WiTricity

IKEA Proposal On observing the history of IKEA one notes that the company is mainly concerned with provision of quality products to customers at a reasonable price. Based on this position the company has continued to strive to offer well designed and functional home furnishing products (IKEA, 2011). The main objective of the company in selling affordable furnishings is to improve the lives of more people.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on WiTricity specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It has been reported that IKEA borrows the above philosophy from its founder who strongly felt a need to develop a business that focuses on lowering costs but maintaining quality. In efforts to lower costs IKEA uses a wide variety of strategies that have proven effective and allow the company to enjoy success internationally (IKEA,2011). It is based on these strengths that his report produces a proposal to use cutting edge technology and the company’s business knowledge to provide high quality affordable lighting solutions to the customers. To gain a better understanding of the potential for this proposal it is necessary to imagine a future where the transfer of power from source to appliance is possible without the use of wires. It has been established that research into wireless electricity transmission began way back in 1905 (Maruf, 2010). During this period one Serbian inventor names Nikola Tesla began construction on what was to be the first power station that would transmit electricity wirelessly around the globe. This project failed after his financiers pulled out citing that the project was too farfetched and thus appeared to be a waste of funds. However, efforts of some physicists from MIT appear to be making significant headway with this research and a solution appears t be in the offing. The physicists created the firm, WiTricity which is among a number of global entities that develops a wide range of appliances used to power up gadgets (Maryum, 2010). The manner in which this firm intends to do away with wires is through the use of coils. The transmission of power between the source and device takes place through these coils fitted on the device and the power source (Maryum, 2010). The goal of this is to allow electricity to be transmitted over mid range distances that will allow transmission from a wall to the middle of the room (Maryum, 2010). This allows for significant simplification of several tasks such as lighting. In normal conditions setting up the lighting for a room will require significant cabling to be performed within the room. However, with the use of technology such as that suggested by WiTricity, IKEA will be able to make significant reductions on the cost of interior dà ©cor products.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More It is believed that th is proposal is favorable given the mission of IKEA and its approach to business. It has already been observed that IKEA is focused on provision of high quality affordable products and improving the life of its customers (IKEA 2011). Through exploiting this opportunity the company can go a step further in making a name as an innovator in the furniture industry. This is not to mention the fact that the patent to this product can allow its exploitation in many future household products. For example, it has been noted that due to the simplicity associated with WiTricity it is possible to build the coil for power under a table. This table will thus automatically eliminate the need for power to devices such as computers, cellphones, iron boxes, etc. that may be used on its surface (Maryum, 2010). This product if patented would allow IKEA to produce a wide range of products not to mention generate a significant amount of revenue in sale of rights (See Appendix A). Feasibility Study Given t he potential of this proposal it is important to with some feasibility findings to help ascertain the potential profitability of the proposed venture. According to Zaharuddin such findings can be sought in three areas namely, financial, environmental and technical (2008). Given that this is a proposal whose success relies greatly on the functioning of an external product, eh technical feasibility would have to be based on technical data in support of this product. Having provided a theoretical prediction in relation to wireless electricity, the MIT group embarked on practical tests. In the process of carrying out testing the MIT group managed to light a 60W light bulb using a power source located During these tests they were able to light a 60W bulb from a power source seven feet away in the absence of a physical connection between the source and bulb (Hadley, 2007). The wireless transmission of power is possible through a number of different approaches. One of the first approaches to be attempted was the use of radiation methods. This entails the use of electromagnetic radiation to transmit the power. The main short coming of this approach is that radiation spreads in all directions and is thus unsuitable for power distribution as it would cause significant wastage (Hadley, 2007). Instead of using radiation methods, WiTricity used magnetic coupled resonance to perform the power transmission between source and appliance. This is due to the fact that two resonant objects that bear similar resonant frequency tend to exchange energy efficiently (Hadley, 2007). This approach was then utilized with magnetically coupled resonators to allow for energy transfer even when significant distance existed between the objects. In addition to minimal interference, it has been observed that use of this approach ensures there is much less wastage of power (Hadley, 2007).Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on WiTricity specifically for you for onl y $16.05 $11/page Learn More The next aspect worth considering in relation to this proposal is the environmental feasibility of the proposal. It has been noted that wireless electricity may not be as efficient as using a cable but its environmental benefits make it a worthwhile consideration (Maruf, 2010). This is due to the significant improvement in the environment that is likely to be seen by its adoption. For example, simple devices such as wireless keyboards use 4 batteries to operate. During 2010 the demand for such batteries led to the production of approximately 40 billion units. The environmental impact to manufacture a single battery is similar to that caused by driving a car for three miles (Maruf, 2010). Based on this it is possible to see how adoption of WiTricity could make major improvements in our environment. It is clear that just this simple shift in technology will lead to major reductions in green house gas emissions. It should be noted that given improvement of life is one of IKEA’s goals WiTricity could serve as a very useful product. The last assessment that will be made in this section will be in relation to the financial feasibility associated with the proposal. It should be noted that due to the fact that the product has already been researched the prospects of its use are much brighter due to the reduced research investment and significant industry attention it is receiving (Kim, 2011). Among the major international companies that have shown interest in the product include Apple, who may want to use the technology in improving charging technology used in their devices. Intel is also reported to be experimenting the use of this technology within some of their facilities. This interest in the product will in turn translate to economies of scale that suggest the product cost will not be too high. This is due to the fact that significant interest from diverse parties will increase production capacity and allow for g reater distribution of profits. Competitive Advantage Assessment Once a product has been identified it is essential for its success that the company develops a strategy that will position its products strategically within the market (Wimmer, Lee, Quella Polak, 2010). This is due to the fact that strategic positioning of the firm in the marketplace plays a major role in determining the future of the company.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This position suggests a review of the environmental mission and vision of the company (Wimmer et al., 2010). Given that IKEA has already identified a need to encourage the use of affordable materials and innovation to improve standard of living, this report will focus on how to use this to position the company in the marketplace. The above position serves as a very crucial point for IKEA and the proposal to use WiTricity in future products. Current appliances use electric power that is delivered to the device through a cord (Mchale, 2009). The power that is utilized from a cord leads to wastage due to electrical vampirism. This occurs due to the fact that corded appliances tend t draw up to 20% more electricity than required (Mchale, 2009). This position is further complicated by the fact that this 20% adds up daily and contributes a significant amount to our eventual expenditure on power. The use of wireless electricity is thus capable of bringing about as much as 20% savings to t he electricity bill of a regular house hold (Mchale, 2009). The product ha sbeen found to be highly efficient when the power available to an appliance and power drawn for the source is compared. Based on data it has been found that the use of WiTricity can increase efficiency to as much as 90% (WiTricity, 2011). This potential to bring about reasonable savings makes this product very suitable for the market and provides a strategic approach to gain a competitive advantage. The technology used to generate wireless power avoids electrical vampirism due to the use of electromagnetism between the source and the appliance (Mchale, 2009). The only disadvantage with the approach is due to the fact that the source and appliance cannot be placed too far away. This is a small price to pay when one compares the financial savings that such a system will produce. In addition to savings another factor that can be useful in relation to WiTricity and competitive advantage is its potential impact on renewable energy. Given that the world is currently already aware of the need to reduce the use of non renewable energy there has been an increase in efforts to resort to renewable sources such as solar and wind energy (Mchale, 2009). It should be noted that a major cost in the existing systems is the cost of cabling and storage of this power. The introduction of WiTricity suggests that construction of projects that were earlier in the range of thousands range may now fall into the range of hundreds (Mchale, 2009). This potential reduction in cost is likely to see a greater number undertake these projects with significant improvements in the environment