Thursday, October 31, 2019

Book review for Eat A Bowl of Tea by Louis Chu Essay

Book review for Eat A Bowl of Tea by Louis Chu - Essay Example Louis Chu â€Å"†¦was born in Toishan, China, in October 1, 1915. Immigrated to the United States†¦.a master’s degree from New York University†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (4).One of the important characters in the story was Ben Loy the son of a â€Å"bachelor† father. After WWII, he was sent to mainland China to get married to his bride Mei Oi and after the marriage he returned to America but lost his sexual powers mysteriously and turned impotent. That was an arranged marriage by the parents of the bride and the bridegroom. Ah Song, a gambler and thug, made use of this opportunity of the sexual disability of Ben Loy and seduced Mei Oi. The story depicts the lifestyles of the people in China Town and the socio-cultural issues with the Chinese Americans of the time and their struggle for assimilation with the mainstream American society. It can be categorized as the social/cultural history of the Chinese Americans. The process of building up of a multicultural and multiethn ic Nation like America is complicated and is beset with many transformational problems. In between race and nation many ancillary issues like historical facts, gender and sexuality exert their presence and pressure strongly. This is validated by Louis Chu in this novel. On the other hand, the issues raked up in â€Å"Comfort Woman† by Okja Keller are more or less identical. Through the struggle of Ben Loy trying to strike the balance between China and America, the author depicts the issues with the Chinese American Society and their efforts to come out of the cocoon of the age-old Chinese traditions. Structural racism of the American system confronts him as he tries to better his economic and social prospectus within the limited opportunities and scarce resources. The scope is narrow and one is not allowed to transcend the limits set forth by the elders of the community. He is not allowed to be innovative and experiment with new business projects and to take independent decis ions. At the personal level he has sexual problems, may be as a consequence of pressure of handling the business that he does under compulsive circumstances and not with pleasure. The problems of Mei Oi were different. The sudden transplantation to the modern country, from a country that still practiced the middle-age traditions and values was like an electrical shock to her and she was finding it tough to come to terms with her new surroundings. She was not provided appropriate guidance and moral support from other female members of the Chinatown. Her husband’s impotency and the resultant depression took her to the portals of adultery for sexual fulfillment. Destiny played its part and things began to shape better when the couple moved to San Francisco, the American city to which the immigrants from China arrived first to make a fresh start in their life. They were able to integrate with the society better here and with that assimilation they began to make efforts for the fr uctification of their dreams. The pursuit of diversity became possible and the current issues took precedence in their lives and they began to enjoy the life of transformation and new joys sprouted forth in their lives. Destiny stuck the benevolent note this time and Jeffery Chan in his introduction to the book writes â€Å"Ben Loy regains his potency by eating a bowl of tea a regimen prescribed by an herbalist†

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Disneys Mission & Values Essay Example for Free

Disneys Mission Values Essay For a company like Disney, maintaining its brand name and reputation is a daily struggle. With its mission statement, value, and approach to social responsibility, management does their best to ensure that no one tarnishes Disney’s good name. Every shareholder, critic, and citizen keeps a close eye on Disney, as the name resonates greatly among children and parents worldwide. So, every year they release a statement presenting and explain their goals online. Last year, it was under the title â€Å"Citizenship Targets 2012. † The following goals and vision will discuss these goals more in depth. Disney’s vision is â€Å"to be the most admired company in the world: equally admired for the integrity of our people and the way we behave as citizens of the world, as we are for the quality of our exceptional entertainment experiences (Citizenship at Disney, 2012).† By acting with integrity, professionalism, and goodwill, Disney work to earn the public trust daily. During the 2013 BCS National Championship game between Notre Dame and Alabama, broadcasters Brent Musberger and Kirk Herbstreit spotted 23-year-old Katherine Webb among the 90,000+ fans attending the game. What followed was a conversation in which both parties recognizing a woman’s beauty (Nordyke, 2013). Many believed that both men were creepy and over the top, prompting ESPN to immediately apologize to the fans for Musberger’s remarks (Soltys, 2013). Though the actual comments were not derogative in any sort of way, because ESPN is under Disney’s control, should management not acted the way they did, the corporation’s reputation would take a hit. Since Disney’s vision is oriented towards family values, this minor incident might have impact the way people see this organization. Aside from this incident, Disney stakeholders have very little reason to complain about their company’s actions throughout the years. Corporate has proven to be transparent on their yearly reports. They first point out that â€Å"working with stakeholders enhances our ability to address issues†¦We actively listen to and learn from stakeholders and provide them with information to better understand our actions and intentions (Corporate Citizenship, 2010, pp 9).† By conducting yearly meetings, providing surveys, and distributing contact information, Disney has done everything in their power to actively engage stakeholders and their concerns. It is rarely seen that a company is so active in connecting with their clients. Yesterland’s founder Werner Weiss shares his experience from the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders: â€Å"The meeting began with a nicely made video about Walt Disney’s connection to Missouri, including his childhood in Marceline, his later childhood in Kansas City, and his pre-Hollywood career in Kansas City. I didn’t expect to learn anything new at the meeting. A shareholder meeting is not a forum for announcements about new attractions or movies. And when a shareholder asks a question about something that might happen in the future, the executive who answers will not knowingly disclose a company secret. Actually, there was an announcement. Disney President and CEO Bob Iger announced Heroes Work Here, a program to provide at least 1,000 jobs throughout the Disney Company for returning U.S. veterans over the next three years (Weiss, 2012).† This is almost expected from Disney when conducting meetings with stakeholders and clients alike. No information is held back. There are no surprises. Since stakeholders invested in the company, such as Weiss’s 38 shares, Disney is upfront to everyone, minimizing any misinterpretation and confusion about their vision towards the future. At the beginning of the year, Disney will set goals on many topics such as waste, water, corporate giving, diversity, and safety. From the 2010 Corporate Citizenship Report, Disney will lay out their goals according to their three main principles: Act, Champion, and Inspire. They work their due diligence to accomplish these goals and look ahead into the future. When the report is finalized and published, Disney does an excellent job in showing both progress and setbacks of these projects. An illustration is shown here (Disney, 2013): According to its 2010 report, for example, Disney’s long term goal is to â€Å"send zero waste to landfill.† To accomplish this, their short-term targets are to â€Å"decrease solid waste to landfill to 50% of 2006 baseline by 2013† and â€Å"increase percentage of purchases that include post-consumer recycled material (Disney â€Å"Environment†, 2013).† From 2009-2010, Disney fell short of their target of 150,000 tons of its waste target. Information such as this gives stakeholders a chance to present ideas in meeting this goal or focus elsewhere. Any company can give positive highlights financially and illustrate their involvement to the community. Yet, how many companies show their failures as well? Among other positive developments coming from their citizenship report (Frost, 2011): * â€Å"Announcement of a comprehensive set of commitments and metrics that address Disney’s worldwide business impacts and opportunities. * Global expansion of programs aimed at inspiring kids, parents, and communities to make a difference in the world. Disney Friends for Change, now in 19 countries, has rallied 2.5 million kids to take pledges for the environment. Disney Magic of Healthy Living, launched in September, partners with parents and kids to make healthy choices simple and fun. * Investment of $15.5 million in carbon offset projects around the world as part of Disney’s Climate Solutions Fund, the Company’s internal carbon pricing program. * Release of Disney’s Human Rights Policy Statement, with the aim of more clearly articulating the Company’s commitment to respecting human rights. * Detailed data and progress updates on Disney’s supply chain and environmental footprint * Corporate charitable contributions of $198 million, and more than 548,000 hours of VoluntEAR service contributed by Disney employees.† With these actions, stakeholders have first-hand information needed when electing officials, and presenting ideas in which to improve the company overall. Not only are they worried about putting a great product, but they also want the see the company’s growth, impact on society, and how they deliver on their missions and values. This, in the end, will affect the bottom line for stakeholders. Disney furthers its goodwill with stakeholders with launching a â€Å"Heroes Work Here† campaign in 2012. This program allows for military veterans to transition to a career in security, finance, legal, information technology, or many other areas that fits their experience. For the next three years, there will be over 1,000 jobs available (Disney â€Å"Heroes†, 2013). It’s Disney’s way of expressing gratitude for those who served this nation. Leading the front in appreciating veterans is ESPN. The sports juggernaut visit military posts, and even host sporting events at their facilities. This past year, ESPN announced a college basketball game featuring Michigan State and North Carolina aboard San Diego Harbor’s USS Carl Vinson. Popular show First Take televised an episode inside Fort Sam Houston near San Antonio, TX. Also, ESPN worked with USO in donations for soldiers serving overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan (Team ESPN, 2013). Disney Initiative At Disney, we are committed to improving the welfare of the environment. Our goals and actions reflect that idea. Though much progress has been made during the past few years, we acknowledge that we have a long way to go in preserving our habitat. As you’ll see on our 2010 Citizenship report, we have an outline on what we can accomplish with your help. Our strategies in preserving our environment will focus on the following: energy, waste, and water. Energy Our long-term goals are to â€Å"achieve zero net direct greenhouse gas emissions† and â€Å"reduce indirect greenhouse gas emissions from electricity consumption.† In order to accomplish that, we achieve to reduce consumption by 10% with our current assets by 2013, and to pursue â€Å"renewable sources of electricity to reduce emissions from electricity.† In 2010, our energy consumption decreased to 6.6% from 2006 (Disney â€Å"Environment†, 2013): Waste In order to help the environment, Disney is targeting a zero waste to landfill long-term. By 2013, we are targeting a 50% solid waste to landfill, which is over 137,556 tons. During this time, we have increased our focus in recycling programs in all venues associated with Disney. For example, all merchandise bags at our resorts are made from 100% recycled plastic. Here is our progress so far (Disney â€Å"Waste†, 2013): Water One of Disney’s most important resources of daily operations is the consummation of freshwater. We are striving to save water for future generations. Without it, we will be unable to supply human needs, ensure healthy ecosystems, and maintaining business security. Disney has begun implementing water consumption plans in 2012. An example lies in our resorts, as new efficient washers were installed in 2010. The new technology has improved efficiency by 20% since then (Disney â€Å"Water†, 2013). With these three programs, Disney is working at making a positive impact on the environment. Your help and contributions can help make a difference. References Disney. (2013). Waste. Retrieved January 17, 2013 from http://corporate.disney.go.com/citizenship2010/environment/overview/waste/ Disney. (2013). Climate and energy. Retrieved January 17, 2013 from http://corporate.disney.go.com/citizenship2010/environment/overview/climateandenergy/ Disney. (2013). Water. Retrieved January 17, 2013 from http://corporate.disney.go.com/citizenship2010/environment/overview/water/ Disney. (2013). Overview. Retrieved January 17, 2013 from http://heroesworkhere.disney.com/overview Frost, J. (2011, March 22). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://thedisneyblog.com/2011/03/22/disney-company-releases-2010-corporate-responsibility-report/ Nordyke, K. (2013, January 08). Espn apologizes for brent musburgers comments about aj mccarrons girlfriend. Retrieved from http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/espn-apologizes-brent-musburgers-comments-410134 Soltys, M. (2013, January 08). Twitlonger [Twitter message]. Retrieved from http://www.twitlonger.com/show/k l9vfj Team ESPN. (2013). Heroes work here. Retrieved January 17, 2013 from http://team.espn.com/top_menu/vets_military Weiss, W. (2012, March 16). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.yesterland.com/wdcmeeting2012.html

