The Experience of a Refugee in Casablanca - 886 Words

World War II was a period in which movies depicted a sense of patriotism from propaganda to training videos. The Germans invaded Poland and the World fell into frenzy. Americans, with the help of France, Russia, Great Britain and later on Italy, crushed the fronts of the Germans and stopped the Nazis from taking control of the world. With the mess of Japanese forces attacking Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 the United States entered World War II. One of the most famous movies to date came out of the Warner Bros. editors room. Casablanca emerged out of World War II and showed a great sense of what it was like to have been a refugee and a runaway, seeking shelter from the Germans. With World War II going on Hollywood shoveled out Propaganda by taking films and producing them in ways to make you feel Patriotic and want to join the war effort. Casablanca was one of many movies that promoted World War II by showing that the Germans were the enemies of the world. One example in Casablanca was when Ilsa and Rick left France because of the German take over; another was that Major Strasser was portrayed as an enemy against the poor refugees and the Czech and Norwegian resistance groups in Casablanca. Casablanca portrayed another way to promote enlistment by showing resistance by the French and how Captain Renault at the end of the movie backstabbed Major Strasser and joined Ricks side. The movie as a whole shows the Germans as arrogant and uptight socialists; it degradesShow MoreRelatedBattle of Britain Essay4211 Words   |  17 Pagesand it helped me understand the Battle of Britain a little more. Casablanca Director: Michael Curtiz Screenwriter: Murray Butler (Play), Joan Alison, Howard Koch, Philip and Julius Epstein Film Genre: Drama/Romance Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid The setting of this movie is in Casablanca. Casablanca is located in Morocco. It was set during the beginnings of World War II. Casablanca was a place where people went to try to get to Lisbon. From Lisbon,Read MoreOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 Pagesoverlap with the preceding period and disconcertingly radical shifts in the course of global development in the 1900s, contradictory forces and trends, which perhaps more than any other attribute distinguish this turbulent phase of the human experience, render it impervious to generalized pronouncements and difficult to conceptualize broadly. As the essays in this collection document in detail, paradox pervades the time span we call the twentieth century, no matter how it is temporally delineated

Washington, Dubois, And Douglas - 1513 Words

Isaias Salgado Mr. Siso February 11, 2016 Paragraph: Washington, DuBois, and Douglas What was Washington urging African Americans to do? What was he urging white Americans to do? Washington s plea for people to cast down buckets where you are How does this relate to his view of his new era? Booker T Washington was a social activist who advocated for increased rights of African Americans in the South. In Booker T Washington s speech he was urging African Americans to have patience with White Americans and accept discrimination from the white men and to focus on working to make Black men better through hard work and education. We see this when he says, Gentlemen of the Exposition, as we present to you our humble effort at an exhibition of our progress, you must not expect overmuch(Washington 1635). Washington talks to you the African Americans and tells them to not expect overmuch this shows that Washington believes that the African Americans should submit to the whites and to be patient because it is not an easy process. This letter was read to a white audience and m any criticize Booker T Washington for being a toady, but in reality that words were chosen very carefully and helped the growth of African American rights in the United States. In this time period white Americans owned many business and hired people to do the jobs that they did not want to do, foreigners. Booker T Washington urges the White Americans to hire African Americans and to help the AfricanShow MoreRelatedThe New Land Of America Essay1619 Words   |  7 Pagesin America and with the people creating problems for those of African American lineage. Some of the most influential speakers on behalf of African Americans were Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, Frederick Douglas, W. E. B. Dubois, and Booker T. Washington. These men were born at different times, held different values, and were even of different race but they had one common denominator, they advocated for African Americans. Mark Twain is a popular American author who contributedRead MoreThe Life Of Frederick Douglass, Web Dubois, And Booker T Washington1323 Words   |  6 Pagesto the Constitution, slaves and free African Americans gained more freedom. The best path for these African Americans of the 19th and 20th centuries is to combine the ideas of great African American leaders like Frederick Douglass, WEB DuBois, and Booker T Washington. The optimal path to freedom for the subjected people is to become educated, to value themselves, working hard, and proving to oppressors that they are equal. DOUGLASS AND EDUCATION YO: Frederick Douglass was an extremely influentialRead MoreThe Dilemma Facing African Americans During The First Years Decades After Emancipation1557 Words   |  7 Pagesof blacks to the African continent. Edward Wilmot Blyden and Alexander Crummell â€Å"Pan-Africanist† Frederick Douglas – migrations were a mistake. African Americans should remain where they were, confront violence, and take a stand for equal rights. Booker T. Washington cautioned blacks against protesting segregation and disenfranchisement. In exchange for accepting white supremacy, Washington sought the public space to develop black owned businesses, banks, and other enterprises. control of severalRead MoreThe Harlem Renaissance Is Embraced As One Of The Most Influential1412 Words   |  6 Pagesmovement, as many artists sought for representation of black individuals as the art realm was grossly dominated by white artists, who gave very little thought or recognition towards black subject matter. The visual art renaissance featured Aaron Douglas, Palmer C. Hayden, Archibald J. Motley, and Hale Woodruff. Each one of these art forms contributed greatly to black Americans across the land, as the intellect and talent encouraged a cultural awakening within the people. After the Great DepressionRead MoreHarlem Renaissance Essay1069 Words   |  5 PagesSouth, as did the number of lynchings. The fear of race riots in the South caus ed large number of African Americans to move North between 1919 and 1926, to cities such as Chicago and Washington D.C. The idea that an educated black person should lead blacks to liberation was first founded from the works of W.E.B. DuBois. He also believed that blacks could not gain social equality by imitating the ideas of white people. Equality would have to be achieved by teaching black racial pride with an emphasisRead More The Harlem Renaissance Essay1031 Words   |  5 Pages as did the number of lynchings. The fear of race riots in the South caused large number of African Americans to move North between 1919 and 1926, to cities such as Chicago and Washington D.C. The idea that an educated black person should lead blacks to liberation was first founded from the works of W.E.B. DuBois. He also believed that blacks could not gain social equality by imitating the ideas of white people. Equality would have to be achieved by teaching black racial pride with an emphasisRead MoreThe Identity Of African Americans1758 Words   |  8 PagesRace was a primary factor used to shape the identity of African Americans which was seen through their culture. Race is portrayed through the narratives such as The life of Frederick Douglas by Frederick Douglass and the Autobiography of an Ex-colored man by James Weldon Johnson. In both the narratives, they state they are slaves due their race. First, this idea is supported in the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass when he states in the preface, â€Å"he was a slave â€Å"too (Douglass 325).Read MoreSummary Of Du Bois 1782 Words   |  8 Pagesnice or tell him about how they fought in the War to end slavery. Du Bois is courteous when people say these things. Following this, Du Bois recalls his time as a schoolboy in New England. One day, Du Bois and his schoolmates were exchanging cards. DuBois couldn’t believe it when a girl who was new to the school wouldn’t take his card. He realized, then, that he was different from the other children (who were probably white). Du Bois then decided he lived within the veil and held a deep dislike forRead MoreAlpha Facts Essay3153 Words   |  13 PagesArthur Callis on November 12, 1974, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. no longer had any living Jewels.   7. One of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. prominent members W.E.B. Dubois,  came up with the idea of the Niagara movement, with later led to the NAACP. 8. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.   Member and former Washington, D.C mayor Marion Barry was the first chairman of the SNCC. 9. Seven Alpha men represented the United States at the politically-charged 1936 Summer Olympics: Jesse OwensRead MoreEssay on A Universal Renaissance Man1291 Words   |  6 Pagesand traveling to West Africa and Europe. He spent six months as a busboy in Paris and continued writing poetry influenced by Carl Sandburg, Walt Whitman, and Laurence Dunbar. In 1924 he decided to return back to the U.S. to live with his mom in Washington, D.C. Langston again worked various jobs until he landed a white-collar job as a personal assistant to Carter G. Woodson a historian at the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. Since this job took up so much of his time