as a result. The above data is very crucial for IKEA in relation to its strategic positioning and competitive advantage. It is important to note that in industrialized countries, of the energy resources expended annually 40% of this goes into the generation of electricity (Lacy, 2006). This position has brought about significant con troversy n the choice of fuel to use for power generation given the impact of emissions on the atmosphere. This is often further complicated by the fact that the sources of coal and other fuels used are often remote from the area of demand (Lacy, 2006). The continued use of coal for production of electrical energy has had an adverse impact on the environment. However, through the use of novel ideas such as WiTricity there is some hope of reducing environmental degradation due to the significant energy savings possible. In addition to that it has been mentioned that the use of WiTricity alongside technologies such as solar and wind energy could serve as a major factor in encouraging its adoption (Mchale, 2009). Steps for Patenting To make plans for a product is a crucial part of development given that history indicates that the only difference between monumental success and failure is often just a piece of paper (Rivette Kline 2000). This case is best illustrated by observing the Ko dak case that ended in the costliest RD disaster in the history of American business. It is reported that the seven patents involved in the case were owned by Kodak’s archrival in business, Polaroid (Rivette Kline, 2000). The end result of this litigation was that Kodak was charged almost $3 million for infringement damages, legal fees, RD wastage and manufacturing costs. The role of patents in modern business is crucial given that it has been observed that in businesses where the innovation treatment of patents could either result in significant success or loss for the business involved (Rivette Kline, 2000). This is because the stages involved in between innovation and eventual sales could be costly and lead to a situation where one is forced to sell the company. In such cases ownership of a patent for the technology in question allow the company to negotiate from a much stronger position than before. This is the position behind the staggering $395 million or 30 times sal es that Texas instruments paid for Amati communications, a pioneer in digital subscriber line (DSL) technology (Rivette Kline, 2000). These plans are important due to the fact that intellectual property once considered an afterthought is currently a hot topic for debate. The main reason behind this change can be traced to the replacement of the industrial economy with a knowledge based economy (Rivette Kline, 2000). This new position has led to a scenario where as opposed to land and property having value, ideas and innovation are extremely valuable. This position suggests any good idea needs to be patented from the onset to avoid the loss of both revenue and ownership to other parties who may seek to have the concept patented (Rivette Kline, 2000). Operational Excellence According to Glazer, operational excellence can be defined as the pursuit of high performance operation within an organization (2012). It has been observed that organizations that strive to attain high performan ce operations also achieve operational excellence. By nature operational excellence is a continuous pursuit within an organization that considers changes in the environment and reacts to them accordingly. The main purpose of these efforts being to improve quality of service offered to the customer (Glazer, 2012). An example of this consideration is seen in the initial global expansion that came with globalization. In this first wave several companies relocated to countries that would allow them lower production costs while maintaining quality of products (Glazer, 2012). This approach to business allowed certain companies a competitive edge in that they were able to offer similar or better products at relatively low cost. This approach of expansion to areas with cheaper labor may be used by IKEA to provide operational excellence and maintain quality. It has already been used by IKEA in the past to manufacture products at a lower cost and should therefore be sustained in the life of t he new proposed product (IKEA, 2011). Another approach that may be used by IKEA in maintaining operational excellence is the concept of franchising. Franchising is a concept that involves establishment of various outlets in many different parts of the world built on a common principle. It is common for franchises to have a patent on designs and logos used in products. Franchising is especially useful in that it allows the business to open several outlets without financial pressure (York, 2009). Franchises often benefit from the expertise and excellence associate with the brand created by the parent company. It should be noted that operating a franchise is a complicated task and as such there should be adequate resources allocated to ensure the success of the venture. Among the common tradeoffs that come with franchising is that fact that may franchisees may not have operated a business before (York, 2009). For this reason it is necessary that the parent company allocate resources to train such individuals so that they are competent to produce quality products and maintain the brand reputation. Given that operational excellence involves