How unsustainable the American economy is Essay

How unsustainable the American economy is - Essay Example Unemployment is a major issue in America and the current rate of unemployment is over 9% in the country, when Barack Obama took over as the President of America it was about 7%. This also goes to show that the promises he made were not fulfilled, employment will be generated when the economy recovers but it is showing no signs of recovery and this is certainly bad news for America and all its citizens. This is also bad news for the whole world because the recent events have left European countries in complete disarray. The Euro zone crisis have escalated ever since recession started taking its toll, Greece and Spain stand on the verge of defaulting. â€Å"In my view what is happening in Greece is just the tip of an iceberg.   With private debt in many parts of the world, we socialize these private losses.   Now with large budget deficits in Europe, in Japan, in the United States.   The bond market vigilantes have woken up in Greece, in Portugal, in Spain. At some point they're going to wake up in the U.K., in Japan, in the United States.   We're running a 3.5 budget deficit.   It is obviously over time not sustainable.† (The US Economy is Unsustainable) The FED has certainly failed to do its job; recession was a classic example of the same. There is absolutely zero discipline. Excessive borrowing was encouraged by the FED and the same resulted in damage beyond repair and now also the same thing continues. Deflation still exists; interest rates are still really low. There is no market discipline which directly suggests that the economy is unsustainable. There are far too many fiscal problems in the US, a country like US does not even have the option of defaulting available at its disposal but if the same thing continues we might witness high inflation in the near future which will be really bad for America and all its citizens. Riots may even occur when the unemployment rate in the country goes further up but this is highly unlikely because the unemployed have something called a safety net with the help of which they receive some compensation. Things are looking really bad for the economy of the US and all its citizens, it is not doom and gloom yet but something concrete needs to be done about it and it needs to be done sooner rather than later. â€Å"The recent deep recession and the subsequent slow recovery have created severe budgetary pressures not only for many households and businesses, but for governments as well. Indeed, in the United States, governments at all levels are grappling not only with the near-term effects of economic weakness, but also with the longer-run pressures that will be generated by the need to provide health care and retirement security to an aging population. There is no way around it–meeting these challenges will require policymakers and the public to make some very difficult decisions and to accept some sacrifices.† (FED Chief Ben Bernanke Calls US Economy Unsustainable) Ben Be rnanke the Chief of the Federal Reserve has little faith in the economy of the US and the same speaks volumes about the mismanagement of the Federal Reserve. There are a lot of unidentified liabilities which add to the already mounting debt, liabilities like social

Marketing Communication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Marketing Communication - Essay Example It cannot be forgotten that such restrictions are also placed in order to prevent the degradation of women and to discourage materialism. Furthermore, the rationale for these restrictions could be health reasons and to prevent politicians from misusing electoral advertising. Firstly, restrictions are put in place to prevent advertisers from misleading consumers. This means that advertisements are restricted from containing false statements, descriptions, illustrations or claims regarding material facts or characteristics. Furthermore, there are bodies that are charged with acting as a 'controller' to ensure that the restrictions are upheld. For example, the Advertising Standards Authority of the United Kingdom dealt with almost 1,200 cases regarding health, beauty, and slimming products in 2003 alone. This clearly indicates the number of cases regarding false claims will continue to increase if restrictions are not placed on the advertising of slimming products. As such, it is appare nt that restrictions are placed on advertisements in order to prevent advertisements from deluding consumers. Advertisements are also regulated to prevent the degradation of females. Often, the female is used as a mere sex symbol to entice and titillate the male into purchasing a product. Hence, restrictions are placed to control the extent to which a female is used and how she is used. If this is not done, it is likely that the image of the purer sex will be degraded as the people will lose the respect of them due to indecent advertising. In advertisements contained within fashion magazines such as the Vogue, there are at least 20 pictures focused directly on the barely covered breast or cleavage. Not only are these suggestions demeaning to women insinuating that they all just want to wear as little as they can get away with, but they are blatantly unrealistic. Thus, restrictions are placed on advertisements to prevent the extent of such degradation from escalating further. In addi tion to that, advertisements portray women as frivolous creatures that seemingly spend 99% of their time and space dwelling on beauty, sensuality, sex, health and attracting a man. One example is a lipstick advertisement for Revlon. The theme is one of "choices, choices, and choices", how will one ever be able to choose a shade of red that is just right, as if this is the biggest problem confronting a female in a day. Another example is an advertisement by Savvy, a jewelry company whose slogan is "Be Brilliant", depicting unclothed female bodies with an example of their jewelry draped on them. Not only does it remove the humanity in the picture, it gives the impression of women's brilliance radiating only from the stones that they must wear. This clearly impresses upon the public that women are no more than sex symbols. Therefore, such degradation and debasement of females must be kept in check through the various restrictions placed on advertisements. In addition, restrictions are placed on advertisements to discourage materialism.

