Creating a Safe Environment: 2-4 year Olds Essay

As an early childhood provider working with 2-4 year old children I will be sure to provide a safe, healthy, and appropriate indoor and outdoor learning environment that helps their developmental characteristics. When preparing my indoor learning environment as well as my outdoor learning environment I have to take into consideration each child; their needs, their skills, their backgrounds, etc. For my indoor learning environment it is extremely important to make sure that the area is welcoming for the students as well as the parents, I will make sure that the area is lit properly (natural light and/ or energy saving bulbs) and full of colors. The furniture in the classroom will be child sized and very sturdy. Children will also be assigned their own cubbies where they will be able to place their knapsacks and other belongings (this gives them a hint of independence). There will be different sections of the classroom for different activities (reading area, drama/pretend play area, ci rcle area, music area, etc.), not just for play but will enhance their social, emotional, physical and cognitive domains. I will also make sure that the entire classroom is cleaned on a daily basis and all toys are sanitized. I will also be sure that all sockets are covered with protectors and make sure that there are smoke detectors and fire extinguishers and an evacuation plan in the facility, as well as having clear pathways in case of an emergency. In the kitchen area I will make sure that all cabinets so children will not be able to have access to any hazardous materials as well as any foods. Also in the kitchen area I will have a bulletin board accessible to all kitchen staff to list the name of the children in the facility and their allergies (if any). In the restroom I will be sure that all toilets and washbasin’s are to the children’s reach so they can be more independent and for those who are being potty trained be sure that there are more than enough and be certain that they are cleaned (by an adult) after every use. Children will be encouraged to wash their hands often to reduce the spread of germs to each other. For  the outdoor learning environment, I will definitely make sure that the area is properly gated; there is no high grass or trash around on the floors. I will also make sure that the children have easy access to the restrooms, and be sure that there is a first aid kit handy. I definitely will make sure of the child to teacher ratio; this helps with keeping an eye on the children, which helps reduce the chances of one of them being seriously hurt. I will also make sure of the following: â€Å"Selection of play equipment is appropriate for children’s ages, play equipment is in good condition (e.g. no broken or rusty parts, missing pieces, splinters, sharp edges, frayed rope, open â€Å"S† hooks, or protruding bolts), Large pieces of equipment are stable and anchored securely in the ground; finishes are non-toxic and intact, Equipment is placed sufficiently far apart to allow a smooth flow of traffic and adequate supervision; an appropriate safety zone is provided around equipment, and, a variety of play surfaces (e.g. grass, concrete, and sand) is available; shade is provided† (Marotz, 2012), just to name a few. One thing that we have to keep in mind as an early childhood provider is the relationship between a person’s safety, health and nutrition. Parents entrust that their children are well taking care of each time they drop them off in our care; they want to make sure that they are feed a well-bal anced healthy and nutritional meal, and that they are safe from danger, so how is it that some may feel that these three things are not related. In my personal opinion they work hand in hand and very much so dependent on each other. Health, safety, and nutrition are very much so interrelated. Health is a state of wellness. Complete physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being; the quality of one element affects the state of the other; safety refers to the behaviors and practices that protect children as well as adults from unnecessary harm; and, nutrition refers to the science of food, its chemical components (nutrients), and their relationship to health and disease. It includes all of the processes, from the ingestion and digestion of food to the absorption, transportation, and utilization of nutrients, and finally the excretion of unused end products. Nutrients are essential for life and have a direct effect on a child’s nutritional status, behavior, health, and development† (Marotz, 2012). I cannot help but to agree with these examples given and it is best to have children practice these things as young as possible. In the 2-4 year old age group children  really mimic what they see us doing as adults. So if we eat healthy, exercise and practice thi ngs such as good hand washing, what do you think they will do? There are so many age-appropriate learning activities and toys that reinforce the important of health, nutrition, and safety for the 2-4 year old age group. I have listed a few that really caught my attention. This game will be considered a group game, this game teaches the children to identify their alphabets (upper and lower case) as well as their number; this game is called â€Å"Homemade Letter Bingo†, as we know â€Å"children learn through play. And letter or number bingo is a great place to start. The following items needed for this game are: printable bingo cards: numbers, alphabet, or numbers and letters, printable caller cards, small objects to use as markers, such as marshmallows, cereal, pennies, or M&M’s† (Richards, 2014). A second learning age-appropriate activity is that of â€Å"Cereal Patterns†: Practice patterning the fun way—by playing with your food! Using a Fruit Loop-type cereal and yarn, help your preschooler create crunchy, edible patterns. The following items needed for this learning activity is that of: Fruit Loops or other loop-shaped cereal in a variety of colors, small bowls or cups, age-appropriate scissors, yarn or string, and masking tape† (Edwards, 2012). Building blocks are great toys for children (whether blank or with letters on them). With building blocks it helps children in this age group (2-4 years old) with their problem solving skills, but what you will find most amazing is what they build out of the blocks. A nd another toy that will be considered age-appropriate is that of a kitchen set that will be located in the drama/pretend area. With this toy children pretend that they are chefs working in nice restaurants, they pretend that they are a parent cooking a nice meal for their families and the list goes on and on. But what I find so amazing with this age-group is that there is no limit to their imagination. However, we as educators have to continue to encourage the children to use their imagination, because they not only learn from us, we learn from them. An ideal location, space, and security of a center or school is very important, not only to the early childhood provider, but to the parents as well. â€Å"Nowhere is health and safety more important than in group programs serving young children. When families enroll children in a program, they expect that the teachers will safeguard their child’s well-being. They assume the facilities, toys, and  equipment will be safe for children’s use, that teachers will carefully supervise their children’s activities, that the environment is clean, and the food is healthy. These expectations require teachers to be well informed and knowledgeable about how to create and maintain environments that protect and promote childrenâ€℠¢s health and safety† (Marotz, 2012). We have to make sure that there is adequate space for the children to move around inside and outside; it is good to also make sure that the facility is not in a noisy location where the children can be easily distracted. But most of all we have to think about the health of our little ones, we have to make sure that the building is properly inspected so we can protect them as well as ourselves from potential hazards. As early childhood providers/educators it is our sole responsibility to make sure that the children that we care for will be given the best education and protection, this includes their safety, nutrition and health. One thing that I live by and believe is that the children are our future, so it is our duty to mold them from young. I choose to work with the age group of 2-4 year olds because the one thing that amazes me with them is their imagination which increases their ability to learn. As an educator for such young children you have to able to open enough for them to teach you as well. I feel that Reggio Emilia Approach said it best â€Å"children are capable of constructing their own learning† (Isbell & Raines, 2007). References: Bradford-Edwards, S. (Sept. 7, 2012). Cereal Patterns. Retrieved from http://www.education.com/activity/article/fruit-loop-patterns/Isbell, R.T., & Raines, S.C. (2007). Creativity and the arts with young children. Belmont, CA: Delmar. Marotz, L.R. (2012). Health, safety and nutrition for the young child 8th edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Richards, S. (May 9, 2014). Homemade letter bingo. Retrieved from http://www.education.com/activity/article/letterbingo_preschool/

“Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” and Merry Shelley’s “Frankenstein” Essay

For this piece of coursework I will be writing and comparing the strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, with that of Merry Shelley’s Frankenstein. I will be comparing how each monster came about and the relation between thenIntroduction:Victor Frankenstein is a scientist obsessed with trying to create life and stop death, to do this he collects parts of the body from corpses and charnel houses. When he has finally completed his human jigsaw he animates the creature using a powerful lightning storm. Shortly after the creature is animated and Frankenstein has completed his goal, he is shocked to find that his creature isn’t what he planned. Instead of creating eternal life, he created a monster which kills his family, and closet friends. The strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is about a well-respected scientist of London who believes that separating the two men can become liberated. He succeeds in his experiments with chemicals to accomplish this and transforms into Hyde to commit horrendous crimes. Jekyll tries to relinquish the potion but cant so he takes his own life. Comparison:Both Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Frankenstein tell tales of scientists abusing their creative powers to exist in another sphere where they cannot be directly blamed for their actions .Though Frankenstein’s creation is a creature distinct from his creator while Dr. Jekyll transforms into Mr. Hyde ,the double of each protagonist progressively growsThe stories are very similar in the fact that both create a monster, though Jekyll releases the monster inside him, whilst Frankenstein on the other hand, creates a monster. Both monsters create havoc and there first target is a child. The difference though between the two monsters is that Jekyll created his being to commit such offences, but Frankenstein created his monster just to push the boundaries of death. Both creators react different to there monster, Jekyll intended for his  monster to be evil, as he wanted to release his inner evil, without the guild of his criminal activity,Frankenstein on the other hand, was disgusted by the hideous site of his monster, at first glance; he called his creation a beast. ConclusionIn my opinion both stories are extremely similar in the fact that it involves two scientists isolating themselves to create a monster, which causes mayhem and disaster. Both evil monsters target a child for there first murder casualty. Though the stories are very similar they are also very different. Both contain monsters that cause disaster but, Frankenstein didn’t intend his monster to be evil, as Jekyll did. Frankenstein just wanted to create a being that could surpass death, so he wouldn’t suffer death again. Whilst Jekyll wanted to release his inner evil. Sources used:Internet ~ GoogleBooks ~ Strange Case Of Dr Jekyll & Mr HydeFrankenstein

The Family Is an Ideological Construction That Perpetuates Patriarchy. Discuss.