improvement and optimization of operations to maximize quality of service it is very important that the parent company have a strategic plan to guide the growth of the outlets. In relation to achieving operational excellence it has already been mentioned that a clear view of operations is essential. In the case of the proposed product it is suggested that one approach that may be useful is merging of companies. Given that the potential of the product is huge and the patent on the product needs to be protected IKEA and WiTricity could merge to make maximum use of each other (Picot, 2002). It is important to note that it has already been mentioned that many mergers in recent times have been largely influenced by patenting of products (Rivette Kline, 2000). At the same time it is also necessary to keep in mind that may mergers fai l and as such the pre merger activities involved should be undertaken with great care and attention to detail. However, where companies realign themselves properly post merger successes have also been reported and suggest the strategy may be effective to improve operational excellence. Supply chain management solution In relation to supply chain management it is believed that adherence to the value addition principle currently used by IKEA to manage its supply chain should be maintained. This is because of the fact that IKEA has managed to successfully manage its supply chain and keep the company profitable. The IKEA strategy in terms of supply chain management requires that the supply chain is value driven and distribution points are kept closest to the customer (Sople, 2012). Traditional supply chain links had several additional players such as the agent, distributor and retailer which in turn translate to higher cost of the final product. In addition to that the approach by IKEA to further lower the cost of the products by leaving assembly to the owner should be maintained as this has led to significant reductions in the transportation expenses and eventual product cost (Sople, 2012). The IKEA image is also heavily reliant on the leverage produced through the use of technology and its Scandinavian image. The introduction of WiTricity into the design appears certain to ensure these products attain even greater leverage in the marketplace (Sople, 2012). This approach of evaluating the supply chain from the customer to the producer is very effective in identifying opportunities for value addition. This position implies that the organization should work in collaboration with all suppliers, customers and other participants in the supply chain. E-commerce strategy Due to data that suggests individuals are spending more time online it appears that there would be significant benefit in using e-commerce strategies in marketing the product (OECD, 2007). Upon observat ion of statistics from several countries it is clear to see that the number of people using the internet for information about goods has increased (See Appendix B). Based on this therefore it is clear that there is a need to provide an avenue to tap into the online market. The exploitation of the increasing number of people who resort to the internet to shop appears to be worth considering (See Appendix C). This position led to the introduction of an online shopping outlet by IKEA in 2007 and it is believed that the maintenance of such an approach to sales will be very useful for the proposed product (Daft Kendrick, 2010). It should be noted that IKEA places a very high value on interaction with the customer and e-commerce is very effective in achieving this. IKEA has almost 32,000 fans on its Facebook page which is used by fans to upload pictures of their rooms. In addition to that the company added a notes application which has proven useful collection of feedback from customers on various issues (Daft Kendrick, 2010). For this reason it is suggested that an online sales point be maintained and social media be used to gather customer inputs. References Daft, R., Kendrick, M. (2010). Management. Hampshire, UK: Cengage Learning EMEA. Glazer, H. (2012). High Performance Operations: Leverage Compliance to lower costs, increase profits and gain competitive advantage. New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc. Hadley, F. (2007). Goodbye Wires!. Retrieved from http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2007/wireless-0607.html IKEA. (2011). The IKEA Concept. Retrieved from http://franchisor.ikea.com/showContent.asp?swfId=concept4 Kim, A. (2011). Apple’s Interest in WiTricity wireless charging. Retrieved from http://www.macrumors.com/2011/07/11/apples-interest-in-witricity-wireless-charging/ Lacy, I. (2006). Nuclear energy in the 21st Century: The world nuclear university primer. Printed in the USA: Academic Press. Maruf, M. (2010). Wireless Electricity could be just months a way. Retrieved from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8618161.stm Mchale, B. (2009). How WiTricity works How WiTricity saves you money. Retrieved from http://ezinearticles.com/?How-Witricity-Works-and-How-Witricity-Saves-You-Moneyid=2450281 Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development – (OECD). (2007). Netherlands. Paris: OECD Publishing. Picot, G. (2002). Handbook of international mergers and acquisitions. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Rivette, K., Kline, D. (2000). Rembrandts in the Attic: Unlocking the hidden value of patents. Printed in the USA: Cartia Inc. Sople, V. (2012). Supply Chain Management: Text and Cases. New Delhi: Dorling Kindersley (India) Pvt. Ltd. Wimmer, W., Lee, K., Quella, F., Polak, J. (2010). ECODESIGN – The Competitive Advantage. Printed in Germany: Springer. Wireless Electricity. (2011). WiTricity Technology to Power. Retrieved from http://wireless-electricity.blogspot.com/2011/12/witricity-technology-to-power.html WitTricity. (2011). Wireless Electricity delivered over distance. Retrieved from http://www.witricity.com/pages/benefits.html York, M. (2009). Franchise: Freedom or Fantasy? Bloomington, IN: iUniverse Books. Zaharuddin, H. (2008). A to Z Entrepreneur in Practice. Printed in the USA: Dickson. Appendix Appendix A: Possible Applications in Furnishings (Wireless Electricity 2011). Appendix B: International Internet Activity (OECD 2007). Appendix C: Internet Shopping Activity (OECD 2007). This case study on WiTricity was written and submitted by user Conor Richmond to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Sexual Practices of the Mangaia essays

Sexual Practices of the Mangaia essays Mangaia is an island in the South Pacific where sexual practices are much different than in the United States. In Mangaia girls are raised and encouraged and sleep with multiple partners. The usual expectation is for a girl to have 3 or 4 boyfriends from the time she is 13 until she is 20. Every woman is taught at a young age how to achieve an orgasm. Males on the other hand are taught at a young age how to bring a female to an orgasm through oral sex. At 13 when a boy has had his training and been told how to do things he is then given a sexual partner that is an older and experienced woman. This woman teaches the boy various sexual positions and techniques slow down the arrival of his orgasm until the woman is able to reach her orgasm first. This practice is very foreign to me. It does not really disgust me or anything like that but I could not imagine having someone sit down and explain how to do many of these things. When I was 13 I probably would have thought that it would be pretty cool to be given a girl and told to have sex with her. I think problems would arise however in deciding who the father of a child was if a girl with multiple partners had a baby. In the United States, most people would view this as unhealthy or unethical. Many people would claim this to be morally wrong. Pre-marital sex is seen by lots of people here as a disturbing practice. Encouraging your daughter to have sex and being proud of her for having multiple partners would be very uncommon in the US. Most Americans would see this practice as being gross or irresponsible on the parts of adults in the Mangaia society. ...

Biography of Beryl Markham, Aviation Pioneer

Biography of Beryl Markham, Aviation Pioneer Beryl Markham (born Beryl Clutterbuck; October 26, 1902 – August 3, 1986) was a British-Kenyan aviator, writer, and horse trainer. Although she worked in several different fields, she is best known for being the first woman to fly non-stop across the Atlantic Ocean from east to west. She wrote her own memoir, West with the Night, and was the subject of a best-selling novel. Fast Facts: Beryl Markham Full Name:  Beryl Clutterbuck MarkhamOccupation: Aviator and writerBorn: October 26, 1902 in Ashwell, Rutland, EnglandDied: August 3, 1986 in Nairobi, KenyaKey Accomplishments: The first woman to make a non-stop transatlantic flight from east to west and the author of the memoir West with the Night.Spouses Names: Jock Purves (m. 1919-1925), Mansfield Markham  (m. 1927–1942), Raoul Schumacher  (m. 1942–1960)Childs Name: Gervase Markham Early Life At age four, young Beryl moved to British East Africa (modern-day Kenya) with her father, Charles Clutterbuck. Beryl’s mother, Clara, did not join them, and neither did Beryls older brother Richard. As a child, Beryls education was spotty at best. She instead spent considerable time hunting and playing with local children. For a while, Beryl was happy. Her father Charles started a horse racing farm, and Beryl took to horse training immediately, establishing herself as a trainer in her own right by the time she was only seventeen. When Beryl was a teenager, however, her father fell on hard times. Charles lost his fortune and fled from Kenya to Peru, leaving Beryl behind. Never one to be down for long, Beryl took her career into her own hands. In 1920, at the age of eighteen, she became the first woman in Kenya to receive a racehorse trainer’s license. Romantic and Royal Entanglements As a young woman, Beryl was the subject of much attention. She married Captain Jock Purves at age seventeen, but the couple divorced soon after. In 1926, she married the wealthy Mansfield Markham, from whom she took the surname that she used for the rest of her life. Mansfield and Beryl had one son together: Gervase Markham. Beryl went on to have a complicated, often cold relationship with her son for most of her life. Beryl was often in the company of the â€Å"Happy Valley Set,† a group of mostly English, mostly wealthy adventurers who settled in Africa (specifically in the area that is Kenya and Uganda today). This group was notorious for its decadent lifestyle, reportedly indulging in drugs, sexual promiscuity, and extravagance. Although she was not wealthy or titled enough to truly be part of the group, Beryl spent time with many of its members and was influenced by their