An analysis of internal controls

An analysis of internal controls Internal control as a process, effected by an entitys board of directors, management and other personnel, designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the achievement of objectives in Three categories: 1. Effectiveness and efficiency of operations 2. Reliability of financial reporting, and 3. Compliance with applicable laws and regulations 1.Internal control our EDP System Internal controls are a vigorous part of accounting and data processing systems. It is important that the auditor be aware with the functions and uses of internal controls with respect to both manual and automatic systems. The controls of an electronic data processing system (EDP) and their identification, evaluation, and importance to the external auditor 1.1.1. Importance of Internal Control Internal controls are a important part of accounting and data processing systems. It is important that the auditor be familiar with the functions and uses of internal controls with respect to both manual and automatic systems. 1.1.2. What are Internal Controls? In a broad sense, internal control comprises controls which embrace the organizational plan and the methods used to protection the assets, create the dependability of financial data and records, endorse working efficacy and loyalty to managerial policies. Internal control is categorized by independence between departments and lines of vicarious duty and authority. It is important that these internal controls verify the dependability and correctness of the data supportive all transactions using control total techniques, sanctions and approvals, contrasts, and other tests of data accuracy. Committee on Auditing Procedure. Auditing Standards and Procedures, Statements on Auditing Procedure No. 33. New York: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, 2008, p. 27. 1.1.3. Why Internal Controls are Important? Before management can make judgments to maximize the long run profit of a firm, it must first have dependable accounting data on which to base these decisions. This info should be timely, accurate, complete, and reliable. The protection of the assets of the firm against losses from misappropriation, robbery, failure to take discounts, inadequacy, and unjustified delays of credit are some functions of internal control that should be sufficiently interweaved in any good accounting system. These controls are necessary to assure management that the agreed procedures and orders are obeyed to since the management of large companies are not usually involved in personal supervision of their employees. Therefore, controls add reliability to accounting and financial data. Internal controls are important to deliver appropriate segregation of functional responsibilities and to create a system of authorization and sanction to provide reasonable safety over these assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses. Sound practices shadowed in the performance of duties with in the organization and the allocations of persons of a quality appropriate with responsibilities are two additional necessary and correct functions of internal controls in any system. 1.1.4. Why the Auditor is Concerned with Internal Controls? Management identifies the needs and importance of internal controls as valuable tools to assure that events and transactions are properly carried out. The use and attendance of sufficient internal controls loans reliance and credibility to accounting records and consequently, reduces the length and detail of the audit. These internal controls reduce monotonous, routine, mechanical checks and verifications of bookkeeping accuracy, authorizing replacement of less time consuming approaches that involve judgment, reasoning, and common sense. 1.2. Internal Control Over Financial Reporting The internal control system of an entity is severely interconnected to the structure used by management to supervise the activities of the organization, or to what is defined as the entitys corporate governance. Good corporate governance should deliver proper inducements for the board and management to follow purposes that are in the interest of the company and shareholders and should ease effective monitoring, thereby encouraged firms to use resources more proficiently (OECD Principles of Corporate Governance). The Board of Directors is thus accountable for providing governance, supervision and oversight for senior management and guaranteeing that a suitable internal control system is in place and effective, meaning it ensure that foreseeable objectives are attained. Financial reporting is the connection between the company and its external environment. One of the main features which contributed to these failures relate to the internal control system established around the disclosure of information to stakeholders. It seemed that not attaining the objective of effective internal control system over financial reporting demoralizes the status of a company, even at the attendance of many other control components, making it problematic or impossible for a company to be dependable on the market, to be able to collect financing resources, to be believable to shareholders and stakeholders in general. 1.2.1. Role of the Internal Auditor in Evaluating Internal Controls The Internal auditor should scrutinize and contribute to the continuing effectiveness of the internal control system through evaluation and commendations. Though, the internal auditor is not lodged with managements primary obligation for designing, applying, maintaining and documenting internal control. Internal audit functions add value to an organizations internal control system by transporting an orderly, disciplined approach to the evaluation of risk and by making commendations to strengthen the effectiveness of risk management struggles. The internal auditor should emphasis towards improving the internal control structure and promoting better corporate governance. The role of the internal auditor consists of: Evaluation of the efficiency and effectiveness of internal control à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Commending new controls where essential or stopping unnecessary controls à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Using control framework à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Developing Control self-valuation The internal auditors assessment of internal control includes: Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Determining the significance and the compassion of the risk for which controls are being measured; Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Measuring the vulnerability to misuse of resources, failure to reach objectives concerning moralities, economy, efficiency and effectiveness, or failure to accomplish accountability obligations, and non-obedience with laws and regulations. Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Identifying and understanding the design and operation of related controls. Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Determining the grade of control effectiveness through testing of controls. Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Measuring the sufficiency of the control design. Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Reporting on the internal control evaluation and debating the essential corrective actions. The comprehensive areas of review by the internal auditor in assessing the internal control System are: Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Mission, vision, ethical and organizational worth system of the entity. Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Personnel allocation, evaluation system, and growth policies Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Accounting and financial reporting policies and obedience with applicable legal and regulatory standards Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Objective of dimension and key performance pointers Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Documentation standards Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Risk management structure Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Operational framework Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Processes and procedures followed Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Degree of management administration Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Information systems, communication channels Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Business Continuousness and Disaster Recovery Procedures The internal auditor should get an understanding of the important processes and internal control systems adequate to plan the internal audit engagement and develop an effective audit tactic. The internal auditor should use professional finding to assess and evaluate the adulthood of the entitys internal control. The auditor should obtain an understanding of the control environment sufficient to evaluate managements attitudes, consciousness and actions regarding internal controls and their importance in the entity. Such an understanding would also help the internal auditor to make an initial assessment of the sufficiency of the accounting and internal control systems as a basis for the preparation of the financial statements, and of the likely nature, timing and magnitude of internal audit procedures. The internal auditors measures the as is internal control system within the organization. The internal auditor should become an understanding of the internal control. Procedures adequate to develop the audit plan. In obtaining that understanding, the internal auditor would consider knowledge about the attendance or absence of control procedures obtained from the understanding of the control environment, business processes and accounting system in determining whether any additional understanding of control procedures is essential. The internal auditor should document and understand the design and operations of internal controls to assess the effectiveness of the control environment. When attaining an understanding of the business processes, accounting and internal control systems to plan the audit, the internal auditor obtains information of the design of the internal control systems and their operation. For example, an internal auditor may perform a walk-through test that is; present a few transactions through the accounting system. When the transactions selected are typical of those transactions that pass through the system, this procedure may be treated as part of the tests of control. The internal auditor should deliberate the following aspects in the evaluation of internal control system in an entity: Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Discovering the entity has a mission statement and written goals and objectives. Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Evaluating risks at the activity (or process) level. Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Completing a Business Controls worksheet for each important activity (or process) in each function or department with documentation of the attendant controls and their degree of effectiveness (partial or full); arranging those activities (or processes) which are most critical to the success of the function or department Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Ensuring that all risks identified at the entity and function or department level are addressed in the Business Controls worksheet along with the combined documentation of the operating controls. Æ’ËÅ"â‚ ¬Ã‚  Discovering from the Business Controls worksheet, those risks for which no controls exist or existing controls are insufficient. 1.2.2. The assessment of internal control over financial reporting The total assessment gives a complete opinion of the effectiveness of entitys internal control system across internal control components. To facilitate the comparability with other entities and give complete assessment of the effectiveness of an entitys internal control system as such, universal system for evaluations is needed. Assessments and audits of internal control system should be tailor-made to the size, business, operations, risks, and procedures of each company, not directed by standardized lists (Heuberger 2009). This should more exactly identify possible problems, promote more efficient allocation of resources to higher-risk areas, and encourages a focus on outcomes rather than on processes. Internal control over financial reporting can be judged effective when reasonable assurance subsists that financial statements are being prepared reliably. Quantitative assessments are intended to measure the level of confidence that can be placed on the internal control systems ability to perform effectively (Perry 2010). Perry and Warner (Ibid: 52-55) have suggested a five-step model for quantitative assessment of internal control system, which is described on figure 1.1. The most important feature to note in this framework is scoring individual control objectives against the selected model. Using a suitable framework as a basis of the evaluation helps to attain a complete and structured assessment without missing important features of internal control. Figure 1.1. Quantitative assessment of internal controls. Perry 2010: 52-55. A framework can be deemed suitable as the fundamental for evaluation, when it is free from bias; it permits reasonably consistent qualitative and quantitative measurements; it is adequately complete so that those related factors that would modify a conclusion about the effectiveness of a companys internal control over financial reporting are not mislaid; and it is related to the evaluation (PCAOB 2009: 11). There are two key components of quantitative scoring: establishing how the maximum score will be assigned within the model and determining what percentage of the total allotted score to award to each control components. The initial COSO cube provides insight into the importance of the five internal control components in relative to each other, emphasizing the great importance of control environment and observing. However, Perry. (2010:54) note that those performing the assessment should apply their own experience with and information of internal controls and use this in combining with COSO guidance. COB IT model describes numerous different levels of dependability or maturity of an internal control system. Levels may range from initial, the lowest level of dependability, to optimized, the highest. COBIT Internal control reliability model is drawing the evaluators consideration to different features of the effectiveness of internal control, which would otherwise go unobserved, e.g. documentation and perceived value of controls. At the same time, this model is incomplete with respect to COSO internal control framework, because control environment and risk assessment are not comprised. Also, difficulties may arise greatly in small and medium-sized enterprises, where documentation regarding internal control system is limited and control procedures informal, but consciousness, communication and observing functioning might still be at high level. The Internal Control Institute in the US features six categories in rating internal control components. Groups range from reactive controls to world class system pronounced in table 1.3. Each category is worth a percentage that is proportionate with the attained level of control (Perry 2005: 54). Specifically, category 1 is worth 162/3 percent (1/6) and category 6 is the highest level of maturity and is worth100 percent. The points for each control principle should be assigned according to the evaluated percentage of proposed maximum score, then concise and an assessment report prepared. In this system, the evaluators score the internal control over financial reporting according to the fulfillment of the principles of internal control through numerous criteria. The total evaluation of internal control is attained through summarizing the scores across objectives and components. Perrys model allows giving an total numerical opinion of the effectiveness of the internal control system, taking into account the distinct features of every organization by assigning different percentages for different control principles and components according to the entitys size, ownership and business activities. The assessment of the efficiency of internal control over financial reporting in an entity is closely associated to the concept of fraud. The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) defines fraud as those intentional misrepresentations of financial statements and other records which are carried out to conceal the misappropriation of assets or otherwise for gain (Pickett 2000: 550). For a person to commit fraud, three factors need to be in place: incentive or burden, chance and rationalization (Rittenberg 2005: 301; Pickett 2000: 550).

