Post-Colonial View on Things Fall Apart free essay sample

Chinua Achebe is a novelist specializing in African literature, and this essay deals with the themes regarding colonialism in one of his many novels. In particular, the Igbo people in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart have their beliefs undermined by the British. As such, their ideals are viewed as savage and uncivilized, which caused a divide among the Igbo people. A useful theory to analyze the theme of a changing society is the post-colonial theory, which deals with the abnormal alterations that a society experiences because of an outside source, also called a ‘colonial power’. Post-colonial literary criticism is a useful theoretical tool to analyze the fall of indigenous society as depicted in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. In particular, the theoretical concepts of the process of colonization from the perspective of the colonized, the psychological impact colonization has on the Igbo people, and the Indigenous resistance to colonization are relevant to the analysis of the fall of indigenous society in Achebe’s seminal novel. We will write a custom essay sample on Post-Colonial View on Things Fall Apart or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page To begin, colonization refers to the act of establishing colonies. This is mainly done to expand the territory of a certain nation, increase their own resource supply, and find new resources in the land being conquered. Colonization may have a positive effect on the colonizer, but the process of colonization typically affects the indigenous population negatively. Colonization causes change, which usually takes the form of whatever the colonizer believes to be correct without considering the ideas of the indigenous people who are in some cases treated like livestock. The greater the difference between the colonizer and the colonized, the greater the change that occurs from the perspective of the colonized. Once a society has been completely altered, the indigenous people not only begin to experience changes to their lifestyle, but also a change in the way they view the world. The novel Things Fall Apart describes the Igbo society before and after the British arrives. The first part of the novel deals with the tribal lifestyle of the Igbo people, which is the author’s way of showing the culture of the Igbo people from their own perspective. The Igbo people have been long time practitioners of their faith, with the next generation following the footsteps of their forefathers. Their culture and view of the world remains unchanged until the British arrive. During Okonkwo’s seven year exile from Umuofia, not only does his own village begin to change, but the neighboring villages appear to be changing as well. Due to the technological advancements occurring in Europe, the Igbo people are helpless against the British missionaries who arrive, as explained by the quotation, â€Å"Have you heard, asked Obierika, ‘that Abame is no more? †¦ ‘Abame has been wiped out,’ said Obierika (119). † The quotation reveals that the Igbo people are beginning to realize that they must either adapt and accept the foreigners or risk becoming completely annihilated similar to their fellow tribesmen from the village of Abame. It is evident that the goal of the colonizer is to bring change to the nation being o ccupied, but these changes often bring chaos to the indigenous people’s way of life, which in turn can alter the way their society functions. Secondly, the mentality of the colonizer and the colonized differ significantly. While the colonizer believes that he is bringing civilization to a society in which he deems â€Å"barbaric†, the indigenous people view the colonizers as a threat to their lifestyle and, as such, often look down on the beliefs of the foreigner. After living a certain lifestyle for an extended period of time, a sudden change in lifestyle abnormally envelops not only a society as a whole, but the individuals who live in that society. The psychological state of the indigenous people worsens due to the forced ideas of the colonizers mixing with their own, which can cause a rift in their thinking. A decision has to be made eventually; however, the colonizer typically tries his hardest to prevent them from making what he believes is the â€Å"wrong† decision. Although the colonizer appears to be helping the indigenous people, his true intentions are all but innocent. Due to their technological disadvantages, the colonizers have an advantage over the indigenous people, causing the previous existing people to feel undermined. Even after the colonizers eave, the colonized people continue to bear the scars left behind by the colonizers, as stated by Hayes who argues that, â€Å"Post Colonial Theory recognizes the trauma resulting from the alienation of indigenous people from their own land, even after achieving independence† (Hayes). Colonization leaves behind permanent psychological damage, even long after independence has been obtained. Moreover, the psychological impact is also depicted in Things Fall Apart. When the missionaries from Britain arrive in Nigeria, the Igbo people are amused at first when they first hand witness a â€Å"white man†. However, the one of the spiritual leaders in the Igbo clan who is known as the Oracle warns the people that â€Å"the strange man would break their clan and spread destruction among them (120). † This warning foreshadows the events that follow, and the Igbo people begin to feel inferior to the British colonizers after becoming aware of their destructive capabilities which were mainly due to their technological advancements. The missionaries who arrive also spread Christianity to the people. Those with power in Igbo society are not associated with any of the early converts. However, the â€Å"osu† or outcasts quickly join the new religion because the culture practiced by the Igbo do not accept them, and they are therefore easily swayed by the words of the foreigners. Although Okonkwo is a man of power in Igbo society, his son Nwoye is fascinated by the preaching of the missionaries. Eventually, Nwoye decides to cut his ties with his father as evident in the following exchange, â€Å"How is your father? Obierika asked, not knowing what else to say. I don’t know. He is not my father, said Nwoye unhappily (124). Colonization has impacted the Igbo people negatively and their original society has begun to diminish, starting in the second part of the novel Things Fall Apart. Finally, although colonization may have psychologically destabilized the indigenous way of thinking, there is often a handful of individuals who firmly hold onto their beliefs regardless of the situation. It is those people who typically want to restore their nation to the state that it was before being colonized. Due to their passionate desire to bring their nation back to its former glory, resistance against the oppressors is their way to show their dedication. Unfortunately, many forms of resistance typically fail due to various reasons, with some being more preventable than others. One such reason could be that violence plays a large role in fighting against oppressors, which eventually leads to either success to the indigenous people should they succeed, or harsh punishment if they fail. The risk factor involved in this is one that shouldn’t be viewed at lightly and thus the majority of the colonized people do not actively engage in resistance. As a result, resistance doesn’t happen as often as it is planned due to the risk involved. Furthermore, the indigenous people in Things Fall Apart attempt to resist the British both before and after they make their colonial presence in Nigeria. Prior to the arrival of the British missionaries, a lone man riding what the Igbo people called an â€Å"iron horse† appears. Due to his strange appearance, the people in the clan decide to kill the man, â€Å"†¦ and they killed the white man and tied his iron horse to their sacred tree because it looked as if it would run away to call to man’s friends† (120). Soon after, more British people begin to settle in Nigeria and preach their religion to the Igbo people. This event causes the British to establish a colonial presence in Nigeria. At the end of the novel, Okonkwo’s rage gives him an incentive to start a revolution by calling his people to the market place. Okonkwo’s goal is to persuade his people to start a war against the British, firmly believing that his people will follow him to fight the oppressors. After a messenger arrives, Okonkwo decides to initiate the fight, and successfully draws â€Å"first blood†. As Achebe writes, â€Å"That man was one of the greatest men in Umuofia. You drove him to kill himself; and now he will be buried like a dog† (178-179). This quotation describes Okonkwo’s disappointment after realizing that his fellow clansmen have changed, losing their sense of patriotism along the way. In conclusion, the points above illustrate the fall of indigenous society in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart using post-colonial literary criticism. Colonialism is typically viewed as an event of the past. However, although signs of colonialism are not as evident in the modern world, the after effects of a previously colonized nation continue to exist. For instance, the Tutsi and Hutu tribes from Rwanda were brought closer together because of the European colonizers. Prior to their arrival, the two tribes could be considered two different, rival nations with a different set of rules and culture. The political devastation caused by the Europeans due to their colonial presence in Africa, â€Å"also involved ethnic tension and violence due to colonialism exists because of poorly drawn international boundaries† (â€Å"Effects of European Colonialism in Africa†). However, the Europeans had little concern for the rivalry between the two tribes and so Rwanda was founded. Unfortunately, this caused a massive genocide in 1994, which killed approximately one million people. Thus, the act of colonialism has always benefitted the colonizer, and the indigenous people are left with the option to either adapt or risk elimination, which is evident even after independence has been achieved as proven using Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart as an example. Work Cited Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. 1958. Toronto: Alfred A. Knopf, 1992. Print. Effects of European Colonialism in Africa.   Yahoo! Contributor Network. N. p. , n. d. Web. 21 Mar. 2013. Hayes, David. Class Lecture. Post Colonial Literary Theory. Westview Centennial Secondary School, Toronto, ON. 14 Feb 2013.