lifestyles. In 1929, Beryl’s affair with Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester (the third son of King George V) became public. There were also rumors that she had been romantically entangled with his older brother Edward, who was an infamous playboy. (Perhaps these rumors about Edward and Beryl were an indicator of things to come: Edward’s proclivity for scandalous romances would eventually result in a succession crisis in the United Kingdom, when he chose to abdicate his throne to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson.) Even though Henry was only a third son, the British royal family disapproved, and although the reason for Beryl and Henrys eventual parting was never known, it was widely believed that his family had split them up. Beryl earned a reputation for many affairs, which she typically ended when she tired of them. She reportedly treated her friends the same way. She may have had affairs with princes, but the great love of Beryl’s life was only minor nobility. Denys Finch Hatton, the second son of an English earl, was a big game hunter and daring pilot who came to Africa following World War I. Fifteen years Beryl’s senior, he had also had a long-term romance with Beryl’s friend and mentor Karen Blixen, who wrote the famous book Out of Africa about herself and Denys. As Karen and Denys’s affair hit a slow patch in 1930, he and Beryl fell into an affair of their own. In May 1931, he invited her to come along on a flying tour, knowing her burgeoning interest in flight, but she declined when her friend and flight teacher Tom Campbell Black urged her not to go, out of some unsettling instinct. Campbell Black’s advice proved life-saving: Denys’s plane crashed minutes after takeoff, killing him at the age of 44. Flight Career Following Denys’ death, Beryl pushed herself even harder in her flying lessons. She worked as a rescue pilot and a bush pilot, scouting out game and signaling their locations to safaris on the ground. It was in this capacity that she encountered more notable names, including Ernest Hemingway, who would later praise her memoir but insult her personally because she wouldn’t have an affair with him while he was on safari in Kenya. Beryl’s crowning achievement was her transatlantic flight in September 1936. Before then, no woman had ever flown a non-stop flight from Europe to North America nor flown it solo. She departed from the English coast and, despite serious fuel problems towards the end of her journey, made it to Nova Scotia. Upon achieving this dream, she was celebrated as a pioneer in the world of flight. In the 1930s, Beryl relocated to California, where she met and married her third husband, the writer Raoul Schumacher. She wrote a memoir, West with the Night, during her time in the United States. While the memoir was not a bestseller, it was well-received for its compelling narrative and writing style, as evidenced in passages like this one: We fly, but we have not conquered the air. Nature presides in all her dignity, permitting us the study and the use of such of her forces as we may understand. It is when we presume to intimacy, having been granted only tolerance, that the harsh stick fall across our impudent knuckles and we rub the pain, staring upward, startled by our ignorance. West with the Night ultimately went out of print and into obscurity, where it languished for decades until it was rediscovered in the early 1980s. Controversy has persisted to this day about whether or not Beryl actually wrote the book herself or whether it was partially or completely ghostwritten by her husband. Experts on both sides of the debate have presented compelling evidence, and it seems likely that the mystery will remain forever unsolved. Later Life and Public Legacy Eventually, Beryl returned to Kenya, which she considered her real home. By the early 1950s, she had re-established herself as a prominent horse trainer, although she still struggled financially. She slid into obscurity until 1983, when West with the Night was re-released and a journalist from the Associated Press tracked her down. By then, she was elderly and impoverished, but the publicity and sales around the book’s re-release was enough to raise her back to a comfortable lifestyle until she died in Nairobi at the age of 83 in 1986. Beryl’s life sounded more like the stuff of adventurous (and mostly male) aviators than of a lady of her time, and as a result, she was the subject of endless fascination. Although her scandalous and sometimes callous romantic behavior garnered a lot of attention, her record-setting flight would always be her legacy. When Karen Blixen (using the pen name Isak Dinesen) wrote Out of Africa, Beryl did not appear by name, but an avatar of her- a rough-around-the-edges horse rider named Felicity- did appear in the film adaptation. She has been the subject of multiple biographies, as well as Paula McLain’s 2015 bestselling fictional novel Circling The Sun. A complicated woman with a nearly unbelievable life, Beryl Markham continues to fascinate audiences to this day. Sources â€Å"Beryl Markham: British Author and Aviator.† Encylopaedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Beryl-Markham.Lovell, Mary S.,  Straight on Till Morning, New York, St. Martins Press, 1987Markham, Beryl.  West with the Night. San Francisco: North Point Press, 1983Trzebinski, Errol.  The Lives of Beryl Markham.  New York, W.W. Norton, 1993.

