Monday, September 30, 2019

Creating a Brand Using the Low-Budget Route: Choco-Energy Essay

1. Introduction According to Mintel (2012), 49% of chocolate users stated that if the price of their favorite bar rises they would cut back on chocolate. In addition, 68% of 16-24-year-olds full-time students consider that everyday low price is one of the main factors that they would consider for a brand (Mintel, 2012). Furthermore, for those DEs and households are also the most likely groups to consider low prices as a main factor when choosing which chocolate brand to buy (Mintel, 2012). Therefore, creating a new identification brand using the low budget route in Pound City market will have a great profit space in the confectionery market. The report will base on Snickers Peanut Butter Brand to create a new identification brand. The detail explanation of new brand’s development process can be seen below, which including the new brand name, brand image, brand positioning and package design. 2. Overview of chocolate market Although there is a decreasing trend in the number of eating chocolate as the reasons of healthy eating, aging population and rising sugar prices, the chocolate market has grown slightly by 6% over 2006-2011 to ï ¿ ¡1.58 billion (Mintel, 2011). Mintel (2012) also noted that 89% of consumers continue to eat chocolate confectionery because of its position as an affordable treat. For those users chocolate as indulgent treats allow consumers to lift their mood and satisfy a sweet craving. Chocolate market is relatively fragmented with the presence of a larger number of smaller brands, such as Mars, Cadbury Trebor Bassett, Nestle, Haribo and Ferrero and some own-label offerings manufacturers (Mintel, 2011). This can be seen from Appendix 1 about the manufacturers’ shares in the UK chocolate confectionery market. It  shows that Kraft Foods (Cadbury), Mars, Nestle are the three leading brands in the UK confectionary market, which taking up 33%, 27% and 16% of market share respectively (Mintel, 2011). 3. Choosing brand in the chocolate market The researcher will base on Snickers brand Peanut Butter Squared to create a new identification brand with new brand name, brand image and package to compete with current range of manufacturers’ own brand. Snickers Peanut Butter Squared is one of the famous brands of Mars Company. Mars is a US-based globally operating food and drink conglomerate company. Its brands in the confectionery segment include Lockets, Skittles, Starburst and Tunes (Mintel, 2011). Mars Chocolate is one of the world’s leading chocolate manufacturers. Its iconic brands include M&M’S ®, SNICKERS ®, DOVE ®, GALAXY ®, MARS ®, MILKY WAY ® and TWIX ® (Mars Official website, 2012). 4 Brand analysis for Snickers Brand 4.1 Brand name of Snickers Brand According to Chernatony and McDonald (2003) noted that brand names are perceived by consumers as important information clues, which helps to reduce the need to engage in a detailed search for information. The name of Snickers was launched under the name Marathon chocolate in the 1990s as Mars Inc aimed at consolidating branding exercise by bringing all its corporations products under unified Mars branding and make its brand be recognized both locally and globally (Ezine @rticles, 2012). Now Snickers is one of the largest confectionary ‘single bar’ in the world and people will think of energy bar when they see the brand name of Snickers (Mars official website, 2012). 4.2 Brand development of Snickers The brand development for Snickers Brand Peanut Butter Squared both has from its average nutrition but also from its package. The calories of new Snickers Peanut Butter Squared is litter smaller than original Snickers from 1.78 oz and 250 calories, versus 2.07 oz and 280 calories for the original bar. Each of the squares are about 1.25 inches across, and 3/4 inch high (LaBau, 2010). In addition, the color of the packaging changes from brown to yellow. Inside of the package, there are two pieces of chocolate bar instead of one larger bar compared with original Snickers bar. This is a kind of brand extension based on Peanut Butter chocolate category. 4.3 Brand image of Snickers Chernatony, McDonald and Wallace (2011) stated that brand images enable consumers to form a mental vision of what and who brands stand for. Because consumers will select a brand by observing whether the images that brand convey match the needs, values and lifestyles of consumers. In the case of Snickers, Snickers focus on broadening its appeal from a largely ‘male’ base to include women and older consumers. The company pays much attention and invests heavily in maintaining and strengthening their brand image. One of the most effective and targeted marketing tools for the Snickers brand at its disposal is through sponsoring key sporting events to squarely position it as an energy booster, one of its slogan is ‘ the big eat when you are hungry’. With the effort by the Mars Company, now Snickers Bar creates its brand image as providing the fuel and energy for the body and mind (The Irish Times business, 2000). In addition, the Snickers brand represents one of the young generations’ wishes that they want to be recognized and accepted by friends around them. Therefore, they need replenish their energies to enjoy with their friends and not go behind them. 4.4 Brand personality of Snickers A brand should represent more than just utilitarian benefits but also give added values that satisfy social and psychological needs for consumers. Because intrinsic physical product with an aura, or personality will give consumers more greater confidence in choosing a brand (Riezebos, 2003). Snickers brand created its brand personality through launching celebrity endorsement campaign with words like, â€Å"Peanutopolis, Hungerectomy, Nougtocity, Substantialicious and Satisfectellent† on its outdoor billboard advertising campaign to attract the younger generation and to gain trust with popularity (The Irish Times business, 2000). 4.5 Brand value of Snickers SNICKERS Chocolate bar create its brand value by providing the fuel and  energy for the body and mind. With busy lifestyle recently and many families on the go, Snickers bar as a great-tasting snack that captures the essence of a portable snack brings consumers with great convenience and satisfies getting the most of each moment. ‘When you hungry, grab Snickers bar’ is great to reflect the brand value of Snickers. Nowadays, the brand value of Snickers brand can be seen from its overwhelming popularity, recognition as a top-quality product and the respect and admiration of consumers world-wide as a world leader in the snack food category (The Irish Times business, 2000). 4.6 Package strategy for Snickers Meyers and Lubliner (1998) illustrated that the package form can communicate images that influence consumer perception, appeal to the consumer’s emotions, and motivate desire for the product before the consumer ever reads the label or sees the actual product. In their opinion, the package is the product. In the case of Snickers Peanut Butter Squared Brand, the packaging is little flatter, shorter and wider than the standard Snickers package. The package outside for Snickers Brand Peanut Butter Squared with a golden yellow background and â€Å"Peanut Butter† clearly spelled out in big letters. Inside the package are two squares chocolate bar. All of those are 1.25 inches square and about 1.75 inches high. There’s a nice ripple on the top (CandyBlog, 2010). The detail explanation about its product description has been introduced in the brand development stage. Slogan–Snickers chocolate bar uses more than one slogan. The slogan for Snickers chocolate bar is â€Å"Hungry? Grab a Snickers!† â€Å"Don’t let hunger happen to you.† â€Å"Hungry? Why wait?† 5 Brand image transfer Chernatony and McDonald (2003) noted that â€Å"a successful brand is an identifiable product, service, person or place, augmented in such a way that the buyer or user perceives relevant, unique added values which match their needs most closely. And its success results from being able to sustain these added values in the face of competition†. In order to create a successful new identification brand, the marketers will transfer the image brand from Snickers by maintaining some good elements of Snickers brand and add some elements that Snickers brand needed to improve to compete with its  competitors. 5.1 Energy booster and Offer value Figure 5.1: Chocolate confectionary brand personality-macros image, January 2012 According to the figure above, Snickers have a wholesome reputation. This might attributable to its high peanut content as Mintel (2012) stated that Snickers is a particularly divisive brand, with the high peanut content likely to be a deterrent for a number of people. Therefore, for the new identification brand, maintaining the high peanut content will be a great element to offer added value for the consumers. In addition, positioning the new identification brand as an energy booster is also important as Snickers attracts lots of consumers with this position and this also one of the reasons why Snickers brand succeed. 5.2 Ethical brand Figure 5.3: Chocolate confectionary brand personality-macros image, January 2012 According to the figure above, ethical is to be a great element for the consumers to show the brand personality for a food product. According to Mintel, (2012), consumers pay much attention on ethical sourcing of food. The impact of ethical sourcing will become a great element to influence consumer confidence. In addition, brands which source their ingredients ethically especially for those with a premium orientation product, this would be a great element to identify their brand image (Mintel, 2012). Therefore, creating an ethical brand will also be great element for the marketer to create a new identification brand. 6 Creative choice/ Brand identification 6.1 New brand name The new brand name is CHOCO-ENERGY, which is easy for consumers to member the name and easily associated with the products. Meyers and Lubliner (1998) stated that a product’s brand name is responsible for creating memorability. It helps to build brand recognition and loyalty, as well as providing product information. For CHOCO-ENERGY, this could help to inform consumers’  that this is a chocolate brand. In addition, it also notes consumers that this brand focuses on energy booster. 6.2 New brand image Chernatony and McDonald (2003) stated that brand images enable consumers to form a mental vision of what and who brands stand for. Because consumers will select a brand by observing whether the images that brand convey match the needs, values and lifestyles of consumers. The brand image for CHOCO-ENERGY brand is to inform consumers that this brand is more than just another chocolate, â€Å"it as a reflection of a way of life, where people live with energy, joyful and healthy†. For the new identification brand, CHOCO-ENERGY would like to transfer a healthy and energy image for the consumers and let consumers to be treatwise for chocolate based on GDAs (Guideline Daily amounts). This new brand aims to inform consumers to be enjoyed as part of a healthy, active lifestyle. Because some of them might consider chocolate leads to obesity issues while eating limited chocolate can also provide benefits for one’s healthy because the elements contain in peanut butter and peanuts would benefits for consumers’ nutrition. Peanut butter and peanuts provide protein, vitamins B3 and E, magnesium, folate, dietary fiber, arginine, and high levels of the antioxidant p-coumaric acid. All of those elements would help consumers to protect against a high risk of cardiovascular disease (HubPages, 2012). 6.3 Brand positioning According to Aaker (2002), brand position is the part of the brand identity and value proposition that is to be actively communicated to the target audience and that demonstrates an advantage over competing brands (Aaker, 2002, pp176). The new identification brand will target on young teenagers and positioning on creating an everyday low price and importance of chocolate brand to British consumers. According to Mintel (2012), 15-24-year-olds stand out as the most important demographic in the chocolate and confectionery market, with the highest share of total users (91%) and also 44% of heavy users (Mintel, 2012). In addition, 68% of 16-24-year-olds full-time students consider that everyday low price as one of their main choice factors for a  chocolate brand (Mintel, 2012). Furthermore, there is a growing numbers in the population of the high usage 25-34-year-old age group as well as Abs and C2s look set to drive sales growth in the coming years (Mintel, 2012). Therefore, the new identification brand will target on users from 16-to-34 year olds and creating an everyday low price brand in the confectionery market to attract consumers’ attention. 6.4 Brand personality Aaker (2002) noted that a brand personality represents a functional benefits or attribute that may be relatively ineffective if it lacks a visual image established in the customer’s mind. Brand personality for the new identification brand is that CHOCO-ENERGY not just another chocolate bar that provide sweet craving or energy for the consumers but also a brand that value for money. Because according to Mintel (2012), chocolate suffers from a poor perception of value with only 28% of chocolate users think chocolate bars provide value for money. In addition, 65% of users consider that brands benefit from high trust as a main choice factor when they choose a chocolate brand. Therefore, improving perception of value and creating high trust for the new identification brand is emergent and significant. In addition, according to the brand image transfer part, energy booster and offer added-value are great element for the marketer to create the new brand. Therefore, this brand aims to create an everyday low price and importance chocolate brand for consumers not only value for money on price but also on product content. The product will maintain the value of Snickers brand that providing high nut content as the high peanut content likely to be a deterrent for a number of people (Mintel, 2012). 6.5 Package strategy for the new identification brand Trott (2012) stated that package is a powerful selling tool for a company to achieve a competitive advantage because for consumers the package is the product. Before consumers select a product, they will see the package at first. Through the shape of the package, the recognition of the brand, the color and the words, the graphic style and format they will have a fundamental image for the product (Meyers and Lubliner, 1998). In addition, the name, logo or symbol of the package are all unique, appropriate, and legally ownable for the company to communicate a positive and memorable image about the product (Meyers and Lubliner, 1998). These would help to provide product information and attributes to the customers. Therefore, it is critical for the company to pay much attention on the package design. Next the detail explanation about brand’s logo, color for the package, product identification (net weight copy, benefit statement, flavor or variety identification, size, nutritional information, ingredients, distributed place, attribute description) for the new identification brand can be seen below. 6.5.1 The brand logo The brand’s logo refers to a uniquely shaped signature, which can be based on the brand name in some kind of unique typographic format or a uniquely styled configuration of the corporate initials (Meyers and Lubliner, 1998). The consistent use of the logo is one of the reasons to make a powerful brand and also is the fundamental building blocks of brand identity (Carter, 1999). For the new identification brand, the marketer will use the brand name as the brand’s logo. The researcher will use a script logo because this type of logo provides an image of casualness, fun, movement and entertainment (Meyers and Lubliner, 1998). This is more related to the image of new identification brand that CHOCO-ENERGY is more than just another chocolate: â€Å"it as a reflection of a way of life, where people live with energy, joyful and healthy†. The slogan of the new identification brand is â€Å"CHOCO-ENERGY Eat health to be a part of active lifestyle†. 6.5.2 Package inside and outside The color for the packaging of the new identification brand outside will combine both brown and yellow. Because brown is deep color and often used for gourmet food and confections to communicate good taste, warmth, and appetite appeal. In addition, this color also helps to identify the color of the product inside the package (Meyers and Lubliner, 1998). For yellow color, it looks bright and tends to communicate relaxation and joy. Inside  the package four cup shaped chocolate. The surface of each chocolate has a heart-style image. 6.5.3 Product Identification Each CHOCO-ENERGY chocolate bar will contain 210 calories with a total fat content 14 gm. In addition, for its protein, sugar and sodium content will be 4gm, 19g and 130 mg respectively. The new identification brand will also contain nougat, caramel, peanuts. All of these elements will be covered in chocolate coating. Net weight copy for CHOCO-ENERGY is 42g. The benefit statement of this brand is to be treatwise based on guideline daily amount to be enjoyed as part of a healthy, active lifestyle. This brand pays much attention to balance the flavor of the product to avoid the product more sweet than salty. In addition, the product avoids making the peanut butter layer too waxy and to make the chocolate strangely flavourless. There will four pieces of chocolate cups in the package. The package will be flowrap bags. This would help to increase the product store duration because it’s easy for chocolate to melt at a high temperature. In addition, it helps to improve the product se curity. The detail nutritional information and ingredients can be seen from A3 poster. 7. Conclusion In this report, the rise of chocolate price and the increasing growing number of own-label of chocolate brand as great reasons to explain why creating a low budget route brand is effective in the chocolate and confectionery market. In addition, the detail explanation about the Snickers brand such as the brand image that Snickers Bar provide the fuel and energy for the body and mind with slogan that ‘the big eat when you are hungry’. Snickers brand positioning â€Å"from a largely ‘male’ base to include women and older consumers. Snickers brand personality through launching celebrity endorsement campaign with words like, â€Å"Peanutopolis, Hungerectomy, Nougtocity, Substantialicious and Satisfectellent† to give a fundamental knowledge about how to create a brand. Furthermore, the brand image transfer as a great part for the report to show what elements will remain or added from the Snickers brand to create the new identification brand. At last, the new identification brand, CHOCO-ENERGY brand was created with slogan that ‘CHOCO-ENERGY Eat health to be a part of active lifestyle’ to represent an image that CHOCO-ENERGY is not just another chocolate, â€Å"it as a reflection of a way of life, where people live with energy, joyful and healthy†. CHOCO-ENERGY positions on creating an everyday low price and importance of chocolate brand to British consumers. At the same time, elements for the package design also explained to show the new identification brand. 8. References AAKER, D.A. (2002) Building strong brands. London: Simon & Schuster UK Ltd. CARTER, D.E. (1999) Branding: the power of market identity. New York: Hearst Books International. CHERNATONY, L.D and MCDONALD, M (2003) Creating Powerful Brands in Consumer, Service and Industrial Markets, Third Edition. Oxford: Elsevier Ltd. CHERNATONY, L., MCDONALD, M, WALLACE, E (2011) Creating powerful Brands, BH, 4th Edition. Oxford: Elsevier Ltd. CLIFTON, R and Simmons, J (2003) Brands and Branding. London: The Economist Newspaper Ltd. HASSAN, T. U (2009) Snickers Chocolate Bar-A short History. Ezine @rticles. [Online]. Available from: http://ezinearticles.com/?Snickers-Chocolate-Bar—A-Short-History&id=4102333. [Accessed 17/05/2012] LABAU, E. (2010) Snickers Peanut Butter Squared Review. About.com. Candy. [Online] Available from: http://candy.about.com/od/candyreviews/fr/snickers_pbsquared.htm. [Accessed 17/05/2012]. LAFORET, S (2011) Managing Brands. McGraw Hill. MARS Official website page (2012) Brands Chocolate. [Online]. Available from: http://www.mars.com/global/brands/chocolate.aspx. [Accessed 17/05/2012]. MEYERS, H.M. and LUBLINER, M.J. (1998) The marketer’s Guide to Successful Package Design. United States of America: NTC/Contemporary Publishing Group, Inc. MINTEL (2012) Chocolate Confectionary-UK-April-2012. London: Mintel International. MINTEL (2011) Sugar and Confectionary-UK-November 2011. London: Mintel International. RIEZEBOS, R (2003) Brand Management. Prentice Hall. The IRISH TIMES BUSINESS (2000) Global marketing-Building and Maintaining the M&M’S Brand. Fifth Edition. UK: Masterfoods. TROTT, P (2012) Innovation Management and New Product Development, Fifth Edition. England: Pearson Education Limited.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Primark Sales Assistant Personal Qualities Essay