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Alfred Hitchcock And Rear Window

Alfred Hitchcock And Rear Window Before Hitchcock became a world-famous director, he was an art director and a set designer. As a result of these experiences, he made huge effort in the design of the set of Rear Window. The set of design in Rear Window can be defined as theatrical, showing only few sets: Jeffs apartment, the courtyard, the complex building, and the tightly street from Jeffs apartment view. Essentially, all of them have no connection but Hitchcock used the cinematic technology to connect Jeffs story and his neighbor. Besides the cinematic technology, Jeffs neurotic or psychotic behavior connects the neighbor in the story of the movie. There are two kinds of narrations Jeff and Hitchcock. The narrative story is about Jeff and Hitchcock points of view and perspective of the neighbor. In some level, it means the reflection of Jeffs feeling and the exploration of the relationship between omniscient (Hitchcock) and subjective (Jeff) narrators. From Rear Window, both of the narrators (i.e. Hitchcock and J eff) reflects Jeff psychological conditions such as anxiety because of career and marriage from the neighbors life through the cinematic technology such as camera movement, framing and editing. The sequence from 2:25-3:32 shows Jeffs anxiety, ambivalence and desire mainly about his career through the camera cuts to various windows of neighbor. The sequence starts when Jeff is sleeping; therefore the camera movement is Hitchcocks prospective. Compare to Jeffs point of view shots in the movie, the camera movement of Hitchcock narration is more mobile. Jeffs narration is shot reaction shot, it reflects his immobility because of his broken leg. On the other hand, Hitchcock as omniscient narrator narrates through the camera movement to engage us in the cause and effect logic to assemble Jeffs story and background; so the audience can understand why Jeff attempted to do later of the films. Hitchcock simply introduced Jeffs neighbor to the audience around the courtyard. Actually he is telling the story of Jeff to the audience. First, the camera cuts to the studio of songwriter who turned off the radio. He turns it off because the announcers question struck the songwriters anxiety. At the same time, the question about the marriage of Lisa causes anxiety to Jeff. He doubts if he is not the right man for Lisa. The photos in her apartment showed that he loves freedom and adventure. More importantly, he is not as rich as Lisa. Therefore he cannot provide the quality of that Lisa is used to be. He is no longer young and he doesnt have a studio. Both of them evade their problems. The songwriter turns off the radio because he doesnt want to face his problem. He thinks there is no way to solve the problem. At the same time, Jeff has no confidence on taking care Lisa as a photographer. It is one of the reasons why he refused Lisas engagement later. Miss Torso showed when the camera continues to pan left after the songwriter, and the childless couples. It is a long shot of her dancing practice in the apartment. The camera focused on her leg that reflected Jeffs desire of physical freedom and his broken leg. He is forced to be immobile; therefore he cannot pursue his goal. He worries about being able to renew his artistic abilities as a photographer after his recovery. Jeff admires the dancer because of the huge efforts she exerted while dancing. He also wants to practice as hard as the dancer. As a photographer, it is shame that he cant take photo in front of the attractive girl; therefore he chose to voyeur. Furthermore, the attractive dancer holds the attention of both Jeff and audiences. In many cases, female characters are the visual pleasure of males in many Hollywood movies. Voyeurism in Rear Window is largely a masculine activity. Jeff understands that unlike the relationship, there is no responsibility after his voyeur. He would rather watch Miss Torso than touch the women next to him. It shows how he tries to escape the marriage and the love of Lisa. Also, Rear Window exposed the psychological obsession of the society. Besides that, Laura Mulvey intensively analyzed the serious voyeurism of Jeff and even Hitchcock in her article called The Oppositional Gaze where she reveals that when Lisa across to the salesman apartment from Jeff apartment, their relationship changed dramatically. It is the first time he uses the lens to voyeur Lisa in distant which is comparable to his voyeurism to Miss Torso. Nevertheless, Mulvey claims that voyeurism is a positive practice. She borrowed Freu ds idea to describe that the audience projects the repressed desire to the female or female character through the point of view editing and identifying the spectator. Most part of the movie are in Jeffs and Hitchcocks point of view. It completely clarifies how the unconscious patriarchal society constructed much of the events in the film. According to Woolrich, the movie is all about women and violence. The scholar Anthony J. Mazzella claims that Apart from the murder victim, the mistress, the forerunner of Miss Lonelyhearts, and the newlywed wife, there are no major women characters in the story. There is no Miss Torsoà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ no Lisa Carol Fremont. (63) The role of women play in the movie is for the male gaze and satisfying the audiences voyeurism. Mazzella informs that in the movie, Mrs. Thorwald was chopped and scattered in the East River. On the other hand, Mr. Thorwald buried her whole body apartment building. The story of film is more attractive to the audience when Jeffs story links with more violence, women then Woolrichs story only links to violence. The next camera sees the children playing, dancing and laughing around the street- cleaning truck wherein the children can cool off by the spray of the truck. Hitchcock is telling through this shot that Jeff is longing. Jeff wants to be like the children who can cool off by the truck in the hot and moist weather. The function of this shot is a wish- an expression of Jeffs desire. Jeff is forced at home already six weeks. He looks like the bird in the cage which showed in the camera before moving back into Jeffs apartment and bringing the prospective from Hitchcock to Jeff. These images function like a mirror to project desires and fears from Jeffs psyche After Hitchcocks prospective of Jeffs feeling, it is point to another scene of Jeff. Now, it is Jeffs turn to tell his psyche about marriage to the audience reflect from his neighbor. In the dialogue with the visiting nurse, Stella; Jeff stated again that Lisa would not be able to adapt his adventurous life, but the truth is that he is afraid that he cannot adapt himself to her needs since he is the exact opposite in her love of fashion, comfort and wealth. It reflected on the newlyweds on the left. Although Jeff feels good about the marriage from the newlyweds in the first time; he slowly realized that the young wifes sexual demands increases and the husband find it difficult to satisfy. In this movie, most of the female characters such as the young wife, Mrs. Thorwald, Miss Lonelyhearts and Lisa rely on the male and asking something from man. The young wife increasing sexual demands, Mrs. Thorwalds constant need for attention from Mr. Thorwald, Miss Lonelyheartss desire of love, an d Lisas desire of stable marriage are showed and threatened Jeff. In the point of view editing links Jeff and the Thorwalds during the phone conversation with Gunnison, his editor at the magazine. It is the first time in the movie that the dialogue and the visual action coincide. As they talk off- screen about marriage, the camera shows Mr. Thorwald and Mrs. Thorwald are arguing. The bad marriage and estrangement relationship also shows in the decoration of the Thorwalds apartment. They occupy separate rooms- Mr. Thorwald, the living room; Mrs. Thorwald, the bedroom. Additionally, the colors of the walls of these rooms are different wherein Mrs. Thorwalds bedroom was painted in a cool color while Mr. Thorwalds living room is painted with warm color. It means Mrs. Thorwald feels suffering and depressing on the invalid and the disloyalty of herhusband. Although Mr. Thorwald suffers the nagging from his wife, he has a mistress; therefore, the color is in warm tone. In Jeffs perception of the Thorwalds marriage is a kind of prison or like a bird trappe d inside the cage. Jeff and Thorwalds are denied of the freedom to move. It refers not only his present immobility of his broken leg but also to his possible marriage to Lisa. The mirroring of shots of dinner with Lisa is more complex than the conversation between Jeff and Gunnison. The dinner shot was built around a pattern of alternation from story- space to story- space or from Jeff as actor to Jeff as spectator. The editing here is same as other point of view shots to establish Jeffs voyeuristic interest in his neighbor. As Lisa prepares dinner for Jeff, Jeff watches Miss Lonelyhearts and links the implicit similarity between her and Lisa who are preparing dinner for a man who is not really here for them. Furthermore when Lisa begins to set the table for dinner, Jeff also looks at Thorwalds who is having dinner. Jeff and Mrs. Thorwald have the implicit similarity which they rebuffed their partners dinner preparing. It shows the relationship of Jeff and Lisa is as worst as the Thorwalds. The Thorwalds marriage made Jeff not to believe in marriage. He doesnt want his marriage look be the same as the Thorwalds; therefore, he denied it to Lisa. Jeff identi fies himself and Mr. Thorwald as unstable men. Jeff likes to take adventure to seek the art and Mr. Thorwald just wants to fool around. Hitchcocks great achievement in the period of his career was showed by Rear Window. Through the narration of Hitchcock and Jeff, the audience realizes Jeffs changing. Before, he likes to put himself in risk and adventure as showed in the photos in the apartment. Jeff develops the narration of Hitchcock by his investigation of the murder case. Finally, Jeff paid the cost of voyeur which his two legs are broken. He decides not voyeur and sleep peacefully. In the final shot about the neighbor is the newlywed wife nagging the husband by Hitchcocks narration. It tells us although the Thorwalds story is end (the new point cover over the bloodstained wall), the problems in marriage does not end and seems to be a repetition of situation between the Thorwalds. These different narrative voices produced a layered narration. Hitchcock provides different mediating agencies to tell story which audience can classify the narrators between omniscient (Hitchcock) and subjective (Jeff). Work Cited Raubicheck, Walter., and Srebnick Walter, ed. Hitchcocks Rereleased Films. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1991. Print. Mulvey, Laura. Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema. Oxford University Press, 1975. Print.