Reflections, Translations, and Rotations on SAT Math Coordinate Geometry Guide

Reflections, Translations, and Rotations on SAT Math Coordinate Geometry Guide SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips If it's always been a dream of yours to shift around graphs and points on the $x$ and $y$ axes (and why not?), then you are in luck! Points, graphs, and shapes can be manipulated in the coordinate plane to your heart's content. Want to scoot that triangle a little to the left? Flip it? Spin it? With reflections, rotations, and translations, a lot is possible. This will be your complete guide to rotations, reflections, and translations of points, shapes, and graphs on the SAT- what these terms mean, the types of questions you'll see on the test, and the tips and formulas you'll need to solve these questions in no time. Before You Continue Reflection, rotation, and translation problems are extremely rare on the SAT. If you're aiming for a perfect score (or nearly) and want to grab every last point you can, then this is the guide for you. But if you still need to brush up on your fundamentals, then your time and energy is better spent studying the more common types of math problems you'll see on the test. Remember, each question is worth the same amount of points, so it is better that you can answer two or three questions on integers, triangles, or slopes than to answer one question on rotations. So if you've got everything else nailed down tight (or you just really, really like coordinate geometry), then lets talk reflections, rotations, and translations! What is a Reflection? Just like how your image is reflected in a mirror, a graph or a flat (planar) object can be reflected in the coordinate plane. It can be reflected across the x-axis, the y-axis, or any other line, invisible or otherwise. This line, about which the object is reflected, is called the "line of symmetry." Most SAT reflection questions will ask you to identify a shape that is symmetrical about a line that you must imagine or draw yourself. These questions should be simple enough so long as you pay attention to the details. For example, The diagram below shows the Greek letter pi. Each side of the figure is reflected identically about a vertical line of symmetry. Of the letters shows bellow, which has both a vertical and a horizontal line of symmetry? A. B. C. D. E. Now, we are being asked for a letter that has BOTH a vertical AND a horizontal line of symmetry (even though the example, pi, only has a vertical line of symmetry). If you are going too quickly through the test, you might be tempted to find the letter with only a vertical line of symmetry like the example picture. Doing this, however, would lead you to select the wrong answer choice. So, now that we know that we must find a letter that is symmetrical both vertically and horizontally, let us examine our options. You can either draw lines of reflection in your mind or on the page, but we will draw it out here. Let us test our options by first giving them a vertical line of symmetry. If they fail the vertical test, then they will automatically be eliminated, with no need to test if they have a horizontal line of symmetry. (Remember, we are looking for a letter that has both.) So let us draw a potential vertical line of symmetry through each of our answer choices, starting with answer choice A. We can see that rho does not have a vertical line of symmetry, as each half is not a perfect reflection of one another. We can eliminate answer choice A. Each half of gamma is also not symmetrical with the other half. We can eliminate answer choice B. Mu is symmetrical about itself vertically and if you were going quickly through the test, you may be tempted to stop here. But we know we must also find a horizontal line of symmetry. Mu does not have a horizontal line of symmetry, so we can now eliminate answer choice C. Eta, as well, has a vertical line of symmetry. Let us see if it also has a horizontal one as well. Success! Eta is symmetrical, whether the line of symmetry is vertical or horizontal. We can stop here, as we have found our correct answer choice. Our final answer is D. Nature showing off its coordinate geometry skills. Clearly. What is a Rotation? Objects in the coordinate plane can also be rotated (turned) clockwise or counterclockwise. Imagine that we can adjust the object with our hands- it will spin, while still lying flat, like a piece of paper on a tabletop. To rotate an object, we must pick a point to act as the center point for our rotation. This center point of our rotation does NOT have to be the center of the shape, however; there must always be a center to our rotation, but we can pick any point to act as this center. Let us look at a visual demonstration of this. First, let's look at a shape that has a center of rotation at the center of the shape itself. Now we can see how the movement of the object changes as the center of rotation shifts. Here, we have a center of rotation as a point on the outline of the shape. But though any point can act as a center of rotation, you will almost always be asked to rotate an object "about the origin." This means that the origin (coordinates $(0,0)$) will act as your center of rotation. The angle about which the object moves is called the angle of rotation. As we rotate an object, the angle of rotation will be: Positive when we move the object counterclockwise Negative when the object is rotating clockwise. A positive angle of rotation. A negative angle of rotation. Through both objects ended up in the same place, one was rotated +180Â ° and the other was rotated -180Â °. If you are asked to rotate an object on the SAT, it will be at an angle of 90 degrees or 180 degrees (or, more rarely, 270 degrees). These are nice numbers that evenly divide the coordinate plane into 4 parts, and each of these degree measures has a standard rule of rotation. Let us look at these rotation rules. Note: if you're a little shaky on the different quadrants of the $xy$-coordinate plane and where $x$ and $y$ are positive and negative, you should take a couple of minutes to read through our article on the four graph quadrants before going to the next section of this guide. Put your cudgels away and we'll prove we're not fakirs. Rotation Rules and Formulas You can determine the new coordinates of your point if you rotate your object by a certain angle about the origin. [Note: these formulas only work when rotating a point or a series of points about the origin- they will not work if rotating the object about any other center of rotation.] Each of the three degree measures- 90, 180, or 270- will shift the coordinates of your original point to a different, calculable, position on the graph. If rotating counterclockwise (a positive angle of rotation), you can use these rules to find your new coordinate points. For example, let us start with a set of coordinates at $(4, 6)$ and rotate the point. Here we have our original coordinates of $(4, 6)$ For 90 degree rotations: $(a, b)$ = $(-b, a)$ If our original coordinates of (4, 6) are rotated 90Â °, the new coordinates will be (-6, 4). For 180 degree rotations: $(a, b)$ = $(-a, -b)$ If our original coordinates of $(4, 6)$ are rotated 180Â °, the new coordinates will be $(-4, -6)$. For 270 degree rotations: $(a, b)$ = $(b, -a)$ If our original coordinates of $(4, 6)$ are rotated 270Â °, the new coordinates will be $(6, -4)$. (And, of course, a 360 degree rotation will bring you right back to the beginning at $(a, b)$ again!) If our original coordinates of $(4, 6)$ are rotated 360Â °, the new coordinates will be the same, $(4, 6)$. â™ ª You spin me right round, baby, right round â™ ª What is a Translation? If we continue to think of the shape as a piece of paper lying flat on a table (on the coordinate plane), a translation is the act of sliding it along the coordinate plane in a particular direction. The shape can be translated up or down (or both!) any amount of distance along the plane. It maintains its shape and bearing, but is simply located elsewhere in the plane. The way to notate that a translation is to occur is by saying: $T_{a,b}(x,y)$ This means that your final coordinates for this point will be: $(x + a, y + b)$ For example, What is the new point for $T_{-3, 4}(2, -6)$? A. $(-5, 10)$B. $(-1, 2)$C. $(1, -2)$D. $(-5, -10)$E. $(-1, -2)$ We know that we must add together our translated points to the corresponding $x$ and $y$ values of our original coordinates. So: $T_{-3, 4}(2, -6)$ $(2 + -3, -6 +4)$ $(-1, -2)$ Our new coordinates for this point are at $(-1, -2)$. You can see why this is true