Now I am supervisor I will have to†¦ because a part of my new role will be†¦ * This will enable me to†¦. * If I do not †¦. then †¦.. will happen. As a retail sales assistant I had to have good communication skills which enabled me to communication effectively with customers and colleagues. Now I am a supervisor I will have to have excellent communication skills and be able to communicate clearly and concisely instructions to the retail sales assistants so they are able to complete the task to a high standard . I will also have to give feedback to retail sales assistants on their performance . If I do not communicate clearly the retail sales assistants may be unable to complete their tasks to their highest possible standard and may use the grievance procedure if they fell they do not understand the tasks/ timescales being set . As a retail sales assistant I had to have the ability to work within a team which allowed me to integrate into the department so on a day to day basis the business flowed smoothly and I was able to discuss any issues I had with colleagues. This enabled me to work effectively with the other staff members with no issues. Now I am a supervisor I will have to have be able to work and manage a team of retail sales assistants because a part of my new role will be include managing the retail assistants which includes dealing performance issues and carrying out appraisals . If I do not work within a team the sales assistants will be unclear of what is expected of them and they will become demotivated and eventually leave. As a retail sales assistant I had to have the ability to work within timescale which enabled me to always meet deadlines and keep a consistent high standard of work. Now I am a supervisor I will need excellent time management skills as I will be planning and organising regularly , this will enable me to organising the staff rota including lunch , tea breaks , overtime and holidays. If I was unable to do this the sales assistants would not get all their breaks and be over worked. As a retail sales assistant I had to have the ability to work under pressure in a busy environment which enabled me to work efficiently in prime time and handle the mass amount of customers. Now I am a supervisor I will have to be able to teach sales assistants on how to work under pressure and I will have to deal with customer complaints quickly. If I was unable to do this the sales assistants would be unable to work under pressure and there would be long queues on the tills and fitting rooms and the employees would eventually leave. As a retail sales assistant I had to have an awareness of customer care which enabled me to provide good customer service skills and ensured satisfaction of all the customers. Now I am a supervisor I will have to have excellent customer service skills because a part of my new role will be dealing with customer complaints. This will enable me to deal appropriately with customers and ensure that Primark’s reputation is not harmed. If I did not have excellent customer service skills I would be unable to respond to customer complaints in an appropriate manner and this would result in unhappy customers. Now I am a supervisor I will have to have the ability to deal with conflict and people skills which will enable me to resolve any issues between customers and retail sale assistants and confidently help customers. A part of my new role will be managing and motivating a team of sales assistants . This will include dealing with performance issues and carrying out appraisals . If I do not have good people skills and do not have the ability to deal with conflict the sales floor will be hectic because of the unresolved issues and the customers would receive poor customer service as a result of this . Now I am a supervisor I will need to have technical skills on how to use the stock ordering system and using numeracy skills to analyse sales and figures. As well as having a knowledge of the company refund policy and the ability to use the supervisor function on the tills. This will enable me to be able to order stock , analyse figures , use the supervisor function on the tills and give out refunds. If I did not have technical skills I would be unable to give customers refunds and order stock , the result of this would be unhappy customers . Now I am a supervisor I will need to have interview skills which will enable me to co-interview potential retail sales assistants along side the HR manager. This will enable me to interview the candidates appropriately without discrimination and be able to help select the best possible candidate . If I did not have good interview skills I would be unable to interview the retail sales assistants and then the best possible candidate may not be selected. Now I am a supervisor I will need to have coaching and motivational skills . This will enable me manage and motivating a team of sales assistants. This will include ensuring sales floor standards are met and managing prime time. As well as managing and motivating a team of sales assistants . This will include dealing with performance issues and carrying out appraisals . If I do not have coaching and motivational skills the employees would get demotivated and give out poor customer service which would mean unhappy customers.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Financial Aid Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Financial Aid - Essay Example The Student Guide to Financial Aid is particularly useful as it provides a search engine that navigates to specific college websites offering information about on-campus financial aid facilities. This will be particularly useful to Jack since his financial needs with respect to funding his education will most likely continue throughout his college enrolment. A scholarship is perhaps the most ideal method of obtaining financial aid for college since it does not require repayment. In this regard, given Jack’s financial background, this is preferable. According to The Smart student Guide to Financial Aid, average students like Jack who have not obtained a perfect grade point average and has no specific athletic expertise, can obtain scholarships. (The Smart student Guide to Financial Aid) Students with other traits can obtain scholarships. For instance a student may obtain a scholarship on the basis of community service. By opening the link FastWeb scholarship search, Jack can fill in his specific details and his potential to obtain a scholarship and to what extent will be calculated for him. (The Smart student Guide to Financial Aid) In any event, even if Jack qualifies for a scholarship, the scholarship itself may not be sufficient to fund his college education and he will be required to obtain additionally financial aid to supplement his scholarship. Federal funding is available under the Federal Student Aid also known as the FAFSA. (Qualifying for Financial Aid). An application is available free of charge at Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In order to qualify, Jack will have to demonstrate that he has a â€Å"financial need.† (Qualifying for Financial Aid). Although Jack is only required to have satisfactory grades while in school, he is not eligible for FAFSA unless and until he is enrolled in a postsecondary institution. (Qualifying for Financial Aid). Armstrong

Friday, September 27, 2019

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

Assignment - Essay Example At the end of the program, a gala was to be held, and the other competing schools-and in essence, companies-would gather for a competition to showcase what type of company they operated, how they operated and awards were up for grab for: The most profitable company. The best financially kept/managed company. Leadership award. The best overall company. Yes, visions can indeed be negative. In as far as visions are what we see as the situation in the future and this being the only drive necessitating changes towards realizing it, and in resting the job of creating the vision solely in the hands of â€Å"the leader† then certainly, visions can be negative. What is desirable is different from what is not desirable. Most firms focus on what they are to avoid rather what they aim to achieve (Senge 2006). The source of visions is primarily centered on the aims and preference of the particular individual generating it in lieu of the prevailing conditions in the operative environment. A leader that is cut off from the world can lead to development of visions that are impaired. The substance of that vision in particular can be extremely retrogressive and archaic as was the case in leaders such as Adolph Hitler. In the Company project, I was privileged to have worked on two fronts: Firstly, as a sales man and secondly as a human resource manager. It was ironic indeed, and rather vaguely clear to my fellow company members as to the excisions of my duties in both capacities. However, to me it was a chance to bring about the skills of adaptability-integrating both my outstanding leadership skills with my ability to work as part of the team (Woodcock 2007). A paradigm shift in my life occurred when I got the opportunity, shortly after the conclusion of the Company program, to form part of the team representing Kenya in an exchange program between Kenya and the Nederland. This opportunity opened my view on a lot of major aspects of my life, certainly culturally. The exch ange program introduced me to cultures of 3 European nations namely France, Belgium and the Nederland. My view of the world was immensely enriched, and the sight and first-hand experience of life in a developed society cannot be matched with any other in my life. I now understood what local policy makers meant with â€Å"development geared towards pushing the country into a developed nation†. Communication skill is certainly my strongest point. The ability to articulate thoughts, ideas and arguments in a manner that enriches discussions, induces and sustains action is by far my greatest asset. I believe strongly in the right of individuals over any matter; that one must speak up and rationally express their choice both in speech and in action. Historically, the very action of dissent has proved time and again as the driver of change. For where there is dissent, comes change; with change progress comes (Woodcock 2007). Again from a personal experience during the Company progra m, indeed both the shareholders and the executive board were against my dual role position. Claim that it would affect the performance of the team as a whole on either ends was my constant fear. Such difference in opinion and stiff resistant only served to strengthen my desire for the jobs. Clear explanations on how you plan to perform your duties, how they integrate with the overall team effort and providing a mechanism against which performance can be assessed

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Implementation and Analysis of Public Policy Essay

Implementation and Analysis of Public Policy - Essay Example For this purpose, some of the formed U.S. troops will provide support to the Iraqis while targeting ISIS forces by sharing their intelligence and coordinate planning process (Deyoung and Gearan, n.p.). President Obama is giving public announcement of the decision trying to convince American society that American personnel will stay in safety there and that the government is working on the development of comprehensive counterterrorism strategy. Also, he stresses that there is a critical necessity to take active position in the conflict on behalf of the American government and that the government will take proactive actions to provide support to the Iraqis people (Deyoung and Gearan, n.p.). Thus, the American government declares its active position towards the situation in Iraq and is stressing its advisory role rather than combating reinforcement. In my opinion the policy might work in case the objective of the plan declared by Obama is true. In case this policy is only a part of the plan and the president is going to take active combat position on behalf of the American government, then this policy can be perceived as a â€Å"cover† for the real plan. In any case it would be very challenging to ensure safety of the American soldiers in hot spot in Iraq. Provocative behavior on the one part can lead to a great military conflict and therefore, impose risk of greater number of victims. The policy looks more like the ground or cause to enter the Iraqis land. The possible criticisms of the Obama’s decision can relate to the issue that the President is opening a new front in the Middle East despite the official rejections (Deyoung and Gearan, n.p.). People might negatively perceive this decision and view it as continuation of spending money and threatening the lives of American soldiers in another land war in the Middle East (Deyoung and Gearan, n.p.). The fact that there will be soldiers who have already undergone military service on the Middle

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Business Strategy and Policy Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Business Strategy and Policy - Assignment Example Kellogg uses healthier ways of producing its products. Kellogg has tried using genetically modified raw materials for producing the goods. The company has tried to eliminate raw materials that have high fat content. Health problems are increasing in alarming rate. People are suffering from problems related to obesity. In such a scenario, Kellogg’s use of healthier raw materials like low fat oil would only lead to increase in demand for their products (Aaker, 2009). Kellogg did not take any effort in developing new products. They have continuously carried their business with the same line of products. There was no modification in products and it also did not focus on matching its products with the changing customer needs and requirements. The taste and preferences of consumers were not considered while making any decisions regarding product development. There was also no diversification plans in the business. This increased threats from competitors. They could develop new products and capture Kellogg’s market. (Fleisher, 2001). Kellogg may face a threat due to fall in its sales figures. This can be due to Kellogg’s inability to influence prices of its products. In the initial years, when Kellogg used small grocery stores for distributing the products, the company enjoyed significant power in setting its own price. But with the growth of the company, it has started transacting with large retailers. Such retailers do not allow Kellogg to negotiate prices and as a result Kellogg sets its prices according to the needs of the distributor (Fleisher, 2001). Threats related to new entry: Kellogg has a well recognized brand name. They have acquired this position by continuously maintaining product quality. The threat related to new entries is thus not very high. The company has the advantage of using economies of scale. The standards set by the company globally cannot be matched by a new entrant instantly. Competitive

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

COMPARE AND OR CONTRAST THE EFFECTS OF THE SETTING ON THE MAIN Essay

COMPARE AND OR CONTRAST THE EFFECTS OF THE SETTING ON THE MAIN CHARACTERS OF THE FOLLOWING TWO SHORT STORIES. THE LAST LEAF, BY WILLIAM SIDNEY PORTER (O. HEN - Essay Example To illustrate the various ways in which setting can be used to identify and mold the characters of a story, we will compare and contrast the effects of setting on the main characters involved in William Sidney Porter’s â€Å"The Last Leaf† (O. Henry) and Nadine Gordimer’s â€Å"The Ultimate Safari.† In â€Å"The Last Leaf,† the story opens with a description of the â€Å"crazy and broken† streets that â€Å"make strange angles and curves.† Immediately the reader is placed in mind of either a broken down part of town or an artist’s mecca, which indeed this area of town has become as we learn in the very next paragraph. As the area becomes associated with artists in the reader’s mind, an idea of the culture of the area becomes clear. With this association to the land of imagination, creativity and make-believe, the reader is more inclined to believe one of the main characters, Johnsy, would truly die once the last leaf fell from the ivy vines outside her window. This belief is, to some degree, also shared by her roommate Sudie and their downstairs neighbor, Mr. Behrman. Understanding that Sudie’s fear regarding the vine is strong enough to mention her concern to their neighbor indicates this conviction of her roommate’s is at least halfway believable to the character. This is further emphasized as Sudie and Mr. Behrman â€Å"peered out the window fearfully at the ivy vine. Then they looked at each other for a moment without speaking.† Mr. Behrman’s final masterpiece is also an indication of just how much he buys into the concept of an artist who might die simply based on her convictions. To contrast against this culture, this belief in the power of the vine to number out the time Johnsy has left to live, is not shared by the good doctor, who is not a part of the artist culture and cannot understand a woman who would live in order to someday paint the bay of Naples but not for the hope of a good man. However, he is a good doctor who

Monday, September 23, 2019

Case analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Case analysis - Essay Example It is amongst the top fifteen companies in the United Kingdom. It’s past financial performance has been quiet commendable and its spread of operations world over. The biggest strength of the organization laid in its successful acquisitions through which it derived internal development. Sound financial control of the organization ever since its inception has been one of its hallmarks. More and more hotels were acquired as time passed. Despite having innumerable complex intricate operations, the structure of the organization was unbureaucratic. Their chief financial manager Joseph believed in trading purchase assets; a strategy that proved to be very effective for them.The main premise behind this was to use cash flow generated from the acquisition to cover debts. This meant good management would increase cash flow for the company while covering debts. John acquired those assets he believed would rise in cost owing to inflation and would help generate significant cash flow in future. Most of the acquisitions barring that with Express had been on good friendly terms. Even after acquisitions, the business was allowed to run in their own styles without a lot of interference from the top management. Joseph never intervened deeply into the running affairs of the business. There were lots of opportunities all the way from the beginning. Acquisitions kept taking place as went the chance to do so turn in. The opportunities were executed none bureaucratically. Joseph’s only focus was on the fact that the existing cash flow would be able to cover any debts while operations were feasible. If everything fit the bill for him, he would then go ahead. It was with this idea in his mind that he acquired brewer Truman, Han bury, Buxton (THB). Joseph realized that the breweries were attractive in-city spots. He further cashed in on the curativeness of this offer when he saw an opportunity in â€Å"Winey Mann† as a follow up on THB. This was a huge step for

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Management Theories and Philosophies Assignment

Management Theories and Philosophies - Assignment Example This research will begin with the statement that the Management Theory and Philosophy is referred to an independent forum that pays attention to the essential philosophical matters of management in terms of both theories as well as practice. Management includes planning, organizing, commanding, coordinating and controlling. The fundamental theories which are used in today’s management are the Classical theory and the Human Relation theory. The Classical Approach acknowledges the main part of management thought, which depends on the principle that employees do only have physical and economic needs; and the requirement for the satisfaction of job and social needs either is unimportant or does not subsist. It defines the homogenous facts on the administration of organizations. This approach supports decision making, high interest of labor and profit maximization. The analysis will focus on the contribution of various authors such as Frederick Winslow Taylor, Henri Fayol and Max W eber who have applied these theories in various disciplines. The classical approach includes Scientific Management, Administrative Management, and the Bureaucratic management. On the other hand, the Human Relation Approach focuses on the people and human being’s behavior. It refers to an organizational tool that assists in efficiency thinking and rationalization. It goes further than physical contributions in order to include cognitive, emotional, and creative aspects of workers. Employees communicate opinions, suggestions, feelings, and complaints to boost production and satisfaction.

Saturday, September 21, 2019

An oral history of the zombie war Essay Example for Free

An oral history of the zombie war Essay Though perhaps not as â€Å"academic† as the other sources in this bibliography, the oral history of the zombie war is an important side note to the whole genre. In Brooks’ book, there are several moments, while recounting the battles with the zombies, where they are told from the point of view of the liberators. In fact, in his story, he coins the phrase â€Å"LAMOE† which stands â€Å"Last men on earth†. These individuals, much like the character played by Will Smith, had been left behind, the infected zones to fend for themselves. Often, as the story is told, these people left behind, were not all too happy to be â€Å"liberated†, as they had conditioned themselves to the isolation of being, and believing they were the last â€Å"people† on earth. In this sense, the film version and incidentally the book, deal with these concepts from the point of view of the isolated; but, what if they were to be told from the point of view of the liberators? Campbell, Joseph. The Hero with a Thousand Faces Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1949. Joseph Campbell’s book, is an overview of legends and the masks our heroes wear. Both in the film version and the book version of I Am Legend, the Robert Neville character must go through various trials; which, ultimately in the film version, leads to his transformation from this plane of existence to another. (Mainly, by dying) The first trial, is simple isolation, which Campbell explicitly describes as one of the most common trails of mythology. Additionally, in the film, the main character exhibits a certain arrogance, which ultimately turns around on him. I. E the way he had caught the other zombie, the trick sort to speak, was used against him later in the movie. Giglioli, Palo Pier. Language and Social Context. New York: Penguin. 1972. It should be of note: the original book written by Matheson, had a lead character who was white; whereas the film version cast the lead character as black. Setting aside the box-office appeal of Will Smith for a moment, what were some of the other reasons for the change of race? Could the film be taken as an commentary of the plight of successful African-Americans, being isolated, though working desperately to help their friends, family and peer group? If the film is viewed in this light, one could most accurately argue that it is in fact a commentary on racial issues within a particular racial group. Hellekson, Karen Ph. D. The alternate history (Refiguring Historical Time). Kent: Kent State University Press, 2001. Through out her review of the alternate history genera of story telling, Karen Hellekson, makes not of the function of the story being told. If one were to apply her same method of criticism to the movie version of I AM Legend, we would find that it too is an alternate history. Obviously, fictions, the film I Am Legend, begins with the initial out-break, due to the cancer fighting drug. Although, this is told in a â€Å"present† narrative, the inclusion, of these scenes are to create an artificial history in the story’s time line. Matheson, Richard. I AM LEGEND London: Orion Books, 1954. Naturally, the movie version starring Will Smith is radically divergent from the original book published in 1954. An example of one such divergence, is in the role of the main character. In the original works, the main character, was a former Marine, whereas in the film version, he is a current Marine working with the CDC. Another divergence, which actually changes the nature of the title, is found at the ending of both the book and the film. In the film version, the main character becomes legendary, due to how he dies; whereas the book version, Robert Neville, is legendary due to him being the last non-infected â€Å"human† or in essence the last man on earth. Twain, Mark. â€Å"On the Damned Human Race† A collection of Essays Edited by Janet Smith. 1962. An argument could be made that both the film and the original fiction, had been a commentary on the human condition, the human race. Twin’s wit and insight into the social conditions apply aptly to both the film version and the book. The fact Robert Neville takes it upon himself to â€Å"cure† the world is manifestly anti-twian-ian. â€Å"it is the ghost, of fool-hardy chivalry† as Twain would say, about the lengths the character goes to rid the world of something, that it seems more than happy to live with.

Friday, September 20, 2019

Advantages Of Geothermal Energy

Advantages Of Geothermal Energy Green organizations in Dhahran aim to save environmental energy as possible as they can. Green organization found in Dhahran 2007 , from that time , organization prepare to start this huge project in 2010 to conserve energy in Saudi Arabia . In our project team we separated our team with respect to our majors. So, we end up with five parts to work on energy conservation. The main problem in our environment that we concern on , is environment pollution and conventional energy wastes. In Saudi Arabia they uses only one source to produce electricity by using fossil fuels, and we all know that is harmful and produce a lot of waste. Moreover, conventional energy has a limit of source , so over the time we may not have these sources to produce electricity. However, in our organization we found some powerful solutions, and as a Mechanical Engineer in this organization I found that the suitable energy we can use is the renewable ones, So, I found geothermal energy is the most powerful type. Many of kinds of energy we use in our daily life , in home, cars, etc. are not renewable forms of energy. The major source of these types is fossil fuels, as we know that fossil fuels took millions of years to form, so its impossible to make it now. Unfortunately, these kinds of energy has limited amounts of sources. Moreover, these sources cannot be renewed , when they are gone they cannot be used again .So, we need as a green organization and as a part of people live in our environment to save these energy as much as we can . However , there are many other kinds of energy called renewable energy .These types of renewable energy always can be renewed or restored. Unlike fossil fuels , which harm the environment, renewable energy has much less effects to our environment. In this report I will introduce one of the most powerful type of energy , not harmful , renewable , and good efficiency . Heat is form of energy , and the heat that inside the earth is the major source of the renewable energy that I will talk about. The part of the heat inside the earth that people can use it and exploits it to form energy is called Geothermal Energy . I will give you a brief history ,then I will talk about current status of geothermal energy activity in the world, and I will give you some idea about the resources , then Ill explain how geothermal energy plants work , then I will talk about advantages disadvantages and make some comparison , after that Ill give you some numbers statistic , moreover , talking about future of this energy will be exciting. Finally I am going to list some of the milestones of geothermal energy power plant. . -Brief History: The thermal phenomena , volcanoes ,and hot springs must led our ancestors to believe that the interior part of the earth is hot . Moreover, when the first mines were excavated to about few hundred meters between the sixteenth and seventeenth century , the man who dig he recognized that as he go more deep as the temperature increase . By 1904, the first electricity generating attempt was being made from geothermal steam; again, it was to take place at Larderello, Italy (Figure 1). Figure 1 , Mary H. Dickson and Mario Fanelli Istituto di Geoscienze e Georisorse, CNR , Pisa, Italy Prepared on February 2004, The engine used at Larderello in 1904 in the first experiment in generating electric energy from geothermal steam, along with its inventor, Prince Piero Ginori Conti. This experiment was successful and it was indication of the industrial value of geothermal energy. Moreover, Larderello in Italy succeed in commercial electricity generation. And by 1942 the installed electricity which generated by geothermal energy reached 127,650 kWe . However , other several countries start follow Italy , for example , in 1919 Japan drilled there first wells in Beppu, 1921 in USA , 1958 in New Zealand , and in 1959 in Mexico, and followed by many other countries. From that time the geothermal studies applied to earth . And the thermal energy now increase ,but mankind can only use fraction of this energy until now. -Current Status : The thermal energy increases with time, and so far the uses of this energy is limited to areas where water in the liquid phase or steam . If we take USA status now , we can see that geothermal energy is not powerful , because USA has a special case where there are some reasons for that. First, in competing generating technologies , prices of fuels used are decreased. Moreover , demand for electricity has a slow growth. Another reason that has been a surplus of electricity in USA . On the other hand , we can get benefits from that repudiation of geothermal energy in USA . KSA has different conditions about electricity generation , we have only one source of electricity and the demand on that increases relative to time. So as a green organization we can contract with these companies that worked in USA , so we can get the experience and they can reactivate there work here in KSA. Resources of Geothermal Energy : Complex processes lead to heat concentration at accessible depth under the earth , this is the main source of geothermal energy. However, there are many different forms of geothermal energy resources , such as hydrothermal, hot dry rock, geopressured, magma, and earth heat. As an example , temperature of highly viscous or partially molten rock is between 1,200 and 2,200Â °F , these can be exist everywhere under the earth surface at depth of 80 to 100 kilometers. There are different characteristic of geothermal resources . First, hydrothermal resources, these are steam or hot water where we can drill and reach these reservoirs and deliver the heat to earth surface to generate electricity. Second , hot dry rock (Figure2) , these rocks stores heat at very high temperature and the plant inject cold water to these areas and extract this water after being hot from other well. Third, geopressured resources consist of deeply buried brines at moderate temperature that contain dissolved methane, however , this resource are not economically competitive currently, so no funds are directed toward accessing these resources. Fourth, magma , this resorce give extremely high temperature but there is no technology to get that heat energy until now. Finally, we can use earth heat as a resource and it is proven technology. Types of Geothermal Power Plants: There are three types of geothermal power plant, depend on the way that electricity generated. Here are the three types: 1- Dry Steam Power Plant: These plants uses the hot steam which extracted from the earth by wells to rotate the turbine that generate electricity. 2- Flash Steam Power Plant: This is the most common type of geothermal power plant. These plants extract hot water from the earth at 360 Â °F, pressure decrease as water flows up through wells , as a result of pressure decreases, water converted to steam . So, steam is used to rotate the turbine. 3- Binary Cycle Power Plant: These plants uses the heat from lower-temperature reservoirs to boil the working fluid which vaporized by heat exchanger and used to power a generator. The remaining water which never comes into direct contract with working fluid is injected back to the ground by injection wells. Procedure of Geothermal Energy in Details: Water in underground reservoirs is heated to high temperature by magma , production wells drilled up to 3 kilometers below the earth surface tapping to this hot fluid. Under its own pressure ,fluid flows up through these wells towards the surface , as it travels , the pressure decrease causing small amount to become steam. Then, hot fluid and steam move through a surface pipeline to a well head separator where the pressure in reduced, here, most of the fluid vaporizes and flashes into high pressure steam. After that, any fluid not flashed into steam moves to a standard pressure crystallizer to produce standard pressure steam . Then, remaining fluids is flashed at a lower pressure to create low-pressure steam. Finally, all steam created in the plant is sent to a turbine onside. The force of the steams spins the turbine plates which turns a shaft connected to an electronic generator. As a result, an electric charge is created and directed to a transformer , where the voltage is increas ed. However, any fluid not flashed into steam return to the underground reservoir where in time they will be reheated and reused. Advantages of Geothermal Energy: There is no consumption of any type of fossil fuels. Moreover, geothermal energy doesnt product any type of greenhouse effect. Also, if we talk about energy consumption, geothermal energy does not consume any energy since its renewable energy, so there is no limit of using geothermal energy. Furthermore, it is great for protecting the natural environment since the power plant shouldnt be huge. Disadvantages of Geothermal Energy: There are several disadvantages to geothermal energy. First, you cannot build the power plant in any vacant land, there must be studies on the area , and the area chosen should consist of hot rocks to get the geothermal energy as we want. Also, not any type of rocks we can drill into, there are some kinds which is possible to drill into. Advantages of Geothermal Energy Compared With Other Conventional Energy: * Fewer more easy to control emissions of atmospheric pollutions. * Fewer amount of wastes. * Demands of areas for a power plant is much less than other conventional plants. * Continues circle , renewable. Cost of Geothermal Power Plant: In general, economically competitive geothermal power plant cost $3400 per kilowatt. However , the cost of construct new geothermal power plant is higher than natural gas facilities, but over a long term they are similar in cost. This is because natural gas construction costs one third of the total price and remaining two third of the cost represented by fuel. While, construction of new geothermal power plant cost two third of the total price. So, initial investment for geothermal power plant is high, but with time it is economically comparable with natural gas plant. If you wondering that is the cost of geothermal power plan fluctuating like other fossil fuels, I can say no, because whenever you build a geothermal plant you should know most of power production and few market parameter can modify them. There many factors effect the cost of a geothermal power plant cost. First in construction period, steel and metals effect the price of the plant. Also, drilling price varies. Moreover, place of the plant effect the price because of connection of electric grid. Buy or rent land will raise the cost, because to fully study and explore a geothermal resource you need at least 8 km2. Energy and investment costs for electric energy production from renewables (from Fridleifsson, 2001) Current energy cost USÂ ¢/kWh Potential future energy cost USÂ ¢/kWh Turnkey investment cost US$/kW Biomass 5 15 4 10 900 3000 Geothermal 2 10 1 8 800 3000 Wind 5 13 3 10 1100 1700 Solar (photovoltaic) 25 125 5 25 5000 10 000 Solar (thermal electricity) 12 18 4 10 3000 4000 Tidal 8 15 8 15 1700 2500 Future of Geothermal Energy in KSA: Green organization always try to save our environment as possible as they can. After talking about the geothermal energy in detailed I think this is the time to conserve energy for our environment. So, KSA companies and government always accept new idea which conserve our environment. I think Saudi Arabia will have huge improvement in geothermal energy ,since the land behavior and hot climate and the increment of electricity demand as we see in figure below. Some Famous Milestones of Geothermal Power Plant: Here are some famous geothermal power plant milestones where Saudi Arabia can get benefit from there experience . Early 1900s First geothermal electricity commercialization Conversion of high-grade hydrothermal resources to electricity began in Italy in the early 1900s. 1960 U.S. commercialization The first commercial-scale development tools were placed at The Geysers in California, a 10-megawatt unit owned by Pacific Gas Electric. 1970 Reinjection of geothermal fluids Injection of spent geothermal fluids back into the production zone began as a means to dispose of waste water and maintain reservoir life. 1972 Deep well drilling Technology improvements led to deeper reservoir drilling and access to more resources. 1977 Hot dry rock demonstrated In 1977, scientists developed the first hot dry rock reservoir at Fenton Hill, New Mexico. 1978 Federal research and development (RD) funding exceeds $100 million U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) funding for geothermal research and development was $106.2 million (1995 dollars) in fiscal year 1978, marking the first time the funding level surpassed $100 million. It remained above $100 million until fiscal year 1982, when it was reduced to $56.4 million (1995 dollars). Currently, the budget is in the $30 million to $40 million range. 1978 Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA) enacted PURPA mandated the purchase of electricity from qualifying facilities (QFs) meeting certain technical standards regarding energy source and efficiency. PURPA also exempted QFs from both State and Federal regulation under the Federal Power Act and the Public Utility Holding Company Act. 1980 First commercial binary system The first commercial-scale binary plant in the United States, installed in Southern Californias Imperial Valley, began operation in 1980. 1980s California Standard Offer Contracts Californias Standard Offer Contract system for PURPA QFs provided renewable electric energy systems a relatively firm and stable market for output, allowing the financing of such capital-intensive technologies as geothermal energy facilities. 1982 Hydrothermal generating capacity of 1,000 megawatts Geothermal (hydrothermal) electric generating capacity, primarily utility-owned, reached a new high level of 1,000 megawatts. 1989 Geopressured power plant demonstrated In 1989, DOE and the Electric Power Research Institute operated a 1-megawatt demonstration plant in Texas, extracting methane and heat from brine liquids. 1990 Drop in Federal funding for geothermal RD to $15 million DOE funding for geothermal energy research and development declined throughout the 1980s, reaching its low point in fiscal year 1990. 1991 Magma drilling project reaches a depth of 7,588 feet The worlds first magma exploratory well was drilled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains to a depth of 7,588 feet. It did not encounter magma at that depth inside the caldera. 1994 Industry consolidates and looks at new markets California Energy became the worlds largest geothermal company through its acquisition of Magma Power. Near-term international markets gained the interest of U.S. geothermal developers. 1985-95 Capacity outside The Geysers exceeds 1,000 megawatts Since 1985, U.S. geothermal developers have added nearly 1,000 megawatts of geothermal electric generating capacity outside The Geysers. 1995 Worldwide geothermal capacity of 6,000 megawatts Worldwide geothermal capacity currently totals 6,000 megawAtts in 20 countries. Conclusion: After we see the advantages of geothermal energy, and after we know that geothermal energy have nothing to emission to the environment. Moreover, geothermal energy is the best type of renewable energy in terms of cost , efficiency ,and safety. Consequently, I think the most powerful alternative type of energy in KSA is geothermal energy. As I said, its renewable, so we will not lose any energy and this is enough to start geothermal energy production in KSA.

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Immigrants - Just Let Them In :: Immigrants Immigration Essays

Immigrants - Just Let Them In America is the land of the free, and a life full of opportunities for every American. The United States leads the world in its power and is seen by many as a way to escape the hardships of their countries. Would it be inhumane of a rich country to not help the other countries and people, who struggle in the world? But for an immigrant to enter the United States, he or she must have a one to two-year processing time, a three hundred and ten dollar fee, and a ten page form stating their reasons for entering the U.S. Most immigrants do not want or can find time to go through this process. Instead, they could come into the U.S. illegally and still receive a job without a problem. Immigrants help America prosper by increasing the purchasing of goods. This in turn makes the economy grow by demanding more jobs. Immigrants help America flourish and create a wide variety of people living the American dream as one nation. Most Americans relax in a state of comfort zone. They live their nice lives and forget about the world outside their eyes. Studying other countries gives a clear example of what horrible lives others live. Currently eighty-nine percent of Mexico lives in poverty. The average Mexican worker slaves all day for a pathetic forty pesos, (Mexico Child Link. http://www.mexico-child-link.org/mexico-factfile-statistics.htm). That is two dollars a day in America. If an American had a family with a wife and a couple kids, they could not support a family with such a lack of income. The American needs to put himself or herself in a position of an immigrant and asked the question what they would do. They would try to leave and go to a land where they hear of riches and luxuries. They would leave to a place where they could raise a happy family and obtain a steady job paying wages that they could support their family. The dream of any human being is not to suffer, but to live a joyful li fe. Many immigrants flee their countries because they seek asylum in the United States.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Tales Of Simple :: essays research papers

Langston Hughes is represented in Black Voices by the Tales of Simple. Hughes first presents his character Jessie B. Simple in the Forward: Who is Simple? In this tale the reader is given its first look at the character Jessie B. Simple who is a black man that represents almost the "anybody or everybody" of black society. Simple is a man who needs to drink, to numb the pain of living life. "Usually over a glass of beer, he tells me his tales... with a pain in his soul... sometimes as the old blues says... Simple might be laughing to keep from crying" (98, 99). Jessie B. Simple, also known as Simple, has just the right combination of qualities to be Black America's new spokesman and unsung hero. Simple seems to possess just enough urban humor and cynicism, down-home simplicity, naivete, and "boy-next-door innocence" that Simple easily becomes a character that hard-working, average, everyday people can relate to. He quickly becomes this sort of Black Every man whose bunions hurt all the time and whose thoughts are relatively quite simple, yet he is a man who rises above these facts and has a perception that shows the man to have great wisdom and incredible insight. And although he maintains seriousness for all his wisdom to come through; his presentation of the facts is given in a humorous manner. In Bop, "That's why so many white folks do not get their heads beat just for being white. But me --- a cop is liable to grab me almost anytime and beat my head- just for being colored " (105). This side to Simple is an example of Hughes attempt to give simple facts or actual truth but instead of telling these things harshly and angrily he tries to sweeten them with a little sarcastic humor. At times, Simple is full of pain. "I have had so many hardships in this life," said Simple, "that it is a wonder I'll live until I die" (105). This comment by Simple is one of Ramsey 2 many that help portray him as a simple man who has been both mentally and physically broken-down by society but who in Census also says that, in spite of all the hardships he has experienced, he is still here. Hughes, by using Simple, shows his discontent of the black man's world, yet in showing these feelings Hughes never portrays himself to be angry, overcome by fear, or overwhelmed by racial paranoia.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Gated Communities in Istanbul

The background Istanbul is one of the outstanding concern, Cultural, tourer and transit hubs in Europe every bit good as the Middle East which besides contributes 22 per cent of Turkey’s GDP with 17.8 per cent of the national population. ( 21 ) The economic activity is rooted geographically and historically as the instance with many planetary metropoliss. From the Ottoman period, Istanbul has been the major metropolis in term of societal moral force and economic activity. In The wake of the Second World War, the industrial capital throughout the patriot and develop mentalist clip with experiment of big inward migration. The rapid enlargement is chiefly through spreading outwardsgecekonducolonies near the mill on the traveling borders of Istanbul which displaced the manifestation of the aureate age of informal urbanisation. Whereas, with the debut of the Neoliberal scheme which started from the 1980s, it has entered into a new phase that the shot of nation’s integrating into supranational capitalist kineticss is focused on Istanbul. ( book ) At that period of clip, the luxury upper category residential country and globalising commercial infinites spread outwards of the metropolis ; Meanwhile,gecekonducolonies have con tinued to turn. Thus, the great disparity of income, wealth and power deepen in Istanbul as the city expressed in spacial segregations ( book ; keyder2005 ) It could reason that planetary capitalist economy is the beginning of centralisation and backdown for the form of growing. In the recent decennaries, Istanbul has been considered by Turkish capital and province as a supranational regional economic Centre, assisting Turkey to take a farther measure into internationalisation and planetary capitalist economy as the fiscal hub for the East and the West. ( ppt ) To implement the acceleration, the Istanbul Metropolitan Planning ( IMP ) was established by the JDP authorities. There are two indispensable purposes for the planning authorization ; the first is to deconcentrate the fabrication industry towards outskirts of the built-up country. The 2nd is to transform the cardinal metropolis towards finance services, up-market ingestion, so traveling the growing of up-market utilizations from the outskirts to the Centre. ( book ) These transmutation besides led of import functional alterations in the cardinal metropolis like Emine °S ? Which was the city’s oldest concern centre now lost its production and service maps but act as great touristic and cultural roles.17 The chief intervention for the spacial restructuring is through large-scale urban renovation which including the three big havens at Zeytinburnu, Haydarpasa and Galata are for trade centre. Meanwhile, the new bomber centre is located in the outer of both sides of the metropolis to suit the lower degree and more local commercial activity to guarantee the cardinal metropolis to be available for high degree concern sectors. The internationalized utilizations for renovation of cardinal metropolis proceed partially on empty land in the cardinal metropolis which owned by the public authorization. At the same clip, the IMP has seen a ‘rent gap’ in rundown residential countries with hapless dwellers so in the interior metropolis, these countries are targeted as major planned regeneration undertakings. First, be aftering in the country where the historic edifices in metropolis centre that occupied by the cultural minority of all categories who were expelled in the 1920s from the state by the nationalist government. Second, be aftering in the country where thegecekonducolonies built by immigrants in the past 50 old ages which means they are composed to travel out. Before, these dwellers who work in these countries are largely employed in informal service sectors and small-scale economic improvisation in the cardinal metropolis. Even more worse, because of the planetary crisis the unskilled occupat ions are difficult to happen for support, the impairment of poorness happens with the cultural and societal background of recent migrators like Kurdish migrators, the Roma population of Sulukule, African refugees. Therefore, without rubric to the land, these people are unable to take part in the increasing market-oriented lodging economic system. ( rhenium ) The menace is non merely for the income polarisationa?† a?- but besides it affected societal, cultural, and spacial exclusion and possibly a lasting sub-proletariat. ( Re ) For illustration, in recent regeneration undertaking in the Sulukule territory which is one of the oldest Roma vicinities been occupied by Anatolian Gypsies since Byzantine times will replace the edifice with Ottoman manner Villa. It is the MHA led undertaking that propose a 100 edifice are to be demolished with all 620 the renters are evicted. The two options is either to purchase new flat at a high monetary value or purchase societal lodging units in the outskirts of the metropolis at below- market rates but it is 45km off, therefore it become truly dearly-won and hard to entree to employment in the metropolis centre. The other similar regeneration projectikucukcekmece, to bring forth tremendous residential developments which close to a new planned commercial growing country in the outer West of the Istanbul. The MHA has constructed a immense increased denseness of 100,000 lodging unites with ingestion infinite. ( book ) However, the MHA demolished old 2000 homesteader colonies which move the proprietors to societal lodging in less valuable countries. The poorest tenants were neglect when they couldn’t pay the monetary value for the provided units. ? ? ? Thegecekonducolonies are consolidated. The Mass Housing Administration participated in this development by concept high-rise residential units for low income groups in outskirts of the metropolis and some of the Original occupants could go forth the old vicinity and take for middle-class residential developments. Alliances happened for the last 15 old ages and profited from the development. As a consequence, the metropolis could stop up with an tremendous bubble of extra existent estate ( 49 ) ? ? ? ? ? In Istanbul there are more than half illegally edifices where big population growing was accommodated on these productions of colonies. For the terminal of populism it demonstrated that land had eventually become a commodityiREi?†°which of course become favourable for guess as more and more land was pulled into the market sphere. However, the planetary moving ridge of bad investing in these tremendous developments make up one's minding the spacial enlargement of the urban metropolis. ( 49 ) In the 1980s, the earlier stage of the planetary vision was chiefly driven by the Turkish beginning pudding stone capital. The new unit of ammunition of urban globalisation is non merely driven by existent estate but besides a cultural undertaking. However, it could still reason that the renovation docket to turn metropolis infinites into the profitable Assets ; meanwhile, to accommodate the demands of spread outing wealth or for touristry, for commercial utilizations. ( 49 ) The planetary Investors are attracted to the quickly increased consumer demand for high-quality lodging, commercial apace and cultural touristry in the most profitable country. ? ? ? ? As a consequence, It can be seen in a 5.5 km2 big renovation undertaking, maestro planned by Zaha Hadid, in the Kartal territory along the Marmara shore which hosts 100 industrial mill. The former Mayor of Kartal had indicated the program to pull US $ 5 billion from planetary investors to develop a yacht marina accommodating 1,000 boats with Hotels, place and residential country. These sort of transmutation rely on the confederation of national and local political purpose and economic involvements, moreover it is besides depended on the graduated table and range with planetary capital entered the metropolis. ( 49 ) The comparative economic alteration is the world that modern urban developments have homogenized edifice signifiers. The standardisation has progressed because of the edifice can be globally traded which are every bit the same in all topographic points. The societal effects of standardisation is the consequence of homogeneousness in reinforced signifier affects segregation it is efficient to build full communities destined for certain societal groups. 12 Gated communities appeared in Turkey in the 1980s as of import undertaking of urban transmutation and enlargement in the metropolis which driven by an progressively powerful existent estate market and accepted by political relations and planning. This advancement is non merely altering urban and architectural forms in the metropolis but besides the deduction on the societal and economic constructions at the vicinity degree. ( web ) For illustration Ge °Ã¢â‚¬ ¡te »Ã‚ µk, as a innovator of this manner of development in the 1990s existent estate developers discovered the potency for the up market lodging development. Therefore, more than 30 gated communities have been built closly. As a consequence, the population increases from 1,500 in 1993 to about 20,000 in 2008 with increasing land value. ( ) The country has been transformed into an island among islands with necessary web of economic, societal brushs which connect Ge °Ã¢â‚¬ ¡te »Ã‚ µk’s apparently the fragment into an incorporate economic whole.i5i?†°However, the gated communities still consequence on crystallisation of the class-based spacial segregation. Istanbul is acknowledged that has a proper system of public conveyance constitutes to counter the immense menace to mobility by planned expresswaies, widened roads and introduced new traffic lanes. However, it could make farther divisions and destruct the city’s delicate vicinity construction. The original street forms of theGecekonduand yap-sat territories, with their complex societal and micro-economic constructions, and lively street activities are being replaced by the new vicinities which dwelling of monolithic blocks with high-rise flat towers. Besides, a big Numberss of diverse population are forced to go considerable distances for plants and even basic demands that farther consequence on the mobility on all degrees.

Monday, September 16, 2019

Advantages and Disadvantages of Synchronous and Asynchronous Learning in an Online Class Essay

The advantages of asynchronous learning far outweigh the disadvantages and this approach has the ability to have an overwhelmingly positive impact on the overarching learning objectives for most courses. One such advantage is the result of the way asynchronous learning is employed. All comments from the students and the instructor are saved throughout the class and organized by discussion and date. This provides students with the opportunity to take in all of the materials that are presented and reflect on all of the concepts at an appropriate time. This advantage benefits students who generally take poor notes or are forced to attend extremely large classes by assuring they do not miss important information. One of the most prevalent and potentially problematic disadvantages of the asynchronous environment is the sense of being disconnected from the group that students may potentially develop. A student that does not feel connected with the class or instructor may lose motivation, interest and ultimately find that learning and retaining the material is nearly impossible. This disadvantage is exacerbated as students feel more and more isolated as time passes and no intervention takes place. The longer this sense of being disconnected continues, the more likely it is that course concepts will fail to become anything more than words on the screen causing a potentially serious disadvantage to become an almost insurmountable obstacle to success. In what ways should making money online have its limits? For example, is pornography, online gambling, etc, fair game? What are the ethical considerations involved? I honestly dont feel that there is a problem with making money online as long as its legal. When people have the opportuinty to take advantage of such things like porn and gambling,they get addicted to it and sometimes overuse it not know what the circumstances will be afterwards.

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Heaney’s Poetry Essay

I have recently studied some of your poetry for my leaving certificate english course and I feel greatly changed by what I read. To say the least, it made a strong impression on me. It was a memorable experience. I looked into five of your poems with great depth and they were; â€Å"A Constable Calls†, â€Å"The Forge†, â€Å"The Underground†, â€Å"The Tollund Man†, and of course â€Å"The Skunk†. These poems inspired a range of emotions in me that I would never have expected to feel while reading poetry. In the poem â€Å"A Constable Calls† I feel that the predominant mood is one of tension and hostility. In my opinion it is an explanation of the relationship dynamic between two traditions juxtaposed in the north of Ireland. It is clearly not a friendly, personal relationship. I felt that the way in which you portrayed a young Heaney -an objective observer- was particularly effective to say the least. Even more impressive the young Heaney appears to offer up no opinion yet within the first couple of lines we have a clear sense of the constable. The image we are presented with of the constable is one of authority and control. It appears even â€Å"The pedal treads† are delighted to be â€Å"hanging relieved† from â€Å"the boot of the law†. It seems to me here that not only does this boot refer to the actual boot worn by the constable but also the impersonal, forceful, powerful presence that is the law. I think you captured equally successfully the significance of the exchange between your father and the constable and its meaning to you with the phrase â€Å"Arithmetic and fear†. The air of unease and fear on the part of your father is almost tangeable here. The lack of friendliness is accentuated by the brief exchange of words between your father and the constable. The stern, authoritarian tone of voice he takes with your father when he says â€Å"Any other root crops? Mangolds? Marrowstems? Anything like that? † and the single, unaccompanied response of your father â€Å"No† sent a shiver down my spine as I read. To me, this poem portrayed, extremely effectively, the relationship between your family and the law. â€Å"The Forge† in all its sensuous beauty is by far my favourite poem of yours. The manner in which the â€Å"door into the dark† presents the reader with an interior, strange and atramentous, that as a young boy you are unsure about whether the threshold should be crossed or not. On a literal level, the image you give us as readers and to me as a seventeen year old boy is one of staccato rhythym, life and an abundance of energy, which, while I read it, bestowed onto me a sense of the importance the forge holds in the protection of Irish heritage and tradition as the old is pushed to give way to the new. The incredible way that you blend together the â€Å"clatter/ Of hoofs† from the memory of the blacksmith and what now replaces it, â€Å"Traffic (is) flashing in rows† is enviable at least. This said, I believe too that there is a far deeper meaning, buried deep in under the skin of this poem, much more than just a celebration of local craftsmanship and of cultural roots. In my opinion you also mean to explore, rather ironically, the creative process and the writing of poetry through poetry. The forge in this case being an extended metaphor for the mind and the creative process. Possibly representative of the centre of creativity, you speak of the anvil which â€Å"must be somewhere in the centre† but is not visible to you, the eager observer. If someday I am married and it turns out the way your marriage appears to have in â€Å"The Underground† I will be a lucky man. It is my firm believe that there is a strong divide right in the middle of this poem. It changes from pure ecstasy and excitement to a more sombre, worried, unsure mood towards the end but this is not negative. This is merely pointing out that not everything is all hugs and kisses. It is saying that there are things that need thought to go with everything but that this is part of life. This, I believe, must be understood by the end of the poem to make it worth having read. At the start of any new journey there is aways a sense of excitement and exhiliration, but when things don’t go your way, you can be left â€Å"bared and tensed†. The poem encourages you to delve deep into yourself and seek out the part of your soul distant from even yourself and analyse why you have left this part of you isolate itself. I have an enormous admiration for the way you do this in this poem. As well as this, I feel the unconventional way through which you portray love while also proclaiming your undying love for your wife is fascinating. The mellifluous writing and easy reading of this poem is something admired and envied. â€Å"The Tollund Man† in my honest opinion the most morose, grave, hard hitting poem of yours. It inspires a lot of thought about the human nature. It was written in response to the troubles in Northern Ireland and I feel that using the medium of poetry you search for an answer to modern problems in the past as it is well known that history is constantly repeating itself. It is clear that you are drawing parallels between the ritual killings of the past and the murder of innocent victims nowadays in the north of the country. I feel that you search the memory of the Tollund to get answers but you do not want to â€Å"risk blasphemy† and â€Å"consecrate the cauldron bog/ Our holy ground and pray/ Him to make germinate†. It is my interpretation that in your mind the Tollund man is the key to enlightenment. Is it that you find it hard to confront the reality that is the mindless violence in Northern Ireland? As this is how it appears. You also create a witty but macabre oxymoron at the end when you say â€Å"Unhappy and at home† as you would assume that the one place where a person should be happy is at home but that’s not the case here and I felt that here also you refer to the people who live in Northern Ireland that must deal with the worry of â€Å"The Troubles† everyday. I feel that a nice poem to finish discussing is â€Å"The Skunk† as even thinking of this poem brings a small smile to my face. The lighthearted humourous approach to missing and longing in this poem is astonishing. I believe that this is a poem about your wife. It captures with an breathtaking level of finesse the beautiful nature of an everyday relationship. The ordinary mysteries at the heart of the normal relationship. The comparison of the skunk is probably to emphasise the animalistic naturalness of the relationship along with the primative, erotic nature of the attraction. As you â€Å"begin to tense as a voyeur† as you feel almost as if you are spying on the skunk as she passes, you are reminded of your wife and start to remember the way things were at the start, so romantic, so beautiful. â€Å"After eleven years I was composing/ Love letters again† is a lovely image showing that the excitement and spark that holds a relationship together will not be evident every minute of everyday but that in the end of the day, if you love someone you will always be ready to show them if you need to show them. The long lines, and the enjambement of the poem add to the excitement, playfulness and ease of the poem. It is both sensuous and sensual as you begin to smell â€Å"Small oranges† and see the â€Å"desk light softened†. The tension and expectation you feel is clearly akin to the way you felt about your wife at the time. This sensual imagery all portrays the richness of love. That is all I wanted to say. I believe that it was one of the most memorable experiences of my whole life reading your poetry and I mean that in a good way. It is something I will never look back upon doing in a negative light as I have gained some very important insights into life, love, tradition and conflict resolution from this.

Descartes vs St Augustine Essay

To examine life, you must first determine existence . I will attempt to determine if their really is existence and then examine two of the most impostant factors in peoples lives; love and religion. Everyone has tried to come to a conclusion on what is love and whether their is a God and people have dedicated their lives to both of these subjects Their are an infinite number of ways of examining love and religion but none of them can be taken as fact and none of them can be guaranteed as false. In this paper, I will examine the ways that Rene Descartes and Saint Augustine examine their lives and what they feel makes their life worth living. In the Meditations, Descartes attempts to doubt everything that is possible to doubt. He is uncertain of the existence of many things from God and himself. Then he goes on to start proving that things do exist by first proving that he exists. After he establishes himself he can go on to establish everything else in the world. Next he goes to prove that the mind is separate then the body. In order to do this he must first prove he has a mind, and then prove that bodily things exist. I do agree with Descartes that the mind is separate from the body. These are the arguments that I agree with Descartes. In his six Meditations, only four contain his argument about corporeal things and establishing himself as a thinking creation. Meditations three and four discuss the existence of God and the matter of true and false. Concerning Meditation three, Descartes proves God’s existence and that He is not a deceiver, thereby allowing us to be sure that we are not deceived when we perceive things clearly and distinctly. The rest of the Meditations deal with him proving himself as a thinking thing and proving that the mind is separate from the body. In Descartes’ first meditation, he goes on to prove that nothing exists. He establishes that knowledge is built upon a foundation; each piece of knowledge rests upon some other part of knowledge. Over the course of ones life, a person establishes one piece of knowledge and builds upon that. Descartes goes on to doubt every particular set of knowledge he has. Descartes says that the most basic set of knowledge we have is our senses. He continues that the senses give us false information. For example, when we look at the sun, we cannot tell how big it is. The same is true for dreams. Senses appear to be real in dreams, but how can one tell whether or not we are dreaming or not. So if we can never determine we are dreaming or awake then we can’t rely on our senses. He believes that a supreme God has created us and has the power to deceive us. If God is perfect then he cannot deceive us. So we must assume that an evil demon is the source of our deceptions. Therefore Descartes has reason to deny the validity of his senses. From this, Descartes assumes if there is a deceiver and he can be deceived then he must exist. In general it will follow from any state of thinking, whether it be imagining, sensing, feeling, or reasoning, that he exists. Since he can only be certain of the existence of himself insofar as he is a thinking thing, then he has knowledge of his existence of only a thinking thing. After he has established himself as a thinking creation, he then goes on to argue that the mind is more certainly known then the body. He goes on to say that it is possible that all knowledge of external objects, including his body, could be false as the result of the actions of an evil demon. It is not, however, possible that he could be deceived about his existence or his nature as a thinking thing. This is true because if he can be deceived about anything, then he can be certain, as he is a thinking thing. Even corporeal objects, such as his body, are known much more distinctly through the mind than through the body. It seems that Descartes finds it necessary to first establish the existence of a non-deceiving God before he can be assured of the existence of anything beyond himself and his mode of thought. He does this by the rationalization that his perception of God is that of a perfect being. In order for a being to be perfect, it must exist. Since he himself is an imperfect being, he cannot conceive the idea of perfection on his own. Therefore, it must have come from some other faculty that must be perfect, which is God. It is after his proof of the existence of God that Descartes comes to accept that clear and distinct ideas can be trusted. Since he proved that God does exist he can says that God can bring anything into existence. But we also seem to know they exist through imagination, which seems to be â€Å"an application of the knowing faculty to a body intimately present to it, hence, a body that exists. † Now he attacks the notion of bodies existing. He says, â€Å"The way of thinking that I call ? sense’ give us a reason to think bodies exist? † Descartes attacks this the answer of this question in three ways: to repeat what was formerly believed and the grounds for them, to consider why they were brought into doubt, and to determine what must now be believed. He relies on the existence of a non-deceiving God to ensure that an external world exists after calling it into doubt by the invocation of the dream argument. In this argument, Descartes suggests the possibility that none of our ideas are caused by external objects and therefore, such objects may not exist. He also raises the idea of a demon that may deceive us and allow us to perceive what is not really there. Although he assures himself of his own existence by his modes of thought, he remains uncertain of the reality of an external world. He doubts whether there is anything of material substance that provokes thought within him rather than it being conceived in his mind completely independent of anything else. Regarding the first point, a long list of beliefs is given: my body, pleasurable effects, appetites, primary and secondary qualities, and different bodies. He then goes on to say that since it seemed impossible that they came from him, it remains that they came from other things, and the only kind that to his mind are those that resemble the ideas themselves. He also says the one’s own body seems in a privileged position, in that one can never separate one’s self from it, and it is the seat of appetites, feelings, pleasure and pain. There is no evident connection between feelings of hunger and the nourishment of bread. He says that he has only been taught by nature. Regarding the second point, Descartes advances the problem of â€Å"perceptual relativity†. That means the judgments of the external senses have deceived him and pains in amputated limbs deceive internal senses. There are two more reasons to consider why the statements in the pervious paragraph may be brought into doubt. He says that dreams fool him about the existence of external objects, waking states might as well. The second on is the he might have been made so as to be deceived. So he concludes that it is possible that there is some faculty in him that produces those perceptions. Regarding the third point, what God can make separately is different from something else. God can make what he clearly and distinctly understands, so if they can be separated in thought, they are distinct. Descartes says he is distinct from him his body because he thinks of himself as distinct from it. His essence is only as a thing that thinks and not as an extended thing. The last thing Descartes goes into is the argument for the distinction of mind and body and the existence of material objects. He starts off with the argument from knowledge. If he clearly and distinctly understands one thing as one thing as distinct from another it is so. He is also certain that he exists as a thinking thing, while he isn’t certain of the existence of his body. Therefore, he is a thinking thing and nothing else. His mind is distinct from his body. He is a thinking thing that thinks and not an extended thing. He has a distinct idea of body as an extended thing. Therefore, his mind is distinct from his body. The body is like a machine. The mind and body are distinct. Only the brain effects the mind, so all signals from the body must travel up into the brain. Signals travel to the brain from the periphery of our body by means of animal spirits, so the system is like a cord running to the brain, which can be pulled at any point along its length. Thus we can get signals in the brain that do not originate in our senses, but which we perceive as doing so. I agree with Descartes proofs of the mind being distinct from the body. He has convinced me with his arguments from above. He has shown that mind operates separately from the body. He proves this point when he talks about the phantom limb. He says that the senses can deceive him with pain from the phantom limb. The senses can deceive him where as his imagination is of intellect and knowledge. He has also stated that he is a thinking thing while he isn’t certain of the existence of the body. The mind and body do interact with the body in some ways. Descartes says that the mind imagines things; you see things in your mind. These things do not just come from anywhere. You get these images from your senses. Say if one sees something with their eyes. Then turns away and closes their eyes. The image is still there. Descartes Meditations does clearly show the distinction of mind and body. He proves himself as a thinking thing. A thinking thing something that can only think and is not associated with corporeal things. Since he knows that one thing is clearly distinct from another, he knows that the mind is clearly distinct form the body. The wax proves this point. Thinking is essence and the body is extension. If you mutate and move your body around it is going to change shape. Essence cannot be changed or mutated in any way. Augustine started out in childhood with a restless heart because he had to live in two different worlds. These worlds consisted of that of his mother’s religious faith, and the world of everything else. These two worlds confused and disturbed Augustine as a child. In his mother’s world, talk consisted of Christ the Savior and about the mighty god who helps us especially to go to heaven. In the other world, talk was about achieving. It seems as if Augustine felt that if he were to live in both of these worlds, his life would turn out to be nothing. He believed he would not accomplish anything he would be remembered for. He became unhappy with the idea of his life amounting to nothing. This is why Augustine turned to love. He felt that love might help him have a direct purpose in life and would help him through his conversion. Love should not be that of evil. Saint Augustine searched for the answer of a question that asked if love reaches out hopelessly and harmfully, how can it turn around to be productive and wholesome to the human soul? Love became a necessity for all people. For Augustine, the answer to this question was love. The first love must be for the love of God in Augustine’s mind. It must come before all other forms of love. Augustine finds many ways in which he can find peace in God. He is genuinely sorry for having turned away from God, the source of peace and happiness. Augustine is extremely thankful for having been given the opportunity to live with God. Augustine uses love as his gate to God’s grace. Throughout The Confessions, love and wisdom, the desire to love and be loved, and his love for his concubine, are all driving forces for Augustine’s desire to find peace in God. The death of his friend upsets him deeply, but also allows him to pursue God to become a faithful Christian. Augustine often experiences darkness, blindness, and confusion while attempting to find rest in God, but he knows that when he eventually finds him his restless heart will be saved. Despite all of the negative aspects of his education on which Augustine focused, it is obvious that his schooling was an essential part of his character. Other than Christianity, his education was the most important factor that shaped his early life. Augustine would have been a different man without this education, and without it his conversion would also have been different. His circuitous route to his final acceptance of God would have been far less significant were it not for this long and difficult intellectual struggle. It is clear that his education in rhetoric provided him with the skills necessary for shaping Confessions into a highly persuasive work. Confessions is not only a self-analysis, but also a testimony to the power of the Lord. Augustine wanted his readers to be fully convinced that the ultimate and only Truth was what he had discovered after his years of conflict between philosophy and faith. â€Å"I believe in order that I may understand,† said much about his attitude towards the relationship between faith and reason. Augustine’s decision of conversion was not easy for him. It came after a long time of thinking and soul searching. When Augustine made the decision to fully convert to Christianity in Book VIII, it was truly a â€Å"leap of faith. † He knew then that he had to leave part of his philosophical pursuits behind and commit himself fully to Christ. â€Å"For I felt that I was still the captive of my sins, and in my misery I kept crying ? How long shall I go on saying, â€Å"tomorrow, tomorrow†? Why not now? Why not make an end of my ugly sins at this moment? ‘† But, adhering to God as love’s priority proved a more extended way than he had imagined. It helped to shape his life, his mind and his beliefs. He never realized until now what a huge difference it makes in one’s life when it is opened up to love and love of Christ. The answer lies in God’s grace for Augustine. These answers are to his utmost difficult questions on life and faith. The subtle and cunning loves of the heart had defined Augustine’s journey from the first. At no time in his life had he been without love, but he had loved in scattered, hidden, and conflicting ways. He had loved Monica. He had loved the image and name of Christ, he even at one point loved evil which scared him. Augustine felt the need to redirect his love and this redirection would lead him in the way and light of God. Augustine seems to be dissatisfied with himself and his need for God. Through The Confessions he leaves himself and his past to praising God and loving him. Augustine hopes to teach others about that love which God placed in him that led him to an eternal relationship with God. All of Augustine’s loves in turn became love of Christ. Although Augustine might not have realized this, it is obviously true. At first he was redirecting his loves directly to Christ, but finally he realized all his love WAS for Christ. Augustine found a place in God that he had never imagined could happen. His guilty restless heart finally found rest in God. Augustine had always believed in God. Yet there is now a love and a passion behind this belief. His love was no longer blind. In fact now it was guided by his newfound feeling of self worth. He finds himself through all of this. His quest to know himself has come to a conclusion. His chooses to forgo the pleasure of sexual relationships and become celibate. Augustine feels that through his celibacy he will show God his efforts to lead a continent life. His love for God has grown and prospered much from his days of youth. Saints are usually looked at as God’s holiest servants, people who have centered their lives around God and the teaching of the Church. Saints are seen as if they are without sin. If these things are true then how does one explain the sainthood of Saint Augustine? Augustine in no way fits the traditional mold of a saint. Quite the contrary, his life was full of sin. People can find it very easy to sympathize with Augustine’s story because of his humanity. He does not place himself above anyone. He shows his life, as it was, a very confused and sinful life. But through his conversion he sets himself apart from the rest. Augustine was affected by many outside factors that lead to his change in a point of view. The outside forces drove Augustine to look inward and see what exactly he was made of. Whether positive or negative his theories of faith were reinforced. The result was a total change in a point of view bringing him closer to God. Friendship played a crucial role throughout all of Augustine’s life. He loved having friends, and he loved being people’s friend. Augustine was always concerned that his friendships were equal in nature. There was always a perfect balance between give and take. His friendships and other love relationships were vital in his conversion and his final evolution.