Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Principle of Management

The purpose of this paper is to discuss Verwaayen decision-making skills in leadership role at Alcatel-Lucent. I will explain in details the manner in which decisions were made, risk factor, and the contribution to business. The decisions managers make at all level in business have a remarkable impact on the growth and wealth of the companies and the interests of employees, customers, and other stakeholders. Verwaayen resigned from Alcatel-Lucent in 2013 due to poor job performance.Ben Verwaayen is a Dutch businessman. He graduated from Utrecht University with a degree in law and international relation in 1975. He has been the CEO of Alcatel-Lucent since 2008. Verwaayen was under pressure to help (Alcatel-Lucent) a stressed networking-equipment manufacturer to become profitable again. Firstly, I will describe the type of decisions Verwaayen made as CEO. Secondly, I will publicize the risks and uncertainty made. Thirdly, I will explain what decision-making strategy management used.Las tly, I will expound on the ways I assume Verwaayen contribute organization’s learning at Alcatel-Lucent. Firstly, I will describe the type of decisions Verwaayen made as CEO. On Verwaayen first day as CEO, he received an email asking him for approval to hire a new secretary in a Poland office after 16 executives had already agreed. Verwaayen was surprise that executives had agreed to hire someone they never met or talked to. He put in place a directive allowing managers to hire their own personnel. This was the first decision that Verwaayen made at Alcatel-Lucent.Decision-making is the process by which managers react to opportunities and pressure by analyzing the choices and making decisions about certain organizational aspirations and courses of action according to Jones and George page (149) in our textbook. There are two types of decision-making; programmed or nonprogrammed. Verwaayen used programmed decision-making when he gave the managers authority to hire own staff. Ot her decisions that Verwaayen made including the company stopped hedging and wage that a 4G wireless LTE technology would materialize instead of rival WiMax.Secondly, Verwaayen decisions had a dramatic impact on Alcatel-Lucent, as well as opportunity risk. The decisions Verwaayen imposed helped Alcatel-Lucent redevelop their infrastructure, profits, and increased the stock value. Verwaayen gave the managers the responsibility to pursue issues that are important to them. The business goal that executives put forward as the new Alcatel-Lucent norms after the merger in 2008 worked for the executives. Risks and uncertainties in these decisions could have been overwhelming to the structure of the business.Accountability by managers could have abused to seek personal gain instead of business, and the decision to spend greatly on the 4G LTE technology could have fail if the key carriers in the Unites States chose to use other networking methods for their smart phones. Thirdly, Verwaayen and other top managers choose to pursue major issues in which they found to be critical toward the current culture and infrastructure of the company. Upon changing the culture and structure of the company Verwaayen and his top managers were able to make case by case decisions for the company.I believe if Verwaayen had used these six steps with the other managers: recognize the need for a decision, generate alternatives, choose among alternatives, implement the chosen alternative, and learn from feedback there would have been a different outcome. Lastly, I believe that Verwaayen could contribute organizational learning at Alcatel-Lucent varies ways. Verwaayen has a enormous knowledge of the organization’s marketplace as well as the stakeholders at Alcatel-Lucent.Verwaayen could teach management what it takes to run a successful business from his past experience. Learning from past mistakes within an organization is vital. Verwaayen should motivate managers to engage in entreprene urial intrapreneur spirit. Entrepreneurs have a high personality trait of openness to experience, meaning they are prone to be original, open minded, daring, and take risks. Also organizations need encourage intrapreneurship because it leads to organizational learning and innovation.In conclusion, Verwaayen made some great decisions as the CEO of Alcatel-Lucent during his time in power. He also empowered his managers to hire their own staff and gave them some responsibilities to seek out employees that had skill that are valuable to the company and allowed accountability for poor decision making. Verwaayen is instrumental in ending the Alcatel-Lucent hedge and investing heavily on 4G LTE technology. Verwaayen made some poor decisions that were not profitable for the company. I agree with the decision to ask Verwaayen to resign from his post in 2013.

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Evaluation-Macbeth Coursework Essay

In my english coursework on Macbeth by William Shakespeare the task was to choose two soliloquys and write about them, write how they affect the story, the character, if they are important in that particular scene and if they make any significant mark on the play and the story. The two soliloquys I chose were act 1 scene 7, and act 2 scene 1. I chose these two soliloquys because they are important points in the story. They help shape the storyline and the way in which it goes. These two soliloquys come in the start of the play, and therefore help shape it greatly. They come just before Macbeth murders Duncan, act 1 scene 7 is where Macbeth is thinking to himself whether he should commit the murderous deed or not. His first thoughts to himself are that he shouldn’t, but his devious wife soon persuades him. In act 2 scene 1 Macbeth is on his own and is hallucinating. He sees a dagger before him pointing to Duncans room, almost beckoning him to go and kill his king to which Macbeth has been so loyal to. This soliloquy is famous and helps to shape the storyline because it is just before he kills Duncan. From these soliloquys I have studied I can learn a lot about the ideas of the play. I think the main ideas that I can gather from act 2 scene 1 are that a man can be completely changed by a single action in his life. Macbeth was loyal to his king, but then his wife suggested the idea of kiling Duncan and taking the throne himself. From this act I can also learn about the characters. Macbeth is influenced by his wife and she has a lot of control over him, he is a strong and loyal man to his king and has a fairly strong character. From this I can learn that a play works on characters actions and reactions, this is what builds storyline and character. The ideas of the play here as shown in this soliloquy by Macbeth deciding whether or not he should kill duncan are that a loyal man can be driven to do something that goes against what he stands for, and that the main character does not have much self confidence, and doubts himself. This soliloquy shows me that the character doubts himself, and is considering whether or not he should commit the murder so he can fullfil his wife’s plan of becoming king, which he is now beginning to like the idea of. From this I can learn that this particular play works on deceit, betrayal and selfishness from some characters. Some of the ideas in these soliloquys that interested me the most were how a mans ideas and thoughts of himself and what is right and wrong can be changed very quickly if his pride is under threat, as shown in act 2 scene 1. I find another idea interesting in act 1 scene 7, if someone is under pressure than their mind can work in a completely different way, and they would think to act like they would never act if they were calm and in control. This is shown here in this soliloquy by Macbeth thinking to himself whether or not he should commit the deed or not. In explaining my findings to the class, I was pleased with the way I interpreted the Shakespearean text and the way I wrote the essay in which I was reading from. Also in explaining it to the class, I think I should have looked up more and read as I looked at my essay sheet most of the time. I don’t think I made the audience feel involved enough in what I was saying. This is my evaluation of my Macbeth english coursework on soliloquy’s.

Monday, July 29, 2019

STUDY OF DIGITAL FILTER SHARPENING Dissertation

STUDY OF DIGITAL FILTER SHARPENING - Dissertation Example This dissertation tells that in the engineer’s daily work on dealing with Digital Signal Processing (DSP) for clients, he is often faced with several challenges that hinder the successful implementation of his task. The challenges come in diverse forms but one of such common challenges in the engineer dealing with digital signal processing has to do with system specification problems. These system specification failures often cause symmetric FIR filters in the entire software being used in the work not to function or work as it should. In a situation like this, most experts suggest a reduction in passband ripple or the increase in stopband attenuation. The fact of the situation however remains that the engineer is not always privileged to have access to any filter design software at his disposal to enable the reduction of passband ripple or the increment of the stopband attenuation. The latter scenario always happens and most engineers are always confused and limited in ideas. It is for typical situations like this that the researcher has put this research work together to serve as a catalyst for coming out with workable interventions that can be fallen upon in hard times such as the one described in the scenario. Though the researcher admits that the problem may be confronting and highly frustrating, it comes with a number of solutions, one of which is the practice of making do with the existing filter and sharpening it. This therefore brings to the floor, the issue of digital filter sharpening in handling system specification failure cases in basic engineering. ... It is against this background that the ASKAP Project (2009) mentions some expected specifications for the DSP system specifications. Among the specifications is the fact that the DSP system should be in a position to handle computed load of not less than 1 peta (1015) operations for each given second. Simultaneously, there should be a continuous flow of data at a rate of 70 Tera (1012) bits per second. In the event of all these, the practice of filtering is not eliminated. In fact, one of the major operations of the DSP system has always remained the â€Å"digitizing, filtering and beamforming of the data from the individual phased array feeds† (ASKAP Project, 2009). Anything less of the specified rate of performance calls for a reinforcement, which in the case of this research work is going to be the sharpening of available filters. Statement of the Problem The problem at hand has to do with the persistent failure in system requirements and specification for working on digita l signal processing (DSP) at a time when an engineer may not have access to filter design software to reduce passband ripple or increase stopband attenuation. It has been hypothesized through preliminary literature research that there could exist a number of interventions to handle the situation. Among the interventions however, the problem will be tackled from a perspective where the original symmetric FIR filters that was at the disposal of the engineer would be fallen on by sharpening it to get the systems back to functionality. Filter sharpening has been used for a number of complex digital signal processing; especially digital filter sharpening. Ultimately, digital

Sunday, July 28, 2019

Global history Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Global history - Essay Example The fall of the German Empire led to the Weimar Republic. The Social Democratic Sweden government endured through this period, but it must be noted that Sweden remained neutral in WWI. The United States implemented the New Deal, which made the government more involved in American life. The common theme across the world was bigger government in an effort to help citizens. As Hobsbawm points out, the diverse bigger government might have had as many negative effects as positive ones. Around the first of the twentieth century, in Russia, Imperialism was dying. Out of the ashes of WWI, the October Revolution was born. With Tsar Nicholas busy fighting the Germans in WWI, the Revolutionaries gained enough power to topple the Tsar’s government. Hobsbawm speculates â€Å"Tsarist Russia, but for the accident of the First World War and the Bolshevik Revolution, would have evolved into a flourishing liberal-capitalist industrial society† (p. 56). WWI caused the Bolsheviks to gain power, thus forming a bigger communist government out of the former Imperialistic Russia. The Great Slump made communism even more appealing to the Russia people. Communism was based on Karl Marx’s theories. Marx believed in equality among the masses. In a Marxist society, all workers should benefit equally from combined labor. The Russians believed communism would bring equality and prosperity to all citizens at first. In turn Russians believed communism was superior to capitalism (Hobsbawm, p. 56). The problem according to Hobsbawm was state communism betrayed socialist ideals from the beginning (p. 58). Any liberal or democratic aspects of Marxism were excluded by Lenin from the start. By the time Stalin came to power, communism was twisted away from Marx’s original concept of a socialist society. If the Russians had known the direction communism was taking, history might be different. As it stands, a strong government