Friday, October 25, 2019

working good :: essays research papers

Related Articles Boost efficiency in your workplace Could a private Web site help your business? 10 tips for using instant messaging for business Related Resources Create an e-mail community Collaborate privately online Upgrade your accounting software Every office harbors inefficiencies — fax machines that don't work properly, files disorganized or missing, high-traffic areas that make productive work impossible. But the number of businesses that simply adapt to poor setups, rather than eliminating them, is surprising. Look around your office for these common office-productivity drains, and follow these eight tips to address them. Outdated technology Computers, printers, software and other technology that have outlived their usefulness can quickly eat into productivity. For example, a graphic designer who works on an underpowered PC may have to wait 20-30 seconds each time an image loads or is saved. Employees who access the Internet with slow dial-up connections face similar problems when Web pages can't be loaded or, worse, crash their PCs. How do you know your technology is dated? As a general rule, if your computer can't run the latest version of a key program, it is probably time for an upgrade. Your investment in new equipment may quickly be recouped in increased workflow. Poorly designed workspace Spend a few days monitoring work patterns to highlight inefficiencies built into the way you work. For instance, you might move to another room anytime you need to lay out papers because you lack enough desktop room. Or maybe you type up notes after finishing a conference call because your phone is too far away from your computer, preventing you from taking notes during the call. Fixing these kinds of productivity saps is often a matter of reorganizing physical workspace. It may be as simple as transferring books away from a countertop or getting a phone extension cord. Inefficient filing systems Disorganized files make it harder to find the information you need when you need it, which can double the amount of time spent on a paper chase. To fix messy filing practices, make sure you and your staffers have the necessary supplies to keep files organized. Assess whether or not you need additional file cabinets to allow all staff members to have easy access to the papers they need. Finally, consider moving inactive files to a storeroom to make it easier for workers to find active files. Untamed information flow The increasing availability of technology such as e-mail and cell phones has inundated the work environment with news, marketing messages, junk mail, and personal communications. working good :: essays research papers Related Articles Boost efficiency in your workplace Could a private Web site help your business? 10 tips for using instant messaging for business Related Resources Create an e-mail community Collaborate privately online Upgrade your accounting software Every office harbors inefficiencies — fax machines that don't work properly, files disorganized or missing, high-traffic areas that make productive work impossible. But the number of businesses that simply adapt to poor setups, rather than eliminating them, is surprising. Look around your office for these common office-productivity drains, and follow these eight tips to address them. Outdated technology Computers, printers, software and other technology that have outlived their usefulness can quickly eat into productivity. For example, a graphic designer who works on an underpowered PC may have to wait 20-30 seconds each time an image loads or is saved. Employees who access the Internet with slow dial-up connections face similar problems when Web pages can't be loaded or, worse, crash their PCs. How do you know your technology is dated? As a general rule, if your computer can't run the latest version of a key program, it is probably time for an upgrade. Your investment in new equipment may quickly be recouped in increased workflow. Poorly designed workspace Spend a few days monitoring work patterns to highlight inefficiencies built into the way you work. For instance, you might move to another room anytime you need to lay out papers because you lack enough desktop room. Or maybe you type up notes after finishing a conference call because your phone is too far away from your computer, preventing you from taking notes during the call. Fixing these kinds of productivity saps is often a matter of reorganizing physical workspace. It may be as simple as transferring books away from a countertop or getting a phone extension cord. Inefficient filing systems Disorganized files make it harder to find the information you need when you need it, which can double the amount of time spent on a paper chase. To fix messy filing practices, make sure you and your staffers have the necessary supplies to keep files organized. Assess whether or not you need additional file cabinets to allow all staff members to have easy access to the papers they need. Finally, consider moving inactive files to a storeroom to make it easier for workers to find active files. Untamed information flow The increasing availability of technology such as e-mail and cell phones has inundated the work environment with news, marketing messages, junk mail, and personal communications.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Emile Durkheim Essay

Emile Durkheim was a French sociologist who is considered to be the founding father of sociology. His contributions were in sociology, Anthropology and religions studies. He published and lectured sociological studies in topics like education, crime, religion, suicide and division of labor. Durkheim was born in Pascoag province of Lorraine, formerly in Germany but presently in France, in 1859, April 15. His family line was of rabbi but he rebelled against this title while still a kid. Much of his work was to show that religions bases were from social issues and not a divine issue. Though he rebelled against his family rabbi tradition, his relationship to the family and the Jewish community was still intact. Most of his collaborators and students were drawn from the Jewish community and was even confirmed under the Jewish traditions at the age of thirteen. He followed the regular system in the secular school and at the same time studied Hebrew, Talmud and Old Testament. He at one time acquired some numinous skills in Catholicism from his female teacher who was a catholic herself. However, soon after, he developed some doubts in religion and withdrew his involvement in it. In the college d’Epinal, he was a precocious scholar and this earned him some prizes and honors. This motivated him towards his ambition and transferred to Lycee Louis-le-Grand, a French high school in Paris. Later in 1879, he joined Ecole Normale Superieure a training institution for French scholars. In the ground, he met some major scholars marking French intellectual life. These were; Henri Bergsona a vitalism philosopher, Jean Jaures a social leader, Rauh, Golot and Blondel all philophers and Peirre Janet a psychologist. His interest is a scientific view to society earned him some opposition towards Ecole Normale academic system. It contained no social science which was Durkheim interest. Instead, humanistic studies dominated the academic system. He rebelled against a course that privileged reading of Latin prose and Greek verse and felt recent scientific discoveries and philosophical doctrines should have been the privileged. He was for a solid and structured learning rather than elegant dabbling system which was even rewarded. In 1882 he finished 2nd last in his graduation class. Despite his rebel nature, he had some good friends like Jean Jaures – a socialist leader. He was known to be intelligent, dedicated, a good moral and scientific instructor. (Caser 143) After spending a year in Germany studying sociology, he returned to Bordeaux where a teacher’s training school had just been started. There, he taught social sciences and pedagogy. He was credited for introducing social sciences in the French curriculum. However, his argument that social science could easily explain morality and religion was criticized. Thereafter in 1890s, it became Durkheim’s period of his significant contribution. In 1893, he published his doctoral dissertation â€Å"The Division of labor in Society†, which was a study of how social order was maintained in differing societies. 1895 published â€Å"Rules of the sociological method† manifesting on sociology definition and how it is supposed to be done. One the same year, 1895, he founded Department of Sociology at the University of Bordeaux. In 1898 he published his increasing students and collaborators works in â€Å"LAnnes Sociologuque† a journal he had founded. In 1897, he published â€Å"Suicide† a study providing examples of what the sociological monograph might look. He used quantitative methods in criminology to explore the different crime rates among Protestants and Catholics. He found the strong social control among catholic reduced suicide rates. In 1902, Durkheim was the permanent chair of education and sociology. In the same year 1912, he published his major work â€Å"The elementary forms of Religious life† During the world war which was characterized by propaganda, Durkheim dropped his position on politics which was patriotic rather than internationalism. His former students had died in the war including his own son. This caused Durkheim mental blows. He had lost his son and his rational secular life had been affected by the war. In 1917, he suffered a stroke from emotional strains and exhaustion, recovered months later and resumed to work but later on the same year died. Emile Durkheim was laid to rest in Paris. (Emile Durkheim) His theories and ideas mainly focused social structural assertions of human social tribulations. He covered the social facts, division of labor, education, crime, punishment law and suicide. In social facts, Durkheim felt that the society is much more than what it meant. He incorporated issue like ethnic and religion background. His priority was not on what influences individuals behaviors or acts but in social facts. His argument about social facts is that its existence is more objective and greater than individual’s actions and who makes a society. He argued that only if people in a society were oriented to a common symbolic representation sets, to a common assumption about the environment, could moral unity prevail. Without them any society irrespective of its modernity or primitive nature would degenerate and decay. (Coser 144) In religion, his views are that it is a pervasive aspect in social structure. It is more human oriented aimed at uniting communities. He looks at it effect on an individual and the way they behave, how it can divide a community and its role in the society. Durkheim defines religion as a cultural system of commonly shared beliefs and rituals that provides a sense of ultimate meaning and purpose by creating an idea of reality based on super natural powers (Giddens 534) In division of labor, he argues that despite it aim for material and intellectual development in the society; it has a moral factor more important in that it enhances social unity among people. He argues that people have something in common. This is what binds them together along traditional lines for they are more or less the same. The highly complex division of labor in modern communities was influenced by ‘organic’ solidarity. Specialization and social roles tie individuals to one another. He argues law is a major symbol in the social unity. Punishments acts in it are meant to sustain the unity. Law is not meant to punish but restrain the existing unity. Durkheim called the breaking of social norms state of anomic. (Calhoun 47) He tried to argue suicide by comparing its rates among the Protestants and Catholics. There was less suicide cases in catholic than in protestant. According to him this was as a result of catholic strict norms. His work has influence control theory of sociology. His view on punishment is that it is important in the society setting. He argues social solidarity can only be maintained through punishment. To avoid law breakers who in turn threaten the social unity in a society, punishments act as a threat. However, he calls for a relevant punishment amount claiming it threatens immorality. On crime, he feels it is useful as it leads to reform. It is a response to a pressing social tension and therefore flushes out the pressing issue off the society. (Parsons 32) As a teacher, he had interest in education. He felt it is an important entity in the social structure as it strengthens social cohesion, maintains social roles and maintains division of labor. Emile Durkheim has over the years influenced sociology scholar. In most cases, they have based their studies in his arguments. In most education curriculum, his sociology initiative has been incorporated. His arguments in almost all the areas in social structure have influenced the modern society. Major education institutes offers courses on sociology all over the world. The study of criminology has based its findings in Emile’s ideas. His sociological theories and ideas have been used to explain the causes of crimes in a society. Policy and law makers have used Durkheim’s ideas in making the law. Courts too in their making of judgments they have based it on his ideas. For example cases of suicide and crimes. His findings have been very significant in trying to understand terrorism and terrorism acts. In the modern society, this has been a major threat to the international unity. Religion has been known to be the root cause of such terrorism acts. The 9/11 us terrorism act was by Islamic extremists. The social control in Islamic does not restrict this and therefore it may not look more of a crime to them. Religion has influenced the society greatly, from politics, rituals and practices. On the religion set social norms, members have behaved and acted according to them. Civil wars in most of the word nations are as a result of social norms conflict among different societies. Most of the crimes against humanities have been important in that it has influenced reforms as per Durkheim ideas. Many societies have learnt from past experiences and have significantly reformed to be stronger and united. However, some societies have released social tensions through criminal activities like wars and the end result have been improved unity. This justifies Durkheim’s idea on crime that it is important in reformation. The United Nation body is significant in the world’s unity. The social norms outlined in its organization have a great influence in controlling the world’s societies in their actions. Exploitation is now reduced and independence has prevailed. On the other hand, the larger community i. e. the world is now much more united. Division of labor which is an evident entity in the modern society is more than just sharing responsibilities and roles. It is very significant in social unity. The coming together of specialists from different background has enhanced interaction and understanding among a larger population. In the labor firms, acts that govern a company have been made by their respective policy makers and are significant in the social unity and in role sharing. Durkeim’s scientific views on the society, his contributions and influences are very visible in the modern society.Therefore, he deserves acknowledgment as the founding father of sociology. Work cited: Coser, . Emile Durkheim the Person: sociology at hewett 1977. Retrieved on Friday, October 17, 2008 from http://www. hewett. norfolk. sch. uk/curric/soc/durkheim/durkper. htm Emile Durkheim Site: Emile Durkheim biography: mosaic Retrieved on Friday, October 17, 2008 from http://www. emiledurkheim. net/ Giddens, A& Griffiths, S . Religion in the modern society: Polity, 2006. 138- 148 Parsons, T. et al . Theories of Society, New York: Free Press, 2006, 33-48 Calhoun, et al: Classical Sociological Theory . Blackwell Publishing, 2007. 45-66