Essay on David Lynch’s Blue Velvet Free Essays

Over history, literature has impacted the approach and understanding of multimedia, pop entertainment. Furthermore, it has shaped our social ideologies, contesting current norms, and furthering our own examination of societal approaches and schools of thought. Much of the narrative and film techniques have incorporated a psychological and psychoanalytic examination of human nature and how it impacts everyday life. We will write a custom essay sample on Essay on David Lynch’s Blue Velvet or any similar topic only for you Order Now David Lynch’s film, Blue Velvet is one of the most influential films, pushing the world of entertainment into new perspectives, reshaping much of the technique producers undertake. Blue Velvet served as a major catalyst for independent filmmaking, which largely reshaped multimedia entertainment. Throughout this film, Lynch heavily relies on Freudian theories, specifically revolving about the Oedipal complex/conflict, sadism, masochism, and fetishism as a connecting point between the characters. Throughout this paper, I apply these Freudian techniques on the psychoanalytic level by examining and analyzing various characters. This will further illustrate how Blue Velvet as well as other works that are heavily based on psychology, impact our society. Lynch’s film was particularly influential because of his incorporation of darker topics, as well as the connection between his film and Franz Kafka’s work in terms of grotesque themes. Lynch helped to shape literature as well, during the tone of this period of darker themes in creative works, because authors began to incorporate darker themes in their own work. The Gothic is a particular genre that Blue Velvet helped to shape. Not only did the film address psychological levels and theories that had yet to be fully represented in pop-media film, but it also utilized a popular Freudian theory called the uncanny. Lynch achieves this because, throughout the film, people are often unable to describe what they’ve seen. Lynch focuses on the opening setting of Blue Velvet in a small town, encapsulating an idealistic All-American image. The audience is given a picture-perfect neighborhood where children cross the street with the help of a crossing guard in uniform, surrounded by a scene of blue skies, white picket fences, and colorful tulips in blossom. These images force viewers to think about how we collectively define the American Dream, as well as what the â€Å"perfect life† is. By doing so, Lynch is able to tap into our psyche; this storybook beginning allows him to go deeper, behind the fences and smiling children, into a world of anything but perfection. Lynch’s influence on society’s perception of the â€Å"American Dream,† adds to the importance of his film. Irena Makarushka’s article, â€Å"Subverting Eden: Ambiguity of Evil and the American Dream in Blue Velvet.† Religion and American Culture: A Journal of Interpretation, enhanced the reshaping of our psychological perception of the American Dream, through her examination of life and society. She utilized Blue Velvet to further her notions through varying ideas and contexts. Furthermore, she examined Lynch’s film, because it encapsulated the concept that life is not as it always seems; the â€Å"American Dream† often serves as a faà §ade, blinding society to the darker, perhaps more realistic, side of life. When the film begins to shift into scenes of hungry black insects, the tone and ideas within viewers’ minds begin to shift. The contrast between the insects and the happy children at play reveals a struggle between what Freud referred to as the Id and the Superego: â€Å"Professor Freud came to the very significant conclusion that the neurosis represents a conflict between the ego and the id (the instinctive needs); the psychosis between the ego and the outer world; and the narcissistic neurosis a struggle between the ego and super-ego. The differentiation of the mental apparatus into an id, ego, and super-ego thus resulted in a clearer understanding of the dynamic relations within the mind† (Alexander 176). This quote allows us to understand that the children at play are representative of the Id because of our instinctive needs, such as protection, which in this case was provided by the crossing guard; the black insects are representative of our Superego because they focus on â€Å"the part of a person’s mind that acts as a self-critical conscience, reflecting social standards learned from parents and teachers,† which correlates to the darker side of society. Lynch’s psychologically metaphorical tactic essentially forces viewers to understand that life is not as perfect as it may appear to be, and evil often occurs behind the closed doors of the â€Å"cookie cutter† house. His use of aesthetically pleasing scenery in the beginning, however, is important to remember: It is only rarely that a psychoanalyst feels impelled to in-vestigate the subject of aesthetics even when aesthetics is understood to mean not merely the theory of beauty, but the theory of the qualities of feeling. He works in other planes of mental life and has little to do with those sub-dued emotional activities which, inhibited in their aims and dependent upon a multitude of concurrent factors, usually furnish the material for the study of aesthetics. But it does occasionally happen that he has to interest himself in some particular province of that subject, and then it usu-ally proves to be a rather remote region of it and one that has been neglected in standard works. (Freud 1) Freud is essentially saying that aesthetics often impact the feelings one feels. This being said, Lynch needed to provoke a feeling of peace and happiness at the beginning of Blue Velvet in order to emphasize the shift of these emotions, into those of fear, terror, and confusion. This tactic allowed Lynch to augment the correlation between emotions towards perceived cultural images, and feelings when people recognize that life is not always as perfect as it seems in the â€Å"American Dream.† This point will be examined at length throughout this paper. Blue Velvet serves as a pivotal film because of the psychoanalytic components, particularly in terms of the characters. Each character is symbolic of varying psychological theories. Furthermore, the way Lynch introduces characters contains several Freudian theories. The first character viewers were introduced to was Jeffrey Beaumont. Beaumont came upon an ear while walking near his home. Psychologically speaking, the Freudian theory has noted that when someone dreams about dethatched body parts, it is symbolizing male castration. This is important to note when analyzing Blue Velvet. Before applying this theory to Blue Velvet, the concept of dreams is important to understand in terms of its applicability to the film. Dreams are heavily influenced by the image of our culture, and how we construct it. Lynch undertook this influence, applying it to Blue Velvet, by reconstructing our understanding of the American Dream through tropes of mystery revealed when viewers are introduced to the darker truth behind the beginning of the film’s portrayal of the American Dream. The dreamlike imagery he used, relating back to the uncanny, begins with the main character, Jeffrey’s discovery of the severed ear. The uncanny focuses on the human mind and mindperecpeiotion in correlation to creative works such as Blue Velvet. Just as Freud noted that detached body parts were subconscious thoughts of male castration, Jeffrey’s finding was representative of the general unconscious of society. When Beaumont brought the severed ear to the police department, the detective, Detective Williams, urged Jeff to let the incident go, because there were darker problems occurring in town. As expected, Jeff ignored Williams’ comment, deciding to pursue the matter himself, receiving help from his girlfriend, Detective Williams’ daughter. Relating back to the detached ear, it largely foreshadowed the upcoming events. As noted above, a severed body part often resembles male castration on the psychoanalytic level. When Jeff began to investigate the case, he soon found himself encountering a nightclub singer and her sadistic male abuser. This singer, Dorothy, and her abuser, Frank encapsulate the Freudian definition of sadism and masochism. Due to the looming issue of male castration, one could assume that Frank was possibly interested in sexual dominance, power, and pain in order to compensate his own sexual insecurities. Freud heavily believed that sadism and masochism, which is a form of sexual pleasure derived from inflicting pain upon others or receiving sexual pleasure from receiving pain, was associated with innate male sexuality (Freud 1). Viewers watch as Frank belittles, insults, and beats Dorothy, but soon discover that she gains pleasure and arousal from the abuse. Here, Lynch is exposing society to the darker side of sexuality, utilizing psychological theories, and forcing viewers to think about their own sexuality. Furthermore, he is allowing several people to act on their own fantasies as an outsider in a fantastical world. This greatly relates to the purpose of the Gothic genre, which is to expose and allow people to process and cope with difficult issues without actually having to endure the pain in reality. When examining Dorothy and Frank on the psychoanalytic level, the Oedipal complex is also seen. Freud believed that the Oedipal complex was a child’s internal desire to have sexual relations with their parent of the opposite sex (Klein 12). Applying this theory to the characters, Frank largely represents the child, while Dorothy represents the mother, in a dysfunctional mother-son relationship. Interestingly, despite Frank’s aggression, he referred to himself as a baby, illustrating his oedipal fantasy. It Is heavily illustrated, here that Lynch wanted to confront the less than comfortable theories and fantasies that many people truly have. Essentially, Lynch is supporting the notion of â€Å"forbidden emotions in powerful but carefully distinguished forms† (Johnson 522). By this, he means that often times repressed, and or, unconscious emotions that are ignored due to stigma, are expressed in other ways. Lynch was able to depict this through the characters throughout Blue Velvet and their sexual tendencies and personas. Jeffrey represents the Oedipal complex even more. When Jeffrey’s father was stung by a bee in his garden, he is brought to the hospital. During this time, Jeffrey stayed home, tending to domestic duties and obligations. His father’s incapacity and helplessness forces Jeffrey to go to his father’s home and hardware store. Fittingly, it was around this time that Jeffrey found the ear. This discovery could be representative and symbolic of his own feelings of castration because of the domestic duties he began to take on. Generally speaking, the ear is representative of male’s anxiety and shame towards their Oedipal fantasies. Lynch was able to depict this anxiety-provoking journey through Jeffrey’s own investigation of the severed ear. Jeffrey’s anxiety and tension were, not surprisingly, further exasperated by Dorothy. His sexual attraction and longing for a desirable, yet perverse female, relates back to the Oedipal complex. It is more important to focus on Dorothy, because of her perverse sexual nature, and how it impacts the men around her. Moreover, the psychological reasoning behind these fetishes and tendencies forces readers and viewers to think about themselves, and possible pervasions, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and society. It particularly addresses inner conflict and tensions. Some of these inner tensions can be seen in Dorothy though her fetishes. In terms of fetishism, Freud also heavily studied this psychological phenomenon. Fetishism relates to sexuality, especially in terms of children’s sexual fantasies towards their parents. The author’s claim that we must question of our own perception of reality, as well as the issue of good versus evil, was precisely what Lynch forced his viewers to do throughout Blue Velvet. Makarushka tended to use the term â€Å"illusion† quite often, which was interesting, because Lynch’s film had a strong illusionary tone to it, tracing back to the uncanny, and the dreamlike imagery and emotions throughout his film. Her article was complementary to Blue Velvet because she was able to pose the mysterious and often unsettling aspect of reality versus illusionary life in the supernatural sense throughout the film. Furthermore, it did force readers to question how realistic the perfect, â€Å"cookie cutter,† image of the American Dream is, ultimately redefining its meaning. When thinking about the â€Å"American Dream,† society has always seen it as the ultimate standard of successful, happy living. This very point was denounced by Lynch through Blue Velvet. Just as Makarushka brings into play the idea that this concept is too good to be true, â€Å"However, closer scrutiny reveals that things are not what they seem. The slick, picture-perfect surface of the American Dream lacks substance and depth,† Lynch applies this idea to Blue Velvet (Makarushka 33). The idea that things are not as always as they seem pushes readers of Makarushka’s article, and viewers of Lynch’s film, to think about their lives and purpose beyond materialistic, professional, and superficial levels. This essential argument, encapsulating her entire article, reiterating that there is more than meets the eye, is emphasized through Lynch’s character depictions throughout the movie. Jeffrey and his girlfriend seem to have the looks, charisma, and typical life that anyone would strive for, but as the movie progresses, characters such as Dorothy illustrate the darker side of life, involving heavy issues such as drugs, which subsequently make viewers think about life on a deeper level. Difficult topics such as drugs and abuse are not often talked about, or even thought about, in families living the American Dream, which says a lot. Psychologically speaking, the avoidance and ignorance of realizations and discourses about topics such as these can heavily influence people’s psychological state. By forcing viewers to reflect on our own lives, past the jobs, kids, home, etcetera, Blue Velvet makes us begin to think about ourselves and identity on authentic levels. This makes Lynch’s work particularly influential on the psychoanalytic level, because by Makrushka arguing that we as individuals, must view life through multilateral lenses, as opposed to the unilateral lens we lean towards, in this case, the unilateral lens being the American Dream, people can begin to address their unconscious and subconscious mind, resulting in a fuller understanding of themselves and others. Essentially, both Makarushka and Lynch show us that we must look past the American Dream, into the painful reality of life occurring outside of the protected bubble we place ourselves in. As a result, we become more aware and self-understanding, making us more organic and insightful individuals of society. Another philosopher that attests to Lynch’s psychological notions within Blue Velvet is Louis Althusser. His observations of ideology, throughout Ideological State Apparatuses, are particularly seen in terms of his repressive and ideological state. Lynch’s depiction of the crossing guards, fireman, and detectives relates back to the repressive state because it is one in which cooperation from the public is achieved through physical coercion by means such as the police. Blue Velvet illustrates what happens when these authoritative figures dissipate, â€Å"The loss of an authoritative interpretative frame of reference results in a cultural disequilibrium. For Lynch, this decenteredness is affirmed in the experience of the ambiguity of evil which ultimately subverts the unambiguous claim of the American Dream† (Makarushka 32). Althusser’s ideological state resembles more of a soft power that is sustained by cultural institutions such as church, family, and culture. It also values a sense of choice of what reality is imposed. This state specifically correlates to the reshaping of the American Dream throughout Blue Velvet because it questions what life is like beyond the perfect image, and what reality really is. By seeing what happens when the repressive state fails, we can see how softer figures can reshape people’s understanding of life, reality, and deeper meaning. The American Dream must be redefined, and the psychological impact of the human mind must be addressed, according to Lynch. His film, Blue Velvet essentially allows us to understand that the true American Dream is one in which we are self-understanding, multilateral, and questioning of who we are beyond the image we portray, through its psychologically dynamic characters. Through his focus on Freudian theory, human understanding is better emphasized, increasing our own understanding of the self and others. How to cite Essay on David Lynch’s Blue Velvet, Essays