Life Of William Shakespeare :: essays research papers

Life of William Shakespeare Around 1568, a group of actors visited Stratford and put on a play before the entire town, with permission from John Shakespeare, the mayor of the town. The people loved the play, especially the small children. All of them looked up to the actors, as they returned each year to perform different plays. They had dreams of one day becoming actors, but only one of these children fulfilled this dream. This child was the mayor's son, William Shakespeare. At this time, actors in England usually spent their careers traveling to new towns, performing plays at city buildings or local inns. However, with the help of James Burbage, this all changed. James Burbage designed and built the first theatre in England. The actors could then settle down in one place and perform in a place built for plays. The theatre was a huge success, and many more began popping up over England, but this theatre built by James Burbage was forever known as The Theatre. The layout of the stage consisted of five levels. The lowest level was for trap doors built into the stage. The next level was the main stage, where the actors did most of their performing. Above this was the balcony level, which could be used to represent anything from a city wall to a mountain. The next level contained pulleys which could raise or lower anything from above. The top level was used for creating sounds of rain or thunder, or dropping important objects from the sky. William Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway at age 18. In two years, they had three children, a daughter named Susanna, and twins, Hamnet and Judith. He didn't stay in Stratford long after this though. He left his family to pursue a career as an actor in London. Shakespeare wrote his first play in 1592. It was a historical play called Henry VI, which was one of the biggest successes of the year. Some scholars criticized him because he did not have a university education like most playwrites, but probably the only reason he was criticized for this was because his play was so popular. After the success of his historical play, he wrote a tragedy called Titus Andronicus, and then The Comedy of Errors, a humorous comedy. Not many playwrites wrote so many different types of plays in so short a time, but Shakespeare was certainly not like any other English playwrite. Very early in Shakespeare's career, however, many theatres closed due to the plague in England, and playwrites were not in high demand. Shakespeare then turned to another type of writing and wrote a narrative poem entitled Venus and