The family is a repressive and ideological construction that perpetuates patriarchy. Discuss. Families could be described as one of the most basic forms of social organisation. Look almost anywhere in the world and you will find some form of family unit. This has happened arguably through reproduction, humans have drives and sexual needs which result in the creation of a new life, which to begin with, is completely helpless and dependant for a long period of time. The family is almost universal; the only exception to this would be communes. Functionalists agree that the family is a primary social organisation and that it does serve the purpose of integrating further generations into society with cultural values and norms. Functionalists believe that the family carry out the role of socialisation, which is the backbone of most societies. This leads to an efficient economy and social order. Functionalists say that the family satisfies the basic physical and emotional needs of humans. Murdock (1949) claimed that the family performs four basic functions in all societies; sexual, reproductive, educational, and economic. He believed that no other institution matches the efficiency of the nuclear family and therefore contributes to its universality. Talcott Parsons argued that primary socialisation of children and the stabilization of the adult personalities were common to the family in all societies, not just American. There are criticisms of the functionalists view on the family. Functionalism ignores alternative family structures, and ignores functional alternatives to the family. Further to this Marxist, Feminists, and Post Modern Sociologists do not accept that the family performs particular functions on its own in isolation of other institutions. Marxists say that the family is a major prop for the capitalist economy. They believe that women reproduce future generations of workers alongside providing unpaid domestic labour. Women are very much seen as servants to capitalism. Traditionally they stay at home and encourage children to study and enter employment. Further to this families are the central units of consumption in modern societies. We buy houses, cars, material possessions, and holidays. Zaretsky (1976) argues that in modern capitalist society the family creates the illusion that the private life of the family can be separated from other aspects of life like economy. He believed that the family cannot provide for the psychological and personal needs of individuals. It cushions the effects of capitalism on individuals while perpetuating the system. However this cannot compensate for the general alienation and lack of fulfilment produced by capitalism. Modern Marxist accounts of the family emphasise not only its structural features, but also its function in socialising children into the ideology of society. Marxists believe that this is simply a way of continuing the narrow standards of capitalism. Where functionalists like Murdock and Parsons see this socialisation process in the family as a healthy adjustment to the surrounding social relationships, the Marxist tends to see it as the manipulation of the child’s personality to ensure that it remains in line with the social and economic system. The family is both the institutional and psychological model for social organisation associated with an unequal distribution of wealth and power and the domination of one section of society by another. Marxism offers an explanation for the exploitation of women by men. This is that the family affords opportunities for men to compensate for their real lack of power in capitalist society by exercising domination over their households and their female partners. The role of the male in the family disguises the exploitative nature of the economic system as a whole. Marxists recognise the exploitation of women in marriage and family life but emphasises the relationship between capitalism and the family rather than the family’s effect on women. Feminism stresses the exploitation of women as a key feature of family life. Feminism has had the most influence on the study of the family since the 1960’s. They are highly critical of the family and emphasize the harmful effects of family life upon women. It is argued that through the production of labour power the family produces and rears cheap labour at minimal costs to capitalists, as well as acting as an emotional support, absorbing frustrations of working in the capitalist system, therefore reducing the revolutionary potential. Radical feminists describe the family as an economic system characterised by the domination and exploitation of women by men. It typically features a male head of household who has ultimate control of family resources and is the final decision-maker. Women assume by far the greater responsibility for household tasks as unpaid labourers, provide sexual services for the head of household and bear and rear his children. In addition, they assume the overwhelming share of tasks like caring for old and disabled family members. The contributions made by women to family life are thus far greater than those made by men. Even where the woman happens to be the ‘breadwinner’ she bears a disproportionate burden of housekeeping and is responsible for providing emotional support to the male head of the family. There is a good deal of common ground among feminists, though the ideology is characterised by disagreement, but most feminists agree that sexual inequality is not simply natural, it is also highly political. Female oppression operates in all walks of life, including conditioning in the family, the result of stereotyping. So the traditional divide between ‘public man' and ‘private woman' is unacceptable. Gender is a significant social aspect, like class, race or religion. It is caused by patriarchy, the dominance of men over women in a relationship of power. The dominance of men in the family symbolises male supremacy in all other institutions. Sex and gender should not be confused. Biologically, only women can be mothers, but they don’t have to accept the responsibilities of motherhood – nurturing, educating and raising children by devoting themselves to home and family. Sex refers to unavoidable biological differences; gender, on the other hand, is a cultural term and refers to the different roles that society gives to men and women. The overall goal of feminism is the overthrow of patriarchy and the ending of sexist oppression. Liberal feminists place the emphasis upon legal and political equality for women. They have pursued an equal rights agenda, and generally in a very pragmatic way. They want women to be able to compete on equal terms with men in every area of public life; there is no question of women being superior or entitled to favourable treatment. Hence the stress is on female emancipation, equal rights and opportunities. Socialist feminists argue that these equal rights mean little unless women also enjoy social equality. This means that they address issues such as the ownership of property, the differences in pay and mployment opportunities for men and women, and the distinction between wages labour and unwaged labour for women. So ‘difference' is linked to patriarchy, seeing it as a manifestation of oppression and subordination. Radical feminists believe ‘the personal is the political'. They are primarily concerned with equality in family and personal life. Equality must therefore operate with respect to childcare and other domestic responsibilities, as well as with respect to control of one's own body, and individual sexual expression and fulfilment. The stress is more on difference than on equality – the very idea of equality is misguided since it implies that women would then be ‘male identified' in that they define their goals in terms of what men are or what men have. Women should instead recognise and celebrate the distinctive features of the female sex; the stress is on women's liberation. Clearly, if feminists wish to make permanent long-term changes with respect to the position of women in this society they face the challenge of creating new values with respect to gender and passing these values on to their children. But it is not so clear what the values are that feminists would wish to pass on to their children. An easy answer would be to say general ideas of gender equality. But the deeper we probe, the more complex this issue becomes. What are the specific values that feminists wish to pass on to their children about the structure of the family? Are feminists willing to say that the enemy is patriarchy? And if so, what exactly does this mean, both as a theoretical and a practical matter? The word â€Å"family† covers such a broad spectrum of different things, and is victim to cultural relativity. I would say that the nuclear family was definitely an ideological construction. Ann Oakley (1982) said that the conventional family is nuclear families composed of legally married couples, voluntarily choosing the parent hood of one or more children. I think Oakley’s idea of the family is very ideological. Leach (1967) called this the â€Å"cereal packet† image of the family. Advertisers cling mercilessly to family imagery for selling all kinds of products. The constant use of women in adverts for cleaning products is a good example of repression. Adverts often show fathers coming home from work to a beautiful wife, immaculate home, well behaved children, and a hearty meal on the table. I think this view is archaic in many senses, but also rings very true in millions of households today. Some women aspire to this dream; we all know that life isn’t quite like the adverts, the problem being that we don’t find that out till afterwards! The family is to some extent a repressive and ideological construction, but as long as there is male dominance in other social institutions, this will continue. I would say that the family isn’t as repressive today as it once was. In most modern societies, women can have children and have a career, although this is still somewhat of a blurry area with negative stigma. Further to this there has been a sharp rise in the number of single parent families, which are predominantly headed by women. I do believe the family is ideological; it can’t always be as clear cut because people face different personal circumstances. Households will continue to be male dominated for hundreds of years to come, men are seen as more economically valuable than women, and this can be seen in salary differences. Until the world and media extinguish the onslaught of family propaganda through the media, our children, and perhaps even our children’s children will grow up with the notion of a patriarchal society. References 1. Sociology Themes & Perspectives (seventh edition) Haralambos & Holborn 2. www. sociology. org. uk 3. Psychology- The Science of mind and behaviour Richard Gross 4. www. wikipedia. co. uk 5. Class Notes 6. http://www. educationforum. co. uk/sociology_2/FamilyDiversitycauses. htm

The Effects of Microburst on Small Aircraft Research Paper

The Effects of Microburst on Small Aircraft - Research Paper Example In extreme dry conditions when moist convection is just barely possible, cumulus clouds with very high bases form above the surface; below this high-based cloud layer there is a deep, dry adiabatic layer of microburst. In extreme wet conditions a deep, nearly saturated layer with a nearly moist pseudoadiabatic lapse rate forms that is topped by an elevated dry layer which is a cause of microburst. In case of dry microburst the rain falls below the cloud base mixes with dry air from where it begins to evaporate and this evaporation process cools the air. The cool air descends and accelerates as it approaches the ground from where it spreads in all directions and the divergence of wind is the sign of a microburst. The wet microburst is accompanied by heavy rainfall at the surface which are warmer then the environment. This downburst pushes the downward acceleration of parcels that cause negative buoyancy which tends to drive dry microburst. Wind shear is the difference in wind speed and direction over a short distance in the atmosphere. The extent and suddenness of a microburst accompanied with low-level wind shears are a cause of many fatal aircraft crashes; particularly they affect in landing and take-off phases. The microburst is recorded to last no more then 15 minutes from the time they strike on the ground. During the first 5 minutes the horizontal wind continues to rise with maximum intensity lasting 2-4 minutes Sometimes microburst are concentrated into a line structure, and under these conditions, activity may continue for as long as an hour. Once microburst activity starts, multiple microbursts in the same general area are not uncommon and should be expected. Hazards to flight The strong, concentrated winds along with rainfall and thunderstorms have caused fatal aircraft accidents. (Downbursts, Fujita, 1985). As the aircraft enters in the way of microburst, it encounters an increased head wind. This head wind lifts the aircraft, the pilots reacts to correct the aircraft approach angle by reducing engine power. The aircraft then passes into the vertically descending microburst core which results in a loss of lift and altitude. Immediately the aircraft crosses into a region of tail winds (the wind which blows in the direction of the object), which reduces the relative airspeed of the aircraft and further decreases lift, causing the aircraft to lose more altitude. Because the aircraft is now flying on reduced power, it is vulnerable to sudden losses of airspeed and altitude. The microburst is often of right scale and intensity to crash an aircraft which is evident by a number of accidents associated with microburst over about a decade. The crew and passengers all become victims to the crash and give their lives. There are a large number of human losses especially if microburst attacks at the time of take-off and landing. Predicting Microburst Microburst has always been a challenge for safety issues regarding the aircraft and small business jets. Its prediction, detection and avoidance are an issue of big concern for aviation authority. The pilots are unable to maintain the balance of strong winds and historically this has plagued the entire civil aircraft types including large commercial transports, regional airliners, business jets, and small personal-owner general

