Visual analysis on Hadrian Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Visual analysis on Hadrian - Essay Example Prior to the analysis of the craftsmanship that constitutes the foundation of the bust carving, it may appear essential to recall via historical context, that Hadrian is widely known as one of the five good emperors who made tremendous impact on establishing the Pax Romana – the age of abundant peace and prosperity for the Roman Empire. Examining the image of the bust, one necessarily considers in critical thought that the carving technique must have been conducted in a manner that reflects such perspective especially in the order, symmetry, and projection of the head and facial characteristics. In the absence of its body, the marble from the Greek island of Thasos was constructed to possess a volume that exudes prominence, poise, authority, and general dignified look typical of a Roman emperor. As conjectured by the smooth curves, the bust sculptor may be claimed to have attempted a most refined approach in carving the cheek and lip areas to balance with the furrowed brows wh ich occur to be a sharp contrast to the smoothness of front surface and edge contour. These details manifest how Hadrian could have been viewed by his subjects as an emperor with the traits of gentle wisdom and fierce heroic character in order to address the demands of his civilization at the

The Changing Global Economy Essay Example for Free

The Changing Global Economy Essay The argument for globalisation is an argument for International trade. Classical liberal economists have always argued for the free movement of all factors of production. Adam Smith had declared that nations have absolute advantaged that they leverage to provide cheaper and more efficient production processes. David Ricardo argues in his theory of Comparative advantages that countries must utilize their relatively more abundant factors of production more intensively to produce higher levels of output. All this results in higher output and therefore the world stands to gain through increased trade. Factor mobility leads to stabilization of prices that result from goods and services moving from one place to another where the factor is scarce and fetches higher returns. Those who are against globalisation and trade base their debates on the infant industry argument which believes that small domestic players get adversely affected when large foreign firms compete. The other argument they make is that that imports cause shifts of production where firms locate to foreign lands and cause unemployment. It is also believed that globalisation leads to the dumping of poor quality or toxic goods across the border. Reliance on imports leads to dependence, and exports cause injury to locally available resources that get diverted to foreign markets. Globalisation is also seen as a phenomenon where the free flow of money and currency makes domestic economies extremely vulnerable to volatile foreign investments. This could lead countries to balance of payment difficulties and cause events such as the East Asian crisis in the mid nineties. What results is a situation where any minor turbulence in large economies like the US causes severe stress to developing and under developed economies. 2. Huntington and the clash of civilizations Huntington’s famous hypothesis states that in the modern world, the clash of ideologies will convert into a clash of cultures. He argues that the new world order will see greater examples of conflict between various cultures of the world. His thesis is seen as a justification of the US war against Islamic nations and its aggression against countries like China. These clashes would come from a conflict that emanates whenever differing cultural paradigms come into contact with each other and compete for global resources. The end of the cold war, according to Huntington, is the end of conflict based on ideology, where the capitalist and the communist bloc were engaged in war. This conflict ended with the collapse of the USSR and the coming down of the Berlin Wall. Today, the emerging economies of the world are growing fast and eroding the huge share in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the world that is now held by the western countries. These new and emerging economies are home to most of the cultures of the world that are all opposed to the dominant western thought. This opposition would give rise to global conflict. This is the conflict that Huntingdon terms as the Clash of civilizations that emerges in a world that is globalising at a fast pace. This globalisation is bringing together people from various cultures and this would manifest in a battle for domination. This then would cause conflicts among cultures. Huntington’s hypothesis has been debated endlessly and there are as many voices supporting the argument as there are that characterise Huntington’s theory as mischievous. 3. Institutional arrangements For a free economy, there are certain pre conditions that must be met. These are the protection of property rights, honoring of contracts, law and order and a competitive environment. These pre conditions are met when these are institutionalized. These institutions then enable markets in any state and cause efficiency in market transactions and therefore result in growth. Some of these institutions are put in place by the government by way of regulatory bodies and police forces. Some of these institutions are created simultaneously by a society as it evolves. Markets function best when free and perfect information is available to all players. Competition in an economy comes out of the lack of barriers to entry and exit from the market. Laws and policies that enable such an environment are all referred to as institutional arrangements. In most markets there is asymmetry of information and a differentiated access to factors of production. Such a situation prevents an economy from operating at full potential. Those states that ensure the existence of such institutions are the ones where economic growth takes place to its full extent. Weak institutional arrangements favor some players in a market and adversely affect the rest. Market based solutions to such problems are usually the most sustainable and efficient mechanisms. This gives rise to poor governance structures and cause imperfection. It is not always the state that brings about these institutions. Sometimes institutional arrangements evolve and take firm roots in markets. Such informal institutional arrangements provide players with an eco system that enables innovation and growth. 4. Shifts in the world economy The two factors that clearly set apart the last 25 years of economic growth in the world are the collapse of the Soviet Union and the fast paced changes in technology. Both these events have lead to a globalised world where trade has more than quadrupled. Technological changes, especially the strides made in communication technology and transportation have enabled the world to shrink and become a global village. Transactions are now possible at lightning speeds, at the click of a mouse, between two entities situated in different corners of the globe. What has also been seen is the spurt in trade in services, and such was not the case with the world earlier where all trade was for goods. Free trade has improved the chances of poor countries to enter new business internationally, and allow their firms to buy and sell various commodities and services. Domestic rules and standards become significant and issues such as restrictions on imports, exports, tariffs and duties become significant. (Ohmae, 1999). In all this the new entity that has emerged is that of the Multi National Corporation. MNCs today typically operate in several countries, where the source of raw material is one nation; production takes place in a second country, assembly and packaging in a third and sales in a fourth. This has enabled firms to grow in size and shape and allow economies of scale to reduce costs of production and therefore prices. Most nations in the last 25 years have made currencies convertible and have ensured that internationally agreeable norms and polices are put in place. A large credit for this goes to the World Trade Organisation that has put in place a multi lateral agreement that allows for free trade between members. The MNC has leveraged these changes to emerge as a significant player in world economics. References: 1. Clarke, G.and S. Wallsten, (2004), â€Å"Has the Internet Increased Trade? : Evidence from Industrial and Developing Countries†, World Bank Policy Research Working Paper 3215. 2. Edwards, S. (1989a), Openness, Trade Liberalization and Economic Performance in Developing Countries, Working Paper No. 2908, NBER, Cambridge Mass. 3. North, D. (1990), â€Å"Institutions Institutional Change and Economic Performance† Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 4. Ohmae, K. (1999) ‘The Borderless World: Power and Strategy in the Interlinked Economy’. New York: Harper Business.

macbeth as a tragic hero :: essays research papers

Macbeth as a tragic hero The character Macbeth is a classic example of a Shakespearean tragic hero. There are many factors that contribute to the degeneration of Macbeth of which three will be discussed. The three points, which contribute greatly to Macbeth's degeneration are the prophecies, which were told to him by the weird sisters, how Lady Macbeth influenced and manipulated Macbeth's judgment, and finally Macbeth's long time ambition, which drove his desire to be king. Macbeth's growing character degenerate from a noble man to a violent individual.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The prophecies, which were told by the weird sisters, were one of the factors, which contributed to the decline of his strong character. It is believed that if the predictions hadn't been made about Macbeth becoming Thane of Cawdor, and an eventual king, he would still be focused on his career as a warrior. Greed and power drive humans to change themselves, when it is not needed. As a result of the prophecies, Macbeth's curiosity was aroused, and he know was driven to become King of Scotland. As the play progresses, Macbeth slowly relies on the witches prophecies. Shakespeare uses the witches as a remedy for Macbeth's curiosity, which corrupts his character.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The influences of Macbeth's wife, Lady Macbeth, also contributed to his descend of character. Lady Macbeth's character in the beginning reveals that she is a lovable person. When Lady Macbeth was ready to kill King Duncan, she couldn't follow through with it because Duncan reminded her of her father. This example proves that lady Macbeth was not such a bad person. Lady Macbeth played an important role in this play because she provided a scheme, which caused Macbeth to murder Duncan himself. Afterwards, he later regretted his wrongdoing. During this point in the play, the climax, the audience can note the change in Macbeth's character. Macbeth's first murder was a trying experience for him, however after the first murder, killing seemed, to him, the only solution to maintain his eventual reign of Scotland. Therefore, saying that Lady Macbeth was the person who introduced a sin to Macbeth.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Macbeth's ambition also influenced his decline of character. However, Macbeth's ambition wasn't strong enough to carry the motive to kill Duncan. Lady Macbeth's influence also comes into play because if it weren't for her, he wouldn't have been driven to do anything it took to be an eventual king.

Use of Pathos in an Ad Commercial :: Pathos Advertisment Essays

Use of Pathos in an Ad Commercial The images which are used for advertisements, newspapers, or magazines usually include the significant purposes and ideas. Then, in many cases, they are described by ethos, pathos, and logos which are used frequently to catch viewers’ attentions. Even if the ads do not have concrete strategies and clear opinions, those ads may not be able to persuade the viewers. In other words, the excellent ads could use one of three persuasions. The following advertisement is the good example of embedded pathos in the advertisement. The advertisement of the Office of National Drug Control Policy strongly persuades the reader not to dabble with marijuana. In the image, the close-up of a crooked bicycle wheel sits on an asphalt road. At first glance, maybe the reader does not recognize what the image explains the reader and what is about. However, the viewer figures that there is a sad story in the ad. The viewer reads the story of this wheel on the upper right hand corner of the picture. Then the viewer understands that this advertisement is about marijuana. In this advertisement, Pathos, which is used for emotional appeal, is embedded efficiently. Also, it is the best choice for this anti-drug ad and more suitable than ethos or logos because appealing to person’s character or logic do not work so much for the marijuana addicts. That is why this image successfully persuades people who disregard the risks of marijuana. First, the ad tells the story of an accident which was caused by a person who smoked weed. It says, â€Å"You smoked weed. You got behind the wheel. And you hit a six-year-old girl on her bike. Weed can make you do stupid things like that.† Like this, the sentences help us to understand and to imagine about this picture. In this quotation, marijuana is described as informal word â€Å"weed.† Sometimes, to use a casual word is more persuasive than a formal word. The affinity for â€Å"weed† expresses that everyone could be involved in the accidents because of marijuana addicts. As a result, the readers keep away from marijuana. This story and the close-up wheel appeal to the reader’s emotion how about terrible marijuana is. In these sentences, not only pathos but also ethos which appeals to a person’s character or personality is embedded. By using second person discourse, the ad persuades especially current smokers to quit right away and at the same time discourages readers from smoking weed and reads directly toward each viewer.

