Feminist Imagery In Joseph Conrads Heart Of Darkness Essays

Feminist Imagery In Joseph Conrad's Heart Of Darkness Feminist Imagery in Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness Many feminist critics have used Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness to show how Marolw constructs parallels and personification betwee women and the inanimate jungle that he speaks of. The jungle that houses the savages and the remarkable Kurtz has many feminine characteristics. By the end of the novel, it is the same feminized wilderness and darkness that Marlow identifies as being the cause of Kurtz's mental and physical collapse. In Heart of Darkness, the landscape is feminized through a rhetoric of personification. The landscape is constructed as an entity that speaks and acts, and is consequently made to appear as something which is alive. The projection of a face on the landscape works through this same personification. Reference to The sunlit face of the land. . .to the hidden evil, to the profound darkness of its heart (48) is an imitation of apocalyptic resignation, filling Marlow with an apprehension that it looked at you with a vengeful aspect (49). Marlow's suspicion is not that there is someone in the forest watching him, but that it is the forest itself which is watching him. The rhetorical personification of the landscape illuminates the wilderness and gives it life. It is this that Marlow presents as his source of unease as he travels in search of Kurtz. The significance of Kurtz's undoing by the wilderness and Marlow's ethic of restraint is accentuated above all by the account Marlow provides of the wild and gorgeous apparition of a native woman he observes from the steamer: She walked with measured steps, draped in striped and fringed cloths, treading the earth proudly, with a slight jingle and flash of barbarous ornaments. She carried her head high; her hair was done in the shape of a helmet; she had brass leggings to the knee, brass wire gauntlets to the elbow, a crimson spot on her tawny cheek, innumerable necklaces of glass beads on her neck; bizarre things, charms, gifts of witch-men, that hung about her, glittered and trembled at every step. She must have had the value of several elephant tusks upon her. She was savage and superb, wild-eyed and magnificent; there was something ominous and stately in her deliberate progress. And in the hush that had fallen suddenly upon the whole sorrowful land, the immense wilderness, the colossal body of the fecund and mysterious life seemed to look at her, pensive, as though it has been looking at the image of its own tenebrous and passionate soul. She came abreast of the steamer, stood still, and faced us. Her long shadow fell to the water's edge. Her face had a tragic and fierce aspect of wild sorrow and of dumb pain mingled with the fear of some struggling, half-shaped resolve. She stood looking at us without a stir, and like the wilderness itself, with an air of brooding over an inscrutable purpose. (77) The wilderness is figuratively embodied in the form of the native woman, and simultaneously personified as a particular type of femininity. The woman becomes a figure for the fearful consuming embrace of the wilderness and darkness which Marlow identifies as having been the cause of Kurtz's collapse, and from which he is protected only by his restraint: Suddenly she opened her bared arms and threw them up rigid above her head as though in an uncontrollable desire to touch the sky, and at the same time the swift shadows darted out on the earth, swept around on the river, gathering the steamer into a shadowy embrace. (78) The woman spoken of in the above quotation is seen as being Kurtz's mistress throughout the novella. Marlow realizes the sexualized nature of Kurtz's fall through the feminization of the wilderness. This aspect is emphasized when the Russian harlequin tells Marlow that the woman is a confidante of Kurtz himself-she was his mistress, his queen. The suggestion that Kurtz's relation to the native woman is a sexual one is finally confirmed by the representation of the wilderness, of which she is the embodiment, as cannibalistically devouring him. The play between metaphorical and literal imputations of cannibalism establishes that it was Kurtz's own urge to devour the jungle and all of its

Colonist Revolt essays

Colonist Revolt essays Throughout American history there have been many ups and downs, especially in the beginning. When different groups from different parts of the world come together you are going to have conflicts no matter what the situation is. In the case of the American colonists revolting against Great Britain I feel that the American colonist had every right to be angry and wage war. The colonists were treated unfairly and they helped out in changing they way America was and they way it is today. In the beginning Great Britain wanted to tax the American colonist on top of what they had already were being taxed by the local governments. The American colonists did not feel that this was fair and did not want to pay the taxes. I agree with the colonists. There is no reason that they should be taxed twice for the same thing. I do realize that Great Britain was in debt a lot of money from coming to America and helping out to start the New World. I do not feel that they were wrong for what they were trying to do but it was not fair and they could have come up with other solutions. The revolt changed the country economically in many ways. First, the revolt had a huge affect on what was taxed and what was not taxed. I feel that it was appropriate for things to be taxed. With out taxation things can not be paid for to help the economy and help out in fixing things and paying government officials. I can not take the side of the colonist or Great Britain. I feel that they Britain had good intentions and the colonist were just upset because of all the taxation taking place at one time. The different taxes such as the tea tax, the stamp act, and other taxes were brilliant ideas in my mind to take care of the debt and for numerous other things. It is not possible for the government to have any authority without it. I feel that the revolt after it was all over brought many people together and helped to change the way peop ...

Revise paper Term Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Revise - Term Paper Example According to Makarsssyus and Friedman (2005) cosmopolitan societies such as towns and cities have diverse populations since people from various cultural and ethnic backgrounds move to such areas in search of employment. In such societies, medical practitioners require understanding of various languages in order to safeguard the quality of the services they offer. In other disciplines of the practice such as psychiatry, the entire process of attending a patient relies on the quality of the communication between the providers and he patients. I serve as an intern at Chinatown Public Heath Centered located in the City of Sam Francisco, 1490 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA 94133. I work under (insert) and this has helped me in aligning my career interest by being able to serve a linguistically diverse population. My work here involves dealing with immigrants and this has reinforced to me the essence of Multilanguage mastery as a method to spearhead better healthcare services in such environments. As an intern in Chinatown Public Heath Centered, my roles include translating the medical materials of first Aid and CPR learning materials from Cantonese to Mandarin and also from Mandarin to Cantonese. My other roles include updating information on client and assisting the health department staff keep their database current. I also participate in making the learning materials available and useful to the delivery of the services in the centre. Literature has concerned itself with investigating the effects of bilingual knowledge on delivery of healthcare in multiethnic societies. For instance, the National Health and Medical Research Council (2009) investigated the way a physicians’ understanding of multiethnic culture and language affects the ability of such a doctor to deliver services. According to his study, it was found that in multiethnic societies, healthcare stuff who are able to integrate cultural understanding in their service were better able to serve their

