death penalty was by means of stoning. Usually regarded as a public spectacle to make both the crime and the consequence known, the criminal would stand in a designated meeting area before many of the townspeople, all of whom would often play a part in throwing the stones that would kill the criminal (Hood & Hoyle, 2008). Other antiquated methods included hanging and beheading; again, these would take place in public areas to serve as a lesson to prevent further criminal activity. Torture was another common method, one that is looked upon today as being bo th immoral and unethical. Other methods that were observed, though were not as common, were boiling to death, disembowelment, burning, or being slowly sliced or impaled repeatedly. People during these times did not have the fancy machines or equipment that we have now, so they had no choice but to work with what they already had. They got creative with their punishments, looking for methods that would not only get the job done but also supply the criminal with plenty of pain. The gruesome images

How did the foreign media negatively and positively affect the events Essay Example for Free

How did the foreign media negatively and positively affect the events Essay Tiananmen Square in 1989 refers to the pro-democracy protests that took place against the communist regime in the People’s Republic of China between May and June 1989 (Gilboa 200). As has been the practice, flow of information in China is always limited. That is why the foreign media played a very significant role in Tiananmen Square; in fact up to today, the incident is referred to as the Tiananmen Square Massacre in most of the outside world while it is simply referred to as the June Fourth Incident (Gilboa 200). Foreign media therefore played a big role in bringing the event out to the world; and this had many positive as well as negative impacts on the outcome of Tiananmen Square. There have been a lot of controversies surrounding Tiananmen Square. Even up to today, the number of people who died in the riots is still established. The impact of the media started being felt early on in April when after the death of reformist leader, Former Chinese Communist Party chief Hu Yaobang, University students from Beijing started putting up posters in his praise while advocating for freedom, democracy and the rule of law (Gilboa 200). The Chinese communist regime was largely anti-reformist, and this political activism was not to be received in kind. Having strict media and information censorship policies, this event would not have captured the audience it did, thanks to foreign media (BBC, 2010). Foreign media thus fuelled the intensity of the riots and the resolution of the demonstrators. If it was not for the foreign media, the events that transpired during the Tiananmen Square riots would not have been known outside the borders of communist China (Fenby 2008). But reporters from foreign media houses transmitted news feeds live from the scene and brought the cause of the demonstrators to the whole world. People, governments and human rights activists where then able to know how the situation was in China, and there was increased pressure on the communist regime ruling in China to grant its subjects the basic rights and freedoms (Gilboa 200). The brute force with which the government descended on the demonstrators even made the then president of the United States, George Bush, to halt any further trade in arms between the U.  S and the People’s Republic of China. Foreign media, being largely biased towards democracy and other western ideals, amplified the events occurring at Tiananmen Square and therefore gave the movements a lot of momentum (BBC 2010). Even when the government intervened with a brute force whose actual destruction of life is still not clearly established, the student protestors stayed put, buoyed by the support of the foreign media. It can thus be said that foreign media played a role in the total number of fatalities that actually occurred as a result of the Tiananmen Square Riots of 1989 (Fenby, 2008). Through deliberate exaggeration, the foreign media reports working on the Tiananmen Square story fueled international tensions further. Many western nations including the United States and most of the countries in Western and Eastern Europe condemned how the Chinese government was approaching the Tiananmen Square riots and questioned its human rights records (Richelson, Evans 1999). Many other nations in North America, Latin America and Oceania also condemned the Chinese communist regime. India, which had been on a collision course with the people’s republic of China, advised her local media houses to censor the content streaming in from Beijing to prevent a possible escalation of tensions between the two countries (Gilboa 200). In fact, media exaggeration in some way altered the international political landscape. Citizens in communist countries became wary of what the communist juggernaut would do to them. Elections were due to be held on the 4th of June in Poland, where the Polish Communist Party was in rule. This was just hours after the Tiananmen Square massacre but the polish public voted overwhelmingly in favor of leftist politicians, starting a process that would eventually remove the Polish Communist Party from power a year later. The United Nations and other human rights watchdogs had their attention attracted by foreign media coverage of what was actually happening in Tiananmen Square (Gilboa 200). The then Secretary General of the United Nations, Javier Perez de Cuellar, called on the Chinese government to practice maximum restraint while handling the rioters and hunger strikers on Tiananmen Square while the European Economic Community cancelled all high profile dealings with the Chinese in protest of the violation of human rights that was being orchestrated by the Chinese government on her citizens (Richelson, Evans 1999). In conclusion, the effect of foreign media in covering the events of Tiananmen Square in 1989 had more positive effects that negative effects. The plight of the Chinese people was brought to the fore leading to increased concern and measures to force the Chinese government to respect rights and freedoms that are internationally recognized as being universal and unalienable to every person. However, much of the information broadcast by several media houses was inaccurate and this led to misunderstandings and tensions between the Chinese government and several other authorities.