Information System for Important Development in ES- myassignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about theInformation System for Important Development in ES. Answer: Most Relevant and Important Development in ES In case of Enterprise Systems, the development of cloud technology is most significant and crucial. There are some essential reasons that enhance relevancy of cloud framework for business enterprises and other workplaces. Cloud has provided a central approach to all enterprises to store their data in online databases and these companies no need to make their own data centers. Moreover, cloud platform is secured and reliable to use and enterprise systems can be easily accessed just by using browsers on internet without any complex configuration of systems. The key needs of every business organization are direct and secure access to its databases for doing different business operations and to provide best online service to its potential customers. Here, cloud platform is helpful enough to achieve this. Besides this, as compare to traditional approaches of ES such as on-premises enterprise systems, cloud approach is easier, flexible, reliable and secured. Cloud technology is not only be neficial for large business organizations but small and medium sized organizations also prefer to use it for getting better outcomes from its business operations. Due to these reasons, I opine that cloud is latest development in ES (Software Advice, 2017). Recommendation about ES to Organization In my opinion, to upgrade existing systems of organization SAP S/4 HANA Cloud ES will be a suitable option. The main reason to recommend this technology is that it is a private cloud hosting service. Moreover, its other benefits also enhance its importance among business organizations (SAP Data Center, 2017). Those benefits include fast deployment of software solutions, innovative approach, risk level is low and appropriate support. It is one of the secure type of cloud platform. Nowadays, low risk level and innovative approach of software solutions are highly preferred by business organizations. Besides this, SAP HANA Cloud reduces the complexity of IT, its costs and operational risks. Eventually, it can be said that SAP Hana is a way to move to the cloud at own pace with reliability and flexibility. Therefore, if organization wants to upgrade existing systems then SAP HANA will be an effective approach to implement (Abd Elmonem, Nasr and Geith, 2017). Justification of Recommended Technology and Software Solution to Organization Today cloud technology is considered so advanced for storing hefty amount of information into online databases and for quick and secure access of information. These both are fundamental requirements of every organization and it can be fulfilled only with the help of cloud technology. On other side, if I talk about recommended SAP HANA solution then I can say that this software is cloud based itself and can be easily run on cloud framework. Moreover, cost of this software solution is in budget of organization. According to key needs of organization such as better storage, online access of information from anywhere and appropriate management of business activities by using Enterprise Systems and proper management of customers, all these can be satisfied with the help of cloud, its applications and software solutions. Cloud based framework is emerged technology and in future it will be more beneficial for its users (SAP, 2017). References Software Advice. (2017). Top Benefits of Cloud ERP vs. On-Premise ERP. [online] Available at: https://www.softwareadvice.com/resources/cloud-erp-vs-on-premise/ [Accessed 3 Oct. 2017]. SAP. (2017). SAP HANA Enterprise Cloud | In-Memory Cloud Solutions | SAP. [online] Available at: https://www.sap.com/india/products/hana-enterprise-cloud.html [Accessed 3 Oct. 2017]. SAP Data Center. (2017). The Value of SAP HANA Enterprise Cloud - SAP Data Center. [online] Available at: https://www.sapdatacenter.com/article/the-value-of-sap-hana-enterprise-cloud/ [Accessed 3 Oct. 2017]. Abd Elmonem, M., Nasr, E. and Geith, M. (2017). Benefits and challenges of cloud ERP systems A systematic literature review.

Identity Acting out Culture

These interviews explore such a concept as gender roles, especially the idea that men and women are often forced to adhere to certain norms, standards, and rules. Both Kate Bornstein and Michael Kimmel believe that such roles can actually limit the freedom of a human being and his/her ability to take independent decisions.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Identity: Acting out Culture specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More One of the main issues is that sex differences can be social constructs that are imposed on individual. As a rule, they are not biologically determined (Bornstein unpaged). This is one of the main issues that people should take into account. Moreover, in many cases, such beliefs lead to the discrimination of a person who does not comply with the norms (Kimmel unpaged). Special attention should be paid to such problems as homophobia or sexism. To some degree, the questions discussed in these articles ar e related to my life, because I also have to adhere to certain standards and roles that are obligatory for my gender. For instance, I can say that males are supposed to possess such character traits as resoluteness or fearlessness. This is only one of one of the ways in which gender stereotypes can affect the life of a person. Furthermore, these interviews are related to the concept of identity. The thing is that people can perceive themselves in different ways, for example, they can attach importance to gender, nationality, or race. Such an approach does not appeal to me, because I think that the identity of a person is defined by what he/she does. In my opinion, this is the most important criterion. However, very often an individual can be forced to perceive oneself only as a male or female. Fortunately, my parents paid more attention to the talents, interests, or views of a person, rather than only gender. This is why I can say that the problems discussed by Kate Bornstein and Mi chael Kimmel do not significantly affect my life. So, in my daily life I do not pay much attention to gender differences or stereotypes. Nevertheless, I have to admit that there are certain gender norms that inevitability affect the behavior of an individual. A person, who wants to integrate into the society, has to comply with specific standards. For instance, one can speak about clothing that is often gendered. So, a man should be dressed in a certain way, if he wants to be accepted in a heterosexual community. I also have to follow these rules. This is how popular views on gender and sexuality can influence or limit the behavior or an individual. Another concept that should be discussed is border transgression or the behavior of a person that does not correspond to existing gender roles assigned to both men and women. For instance, according to a popular stereotype, males have to play the main role in decision-making. I do not share this belief because gender does not affect a pe rson’s ability to think or evaluate different options.Advertising Looking for essay on gender studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Some of my friends have a different view on this problem but this disagreement did not affect our friendship. So, the problems described by Kate Bornstein and Michael Kimmel are relevant to the life of the society. However, modern communities allow more freedom of thought or expression. So, such problems as sexism or homophobia are more likely to be resolved. Works Cited Bornstein, Kate. Gender Outlaw: An Interview by Susan Bridle. EnlightenNext. EnlightenNext Magazine, 2010. Web. Kimmel, Michael. Interview. Frontline. PBS, 2009. Web. This essay on Identity: Acting out Culture was written and submitted by user Alejandra Rutledge to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

THE BRIDEGROOM WRITTEN BY HA JIN essays

THE BRIDEGROOM WRITTEN BY HA JIN essays The author has given special importance to each of the twelve stories and the readers can be amused by each of these stories. The twelve stories in Jin's collection are all set in the city of Muji.Due to the wide appreciation and praise which Ha Jin has received for his novels, he has decided to write more and more books in which he would identify the problems of the society on the whole. The paper will define the characters and the story of Ha Jin's Bridegroom', together with the observations and analysis of answers on the questions as under: -Is She as Uniformed and Nave as Cheng' -Why does she say she is going to wait for Baowen, even tough she knows The paper will analyze the story of Ha Jin's Bridegroom' to know the attitude of Beina towards her husband Baowen. Further exploration of Beina's attitude will be made when she faced the truth that her husband was a gay. The thesis statement that would be observed in the story is whether Beina is a girl of strong character or not' The stories of Ha Jin's Bridegroom' has been widely appreciated by the readers and they have remarked that all these stories are the results of the creative abilities of Ha Jin.In the title story Ha Jin has described the story of a father-in- law who was forced to confront his ignorance and towards the brutality of the system toward homosexuals in the society. The story is the narration of a guardian who has struggled in order to come in terms with his son-in law although he was a gay. "In the title story, the narrator, who is decent but officious and heads up the Security Section in a factory, manages to marry off a homely young woman that he cared for after the death of her father, who had been his good friend. Though he is quite pleased with himself, his complacency ...

Berger Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Berger - Assignment Example How people see arts can be brought within their reach. Therefore, the credibility of an art can be improved by analyzing an art from a significant number of people. According to Berger, women and men have different types of social presence. Traditionally, men have been evaluated by the degree of power they may be possessing. Also, the power may be in a number of various forms including economic, moral or economic status. On the other hand, a woman indicates the various activities that can be or cannot be done to her. Therefore, representation of women in art is closely related to what women are seen in real life (Berger 18). Additionally, Berger points out those women are the main subject of the European painting of the nude. According to Berger, the nude illustration of a woman represents the biblical story of Adam and Eve. Sometimes the representation of women in arts is accused of vanity, when in reality they may satisfy the desires of men. He also makes a clear distinction of women representation of arts. He says that â€Å"To be naked is to be oneself. To be nude is to be seen naked by other and yet not he recognized for oneself. A naked body has to be seen as an object in order to become nude.† (Berger

Market Based Pricing Policy for on Street Parking in Seattle Downtown Research Proposal

Market Based Pricing Policy for on Street Parking in Seattle Downtown Area - Research Proposal Example In the reference to the calculations, it was noticed that price is not an adequate tool to control or change the parking trends and other parking behaviors. Regardless of parking price being increased by the parking department, some regions experienced increased occupancy, others reduced, while the rest remained the same. The study also gives the recommendations to ensure that the objective of reducing traffic and ensuring environment conservation is met. Introduction Seattle is a located in the northwestern region of United States. The metropolitan of the city has over 3.4million residents and it is the 15th largest city in United States. It is also a major sea port bordering the pacific region near Puget Sound and lake Washington around 183 Km from United States of Canada. It was previously inhibited by the Native Americans before permanent settlers occupied the city. Seattle city is very industrialized with logging being the leading industry, it is also shipbuilding centre and hig hly commercialized as it is Alaska’s gateway. ... The rates were switched from $1-$4/hour; this was to be applied in all 23 parking areas in the city. This report shows parking-pricing survey conducted with an aim of evaluating the new pricing system, it involved collection of large data and this were the results (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2011). The study Description The study was used to develop recommendations for the purpose of implementation of the new pricing regulation in Seattle and its neighborhoods. The new regulation was put in place by the city council parking department to solve the current fluctuations is compatibility and demand for the current parking technologies. The study was quite extensive as is comprised of paid parking areas data collection, analysis, public engagement systems, and economic analysis. The results will be presented to the sound parking board under the city government which is comprised of different communities’ stakeholders. The board will afterwards provide valuable guidelines which wil l used to shape and define the final recommendations provided by the study (Parking pricing study, 2011). Below are the objectives of the new parking regulation: 1) To facilitate parking clients to easily locate a parking destination and at the same time balance the needs of lane users such as the loading and off-loading vehicles and give room for the transits stops. 2) Reduce green house effect, conserve fuel, and reduce traffic congestion while drivers are looking for parking. 3) Develop new communication and technology to ease parking as well as enhancing customer experience. 4) Increase parking near businesses by increasing the parking turnover Data collection methodology The month of June was the most appropriate for