Parents Are Not Always Right

In some areas of the Philippines where I grew up, young men and women were much more sophisticated and conservative values were practiced by cost individuals. Unlike teenagers who grew up in the United States, the ones in the Philippines were more laid-back and reserved. Despite the fact that I grew up in a place where traditional and conventional values were practiced, influences in society such as the media, still played a role in growing up. Therefore, teenagers did not always stay true to the advice of their parents.Parenting is an intricate subject. Some guardians believe that being a strict parent to their children will allow them to stay on the right path and grow up as responsible adults. However, strict parenting also back-fire which can result in their children wanting to rebel and go against their parent's orders. The advice that my parents gave me of not having a boyfriend until finishing school is an example of this type of parenting. Thankfully, my parents and I still h ad a close relationship after I disobeyed them that one time.They still trusted me since I always gave them a reason to. Unfortunately, I have witnessed dreadful outcomes in my group of friends when their parents strongly applied this rule to their children. In addition, their parents became too overprotective and would intrude in their child's privacy which resulted In their child feeling suffocated and feeling the need to go against their parents orders since their parents acted as If they could not be trusted.After witnessing a friend went through this experience, I learned that If you raise a child to respect certain values and they are aware that you trust them, It can do miracles. This can also benefit their relationship with their children In the future knowing that there was always a strong trust factor between hem. Once trust Is gained, a child will become open and comfortable with their guardians. There Is a thin line between being a good parent and an overbearing one who actually hurts a child's well-being.Being young Is about making mistakes and learning from them with the help of supportive people In the lives, such as their parents. Parents Are Not Always Right By Ð’Â »locale's intrude in their child's privacy which resulted in their child feeling suffocated and feeling the need to go against their parents orders since their parents acted as if earned that if you raise a child to respect certain values and they are aware that you trust them, it can do miracles.This can also benefit their relationship with their children in the future knowing that there was always a strong trust factor between them. Once trust is gained, a child will become open and comfortable with their guardians. There is a thin line between being a good parent and an overbearing one who actually hurts a child's well-being. Being young is about making mistakes and learning from them with the help of supportive people in the lives, such as their Parents Are Not Always Right In some areas of the Philippines where I grew up, young men and women were much more sophisticated and conservative values were practiced by cost individuals. Unlike teenagers who grew up in the United States, the ones in the Philippines were more laid-back and reserved. Despite the fact that I grew up in a place where traditional and conventional values were practiced, influences in society such as the media, still played a role in growing up. Therefore, teenagers did not always stay true to the advice of their parents.Parenting is an intricate subject. Some guardians believe that being a strict parent to their children will allow them to stay on the right path and grow up as responsible adults. However, strict parenting also back-fire which can result in their children wanting to rebel and go against their parent's orders. The advice that my parents gave me of not having a boyfriend until finishing school is an example of this type of parenting. Thankfully, my parents and I still h ad a close relationship after I disobeyed them that one time.They still trusted me since I always gave them a reason to. Unfortunately, I have witnessed dreadful outcomes in my group of friends when their parents strongly applied this rule to their children. In addition, their parents became too overprotective and would intrude in their child's privacy which resulted In their child feeling suffocated and feeling the need to go against their parents orders since their parents acted as If they could not be trusted.After witnessing a friend went through this experience, I learned that If you raise a child to respect certain values and they are aware that you trust them, It can do miracles. This can also benefit their relationship with their children In the future knowing that there was always a strong trust factor between hem. Once trust Is gained, a child will become open and comfortable with their guardians. There Is a thin line between being a good parent and an overbearing one who actually hurts a child's well-being.Being young Is about making mistakes and learning from them with the help of supportive people In the lives, such as their parents. Parents Are Not Always Right By Ð’Â »locale's intrude in their child's privacy which resulted in their child feeling suffocated and feeling the need to go against their parents orders since their parents acted as if earned that if you raise a child to respect certain values and they are aware that you trust them, it can do miracles.This can also benefit their relationship with their children in the future knowing that there was always a strong trust factor between them. Once trust is gained, a child will become open and comfortable with their guardians. There is a thin line between being a good parent and an overbearing one who actually hurts a child's well-being. Being young is about making mistakes and learning from them with the help of supportive people in the lives, such as their

My hobby which is driving Essay Essays

My hobby which is driving Essay Essays My hobby which is driving Essay Essay My hobby which is driving Essay Essay Make you of all time acquire that impulse to merely run away? Or like you are about to detonate with choler for no ground? Ever feel like you are so swamped with work from school that you want to discontinue college. merely for a minute? These are all impulses induced by emphasis. We all find ways to get away in order to garner ourselves. even if it is merely for a small while. I live in an flat in Brooklyn and portion a sleeping room with my small sister which is a immense emphasis factor in my life. I didn’t have many options when I was a immature adolescent. Where was a immature miss like me supposed to travel when I had had plenty? Public transit neer appealed to me. I wasn’t old plenty to drive yet. so the lone thing I could make was travel outside and hang out on the block with my vicinity friends. But I yearned to be off by myself one time in a piece and taking a long walks on cold winter yearss merely didn’t cut it. I couldn’t delay to turn up so I could merely take off and go forth when I truly felt the demand. alternatively of remaining place in a topographic point where a battle was bound to interrupt out. Then I turned 17 my grandfather decided to learn me how to drive. Following thing I knew I had my licence and I was away! My life had changed wholly. It was now my beginning of emphasis alleviation. and on top of that it enabled me to spread out my societal life by going to more topographic points out of Brooklyn where the party scene was more appealing. Now I could acquire in my grandpa’s old auto and cut through the air at tickle pinking velocities with the air current in my hair and my stone music blasting. I was free as a bird. Everyone has their small method of chilling out and loosen uping and drive is mine. Jeff Greenwald gave a great illustration in Health magazine when he discussed Zen drive. He said that the feeling begins the minute you enter your auto. and settle yourself†¦at that point the auto becomes an extension of yourself. Your tyres should experience like the underside of your shoe. and the rear-view mirror becomes your 3rd oculus. This is precisely how I release all that pent up tenseness. My auto and I fuse into one and I forget about what I was making before. I don’t think about my finish. all that affairs is what I am making at that minute. I admit I do on juncture take my choler out on the route but I would NEVER set person else’s life at interest. That’s why I am normally out driving at eldritch hours of the dark when there isn’t many others out at that place on the route with me. I like to rush. I like to travel on the New York expressway and push that hapless peddle of my grandfather Buick past its bounds. I may neer hold driven faster than 100 stat mis an hr. but I think I’ll save the faster velocities for the twenty-four hours I become a race auto driver. Harmonizing to the web site of Department of Motor Vehicles of New York State there are 3. 327. 441 licensed drivers in NYC in 2003. I am one of those drivers. Possibly I am non the lone 1 that likes to drive so much. But I try to be responsible because New York City seems to be celebrated for bad drivers and merely because I am careful doesn’t mean the cat next me is. I say cat because a common stereotype is that adult females are atrocious drivers compared to work forces I think everyone should be able to do their ain determinations merely after they have reviewed the facts. Harmonizing to the DMV of the State of New York in the twelvemonth 2001. work forces aged 18-24 were responsible for more than three times the sum of fatal auto accidents as adult females aged 18-24. Car accidents are a chilling thing to see but non something I put a batch of idea into when I foremost got my licence. but seeing a figure like 422 human deaths of immature work forces and adult females in N YC entirely isn’t something I take lightly. The 2nd manner drive has impacted my life has been by leting me to go further with more easiness and in comfort. Having a licence takes off my dependance on others. I can name my friends ; pick them up. and thrust to a nine in the metropolis on any given dark without holding to worry about trusting on person else or about taking the train tardily at dark. Harmonizing to the MTA New York City Transit agenda. the F train which would usually take me about an hr to acquire to Manhattan from Brooklyn. runs every 20 proceedingss on late darks and weekends. But as many of you may hold experienced this does non frequently turn out to be the instance. I have waited for several hours at times and when Us are coming back from a nine or saloon and have a few drinks in you. I doubt you are in no temper to wait that long. That’s when some may fall back to taking a cab. but non everyone could afford that luxury. and cab menus can add up if you go out often. Though I do hold to pay the monetary value of remaining sober when I drive. I truly don’t head because it is non the most of import thing in the universe to me. When I drive I control reasonably much everything. the lone thing beyond my powers is traffic on the roads but with experience you learn there are plentifulness of ways to avoid it. Basically I am content to cognize that I will ever hold the route to salvage me from ennui and hurt. I will everlastingly be indulging in the pleasances of driving. and no 1 will of all time be able to take that off from me. At least I hope non.