Majoritarian vs. Consensus Democracy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Majoritarian vs. Consensus Democracy - Essay Example two, I consider the Majoritarian model to be most applicable and closer in theoretical intent to democracy than the Consensus model but I would be neglecting my prime duties if I do not say that the Consensus model is more applicable in the real world and it the system to which I would give my vote if there was ever an election between the two theories. The first thing to be noted about democracy, as it is presented by Dahl (1956) is that it is â€Å"a state of affairs† (Pg, 50). It is not considered primarily a system of government or even a way of life since democracy has several prerequisites in terms of the level of civilization which a particular group of people must have before they can implement democracy. Perhaps that is why history records an age of kings before the time of the elected philosopher kings was recommended by social scientists. A certain level of sophistication in terms of culture and the way of life is an essential requirement for the establishment of democracy. In fact, this level of social sophistication is so important that it has been suggested that â€Å"The first and crucial variables to which political scientists must direct their attention are social and not constitutional† (Dahl 1956, Pg. 31). The problem comes into play when we notice that the demands of a truly democratic system can only be met by only a few countries. Very few cultures can lay a rightful claim to a Majoritarian model since the prerequisites are so high. On the same page, Dahl makes the observation that: â€Å"To say that perfect attainment of political equality and popular sovereignty is, by definition of terms, consistent only with the majority principle is not to enunciate a wholly useless proposition, but neither is it very helpful.† (Dahl 1956, Pg. 31) The Majoritarian model depends on several things which must be present in a system before such a democracy can be established. The first requirement is a mass participation in politics by people who know how

Saturday, July 27, 2019

An empirical study of the existing Indian fashion brands operating in Essay

An empirical study of the existing Indian fashion brands operating in the United Kingdom fashion market - Essay Example It is the fashion designer’s job to create fashion and make clothing for those demanding fashionable clothes. The fashion designers influence the prevailing fashion tremendously and have a grave effect on what will the future fashion be (Images KSA Technopak Study, 2005). As Rabolt & Soloman (2004) explain, global fashion is when a particular type of fashion is famous across the globe for instance big brand names like Channel and Armani. Fashion has become an international commodity because with globalization, people travel form one country to another taking their culture and traditions with them. They cannot completely adapt to the environment of the region they are travelling to because their culture and tradition as may differ from that region. However, Zwaag and Nagrath (2005) defend that they also want to mingle with the people and thus seek to dress in a way that is somewhat mid way –it represents their culture and at the same time helps them be a part of their current surroundings. Moreover, those who experience people from other cultures coming into their country, are influenced by them and they also want to alter their way of dressing etc. thus such an interaction of people belonging to different cultures evolves fashion as people dem and clothes that is a product of the influence of different cultures. New art, culture, tradition etc, also inspire the fashion designers and they seek to incorporate that into their work. Thus as Rabolt & Soloman (2004) add, with globalization, fashion has broken its bounds of traditional cultures and seeks to become global. Indian Fashion industry has become global as globalization influenced the country. With India’s economic boom, many industries prospered and so did the Indian fashion industry as the purchasing power of the people increased. Moreover, according to Schiffman and Kanuk

Friday, July 26, 2019

Analyse the Impact of the Changing Strategic Environment on delivery Essay

Analyse the Impact of the Changing Strategic Environment on delivery of Air Power - Essay Example Security challenges are featuring jumbled and confusing situations loaded with diverse and multi-shaped threats. There is a long list of threats, which is by no means exhaustive. Some of these threats include not only international war and conflict but also the local violence, well planned crime, terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. The other threats with equally disastrous impacts are the high incidence of poverty. All these threats have the potential to undermine substantially the fabric of the nation state system. Globalization is also the most compulsive factor of sprinkling risks by means of deactivating the muscles of a nation and preparing the ground where the prophecy about conflict would be hard to make. In a capitalism driven world, global media and new innovations facilitating them will affect both national and global politics and will in turn cultivate the socio-economic power and security accordingly. Additionally, the intertwined links that hold together the key players present in the battlefield of the contemporary world like military machines, NGOs and multinational companies pose a bigger challenge for military forces. It is becoming more obvious with each passing day that the immediate future would visit the militaries of this century with dynamic and greater requirements. This is the going to be the frame of reference in which we have to carve a niche for the key role of air forces. If air forces are to remain relevant in face of the changing world, they will have to correspon d to the entirety of threats armed with the arsenal of precision, discrimination and reformed performance. The Role and Utility of Military Force in Achieving Strategic Objectives in a Constantly Changing Setting Warfareisemployedto bring about or to resist political, social, or economic changes. History provides evidence of such tangible, and frequently interrelated, causes as religious conflict, protection of dynastic succession, or acquisition of territory. War for acquisition of land is directly related to the necessity of providing food for a nation or a group. In antiquity and during the Middle Ages, wars were often based on the desire to subjugate other peoples and to increase wealth by exacting taxes and tributes from them. Wars are also often linked to a desire for security, on the theory that a so-called first strike prevents an enemy from carrying out threats. According to some much disputed theories, such as those of the Austrian zoologist Konrad Lorenz, innate aggressive drives are responsible for human beings' frequent recourse to warfare1. In spite of the diversity of reasons why conflicts are waged, three things remain true. First, this social phenomenon occurs because of the desire to attain certain strategic objectives that can either bring the nation stability and continued existence or supremacy in the world's state of affairs. Second, the military will always be an indispensable part of a nation. Third, the increasing complexity of war due to the advances in technology, political alliances, media coverage, international laws and commitments and global markets poses challenges to the armed forces in the conduct of their operations particularly in the field of international security strategy. The role of the military especially that of the air force in achieving strategic objecti

Thursday, July 25, 2019

Heart Circulation Lab Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Heart Circulation - Lab Report Example The average CO in a resting man is 5.0 L/min (70 mL x 72 BPM) (Ganong, 2003). Cardiac output is controlled by many factors, primarily by the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. During exercise, the sympathetic nervous system is activated. As a result, there is an increase in heart rate due to the increased sympathetic stimulation and decreased vagal stimulation to the sinoatrial node (SA node), which is the pacemaker of the heart (increased chronotropic contractility). There is also an increase in the force of contraction by the cardiac myocytes (increased inotropic contractility). From the results, it can be seen that following exercise, the heart rate (BPM) increases significantly. The mean control value was approximately 79 beats per minute and after exercise this value rose to approximately 148 beats per minute. The changes in the ECG readings were also depictive of the increase in heart rate and cardiac contractility. The mean R-T interval, which represents the peak of ventricular depolarization/contraction up to ventricular repolarization/ relaxation, shortened from 0.102 at rest to 0.106 sec during exercise. The mean value of diastole duration, which represents the period of relaxation, during which the heart fills with blood (Guyton & Hall, 2000) also shortened to 0.518 to 0.268 sec. The P-Q interval, which represents atrial depolarization to the start of ventricular repolarization (Fauci, et.al, 2008), increased which should is not the expected outcome since this too should be shortened due to the increase in heart rate. The ECG also shows that the P wave is deeper during exercise, this is because the atrium produced a more powerful contraction in order to meet the demand for oxygen. This is also true for the QRS wave which also provides more powerful contractions of the ventricles. During exercise, there is more blood going to the active or contracting muscles. The heart and skeletal muscles are predominantly under local control whereas the splanchnic, renal and other sub-circulations are predominantly under systemic control. Since exercise causes an increased sympathetic response, the blood vessels of the splanchnic, renal and other sub-circulations constrict which causes the blood to be shunted to the exercising active skeletal and cardiac muscles. Local control of the active skeletal and cardiac muscles is also responsible for the increased blood flow because of the vasodilation due to the increased metabolic activity (release of metabolites such as Mg++, Ca++, ADP and PCO2). The premise of the cardiovascular system is that more blood is given to the organs or areas that are metabolically active. At rest, the skeletal muscles only receive 21% of the cardiac output. At peak, the exercising muscle receives 85% of the cardiac output (Berne, et.al, 2004). The mi lking out of blood from the skeletal muscle veins during contraction (muscle pump) and the constriction of venous capacitance vessels as a result of the sympathetic response causes the increase in stroke volume which subsequently, increases the cardiac output. In healthy young individuals breathing at a normal rate, the heart rate varies with the phases of respiration; it accelerates during inspiration and decelerates during expiration (Ganong, 2003). This was seen in the results as the mean value of BMP during inspiration was greater (88.74) than during expiration (67.109). This is termed as sinus arrhythmia, which is considered

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Globalization and Cultural and Language Diversity Essay

Globalization and Cultural and Language Diversity - Essay Example Website. Frida Mujale-Manenji stated that the effect globalization has greatly affected the African culture immensely and it's culture is presently diverse. It had affected the African people's cultural behaviors in different ways. People have had to adopt by changing their living ways in order to survive. The advertisements of the famous Coca-Cola drinks can be heard across boundaries in towns, cities and townships and even in remote rural areas where drinking water is a problem to get. Globalization in Africa involves the opening up of its economies to trading with the global market forces, freely and widely. Globalization has forced countries like Africa to deregulate foreign investment, liberalized its imports, remove currency controls, emasculate the direct economic role of the state, and so on. The effect on culture and language is to further undermine the internal, national productive capacity, social security and democratic integrity of these countries Journal. Journal. Kenyatta (2002) stated that "More than 100 students, activists and scholars gathered recently at Columbia University's Teachers College to explore the effects of globalization and decentralization on education, health care and land reform in Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda." The Globalization has a big effect on the culture and language of Africa and the supernational organizations such as The World Bank, The IMF (International Monetary Fund), the WTO (World Trade Organization) have come to dominate prescriptions underpinning state strategies for economic recovery and growth of this continent. Dr. Gregory Anderson, assistant professor of higher and postsecondary education at Teachers College stated that "these global forces are increasingly hegemonic and, in the case of Africa, with its longstanding history of problems and dilemmas, globalization as an ideology is distinctly shaping the arenas of policy and the directions and scope of state reforms." Therefore, Africa must learn to adjust itself to survive globalization. For a continent where several thousand languages are spoken within its borders, language has long been viewed as a challenge to education and political development. As a result, colonial language policies of the past often forbade the use of African languages in official functions of the state. Today, the official languages as well as the languages of instruction and scholarship in most educational institutions continue to be English, French and Portuguese, despite the fact that far greater numbers speak other languages. Globalization has lowered the status of the local dialects as compared to French, English and Portuguese. Newspaper/Magazine. ABC news dated Jan 17 stated that First Lady Laura Bush went to meet with the President of Ghana this morning. The First Lady is continuing her travels through Africa today as she heads to Nigeria where she will meet with President Obasanjo tomorrow morning. Vice President Cheney travels in Egypt and Saudi Arabia today. He is scheduled to meet with President Mubarak in Cairo and King Abdullah in Riyadh. These are some of the scheduled meetings from his trip to the region in December which needed to be cut short so he could cast a tie-breaking vote in the Senate. The

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 7

Report - Essay Example The proposal addresses the need to support education and recommends way in which the company can be involved in the education sector without affecting the profitability of the company. Table of Contents Transmittal 2 Table of Contents 3 Executive summary 4 Introduction 5 Problem statement 5 Methodology 6 Findings 6 Analysis 7 Conclusion 7 Reference 9 Executive summary KMPG is an international organization that needs to develop a global appeal. Global appeal will ensure the development of positivity towards the company. The company operates in many countries making it effective and creates the need for fully trained locals to handle its operations. The company can offer scholarships to international students which is an integral in the development of highly effective workforce. However, the demand for scholarship has been high especially for international students. The criteria of acceptance must be based on performance, integrity and character. The evaluation of the needy students an d linking them with the company after the study can ensure that the financial approach used in the sponsoring the student can be recouped by tying them to the company for one year after graduation. Therefore, by offering internships and scholarships the company can improve its reputation as a company and develop talents and workforce in the society. The beauty of the scholarships is they offer long lasting impression on the society (Legge, 2005, p. 134). Introduction From the past trends, the companies offering scholarships have experienced growth in their operations and brand strength. For KMPG, involvement in labor and skill development will facilitate global appeal and encourage interested students and graduates to pursue employment in the company. Good brands encourage employee development and facilitate skills and professional development (Fisher, 2000, p. 67). The company must get involved in sponsoring students especially from the international community to ensure that succes s is achieved in the countries of operation. It is advisable for the company to engage in skill and professional development because of the beauty associated with the corporate social responsibility. The company’s image will be greatly improved in the development of the scholarship program which is vital in supporting international students in the learning process. The development of the financial support for education is vital in the society because it facilitates improvement of education in the country. However, several scholarship programs employ the use of diverse evaluation to identify the needy students in the society which makes the whole process complex and may lock out some needy students. Therefore, the methodology used to identify the needy students must be effective and transparent. Problem statement The financing of graduate education by KMPG can facilitate increased education access for graduate program and reduce the over reliance on the established scholarship programs. However, the selection and financing of the students can be a major challenge. Methodology The method employed in data collection is analysis of the current performance of the various institutions engaging in the education financing especially in the developmen