Government of South Australia Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Government of South Australia - Assignment Example In this particular case, the damage caused to Thad is attributable to an act of commission by Mick, and which was diametrically opposite to the given set of instructions by the former. Thad just needed a quote for the earthmoving job, and he never made any mention whatsoever of immediately carrying out the job (earthmoving). The fact that Mick acted in conformity with the instructions of Thad, and that it was Bobette who misinterpreted the communication from Mick, is not of any concern to Thad. Secondly, Thad is also empowered to file a suit against Bobette, by invoking the provisions of â€Å"trespass†, as elaborated by the Summary Offences Act 1953. This Law describes â€Å"trespass† as any act by a person, in entering on to the land of another person, without any valid authorization or invitation. As per this Act, the aggrieved party is enabled to carry out legal proceedings against the trespasser, to recover compensation for any damage caused by them (trespasser). (2) In the case, Thad had to face a rather huge loss, on account of the unauthorized earthmoving operation of Bobette, as he lost the highly lucrative offer from Australian Conservation Council. As mentioned earlier, the communication gap between Mick and Bobette can in no way be used to prevent Thad from claiming damages, as throughout the course of all the events related to the case, he (Thad) was always specific in his communications with Mick. 2) In this particular case, Bobcat has very limited options for seeking relief through legal recourse, as well as for claiming the amount of its account. As a matter of fact, this aspect of the case involving Bobette and Mick signifies the most intricate facet of the case. Both of them acted in utmost good faith and the communication gap is attributable solely to the circumstances prevailing during the first telephonic talk between Mick and Bobette.

Management - Group Effectiveness Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Management - Group Effectiveness - Essay Example This paper aims at exploring various dimensions of team effectiveness and strategies. An example of a cross functional team will also be discussed to build a clear understanding of issues and problems in building effective teams from a practical approach. Formation of Group Formation of the group is the first and the most fundamental part of group effectiveness. The selection of the right size and the right members is of vital importance for the success of any group. My group was formed when my organization decided to launch a new product. It was line extension. My organization formed a cross functional team. Group members were selected from different departments according to the requirements of the project. My group consisted of eight employees from three different departments of the organization i.e. procurement and supply chain, production and marketing. The purpose or task of the group was the successful launch of the product. Like all work groups my group also passed through the four stages of group development after formation namely mutual acceptance, decision making, motivation and commitment, and control and sanction. When a group passes through these stages, a successful group becomes a mature group. According to the group development model any group has three major issues i.e. interpersonal issues, task issues, and authority issues. Group effectiveness can be increased by taking care of these three issues. The interpersonal issues include aspects like trust, personal comfort and security. The task issues include purpose of the group, what the group wants to achieve i.e. the expected outcomes and the methods utilized to achieve those outcomes. The authority issue deals with the hierarchy of power and role definition of every member in the group along with the chain of command. A clear and unambiguous definition of these issues helps improves effectiveness of the group (Debra L. Nelson, 2011). Group Effectiveness There are various external and internal factors that are responsible for group effectiveness. It includes group size, time, diversity in group in terms of gender, age, culture and interpersonal diversity, group cohesion, norms of the group etc. Our group had all these factors. There are many characteristics of a successful group such as an effective open communication possible through a relaxed, comfortable and informal atmosphere. The group task which was in our case was the successful launch of the product in the predetermined time lines, must be clear to all group members. Group members are not able to hold task open discussions about task related goals but are keen to listen to one another. Group cohesion and communication is so strong that people express both their feelings and ideas. Conflicts do happen as a healthy sign but they revolve around task, methods and ideas and not personalities. The group has a good understanding and is aware and conscious of its functions. Decisions are taken through mutual consensus. G roup assigns clear duties to each member with their consent. My group has all these characteristics of an effective group (Jane Goodman, 2006). Effective Group Communication The study of group dynamics in various theories and research revealed that enhancing group effectiveness requires complex skills, techniques and knowledge that creates choices, opportunities and success not only for the group but for the individual as well. Effective communication was identified as an effective tool in