Funeral Oration of Pericles Essay Example

Funeral Oration of Pericles Essay Example Funeral Oration of Pericles Essay Funeral Oration of Pericles Essay Prices Funeral Oration In the fifth century BCC the city of Athens was lead by a man named Prices. Funerals after great battles were held as a public event where any citizen of Athens, stranger or relative to the fallen heroes, was invited to take place. A major difference between funerals in Athens and funerals held in present day is the fact that in Athens the cost of the funeral fell on the public rather than the family of the deceased. The fallen heroes are laid in a public sepulcher which was located in the suburb of the city. : Several days before the funeral procession a tent would be erected and the bones of the fallen soldiers were placed in the tent. One empty coffin would be present for those whose bodies could not be recovered. During the three days before the funeral offerings would be brought to the families. In his speech Prices addresses the fact that it is difficult for one man to speak the praises and accolades of many fallen soldiers. On one hand a relative may underestimate what Prices had to say about their brother, father, or son. On the there, a complete stranger would have a hard time believing in something so radical because they themselves had never had such an experience. Prices goes on to discuss the nature of Democracy in Athens, stating that their laws afford equal Justice to all. Their laws did not cater to the rich or the poor, nor did social standing or class consideration have an effect on the rights of the citizens. The same concept applied to their personal lives. Year round celebrations of games and sacrifices helped to separate the life of work and duty, from the life of family. As government and social life went, so did the military aspect. Athens was a city that was open to the world. Never would a foreigner be excluded from the opportunity to learn or observe. Although a great concept, sometimes their enemies would learn quite valuable information from their open-city policy. To Prices this was not as big of a problem as it seems to the reader. He states that while their enemies march into battle with every last one of their allies, Athens will march into any territory unsupported. The Athenian citizen was proclaimed to be as self-sufficient and versatile as a human could possibly be. Prices says that there is Justice in a man who serves his country. A soldiers devotion to his people should act as a cloak to cover up their imperfections as a person. That their good deeds to the country should out way their misdeeds as an individual. The Athenians found honor in choosing to die defending the country they love rather than to live submitting to another nation. The Athenian soldier fled only from dishonor, but met danger face to face, and after one brief moment, while at the summit of their fortune, escaped not from their fear, but from their glory. (Prices, 3) Strangely, the families found comfort in the death of their loved ones who perished in battle. There was no greater honor than to die on the battlefield defending the country in which they loved. The Athenian soldiers who gave their lives were seen as fortunate to be able to die in such a glorious way. Price s ends his oration by telling his people that the true burden of death lies with those still living. While the living Athenians contend with envy, the dead are honored tit a goodwill in which human emotions like Jealousy, envy, hatred, and, sorrow fallen will be raised until manhood by the expense of the public. Athens acted as a city of one big family, caring for the families of the fallen without question. The world could learn a great deal from the city of Athens and I believe that it would be a much better place to live in if that were the case. Sources: Duchesses (C. 460/455-c. 399 BCC): Peloponnesus war, kick 2. 34-46 Http www. Fordham. Du/halls/ancient/prices-functionaries. Asp 8/24/2013

Top 10 Hottest Jobs for College Graduates

Top 10 Hottest Jobs for College Graduates if you’re on the job hunt post-college and have no idea where to begin, take your cue from 2016’s  hottest jobs for college graduates. here are the top tens for job postings and most-popular (and hirable!) majors for recent research done by the thejobnetwork in 2016. let’s start with this years 10 most popular majors. not much change has been shown in the past few years. so if you’re still undecided, you might consider one of these tried-and-true paths to your future career:top 10 majors of 2016business administration managementpsychologynursingteaching or educationaccountingcriminal justice / correctionsaccountingliberal arts (general studies)english language literaturehistorynext up are the top 10 job titles posted on thejobnetwork in 2016 that require a college degree. so you can take your studies from the list above and get out there on the market!top 10 job postings on thejobnetwork in 2016graphic designmedical assistantweb design developmentinfo rmation systems managementmarketingaccountinghealth care administrationengineeringparalegalelectronic and computer technology  and, finally, here are the top 10  jobs that were the â€Å"most boosted† in 2016 on thejobnetwork, all of which are specifically targeting recent grads.top 10 jobs targeting recent grads on thejobnetworksales representativesnursing (and nursing related jobs)teachingaccountingdata analysisdigital marketingsoftware developmentevent planningmechanical engineeringelectrical engineeringyou don’t have to pick one of these career paths or even one of these popular majors to succeed in the job market out of college. but knowing what’s out there and what’s making waves can be incredibly useful to you. follow the trends just enough to be educated and current in what the job search climate is like, without being a slave to any cookie-cutter formulas. and if you’re indecisive or in doubt, it never hurts to go for something thatâ⠂¬â„¢s proven to get results!

Tesla in Dubai Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Tesla in Dubai - Essay Example The company built a strong brand image that captures the attention of customers through celebrity impact. The company develops sleek car models that meet the expectations of the customers. The marketing strategy through social and traditional media has catapulted the company into celebrity limelight. The company’s customer –centric approach has also been one of the main factors for its success in Dubai. Tesla fosters a strong customer relationship, thus creating a positive image among consumers. The first strategy available for Tesla’s international expansion is strategic alliance. Tesla has the option of identifying other companies in foreign markets that have good performance history and join forces with them. The company can easily gain entry into foreign markets through mergers and acquisitions. Through mergers, Tesla will create joint ventures with potential competitors in the market while acquisitions will involve buy out of rival companies in the market. Mergers and acquisitions in foreign markets will enlarge the company’s customer base and also enhance intellectual capital as well as performance efficiencies of the resultant company (Benjamin, 2006). The second strategy that Tesla can use to expand into international markets is licensing. This strategy involves entering foreign markets through leasing a company’s intellectual property rights to a foreign firm (Kozami, 2005). Tesla can lease its technology, patents, brand name and trademark to companies in foreign markets. In this strategy, Tesla would be the licensor while the other companies to which it leases its intellectual property rights would be the licensee. Ireland, Hoskisson and Hitt (2008) argue that â€Å"licensing is popular because it involves little direct cost or risk for the licensor (p.158). Despite the fact that this strategy offers a cheap foreign

Inception (2010) - A Review Movie Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Inception (2010) - A - Movie Review Example There is no denying the fact that Nolan’s primary theme in Inception is the dream world. The mastery of Nolan lies in his ability to use the cinematic devices to bring to the life the hitherto unexplored dynamics of the dream world. Not only Nolan manages to create a complicated maze meandering into the dreams of the characters in the movie, but also succeeds in soliciting the trust and confidence of his viewers in his ability to lead them through this dream world, as the viewers here are significantly prone to getting disoriented and lost. The story line is very different from that of any average movie in the sense that here, even if the viewers are told as to how the movie ends, still they are bound to being unable to grasp anything without knowing how it got there. Actually the movie revolves around ‘how it got there’ to baffle and grip the viewers. In that sense, Inception is more of a process than an outcome, a process that dissects through varied layers of t he dream world, and graduates to explore dreams within dreams, trying to grasp the reality within dreams and bringing to fore the dreams without any reality. The characters in the movie are made to juggle their way through overlapping sheets of the real and the imagined. Herein lays the ultimate interest and strength of the whole movie. The good thing about the movie is that as with the characters in the movie, the viewers are as much bound to being left hanging adrift in time, space and experience. Many a times the viewers are left unsure as to the correlation existing between the real time in which they are viewing the movie and the dream time in which most of the plot unfolds. Nolan does manage to anchor this movie based on the esoteric interplay of dreams by bringing in an emotional thread in the... There is no denying the fact that Nolan’s primary theme in Inception is the dream world. The mastery of Nolan lies in his ability to use the cinematic devices to bring to the life the hitherto unexplored dynamics of the dream world. Not only Nolan manages to create a complicated maze meandering into the dreams of the characters in the movie but also succeeds in soliciting the trust and confidence of his viewers in his ability to lead them through this dream world, as the viewers here are significantly prone to get disoriented and lost. The story line is very different from that of any average movie in the sense that here, even if the viewers are told as to how the movie ends, still they are bound to being unable to grasp anything without knowing how it got there. Actually, the movie revolves around ‘how it got there’ to baffle and grip the viewers. In that sense, Inception is more of a process than an outcome, a process that dissects through varied layers of the d ream world, and graduates to explore dreams within dreams, trying to grasp the reality within dreams and bringing to fore the dreams without any reality. The characters in the movie are made to juggle their way through overlapping sheets of the real and the imagined. Herein lays the ultimate interest and strength of the whole movie. In that sense, Inception not only deserves the 148 minutes of undivided attention of the viewers but also warrants a second visit. In fact, it is much better if the viewers go to this movie, largely uninformed.

The Goals of the U. S. Defence Department Network Essay

The Goals of the U. S. Defence Department Network - Essay Example The telegraph, radio, and telephone, which were the most commonly used medium of communication the past have been shadowed by the internet. The popularity of the internet has increased so much that it has become a worldwide network that has the capabilities to connect individuals via mobile/computer/smartphones/etc., irrespective of geographic constraints (Odlyzko, 2000, pp.31-56). The growth of internet can be attributed five major factors namely, technology, social, political, academic and commercial.  The Internet has evolved into a widespread information infrastructure but if one traces back its history it will be revealed that its origin is very controversial and complicated. Further, there are many factors that contributed its growth over the years including political, technology, academic, social and commercial. The objective of this study is to critically evaluate the factors that contributed to the growth of internet that consequently led to the development of e-commerce a s a new business practice. In the late 1950s, ARPA (Advanced Research Projects Agency) was formed in the United States whose primary aims was to develop technologies that could endure any nuclear attack. A meeting between the private sector contractors, ARPA university with the representatives of US DOD (Department of Defence) in the year 1967 determined the possible protocols to be used when information exchange would take place via computers. This lead to the development of ARPANET in the year 1969. This network initially connected four sites – Stanford Research Institute, the University of California (in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara), and University of Utah. Most of the 70’s were dedicated by researchers to the development of protocols for moving messages across the system of networks, controlling network connections and also allowing remote access to networks.