Capital Projects Recommendation 2 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Capital Projects Recommendation 2 - Assignment Example Operating cash flows includes; sales revenue, cost of production, income before taxes, marginal tax rate, depreciation, increase in working capital. Terminal cash flow includes; decrease in working capital, salvage value, marginal income tax rate. Cost of capital evaluates the cost of borrowing to pay for the project. This value is set as the benchmark for the lowest possible return. Opportunity cost determines the cost for taking advantage of one option over another. Break-even point determines if the project would contribute to the growth of the company. Capital budgeting technique uses different formulas for analysis of financial values to determine if a company should proceed with the planned investment or not. These formulas contain various parameters, and they have specific concepts. These parameters are Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and Payback method. Embedded concepts of these parameters helped me evaluating fully equipped facility cost. Capital budgeting technique requires calculating OCF. All three parameters; NPV, IRR, and Payback use OCF values. NPV evaluates present value of the future cash flows that the project generates during its life (â€Å"What is NPV†). In simple language if the value of money generated during the project life is higher that the initial investment, the project makes money. IRR determines (Mohr) the cost of return at which all cash inflows (revenues) equals the present value of cash outflows (initial investment plus any other expenses). In other way, it is the cost of capital at which NPV is zero. Hence, if IRR is higher than the cost of capital, the project is making money. Payback period calculates the length of the time it will take to get back company’s initial investment. In other words, this method defines how long would it take to get the investment money back. Theses three parameters tell me; (1) how long would it take to get the initial investment back, (2) how much money the

Healthcare Programs Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Healthcare Programs - Article Example The Commission provided recommendations that these differences in the healthcare costs should be reduced by creating policies which would employ the same amount of payment for utilization of healthcare services in the hospital as well as in the private offices of the doctors (Pear 2013). The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission is comprised of 17 members who reached to a consensus that alterations should be made to the current Medicare payment plans. This was in line with the fact that costs that have to be currently paid by Medicare to a doctor in his office for a visit of minutes is fifty dollars whereas this cost is increased to almost ninety nine dollars in the hospital outpatient department. Not only this, the price that has to be paid by the patient also increases from fourteen and a half dollars in the doctor’s office to approximately twenty five dollars in the outpatient department. This is also true of medical tests for which Medicare as well as the patient has to pay higher costs in the hospitals in comparison to the physicians’ offices. ... The article also explains that the Medicare Program has promoted the combined working of the hospitals and private offices of doctors for cutting down the costs. It is also indicated that this decision is not being welcomed by hospitals. Joanna Kim who is the vice president of the American Hospital Association has expressed her opinion by saying that these decisions would affect the functioning of the hospitals as they are already paid less by Medicare and such stands would affect the operations of the hospitals. Despite of this, the committee recommends that measures should be taken to reduce the burden on the healthcare programs for the betterment of the government as well as the common man. The article provides suggestions of reforms for the healthcare sector and it explains of ways in which the total expenditure that is provided by the healthcare programs for the people is reduced for cost affectivity. This saved money can be employed for other benefits for the customers and used for providing better healthcare services and options rather than paying a greater sum of money for services which can be availed at lower costs. The article sheds light on the fact that laws should be implemented for regulating the costs that are paid to the hospitals for the improvement of the healthcare sector. The business community should learn from such recommendations provided by experts and employers should opt for the best insurance policies for their employees which are cost effective. Healthcare programs which mainly provide cover for visits to doctors in private offices and tests in these setups should be opted for. This is because these would prove to be cheaper in terms of cost. The

Summary of September 11, 2001 Attacks Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Summary of September 11, 2001 Attacks - Essay Example 9/11 was therefore an attack in the running conflict between faiths. According to al Qaeda, Koran teaches that giving ones life when killing infidel enemies, the Americans is a holy act. Therefore, they committed the attack because it is what their god destined them to do. The attack was also committed because of the fact that Americans are not living as Islamists do and they are therefore sinners in whatever endeavor they undertake. The al Qaeda stated that their attacks on Americans will continue until specific foreign policies on the Middle East are stopped. On the day of the attack, four planes were hijacked by terrorists and later two of them were flown into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York. This led to huge fires that after a short while led to the crumbling of the towers. One of the remaining two planes crashed in the Pentagon in Washington D.C and the last crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. The terrorists had planned that the planes crash in buildings an d landmarks but this efforts were thwarted by passengers who were on board (Lloyd 45-58). Most of the passengers were mainly sailors and solders. Due to the negative devastating effects of September 11, 2001, it is believed to be the worst terrorist attack ever to be experienced by the Americans. Some of the direct horrific outcomes were the death of about 3000 Americans and massive destruction of property. The broader vision of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 however shows different consequences including political, economic and social problems. The immediate economic effect of the attack was a sharp drop in performance of global stock markets. It was the largest insured event leading to about 40 billion dollars of insurance losses. The opening of the New York Stock Exchange had been delayed since the first plane had crashed on the north tower of the World Trade Center. The subsequent attacks led to the closure of the NYSE. Trading on the bond market also ceased as a re sult of the attacks. The Federal Reserve acted fast by introducing the discount window that was put in place to meet liquidity needs. This helped to stabilize the economy and reduce disruptions that arose in the financial system as a result of the attacks. Prices of several commodities escalated to extremely high levels. Travel and entertainment stocks experienced immediate shake up including online travel agencies while tourism plunged in New York. This led to massive losses that included sharp decline in the tourism earnings as a result of fall in hotel occupancy. This was because of lack of tourists who were reluctant to fly due to fear of repeat attacks. All these direct impacts on the economic position of USA show the elementary correlation between a country’s ability to generate wealth and the ability to defend itself. Several issues therefore came up including the worst effects of threats of terror to an economic superpower and use of economic tools to curb devastating effects of terrorist attacks. The attacks came at a time when the US economy was in the process of recovery. The costs of the attacks were devastating; the mostly affected was the infrastructure and the rescue and clean up operations. The insurance losses were due to the increased insurance rates that made insurance premium too high

Project 3 plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Project 3 plan - Essay Example Furthermore, information pertaining to the hazards brought about by highly hazardous chemicals in the process is also to be explored. This information includes permissible exposure limits, the reactivity and corrosiveness of the chemicals, toxicity, and data on thermal and chemical stability. Process flow diagrams and charts such as those revealed by ReVelle (2003) are also essential in conceptualizing process safety management. Process safety information in PSM should cover the information pertaining to its technology and equipment. This is to involve construction materials diagrams on how the implementation of piping and other instruments are to be laid, electrical classification and design basis alongside other vital information. In this project we will also cover the process hazard analysis procedures used in PSM as discussed in the DOE Handbook (2004). The process is to involve identification, evaluation, and control of the hazards involves in it. This project is important as it will also reveal some of the ways in which previous incidents which had the potential of causing catastrophic consequences can be prevented in workplaces. This is achievable through identification of engineering and administrative controls applicable to the hazards. In this context, it is necessary to identify and describe major training requirements, major safety systems and their functions, and major steps of operating procedures. Most of these involve employees as they are the ones likely to fall victims. Should this project be done, ways through which catastrophes can be minimized or prevented shall be revealed. Besides that, safety and health considerations against highly hazardous chemicals shall also be

Personal financial planning report for Ms Lucy Hargreaves Essay

Personal financial planning report for Ms Lucy Hargreaves - Essay Example The report further plans to develop and implement an appropriate action plan so that all objectives are achieved at most optimum utilisation and allocation of scarce resources. Considering the fact that the system is composed of both systematic and unsystematic risks and also that the future is uncertain, it will be logical to make some important assumptions in the report so that the outcomes appear more realistic. The report is sub-divided into separate sections highlighting specific aspects related to financial plan. For your convenience, all calculations are included and confined to the Appendices section of this report to maintain clarity of presentation. The report begins with a summary of your priorities and objectives, followed by an outline of your probable attitude towards risk. Then the report makes an assessment of your current financial situation based on the objectives and assumptions and finally the report concludes with recommendations on how you will be able to achiev e your goals. 2) Goals & Objectives 2.1) Immediate Objectives The most apparent immediate objectives are as follows: Protection of your current investments Prioritise financial security for yourself and your family considering the fact that your brother is currently unemployed and lives with your parents Prepare a coherent investment plan for investments in OEIC as the stocks are not performing well currently Protect the capital invested by investing in less risky assets as you have low appetite for risk You are concerned that you might end up paying higher taxes to authorities on your savings and investments and hence you need proper tax planning 2.2) Long-term Goals To save towards a deposit scheme on flat at some time in the near future You are also interested to join a pension scheme so as to achieve financial security even after your retirement (Age UK, 2013) Both your parents are teachers and are planning to retire in 5 years implying that investment in a pension scheme is mus t for future financial security (Standard Life, 2013) Your father has minor health issues but it would be safe to plan proper health insurance scheme in advance so that during situations of emergencies your family is protected Tax savings from incomes and investments In order to achieve the above mentioned objectives, it is important that the report considers aspects of personal retirement planning, risk management, education funding, mortgage planning, and tax planning. It is also important to remember that financial risk arise from debt obligations and hence a part of saving s and investments must also be channelled towards payment of existing liabilities or debts (like use of credit cards and unsecured debts). 3) Current Scenario Analysis On our first appointment I came to know about the fact that you have already purchased Gilt securities worth ?1,500, shortly after your graduation. The primary reason that you have invested in this type of asset class is that you consider Gilts as less risky investment. It was also given that a couple of years ago you purchased OEIC