Information Gathering for Geography Data Collection

Information Gathering for Geography Data Collection Introduction: During the last decade, there has been an increase of the integration of visual methodologies, with geographical research. This aspect has managed to gain an increased attention from geographic researchers. Currently, it is easy for Geographers to access the tools of visual reproduction and production. The society is heavily influenced by visual representations and images. It is easier to pass on information through visual and imagery representation, as opposed to the use of words and symbols. However, the interpretations of these visual images normally lack a critical awareness or analysis. This is because they are always interpreted on a face value. Cloke (2004) explains that visual communication normally occurs through the help of visual aids. It is described as a conveyance of information and ideas in forms that it is easy to read, understand, and look upon. Thrift and Kitchin (2009) further explains that visual communication greatly relies on vision. Furthermore, it is always expressed or presented with two dimensional images. This includes typography, signs, graphic design, drawings, animation, illustration, advertising, industrial design, etc. Visual communication, explores the concept that visual messages that are accompanied by words have great capability of educating, informing, or persuading the audience of the message under consideration (Rubenstein, 2009). Geographers mainly use visual methodology as part of qualitative method of gathering data. This paper gives a discussion on the different ways whereby geographers have managed to incorporate the various visual methods in their research. This is by using a range of examples. Some of the major visual techniques analyzed in this paper include auto-photography, and participatory video making. Auto-Photography and Geographic Research: Auto photography is an example of an ethnographic research methodology. It provides a tool used in qualitative research methods that help in understanding the qualities of an environment, and geographic locations. This tool is on most occasions used by human geographers for purposes of collecting information. This is mainly because of advances in photographic technology, it is easy to access it, and it is also affordable. Stockinger (2013) explains that auto-photography is directly related to film development, and it relies on the camera technology. In geography, the use of auto-photography is directly related to the invention of disposable cameras (Phoenix, 2010). This was a one-time user camera which could not operate without a film. These types of cameras were very popular in the 1990s, and this is because it was a new technology, and it was easy to use the cameras for purposes of taking images (Kitchin, 2009). For new researchers, and those without a substantial amount of research funds, this method of data collection was very expensive (Teese, 2008). However, with the emergence of digital cameras, it is now cheaper to use auto-photography for purposes of collecting geographic data. Furthermore, it is easy to take a large volume of photos, through the use of digital cameras (Rubenstein, 2009). Furthermore, because of a drop in the cost of equipments, geographic researchers have gained the capability of developing their own videos that consists of data collected. Under human geography, researchers have used auto-photography to study the geographic location and elements of children all over the world (Gomez and Jones, 2010). This technology is easy to use, when studying children. This is because it is easy to categorize these children into subject groups. These children might find it intimidating or difficult to understand the verbal language of research, hence the use of auto-photography. Stockinger (2013) explains that auto-photography is not restricted to the study of only children. It can be used to study and collect data on time-space geographies, human identity, and the interactions between human beings, and the environment. The early pioneers on the use of auto-photography in geography are Joan Wingate and Stuart Aitken (Stockinger, 2013). This is through their study on how the environment affects children, and how to use auto-photography to help adult researchers to understand the different views of children, regarding their environments. This work was able to incorporate the methodological approach in the children’s geographies which emphasized on the everyday and local lives of children. It further analyzed the impact of social differences like ethnicity, race and income, on the environmental mobility and experience of children (Reason, 2008). In concluding their research, the two authors denoted that children who suffered from cerebral palsy, and whose movements were restricted, engaged in taking photographs, as compared to their counter parts, who were normal (Rubenstein, 2009). Furthermore, watching other children playing was a way in which a disabled child was able to participate in the playing activity. Auto-Photography is not only used in the geographic study of children. It is also possible to use it in studying time and space. This is better depicted in a study by Johnson, May and Cloke (2008) on the geography of homelessness. Under this research, the researcher were analyzing the various strategies in which homeless people use for purposes of protecting themselves, and maintaining their areas of residence, i.e. space. This is because the homeless are always vulnerable to intimidations and exploitation, and when they are found in wrong places, people would chase them. Johnson, May and Cloke (2008) believes that aut o-photography is an important source of getting information. It is far much more useful that traditional sources of information such as books, and newspapers. It complements these sources of information. Furthermore, auto-photography has been used in accelerating the spatial development of Urbanization on Guangzhou (Phoenix, 2010). This is a province located in China. For example, in the year 2000, Guangzhou began a series of spatial expansion. This was after its merger with the districts of Huadu and Panyu. To effectively develop the province, there was a need of proper urban planning and development (Kochak, 2006). The use of auto-photography was essentially in this aspect. Urban planners of Guangzhou took a series of photographs, of various locations of the province. This was for purposes of studying them, and hence coming up with a better policy, on how to plan the province. Policy formulators were able to use these photos for purposes of planning to build an extensive road network that connected the province of Guangzhou and Foshan (Chiang, 2005). This is clearly depicted on the North Western border of the provinces of Guangzhou and Foshan. The construction land between the borders of these two provinces is directly connected with one another, and road network has approximately sixty intersections (Loo, 20 09). This is for future expansion. Participatory Video Making and Geographic Research: Participatory video is a process in which the participants work together for purposes of creating a video in regard to their common experiences. It is also a way of making an inquiry of the various challenges that affect the lives of the participants (Kitchin, 2009). This concept is widely used in the collection of data when studying human geography. Due to the immense benefits that participatory video making has, geographers have emphasized on its use in the collection of data. Under participatory video making, the participants and the researcher are joint owners of the data that emanates from the research (Rubenstein, 2009). This research emphasizes that social action is an important part of a research. Furthermore, social action is exploratory, relational, and unpredictable. Participatory video making is therefore seen as an opportunity for empowering geographers with social skills that can help them to efficiently interact with the participants of the research (Chiang, 2005). Don Snowden was the first person to engage in participatory video making (Kitchin, 2009). He pioneered the use of media for purposes of enabling the community to develop various solutions to their problems. In his research, Snowden was able to work Colin Low a film maker (Kitchin, 2009). He carried out a study of Fogo Island, which was a small fishing community in Canada. His main aim was to identify the various challenges and opportunities that are experienced by the residents of this community. In this research, Snowden managed to develop a film on different villages in the Island (Hueber and Alderman, 2011). These films illustrated various challenges that they were facing, and the ways of overcoming these challenges. By watching the videos of each village, the different villagers in the island were able to realize that they were facing similar problems (Bergman, 2010). On this basis, they had to come together for purposes of ensuring that they develop a solution to the problems that were facing them (Hueber and Alderman, 2011). Politicians were also able to view these videos. On most occasions, politicians were very busy, and unable to visit the Island, and learn on the different problems that the Islanders were facing. Furthermore, the Island was far away from the main land of Canada. As a result of the production of this video, the government was able to change its policies regarding the Fogo Island (Hueber and Alderman, 2011). This is by improving the welfare of the people of Fogo Island through education, and building of infrastructures that could enable them carry out their fishing practices in an efficient manner. Furthermore, people within the Island began collaborating with each other for purposes of finding a solution to the problems that affected them. This technique was so successful that other geographers began using participatory video making in collecting data. Hester Parr examines the use of participatory video making in a mental health institution. Parr (2007) believes that it is possible to use participative video making for purposes of helping to change the manner in which the society views people with mental problems or disability. Furthermore, she explains that video making is useful in helping to hold important data about the effects that arts has on the mental health of another person. Parr (2007) argues that participative video making is a collaborative process that requires the cooperation of all the parties involved in it. This would therefore make it possible for the participants to provide an in-depth data regarding the problems of the research. On this basis, Parr (2007) explains that participative video making is an important aspect that can help in solving the problems of a society. For instance, Parr (2007) explains that the use of a video referred to as Recovering Lives was successful in positively depicting the mentally ill people in Dundee. The filmmakers were able to collaborate with the mentally ill individuals in coming up with this video. They had an opportunity of telling their experiences and challenges that they face while living with this disability (Hay, 2010). On this basis, the filmmakers succeeded in explaining the different problems that mentally ill people face. Conclusion: Currently, most geographers are involved in gathering information through the use of visual methods of data collection. The most prominent of these methods are auto-photography, and the use of participative video making. Auto- Photography has been made possible because of the emergence of digital cameras. This makes it easier for geographers to take as many photos as possible. It is also a cheap method of collecting data, because digital carry are easy to afford. On the other hand, participative video making involves collection of data through film. Under this method, the geographer would collaborate with the population, while gathering data concerning a particular area of their research. These methods are used by geographers to solve a particular social problem. They are widely used in the area of human geography. Bibliography: Bergman, B. J. (2010). Making the Most of Your Video Collection: Trends in Patron Access and  Resource Sharing. Library Trends, 58(3), 335-348. Chiang, T. (2005). Historical geography in China. Progress in Human Geography, 29(2), 148-164. Cloke, P. J. (2004). Practising human geography. London: SAGE. Gomez, B., Jones, J. P. (2010). Research methods in geography: a critical introduction.  Chichester, West Sussex, U.K.: Wiley-Blackwell. Hay, I. (2010). Qualitative research methods in human geography (3rd ed.). Oxford: Oxford  University Press. Hueber, A. M., Alderman, D. H. (2011). Analyzing resident place satisfaction in a tourist  destination through auto-photography the case of Southern Shores, North Carolina.  Greenville, N.C.: East Carolina University. Johnsen, S., May, J., Cloke, P. (2008). Imag(in)ing ‘homeless places’: using auto-photography  to (re)examine the geographies of homelessness. Area, 40, 194-207. Kitchin, R. (2009). International encyclopedia of human geography. Amsterdam: Elsevier. Kochak, A. K. (2006). Development Indices: A Comparative Study of India and China. China  Report, 42(1), 57-68. Loo, B. P. (2009). An overview of transport geography in China. Journal of Transport  Geography, 17(5), 419-420. Parr, H. (2007). Collaborative film-making as process, method and text in mental health  research. Cultural Geography, 14, 114-138. Phoenix, C. (2010). Auto-photography In Aging Studies: Exploring Issues Of Identity  Construction In Mature Bodybuilders. Journal of Aging Studies, 24(3), 167-180. Reason, P. (2008). The SAGE handbook of action research: participative inquiry and practice  (2nd ed.). Los Angeles, Calif.: SAGE. Rubenstein, J. M. (2005). The cultural landscape: an introduction to human geography (8th ed.).  Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson/Prentice Hall. Stockinger, P. (2013). Digital Audiovisual Archives. London: Wiley. Teese, B. (2008). Making Use of Video Interlacing. The Physics Teacher, 46(L1), L1. Thrift, N. J., Kitchin, R. (2009). International encyclopedia of human geography. Amterdam:  Elsevier.