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Holographic Technology

In 1989, Robert Zemicks made a movie starring Michael J. Fox called Back to the Future Part II. Unlike its predecessor, this film saw the protagonist Marty McFly, not going into the past to right wrongs and alter his family history, but going into the future to step in and prevent his children’s terrible fate. Comedy and flux capacitor aside, Zemeciks’ future shows several technological advances that captured the imaginations of not only the generation who were of age at the time of the films release but also generations since.Today, someone has crafted self lacing Nikes, tablet devices, and the hoverboard technology seen in the film is being researched. One stand out piece of tech that is often referenced, other than the flying car, was the holographic shark that jumps out from a marquee and tries to eat Marty. Despite the rudimentary appearance of the Jaws shark that tries to virtually take Mr. McFly’s life, it indeed is an interesting idea. Holographic Technol ogy: The Future of MultimediaHolographic technology is nothing new to the world of science fiction but with today’s technological advancements science fiction is moving off the screen an into our every days lives with holograms following suit. Several companies worldwide have beuan research and implementation of this exciting new 3D tech. This new technology offers an array of possible applications ranging from interactive learning experiences, highly engaging entertainment experiences and an entirely new way to present graphics and multimedia elements.I will research how holographic technology works to better understand what is behind the tech itself, the major players producing holographic technology to learn about where we are with the current state of holographic technology, look into the more cutting edge iterations of holograms to see where the technology is heading to be aware of what can be expected in the future and finally explore the ways that holographic technolog y applies to our field to enhance and revolutionize the possibilities of multimedia technology.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

5 Answers to Questions About Direct Address

5 Answers to Questions About Direct Address 5 Answers to Questions About Direct Address 5 Answers to Questions About Direct Address By Mark Nichol 1. I want to tell athletes at my school, where the mascot is a wildcat, to be proud of their team’s accomplishment. Should I write, â€Å"Be proud Wildcats† or â€Å"Be proud, Wildcats†? I see things like this written all the time without a comma, but something tells me I should include one. You’re right. Both exhortations are correct, but if you write, â€Å"Be proud Wildcats,† you’re telling your readers to be proud Wildcats. â€Å"Be proud, Wildcats† is addressed directly to the athletes; you’re telling the Wildcats to be proud. It’s a subtle difference, but the version with the comma conveys the meaning you want. Also, when pondering whether to write something the way you see it all the time, consider the source: Direct address shows up a lot in informal, conversational (and frequently careless) writing such as email messages and written notes, but in published form, a comma generally (and correctly) separates the term of address from the statement. 2. One issue that comes up in my email communication is the situation in which I am addressing a known group of families, ladies, parents, or students. If I begin my email with â€Å"Hello, Ladies,† should â€Å"Ladies† be capitalized? According to The Gregg Reference Manual, in the salutation of a letter (or an email message) a form of direct address capitalize the first word and all nouns. 3. When should familial terms like mom be capitalized? Capitalize mom and related words when the term is a form of direct address substituting for a name: You’re asking, â€Å"Can I go see a movie, Mom?† just as you would ask, â€Å"Can I go see a movie, Jane?† When you speak of your mother to another person, substituting mom for her name, the word, for the same reason, is capitalized: Compare â€Å"I asked Mom if I could go see a movie† and â€Å"I asked Jane if I could go see a movie.† But if you precede mom with a pronoun, it is a generic noun, equivalent to a designation for any other person: â€Å"I asked my mom if I could go see a movie† is equivalent to â€Å"I asked my dentist if I could go see a movie.† 4. Why is the word miss not capitalized in your example â€Å"Please, miss, can you tell me the time?† The capitalization system for addressing people by a term other than a name is confusing. The first letters of words for job and familial titles are capitalized, but titles of respect like sir and miss, as well as terms of endearment (such as dear), are styled entirely in lowercase letters. 5. In â€Å"Your majesty, his imperial highness summons the prince to the Command Council Tent,† should I change his to His? Yes, but you shouldn’t uppercase only the first letter of his. Both â€Å"your majesty† and â€Å"his imperial highness† are used as titles; thus, all those words should be initially capitalized: â€Å"Your Majesty, His Imperial Highness summons the prince to the Command Council’s tent.† Technically, because â€Å"his imperial highness† is in the third person, it should not be initial-capped unless it precedes the person’s name, but such courtesies for monarchs are often excepted from this rule. (Also, if there is an official body called the Command Council, by all means capitalize its name. However, although you would capitalize room or chamber, for example, if there were a designated space for it to meet, because of a tent’s ephemeral nature, I don’t think tent merits the same treatment. Note that in the reference to the Command Council, I’ve made that body’s name possessive.) Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Style category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:When to Use â€Å"That,† â€Å"Which,† and â€Å"Who†People versus Persons10 Tips About How to Write a Caption

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Functions of Management Paper

Functions of Management Paper Introduction Management is the process of operating with individuals and resources to achieve organizational aims with efficiency and competence. The business world is dynamic and is characterized by a number of organizational changes, which calls for managers to be conversant in their work to maintain focus through embracing new approaches regarding planning, organizing, leading, and controlling.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Functions of Management Paper specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Planning is identifying the goals to be accomplished while taking prior evaluation of the crucial steps that requires to be handled to accomplish these goals. They entail examining current circumstances, foreseeing the future, shaping objectives, deciding on corporate policies, shaping the resources required to surface the company’s goals, and making the right decisions in what actions the firm needs to undertake. Planning awards strategic value which is described as the financial status attributed to the nature of the workforce in accomplishing the user’s desires. The value becomes strategic when geared at achieving the set goals in an organization (Walker et al, 2009). My organization requires that evaluations be made on the ways of adding value, which not only develops personal potential but also augments performance, hence supplementing career skills. For that reason, planning is required by chief executives to create and implement business policies. It is a continuous process where intelligence is employed through including all stakeholders’ views in cultivating and retaining competitive advantage in the dynamic business world as influenced by politics, globalization, and technological advancements. Organizing is bringing together and coordinating the resources required accomplishing organization goals. This involves ways of drawing stakeholders in the organization, stating job a ccountability and categorizing it into work units, shepherding and allotting resources and creating a favorable environment for the workforce to attain maximum productivity. Organizing is applied in my organization and aims at attaining a dynamic organization through recognition of business functions, initiating report dealings and forming a personnel department meant to handle the strategies, programs and other formalities. Organizing leads to flexibility and adaptability in the competitive business world through evolving human resource performance.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Leading is motivating individuals to become elevated performers through proper communications though personal interactions or as a group. It entails close interactions and teamwork while steering and stimulating people to attain organization goals. Teamwork is a vital component of lead ership, which managers cultivate to attain management skills in mobilizing individuals who reinforce their concepts and innovations (Walker et al, 2009). In my organization, motivation is vital in leadership to enhance the workforce productivity by encouraging teamwork and working on interpersonal interactions Controlling is defined as being knowledgeable in monitoring and shifting performance in an organization. It coexists with planning, organizing and leading to accomplish the organization’s success. Other than ensuring proper use of resources, controlling also ensures that the firm is attaining safety and quality mission. Through monitoring and using technological innovations, safety measures are maintained to ensure that the clients and workforce are safe. In my organization, it is essential to measure the standards of goods and services that customers consume to make sure they are free of any toxic contaminant through working in a clean certified environment. Safety m easures not only relieve the company of unnecessary litigation procedures but also help retain the company’s public image and reputation (Mathis Jackson, 2008). Controlling ensures that company’s goals are attained as planned and helps make the needed alterations for business success. Conclusion It is clear that managers today are faced with the task of ensuring they are updated with various dynamic occurrences in the global market so as to maintain a competitive advantage. Using the four concepts in management helps to increase efficiency and mobilize talents for future undertakings. Sufficient interest and resources should be devoted on the four concepts to realize paramount managerial skills without neglecting any of them.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Functions of Management Paper specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More References Mathis, R. L. Jackson, J. J. (2008). Human resource management. Boulev ard Mason: Thomson Cengage Learning. Walker, J. R., Miller, J. E. McBee, L. J. (2009). Supervision in the Hospitality Industry: Leading Human Resources (8th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Charge of the Light Brigade Analysis Essay Example for Free