Credit-Default Swaps and the Fate of AIG Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Credit-Default Swaps and the Fate of AIG - Essay Example The buyers of the credit mechanisms in most a cases are investors and the process of purchasing bond from the seller are comparable to the purchasing an indemnity contract (Rottleb, 2009). The payment done by the investor is characterized of it plagiaristic form that is always used as tradable security to the organization in question. The â€Å"Naked† credit default swaps are when an individual with no experience in dealing with CDS purchase the CDS protecting if from declining because of the upheavals in the economic conditions of the country. Naked credits purchasers are individuals taking a bet of non-payment to be sold to be sold to an individual who is a need of protection against a mechanism default (Pe?rez, 2011). The importance of CDS can not be underrated. It gives investors a break though to predict the changes within a default mechanisms or market catalogues to take suitable decisions regarding purchasing or selling CDS. An example is that an investor may profit to accrue proceeds from the excess of credit default swap from ‘basis trade’, since it combines various default mechanism with the cash bonds of an organization. The mechanism also opens up other avenues for speculations. A saver is at liberty in laying promises to take charge of a bond by promising the seller that he or she is fully liable incase of eventuality of a drop of CDS. An example is when a company A has certainty that company B is going to decline. It purchases bonds of unknown worth from the company to shield it against company C that was waiting to take over the assets of C on its fall. The CDS has the terms of its contract stipulated in the, in the ‘The International Swap and Derivates operation‘. The terms entail the deadline for protection of an organization from declining. Secondly, the terms also spell out the computation mechanisms to apply in determining the effectiveness off administrative function used on the transactions. Lastly, the term s also spell out the structure of the credit event that will lead to the payments of the cash used to insure an organization (Boberski, 2009). There are 2 forms of settlement for CDS associated with the settlement of the mechanisms are Physical or cash settlement. Physical Settlement and Cash Settlement Physical payment is the payment made by an investor to buys bonds to protect them from declining. The buyer investor pays the seller par value of the sold CDS. Cash settlement is the settlement the retailer pays the purchaser the variation par value of the CDS bought by a buyer or an investor. Synthetic Credit Default This is a debt that is taken with provision of security to acts as collateral for the debt taken. The debt taken is invested in other channels like CDS. Synthetic swap are based on the risk individuals take. The cons of synthetic CDS far outweigh its pros; thus it is not efficient. Disadvantages of Synthetic Credit Default Swap The use of synthetic CDS is not effective, since it is not given similar of financial support like the other available money souks because a risk taken by an individual will not be paid completely, rather the payments will be made in portions. Secondly, it requires different views from the stakeholders to

Emotional Intelligence Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Emotional Intelligence - Essay Example a conclusion through rational logic, rather than a highly driven emotional state that could lead towards a heightened sense of mental capacity that would be erratically charged. In the changing business climate, owners are faced with the task of initiating business practices that seek to maximize capabilities of staff to reaching the overall goals to be met by the corporation itself. Enabling stakeholders in the group process to work together in such a manner that they are able to perform the necessary tasks involved for proper management and production decisions. When it comes to such things, â€Å"As thinking human beings, we value our rationality and cognitive powers that set us apart from the animal kingdom. The neo-cortex, the center for rational thinking and decision-making, is the newer part of the brain that is highly developed in humans. The emotional parts of the brain are located in the more ancient, central parts of the brain called the limbic system, including the amygdala, the center active during anger,† Going on to say that, â€Å"All emotions are in essence impulses to act. The very root of the word is from the Latin verb to move. That emotions lead to actions is obvious from watching animals or children. Only in civilized adults do we expect actions to be divorced from emotional reactions. But even as highly intelligent and civilized adults, we can never disengage our emotional brain ¾ it is always there, sending emotional signals to act and react, even when there is no logic. Most people believe that emotions are caused by events. They are in fact caused by our interpretations of events, sometimes so fleeting and fast as to be beneath the level of consciousness. Our pre-conscious, split-second thoughts give rise to automatic emotional reactions. We then have a choice as to how we behave, what we say, and how we handle a situation. The appropriateness of our actions and the effectiveness of our communications make up our emotional intelligence. A

Credit-Default Swaps and the Fate of AIG Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Credit-Default Swaps and the Fate of AIG - Essay Example The buyers of the credit mechanisms in most a cases are investors and the process of purchasing bond from the seller are comparable to the purchasing an indemnity contract (Rottleb, 2009). The payment done by the investor is characterized of it plagiaristic form that is always used as tradable security to the organization in question. The â€Å"Naked† credit default swaps are when an individual with no experience in dealing with CDS purchase the CDS protecting if from declining because of the upheavals in the economic conditions of the country. Naked credits purchasers are individuals taking a bet of non-payment to be sold to be sold to an individual who is a need of protection against a mechanism default (Pe?rez, 2011). The importance of CDS can not be underrated. It gives investors a break though to predict the changes within a default mechanisms or market catalogues to take suitable decisions regarding purchasing or selling CDS. An example is that an investor may profit to accrue proceeds from the excess of credit default swap from ‘basis trade’, since it combines various default mechanism with the cash bonds of an organization. The mechanism also opens up other avenues for speculations. A saver is at liberty in laying promises to take charge of a bond by promising the seller that he or she is fully liable incase of eventuality of a drop of CDS. An example is when a company A has certainty that company B is going to decline. It purchases bonds of unknown worth from the company to shield it against company C that was waiting to take over the assets of C on its fall. The CDS has the terms of its contract stipulated in the, in the ‘The International Swap and Derivates operation‘. The terms entail the deadline for protection of an organization from declining. Secondly, the terms also spell out the computation mechanisms to apply in determining the effectiveness off administrative function used on the transactions. Lastly, the term s also spell out the structure of the credit event that will lead to the payments of the cash used to insure an organization (Boberski, 2009). There are 2 forms of settlement for CDS associated with the settlement of the mechanisms are Physical or cash settlement. Physical Settlement and Cash Settlement Physical payment is the payment made by an investor to buys bonds to protect them from declining. The buyer investor pays the seller par value of the sold CDS. Cash settlement is the settlement the retailer pays the purchaser the variation par value of the CDS bought by a buyer or an investor. Synthetic Credit Default This is a debt that is taken with provision of security to acts as collateral for the debt taken. The debt taken is invested in other channels like CDS. Synthetic swap are based on the risk individuals take. The cons of synthetic CDS far outweigh its pros; thus it is not efficient. Disadvantages of Synthetic Credit Default Swap The use of synthetic CDS is not effective, since it is not given similar of financial support like the other available money souks because a risk taken by an individual will not be paid completely, rather the payments will be made in portions. Secondly, it requires different views from the stakeholders to

Video Reaction paper 3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Video Reaction paper 3 - Essay Example It made me think about how far behind our society is in terms of true acceptance and inclusiveness of the people who are born as one gender but have the ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of both genders. Provided they are given the freedom to choose who they truly know their selves to be. The death of Fred Martinez left me with a feeling of shame as I viewed the documentary. While Fred was somebody who was admired in his native American tribe for the uniqueness of his spirit, he was condemned by our society for being gay. But in reality, was his sexual orientation or gender identity really something to kill a person about? The violence that he experienced through bullying is something that our society would never stand for if it were done to a White Man. No, if Fred Martinez had been white, he would have been protected by our bullying laws. He would have had access to a restraining order. He would have been able to stand up for himself because our society protects by law and respects the White gays and lesbians. Instead Martinez was killed because our society refused to understand the uniqueness of his person and lacked respect for Fred's own Native American traditions. The puzzlement for me while watching the documentary was how our own LGBT community can fight for and most the time, gain the rights and respect that they demand for their gender identities but when the native Americans, the original settlers in this country show that they too deserve to be accorded the same respect, they are not only denied the opportunity to live under the same cloak of protection as their U.S, counterparts, but are murdered because of it. We are often told to keep an open mind and broaden our thinking and understanding of the LGBT sector of society. But when push comes to shove, we always seem to fall short of this commitment to understand those who are different from us in terms of national heritage. However, as Fred showed those around him, native Americans have always been more than accepting, loving, caring, and respectful of those who are like Fred. As long as we refuse to accept and respect the culture of those whom we consider to have a different society from us, we will never live in a truly equal world. Fred's death serves to remind us of that disrespect. While our own LGBT community continues to struggle and win their right to fair treatment, our native American brothers and sisters who are also a member of the LGBT sector of society have been shown to live a life full of fear and uncertainty because the rules of the White Man does not apply to them and their cause. It saddens me to learn that we have a long way to go, centuries after Columbus â€Å"discovered† America and massacring the original settlers, long after we segregated them to tribal camps in the outskirts, that we as a society, have still failed to offer them the chance to be assimilated into our society based upon equality and fair treatment regardless of sexual preference or orientation. As a society, we are centuries behind our Native American counterparts who learned early on the value of the uniqueness in a person. We have a lot to learn from them in terms of the ways and means through which a thorough understanding of the two spirits that exist in the LGBT's can actually help our society evolve into a highly intricate and accepting society.