The Corporate Culture Essay Example for Free

The Corporate Culture Essay A six-year legal battle involving the jailed father-son duo who headed now-defunct Adelphia Communications has ended after prosecutors withdrew tax fraud charges related to their earlier conviction in a $1. 9 billion fraud case. Prosecutors said they withdrew the tax-related charges Wednesday against the Pennsylvania cable companys founder John Rigas and his son Timothy because they werent likely to end in substantial additional jail time or restitution. Proceeding with the case wouldnt be a prudent expenditure of prosecutorial resources, authorities said. Authorities alleged in 2005 the Rigases had committed tax fraud when they failed to pay income tax on the proceeds of the fraud they were convicted of in New York a year earlier. The former executives fought the case on the grounds it amounted to double jeopardy. Both men are already in jail stemming from the collapse of the company in 2002 after prosecutors said John Rigas, 87, and Timothy Rigas, 55, failed to report nearly $2 billion in liabilities. John Rigas has seven years left on his 12-year sentence, while Timothy Rigas isnt expected to be released until 2022. Meanwhile, prosecutors said the family spent lavishly on itself, ordering 100 pairs of slippers for Timothy Rigas and spending more than $3 million to produce a film by John Rigas daughter. Defense attorney Larry McMichael welcomed the end of the long court battle. This case never should have been brought, he told The Patriot-News of Harrisburg. The analysis should include the following: A short description of case identification of the ethical issues involved (what was the alleged ethical wrong done, and why is/was it wrong? A statement, in their own opinion, of whether it was wrong or not, and more importantly, why? Thoughts on what could have been done to avoid the problem – do we need more laws government regulation? What internal controls might have prevented this situation? Was the problem more a matter of individuals gone wrong, or was it more systemic and organizational? Provide 3-5 APA style references both inline and at the end of the paper to support your analysis. Please write in 3rd person. Note: This is your opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge of the week’s theory linked to personal opinion and outside evidence.

The Economic, Social and Environmental Impacts of Tourism in Thailand

The Economic, Social and Environmental Impacts of Tourism in Thailand Identify the economic, social, and environmental impacts of tourism on Thailand Thailand is a very popular tourist destination. Nowadays, the world is experiencing a shift away from traditional patterns of international tourism because of increased wealth and access to travel and as a result and as TEFLAsia illustrates, Thailand is now in fact Southeast Asias biggest tourist destination. The reasons for its popularity as written by STA Travel (2003) include the ancient architecture, warm hospitality, savoury cuisine and overall natural beauty. Amongst computer parts, garments, rice and jewellery, tourism is one of the major industries of Thailand and is heavily relied upon. Thailand also receives higher levels of tourists as demographics change; older people travel more, more leisure time is available for individuals and because travel has become more sophisticated. Although, this has led to the development of more infrastructure and only now are governments and individuals alike becoming more aware of Thailand’s environmental, social and economic situations. This essay will establish the different impacts and effects that tourism has on Thailand. There are numerous positive and negative effects of tourism on Thailand’s environmental, social and economical situation. The most recent and obvious impact on Thailand’s economy has been the Tsunami disaster on 26th December 2004. The result of this disaster, according to Thadani, M (2005), will see the decline in the number of tourists who will visit Thailand in the coming years. Other negative impacts of tourism include the possibility of raised inflation so it is essential that the Thai government ensures that local people are employed to keep the money and skill within Thailand. Tourism accounts for 12.2% of Thailand’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and nearly, nine per cent of the population is employed within the tourism industry, a higher proportion of people to be affected if Thailand’s tourism industry collapses. Although, tourism in Thailand creates many jobs, these jobs are often poorly paid with little job security and have low career status. Ho wever, on a positive stance, tourism supports other industries such as agriculture because individuals are paid to supply extra food to accommodate tourist needs. This confirms that tourism is an essential industry for Thailand and in order for the country to prosper they need to attract the tourists, to avoid economic downturn. Further, without tourists Thailand would be significantly different and the more remote areas would suffer because tourists act as an economic catalyst for other areas of Thailand as well as the more popular resorts such as Phuket. Tourism can also be used as a tool for Thailand’s economic growth through improved conditions for the host community and will raise the profile of the country which will improve the level of service that can be provided. However, the Tsunami is not the only disaster/ event to affect Thailand in recent years. The country has also had to deal with the indirect effects of the September 11th 2001 crisis, followed by the SARS outbreak and also the Bali bombing attacks in 2003. All of which has reduced the number of tourists to Thailand. The effects of September 11th lead to a decline in outbound travel to Thailand, mainly from America and the SARS virus reduced all tourism to Asia except essential travel. After these events 2004 was showing signs of increased travel to Thailand until the Tsunami. As said by Thadani, (2005) the Thai Government were making efforts to invite tourists back to the country weeks after the disaster in a bid to prevent economic disaster. On a more positive note for tourism and the Thai economy, the country appears to be working towards recovery despite having lost nearly 10,000 people (unofficial estimates), many of who were international tourists. Thadani (2005) suggests that the government is keeping the actual death toll low so that tourists are not deterred from travelling to Thailand, which heavily relies upon the income from tourism. Thailand is estimated to lose US$260 million a month as a result of this disaster, which could destroy the economy and create irreversible effects to the local community. However, it must be noted that although popular destinations such as Phuket and Krabi were badly effected, other hotspots like Bangkok, Samui Island and Chiang Mai, Pattaya remain completely booked. Tourism brings many negative social impacts to Thailand as a host country of tourism. Firstly, tourism brings a change in characteristics of the host community. For example, many locals sell drugs to tourists as a way of earning money. The World Bank Office of Thailand recognises that, drug pushing creates problems such as anti-social behaviour, increased crime and reduced safety. This has an effect on tourist numbers as many will not travel to countries which are deemed unsafe. Further, as tourism grows in Thailand many businesses have moved from being run locally to being owned by national or international companies which creates leakages in the Thai government with less spending money going back into the Thai economy. Moreover, Thailand has seen an increase in staged authenticity for the tourists; local traditions have become a product for the tourist, which is slowly destroying the original culture in Thailand. Another, negative affect on tourism, according to Graham (2003) is th e demonstration effect which creates a long term effect on the local community by being exposed to different cultures and wealth. This changes locals’ behaviour and needs and may for example encourage the Thai people to dress differently or abandon their religion. However, tourism in Thailand has enabled the locals to earn money from the chores they initially completed in the home, such as cooking and cleaning. This has increased the living potential of many in the host community. Further, locals have a chance to mix with wealthier individuals which can give them an insight into what can be achieved if tourism is a success in Thailand. As Thailand relies so heavily on the income from tourism, the tourists’ needs outweigh those of the hosts. Therefore, Thailand is creating facilities at a fast rate to cope with visitor numbers. However, the locals and the government must realise that Thailand’s environment forms the attraction for people to visit the country. According to STA Travel (2003), over-development on Ko Phi Phi is starving the coral reefs of sunlight and smothering the surface in pollutants: the destruction of the reef is a small example of the problems occurring throughout Thailand and blamed on tourism. If Thailand’s natural beauty is not preserved tourist will likely travel to other destinations in the future. Other negative impacts include the deterioration in air and water quality, mainly due to air traffic and the urbanisation of natural areas. A good example of this is Krabi; it was fairly undiscovered but now hotel resorts are quickly being erected which is diminishing much of the natural environment that pre-existed. However, these newly developed areas do have a proper sewage disposal facility which earlier tourism developments did not which illustrates the Thai’s awareness of the need for environmental protection due to the impacts of tourism. The following example further shows peoples’ awareness of Thailand’s environment being affected by tourism because in May 1999, STA Travel describes how protestors packed the beach where the filming of The Beach was taking place. Environmentalists were concerned that filming would destroy the delicate eco-balance of the beach. These areas of natural beauty could well be conserved if awareness is created about the need for their protection due to increased tourism. This would create positive environmental impacts as Thailand can control and maintain its environment. An example of this is the Golden Temple which is located in Bangkok, Thailand’s capital. Through a visit I discovered that donations and government money are set aside to restore this building, which would otherwise be neglected. In essence it seems that Thailand is aware of the increasing number of tourists over the years and is therefore trying to facilitate this by increasing the country’s infrastructure. The government should ensure they regulate developments to ensure that every new hotel, business and attraction is built in keeping with the local style otherwise tourist will lose interest in Thailand. In accordance with Holden, (2000) Thailand needs to comply with four main requirements in order to ensure tourism is sustained. Firstly, it is essential that Thailand remains prosperous and maintains its original culture. This is likely to reduce the negative effects from tourism because and secondly, tourists will continue to demand trips and be attracted to Thailand. Thirdly, nothing must be done to the ecology; it must be protected in order for the natural beauty to remain and lastly, Thailand must ensure that it has an effective political framework in place. The abovementioned categories are used to establish issues and indicate if tourism has a positive or negative effect on the area in question. Holden describes that the impacts of tourism on Thailand can be identified by establishing the relationship between the natural environment, the local economy and tourism. To further explain the Thai economy is dependent upon tourism, if the country builds sufficiently and maintains env ironmental quality the country will likely benefit from a well balanced tourism industry. If the tourism factors which affect Thailand are better managed, it will create sustainable tourism in Thailand. According to the UNEP (2002), managing tourism destinations is an important part of controlling tourisms environmental impacts. As written by OurWorld, the tourism boom has had a negative effect on the Thai environment and as a result the government now manages ecotourism. Better management of tourism impacts will allow the Thai Government to better plan the use of their land, implement effective environmental regulations and rejuvenate buildings. Every environment in any country cannot be preserved intact, therefore it is necessary for the Thai government to use its resources sparingly within its limits of regeneration and natural growth. Furthermore, according to UNEP, the Thai government should establish licence fees for fishing and use these funds to maintain the forests and wildlife in Thailand. Better management of tourism facilities, especially hotels, will allow Th ailand to preserve its buildings and natural beauty. I agree with the UNEP that by Thailand planning early for tourism development, damaging and expensive mistakes can be prevented, avoiding the gradual deterioration of environmental assets significant to tourism. In every respect, tourism has the opportunity to increase public appreciation of the environment in Thailand and spread awareness of environmental, social and economical problems. As already mentioned tourism has a massive impact on the host community. It is also possible to better understand the impact of tourism on the tourist. Tourism in Thailand is becoming mass tourism and thus will become a greater income generator for the host community allowing them to improve their lifestyles. However, Buddhism is strongly indented into the Thai culture and tourism has not effected or changed the religion, which shows signs of a strong culture. The influence of tourism on the host community has however taken its toll as Thailand’s economy, amongst other aspects, has become too dependent on tourism and according to OurWorld people feel that change and development due to increased tourism is happening too fast. Moreover, the rapid change is due to the tourists’ increase need for tourism and their demand for better facilities and long haul holidays. These negative impacts have led the Thai government to introduce proper legislation to protect the poor Thai people and prevent tourists from destroying Thailand. According to ThaiTour, the government is looking to establish a ‘multi-agency’ task force to stop the confusion among the many different tourism departments in Thailand. In all it is evident that many tourism factors are contributing to both positive and negative impacts upon Thailand. It is important that the country realises the problems and take steps to sustain tourism. The key is to find a balance to manage the effects of tourism on the country. The type and volume of tourists that Thailand attracts and their activities and behaviour in the country will influence the nature of their impacts. Effective planning, development, management and marketing of tourism are essential to optimise the positive impacts and control and reduce the negatives. Further, the more we educate the tourists and the local community about the effects of tourism the better chance of Thailand succeeding in sustainable tourism, a stable economy and protected environment. Bibliography

Information system strategy assignment

Information system strategy assignment Introduction Information systems could be defined as systems for processing and managing information, generally computer-based. IS, as it could be called, is also a serviceable group within an organisation that manages the operations and development of the businesss information and possible transactions. So information system strategy (ISS) could be explained as a method that brings into line information technology priorities with business strategies and defines the approach to take to achieve those business objectives. Since the mid 80s, researchers and business specialists have carried out many studies and produced number of theories in feeding the world of business and may be the field of strategic studies in particular. Nowadays, those theories are counted as the support and basics of any business strategy to be adopted by any organisation. Experts in the field of strategic management, such as Michael Porter and also Michael Earl, are both considered to be among the most influential experts in that area. Through a series of writings, Porter influenced a shift in the focus of the literature on strategies from strategic planning to strategic management. Earls publications also resulted in establishing a range of concepts and frameworks that were created to assist strategic planners in coming up with plans to build and sustain competitive advantage. Michael Porter developed the original theories of the famous strategic approaches that include â€Å"The 5 forces†, â€Å"The 3 generic strategies for competitiveness† and â€Å"The value chain model†. On the other hand, Michael Earl established the â€Å"Multiple methodology†. The Digital Era Digital era has been used as a term since the late 1980s. It carried the shift of transfer from a traditional industry to an industry based on the transactions of information and data through technological methods. Many old aged views of strategy are getting thrown out the window in the digital era, however, some solid views are still being found as the base of strategic thinking in the world of business. In a survey it was found that fast pace of developing e-business application only few businesses did take their time in developing their strategy properly or plan new initiatives (Wilder, 1999). We are experiencing a world that is continuously changing, where companies are being re-established and may be deregulated. New systems and ecommerce functions are providing management with a one off opportunity to rearrange the business rules and change the ways of business forever (Corcoran, 1999). In the world of todays nature of e-business transactions, strategy is being considered to be vital than ever. Yet, many organisations are still not properly cooping with the environment of todays business. These companies look as if they are frightened rabbits caught in the headlights of an oncoming car (Chattel, 1998). It is considered to be important for businesses in the digital era to familiarise themselves with factors that will put them on steady steps throughout competition and run successfully. Businesses should realise that it is possible and easier nowadays to target customers and to customise products to the requirements (needs and wants) of the customer. Also comprehend the fact of being first is seen as more important than producing it well. Businesses should also realise that communication methods have opened up new opportunities for transaction and increased access to customers. For example, television adverts, radio stations, mobile SMS, emails and internet blogs. Todays electronic applications are providing 24hours a day, 7 days a week access to businesses in anytime and from anywhere in the world. These factors have been the short term methods for new business opportunities, but in the long term, there will be a little chance of success without a clearly defined business and IT st rategy. The traditional approaches in ISS Porters five forces model studies the forces that take part in an organisation and illustrates how IS can construct barriers and give competitive frame. Porter defines the competition of the organisation in the relation to the industry where high level of rivalry guides to low level of profits. The threats from new entrants are considered as the heights of the barriers in place to obstruct them and outline the profitability of the industry. Whereas threats from substitutes is the threat by others in copying the product so the margin for the definite profit decreases and consumers are more settled to change. The bargaining power of buyers counts on the price of the product and the influence or the pressure the customer possesses. Likewise the power of the suppliers is resolute by the price the consumer wants the product and how much they are willing to pay or able to spend. Another ISS traditional approach is Porters 3 generic strategies. Porters generic strategies outline methods of achieving above standard performance. To create competitive advantage for an organisation Porter identified three generic strategies: focus and niche, cost leadership and differentiation. The suitable generic strategy will result in positioning the business to empower its strengths and guard against the unfavourable effects of the five forces. The focus or niche strategy was to find a gap in the market where a select product would fit in and do well. For example, the customised cars market, which makes the cars unique and leads in creating a niche for high class and therefore attracting big spending customers. Cost leadership involves having low level profit margins and selling big number of units of a product. Where differentiation, as its called, is when a business produces or provides something totally different from any other businesses in the industry. Michael Porter also discussed that the actions that are available to be taken can be recognised by the adoption of the Value Chain Model. This model, or approach, concentrates internally within an organisation and was expanded as a systematic ground for analysing all the performance that a company carry out and how they cooperate. The value chain approach outlines that products go through several roles in an organisation, where maximising the value adding activities while minimising those that do not add value should be the objective. A different traditional approach from a different scholar, Michael Earl, believes IS Methodology helps businesses meet their objectives fully for the reason that IS methodology is not on internal but external or outward looking. Earl established a multiple methodology with three approaches for business strategy: bottom up, top down and inside out. A bottom up approach takes into consideration the current system, afterwards investigates it for possible gaps, which can be achieved by adopting SWOT analysis. This approach outlines the current condition of the company and what does it want to achieve in the upcoming. The top down considers the organisation from a structural point of view bring into line IS with the business strategy of the organisation through studying the Critical Success Factors (CSF). CSFs are explained through interviews, debates and current policies. And finally, the inside out approach studies different methods to carry research and business through new technologi es that is done by observing the organisation in order to gain competitive advantage. The Traditional approaches in ISS Vs The Digital Era Strategy configuration is considered to be even more challenging in the digital era, not only because of the involvement of the developing objective, but also because of the disadvantages of practising a cleared and defined strategy in a digital industry. Under the influence of the developing era during the last decade, traditional approaches in strategies have became more and more subject of critique. The appearing of the Internet, for example, and other electronic applications has noticeably affected almost all industries. Considering that Porters theories were based on the economic situation in the late eighties. This phase was characterised by cyclical developments, strong competition and stable market structure. Porters approaches looks at the analysis of the current situation related to suppliers, customers and competitors. Strengthening the position itself within the five forces model has developed competitive advantage. Therefore, models in that era are unable to analyse or explain the dynamic changes in the digital era, which do have the power to change all industries. However, the analysis of industrial structures when employing Porters five forces model can serve as an analytical framework for outlining the distribution of resources and choice of business. This model can be adopted in the digital era and also provide a framework for employing new technologies as the internet, also as opportunities to businesses related in the direction of creating value for customers and gaining competitive advantage. Tackling the validity of Porters Five Forces could be analysed as each force by its own. The power of rivalry is assessed when knowing that the characteristics of developed technology, such as the internet, is the access to large numbers of customers, lower costs in operational or functional fields, simplicity of entry into the market, the prospective for adding value to customers, therefore gain competitive advantage. It is vital to outline that progressing competitiveness could be done by offering customers unique values and products, where it is not easy to keep the advantage gained because of the simulation of business forms, processes and technologies. Within regards to the second force, the threat of new entrants that may appear in an industry, digital methods and means has reduced barriers to entry of new businesses in the market because of the cut in numbers of employees and lower costs for required physical property. Companies that run on the internet through economies of s cale can usually prevent new entry of other firms. When a company reaches critical mass and realises the influence of network externalities, can then powerfully compete with companies that have only entered the market, due to the already built relationships with clients or customers and their loyalty. The threat of substitute goods or services is vast for ease of the entry process into the digital market. Customers can simply get on hold of information about other similar products and compare the different specifications of each product and get to a decision if the original product can be substituted at reasonable means with other alternatives and also can be done easily. Internet empowers the bargaining power of customers. They now do not face any obstacles when seeking any information on quality, price or even detailed specifications. In addition, the existence of the web sites that offers price comparison of products and services, so that the procedure of obtaining information in the digital era has become much easier. The fifth and last force within the five forces model is the bargaining power of suppliers. Where internet enjoys both negative and positive factors on the fifth force of the model, which is the bargaining power of suppliers. It is considered that the bargaining power of suppliers tend to provide easiness to customers to approach essential information related to prices, products and markets which limited bargaining power of suppliers. Another negative factor around involving the internet that affected the bargaining power of suppliers is the ease of entry into virtual markets that leads to an increase in competition. Suppliers are able to increase their power by applying a special procedure for supply and be well-known in or working on increasing the quality of their goods or services. The positive factor is that suppliers through technology methods and especially the internet can easily access a large number of customer and other businesses as well. And again, the internet gets rid of any possible intermediaries, which means that if suppliers were serving in the industrial sectors, the ability of intermediaries in influencing customers are reduced to a minimum. Within regards to the Value chain model, the American guru has clearly outlined in one of his publications â€Å"Strategy and the Internet† that information technology has a penetrative effect on the value chain. The outstanding advantage of the internet is the ability to link an activity with others and making data widely available with both, the company and suppliers, customers and channels. Many of the most important applications of the internet in the value chain involve moving physical activities online, while others involve making physical activities more cost effective. To notice how these technological developments will eventually affect the value chain, some historical view is enlightening. The influence of the internet in the value chain should be kept in perspective. While internet purposes have an essential impact on the quality of activities and on the cost, they are not the main influences. Traditional factors such as the skills of personnel, process technology and investments in physical assets also play important roles. The internet is a turning point is some terms, but many traditional sources of competitive advantage remain secure (Porter, 2001). The co-author of â€Å"Unleashing the Killer App: Digital Strategies for Market Dominance† highlights that those traditional approaches are not valid anymore. Larry Downes originated three new forces that require a new strategic framework: deregulation, globalisation and digitalisation. Deregulation happens when governments influence decreases several industries like communications and banking, which are fed by the new opportunities of information technology, firms in these industries were forced to restructure their businesses and to seek for other alternatives. Where globalisation is related to the developments of distribution and communications that have allowed almost all businesses to sell and buy globally. It could be added here, that networked and global markets need new requirements on organisations strategies. And so positioning themselves as quality leaders or price leaders, like Porter suggests in his Generic Strategies model, is not enough any more. Finally, digit alisation is explained as the influence of information technology develops, all stakeholders within a market will have access to even more information. Downes arguments are considered to be convincing. Where deregulation, globalisation and digitalisation have become powerful forces during the past years, but Porters models hardly ever took them into consideration. Todays markets are strongly affected by technological developments especially in information technology. Therefore, it is not beneficial to develop a strategy exclusively on the basis of Porters models. Downes concludes that the job of information technology is the main difference between the traditional strategy approaches and the digital era, which is the new world of the new forces. Where the traditional economy used information technology as an instrument for applying change, today information technology had become the vital factor for change. Conclusion Critique of Porter, by Downes, implies that Porters models concentrates too much on the economic conditions of their era of origin. Therefore, their practicality is restricted under change and developed conditions. It should be added too that Downes new forces are created from the economic conditions of their own era as well. Possibly within the next decades, they will tend to loose their importance due to other developments that took place in that future. In summary, Michael Porters approaches do not have the impact they used to have any more. Nevertheless, that doesnt mean that Porters theories became invalid. What has to be done is to apply them with the knowledge of their limitations in mind and to use them as a part of a larger framework of theories and techniques. This approach, however, is advisable for the application of every business model, brand new or old, from Porter or from somebody else, and in every economy.

Anna Karenina Essay examples -- Literary Analysis, Leo Tolstoy

In Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy presents marriage in a realistic sense, marriage is not an easy institution; couples must work through the rough patches in order for it to be strong; he also presents passion as a force that can have a positive influence, but simultaneously presents passion as a factor that can have a corrupting power on a person’s life. These two couples, Levin and Kitty and Vronsky and Anna, are compared throughout the course of the novel. Levin and Kitty differ from Anna and Vronsky because they do not communicate in the same ways. Kitty and Levin try to resolve issues as they arise, so that they do not create a bigger issue. Another difference is that Ann and Vronsky are sheltered from society because of Anna’s position as a fallen woman. Both of the couples have children, Levin and Kitty raise their child; however, Anna and Vronsky pay little attention to their daughter. Their relationships have drastic differences. Where Anna and Vronsky’s rel ationship is based on passion, Levin and Kitty’s is more of a spiritual one. One of the key aspects of Kitty and Levin’s relationship, which lacks in Anna and Vronsky’s relationship, is communication. When issues arise in Levin and Kitty’s marriage, they try to resolve them by talking with each other and seeking a solution to the problem. One instance is when Levin gets the cold feet syndrome before he gets married. Levin beings to wonder, â€Å"suppose she does not love me† (pg.404). Even though it is not custom for the groom to see the bride until the wedding starts, he goes and talks to Kitty. The issue is resolved. This has set the tone of their relationship because whenever an issue comes up, they talk about it. Another instance involves Kitty seeing Vronsky for the first... ...n a problem comes up and this causes a successful marriage. Because of Anna’s affair, she and Vronsky are not accepted by society. Children are also brought into each relationship. Kitty and Levin are very concerned parents; whereas Anna and Vronksy do not even take care of their child. Infatuation with passion can â€Å"bring about final destruction†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Gromeka, pg.769). Passion can cause a person’s life to be completely altered, as it does with all of these characters presented. Anna’s passion for Vronsky leads to her death. By the end of the novel, Vronsky feels as if Anna is his only reason to live and because of her death commits suicide by joining the military. On the other hand, passion can present a positive influence, as it does with Kitty and Levin. They become closer and that eventually leads to their marriage, which causes them both to become confident people.

International Trade Theories Essay -- essays papers

International Trade Theories Mercantilism Mercantilism was a sixteenth-century economic philosophy that maintained that a country's wealth was measured by its holdings of gold and silver (Mahoney, Trigg, Griffin, & Pustay, 1998). This recquired the countries to maximise the difference between its exports and imports by promoting exports and discouraging imports. The logic was transparent to sixteenth-century policy makers-if foreigners buy more goods from you than you buy from them, then the foreigners have to pay you the difference in gold and silver, enabling you to amass more treasure. With the treasure acquired the realm could build greater armies and navies and hence expand the nation’s global influence. Politically, mercantilism was popular with many manufactures and their workers. Export-oriented manufacturers favoured mercantilist trade policies, such as those giving subsidies or tax rebates, which stimulated their sales to foreigners. Domestic manufacturers threatened by foreign imports endorsed mercantilist trade policies, such as those imposing tariffs or quotas, which protected them from foreign competition (Mahoney, Trigg, Griffin, & Pustay, 1998). Most members of society are hurt by such policies. Government subsidies of exports for selected industries are paid for by taxpayers. Mercantilist terminology is still used today, an example when television commentators and newspaper headlines report that a country suffered an ‘unfavourable’ balance of trade-that is, its exports were less than its imports. Mercantilist policies are still politically attractive to some firms and their workers, as mercantilism benefits certain members of society. Modern supporters of these policies are known as neo-mercantilists, or protectionists (Mahoney, Trigg, Griffin, & Pustay, 1998). The mercantilists were a group of economists who preceded Adam Smith. They judged the success of trade by the size of the trade balance (Lipsey, & Chrystal, 1996). Absolute Advantage The theory of absolute advantage, suggests that a country should export those goods and services for which it is more productive than other countries, and import those goods and services for which other countries are more productive than it is (Mahoney, Trigg, Griffin, & Pustay, 1998). Adam Smith was the first to come up with the theo... ...1656; Richer-Buttery, 1998, Strategic Management, Infocus ïÆ'Ëœ Tony Lendrum, 1995, The Strategic Partnering Handbook, McGraw-Hill ïÆ'Ëœ Ball Mcculloch, 1999, International Business: The Challenge of Global Competition, Irwin/McGraw-Hill ïÆ'Ëœ Tripodnet, http://members.tripod.lycos.nl/Japan_industry/three.html ïÆ'Ëœ Michael Porter, 1990, The Competitive Advantage of Nations. New York: The Free Press ïÆ'Ëœ Michael Porter, 1980 Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analysing Industries and Competitors New York: Free Press ïÆ'Ëœ D Mahoney, M Trigg, R Griffin, M Pustay, 1998, International Business: A Managerial Perspective, Addison Wesley Longman, Melbourne. ïÆ'Ëœ G.R Lipsey, & A.K Chrystal, 1996, An Introduction to positive economics, 8th edition Oxford university press ïÆ'Ëœ Adam Smith, 1776, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations ïÆ'Ëœ Gandolfo, 1998, International Trade Theory and Policy, Springer-Burlag, Berlin, Heidelberg ïÆ'Ëœ N. Gregory Mankiw, 1997, Principals of Economics, The Dryden Press ïÆ'Ëœ Dominic Salvatore, 1995, Theory and Problems of International Economics, McGraw-Hill