Topic from mass media studies book Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Topic from mass media studies book - Essay Example With such powers mass media has emerged as a tool that can be used to direct people to adopt and adapt to different perspectives. Such influences are also being countered with contemporary mass media campaigns that are opinion leaders for the status quo. The social aspect of mass media impact is observable and, indeed, gives birth to soft sciences like sociology and anthropology. John Locke coined a theory namely Tabula Rasa which stated that man is a clean slate at birth. It is society that starts writing on this clean tablet. And mass media is one of the major writing forces that influence a society (IJCRB,  2-5). With the domination of men in almost all spheres of life it was natural from the very beginning of mass media communication that they assume a dominant role. Liberalization later wedged women into media management. The long history of social inequality mass media has propagated has two periods. First part is solely male dominant period. And the second part is the revival of equality and retrieval of hijacked society. There is a cynical opinion that never accepts this. Whereas reality is what one could impartially observe. The role that is given to women in media and the way this gender is portrayed does not show a very simple concept that, ‘women are half of the population and mothers of the other half’. At the same time it is also a very pessimist opinion that media is exploiting vulnerabilities of this gender. Women in media have been struggling to retrieve its lost equity from men. It is now an accomplished fact that women have punctured the prejudice that men are the front end of society. There is a mix of stats and opinions but it is fortunate for today that the overall direction is towards neutralizing the gender discrimination through media. Mass media is helping the cause and role of women in media is interfering, constructively, the

Compare or Contrast 2 philosophy thinkers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Compare or Contrast 2 philosophy thinkers - Essay Example s, which are actual sense perceptions, and ideas, which are copies of impressions, connect with one another to form complexities that explain all things. In short, for Hume, the only things that we can possibly know are the impressions that can be perceived by our senses and the ideas that we imagine after seeing the impressions (Hume, An Inquiry Concerning Human Understanding 201). On the other hand, Kant theorizes that there are three ways or categories where knowledge of the relationship between two things, or subject and predicate, can be derived. These are the analytic a priori, the synthetic a posteriori, and the controversial synthetic a priori. Kant’s analytic a priori is knowing by definition, like believing that â€Å"All single people are people who have not married.† Kant’s synthetic a posteriori is like â€Å"Most sick people are given medicine,† which is merely a belief out of habit. Lastly, Kant’s synthetic a priori is believing somet hing like â€Å"Some dead parents are remembered by their children,† which is a belief from intuition. These beliefs do not require proof as what Hume believed (Durant 269-271). Another difference between Hume and Kant is on their ethical principles. According to Hume’s A Treatise on Human Nature and based on his epistemology, it is our feelings or sentiments that practically influence human volition and action. It is not reason but our feelings and sentiments produce our actions with the same habitual expectation that the future will result from the past. For Hume, morality is doing something because of an â€Å"enduring passion or trait of character in the agent† and without regard for any custom or reason (Cohon). On the other hand, based on Kant’s Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, morality is performing the categorical imperative: â€Å"Act only according to the maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law,† and to â€Å"act in such a way that [he should] treat

Leadership :: essays research papers

When you think about a leader you think of someone who possesses a number qualities. You would like to think that they are enthusiastic, have good judgment, are intelligent, a good people person, and a great speaker. You can go on and on naming what you think are good qualities. In this weeks discussion several types of leadership were brought up. The charismatic leader was the most appealing. The film we watched in class brought up three qualities that I feel are very important: passion, composure, and consistency. These qualities are characteristic of a charismatic leader. The managers we watched are all very respected. They have a "fire" inside them that makes others around them want to achieve. They are very outspoken and fight for what they believe. You don't expect any more or any less from them. The energy, strong conviction, and self-confidence of a charismatic leader can make the difference in a company or for a team. Without passion the leader won't be willing to go that extra mile or push others to perform at their greatest level. Over