Salman Rushdies Midnights Children Essay -- Salman Rushdie Midnight

Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children Salman Rushdie's creation, Saleem Sinai, has a self-proclaimed "overpowering desire for form" (363). In writing his own autobiography Saleem seems to be after what Frank Kermode says every writer is a after: concordance. Concordance would allow Saleem to bring meaning to moments in the "middest" by elucidating (or creating) their coherence with moments in the past and future. While Kermode talks about providing this order primarily through an "imaginatively predicted future" (8), Saleem approaches the project by ordering everything in his past into neat, causal relationships, with each event a result of what preceded it. While he is frequently skeptical of the true order of the past, he never doubts its eminence; he is certain that everyone is "handcuffed to history" (482). His belief in the preeminence of the past, though, is distinctly different than the reality of time for the Saleem who emerges through that part of the novel that Gerard Genette calls "the event that consists of someone recounting something" (26) (Saleem-now, we can call this figure). Saleem-now is motivated to act not by the past, but instead by the uncertainty and ambiguity of the future. Saleem's construction of his own story is an effort to mitigate the lack of control he feels in looking toward the unknown future. To pacify himself he creates a world that is ordered but this world is contrary to his own reality. Saleem spends much of his energy in the story setting up neat causal relationships between events in his past to demonstrate his place "at the center of things" (272). He carefully mentions his tumble into the middle of a parade for the partition of Bombay and then proceeds to propose that "in this w... ...e idea of apocalypse. His emphasis on the future rather than the past seems, in part, an implicit statement about the ease with which order is found in the past†¹historians have a much easier time than futurists, and Kermode would rather deal with the task of the tougher profession. Martin Heidigger's explanation for the way the individual in the midst of time gains meaning similarly emphasizes the future: "running ahead is the fundamental way in which the interpretation of Dasein is carried through" (13). In his creation of Saleem-now Rushdie seems to agree with the vitality of the future in defining the individual, and by juxtaposing this reality with the temporality that Saleem hopes for, Rushdie exposes the temporal myth that a too-strong-desire for concordance can engender. Work Cited Rushdie, Salman. Midnight's Children. Great Britain: Arrow Books, 1995. Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children Essay -- Salman Rushdie Midnight' Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children Salman Rushdie's creation, Saleem Sinai, has a self-proclaimed "overpowering desire for form" (363). In writing his own autobiography Saleem seems to be after what Frank Kermode says every writer is a after: concordance. Concordance would allow Saleem to bring meaning to moments in the "middest" by elucidating (or creating) their coherence with moments in the past and future. While Kermode talks about providing this order primarily through an "imaginatively predicted future" (8), Saleem approaches the project by ordering everything in his past into neat, causal relationships, with each event a result of what preceded it. While he is frequently skeptical of the true order of the past, he never doubts its eminence; he is certain that everyone is "handcuffed to history" (482). His belief in the preeminence of the past, though, is distinctly different than the reality of time for the Saleem who emerges through that part of the novel that Gerard Genette calls "the event that consists of someone recounting something" (26) (Saleem-now, we can call this figure). Saleem-now is motivated to act not by the past, but instead by the uncertainty and ambiguity of the future. Saleem's construction of his own story is an effort to mitigate the lack of control he feels in looking toward the unknown future. To pacify himself he creates a world that is ordered but this world is contrary to his own reality. Saleem spends much of his energy in the story setting up neat causal relationships between events in his past to demonstrate his place "at the center of things" (272). He carefully mentions his tumble into the middle of a parade for the partition of Bombay and then proceeds to propose that "in this w... ...e idea of apocalypse. His emphasis on the future rather than the past seems, in part, an implicit statement about the ease with which order is found in the past†¹historians have a much easier time than futurists, and Kermode would rather deal with the task of the tougher profession. Martin Heidigger's explanation for the way the individual in the midst of time gains meaning similarly emphasizes the future: "running ahead is the fundamental way in which the interpretation of Dasein is carried through" (13). In his creation of Saleem-now Rushdie seems to agree with the vitality of the future in defining the individual, and by juxtaposing this reality with the temporality that Saleem hopes for, Rushdie exposes the temporal myth that a too-strong-desire for concordance can engender. Work Cited Rushdie, Salman. Midnight's Children. Great Britain: Arrow Books, 1995.

Food Waste in the U.K.