“Murder in the Cathedral” by T. S. Eliot Essay

Murder in the Cathedral is a verse drama by T. S. Eliot that portrays the assassination of Archbishop Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170, first performed in 1935. Eliot drew heavily on the writing of Edward Grim, a clerk who was an eyewitness to the event. The play, dealing with an individual’s opposition to authority, was written at the time of rising Fascism in Central Europe, and can be taken as a protest to individuals in affected countries to oppose the Nazi regime’s subversion of the ideals of the Christian Church.[1] Some material that the producer asked Eliot to remove or replace during the writing was transformed into the poem â€Å"Burnt Norton†.[2] The action occurs between December 2 and December 29, 1170, chronicling the days leading up to the martyrdom of Thomas Becket following his absence of seven years in France. Becket’s internal struggle is the main focus of the play. The book is divided into two parts. Part one takes place in the Archbishop Thomas Becket’s hall on December 2, 1170. The play begins with a Chorus singing, foreshadowing the coming violence. The Chorus is a key part of the drama, with its voice changing and developing during the play, offering comments about the action and providing a link between the audience and the characters and action, as in Greek drama. Three priests are present, and they reflect on the absence of Becket and the rise of temporal power. A herald announces Becket’s arrival. Becket is immediately reflective about his coming martyrdom, which he embraces, and which is understood to be a sign of his own selfishness—his fatal weakness. The tempters arrive, three of whom parallel the Temptations of Christ. The first tempter offers the prospect of physical safety. Take a friend’s advice. Leave well alone, Or your goose may be cooked and eaten to the bone. The second offers power, riches and fame in serving the King. To set down the great, protect the poor, Beneath the throne of God can man do more? The third tempter suggests a coalition with the barons and a chance to resist the King. For us, Church favour would be an advantage, Blessing of Pope powerful protection In the fight for liberty. You, my Lord, In being with us, would fight a good stroke Finally, a fourth tempter urges him to seek the glory of martyrdom. You hold the keys of heaven and hell. Power to bind and loose : bind, Thomas, bind, King and bishop under your heel. King, emperor, bishop, baron, king: Becket responds to all of the tempters and specifically addresses the immoral suggestions of the fourth tempter at the end of the first act: Now is my way clear, now is the meaning plain: Temptation shall not come in this kind again. The last temptation is the greatest treason: To do the right deed for the wrong reason. The Interlude of the play is a sermon given by Becket on Christmas morning 1170. It is about the strange contradiction that Christmas is a day both of mourning and rejoicing, which Christians also do for martyrs. He announces at the end of his sermon, â€Å"it is possible that in a short time you may have yet another martyr†. We see in the sermon something of Becket’s ultimate peace of mind, as he elects not to seek sainthood, but to accept his death as inevitable and part of a better whole. Part II of the play takes place in the Archbishop’s Hall and in the Cathedral, December 29, 1170. Four knights arrive with â€Å"Urgent business† from the king. These knights had heard the king speak of his frustration with Becket, and had interpreted this as an order to kill Becket. They accuse him of betrayal, and he claims to be loyal. He tells them to accuse him in public, and they make to attack him, but priests intervene. The priests insist that he leave and protect himself, but he refuses. The knights leave and Becket again says he is ready to die. The chorus sings that they knew this conflict was coming, that it had long been in the fabric of their lives, both temporal and spiritual. The chorus again reflects on the coming devastation. Thomas is taken to the Cathedral, where the knights break in and kill him. The chorus laments: â€Å"Clean the air! Clean the sky!†, and â€Å"The land is foul, the water is foul, our beasts and ourselves defiled with blood.† At the close of the play, the knights step up, address the audience, and defend their actions. The murder was all right and for the best: it was in the right spirit, sober, and justified so that the church’s power would not undermine stability and state power.

Sg Cowen Case

*Case #1 :* *SG Cowen* The SC Cowen case revolves around the decision to offer potential candidates a job at the firm. The firm has two spots open, but they still have four candidates left. Each candidate has certain pros and cons so a trade-off needs to be made by the recruitment committee so that a decision can be made on who to hire. Reflect upon a time you had a negative recruiting/hiring experience. What were the signs that the experience was not going well? Explain My first negative recruiting experience was when I applied for an internship at a law firm. I had my interview with both a recruiter and an associate of the firm. Right at the start of the interview I felt there was no fit between myself and the people on the other side of the table. I think I answered most of their questions in a way that I was satisfied with, but I felt that they were really trying to trap me into giving a â€Å"wrong† answer. I got this feeling because they were asking me questions that had totally no relevance to what I was applying for. Furthermore I got the feeling they were looking down on me as they did not seem to acknowledge some of my achievements (my grades for example). At the end they rejected me because they felt that I did not speak fluent Dutch, even though I have lived in the Netherlands all of my life. I was very disappointed about this, but I did learn how important this cultural fit is. When I look back now I always say to myself that I wouldn’t want to spend 60+ hours a week with people I have no connection with in the first place. What is your evaluation of the criteria used by this organization in making hiring decisions? Jim Kennedy has specified four types of criteria that have to be taken into account when determining whether there is a fit between the candidate and the job profile. These are education and experience, intellectual capabilities, personality characteristics and motivational characteristics. SG Cowen’s associate evaluation form has the following criteria listed: commitment to firm, maturity, interpersonal skills, leadership, technical skills and work ethic. Both criteria sets are listed in the table below. I think that SG Cowen uses many of the criteria that Jim Kennedy has identified. What is very different though is that for SG Cowen experience in the current field is not important. Instead they look for a form of affinity with financial markets (as can be seen in the assessment of a candidate’s accounting/finance skills). Which two candidates would you select if you were a member of the recruiting committee at SG Cowen? I would select Natalya Godlweska and Andy Sanchez. In my opinion investment banking is all about being able to learn fast and commitment. Therefore in a candidate I would look for someone who has been successful and willing to commit himself to both the firm and the job. I believe Natalya and Andy fit these criteria the most. Natalya was Cornell’s top student and Andy managed a highly successful business. I believe Martin has not made up his mind on where he wants to work, which to me says he is not willing to commit himself to SG Cowen. Ken on the other hand has already shown commitment in his previous job. But I think the hurdle for him are his two very young kids. Having a kid requires enormous amounts of time, especially in their young years and this cannot be combined with a job that requires 120 hours a week of your time. Name one key difference or similarity between hiring and recruiting at SG Cowen and your HR Plan company, and give your opinion on this. For our HR plan we have chosen the company Danone. The recruitment process that SG Cowen utilizes is very different from that of Danone. SG Cowen has chosen one specific day, Super Saturday, as its only recruitment day. On this day all of the open spots for associates get filled up. Danone recruits throughout the year and essentially has no application deadlines. In my opinion SG Cowen is losing out on many top candidates due to its strict recruitment procedure. By having only one day and thus one deadline to submit your application (in a year! ) they may lose out on top candidates who are tied up for some reason and therefore cannot apply. Noone would be willing to wait a full year, especially in the banking industry where you have so many other good alternatives.

Discuss the character of Banquo and his role in ‘Macbeth’ Essay

Banquo was one of Duncan’s brave generals. He was a man of honour and integrity. He held the same rank as Macbeth and they were very closely linked characters. They were courageous and loyal warriors. They both witnessed the Witches’ prophesies and their future successes were foretold throughout the play. Banquo had a generous spirit and a rational view of the world and had the attributes required by a good King, however, Banquo was an ambiguous character, in that he was sceptical of Macbeth’s manner following their encounter with the Witches. Macbeths’ beliefs worried Banquo, as he was a good man and he believed deeply in upholding God’s rule of order. Banquo sensed that the Witches’ prophesies prompted new reactions in Macbeth – further encouraging his ambitions towards kingship. Banquo’s first encounter with the Witches was quite unbelievable to him and he remarked to Macbeth, â€Å"What are these, So withered, and so wild in their attire, That look not like th’inhabitants o’th earth, And yet are on,t?† , Banquo’s words describe Macbeth’s startled and uneasy reaction to the Witches’ prophesies, touching moral confusion in Macbeth by saying to him, â€Å"Good sir, why do you start, and seem to fear Things that do not sound so fair?† The half rhyme ‘fear’ and ‘fair’ echoes the Witches previous ‘fair’ and ‘foul’. Although Banquo was not afraid of the Witches, he still wanted them to speak to him but at the same time he wished to remain detached from them. He addressed the Witches, saying, â€Å"Speak to me, who neither beg, nor fear Your favours nor your hate.† The Witches in turn replied, â€Å"Thou shalt get Kings, though thou be none.† The Witches directed most of their prophesies towards Macbeth and Banquo noticed how lost in thought his companion was because of this experience and remarked, â€Å"Look how our partner’s rapt.† When the Witches vanished, Banquo and Macbeth were astounded, wondering if what they had just witnessed was indeed real or just fantasy. When Banquo heard that Macbeth was to become Thane of Cawdor, in contrast to Macbeth’s excitement, he showed wariness and sensed that the Witches’ words might be deceitful by telling Macbeth, â€Å"And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, The instruments of darkness tell us truths, Win us with honest trifles, to betray’s In deepest consequence.† Banquo is clear-sighted in his summary of the way of temptation. However, resisting the prophecies was a struggle, even for Banquo. He said to his son Fleance, â€Å"Merciful powers, Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature Gives way to in repose!† Banquo was clearly disturbed by all the strange events that had taken place. He was afraid to sleep and the Witches words returned to him in his dreams when he did so. After King Duncan was murdered, Banquo became very suspicious of Macbeth and was becoming concerned about his destiny. He spoke of this to the King’s son Malcolm, â€Å"In the great hand of God I stand, and thence Against the undivulged pretence I fight Of treasonous malice.† However, I criticize Banquo because of his passivity when he says, soon afterwards, â€Å"Thou hast it all now, King, Cawdor, Glamis, all As the weird women promised, and I fear Thou play’dst most foully for’t:† It was obvious that Banquo suspected Macbeth’s involvement in Duncan’s death, yet he took no steps against Macbeth. I suspect this was because Banquo had ambition too, like Macbeth when he says, â€Å"May they not be my oracles as well, And set me up in hope? But hush, no more.† Macbeth’s prophecy had come true, so he hoped, perhaps it would all happen for him and he would father a line of Kings. Banquo’s inaction and suspicions of Macbeth attracted Macbeth’s attention as his soliloquy in Act 3 denotes, â€Å"Our fears in Banquo Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature Reigns that which would be feared.† Then at the end of his soliloquy he really expresses his innermost thoughts by saying, â€Å"Only for them, and mine eternal jewel Given to the common enemy of man, To make them Kings, the seed of Banquo Kings!† This showed that he was determined that no- one would interfere with his kingship. Macbeth saw Banquo as simply too strong and honourable a rival to be left alive. Here again, we see that Macbeth and Banquo were closely linked. They were both tragic and doomed with flaws within themselves. Macbeth became obsessed by irrational passions, then anger and fear took hold, resulting in Macbeth having Banquo murdered. Macbeth held a banquet to celebrate his kingship which Banquo had agreed to attend as chief guest. He was indeed chief guest, but only visible to Macbeth as a ghost, taunting him, driving him insane with guilt. Macbeth felt this ghost was real, but it was only an extension of the evil in Macbeth’s troubled mind. This hysterical reaction in Macbeth’s vision aroused the suspicions of the lords attending. All this behaviour exhibited Macbeth as totally deranged, however, it was Banquo who finally exposed Macbeth’s deceptiveness by appearing to him as an ‘avenging angel’ and deeply highlighting Macbeth’s guilt. There were contrasts in Banquo’s character. He was honourable to the King, yet, he was pathetic, unable to act when his suspicions of Macbeth’s evil were obvious. There is also evidence of contrast between Macbeth and Banquo in Act 2. I, when neither of them can sleep. Banquo was tormented by the Witches’ predictions and Macbeth was driven by them. Banquo really wanted what the Witches predicted, but at the same time he wanted to keep a clear conscience. He also observed how Macbeth changed from a loyal warrior into a self-seeking tyrant, but with everything happening so hastily he might not have had the time to act upon his suspicions and maybe he thought about the fact that his suspicions may have been wrong. Banquo clearly displays signs of ambiguity throughout the play.