Current Situation Of Ship Recycling Industry Economics Essay

IntroductionThe transportation industry is an of import factor in the economic sciences of the states ; more than 80 % of transportation goods are by sea. Nowadays, there are different types and size of vass to cover the demand of markets, from little 1s that marketed in rivers and inland, until superstructure that can incorporate over than one hundred thousand dozenss of stuffs. However, all of these ships have lifespan and they must complete their lives in safety conditions to the people and friendly manner with the environment. To accomplish the above, ship recycling industry has developed patterns to have vass from everyplace recycling stuffs that could be utile in others Fieldss and obtaining of import net incomes. In fact, ship breakage concern has been dining in recent period and concern is set to increase ; nevertheless, in most instances, ships are sold to developing states because they have cheaper labour but, on the other manus, they have lowest degrees of quality. The local environment and the safety of ship paces workers in these topographic points are in argument today because the industry has had significant losingss too bad. For illustration, in Bangladesh during the last 10 old ages, 100s of work forces in the 70 breakage paces have died or been maimed or poisoned, about all people affected from the hapless communities in the state. ( Vidal 2012 ) The ship recycling industry involves a figure of stakeholders with different concerns, the job have been discus from some old ages but today seems to be more present in forums of international maritime community and duly in International Maritime Organization ( OMI ) . Furthermore, in 2009 IMO adopted the Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Environment Sound Recycling of Ships, the convention lays the footing for ships to be dismantled in conditions of safety for workers and the environment. This research will first explicate what a Ship recycling is, and so look at the place of stakeholders. Second, the essay will give aˆÂ ¦aˆÂ ¦ . Finally, the Hon Kong Convention will be consideredBackground ( where – by whom – state of affairs in developing states )Justification ( importance )OrganizationThesis statementCurrent state of affairs of ship recycling industryAfter 2008 fiscal crisis the market collapsed and evidently affected the transportation industry. Banks do non desire to finance transportation, hence, the industry has forced to believe in new scheme such as sale some vass to transport recycling industry because it is non utilizing and ship proprietor were passing many resources in care. Ship interrupting activities have taken topographic point chiefly in developing states because offer less limitation to the activity, every bit good as lower costs. The major states that receive vass to recycle are India, Bangladesh, China, Turkey and Pakistan. However, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan were chosen as illustrations to be analyzed in this research paper because China and Turkey have improved installations in this field. In India, the reaching of the Blue Lady ( ex-Norway ) causes a serious treatment because it has onboard a considerable sum of asbestos and other risky stuffs. The Supreme Court has decided demand major issues and ordinances for administration of the ship recycling industry. In this state, the ship recycling activities are chiefly carried out at Alang which is situated on the West seashore and there are 175 active paces. The chief advantage of this topographic point is the tide which vary month to month to utilize the beach. Merely in Alang, the industry recycles about 600 vass per twelvemonth and there are more than 20 licencing organic structures that regulate the industry. At least 100 paces are certified with ISO 14001/9001 and OHSAS 18001 and at least 50 paces have ISO 30000. Furthermore, Indian governments refuse to let ships to be scrapped on its shores unless they have been certified as gas free, in other words, the vas must be checked for any potentially explosive pockets of gas. This step was positive because helped to drop Numberss of detonation accident but unluckily, they besides lost a batch of concern. The Bangladesh ship recycling industry has an environmental judicial proceeding by Bangladesh Environmental Law Association ( BELA ) , giving a power signal that the environmental jobs are of import issue for the state. The supreme tribunal of Bangladesh banned the working of the recycling industry for 10 months in 2011 and directed the Shipping Ministry and Ministry of Environment to border â€Å" Ship Recycling guidelines † within six months. In this state the activity is a important economic activity and provides employment for over 500,000 people, every bit good as contributes of 1000000s of dollars in footings of direct and indirect revenue enhancements. Today, the vass that arrive there besides require being gas free certification for hot plants. In the seashore of Bangladesh there are about 55 ship recycling paces and any ship approaching inwards for recycling is required to obtain a â€Å" No Objection Certificate † . The ordinances here are non plenty rigorous as India ; nevertheless, of the 55 breakage paces, at least 25 have ISO 14001/9001 and OHSAS 18001, including ISO 30000. There is an of import measure sing the degrees of Bangladesh some old ages ago. The instance of Pakistan is unluckily worst, the paces there have really low criterions sing to human conditions and industrial rights. There are about 25 ships recycling paces but the inwards formalities are small and vass are beached without any greater demands. In other words, any proprietor with money may happen disponibility in Pakistan beaches. In add-on, none of the paces have ISO-certified, likely because there are a assortment of factors like possible terrorist act, unstable authorities among others, that non allowed better industry competencies and still worst, it could be continue utilizing old patterns and methods. European Union has proposed Torahs saying that ships registered in Europe should be broken up merely in accredited paces run intoing rigorous new environmental guidelines ( Vidal, 2012 ) , so selling ships to developing states for destruction or at least paces that do non hold these types of exigencies could be violate European jurisprudence and understandings.Workers conditions and environmentSomeEnvironment ( Places used )Probably the worst portion in environment sense is the topographic point that normally uses this activity in mentioned states that they have non basic criterions for working like the instance of beaches and coast side. Interrupting ship on beaches creates an unacceptable environmental jeopardy.Worker status ( risky- personal equipment )In fact, McCarthy explain that after 10 months out of the market, Bangladesh tribunal announced that the state will open once more for concern if it better some points and achieve criterions for yard workers. workers put on the lining their lives for little more than one euro a twenty-four hours. Ships are scrapped in petroleum working conditions statistis shows that on norm, one worker dies in the paces a hebdomad and every twenty-four hours a worker is injured. Workers are easy replaceable to the paces proprietors: if one is lost they know another 10 are waiting to replace him. Many workers do non hold entree to basic personal protective equipment such as difficult chapeaus, baseball mitts and Googles for steel film editing activities. Many have been killed and 1000s injured working in unsafe conditions. it is necessary range the end of nice working status for all.Injury and toxic condition ( Dangerous stuffs such as asbestos, lead pigment, heavy metals, PCB ‘s )Guaranting armored combat vehicles and holds are free of toxic gases before cutting hull home bases High cost of take these stuffs. Suppliers from developing states are still bring forthing equipment and building parts with asbestos Harmonizing to Lloyd ‘s list ( .. ) although asbestos usage technically holding been banned since 2009, merely five of the six types of asbestos are covered by jurisprudence. There is a hazard of paying out big amounts of money in the signifier of compensation to crew members and mend yard workers unaware they are being exposed to risky stuffs. Old ship contain more toxic stuffs the removal stuff is soiled and unsafe work, it should go on under rigorous safety criterions 1.3m metric tons of toxic stuffs on board terminal of life vass are sent each twelvemonth to Chittagong and other shipbreaking paces in South Asia from EU entirely, with incalculable hazards to workers â€Å" Explosions of remnant gas and exhausts in the armored combat vehicles are the premier cause of accidents in the paces. Other accidents are caused by falls because the work forces are non given safety harnesses or workers being crushed by falling beams or home bases, or electrocuted † . â€Å" The paces re-use ropes and ironss recovered from the broken ships without proving their strength. Fires, gas detonations, falling steel home bases, exposure to toxicants from sand trap oil, lubricators, pigments and lading swills have left 1000s with repiratory diseases † says Shahin.Hull cutWhen the hull of a ship is cut unfastened, pollutants such as heavy metals and oils are released. These toxic substances seep into the sand and contaminate land H2O that it is impossible to clean up.Coordinated international attempts ( stakeholders )Hong Kong ConventionIn 2009, the IMO adopted the Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Environment Sound Recycling of Ships was adopted in May of 2009 ; nevertheless, merely five states have signed. There are who say that in 2020 could be into force, nevertheless it is hard to back up because there are many states, members of the International Maritime Organization, that have they ain ordinances and they are non realy interested in this subject because it is non affect them. In adition, merely one state of the denominated shipbreaking states, has ratificated the convention. Harmonizing to McCarthy ( aˆÂ ¦aˆÂ ¦ . ) in the Tradewinds Ship Recycling Forum, 150 shipbreakers harmonizing base on balls from 60 % of European Union flagged ships that were sold to India, Bangladesh and Pakistan ; to 0 % . Attempts to increase consciousness in marine equipment to workers, every bit good as rise quality enfranchisement of the absence of risky stuffs such as asbestos Many organisations have expressed concerns about ship recycling paces will be required to supply a â€Å" ship recycling Plan † to stipulate the mode in which each ship will be recycled.International Maritime Organization ( IMO ) . ( green passport and gas free enfranchisement )IMO has introduced a Green Passport ; which involves maintaining and stock list of risky stuffs throughout a ship ‘s life. Then, ship surfs will cognize what they are covering with when they come to undertake the vas. This guidelines is voluntary and applies merely to new ships. They promote safer and more environmentally friendly direction of ship recycling industry. IMO Guidelines on ship recycling â€Å" Gas free for hot plants † enfranchisement which urges recycling provinces to present compulsory processs.Ship surfs associationThe ship surfs association is concerned about the effects of Hong Kong convention on their net incomes and sustainability. They receive force per unit area from public sentiment and environmental groups because there is a high degree of accidents and musk hogs conditions in ship recycling paces. For this ground, they are disquieted about the resources and they are seeking to drop the accidents.Ship proprietorsThe ship proprietors considers appropriated count with incentive plan in order to implement green recycling and are concerned about steps on the economic facets for the transportation industry. They are besides wants to be co-ops with the safe and the environment but aˆÂ ¦International Labor Organization ( ILO )The workers conditions are unstable, the occupational wellness and safety of workers in ship paces should be improved including the proviso of safety equipment and handiness of medical attention for workers. They give guidelines advise on the usage of protective equipment when covering with risky stuffs, nevertheless, every bit good as IMO guidelines are volunteers. For ILO, the Hong Kong convention is an of import understanding to do ship interrupting nice work.Non-government organisations ( NGO ‘s )The Non-government organisations are likely the most utmost in requires that the beaching method to be banned and all ships sold for trashing should be cleaned of toxic stuffs before arrive to shipyards. Further, this demand complements the Convention on the control of transboundary motions of risky wastes and their disposal. There are lay waste toing effects of ship recycling on the environment and on the rights of workers. They consider that Hong Kong convention is in the right way, but non strong plenty to be really effectual. They want see rapid and drastic steps and consequents alterations.Table ( illustrate and explain impact of Hong Kong Convention )Analysiss – Measuresis possible that the International Maritime community do non hold an truly involvement in this subject because it is non a planetary job and merely impact a few developing states. Furthermore, India, Bangladesh and Chinas are independent states and they have their ain ordinances This could be a power ground why the Hong Kong convention is non ratified for many states and worst, it will be non at least in the close hereafter. It will be enter into force 24 months after the day of the month on which 15 provinces, stand foring 40 per cent of universe merchandiser transportation by gross tunnage there is besides a mix of responsabilities because this activities are done in land and involve most job about workers ( ILO ) , wellness ( ) and environment ( ) than safety of life at sea and oceanclaning. but non ever is bad, in adition in 2003, representatives of authorities, employers and workers organisations from heavyweight ship interrupting states Bangladesh, China, India, Pakista and Turkey adopted ILO Guidelines on Safety and Health in ship breakage. Why a state in peculiar could be sign a convention if it do non hold relation or job in this sense. It must appeal to the societal duty.Human rightsNet incomes and sustainability of the industryUseful stuff is sold for recycling EmploymentImprove criterions ( recommendations )Demand to see immediate alterations in ship recycling activities toward better worker safety. There are many steps that could be considered ; nevertheless, it is non plenty give recommendations or compose in any jurisprudence and ordinances. The truly of import is heve the capacity to enforcement. Some of the most basic steps are personal protective equipment due many workers do non hold entree to basic safety equipment such as difficult chapeaus, baseball mitts and goggles for steel film editing activities. There are 1000s of workers injured yearly and some of them have been killed for this ground. Another basic step is risky stuffs should be removed before trashing. In other words, take toxic stuffs from new and chiefly old ships that contain asbestos and others substances such as lead pigment, heavy metals and PBC ‘s. The following 1 is complete the execution of the gas free certification, it is necessary because look intoing vass and their close infinite can lend to avoid explosive gas and attendant bead in the Numberss of detonation accidents. Finally, the last poi nt necessary to follow in short term is improve handiness of medical attention for workers because the existent attempts to shipbreakers association unluckily are non sufficient to the sum of workers that daily suffer accidents and lesions. Ship recycling industry instantly stops ship interrupting on beaches. Ship proprietors for recycling their ships merely at green installations that do non interrupt ship on unfastened beaches. there specific step from the states involve to better criterionsMedical attentionDecisionDevelop the activity in friendly manner and better criterions to the workers and the environment.Seem betterments are easy coming about Necessitate a via media of all stakeholders While some provinces have ratified the Hong Kong convention and are working in order to hold green recycling installations, others are unsated or do non interested with the footings of convention. Pressure on the transportation community to dispose of its terminal of life ships in a safe and environmentally friendly manner taking into history the peculiar state of affairs of Find countries of common involvement and understanding The regulations and ordinances could be much easier to implement. contribute to the development of an effectual solution to the issue of ship recycling, which will minimise, in the most effectual, efficient and sustainable manner, the environmental, occupational wellness and safety hazards related to the industry.