Defending Mersult Essay Example for Free

Defending Mersult Essay What is justice? Is it when a person’s demise makes society feel better? Or is it when a suspect gets acquitted of all charges brought against him? Wherever there is justice there is obscurity. No matter how it is looked at, there is no real justice in the judicial system. In Albert Camus â€Å"The Stranger† the narrator, Meursault, is being trialed for the murder of a man he encounters at the beach. At his trial, the prosecutor makes much of Meursault’s demeanor and the prosecutor focuses on irrelevant information like Meursault’s failure to properly show grief at his own mother’s recent funeral. The prosecutor based the trial on events which had taken place prior to the murder. Even though, his points did not have the connection with the murder which the prosecution maintained. Therefore, the prosecutor created an unfair trial, by not giving Meursalt adequate time to speak in his own defense, bringing up irrelevant situations such as his relationship with his mother and his beliefs. Meursault was not given the chance to defend himself because of questions from the prosecutor and lack of knowledge of his lawyer. The case was rather built upon his lack of feelings towards his mother’s death and his choice not to believe in God. Typically, throughout a trial, the defendant is given time on the witness stand to plea innocence, and explain why he committed the crime. Meursault, however, stood before the judge and was asked yes or no questions. This left him with little or no time to plead his case. Before he could say anything else, he was back on his way to the jail. Meursault said, I didnt even have time to think. I was taken out, put into the van, and driven to prison (Camus88). At first he did not know what was going on, but knew he wanted to say something. Then every time he would try to say something, his lawyer would simply say â€Å"Just keep quiet- it wont do your case any good (Camus98). Meursaults lawyer would not let him say anything, and this bothered Meursault. Every now and then, during the trial, Meursault would have the urge to stand up and yell in his head, Wait a minute! Whos the accused here? Being the accused counts for something. And I have something to say â€Å"(Camus;98).This made Meursault feel alienated from the trial that was going to determine the rest of his life. The prosecutor had involved his personal feelings about Meursaults beliefs into the case, which was definitely not needed. The prosecutor had repeatedly asked Meursault about his belief in God, and eventually got agitated because Meursault did not believe in God. â€Å"drawing himself up to his full height and asking me if I believed in God. I said no. ‘Do you want my life to be meaningless?’ he shouted†(Camus;69). The prosecutor had absolutely no right to bring personal feelings about Meursalt into the case. He clearly was mad and irritated, because Meursault did not believe in God. The prosecutor was offended at the fact that, he had no belief, because of this he began to mock Meursault. â€Å"That’s all for today, Monsieur Meursalt† (Camus; 71). As a prosecutor you are there to do your job, and not to build relationships or hatred for people. However the prosecutor had allowed Meursaults views to dictate the outcome of the trial. The prosecutor went about the whole trial, asking Meursault, his acquaintances and also his friend’s personal questions about his relationships with people. The prosecutor focused mainly on the irreverent events that had happened prior to the trial. The prosecutor focused on his reaction to his mother’s death and relationship with her. Firstly, Meursault is a human being with a lack of emotions. Maybe most of the people will get freaked out or think that he is a monster, but he actually isn’t. For example, he loves his mother and care for his girlfriend Marie, but he just doesn’t have the strong emotions for them. He doesn’t cry on his mother’s funeral, he thinks marrying another girl will be the same. However Meursault lifestyle is indifferent, it’s quite hard for him to show emotions, on the other hand, because of this Meursault should not be judge. Nonetheless the prosecutor somehow found his relationship, with his loved ones to be relevant to the case, when it was not. â€Å"He asked me why I had put Maman in the home. I answered I didn’t haven’t money to have her looked after and cared for†(Camus;88). As one may see, the prosecutor had personalized the case by asking him why he had put his mother in a home. Meursault inability to care for his mother was irreverent, however because the prosecutor may had feel that Meursault is â€Å"monster† for putting his mother in a home, he wanted everyone else to have the same perspective. The case had end up focusing on the relationship his mother and how bad of a son he was to her, rather than the killing of the Arab. The prosecutor had brought the director in to witnesses, badgering the director with unnecessary questions about the relationship. â€Å"He had asked whether Maman ever complained about meTo another question he replied that he had been surprised by my calm the day of the funeral†(Camus89). As it is shown the prosecutor was more interested by Meursault lack of emotions and lifestyle. Throughout the whole trial the prosecutor was more so trying to prove everyone that Meursault was a bad son and self centered person. In conclusion the judicial system may definitely be corrupted at times and proceed unfair sentences. Just as Meursaults trial which was based on emotions of the prosecutor rather than the facts of the day of the killing. The prosecutor relied on events prior to that day, which were absolutely not significant to the ruling. Meursault’s relationship with his mother and how he had decided to proceed with his life had no connection to the trial. The prosecutor had also not given Meursault an ample amount of time to answer or prepare for is questions, it happened all so fast for Meursault. As a result, he created an unfair trial and unrelated points against Meursault. All in all the interpretation of these events, provided by the prosecution was largely unfounded.

Explaining the theories of play

Explaining the theories of play This paper explores how play helps in the mental, social, emotional and cognitive development in children. By explaining the theories of play, it also explores how play has changed over the years due to technological changes and the cognitive, mental, social emotional and social changes which take place when children play. Other aspects of play which are explored includes its contribution as an outlet for children to deal with experiences in the environment. Play is so important to a childs development that it is promoted by the United Nations 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 31.1, which recognizes the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts (WHO, 1989). Recognizing that children need time to engage in self-driven play is of essence among parents, caregivers and educators. Play promotes the cognitive, social, emotional and physical development of the child hence it should not be underestimated. Children also develop and strengthen skills such as language development, problem solving, negotiating, and sequencing skills which will be used in further learning (Singer et al., 2006). The role of play in children development has been illustrated in various models and theories. For instance, Jean Piagets models of child development and learning are based on the perception that when a child grows, it develops cognition structures and mental images (schemes) or linked concepts to understand and respond to physical conditions in the environment. This are necessitated through play activities thus according to Piaget, a childs structure in cognition develops from innate reflexes to complex mental activities (Singer et al., 2006). According to Almon J. (2004) Piaget identifies four developmental stages which include Sensory motor where the child at birth to two years builds concepts about how reality works with the surrounding environment. At this stage, a child doesnt have object permanence (knowledge that physical objects exist when not sighted). In the pre-occupational stage, the child doesnt conceptualize abstractly and needs physical circumstances which are concrete (age of seven to 11 years). At two to seven years, the child is in the concrete operational stage where he begins to conceptualize and explain physical experiences by logical structures and can also engage in abstract problem solving. In the formal operations stage, cognition structures are adult like and encompass conceptual reasoning. On the basis of the above stages therefore, Piaget develops the cognitive theory of play which outlines the cognitive principles of how cognition can be built in children (smith D., 1995). According to this theory, Repetition of experiences through play necessitates assimilation in the childs structures of cognition thus the child sustains a mental equilibrium. New or different experiences cause loss of equilibrium and change the childs cognitive structure to accommodate new conditions hence more and more structures of cognition are erected. Formalized learning as well as language development is enhanced in playing children. Coolhan K. et al. (2000) suggests that opportunities for learning oral communication is presented to the child and this early development of language will later be useful in reading and writing. In addition, children develop problem-solving skills as they play. Some of the playing activities they engage in require critical thinking skills like building with block s, playing with water and sand, doing puzzles, or constructing and designing their imaginative play area (Huertwitz S., 2002). Free child driven play will make a child curious about his or her world and this facilitates further learning. Therefore according to Ginsburg K. (2001), when allowed to pursue areas of their own interest, children are likely to develop a positive attitude towards learning. According to Jean Piaget, Play creates an atmosphere which is relaxed where learning can take place easily. In addition, Piaget suggests that play is not similar to learning and for development in cognition to occur, there has to be assimilation and adaptation. He further refers to play as assimilation in the absence of accommodation. Jean Piaget outlines four types of play namely physical or sensory motor play where a child engages in repetition of physical activity such as swinging of the feet or back throwing of the head for sheer enjoyment of doing so. In symbolic play, the child has a mental representation of non present realities. In this type of play Piaget suggests that It is primarily affective conflicts that appear in symbolic play.   If there is a scene at lunch, for example, one can be sure that an hour or two afterward it will be recreated with dolls and will be brought to a happier solution.   If the child has been frightened by a dog, in a symbolic game things will be arranged so that dogs will no longer be mean or children will become brave ( Piaget, 1912). Examples of types of play which encompass Piagets types include;   Ã‚   Games of pivots (Construction) which   Ã‚   Involve learning accidentally from symbolic play. On this type of play, Piaget suggested that they are initially imbued with play symbolism but tend later to constitute genuine adaptations or solutions to problems and intelligent creations Piaget, 1962.  Ã‚   Other games include Games having arbitrary rules, games involving two or more players, board games with rules, sports and card games (almond J., 2004) Hurtwitz S. (2002) suggests that creative play forms part of creative activity in children which enables them to express themselves openly and without judgment and its shown when familiar materials are used in an unusual way especially when children engage in imaginative play and role-playing. Creativity nurtures a childs emotional health and the experiences underwent during their first years of life can significantly develop their creativity. It fosters mental development by providing opportunities for trying out new ideas, ways of problem-solving and thinking (Singer et al., 1996). Children need to be provided with creative materials and experiences like drawing/painting, photography, music, field trips, working with wire, clay, paper, wood, water or shadows. Time is needed to explore these materials on their own in order to purse their ideas. This involves time to think about how to plan, design, construct, experiment and revise project ideas. Varieties experiences like field trip s, celebrating holidays and activities with other ethnic groups and encouraging children to bring visitors to school leads to creativity. Children should have more personal experiences with people and situations outside of their own environment, in order to incorporate them in their play (Smith D., 1995). According to Piaget, play in children enhances cognitive development which is achieved when there is a continued equilibrium between assimilation (imposing a schema which exists on the world) and accommodation (where the schemas are modified to fit the world).For example through pretence play, a child imposes mental schema on the world thus assimilation and they also observe or imitate past events or activity thus accommodation; play also facilitates creation of tension between accommodation and assimilation which contributes to development in the child (Coolhan K. et al., 2000). Piaget additionally suggests that when children play with objects (pivots) they develop symbolic abstract thoughts and they construct their knowledge through social group interaction which is internalized into thought. Fantasy play or solitary play in infancy become cooperative and negotiated thus contributing to the social, cognitive and emotional status (personality) of the child (Singer et. Al., 2006). Play develops social skills in children especially when playing house and taking up the roles of different family members. Vygotsky cites a situation of two sisters playing at being sisters. They acquire good behaviours and relations between them that are never noticed in daily life situations. Therefore play allows interaction between children as they communicate with each other, socialize in play and listen to ideas of others (Vygotsky, 1978). Cooperation is also enhanced in these children as they discover the importance of working together and sharing the play tools available. Incase of conflicts, they are able to negotiate for better continued playing. Moreover, a socially healthy child adjusts well in school are more likely to perform well academically (Smith D., 1995). Motor skill development is enhanced by active play activities in children. They gravitate to physical activity when left on their own. In play, they perform many activities like running and jumping which leads to physical fitness. Children who dont play are more prone to obesity and many other complications. Apart from large muscle skills, active play also enhances the development of small motor skills when children build, paint or play with clay. Acquisition and refinement of skills necessary for successful learning in school is via active play (Ginshburg K., 2001). Freud developed the psychoanalytic theory and related it to play in children. According to him, play gives children a good platform to speak out unfulfilled wishes and helps in revealing hidden, unconscious wishes and conflicts. Through play, children resolve tensions and build their cognitive, emotional and moral aspects of life thus contributing to their personality. Children initiate play activities and through this, they are able to communicate symbolically through verbal and non verbal means, e.g. through such play activities like narration and story telling or those which involve assigning roles (Singer et al., 2006) According Freud, Play in children helps to relieve various forms of anxiety which include objective anxiety, the fear of the external world; instinctual anxiety; the fear of ones own instincts and the anxiety of conscience (super ego). Freud further suggests that children during infancy cannot oppose actively and defend themselves from the outside world either physically or by modification according to their will. Their ego thus in all kinds of ways endeavors to defend itself against it by means of physical force or to modify it in accordance to their own will (Freud, 1936) The ego in children according to Freud thus defends itself by denial of reality by fantasy, transformation of reality to suit own purpose and fulfill own wishes and it is at this point that the child accepts reality. He suggests that children express denial in form of play using word or art. He suggested that; A small handbag or tiny umbrella is intended to help a little girl to pretend to be a grown-up lady.   Toy weapons of various sorts enable a little boy to ape manhood.   Even dolls create the fiction of motherhood, while trains, cars, or blocks produce in the minds of children the agreeable fantasy that they can control the world.   (Freud, 1936) Erik Erikson derived the theory of child development in which he suggested that development and socialization processes occur in specific predetermined stages and he focused on the social aspect of development. He divided life in eight stages each with a unique time frame and characteristics. According to Erickson, each stage of development has a negative outcome and he termed this as an identity crisis. In Ericksons stages therefore, I will focus on the first four stages which are crucial to play and the childs social development (singer et. al., 2006) According to Erikson, satisfactory learning and resolution of each crisis is necessary if the child is to manage the next and subsequent ones satisfactorily, just as the foundation of a house is essential to the first floor, which in turn must be structurally sound to support the second storey (singer et al., 2006). Erickson also suggests that learning Trust Versus Mistrust occurs in the first one or two years and at this stage he asserts that if the child is given well nurturing and love, play is facilitated hence trust and security is developed. On the other hand, if handled badly, insecurity and mistrust is inculcated in the child and this limits play activity which will later manifest in the child as treatment of others with suspicion and mistrust (Smith D., 2000). The second stage, Autonomy versus Shame, according to Erickson takes place in early childhood, between 18 months to four years. The child if well parented comes out this stage sure about himself, has elation with his control and is proud and not ashamed. If poor parenting is given, play activity is curbed and thus a psychosocial crisis which encompasses a stormy child with tantrums negativism and stubbornness ensues (Hurtwitz s., 2002). This crisis is negative to play activity in the child affecting the social development of the child. According to Erickson, The third stage, Initiative versus Guilt, results in occurrence of crisis during the play age in later preschool years. At this stage, the healthy developing child learns to imagine play activity and to broaden skills via active play of various kinds which may include fantasy. The child also learns to cooperate with others and to lead as well as to follow. However if guilt is inculcated in the child, he becomes fearful, does not participate in play, depends unnecessarily on adults and play skills are restricted in development and imagination (singer et al., 2006). The fourth stage as per Erickson is Industry versus Inferiority which occurs between school age and junior high school and at this stage, the child masters skills of life with regard to relating with other peers in accordance with rules, continuing from free play to play which may be structured by rules and participates in formal teamwork e.g. baseball while engaging in social studies and arithmetic (Alman J., 2004). Homework is necessary and self-discipline increases yearly. Therefore a child who has passed the previous stages successfully through play activity and good nurturing will be industrious. Basing on the above stages, Erikson perceived the world of play as important to early stages of development of a child as it offers a safe place for the child to work through his conflicts for example children can be seen pushing dolls in preschool in the same way that they were pushed. They also engage in role playing family members or other people and this often common. According to Erickson, play creates a safe world in which consequences are neither strong nor the limits rigid. For example, some of the favorite things children in preschool do include role playing, parents, teachers, monsters and wild animals (Smith D., 1995). According to Erickson therefore, play gives the child an opportunity to organize ideas, fantasies and feelings in a plan of play. Therefore play facilitates emotional development and allows exploration of ideas and relationships with less doubt, guilt and sham. Classical Theories of Play According to the Surplus Energy Theory, a child is motivated to play if he or she has a need to release surplus energy and play occurs due to surplus energy which exists when children are set free from their parents self preservation activities.   Through the aimless numerous play activities, surplus energy is released. However this theory does not explain why people and children with little energy engage in play activities (Ginsburg K., 2001). The relaxation theory was devised by Lazarus in 1883  and Patrick in 1916 and it plays a role in children and is a mode of releasing inhibitions which have accumulated from fatigue as a result of relatively new tasks to children. Therefore in children,    Play replenishes used energy as a result of unfamiliar activities of cognition that child engages in. According to the relaxation theory, children and other people play because they need to relax and be away from normal lifes stresses (Singer et al., 2006). The preparation Theory (Instinct/Practice) on the other hand suggests that play prepares children for adult life through teaching: e.g. through such activities as team work and role playing activities (James et al). The recapitulation theory perceives hat activities which re-enact events from history are intrinsically rewarding e.g. hunting, throwing games, hide and seek and chasing. However, many of these activities do not reflect history (Hurtzwitz, S., 2002). According to the Cathartic Theory, children play because of the need of expression of disorganized and painful emotions in a manner which is harmless. For example, children may re-enact their punishments e.g. by scolding a doll. Children can release and complete previously restrained feelings by playing e.g., bursting balloons, pounding clay, or punching an inflated bunching bag) (Schaefer, 1999). This kind of emotional release is important in psychotherapy (Ginsberg, 1993). The Compensation Theory perceives play in children occurs to satisfy the psychic needs through their work e.g. boring and repetitive activity. However, this theory does not fully account for the motivation to play. Children who may want to hit their friends because of anger can redirect this action into play using war-like board games (chess, checkers), card games (war), or competitive sports activities (Almon J., 2004). Some of the modern and post modern theories of play which have been formulated include: Competence/Effectance Theory which perceives Humans as being out to seek and optimize their arousal levels. This is due to the need to generate interactions with the environment i.e. from child to adult. According to this theory, arousal optimization and need for interaction with the environment leads to an effect which gives children a feeling of competence and is rewarding to them. Though this theory accounts for general motivation, it cannot separate play from work (Smith D., 1995).   Ã‚   According to the Pre-Exercise Theory developed by Groos (1898), play in children is a necessary practice for essential behavior in later survival. Thus the playful tactics for example fighting animal games or the rough play of children are the portrayal of skills which will assist in their survival and coping later in life (singer et al., 2006). Other theories include the recapitulation theory by G Stanley Hall (1906) and Wundt (1913) which perceives play not as an activity which necessitates future instinctual skills but serve to relieve children of unnecessary hereditary instinctual skills carried.  According to this theory, Each child passes through a series of play stages corresponding to and recapitulating the cultural stages in the development of the race.     Appleton in 1919 devised the growth theory which define play as a response to generalized growth drive in children and facilitate the mastery of skills which aid them in adult function.   On the other hand, the Ego Expanding theories were developed by Lange in 1902 and Claparde in 1911 and they perceived play as the way of nature to complete the ego and thereby forming the personality of the individual in terms of cognition, social and other skills ( Ginsberg K., 2001).   According to infantile dynamics by Lewin, play takes place as a result of the childs cognitive life space which is unstructured thereby causing failure to differentiate real and unreal.   Therefore, in Lewins theory, the child changes into a behavior of playful unreality in which things can be changed and are arbitrary (singer et al., 2006).    Buytendijk devised another current theory of play in which he suggested that the child plays because he is a child and because his cognitive dynamics do not allow for any other way of behaving (Smith D, 1995) therefore it expresses uncoordinated approach to the environment that the child develops.   The Cathartic Theory (Freud 1908), perceives play as representing an attempt to partly satisfy drives or solve conflicts where the means for doing so lacks in the child thus a child has temporarily worked through a drive through play hence temporary resolution to the drive. Among the modern and post modern theories is also the Psychoanalytic Theory by Buhler (1930) and Anna Freud (1937). They suggested that play in children does not only represent wish-fulfilling attempts but also attempts to cope with anxiety provoking situations which may overwhelm the child thus according to Freud and Buhler, play in children is both defensive and adaptive to deal with anxiety (Singer et al., 2006). Other current theories are Piagets cognitive theory which has been explained in the earlier stages of this paper. Play does not only promote normal child development, but also helps them deal with experiences existing in the environment. Children who lack verbal self expression are able to articulate their feeling and issues through play (Haworth, 1964). Play acts as a means of helping children deal with emotional and behavioral issues. In therapy for example, toys and play materials are provided to inform the child that that space and time is different from all others and that the child should feel free to be fully themselves (James et al)). The child then plays out concerns and issues, which may be too horrific or anxiety producing to directly confront them in the presence of anybody who can help them to feel heard and understood. Symbolic representations through play activities with dolls and puppets give children emotional distance from emotionally attached experiences, thoughts and feelings (Coolhan K. et al., 2000). Play is also used to conquer fear in children and thus playfulness in children dispels depression and stress (Coolhan K. et al., 2000). Therefore allowing a child to play hide-and-seek in a darkened room can help in conquering fear of the dark. Moreover, dramatic play with hospital-related toys can help to significantly reduce hospital-specific fears. At the same time, Fantasy play helps a child to move from a passive to an active role for example when a child engages in role-playing giving an injection to a doll patient. Fantasy play in children also fosters the expression of several defense mechanisms like projection, displacement, repetition, and identification (James et al). In as much as Play contributes to the cognitive, social, emotional and mental well-being of children, free time for children to engage in playing has been greatly reduced by technological development which has brought factors such as hurried lifestyle, changes in family structure, and increased attention to academics and enrichment (Hurtwitz S., 2002). Children who are under forced labour and exploitation are not able to get time and freedom to play. In the current world, there are issues like war and neighborhood violence in which case children are not able to play due insecurity. Children from poverty stricken homes have no resources that facilitate safe playing. However, even those children from well off families with adequate resources may not be benefiting from play due to an increasingly hurried and pressured lifestyle that prevent them from protected self-driven play (Almon et al., 2004). Many children due to technology are currently getting less time for free exploratory play because they are hurried to adapt into adult roles and their future roles at young tender ages (James et al). Parents are misled with carefully marketed messages that model parents expose their children to every opportunity available to advance hence they go on buying many enrichment tools to ensure their children take part in many activities instead of free exploratory play. Some children may be given specialized books and toys meant to stimulate them to develop adequately while others are provided with gyms and enrichment programs after school (Ginsberg K., 2007). Many of these tools and programs are available and highly advertised to parents who believed they are necessary for good development of their children. Therefore in many occasions, much of the time is spent organizing for special events or taking children to those events which also deplete the familys financial resources. Free self-d riven play which is important to children is replaced by highly packed adult-supervised or adult-driven activities, and this limits creativity in children (singer et al., 2006). In addition, this hurried lifestyle brings stress and anxiety related disorders like depression for some children. Increased pressure to perform well in academics possibly manifests in school avoidance and somatic symptoms. The reduction in play may also be due to passive entertainment via television or computer/video games. In contrast to the health benefits of active, creative play and the known developmental benefits organized activities, there is ample evidence that this passive entertainment is not healthy and has harmful effects (Smith D., 1995). In other cases, children who are exposed to videos and computer programs at an early age get addicted to TVs, Computers (laptops) where they engage in computer games or chatting via internet and other staffs most of the time, and for such children, their creativity and motor skills is usually low (Coolhan K. et al, 2000). It has been established that increased attention on academics and other enrichment activities by children plus the family due to the effects of technology and modernism has replaced childrens play. After school children rarely get time to play. Instead they are forced to sit at the table and complete their homework given in school. At the same time, their parents put on them pressure to study extensively forgetting to spare any little time for play (Ginsberg K., 2001). In addition, schoolchildren are allocated less free time and fewer physical outlets at school; for example in the U.S.A, many school districts respond to the No Child Left Behind Act of 200137 by reducing time committed to recess, the creative arts, and even physical education in an effort to focus on reading and mathematics. Due to technology, the art of building also does not favor play in children and this trend affects the social and emotional development of children. Moreover, many after-school child care programs prefer an extension of academics and homework completion over organized and free playas well as physical activity. In conclusion, play generally affects the ability to store new information in children since their cognitive capacity is developed by a significant change in activity. A change in activity does not mean in academic instruction, class topic or formal structured physical education class but strictly free-play recess (Coolhan K.et al., 2000). Less time for play in schools may be contributing to discordant academic abilities between boys and girls. This is because schools with sedentary learning styles have become a difficult place for boys to survive successfully (Almon J., 2004).

America Does NOT Need Gun Control Essay -- Argument Paper Argumentativ

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Over the years, a great amount of effort and money has been spent on legislation regarding gun control. Gun control advocates maintained that increased gun control could reduce the soaring crime rates found in cities across America. However, most of the arguments used for gun control are the result of careful manipulation of data and emotional appeal. These â€Å"myths† are twisted by our liberal media until they are seen as the truth. However, despite the claims of gun control activists, gun control does not reduce crime, it only leaves law abiding citizens increasingly vulnerable to violent crime.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One common claim of gun control advocates is that gun control in foreign countries, notably Great Britain, is responsible for their lower crime rates. They present statistics showing that Britain has lower murder rates than America, but skip some other interesting information.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  First, the gun control methods used in Britain include searches and other checks found unconstitutional in America. Also, the British are far more successful than Americans in prosecuting criminals. For instance, 20% of robberies reported in London end in conviction, compared to only 5% in New York City (Ten Myths 5).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In a broader sense, consider that despite the fact that in a typical year about 8.1 million violent crimes will be committed in America, only 724 thousand will be arrested. Of those, only 150 thousand will receive prison sentences, and over 36 thousand will serve less than one year terms. The biggest problem in America is our revolving door justice system (Ten Myths 3).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Despite the efficiency of British investigative procedures, the British armed robbery rate has never been less than twice the highest recorded before the gun control laws took effect in 1920. In fact, over the last twelve years, the British armed robbery rate has increased an astonishing 300% while the American rate has dropped (Ten Myths 5). Also, from 1930 to 1975, the British murder rate has increased 50% while the American murder rate rose 30%. Another foreign nation, Jamaica, totally prohibited gun ownership in 1974. By 1980, Jamaica’s gun murder rate was six times that of Washington D.C., which has the highest rate of any American city. However, Switzerland, Israel, Denmark and Finland, all of whom have a higher gun ownership rate than America, all have lower crim... ...educe crime. I. Introduction II. â€Å"Myths of Gun Control   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A. Foreign gun control works   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  B. Gun control reduces â€Å"crimes of passion†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  C. Criminals do not fear armed citizens   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  D. Guns contribute to crime   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  E. Criminals are constitutionally exempt from gun control   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  F. American favor gun control   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  G. Police support gun control   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  H. Registry is a harmless aspect of gun control   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I. Gun control reduces crime III. Conclusion   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A. Solutions   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  B. Final analysis and personal observations WORKS CITED Bender, David ed. Would Gun Control Reduce Crime? St. Paul: Greenhaven Press, 1984. Matza, Michael. â€Å"Do more guns mean less crime? No point blank answers† Philadelphia   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Enquirer 31 May, 2007. NCPA Crime Summary. Available (Online) http://www.arcrafts.com/think/Essays/NCPA Crime.html. 4 April 2007. Pratt, Larry. â€Å"Concealed guns save lives.† USA Today. 26 April, 2007. natl. ed. Rogers, Bill. â€Å"Gun Locks Go Faster Than Police Can Hand Them Out.† Naples Daily News. 27   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  March, 2006, natl. ed. Ten Myths About â€Å"Gun Control.† Available (Online)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  http://www.arcrafts.com/think/Essays/Ten.html. 4 April 2007.

Depression Essay -- Emotional Disorders Psychology

Depression is a very big topic to discuss. The most commonly asked questions are: What is depression, and what disorders are related to depression? How common is depression? Is it serious? What treatment is used? And, What kind of symptoms should a person be looking for? Depression is more than the everyday ups and downs. You know when a person is depressed when their sad feelings interfere with their everyday life. Depression doesn’t only affect feelings, but can change behavior, physical health and appearance, academic performance, social activities, and the ability to make decisions that are face every day. The causes of depression are still unknown, but researchers have found a genetic link between most depressive disorders. Another depressive disorder is bipolar depression. Bipolar depression is when a person goes through mood cycles. The two common moods are being sad and down, but that can change to a very energetic mood quickly. Some things that can trigger a depressive episode are a serious loss, chronic illness, relationship problems, work stress, family crisis, financial setback, or any other unwelcome life change.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Clinical depression is more common than most people think. More than nineteen million Americans are affected each year. One-fourth of all women and one-eighth of all men will suffer a depressive episode during their lifetimes. There are more teenagers that suffer from depression than adults. Four percent of all teens are diagnosed as clinically...