the past few years I have been involved with an NIFL (National Indoor Football league) team. Many points touched on during class are characteristic of the leaders of this organization. During the teams' first season they were part of the IPFL(Indoor Professional Football League). There were many problems from the beginning. The ownership was extremely shaky. They were a family that happened to have the money to buy the team but, didn't have the skills to run the team. Because of their selfishness they didn't hire someone with the qualifications to lead the team. Instead the job of general manager was held by the son of the owners. The owners didn't care about the players or coaches. Three hours before the season opener I found myself, along with the head coach and a number of players, painting the old turf. The players' names had not been sewn on the jerseys and they didn't have their shoes yet. A number of players hadn't even received their checks. These were just a few of the problems. As you can imagine this troubled the players and the coaches. The head coach did all he could to stand by his players. He was a great leader and made numerous complaints to the ownership. Because of his loyalty to the players he was eventually fired in the middle of the season. Leadership :: essays research papers When you think about a leader you think of someone who possesses a number qualities. You would like to think that they are enthusiastic, have good judgment, are intelligent, a good people person, and a great speaker. You can go on and on naming what you think are good qualities. In this weeks discussion several types of leadership were brought up. The charismatic leader was the most appealing. The film we watched in class brought up three qualities that I feel are very important: passion, composure, and consistency. These qualities are characteristic of a charismatic leader. The managers we watched are all very respected. They have a "fire" inside them that makes others around them want to achieve. They are very outspoken and fight for what they believe. You don't expect any more or any less from them. The energy, strong conviction, and self-confidence of a charismatic leader can make the difference in a company or for a team. Without passion the leader won't be willing to go that extra mile or push others to perform at their greatest level. Over the past few years I have been involved with an NIFL (National Indoor Football league) team. Many points touched on during class are characteristic of the leaders of this organization. During the teams' first season they were part of the IPFL(Indoor Professional Football League). There were many problems from the beginning. The ownership was extremely shaky. They were a family that happened to have the money to buy the team but, didn't have the skills to run the team. Because of their selfishness they didn't hire someone with the qualifications to lead the team. Instead the job of general manager was held by the son of the owners. The owners didn't care about the players or coaches. Three hours before the season opener I found myself, along with the head coach and a number of players, painting the old turf. The players' names had not been sewn on the jerseys and they didn't have their shoes yet. A number of players hadn't even received their checks. These were just a few of the problems. As you can imagine this troubled the players and the coaches. The head coach did all he could to stand by his players. He was a great leader and made numerous complaints to the ownership. Because of his loyalty to the players he was eventually fired in the middle of the season.

City Life Beats the Small Town Essay

1. This essay is an essay of both comparison and contrast because the author points out the similarities while examining the differences. For example, having a cinema in both small town and big city is a similarity, but one cinema in small town showing three different movies at any one time, and a big city having more than one cinema, showing hundred different movies at once is a difference. 2. The writer uses the point-by-point method in writing this essay. 3. The writer provides an equal number of details that relate to the small town and big city in order to give to the readers a proper understanding of differences between the two life-styles. 4. The numerous resources and options available in the city, for the people coming from different parts of the world, to find a group or community similar to their own origin makes life little easier and comfortable for them, as well as they get the opportunity to learn about various cultures and ethnicities, which is the superior nature of the big city. 5. The thesis of the essay is, â€Å"Life is better in the big city, and it all comes down to one general reason: more choice†. 6. The topic sentence of paragraph #2 is, â€Å"One of the areas in which having choice can be extremely valuable is that of friends†. 7. I agree with the author because of my own experience of coming to the city of Toronto as an Immigrant. The resources, opportunities and comfort that a big city can provide in terms of education, work, health, or entertainment are very difficult to find in a small town.