Information Society free essay sample

In many societies today, evidence exists of an increase in information that has opened a floodgate of knowledge, thereby putting a dent into human ignorance and significantly changing various aspects of life including education, communication, business and societal living. It is this prevalence of information that has led to the birth of what theoreticians refer to as the ‘information society’. It is not known exactly when the information society came into being, but it is believed that originated in Japan in 1964 according to (Duff, 1996 p. 119). Moreover, (Martin, 1995 p. 2) also notes that Masuda, one of its founders came to the realization that â€Å"the making of information values became the formative force for the development of society. † This new society also conceptualized in the mind of the economist, Fritz Machlup, who studied the role of knowledge in American societies. He felt especially concerned about how certain practices restricted competition, particularly, the patent system. We will write a custom essay sample on Information Society or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page He observed the cost of the patent system in contrast to its benefits, and consequently, was forced to inquire into the educational system. He investigated how the United States, as a nation, produced knowledge. His inquiry led him not only to investigate scientific and technical information, but all schooling, elementary though graduate education. He was able to distinguish five division of the knowledge sector and, as a consequence, calculated that in 1959 twenty-nine percent (29%) of the Gross National Product (GNP) in the United States of America had been produced in knowledge industries. Other proponents of the concept include Peter Drucker who has argued that there is a transition from an economy based on material goods to one based on knowledge. Yet another line of argument is that of Daniel Bell who pointed out that the number of employees producing services and information is an indicator for the informational character of a society. He adds further that in such a society, what counts is not raw muscle power or energy, but information. In addition, Jean-Francois Lyotard contends that â€Å"Knowledge has become the principle force of production over the last few decades. To add to this list of proponents’ points of view is a claim made by the former Minister of Tourism in Antigua Barbuda, Honorable Harold Lovell, who said that, â€Å"We have long drifted away from the days when the livelihood of society depended largely on the cultivation of food crops to one in which information and services take priority. † What then is the information society? T here is no universally accepted definition of the concept of information society; as it is conceptualized differently by various writers. For example, in the article â€Å"Introduction: Information Society Studies† Frank Webster writes that the information society is seen by its advocates to be as different from Industrialism as the Industrial Society was from its predecessor, the Agricultural Society. He expatiates by saying that from that perspective, people in the industrial era made their living by the sweat of their brow, dexterity of their hands, by working in factories to manufacture products. In contrast, in the information society, â€Å"Livelihoods are increasingly made by the appliance and manipulation of information, be it software design, branding, or financial services, and the output is not so much a tangible thing as a change in image, relationship or perception. † However, despite this view, some uncertainty still exists as to its definition as it is yet to be determined if the concept is evolutionary or revolutionary. However, for the purpose of this paper, the following definition will be used: A society characterized by a high level of information intensity in the everyday life of most of its citizens, in most organizations and workplaces, by the use of common or compatible technology for a wide range of personal, social, educational and business activities, and by the ability to transmit and receive digital data rapidly between places irrespective of distances. † (Aerythstwyth module The Net Result 1) According to research literature, the informa tion society is replete with benefits, but emerging alongside this view is a contradictory school of thought which argues that this new society is not without significant pitfalls. Therefore, this paper will examine the tenets of the information society in order to unearth its advantages and disadvantages. To determine the pros and the cons of the concept, it is necessary to consider various definitions and perspectives of its two key terms: ‘information’ and ‘society’ as put forward by authorities from different fields. Definitions of Key Terms The term ‘information’ is not confined to any one definition; it is used in a wide range of contexts and means different things to different people. In the article, Information-as-Thing, Buckland (1991) considers it as having to do with becoming informed, with the reduction of ignorance and uncertainty. Despite this perception, he contends that the term is itself ‘ambiguous’, but he adopts an approach which identifies and classifies the many uses of the word into three principle uses: information-as-process, information-as-knowledge and information-as-thing. Moreover, he puts forward the view that information goes beyond mere communication to include data, text, documents, objects and events—things from which individuals are informed. His third category, information-as-thing, meets with strong theoretical objections. One opposing line of argument is that presented by Wiener in (Machlup 1983, p. 642). He argues that â€Å"Information is information, not material nor energy. † As a counter response, Buckland maintains that to restrict information to the context of communication is remissive of his third category of the uses of the word. He explains that the noun ‘information’ has two basic meanings: (1) the telling of something or (2) that which is told. These, he asserts, are either analogies and metaphors or concoction from the condoned appropriation of a word that had not been meant by earlier users. Another objection to ‘information-as-thing’ is proffered by Fairthorne (1954). He notes that, â€Å"Information is an attribute of the receiver’s knowledge and interpretation of the signal, neither of the sender’s nor some omniscient observer’s nor of the signal itself. † Nevertheless, he accedes that the language is as it is used, and as such one cannot dismiss â€Å"information-as-thing† so long as it is a commonly used meaning of the term â€Å"information†. The very nature of the objection would seem to confirm the observation that the word, ‘information’ is not without ambiguity. In addition to the foregoing definitions of the word information, another insight is that which is entered into the sixth edition of Harrods Librarians’ Glossary, which states that information is â€Å"an assemblage of data in a comprehensive form, recorded on paper or some other medium and capable of communication. † On the other hand, The Standard Dictionary of Computers and Information Processing renders it as â€Å"the meaning assigned to data by known conventions. Thus data are the marks, such as characters, signs or symbols themselves, whereas the knowledge assigned to this is information. ’ A controversy now exists between the concepts of ‘data’ and ‘information’ because the two terms are often used synonymously, but this need not confuse the issue, for data is not the same as information. Data is really the unevaluated facts or the raw material of information which can occur in different forms, namely, signals, symbols or characters. In essence, information is really data processed into a meaningful and communicable form and thus constitutes knowledge which is capable of effecting change. Society’, the second term of the concept, ‘information society’ also has a variety of definitions, but for the purpose of this paper is that recorded in the Longman Dictionary of the English Language, which declares that society is ‘a community, nation or broad grouping of people having common traditions, institutions, and collective activities and interests. ’ Although the two terms have a numerous meanings in various fields, it is an undisputed fact that information does have an impact, positive or negative, on society. One only has to look at every strata of society to see our high level of dependence on information. In addition, (Webster p. 19) points out, â€Å"We have achieved an information society when the preponderance of occupations is found in information work. † Similarly, Peter Otto and Philipp Sonntag (1985) say that an information society is â€Å"a society where the majority of its employees work in information jobs; that is, they have to deal with information, signals, symbols and images [rather] than with energy and matter. † Information was always a social fact; there was never a time in human history that information, as per the foregoing definitions and perspectives, was not a part of societal life. The caveman’s attempt at drawing on the walls of his primitive home, his signs, symbols, and artifacts all testify to the presence of information in society. Its impact since those early years has shaped the structure of society and life in general, but its transforming influence was especially felt at the turn of the twentieth century—the Enlightening Era. New technological inventions, new modes of travel, the dramatic increase of medical knowledge, not to mention the introduction of new machines in education, communication and business, testify to the metamorphic effect of the information society. In light of these points, it seems reasonable to hypothesize that the information society possess remarkable merits. Therefore, this paper will now examine the advantages and disadvantages of the information society. Advantages Social value As stated earlier, information was always an intrinsic component of society. However, its preponderance is a key into the modern world and has also given rise to the development of technological innovations, particularly, the introduction of information technology, a core element of the information society. It is probably this more than anything else that has paved the way for information’s influence at all levels of societal