Tourism development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Tourism development - Essay Example In fact, there are many unique and new developments in tourism. This paper will examine three types of tourism developments that have changed in recent years. The first item we will examine is the rise of ‘green’ or eco-tourism. Next, we will examine World Heritage Site tourism, which is a branch of more traditional style historic destination travel. Finally, we will look at ‘pro-poor’ tourism, or travel set up to benefit local impoverished economies. In addition to examining these three types of tourism, we will see the advantages of each and the overall benefits of each as compared to more traditional tourism. The first area of change in regards development approaches to tourism is with green or eco-tourism. Uddhammar (2006, p. 659) defines eco-tourism as tourism that: (1) contributes actively to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage; (2) includes the local communities in it’s planning, development, operation, and well-being; (3) interprets the natural heritage of the destination to visitors; and (4) lends itself best to independent travelers or small size organized groups. (Uddhammar,2006, p.659). Eco-tourism would encompass more than random nature tourism. Mergg (2007, p. 3) gives key elements that would distinguish eco-tourism, such as minimizing the impact of various infrastructures. This includes limiting hotels and other buildings by using local materials that are safe, recyclable, and sensitive in design to the ecosystem. Also, Mergg emphasizes how education is a substantial part of the eco experience. Before the trip, the tourists should have read educational materials on the area and be trained on how to minimize their impact to the environment. A code of conduct should be in place along with well trained guides to make sure the vacation goes as intended. Finally, before the trip occurs, partial revenue streams involved such as plane fare would help benefit the area. Mergg goes on to

The Lottery and Young Goodman Brown

The Lottery and Young Goodman Brown Thesis sentence: Jackson encourages her readers to question their beliefs, their actions, and the world by creating inner struggle with a barbaric act that is accepted by the townspeople in The Lottery, but Hawthorne takes a different approach by delving into the inner struggle of his character in Young Goodman Brown. In The Lottery, Shirley Jackson uses third person narration to describe how accepted events can lead to barbaric consequences when people do not stop to consider their actions. Nathanial Hawthorne also uses third person narration in Young Goodman Brown, but he does so in a very different way. The essential difference between the ways that these two stories work is that Jackson attempts to produce a reaction inside the reader while Hawthorne attempts to explain inner conflict by delving into his characters thoughts. Both authors use their stories to encourage readers to question their beliefs, their actions, and the world around them, but they achieve this goal with differing techniques. Jackson never overtly states that the townspeople in her story are nervous about the approaching lottery. Instead she uses subtle hints that slowly create a sense of apprehension in the reader. In the third paragraph of The Lottery Jackson describes men as they gather in the town square. The children have already begun stacking stones. The men are talking about everyday matters such as planting and rain, tractors and taxes, but Jackson writes that the men stood together, away from the pile of stones in the corner, and their jokes were quiet and they smiled rather than laughed (par. 2). This short passage shows that something about this day is different than the typical town meetings. Jackson, however, has not revealed the reason that the people are nervous. Jackson continues this game with the reader by increasing the fear when the lottery finally chooses the Hutchinsons and Tessie begins to physically express concern for her life. The only thought that the reader gets about the lott ery, though, is Tessies scream that it isnt fair, it isnt right (par. 80). This moment only occurs at the end of the story as the townspeople prepare to kill hers. Hawthorne takes a less subtle approach to describing the nervousness of Goodman Brown. As Goodman Brown makes his way through the woods, he wonders what if the devil himself should be at my very elbow! (par. 9). This is a rather unambiguous expression of fear. After meeting his traveling companion, Brown even begins to talk about his inner struggle by mentioning how their quest conflicts with his scrupples. As they continue walking, they continue their conversation. Goodman reveals his doubts about the initiation that he approaches, but continues on his way at the bequest of his companion, who explains that even the goodliest people in his town have done the same. These two stories describe fear in very different ways, so it is fitting that they also use different methods to question morality. Goodman Browns moral questions are laid before the reader during his conversation with the companion. At times he feels heartened by learning that other people in the community have performed the same rites. At other times, though, he questions whether this can be so. These questions approach the very nature of human beings. In this way, Hawthorne is somewhat more ambiguous than he is in his descriptions of fear. After all, he follows Browns thought process as it bounces back and forth. Still, his approach to the question of morality is far less ambiguous than Jacksons. By the end of the story, Hawthorne writes that it was a dream of evil omen for young Goodman Brown (par. 73). This statement comes directly from the narrator. Had a character said as much, then there would be some ambiguity about the moral position of the story. Since it is written by a n arrator who has remained reliable throughout the story, the reader can only accept it as truth within the context of the story. Jackson, however, uses a different approach to questioning the morality of the townspeople. She creates tension throughout the story that culminates with Tessies scream that it isnt fair, it isnt right, but the writer never comes forward with a solid endorsement of Tessies feelings. The reader has the impression that these barbaric events are certainly unfair to Tessie, but that the other people might have a different opinion. After all, what are they to do? They must choose a random sacrifice to ensure the health of their crops. Questioning the morality of this event is similar to a modern person questioning the morality of socioeconomic classes. In some respects, they feel immoral because they randomly put certain people into unfortunate circumstances. On the other hand, what is a person to do? It is simply the way that the world works. Morality and fairness are beside the point in this context. If a moral certitude exits, it does so in the reader, not the story. The Lottery provides an inner struggle within the reader with its shocking ending and question of fairness. Young Goodman Brown, however, provides a more involved, direct line of thinking about morality by describing the inner struggle of Goodman Brown. The effect is completely different: Hawthorne essentially tells his readers what is and is not moral while Jackson creates an event that asks the reader to question his or her own sense of morality. For Hawthorne, a moral certitude exists that he can share with readers through the struggles of his title character. Jackson does not approach morality in this way, though, because her story does not have a concrete moral lesson to teach. Instead, it asks the reader to question beliefs, the morality of actions, and the way that the world functions without providing a definite answer. This ambiguity presents a more accurate perspective of the way that todays world works. Even though Jackson chooses to set her story in a town that feels torn from modernity, it none-the-less approaches group and individual morals from a post-modern perspective that lacks definite answers.

Insignificance Of Words :: essays research papers

The Insignificance of Words A man walks down a dimly lit street; the bright red lights above the hospital’s exit are now just a faint glow behind him. As he staggers along the city blocks back to his quiet row home, he ponders the tragic news he has just received regarding his mother’s failing health. A couple blocks from the refuge of his home, he runs into some of the neighborhood locals. Some he knows most he doesn’t, but greets them all the same. â€Å"How’s it goin’?† he says, in a voice that is less then enthusiastic. â€Å"Good† they reply, â€Å"How’s it goin’ with you?† The man responds â€Å"Good, thanks for asking†, again not showing much interest in the conversation he just finished, he trudges toward home. After passing the locals, the man is amused at the simple truth that he is not doing â€Å"good† and that he does not really care if those people are. He ponders the stupidity of the conversation he just had and l aughs for the first time all day.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As he enters his doorway and hangs up his jacket, he slowly glances around the living room and finds his way to the olive colored sofa. As he searches the coffee table for the remote control, he begins to think of his ailing mother and her impact on his life. His search ends as he finds the clicker and turns on the television. Not paying any attention to the infomercial on the screen, he is just glad that the silence of his home is broken. As Chuck Norris is explaining why the â€Å"Ab Slide is the newest, safest and most effective method for getting in shape in the comfort of your own home.† He reflects back on the conversation that he had walking home from the hospital. He quickly laughs again and thinks what was the point of even talking to them. . The simple nonchalant nature of not caring what â€Å"is† goin’on, reflects one of the reasons why individuals in America are becoming less community oriented.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Do they even care how I am? Do they even know who I am? Should I trouble them with the predicament that I am in? Would it be proper to stop and explain to these people how my mother is dying and how much pain I am in. Unsure if the man was rude to his neighbors with his dismissive attitude towards their conversation he reflected back on his life.

Analysis on America’s Ice Age video

â€Å"America's Ice Age† video taught me a lot of things I would not even begin to think about. I would never think that ice helped shape the continents, let alone the world. It also taught me that many of our Earth's past history Is found In deferent forms of core taken from the Earth over years and years. I am simply amused by how these clients and geologist examine rocks, landscape, cores, Ice, air pockets Inside of cores, and temperatures to peel back the layers of our past history here on Earth.When watching the last video, â€Å"Chasing Ice,† I got to see more of an explore side of Ice. With watching â€Å"America's Ice Age† I get to see more of the scientific side of things. How scientist can look at Ice with mysterious marks and see evidence of past floods, or how they can look at mysterious markings In rocks and see the movement and deletion of a past iceberg Is Incredible. It makes you think what every day ordinary people like myself, overlook.I will sa y since I have started this class I look at the trees, the sky, and landscape of my own community differently. I constantly find myself thinking of the unbelievable way our world was formed. I might not completely and Lully understand it all yet, but it is definitely pulling my mind and thoughts in a different direction. It is almost unbelievable that ice had more impact on our Earth's shape and the shape of our continents more than anything. But after watching this video, it all starts to make sense.The overbearing power of the icebergs shifting across the world, moving rocks, and the melting that at some point covered land, separating continents, and eventually shaping our world was something I would never think to of happened. Some of these icebergs and glaciers that distorted the shape of the Earth ere calculated to weigh almost 68,000 trillion ton. Just imagine how heavy and powerful that is. This ice then making up our oceans, lakes, and rivers is all new information to me, an d astonishing new information to say the least.So far, from all the video, reading, and class discussions I am beginning to feel more and more confident when talking about science and geology. My husband Is the smartest and most knowledgeable person I have ever meet. He seriously knows everything,(not that I would ever admit that to him) but to be able to tell him facts on owe our Earths was made and formed, Information that he had never known, just brings a whole new confident person out of me.Like Eve said In previous reflection papers, I have never been able to grasp science and geology but this class Is gang me hope that I can finally understand the power of our Earth. Analysis on America's Ice Age video By Sedation It also taught me that many of our Earth's past history is found in different forms of scientist and geologist examine rocks, landscape, cores, ice, air pockets inside of ice. With watching â€Å"America's Ice Age† I get to see more of the scientific side of t hings.How scientist can look at ice with mysterious marks and see evidence of past floods, or how they can look at mysterious markings in rocks and see the movement and direction of a past iceberg is incredible. It makes you think what every day ordinary more and more confident when talking about science and geology. My husband is the how our Earths was made and formed, information that he had never known, Just brings a whole new confident person out of me. Like Eve said in previous reflection papers, I have never been able to grasp science and geology but this class is giving