Charge of the Light Brigade Analysis Essay Charge of the Light Brigade Mini-analysis The poem, Charge of the Light Brigade, has quite a complex rhyming scheme which can make the poem difficult to understand at first. I think that he may have designed it this way to instil a feeling of victory and valour at the end of the poem. I would argue that this, along with other literary techniques, shows that Tennyson was successful in glorifying the Charge of the Light Brigade in his poem. As I mentioned before, the rhyming scheme is an integral part of the poem. The rhyming varies for each stanza, which at first seems like a large fault of the poem. The length of each stanza lengthens as the poem goes on, perhaps trying to simulate how the battle escalated. This pattern continues on until the last stanza where the number of lines is significantly reduced. This indicates the resolution of the poem. For the first verse, Tennyson utilizes an ABA pattern for the first half. â€Å"Half a league, half a league, half a league onward. † A large part of the poem is the repetition. This repetition of certain phrases creates a rhythm not unlike the galloping of horse’s hooves on the ground. This creates a feeling of verisimilitude and provides an authentic experience for the reader. The repeated phrase, â€Å"Cannon to the right of them/Cannon to the left of them/Cannon in front of them. † suggests that they were surrounded by enemies on all sides. The sentence also suggests the large imbalance of numbers on the British side compared to the Russians. This emphasises the victory at the end of the poem. While Tennyson tried hard to glorify the Charge of the Light Brigade, he also attempted to express the large amount of casualties as well. Tennyson utilized metaphor and allusion to acknowledge the amount of death on the field without being overly graphic in his description. He used the phrase, â€Å"Into the jaws of Death/Into the mouth of Hell† repeatedly to further his point. In my opinion, Tennyson accurately portrayed and glorified the Charge of the Light Brigade in his poem, using a variety of literary techniques. Charge of the Light Brigade Analysis. (2018, Oct 13).

Friday, October 18, 2019

Power of Multinational Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 1

Power of Multinational - Essay Example t its CEO in the five years prior to its rise to power (1995-2000) is Richard Cheney, the Vice President of the United States of America since 2000 and who lies second only to George W. Bush as the most powerful man in the world. This paper investigates the company’s rise to power, the perceived role of Mr. Cheney in the company’s success, and how the company exercises its growing power in the world’s political and economic environments. Beginning with a review of available literature on the power of multinational enterprises and how they exercise this power over nations and governments through the instrument of foreign direct investments, the paper looks at the techniques of strategic analyses to gain a deeper understanding of the company and the nation where it took root: America. Using the SLEPT/EE strategic analysis framework provides an in-depth look into the workings of the multinational enterprise and the thinking processes of its managers to discover a link between American history and the behaviour of America’s business and political institutions. The paper concludes by establishing a link that explains the consistency between the known American past, the traditional links between business, politics, and democracy, and the justifications for Halliburton’s exercise of power. This paper investigates the economic and political power of American multinational enterprises and explores the thesis that this explains America’s rise to globalism. Focusing on the American oil industry and specifically the Halliburton Oil Company, an analysis is made of the dynamics of business and government power in the light of contemporary issues using the SLEPT/EE strategic framework. The findings determine the accuracy of the thesis. This research paper looks at how a formerly obscure oil company rose to prominence in the past decade, investigates the role played by its former CEO who happens to be the incumbent Vice President of the United States of

Barbie and Mattel Corporation Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Barbie and Mattel Corporation - Term Paper Example Creating a brand name serves as the best way to achieve this objective. This was the main story behind the success of Barbie in Mattel Corporation. Handler and Elliot modeled a success story by taking a different approach in that designing and modeling Barbie differently from other dolls in the market, which are susceptible to fashion and fickleness. Since customers are aware of an existing similar brand in the market, they are more likely to be more attached to a brand extension that provides better utility as compared to a new product (Arslan & Altuona, 2010). The success behind Barbie was that while other dolls were modeled on the prospect of being tender and dependent , Mattel developed a completely different approach of the same dolls by making Barbie to appear independent and having an elaborated adult figure that portrayed compete femininity that many girls of different ages were attracted to or tried to emulate. This was better enhanced by providing Barbie with different hair styles, mood expressions and different expressions of careers. Barbie according to these aspects became more than a doll in the lives of many young and middle age girls, in that Barbie had a different lovely expression to each age group. This was the story behind creating a brand name in dolls industry that made Barbie to become a lifestyle for many. Though Barbie was hardly a high tech product, it was through innovation that Mattel made the model to be a brand name in the market. The idea of innovativeness and extensions made the two to adopt a different approach that made the product a brand name in the market. An existing product can be created into a new product through brand extension that is much cheaper as compared to introducing a new product in the market (Arslan & Altuona, 2010). Largely brand extensions provide a better way to making brand recognition and image in venturing new markets (Aaker & Keller, 1990).  

How to make Good Decisions in Business or something like that Essay

How to make Good Decisions in Business or something like that - Essay Example The need to take action in time is testing the limits of the command-and-control model that has subjugated commercial and military leadership for generations. To maintain a bias for action and stay centered on the appropriate goals both realms are coalescing around and emerging leadership model that rebalances traditional attitudes toward two crucial decision factors: risk and control. (Garvin, 108-116) In the corporate world today, decision makers need to have a higher tolerance for, and comfort level with risk. Multi month task forces are the buggy whips of leadership. Today, failure to decide and act quickly can pre-empt options altogether. However, business decisions are frequently made on input information that are either biased or manipulated. Input bias is defined as the systematic misuse of input information in judgments of outcome quality. While researchers note that the quality of a decision is often "positively related" to the quantity of the inputs used to make that decision, the relationship between input quantity and output quality is not automatic. In many cases, inputs are misused, misrepresented or even negatively related to outcome quality. a) Poor Framing: This involves allowing a decision to be "framed" by the language or context in which it is presented. Often times, in making a decision, the whole system or situation surrounding the problem or opportunity needs to be carefully analyzed. (Andrew, 8) For example an opportunity that arose from a visit to ones village should not necessarily translate to the decision being centered only in that village. It may even be that the decision to provide a service in that village is transferred somewhere else since the success guarantee in higher in another location. b) Recent Effects: Making decisions based on recently seen information. It may also be known as availability bias. A careful analysis of that information may have eventually

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Social work methods in practice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Social work methods in practice - Essay Example This became the basis of therapeutic work; the use of physical surroundings and how people related to others to tackle psychological problems. (Anning et al, 2006) There are a number of procedures that may be followed when a social work is carrying out therapeutic work. Some of these include creation of an approachable and comfortable which allows the child to open up easily. The therapist must not hold any inhibitions or preconceived notions about the child for critical work. It is also imperative to ensure all feelings are read promptly and necessary action taken in response to these feelings. A social worker must not underestimate the child's capacity to resolve his/her own struggles. Children must be allowed to express themselves freely without the social worker trying to steer the conversation in a certain direction. Ample time should also be given to the therapeutic session so that all the underlying aspects of the problem are uncovered. Lastly, the social worker must ensure that some boundaries have been sent because children need boundaries to make them feel protected. Boundaries also reinforce the child's feelings of trust towards the social worker. One should also ensure that they let the child know that whatever the child is confiding in them will remain confidential. (Beckett and Walker, 2004) The model is Why the model is a form of good working practise The model is appropriate because it has shown a good share of results. In a study done on some children who had been institutionalised and then taken through therapeutic care, it was found that majority of the children did not go back to the institution and showed positive result in their behaviour. (Trevithick, 2006) Research has also shown that children who undergo therapy when displaying symptoms of constant delinquency have less chances of being confined. These children have also been reported to showing fewer outbursts or they do so in fewer days than before they started the therapy. This model of social work is also good working practise because it deals with children exhibiting socially deviant behaviour. It has resulted in less chance of children running away from their homes especially those who have been adopted. Lastly, the model helps children with low self esteem because it makes them feel important. It also helps children who lack a self identity. Through the interactions between the child and the social worker, definition of what determines a child's identity are set and it becomes possible for the child to be able to relate well with all the people surrounding them. This is due to the fact that a chid will be able to relate well with all other people surrounding them. (Trevithick, 2006) Advantages and disadvantages of therapeutic work with children Advantages This model is quite flexible. It allows children to express themselves in an environment that is natural and free t them. Such an environment has always been accredited with giving good results as it breaks down barriers between the social worker and the child. This flexibility does not in any way compromise the centre of the method. This is because there are a number of limits and boundaries that are set by the counsellor and children are able to work within these limits. (Hill, 1999) The method has a strong theoretical basis. It is important for a model to merge theoretical values with a practical approach. This

Discussion Question 2 Week 8 Capital Structure Decisions Assignment

Discussion Question 2 Week 8 Capital Structure Decisions - Assignment Example This is where companies with higher amount of debt are riskier. Decisions on the capital structure of a company will be influenced by the business risk of the company, the management style, the market conditions and the growth rate (Bierman, 2003). Therefore, any approach taken when making this decision should consider these factors. There are a number of theories to capital structure, which include: the net income theory of capital structure. This theory encourages companies to decrease their cost of capital and increase their market value. This is by increasing debt and decreasing equity, also known as having a financial leverage. The second theory of capital structure is the net operating theory of capital structure. This method does not agree with increasing the financial leverage as in the net income theory. This means that change in capital structure has no effect on the company’s market value. There is also the Modigliani and miller method which states that no relations hip exists between the capital structure of the company and its cost of capital (Shim, 2008). This theory indicates that the cost of capital plus the value of any company depend on the expectations of investors. Finally, there is the traditional theory of capital structure which combines net operating income approach and the net income approach. It involves increasing the debt which raises the market value of the company until an optimal level. Looking at the theories, it is clear that the traditional theory of capital structure is the most applicable across the widest number of scenarios. This is because this method looks at the best mix of debt and equity while ensuring that the company does not go beyond the optimal level. This optimal level ensures that the market value of the company does not decrease and thus the stock prices remain optimal. Since this method optimizes the stock prices, the weighted-average cost of capital will