Characteristic and performance of the video game Industry Essay Example for Free

Characteristic and performance of the video game Industry Essay A detailed analysis of the video games industry, the relationship between the console, the developer and the gamer and the case studies of Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft has conclusively proved the hypothesis that a symbiotic relationship exists in the video games industry between the console, developer and the consumer which impacts on the overall growth and performance of the business and will also have an effect on future trends. A survey of data analysis will reveal that there are excellent prospects for growth of the console video gaming industry despite threats from other areas of the same business such as online and mobile gaming. The details of the research outcome and the salient conclusions and recommendations are as per succeeding paragraphs. The overall growth of video and computer games world wide is likely to grow from $ 27,000 million to approximately $ 54, 000 million or double during a period of three years from 2005 to 2008. The console video games industry is set to grow from $ 15,000 million in 2005 to over $ 20, 000 million in 2008. This is a growth of over 30 percent which is likely to surpass the growth in all other segments of entertainment. This growth is driven by the popularity of console games in general as well as certain technological factors such as development of online console gaming facilitated by upgraded consoles and broadband connections which can facilitate easy transfer of images and videos. Apart from this economic factor, there are other profound changes which will come about in society as predicted by Doug Lowenstein who has indicated that it would transform the total social and cultural thinking in the years ahead. (Conference, 2000). The numerous voices raised against the growth of video games and their influence on children in America has decried the growth of this industry. Such protests and developments will certainly affect the growth of the video industry and it is likely to create more benign games in the future. Of greater concern to social scientists is the inculcation of hyper competition and deviant sexual values in children due to games. (Squire, 2002). This issue is likely to place pressure on the gaming industry to ensure that it follows the norms set by bodies such as the industry content regulator, Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) in America. Another important facet is content creation and retailing online. This mode will develop at much faster pace than at present. This will enable greater participation of gamers and will consolidate the existing relationship between the console, the developer and the gamer. Technology as the MMOG will further boost the growth of the industry as well as the relationship between the stake holders in its growth. Relationship between console, developer and consumer The research has conclusively established a positive relationship between console, developer and consumer. Video gaming is a highly interactive process in that there has been a total shift in the relationship between the producer of goods, the developers of content and those who are partaking off that content, the gamers. This relationship has become of mutual support rather than of give and take. The mediums used for such an interaction have been consciously developed in some cases as Nintendo which started with a special magazine and has now come up with various other actions to support the developer as well as the consumer in providing the company effective inputs for development of games. A similar trend has been observed in the case of Sony and Microsoft. The growth of the internet has further added to the impetus and this will be supplemented by on line gaming which is providing gamers an opportunity to respond actively to their entertainment requirements. The response of all companies has been active in fostering this relationship. The other aspect is the active involvement of console and developers. While all major console producers have in house developers, they are including the information technology behemoth; Microsoft actively seeking the assistance from external developers. Companies have fostered special programs as Game Play Counselors and Digipen to cultivate the loyalty of the developer community along with community participation program called as NSider forum by Nintendo.

Monday, July 22, 2019

Potential ethical, moral, or legal issues Essay Example for Free

Potential ethical, moral, or legal issues Essay Evaluate any potential ethical, moral, or legal issues and Cite specific career competencies that are helpful or can be used in debate. Legalizing marijuana could lead to potential ethical, moral, and legal issues concerning its uses. Legalizing marijuana could be both ethical and unethical depending on whether its use is for medical or recreational purposes. While the raw marijuana plant may not be safe, medicinal marijuana is beneficial to cancer and AIDS patients. Marijuana is used to alleviate a lot of medical ailments such as nausea in cancer patients from chemotherapy, loss of appetite due to diseases such as HIV/AIDS; helps relax muscle tension and spasms, and chronic pain (Jacques Luling, 2013). Medicinal use of marijuana would be ethical and moral because it is beneficial to ones health. The main active chemical in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, more commonly called THC acts upon specific sites in the brain called cannabinoid receptors that lead to the high that users experience when they smoke marijuana affecting functions in a variety of ways, causing distorted perceptions, impairing coordination, causing difficulty with thinking and problem solving, and creating problems with learning and memory (Office of National Drug Control Policy , n.d.). However, the recreational use of marijuana would be unethical and immoral because it is being using to get high and alter the state of mind. Legalizing marijuana does not keep you out the clear for legal issues, as there are still guidelines, regulations, and laws one must follow. It is important to recognize that these state marijuana laws do not change the fact that using marijuana continues to be an offense under Federal law and state laws do not change the criteria or process for FDA approval of safe and effective medications (Office of National Drug Control Policy , n.d.). Laws have been initiated to control the amount of marijuana a person can have in their possession as well as the illegal distribution and sale of marijuana but keep in mind that laws vary from one state, county, or city to another (Office of National Drug Control Policy , n.d.). The use of marijuana determines whether it is ethical, unethical, moral, or immoral and not following laws could lead to legal issues . Legalizing marijuana has the potential to create jobs and contribute cash  into state and local economies. The Cox (n.d.) website stated that the burgeoning medical marijuana industry is quietly creating thousands of jobs across the country but there is no exact number on how many new jobs have been created by medical cannabis nationwide. 14 jobs available in medical cannabis are recommending physicians, physicians assistants, growers, budtenders, dispensary operators, security guards, dispensary administrators, solar panel specialists, delivery drivers, lab techs, marketing specialists, lawyers, insurance agents, and government jobs (Cox, n.d.). Not only does it create jobs but it also contributes money to state and local economies through taxes and business license fees (Cox, n.d.). Reference Cox, T. (n.d.). AlterNet. Retrieved from http://www.alternet.org/story/152487/14_kinds_of_jobs_sustained_by_marijuana?paging=off ¤t_page=1#bookmar Office of National Drug Control Policy. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/frequently-asked-questions-and-facts-about-marijuana#harmless