if we look at it on a graph. We are starting at the coordinates $(2, -6)$. Now, we are traveling -3 spaces along the $x$-axis and +4 spaces along the $y$-axis. By tracing this, we can find our new coordinates. Our final answer is E, $(-1, -2)$. Typical Reflection, Rotation, and Translation Problems Again, these types of questions are extremely rare on the SAT, and the odds likely that you will not see any reflection, rotation, or translation problems at all on your test. That said, there are three different types of reflection/rotation/translation problems that will show up, when they appear at all. These questions will be either a reflection, rotation, or translation questions about: #1: Points#2: Shapes in the coordinate plane#3: Function graphs Let's look at all three. Points Points are the simplest objects to be rotated, reflected, or translated, because there is only one component- the single point. Any point on the coordinate plane will have an $x$-coordinate and a $y$-coordinate, but you will still have far fewer moving parts when dealing with a point rotation than with any other kind of rotation, reflection, or translation. Shapes Shapes are slightly more complicated to reflect or rotate than points are for the sheer reason that shapes are made up of several points (and the lines connecting those points). This means that any shape rotation/reflection/translation will require more consideration and care, in order to make sure all your pieces are properly aligned. It is often much easier, when working with modified shapes, to map out the positions of the points alone. Don't worry about the lines- mark the proper position of the new coordinates for the points and the lines will sort themselves out. For instance, let us say that we must rotate a trapezoid +90 degrees. The particular question may ask you to find the slope of one of the new lines of the rotated shape, identify a new coordinate point, or anything else. But first, we must rotate our figure. The easiest way to do this is to simply map the new coordinate points according to our rotating rules. We know that a 90 degree rotation will transform all of our coordinates from $(a, b)$ to $(-b, a)$, so let's find them. Each given coordinate point will transform like so: $(1, 1)$ = $(-1, 1)$ $(3, 4)$ = $(-4, 3)$ $(7, 4)$ = $(-4, 7)$ $(9, 1)$ = $(-1, 9)$ Now we can simply connect the lines and find our new trapezoid, allowing us to answer any question we need to about it. Function Graphs Finally, function graphs can be reflected or translated just like shapes and points, though NOT rotated. (Why can't functions be rotated? If a function were rotated, it would fail the vertical line test and no longer be a function.) A reflected function. A translated function. Functions cannot be rotated! This fails the vertical line test and so is no longer a function. Function Translations We can either translate our function vertically (up and down) or horizontally (left and right), or a combination of the two. The way we do this is by modifying our inputs and outputs (for more on how functions work, including inputs and outputs, check out our guide to SAT functions.) We can translate our function up or down by adding or subtracting from our output. Adding to output translates the graph up. Subtracting from the output moves the graph down. On the other hand: Adding to the input will shift the graph left Subtracting from the input will shift the graph to the right Function Reflections We can also reflect our function about a line of symmetry along the $x$ or $y$-axis. Making the output negative makes the function reflect across the $\bi x$-axis (inverts it about the $x$-axis). Making the input negative makes the function reflect across the $\bi y$-axis. If this is a lot of new information for you, don't stress. These types of questions are, again, so rare that the odds are you won't see them on your test. Only try to memorize these rules if you feel comfortable doing so. Strategies for Reflection and Translation Problems Though no two reflection/translation/rotation problems are exactly alike, there are a few tips and tricks to follow for any kind you may come across. #1: Draw Your Own Graphs Especially when dealing with a problem that requires a reflection or a translation, it is always a good idea to take a moment to sketch out a graph of the object's old and new positions in space. This allows you to work with the problem on the page instead of in your head, which is especially useful if you are asked to find information other than simply identifying a new coordinate point (a feat in and of itself!). For instance, you might be asked to find the slope of a reflected line, or the product of two translated $x$-coordinates, or anything else the SAT might think of. Without making your own drawings and diagrams, it can be easy to become confused, fall for bait answers, and lose precious points. #2: Drill Your Rotation Formulas When working with translations or reflections, it is simple enough to draw your own picture and line up your corresponding points, but when it comes to rotations, it can be much harder to visualize the movement of the point or the object. Even when you've mapped out the original point, rotations are often much trickier than they appear. Unless you have a paper cut-out of your point, shape, or function and want to spend your time spinning your scratch paper around in circles, it's better to simply memorize your rotation rules for 90, 180, and 270 degrees. #3: Double-check, double-check, (triple-check) Rotations, reflections, and translations may seem simple (and, indeed, the underlying principles are not overly complex), but the difficulty in solving these kinds of problems is in just how easy it is to mis-map a coordinate point or two. Nothing is more frustrating than when you know how to solve a problem, but go too quickly or too carelessly and so get the question wrong. So make sure you double-check that you've properly shifted your coordinates before you bubble in that final answer. Test Your Knowledge 1. 2. The graph $y = f(x)$ is shown below. What could be the graph of $y = f(x + 3)$? A. B. C. D. E. Answers: E, A Answer Explanations: 1. If we draw an imaginary vertical line through every letter in the answer options, we can see that all but one are symmetrical about that vertical line. Only the letter E has a different shape to it on each side of the vertical line. Our final answer is E. 2. We know that adding to the input or output will shift our graph and translate it somewhere else. In this case, we are adding to the input, which, you'll recall, translates our graph to the left. We are making no additional changes, so its vertical position will remain unchanged. The only answer choice that shows us a graph that maintains the vertical position and is shifted to the left is answer choice A. Here is the starting position of the function. And here it is shifted to the left in answer choice A. Our final answer is A. Yay! You did it! The Take-Aways Though quite rare to see, the surprise rotation or reflection question can throw a wrench in the works if you are unprepared for it. But nothing the SAT can put on the test is insurmountable (and, indeed, the test is designed to give you opportunities to succeed). Once you've got your understandings down tight and know not only the difference between all your terms, but how to properly take down any kind of coordinate geometry question the SAT can throw at you, you will be well on your way to earning that perfect score. What's Next? You've taken on one of the more obscure SAT math topics, but have you made sure that you have a solid understanding of all the rest of the math topics the SAT will test you on? As always, it is better to get as many points as possible (as accurately as possible), so now might be a good time to catch up on your understanding of circles, triangles, and integers, both basic and advanced. Want to know two of the most invaluable math strategies? Check out our guides on how to use plugging in numbers and plugging in answers to make sense of some of the trickiest SAT problems out there. Looking to get that perfect score? Our team has your back with our guide to getting a perfect 800 on the SAT math, written by a perfect-scorer. Want to learn more about the SAT but tired of reading blog articles? Then you'll love our free, SAT prep livestreams. Designed and led by PrepScholar SAT experts, these live video events are a great resource for students and parents looking to learn more about the SAT and SAT prep. Click on the button below to register for one of our livestreams today!