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

How to make Good Decisions in Business or something like that Essay

How to make Good Decisions in Business or something like that - Essay Example The need to take action in time is testing the limits of the command-and-control model that has subjugated commercial and military leadership for generations. To maintain a bias for action and stay centered on the appropriate goals both realms are coalescing around and emerging leadership model that rebalances traditional attitudes toward two crucial decision factors: risk and control. (Garvin, 108-116) In the corporate world today, decision makers need to have a higher tolerance for, and comfort level with risk. Multi month task forces are the buggy whips of leadership. Today, failure to decide and act quickly can pre-empt options altogether. However, business decisions are frequently made on input information that are either biased or manipulated. Input bias is defined as the systematic misuse of input information in judgments of outcome quality. While researchers note that the quality of a decision is often "positively related" to the quantity of the inputs used to make that decision, the relationship between input quantity and output quality is not automatic. In many cases, inputs are misused, misrepresented or even negatively related to outcome quality. a) Poor Framing: This involves allowing a decision to be "framed" by the language or context in which it is presented. Often times, in making a decision, the whole system or situation surrounding the problem or opportunity needs to be carefully analyzed. (Andrew, 8) For example an opportunity that arose from a visit to ones village should not necessarily translate to the decision being centered only in that village. It may even be that the decision to provide a service in that village is transferred somewhere else since the success guarantee in higher in another location. b) Recent Effects: Making decisions based on recently seen information. It may also be known as availability bias. A careful analysis of that information may have eventually

Discussion Question 2 Week 8 Capital Structure Decisions Assignment

Discussion Question 2 Week 8 Capital Structure Decisions - Assignment Example This is where companies with higher amount of debt are riskier. Decisions on the capital structure of a company will be influenced by the business risk of the company, the management style, the market conditions and the growth rate (Bierman, 2003). Therefore, any approach taken when making this decision should consider these factors. There are a number of theories to capital structure, which include: the net income theory of capital structure. This theory encourages companies to decrease their cost of capital and increase their market value. This is by increasing debt and decreasing equity, also known as having a financial leverage. The second theory of capital structure is the net operating theory of capital structure. This method does not agree with increasing the financial leverage as in the net income theory. This means that change in capital structure has no effect on the company’s market value. There is also the Modigliani and miller method which states that no relations hip exists between the capital structure of the company and its cost of capital (Shim, 2008). This theory indicates that the cost of capital plus the value of any company depend on the expectations of investors. Finally, there is the traditional theory of capital structure which combines net operating income approach and the net income approach. It involves increasing the debt which raises the market value of the company until an optimal level. Looking at the theories, it is clear that the traditional theory of capital structure is the most applicable across the widest number of scenarios. This is because this method looks at the best mix of debt and equity while ensuring that the company does not go beyond the optimal level. This optimal level ensures that the market value of the company does not decrease and thus the stock prices remain optimal. Since this method optimizes the stock prices, the weighted-average cost of capital will

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Business related Essay Example for Free

Business related Essay 1. Define Marketing. What is marketing process as set out in your text book. Explain the various elements of marketing process. ( LO1; Assessment Criteria 1.1) 2. Select an organization of your choice, identify the marketing orientation it focuses on and evaluate the benefits and costs of the marketing orientation for the selected organization ( LO1; Assessment Criteria 1.2) 3. The Dunkin’ Donut Case: ( LO1; Assessment Criteria 1.2) For more than 50 years, Dunkin’ Donuts has offered customers throughout the United States, and around the world, a consistent experience – the same donuts, the same coffee, the same store dà ©cor – each time a customer drops in. Although the chain now offers iced coffee, breakfast sandwiches, smoothies, gourmet cookies, and Dunkin’ Dawgs in addition to the old standbys, devoted customers argue that it’s the coffee that sets Dunkin’ Donut apart. To keepcustomers coming back, the chain still relies on the recipe that founder Bill Rosenberg crafted more than 50 years ago. The company is so concerned about offering a consistent, high-quality cup of coffee that managers in Dunkin’ Donut’s â€Å"Tree-to-Cup† program monitor the progress of its coffee beans from the farm to the restaurant. The result? Dunkin Donuts sells more cups of coffee than any other retailer in the United States – 30 cups a second, nearly one billion cups each year. Building on that success, the company plans to more than triple its current number of stores, amassing 15,000 franchises by the year 2015. What marketing orientation does Dunkin Donut follow here and why? Give reasons and justification Learning Outcome/s achieved in the assignment: By completing this assignment successfully, the student will achieve the following learning outcome:Learning Outcome LO1 Understand the concept and process of marketing Assessment Criteria 1.1 explain the various elements of the marketing process 1.2 evaluate the benefits and costs of a marketing orientation for a selected organisation Grading Criteria PASS The student will be awarded a PASS grade if he/she achieves all assessment criteria MERIT: The student will be awarded a Merit grade if he/she The learners evidence shows for : M1 Identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutions †¢ effective judgements have been made †¢ complex problems with more than one variable have been explored †¢ an effective approach to study and research has been applied DISTINCTION: The student will be awarded a Distinction grade if he/she The learners evidence shows for: †¢ conclusions have been arrived at through synthesis of ideas and have been justified D1 Use critical reflection to evaluate own work †¢ the validity of results has been evaluated using and justify valid conclusions defined criteria †¢ self-criticism of approach has taken place †¢ realistic improvements have been proposed against defined characteristics for success

Monday, October 14, 2019

Significant Market Position Toshiba Marketing Essay

Significant Market Position Toshiba Marketing Essay Toshiba is a strong and respected name in the market with a well-deserved reputation for innovation, high performance and reliability. We have represented the brand in Ireland since 1982 and, by combining our strengths with those of Toshiba, we have carved out a significant market share. Broad diversified product portfolio Toshiba is a diversified manufacturer and marketer of advanced electronic and electrical products. Its product portfolio includes information and communications equipment and systems, internet based solutions and services, electronic components and materials, power system, industrial and social infrastructure systems, and household appliances. Strong research and development Toshiba has strong commitment to research and development programs. In an average year Toshiba is awarded more than 5,000 patents, many of which find their way either directly or indirectly into our multi-functional office solutions products. Enhancement of customer satisfaction Adhering to the Toshiba Group Customer Satisfaction Policy established in 2003, we aim to enhance customer satisfaction (CS) through the provision of safe and innovative products, systems and services as well as through communication with customers. Toshiba Group Customer Satisfaction Policy We make the voice of customers the starting point for all ideas and provide products, systems and services that deliver customer satisfaction. We provide products, systems and services that are safe and reliable. We respond to requests and inquiries from customers sincerely, rapidly and appropriately. We value the voice of customers and endeavor to develop and improve products, systems and services to deliver customer satisfaction. We provide appropriate information to customers. We protect personal data provided by customers. Weaknesses High debt In fiscal 2008, Toshiba placed a high priority on recovering its drastically eroded shareholders equity. The company is now making efforts to reduce debt in order to establish a solid financial profile by March 2012. Towards this goal, the company announced a policy to constrain capital investment, particularly in the semiconductor business. Standard Poors considers Toshibas conservative financial policy to be further evidenced by the implementation of a number of planned financial activities. These include capital enhancement through an increase in common stocks and the refinancing of short-term debt by the issuance of subordinated bonds. Standard Poors will closely monitor whether the company can improve its financial indicators as planned, through the consistent reduction of fixed costs and capital investments. Lack of manpower After four months of struggle and weeks of intense negotiations, workers and management at Toshiba Consumer Products Indonesia reached a settlement: 682 workers will be reinstated, but 15 local union leaders will not get their jobs back. Over leveraged financial position Year over year, Toshiba Corporation has seen revenues fall from $80.4B to $76.6B. This along with an increase in the cost of goods sold expense has led to a reduction in the bottom line from $1.7B to $925.7M. Ubiquitiouegory, products, services Cloud services will become truly ubiquitous, omnipresent. It is the broader access to most recent content and information plus the benefit of a vast social community contributing to its discovery and consumption adding, recommending, rating and prioritizing content and information that will make cloud services an increasingly indispensable element in consumers evolving digital lifestyle. Sun Zi said: When victory is long overdue, weapons will be blunt and the morale (and motivation) of the troops will be adversely affected. In war, it is better to go for swift victories rather than engage in prolonged military campaigns. Sun Zi also said: Therefore, generals who do not thoroughly comprehend the inherent dangers of deploying troops are unlikely to understand the advantages of using troops. Opportunities Market Recently Toshiba just launch the 12 new products in the Bangladesh. Bangladesh have a large population approximately 160 million. Toshiba has working with Smart Technologies BD Limited (STBL) Bangladesh Company since last 3 years. In this 3 year, Toshiba Company found that Bangladesh market impressive increase in term of sales volume and growth. Bangladesh is developing and has high potential in market. Global expansion It can let the profit or income of the Toshiba Company to increase or growing the market value of the Toshiba Company among the world. The popularities can also increase by this way. Without affecting quality and customer service, global expansion can maximizing profitability in all areas of the Toshiba Company. For instance, by developing the new marketing strategies in those regions, it can make let Toshiba Companys loyalty customers to buy their products. Global expansion can also help to leads to leveraging of expertise. With global expansion, leveraging any know-how or expertise in overseas production is prudent. Future plans Toshiba aim to double its annual profit in three year. The worlds No.2 maker of NAND flashes chips, behind the Samsung electronics. The firm is going to shift its focus to emerge economies and growing market after the demand for television fall dramatically than expected in the previous year. Besides that, Toshiba Company also interested in making money through nuclear power, they plan to buy 20 percent of share from the U.S nuclear power company in the next January. Toshiba is going to invest about $4.3 billion dollar to build new flash memory facility, in order to catch up the leader Samsung electronics, aiming to triple its manufacture capacity. Moreover, Toshiba plan to roll out a home storage battery system that can keep the appliances running for a good part all the day long. Toshiba developed a storage battery system that makes use of the Toshiba technology for rechargeable batteries. This storage battery can work up to 12 hour. Threats Competition Being an electronic company, in this environment of course there will be a lot of competitor. For example, the competitor for the Toshiba Company likes Samsung, Apple, HP, Dell, and other company that focus electronic production. These companies have created threats for the Toshiba Company. The tablets that made by Toshiba is not really attracted by consumer, because Apple and Samsung are leading on this market products. Besides that, Toshiba main production is notebook, although this is their priority product, but a lot of competitor also produces various type of notebook. Although they made a quality, productivity and user friendly notebook, but Toshiba still behind the other competitor that leading them by brand name position on customer heart. External changes This changes is depends on the government taxes and politics in the certain country that the Toshiba company invest in. First and foremost, government taxes and politics have created a burden to all company. As taxes increase its have the same effect that the company need to cover the cost of the good that rise such as electricity and input, all company are established because their purpose is profit.