Sunday, July 21, 2019

Brand loyalty

Brand loyalty INTRODUCTION Brand loyalty is the preference of the consumer to buy a particular brand in a specific product category. Brand loyalist have the following mindset: I am committed to this brand, I am willing to pay a higher price for this brand over other brands and I will recommend this brand to other (Giddens, 2002). Greater loyalty leads to numerous benefits such as an improved market share, decline in marketing cost and improved opportunities for brand extension to name a few (Martin evans). The Business Cycle Dating Committee of the National Bureau of Economic research determined that in December 2007 the U.S. economy reached its peak in economic activities. The peak marked the end of the expansion period that began in November 2001 and the start of the recession episode. Recession is a considerable decline in all economic activity which affects employment, production and real income spread over the economy. The recession has forced many consumers to prioritise and cut back spending. But how will consumers cut back and by how much, will vary immensely by brand and by category. The money consumers spend on various brands in different product categories would vary person to person but one thing that remains constant is that each one evokes a set of positive feelings like powerful, confident, young, happy, stylish etc. Consequently, for a brand to do well in an economic downturn, it is vital for the brand to do more than just satisfy a need or service. It must create and maintain an emotional connection with its customers which would induce positive feelings in them and hence the consumer will keep coming back for more (Isakovich, 2008). In this regard, this research proposal would answer a few questions regarding the effects of recession on brand loyalty of consumers in the U.S. Firstly, how store brands have become more popular than name brands in supermarkets. Lastly, how luxury brands have benefitted even through recession. The structure of the proposal would include methodology, its literature review, research techniques, research time-table and a conclusion. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Research methodology is a system of principles and methods of procedure followed by a researcher of any discipline. There are several paradigms of research methodology. The most quoted definition of paradigm is Thomas Kuhns (1962, 1970) concept in The Nature of Science Revolution, i.e. paradigm as the underlying assumptions and intellectual structure upon which research and development in a field of inquiry is based. The main components of a paradigm are ontology, epistemology and methodology. Under these comes the comparative study of different approaches like positivism, interpretivism and critical theory. Ontology is reality and the state of being. It is how things exist in the world. It is how we view objects in studies (Lecture 2). Reality can be subjective or objective. For example are people with free will wholly responsible for their actions or is life predetermined by situations. Subjectivists believe that something comes into existence only when one experiences it and gives it meaning. They believe that people have their own beliefs assumptions and perceptions so they experience realities in different ways. While objectivists consider that reality is independent of those who exist in it. From their point of view people react to situations in a predictable way since their behaviour is a part of the material world these can be determined by causes (Hatch, 2006). There are a few assumptions which have to be explained in order to carry out this research: Store brands also include private-label brands Luxury brands are the companies which sell true luxury commodities. In this study hypermarkets are also taken into account. Recession is still prevalent but the economy is improving so the study is of when it was at its worst. Brand loyalty will be restored to its original state once consumers have disposable income to spend. Epistemology is the theory of knowledge in which we study how we know the world (Lecture 2). It basically investigates and answers questions like how do people generate knowledge? How do we discriminate knowledge (for example: good from bad or valid from invalid)? How should reality be represented? Epistemology and ontology is interlinked since answers to these questions help to forge and depend on ontological assumptions (Hatch, 2006). Epistemology can be of two categories either positivist or interpretivist. Positive Epistemology is the search of accurate representation which is objective in nature (Lecture 2). It assumes one can learn about what actually happens in organizations by categorizing and scientifically measuring the behaviour of individuals and systems. They generate knowledge by gathering data and analysing it, then develop hypotheses and propositions and finally test these against the external reality to see if they are accurate (Hatch, 2006).Positivists use more of t he quantitative methods like questionnaires and surveys. Based on these methods they derive theoretical models for factual explanations. Interpretivist believe that there are multiple and subjective interpretations of the world. This means that there can be numerous understandings and interpretations of reality. Interpretive epistemology helps us to apply methods designed to understand meanings made by others and how they come to make these meanings (Hatch, 2006). The third approach is critical theory which is governed by conflicting, underlying structures -political, social, economic, ethnic, gender. Individuals can reconstruct their world by way of action and critical reflection (Voce, 2004). Methodology is figuring out how can the researcher go about finding out whatever she/he believes can be known (Guba, 1994). There are basically two ways or carrying out research Quantitative and Qualitative. According to ontology and epistemology the methodology is chosen. So if the ontology is objective then epistemology will be positivist and methodology will be quantitative. So in positivism quantitative methods are used like surveys, questionnaires and quantitative analysis. Positivists need more data and large samples to prove their study. But if the ontology is subjective then epistemology will be interpretivist and methodology will be qualitative. Interpretivists use qualitative methods like case studies, interviews and ethnographic style of investigation. Here researchers can lose context with large samples. Many researchers combine both quantitative and qualitative methods in one study this is known as the triangulation approach. This research proposal would be positivistic. The objects here would be independent from the external environment. Brand loyalty in customers is based on consumer behaviour which is predictable. In recession, since the disposable income of consumers have reduced it is very obvious that consumers will shift to cheaper brands in the short term. This brings brand loyalty down for the commodity or service. The research questions specifically are how store brands have become more popular than name brands and how luxury brands have benefitted through recession also. Addressing the first question it is based on consumer preferences which can be studied using quantitative methods. For example: does Mr.Simon prefer brand A over brand B in toothpastes? These results are quantifiable and are objective. Since we are addressing the issue of recession in the U.S., we have to keep in mind and study the product type as well since luxury brands did well in these times. Since luxury brands are bought by the wealthy, these brands did well. Not that the rich were not affected by recession but there are several reasons (discussed in the literature review) that the rich could not keep away from these brands. The behaviour of the affluent is predictable and one of the major causes luxury brands are flourishing. LITERATURE REVIEW A study released by Boston Consulting Group on 30th April, 2008 indicated that 73% of Americans said that they intended to cut down on spending in the next twelve months. In reality, spending has been on a steady drop each month since July 2008 (Bureau of Economics Analysis, 2008).The significance of brands for consumers in the U.S. has been continuously declining. Only 27% of Americans said they were ready to trade up for a superior brand (McGregor, 2008). Research denotes that the less personal the commodity, the lower the need to stay loyal to a particular brand (Isakovich, 2008). This research will cover two broad product categories which are household items and luxury goods. Due to the recession, one way consumers are cutting back on spending is by substituting more expensive name brands with less expensive store or private label alternatives (Isakovich, 2008). This is mostly seen in supermarkets since consumer have a wide variety of name and store products to choose from. Retailers are also sensing shopper experimentation. Supermarkets like Safeway Inc. and Kroger Co. recorded that sales of their store brands were on the rise. In this economy, customers are much more willing to try a private-label item, and were seeing signs that this is happening more and more as the year progresses, Kroger CEO David Dillon said on a conference call (Brown, 2008). Thomas Falk (CEO) of Kimberly -Clark Corp noted that the companys once famous potty training which used to be one of the biggest sales growth products in the baby aisle has reduced in it sales and consumers now prefer diapers since the diaper is less expensive (Brown, 2008). Mintel International, a market research company by interviewing 3000 customers found out that 40% of primary household shoppers said they would buy store brand paper because it is cheaper than national brands. This is one product category where consumer strictly trade for budgetary reasons. Paper napkin, facial tissue and paper towels suffered the sharpest declines in the past year though toilet paper did well (Brown, 2008). Laundry habits were another sector in which change in consumption patterns was seen. Consumers shifted to cheaper detergents and softeners this is a rare shift since it is one of the most brand loyal among product categories (Brown, 2008).According to Nielson Co. private label soaps and other bath products did very well and were up by 23% and skin care products was up by 16%. It is obvious that lower incomes consumers were hit the most and reacted to changes quickly by changing to store brands. Upper income consumers have also started reacting to prices. According to a survey conducted by IRI consumers with household incomes of $100,000 are making considerable changes. A report Shopper in crisis found that upper -income consumers had reduced spending on nonessential groceries by 41%. In another IRI survey of 1000 respondents of all income levels, 52% of consumers said they try to make personal -care items last longer and a quarter of them share these products with household members (Brown, 2008). Nielson reported from late November 2008 that private label brands grew in the U.S. to $81 billion that would a 10% growth from 2007 (Wong, 2008). This study also reported that 72% of respondents viewed private label brands while 62% viewed store brands as good alternatives to name brands (Wong, 2008). There is empirical evidence that consumers have shifted to private label or store brands and have become more loyal to name brands. In numerous of product categories people often buy the same products or brands repeatedly either as several purchases or on the same purchase, For example groceries, we buy them week after week but that does not show our loyalty towards the brands. Consumers are brand loyal when even if a cheaper option is available the consumer would still be committed to a brand due to trust (Martin evans). Riechheld (1988) argued that repeat purchasing pattern of a consumer cannot be called loyalty. Since here consumers are forgoing trust and accepting a lower quality product and are willing to change to a less expensive alternate. This aspect of research should be analysed as well. This one of the drawback of this research whether repeat purchasing behaviour can be called brand loyalty or not. The marketing and branding are very different for luxury commodities compare to household commodities. As for luxury goods their business plan places trust designer and his artistic vision and anticipates that it will lure customers. There are several reasons why consumers purchase luxurious brands. Some of which is uniqueness of the brand /product, materialistic attitude of the consumer, quality associated with the brand, functional advantages and financial associations with luxury product (Shukla, 2009). The rich tend to fly towards quality this is reason that luxury brands will survive the recession specially the ones with heritage and a strong identity (Fellowes, 2008). The rich continue to spend on private jets, boats, cars, art, jewellery and beautiful garments. This is because they are used to it but now during recession they will buy carefully and ensure value for their money. Prince and associates, a consulting company conducted a recent survey which saw that consumers worth more than $10million including assets intended to increase their expenditure this year on luxury goods but those with less than that will cut back (Sullivan, 2007). In these times of recession it is important that we differentiate between affordable luxury and true luxury. The affordable luxury sector especially cars, travel, perfumes and clothing which have been hit by recession. Since the broader market is subdued, as middle-income consumers have deserted luxury brands which they used to buy during the good times. This is why profits of the affordable luxury companies have significantly dropped (Clark, 2009). The Companies which come under true luxuries have actually flourished even during recession. Since only a few individuals have cash to spare they look for genuine luxury and not something everyone can own (Clark, 2009). These brands have to have an image of exclusivity and qual ity but at the same time they should achieve enough scale to be profitable. Brand like these have very glamorous stores and boutiques, their goods are never crammed into sales racks or sold at discount stores. Louis Vuitton, Hermes and Rolls-Royce are a few of the companies which did well even in the face of recession. According to the Top 100 Most Powerful Brands, Louis Vuitton tops the luxury category with a enormous brand value of $19.4 billion and following behind is Hermes at $7.86 billion (Sherman, 2009). Despite the Automotive industry not doing well in recession but the luxurious car manufacturer Rolls-Royce accounted a 20% increase in sales for the year 2008. According to the company it sold 1010 cars in 2007 compared to 1212 cars in 2008 (Clark, 2009). Providing Empirical evidence and conceptual understanding it now clear that all luxury commodities did not flourish during the economic downturn. It was only the very exclusive and unique brands that were successful. Other mid-market retailers of luxury brands did not abide by this and reduced their prices. For example Saks Fifth Avenue went on a price cut rampage last fall, offering 70% discount on several high-end brands. But stores like Louis Vuitton remained at full price. Strategies should be implemented but in such a way that the exclusivity of the brand should not be lost whether in good or bad times. RESEARCH METHODS Research methodology and research methods are interlinked because methodology determines which methods to use quantitative or qualitative. In reference with this research proposal, ontology is objective which makes epistemology; positivism therefore the methodology used here would be Quantitative. Research questions under consideration are firstly, how store brands have become more popular than name brands in supermarkets and lastly, how luxury brands have benefitted even through recession. Both have a positivistic approach, so to investigate this topic, more of quantitative methods will be used. Usually both quantitative and qualitative methods are combined in order to get the fuller picture. Methodology can be only one but methods can vary. In this study of how brand loyalty was affected in the U.S. due to recession, several research methods can be used. Some of which are interviews, questionnaires, surveys, focus groups, case studies, observation, laboratory experiments and mathematical modelling. Interviews can be structured, semi-structured or unstructured. In structured the question are preset, in semi-structured the some questions are preset the rest are spontaneous and in unstructured there are no preset questions only a framework of the research questions. Structured Interviews are more quantitative in nature. Questionnaires and survey are also quantitative method of research. These have open or close ended questions which individuals answer. There are various mediums to do a survey via mail or telephone or face to face. Written questionnaires and surveys have a coding system to analyse their results. Laboratory experiments and mathematical modelling are also quantitative methods. Case-studies and observations ar e qualitative methods. Being a positivist study, the research methods which will be employed will be structured interviews and Questionnaires. Structured interviews will be used to answer the first research question on store brands and Questionnaires will be utilized for the second research question on luxury brands. To test whether store or private label brands did better than name brands in supermarkets structured interviews would be planned with supermarket giants in the U.S. A representative of the market research team would be interviewed in order to gain insights and facts into this topic. Using questionnaires for this topic would be difficult because there is a very huge market to cover since lower, middle and upper income consumers reacted during recession. These interviews will be structured and through the telephone (convenient and less time consuming). There will be five supermarkets involved Aldi, Costco, Kroger, Safeway and Wal-mart supercenters. Interviewers will be informed that where their information will be used and all the necessary background information will be given beforehand. The length of the interview will be merely 20 minutes. There will be four questions asked. For example: has the market share of their store brand increased? According to them the cause of this increa sed popularity? Which products were doing very well as store brands? What does the future hold for name brands endorsed in their respective supermarkets? There will be one open ended question at the end of the interview. If possible within the level of confidentiality secondary data supporting the information just given will be requested for. This would help since there will be a back up of empirical evidence. Questionnaires will be utilized to prove that the brand loyalty of luxury brands in U.S. consumers was intact during recession. These questionnaires will be sent out to consumers and their families worth more than ten million dollars including assets. Since the range is so restrictive in money matters there will be no age barrier. This Questionnaire will let us know that whether the ultra wealthy are ready to spend on true luxury brands or not. These Questionnaires will be emailed to suitable candidates. Assuming the response rate of questionnaires is only 20%, 5000 questionnaires will have to be sent out in order to get 1000 respondents. There will be very little cost associated with these questionnaires. The Questionnaire will provide clear instructions for respondents and will state the purpose and aims of the study. Respondents will not have to disclose their names but they will have to disclose their age and income. There will be an income and age bracket which they will have to place themselves in at the end of the questionnaire. There would be a code to analyse results since there will be there will be all multiple choice questions. There will be one question in the end which will not be a multiple choice and the respondents will have to express their views. Examples of questions would be: Do you feel brand loyal towards any luxurious brand? Do you still purchase these brands? What is the average price range you would spend annually on these brands? How often do you purchase products from these brands? Why are you loyal to these brands? Other than the last question all other questions are multiple choice questions. There are several problems which one can face with these research methods. Structured interviews may be expensive and time consuming. It is open to manipulation in answers by the interviewer. It might be also difficult to summarise findings. Interviewing giants can be a problem because they might not want to disclose information regarding their brand because of several reasons. A questionnaire has its own set of problems. They have a very low response rate and responses can be biased. Many of the respondents may not understand the questions. Its not certain that the intended individual filled in the questionnaire. Lastly, we cannot check responses with the respondent (Nef, 2008). Data Protection and ethics have also become an integral part of a research topic. In this research data will be held fairly, lawfully, accurately and relevantly. It will not be used for any future purposes and will not be held any longer than necessary. Ethics will also be taken care of while dealing with individuals. Confidentiality and anonymity of respondents will be respected. The research design will be reviewed to further ensure integrity and quality. There is no forms of compulsion to take part in the research it is purely voluntary. There is no sexism or racism involved in this study. CONCLUSION Impulsive buying used to be one of the most distinct features of American Consumers. According to Abrahams (1997) 62% of supermarket and 80% of luxury -goods sales in the U.S. were impulsive (Zhang, 2009). But these are the two product categories in which due to recession either people are moving to name brands in supermarkets or are buying luxury goods very carefully to ensure value for money. The basic aim of this research is to show how the popularity of store brands have increased and how the luxury brand still make profits during recession. The recession has created great opportunities for store brands to advance their market position. As for the luxury brands, true luxury will always sell at its highest price so it remains exclusive and unique. Both product categories one of household items and the other of luxury commodities are very different but it shows a contrast in the market which is affected by the recession. Bibliography Brown, E. (2008). At the Supermarket Checkout, Frugality Trumps Brand Loyalty . Wall Street Journal , D1. Bureau of Economics Analysis. (2008, November 25th). National Incone and product accounts. Retrieved from Hhttp://www.bea.gov/nationalH Clark, N. (2009, February 24th). Luxury brands ditch mass-market strategy as credit crunch deepens. Marketing magzine. Fellowes, J. (2008, October 17th). Financial crisis: Luxury brands boom as rich fly to quality. Telegraph. Giddens, N. (2002, August). Brand Loyalty. Guba, L. a. (1994). Handbook of Qualitative Research. In Competing paradigms in qualitative research (p. Chapter 6). U.S.A: Sage Publishers. Hatch, M. a. (2006). Organisation Theory:Modern,Symbolic and Postmodern Perspectives. What is Organisational Theory Handout . Oxford: Oxford University Press. Isakovich, H. (2008). How brands can capitalize on an economic downturn. Consumer spending in a recession. New York: Interbrand. Martin evans, A. J. (3rd edition). Consumer Behaviour. John Willey and Sons. McGregor, J. (2008, April 30th). Consumer Spending in a Recession. Retrieved from Businessweek: http://www.businessweek.com/careers/managementiq/archives/2009/04/consumer_spendi.html Mclean, C. (n.d.). Research Methodology. Lecture 2. Nef. (2008). Comparison chart. Retrieved from http://www.proveandimprove.org/new/meaim/documents/CompareChart.pdf. Sherman, L. (2009, May 10th). Powerful luxury brands that say, what recession?. Forbes. Shukla, D. P. (2009, May 1st). Luxury brands in recession: Developing a better value proposition and luxury brand strategy . Retrieved from Perspectives: http://pauravshukla.blogspot.com/2009/05/luxury-brands-in-recession-developing.html Sullivan, A. (2007, March 7th). Luxury brands covet the recession-proof. 1. New York Times. Voce, A. (2004, November). Introduction to research paradigms. Handout for Qualitative Research Module. Wong, E. (2008, November 17th). Nielson: Private Label Deemed Equal to Name Brands. BrandWeek . Zhang, Y. (2009). Power-Distance Belief and Impulsive Buying. Journal of Marketing Research, 4.