Wasted Food We have a lot of problems in the world today and one of these problems is food waste. I will be going over facts and statistics of one of the leading countries that produces food waste; the United Kingdom. There is another problem out there that could reduce this problem and that is United Kingdom citizens that are malnourished and starving to death. What if one problem was another problems solution? The amount of food waste worldwide could end world hunger and save thousands of lives.It is easy to sit at home with a full belly and full fridge and not think of these kinds of problems. If every time people were going to throw away perfectly good food and saw a starving family or child they would easily give that family or child the food. The problem is we do not see these family and children every day. The average United Kingdom family is wasting nearly 60 euros a month by throwing away almost an entire meal a day (Smithies). This is 24 meals a month, adding up to 4. 2 mil lion tons of food and drink every year that could have been consumed (Smithies).The UK food industry is wasting an estimated cost of 5 billion euros per year (GOB). Reducing the volume of food wasted in food manufacturing, retailing and foddering operations means reducing the overall costs of these operations. Efficient, cost-effective companies are best positioned to deliver affordable products to consumers, grow, create Jobs and support their communities (FAR). England itself has a huge hunger problem that people are not aware of. In 2008, 3,161 patients were admitted to hospital in England which went up to more than 5,400 in 2012 (Hope).The number of people fed by food banks has gone up from 26,000 in 2008 to 347,000 in 2012 (Hope). England is considered to have a surplus of food supply and from the evidence shown in the first paragraph these next statistics go back to my point of solving a problem with a problem. 78 percent of malnourished children live in countries that have a surplus of food and there is enough food being produced in the world today to feed every person 2,720 calories each day. Hunger is the world's number 1 health risk it kills more people than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined (Food Security and Welfare Politics).Food Waste does not only effect people who are malnourished and hungry but it also hurting our environment. When food waste decomposes in a landfill, it generates methane, a potent greenhouse gas with 21 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide. Keeping food waste out of landfills will result in reduced methane emissions. Also, growing food requires many resources, including water and energy. Wasted food is a waste of the resources used to grow it (FAR). Eliminating food waste at the source is the preferred approach.But when food waste is generated, it can be recycled into impost or energy, which offer a number of environmental benefits. Compost improves soil health and structure, increases drought resistance , and reduces the need for other fertilizer. Also, food waste doesn't create methane in a compost system the way it does in a landfill. Food waste can also be turned into renewable energy through anaerobic digestion, where the methane emissions from broken down food are captured to produce biogas, heat and energy (FAR).The solution to this problem of food waste has already started and there are a lot of great organizations out there that everyone should be aware of. The Food Waste Reduction Alliance is an example of a great organization that more people need to be aware of. The Food Waste Reduction Alliance (FAR) is a collaborative effort of the Grocery Manufacturers Association, the Food Marketing Institute, and the National Restaurant Association. The FARMS mission is to reduce the volume of food waste sent to landfill by addressing the root causes of waste, and securing pathways to donate or recycle unavoidable food waste (FAR).Large food producing companies in the United Kingdom have started to make progress Tests has agreed to reduce its multi-buy teems and other promotions after revealing that 35% of its bagged salad is being thrown out (Smithies). The United Kingdom is working with Waste and Resources Action Programmer's and businesses on voluntary agreements to reduce food and packaging waste as well as providing ideas and information to help waste less, through the WRAPS Love Food, Hate Waste campaign (GOB).Another great example of ways the United Kingdom government are reducing waste is the Courtyard Commitment a responsibility deal in the grocery retail sector which includes finding says to reducing household waste from groceries, and also the hospitality and food service voluntary agreement, which aims to cut food and associated packaging waste by 5 percent and increase the overall rate of food and packaging waste that is being recycled, sent to anaerobic digestion or composted to 70 percent by 2015.In conclusion food waste in the United Kingdom is Just a small portion of what is going on around the world. The United Kingdom itself is wasting enough food to feed Europe, imagine the statistics and facts of the rest of Europe and even the United States. This seems to be a problem that is so easy to solve that it's hard. There are a lot of great organizations out there doing the right thing and politicians who are trying to pass the laws to stop wood waste.