Sunday, October 13, 2019

Audrey Hepburn :: Biography

Audrey Hepburn was loved all over the world and was a very influential, successful actress. She was known for acting, modeling, and dancing. Many women in the world looked to Audrey as their idol. She was influenced by many things that happened during her early life. In Brussels, Belgium Audrey Kathleen Hepburn was born on May 4, 1929. As an infant she almost nearly died from a case of whooping cough because her mother did not believe in doctors she believed in prayers only (Gitlin 1). Audrey was different from a lot of kids when growing up she was a shy, but had a wild imagination. She imaged a fairly castle with nature’s wonders of trees or bushes (Gitlin 3). Hepburn attended an academy for girls in Kent from 1935-1938 (Audrey Hepburn). Audrey and her mother, Ella, were abandoned by Audrey’s father because he was so involved with the Fascist movement. He was very motivated by his increased political passions (Gitlin 6). Audrey’s Grandparents took her and her mother fifty miles southeast of Amsterdam and helped then through the hard time of Audrey’s dad leaving them. After some time had passed on Audrey’s father, Joseph moved to London and asked for visitation rights (Gitlin 6). In 1939- 1945 Hepburn traine d in ballet in Arnhem Conservatory. Audrey became so well at doing ballet in 1944 she danced for groups of people to collect money for underground movement. Later she said, â€Å"The best audience I ever had made not a single sound at the end of my performance’’ (Audrey Hepburn). While attending boarding school, World War II broke out but Audrey focused on ballet. Ella did not feel safe in their location because of the war. The two of them relocated to Holland but soon no country will be safe in Europe because of the German attack (Gitlin 8). Ella and her daughter had to be separated during the war for a while because of all the danger zones. One of the last planes was traveling from England to Holland and they managed to make it. This was the last time Audrey would ever be able to see her father again because of his conversions to Nazism was complete (Gitlin 8 ). Audrey was able to enroll in Arnhem Conservatory of music and dance during this hard ship. The school wasn’t the best in Europe, but they did help her out with her posture and flexibility.

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Disagreement with Sigmond Freuds The Future of an Illiusion Essay

To a certain extent I can agree with Freud’s views on natural instinct. Without manmade laws and â€Å"coercion† or rules that are presented by God, civilization would not survive or even have been born. Yet, as is the case with many other people, I disagree with his views on religion. I do not believe that religion was created by man, but by a higher being. It is impossible for me to believe that science will destroy religion because for every question science answers many more questions arise. The more science reveals about nature the more apparent it is to me that only a higher being could have created everything. As Freud states I am one of the unpersuadable. Civilization is not only made by technological development but also by a set of rules. The rules remove man’s foul instincts such as â€Å"killing, incest, and cannibalism†, which are the elements that work to destroy civilization. Without guidelines or laws our actions would be the same as those of wild animals. Freud says that these laws and doctrines were established so that we could unite and band against the our enemy nature. Imposing laws upon people is a necessary element, yet it causes people to resent this coercion away from their natural instincts. After being forced against their will these people begin to hate civilization but at the same time they continue to love it because it provides them with their necessities to live. Freud calls the people the â€Å"masses† because they are the majority of civilization. He says that they are ignorant and lazy, because of this, it easy for them to lapse back to instinctual behavior and into the chaos of nature. "Name" 2 Freud says civilization is founded on religion. For example, T... ...Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is a good example of Freud’s envisioned civilization. Instead relying on a higher being, the state "name" 4 was to meet all of the people’s needs. When the country failed economically, there were generations of atheists with no belief system to guide them. This country collapsed because of many reasons but one of them could be the lack of religion. After reading The Future of an Illusion I wondered why Freud was so strongly set against God. Instead of basing his beliefs on faith, he invested himself in the scientific method. Since he could not conduct experiments that led him to the answer, he concluded that it was impossible for a God to exist. Maybe science will one day explain the phenomenona of today, but there will always be unanswered questions. A discovery will only lead to more questions.