13 Skills You Need to Put On Your Resume

13 Skills You Need to Put On Your Resume You got skills. And you know how to use them. Presumably, that’s why you’re trying to get someone to pay you for them. Your resume is nothing if not a fancy package of your skills- but did you know that not all skills are created equally? Skills that helped you win your college ping pong championship are not necessarily the same ones that will land you the new job you want, so you have to be discerning. Here are 13  skill types, and how to use them on your resume if you have them.The Hard Skillsâ€Å"Hard† skills are the ones that can tie most directly to the job you’re seeking. They’re easy for a recruiter or an interviewer to recognize and quantify, and they tell a lot about you. These include:1. Foreign language fluency2. Specific certifications you may have3. Computer programming skills4. Typing speed (words per minute)5. Specific software proficiency and training6. Proofreading and copyediting skillsHard skills don’t leave a lot of wig gle room, so this is not an area you want to fudge. If you put on your resume that you speak excellent French, when your experience is really limited to 8th  grade lessons, you run the risk of interviewing with someone who spent a semester in Paris. And when that happens†¦c’est dommage, mon ami.Building hard skills is pretty straightforward as well. If you want to learn HTML coding to add it to your resume, you can take any number of online courses or tutorials. If you want to get your typing skills up to 80 words per minute, you can drill yourself until you get up to speed (ha). These are specific skills with specific goals.The Soft Skillsâ€Å"Soft† skills are less tangible abilities. They’re just as important, because they tell the resume reader more about what you could bring to the job on a day-to-day basis. Soft skills include things like:7. Teamwork/collaboration8. Time management9. Flexibility and adaptability8. Communication skills9. Problem solv ing10. Conflict resolution11. NegotiationUnlike hard skills, soft skills do often leave a bit of room for interpretation. You can adapt all sorts of real world scenarios to back them up. For example, if you brokered peace between feuding teams in your last job, boom- negotiation skills. Where hard skills tell the reader information right away, soft skills are more about showing. Always have specific examples of your soft skills in mind, so that you can come up with evidence on the spot if necessary.If you want to build soft skills, it might not be as easy as with the hard skills, but it can be done. You can take public speaking courses to improve your communication skills, or sign up to volunteer in order to gain experience. Another great way to boost soft skills is to pick a mentor, and work with that person on areas where you could use some enhancement/improvement. Downloading someone else’s expertise can help you see what you need, and can help you brainstorm ways to get t here.The Skills to AvoidRemember when I said not all skills are created equally in resume world? There are some skills that don’t necessarily belong on your resume, no matter how awesome you are at them. Unless they apply directly to the job at hand, there’s no reason to include skills like these:Personal/hobby skillsSports skillsAcademic skillsWhile these are all great, and probably show how well-rounded you are as a person, they undermine your resume as a lean, mean, job-specific machine. Unless you’re applying for grad school or a volunteer position based on your extra-professional hobbies, these types of skills shouldn’t be on your official resume.Your resume should be a snapshot of the best of your abilities, as they pertain to your next job opportunity. You already have a ton of skills, so it’s just a matter of rounding them up and figuring out which ones make for the best applicant package.