zubori essays

zubori essays Martin Luther lived from 1483-1546. Luther was born on November 10, 1483 in Eisleben in the province of Saxony. His protestant view of Christianity started what was called the Protestant Reformation in Germany. Luther's intentions were to reform the medieval Roman Catholic Church. But firm resistance from the church towards Luther's challenge made way to a permanent division in the structure of Western Christianity. Luther lived in Mansfield and was the son of a miner. He later went on to study at Eisenbach and Magdeburg. After studying at these institutions he moved on to study at the University of Erfurt. Luther started out studying law, but then went on to enter the religious life. He went into the religious life due to the fact that he felt that he would never earn his eternal salvation. He didn't feel that all of the prayer, studying and sacraments were enough. Therefore, Luther felt that he would never be able to satisfy such a judging God. Not being able to satisfy this God meant eternal damnation. After entering the religious life he later became an Augustinian monk and entered the Augustinian monastery at Erfurt in July of 1505. While in this monastery Luther became a well known theologian and Biblical scholar. In 1512 Luther earned his doctorate in theology and became a professor of Biblical literature at Wittenberg University. Luther took his religious vocation very serious. This led him into a severe crisis in dealing with his religion. He wondered, "is it possible to reconcile the demands of God's law with human inability to live up to the law." Luther then turned to the New Testament book of Romans for answers. He had found, "God had, in the obedience of Jesus Christ, reconciled humanity to himself." "What was required of mankind, therefore, was not strict adherence to law or the fulfillment of religious obligations, but a response of faith that accepted what God had done." In other words he realized that religion is ...

Free Essays on Urban Decay

Urban Decay: barricading our cities, And our minds Everyone bemoans the way street crime, visible poverty, deteriorating infrastructure, decaying homes and boarded-up businesses are becoming increasingly common features of city life, but we rarely ask ourselves how this deterioration in the world around us is affecting the way we look at the world. In not asking that question, we underestimate the importance of urban decay as a problem in its own right, and the degree to which it promotes other social ills. Inner city decay is part of a dangerous and silent progression that is not being given the attention it deserves: the fragmentation of our society into potentially or actually hostile camps, barricaded off from each other. And it has the potential, in the end, to exercise an important influence on the course of national politics. In order to see why, we have to start by looking at how decay happens. It begins with an anti-urban bias, a belief, deeply-rooted in Canada and the United States, that cities are, at best, a necessary evil, and the likely scene of violence, social disorder, dirt and tension. Rural and small-town life, by contrast, is associated with cleanliness, sturdy reliability and family values. The conclusion: We may need cities for our livelihoods, but they are not good places to live. These conceptions have been promoted by a profusion of media images. Consider The Waltons, Little House on the Prairie, Anne of Green Gables, or that odious MÃ ¼slix commercial that romanticizes fruit-picking. More to the point, for the past half-century the notion that we can live better outside the inner city has been energetically and effectively advocated by a development industry that gained its foothold on wealth and power and continues to augment that wealth through suburban development. New subdivisions are sold by purveying the image of a home in quasi-rural surroundings, but conveniently located near the c... Free Essays on Urban Decay Free Essays on Urban Decay Urban Decay: barricading our cities, And our minds Everyone bemoans the way street crime, visible poverty, deteriorating infrastructure, decaying homes and boarded-up businesses are becoming increasingly common features of city life, but we rarely ask ourselves how this deterioration in the world around us is affecting the way we look at the world. In not asking that question, we underestimate the importance of urban decay as a problem in its own right, and the degree to which it promotes other social ills. Inner city decay is part of a dangerous and silent progression that is not being given the attention it deserves: the fragmentation of our society into potentially or actually hostile camps, barricaded off from each other. And it has the potential, in the end, to exercise an important influence on the course of national politics. In order to see why, we have to start by looking at how decay happens. It begins with an anti-urban bias, a belief, deeply-rooted in Canada and the United States, that cities are, at best, a necessary evil, and the likely scene of violence, social disorder, dirt and tension. Rural and small-town life, by contrast, is associated with cleanliness, sturdy reliability and family values. The conclusion: We may need cities for our livelihoods, but they are not good places to live. These conceptions have been promoted by a profusion of media images. Consider The Waltons, Little House on the Prairie, Anne of Green Gables, or that odious MÃ ¼slix commercial that romanticizes fruit-picking. More to the point, for the past half-century the notion that we can live better outside the inner city has been energetically and effectively advocated by a development industry that gained its foothold on wealth and power and continues to augment that wealth through suburban development. New subdivisions are sold by purveying the image of a home in quasi-rural surroundings, but conveniently located near the c...

The strategic causes of the Korean war Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

The strategic causes of the Korean war - Essay Example ere apprehensive that the country under the control of the Japanese would limit the movement of the American soldiers in the region but the concern ended there. The Soviet Union looked to Korea more with a strategic eye. At the end of the war here was a division of the Korean peninsula at the time and the Russians took hold of the north peninsula which was an industrial sector and at the same time the United States of America took possession of the south which was more based in agriculture. Then in the year 1949 the two countries withdrew their men out of the region and leaving behind the locals (Srivastava, 2010)2. The North had a strong manned army which was trained by the soviet. Whereas on the other hand the South Korean had a relatively weaker and reduced army. Later when the Stalin led government in the Communist Russia saw that they could challenge the United States with the help of their nuclear technology the North Korean tried to strengthen ties with the Russians but were r ebuffed. To make matters worse, the American Secretary of State at the time, Acthinson, made a statement that the Korean region was close to the United States. This spurned the Russians to finally reply to the inclination of friendships being made by North Korea and even gave as acceptance of an attack on the south. However, the Russian government was given the impression by the authorities of North Korea that the war would last not more than a month. It has been stated that parties knew of the impending war that would occur but did not pay head to the warnings. Before the withdrawal of the two nations from the peninsula, there was molding that both the Russians and the Americans did in their respective potion of Korea. It was brought to the attention of the Americans that the Russians were creating a model of the communist state in North Korea and were using the system of the region to hide their real intentions (Schnabel, 1992, p. 24)3. This was an outrage for the Americans who were

Preparation for the exam - Strategic Management Research Paper

Preparation for the exam - Strategic Management - Research Paper Example These grants were used for computer systems development, electronic textiles, and competitive enhancement initiatives. The government somewhat supports activities that can make its sportswear industry competitive in the global arena. New Balance, furthermore, is specifically affected by tariff policies. The â€Å"yarn forward rule† ensures that imported products pay proper duties: The rule, which has been included in most U.S. free trade agreements, denies duty-free treatment for apparel unless it is almost entirely manufactured in the FTA country. In fact, if any component of the item—thread, elastic strips, or fabric—is sourced elsewhere, duties are applied on the entire garment. (Kennedy and Appell, 2012) This rule benefits New Balance that has local manufacturing plants. Looser tariffs, however, will be bad news for it. Aeppel (2013) reports: Shoe tariffs add about $3 to $5 to the cost of a pair of midprice imported running shoes. While that might not seem li ke much, New Balance says the loss of that buffer would make the economics of its American-made strategy that much harder. If the tariffs go away, â€Å"it puts our competitors in a position to realize an even greater margin than we are,† says Matthew LeBretton, a New Balance spokesman, â€Å"and they can then reinvest that in their business.† As long as New Balance has U.S. plants, it benefits from the competitive advantage of import duties. Import flooding of cheap apparel from other countries, however, affects it too. Price-sensitive consumers prefer inexpensive products, even if they have lower quality. Economic The economic situation of the U.S. is improving, although at a very slow rate. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (2013): Real gross domestic product -- the output of goods and services produced by labor and property located in the United States -- increased at an annual rate of 2.5 percent in the first quarter of 2013 (that is, from the four th quarter to the first quarter), according to the "advance" estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the fourth quarter, real GDP increased 0.4 percent. Slow economic growth affects employment and income rates of consumers, which affect demand for sportswear products. The monthly data for disposable income increase is not so buoyant either: â€Å"In March 2013, real disposable personal income increased 0.3 percent† (U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2013). Despite the laggard economy, since sportswear products depreciate in time, people still buy them, although not in the same rates as better economic conditions. Sivy (2013) notes the depreciation of the U.S. dollar, which has not been the same value as in 2009. With low dollar value, imports become cheaper, and this can affect the sales of New Balance. Social America is becoming more diverse with low fertility rate, and so it is becoming a mature market too. El Nasser and Overberg (2011) summarise the 2010 C ensus: The USA is bigger, older, more Hispanic and Asian and less wedded to marriage and traditional families than it was in 1990. It also is less enamored of kids, more embracing of several generations living under one roof, more inclusive of same-sex couples, more cognizant of multiracial identities, more suburban, less rural and leaning more to the South and West.