Friday, October 11, 2019

‘Macbeth’ by William Shakespeare Essay

Shakespeare wrote ‘Macbeth’ between 1603 and 1606 for King James 1st (England) and 6th (Scotland). It’s about a tale of royalty treachery heroes and witches. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1 the public were full of tales of witches and evil. Witchcraft was a subject that the English took very seriously. They believed that a witch had a third nipple under her arm. They burned women or threw them in lakes to see if they floated, if they did, they were sentenced to death. It is estimated that in Scotland between 1564 and 1603 eight thousand suspected witches were burned to death. These executions did not cease until the end of the seventeenth century. The sight of witches in an Elizabethan theatre would have been terrifying for the audience. For my English coursework on Macbeth I have chosen to look at act one scene one, two and three. This is due to the simple fact that it is the introduction to the play and indeed it sets the feel to the whole play In Shakespeare’s play, we open during a thunderstorm; this prepares us for the evil witches. Three witches come onto the stage: ‘When shall we three meet again In thunder, lightning, or in rain?’ The first witch asks what the setting shall be for their next meeting, thunder, lightning and rain conditions that most people would find frightening and would stay away from. The second witch says that they will meet: ‘When the hurlyburly’s done, When the battle’s lost and won.’ We then find out that they are going to meet on ‘the heath.’ They have insight into the future. The witches tell us that they are going to meet Macbeth. We do not know who Macbeth is or why the witches are meeting him, but we think that he must be evil because he is linked with the witches. Their familiars call to them and they disappear chanting: ‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair:’ This expresses the main themes in the play, the reversal of fortunes, and the fact that appearance can be deceptive. And we later see Macbeth is ‘fair’ in Duncan’s eyes but underneath he is ‘foul’, he will later betray Duncan. The opening scene is exactly thirteen lines long, thirteen is unlucky and in those times unlucky things were bad. So by this point the audience will have picked up that these are bad people. Scene two opens in a camp near the battlefield; King Duncan, Malcolm and Donalbain, his sons, and Lennox are present. They see a bleeding Captain and ask him how the battle is going. The Captain tells them how well Macbeth fights: ‘For brave Macbeth – well he deserves that name-†¦ Till he unseamed him from the nave to the chops, And fixed his head upon our battlements.’ This is portraying a picture of a tall and strong man who is highly regarded by the experienced fighters in the army. Duncan then praises Macbeth by calling him ‘O valiant cousin, worthy gentleman’ This presents us with a very different view of the main character, a relative of the king’s, well brought up, a courtier, but still highly regarded. The Captain then goes on to tell us of how Macbeth and Banquo responded to a fresh attack by the Norweyan lord, Sweno: ‘†¦they Doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe. Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds, Or to memorise another Golgotha, I cannot tell-‘ Macbeth and Banquo had fought back twice as hard as if they meant to kill every man there or to create a new burial ground, he could not tell. This shows how good and strong Macbeth is in battle. The Captain goes and Ross and Angus arrive. They tell Duncan that ‘Bellona’s bridegroom’ had won the battle. Macbeth had won and they were painting him as a god. They also tell Duncan that the Thane of Cawdor was a traitor’, Duncan decides to reward Macbeth by giving him the Thane of Cawdor’s title. This is ironic because Macbeth will become a traitor too. We now have two opinions of Macbeth, one evil Macbeth, linked to the witches, and one good Macbeth, a noble warrior who has fought well in battle to protect his country. The third scene is set on the heath, the witches are there, and telling each other what they have been doing since they last met. The first witch wants to put a spell on a sailor whose wife refused to give her chestnuts. She is going to toss his ship about and make sure that he does not sleep. This is reflected when Macbeth can not sleep later on in the play. The third witch shouts: ‘A drum, a drum! Macbeth doth come.’ They know that it is Macbeth, this too shows the witches’ insight. A drum is significant because it is a military symbol. We now meet Macbeth and Banquo. The first words Macbeth say are: ‘So fair and foul a day I have not seen.’ This reflects the words of the witches: ‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair.’ Which tells us that he is in tune with them and therefore in tune with evil. It is Macbeth who demands to hear what the witches have to say: ‘Speak, if you can: what are you?’ They acclaim him: ‘All hail Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! All hail Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! All hail Macbeth! That shalt be king hereafter!’ Macbeth starts and Banquo asks him why. The witches have seen his thoughts and know his ambitions, he is afraid to hear that other people know his desires. Banquo asks them what the future holds for him and the witches reply: ‘Hail! Hail! Hail! Lesser than Macbeth, and greater. Not so happy, yet much happier. Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none:’ Then they disappear again into the mist. Macbeth is not happy with the information he has received and demands that they stay and tell him how he is to become Thane of Cawdor and the king. The audience will now be itching to see if the latest predictions are true: after all, the previous have all now happened. Ross and Angus arrive on the scene, they have come from the king to award Macbeth with the title of the Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth doesn’t know that the Thane has been sentenced to death for betraying the king: ‘The thane of Cawdor lives. why do you dress me In borrowed robes?’ Banquo is amazed that the witches are right: ‘What, can the devil speak true?’ Macbeth thinks to himself: ‘Glamis, and thane of Cawdor: The greatest is behind.’ He thinks that they are evil and will bring about Macbeth’s downfall: ‘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.’ Macbeth thinks about Banquo’s words and fights with his ambition and decides to let fate take its course: ‘If chance will have me king, why chance may crown me, Without my stir.’ In any screen version, ‘Macbeth on the Estate’, I expect a great warrior, respected by the king and fellow noblemen of Scotland. His best friend, Banquo is always by his side, and both dressed in armour coming from battle, with wounds. Macbeth should be about thirty-five to forty, he should be strong and masculine, as he has the strength to unseam a man: ‘†¦from the nave to the chops.’ I review now two modern interpretations of the play the first will be, ‘Macbeth on the Estate’ is set on the Ladywood Estate in Birmingham; this is the first difference between the screen version and the text. We open on a desolate estate, you can hear the wind, it is misty, dull, dark and grey. The high rise flats break the skyline. The ground is covered in mud and rubble, something used to be there but has been destroyed. A character comes on scene, he isn’t a witch, he is the Thane of Fife, Macduff. He is wearing a black tracksuit and speaks with a Jamaican accent, his words have rhythm. He tells us that what we are about to see, that Duncan is king and that he has become fat and lazy, he is no longer a good king. He tells us that there had been some problems and Duncan had told Macbeth to sort them out. The screen blacks and we see the title, when we return, we get a view from a smashed window, signifying violence. There is eerie music playing in the background, the estate is empty, abandoned. We get a clip of an alley, there are rats running around in it, this shows disease, dirt and decay. We then get a shot of a building, and a shot of another building with some children playing outside it, some men come along and they run away. The camera moves to the inside of a house, the door is kicked in and the men run into the house. The characters are introduced by freeze-frame the first man, the leader is Macbeth, he is wearing jeans and a dark jumper, this may suggest that he is evil. The other characters are introduced including Duncan, who is not at the battle. He is in a Public House; smoking and drinking, he is wearing a bright shirt, which is not buttoned, he is lazy and immoral, he is not as nice a king as Shakespeare’s Duncan. This makes Macbeth seem less evil when he kills him. The production is not about good fighting evil, it is about bad fighting worse. Shakespeare meant this as a morality play, however this is not a moral king and I feel that it makes me feel more sympathy for Macbeth when he betrays Duncan. The camera brings us back to the house, they are using pepper spray and baseball bats. The image is extremely violent. The television is switched on and Macbeth is distracted by it. The National Lottery is on, he seems drawn to it and is then disgusted by it and smashes the screen. Upstairs Malcolm and Macduff are fighting when they see the Thane of Cawdor, Malcolm jumps out the window Macduff is pushed down the stairs and they go back to tell Duncan. Macbeth comes up the stairs and gets trapped with Banquo. We go back to the Public House, where Malcolm and Macduff have just arrived Macduff keeps pushing Malcolm away. He tells Duncan of how the battle is progressing. This is the role of the Captain in the play. In the play we don’t see the battle, this shows us a more violent side to Macbeth, however it shows him as a warrior, not just a nobleman and a loving husband. We hear that Macbeth has won the battle and all the men are praising him. Duncan decides to reward Macbeth with the title the Thane of Cawdor, he sends men to kill the present Cawdor and deliver the message to Macbeth. We then have another extra scene, they drag Cawdor to a car. Three children, the witches, have just broken the window. Cawdor is shut in the car and Malcolm sets it alight. He takes his punishment and does not attempt to escape. A close up on his face shows his disclaim for the learning Malcolm I think that Macbeth would do the same, they are alike, they are both traitors. The camera then follows the black smoke upwards. The eerie music is still playing in the background. We see Macbeth and Banquo walking past a building, voices start to shout from windows and doorways. The voices get faster and come from all over the building. The camera follows the sound. Macbeth moves to go into the building, he seems drawn to it, Banquo tries to stop him but he walks in. They go up some stairs, Macbeth seems to be following something and leads Banquo under some low gaps in the wall to a room. They go in and the witches are standing there. There are candles and tarot cards in the room. They speak to him and he scorns them. The witches are not as frightening as Shakespeare’s witches are; they do not have the same effect. A car horn beeps and Banquo leaves, Macbeth lingers, again drawn to the evil, and keeps looking at them, walking backwards through the door. They walk out onto the balcony, Macduff and Ross are waiting in a car below, and they tell Macbeth that he is the new Thane of Cawdor and that the old Thane is dead. They get into the car to go to Duncan. We get a close-up of Macbeth in the car, he looks out of the window and thinks about all that has happened ‘if chance shall have me King, why chance may crown me Without my stir Ross is saying the porter’s speech; this scene is used after the murder of Duncan in the play. They reach the public house and again Macbeth is the first person to come through the door, he gives Duncan money and then starts a pretend fight with him. Duncan gives him his ring as a reward, he has a tattoo saying ‘love’ on his hand. I think that this shows that he is close to Macbeth. The scenes in the screen version are not in the same order as in the play. The actors are using Shakespearean language in a modern setting. I do not think that this works well. I think that the Macbeth on the screen reacts well with the witches, he is drawn to them. The screen version of Macbeth is not what I imagined him to be like; he is not a well-built man. Banquo is closer to my image of Macbeth. He does not seem to be in an army, whereas in the play there was a military tie with the drum. The fight seems to be a turf-war over drugs. Duncan is not as moral as Shakespeare made him, he smokes and drinks alcohol, he is not a good king. The setting is different, the scenes are not the same, and the morality aspect has changed. The screen version does not portray Macbeth as the tragic hero. He is not the Macbeth I expected to see. The second screen version I am going to look at is ‘Granada’, again I expected to see a great warrior, but now I am more curious after seeing the Macbeth on ‘Macbeth on the estate’. The ‘Granada’ version shows us an even more futuristic view of Macbeth but this time it uses actual warriors instead of vicious gangs of thugs, and they are actually fighting another country. We open on the wasteland with the witches. There are lots of bodies and old rubbish skips it looks as though there has been a battle fought here recently. We get a camera shot of the witches robbing the bodies anybody watching the scene can tell that these people are bad, evil almost as robbing the dead is frowned upon by anyone. The witches are dressed in rags and torn cloths they are grubby, they have rotten teeth and are wearing tacky plastic jewellery, They look like tramps. As they each say their lines we get a close up of each witch. ‘When shall we three meet again’ I can see a middle aged woman rushing to strip the riches of a dead body, when the witches are all finished talking to each other we see them running away from the bodies and disappearing into thin air. ‘there to meet with Macbeth’ Clutching watches in their hands. The camera then cuts a close up of Macbeth. This time Macbeth looks like I expected he looks strong, he looks like a warrior and he looks braver than the Macbeth we have seen from ‘Macbeth on the estate’. The camera cuts to scene two upon a hill in the country side with Duncan, Malcolm an Donalbain, Malcolms sons and Lennox standing talking, we are not told that is who they are but any one who has seen Macbeth before will know that this is who they are. With an explosion the Captain arrives war torn and bleeding, he staggers up the hill towards the group of man with his rifle slung over his back. His rifle is the currant issue weapon to the British Army so again it shows the modern aspect of the play. The Captain falls to the ground I front of the men, Duncan grabs hold of the Captain and shakes him. I can see that this Duncan is also more healthier than the king from ‘Macbeth on the estate’, he demands to know what is happening with the war and what about Macbeth. The Captain tells him that they have won the battle and that Macbeth has unseamed a mans body from his nave to his chops. The group all cheer at this they are all proud of their warrior Macbeth. Duncan then realises the Captain and orders someone to take a look at his wounds. Then with another explosion Angus and Ross appear they give the king the news of the Thane of Cawdor’s betrayal, king Duncan gives the order of the Thane to be killed and Macbeth to be given his title. They turn and leave down the hillside with their guns slung over their backs. The next scene begins in an original sort of way as Macbeth and Banquo riding down towards the wasteland on scramblers. This indeed is futuristic portrayal of the events, maybe the scramblers are there to represent the horses. They are now walking through the wasteland and spot the witches the viewers can now see that the witches’ predictions are true. Banquo spots them huddled around a fire and asks Macbeth what they are, Macbeth draws his gun and asks them to speak to him. They tell Macbeth his fortune and make paper crowns to symbolise the king, Macbeth is shocked by this and bites his nails, Banquo is questioning why Macbeth is worried and shocked by what the witches have to say. He then goes on to ask the witches what will become of him he seems happy. The witches then burn the crown in a nearby fire, they disappear in a star-trek like way again. Macbeth breaks out of his trance and calls for the witches to come back. I can see the power on his face he is almost annoyed that they are leaving it shows that he likes what they are saying. It’s like saying goodbye to all the things he has ever wished for. Almost as soon as the witches leave there is another gunshot as Ross and Angus arrive, Macbeth is told that he has become the thane, he still seems shaken by the witches and now he seems disturbed. He turns his back on Ross, Banquo and Angus, this is what he will go on to do later on in the play to betray all the ones he knows on his quest to be King. He has his gun pressed against his cheek, he likes the power of the gun it makes him feel power, something that he longs to have, and we can hear his thoughts ‘if chance will have me king, why chance may crown me, without my stir’ We can see instead of fighting everyone to become king he is waiting for chance to crown him, or make him king. He turns to his comrades and says ‘Till then enough – come now friends’ He calls them friends now but would he be calling them friends if he knew he was going to kill his best friend Banquo Out of the two screen versions I prefer this one it presents the Macbeth I think of when I read Shakespeare’s Macbeth. It shows good camera work to add to the effects. In this version the scenes are in the same order as the book unlike ‘Macbeth on the estate’ which muddles them around. I also think the witches are better portrayed as adults they seem more evil robbing the bodies. This Duncan is a good king I think this makes Macbeth seem even worse when he goes to kill him it shows that he is willing to kill good people to get where he wants to be. The war seems to be a proper war over land the way it would have been in Shakespeare’s time, not over drugs. This Screen version does portray Macbeth as the tragic hero I expected to see after first reading the book. Macbeth in both versions seems in a trance like state while the witches are around I think this is significant because the witches could be setting a spell on him.