GMO the Necessary Evil Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

GMO the Necessary Evil - Essay Example There have been many mixed reactions due to GM foods because of the rampant debate surrounding GMO technology. Today, the process of genetic modification is rapidly advancing throughout the planet. In 2004, 8.25 million farmers in 17 nations grew the crops (Ahmed 30). The production and marketing of GM foods are due to the superficial benefits they hold either to the producer or to consumption of these genetic foods. When it was first introduced, GM seeds developers needed their products to be accepted by producers and focus on innovations that have direct benefits to the farmers and the food industry at large. For example, the International Rice Research Institute located in the Philippines manufactured the GM golden rice to help people in South East Asia that were lacking food. Research has shown that GMO presents significant threats because of inconclusive research on their safety and their effects on the environment. However, I believe GMO is a necessary evil that the human race must contend with because it faces an imminent food crisis. GMO is the necessary evil that will solve the world food problem (Specter 34). GMO foods are unavoidable, and we cannot live without them. The World Health Organization (WHO), the Food, Drug Administration, and other scientific bodies in the world have strongly advocated for the use of GM foods, since they do not predispose the human health to any harm. Additionally, research shows that the risks to human health that may be brought about by the consumption of GM foods are the same as those that are produced by the consumption of non-GM foods. Moreover, GM foods are safe to use as they tested for food safety and passed the safety assessment. Some people believe that GM foods should be eliminated due to the risks they have like the health issues. It is a fact that people have eaten some of the GM foods unknowingly, but no complains of serious concerns (Ahmed 18). By 2040, the world’s population is predicted to increase

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Unit1 - Essay Example Most climate experts expect unequivocal greenhouse warming in the 21st century, and some predict the first clear signs in the 1990s. If they are right, what people are doing to the atmosphere is arguably as important as what they do to the economy, domestic politics or international relations. Former Vive President Al Gore has been integral on the forefront of combating global warming. His work on the book An unfamiliar Truth then made into a movie, provided first hand accounts of global warning in process. A steady decline in recourses followed by startlingly snow less snow cap mountains known for their glaciers. Projections are made by Gore that if we do not ALL discontinue eating and buying fish, there will be no fish left in the tear 2040. Trapping and keeping or reusing heat from the greenhouse effect seems legitimate but without following the steps involved in the scientific theory, one may never know for sure and it may always remain a hypothesis or even theory. The large controversy that surrounds global warming is that many individuals refuse to look at the date. If they do look at the data, they find themselves investigating something they may not see happening in fron of them with out empirical evidence.. The empirical evidence stands clearly that math and chemistry don’t lie. On the advent of global warming studies and Oxygen dioxide emissions were many times what they are now. In fact they are higher now than at any time in history Fossil fuels burn in order to create heat to run an engine. Heat is energy and the energy source to frive a car is paramount. Nothing moves without energy as energy is movement. In larger cities like Ney Your and Chicago, their emissions are off of the charts due to how much fossil fuel is being burned each day. Fuel provides have gone p so high that most people can’t afford to eat out or do a little extra shopping and there is no sight in the future. We

Nike Responses Corporate Social Responsibility Essay Example for Free

Nike Responses Corporate Social Responsibility Essay Background: Nike is the leading company in sports and fitness fields and located near Beaverton, Oregon (CSRwire, 2012). In 1998, The New York Times exposed that Nike paid workers in China and Vietnam less than two American dollars a day. The aim of this report is to search how Nike response Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Theory: There are five dimensions of corporate social responsibility: physical environment, social (community), consumer, supply chain, and employee relation. ‘Corporate social responsibility is encompasses not only what company do with their profits but also how they make them. It goes beyond philanthropy and compliance and addresses how companies manage their economic, social, and environmental impacts, as well as their relationships in all key spheres of influence: the workplace, the marketplace, the supply chain, the community, and the public policy realm. ’(HARVARD Kennedy School, 2008) Corporate social responsibility Physical environment The chart from Nike Corporate Responsibility Report in 2012 showed the total emission volume of CO2 (Million Tonnes), which is the major element that causes the global warming. As can be seen from this table, the emission of CO2 from 2003 to 2009 is significantly lower than it of year 1997-98. To create a sustainable market, Nike’ fabric suppliers produce jerseys based on used plastic bottles from landfill sites in Japan and Taiwan and a design tool which cost Nike seven years and six million dollars to help designers to reduce the impact on environment. In 2011, Nike doubled its use on recycled plastic bottles, which were 82 million bottles. (CSRwire, 2012) Community The table shows that total community investment increased dramatically from 2004 to 2009 and in 2007, Nike estimated that it would support 315million dollar to the community (Nike corporate responsibility report, 2009). In 2007, Nike awarded 1million dollar to help schools, which were in finance problem and a Jordan Fundamental Program was set up to give finance support to the educators who have a significant achievement (CSRwire, 2012). In 1999, Jordan Fundamental Program aid more than eight million dollars on lunch program in public secondary school for teachers. (CSRwire, 2012). In 2007, Nike joined the United Nation Refugee Agency and raised 2 million dollar in the first year to support refugee youth education and sports. Nike also sold T-shirt associated with refugee to raise global awareness and capital. (CSRwire, 2012). Nike also had a Partnership with the Lance Armstrong Foundation that aim to encourage people who suffered cancer. (CSRwire, 2012) Consumer Nike issued the Privacy Policy, which include how they collect and use information through different kind of digital devices and what kind of information they will gather. For instance, If a person use a computer and access the Nike website to purchase Nike product or register personal information, the Privacy Policy will protect this customer. And it also help parent to supervise their children, such as parental control tools. (Privacy Policy) According to the news on FOX 59 WXIN, Nike delayed the release of Foamposite Galaxy shoes because of the safety problem of this pair of new shoes. Supply chain ‘The contractor does not use forced labor, including prison labor†¦Employees are age16 or older†¦Contractor’s employees are not subject to discrimination in employment†¦Contractor’s employees are timely paid at least minimum wage required by country law. Working hours are not excessive. Working place is healthy and safe†¦ the Code is fully implemented’ In 2005, Nike was the first company that listed the location of more than 800 contractors publicly, and the location can be seen from the Manufacturing Map on Nike official website. Employee relation In terms of sexual discrimination, the table indicates that 40-percent female and 60-percent male administrators are in Nike in 2009. From 2007 to 2009, the difference between male and female declined steadily. In 2009, Nike hired more women than men in Europe, the Middle East, and in the U.S. (Nike corporate responsibility report, 2009). According to the survey done by CNNMoney, paid vacation, onsite childcare, job sharing program and telecommuting are provided to employees by Nike. Conclusion Nike reduce the emission of greenhouse gas and use recycled plastic to produce products, support community to help schools and refugees, issue Privacy Policy and Code of Conduct to protect consumers and set standard to its supply chain and decline gender discrimination and promote working condition for employees.

The Importance of Leadership in Lord of the Flies :: Lord Flies Essays

The Importance of Leadership in Lord of the Flies There are always people who, in a group, come out with better qualities to be a leader than others. The strongest people however, become the greater influences which the others decide to follow. However, sometimes the strongest person is not the best choice. Authors often show how humans select this stronger person to give an understanding of the different powers that people can posses over others. In William Golding's novel, Lord of the Flies Ralph though not the stronger person, demonstrates a better understanding of people than Jack which gives him better leadership qualities. Ralph displays these useful human qualities as a leader by working towards the betterment of the boys' society. He knows the boys need stability and order if they are to survive on the island. He creates rules and a simple form of government to achieve this order. Jack does not treat the boys with dignity as Ralph does. Ralph understands that the boys, particularly Piggy, have to be given respect and must be treated as equals. This makes Ralph a better leader as he is able to acknowledge that he was not superior to any of the other boys. Ralph's wisdom and ability to look to the future also make him a superior leader. Ralph has the sense to keep his focus on getting off the island. He insists on keeping the fire burning as a distress signal. Ralph's leadership provides peace and order to the island while Jack's leadership makes chaos. Under Jack's rule, the boys become uncivilized savages. They have no discipline. Ralph, however, keeps the boys under order through the meetings which he holds. At these meetings a sense of order is instilled because the boys have to wait until they hold the conch to speak. When Ralph says, "I'll give the conch to the next person to speak. He can hold it when he's speaking." (Golding 36) he enforces his role of leader by making rules and gives the boys the stability of an authority figure, mainly himself. By doing this he wins the boys respect and confidence in his leadership abilities. Ralph uses his authority to try to improve the boys' society. By building shelters he demonstrates his knowledge of the boys' needs. When he says to Jack, "They talk and scream. The littluns.

Retailing businesses Essay

Different retailing businesses have very different distribution methods based on the types of product that they sell, some arguably more effectively than others. As mentioned in an earlier assignment, there are three main types of distribution channels. The first is the channel that goes from the producer, then to the wholesaler, then to the retailer or sells to the consumer. The second channel starts with the producer who sells straight to the retailer, who then sells to the consumer. The third channel goes directly from the producer to the consumer. Channels one and two are classed as indirect marketing channels, whereas channel three is a direct marketing channel as it goes straight from producer to consumer. All of the distribution channels start with a producer who will create the products, for example the person that milks the cows to get milk. For the first channel, the producer makes the product and then sells it to a wholesaler, such as Costsco who will purchase a huge quantity of products from them. They would do this to make sure that they have enough to sell onto retailers. They would keep a large amount of the product, for example some kind of confectionary, in there warehouse so they’re in a suitable environment to be kept until they’re sold on. Next, the retailer, who could be a small store or a larger store, who would want to purchase a specific amount of products from the wholesalers, not in as bulk form as the wholesaler would have purchased them in. This method would typically be used by used by smaller, more personal stores, that don’t need to buy in such bulk. This channel is effective for confectionary products for example, as Costco can get sweets such as Dairy Milk bars, or Skittles, at an incredibly low price for huge boxes. It is good because it means that the businesses further down the chain will have confidence that they will be able to get the products that they want because the wholesaler gets the items I such bulk and if they sell all of their products, they can replenish easily. For the second channel, the retailer can give their consumers a guarantee that the product is fresher than if they used channel one, as they are getting the product directly from the producer before selling it to the consumer. This is because companies get the products directly from producers so they can guarantee the quality, unlike the first channel where the products go through two separate distributors which could contaminate the product or  raise the risk of it being damaged. An example of this would be the electronics company Sony. Due to the fact that Sony produces their own products and then sells them onto other electronic stores such as Currys/PC World who will then sell the products onto the consumers. The third Channel will typically deal with the consumer directly rather than using a middleman. This means that the customer will get the product or service at that moment on purchase. An example of this could be seen with Gregg’s Bakery. Due to the fact they will have their products made on site and would be able to sell their customers everything they have produced in store without using other stores ford or bringing in any assistance. By doing this it gives Greggs a better look by being able to say that they produce all of their products on site and they can also guarantee that the products are fresh. Different sectors of business will use different techniques when going through the distribution stage differently. This can be from the difference of storing products whilst distributing them and how they actually transport the product to the next person in the channel. For example, how a food retailer and gets their products distributed will be different to how a clothing sto re gets theirs. For a restaurant they use a wide variety of produces such as local farmers and local fishermen, depending on the type of restaurant that they own. They could have very specific producers, for example if they were a halal based restaurant they would have to be very specific about their supplier. Then they will have to either make a deal with the producer/supplier so they can collect produce direct from them. Then they will prepare the food ready to cook it and will store the prepared ingredients safely at the correct temperature. They will then wait for the person at the end of the chain – the consumer – to come to the restaurant to cook it for them. This is good for the producer because money will track back to them through the restaurant gaining the money from selling the meals. The money goes into the restaurant from customers pockets, and then the restaurant will use a portion of this money to re-purchase some supplies from the producer. This is when a good working relationship will develop between them as they will gain more sales and earn more money back. Continuing with a food retailer, Greggs or a restaurant will want to get fresher ingredients than other retailers so that they can make sure they produce all of their products to be as fresh as can be. This  can be done for example by Gregg’s own in-store bakeries having their ingredients delivered in the morning and then they bake them the same morning to make sure they are as fresh as possible. When they order the ingredients from the producers they will have to check that the supplier is storing the produce correctly before purchasing, otherwise they may purchase products that could be unsuitable for them to use and if they did use them, could create problems for them in the future. A good example of this could be seen with restaurants purchasing fish. A lot of the time they would send an employee to get it directly after it has been caught on the boat . They do this so that there are no issues with how the fish is stored, as if it is stored incorrectly whilst distributed it will cause severe food poisoning and could lead to the restaurant getting sued or shut down. A clothing retailer will start the process from the producer then they will involve the their designers and then they would create the products. If the retailer manufactures their own brand clothing for example Primark the producers send the finished garments directly to their warehouses fir distribution into their stores. If it is a clothing retailer that buys garments from fashion houses or via intermediaries then the finished items would go to their wholesalers and then potentially go to retailers depending on what business it is and then finally, they would be bought by the consumers. They would start the process by collecting the cotton from the cotton farmers then they would be shipped off to the factories where weavers and designers will create the fabrics, the fabric factories will then sell them to clothing manufacturing companies who will create something that retailers can sell on to make a profit from the whole process. When they have been created they will choose either to sell them onto a wholesaler or to only sell it in their particular stores. With some businesses having stores in other countries it means they have to have all of their products send to one area then they will have to have those products sent to other stores across to other countries, extending the distribution channels. A retail business such as House of Fraser will be using the second channel. This means that they will get their clothing material/parts sent to them and then thy will create their products, and then send them to their retail stores. Because they have a large area inside their stores to store and display their stock it means they can have a large amount of one clothing item on sale at once. Because  House of Fraser is a bigger company than Greggs they will be using more trucks to get their products to them. Another difference between the two would be that House of Fraser will be able to store their products for a longer period of time due to them selling the non-perishable products unlike Greggs, who make the majority of their products on a daily basis and at the end of the day would have to throw those products away otherwise they would go off. In terms of cost, a restaurant will be willing to spend money in order to get products distributed to them in a safe and hygienic way, as long as they know the full process that the products take. For other businesses, such as Primark, the aim is to get them distributed to them at a very low cost, as long as the products aren’t damaged. This is because the products aren’t perishable and there is no need to store them in any specific way to keep them secure.

How does Michael Henchard Suggest Lucetta Is Shallow where does she come from?

Lucetta enters the story when Elizabeth Jane meets her at her mother's grave. Elizabeth -Jane noticed that it was a lady much more beautifully dressed than she. This mysterious woman disappears in to the distance as Elizabeth goes to confront her. Soon Elizabeth Jane meets Lucetta for the second time, she sits on the bench inside the churchyard. Lucceta asks if Michael is well. She tries to help Elizabeth in her troubles. She soon leaves after she made a proposal about Elizabeth coming to stay with her. Elizabeth accepted the offer and soon she had moved in with Lucetta. The story continues from there. Lucetta's antics begin at chapter twenty one. She begins to show us how shallow she is when she hears her servant showing a visitor into the room. Lucceta decides to put on a little show for a visitor † she flung herself onto the couch in the cymarecta curve with her arm above her brow.† She puts herself into a curved position to make her self look irresistible to any visitor who may happen to step up to her quarters. It turns out that it is Donald Farfrae and of course lucceta knows how to play him like an instrument. At first she stupidly jumps up in fright and hides behind a curtain because she is so pathetic this is already a good example to show how shallow she is, to take time to beautifully arrange herself and when it comes to it she is startled by the thought of herself being seen when that is what she really wants. She hid behind the curtain † in a freak of timidity†. She seems to have a lot of fun taking farfrae to pieces. She explains to him that he must sit down now that he is here. They start chatting and we gather that Lucetta knows a lot about men in the way that she turned a level headed business man to the colour of â€Å"modest pink†. The impression that we get from the conversation with farfrae is that she loves to play with people and she doesn't worry about the consequences. At first she is just playing with Donald, then she finds that he has seemed to get the wrong idea out of the act and has fallen in love with her. Still she plays along in the game and entices him even more with lines such as: † you are quite interesting†. From the window Lucetta sees that a young family is being torn apart because the young man is finding it hard to find a job in Casterbridge. â€Å"The girl's lips quivered† she horrified in the thought. Donald goes to impress Luccetta by giving the men jobs. We can definitely see that he is trying to impress Lucetta because this is something that he would usually do. She explains after that† Lovers ought not to be parted like that. Donald quite agrees and then leaves because he has important work to carry out.

Hindenburg

Hindenburg Hydrogen Gas Disasters2H2 + O2  ¢Ã‚† 2H2Ohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_Challenger_disaster mahal.org/articles/space/1995/12/the-space-shuttle-challenger-accident/page/1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindenburg_disasterWhen? At 11:38, on January 28 1986, 73 seconds into its flight.Where? Over the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of central Florida.What? The space shuttle challenger broke apart and exploded when it was only 73 seconds into its flight.How? The tank of Hydrogen inside the External tank burst and leaked the liquid Hydrogen contents. With the sudden lack of Hydrogen, there was an extreme force that pushed the Hydrogen tank forward into the Oxygen tank, and that also burst. This caused the explosion.All seven members in the space shuttle were killed. Hydrogen was used in the shuttle because it is a very powerful propellant- perfect for rockets, space shuttles, etc.When? At 7:25 p.m. on May 6, 1937, while the Hindenburg was attempting to land because the wind co nditions were to strong for it.Camera E-207 show a plume near the aft strut that ...Where? At the Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey.What? A flame appeared on the outer cover of the end of the Hindenburg airship, and Within 34 seconds, the whole airship was engulfed by fire.How? Hugo Eckener thought that the fire was started by an electric spark caused by a build up of static electricity on the airship. The spark supposedly ignited hydrogen, which was leaking, on the outer skin of the airship.There were 36 deaths, that included passengers, crew, and ground crew, and 61 survivors.The airship was an aerostatic aircraft that stayed in the air by having a large "envelope" filled with a gas that was less dense than the surrounding atmosphere. The first lifting gas used was hydrogen, and this is why the Hindenburg contained it. Hydrogen gas is very flammable, so this leads many people onto thinking...

Agility and ability of ITC Ltd to adapt to its external environment

Agility and ability of ITC Ltd to adapt to its external environment In this particular analyses of ITC Limited we are going to look upon the the agility and ability of its growth and how it has been sustainable over a longer period of time. ITC limited, is a multi-business portfolio headquartered in Kolkata, India by Yogesh Chander Deveshwar. It is a 100 year old company. It focuses on all round value creation to build a strong corporate governance policies and systems. It expanded its business in the following years: Presently ITC Limited is purely an independent Company In August 24, 1910 it was incorporated by Imperial Tobacco Company of India Limited and shared ancestry with Imperial Tobacco. In 1970 it was changed to India Tobacco Company Limited from Imperial Tobacco Company of India Limited. Later in 1974 it was changed to I.T.C Limited. In 1985, it introduced Surya Tobacco Company in Nepal which was renamed ‘Surya Nepal Private Limited’ in August 2002. In 1972, ITC entered into Hotels business. ITC premier chain of luxury hotels is known as ITC Welcome group. In 1975, it introduced its hotel business in Chennai named ‘Hotel Sheraton’. It has entered into hotel business to have privilege to host the guests across the world .It was first one to introduce brand sustenance in the Hotel Industry. Its restaurants such as Dakshin, DumPukht and Bukhara are known world wide for its auspicious Indian cuisines from the various sectors of the country.One reason why ITC entered into hotels because it was a British company and in Indian society trend of Tobacco was looked down upon at that time. With enhancement of tourist infrastructure in Hotel business it earns high foreign currency which helped company to govern a good brand image and added a valuable amount to Indian Economy. It great infrastructure of Tourism and large scale of direct and indirect employment has added a great value to the nation. It 1979, it introduced its paperboards business named ‘ITC Bhadrachalam Paperboards Limited’ which was on November, 2002 merged with Tribeni Tissues Limited (which was introduced in 1990 and was the major tissue paper supplier). It was the first supplier in packaging, therefore it has high value added position in market. In 1990 it entered with its Agri-business for the export of agri-commodities. Today it is one of the largest exporters industry .Throughout its agricultural areas in India it has developed a network in business model centers of Internet connected Kiosks, known as e-Choupal. In 2000, it Introduced Lifestyle Retailing business under brand name ‘Wills’ with great International quality of relaxed sports wear for both men and women. In 2002, it expanded its range including Wills Classic Formal Wear and specific segment of men’s wear brand, ‘John Players’. In 2003, with wills Club-life evening wear. In 2004, government put estoppel on Tobacco advertising which compelled ITC not to associate â€Å"Wills† by the brand name of Cigarettes anymore, to save it from being charged for it advertising. In 2000, it also came with its owned subsidiary business of Information Technology named, ‘ITC Infotech India Limited’. It has availability of high man power quality. In August, 2001, ITC entered into Food Industry with packaged and branded food business of ready-to-cook eatables with the brand name â€Å"Kol† with a premium price range. In the beginning it followed the strategy that it will trade at the places where there are less number of competition to built its brand image. Along with the food industry, it has also launched a new brand named, ‘Kitchens of India’. In that period there was a great demand for processed food because of increase in disposable income and urbanization resulted in growth opportunities. One of the reason why ITC entered into Food Industry because in 2001-02 the excise duty on budget on processed fruit and vegetables has been brought down from 16% to z ero level .Later in june,2002 , to generate more revenues it launched products like staples, snacks and confectionery.

Purchasing Habits Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Purchasing Habits - Essay Example The next stage determining the consumers buying behaviour is the actual situation of the consumer which either puts him/her in a position to acquire certain products which are dependent on social, economical or technical positions. Factors under this group include the following factors. (Kennedy 2007) Natural- this determines whether the actual nature of the individual has an effect on his/her consumption. For example, a vegetarian would not be interested in the purchase of meat even if all the other factors are in favour of the purchase. (Kennedy 2007) Cultural- the culture of a place either encourages consumption of certain products or bans consumption of certain goods. This has an effect on the buying behaviour of these individuals as it determines what they go for in the market. (Kennedy 2007) Technological- the technological environment also has considerable effects on what individuals buy or do not buy. This is because people may either want to remain with their ancient technology or would want to go for new technology. This will influence what individuals actually go for at particular times and periods. (Kennedy 2007) The next tire in a consumer's buying behaviour results from the consumer himself and includes those characteristics inherent to him/her. These include individual's attitudes, knowledge about the goods, the lifestyle of the particular consumer, personality, perceptions and motivation (Kennedy 2007). Having looked at the environmental and individual characteristics that determine consumer buying behaviour, it is now time to examine the actual buying process which I defined in terms of stages. This stage defines the consumers buying decision process and is a six stage process. These include: Step one-Problem recognition This is the first step in actual determination of a need by the consumer. A consumer will first have to recognize what he/she needs and is missing; this, leads to ones awareness that he/she need to acquire a particular good. The recognition of what really one needs is the starting point of the consumers buying behaviour. From sitehttp://www.udel.edu/alex/chapt6.html Step Two-Information Search This involves the search for information on the goods that the consumer may need. The consumer may acquire this information from several sources which include friends or the product manufacturers. The product manufacturers make this information available through their advertising, or product promotion campaigns. This is readily available if the consumer has the required media. Information is also available through friends or relatives. The information