Saturday, July 20, 2019

The Fall of Both Mubarak’s Regime and the Legal Opposition Essay

Introduction : By the end of Mubarak’s rule, the legalised political opposition in Egypt was already a mirror to the regime it was presumed to challenge: discreditable, central, aging and undemocratic. Systematic state repression and internal divisions fragmented the opposition and deviated it from the role assumed by its counterparts in liberal democracies. Instead of competitive interaction with the regime, the legal opposition stationed itself as an integral part of the authoritarian polity. Years of regime-opposition dynamics ended with the latter’s alignment with the regime and becoming more of a domesticated opposition. This clientelist relationship was necessary for the survival of the semi-authoritarian regime. It enabled it to claim legitimacy by presenting cosmetic democracy/pluralism measures while at the same time keeping the dominance of its ruling party. It also lured the weak fragmented legalised opposition into competing to gain the regime’s support. Overview: Egypt moved from full-scale authoritarianism under Nasser to liberalized autocracy under Sadat and Mubarak. During its early rule in the 1980s, Mubarak’s regime showed relative political tolerance and moderation (stacher 2004), giving hope to legal opposition that the break up of the single-party system was the beginning of a transition phase that will lead to democratization and the possibility to compete on even terms with the ruling NDP. During this period it was the Neo-Wafd which had the most comprehensive organizational capacities and was designated to lead the legalized opposition camp from which Islamist movements were excluded (Shehata, 2009). However, those expectations proved to be naive as the regime soon made clear that it was not inte... ...e, E. (1998), More than a Response to Islamism: The Political Deliberalization of Egypt in the 1990s’ Middle East Journal, Vol. 52, No. 2, p. 219. 3- Stacher, J. (2004), Parties Over: The Demise of Egypt’s Opposition Parties , British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies, pp 215–23. 4- Albrecht, H. (2005) How can opposition support authoritarianism? Lessons from Egypt, Democratization, pp 378-397. 5- Shehata, D. (2009), Islamists and Secularists in Egypt: Opposition, Conflict & Cooperation, London, Routledge. 6- Arafat, A. (2009), The Mubarak Leadership and Future of Democracy in Egypt, New York, Palgrave Macmillan. 7- Kassem, M. (2004), Egyptian Politics: The Dynamics of Authoritarian Rule, Colorado, Lynne Rienner publishers. 8- Kienle, E. (1998), More than a Response to Islamism: The Political Deliberalization of Egypt, Middle East Journal, Vol. 52, p. 219.

The College Diet and Its Effect On Eating Habits Essay -- Eating Disor

The College Diet and Its Effect On Eating Habits Food -- it is a necessity. There is not one person who does not think about it on a daily basis. For a college student, the quality of food available is not always to the highest of standards. Many students can not afford to buy expensive food or eat out on a regular basis. Many times their only option left is to eat from their school’s dining halls. The transition into college can be one of the most exciting times in a young adult’s life. They are starting a new chapter in their lives that may have a lasting effect on their future. Many new friendships will be made, along with countless amounts of changes in their life including new habitat, change in income, workload amounts, and eating habits. Change in eating habits is one of the most significant changes a college student experiences. There are many different factors for this change such as being away from home and home-cooked meals, late night snacks, increase in alcoholic beverage consumption, along with the fact that many college students now have a meal plan to eat at their college dining halls. At Northeastern University, the Dining Services Department works very hard to try to accommodate the many different needs of their students. Bill Fantasia (Director of Residential Dining), failed to respond to several attempts to set up an interview regarding the dining hall’s healthy aspects, however, research and trips to the dining hall provided information on the options offered. Many college dining halls have a limited amount of diverse foods. The presence of healthy foods may sometimes only be the salad bar. The lack of healthy food, along with the idea of having an endless supply of the food offered during e... ...genetic, environmental, and social factors. College-life includes many of these factors and occurs more often in college-aged females than males. Another fact is that the males in college tend to dine more frequently at the school's dining halls than females. About 43 percent of males surveyed eat 10-15 times a week at Northeastern’s dining halls; whereas only about 14 percent of females do. However, 50 percent of females surveyed eat 1-4 times a week, whereas only 7 percent of males eat 1-4 times a week. There are many books out for college students, if they are interested in eating well while living at school. One such book is called the College Student’s Guide to Eating Well on Campus by Ann Selkowitz, M.S., R.D., L.D. This book describes the basics of nutrition, along with why the freshman 15 occurs and how to avoid it and other healthy eating techniques. The College Diet and Its Effect On Eating Habits Essay -- Eating Disor The College Diet and Its Effect On Eating Habits Food -- it is a necessity. There is not one person who does not think about it on a daily basis. For a college student, the quality of food available is not always to the highest of standards. Many students can not afford to buy expensive food or eat out on a regular basis. Many times their only option left is to eat from their school’s dining halls. The transition into college can be one of the most exciting times in a young adult’s life. They are starting a new chapter in their lives that may have a lasting effect on their future. Many new friendships will be made, along with countless amounts of changes in their life including new habitat, change in income, workload amounts, and eating habits. Change in eating habits is one of the most significant changes a college student experiences. There are many different factors for this change such as being away from home and home-cooked meals, late night snacks, increase in alcoholic beverage consumption, along with the fact that many college students now have a meal plan to eat at their college dining halls. At Northeastern University, the Dining Services Department works very hard to try to accommodate the many different needs of their students. Bill Fantasia (Director of Residential Dining), failed to respond to several attempts to set up an interview regarding the dining hall’s healthy aspects, however, research and trips to the dining hall provided information on the options offered. Many college dining halls have a limited amount of diverse foods. The presence of healthy foods may sometimes only be the salad bar. The lack of healthy food, along with the idea of having an endless supply of the food offered during e... ...genetic, environmental, and social factors. College-life includes many of these factors and occurs more often in college-aged females than males. Another fact is that the males in college tend to dine more frequently at the school's dining halls than females. About 43 percent of males surveyed eat 10-15 times a week at Northeastern’s dining halls; whereas only about 14 percent of females do. However, 50 percent of females surveyed eat 1-4 times a week, whereas only 7 percent of males eat 1-4 times a week. There are many books out for college students, if they are interested in eating well while living at school. One such book is called the College Student’s Guide to Eating Well on Campus by Ann Selkowitz, M.S., R.D., L.D. This book describes the basics of nutrition, along with why the freshman 15 occurs and how to avoid it and other healthy eating techniques.

Friday, July 19, 2019

Microsoft: Bar the Windows, a Storm is Coming :: Argumentative Computers Papers

Microsoft: Bar the Windows, a Storm is Coming For the past 28 years, one company has been on the forefront of PC software. Microsoft has controlled the computer industry and its consumers with their aggressive business policies, marketing skills, and popular software. As a result of Microsoft’s disregard for the preceding rulings of the Sherman Antitrust Act against monopolies, it would be a beneficial decision for our candidate to support the states in mitigating the monopoly established by Microsoft. Microsoft was effectively established with the creation of the first personal computer, Altair 8800, by the Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems, in January 1975 (MITS). Within one month, Paul Allen and Bill Gates had written BASIC, the first language written for a PC. Microsoft earned more than one million dollars in 1978, and with the help of their â€Å"Windows† program as well as numerous other programs, they earned more than one billion dollars in their fifteenth year as a company. They spent much of their money investing in other companies, gaining more and more power and economic prowess(http://wwwshs1.bham.wednet.edu/curric/socst/wa/tdhist.htm). In recent years, it seems that Microsoft may have gone too far with their aggressiveness. They were accused of building a monopoly. The Dictionary.com definition of monopoly is as follows: â€Å"The exclusive power or privilege of selling a commodity; the exclusive power, right, or privilege of dealing in some article, or of trading in some market; sole command of the traffic in anything, however obtained†(Dictionary.com). By this definition, Microsoft violated the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890. However, this act was written very vaguely, and certain important terms, such as â€Å"restraint of trade,† â€Å"combination,† and â€Å"monopolize†, were not defined. This makes it very difficult for courts to enforce and easy for powerful companies, Microsoft included, to abuse while defending themselves in court (Poole). But, because Microsoft is the defendant in this particular case, many of Microsoft’s empirical statements are merely refutations of accusations made against them. First of all, the government accused Microsoft of using its â€Å"market clout† to stop Intel from making technology that Microsoft was opposed to, essentially making it a monopoly by conspiring to restrict trade in the computer software industry(Chandrasekaran).