The New Deal and Social Welfare Policy

The New Deal and Social Welfare Policy Introduction The New Deal is a term that was popularized by Franklin Roosevelt. It had programs and measures that he came up with to cope with the problems experienced. These problems arose because of the great depression, which occurred in the United States in 1930.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The New Deal and Social Welfare Policy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The New Deal involved a number of reforms that were focused to deal with problems affecting the social, economic and government arenas. It was adopted by each state. It went a long way in helping the US as a country especially in pulling it out of this hard time. This is why it was considered as a major breakthrough in American history (Shlaes, 2007). The social welfare system in America changed greatly during the 1930s. Before the changes, the local governments for each region distributed relief. Consequently, this led to the rise of various problems, as there were some scandals that arose. In 1933, the method was changed and the system was made much larger. The parties that were involved in this were the federal, state and local government. Bureaucracy dominated the scene because of these actions. The permanent social welfare system that was developed by the social security act contributed significantly to this process (Jansson, 2012). Social and economic conditions that led to the enactment of the New Deal programs The great depression This is one of the major problems that led to the need to adopt the New Deal. Various factors led to this. A key factor, which was a major cause of the great depression, was the stock market crash, which took place in the year 1929. There was a major loss of about 40 billion dollars within a period of only two years (Shlaes, 2007) Stockholders had lost too much money; despite attempts to recover some of the losses, the gap could still not be filled. By 1930, the great depression became inevitable. After the stock market crash, banks started failing. Over nine thousand banks closed, due to the difficulties they were experiencing. The remaining banks were not insured, and people lost their savings when the banks crashed. The remaining banks in order to remain afloat restricted the issuing of loans hence making it hard for most businesses to sustain themselves (Shlaes, 2007).Advertising Looking for research paper on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More A major outcome of the great depression was unemployment. Due to the crash of the stock market and banks, many people lost their jobs. This was due to the rampant layoffs to maintain the businesses. Some businesses went bankrupt hence the workers from the failed businesses lost their jobs. The decline of the buying of goods also led to unemployment. People became unsure of the situation after the stock market crash and bank failures. They decided to keep their money. This, in turn, led to less production hence bringing down the need of a big workforce, which eventually led to a reduction in labor. Another blow to the economy was the policy to reduce the number of imports from Europe from entering the country. Though this policy served to protect American companies, it led to a decline in trade between the countries, and eventually resulted to economic restrictions as the countries also held back in supplying resources that were needed by the US (Jansson, 2012). Unemployment led to rural to urban migration as many people who were unemployed decided to move to urban centers to try their luck in getting jobs. Most people in the rural areas who are farmers experienced severe poverty. They had over exploited the soils and did not have the funds to invest in agriculture. This led to a large influx of people moving to the urban centers, and this, in turn, led to an increase in population in the areas. The situation was further worsen ed by the fact that foreigners were also entering the country in large numbers to get jobs. These migrations led to the overpopulation of the urban centers. Overpopulation led to overcrowding which resulted in a strain on the social amenities, as the services were not enough for the large population. This also resulted in an increase in the crime rate as certain people opted for unacceptable methods of getting income.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The New Deal and Social Welfare Policy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Some companies took advantage of this situation and employed underage children at a very low wage to save money. Housing also became a problem, as the houses available could not hold the large population. This led to homelessness as many citizens could not afford homes and the rent was unaffordable to them. There was a big problem when it came to social welfare services. Non-profit organizat ions that volunteered and the local government did the provision of social welfare services. This minimized welfare, and in most cases, it was discriminatory. African Americans were given almost no welfare assistance benefits (Barrow, 2007). The system at this time was also corrupt as most welfare money was misused and unaccounted for (Jansson, 2012). New Deal Programs There was the Emergency Banking Act. This was established immediately after President Roosevelt took over presidency. FDR issued an order for the closure of all the banks in the country. Congress had passed the emergency Banking Act that authorized the government to assess all the banks in terms of their sustainability. This policy was meant to ensure that all the banks that were operating were legit and well managed. During the great depression, many banks had closed due to poor management and this greatly affected the economy and citizens (Jansson, 2012). The implementation of this program was to ensure that such a scenario would not happen again. The formation of the FDIC – the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation was implemented to insure bank credits worth 5000 US dollars. This greatly boosted the banking sector. It reassured the citizens that banks were safe and in case of any complications, compensation was guaranteed. Good banks were then re-allowed to reopen and in a very limited time span, the citizens re-deposited their money in the banks (Venn, 1998).Advertising Looking for research paper on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The Social Security Act was another program in the New Deal package. It aimed to give welfare services and benefits to those who needed assistance. It was established after a careful scrutiny of the problems the citizens were experiencing and how the government would chip in to support them. It included the provision of pensions after a citizen was no longer employed. This was to ensure that the retiree could still be getting some money to help them through their problems. It also included benefits for survivors of industrial accidents; there was unemployment insurance, aid for mothers who were dependant and their siblings. It also catered for the physically challenged (Jansson, 2012). This Act assured the citizens of peace of mind in case these unexpected and unavoidable circumstances happened. This policy was very effective as it responded to the problems of the disadvantaged groups in the society and in turn offered millions of citizens’ security. This Act has had a huge i mpact on the current welfare policy as the current policy has adopted most of this principles and ideologies into its system. Most if not all of these policies may be currently adopted into the current welfare policy. The only difference is that they have been re-modified to fit the current conditions. A number of organizations were also set up to help in the implementation of the New Deal. An example of one of the organizations is the Home Owners Loan Corporation (HOLC). HOLC was set up to deal with the issue of home ownership. Many people were experiencing this common problem because of unemployment. This made many people appear unable to afford homes and eventually led them to lose their jobs. This organization was formed to prevent specifically people from losing their jobs. It did this by refinancing mortgages of average paid citizens who owned homes. This was helpful in the regulation of home repossessions (Jansson, 2012). Another organization that was set up was the Federal E mergency Relief Administration (FERA). Harry Hopkins managed this. The agency funded depleting relief agencies. It gave out five million dollars in two hours. This program also funded public work programs. The main reason this program was set up was so that it could help in sustaining the other relief programs that were experiencing financial difficulties. Getting finances was a major problem during this time as not many groups were willing to fund these agencies. Relief agencies aided a lot as they helped the people significantly, especially the needy. These organizations have had a huge impact on the current social welfare policy. From their establishment the government still gives home financial aid to the citizens who are not in a position to finance their home mortgages, it also funds banks and in turn influences the low cost of mortgages. The government also makes an initiative to fund relief agencies when they experience problems. Conclusion The New Deal marked a significant turning point in American history. Its adaptation resulted in the pull of America from a hard financial time. Before the implementation and enactment of the New Deal, the country was going through a number of social and economic conditions that were not favorable to the citizens. These conditions were the great depression, unemployment, rural to urban migration, overcrowding, crime etc. The main reason that led to the need for reforms through the New Deal was the great depression. This caused many problems in the country (Venn, 1998). Its implementation was dependent on a number of programs. These programs were focused on key aspects that were affecting the people. Three important programs that were incorporated in this plan was the Emergency Banking Act, which was aided by the formation of the Federal deposit insurance corporation (FDIC). The second program was the Social Security Act. Some organizations were also set up as programs this included the Home Owners Loan Corporation an d Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA). These programs have also influenced and affected the current social welfare policy. The current social welfare policy has been created based on the ideologies and aspects dwelt on at that time. The basic ideas remain the same, but the only difference is in the addition of more policies and the restructure of the old ones, to fit the current social and economic conditions. References Barrow, F.H. (2007). Forrester Blanchard Washington and his advocacy for African Americans in the new deal. Social Work, 25(4), 201-208 Jansson, B. S. (2012). The reluctant welfare state. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Shlaes, A. (2007). The forgotten man: A new history of the great depression. New York: HarperCollins Publishers. Venn, F. (1998)The new deal, Edinburgh, England: Edinburgh University Press.