Human Cognition and the Role of the Internet Essay

Human Cognition and the Role of the Internet - Essay Example These cognition deficiencies are considered attributable to Internet use because the way information presented in the Internet influences human cognition. For instance, in Is Google Making Us Stupid?, Nicholas Carr argues that Internet use affects reading habits, as well as comprehension and retention of information (57). The way Google presents the information affects the way people understand the information, as well. The design of the web pages, which are oftentimes collage-like, divides the attention of readers. Web pages are often full of advertisements with flashing colors that distract the concentration of readers. Additionally, there are also hyperlinks that merely draw the attention of readers, rather than point to sites containing significant information. In addition, advertisements that are put together with information may divert the attention of Internet users. Thus, as the human mind reprograms itself to adapt with the technologies, the human mind also adapts the collag e-like structure of information as projected in the Internet. Relatively, human cognition becomes inclined to prefer shortened information over the detailed, lengthy ones. Considering the effects of the Internet on human cognition, it can be said that Internet users need to be evaluative when gathering information from the Internet. As mentioned by McLuhan, the media, which include the Internet, are not just ways in which information are generated and transferred (qtd. in Carr 57). The media also direct and influence the way people understand the information that is being transferred through them. The complexity and amount of information produced by the media often confuses people hindering them to think and evaluate information critically and contemplatively. Aside from this, the Internet also influences the way people see and use information. In its capacity to transfer and generate information faster, the internet leaves people behind should they fail to cope with the fast inform ation transfer. In addition, the bulk of the information contained in the Internet overwhelms readers in such a way that readers will be trapped in the wide variety of topics in the Internet. The problem of information segregation comes as people get confronted with various hyperlinks that may not point to appropriate and relevant information. As internet users toggle from link to link, internet users may lose their focus and get trapped in another information that are not related to the topic at hand. In this context, it can be said that the fast, complex, and vast information contained in the Internet may decrease concentration that may, in turn, decrease retention of information. Thus, problems related to cognitive deficiencies come when the human mind cannot cope with the complexity and speed of information transfer in the Internet. So, the question as to whether Google (or the internet, in general) had made people stupid is thought-provoking and worthy of critical investigation . While there are evidences that prove the inhibiting effects of internet use, the Internet also provides information that could raise the awareness of people on certain subjects. Accordingly, to resolve the issue, researchers need to investigate whether it is really the internet that causes retention and comprehension gap, or it is merely the changing perspectives of users when it

Child Study Paper Essay Example for Free

Child Study Paper Essay The Child Study data I have gathered comes from the observation I have completed at Mission Bell Elementary School. Mission Bell Elementary School is a local school in Riverside. In the P. M preschool class there are 24 students, one teacher, and one assistant. The child I decided to observe is names Zoe. Zoe is 4 years and 10 months old. I immediately was drawn to Zoe because she had such a big personality, was very social, and smart. I am glad that I choose to observe Zoe because she was able to make my observation process smooth and easy. While observing her I had to pay close attention to her biosocial development, motor skills, cognitive skills, communication skills, emotional development, social interaction, and her self-esteem. As I share my observation data, I will give examples of Zoe’s skills and overall development thus far in her life. Biosocial Development: Physical Description According to biosocial development norms Zoe is average. She is just the size she is suppose to be according the growth chart and development norms. Zoe is tall and lean. She is on the skinny side and has long arms and legs and a flat stomach. Zoe weighs 36 pounds and is 39. 75 inches tall. On the growth chart Zoe is in the 50th percentile (CDC 2000) when it comes to her weight and is in the 25th percentile (CDC 200) when it comes to her height. From these percentages on the growth chart Zoe is falling right in the middle when it comes to her physical development, showing that she is growing at a normal expected rate. Zoe displays an above average activity level in comparison to her peers. She has such a high activity level compared to the other children because out of them all she is the one that keeps busy. When indoor play time comes around Zoe is sure to play at as many play stations as she can. Zoe averages about 5 to 6 play stations. Zoe chooses to play at a number of different areas, whereas, many of the other children just get around to two different play stations. At each station Zoe spends 41/2 to 5 minutes playing, showing that Zoe’s ratio of active running around periods out weight the inactive sitting and playing periods. Motor Skills Zoe does a does a good job at controlling her gross-motor skills as well as her fine motor skills. Zoe has good balance and speed for a 4 year old. When Zoe’s gross-motor skills are compared to her classmates you notice her advancement. She does not stumble over her feet or object such as the carpet, as much as her peers do. When Zoe is outside her favorite activity is to play on the jungle gym. This activity is able to show Zoe’s good development of gross-motor skills because of how she is able to climb up and down the stairs of the jungle gym and with such speed. â€Å"Many children by age 2 become smooth and rhythmic – secure enough that soon they leave the ground. (Berk, 2007, P. 224). Zoe has mastered her fine motor skills. Zoe is able to correctly hold writing objects such as markers and crayons; she also holds glue sticks in the writing position. She holds the maker or writing object in between her thumb and her middle finger and allows her index to help support her writing tool. By having this technique down Zoe is able to control the lines that she makes on her paper as well as how dark her lines will be. She is also able to manipulate how much glue is going to go onto her paper and where it will go. In comparison to Hayliegh (3-8), who is still holding her writing tool with her palm, Zoe shows she is more advance in her fine motor skill. While playing at one of her favorite indoor play stations, which is play dough, Zoe uses her hands to manipulate the play dough into various shapes and objects. The way she is able to grasp and squeeze the play dough shows her sensatory skills, which are in connection to her fine motor skills. These two examples show that Zoe has master over her hands and how they will work to her advantage. As Zoe continues to play her favorite activity, the jungle gym, with such balance and speed she shows that she is comfortable with her movements. This is one of her favorite activities because it allows her to run around and get out her energy. Zoe favorite game, and only game she plays, are the computer games. Zoe will avoid such games as board games but will go and play on the computer when she can. The games on the computer help her to learn how to control an object such as the mouse and pointer. This helps Zoe in the development of her fine motor skills. Zoe’s favorite table game is play dough. The play dough station is always the first station that Zoe goes to if she is picked to go their. At this station Zoe again uses her fine motor skills to create all different types of objects with her play dough. Cognitive Skills While closely observing Zoe’s cognitive skills she showed evidence of Piaget’s preoperational stage. Zoe’s cognitive development is shown through her make-believe play. â€Å"Piaget believed that through pretending, young children practice and strengthen newly acquired representational schemes. † (Berk, 2007, P 227). When Zoe plays with her play dough she pretend that she is making pizza. She begins by taking a handful of play dough and placing it on the table, she then get a small rolling pin to roll the play dough out flat. Once the play dough is rolled out completely flat she uses little Lego’s to represent the pepperoni that tops most pizzas. Next she takes the finished pizza and puts it on the side of the table and pretends to heat it in an oven. The takes the play dough and begins to feed her friends. When Zoe decides to not just feed herself but her friends as well she is showing development of no longer being self-centered. This whole make believe shows how far Zoe’s Cognitive skills have developed. She is able to take something she see and act it out and think about the order in which she acts out each piece. Zoe has knowledge of classification and seriation along with her representation skills. Zoe shows that she is capable of classifying objects as well as putting them in sequence. She shows evidence of classification during clean up time. When it is time to clean up each toy has its own space and toys that are a like go into spaces next to each other. Zoe is able to identify objects and according to the likely ness of one to the other she can tell weather or not the go in the same area. For example Zoe is able to identify that the blocks and the Lego’s go into the same area but that they are different. She is also able to recognize that the entire book are books but able to classify them according to their size. She put away all the big books on one side of the bookshelf where they belong and all of the smaller books on the oppsite side where they belong. Zoe also knows sequence of numbers. She shows this when she is called up to be the calendar girl for he day. Zoe takes down all the numbers from one to 15 off of the calendar. Then one by one puts them back up in sequence. She also recognizes the patter of the numbers. Each number is written on an insect. As she puts up the numbers she realizes that the patters of insects are caterpillar, lady bug, butterfly, caterpillar, lady bug, butterfly and so on. Zoe shows the ability to imitate real life through her play. When she creates pizza with play dough and Lego’s she is showing that she understands how to create something from what she has seen and experienced. She shows that she understands how something that is not the original object can symbolize or represent the original. Zoe also shows role play during her play. She does show by pretending to be the baby while her friend Savanna (3-11) plays the mother. This type of role play shows that Zoe understands the various roles that people play in life. Through this role play you are able to see her ideas on life. Zoe shows her perception of how a baby is to act and how they should respond to their mother. By Zoe crawls around on the floor and talks baby talk shows how she views babies. Lastly Zoe shows special interest in activities that involve imitation play. She likes to create things that she sees and experiences in her life. This ability to imitate reality shows her cognitive growth. Communication Zoe uses wide variations of communication. Zoe uses her body language, facial expressions, and verbal communication all at once when she is explaining or expressing herself. All these combined show off Zoes personality. When Zoe hurt her foot on the table Zoe used her body language to show that she was in pain. She immediately bends down to rub her foot in try to make it feel better. Then her wincing face showed that it was not helping. As Zoe dragged her body over to the teacher she then verbalized the pain that she was in. She expressed the teacher, â€Å"I hurt my foot†. Zoe is very good at exaggerating her expressions and really showing how she feels on her face. If she is happy she has a big simile, if she is shad she is frowning, and if she is hurt she is wincing and showing pain on her face. Her facial expressions do a lot of the verbal communication she might not do or it tells her feelings before her words do. When Zoe interacts with her friends she is very animated and humorous. She is very big in her movements and throws up her arms and puts out her hands as gestures when she is speaking. When she is very excited about what it is she is telling her peers she is very big in her gestures and when she is calm she uses one hand when gesturing. Zoe has a very good vocabulary and is the talkative one of the group. She is also known for her slang vocabulary. Sometimes this slang that she uses from time to time goes a little too far and she can get into trouble. Hector (3-5) did jus that told on Zoe and got her into trouble. Hector told the teacher that Zoe told him, â€Å"What the heck. † Zoe was then told that she should not use that word. Zoe is also very descriptive in her speech. She once told the teacher, â€Å"Mrs. Contreras, I made a red strawberry†. Zoe is extremely talkative and this helps aid her in learning and broadening her vocabulary, as well as learning how to express her self. Emotions Zoe is at the Initiative versus Guilt stage according to Erikson’s personality development theory (Berk, 2007). Evidence of this is show when Zoe is eager to join her class peers in various activities. In particular when it is library time Zoe likes to thumb through her book initially by herself like she is told to do but it excited when she is able to share her book with a few surrounding friends, or listen to a surrounding friend share their book with others. When it comes to creating a new picture or trying a new activity Zoe becomes excited to participate and learn something new. This took place when she had the opportunity to create a caterpillar. She learned how many circles she needed to make the caterpillar and where to glue on the legs of the caterpillar. Zoe also shows evidence of autonomy because she is able to use her mental development and sense to determine and recognize that she has to use the restroom. When it comes to Zoe’s Temperament she is not moody. She consistently is happy and friendly unless she gets hurt or someone copies her. She is usually very approachable and social with everyone. Her response positively when it comes to playing with someone new at each play station that she goes to. She also is good at sharing. For example, when Zoe goes to play on the computer she shares the mouse with the other student and takes turns clicking on the computer. She works together with her peer to find the right answer to the question on the computer. Since Zoe is good at sharing this makes her approachable and fun to play with. When it comes to Zoe’s intensity of her reactions she is directly in the middle. She is not a loud child but also not quiet. She also is good at having self control and not having tantrums. She does have very out there over the top facial expressions and gestures but not so much to make her an intense child. Zoe is also positive in her mood. If she is hurt or irritated she will tend to come down from her usually happy smiley mood. Zoe is usually happy and playful. Zoe is just about always in a very positive mood and a pleasure to be around. However, Zoe does show a broad range of emotions during her observation. She showed happiness while she was interacting with her peers, and she also displayed the feeling of being hurt, when she stubbed her toe on the table. Zoe displays knowledge of how to express herself emotionally. Social Interaction Zoe is very social and interacts with everyone. Zoe is always interacting with new peers when she is indoors going from one play station to the other. Zoe is a little different from the other girls in that she has no problem interacting with the boys. Around lunch time Zoe joins in when Dillon (4-7) is pretending to be a superhero. Zoe joins in and pretends to be a super cat. When Zoe does interact with her peers it is in a small group of maybe 3 at the most. Zoe never tends to be around large groups. Mostly you will see Zoe one on one with another peer. Zoe tends to go towards the sensatory play then the make believe play. When Zoe has a choice of an indoor play station she always goes for the play dough first. After that Zoe will do arts and crafts that involve gluing or draw a picture. By the end Zoe always ends up at the Sand table. These three types of play that Zoe consistently participates in are all dealing with her sensatory skills or fine motor skills. These are Zoe’s favorite types of play because she enjoys playing with things that involve her hands, since she is good at them. Zoe has a secure attachment to her mother, teachers, and peers. When Zoe’s mother came to visit the class she did not attach herself to her mother while she was present. Zoe recognized she was there and called on her if she needed help but she did not play at the table that her mom was at just because she wanted to be next to her. Zoe continued to do her own thing. Zoe is also not attached to any particular peer in the classroom. She demonstrates this by sitting at a new lunch table with someone new with each observation. She also plays with someone new at each play station. Some of the other children especially girls are attached to one another each observation. They will always sit together at lunch and play together in both indoor and outdoor play time, but not Zoe. Self Esteem Zoe displays confidence and high self-esteem. She indicates that she has a very positive outlook of herself through her expressions. When Zoe does something correct she wants everyone to know. For example when Zoe did a good job of cleaning up her mess and helping her peers pick up wooden blocks she went to the teacher Mrs. Contreras to show her what she had done. Zoe will not shy away form getting others to acknowledge her feelings weather positive or negative. This shows that Zoe is confident and knows when she is doing good and not doing well. Zoe is confident enough to speek up when she wants to. Zoe is her own motivation. She is a self starter and needs little direction. When it is reading time Zoe will get her book and begin reading. While most of her other peers need a reminder to sit quietly and look at their book, Zoe doesn’t. Zoe will also do things when she is asked and will not need a motivation to do it, like and incentive or a reason. Zoe might need some help with staying focused for more than five minutes on one task, but when it comes to starting a task Zoe will not waste time getting to it and starting it. Zoe usually needs little direction and makes up her mind fairly quick when it comes to deciding where she wants to play and what she wants to do. She needs little self direction and Zoe tends to play at areas where she will receive as less direction as possible. Zoe is independent and is able to handle her own. She has no problem with playing alone and being by herself. She enjoys the company from her peers but she is able to entertain herself. She doesn’t need to have other peers around her in order for her to have fun. She also is more of a leader and to be a leader you have to have an independent sprit. Zoe has other peers who follow her around and does what she wants to do. Since Zoe is not a follower she is showing she is not dependent on other but is independent. Conclusion Zoe displays a number of strengths as well as areas that she can improve. Zoe is strong in her fine motor skills. The way she is able to control her writing tool and where her lines will go on her paper and how dark they will be. She is also able to stay inside of the lines. These examples show that Zoe has done a good job of developing her fine motor skills. Zoe is also very good with her communication skills. She knows how to express herself correctly and clearly. She is able to not only use her body language and facial features to let show one know what she is feeling but she is able to verbalize it. Zoe can afford to improve on her attention span. Zoe tends to be easily distracted by the idea of moving on to something else. She needs to learn how to focus on one thing instead of trying them all. She needs to learn how to relax and be persistent in what she is working on. Overall I have enjoyed the opportunity of observing Zoe. She has taught me various things about the development of a preschooler. I plan on remembering this observation and using it as I go on to my future career working with children.