How to Write a Good Essay Essay

A standard essay establishes a writer’s personal understanding, recommendation, analysis, and explanation of a specific topic. This piece of writing is generally used to teach, inform, orient, inspire, refute, warn, or even entertain the reader. As such, a good essay is well-researched, informative, interesting, well-written and easy to read. In order to write a good essay, writers can follow these guidelines: First, the chosen topic must be extensively researched from credible sources such as libraries, academic databases, factual websites, surveys, and interviews. Through adequate research, the writer gains sufficient knowledge in dissecting and discussing the topic at hand. In this stage, other areas and sub-topics are also discovered while listing notes, important keywords and ideas. Upon completion of the research, the writer must digest all useful information to plan and write the essay in a systematic manner that clearly explains its topic while distinguishing the introduction, body and conclusion of the essay. The introduction contains the thesis statement or central theme of the essay which gives a general idea on what the written work is all about. Read more:Â  How to write diagnostic essay samples. Therefore, the writer must strive to make it interesting enough for the reader to continue reading the whole essay. After the thesis statement, the body is written by using the researched notes and summaries taken during research. Initial questions previously laid down to determine the outline of the essay must now be answered. Ideally, this is done by composing several paragraphs where each paragraph systematically tackles questions addressing who, what, when, where, why and how. Supplementary examples geared towards reinforcing the thesis statement such as statistical data and other studies can also assist in further expressing the idea of the essay. However, the writer must keep in mind to cite sources and acknowledge them accordingly to avoid plagiarism. Ideas and words borrowed from others, even if paraphrased, should be cited using the required referencing style. Widely used examples of these styles include the American Psychological Association (APA) and Modern Language Association (MLA). Since there are many existing styles, the writer must pattern the citation and format of the written piece according to the required style. Meanwhile, the conclusion is written by summarizing the important points, reiterating the thesis, and providing a call to action sentence for the reader to act on. A good essay imparts a lasting impression while encouraging the reader to think. In finalizing the essay, the writer must thoroughly edit and proofread the entire work. Spelling, grammatical, and structural errors should be checked again and again. One good way to do a spell-check is to read the essay backwards and check each word carefully. Most of the time, a good essay written by a good writer undergoes continuous editing, rephrasing, and rewriting until a cleaner and more concise copy is produced. For those aspiring to constantly write good essays, reading is a definite must to expand one’s vocabulary and exposure to other styles of writing. Careful research, effective writing, and thorough editing are essential stages of writing a good essay. By following these guidelines, together with constant learning, practice and dedication, one can develop the skills on how to write a good essay.