Witch Trials In The Crucible by Arthur Miller

Witch Trials In The Crucible by Arthur Miller Free Online Research Papers The Crucible Witch Trials In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, the madness of the Salem witch trials is explored in great detail. There are many theories as to why the witch trials came about, the most popular of which is the girls suppressed childhoods. However, there were other factors as well, such as Abigail Williams affair with John Proctor, the secret grudges that neighbors held against each other, and the physical and economic differences between the citizens of Salem Village. From a historical viewpoint, it is known that young girls in colonial Massachusetts were given little or no freedom to act like children. They were expected to walk straight, arms by their sides, eyes slightly downcast, and their mouths were to be shut unless otherwise asked to speak. It is not surprising that the girls would find this type of lifestyle very constricting. To rebel against it, they played pranks, such as dancing in the woods, listening to slaves magic stories and pretending that other villa gers were bewitching them. The Crucible starts after the girls in the village have been caught dancing in the woods. As one of them falls sick, rumors start to fly that there is witchcraft going on in the woods, and that the sick girl is bewitched. Once the girls talk to each other, they become more and more frightened of being accused as witches, so Abigail starts accusing others of practicing witchcraft. The other girls all join in so that the blame will not be placed on them. In The Crucible, Abigail starts the accusations by saying, I go back to Jesus; I kiss his hand. I saw Sarah Good with the Devil! I saw Goody Osburn with the Devil! I saw Bridget Bishop with the Devil! Another girl, Betty, continues the cry with, I saw George Jacobs with the Devil! I saw Goody Howe with the Devil! *From here on, the accusations grow and grow until the jails overflow with accused witches. It must have given them an incredible sense of power when the whole town of Salem listened to their words and believed each and every accusation. After all, children were to be seen and not heard in Puritan society, and the newfound attention was probably overwhelming. In Act Three of The Crucible, the girls were called before the judges to defend themselves against the claims that they were only acting. To prove their innocence, Abigail led the other girls in a chilling scene. Abby acted as if Mary Warren sent her spirit up to the rafters and began to talk to the spirit. Oh Mary, this is a black art to change your shape. No, I cannot, I cannot stop my mouth; its Gods work I do. The other girls all stared at the rafters in horror and began to repeat everything they heard. Finally, the girls hysterics caused Mary Warren to accuse John Proctor of witchcraft. Once the scam started, it was too late to stop, and the snowballing effect of wild accusations soon resulted in the hanging of many innocents. After the wave of accusations began, grudges began to surface in the community. Small slights were made out to be witchcraft, and bad business deals were blamed on witchery. Two characters in The Crucible, Giles Corey and Thomas Putnam, argue early on abou t a plot of land. Corey claims that he bought it from Goody Nurse but Putnam says he owns it, and Goody Nurse had no right to sell it. Later, when Putnams daughter accuses George Jacobs of witchery, Corey claims that Putnam only wants Jacobs land. Giles says, If Jacobs hangs for a witch he forfeit up his property thats law! And there is none but Putnam with the coin to buy so great a piece. This man is killing his neighbors for their land! Others also had hidden motives for accusing their neighbors. Once the accusations began, everyone had a reason to accuse someone else which is why the hangings got so out of hand. The wave of accusations can be likened to mass hysteria, in which the people involved are so caught up that they start having delusions of neighbors out to do them harm. One of the main accusers, Abigail Williams, had an ulterior motive for accusing Elizabeth Proctor. In The Crucible, Abigail believed that if she got rid of Goody Proctor, then John Proctor, her husband, would turn to Abby. John Proctor had an affair with Abigail, but for him it was just lust, while Abigail believed it to be true love. She told John that he loves her, and once she destroys Elizabeth, they will be free to love one another. John is horrified at this, but can do nothing to convince Abigail that he is not in love with her. Because of Abigails twisted plot to secure John for herself, Elizabeth is arrested. It is the hidden motives behind the accusations that fan the flames of the Salem witch trials. To get the complete picture of the causes behind the witch trials, you must look at the physical reasons as well. Two historians, Paul Boyer and Stephen Nissenbaum, drew a map of Salem Village and plotted the accusers, the defendants, and the accused witches. An interesting picture arose when a line was drawn dividing the town into east and west. It became clear that nearly all the accusers lived on the west side, and almost all the defenders and accused witches lived on the east side. To determine the cause of the east-west split, the historians examined many disputes, chief among them being the choice of ministers. Once Salem Village was granted the right to have its own meeting house, quarrels arose over who would preach in the pulpit. There were four ministers between the time period of when the meeting house was built and the end of the witch trials. The arguments over ministers soon became a power struggle. There were two factions that arose during this dispute, and it was noted that one group supported two ministers while the other group supported the other two ministers. Each group wanted to prove its influence by choosing a minister and making him the spiritual guide to Salem Village. The two groups were found to coincide closely with the east-west division. When the economical divisions of the village were examined, it was found that in general the western citizens of Salem Village lived an agrarian lifestyle and were hard-pressed economicall y. The land on the western side was well-suited to farming and grazing. By contrast, the villagers on the east side were mainly merchants and lived fairly opulently. The road to Salem Town traveled through the east side of Salem Village. Many innkeepers and tavern owners lived on this road and made a good profit off all the travelers. Tension often arose between the two groups because of their vastly different lifestyles. It is not difficult to see why a catastrophe such as the Salem witch trials occurred. Once one accusation was made, it was easy to release all the buried suspicions and hatred into a wave of madness. The Crucible simplifies the cause to make for a better story, but in reality the reasons for the witch craft accusations were much more complex. The reasons behind the accusations would result in many more quarrels over the years, but none as interesting or as horrifying as the Salem witch trials. In such a straight-laced Puritan society, there lived many people with h idden darkness in their hearts, and the Salem witch trials exposed and magnified the consequences of those black desires. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, the madness of the Salem witch trials is explored in great detail. There are many theories as to why the witch trials came about, the most popular of which is the girls suppressed childhoods. However, there were other factors as well, such as Abigail Williams affair with John Proctor, the secret grudges that neighbors held against each other, and the physical and economic differences between the citizens of Salem Village. From a historical viewpoint, it is known that young girls in colonial Massachusetts were given little or no freedom to act like children. They were expected to walk straight, arms by their sides, eyes slightly downcast, and their mouths were to be shut unless otherwise asked to speak. It is not surprising that the girls would find this type of lifestyle very constricting. To rebel against it, they played pranks, such as dancing in the woods, listening to slaves magic stories and pretending that other villagers were bewitching them. The Crucible starts after the girls in the village have been caught dancing in the woods. As one of them falls sick, rumors start to fly that there is witchcraft going on in the woods, and that the sick girl is bewitched. Once the girls talk to each other, they become more and more frightened of being accused as witches, so Abigail starts accusing others of practicing witchcraft. The other girls all join in so that the blame will not be placed on them. In The Crucible, Abigail starts the accusations by saying, I go back to Jesus; I kiss his hand. I saw Sarah Good with the Devil! I saw Goody Osburn with the Devil! I saw Bridget Bishop with the Devil! Another girl, Betty, continues the cry with, I saw George Jacobs with the Devil! I saw Goody Howe with the Devil! *From here on, the accusations grow and grow until the jails overflow with accused witches. It must ha ve given them an incredible sense of power when the whole town of Salem listened to their words and believed each and every accusation. After all, children were to be seen and not heard in Puritan society, and the newfound attention was probably overwhelming. In Act Three of The Crucible, the girls were called before the judges to defend themselves against the claims that they were only acting. To prove their innocence, Abigail led the other girls in a chilling scene. Abby acted as if Mary Warren sent her spirit up to the rafters and began to talk to the spirit. Oh Mary, this is a black art to change your shape. No, I cannot, I cannot stop my mouth; its Gods work I do. The other girls all stared at the rafters in horror and began to repeat everything they heard. Finally, the girls hysterics caused Mary Warren to accuse John Proctor of witchcraft. Once the scam started, it was too late to stop, and the snowballing effect of wild accusations soon resulted in the hanging of many innoce nts. After the wave of accusations began, grudges began to surface in the community. Small slights were made out to be witchcraft, and bad business deals were blamed on witchery. Two characters in The Crucible, Giles Corey and Thomas Putnam, argue early on about a plot of land. Corey claims that he bought it from Goody Nurse but Putnam says he owns it, and Goody Nurse had no right to sell it. Later, when Putnams daughter accuses George Jacobs of witchery, Corey claims that Putnam only wants Jacobs land. Giles says, If Jacobs hangs for a witch he forfeit up his property thats law! And there is none but Putnam with the coin to buy so great a piece. This man is killing his neighbors for their land! Others also had hidden motives for accusing their neighbors. Once the accusations began, everyone had a reason to accuse someone else which is why the hangings got so out of hand. The wave of accusations can be likened to mass hysteria, in which the people involved are so caught up that the y start having delusions of neighbors out to do them harm. One of the main accusers, Abigail Williams, had an ulterior motive for accusing Elizabeth Proctor. In The Crucible, Abigail believed that if she got rid of Goody Proctor, then John Proctor, her husband, would turn to Abby. John Proctor had an affair with Abigail, but for him it was just lust, while Abigail believed it to be true love. She told John that he loves her, and once she destroys Elizabeth, they will be free to love one another. John is horrified at this, but can do nothing to convince Abigail that he is not in love with her. Because of Abigails twisted plot to secure John for herself, Elizabeth is arrested. It is the hidden motives behind the accusations that fan the flames of the Salem witch trials. To get the complete picture of the causes behind the witch trials, you must look at the physical reasons as well. Two historians, Paul Boyer and Stephen Nissenbaum, drew a map of Salem Village and plotted the accusers, the defendants, and the accused witches. An interesting picture arose when a line was drawn dividing the town into east and west. It became clear that nearly all the accusers lived on the west side, and almost all the defenders and accused witches lived on the east side. To determine the cause of the east-west split, the historians examined many disputes, chief among them being the choice of ministers. Once Salem Village was granted the right to have its own meeting house, quarrels arose over who would preach in the pulpit. There were four ministers between the time period of when the meeting house was built and the end of the witch trials. The arguments over ministers soon became a power struggle. There were two factions that arose during this dispute, and it was noted that one group supported two ministers while the other group supported the other two ministers. Each group wanted to prove its influence by choosing a minister and making him the spiritual guide to Salem Village. Th e two groups were found to coincide closely with the east-west division. When the economical divisions of the village were examined, it was found that in general the western citizens of Salem Village lived an agrarian lifestyle and were hard-pressed economically. The land on the western side was well-suited to farming and grazing. By contrast, the villagers on the east side were mainly merchants and lived fairly opulently. The road to Salem Town traveled through the east side of Salem Village. Many innkeepers and tavern owners lived on this road and made a good profit off all the travelers. Tension often arose between the two groups because of their vastly different lifestyles. It is not difficult to see why a catastrophe such as the Salem witch trials occurred. Once one accusation was made, it was easy to release all the buried suspicions and hatred into a wave of madness. The Crucible simplifies the cause to make for a bettedr story, but in reality the reasons for the witch craft accusations were much more complex. The reasons behind the accusations would result in many more quarrels over the years, but none as interesting or as horrifying as the Salem witch trials. In such a straight-laced Puritan society, there lived many people with hidden darkness in their hearts, and the Salem witch trials exposed and magnified the consequences of those black desires. Research Papers on Witch Trials In The Crucible by Arthur MillerHonest Iagos Truth through DeceptionPersonal Experience with Teen Pregnancy19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraThe Hockey GameEffects of Television Violence on ChildrenMind TravelThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationAssess the importance of Nationalism 1815-1850 EuropeAppeasement Policy Towards the Outbreak of World War 2Hip-Hop is Art