Sports Drinks Industry Analysis

Executive Summary We have noticed an increasing number of businesses catering to the recent rise of a new target market: the health-conscious consumer. At Nike, our goal has always been to give consumers what they want now, as well as to anticipate their future tastes, and to thus tailor our strategy to accommodate those tastes. We have recognized an unfilled market potential in the non-carbonated energizing sports drink arena, thus developing an entirely new product category. Our branding strategy is to enter the market by carving a new niche of protein-enriched energizing sports drinks. Our objective is to educate consumers about the new drink, as well as to make a profit and gain market share in the industry. We hope that by being market leaders, our name will become synonymous with the new drink category, and will aid in our sustaining a competitive advantage over the copy-cats that are sure to flock the market after the new products’ introduction and subsequent success. Our primary target market is 18-34 year old females who will use our sports drink whenever they needed a boost: at work, in the gym, or just when they felt like it. The secondary target market is 18-34 year old males who fall into much the same socio-cultural and economic category as the primary target market. The Nike Motion energy drink will be positioned as a high-end item, costing $2 per environmentally-friendly can. It will come in a variety of fruit flavors and will boast the replenishment of electrolytes and other essential vitamins and minerals. We hope that high-frequency mass market penetration using multi-media advertisements will spread the word and raise awareness about Nike Motion. National distribution will follow in supermarkets, pharmacies, health food stores, and gourmet retailers. The Nike brand name, accompanied by its strong brand image, will differentiate the product and maintain its popularity via the market leader and differentiation strategy the company has chosen. [2. 0] Environmental Analysis Economic Trends: The X and Y generations, our target markets, comprise about 110 million people of the United States population. They are, generally speaking, well-educated, and earn relatively higher incomes, thus allowing for much of their disposable income to be spent on health-oriented products, such as the new beverage we are planning to launch, Nike Motion. Neither positive, nor negative economic trends, such as changes in interest rates, inflation, DGP, etc. are not likely to have a significant impact on our product, since it’s not a high priced luxury item whose demand would be affected by theses factors. The quality of sports drinks consumed doesn’t really depend on the income of the consumers, since these are relatively inexpensive, everyday products. As a general trend however it is worth mentioning that the economy as a whole is growing in the United States as well as in other parts of the world, allowing for an ever increasing standard of living. Cultural and Demographic Trends: Socio-culturally, our target market is health-conscious and youth-oriented. The individuals comprising our target market of 18-34 year old men and women, are generally perceived as individualistic, with a focus on making healthy decisions via food choices (salad bars and the organics market have boomed), and exercise (from going on athletics-oriented vacations, to spending lunch hours in the gym). There is also a change in the lifestyle of Americans, and people around the world: fast paced, always on the go, eating out and socializing more. These people rarely have the time to cook at home, decreasing the regularity of consuming healthy meals. One of the best alternatives of getting the needed vitamins and nutrition is via healthy beverages, such as Nike Motion. The U. S. population’s general aversion to high calorie, high sugar, and high carbohydrate beverages will likely be beneficial to our new product. Demographically, a traditional family structure is becoming less typical, with an increasing number of couples co-habitating without being married, lower birth-rates, and a greater concentration on health and weight maintenance. As a result of these trends, consumption of youth-oriented products has grown as people strive to be in good shape. The Nike Motion energizing sports drink will provide the energy these people need to accomplish their objectives. Ethnic trends are likewise changing, with baby boomers retiring, and an increasing young Latino population emerging, along with an influx of Asians. The Hispanic population, becoming the largest minority segment in 2002, has grown 70 percent over the past decade to approximately 37 million (14. 1 percent of the U. S. population). These youths lead fast-paced lifestyles, frequently juggling school, work, and personal lives. For the younger generation, regardless of ethnic background, feeling tired is not an option. The popularity of the sports and energy drinks has proven this fact. We at Nike thus believe that Nike Motion will be a tremendous success, appealing to a health-conscious population with our alluring natural ingredients, while simultaneously satis fying the increasing need for energizing products. Political and Legal Environment: The political environment could have a significant effect on us if we were to market Nike Motion in foreign countries. Constant changes in exchange rates and political systems are important to keep in mind. As to the legal environment, each and every firm operates in nations of laws and rules that have to be obeyed. Coca Cola recently got into trouble due to an advertising message in which they, allegedly, portrayed Gatorade in an unfavorable light. The case was settled outside of court, but has cost millions of dollars for Coke. 2 Physical Environment and Technological Trends: The current physical environment, especially in metropolitan areas such as large cities, is very much conducive to the use of our product. Available in a large number of various retailers, our goal is to be the Starbucks of sports drinks – on every corner, there when you need it. Retailers stocking our product will be dispersed throughout the city, with a significant concentration in areas of business and entertainment (for example, in the downtown financial district, as well as near the Broadway theaters), as well as near learning centers and gyms. We want to make sure that Nike Motion is widely distributed and readily available, both to impulse shoppers, as well as for the more traditional type of buyer. Changes in technology may lower entry barriers and create new product processes. To enter the sports drink industry, large capital investments are required for production facilities, marketing, and etcetera. Technological changes, such as the internet, can create additional possibilities for promotion, via viral campaigns via the internet and emails that are so popular with our target market. Global Trends: Due to advances in technology and communication, we can safely say that the world has never been as united as it is currently. The internet, along with television, and to a lesser degree, radio, have served as outlets for disseminating cultural views, and incorporating adaptations of traditional ethnic ideas and beliefs into the mainstream, both within a country and internationally. Products ranging from clothing to music to the culinary arts have become widely accepted. We feel that sports drinks fall into this global category as well. From Europe to Latin America to the United States, lifestyles are becoming faster-paced (though to varying degrees) and are influencing the demand for products that will accommodate such consumer choices. In the last year alone, sales of sports drinks have increased by 10%. 3 [3. 0] Mission Statement Nike’s mission states: â€Å"If you have a body, you are an athlete. † Nike Motion, the new protein infused energy drink brought to you by Nike, targets the athlete in us all, whether you are on the track or on the couch, by providing hydration and energy with essential vitamins, minerals, and exotic herbs, proven to enhance performance, raise energy levels, as well as enhance mental agility. Nike motion is crucial for both body and mind. [4. 0] Market / Industry / Competition Analysis Competition Analysis of Sports Drink Industry Sports drinks experienced a remarkable growth in the late 1990s and early 2000s, growing almost 56 percent between 1997 and 2002. As a result of this increase in demand for sports drinks, a large number of products started flooding the market. This influx, however, is controlled by a limited number of established and powerful companies, namely Gatorade and Powerade. Gatorade, produced by PepsiCo, is a market leader, boasting 80 percent market share. Its chief competitor, Powerade (produced by Coca Cola), accounts for 19 percent of the remaining sports drink market. PepsiCo’s market share however is not safe. Since 2002, its share declined by 4 percent, while Coke’s Powerade grew by nearly 30 percent. 4 Most of the industry’s growth is driven by reaching new demographics, including ethnic groups, children and more serious exercisers. Attempts by other companies to market sports drinks have often failed, or achieved considerably less success than the existing players. Nike, in an attempt to avoid territorial battles, plans to carve a new niche, the energizing sports drinks with various essential nutrients, thus emerging as a market leader in this new category. As mentioned previously, given its established, strong brand image, and its association with everything healthy, such a move should not prove impossible. Porter’s Competitive Forces According to Porter’s Five Competitive Forces, the power of suppliers is low because the ingredients used, as well as the packaging, are commodities that can be easily substituted, and therefore do not involve high switching costs. The market is not dominated by a few large suppliers, but is rather fragmented, allowing for price competition. The power of buyers is medium, because even though there are many buyers, some of them are rather powerful. There is little chance that existing customers would integrate backwards. Sports drinks are differentiated products but can be replaced by a limited number of substitutes, water being the biggest threat. The consumers, according to trends in the macro environment will increasingly search for sports drinks on the store shelves. The small number of firms makes for a high degree of rivalry, with a few large companies competing amongst themselves, as well as vying to establish a significant foothold in order to prevent smaller firms from entering the market. The energy and sports drink products are thus differentiated, and vary in more than just price. The threat of new entrants is low to medium due to the fact that the attractive high-growth industry of sports drinks has very high barriers to entry; namely, it is capital intensive, requiring a lot of marketing and advertising of these products, discussing their benefits, as well as positioning them apart from the rest. Likewise, it necessitates large economies of scale in production. Such resources are difficult to achieve, and if marketing to the masses, it is something only large, wealthy companies can achieve. The threat of substitutes in this arena is quite high, in that the products currently on the market often differ in little other than brand and consumer perception. The switching costs from one brand to another are virtually zero, but companies can succeed if they’re able to retain their loyal customer bases. [4. 0] Summary of marketing activity in the industry Pricing strategy It is safe to state that there are no significant pricing differences among the brands, they are competitively priced. Both Gatorade and Powerade sell at about $1. 50-2. 00 for a 32 oz. bottle, depending on the location and on the type of retailer. There are really no pricing wars in this industry, since consumers are very brand loyal. Looking at the distribution channels, we can see that these sports drinks are sold at most retailers that sell groceries and other beverages. Retailers include: supermarkets, delis, vending machines, street vendors, cafeterias at gyms, etcetera. We see a potential advantage in selling Nike Motion at existing Nike outlets, such as sporting goods stores, and in Nike’s flagship stores, Niketowns, that are located in major cities around the world. Advertising and Promotions When discussing advertising and promotional strategies, we have to note that even the most successful companies need advertising and other promotional vehicles to further the success of their brands. Sports drink makers, given the degree of competition in the industry are doing just this. Gatorade spent $180 million on advertisements last year while Powerade spent less than $20 million, per Nielsen Monitor-Plus. Since these sports drinks primarily target health-conscious consumers and athletes, some of the most important promotional vehicles include sponsorship of sporting events, and signing of top athletes for promotional deals. Coca Cola was, for example, the official sponsor of the summer Olympic Games in Athens with its Powerade Drink. â€Å"We f ocus on niche audiences of top athletes, either through major events such as the Olympics, close relationships with sporting bodies, or by working with sports experts to produce targeted advertorial,' says a Coca-Cola spokeswoman. ‘Consumer education is key,' she adds. 6 Powerade earlier launched an online version of its LeBron James comic in its quest to position the brand as the sports drink for the next generation. A first for Coke and its partner DC Comics, the interactive site included flash technology and voice-overs by Mr. James across 12 Webisodes, as well as an instant win component and video games. 7 Gatorade on the other hand is the official sponsor of the National Football League, the official sports drink of the National Basketball Association, WNBA, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer and a host of others around the world. In all, Gatorade has struck roughly 900 sponsorship deals with sports events over time, according to tracking by the IEG Sponsorship Report. Gatorade also will sponsor branded content during the National Basketball Association's playoffs on ESPN, TNT and FSN networks. On TNT, broadcast personalities will air live sideline segments dubbed â€Å"Heard Around the Cooler† about game strategy, injuries, statistics and other insights, while ESPN will air branded â€Å"Cooler Talk† segments on its â€Å"Sports Center. † Challenges One of the biggest challenges these companies face is the problem of attracting more female consumers. According to the Mintel International Group, an industry observer, consumption patterns always leaned heavily toward males, but the trend showed signs of changing as more female teens reportedly were drinking more and more sports drinks. This reflected female teens' ongoing interest in losing weight and increasing interest in exercise. 8 Sports beverage producers also began targeting the fast-growing Hispanic population. Gatorade's Xtremo! was the first to appeal to this potential market with a line of more exotic and tropical flavors including mango and tropical. The effort was supported by bilingual packaging and Spanish-language advertising. Coca-Cola's Powerade brand also began using Spanish-language advertising to tap into this market. We think that the most important industry factors that will be influential in our planning is the degree of competition that we’re hoping to offset with powerful and wide-reaching marketing campaigns. As I’ve mentioned earlier, there is a very high level of competition especially between Gatorade and Powerade. Both these companies spend millions of dollars on building their brands and their loyal customer base. We can see, however, a slight difference between the promotional techniques of the two. Gatorade is more centered on the top-athlete, while Powerade tries to depict a more cutting-edge picture that appeals primarily to the iPod generation. There might be another niche that is underserved, and that could be just what Nike Motion needs. An underserved niche, such as women and men of Generation X and Generation Y, might have a need for nutritious, on-the-go beverages that fit into their busy life-styles. Nike could target these niches successfully due to its existing brand image. [5. 0] Marketing Objective The Nike brand is a well known brand, its swoosh is one of the most recognizable signs out there, having established brand loyalty among many. Based on our market research, the brand extension of Nike Motion would have great potential for being the next great beverage among athletes and non-athletes. We would pursue a mass market penetration strategy for a saturated market, while still allowing for a vast opportunity in high profits and gaining market share due to Nike’s brand recognition. Our primary objective is to create product awareness among the target audience by 30 percent in one year and our secondary objective would be to increase market share. We would also want to inform our target audience about the features and benefits of our product and its competitive advantage, leading to a 10 percent increase in sales in one year. Many individuals are unaware of Nike’s new brand extension of a sports drink. Therefore we would pursue a high reach and high frequency strategy in our advertising in order to have maximum exposure. In order to accomplish this we would conduct a SWOT analysis to gain a better understanding of our target market and market segment. We want to achieve this objective by using secondary and primary research to get an in depth understanding of our target and to formulate a strategy to develop our campaign. Based on our research, trends and attitudes are moving toward health conscious products.