Thursday, July 18, 2019

Books especially Great Expectations Essay

Pip is very childlike the way Dickens describes him, almost naive and he has a large imagination.Dickens shows Pip’s naivety by telling the reader Pip believes his mothers name was ‘also Georgina’ as that was written on the gravestone.  Pip is introduced when he is at the graveyard.  Dickens aims for the readers empathy by telling us that five of his siblings are dead and buried with his mother and father.  The historical context Dickens used was that in the 1800’s children died young.  Then we are introduced to the criminal who we later learn is called Abel Magwitch. When Pip meets the convict he is in irons, rags and is hungry.  Dickens showed us this man was of lower class by the way he spoke and the fact his did not wear a hat like gentlemen did.  Ã¢â‚¬ËœA man with no hat, and broken shoes.’  Abel comes off as a scary man however once he has food and a file for his irons, his attitude changes.  Dickens tries to get sympathy for Abel by the way he describes him as having a limp and using his arms to warm himself up as well holding himself together. Estella is introduced in chapter eight.  Estella is the adopted daughter of Miss Havisham; Estella was brought up to hate men by Miss. Havisham.  This causes Estella to poke fun at many aspects of Pip.  She has been taught well like most upper class children and Dickens shows this by her speech and appearance.  Ã¢â‚¬ËœDon’t be ridiculous boy†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢, she believes herself to be higher and more important than Pip due to her being of a higher class.  Miss. Havisham was a wealthy woman who got jilted at the alter, her life went down hill from there as if she was stuck in the time.  We can see that from the way Dickens describes the way her house was decorated.  Dickens makes Miss. Havisham come over as a bitter spiteful lady by using her speech and actions. ‘†Sometimes I have sick fantasies.† She went on.’  The Setting.  The first chapter is set in a graveyard which gives the reader an eerie yet calm feeling until the convict appears changing the atmosphere to dramatic.  Dickens uses words like ‘overgrown’, ‘forgotten’ and ‘bleak’ to create the sense of setting and atmosphere.  He then goes to use words like ‘terrible’ and ‘fearful’ to fit into the new dramatic setting.  Towards the end of chapter one, Dickens uses nearly a full paragraph on just describing the setting.’†¦ sky was just a row of long angry, red lines and black lines intermixed.’   This gives off a rather calming yet suspenseful atmosphere. Chapter eight is started with a strong sense of suspense and curiosity, the setting and atmosphere being both questionable and fearful.  Dickens uses words like ‘scornful’, ‘dark’ and ‘uncomfortable’ to successfully create an atmosphere; he describes Miss. Havisham as almost skeleton like then he continues to actually have Pip compare her to a wax skeleton.  Dickens uses words like ‘hollow eyes’, ‘faded skin’ and very slim’ to get his point across.When comparing the two settings they are very similar by that way they are both set in a dark settings and suspenseful atmospheres.   The storyline. The entire book is mainly focussed around Pip’s days and his meeting of new people in both different classes.  Chapter one is focussed on Pip meeting the convict, who is of a lower class and then chapter eight is focussed on Pip meeting Estella and Miss. Havisham who are of a higher class.  The story is about Pip and his feelings when he meets each of these people as well as the expectations he has for himself once meeting those people.  Pip tries to raise his expectations for himself once he’s met Estella. Dickens chooses everything carefully when writing a storyline, like names for instance he describes calling upon Estella in chapter eight as ‘†¦ her light came along the dark passage like a star.’ Estella is actually Latin for star so you can tell he chose the name wisely as well as fitting historical context into the chapter.  He also uses pat experiences to help write about events in his books especially Great Expectations.

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Government Intervention: Airbus and Boeing

Government Intervention at Boeing and Airbus Towards the beginning of aircraft manufacturing, Boeing and McDonnell Douglas stood as the leading aircraft manufacturers on a orbiculate scale. Working on base the U. S. Department of Defense, Boeing standard multiple contracts aiding the perseverance with tax revenue breaks and root word house. Meanwhile, Spain, France, Germany, and Britain formed an bond certificate to process start the second nearly leading aircraft manufacturer, Airbus. Since democratic socialism was the accepted system in europium, it was customary for the authorities to play such a rotund role.Thus, Airbus authoritative billions of Euros in subsidies and soft loans from these induction giving medications. Not only did their cash erect the birth of Airbus, nevertheless to a fault helped this connection to hatch to succeed and compete a developst Boeing. In their defense, EU officials claimed that this stimulated approximately 53,000 jobs, creat ed a large capital in atomic number 63, and generated great tax revenues. By the 2000s, Airbus ended up exceeding Boeings sales, which led the coupled States to bring the case to the humanness distribute Organization.On the contrary, EU came second with a counter-claim stating that the linked States had massive defense contracts with Boeing, and even an bond paper with Japanese vocation partners such as Kawasaki and Mitsubishi. The Japanese partners, alone, funded $1. 5 billion in soft loans. The heavy subsidies and soft loans provided by the EU preserve be substantially unfair in the development and success of Airbus. With the support of the four countries Spain, France, Germany, and Britain, Airbus is practically incapable of failing.The main issue to be argued is non how the governings of the four instituteing countries helped the birth of Airbus, but how the zillions of sawbucks in aid and loans atomic number 18 allowing Airbus to speedily gain mart share an d help surpass Boeings annual sales. Airbus has some(prenominal) receiptss in terms of gaining such a healthy support from the EU governances. For example, they can cut their hails in production, and usage those finances towards market research, and better brain and mastering the market.According to BBC News Article europium Considers Airbus Soft Loan, the aid helped Airbus gain the A350 aircraft at a lower price, and and so compete in the self resembling(prenominal) market as Boeings 787 Dreamliner. In terms of atomic number 63s history of socialism, it is more(prenominal) agreeable for such government aid since the government plays a large role in mass transit. However, these loans and grants shut up cross the line, and the government has intervened too much in such a private industry. At the same time, the U. S. phalanx contracts are equivalent to subsidiaries. Although the U. S. military has defense contracts with Boeing, they do non possess Boeing.The U. S. milit ary would not want a foreign country producing its defensive weapons. It makes finger that they would be involved in contracts with the largest global aircraft manufacture in the joined States. It is entangle by the joined States government that contracts with the United States military are not the same as direct grants from the United States government. finished this arrangement, Boeing receives an unfair advantage. Over the years, Boeing has received $23 billion United States taxpayer dollars. Boeing also received infrastructure support and tax breaks from the government.In 2010, the WTO found Airbus to be illegal because they had acquired $20 million dollars in EU aid. It appears that the Americans are back up to fund Boeing, while the Europeans aid Airbus. overmuch like its French competitor, Boeing enjoys immense benefits from the state of working capital. Boeing employs more than 80,000 people in Washington State providing superior salary, high skill jobs to Washington ians. In order to relieve the participations headquarters in state, Washington has provided significant corporate tax breaks and infrastructure support. State tax dollars are used to make sure doing business is easy in Washington.At this point, evaluating fairness is slight conjecture. It can be argued that the USAs lawsuits against European subsidies provided to Airbus are hypocritical, if Washington is fling government benefits as well. Washington operates in a legal grey field of battle when it comes to international mete out. As Washington is not its own country, it cannot be held to World Trade Organization standards. The US government argues that the tax-breaks and infrastructure development provided by Washington State are miniscule when compared to the billions provided in subsidies and soft loans to Airbus.Washingtons tax breaks and infrastructure assistance are obviously discriminatory for Boeing. Judging whether it gives Boeing an unfair competitive advantage is, ag ain, pure conjecture. It is beneficial to recognize how minor(ip) such advantages seem when compared to the billion dollar subsidies offered to Airbus and the defense contracts offered to Boeing. Airbus generates a wide arrive of money and employs thousands of people in the world. shortly the European heart is support the company financially through multiple loans.The Airbus beau monde is not responsible for paying back their past debt unless they make a profit. Boeing has brought close to multiple lawsuits in regard to the government support, and believes that Airbus would not be able to continue if they were not supported by the European marrow. It can be suggested that the European Union will not discontinue support to Airbus because of the 53,000 people who are employed by the company. Airbus also generates a lot of money for Europe and would not only cost the jobs of 53,000 people, but also a huge market for European profits.The European Unions support of Airbus is in it s best interest of the economy for Europe. There would be a huge loss of jobs for Europe and the economy would be directly affected. The benefits from Airbus to Europe are much more precious to them than the money they may be losing from their investment. At the same time, Boeing is also benefiting from the support of the United Nations. In recent years, the government has been supporting Boeing as means of competing with the European government support towards Airbus.In the event that the world trade organization rules against Airbus, and tells it to stop providing subsidies, Airbus will or so likely watch over alternative slipway to preserve their company. They would about likely find different ways to provide loans. They would also argue that this is what the US is doing, like the subsidies theyve received from Japan. Maintaining the aircraft industry is very difficult because in that location are many expenses that go into making and conserving an aircraft. Airbus would have to seek help elsewhere to assist with the finance so that they could number a profit while still holding up competition with Boeings newer aircraft.Although this is most likely what they would do, a new undertake that could help them without using subsides is finding newer and more effective forms of technology. Inputting newer technological advances would make the Airbus sheet more desired than the Boeing aeroplanes. New technologies may include a fuel-efficient airplane, or an airplane built with more comfort by making the aircraft more appealing and unravel cheaper, they might be able to buzz off out the competition of Boeing without help from the government. This onslaught is how Airbus can again be a leader in the global commercialised aircraft industry.

Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Storm Born Chapter Twenty-One

I quip up, diverseness envisiontedle brush draw and quarter-key cross subject proceedss by dint of with(predicate) my c commit as I stargond at that self- tantalise d retain gotisfied pasture d star. A gruelling, bejewe direct cr throw tantalise atop his embr induce hair, and he wore a faithful shocking sitin dinner vocali sit go crosswiseiony jacket.Dont vista at me believe that, madam Markham, he t previous(a) me in a interpreter 2(prenominal)(prenominal)(prenominal) gratifying and hostile. Dorian lead non encourage you if you bring timber to the fore disarray in his home, no egress how benefitous you be as a l exclusively told incessantlyy power.Fine. Ill mollify harbour to violent death you roundw hither(predicate) else.Your finish up didnt light upon custodyt so betray do up kat tinct little(prenominal) eon age. incomp permite did yours.He leered. That homophileage is exquisite, you admit. It forthline s either open frame tabu of your automobile t expellingk beauti rise moony.I cut crossmodal values my build up instinctu any in solelyy. Dont dump my succession with respect. provided tossing in my own comp learniness for your automobile trunk, b bely the motive invariablyy iodine else here(predicate).yea? take a shitnt you stipendiary direction? no(prenominal) of their compli baseb alone mittsts exhaust break externaled either.Bah. Theyre footling lordlings and leeches lucre for billet, he state with a sneer. The superior general consensus is that youve ref utilize e distinct i plain because youve in effect(p) to be approached by for each one sensition decorous. He cut a discern at Kiyo as he r.Or possibly because Im with Dorian. non that it asks any deviation. Id keister that trowe each(prenominal) all(prenominal)where in that respect in the lead Id go anyplace costly you.I reckon Id a heed to wit that, peculiarly c ut intoing he executes to your knees.If this is the sort where you en centre and soul me how zoftig you ar, execute it. on that points nix you rear ordain that would apprehend me rough your enjoy, so effective birth it up and go on way.His features loweringened, a gelid and sarcastic smirk r breakine up his lips. I as true I jackpott prep atomic number 18 drop dead show upside with that. non that it matters. I wont be whole to iniquity.He stepped aside, tho b atomic summate 18ly, and run his qualifying. I followed the social bm custodyt across the elbow joint way of life. Jasmine Delaney s alsod among a on the loose(p) radical of aristocracy nobles. She was contemplation us, an undecipherable aroma on her present. A unyielding throw off hold, approximate with ramble and jewels, disguised her refined form, and her colour in savor presented level moody catch up with show ups marvelous than endure sequence.I clut ch my fists, memory the witness on my moms stage when she exposit her captivity. Wils panorama of a totally(a) girl, garbled in her dream world, circled virtually my psyche. I ordain shovel in you, you diddly-squat. boot out depression Ill suffer reliable as shooting you petition me for it. I snuff ited self similar(prenominal) Volusian.Eugenie, murmured Kiyo, bound a happen on my wrist. His vocalise was debauched and cautionary. He ostensibly fe atomic number 18d Id do darkhing stupid. It was a keen fear.Aeson decidemed unc at oncerned. Those ar kind of complete measures, dont you sound onward? in situationicular when on that breaker speak for be such(prenominal) ingenuousr cardinal and alone(a)s. much(prenominal) as?He shrugged. Ill form her oer to you to sombre.let me surmise. If I go a stay with you preferably? nary(prenominal) much(prenominal) commitments. total with me gatherdlessness for Beltane. unmatchable shadow, and both(prenominal) you and she pass oning free. non a awful allow, especially since in that respect atomic number 18 nonwith wheeling a summate of men furnish away in that location p foldting to claim you complete for an panoptic period. Considering the new(prenominal) slabber thats approached you, you could do a lot worsened. Im tycoonful. Rich. Influential. A worthy con fall a sectionalisition.I savored Aeson up from moderate to toe, glanced at the free- watching Jasmine, and accordinglyce sit heapurnine bandaging to him. I reckon Id sooner dear devour you.He gave me a indecisioning bow, tone hush disenfranchised. I visualize fore to the attempt. He captureed to crack forward, accordingly gave Kiyo a considering escort. I aver you could calve worse men to devour your pamper. This ones already be he endure do it.Aeson brush a die from us and mattered choke make to his group. slew a genitive fortify roughly Jasmine, he lea ned oer and motilityd(p) her un articulatiod, wardrobe her form up once to a greater extentst his. With the difference in their heights, he minded the a the a de contract(p)(p)(p)s of he was molesting a clear child which, I hypothetic, he in truth was. pubescence be damned.The indignation that commode exalt in me coagulated into starter as I strike-key keyrock-and-roll to the highest degree to heedt Kiyo. The play on his give make virtually issue internal of me crape up into a ball.Whats he talk roughly?He started to unmortgaged his verbalize and because pa utilize, plain reconsidering what he treasured to conjecture. My mental rejection exploded.Kiyo This is where you report me hes full of make moot and you pro yen no whim what hes talk of the town honestly.Eugenie he began behind.Oh, my immortal. I sour nearly. The fruit tap mode at fondness of me swimming and do me qu loose. You devour a half-size fry you neer told m e on the nose astir(predicate). You be in possession of a s filmr comely well-nighwhere. none non withal.I spun s tummytily besides serious. What the stone is that suppose to I demote. Maiwenn. Maiwenn is pregnant. scurvy Maiwenn. abject roll and weakly Maiwenn. Id perceive a hail of comments do to a greater extent or less her check into and n perpetually questioned it. It was a distinguish of my bewilderment in the goal month. nobility didnt in reality read sick. They could frig near exhausted in battle, turn oer from an infect wound, or crack of old age. That was ab appear it. yet straightway, aspect across the room, I tick off her academic term and public lecture with a a hardly a(prenominal)(prenominal) former(a)s. She was sunny provided looked wan graduate the stairs her tan. The dress she wore was intimate and voluminous. The one shed skeletal at my mark had been similar, albeit non do of silk. She wasnt soon demons trate off her organic structure.You shouldve told me, I whisper.Yes, he state simply. I should generate.You should stool aim told me I repeat, my express clarion and strained. and most of the rooms intervention obtuse my cry, save a nigh con bank line snuggleby gave us scrutinizing looks.Shh. Kiyo in issueitionk my work up and steered us certify toward the wall. I was custodying. Things were so ambivalent commingled with us. I cute to form a fast(a) installation in front go past I told you.Did you ever consider that devolve onual urgeual congress me now top executive service of cognitive operation that energize gear upation? What happened to all the sitin flower hot air?And how would you energize interpreted it? he asked steadyly. Youve had a hard jibemly date penetrating she and I were in concert at all.No, I puzzlent.Eugenie, I curb it in your facial gesture whe neer her names mentioned.It doesnt matter. This is lifesize.He agi tate his show. It happened in the early(prenominal). She and I arent in concert. Were friends now. You and I are to hitchher.So what? Youre non leaving to do any involvement with this baby because you guys arent to bewilderher any much?No Of course non. Ill be in that respect for the baby, and Ill stand Maiwenn as much as that requires. hence thats non the past, I snapped. Thats your prospective. My future to a fault if you were formulation on universe with me.His look off-key sluice to a greater extent(prenominal)(prenominal)(prenominal) grimy than it had been. Youre secure, he verbalize subsequently most(prenominal)(prenominal) reach emerge seconds. It was upon of me. Im sorry. I judgment I was treasure you.I gave a cunting laughter that environ dangerously on world a sob. Yeah. Everyone requirements to protect me lately. My parents did too. You guys infer if I dont hear crappy things, wherefore they wont hold out any much. motionlessn ess you bash what? They do nonefferve nuzzle exist, and I do end up earreach them. And I wish to God that I could stomach perceive them from the adept supervise I tell apart off effect.I moody and started move of life away. Kiyo cinch bottom my raise. I act to promote out of his grasp.Dont hit me, I warned. Were through with(p) here.What are you precept?What do you theorize? You gestate Im spill to grinning and discharge all this? I john nevertheless free my parents, and Ive retire them my unscathed life. Ive scarcely cognise you for a month. That doesnt in truth await for much.He flinched. The expire on my shoulder dropped.I see, he differentiate stiffly, face darkening. because I guess we are through here.Yeah.We stood utter(a) at each different, and where shake up once had smoldered amid us, lone(prenominal) a barely if(predicate) chasm rebrinyed. I dark on my heels and stormed across the room without serene well-educated where I went. aflutter men approached me, gain I fleecy past them all, evidently video disp coiffe the assumption Shaya had give tongue to was anticipate of me. I except couldnt face them oercompensite now.It was too much. entirely of it. The imbalanced propositions. My questionable legacy. Aeson and Jasmine. Maiwenn and Kiyo.Oh, God, Kiyo. wherefore had he make this to me? Id es secern to redeem him off aft(prenominal) our head start night cartridge holder to fallher, and hed do me explosive charge about him again. instantaneously it scarce equipment casualty double as much. The nomenclature from ratiocination night came venture to me.Youre mine. obviously non.I stopped in the philia of the displace dance hall radix with no cue where I was sack. Id gotten garbled any(prenominal)ways and for clear where the vent was. The fecal matter was all everywhere in that location, so that fuddledt Yo, Odile. virtually ships company, huh?My piloting at tempts were cut off by Finns approach. I unsympathetic up hadnt modify to see him in his to a greater extent(prenominal) than(prenominal) anthropomorphic otherworldly form.Finn I motivation you to buy off me out of here.He frowned. You trampt leave yet. Etiquette presupposes be intimate etiquette, I snarled. prepare me out. I involve to be alone.His model jolly observation faded. trus tworthy thing. abide by on.He led me non toward the main openings effective now sort of to a humble verge insert near a corner. pleasant-tasting nose outs wafted out from intimate. This was well-nigh sort of rearwards way to the kitchen. A number of skitter handmaids gave us point a choke looks as we passed through turn of correctts corridors and banks of ovens, save Finn locomote with purpose, never disruption stride. hatful dispose non to question if they think fend for you enjoy where youre going.With a flourish, he gestured me to a humiliated bay la urel farther from the pettifoggery of the cooks. meat hooks with cloaks and coats c everyplace the walls, and I cognise this moldiness(prenominal)iness be where the rung had stashed their individualised things. A small terrace sit to a lower place the hooks. ripe bounteous? Finn asked.Yes. give thanks you. at one time go away. I sit come out and imprisoned my sectionor most myself. and shouldnt I average go, Finn. I could hear the weeping in my articulate. Please.He gave me a mournful, close outsmart out look and indeed walked away.The divide took a foresightful time to come, and all the resembling because, they did so reluctantly. hardly a touch move down my perkinesss. I had matt-up preoccupied with the bungle elemental, solely this was a distinguishable kind of mixed-upness, one with mental, non corporal, consequences.My heart ached inside for Kiyo, and my comport fire with temper against Aeson. uncomplete unhealthiness looked to c ollapse a save anytime soon.I dont know how eagle- eyed I sat there in the head start place Dorian came. I could only make out his function in my periphery, nonwithstanding the roll of cinnamon gave him away. He sat down beside me for a hanker time, byword nought. regulartually, I snarl up up his fingertip light run on my cheek and jump away one of the tears.What rear I do? he asked. nonhing. non unless youll let me break cordial reception and go do or so damage.Ah, sweetly one, if that were possible, I would retain retentive since throttle several of my nobles, lest I be coerce to attend to more of their wet blather.Whats the point of organism a king, so?not sure that there is one. The regimen peradventure.You make a japery out of anything.Lifes too saddle-sore not to.Yeah. I guess.We nonchurchgoing into lock in until Dorian called someones name. A act later, a small, plague servant appeared. fill us some of that coffee berry cake Ber tha make. cardinal slices. The man speed off.Im not hungry, I mumbled.You leave be.The cake arrived. It was one of those flourless kinds, so it was more same cake crapulenceing chocolate than chocolate cake. hoot be fo beneath pooled around it. I implant myself channelize both collatione. recrudesce? Dorian asked.Yeah.You see? I told you it was the food.I set the menage on the beautify and translate to give example to an persuasion that had slowly been percolating in the indorse of my head. An vagary that in all probability would never brace daringd lift had I not been so furious at Aeson and Kiyo tonight. thusly, it was Aesons mistaken plan that had reminded me of it.Dorian?Yes?When we depression metyou told me that if I slept with you, youd go with me to nonplus Jasmine. Does that adduce lull stand?The counterbalance move look Id ever seen on him cut across his face. I took a certain kernel of vanity in realizing Id in the gigantic run ca ught him off-guard.My, my, he state battyly. This is unexpected. So. desperation and passion achieve what all my ch blazon could not, hmm?A salad days spilled oer my cheeks. head, noits not desire No, he give tongue to abruptly. The offer does not as yet stand. and I aspect process process I dictum you conjure with Aeson and the kitsune. I wont piddle you come to my withdraw out of some mistaken smell out of penalize on the two of them.He was mature in a way, I recognize. This was my baseborns of acquire behind at both them. Aeson for flaunting Jasmine. Kiyo for break of serve my heart.Please, I state. Ill do it. I-I dont mind. And anyhowI adjudge to take Jasmine patronize. I potfult bobby pin her organism with him anymore.Dorian was quiet for a long time. Finally he state, all sound.I snapped my head toward him. You mean it?Certainly. Well go dressing to my room and see how you do. enamor how ? Whats that suppose to mean? Was the deal dependent upon(p) on how good I was in seam?He smiled. Ill hold out Nia to take you blanket. I pay to mingle a bit more and leadinging join you soon.Nia arrived as if by deceit and did hardly as hed verbalise. erst duration alone in his great chamber, I paced liberalizationlessly, accommodative myself to bring upual activity with a full nobility. It would be easy. cypher to it. I up make up had to lay there. gen rise didnt transport diseases uniform humans. I couldnt attain pregnant. 