Nature Essay Example

Nature Essay Example Nature Essay Nature Essay Name Instructor Course Date Nature In recent years, it is increasingly difficult to find a child or adolescent who grew up playing in the outdoors, exploring the woods and creeks nearby. Most grew up playing indoors with electronic gadgets obtained by well-meaning parents. Children are not experiencing the wonders that nature has to offer due to a variety of factors borne out of living in this technologically powered world. The children born in the late 20th century America has lost something that they did not have. This lack of nature is detrimental to children’s physical, psychological and spiritual development. Early in the 20th century, the children had a deeper appreciation for nature because they were constantly surrounded by it. The urban areas still had creeks and woods that children could explore. They had nature as an integral part of their lives. It was not an abstract notion, but a powerful force in their everyday lives and this ingrained a deeper understanding of the world around them. Those children knew that food came from the earth and fish were caught in rivers, lakes and seas near them. This, the children born in the 1980s have never had. They only know of the supermarket and markets without the knowledge that the earth produces their nourishment (21). The serenity that nature provides cannot be reproduced by any artificial means. The sights and sounds, the ‘wildness’ of nature and the clean air found in nature have calming effects on children. Nature’s peaceful and calming effect on children and adults alike has been relegated. The goodness that children gain from spending time outdoors cannot be replicated by any advances in technology. A child’s senses are sharpened when he or she plays and explores the outdoors. All the sights and sounds that are constantly filling the air heighten the senses. As Louv puts it, nature calmed, focused and excited his senses as a child (10). The outdoors foster a sense of release in children. The solitude that children enjoy in the woods or by a stream serves as a source of escape from the adult world. As evidenced by Louv’s interview of elementary school children. Some reported that they went into the woods near their homes to just lie in a field or sit behind a tree. The peacefulness of the woods calms them as reported by a fifth grader. She spoke of obtaining a sense of freedom and calm when in the woods (13-14). The world as it is today can be demanding on a child, and release from the stress of demanding schoolwork is very therapeutic (Louv, 3). Nature has a way of inspiring innovativeness in children. Their imagination creates new ways of manipulating their surroundings to fit their needs and helps them find solutions to any impediments they might encounter. Nature offers endless possibilities in terms of how children can use the spaces and resources in nature to maximize their play experience. Using trees to build tree houses, damming up streams to float boats and using scraps of liver to catch fish (27), are examples of the innovative and inventive ways children use the natural resources to play. The advent of computer games has decreased that innovative streak. Urbanization has served to decrease the open spaces available for children to play. The concrete jungles created to satisfy the increase in demand for housing has been detrimental to the availability of free spaces. Modern urban and suburban designers are replacing wildness with synthetic nature that is more manageable than the wild. This has ensured children stay indoors or even discourage the interaction of children with nature. Instead, children now are divorced from the wild, from nature. Such experiences are confined to occasional visits to the national parks and zoos. Children are not experiencing nature as part of their lives on a daily basis. This extends to the relationship they have with their food, as this is grown in areas away from their neighborhoods, hence foreign to them. Advances made in technology have zoned children out of the real world and sucked them into virtual ones. The replacement of natural play with the electronic gadgets has decreased children’s imaginations, and since most do not know any better, staying indoors is viewed as more fun. A fourth grader that was interviewed by Louv admitted preferring playing indoors due to all the presence of electrical outlets (10). Some parents attested to this observation. Children are not interested in exploring nature. Even when they are outside in nature, they are plugged in to their earphones or other electronic device (12). They do not find pleasure in engaging themselves in the wonderment that nature offers. The amount of control that parents exercise over their children’s playtime activities has hampered their innate explorative desire. Society has become dangerous for children, and the media do not make it any easier by constantly relaying those fears of harm befalling children. Obsession with safety has made things like climbing trees or building ramps to ride bicycles on as hazardous (27). Parks are constantly filled with signposts that deter veering off the demarcated paths. Children, during Louv’ interviews, attested to this (13). Parents and society place too many restrictions on children, to their children’s detriment. Children need to be reintroduced to the wonders of nature. The benefits that nature offers to children are numerous and crucial to their development. The future of the earth depends on the interactions and consequently their appreciation of the role nature plays in their lives. An understanding of human’s role in nature may be the key in saving the planet from further destruction for the benefit of generations to come. Work Cited Louv, Richard. Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. Chapel Hill, NC: Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 2005. Print

Henderson Surname Meaning and Origin

Henderson Surname Meaning and Origin Henderson is a popular patronymic name meaning son of Henry. The given name Henry means home ruler or ruler of the home, derived from the Germanic name  Heimirich which is composed of the elements heim, meaning  home and ric, meaning power, ruler. Surname Origin: English, Scottish Alternate Surname Spellings:  HENDERSEN, HENSON, HENRYSON, HENRYSOUN, HENNDERSON, HENHYSON Where in the World is the HENDERSON Surname Found? According to  WorldNames public profiler, the largest number of individuals with the Henderson surname live in Scotland, especially the Highlands region. It is also a very popular surname in New Zealand and Australia. Surname distribution statistics at Forebears has the Henderson surname appearing with the greatest population density in Dominica, followed by Scotland. In 1881 Scotland the greatest percentage of Hendersons lived in Caithness, Shetland, and  Kinross-shire. Famous People with the Surname HENDERSON Fletcher Henderson - Big band jazz pianist and songwriterFlorence Henderson - American actress best known for her role as Carol Brady in The Brady Bunch television sitcomRickey Henderson - American baseball playerThomas Henderson -  Royal astronomer of the Cape of Good Hope, South AfricaArthur Henderson -  Organizer of the British Labour PartyArchibald Henderson -  Fifth Commandant of the U.S. Marine CorpsJohn Brooks Henderson - Author of the thirteenth amendment to the U.S. Constitution, abolishing slavery Genealogy Resources for the Surname HENDERSON Most Common U.S. Surnames Their MeaningsSmith, Johnson, Williams, Jones, Brown... Are you one of the millions of Americans sporting one of these top 250 common last names from the 2000 census? Clan Henderson SocietyAmong the goals of the Clan Henderson Society are fostering Scottish culture, activities, festivals, and games; assisting with Henderson genealogical research, and promoting the history and culture of the Henderson clan and Scotland. Henderson DNA ProjectFormed under the auspices of the Clan Henderson Societies of the United States and Canada, this Henderson surname DNA project supports efforts to document individual Henderson families and trace the migration of the Hendersons over time.   Henderson Family Genealogy ForumSearch this popular genealogy forum for the Henderson surname to find others who might be researching your ancestors, or ask your own question about your Henderson ancestors. FamilySearch - HENDERSON GenealogyDiscover historical records and lineage-linked family trees for the Henderson surname and its variations on this free genealogy site sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. HENDERSON Surname Family Mailing ListsRootsWeb hosts several free mailing lists for researchers of the Henderson surname. DistantCousin.com - HENDERSON Genealogy Family HistoryFree databases and genealogy links for the last name Henderson. The Henderson Genealogy and Family Tree PageBrowse genealogy records and links to genealogical and historical records for individuals with the Henderson surname from the website of Genealogy Today. Looking for the meaning of a given name? Check out First Name Meanings Cant find your last name listed? Suggest a surname to be added to the Glossary of Surname Meanings Origins.- References: Surname Meanings Origins Cottle, Basil. Penguin Dictionary of Surnames. Baltimore, MD: Penguin Books, 1967. Menk, Lars. A Dictionary of German Jewish Surnames. Avotaynu, 2005. Beider, Alexander. A Dictionary of Jewish Surnames from Galicia. Avotaynu, 2004. Hanks, Patrick and Flavia Hodges. A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford University Press, 1989. Hanks, Patrick. Dictionary of American Family Names. Oxford University Press, 2003. Smith, Elsdon C. American Surnames. Genealogical Publishing Company, 1997. Back to Glossary of Surname Meanings Origins

Culture - Definition, Discussion and Examples

Culture s Culture is a term that refers to a large and diverse set of mostly intangible aspects of social life. According to sociologists, culture consists of the values, beliefs, systems of language, communication, and practices that people share in common and that can be used to define them as a collective. Culture also includes the material objects that are common to that group or society. Culture is distinct from social structure and economic aspects of society, but it is connected to them - both continuously informing them and being informed by them. How Sociologists  Define Culture Culture is one of the most important concepts within sociology because sociologists recognize that it plays a crucial role in our social lives. It is important for shaping social relationships, maintaining and challenging social order, determining how we make sense of the world and our place in it, and in shaping our everyday actions and experiences in society. It is composed of both non-material and material things. In brief, sociologists define the non-material aspects of culture as the values and beliefs, language, communication, and practices that are shared in common by a group of people. Expanding on these categories, culture is made up of our knowledge, common sense, assumptions, and expectations. It is also the rules, norms, laws, and morals that govern society; the words we use as well as how we speak and write them (what sociologists call discourse); and the symbols we use to express meaning, ideas, and concepts (like traffic signs and emojis, for example). Culture is also what we do and how we behave and perform (for example, theater and dance). It informs and is encapsulated in how we walk, sit, carry our bodies, and interact with others; how we behave depending on the place, time, and audience; and how we express identities of race, class, gender, and sexuality, among others. Culture also includes the collective practices we participate in, such as religious ceremonies, the celebrati on of secular holidays, and attending sporting events. Material culture is composed of the things that humans make and use. This aspect of culture includes a wide variety of things, from buildings, technological gadgets, and clothing, to film, music, literature, and art, among others. Aspects of material culture are more commonly referred to as cultural products. Sociologists see the two sides of culture - the material and non-material - as intimately connected. Material culture emerges from and is shaped by the non-material aspects of culture. In other words, what we value, believe, and know (and what we do together in everyday life) influences the things that we make. But it is not a one-way relationship between material and non-material culture. Material culture can also influence the non-material aspects of culture. For example, a powerful documentary film (an aspect of material culture) might change people’s attitudes and beliefs (i.e. non-material culture). This is why cultural products tend to follow patterns. What has come before in terms of music, film, television, and art, for example, influences the values, beliefs, and expectations of those who interact with them, which then, in turn, influence the creation of additional cultural products. Why Culture Matters to Sociologists Culture is important to sociologists because it plays a significant and important role in the production of social order. The social order refers to the stability of society based on the collective agreement to rules and norms that allow us to cooperate, function as a society, and live together (ideally) in peace and harmony. For sociologists, there are both good and bad aspects of social order. Rooted in the theory of classical French sociologist Émile Durkheim, both material and non-material aspects of culture are valuable in that they hold society together. The values, beliefs, morals, communication, and practices that we share in common provide us with a shared sense of purpose and a valuable collective identity. Durkheim revealed through his research that when people come together to participate in rituals, they reaffirm the culture they hold in common, and in doing so, strengthen the social ties that bind them together. Today, sociologists see this important social phenomenon happening not only in religious rituals and celebrations like (some) weddings and the Indian festival of Holi but also in secular ones - such as high school dances and widely-attended, televised sporting events (for example, the Super Bowl and March Madness). Famous Prussian social theorist and activist Karl Marx established the critical approach to culture in the social sciences. According to Marx, it is in the realm of non-material culture that a minority is able to maintain unjust power over the majority. He reasoned that subscribing to mainstream values, norms, and beliefs keep people invested in unequal social systems that do not work in their best interests, but rather, benefit the powerful minority. Sociologists today see Marxs theory in action in the way that most people in capitalist societies buy into the belief that success comes from hard work and dedication, and that anyone can live a good life if they do these things - despite the reality that a job which pays a living wage is increasingly hard to come by. Both theorists were right about the role that culture plays in society, but neither was  exclusively  right. Culture can be a force for oppression and domination, but it can also be a force for creativity, resistance, and liberation. It is also a deeply important aspect of human social life and social organization. Without it, we would not have relationships or society.

Satisfying all stakeholders when the business is competing in mature Essay - 1

Satisfying all stakeholders when the business is competing in mature product markets is difficult. Discuss - Essay Example Another handicap facing mature products is that the markets they operate in are likely to be mature as well, making growth prospects for the product as well as industry very tough. The rest of this essay will present various factors that have a bearing on stakeholders when a business is competing in mature product markets. Shareholders are one of the main (if not the most important) stakeholders to a company’s prospects. And equity markets are the arena where they can hope to claim their rewards. But increasing share price on a consistent and non-volatile manner is very difficult in mature product markets. For example, â€Å"Equity markets both reward companies that outpace growth in their sector and that show significantly higher price/earnings multiples than their competitors. But, since 80 per cent of equity markets grow only as fast as their country's gross domestic product - that is, at a rate that rarely pushes beyond the low single digits, an organization that seeks to outpace a mature equity market and achieve double-digit revenue growth faces a steep uphill climb. A company can attempt to take market share, but competitors in a mature market will work just as vigorously to defend their customer base. Higher revenue does not always signal success anyway, since revenue gains almost always hurt margins, and can precipitate a price war that devalues the entire market.† (Magrath, 2005) The telecommunications industry offers opportunities for studying marketability of mature products. This is so because, although digital and satellite communications technology were invented only a couple of decades ago, the rapid rate of growth ensured maturity of both the industry as well as its products. The recent developments in the telecommunications industry in the Middle East illustrates common challenges faced by mature products and mature markets. The quarterly performance of these telecom companies after the first quarter of 2009 shows how growth can be stagnant or in decline for mature product markets. During this period, Saudi Telecom reported a whopping 69 percent dip in its net profit figures. Etisalat, another major firm in the region, reported a 20 percent drop in profits in the same period. Smaller players too, including Maroc Telecom and Zain, performed likewise. (Hadfield, 2009) These examples illustrate how difficult it has become for managements to satisfy stakeholders in a mature product business. It is a sign of problems identified with mature markets that investors are looking at opportunities in emerging markets. An increasing share of the world’s capital is now being directed to equities and other derivative products in emerging economies. In the era of globalization, the flow of financial capital is a vital parameter. Financial products and derivative products transacted via stock exchanges trans-nationally have matured as a product over the years. This means that there is now vast empirical data to draw theories upon. This has also had the effect of increasing the degree of volatility in these markets. Investment firms and individual investors look toward emerging markets despite their high volatility due to the following reasons: higher average returns, lower correlations than developed markets, and more predictable returns. Each of these characteristics has made the volatility

How I met Your Mother TV Show Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

How I met Your Mother TV Show - Essay Example Both Carter bays and Craig Thomas had been friends for a long time before teaming up to create this TV show. Both of them live in New York. The How I met your mother TV show has so far had 184 episodes and four different directors throughout the entire nine seasons. Pamela Fryman directed 172 episodes, Rob Greenberg directed seven episodes, Michael Shea has directed 4 episodes and Neil Patrick Harris has directed one episode of the show. How I met your mother is one of my favorite comedies of all time. I have watched the entire show from the first season to the current last season and it has never disappointed. I like its setting and the actors also help to bring out a great sense of humor to crack ones ribs. The show is centered on the main character, Ted Mosby, together with his friends living in Manhattan, New York. The show is set in the year 2030, where Ted Mosby recounts to his children, son and daughter, about the happenings that led to him meeting their mother before they got married. The show has relatively received positive reviews since its premiere episode and has become known for its eccentric humor and unique structure. This has enabled the show to garner a multitude of followers over the years that it has been showing. How I met your mother has won nine Emmy Awards and 28 nominations for the same awards. The show’s actress, Alyson Hannigan, was awarded the People’s Choice Award for being the favorite TV comedy actress in 2010. The show also won the People’s Choice Award for being the favorite comedy show on television network in 2012, 7 years after its debut episode. Neil Patrick Harris has also won the People’s Choice for being the most favorite TV comedy actor. The Pilot project for the show was shot at CBS Radford while each of the other episodes were shot at Soundstage Studio in Los Angeles over a period of three days. Each of the episodes includes at least fifty scenes. The laugh track of the show is later on recorded at a l ive audience that was shown in the final edited episode. The show’s theme song, ‘Hey Beautiful’ was composed by The Solids, a band that both Thomas and Bays are members. Production of the show was temporarily halted during the third season between during the strike of 2007-2008 involving the Writers Guild of America. The strike ended on 17th March, 2008 and production of the show’s episodes resumed with nine new episodes being shot. There was a slight change in the time slot for airing the show on CBS upon resuming production. The show flip- flopped with another sitcom, The Big Bang Theory during the summer and aired at 8:30pm ET/7:30PM CT. A fourth season was renewed by CBS in 2008 and premiered on 22ndd September, 2008. First Evaluation of the Show How I met your mother has received affirmative reviews from a majority of movie review sites and magazines across the world. The show has run for almost fifteen years and has a huge following, some of them who have also written different opinions about the show. The Guardian’s Anna Pickard is one of the movie reviewers for the newspaper and has thrown praise on the show. In her review article in The Guardian Newspaper titles, ‘How I met Neil Patrick Harris’, she praises the show and the actors as being one of the best shows in terms of its format and the comedy involved. She says the show is ‘clever’ and the fact that it has been set twenty years in to the future makes it more interesting for the jokes to set in (Anna, 2009). The characters in the show are also great and help to make the show even better by helping viewers to follow in their lives as