Positioning of Apple, Blackberry and Nokia

Positioning of Apple, Blackberry and Nokia Apple Inc. is an American multinational corporation that designs and markets consumer electronics, computer software, and personal computers. The companys best-known hardware products include the Macintosh line of computers, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad. Apple software includes the Mac OS X operating system; the iTunes media browser; the iLife suite of multimedia and creativity software; the iWork suite of productivity software; Aperture, a professional photography package; Final Cut Studio, a suite of professional audio and film-industry software products; Logic Studio, a suite of music production tools; and iOS, a mobile operating system. As of August 2010, the company operates 301 retail stores in ten countries, and an online store where hardware and software products are sold. Established on April 1, 1976 in Cupertino, California, and incorporated January 3, 1977, the company was previously named Apple Computer, Inc., for its first 30 years, but removed the word Computer on January 9, 2007, to reflect the companys ongoing expansion into the consumer electronics market in addition to its traditional focus on personal computers. As of September 25, 2010, Apple had 46,600 full time employees and 2,800 temporary full time employees worldwide and had worldwide annual sales of $65.23 billion. For reasons as various as its philosophy of comprehensive aesthetic design to its distinctive advertising campaigns, Apple has established a unique reputation in the consumer electronics industry. This includes a customer base that is devoted to the company and its brand, particularly in the United States. Fortune magazine named Apple the most admired company in the United States in 2008 and in the world in 2008, 2009, and 2010. The company has also received widespread criticism for its contractors labor, environmental, and business practices. Segmentation: According to Michael J. Croft (1994), segmentation is to divide a market by a strategy directed at gaining a major portion of sales to a subgroup in a category, rather than a more limited share of purchases by all category users. Market segmentation is one of the steps that goes into defining and targeting specific markets. It is the process of dividing a market into a distinct group of buyers that require different products or marketing mixes. A key factor to success in todays market place is finding subtle differences to give a business the marketing edge. Businesses that target specialty markets will promote its products and services more effectively than a business aiming at the average customer. Opportunities in marketing increase when segmented groups of clients and customers with varying needs and wants are recognized. Markets can be segmented or targeted using a variety of factor. The bases for segmenting consumer markets include: Demographical bases (age, family size, life cycle, occupation) Geographical bases (states, regions, countries) Behaviour bases (product knowledge, usage, attitudes, responses) Psychographic bases (lifestyle, values, personality) A business must analyze the needs and wants of different market segments before determining their own niche. To be effective in market segmentation keeps the following things in mind: Segments or target markets should be accessible to the business Each segmented group must be large enough to provide a solid customer base. Each segmented group requires a separate marketing plan. Apple is such a band whose core competence in innovation. For apple to keep its market share it needs not only to concentrate on its research and development but also on segmenting its market efficiently and reaching them with its new products. Customers View of Segmentation: Customers segment themselves and take no notice of how companies segment their market(s). When choosing between competing products and services, customers select the proposition that meets their needs better than any other. To win market share, therefore, a company must ensure that their offers meet these needs better than any other at a price they perceive as providing superior value for money (which does not necessarily mean it has to be the cheapest). As this is how customers operate in a market, then a segmentation project should have these as its segmentation criteria. On its own this approach to segmentation, while able to provide you with an invaluable insight into how to win a customers business, still requires you to know how to reach them. The input to this part of a winning proposition, provided by a detailed understanding of who the customers are and where they are to be found, is clearly very important and plays a crucial part in our segmentation process. In addition, by really understanding what underpins a customers choice we gain an insight into their motivations, which will lead you to understand what promotional stance to take? Interestingly, all the reputable marketing books and marketing courses which look at the alternative approaches to segmenting markets include needs-based segmentation (sometimes called benefit segmentation) in their reviews. They also conclude that needs-based segmentation is by far the most successful approach. This is the approach taken by The Market Segmentation Company, for which we have developed a series of practical steps, tried and tested in numerous markets around the world, and incorporated into our segmentation process. Positioning of Apple, Blackberry and Nokia: Blackberry handset is no longer concerned with the occurrence of iPhone. Because of not all people switch off from their Blackberry handset to iPhone gadget, this statement was stated by researchers from UBS Investment Jeffrey Fan after successfully interviewed 222 people in UK and 106 people in United States when they would buy iPhone 3G. According to Cellular News, 106 of iPhone buyers in United States, only five people, or 4.7 percent are Blackberry users. In fact, three of that number doesnt intend to sell their Blackberry after buying Apple iPhone. About 30 percent of 106 people use Motorola and Samsung. With each contributing is 15 percent, said the Cellular news. In UK, from 222 people who purchased the iPhone, only eight people or 3.6 per cent claiming to have it switch from Blackberry to iPhone. Only one person is interested in using them, iPhone and Blackberry. However, 18 percent of these respondents claim to have a corporate Blackberry so that they cannot take down the handset made by Research in Motion (Rim). From 222 people in UK, the 28 percent is former Nokia users, while 20 percent is former Sony Ericsson users, Fan explained. Fan detailed more about this research, although the research is limited, but it can prove that the market segment of Blackberry and iPhone users is very different so it will not become a significant threat to Rim. In above countries, the majority of iPhone 3G buyers have used first version of iPhone. In UK is about 29 percent and in United States is about 37 percent. Even, some iPhone operator in several countries also sells Blackberry handset as alternative of iPhone by selling Blackberry with cheaper price. For example, the T-Mobile of United States reduced the price of Blackberry Curve by USD 50, to USD 99. According to Wilbur Schramm (1954), Schramms third model is based on the convergence or network approach. Due to various kinds of noise there are chances that the message gets distorted till it reaches the receiver, to overcome the problem he introduced the concept of feedback which helps the sender to modify the information from what he observes or hears from the receiver or the audience. The communication process now takes a circular form as both parties take on the roles of sender and recipient. Schramms model emphasizes on the importance of feedback for the information to reach the receiver in the same manner as desired by the sender. Feedback is essential in the business environment to ensure that the constituencies interpret the information correctly from the companies. Apple, Blackberry and Nokia: The iPhone was growing explosively, but its market share was barely a third of Nokias 68 million smart phones. Despite the massive coverage of the iPhone success in the United States, RIM with its Blackberry still leads the U.S. Smartphone market, with a share of over 30%. Apple had less than 30%, while Android-based phones (Google) were catching up fast. In the second quarter of 2010, Nokia held onto 33% of the mobile phone market. In the Smartphone market, Nokia sold 24 million such devices, up 42% from a year earlier. The overall Smartphone market grew at about the same rate, so Nokia held its share from a year ago, at 40.3%, and actually grew share slightly from the first quarter of this year. So in the global Smartphone rivalry, Nokia still had the lead, while RIM and Apple followed. The winners of the Smartphone market will be determined by global success. So is Nokia; in so much internal turmoil that it is reportedly considering replacing its CEO. Despite the softening of Nokias market share in the United States, Nokia has managed to expand its global position, especially in the high-growth large emerging markets; including China, India, Brazil and Indonesia. In a global rivalry, it would be a fatal mistake to think of these markets as second-tier. Apple is yet to open a store in India. India has such a huge market. Nokia with leading market share in India Apple should look at it if it sights at global leader in mobiles. True, until the 1980s, the lead customers in the most advanced industries were still in the United States, Western Europe and Japan. The G-7 nations dominated talks on international economics. And what was good for California was good for the world. Today, the lead customers are increasingly in the emerging world. The G-7 has been replaced by the G-20. The U.S. market is no longer enough for global leadership. In the global markets, the new mantra is, to paraphrase Frank Sinatra: If you can make it in Shanghai, you can make it in New Delhi, too. And yet, as Nokia has found out the hard way, the United States remains necessary for sustained global success. And the U.S. market is the main source of concerns about Nokias corporate future. In high-tech business, a solid presence in the United States is not just about a market share. It is about ensuring