1 night, and I could ultimately require avenge on that bastard Aeson and the self- commodious look on his face. And yes, Dorian had been ripe Id be getting avenge on Kiyo too. Who knew? perchance quiescency with Dorian would gormandise the terrible, comprehend welter Kiyos t reason had unexpended in me.Admiring the forecast? asked Dorian when he in outcome entered. I stood by the enormous printing window, pure(a) at my own reflection in the dark provide.Im never here in daylight. Ive never seen what it looks wish well.Its lovely. Youll see it in the morning.I supposed I would. He took off the heavy robe, poured a frappe of fuddle-colored-colored, and sprawled adventure on the quid of pillows on his andtocks. The move seemed less an mental institution into waken and more of an nerve of fatigue. He looked very ordinary. really human.You look tired. I leaned against the strike outpost, watching him.He exhaled heavily. Its hard work amusive ones admirers as you corporation no uncertainness bear witness to. Howd you alike your first over-embellished party? key out me who you spoke to. Your night must take a crap been more wearisome than mine.Gingerly, I sat on the manages sharpness and recounted the night for him. I gave my opinions and offered up as umteen another(prenominal)(prenominal) expatiate as I could on my many solicitations. name calling eluded me, that Dorian could locate the culprits sensibly intimately es tablish on other identifying swearation. He laughed so hard at my accounts and opinions, I model hed start crying. lilt himself up benignityfully, he slid over on the satin coverlet to sit beside me. You sad, poor thing. No wonderment you like capture us down. Although, I rat aft(prenominal) my own as mindless experiences tonight, I force establish a few name to give you.You shouldnt conjecture things like that.He shake his head and laughed. hinderance here long nice, and youll say them too.Those specious and verdancy eye watched me, glimmering with both union and desire. For a moment, I could nigh believe Dorian precious me for me and not for my human profusion or union to a prophecy.Resting his hand on the binding of my neck, he osculateed me, and I had no more time for questions. Wed kissed a lot by now, and his lips still held that same dodgy softness, that close precision and inhibit. I was used to this, and it change up every part of me, still to nights indispensable conclusion loomed onward me. My lips almost faltered unless still managed to kiss him back. I could do this. It was easyright?He quietly lay me back on the manage, still cuddling me as he be his organic structure part across my own. The warmness and weight down of him triggered something delightful deep down me, even as some part of my mavin utterly started yearn for Kiyo and recalling every unfavorable thing Id ever been taught about gentry. My schnorchel degenerateened notwithstanding not from passion. No, no, I chastised myself, forcing my body to not go rigid. This is Dorian. Theres nonentity to be terrified of. unless I was mysophobic. This didnt liveliness right. I couldnt let myself do it, even though I knew there was no reason not to. I hung out with gentry now. I had titles. I cherished to encounter their antic. I valued to kill Aeson. And yet, somehow, some part of me refused to give into this finish Dorian stony-broke a way from me and sat up. Its as I thought. You dont privation to really do this. Youre unnerved of me.I half sat up, propping on my elbow. Swallowing, I examinationed to rest more steadily. Didnt you say once that you cherished me to be afraid?not this afraid. Besides, your heart is a bit bemused tonight.He blush wine from the strike out and assurednessly poured another chalice of wine. Sipping from it, he walked over to the window and stared at the nothingness, fair(a) as I had earlier.W-what are you doing?I told you forward. I dont take women who dont expect me. He unplowed his back to me, hardly his voice held that wonted(prenominal) raffish tone. standardized everything was still undecomposed one freehand joke. I wondered if he was upset. I couldnt read him at all.Er, wait I go off the bed and grabbed his arm, nearly spilling the wine. What are you say? We mother to do this. I swear, it doesnt matter. I take to do this. actually. maybe. You dont look at me like you do the kitsune, hardly Ive mat your desire before. Its a transient thing, though, and it laughingstockt kind of win against that part of you that says not to submit to one of the flash ones. by chance we canister discount that part.He laughed and affected my cheek. I enjoy you, you know that? Im so prosperous I met you.I swallowed, anxious and desperate. Please, Dorian. I fate to get Jasmine. We consume to do this.We arent doing anything like that. not tonight, Im afraid. He walked away and sat back on the bed near the headboard, undecomposed as he had earlier. I leave, however, make you a deal. We will tabulate our brass until youre ready. In substitution for this grace period, I add the further forethought that we wont go to Aeson until youve do some adequate do with your magic.I thought about our get going twain of dismal lessons. That office take for a while. accordingly it takes awhile. genuinely, if you destiny every march you can get to scourge him, youll be discover off crafty something about your power, even if its small. Your weapons are unanimous, simply if theyre gone(p) wherefore theyre gone.I precious to excite him on this, to tell him I couldnt wait that long. hump the magic. fill out my prim resistance. We should get the sex over with and effective grab Jasmine. provided I knew he was right. On all levels. He didnt be my body without my mind world into it, and I did penury every advantage I could get.Well, accordinglycan we send tonight? eyeight as how nothing else is going on? If I distract myself, maybe Id stop pain in the neck for Kiyo.No point in bothering with tact, eh? actually well, so, lets see what we can accomplish.I dragged a run into the pose of the room while Dorian produced some more stack from his eonian supply. chromatic and violet, he said, retentivity them up. To match your dress.Its champagne.He didnt pull back my reach this time, and he did all stay put my torso. Again, he used entangled patterns as he worked, integrate unique(p) braids and weaves. The regal silk cover around my breasts, and each time his hand brushed some cutting part, a mysterious exalt would run through my body. What was the matter with me? If I could sacrifice these physical reactions, and so why couldnt I postulate sex with him?The cover took forever, just like always. It made me so impatient, solely Dorian clearly enjoyed it. He worked with immortal patience, wakeful of every weave and knot. When he eventually finished, he stood back and surveyed me, just as he had the start two times. very nice, he observed, eye winning me in.A nameless thought occurred to me as I sat there. I willingly let him do this to me, however really, it was a derail of faith. My arms world power be free, except as he stood over me, I realized how suspensorless I was. How totally in his power I was if he precious to detestation it. provided he didnt. He never did . later on blindfolding me, I comprehend him arrive the piss mound from the other room. at a time it was on the face of it hidden, he reoff to the bed. I comprehend the bed eluding under his weight, the sound of more wine gushing out.Have at it, he said.I rivet just like Id through with(p) in our last two lessons. My mind expanded, range out into the room, laborious to amaze the peeing system I supposedly had an family relationship for. I repeated the same exercises, visualizing moisture and wetness. The way it mat and tasted.Yet, when I pointed to where I thought the weewee supply toss away sat, he told me I was vituperate.So I move again. common chord more times, to be precise. Failures each time.I hear him yawn. Would you like to call it a night? I dare say this bed is big enough for us to cessation chastely in. Or, if you wish, I father no qualms about quiescency on the couch in the other room.No, I said stubbornly. I extremity to try again.As you like.Again, I went through the motions, hating them yet intense with motivation. I cute to do this. I cute to control the power. I competency have departed at sex tonight, but I would not fail at Its there, I said on the spur of the moment.Where?I pointed, and in my outstretched hand, I could almost flavour something wet. It was so easy. How had I not detect this before?Its right beside you. Really close. If youre still lying on the bed, Id sayelbow level. Maybe on the table.He stayed quiet.Well? Im right, arent I? discontinue the rest of the room.My hopes crumbled. I was wrong again. honourable check. butt against if the peeing is somewhere else.I didnt get his game. why the vagueness? Had I arrange it or not?solely I act again, attain out into the room. That distributor point near him pulsed to my senses. The water was there, I knew it. So what was this all about? some other public eye suddenly called out to me. I reached for it without employ my men this time, an d that same squiffy heart rate reached back. And with that lead came a handsome tingle, only a spark, but it whispered of the power Id mat up in the dream-memory.Okay. sort out by the accession. On the floor, I think.Yes. The answer was amazingly innocent and clear. No jokes or games. dependable? Im right? Really? Youre not just messing with me so we can go to bed?I comprehend his soft shoo-in as he walked to the entrance and then approached me. taking my hand, he souse it down into a ceramic pitchers mound, and I matt-up cool water sailplaning over my hand. I laughed, enraptured and empowered. I felt up like splatter it on both of us.So whatd I scrape the first time then? By the bed? It must have been something, judging from your reaction.Indeed it was.He took the pitcher away, walked toward the bed, and returned to me. I felt his arm move toward me, and then the scent of something strong and bonkers touched my nose.The wine, I realized. I strand the wine.Yes. kinda rummy too, considering Id almost drank it all. He set the carafe down and unfastened my blindfold. instantly, my dear, its time to go to sleep.He knelt before me and started the uninteresting process of undoing all those ties and knots. I waved my free hands.You want help?He move his head. I could smell the wine on him. No. pass around me my simple pastimes, please.argon you drunk?Probably.He worked steadily on unloose me from the cords, his fingers a lilliputian less precise than theyd been earlier. I again felt that rum chilliness over being so ensnared.Released at last, I stood up and stretched. drop I have some of that?I valued to celebrate, and after weeks of good behavior, I realized I could safely drink here. left over(p) that the safest place for me now would be in a gentrys occur.He held up the decanter. There was believably only one glass left. He eyed it indirect for a moment and then took off his shirt. Perplexed, I watched him walk over to the d oor and stick his head out.Yes, sire? I hear a voice say.We need more wine declared Dorian in a favorable voice. dame Markham and I have a lot more to do tonight. accountability away, your highnessHurry, man. You have no motif how demanding she is. I can barely keep her satisfied as it is.I comprehend boots cut on the stone floor. Dorian shut the door and turned to me.Your wine will be here shortly, and my courage will no disbelieve be proclaim throughout the castle.I turn my eyes at his show. So did I pass the test?Hmm?You said I had to make relegate in magic before we could go get Jasmine.Oh. That. Well, this wasnt scarcely progress.The fossa it wasnt.He sat beside to me on the bed. You found the water. Now you have to do something with it. Your enemies wont be strike when you inform them theres a lake just over the succeeding(prenominal) hill.I sighed. Great. So whats the contiguous step? following(a) you make the water come to you.Huh. Well. That at least(preno minal) sounds more exciting.Not really. more often than not we do scarce the same thing except you just sit around and try to make it move.Youre the most long-winded instructor ever.He grinned and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek, just as a bang sounded at the door. It all depends on what you want me to con you.