Influence of Product Packaging on Consumers

Influence of Product Packaging on Consumers The manner and importance of Packaging Design in Terms of Practical Business and Shipping Considerations as well as in the Marketing and Consumer Context with Respect to Design, Construction and Content. Chapter 1 – Introduction The concept of product packaging along with design represents an understanding that to market one’s item to consumers entails an understanding that they have choices and the core idea in implementing the preceding represents swaying that choice to one’s particular brand. Product packaging, in terms of human history and civilization, is a relatively new concept in that the early tribal and village cultures caught and consumed food where it was located, moving frequently to avail themselves of game and growing produce (Berger, 2002). The self contained and self sufficiency nature of this type of existence created little need to store, transport or package items as they were consumed almost instantly. Containers of that period consisted of leaves, shells and gourds which later gave way to materials that were of natural origin, such as animal organs, containers made of woven grasses and logs that were hollowed (Berger, 2002). As humankind progressed, gathered into larger vi llages and what could be termed towns the increased nature of commerce included foodstuffs as an item of trade. Trading marts sold not only woven materials and fashioned implements, but were a location where hunters and farmers brought items to market to be sold. The earliest example of pottery and earthen containers has been traced back to the Paleolithic period around the 11th millennium where samples were found in the Japanese islands (Wikipedia, 2005). The initial uses with respect to food and other products was the mass or volume storage of grains, jewels, and weapons such as arrows and other items, with this evolving into farmers and merchants devising means to measure amounts and weigh items to sell to buyers and purchasers on an equal basis. The development of a uniform size for varied containers which held differing amounts provided a quick and consistent measurement via which merchants could relatively quickly dispense varied amounts in uniform measurements and as commerce grew, crude packaging was utilized to (Berger, 2002) Hold specific amounts of products that helped to define the size or amount that would be purchased by consumers. Protect products from being contaminated as well as from varied forms of environmental damages such as rain, dust, etc. and to help to limit or prevent theft. Aid in the transport of products as well as storage and movement. And later to provide a means of identification which evolved into the utilization of designs and markings that made attractive display additions. 1.1 Types of Packaging There are varied types of packaging which have been employed through the ages as the innovations and discoveries in other fields impacted upon this area. As a result packaging categories can be divided into the following segments: Flexible: This is comprised of material that easily bends and conforms to the contents, and in the case of modern packaging consists of containers that hold sugar, potato chips and the varied packages that we utilize to put items into for carting home from the market. The utilization of cloth, leaves and woven grasses falls into this category and represents some of the earliest forms of packaging utilization. Flexible packaging is termed â€Å"source-reduced†, which means that it adds and or has the least amount of material when compared with other packaging types that could be utilized, thus adding minimal weight (Integrated Waste Management Board, 2005). The advantage is also that flexible packaging is easily discarded after use. Flexible packaging use on a commercially wide scale basis has been traced back to the Chinese in the first or second century BC, who utilized sheets of mulberry bark that was treated as a wrapping for foods (Logan City Council, 2005). The Chinese refined and further developed packaging techniques in the ensuing centuries as a result of innovations in the art of making paper and as the knowledge of papermaking spread across continents as a result of exploration and trade, it made its way through Asia and eventually Europe. Papermaking was first introduced in England in 1310 and arrived in the United States in 1690, when it was introduced to Germantown, Pennsylvania (infoplease.com. 2005). Paper then consisted of a thin sheet of cellulose and its early development comprised cellulose fibers that were derived from flax, which is the same plant that is utilized to make fibers for linen. The early demand for paper actually created a situation whereby old linen rags were utilized as a fibe r source in its making. It was not until 1867 that making paper from wood pulp, the process we commonly are familiar with, came into use (Berger, 2002). The plentiful and inexpensive nature of this supply source resulted in its becoming the primary source of papermaking and permitted the utilization of paper based products to be used in various manners. As wood pulp replaced cloth, the use of paper became widespread as the cost to manufacture it rapidly decreased. The first important development in packaging came with the creation of paper bags in 1844 when this was introduced in Bristol, England. Francis Wolle in the United States invented a machine in 1852 that made paper bags and this made the use of this type of packaging to become one of the primary sources of that time (TheGreatIdeaFinder.com). Developments along these lines continued in the 1870 ´s as glue was utilized to make paper sacks, along with the introduction of the gusset design which is the construction method we are familiar with today. Further advancements included the invention of machinery that produced what is termed as in-line printed paper bags which aided in marketing and merchandising differentiation. The development of the glued paper sack enabled the replacement of the more expensive cotton flour sack, and eventually the creation of multi-walled paper sacks permitted this material to replace cloth when the method to sew multi-walled paper sack ends was invented in 1925. The development of plastics as a packaging material came into being in the early 1970s and as a result of its many forms, it occupies the flexible, semi-flexible and rigid categories along with paper. Semi-flexible The utilization of paper based packaging as a material took a further step with the development of paperboard, which we understand in today’s context as the type of paper utilized in cereal packaging. This innovation was first produced in the United Kingdom in 1817, which is approximately two hundred years after the Chinese invented this process (Logan City Council, 2005). Corrugated paper, which is another form of cardboard or paperboard, first appeared in the 1850s. This method entails utilizing then sheets of paperboard which are processed into a wave shape for additional rigidity and then these sheets are placed between two flat paperboard sheets (paperonline.com, 2005). The method provides for added strength as well as light weight, the foregoing along with the inexpensive nature of the material makes it particularly well suited to shipping as well as for storage use. During the early 1900 ´s the preferred method of shipping many products was in wooden crates, which added considerable weight as well as the initial cost to produce, but they are prized for their durability (paperonline.com, 2005. The manufacturers of these crates put up a valiant battle to delay the utilization of cardboard crates made of corrugated paperboard, and after considerable litigation the paper based carton was introduced. Today, these crates are called C-flute corrugated paperboard cartons (Michigan State University, 2005) and represent the major shipping container in utilization. In reality, the development of what is termed flaked cereals hastened the utilization of paper based cartons. The Kellogg Company located in Battle Creek, Michigan in the United States was the first company to utilize cartons for cereal. The product started as a health food for sanatorium patients that soon caught favor with the public and the Kellogg Company took their product mass market. Th e packaging originally consisted of a heat sealed bag of Waxtite that covered the outside of the box. This outer wrapper contained the Kellogg name as well as advertising printing (Kellogg’s.com. 2005). Today’s cereal boxes utilize a wax type inner container to hold the product with the outside paperboard carton as the sturdier material. This outer box contains the brand identification and advertising copy. The paperboard containers as well as other forms of paper based packaging gained popularity with consumers as a result of their light weight, markings and ease of storage. On the business side of the ledger, the low cost and ability to create a meaningful differentiation from other products helped to found the packaging design revolution which is prevalent everywhere we look. The continued development of plastics saw this material introduced as a packaging item during the late 1970s as it began to replace paper utilization in varied packaging instances (British Plastics Federation, 2005). The relative strength to weight ratio of plastics as well as its ability to be easily molded into any conceivable shape as well as color combinations that designers wanted provided marketers with unlimited variables to create differences. At first, plastic packaging as we know it today did not immediately land on store and counter shelves, the utilization of shapes, colors, and unique packaging conc epts evolved as is the case with any innovation. The manufacturing advantage of plastics in addition to the aforementioned benefits is also a factor of its weight to contents ratio which significantly decreases shipping costs. Plastics, as with some types of paper, occupy all three classifications, flexible, semi flexible as well as rigid, depending upon the method utilized. Rigid The first rigid material utilized in product packaging, as mentioned, was earthen pottery and this was primarily utilized as a storage and measuring device rather than for the packaging of products. Glass and metal containers, in terms of their utilization in packaging, although not in our modern mass merchandising format, came into use in 1500 BC and 1200 AD respectively (glassonline.com). The art of glass making first began as an alternative to pottery in 7000 BC, yet it did not become industrialized until 1500 BC when the Egyptians mass produced it. The materials required for the formulation of glass, soda, limestone, sand and silica, were plentiful in the Egyptian region (glassonline.com). The basic process of melting the indicated materials and molding them while heated has changed very little through the ages, however, the techniques regarding molding have progressed. At first, the molding process consisted of pressing the hot molten material into cups and bowls. The invention of the blowpipe by the Phoenicians around 300 BC advanced production dramatically and permitted the formulation of round containers which enabled food to be stored as well as transported (glassonline.com). It was not until the late 17th century, when the split mold was invented that the use of glass containers became more suitable as a packaging item on a large scale as it enabled the formation of shapes that were irregular as well as decorative designs that were raised. The preceding permitted placing the manufacturer as well as the name of the product onto containers thus providing marketing identification. Improvements in manufacturing processes during the late 18th and early 19th centuries reduced the cost of manufacturing glass containers through increased production techniques and other refinements thus making them economical in terms of utilization for mass consumer marketing whereas they were heretofore mostly utilized as vessels in shops and for higher end product sales such as drugs and other expensive mixtures (glassonline.com). The preceding was a result of Owens invention of the automated rotary bottle machine, which was patented in 1889 (glassonline.com). From that point on, until the late 1960s, glass dominated the container market for liquid based product, later replaced by plastics and coated paperboard containers, such as used in milk, juice and other formats. The preceding developments in plastics and paper based liquid containers once again relegated glass back to utilization for high end products as a result of its higher weight ratio, relative fragile nature and high cost relative to other materials (glassonline.com).   Tin plating samples were discovered in the Bohemia region of Europe that date back to 1200 AD, and samples of iron coated tin cans were discovered in Bavaria dating back to the early 14th century (Kratzsch. 1999). Tin was utilized as it can be plated in very thin layers over other metals, such as iron. In ancient times, cups, plates and eating implements for royalty and boxes were made of gold and silver.   The tin plating process was held as a closely guarded secret by Bavaria until it was stolen by the Duke of Saxony in the late 1600s and thus the method found its way to France and England by the early 1900s (Kratzsch. 1999).. The process of tin plating was brought to the United States in the early 1900s by William Underwood and very quickly, it replaced iron in the manufacture of many items as a result of its light weight, low cost and higher rigidity (Maine Preservation.com, 2005). The first utilization of tin for food packaging came as a result of an offer proffered by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1809 who was seeking a means to feed his troops (hyperhistory.com, 2005). Until that time, metal was considered poisonous in terms of using it for food storage. A Paris chef, Nicholas Appert, discovered that tin was not poisonous, nor did it affect the taste of food stored in it as long as the food had been boiled and then sealed into the container (hyperhistory.com, 2005). This was development was followed in 1810 by the creation of the tin cylindrical can, patented by Peter Durand of the United Kingdom (Cookery-Online.com, 2005). Until this time, metal was utilized to store and sell tobacco products, which had begun as early as 1764 in London. The discovery of tin’s applicability for long term food storage in varied sized containers found its way to its use for cookies and matches in the early 1830s (Cookery-Online.com, 2005). At this point, its utilization on a mass scale for food storage had not taken off as a result of the relatively high cost as cans were lead soldered on a hand made basis with a hole of 1  ½ inches at the top which was utilized to squeeze the food through. Then a small patch with an air hole was left and the food inside was boiled and the patch then closed (hyperhistory.com, 2005). The process was lengthy and prohibited mass production as approximately sixty cans could be so completed in this manner. The development of the aluminum can took off in earnest in 1852, with prices declining at a steady rate until 1942. Aluminum gradually replaced tin cans utilized in food storage applications. Rigid containers can be fashioned from paper based products, plastic, glass, as well as metals, and all h ave and do have their place in the modern forms of packaging, design and marketing. Chapter 2 – Importance of Packaging The advance of civilization from a tribal based existence is due to humanity’s consistent innovation and adaptation to find new methods of feeding, clothing and conducting commerce. The development of new packaging techniques and innovations have been innovated through the ages as a result of the aforementioned, as well as the vision of individuals who saw needs, voids and opportunities to be filled. Without our modern forms of plastic, metal, paper, cardboard and glass containers, carton and other packaging types, civilization could not exist. Taking the preceding past the simplistic need variable, the existence of all these differing forms of containers has spurred a climate of competition which benefits mankind in that consistently newer and better methods are being devised to create products, convenience, longevity, lower costs and develop new products. And while food packaging has formed the primary undertone of the examples thus far provided, the evolution of packaging has also made possible our modern world of commerce which provides medicines, all manner of processed as well as unprocessed foods, perfumes, smoking products, health and beauty aids, clothing, furnishings, fixtures, and whatever you see have either been delivered by, packaged in or still remain in one of the three packaging classifications of flexible, semi-flexible or rigid containers. Those television programs we watch would not be possible save for the safe and dependable containers T.V sets are shipped in, and even the design and outside container holding the picture tube or high definition contents is a packaging element distinctive to its brand. The toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, body powder and other articles found in one’s bathroom are in containers or packaging made possible by advances in plastics, paper and metal components as well as compositions. Life as we know it would not be the same without our potato chips, coffee, tea, bread, eggs, meats, vegetables, fruits and the like all which were either processed or put into containers made from paper based products, plastics, metal or glass. The foregoing represents the broader societal aspects concerning the importance of packaging in general terms. More specifically, the processes and allied aspects of packaging in terms of marketing, mass distribution, quality of life, benefits to mankind, truth in advertising and contents, along with environmental factors are the broader considerations which shall be broached, along with other aspects. In terms of marketing and differentiating one’s product from other competing brands, packaging does indeed matter. The look, style, colors, shape and other features help to distinguish one’s brand from others thus enabling consumers who are used to or seek to purchase a brand to locate it easily (Sheffield, 2003). In a world crammed full of like product types, â€Å"†¦a unique bottle design†¦Ã¢â‚¬  or unusual box could very well be the reason a consumer elects to purchase a product for the first time (Sheffield, 2003). Thereafter, the product’s fulfillment of its promise in terms of taste, performance, features, durability, usability or other factors helps by and large to determine is continued selection by consumers. But, in order for the second equation to take place, the first one must occur (Sheffield, 2003). This however was not always the case. Recent innovations in plastics and formulation techniques have driven down the costs of manufacturing unique shapes and designs, some of which are of ergonomic benefit, convenience, usability, or simply for eye appeal. An example of the preceding can be found in Nestlà ©Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s new tough bag introduced for its Purina Dog Chow line. The company replaced its prior multi-wall paper package â€Å"†¦ a woven polypropylene material†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (findarticles.com, 2004) that resists tears from fork lifts and consumer use, has an improved appearance on selling selves and offers an easier to utilize opening technique that is more convenient helped to increase store sales as a result. The foregoing is in light of the fact that the packages contents remain unchanged. Other innovations by the same company includes an improved Nesquick syrup bottle that is easier to hold and grip for kid sized hands, offered an improved shelf look and the open top left less of a syrup mess through the use of an inverted bottle that featured a no drip cap. The innovation helped Nesquick to increase sales to the consumer market while not making any changes to the actual product itself (findarticles.com, 2004).   The c ompany claimed that since the introduction of the new container its syrup sales rose 15% over the same fiscal period one year prior and that the company gained 2.6 points in market share points (findarticles.com, 2004). The foregoing points out the importance of packaging in offering new ideas, convenience, usability and function to consumers that can aid in driving sales. The preceding is an example of function defining form. Another example of the preceding is the introduction of ring-pull pop top cans. We now take this innovation for granted all but forgetting how we ever opened soda cans in the past by pushing down on a perforated opening that usually found us spilling some soda in the process. Since the introduction of this new opening feature ring-pull pop top cans now comprise one-third of the soda can market and it is expected to increase to two-thirds by the year 2008 (Gubero, 2005)   The importance of packing in its purest sense means that it fulfills the objective of utilizing a minimum of resources and waste to accomplish its object of delivering its contents to the end user in safe manner whereby the contents arrive as intended. It must be remembered that our entire way of life is held together by the innovative means that we utilize to wrap, protect, ship, store and market all types of products. The foregoing is made even more dramatic by the following (Pongracz, 1998): Food packaging conserves perishable items from spoiling early and thus in the long run extents the useful life of foods which for all intents and purposes could not be brought to market for the millions of global urban dwellers to utilize and enjoy. Packaging in general enables us to improve the quality of life by manufacturing items which can be essentially transported to any corner of the globe, be it food, cosmetics, medicines, appliances, furnishings, electronics, etc. The increased urbanization of the globe is placing an ever increasing reliance on packaging as a means to support this explosion. The facts are that (Pongracz, 1998): 150,000 individuals are added to the current urban population totals each day. 35 years ago only one-third of the earth’s population lived in cities It is predicted that by 2025 two-thirds of the global population will be living in urban locales. The preceding translates into the fact that in 2025 more individuals will be living in cities than the entire population of earth just ten years hence. By 2015 there will be a total of 33 mega cities, each with a population count in excess of 8 million each, and over 500 cities with populations in excess of 1 million. The preceding population aspects dramatize the extent to which packaging plays in our daily lives and how it has influenced our mode of living. The indicated figures are made even more meaningful when one considers that Tokyo is a city of 27 plus million, and that Sao Paulo in Brazil has a population in excess of 16.4 million. Food packaging, as an example, economically utilizes resources that if prepared in another manner would result in massive waste. The processing and packaging of food permits the residues to be utilized as either feed for animals, food by products or fuel. It is estimated that food waste in under developed countries is between 20% to 50% as a result of either poor packaging and or preparation methods, and or the absence of packaging altogether. The foregoing becomes dramatic when compared against Europe where food wastage is approximately 2 to 3 % (Pongracz, 1998). The fact is we must increase our efforts at conservation as efficiencies not only in foods, but in all aspects of resources.   It has been estimated that for each one percent increase in the utilization of food packaging, the resultant waste decreases by approximately 1.6% (Pongracz, 1998). 2.1 Packaging Content The ramifications of packaging encompass those desiring to have their products purchased, with those who are the objects of this activity and governmental regulation that is empowered to act in the best interest of society. This triumvirate represents the real world factors which companies must consider if they desire to be successful in their long term interests. The dichotomy that exists as a result of the foregoing is as follows; Business The companies that manufacture products must be mindful of the ramifications of end use from not only a consumer and governmental perspective, but also in terms of competitor activities and their introduction of continued new, improved and innovative products. This playing field however is fraught with aspects that create a marketing environment that has resulted in increased rounds of governmental regulation. The FTC states (Vitamin Lawyer, 2005): â€Å" Advertising claims based solely on traditional use should be presented carefully to avoid the implication that the product has been scientifically evaluated for efficacy.† The purpose of the Food and Drug Administration is (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2005): â€Å"†¦ protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and Veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation.† This broad mandate stretches far beyond the actual words used to comprise the agency’s title, Food and Drug Administration. The FDA’s mission statement goes on to add that is also assumes responsibility to advance the health of citizens in the United States by helping to â€Å"†¦ speed innovations that make medicines and foods more effective†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2005), as well as â€Å"†¦ helping the public to get the accurate, science based information they need†¦Ã¢â‚¬  with respect to the utilization of medicines along with foods for the purpose of improving their health. The counterpart of the FDA in Europe is the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO), and it is responsible â€Å"†¦ for ensuring that Community (EU) legislation on food safety, animal health, plant health and animal welfare is properly implemented and enforced.† (Food and Veterinary Office, 2005) The Food and Veterinary Office fulfills its mission through the promotion of effective systems of control with respect to food safety as well as quality in the animal, plant and health sectors along with maintaining compliance of the European Union food safety and quality, plant and animal legislation concerning health for countries within the European Union as well as those exporting to the EU. Labeling and nutrition governance within the European Union consists of specific rules, guidelines and regulations for the labeling of food items to permit consumers to have comprehensive information with regard to the composition as well as contents of the products they purchase and to aid them in making informed choices. A recent change in the legislation in this area is the abolishment of the 25% rule that indicated it was not mandatory to list on labels the components of ingredients which were less than 25% of the final food total. This means that all ingredients must be listed and included as well as those which might cause â€Å"†¦ allergies or intolerances†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (Food and Veterinary Office, 2005). The Food and Veterinary Office aim is â€Å"†¦ to ensure that the consumer gets all of the essential information as regards the composition of the product†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Food and Veterinary Office, 2005) along with the manufacturer and the methods utilized in stora ge and its preparation. The companies producing these items â€Å"†¦ are free to provide whatever additional information †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Food and Veterinary Office, 2005) they so desire as long as said additional information is not misleading and is accurate. The preceding means that companies are supposed to tell the truth about their packaging contents as required by the foregoing statements. Similar rules, regulations and guidelines can also be found for other countries throughout the world in varying degrees of specifics and governance, depending upon the laws in place. Unfortunately, companies do find means via which to bend, stretch and slightly circumvent these rules and regulations which basically keeps them within the letter of the law, but introduces elements of confusion or uncertainty. Some examples of the preceding are illustrated by what is termed â€Å"genetically modified organism† or GMO. A genetically modified organism is one where the generic material has been changed utilizing techniques that are generally known as recombinant DNA technology (wikipedia, 2005). The foregoing enables the combining of DNA molecules from differing sources into one molecule in a test tube situation. The controversy that exists in this instance is that some groups see this as meddling in nature. Their views are in spite of the many benefits that have resulted throughout history from such scientific utilizations. Some consumer groups would prefer GMO be banned, while others want it stated as required labeling. On the international side there is no clear consensus with respect to the acceptability of GMO. The United States stance on this issue remains neutral while in Europe the position is that GMO has not proven to be safe, thus it is banned from importation or domestic manufacture (wikipedia, 2005). The preceding has led to some specific cases of misuse in the United States as cited by an FDA order to several food manufacturers to cease from indicating that their food products were GM free (Food Chemical News, 2001). The labeling practice that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found to be misleading is that these companies were giving the misleading impression that their foo d products were safer than products made with GMO ingredients. Consumer Faced with a plethora of purchasing possibilities in all manner of products, from food items to electronics, vehicles, clothing, toys, furniture and other areas, consumers are barraged with all manner of subtle advertising and copy tricks to sway them from one brand to another. Faced with these realities, companies employ subtle copy tricks to appeal to consumer sensibilities, as even a small difference can make a favorable increase in register sales. That image of a real strawberry on your favorite cereal package is not what is contained in the box, nor is the bread that states it is made from real wheat flour which is fortified with â€Å"†¦ vitamins and minerals †¦ that build strong bodies in 12 ways†¦Ã‚ ¨(Crawford, 2004). In fact, the additional information contained on labels as a result of governmental regulation might actually be helping companies to promote their hype as few consumers actually read this information which is a part of everything they buy (Crawf ord, 2004). The amazing graphics, colors and packaging utilized for containers often convinces consumers to purchase it, rather than what is actually inside. The prior examples of Nesquick ´s new syrup bottle, and Purina’s new woven container are illustrations of this point. An example of copy innuendo is reduced fat. Katherine Tallmadge, the national U.S. spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, explains that â€Å"Reduced fat does not mean low-fat† (Crawford, 2004). Tallmadge (Crawford, 2004) goes onto explain that whole milk is comprised of four percent (4%) fat, thus a measurement of two percent (2%) of milk still contains five (5) grams of fat in each serving, thereby one is still getting forty – five (45) out of a total of one hundred and twenty (120) calories which is fat. Tallmadge indicates that if one is seeking low fat then this means to purchase skim milk. The foregoing points out the detailed and precise information consumers need to have to read through the mountains of da