life. One only has to look at the greatly improved accessibility to information to realize its effect. With the aid of information technology, we are able to access not only constant but up-to-date information. Moreover, the velocity, efficiency and ease with which information is transmitted serve to bridge geographical distances creating linkages between people and businesses. It is also true that conventional modes of communication are being eroded by new methods, such as electronic networking. Why write a letter when it is easier to communicate with others around the globe by text messaging or e-mail with almost instantaneous response? Furthermore the language barrier becomes non- existent as software that translates information to required languages is also a part of this form of networking. Of significance is the fact that these methods of communication are conducive to business, education and even entertainment. No longer does a business contract have to be negotiated face-to-face; instead, video conferencing through the internet has narrowed the divide between partners in commerce. Similarly, research information that was once obtained only from volumes of books is now available via the internet. Clearly, the information society seems destined to reform the status quo and its influence is readily accepted by all classes in society. Disadvantages It is accepted that there is an increase of information in society today, but critics argue that its preponderance is not sufficient evidence to support the view of an information society. It is more feasible to conclude that its growth has led to the development of technological innovations such as information technology rather than the birth of a new society. They argue that the form and function of information is subordinate to long-established principles and practices, insisting that the central feature of the present is its continuity with the past. Another objection, put forward by Frank Webster. He argues that if technology is the main criterion for defining a society; then, this new era should be seen as a high-tech society or an automated age. He questions the designation â€Å"information† in a society in which technology is key. Furthermore, he maintains, â€Å"If there is just more information then it is hard to understand why anyone should suggest that we have before us something radically new. † This view is also held by Kevin Robins as he suggests that: â€Å"Today’s Information Society continues and deepens long-established patterns rather than announces a new age. † Despite the fact that technological innovations have electronically integrated people, they equally isolate them, lessening the impact of the human touch. A typical example is this very programme. Students from different parts of the world are required to visit the University once per year and, though this is a learning experience, it raises the query as to the effect of the virtual classroom on students’ performance. The cost of travel is also another critical consideration. The need for safety and privacy is another matter of concern in the information society, for although information technology has made ommunication quicker, easier and more convenient, it has no fool proof security against invasion of privacy and safety of information. As Martin (1995) puts it, â€Å"As more networks come online, transaction generated information about individual citizens can be mixed and matched †¦ digital data is unregulated. † As a consequence, many unsuspecting persons have been known to be the victims of hackers, whose sole intent is to distort information that has been channeled through different information sources. In a similar fashion, crimes such as electronic fraud, identity theft child pornography and prostitution have become common via technological information sources. Clearly, the information society is not all it is purported to be. Advantages Employment and the economy The emergence of the information society heralds new and more cost-effective strategies for addressing the economic sector of society. As Stonier (1991 p. 257 ) succinctly puts it, â€Å"The most important input into modern productive systems is no longer land, labour, or capital—it is information. Embedded in this statement is the suggestion that information is the panacea for problems arising in the economy. Undoubtedly, the use of information and communication technologies greatly reduces the need for standardized and manual production, but encourages a more diversified, knowledge based production of goods and services. Additionally, they provide opportunities for improved productivity thus strengthening the g rowth of the economy while generating new jobs. The question however is how to create and maintain awareness of the potential of new approaches to organization of work. The solution lies in education. Information technology plays a dominant role in educational curricula and its inclusion in institutions of learning have only served to prepare individuals for the information-based working arena that typify the information society. The result of this initiative has culminated in the emergence and growth of new information-centered professions including computer and information managers, librarians and computer scientists. Moreover, most single and corporate employment firms demand employees be computer literate in order to stay abreast with the current knowledge trend that the world of commerce has now become. The relevance of this stipulation is borne out even by our Aberystwyth Open Learning program. In view of the fact that it significantly incorporates distance learning. Of what benefit would it be to the student who is not conversant with computer programming? Another commendable point to consider in favour of the information society is the fact that in such a society, production is not entirely dependent on the presence of the employee in the actual work place. By means of technological networking an employee is able to perform his duty from miles away. The same is also true for banking, trading and the like. In fact, trade convenience internet provides the source through which businesses can post an advertisement for selling any product. Similarly, a consumer can successfully purchase a product via the Internet. Undoubtedly, the information society has made wrought significant changes in personal and societal life. Disadvantages While it is true that the information society with its technological innovations has significantly and positively impacted the world economy, it is also equally true that its emergence has brought with it a number of factors that do negatively affect society. Implied in Stonier’s observation above is a heavy reliance on technology. People depending on, for example, computerized systems are at a loss, unable to manage should these machines become unavailable. Such reliance on technological sources of information would seem to devalue natural human ingenuity. In addition to this is the possibility of job losses as computers are now used to perform tasks in the work place that were once done manually. Another negative line of argument is that which deals with information overload. It is an undisputed fact that the information society connotes a vast body of information. However, as an Antiguan colloquial term says, â€Å"Too much of one thing is good for nothing. † and the internet as well as other information and communication technology are replete with information, but this information is sometimes of no value to the user especially if it is not current data. Thus information overload is a veritable problem in the information society. Dutton (2005) must have been of the same opinion as he writes, â€Å"The reality of today’s networks includes a large-scale nature and omplexity, increasing congestion and alternative behaviors of users of the networks, as well as interactions between the networks themselves. † Advantages Global implications The global community also stands to gain from technological innovations of the information society. Networking is an integral component of information technology. Consequently, information can be shared across the world’s community. Of special value is the ease with which diverse, but pertinent information is transmitted particularly during a crisis. A case in point is that which deals with the transmission and communication of metrological data. As is the custom, prior to the hurricane season in the Caribbean metrological personnel usually inform citizens of the eminence of a storm often correlating their statistical data using technological impressions. Of note too is the ability of technological implements to cut through the cultural divide. Despite cultural differences, people are able to work together, sharing ideas that benefit them both educationally and socially. For example, like the University of Aberystwyth, the University of the West Indies Jamaica and Barbados also offer students opportunities for study through distance education by means of teleconferencing, an offspring of technology. This is especially effective since it is cost-effective and in addition, it fosters relationships between people of different cultures and walks of life. Disadvantages A major disadvantage to the notion of global unity is the sad fact that sources of technology is not always equitable and affordable especially that individuals have constantly to update their systems. Additionally, in countries where technological innovation is still a novel experience, the demand for use far exceeds government’s ability to supply. For this reason a large number of citizens in some parts of the world are technologically illiterate. Conclusion Given the advantages and disadvantages of the information society, it is hard to ignore its presence if one operates from the premise that the preponderance of information and the subsequent development of technological sources through which information is transmitted, constitutes an information society. On the other hand, if one holds to the view that an increase of information does not necessarily justify the prefix ‘information’ to society, but view it as a continuity of data that is channeled and transmitted through technological inventions, then one could easily conclude that an information society does not exist. However, it would be ludicrous to deny the positive effects, despite the negative ones of technological innovations in present society.