Managing the Digital Enterprise Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Managing the Digital Enterprise - Essay Example From this definition, information system is an arrangement of data, technology, processes, and groups that function together to collect, provide, store, and process information output required to improve and increase the speed of the decision making process. In the past decade, various organizations have began utilizing computer technology to facilitate the provision of services and the process of adoption is expected to increase at a higher rate as technology advances (Hamdan and Jalal-Karim 2010, p1). This paper focuses on the impact of modern digital technologies on the banking sector with a bias toward electronic banking. 1.2 Banking Activities and Developments in IT All aspects of the banking activity are influenced and continue to be influenced by the development of information transmission, distribution, processing, storage, and collection. Developments in information technology affect the banking industry in two ways. Firstly, the information technology contributes in the dec rease of the costs linked with information management (information is managed by means such as processing, transmission, collection, and storage) through the replacement of labour-intensive and paper-based methods with processes that are automated. Secondly and lastly, information technology modifies the ways through which the consumers access the bank’s products and services, for instance, through automated channels such as remote banking. Developments in information management have been occurring for a considerable length of time but remote banking (the latest phenomenon in the banking industry) developments are occurring more gradually especially within retail banking (European Central Bank 1999, p5). Business model can be utilized to describe the main components of any banking business. In regard to the differentiation of the bricks-and-mortar banking from e-banking, there are five crucial dimensions of the business model and they include market scope, profit potential, v alue network, cost structure, and value proposition. Since consumers are capable of electronic banking over the internet regardless of the time and location, electronic banking eradicates time limitations, and physical and geographic boundaries linked with bricks-and-mortar banking. Electronic banking also offers consumers with efficient online financial services (the services are offered at high speed and they are time saving). Additionally, through the internet, the consumers are able to access numerous information and services (Heng, Hsia, and Wu 2006, p115). 1.2.1 Electronic banking and its value The convenience resulting from electronic banking has three considerable impacts. Firstly, it may lead to information symmetry where the consumers can access more information than through the bank; the consumers may opt to avoid the bank for services provided through alternative parties (SCN Education

Responding to a Government Solicitation Assignment

Responding to a Government Solicitation - Assignment Example However, despite these efforts from the concerned stakeholders especially the federal government, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) states that the levels of funding are not adequate enough to improve or maintain the conditions of the national highways. Additionally, the revenues generated from motor fuel tax; which is the main source of federal surface transportation funding, is eroding. As of March 2012, according to the Congressional Budget office, to maintain current expense levels and account for inflation from the year 2013-2022, FHWA will need $125 billion more of what it is expected to take in during this period. Discussions with experts and stakeholders lead to the identification of 40 practices and materials that can result to improvement of the performance of pavements, reducing life-cycle costs and extending service life. These practices and materials cover a range of applications and uses across the stages of highway life cycle, starting from the design and const ruction stages through preservation and maintenance cycles to last stage of reconstruction. Numerous challenges limit the federal government in its quest to maintain the highways. ... Our company will certainly place its bids in the recently announced contracts by the government. 1. Opportunity name and project location AK DEN 2009(8), Manokotak Heights Road Reconstruction Location: Manokotak, Alaska. 2. Solicitation Number DTFH70-12-B-00008 3. Agency Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) 4. Office Office of Federal Lands Highway Western Federal Lands Highway Division 610 E 5th Street Vancouver, WA 98661 (360) 619-7700 5. Location Vancouver 6) URL http://www.wfl.fhwa.dot.gov/contracting/construction/upcoming.htm Steps that would determine if the company is awarded the contract 1. Completing important contract administration tasks My company will register with Vendor Support Center. This site will be vital in providing publications, training, and resources to help the company achieve success. Start with the new contractor orientation center and the success steps guide. This can be found in the publications tab from vendor support center. Refer to events for vendors with the government contracts The next vital step is to create, distribute and maintain my company pricelist. This will include submission of two copies of pricelist to the GSA procurement contracting officer within one month of award. Before the submission of the price lists, the company will upload its current approved pricelist to GSA Advantage! ®. 2) The next step is marketing to the government To ensure success of the schedules contact, then active promotion of the business to potential customers is a necessity. In this case, we are responding to government solicitation therefore our customer is the government. We plan to do this by looking and marketing the company to the government highway maintenance and repairs agency. We