a role in cutting-edge innovation. Apple has hugely targeted youth and people having higher interest in technological products. The major setback for apple is it doesnt support office applications. Apple needs to concentrate on overseas expansion of its market. It is able to reach its target audience in some of the developed countries, but not having full length operations in a country like India is a big loss for any industry. Apple Ad Campaigning: In the past two decades, Apple Inc. has become well known for its advertisements, which are designed to reflect a plan of marketing their products to creative individuals. Their most significant ad campaigns include the 1984 Super Bowl commercial, the 1990s Think Different campaign, and the iPod people of the 2000s. Apples portable music player, the iPod, has been showcased as a piece of contemporary art in New Yorks Museum of Modern Art. Since the original Macintosh Super Bowl commercial in 1984, which mimicked imagery from George Orwells 1984, Apple has maintained a style of homage to contemporary visual art in many of its more famous ad campaigns. For example, the Think Different campaign linked Apple to famous social figures-including artist John Lennon and social activist Mahatma Gandhi. Apple has been criticized for its sometimes questionable use of modern art as an inspiration for its marketing campaigns-at times re-creating a short film or music video shot-by-shot for its commercials. Some artists have documented entering into rights-negotiations with Apple, only to have Apple pull out of the discussions, then use the artistic imagery anyway. As a result, several lawsuits have been filed against Apple by artists and corporations alike, such as visual artist Louie Psihoyos and shoe company Lugz. These claims were later confirmed. In 1997, the Think Different campaign introduced Apples new slogan, and in 2002 the Switch campaign followed. The most recent advertising strategy by Apple is the Get a Mac campaign. Today, Apple focuses much of its advertising efforts around special events, and keynotes at conferences like the MacWorld Expo and the Apple Expo. The events typically draw a large gathering of media representatives and spectators. In the past, special events have been used to announce products such as the Power Mac G5. Apple Branding: Unique design, sign, symbol, words, or a combination of these, employed in creating an image that identifies a product and differentiates it from its competitors. Over time, this image becomes associated with a level of credibility, quality, and satisfaction in the consumers mind. Thus brands help harried consumers in crowded and complex marketplace, by standing for certain benefits and value. Legal name for a brand is trademark and, when it identifies or represents a firm, it is called a brand name. Apple Computers is the epitome of self-empowerment and self-fulfilment combined in one brand. How else to describe a Cult Brand whose original slogan for the Macintosh was, the computer for the rest of us? Of course, the rest of us were those brave individuals who wanted to control their own destinies and break free of the systems controlling grip and authoritarian ways. In the eighties, Apple painted this dark controlling force as being IBM, while in the nineties it became Microsoft and Bill Gates. As Christopher Escher, former VP of Corporation Communications, noted: They turned computers, which are essentially a product for business people to crunch numbers with, into symbols of self-realization and liberation against social constraints. Apple has a branding strategy that focuses on the emotions. The Apple brand personality is about lifestyle; imagination; liberty regained; innovation; passion; hopes, dreams and aspirations; and power-to-the-people through technology. The Apple br and personality is also about simplicity and the removal of complexity from peoples lives; people-driven product design; and about being a really humanistic company with a heartfelt connection with its customers. The 2009 results of Virtues ranking of the most social brands is in, and Apple came out on top.   Apple is one of the most powerful relationship brands, so its not surprising that people talk about it across the social Web.   In fact, Apples iPhone brand took the ultimate top spot in the list of the most social brands, while Apples iTunes brand ranked 6th, and the Apple parent brand ranked 8th.   Interestingly, according to an article from Adweek, the only other companies to have multiple brands ranked in the top 20 of Virtues list were Sony (for both the parent brand and PlayStation) and Microsoft. Apple was successful till the launch of Iphone4 but after the launch of Iphone4 it faced problems regarding the signal problem. The issue relates to the mobile phone signal, with users reporting a drop in signal strength when the phone is held. After knowing from the analysts that recalling Iphone4 would cost the millions, Apple boss Steve Jobs held a meeting after the launch and tried to suppress the problem by offering free bumpers for the customers perceiving it would boost the signal. But, there were still a lot of customers left behind un-satisfied. Positioning: In marketing, positioning has come to mean the process by which marketers try to create an image or identity in the minds of their target market for its product, brand, or organization. Re-positioning involves changing the identity of a product, relative to the identity of competing products, in the collective minds of the target market. De-positioning involves attempting to change the identity of competing products, relative to the identity of your own product, in the collective minds of the target market. It is widely recognized that Apple is a premium brand that demands and earns a price premium.   This price premium spans the entire Apple product line-up encompassing the Macintosh, iPod, iPhone, software, and accessories.   Apples positioning is aligned with targeting a less price sensitive customer.   As a result, Apples culture and internal activities are structured to meet the needs of these customers; strategists call this needs-based positioning.   Apple has thus created a culture and a set of activities to differentiate it from rivals in order to meet the needs of their target customers. If Apple were to attempt to compete for all customer segments, it would have to lower product prices.   The danger with such an approach is that it would not only undermine and erode the companys premium brand image but it would also undermine the companys culture and internal activities. Andreasen and Kotler, (2008) suggest three levels of product features. They are: Core, Tangible, and Augmented (Refer to appendix 1). Core Product. What is the core benefit your product offers?. Customers who purchase a camera are buying more than just a camera they are purchasing memories. For Apple core product is its brand. Actual Product: All cameras capture memories. The aim is to ensure that your potential customers purchase your one. The strategy at this level involves organisations branding, adding features and benefits to ensure that their product offers a differential advantage from their competitors. These are tangible. IPhone come with a beautiful packing. Apple made iTunes the activation agent for the IPhone, thus making customers familiar with its product. Augmented product: What additional non-tangible benefits can you offer? Competition at this level is based around after sales service, warranties, delivery and so on. John Lewis a retail departmental store offers free five year guarantee on purchases of their Television sets, this gives their `customers the additional benefit of piece of mind over the five years should their purchase develop a fault. Apple has setup a Genius bar and offers warranty for the product. This helps its customers to have confidence in the brand thus enables them to buy their product. Apple took care that its product not reaching the decline stage. When 2G seemed to reach decline stage it came forward with 3G and it continued till 4G.Each time it kept on increasing the price which benefited the company. Competitor Actions: Brand attitude also depends on competitor actions. A downturn in Hewlett-Packards attitude occurred during two quarters in which Canon ran some hard-hitting comparison advertising about Hewlett-Packards printers, the most visible Hewlett-Packard product with respect to advertising exposure. More dramatic was the impact of Windows 95. A product intended to neutralize Apples user-friendly comparative advantage, on Apples brand attitude. For the first quarter of 1994 (when Techtel respondents, some of whom were beta version testers, first began to provide opinions about Windows 95) to the fourth quarter of 1997, we find a very strong negative interrelationship (i.e., a correlation of -.95) between the attitudes toward Apple and toward Windows 95. Conclusion: Brand is all-important. Apple is one of the most established and healthy IT brands in the World, and has a very loyal set of enthusiastic customers that advocate the brand. Such a powerful loyalty means that Ample not only recruits new customers, it retains them i.e. they come back for more products and services from Apple, and the company also has the opportunity to extend new products to them Apple is definitely perceived as a premium brand from the customers perspective. But in case of Iphone4, Apple lost reputation from its customers. It felt in a race for cannibalizing their own products and tried to skim off the profits. Even it tried to repair its lost reputation from the customers it was not acceptable from such highly perceived company. Customers expect high valued products from Apple they might take all possible measures to care about its next product. Else, they may fall behind by miles in this market competition. Biblography: Brassington, F., Pettitt, S. (2007). Essentials of Marketing. Essex: Prentice Hall. Dibb, S., Simkin, L., Pride, w. M., Ferrell, O. C. (2006). Marketing Concepts and Strategies (5th ed.). London: Houghton Mifflin. Fill, C. (2007). Communications: Contexts, Strategies and Applications. London: Financial Times Press. Johnson, G., Scholes, K. (2008). Exploring Corporate Strategy: Text and Cases. London: Prentice-Hall. Kotler, P., Armstrong, G. (2006). Principles of marketing. New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc.