Tradition v.s Common Sense Free Essays

Conventions are an Important part of human life. They are viewed as another lifestyle. Numerous customs show things of significant worth to kids, things which guardians expectation will be given to people in the future. We will compose a custom paper test on Convention v.s Common Sense or on the other hand any comparable subject just for you Request Now In numerous social orders be that as it may, conventions have assumed control over the sound judgment of the individuals. These days, people aimlessly follow customs, not knowing or in any event, recognizing what they are truly doing. Regardless of whether It Is a celebratory convention or a custom that has been followed since antiquated occasions, unmans won't question the thought processes behind it; they will simply keep on tailing it. In the short story â€Å"The Lottery† by Shirley Jackson, locals aimlessly follow their yearly convention, one that asserts a real existence consistently. All the townspeople participate in this occasion realizing that there will be demise yet nobody sets out to stop and question It, Even when a few people do stop and question the reasons that started the custom, they will do nothing about it since it is a convention that has been followed innumerable and they would prefer not to be the main ones to address it or far more terrible, not tail it. This shows individuals will endure demonstrations of shrewdness and Injustices In customs, making them incapable to step out of that circle and see what is truly going on in light of their inclination of convention over sound judgment. It doesn't make a difference if the custom FIFO Traditions have been around for a great many years, even before cultivated human life started. They have been played out everywhere throughout the world, in all purposes of time. In the review by Joyce Moss and George Wilson, it is clarified that old societies accepted penances were important to profit the network. Indeed, during old occasions a custom like â€Å"The Lottery’ was such â€Å"a profoundly respected mean of dynamic that in the long run most metro matters were settled by. † Joyce Moss George Wilson) This is on the grounds that customs were among the principle parts or segments of old human life. Indeed, even now, conventions are as yet a major piece of human life. Numerous customs around the globe are an immense thing for people. They will make extraordinary nourishments, enrichments, and even ceremonies. Be that as it may, a significant number of these conventions are performed without thought. Numerous conventions are followed in light of the fact that it has been done previously, nobody has addressed it previously, thus there is no motivation to stop it now. In â€Å"The Lottery’ one can break down that the first importance and parts of the convention have without a doubt been lost and that the custom is followed Just in light of the fact that. The investigation made on study mode recommends that â€Å"Substituting pieces of paper for chips of wood, a presentation preceding the lottery, and a salute to address each person† are a portion of the perspectives that have changed before the first lottery, the first that started everything. (Examination of the Tradition in Shirley Jackson’s â€Å"The Lottery’) It likewise makes reference to that the genuine custom has stayed a daily practice. This prompts the end that the lottery is not, at this point proceeded due to the custom, but since it has been accomplished for such a long time it Just feels option to keep on tailing it. In numerous social orders, ceremonies are a piece of the conventions. Many accept these ceremonies are performed on account of religion or a comparable thought. What individuals can be sure of is that not all customs are required or performed in view of religion. Numerous customs are Just performed as a result of convention. It doesn't make a difference if the custom is destructive and actively affects society; numerous social orders will at present perform them Just to prop the convention up. The short story, â€Å"The Lottery’ by Shirley Jackson, shows an ideal case of this. The individuals of the town despite everything play out the custom as a result of the convention held each year. They couldn't care less in the event that somebody they love or care for bites the dust; they simply need to follow the custom. Indeed, even the own relatives take an interest in the custom, which is stoning one of their own relatives to death. These sorts of ceremonies are inconceivable demonstrations of abhorrence yet people despite everything take an interest in them. In the last area of the diagram by Jennifer Hicks, she clarifies altogether the convention of stoning. In it she clarifies that it was a standing custom. She mentions that the â€Å"original gear for the lottery has been lost quite a while in the past. † (Hicks) There is a section in the story where elderly person Warner expressed, â€Å"Lottery in June, corn be overwhelming soon. † This alludes to human penances profiting the network with food, which is something that when the story happens, which is around the 1700 to backtalk, ought to be realized that it isn't genuine. So for what reason do they keep on doing this? It is the straightforward reasons of following a custom. There are numerous worries on why people follow customs that are harsh as opposed to utilizing their good judgment. The vast majority of the issues are because of the way that numerous customs followed by people comprise of gore or even demise. In numerous social orders, customs assume a major job, making an ever increasing number of individuals be a piece of them. The fundamental problem is the reason individuals acknowledge conventions that feeling that customs that include slaughter and demise can be nothing but bad to social orders, particularly social orders loaded up with youngsters. Customs like these will just toxic substance the brains of the youthful with the possibility that a convention must be followed regardless. The explanation individuals don't stop them is on the grounds that they would prefer not to stick out. In the book â€Å"Shirley Jackson† by Friedman Lineman, it clarifies that Shirley Jackson was new to a modest community when she moved. She didn't generally know anyone so she didn't take an interest in the town’s customs. This caused different towns individuals to take a gander at her odd, similar to an outcast. This can think about her short story of â€Å"The Lottery’, in which the examination can be made that Mrs.. Hutchinson was an outcast, less of Ewing new however the sort that doesn't do what every other person does, for this situation, the custom of the lottery. Obviously these conventions have assumed control over the sound judgment of the individuals. Presently, individuals don't think before acting. They Just follow conventions exactly. They do no stop to consider their customs and in the event that they are useful or plain out perilous. They Just would prefer not to stick out; they need to be equivalent to every other person. It is around these contemplations that the primary concern rotates around. People will contend that conventions are required when actually they are definitely not. They have gotten encircled such a great amount by conventions; it resembles a second language to them. The short story â€Å"The Lottery’ by Shirley Jackson clarifies how people in the town have been blinded by a convention, which is the lottery. With cautious investigation, it is anything but difficult to recognize every visually impaired activity completed by the townspeople. Everyone appears to be overall quite Joyful all through the story until the end. â€Å"It appears as if Jackson is saying something with respect to fraud and human shrewdness. † (Analysis of the Tradition in Shirley Jackson’s â€Å"The Lottery’) What Shirley Jackson needs us to acknowledge y composing this story is that individuals are so blinded by conventions; they may slaughter somebody thinking it is okay. Shirley Jackson utilizes thoughts like these to propose that there is a basic abhorrence and shortcoming in people. The town, having performed such a represent such a significant number of years, proceeds with it, without any grievances or inquiries being posed, and the primary object being to carry on the convention. In the story, it states, â€Å"There’s consistently been a lottery says Old Man Warner. â€Å"Nothing however inconvenience in that,† he says of stopping the occasion. (122) However, practically all the townspeople how some sort of tension or dread toward the custom. Remarks like â€Å"Don’t be anxious Jack† (122) and â€Å"Get up there Bill† (123) show that the individuals may not be totally OK with the lottery. However everybody despite everything obliges it. No one straightforwardly communicates or shows their dread toward the lottery. Shirley Jackson might be attempting to show the peruser that numerous people are not sufficiently able to conflict with or confront their dissatisfaction for the dread of being dismissed by their own general public. Rather, the residents will keep on gambling their lives, however the lives of their Emily individuals too. She makes recommendations that people are not generally who they appear and can walk out on you whenever for their convictions, or for this situation, convention. From the beginning of time, people have settled on the decision to pick their customs over their good judgment. They don't think about the impacts that will be caused on account of their activities. These days, individuals in social orders keep on following conventions or â€Å"trends† side to watch a contention, mishap or episode, as opposed to stepping in and taking care of business. They don't step in light of the fact that they would prefer not to hang out before every other person; they don't need the focus on them. They are alarmed that they will be dismissed later on. It is something very similar with customs. Individuals couldn't care less if there is demise in the custom, they will keep on tailing it as long as they don't stick out and are not dismissed or looked down on. This shows individuals will endure demonstrations of fiendishness and shameful acts in conventions, making them unfit to step out of that circle and see what is truly going on as a result of their reference of custom over presence of mind. Individuals need to stop and consider the impacts brought about by conventions rather than Just aimlessly following the customs of their progenitors. On the off chance that this isn't halted, people in the future will keep on settling on dazzle decisions also, because of the absence of presence of mind. Works Cited â€Å"Analysis of

Distillation Definition in Chemistry

Refining Definition in Chemistry In the most broad sense, refining intends to filter something. For instance, one you may distil the primary concern from a story. In science, refining alludes to a specific technique for cleansing fluids: Refining Definition Refining is the method of warming a fluid to make fume which is gathered when cooled separate from the first fluid. Its dependent on the diverse breaking point or instability estimations of the segments. The strategy might be utilized to isolate segments of a blend or to help in filtration. The hardware utilized for refining might be called aâ distillation mechanical assembly orâ still. A structure intended to house at least one stills is named a refinery. Refining Example Unadulterated water can be isolated from salt water through refining. Salt water is bubbled to make structure steam, yet the salt stays in the arrangement. The steam is gathered and permitted to cool go into without salt water. The salt stays in the first compartment. Employments of Distillation Refining has numerous applications: Its utilized in science to isolate and clean liquids.Distillation is utilized to make mixed refreshments, vinegar, and filtered water.Its probably the most seasoned strategy for desalinating water. Refined water goes back to in any event 200 AD, when it was depicted by Greek rationalist Alexander of Aphrodisias.Distillation is utilized on a modern scale to cleanse chemicals.The petroleum derivative industry utilizes refining to isolate segments of unrefined petroleum to make concoction feedstock and fuel. Sorts of Distillation Sorts of refining include: Bunch Distillation - A blend of two unpredictable substances is warmed until it bubbles. The fume will contain a higher centralization of the more unpredictable segment, so a greater amount of it will be consolidated and expelled from the framework. This progressions the proportion of segments in the bubbling blend, raising its breaking point. On the off chance that there is a huge distinction in the fume pressure between the two segments, the bubbled fluid will get higher in the less unstable part, while the distillate will be for the most part the more unpredictable segment. Clump refining is the most widely recognized sort of refining utilized in a research center. Nonstop Distillation - Distillation is progressing, with new fluid took care of into the procedure and isolated parts constantly evacuated. Since new material is input, the convergences of the parts ought not change as in cluster refining. Basic Distillation - In basic refining, fume enters a condenser, cools, and is gathered. The subsequent fluid has an arrangement indistinguishable from that of the fume, so straightforward refining is utilized when segments have enormously extraordinary breaking points or to isolate unstable from non-unpredictable segments. Fragmentary Distillation - Both cluster and nonstop refining may join partial refining, which includes utilization of a fractionating section over the refining carafe. The section offers progressively surface zone, taking into account increasingly effective buildup of fume and an improved partition. A fractionating section may even be set up to incorporate subsystems with independent fluid fume harmony esteems. Steam Distillation - In steam refining, water is added to the refining flagon. This brings down the breaking point of the parts so they might be isolated at a temperature beneath their deterioration point. Different sorts of refining incorporate vacuum refining, short-way refining, zone refining, responsive refining, pervaporation, reactant refining, streak vanishing, freeze refining, and extractive refining,

How To Find Cheap Real Estate

How To Find Cheap Real Estate Fundamental for making money in any endeavor is to buy low and sell high. In a real estate context, this means that you must find property that you can sell for a higher price. While some real estate investors do speculate in markets with rising real estate prices, this is a challenging proposition most often met with failure. For most real estate investors, the road to riches is paved with finding cheap properties, which are purchased and then sold for a higher price. This necessitates the question: where do I go about finding cheap properties to sell?It’s important to first define what cheap means. For each individual investor, cheap is a different absolute dollar figure, far different for say, Donald Trump, then the average public school teacher. The relative definition of cheap for each investor is based on their existing finances (including how much financing they can obtain), their risk profile, their definition of a reasonable return, and their investing goals.Cheap is also defined as property considered undervalued. Valuation is based on a property’s historic and current underlying market price, especially as relative to assessments of the property’s underlying value. These other assessments can come from professional appraisals, comparable market analyses (CMAs), discussions with real estate brokers, and online home valuation tools. A property on the market for $300,000 â€" ten percent less than it is appraisal value may be considered cheap by one investor. But to another, given the estimated costs of the property’s needed repairs, the property may still be expensive. For another investor, who can only obtain $250,000 in financing, $300,000 may be expensive for an investment property.In short, whether a home’s price fits your definition of cheap, or otherwise worth your time and money is ultimately a decision you must make based on your own criteria. However, real estate investors have traditionally found properties they consider undervalued using a few common methods. © Shutterstock.com | Maxx-StudioIn this article, we will cover these methods including, 1) finding fixer-uppers, 2) non-traditional locations, 3) online searches, 4) short sales, 5) foreclosure sales, 6) building your own house, 7) HUD housing, and 8) obtaining a discount through negotiations.FINDING FIXER-UPPERSThe term fixer-upper typically applies to a residential property in need of significant repair before it can be either occupied and/or sold. Often, but not always, fixer-uppers are undervalued, as they are usually sold at a discount relative to neighboring property prices. But one must calculate the cost of repairs in determining a proper valuation.It is critical to get a reliable contractor you trust to look at these kinds of properties, especially if you are not a contractor yourself. Often, getting a contractor’s opinion early can save you multiple headaches down the road. It is important to develop a relationship with a contractor who you can trust not to gouge you, fo r just this kind of assessment. However, once you establish that you are buying multiple properties and therefore the contractor will likely have a steady string of jobs from you, he or she will be more likely to be a reliable voice when you conduct pre-purchase assessments. Use defects in negotiations to help drive the price you pay down.Remember, that in assessing the potential ROI of a fixer-upper you must also estimate the opportunity cost of the property. How much time will you sink into? Could you have spent that time on another, more lucrative investment? For example, if you estimate that a nearby property can be rehabbed and flipped in two months for a seven percent return, all other things held constant, does it make sense to spend three months on a property that will return eight percent? Keep in mind that these are estimates. A good contractor on hand might be able to tell you that the former property has structural deficits that has a fifty-fifty chance of taking either two months or four months or more, whereas the latter will take at most three months, knowledge which will almost certainly influence your final decision.If you plan to flip the property within a couple of months, then a property in extensive need of repairs is probably not for you. Properties requiring light or cosmetic renovations are not considered traditional fixer-uppers. But whether your time-frame is two months or twenty months, make your renovations with an eye towards the market. Look at comparable properties in the neighborhood by attending open houses, searching online, and talking to real estate brokers. Determine what features sold and what buyers are looking for. Make sure that your improvements are in line with those insights. For example, if multiple buyers have expressed a preference for stucco countertops, and several houses featuring them have sold recently, then install stucco countertops. Make sure if your time frame is longer, that your renovations are in line with what you expect to be in demand when you plan to sell. The home improvements that universally increase home value, most experts agree, are kitchen renovations.NON-TRADITIONAL LOCATIONSLook in non-traditional locations. Areas with lots of new developments and rising housing prices are the obvious areas to look. Other investors are looking there and likely driving prices up. Check out locations that are off-the beaten path for cheaper prices, such as surrounding cities. The Midwest and Southeast are good markets for relatively cheap real estate.Areas with large numbers of distressed properties, foreclosures, and fixer-uppers may be an option, although often these areas are marked with other undesirable features, such as crime, blight, and schools underfunded by the area’s low property tax rates. This may depress the price of your property even if you make improvements. You should assess the local government’s efforts to revitalize the area, as well as any developers who plan to build in the area. You should also determine whether there is an influx of residents in the area. Any and all of these are indicators that the area may be headed for an upswing. But make this determination before you make any purchase in this area and be planned with more than one exit strategy.Where is Americas cheapest real estate? ONLINE SEARCHESOne of the first places people begin to look for any products or service they plan to purchase these days is the Internet. It’s no different with real estate. But where to start? Should you just Google cheap real estate and scroll through the results? Or maybe check Craigslist and hope you can find something in your price range?No. Unless you are looking to surf through tens of millions of websites and online ads, you should be strategic in your online searches. Start with web sites of real estate brokers in your target area(s). Check the websites listing short sales and foreclosure sales in your area (see below for more information on both). Also look for online notices of public auctions. Death notices and divorce settlements are other notifications to keep an eye out for. It may seem macabre, but often moves accompany the passing of individuals and the dissolution of marriages. Another place to look is Multiple Listing Services â€" a list of all of the homes listed by local Real Estate Board brokers. Properties that have been on the list for a long-time or have expired unsold, may be those for which the seller may be willing to accept a lower price. You can also place online ads listing your criteria as an investor and may receive calls from brokers and/or sellers with listed properties that meet them.Any online search should be complemented by an in-person visit. No matter how extensive an online tour of the property is, it cannot compensate for the details you will observe when you are actually inside the property. Moreover, have a contractor and/or engineer attend with you to ask the questions you may not .SHORT SALESShort sales are sales wherein the property in question has liens levied against it totaling an amount that the sale of the property will not satisfy. Such a purchase requires a careful analysis of whether the costs are offset by eventual profit (through either rental income or sale of the property at a premium). However, many short sale properties present a solid opportunity for real estate investors. Despite the connotations of a short sale, these properties do not always require improvements. However, these houses should be inspected as thoroughly as fixer-uppers to ensure there are no hidden issues.You can find short sales through realtors, and MLS listings, though most will not be readily identifiable as such. You will need to look for listings that include terms such as: Subject to bank approval Preforeclosure Notice of Default Give the bank time to respond Preapproved by bank Headed for auctionThe Secret to Short Sales and Foreclosures FORECLOSURE SALESForeclosure sales usually are initiated when the homeowner fails to make three or more mortgage payments to the holder of the mortgage note, usually a commercial or community bank. Foreclosure sales are often in need of repair, as the homeowner who was unable to make mortgage payments, more than likely could not afford maintenance and upkeep. Foreclosure sales are done through a bank, rather than a broker or a seller, which means that not only can the process be impersonal, there can also be a lack of disclosure about the condition of the property. The bank is less concerned with marketing and relationship building than removing an asset from its books. Therefore, careful inspections, by professional home inspectors, are necessary.You can often find foreclosed properties by talking to realtors who may know of properties before they are listed through their relationships with banks and other lenders. Checking local real estate web sites and filtering by REO, which stands for Real Estate Owned (o r owned by a bank), is another good way to find foreclosed properties. To find cheap foreclosed properties, look for REOs that have received no recent offers or activity. You can also check your newspaper to find legal notices of foreclosure auctions.BUILD YOUR OWN HOUSEBuilding your own home is another way to obtain cheap property, particularly if you build in an area with rising or high neighboring real estate properties. It can also be a spectacularly stressful endeavor, requiring more time and money than you initially plan, particularly if you do not have a plan, prior experience dealing with contractors, and/or appropriate capital on hand. You will need to consider, among other things:Building materials;Location and quality of grocery stores, entertainment, schools and transportation;Local homeowners rules concerning new construction;Landscaping;Connecting your home to city municipal services such as the water and sewage systemsAvailability of cable and Internet services;Qualit y, history and costs of the builder;Passing (multiple) home inspections;Insurance; andSo much more.A starting point is determining what kind of home you want to build, in as much detail as possible. Then, just as critical, is where you want to build it. If you are building with an eye toward flipping the property, it may be easier to design the property, as you will be looking to build something in line with comparables (comps) that have recently sold. If you are looking to own, rent or, especially reside in, any part of the property you build, it may be harder to separate your vision for the property from what makes the most sense financially. But if you are a real estate entrepreneur, the property you build should be driven by your financial goals, and therefore, should be built as affordably and quickly as possible.HUD HOUSINGAnother source of cheap or undervalued housing is HUD. HUD stands for Housing and Urban Development and is a Department of the executive branch of the U.S. federal government. HUD oversees the FHA (the Federal Housing Authority), a subdivision that insures mortgages for single-family homes, and multi-family properties. When a homeowner defaults on an FHA-insured mortgage, HUD forecloses on the property, and holds a sale of the property to those who will be living in the property as their primary residence. Any properties that fail to sell during this period are offered for sale to investors at auction. These properties are typically considered undervalued because HUD discounts the price by the cost of repairs needed to make the property viable, often inadvertently using cost estimates favorable to investors.HUD housing, available for sale from a variety of government agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, can be found online on their website. Before investing in one of these properties, make sure you get a proper inspection and estimates of needed repairs. These are, after all, foreclosures, and may be in need of substant ial repair. Also, if you plan to flip the HUD property, look at the market prices for comps that have recently sold. Many, but not all, HUD properties are located in distressed real estate markets. Nonetheless, you may be able to find some bargains here.NEGOTIATIONSOne way to pay less for the property you desire is through negotiations. Many negotiating tactics translate well to real estate, such as:Letting the other party make the first offer â€" allowing you to keep hidden your price ceiling and floor;Staying silent when the other party is talking â€" letting the seller reveal insights you can use as leverage;Learning why the seller is selling;Push for further concessions â€" which subtlety encourages the other party to stop pushing as hard;Do not be unnecessarily friendly or familiar â€" which can project weakness;Be okay with potentially losing the deal â€" which helps you avoid making fear-based decisions.Of these one of the most important is the seller’s motivation for selli ng, which may give you leverage. For example, a seller who has recently purchased a retirement home out-of-state, may be in a rush to sell and willing to part with the property than advertised.Further, a proper inspection by your appraiser and contractors may illuminate unadvertised deficiencies that you may use as leverage to get the seller to lower the price. In general, the more information you have about the transaction, the more leverage you will have and the better you will fare. Many a successful real estate entrepreneur, from Donald Trump to Barbara Corcoran, has found a cheap property through effective negotiation.

Transformations Emma and Clueless - 1297 Words

The universality of themes pervading both Emma and Clueless in correlation with the humanistic, obviously flawed protagonists in both texts, captivates and immerses responders. This engagement leads to an involvement and enjoyment in the composer’s craft, which enables the responders’ to obtain sophisticated insight into the text’s concerns on both subjective and objective levels. Critiques agree that the transformation enables an audience to â€Å"enjoy cultural capital and aesthetic knowledge† while retaining a â€Å"connection to the past through classic text and cutting edge post modernism.† Responders of both texts are positioned to see familiar values and attitudes reflected in different worlds. From a â€Å"time characterised by massive†¦show more content†¦In parallel to Emma these transformations are equally materialistic, as shown in the impervious tone of Cher’s narrative voice over throughout, her unwavering popularity and fantasies, all culminating in the final scene of the movie. Here we see a changed Cher, not engaging in the fantastical plans of Di and Tai for their perfect weddings, genuinely affectionate to Josh, dressed in an appearingly conservative pale pink dress. All these assumptions are belittled in the throwing of the bouquet scene whereby Cher reverts to her old ways of self preservation and determination in her frivolous attempts to secure the bouquet (and thus Josh’s affections). A high angel shot of the pack of screaming girls with a hysterical Cher centred, reveals the inappropriate length of Cher’s attire simulta neously robbing her of the audience’s previous respect. The superficiality of her transformation is thus depicted, with her actions and motives seemingly unaffected by the previous climatic events of the film. Both protagonists commence and end their journeys of self realisation with â€Å"very little to distress or vex† them, an ambiguous â€Å"happy ending† enabling the text’s concerns to be further interpreted in the responders’ minds. This responder interaction continues as both texts explore issues ofShow MoreRelatedClueless a Transformation of Emma4584 Words   |  19 PagesHow does the composer of Clueless use film techniques to transform the social, historical and environmental context of Jane Austen’s Emma to the modern context of Clueless? Amy Heckerling’s Clueless involves a storyline, which closely follows the text of Jane Austen’s novel Emma. However, there are some key points of difference in the transformation that has taken place. This is due to the individual context of the nineteenth century prose text and that of the modern appropriated film text. TheRead MoreTransformation - Jane Austen Emma to Clueless2160 Words   |  9 PagesThe transformation process redefines a story to make it accessible to the culture and values of a contemporary context. The manipulation of medium, genre, setting, characters and plot enables the transformed text to be understood and connect with a new audience. Amy Heckerling’s post-modern film transformation Clueless (1995) is derived from Jane Austen’s classic novel Emma (1816) with both texts comparable as they use satire to address similar values. The shift in context enables the texts to reinforceRead MoreClueless: Social Class and Harriet Smith11 79 Words   |  5 Pages Emma/Clueless †¢ Amy Heckerling’s teenpic comedy Clueless resonates the ideas, values and cultural assumptions evident in Jane Austen’s Emma †¢ Through the transformation of Austen’s text, several elements have been transformed and contemporised in the Heckerling’s Clueless ââ€" ª Make-over/transformation ââ€" ª Role of women in patriarchal society ââ€" ª Struggles of social classes: the mobility and fluidity of the class structure ââ€" ª Societal commentaryRead MoreThe Transformation Of Social Structure, Values And Personal Relationships1471 Words   |  6 Pagesno part in the judgement of an individual’s character. But are our values really as developed as we believe? The transformation of Austen’s Emma to Clueless highlights the fixed nature of our social structure, values and personal relationships. Through this comparison it becomes evident that many of our current beliefs are not as dissimilar to Austen’s period as we may have thought. Emma depicts marriage as the focus of a women’s life with all achievements and skills of a woman being employed to furtherRead MoreThe Connection Between Clueless and Emma Essay594 Words   |  3 PagesThe Connection Between Clueless and Emma A valuable connection can be made be made between Jane Austens Emma and Amy Heckerlings Clueless although fashion, customs, society and language differ between the two. The connection is made through the plot, characters and inevitable human nature. The themes of vanity, rank, status and gossip link the two medias and create a valuable linkage in relating the 19th century life with the contemporary world. Fashion is constantlyRead MoreEmma Clueless915 Words   |  4 PagesESSAY PLAN: TRANSFORMATIONS ( EMMA/CLUELESS Intro: C appropriates E’s 19th Century context into a contemp. Beverley Hill’s society embedded in material availability and conspicuous consumption. o Austen’s PURPOSE not changed ( C ( satire of context and human nature ( C has other purp. ( Question value and validity of texts ( POMO TRANSFORMATION THESIS: The transformation of a text helps develop and mold new meaning to its counterpart, and hence deepen the understanding ofRead MoreJane Austen s Clueless 1280 Words   |  6 PagesAmy Heckerling’s film ‘Clueless’ enhances our understanding of the transformation derived from Jane Austen’s ‘Emma’ and communicates the issues of rigid social status and confined attitudes to women despite contextual realignments. By adapting the genteel society of Highbury to the superficial microcosm of Beverley Hills, we gain an understanding of the restricted values placed on social status and the objectivity of women. Both Austen’s and Heckerling’s satirical reflections on Regency EnglandRead MoreEmma and Clueless Essay1975 Words   |  8 PagesHow has the change in context of Emma and clueless shaped the values conveyed in the two texts? In Amy Heckerlings 1995 film clueless we see the deep transformation of Jane Austin’s more conservative 19th century classic Emma. In clueless we see the values and themes of high culture literature combined with the modern context of teenage society in the 20th century. The transformation of Jane Austens novel Emma to the 20th century film Clueless by Amy Heckerling allows for the same themes of socialRead MoreEmma and Clueless Notes2482 Words   |  10 PagesEmma/Clueless speech Draft thesis: The ideas of appearance vs reality, development of maturity and love are ideas explored through techniques, Appearance vs reality -blindness to truth Emma | Clueless | * Manipulating reality to suit perception of it * Resulting self-deception, confusion, misunderstanding * Dramatic irony empowering us to see through human flaws and social failings of Emma. This often has unexpected results:-Mr Elton’s proposal â€Å"she could have been so deceived...sheRead MoreComparative Analysis Between Emma and Clueless Essay1801 Words   |  8 PagesHowever, the transformation is usually apparent and thus a link can be established between the original and the new. The transformation can give the audience a better understanding of societal values and attitudes present in the texts. Jane Austens book Emma(1816), relevant to society in Regency England, is relived in a modern day context relevant to the 20th century American society in Amy Heckerlings â€Å"teen flick† Clueless(1995). Social status plays a crucial part in both texts. â€Å"Emma Woodhouse

The Exhibition For A Juried Exhibition - 1276 Words

Having your piece chosen for a juried exhibition from a well known artist is great privilege and opportunity. For any artist contributing and looking to have their work recognized is an exciting stepping stone in their life. Opened for the public to view, York College Galleries presented the Philadelphia Sculptors juried exhibition, Mirror, Mirror: Artists Redefining Identity. This exhibition is a small collection that provides a little taste from the Philly sculpture community that includes a great mixture of different pieces. This exhibition is an eye opening environment that one must see for themselves. Mirror, Mirror is a free exhibition that welcomes the public to visit from the sixth of November to the 12th of December 2015.†¦show more content†¦They reach out to the public and create awareness of the importance and value of sculpture through exhibitions, and public forums (Philasculptors). The selected 17 submissions create an inviting environment that is bold, compl ex, thought provoking and communicates to many issues on a level that is relatable to everyone can relate to. The location of the exhibition is at Marketview Arts of York, Pennsylvania on the 3rd floor Gallery Hall. This particular gallery is an addition to the York College Studios at Marketview Arts that holds First Friday exhibitions and events. Like Mirror, Mirror, exhibition programs are featured that include shows of contemporary artists that are nationally known, as well as faculty and students. What makes York College Galleries more enticing is all events are free and open to the public. This is inspiring as an encouragement for many young art students near York as well as those who love the arts to take the opportunity to explore the the visual arts. On the third floor, right at the entrance where the doors are propped open, you knew this exhibition was Mirror, Mirror. It was stated clearly on the wall to your left when you first walk in. The gallery is a big open room with huge windows on one side of the room to provide as much natural light, with spot lights to provide more focus on the pieces. With only having one room dedicated to this gallery, the layout of where the pieces were

Introduction Multi-brand Direct Selling System Free Essays

string(48) " and strategies of the direct selling business\." Direct selling is the sale of a consumer product or service, person-to-person, away from a fixed retail location, marketed through independent sales representatives who are sometimes also referred to as consultants, distributors or other titles. Just about any product or service can be purchased through direct selling somewhere In the world. Many people think of cosmetics, wellness products and home d ©cord as products that are often sold through direct sales, but add to that countless other product categories including kitchen products, jewelry, clothing, organic gardening applies, spa products, scrapbook supplies, rubber stamps and more. We will write a custom essay sample on Introduction: Multi-brand Direct Selling System or any similar topic only for you Order Now During the past couple of years, Callahan City has catered the location and opportunities for business ventures. Some of the said businesses that have taken their bloom are In direct selling market. Callahan City opened Its gateways to direct selling companies like Nathan, MESS, Departure Brands, Avon, Personal Collection and many others, which became the norms and extra sources of income for some of the household mothers across the province. Having Callahan City as the location of choice for the ranches of these brand names, multi-brand outlets from other municipalities sprout. Direct selling outlets, are managed by individual members registered in a brand, which gained their own set of dealers. At first, a member will need to register Is a brand. Or example, he/she needs to be a registered dealer for Nathan to place an order directly to the Nathan branch. A Nathan dealer will have an option of purchasing the product by cash, with 22% discount, or placing an order by credit which will give him/her 2 months to pay benefit. In purchasing products by cash, there are no limits on purchase amount and no additional requirements. However, if a dealer wants to place an order by credit, he/she needs to have a checking account from any bank available within the country. The Nathan branch will get at least 10 blank checks Initially which postdated 2 months after the date of order. By doing these, Nathan branch will have a way to collect the amount needed for the placed order when the due date arrives. Initially, a registered Nathan dealer will have a maximum credit limit of UP, 000 which means that he can only order 22,000 worth of products by credit with corresponding 22% discount on all products. By time, this reedit Limit will Increase If Nathan recognized them as good payer (without past due records). Bilaterally, as his/her credit Increase, he/she can recruit new dealers under his/her name, on which can order directly from branch (which will follow the same procedure and requirements of the branch) or order from him. If a dealer/member reach a goal of either PEP,OHO within a single month or PEP,OHO within 2 months, he/ she will be promoted as a Fashion Pro(step higher than a dealer). With this, his initial 22% discount will be upgraded to 40%. By having this kind of benefit, a dealer can circuit more dealers under his/her name, on which will place order to him (not from he can give his/her own dealer the 22% discount a new dealer is entitled to, and still keep 18% additional discount which will serve as his/her own revenue. By doing this, and he can now be categorized as a distributor. A distributor creates her own outlet which will then be the place for her own dealers to go to, inquire, place a product order and pay their dues. Similar procedures are applied on almost every other direct selling brand like Departure, Avon, MESS. Direct selling outlets can manage or eater multiple brands and can manage multiple individual dealers under one distributor. The outlets are the main link of the branch and the individual dealers who are not capable of reaching branches due to the distance between them and the hustles of commuting Just to get products. Since these outlets are intended to grow, task of monitoring the order and credit limits of its own dealers also grow. At current, the distributors are using manual monitoring of their dealers credit limit, orders and payments with an old fashioned ledger system on which they manually write down the list of credits and payments of dealer. Although brand branches uses a software that is provided by the brand, the direct selling outlets are left with manual monitoring of the credits and sales of their own dealers. At current status, there is no individual automated system that is created for the uses of these outlets since individual software of the brands are use solely for the branch operation. The outlet managers are left with the redundant work for monitoring individual sales and credits and the more dealers the outlet supports, the more paperwork the manager handles, the more likely human error will append in the computation and monitoring of the said sales and credits. This study aims to lessen the time being spent in manually monitoring the sales, credits and product inventory documents by providing an accurate and automated system that will not only help handle these files and records but will also help the outlet managers see projections future sales, get the clear view of the outlets performance per month, see the dealer’s information and performance and the dealers pending dues for them to take actions and important decisions immediately. B. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK This study will consider the following theories in the design and implementation of the automated credit, sales and inventory system for direct selling distributors. This theory states that a careful planning process is necessary for direct sales people if they are to be successful. An analogy to a hurdle race seems to be appropriate to the direct sales process. If the salesperson cannot vault over each hurdle in its proper progression, he/she is unlikely to make a sale. (Gordon Stockholm 2009). This theory will support the study since the nature of the study is based on the current schemes and strategies of the direct selling business. You read "Introduction: Multi-brand Direct Selling System" in category "Papers" By understanding the theory, the outcome of the study will be guided accordingly in the main principles of the direct selling business. Business Management Theory This theory focuses on the principles and the practices of a business to attain its desired organizational goals conducting effective management. It is a range of approaches including the principles of accounting, public relations, operations, labor relations, time management to improve the performance of a business in some measurable or provable manner. This theory will support the study in consideration of business guidelines and reminisces in which the automated monitoring will follow. In this theory, all the principles especially the accounting, operations and time management will be deeply involved in the creation and designing of the automated system for the inventory of credits and sales of direct selling outlets. The Concept of Scientific Management The concept of Scientific Management is to perform the manual Job faster than the old process of inventorying and with the efficiency of the company service in sales and marketing. This theory is applicable in the study by means of replacing the manual practices hat a multi-brand direct selling outlet is using for monitoring credits, sales and inventory for its individual and group dealers. These practices are also time consuming and there are certain errors that can’t be avoided, mostly of having human errors. The proposed automated credit, sales and inventory system for direct selling distributors will helped to recover the process and attest that the concept of scientific management is applied in the study. C. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK In generating full understanding of the whole process of direct selling business in Oriental Indoor, PIP (Input/Process/Output) model is used. Figurer . 0 describes the whole conceptual framework in which becomes the central theme, the focus, the main thrust of the study. It serves as the guide in conducting investigation. The input describes the problems encountered on the existing manual practices that a multi- brand selling outlet is using for monitoring of the sales, credits and inventory for its individual and group dealers. The input will be acquired from the data to be gathered from interviews conducted with the distributors of Direct Selling Brands. Questioners for direct selling distributors, individual dealers of these distributors ND direct selling brand/branch managers.. Advantages of current Automated System of Direct Selling Branch available and operational here in Oriental Indoor will also be taken into account. Such inputs will be process to assess the need for the development of an Automated Sales, Credit and Inventory System for Direct Selling Distributors. These inputs will also be processed to create a unified process that can be applied by the Distributors in handling and monitoring multiple direct selling products that’s under their outlets. Designing the system is to provide accuracy for ales, credits and product inventory to avoid errors in existing manual process of the said outlets. These inputs are generally considered in the formation of the automated system on which will help direst selling distributors in monitoring individual and group sales, credits as well as product inventory. D. OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY General objective of the study To design an automated system for the monitoring of sales and credits of each individual of group dealers, monitoring of product inventory that will be used by any multi-brand direct selling distributor in Oriental Indoor. Specific objective of the study To find out the benefits existing automated processes of direct selling brands/branch in monitoring their group and individual credits and sales. To identify the problems encountered by the multi-brand direct selling outlet on manual monitoring of their group and individual credits and sales. To provide a unified practice in monitoring credit and sales of dealers registered under multiple Direct Selling Brands. To develop a reliable and efficient credit, sales and inventory monitoring system that will be used by any multi-brand direct selling outlets in Oriental Indoor To determine the acceptability of the proposed automated system This study will benefit the following: Outlet Managers/Distributors Automated credit, sales and inventory system for direct selling distributors can make transaction on dealers more reliable. The proposed system will also provide accurate sales inventory by providing individual or group sales report monthly. This system also serves accurate credit inventory by the use of credit statement by the distributors. With this report the direct selling distributors can gain control over the credit limit of group or individual dealers. Individual Dealers The proposed system can provide the dealers with their individual credit report so us for them to monitor their own credits. Implementing the system that monitor their own credit and sales that will help them make their own strategies. Proponents It will enhance their skills and knowledge throughout the development of the study. Future Researcher This study will be significant to other researchers since this study can serve as a reference to the conduct of similar study. F. DEFINITION OF TERMS Direct Selling Brand – Company that uses direct selling method to distribute their products. Direct Selling Distributor – Dealers of direct selling brand that acquired their own set of dealers, on which is the main link between the direct selling brand/branch and individual dealers Outlet – the on which dealers under a certain direct selling distributor place their order and pay corresponding amount dues Credit – the amount of products ordered by individual dealers on which will be paid in full after 30 days. Previous product ordered Inventory – process of monitoring products that are coming in and going out Interview Guide Direction: Please answer the following questions as honestly as you can. . How do you transact with the dealers and customers? 2. Did you find any errors on your transaction procedures? Cite an example. 3. Comment on your transaction procedures regarding its reliability, speed and accuracy. 4. Describe the method on how you monitor the credits of your individual dealers? 5. Describe the process of your payment transactions for dealers due. 6. Describe the processes on how a dealer places his/her order? 7. Did you find any problems in accurately monitoring dealer’s credit limits using the manual process? . What are the reports that you need in monitoring monthly/quarterly and yearly ales 9. What are your current processes in monitoring the product inventory? 10. Are you using any computerized system in computing the credits and sales of individual dealers, If so please state the applications that you are currently using? 1 1 . Would you consider upgrading your current process of monitoring sales and credits so as to provide you a much more accurate and speedy transactions? Name: Designation: Gender: Date: General Directions: Put a check on the corresponding rating that you can think is most appropriate. Objective No. 1: To describe the existing sales and monitoring practices at your direct ailing outlet Legend: 4 – Strongly Agree (Very Serious Problem) 3 – Agree (Moderately Serious Problem) 2 – Fairly Agree (Slightly Serious Problem) 1 – Disagree (Not a Problem) Disadvantages (present procedure) 4 3 2 The manual process of monitoring sales and credits of dealers is laborious and difficult 2. The manual process of monitoring product inventory is laborious and time consuming 3. There are errors committed when checking the sales and credits There is a tendency to lose records while compiling order documents 5. Entry errors and computation errors are likely to be committed. Objective No. 2: To determine the advantages of the propose Automated Credit, Sales and Inventory System 4 – Strongly Agree 3 – Agree 2 – Fairly Agree 1 – Disagree Advantages (proposed system) 4 An automated sales monitoring system is essential in reducing errors committed in recording. An automated credit and sales monitoring system will facilitate transaction faster. An automated inventory monitoring system is easier to manage. 4. An automated inventory, credit and sales monitoring system provides additional records security in terms of providing redundant soft and hard copy of documents An automated inventory, credit and sales monitoring system is acceptable and more reliable than the existing manual practices Questionnaires for Direct Selling Dealers The manual practice of monitoring individual sales and credits of dealers is laborious and difficult The manual practice of ordering product from outlet is laborious and time The manual practice of checking product availability from outlet is time consuming An automated sales monitoring system is essential in reducing time consumed in checking individual sales and credit details. How to cite Introduction: Multi-brand Direct Selling System, Papers

The structure of personality Essay Example

The structure of personality Paper Sport psychologists have been interested in whether athletic success in an individual can be predicted by measuring personality for a number of years. During the 1960s and 70s there was a wealth of research being undertaken with regards to this subject. This essay shall attempt to understand the development and structure of personality, then take a look at different methods of personality assessment and finally try to understand the extent to which athletic success can be predicted by personality. Firstly, it is required that we should try to understand what personality is before trying to understand whether athletic success can be predicted by measuring it. Actually defining personality can be very difficult as it is so broad. In 1971, Edwin Hollander described personality as a structure with a core, middle and an outer layer that is affected by the social environment around it. This can be seen in figure 1 below. The core (or centre of ones personality) is protected from the social environment and so is usually unchanging. This core can be described as a persons morals or basic beliefs. The middle section is the way in which we usually respond to different situations, these responses give suggestions about the persons core, as it is what usually happens. The outer layer is the part that relies on the circumstances we are in. As the environments we find ourselves in are constantly changing then this is the most changeable part of our personality; therefore it may bear little resemblance to our central core (Horn, 1992). We will write a custom essay sample on The structure of personality specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The structure of personality specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The structure of personality specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Hollander (1971) then went on to define personality as the sum total of the individuals characteristics which make him unique. This view looks at one aspect of personality that most psychologists would agree with, that it is unique to the individual. However there are those psychologists who see personality as a set of traits possessed by an individual and therefore enable this individual to act in a certain, consistent and predictable way (trait theorists). On the other hand there are those who believe that a persons behaviour is determined by the situation they find themselves in, therefore we would need to understand the situation before trying to predict the behaviour (state theorists). There are also those who believe that personality is a combination of both these two approaches and so depends on the persons core and also on the situation (interactional approach) (Woods, 1998). Firstly the trait theory implies that personality can be described as different traits belonging to individuals. These traits are frequently visible in an individuals behaviour so therefore knowing these traits can help to predict a persons behaviour. The most famous patrons of this theory are Eysenck and Cattell. Cattell identified 35 different traits that he believed described personality. Eysenck concentrated on related traits and grouped them together in two ways. He called these, two dimensions of personality and suggested that they had a biological basis. These dimensional traits were split into neuroticism-stability and intraversion-extraversion (Woods, 1998). The state approach or situational approach contends that personality is not a stable core but that it is built up out of our influences and experiences in society. Walter Mischel (1968) has done some research on personality and has found that individuals behaviour cannot be predicted through knowledge of their core traits. He believes that it is the environment or situation that can influence or dictate a persons behaviour. The basis for this argument is that we learn and so develop our personality through modelling and reinforcement. The third approach, interactional, takes into account a lot more than just situations or the core personality traits. This approach anticipates that when situational factors are strong then they are more likely to affect an individuals behaviour than any personal factors will. Likewise, when situational factors are not strong then personality is more likely to play an important role in influencing a persons behaviour. There are various methods of personality assessment such as rating scales, unstructured projective tests and questionnaires. A lot of these, however do not specifically concentrate on measuring personality traits in athletes and are more often used in clinical psychology (Cox, 2002). Firstly, rating scales require the use of a judge who observes an individual in a particular situation. The judge would use a checklist in order to record information relevant to assess the persons personality. These results can be quite reliable providing the judge has been well trained. There are essentially two ways in which the judge can assess personality using rating scales, these are during an interview, or with the observation of performance. Projective procedures may also be used to identify traits and reveal information about underlying motives in an individual. This procedure allows the subject to reveal their inner feelings through unstructured tasks. The main assumption when conducting these tasks is that if the individual being questioned does not think that there are any right or wrong answers then they are more likely to answer them truthfully and openly. Among these tests are the Rorschach Test, and the Thematic Apperception Test. There are other tests within this method of testing, however these are the most commonly used projective tests. Within the group of questionnaire tests there are two which have been used by sports psychologists in sports related research with athletes, these are the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and Cattells Sixteen Factor Personality Inventory (Cattell 16 PF). The MMPI uses a series of true-false questions in order to measure certain personality traits and conditions such as depression. The 16 PF measures 16 factors (traits), and how much of each, that Cattell though were descriptive of personality (Horn, 1992). Other methods of measuring personality include, the Test of Attentional and Interpersonal Style and the Profile of Mood States, however these tests do not directly relate to sport or physical activity and are more general, covering attentional styles and moods (Weinberg Gould, 1995). There are, however, sport related personality / psychological inventories such as the Athletic Motivation Inventory (AMI), the Winning Profile Athletic Instrument (WPAI) and the Troutwine Athletic Profile (TAP) (Cox, 2002). Other examples include, the Sport Competition Anxiety Test that measures competitive trait anxiety, the competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 to measure precompetitive state anxiety and finally, the Trait-State Confidence Inventory to measure sport confidence (Weinberg Gould, 1995). So, using these methods of personality assessment is it possible to predict athletic success in individuals? Cox (2002, p163), states that no scientific study to date has shown a strong statistical relationship between personality variables and athletic ability. Weinberg Gould (1995) suggest that it would be misleading and unethical to make predictions about an individuals behaviour based on these tests. Even valid tests may still have misleading errors when looking at results. These could be caused by individuals not understanding questions properly or perhaps the subject wants to appear calm and cool before a match to impress the coach and so in her precompetitive anxiety test she may answer the quest ions in a more desirable way (Weinberg Gould, 1995). Morgan (1980) published an article explaining that many sports psychologists are in debate over the credibility of personality research. Some believe that positive and accurate predictions can be made about sport performance from the personality tests. Believers of this view are said to be credulous, and may well use this information to predict athletic ability. On the other side of the argument are those who tend to be sceptical, brushing aside the idea that athletic ability can be predicted by personality tests (Morris Summers, 1995). Horn (1992) explains that there are no consistent findings in the research conducted on personality to show that athletes possess a general personality and that this differs from that of non-athletes. However, Vealey (1986) notes that personality differences between successful athletes and less successful athletes have been found in mood states, cognitions and coping abilities, as opposed to more enduring personality traits (Morris Summers, 1995). In conclusion, it can be seen that the structure of personality is so broad that it can be difficult to define but that there are theories that have been agreed upon by numerous psychologists and sports psychologists alike. There are also a wide variety of methods of personality assessment that can be used in sports related settings and also in sport specific settings. Finally, these tests cannot discover champions, however it is possible to use them as a tool in which to help the athlete become more successful, by finding weaknesses and working on them in practice.

Nokia Corporation Strategic Management

Nokia Corporation Strategic Management Introduction I have chosen Nokia Corporation as the company to write about in this assignment. Nokia Corporation is based in Keilaniemi, Finland and is, by far, the largest manufacturer of mobile instruments in the world. There are other fields that the company is engaged in, such as multimedia and networking.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Nokia Corporation Strategic Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Nokia Corporation has been in the telecommunications field since the last 50 odd years. But prior to venturing in the telecommunication field, Nokia had tried its luck in various sectors such as paper mill, rubber boots, car tyres, electricity, televisions etc. Presently, the company has its manufacturing facilities across the globe in various European and Asian countries. Nokia Corporation’s logo, ‘Connecting People’, is tantamount to its line of business. According to Datamonitor, Nokia â€Å"employs about 129,355 people. The company recorded revenues of â‚ ¬42,446 million ($56,363.6 million) during the financial year ended December 2010 (FY2010), an increase of 3.6% over 2009† (Datamonitor, 2011). Nokia Corporation can be considered as the pioneer in mobile technology. â€Å"On July 1, 1991, Finnish Prime Minister Harri Holkeri makes the world’s first GSM call, using Nokia equipment. And in 1992, Nokia launches its first digital handheld GSM phone, the Nokia 1011† (Nokia). In order to have a better understanding about the company, it is always better to do a SWOT Analysis. SWOT Analysis of Nokia Corporation Strengths of Nokia Corporation Well equipped research and development department. World’s first GSM call was made from a Nokia instrument. Largest manufacturer of mobile phones with manufacturing facilities in not less than 15 countries worldwide. Largest marketing network. Follows the ‘Diverse Workforce Management’ policy. Nokia products are marketed in not less than 160 countries worldwide. Nokia has a strong financial base. Better re-sale value as compared to other brands. Weaknesses of Nokia Corporation Profits of the company dropped by almost 40% in the year 2010. In spite of global presence, Nokia Corporation does not have specific presence in the United States of America. The same is the case in Japan though the reason is greater competition from local brands such as Panasonic, Sharp etc. In India Nokia has an appreciable presence but the after sales service is not up to the mark. Some of Nokia’s products are not compatible with the available software. Pricewise, Nokia mobiles are costly as compared to Chinese mobiles. Opportunities of Nokia Corporation Nokia Corporation entered into a joint venture with Germany’s Siemens and as such now there are greater opportunities for the company to expand in the hitherto neglected European markets. Nokia has specific presence in t he Asia Pacific region and it is encouraging that this particular market is one of the fastest growing ones. Nokia mobiles are stylish and colourful. This feature is liked by the younger generation. There is tremendous scope for Nokia in developing countries. There is an incessant growth in the telecommunication industry. Threats of Nokia Corporation Due to the launch of several Chinese brands, Nokia’s monopoly in the mobile market has started to diminish. Other brands like Apple etc. have introduced mobiles with better and more user-friendly software. Due to a variety of choices available in the market, customers have more and better options. Past, Present and Future Position of Nokia Corporation Nokia Corporation ruled the mobile market for about 14 years but due to its not paying attention to the emerging competition from brands like Apple and Samsung, there has been a drastic drop in its sales. Initially, Nokia provided its customers with value for their money. Nokia h andsets were considered to have the latest technology. When Apple introduced the Android phones, Nokia did not suffer much because the Android phones were meant for high-end customers whereas Nokia phones were meant for the masses. But unfortunately, the different models launched by Nokia had only some minor changes and since the customers wanted something different, Nokia started losing ground.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More During this period, Samsung also launched its Android phone but with a difference and at a lesser price. â€Å"All these factors created an opening for Samsung which gave the public exactly what they wanted – variety of prices in the smart phone segment, with touch screens, with android and with fabulous marketing plan† (Bhasin, 2012). As a result, Samsung took over the number one position in mobile phones and it is expected to be there until Nokia Corporation comes up with some innovative features in its mobile phones. Following is a table depicting the comparison of sale of mobiles using different operating systems: â€Å"Looking at the present scenario, Nokia has started to make efforts to enter smart phone market by collaborating with Microsoft and bring its smart phones to the market, with Nokia Lumia 800 being the recent one in the stable† (Raina, 2011). Market share of Nokia According to Gartner, â€Å"Nokia’s share of the mobile phone market dropped to 25 percent in the first quarter of 2011, the lowest for 14 years, down from 30.6 percent at the same time last year† (as cited in Globaltimes, 2011). Talking about Nokia’s market position, Gartner further reported that â€Å"It is still ranking well ahead of second place Samsung, which holds 16 percent, followed by LG in third with 5.6 percent, Apple in fourth with 3.9 percent and RIM with 3.0 percent† (as cited in Globaltimes, 2011). Alex Webb reported that â€Å"Nokia, the world’s biggest mobile phone maker, reported that first-quarter profit fell as it continued to lose market share to competitors† (Webb, 2011). Target Market of Nokia Initially, Nokia did not pay much attention to the European and the US markets but as mentioned earlier in the paper, it entered into a joint venture with Germany’s Siemens and as such now there are greater opportunities for the company to expand in the hitherto neglected European markets. But the main area that Nokia is paying attention is the Asia-Pacific region, to be more specific, India and China. Both these are developing countries and as such there is a lot of potential in these markets.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Nokia Corporation Strategic Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Marketing Strategy and Strategic Marketing Plan of Nokia â€Å"Nokia has un veiled a ‘youthful’ and ‘revitalised’ marketing strategy, using the internal strap line ‘live adventure everywhere’ for the launch of its debut windows phone devices as it looks to reclaim its position at the top of the smart phone market† (O’Reilly, 2011). The following are the main points of Nokia’s marketing strategy (Source: www.authorstream.com). Focused on handset manufacture only Enhance product portfolio Increase distribution channels Adjust preferences for specific markets Customer satisfaction Focused on replacement Increase commitment to emerging market Improve collaboration on designs Ensure accountability and quality Aggressive pricing (Source: www.authorstream.com) Nokia’s strategy is to â€Å"Create irresistible solutions through vibrant ecosystems with our partners, user experience at the heart of all we execute, intensify pulse on consumer needs, bringing the best devices to all markets, smart cont ext aware services with people places† (Nokia, 2009). Analysis of Samsung and Apple â€Å"Midway through the fourth quarter earnings season, it’s becoming apparent that while Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) had a record breaking quarter with 37 million iPhone sales and Samsung did nearly as well, most other handset makers are struggling or facing stagnation† (Goldstein, 2012). Goldstein further suggests that â€Å"Analysts point to the unique attributes that have buoyed Apple and Samsung, including their access to components, scale, brand recognition and overall product execution† (Goldstein, 2012). One of the major advantages that these two companies have is that all the components are manufactured indigenously. Both the companies have invested huge amounts in their research and development programmes. Another advantage that these two companies have is the instant delivery of products in the markets. Apple’s iPhone and Samsung’s Galaxy range have creat ed a brand name of their own. Key competitive factors between Nokia, Apple and Samsung For comparison purpose, we shall consider the latest models of each company i.e. Nokia’s Lumia 800, Apple’s iPhone 4S and Samsung’s Galaxy S2. Factor Nokia Lumia 800 Apple iPhone 4S Samsung Galaxy S2 Winner Design Basic design of Nokia N9. The material used is polycarbonate that makes the body light weight. Almost similar to that of iPhone 4 but there have been major improvements in the downloading speed. Designed sleekly with only one button (the home key). Samsung Galaxy S2 Screen 3.7 inches, clear black OLED screen, Gorilla glass 4.3 inches, AMOLED plus technology 3.5 inches, retina display, Samsung Galaxy S2 and Apple iPhone 4S Camera 8 MP 8 MP 8.1 MP Samsung Galaxy S2 Processor Qualcomm MSM8255 Dual core A5 1.2 GHz dual core AARM Cortex A9 iPhone 4S Battery 1450 mAh. 265 hours standby with 2G and 335 hours standby with 3G Li-Ion Li-Ion 1650. 710 hours standby with 2G and 601 hours standby with 3G Samsung Galaxy S2 and iPhone 4S Price (without contract) $699 $749 $600 Samsung Galaxy S2 Conclusion The chart clearly shows that Samsung Galaxy 2S is the clear winner based on most of the factors. If Nokia wants to retain its top most position, it has to work hard on various aspects such as pricing, innovation, customer satisfaction, after-sales service etc. The management of Nokia Corporation has to evolve a long term business strategy and implement it religiously. It’s beyond doubts that Nokia is a giant company and can sustain the competition in a healthy manner.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The brand Nokia has been the favourite of consumers since long and an emotional bond has been created. It’s only that new and innovative products have entered the mobile market that people have diverted their attention. But if Nokia maintains the innovation that it has shown in Lumia 800, the time is not far when Nokia will retain the top-most position. The only thing required is positive approach and value for money to the end-users. References Bhasin, H. (2012). Nokia loses its top position after 14 years to Samsung. Retrieved from marketing91.com/nokia-loses-top-position-14-years-samsung/ Datamonitor. (2011). Nokia Corporation – SWOT Analysis. Retrieved from researchandmarkets.com/research/e2b6c5/nokia_corporation Globaltimes. (2011). Nokia’s share of market slips down to 25%: Gartner. Retrieved from globaltimes.cn/business/world/2011-05/657066.html Goldstein, P. (2012). Analysis: Why Apple and Samsung are killing it in the smart phone market. Retrieved from fiercewireless.com/story/analysis-why-apple-and-samsung-are-killing-it-smartphone-market/2012-01-27 Nokia. (2009). Nokia’s vision of the future. Retrieved from nokia.com/NOKIA_COM_1/About_Nokia/Company/Vision_and_Strategy/pdf/NokiaStrategy10.pdf Nokia. (n.d.). The Nokia Story. Retrieved from nokia.com/global/about-nokia/company/about-us/story/the-nokia-story/ O’Reilly, L. (2011). Nokia reveals youthful global marketing strategy. Retrieved from marketingweek.co.uk/nokia-reveals-youthful-global-marketing-strategy/3031339.article Raina, R. (23012). Why Nokia lost its market share. Retrieved from marketing91.com/nokia-lost-market-share/ Webb, A. (2011). Nokia profit declines as market share falls. Retrieved from telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/telecoms/8466235/Nokia-profit-declines-as-market-share-falls.html

How to get rid of the negative way of thinking

How to get rid of the negative way of thinking How to get rid of the negative way of thinking Have you ever thought that nothing seemed to go your way? Our mistake is that we always expect something disappointing to happen. We get exactly what we are thinking about. Modern people are so used to the negative mindset, that it seems that discouragement surrounds us all the time. The negativity is out of our control! It shouldn`t affect us so much. We have to switch on positive thinking and stop the influence of the negative energy. Try to nurture the positive mindset, removing the lack of optimism and putting yourself in the positive and peaceful frame of mind. You are the only person who is responsible for your own happiness. You will be definitely happy and successful, if you make yourself sure, that you can overcome everything. How to incorporate a positive mindset on a daily basis? Get ready for a positive change It is very important to assess your thinking and understand all the benefits of being a positive thinker. Try to write a list of what was special and unusual about the present day. Start charting all your achievements and keep a diary to reflect your thoughts. Surround yourself with everything positive Surround yourself with people, who think in a positive way and can teach you something. Read and watch everything that can inspire you and make you happy. Use various CDs and self-help books to learn how to feel yourself much better. Combat the negative thoughts Identify and become more aware of your automatic negative thoughts. Try to move them right out of your head. Try to find out, what caused them and what stimulates your negativity. Start to challenge your negative thoughts and replace them with the positive ones. Stop thinking, that you are personally to blame for everything, that goes wrong in the world. Always remember, that every situation has both its positive and negative side. Avoid catastrophizing. Start to live an optimistic life Give yourself time to change and don`t let yourself to fall back into the negative way of thinking. Become physically positive, changing you bodily habits in a positive way. It is very important to be mindful about your daily activities and choices. It will definitely make you feel happier. Express yourself, exploring your creative side. Communicate with positive people in order to feed your own positivity. Set meaningful goals and work hard to achieve everything you want. Always make time for fun and laughter. Believe in yourself Visualize all positive results in your mind. Raise your expectations.   Embrace the ‘I can’ attitude. You will definitely override the bad days, if you believe in your powers – power to change your way of thinking and power to change your way of life. It is your choice to have a positive outlook. If you don`t know, how to find the way out, just color your day with more hopeful and brighter approaches. Your worries and obstacles will be definitely transformed into solutions and possibilities. Positive thinking has a lot of benefits.   Your physical and mental well-being will be better and the resistance to the common cold will be greater. Your life span will increase and the chances of distress and depression will be lower. So, just embrace a positive mindset! Try to find everything positive and pleasant in every day of life. A positive attitude is the critical factor for your fulfilled life and success. Remain grateful even if you face disappointments, stay faithful even when all is hopeless. Give love even if you are unappreciated and trust in the power of positivity even in times of hardship.

Facilities Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Facilities Management - Essay Example Factors Influencing Growth of Facility Management. 7 2.5. Facilities Management Transformation 8 2.6. Support Service Facilities Management at HSBC 8 3.0. Facilities Management Strategy 10 3.1. Facilities Management Development Strategy 11 3.2. Strategic Analysis of Facilities Management 11 3.4. Developing Solutions 12 4.0. Strategic Implementation 12 5.0. Conclusion 13 6.0. References 14 HSBC (Hong Kong Banking Corporation Limited) 1.1. Introduction HSBC is has its headquarters in London and is among the largest banking and financial services organizations in the world. Its international network comprises or close to 8, 000 offices in more than 80 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa. In the United States alone, HSBC has more than 460 bank branches and has its listings on the London, Hong Kong, New York, Paris and Bermuda stock exchanges. The shares at HSBC are held by over 220,000 shareholders in 132 countries and te rritories. With respect to the New York Stock Exchange, the shares are traded in form of American Depositary Receipts. On close observation, it is clear to note that HSBC provides a comprehensive range of financial services to close to 89 million customers through four global businesses. These constitute: Retail Banking and wealth Management (prior referred to as Personal Financial Services); Commercial Banking; Global Banking and Markets; and Global Private Banking. 1.2. Background Information HSBC Private Bank is the marketing name for the private banking business. With its established presence in virtually every financial market in the world, HSBC possibly has the most valuable place in multinational banking giants. HSBC has many facilities to the distinguished customers in Retail and Wealth Management, as well as commercial bank offering financial services to small, medium and middle market enterprises. HSBC was founded in Hong Kong Shanghai in 1865 and the banking facility rega rds Asia as its most crucial market region; with America, Asia Pacific and Europe each represent a third of its business. HSBC offers the following financial services to its customers; Customer’s personal financial services. Current and savings accounts. Mortgage Car Financing 1.3. Objectives and importance of Study The main objective of this study is to develop a facilities management strategic framework for HSBC support services with respect to the contracts to other companies to make the service delivery effective. With greater insights in the contemporary world towards the improvement of the global economy, the world has been rocked by major financial crisis in the recent past orchestrating for strategic measures to ensure that the global economy remains well functional. The main focus is aimed at the transformation strategy for Facilities Management in the public sector. 1.4. Organizational Framework of HSBC HSBC organizational structure is specially designed to be dynam ic and customer focused. On the same note, it seeks to ensure effective control, supervision and enhance consistency in all standards across the organization and align all areas of operations to achieve overall organizational objectives. HSBC organizational structure is divided into six principal groups namely: - Retail Banking. The Retail Banking Group is in charge for the products and services for retail customers and small enterprises including various credit products, liability products, distribution of third party investment and

Communication Research Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Communication Research - Assignment Example 2). Qualitative research on the other hand entails a process of inquiry which enables the researcher to understand the social or human issue confronting the society and enables the analysis of this complex phenomenon through a holistic perspective and reporting of detailed views of those involved i.e. the informants/ participants in the study in a natural setting (Cresswell, 2002: 2). For the purpose of this study a qualitative research design is proposed since it offers a wider platform for the researcher to understand and explore the topic of study by methods which help in gathering information that help in understanding one’s qualitative understanding (Guba and Lincoln, 1998). Qualitative research entails several methods of inquiry for analysis such as biography, phenomenological study, grounded theory, ethnography as well as case study. All these types of method afford the researcher in thoroughly exploring the topic of the study and understand the meaning and intentions o f the participants. For the purpose of this study the case study methodology is proposed whereby some key blogs will be selected and its impact on the traditional mainstream media will be observed and analysed. This method is chosen to avoid a mere theoretical interpretation of the phenomenon and engage in a practical discussion thorugh application of case studies that help in supporting the analysis. The blogs will be carefully chosen based on various parameters number of readers, number of views, types of topics dealt with etc among others. References: Creswell, J. W. (2002). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative approaches to research. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill/Pearson Education. Guba, E. G. & Lincoln, Y. S. (1998). Competing paradigms in qualitative research. In Norman K. Denzin & Yvonna S. Lincoln (Eds.), The landscape of qualitative resea

Teachers Salary :: National Budget Teaching Pay Essays

Teachers' Salary When was the last time that you saw a teacher sporting off a brand new Lexus? Or when was it that you heard of a teacher owning a ranch? The answer to this question is probably never. Although material possessions such as owning a luxurious home or driving an extravagant car might be chump change for people like the rich and famous, for teachers this kind of spending is literally an arm and a leg. Even simple necessities are out of reach with a teacher’s salary. The reason for this problem is due to our nation’s budget. Teachers along with others in the school system are underpaid and are not being adequately compensated for their services. Instead of rewarding teachers with higher pay the government is undermining their work. As a result, teachers are unable to buy that expensive car or even pay off that Honda that they bought when they were in college working for their teaching degree. School budgets must be increased immensely in order to insure the educational growt h of students and the professional development of teachers. There are four main reasons that are discussed in this paper, as to why more money should be spent on education. There are a number of key reasons why we must ensure adequate funding of our schools. To start, we must increase the accessibility of the Internet in our schools. With our society growing by the minute the need for technology is rapidly on the run. Today we depend heavily on the Internet to provide us with fast information. It is used in high tech businesses, in homes and in schools. Through the Internet we enable students to explore new and interesting issues. In addition to the books found in our local library, the Internet serves as a fundamental tool for education. With all of the assets that the Internet provides not all schools have it at their disposal. â€Å"According to a 1999 survey, conducted by Education Week only 87%, in states like Pennsylvania had Internet access† (Gazette 99). â€Å"This number however rose to 90% in 1999.† Although the numbers did rise there are other states that are not even close to that number of access. This poses as a major proble m because while other students are building their skills and are learning more, others still rely on books and articles. Through Internet use students will not only be introduced to a wide a ray of topics and search engines but will also be able to familiarize themselves with technology.

Foundation’s Edge CHAPTER FIFTEEN GAIA-S

GAIA-S Sura Novi now stepped into the control room of the small and rather old-fashioned ship that was carrying Stor Gendibal and herself across the parsecs in deliberate Jumps. She had clearly been in the compact cleaning room, where oils, warm air, and a minimum of water freshened her body. She had a robe wrapped about her and was holding it tightly to herself in an agony of modesty. Her hair was dry but tangled. She said in a low voice, â€Å"Master?† Gendibal looked up from his charts and from his computer. â€Å"Yes, Novi?† â€Å"I be sorrow-laden†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She paused and then said slowly, â€Å"I am very sorry to bother you, Master† (then she slipped again) â€Å"but I be loss-ridden for my clothing.† â€Å"Your clothing?† Gendibal stared at her blankly for a moment and then rose to his feet in an access of contrition. â€Å"Novi, I forgot. They needed cleaning and they're in the detergent-hamper. They're cleaned, dried, folded, all set. I should have taken them out and placed them in clear sight. I forgot.† â€Å"I did not like to-to†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (she looked down at herself) â€Å"offend.† â€Å"You don't offend,† said Gendibal cheerily. â€Å"Look, I promise you that when this is over I shall see to it that you have a great deal of clothing – new and in the latest fashion. We left in a hurry and it never occurred to me to bring a supply, but really, Novi, there are only the two of us and we'll be together for some time in very close quarters and it's needless to be – to be – so concerned – about†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He gestured vaguely, became aware of the horrified look in her eyes, and thought: Well, she's only a country girl after all and has her standards; probably wouldn't object to improprieties of all kinds – but with her clothes on. Then he felt ashamed of himself and was glad that she was no â€Å"scholar† who could sense his thoughts. He said, â€Å"Shall I get your clothes for you?† â€Å"Oh no, Master. It be not for you. I know where they are.† He next saw her properly dressed and with her hair combed. There was a distinct shyness about her. â€Å"I am ashamed, Master, to have behaved so improperly. I should have found them for myself.† â€Å"No matter,† said Gendibal. â€Å"You are doing very well with your Galactic, Novi. You are picking up the language of scholars very quickly.† Novi smiled suddenly. Her teeth were somewhat uneven, but that scarcely detracted from the manner in which her face brightened and grew almost sweet under praise, thought Gendibal. He told himself that it was for that reason that he rather liked to praise her. The Hamish will think little of me when I am back home,† she said. â€Å"They will say I be – am a word-chopper. That is what they call someone who speaks – odd. They do not like such.† â€Å"I doubt that you will be going back to the Hamish, Novi,† said Gendibal. â€Å"I am sure there will continue to be a place for you in the complex – with the scholars, that is – when this is over.† â€Å"I would like that, Master.† â€Å"I don't suppose you would care to call me ‘Speaker Gendibal' or just†¦ No, I see you wouldn't,† he said, responding to her look of scandalized objection. â€Å"Oh well.† â€Å"It would not be fitting, Master. – But may I ask when this will be over?† Gendibal shook his head. â€Å"I scarcely know. Right now, I must merely get to a particular place as quickly as I can. This ship, which is a very good ship for its kind, is slow and ‘as quickly as I can' is not very quick. You see† (he gestured at the computer and the charts) â€Å"I must work out ways to get across large stretches of space, but the computer is limited in its abilities and I am not very skillful.† â€Å"Must you be there quickly because there is danger, Master?† â€Å"What makes you think there is danger, Novi?† â€Å"Because I watch you sometimes when I don't think you see me and your face looks – I do not know the word. Not afeared – I mean, frightened – and not bad-expecting, either.† â€Å"Apprehensive,† muttered Gendibal. â€Å"You look – concerned. Is that the word?† â€Å"It depends. What do you mean by concerned, Novi?† â€Å"I means you look as though you are saying to yourself, ‘What am I going to do next in this great trouble?† Gendibal looked astonished. â€Å"That is ‘concerned,' but do you see that in my face, Novi? Back in the Place of Scholars, I am extremely careful that no one should see anything in my face, but I did think that, alone in space – except for you – I could relax and let it sit around in its underwear, so to speak. – I'm sorry. That has embarrassed you.. What I'm trying to say is that if you're so perceptive, I shall have to be more careful. Every once in a while I have to relearn the lesson that even nonmentalics can make shrewd guesses.† Novi looked blank. â€Å"I don't understand, Master.† â€Å"I'm talking to myself, Novi. Don't be concerned. – See, there's that word again.† â€Å"But is there danger?† â€Å"There's a problem, Novi. I do not know what I shall find when I reach Sayshell – that is the place to which we are going. I may find myself in a situation of great difficulty.† â€Å"Does that not mean danger?† â€Å"No, because I will be able to handle it.† â€Å"How can you tell this?† â€Å"Because I am a – scholar. And I am the best of them. There is nothing in the Galaxy I cannot handle.† â€Å"Master,† and something very like agony twisted Novi's face, â€Å"I do not wish to offensify – I mean, give offense – and make you angry. I have seen you with that oafish Rufirant and you were in danger then – and he was only a Hamish farmer. Now I do not know what awaits you – and you do not, either.† Gendibal felt chagrined, â€Å"Are you afraid, Novi?† â€Å"Not for myself, Master. I fear – I am afraid – for you.† â€Å"You can say, ‘I fear,† muttered Gendibal. â€Å"That is good Galactic, too.† For a moment he was engaged in thought. Then he looked up, took Sura Novi's rather coarse hands in his, and said, â€Å"Novi, I don't want you to fear anything. Let me explain. You know how you could tell there was – or rather might be – danger from the look on my face – almost as though you could read my thoughts?† â€Å"Yes?† â€Å"I can read thoughts better than you can. That is what scholars learn to do and I am a very good scholar.† Novi's eyes widened and her hand pulled loose from his. She seemed to be holding her breath. â€Å"You can read my thoughts?† Gendibal held up a finger hurriedly. â€Å"I don't, Novi. I don't read your thoughts, except when I must. I do not read your thoughts.† (He knew that, in a practical sense, he was lying. It was impossible to be with Sura Novi and not understand the general tenor of some of her thoughts. One scarcely needed to be a Second Foundationer for that. Gendibal felt himself to be on the edge of blushing. But even from a Hamishwoman, such an attitude was flattering. – And yet she had to be reassured – out of common humanity – He said, â€Å"I can also change the way people think. I can make people feel hurt. I can†¦Ã¢â‚¬  But Novi was shaking her head. â€Å"How can you do all that, Master? Rufirant†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Forget Rufirant,† said Gendibal testily. â€Å"I could have stopped him in a moment. I could have made him fall to the ground. I could have made all the Hamish†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He stopped suddenly and felt uneasily that he was boasting, that he was trying to impress this provincial woman. And she was shaking her head still. â€Å"Master,† she said, â€Å"you are trying to make me not afraid, but I am not afraid except for you, so there is no need. I know you are a great scholar and can make this ship fly through space where it seems to me that no person could do aught but – I mean, anything but – be lost. And you use machines I cannot understand – and that no Hamish person could understand. But you need not tell me of these powers of mind, which surely cannot be so, since all the things you say you could have done to Rufirant, you did not do, though you were in danger.† Gendibal pressed his lips together. Leave it at that, he thought. If the woman insists she is not afraid for herself, let it go at that. Yet he did not want her to think of him as a weakling and braggart. He simply did not. He said, â€Å"If I did nothing to Rufirant, it was because I did not wish to. We scholars must never do anything to the Hamish. We are guests on your world. Do you understand that?† â€Å"You are our masters. That is what we always say.† For a moment Gendibal was diverted. â€Å"How is it, then, that this Rufirant attacked me?† â€Å"I do not know,† she said simply. â€Å"I don't think he knew. He must have been mind-wandering – uh, out of his mind.† Gendibal grunted. â€Å"In any case, we do not harm the Hamish. If I had been forced to stop him by – hurting him, I might have been poorly thought of by the other scholars and might perhaps have lost my position. But to save myself being badly hurt, I might have had to handle him just a small bit – the smallest possible.† Novi drooped. â€Å"Then I need not have come rushing in like a great fool myself.† â€Å"You did exactly right,† said Gendibal. â€Å"I have just said I would have done ill to have hurt him. You made it unnecessary to do so. You stopped him and that was well done. I am grateful.† She smiled again – blissfully. â€Å"I see, then, why you have been so kind to me.† â€Å"I was grateful, of course,† said Gendibal, a little flustered, â€Å"but the important thing is that you must understand there is no danger. I can handle an army of ordinary people. Any scholar can especially the important ones – and I told you I am the best of all of them. There is no one in the Galaxy who can stand against me.† â€Å"If you say so, Master, I am sure of it.† â€Å"I do say so. Now, are you afraid for me?† â€Å"No, Master, except Master, is it only our scholars who can read minds and. Are there other scholars, other places, who can oppose you?† For a moment Gendibal was staggered. The woman had an astonishing gift of penetration. It was necessary to lie. He said, â€Å"There are none.† â€Å"But there are so many stars in the sky. I once tried to count them and couldn't. If there are as many worlds of people as there are stars, wouldn't some of them be scholars? Besides the scholars on our own world, I mean?† â€Å"What if there are?† â€Å"They would not be as strong as I am.† â€Å"What if they leap upon you suddenly before you are aware?† â€Å"They cannot do that. If any strange scholar were to approach, I would know at once. I would know it long before he could harm me.† â€Å"Could you run?† â€Å"I would not have to run. – But† (anticipating her objection) â€Å"if I had to, I could be in a new ship soon – better than any in the Galaxy. They would not catch me.† â€Å"Might they not change your thoughts and make you stay?† â€Å"No.† â€Å"There might be many of them. You are but one.† â€Å"As soon as they are there, long before they can imagine it would be possible, I would know they were there and I would leave. Our whole world of scholars would then turn against them and they would not stand. And they would know that, so they would not dare do anything against me. In fact, they would not want me to know of them at all – and yet I will.† â€Å"Because you are so much better than they?† said Novi, her face shining with a doubtful pride. Gendibal could not resist. Her native intelligence, her quick understanding was such that it was simple joy to be with her. That softvoiced monster, Speaker Debra Delarmi, had done him an incredible favor when she had forced this Hamish farmwoman upon him. He said, â€Å"No, Novi, not because I am better than they, although I am. It is because I have you with me.† â€Å"I?† â€Å"Exactly, Novi. Had you guessed that?† â€Å"No, Master,† she said, wondering. â€Å"What is it I could do?† â€Å"It is your mind.† He held up his hand at once. â€Å"I am not reading your thoughts. I see merely the outline of your mind and it is a smooth outline, an unusually smooth outline.† She put her hand to her forehead. â€Å"Because I am unlearned, Master? Because I am so foolish?† â€Å"No, dear.† He did not notice the manner of address. â€Å"It is because you are honest and possess no guile; because you are truthful and speak your mind; because you are warm of heart and – and other things. If other scholars send out anything to touch our minds yours and mine – the touch will be instantly visible on the smoothness of your mind. I will be aware of that even before I would be aware of a touch on my own mind – and I will then have time for counteractive strategy; that is, to fight it off.† There was a silence for long moments after that. Gendibal realized that it was not just happiness in Novi's eyes, but exultation and pride, too. She said softly, â€Å"And you took me with you for that reason?† Gendibal nodded. â€Å"That was an important reason. Yes.† Her voice sank to a whisper. â€Å"How can I help as much as possible, Master?† He said. â€Å"Remain calm. Don't be afraid. And just – just stay as you are.† She said, â€Å"I will stay as I am. And I will stand between you and danger, as I did in the case of Rufirant.† She left the room and Gendibal looked after her. It was strange how much there was to her. How could so simple a creature hold such complexity? The smoothness of her mind structure had, beneath it, enormous intelligence, understanding, and courage. What more could he ask – of anyone? Somehow, he caught an image of Sura Novi – who was not a Speaker, not even a Second Foundationer, not even educated grimly at his side, playing a vital auxiliary role in the drama that was coming. Yet he could not see the details clearly. – He could not yet see precisely what it was that awaited them. â€Å"A single Jump,† muttered Trevize, â€Å"and there it is.† â€Å"Gaia?† asked Pelorat, looking over Trevize's shoulder at the screen. â€Å"Gaia's sun,† said Trevize. â€Å"Call it Gaia-S, if you like, to avoid confusion. Gaiactographers do that sometimes.† â€Å"And where is Gaia itself, then? Or do we call it Gaia-P – for planet?† â€Å"Gaia would be sufficient for the planet. We can't see Gaia yet, however. Planets aren't as easy to see as stars are and we're still a hundred microparsecs away from Gaia-S. Notice that it's only a star, even though a very bright one. We're not close enough for it to show as a disc. – And don't stare at it directly, Janov. It's still bright enough to damage the retina. I'll throw in a filter, once I'm through with my observations. Then you can stare.† â€Å"How much is a hundred microparsecs in units which a mythologist can understand, Golan?† â€Å"Three billion kilometers; about twenty times the distance of Terminus from our own sun. Does that help?† â€Å"Enormously. – But shouldn't we get closer?† â€Å"No!† Trevize looked up in surprise. â€Å"Not right away. After what we've heard about Gaia, why should we rush? It's one thing to have guts; it's another to be crazy. Let's take a look first.† â€Å"At what, Golan? You said we can't see Gaia yet?† â€Å"Not at a glance, no. But we have telescopic viewers and we have an excellent computer for rapid analysis. We can certainly study Gaia-S, to begin with, and we can perhaps make a few other observations. – Relax, Janov† He reached out and slapped the other's shoulder with an avuncular flourish. After a pause Trevize said, â€Å"Gaia-S is a single star or, if it has a companion, that companion is much farther away from it than we are at the present moment and it is, at best, a red dwarf, which means we need not be concerned with it. Gaia-S is a G4 star, which means it is perfectly capable of having a habitable planet, and that's good. If it were an A or an M, we would have to turn around and leave right now.† Pelorat said, â€Å"I may be only a mythologist, but couldn't we have determined the spectral class of Gaia-S from Sayshell?† â€Å"We could and we did, Janov, but it never hurts to check at closer quarters. – Gaia-S has a planetary system, which is no surprise. There are two gas giants in view and one of them is nice and large – if the computer's distance estimate is accurate. There could easily be another on the other side of the star and therefore not easily detectable, since we happen – by chance – to be somewhat close to the planetary plane. I can't make out anything in the inner regions, which is also no surprise.† â€Å"Is that bad?† â€Å"Not really. It's expected. The habitable planets would be of rock and metal and would be much smaller than the gas giants and much closer to the star, if they're to be warm enough – and on both counts they would be much harder to see from out here. It means we'll have to get in considerably closer in order to probe the area within four microparsecs of Gaia-S.† â€Å"I'm ready.† â€Å"I'm not. We'll make the Jump tomorrow.† â€Å"Why tomorrow?† â€Å"Why not? Let's give them a day to come out and get us – and for us to get away, perhaps, if we spot them coming and don't like what we see.† It was a slow and cautious process. During the day that passed, Trevize grimly directed the calculation of several different approaches and tried to choose between them. Lacking hard data, he could depend only on intuition, which unfortunately told him nothing. He lacked that â€Å"sureness† he sometimes experienced. Eventually he punched in directions for a Jump that moved them far out of the planetary plane. â€Å"That will give us a better view of the region as a whole,† he said, â€Å"since we will see the planets in every part of their orbit at maximum apparent distance from the sun. And they – whoever they may be – might not be quite as watchful over regions outside the plane. – I hope.† They were now as close to Gaia-S as the nearest and largest of the gas giants was and they were nearly half a billion kilometers from it. Trevize placed it under full magnification on the screen for Pelorat's benefit. It was an impressive sight, even if the three sparse and narrow rings of debris were left out of account. â€Å"It has the usual train of satellites,† said Trevize, â€Å"but at this distance from Gaia-S, we know that none of them are habitable. Nor are any of them settled by ‘human beings who survive, let us say, under a glass dome or under other strictly artificial conditions.† â€Å"How can you tell?† â€Å"There's no radio noise with characteristics that point them out as of intelligent origin. Of course,† he added, qualifying his statement at once, â€Å"it is conceivable that a scientific outpost might go to great pains to shield its radio signals and the gas giant produces radio noise that could mask what I was looking for. Still, our radio reception is delicate and our computer is an extraordinarily good one. I'd say the chance of human occupation of those satellites is extremely small.† â€Å"Does that mean there's no Gaia?† â€Å"No. But it does mean that if there is a Gaia, it hasn't bothered to settle those satellites. Perhaps it lacks the capacity to do so – or the interest.† â€Å"Well, is there a Gaia?† â€Å"Patience, Janov. Patience.† Trevize considered the sky with a seemingly endless supply of patience. He stopped at one point to say, â€Å"Frankly, the fact that they haven't come out to pounce on us is disheartening, in a way. Surely, if they had the capacities they were described as having, they would have reacted to us by now.† â€Å"It's conceivable, I suppose,† said Pelorat glumly, â€Å"that the whole thing is a fantasy.† â€Å"Call it a myth, Janov,† said Trevize with a wry smile, â€Å"and it will be right up your alley. Still, there's a planet moving through the ecosphere, which means it might be habitable. I'll want to observe it for at least a day.† â€Å"Why?† â€Å"To make sure it's habitable, for one thing.† â€Å"You just said it was in the ecosphere, Golan.† â€Å"Yes, at the moment it is. But its orbit could be very eccentric, and could eventually carry it within a microparsec of the star, or out to fifteen microparsecs, or both. We'll have to determine and compare the planet's distance from Gaia-S with its orbital speed – and it would help to note the direction of its motion.† Another day. â€Å"The orbit is nearly circular,† Trevize said finally, â€Å"which means that habitability becomes a much safer bet. Yet no one's coming out to get us even now. We'll have to try a closer look.† Pelorat said, â€Å"Why does it take so long to arrange a Jump? You're just taking little ones.† â€Å"Listen to the man. Little Jumps are harder to control than big ones. Is it easier to pick up a rock or a fine grain of sand? Besides, Gaia-S is nearby and space is sharply curved. That complicates the calculations even for the computer. Even a mythologist should see that.† Pelorat grunted. Trevize said, â€Å"You can see the planet with the unaided eye now. Right there. See it? The period of rotation is about twenty-two Galactic Hours and the axial inclination is twelve degrees. It is practically a textbook example of a habitable planet and it is life-bearing.† â€Å"How can you tell?† â€Å"There are substantial quantities of free oxygen in the atmosphere. You can't have that without well-established vegetation.† â€Å"What about intelligent life?† â€Å"That depends on the analysis of radio-wave radiation. Of course, there could be intelligent life that has abandoned technology, I suppose, but that seems very unlikely.† â€Å"There have been cases of that,† said Pelorat. â€Å"I'll take your word for it. That's your department. However, it's not likely that there would be nothing but pastoral survivors on a planet that frightened off the Mule.† Pelorat said, â€Å"Does it have a satellite?† â€Å"Yes, it does,† said Trevize casually. â€Å"How big?† Pelorat said in a voice that was suddenly choking. â€Å"Can't tell for sure. Perhaps a hundred kilometers across.† â€Å"Dear me,† said Pelorat wistfully. â€Å"I wish I had some worthier set of expletives on instant call, my dear chap, but there was just that one little chance†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"You mean, if it had a giant satellite, it might be Earth itself?† â€Å"Yes, but it clearly isn't.† â€Å"Well, if Compor is right, Earth wouldn't be in this Galactic region, anyway. It would be over Sirius way. – Really, Janov, I'm sorry.† â€Å"Oh well.† â€Å"Look, we'll wait, and risk one more small Jump. If we find no signs of intelligent life, then it should be safe to land – except that there will then be no reason to land, will there?† After the next Jump, Trevize said in an astonished voice, â€Å"That does it, Janov. It's Gaia, all right. At least, it possesses a technological civilization.† â€Å"Can you tell that from the radio waves?† â€Å"Better than that. There's a space station circling the planet. Do you see that?† There was an object on display on the viewscreen. To Pelorat's unaccustomed eye, it didn't seem very remarkable, but Trevize said, â€Å"Artificial, metallic, and a radio-source.† â€Å"What do we do now?† â€Å"Nothing, for a while. At this stage of technology, they cannot fail to detect us. If, after a while, they do nothing, I will beam a radio message at them. If they still do nothing, I will approach cautiously.† â€Å"What if they do do something?† â€Å"It will depend on the ‘something. ‘ If I don't like it, then I'll have to take advantage of the fact that it is very unlikely that they have anything that can match the facility with which this ship can make a Jump.† â€Å"You mean we'll leave?† â€Å"Like a hyperspatial missile.† â€Å"But we'll leave no wiser than we came.† â€Å"Not at all. At the very least we'll know that Gaia exists, that it has a working technology, and that it's done something to scare us.† â€Å"But, Golan, let's not be too easily scared.† â€Å"Now, Janov, I know that you want nothing more in the Galaxy than to learn about Earth at any cost, but please remember that I don't share your monomania. We are in an unarmed ship and those people down there have been isolated for centuries. Suppose they have never heard of the Foundation and don't know enough to be respectful of it. Or suppose this is the Second Foundation and once we're in their grip – if they're annoyed with us – we may never be the same again. Do you want them to wipe your mind clear and find you are no longer a mythologist and know nothing about any legends whatever?† Pelorat looked grim. â€Å"If you put it that way. But what do we do once we leave?† â€Å"Simple. We get back to Terminus with the news. – Or as near to Terminus as the old woman will allow. Then we might return to Gaia once again – more quickly and without all this inching along, and we return with an armed ship or an armed fleet. Things may well be different then.† They waited. It had grown to be a routine. They had spent far more time waiting in the approaches to Gaia than they had spent in all the flight from Terminus to Sayshell. Trevize set the computer to automatic alarm and was even nonchalant enough to doze in his padded chair. This meant he woke with a start when the alarm chimed. Pelorat came into Trevize's room, just as startled. He bad been interrupted while shaving. â€Å"Have we received a message?† asked Pelorat. â€Å"No,† said Trevize energetically. â€Å"We're moving.† â€Å"Moving? Where?† â€Å"Toward the space station.† â€Å"Why is that?† â€Å"I don't know. The motors are on and the computer doesn't respond to me – but we're moving. – Janov, we've been seized. We've come a little too close to Gaia.†