Dell Computer Corp †Case Study

Dell Computer Corp – Case Study Free Online Research Papers Introduction: According to Dell.com (online), Dell Incorporated describes itself as the worlds leading computer systems company. Dell is the largest and fastest growing among all major computer systems companies worldwide, with more than 46,000 employees. Dell designs, builds and customizes products and services to satisfy a range of customer requirements. Its global strategy is to be the premiere provider of products and services, including those that customers require to build their information technology and Internet infrastructures. Dell has manufacturing facilities and sales offices throughout the Americas, as well as Europe and Asia to remain close to Dells customers wherever they are located (Dell USA: About Dell, 2004). Dell regularly communicates to the public in a variety of ways. For example, according to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (online) pursuant to the requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, Dell Incorporated regularly reports its financial performance to investors, creditors, bond holders, insurers, banks, employees and other interested parties in the form of quarterly and annual filings with the SEC. Another important SEC filing is form 8-K. An 8-K report is required to be filed with the SEC in a timely manner whenever events that are deemed to be of interest to investors or potential investors occur at a publicly traded company such as Dell. The provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act passed following the accounting fraud related scandals involving such well known U.S. corporations as Enron and WorldCOM require even more prompt notice to the SEC of significant events (The Laws That Govern the Securities Industry, 2004). Another form of public relations communication between Dell Inc and the external public involves the use of press releases. In calendar 2004, Dell generated more than thirty press releases relating only to the companys financial condition. There were even more press releases addressing product launches and other aspects of Dells worldwide business operations. According to Luan Aten writing for LunarEclipse.net (online), a press release is simply a statement prepared for distribution to the media. The purpose of a press release is to give journalists information that is both useful and accurate. Generally, the first paragraph contains a brief overview of the press release. The second paragraph explains the information in detail, and typically includes a quote from a company employee. The final paragraph is a summation of the release as well as company contact information (Aten). Bob Francis of InfoWorld (1994) notes that Michael Dell created a business model that satisfies customers needs by building high quality and low cost computers to order worldwide. One of the important ways in which Dell Inc. communicates in a public relations sense is through its extensive product advertising and promotions programs. The advertisements that Dell run tend to emphasize the high quality, low cost, and customizable features of its product sales (Francis, 1994, 6). Recently, Dell expanded its product offerings to include items such as portable music storage devices, printers, and flat screen television sets. As a result, Dells most recent television ad campaigns emphasize both the companys traditional products including desktop personal computers and laptop computers, as well as the companys new products. Dells marketing campaigns have been highly successful. Dell has convinced potential customers that all of the following statements are true: Dell is committed to meeting the unique needs of customers around the world. This is why each computer is build to order. In reality, the business model that requires customers to pay in advance for products from Dell offers customers the opportunity to customize the products they prepaid. Dell operates one of the worlds largest and most profitable e-commerce sites with more than $40 million in sales daily. It positions the e-commerce site as a benefit to customers who can take as much time as necessary to customize their system. In reality the advantage to Dell is that this self-service process means that its salespeople do not need to spend their time helping customers decide what to order. The result is higher profits for Dell resulting from lower sales costs. Dells marketing campaign suggests that by eliminating the middleman in the supply chain, Dell is able to control costs and pass the savings on to customers. The effect of this message on its external public is that customers believe that Dell is able to offer top quality, cutting edge technology at rock bottom prices. In reality, by bypassing retailers, Dell is able to earn the profits the retailer would have made. Dell does not offer the lowest priced products on the market, and the technology it employs is not leading edge. For Dell to maintain this cost leadership strategy requires a company to continuously search for cost reductions in all aspects of its business. According to Elizabeth Corcoran writing for Forbes (2004), Dell was among the earliest computer companies to outsource customer service and technical support calls overseas. After sales customer support is a public relations communications process. Dell set up its first offshore technical and customers suppprt center in Bangalore, India in 2001. Dell Inc. opened a second site in the city of Hyderabad in 2003. For Dell, this particular public relations communication process has had mixed results. According to Corcoran, the cost savings for Dell are substantial. Unfortunately, language and cultural differences between U.S. customers and Dells bright but unseasoned Indian support staff led to a number of complaints. U.S. customers were often frustrated when Dell employees answering customer support and technical support calls seemed unwilling t o depart from a script of questions. In November of 2003, in response to mounting dissatisfaction with this arrangement Dell took the rare step of rerouting its large and medium-business support work from India and back to its corporate headquarters in Austin, Texas. However, customer support and technical support for small-business and consumer accounts remains in India (Corcoran, 2004, 50). Dan Briody and Jeanette Borzo writing for InfoWorld (1997) suggest that irrespective of where customer support takes place, Dell has found that direct customer relationships including pre-sale telephone support as well as after sales customer and technical support provide Dell with a constant flow of information about customers plans and requirements. This portion of the public relations communications process enables Dell to continually refine its product offerings in addition to adjusting prices, changing product features, and evaluating the impact of its marketing and advertising campaigns on customer inquiries and on customer sales (Briody, Borzo, 1997, 8). References Aten, L. How to Write a Press Release. Eclipse E-zine, Retrieved Dec 21, 2004, from lunareclipse. net/pressrelease.htm. Briody, D., Borzo, J. (1997). PC PRICE CUTS ABOUND IN REACTION TO DELLS DISTRIBUTION-EFFICIENCY MODEL. InfoWorld, 19(29): 8. Corcoran, E. (2004). Un-outsourcing. Forbes. 173(10): 50. Dell, Inc., (2004). Dell USA: about Dell. Retrieved Dec. 21, 2004, from Dell.com Web site: http://www1.us.dell.com /content/topics/global.aspx/corp/background/en/index?c=usl=ens=corp. Francis, B. (1994). Medica says Build-to-order Notebooks are Dells Edge. InfoWorld, 16(9): 6. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, (2004). The Laws that Govern the Securities Industry. Retrieved Dec. 21, 2004, from About the SEC Web site: sec.gov /about /laws.shtml. 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Ethical Values Essay Sample

Ethical Values Essay Sample Essay on Moral Values and Ethics Valuing the life, safety, and the presence of other person is important because it means that you are respecting ethical values of every person, animal, or a property in any way. This is a practice that allows an individual to consider their values to be always respected to preserve their dignity and integrity at all times. The essence of value is important to ensure that there are no rights that are violated because every organism or material in our society deserves to be respected and protected. Associating ethical values to a person beliefs and actions would mean that it enhances the discipline of a person by portraying a role model to other groups regarding their respective behavior. This is a way to improve how we treat and respect each other to prevent conflicting interest. One of the major ethical values is to do better or provide something beneficial to the interest of other individuals. This can be applied by allowing other individuals to experience safety that they must have to adhere with their personal or professional affairs. The principle of beneficence such as doing something that benefits others individuals are an important ethical value that can be applied to other individuals. This is to ensure that their needs are always addressed and their safety is secured by anyone who wants to prevent any stress, hazards, and risks. The ethical value of respecting the law is an important structure that should be followed by every individual in our community. The reason behind is that following the policies and rules that prevent anyone from being apprehended such as violations might risk the rights and safety of other individuals or groups. The principle of veracity is an important ethical value because it corresponds to the application of truth. This is because each individual has the right to know the truth, especially if it involves their personal space. The truth reveals an actual scenario that displays a realistic view of acknowledging something that is important to a person’s dignity. Equality succeeds an ethical value because it responds to a fair treatment of a person, group, or an organization towards something that is important to their practice and belief. Every person has the right to be treated fairly as a way to generate a diverse cultural and social environment to prevent ethical and legal consequences by the authorities. Respecting the person’s demographic status such as with regard to their age, race, sexual orientation, gender, and social classification is a clear example on how the society should maximize the role of equality and equity at all times. Valuing ethics is a social responsibility for every individual or group because it corresponds to the law and policies that should be always respected in any way possible. If the value of ethics is violated due to the infliction of harm towards other individuals, this means that there is a threat of life or injury. Damage to properties is one example on how ethics is violated because it creates an unpleasant consequence to the environment of the owner. This is why there are law enforcement agencies that are always on alert for any violations committed by a person or group towards others. This is to ensure that the quality of life is always respected as well as the sanctity of their existence is preserved through the application of the law at all times (Freemont Kitney, 2012). Reference Freemont, P. F. Kitney, R. I. (2012).  Synthetic Biology. New Jersey:  World Scientific.  ISBN  978-1-84816-862-6.

Marketing Communications Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Marketing Communications - Assignment Example There are several marketing tools that are used by the companies for the purpose of promotional activities. Campaign is one of the techniques that are often used by the companies to promote a brand or product. The following report is based on the Vodafone and its operations in the UK market. It is seen that the present situation of Vodafone in the market is not too good as from a market position of third place in the market it will be falling back to the last place. This has happened due to the decision of BT to take over EE and decision of Hutchison whampoa the owner of three to take over O2. This will be causing a major change in the mobile landscape of the country and the company needs to change the marketing strategy that the company uses. The company must make use of integrated marketing communication and a new campaign should be launched in order to increase the market share of the company. The present scenario and the application of the integrated marketing communication are studied based on the application of SOSTAC model. SOSTAC model is an important tool which is utilized for planning campaigns. Marketing strategies are designed on basis of this model in order to evaluate current situation properly and formulate plans for future growth. Different planning activities can be easily structured through SOSTAC model. SOSTAC planning model was developed during 1990 to facilitate easier accomplishment of tasks by marketing practitioners. This model encompasses certain factors such as situation, objectives, strategy, tactics, actions and control. Situation indicates the current marketing scenario. Objectives reflect upon key tasks to be accomplished through marketing strategies. Strategy relates to the path which needs to be followed in order to achieve set goals or objectives. Tactics outlines the method that can help in reaching set targets. Action is the plan framed by

Course Project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Course Project - Essay Example s until late 1980,s the country embraced open economic policies in 1990s and have steadily gained prominence in the global market place with its large market size as well as production capacities (Hill 2003). Although the Indian society traditionally took a nationalistic stance towards foreign imports and foreign investments, the trends have reversed today. With the Indian economy being widely boosted by its massive software development industry and Business Process Outsourcing operations, the country is becoming a hub for international dealings, and the life styles of the new generation of Indians are affected by global products and global trends (India and The Global Economy 2006). Although the country provides attractive potential in terms of market size, the vast diversity in cultures, religious and over hundred languages and dialects present, it a challenge for international firms to enter and succeed in the Indian market. The legacies of its closed economic policies are also st ill prevalent and bureaucratic red tape still surrounds the import-export regulations, foreign exchange policies as well as customs procedures. This report attempts to provide required background information for planning the export operation of Zingo Instant Noodles to the Indian market being manufactured in UK by NutriSnacks Company Ltd. The company will enter the market through an appointed agent – Partell Group that will act as the importing party of the product. Zingo Instant Noodles is a 80 grams instant noodle pack with seasoning sachet included. The existing product line carries 6 flavours in terms of the seasoning included within including chicken, roast beef, mushroom, tomato, cheese and seafood. The product is currently number two in the UK and a host of other European markets, closely behind the market leader Blue Dragon 3 Minute Noodles. Zingo positioning is based on offering a nutritious snack diet for the young kids who gets hungry easily. The two-minute cooking time

Scientific Management - for a Different Time and Place Essay Example for Free

Scientific Management for a Different Time and Place Essay Scientific Management was first described by Frederick Taylor in the late 19th century. Its relevance to modern day management is widely debated in academic circles. In this essay, I will address the question of whether Scientific Management has a place today, in a 21st Century Knowledge Economy, or whether it belongs to a ‘different time and place. I will argue that much of modern management practice is derived from Taylor’s theories and that in this sense his work is very relevant. Next, I will examine the context in which Taylor developed his principles and contrast this with the contemporary context. Then I will evaluate the relevance of each of Taylor’s 4 Principles to today, with help from a case study of the NUMMI car manufacturing plant. Finally, I will examine the modern forms of Scientific Management, and what the future holds. Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: The Academic Contribution of Scientific Management â€Å"Every method during these past hundred years that has had the slightest success in raising the productivity of manual workers – and with it their real wages – has been based on Taylor’s principles. (Drucker, 1999) Taylor’s Scientific Management played a crucial part in the formation of management as an academic discipline. Many of our modern systems are built on the foundations laid by Scientific Management and elements of this are still clearly visible in modern business practice. Before Taylor’s ideas, business management was not taught or even considered a discipline. It was seen as a matter of personal style and that there was no ‘one best way’. Taylor challenged this idea and laid the foundations for management to be studied and evolve. He believed that management should e trained and qualified. Harvard, one of the first universities to offer a degree in business management in 1908, based its first-year curriculum on Taylors scientific management. Scientific Management influenced many thinkers, including James McKinsey, founder of the consultant firm bearing his name. McKinsey built on Taylor’s ideas and advocated budgets as a means of accountability and measuring performance of managers. Today the McKinsey consulting firm is one of the prime contributors to management thinking; hey believe that Scientific Management is the future, an idea which will be contested later in this essay. â€Å"Before scientific management, such departments as work study, personnel, maintenance and quality control did not exist. † (Accel-Team) Taylor’s philosophy was important in the development of principles of management by theorists. Scientific Management advocated the division of labour, the separation of planning from operations, clear delineation of authority and the use of incentive schemes for workers. Taylor greatly contributed to the analysis of work design and gave rise to method study, including his time studies, which are described later in this essay. Management literature has taken many new twists since Taylor’s day, with Drucker coining the term â€Å"Knowledge Workers† in 1959. Drucker’s book Landmarks of Tomorrow, describes the declining importance of manual labour. This marked a need to move away from Scientific Management, a system based on physical standardised tasks. In 1980, management evolved further away from SM when Richard Hackman and Greg Oldham argued that workers need meaning and responsibility in their work to perform well, in their book Work Redesign. This idea contrasted with the disregard to the worker’s emotions and humanity in SM. The Context of Scientific Management: Does the Purpose It Was Developed for Have Any Relevance Today? Scientific Management was designed with physical labour in mind. Taylor was inspired by what he observed in the steel industry, and developed a style of management which could be applied to the construction, processing and train industries among others. Today, tertiary activities form the majority of the economy in developed economies. Taylor’s system was designed in a time when secondary activities were just replacing primary activities as the largest sector, and tertiary activities were hardly developed at all. From this comes the argument that today we have moved into a knowledge economy and a new style of management must replace the now obsolete Scientific Management which was designed for standardized physical tasks. Gary Hamel terms this new style ‘Management 2. 0’. Taylor developed SM to counteract phenomenon of soldiering which he encountered in the steel industry. The reasons for soldiering were as follows: â€Å"1. The almost universally held belief among workers that if they became more productive, fewer of them would be needed and jobs would be eliminated. 2. Non-incentive wage systems encourage low productivity if the employee will receive the same pay regardless of how much is produced, assuming the employee can convince the employer that the slow pace really is a good pace for the job.  Employees take great care never to work at a good pace for fear that this faster pace would become the new standard. If employees are paid by the quantity they produce, they fear that management will decrease their per-unit pay if the quantity increases. 3. Workers waste much of their effort by relying on rule-of-thumb methods rather than on optimal work methods that can be determined by scientific study of the task. † (NetMBA, Business Knowledge Center) Soldiering is not a common practice in knowledge economies. The problem that Taylor developed his principles around are from a ‘different time and place’ as these three reasons are largely non-existent now. The first reason for soldiering is no longer a problem because today incentive wage systems encourage high productivity through bonuses. Workers believe high productivity will result in promotion rather than jobs being eliminated. In the successful NUMMI car manufacturing plant a no layoff policy was employed to ‘eliminate workers’ fear that they are jeopardizing jobs every time they come up with an idea to improve efficiency. ’(Adler)

Vietnamization (real Version) Essay -- essays research papers fc

Vietnam Controversy   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  It’s January 27th, 1973 and the Vietnam War is over. Peace agreements were signed in Paris by the South Vietnam Communist forces, North Vietnam, South Vietnam and the United States. The meeting lasted for several hours and in that time they agreed on many objectives, including: that U.S. troops would gradually withdraw from Vietnam and all prisoners of war would be released, South Vietnam had the right to choose their own future (whether or not to unite with North Vietnam), and North Vietnamese troops were given the right to remain in South Vietnam with idea that the troops could not be reinforced (â€Å"Vietnam War†). Even after the peace talks, fighting continued between the North and South Vietnamese. After the majority of American soldiers had left, North Vietnam went against all that was agreed on at the peace talks. On December 13, 1974 North Vietnam had started the invasion on the south. By April 30th, 1976, North Vietnamese tanks had occupied Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, with no trouble, and an evacuation began (see picture 1 & 2). On July 2nd, 1976, the country was united as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (â€Å"Vietnam War†). If the U.S. had stayed to finish the Vietnamization, there might have been a South Vietnam today. I feel that the U.S. should have never been involved in the war in the first place, however, under the unavoidable circumstances we should have stayed in South Vietnam and helped the country defend themselves on something we made them believe in. We poured so many resources into the war fighting for a cause that many Americans and people in general did not believe in, and to retreat from the South Vietnamese when they needed America’s help the most was very unfair. The Perspectives By comparing the views of Von Don’s Our Endless War Inside Vietnam and some views of â€Å"In Our Times†, I was able to conclude that some of the views from the 1970’s and some of the views of the 1990’s are very alike. Von Don saw differently than the average American, and had incredible insight as to what went wrong towards the fall of South Vietnam. The book seemed to back up everything that Von Don seemed to have a perspective on. I can at least say that the two statements did not conflict. Personal Conclusions Through reviewing both perspectives I came up with several conclusion about t... ... learn. Works Cited Brigham, Robert K. â€Å"The Fall of South Vietnam.† American Journey. Online.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  15 March 2000. â€Å"Debate Between Sen. William Proxmire (D-Wisc.) And Sen. Barry   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Goldwater (R-Ariz.) over Aid to South Vietnam.† U.S. Congress, 1974.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  American Journey. Online. 15 March 2000. â€Å"Part Six: Vietnam.† In class handout. â€Å"Protest note from the Government of the Republic of Vietnam (South   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Vietnam) to the government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  (North Vietnam).† Embassy in Washington Press. Washington Press.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Release No. 15/73, September 10, 1973. Rosenberg, Norman L. & Emily S. In Our Times: America Since World War  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   II. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. 1999. Van Don, Tran. Our Endless War Inside Vietnam: Memoir of South   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Vietnamese General. 1978. â€Å"Vietnam War.† Encarta 1998. CD-ROM. Redmond, WA: Microsoft, 1993 –  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   1997.

Operation Iraqi Freedom Essay

Since the start of â€Å"Operation Iraqi Freedom† on 20th of March 2003, the media coverage of this event in traditional and new media has been both intensive and pervasive. The issue of whether the war is justified and of whether Saddam Hussein had indeed violated the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1441 by possessing weapons of mass destruction has been debated in the lead up to the war. By the time the coalition troops moved into Iraqi in a war aimed at toppling the Saddam regime, viewers were unable to escape being bombarded by the onslaught of news and information coming through to them. Front pages of every major newspaper, as well as precious airtime on television and radio network in Sydney and beyond have been devoted to following this war. Even the Internet is awash with breaking news, discussion forums, and every other sort of information not available in the traditional media outlets. With such extensive reporting by all the different media, it is inevitable that the media bias would lead to vastly differing views in war coverage. This is because having so many people involved in this big media event would mean that the personal biases of the media owners as well as the editors and journalists would all affect the way that the news is conveyed. Each one of these media gatekeepers would be privately pro or anti-war, and this would inevitably come across to the public in the way that the news in being reported. For example, Peter Jennings, who is the news anchor of the American Broadcasting Corporation is well known for bringing on air his negative perspective about the war. According to Singleton, et al (2003: 361), with the exception of publicly funded Australian Broadcasting Corporation, most of the other media outlets â€Å"are privately owned and therefore subject in principle to the direction of the owners, directly or indirectly (through the law of anticipated reactions)†. Even with the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, the Australian media is dominated by only a few concentrated players, which would in turn affect how the media covers the war. John Schwartz, who is a Swinburne University media and communications senior lecturer commented â€Å"on the widely publicised statistic that all bar one of Rupert Murdoch’s 170-odd papers and the Fox network have a pro-war position, said [that] no doubt all his editors are noting Murdoch’s views, [and that] Fox is unbelievably bad†¦almost pure government line†. (cited in Seccombe 2003: 1). However, it is worth noting that even though the different news media locally might adopt a pro or anti-war stance, they would all still be adopting the same western perspective of the war. As Fandy (2003:1) says, the coverage of the war by Arab TV networks like Al-Jazeera and Abu Dhabi TV shows a vastly different perspective of the war, such that in comparison, viewers might think that a different war was being reported. This further illustrates the point that the coverage of the war is always reported in relation to the proximity of the issue at hand, creating some sort of double standards. For example, according to Frisk (2001: 489): † ‘Terrorism’ no longer means ‘terrorism. It is not a definition; it is a political contrivance. †Terrorists’ are those who use violence against the side that is using the word. To adopt the word means that we have taken a side in the Middle East, not between right and wrong, good and evil, David and Goliath, but with one side of combatants against another. For journalists in the Middle East, the use of the word ‘terrorism’ is akin to holding a gun†¦ its employment turns the reporter into a participant in the war.† Parenti (1986: 30) asserts that † the mass media actually are highly centralised outlets that proffer a remarkably homogenised fare†. The wide use of news wires like Associated Press and Reuters by all the major broadsheets in Australia means that the war coverage locally would be generically the same. Even if the local newspapers and television networks decide to send their own reporters to the Gulf to get a different perspectives, it would still be not make a difference, as they are all covering the same press conferences given by Central Command. They are also subjected to pool arrangements at certain times, when only selected journalists and cameramen would be allowed to take footages in the field due to logistical constraints. This means that much of the western world would be viewing the same footages on television no matter which network station a viewer was watching the news on. Advances in technology such as the satellite makes it possible technically for â€Å"the live presentation of [the war in the Gulf] to the rest of the world (Wood 1967: 27). The relatively new feature of war reporting, which involves embedding journalists and cameramen with coalition troops also mean that the war has turned into some kind of reality show for viewers who turn on the television. Viewers can now get live feed from the battlefield, and benefit from the first-hand exclusives and war perspectives from the embedded reporters and cameramen who travel with the army regiments and military units. However, this new aspect of war journalism is not without its drawbacks. While viewers do get immediate breaking news coverage, such technological advances have its downsides as well. The immediate streaming of live feeds to TV stations means that viewers are subject to the speculations of the reporters who are stationed in the Gulf before any official confirmation of the news can be received. For example, there was an instance when, according to Pros and Cons of Embedded Journalism (2003: 1): â€Å"embedded correspondents for several news organisations reported seeing a convoy of up to 120 Iraqi tanks leaving the southern city of Basra, and most news outlets reported a large troop movement. The next day, a spokesman for the British military said the massive movement was really just 14 tanks.† Viewers can also get a distorted view of the war, as it is virtually impossible for the journalists to report the news with in a truly objective and impartial light when they are stationed within the battalions, experiencing camaraderie with the troops and the savouring the excitement of being in the frontline in the midst of all the action. â€Å"Objectivity was to include a strict adherence to facts, a healthy scepticism of institutions, and a need to link facts together to form a larger picture of [the war]† (Willis 1991: 60). As gatekeepers, the media thus shows a constructed, and mostly distorted version of what is reality. In fact, as Howard Kurtz, a journalist with The Washington Post puts it, they â€Å"have been taking considerable flak for overly sympathetic reporting, dismissed by some by some part of the military propaganda machine† (cited in Tee 2003: 2). According to Williams (1999: 4), propaganda disseminated during wartime â€Å"is based around short- to medium term objectives†¦ to celebrate actual achievement or hide embarrassments†¦to invoke national pride, create a feeling of righteousness and incite hatred for the enemy† . Hence, it is not surprising the media bias and perceptions do play a part in the ensuring the scope and accuracy of the war coverage. Even â€Å"the [publicly funded] ABC is shaping its products to fit its perceived audience, and this is not a perspective which is value-neutral† (Lumby 1999: 41). Since there are so many different media sources competing for the viewer’s attention, media owners might also want their reporters to sensationalise their coverage to stand out from the competition. Much of what is deemed to be newsworthy is often centered on â€Å"the government’s mistakes, on sensation and crisis† (Singleton, et al 2003: 360). As Moeller (1999: 34) puts it, â€Å"Media moguls have long known that suffering, rather than good news, sells†. Viewers are not interested in the mundane daily news; they would rather watch something extraordinary or thrilling. However, no matter how bias the media coverage is, it might not actually have much of an effect on the viewers who have already made up their minds about the war. This is because, according to the cognitive dissonance theory, â€Å"we have, built into the workings of our mind, a mechanism that creates an uncomfortable feeling of dissonance, or lack of harmony, when we become aware of some inconsistency among the various attitudes, beliefs, and items of knowledge that constitute our mental store† (Gray 2002: 520). These individuals are likely to be their own media gatekeepers, filtering out information that might cause them to doubt their own current view, and looking out only for information that would reinforce it. Although the media might not explicitly tell the public what to think, it manages to get them thinking about the war in general and the various issues involved, via the agenda-setting function of the media that the public has been subjected to. According to Roscoe et al (cited in Agenda Setting – Setting the Terms of Reference 2000:1): â€Å"Rather than seeing the media as telling the viewer what to think, television presentations can be seen as â€Å"setting the agenda† in terms of how and which issues should be discussed†¦ television presentations frame the events in such a way as to promote particular accounts as being the legitimate and valid, while other accounts are excluded and marginalised. By doing so, the parameters within which the debate can be conducted are set out†¦the media can be seen as having the power to frame the debate by promoting the legitimacy of certain representations and accounts†¦viewers are active but within the parameters set by the text.† According to Ward (2002: 405), the micro-level equivalent to this function would be that of agenda-priming, where â€Å"individuals make judgments about issues based on information immediately on hand and from easily retrieved memories†. The constant coverage of the war in all the different news mediums means that viewers would believe that the war is an important issue, worthy of thought and discussion. While news from the traditional forms of media like television, radio and newspapers may be limited by time and space constraints, as well as being highly selective and bias, the emergence of the Internet has made it possible for people to garner information about the war from all angles. This development of technology makes it possible for viewers to get a balanced view of the war through alternate sources from the Internet in the comfort of their homes, â€Å"particularly in Australia, where computer ownership and Internet access is becoming widespread† (Singleton et al 2003: 369). The public can now choose to educate themselves by getting both sides of the story, from both the western media, as well as the angle taken by the Gulf media. † Nevertheless, quality coverage and a challenge to political agenda setting will depend on the use of insights from both the domestic and foreign environments to extend the parameters of news coverage, commentary and debate in the Australian media† (Payne 2000: 167). According to investigative journalist John Pilger, (in Propaganda Wars 2003:3), â€Å"the quality of the debate is very high among the public†¦turn to the letters page or †¦listen to people in their homes and shops†. Instead of taking an apathetic attitude towards this Gulf War, the public has taken a more pro-active stand by organising peace rallies as well as setting up various charities and donations for post-war Iraq. Hence, even though there is some form of media bias present in the pervasive coverage of the war in all forms of media locally, it has nevertheless contributed to the â€Å"reasoned debate†, and not public hysteria over the war. References Agenda Setting – Setting the Terms of Reference, [Online], 6 February 2000 – last Update, Available: http://wwww.cultsock.ndirect.co.uk/MUHome/cshtml/ media/setterms.html [ 6 May 2003]. Fandy, M. 2003, ‘Perceptions where Al-Jazeera & Co. are coming from’, The Washington Post, March 30 B01, viewed 4 April 2003, LexisNexis All News. Frisk, R. 2001, Pity the Nation: Lebanon at War, Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press. Gray, P. 2002, Psychology, 4th rev. ed., New York: Worth Publishers. Lumby, C. 1999, Gotcha: Life in a Tabloid World, St Leonards: Allen and Unwin. Moeller, S. D. 1999, Compassion Fatigue: How the Media sell Disease, Famine, War and Death, New York: Routledge. Parenti, M. 1986, Inventing Reality: The politics of the mass media, New York: St Martin’s Press. Payne, P. 2000, ‘Coverage of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War’ in Foreign devils and other journalists, eds D. Kingsbury, E. Loo & P. Payne, Clayton: Monash Asia Institute. Propaganda Wars (radio program), 30 January 2003. The Media Report, ABC Radio International, Presenter M. O’Reagan. Pros and Cons of Embedded Journalism. [Online]. 27 March 2003 – last update. Available: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/jan-june03/embed_3- 27_printout.html [6 May 2003]. Seccombe, M 2003, ‘Propaganda Games Give a Distorted View of Reality’, Sydney Morning Herald, 26 March, Available: www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/03/25/1048354604340.html [2 April 2003]. Singleton, Aitkin, Jinks & Warhurst 2003, Australian Political Institutions, 6th rev. ed., Melbourne: Longman. Tee, H. C. 2003, ‘ War – The ‘Ultimate Reality Show’, The Straits Times, 7 April, Available: http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/life/story/0,4386181610,00.html [8 April 2003]. Ward, I. 2002, ‘Media Power’ In Government, Politics and Power in Australia, eds. J Summers, D. Woodward & A. Parkin, Melbourne, Longman. Williams, J. F. 1999, Anzacs, the Media and the Great War, Sydney: University of New South Wales Press. Willis, J. 1991, The Shadow World: Life between the News Media and Reality, New York: Praeger. Wood, W. A. 1967, Electronic Journalism., New York & London: Columbia

Love, Love, Love- We are Surrounded by Love Essay

â€Å"Your life and my life flow into each other as wave flows into wave, and unless there is peace and joy and freedom for you, there can be no real peace or joy or freedom for me. To see reality- not as we expect it to be, but as it is- is to see that unless we live for each other and in and through each other, we do not really live very satisfactorily; that there can really be life only where there really is, in just this sense, love. â€Å"1 Most of our lives consist of socializing with others, beginning new relationships, and strengthening old ones. Love is all around us, embodied in three main categories: parental or family love, love between friends, and â€Å"chemical love,† between a male and female. Each of these is experienced in a different way; each of these is approached in a different way. However, all of them share one common quality- they are unplanned, unpredicted, and unexpected. This is what gives love its beauty. Because we do not expect it, we appreciat e it greatly, realizing how poor our lives have been (or would have been) without it. We simply learn to love love. The first kind of love we encounter is at a very early age, and that is toward our parents. This is a subconscious feeling; the child is too young to decide whether to love his or her parents or not. In the usual case, when the parents show love toward their child, the child feels it and returns the warm feeling which fills the parents’ hearts. This love can be shown in many ways. For example, usually the first word a child learns to pronounce is â€Å"mama,† or something along these lines. This shows the subconscious line of thought- the thought of his or her parents dominates the child’s mind. The child wants to be hugged and kissed; he or she rebels when taken away from his or her parents, and does not go to sleep without the security of the loved parent. This kind of love is innate and unpredicted, and seen in almost every individual. Another kind of love is the one we feel toward our friends. When we are young, these relationships are not very profound; they usually consist of getting together to play the favorite game of â€Å"duck, duck, goose,† or maybe â€Å"freeze tag .† When so young, a child’s feelings toward a friend are not as  strong as an adult’s feelings toward his or her friends. However, young children hug, hold hands, and feel the need to see each other very often, perhaps to play â€Å"hide and seek,† perhaps to tell the story of how the family dog chased its tail. As we grow, we begin to encounter more and more difficulties; Mom and Dad will not always solve the problem. This is when we look for other assistance, and this is where our friends come in. Our peers have probably encountered the same problem: a row with a parent, a broken heart, a low grade. From this stage on, we become more and more dependent on our friends, and the bond strengthens until the point (and perhaps farther) when the friends feel as though they are one: the pain felt by one is equally felt by the other. For example, when my friend, the person who has been next to me for ten years through everything, including the death of a parent, was left by her boyfriend for drugs, I felt incredible pain; she did not need to tell me how she felt- I already knew. Even now, when we are thousands of miles apart, a telepathy still exists. This kind of bond can be called love- when one is dependent on one’s friend, when the opinion of that person is what determines the actions taken. However, such love is felt only toward a limited number of people, for friends are like plants- there are many that are beauteous and colorful on the outside, but poisonous on the inside. There may be just a few unique ones, not necessarily the most beautiful ones, that complete us. â€Å"Love means to love that which is unlovable, or it is no virtue at all.† 2 This is the third kind of love,†chemical love.† When one feels this kind of love, one does not see the loved one’s flaws; one sees him or her as an angel that has come down from heaven: suddenly the large nose disappears, and is replaced by the big blue eyes. This kind of love occurs when, upon meeting a member of the opposite sex, one feels an uncontrollable desire to be with this person- a desire which cannot be subdued by mental power. This kind of love is the most unpredictable- it occurs suddenly, when it is least expected. A person might be sitting in a cafà ©, drinking coffee, when a complete stranger walks past and somehow, the coffee suddenly loses its attractiveness. The only thing occupying the person’s mind is how to catch the mysterious stranger’s attention. When one experiences this kind of love, one feels as though in a trance- the only thought occupying the brain is  that of the object of desire. Even a touch on the hand by the loved one can cause extreme felicity. When a person is â€Å"in love,† the object of desire is the meaning of that person’s life; he or she wakes up in the morning, overflowing with vivacity and energy, all fueled by the thought that he or she will be with that one particular person. When someone experiences such attraction to another person, he or she is ready to risk his or her life for the loved one or for the sake of being together, just like Romeo and Juliet preferred to die rather than be separated. â€Å"Chemical love,† therefore, is stronger than the mental power and cannot be purposely controlled. All three kinds of love share a common property- they are feelings, which are mentally uncontrollable; they completely take over the body, and the brain is helpless in stopping them. Love cannot be forced or decided upon; it controls itself and completely takes over the person experiencing it. This is why love is so potent- the human being is helpless in stopping its effects. A person usually experiences each type of love at least once during his or her lifetime. All three come together to form one of the most powerful forces in existence- love.

Nathan Forest essays

Nathan Forest essays Nathan Forrest was born in Chapel Hill, Tennessee, on 13th July, 1821. He was born into a poor family of William and Merriam Beck Forrestand was the third child of eleven, but he and eventually became the owner the owner of a large cotton plantation. He was also a slave-trader and the buyer and seller of land. His plantation and slaves led him to become a very wealthy man even though, he was uneducated. On the outbreak of the American Civil War Forrest enlisted in the Confederate Army as a private in Josiah H. White's cavalry company on June 14, 1861. Under the Governor of Tennessees idea of using Forrests wealth by having him a battalion at his own expense. Because of this, in October 1861 he was a lieutenant colonel, and in March 1862 he was promoted to Colonel of the 3rd Tennessee Cavalry. His promotion was earned because he had escaped from Grant at Fort Donelson, which was the only success for the Confederacy at that battle. The Confederates met in northern Mississippi and headed for the Union army at Pittsburgh Landing. He organized the cover for the retreat at Shiloh. Forrest was badly wounded but after he recovered he conducted raids on the Union Army. He took part in the evacuation of Corinth, then was promoted to Brigadier General in July of 1862 and raised the troops needed to have a full brigade. He took them on his first raid to Murfreesboro, and captured the garrison, and destroying track and supplies. The important thing their raid did was throw off the Union advance on Chattanooga ,which allowed Bragg to move into Kentucky. He fought in the battle in Kentucky, but his next independent operation was in west Tennessee. In April, 1864, Forrest and his men captured Fort Pillow in Jackson, Tennessee. The fort contained many blacks and white soldiers.After the war it was said that the soldiers were killed after they had surrended. An investigation discovered that they had killed the garrison after surre...

Cures and Strategies for Senioritis

Cures and Strategies for Senioritis You may have first experienced senioritis that strange funk and apathy you feel your senior year, where all you can think about is getting out of school in high school. Senioritis in college, however, can be just as bad, if not worse. And the consequences can be more permanent and severe. Fortunately, there are several ways you can conquer your senioritis and turn your senior year of college into one of great fun and great memories. Take a Class Just for Fun Your first year or two, you were probably taking your prereqs. Then you focused on taking classes in your major. If you have the time in your schedule, try taking a class just for fun. It can be on a topic you always wanted to learn more about (Modernist Poetry?) or something you think will help you in your post-college life (Marketing 101?). Just go for a class that appeals to you because its interesting, not because of what it can add to your already rigorous courseload. Let your mind enjoy the class for what it is, not because you have to be there. Take a Class Pass/Fail This option is often underused by many college students. If you take a class pass/fail, you can relax a bit on your grade. You can focus on other things and reduce a little bit of stress on yourself. Talk to your professor, your advisor, and/or the registrar about what your options are. Do Something in the Arts Did you always want to learn how to paint? Play the flute? Learn modern dance? Let yourself splurge a little and indulge in a desire youve kept hidden until now. After all, after you graduate, taking fun classes like these is going to be much more difficult. Letting yourself do something just for fun, and because it fulfills a creative desire, can be incredibly rewarding and a great cure for the boredom and routine that might be coming from your other classes. Do Something Off Campus Chances are youve been in a little bubble on your campus for several years. Look past the campus walls and see how you can help the surrounding community a little. Can you volunteer in a womens shelter? Help at a homeless organization? Pass out food to the hungry on Sundays? Giving back to the community can really help you gain your perspective, will help improve the community around you, and can re-energize your mind and heart. Additionally, getting off campus at least once a week can do your body good. Challenge Yourself to Try Something New Every Week Chances are, youre feeling apathetic and suffering from senioritis because your life is very routine. Fortunately, youre on a campus where new and exciting things are happening all the time. Challenge yourself and some friends, if you can to try something new every week on campus. Go to a cultural dinner for a kind of food youve never tried before. Go listen to a speaker talking about a topic you could learn a little more about. Attend a film screening for a movie you might have otherwise passed on. Make a New College Memory Every Week Look back at your time in college. Sure, the things youve learned and your in-class education has been important. But just as important can be the memories youve made with other people along the way. Aim to pack as many as you can into your senior year. Try new things, grab some friends, and see what memories you can make with each other. Take a Mini-vacations with Your Friends or Romantic Partner Youre in college now and practically (if not actually) an independent adult. You can rent a hotel room, travel on your own, and go where you want to go  when you want to go there. So book a mini-vacation with some friends or with your romantic partner. It doesnt have to be far, but it should be fun. Escape for the weekend and let yourself enjoy life away from school for a few days. Even if youre tight on money, there are tons of student travel discounts you can use along the way. Do Something Physically Active Feeling apathetic can manifest itself physically. Challenge yourself to do something physical, like take an exercise class at the campus gym or join an intramural sports team. Youll improve your physical health, be able to work your stress out and increase your energy. (Not to mention, of course, that youll tone up and feel more confident!) Mentor a First-year Student It can be easy, during your senior year, to forget all that youve learned and what it was like as a new student on campus. Additionally, it can be easy to forget how fortunate you are to make it through not everyone who starts their first year makes it all the way through to their senior year. Consider mentoring a first-year student in an on-campus mentoring program. Youll regain some perspective, realize how well-off you have it, and help someone else out along the way. Start a Freelance Business Online The news is full of tiny start-ups that start in college residence halls everywhere. Consider what skills you have, what youre good at, and what you like to do. Setting up a website that advertises your services is easy and doesnt cost much money. Youll gain energy as you focus on a new project, maybe earn some extra cash, and get some experience (if not clientele) that you can use after you graduate.

Jehovah's Witnesses and refusal of blood products. Describe an Essay

Jehovah's Witnesses and refusal of blood products. Describe an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you - Essay Example Or, should they respect patients’ religious beliefs and compromise on quality of healthcare? Since there is no straightforward answer to these questions, healthcare professionals will have to tread the balance between medical ethic and cultural sensitivity. Such discretion is all the more necessary in a country like the United States, where there is such diversity of race, religion and cultural background. For example, nearly a third of the population is derived from various racial minorities, while religious expression also varies from conservative to liberal. In this regard, it is a prerequisite for healthcare professionals to take into account the cultural restrictions and religious doctrines of individual patients before deciding on a course of treatment. Just like Jehovah’s Witnesses have their own code of conduct, so too do various other denominations of Christianity followed in the country. Similarly, Muslims have their own mandates to follow. Hence, understanding and accommodating diversity is important for those in the healthcare