Helping People in Need a Supererogation or an Obligation

Helping people in need a supererogation or an obligation People in poor nations are starving to death when we are enjoying our delicious meal with our friends and family. There are various governmental aid-projects and privately run charities which are responsible for delivering donations from the relatively wealthy nations to the nations in need. I believe it is a morally right thing to help the people in need, but not every one of us would make donations regularly.Peter Singer uses the drowning child example to make people rethink about this current scenario. He believes that it is our obligation to help the people in poor developing countries. There are objections to his stance, but before considering and discussing from both sides, I am now going to describe and explain the Singer's drowning child example first. Imagine a child is drowning in a shallow pond and saving the child’s life means jumping into the pond and thereby getting one’s clothes wet and muddy. Would you still save the child?All of those having a rational mind will say yes. In spite of the bad consequence of fouling the clothes, saving the child’s life is morally what we ought to do as the importance of the child’s life so far outweighs the little cost of getting one’s clothes wet and muddy. It is within our power to prevent the child’s death without sacrificing something that is of even greater importance. Thus, this is what we ought to do and it is our obligation to prevent something this bad from happening (Singer, 1997).Even when there are other people near the pond who are equally qualified of saving the child but are doing nothing but simply passing by, would you still jump in and save the child? Similarly, all of those being asked said yes. It simply does not make any moral difference to the situation. Undoubtedly, not saving the child in this situation might make one feeling less guilty but everyone thinks that we ought to save the child. We agree that this is our moral obligation and it would be wrong not doing so (Singer, 1997). Then what if the child were being far away, maybe even in another country?Would people still hold the same stance? The answer is yes. Distance and nationality do not make not saving the child just. Whichever child or even adult, if saving his life is what we are able to do without having something of great significance to us being sacrifice, we ought to do that. This is morally what we ought to do without violating other things that are of similar or higher moral importance (Singer, 1972). The situation of the drowning child example is actually synonymous with those hungry children and adults suffering from famine or other disasters, both natural or man-made.If we agree that saving the child that are drowning in a pond is morally what we ought to do and not doing so is unjust, then why should we think otherwise when it comes to helping the people who are suffering in poor developing countries? Why does making regular donations to nations in need not our moral obligation whereas saving the child drowning in a pond is? We have agreed that distance and nationality does not matter in this moral stance. Moreover, the problem of being too far away from the sufferers and we might not be able to come to their aid in time has been overcome by the effort of charities.What is it that stop us from making regular donations? There are explanations to this bipolar situation, giving reasons to help better understanding the causes leading to this global scenario. First of all, saving the drowning child is helping out directly, while making a donation is not. The donation will be distributed to the people in need through the government or some privately run charities. Some of the donation will be used for administrative cost or get swallowed up in corruption.People will never know how much of their donation can really be given to those in need. As corruption is usually a prevalent problem in many of the developing countries, people sometimes have the worry that their donation might not serve to their right purposes but only be ended up in greedy hands. This worry is reasonable but actually most of the donations can get to serve their proper purposes (Giving What We Can, 2012). Although not all of the sum can be used for aid, the part of it that gets to its destination still can make the best of its worth.The aid organizations may not be one-hundred percent efficient, but they can help to solve the problem of distance, serving as an agent for delivery. There are many people around the world who are compassionate about the plight of the others. Charities and governmental organizations collect the aids and help distributing them to the areas in need. I think this is by far the most efficient way of giving out a helping hand. The cost for administration is inevitable and the part of donations spent on it could be seen as for supporting these organizations to keep runnin g.Furthermore, in my point of view, there are always ways to minimize corruption. We can donate money to aid projects that do not involve valuable goods or specifically make donations to programs which serves to tackle the corruption problem in where it is prevailing. The probability of wasting a proportion of the donations should not mean aiding being useless. Those that can get though may make a significant change that we could not imagine. The second explanation is about the psychological difference between the drowning child example and the reality.We feel more related to the sufferers when we could see them. The feeling of guilt for not helping is lesser when we could not see or witness the sufferings (Singer, 1972). Although it makes one feels less guilty without the sight of suffering presenting nearby, it does not make helping those further away a lower priority morally. As we have discussed that distance is not a considering factor in deciding whether it is our obligation t o help or not, both of those from our own country and from the other countries deserve our help.Moreover, in this age of the prosperous development of media technology, charities and governmental aid agencies can effectively show the current situation of the emaciated children to the public. Therefore, it does not sound very plausible to me saying that people not making donations is because of the lack of awareness of the issue. According to Peter Singer, a moral philosopher, if we are able to prevent something very bad from happening, without thereby sacrificing anything morally significant, we ought, morally, to do it (Singer, 1972).Some people object this position. I am going to summarize those objections. For one of the reasons is that this is simply too extreme as most people do not judge those who are ignorant of the others' suffering. People usually criticize those who violate some moral norms, for example: murdering, sex assault,etc. Some writers, including Sidgwick and Urms on, Stated that if the moral code that we set is too hard too uphold, there will be a general breakdown in the moral system (Singer, 1972).The moral code that we are currently using mainly includes not invading the others' privileges, for example: stealing, killing, etc and other things that could help keeping the society safe and sound. Helping the poor nations is not necessary for the wealthy nations. Thus, people usually do not see it as what they must do. This is regrettable but understandable. If making regular donations to those in need is being made to be an obligation and a moral code, it might be too hard for everyone to follow. Eventually, people might choose not to follow anything from the moral code (Singer, 1972).Singer argues that if the conduct is good, why should we categorize it into morally obligatory or morally optional? If morality means doing something good, then shouldn't a good conduct be in the moral code? Moreover, drawing a line to divide conducts into the aforementioned categories is by no means easy. It is hard to define the standard to be used for distinguishing conducts into two kinds. Helping the people in need in other countries is always be defined as a generous and selfless gesture. However, Singer thinks otherwise. He thinks that â€Å"our traditional moral categories are upset†.He objects the traditional distinction that is drawn between duty and charity by using the current standard. It is our moral obligation to prevent as much sufferings as possible in the meantime not sacrificing something else of comparable moral importance (Singer, 1972). How does a man act is actually influenced by the general societal values and the people around him. When a man making a donation or joining voluntary services to help those in need is being praised for his generosity, he would think that what he has done is a supererogation.Actually, coming to the others' aid to prevent suffering without sacrificing as much is an obligation tha t people usually overlook. This situation is for long being shaped by the general social atmosphere and this is what being upsetting. The moral attitude of people is shaped by each other and also the society. Admittedly, helping those is need is always greatly encouraged. However, this is by no means enough. Preventing as much sufferings as possible without causing sacrifices as significant is morally obligatory and not doing so should be seen as unjust (Singer, 1972).I agree with Singer that if it is within one's ability to help, saving other people from suffering seems to be just and morally right, while otherwise seems wrong. Although there might be concerns that what we have given might not be able to serve their greatest worth, I believe that the part of aids that get to the hands of those in need is able to make a significant change in their lives. There are worries that helping those poor developing countries might worsen the current situation. Firstly, those countries usuall y have a higher birth-rate.The aids that we give now would only support them to have a even greater population that the countries themselves are not able to feed (Giving What We Can, 2012). This might leads to a greater demand in foreign help and eventually turns into an ever-expanding cycle. This worry is understandable but there are always other alternatives to help in this kind of situation. For fear of the problem of overpopulation, donations could be made to organizations that help in promoting and enhancing birth-control in the developing countries.Moreover, the reason behind the scene of them having a high birth-rate is the high mortality rate of children. They need a large family size to ensure having enough manpower to take care of the family, to work and to earn. If their lives were not this hard, the birth-rate would presumably decline (Giving What We Can, 2012). The other worry is that the developing countries might become more and more dependent on the aids (Giving What We Can, 2012). This worry is again not necessary as there are many aid projects that are actually aiming at helping those developing nations to be self-supportive.People in some of the poor nations are taught to grow crops for supporting themselves and for selling to make money. Donations could be made to support this kind of projects. Moreover, helping those in need does not necessarily means lengthening their life expectancy but might be about improving their living quality (Giving What We Can, 2012). One example is performing a simple eye operation to cure their eye diseases so that they could see the world more clearly. It is our obligation to help the others in need when it is within our own power without sacrificing something of higher importance.Death and sufferings are things that should be prevented. This is what we ought to do. With the gap between the rich and the poor growing everyday, our moral attitude towards giving out aids should be revised. Helping should not be s een as a supererogation but an moral obligation. References: Giving What We Can. (2012). Myths About Aids, from http://www. givingwhatwecan. org/why-give/myths-about-aid Singer, Peter. (1972). Famine, Affluence, and Morality. Philosophy and Public Affairs, 1(1), 230-234. Singer, Peter. (1997). The Drowning Child and the Expanding Circle. News Internationalist, 1.