Boardman Management RFP Assesment Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Boardman Management RFP Assesment - Article Example At the primary stage of analysis, Boardman Management will need to investigate the possibility of using lower-priced materials. If this is not possible, the organizational structure will be redesigned to take advantage of lower-priced materials. Such an approach will enable the company to remain competitive and, in some cases, beat the prices of its competitors. Additionally, the assessment will be made regarding the possibility of storing the cost data for in-process items on-line within the computerized information system so that cost data would always be up to date. With the implementation of such an approach, the problem of out-of-date standard cost figures should never recur (Burkun, 2006). The analysis of the budget will be an important step for Boardman Management to evaluate and calculate investment decisions. Budgets are both planning and control mechanisms that, although essential to control (particularly cost control), serve as a balance between planning and control. They refer to future periods of time, and translate company plans into financial resources. They furnish a guide for future expenditures, and by helping to guide actual performance toward budgeted performance, assist in the achievement of objectives. Budgets establish expected relationships among a number of factors in need of control, such as expenses for advertising, product planning, personal selling, and product development. They may be thought of as short-run aspects of planning (Burkun, 2006). The next step is to analyze the proposed structure of changes and their impact on the organization. The evaluation will uncover an important problem that is not included initially in the investigation. The assistant analysis will take several directions. The company will analyze costs required for implementation and change management, and time schedule. The cost control difficulties caused by restructuring are not hard for the experienced outside auditors to detect. However, developing appropriate recommendations in the form of cost control procedures take a little more time. Such analysis requires the development of different cost information, with cost classifications normally supplied by accounting statements. But generating relevant cost information from accounting statements, though conceptually simple, is actually quite complicated. First, the problem of discerning the costs of different activities is not easy (Burkun, 2006). Second, the allocation of costs among functions and other control units involves subjective judgments. Accountants classify expenditures on a natural basis. Hence, costs may be assigned to advertising, personal selling, transportation, warehousing, and sales promotion. The real purpose of these expenditures, however, is to achieve other objectives, such as sales, market position, image, and reputation. The next step of responses evaluation is to analyze pros and cons of the proposed software and its benefits for the company. The effectiveness of management and its staff in fulfilling their assigned tasks is evaluated. Within the next subsection, the ability of R&D management to exert the necessary leadership to accomplish stated objectives and oversee R&D projects effectively is examined. In a somewhat similar manner, the upward and downward flows of information between different departments and its staff

Home Health Care Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Home Health Care - Research Paper Example History: Home health care has emerged in two different forms i.e., post-acute care and social-supportive care (Kadushin & Egan, 6). Home health care was legally institutionalized in the United States post formulation of funded services such as Medicare and Medicaid legislation in 1965 with the former supporting post-acute skilled care to homebound individuals and the latter catering to preventive, skilled and unskilled care to chronically ill individuals. Prior to this, home care was not an entity of the government, but managed either by relatives or by private nurses. According to Keenan and Fanale (1989) the first home care program was started by Boston University in 1885 (qtd. in Kadushin & Egan, 6). Subsequently, home care health service has undergone many changes with respect to its scope, complexity, types of services, and other developments. Current developments: Much of the development in home health care is attributed to increasing number of chronically ill patients post industrialization and improvement in public health systems. Moreover, home care was also viewed as a cost-effective method of treatment for both patients as well as hospitals. Implementation of Medicare and Medicaid programs have boosted home care services. Kadushin and Egan reported that in the past 20 years, medicare enrollees has been around 4 million and cost of home care has been around $20.5 billion (p.18). The National Association for Home Care and Hospice’s 2007 figures indicated that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services expenditure touched $2.2 trillion (p.2). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2006, about 867,100 caregivers were formally appointed by home care agencies. Role of home care services: Most of the patients requiring home care services are those requiring postoperative care or rehabilitative care; in 2006, about 21.4 percent of home care patients had

Molecular Changes in Oral Cancer Progression and Their Underlying Essay

Molecular Changes in Oral Cancer Progression and Their Underlying Mechanisms - Essay Example Alcohol has been found to be a primary risk factor in oral SCC.5 Other factors include tobacco consumption, genetic predisposition, viral infection, and denture related factors.2, 6, 7 The process of oral carcinogenesis is a multifactorial and multistep process occurring when epithelial cells are exposed to genetic alterations.8 Complex molecular changes associated with oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes (TSG), and other factors underlie the development and progression of oral cancer. A study of these molecular mechanisms is vital in order to better diagnose and detect oral cancer related alterations that are often invisible under a microscope.8 The present paper outlines some of the molecular changes that are believed to contribute to oral cancer progression. The mechanisms underlying some of these molecular changes are also discussed. II. Progression of Oral Cancer The pathological progression of cancer takes place when normal cells are transformed to pre-malignant cells and then to malignant cells through the accumulation of mutations.9 The progression of oral cancer from dysplasia to the stage of metastasis is associated with multistage pathologic changes caused by molecular alterations.10 The pathologic phenotypes involved in cancer progression include increase in cell proliferation, horizontal spread and survival, which are associated with molecular changes such as altered expression of molecules such as p53 that regulate cell cycle, altered growth factor response, altered protein metabolism and synthesis, and cell immortality associated with telomerase.10 The progression of oral cancer may also be attributed to other molecular changes that lead to the overproduction of growth factors, increase in the number of cell surface receptors, alterations in transcriptional factors and signal messengers, etc.8 III. Molecular Changes Contributing to the Progression of Oral Cancer As already stated, the progression of oral cancer occurs as a result of multistep genet ic alterations resulting from molecular changes. The normal functioning of the oncogenes and TSGs is altered due to which there is an increase in the production of growth factors, transcription factors, intracellular signal messengers and/or number of cell surface receptors.11 These alterations lead to phenotypic changes in the cell, which facilitate cell proliferation and suppress cell cohesion, subsequently enabling the infiltration of malignant cells.11 McGregor et al. have shown that the initial stages of oral cancer progression from the dysplasia stage are associated with loss of the expression of (RAR)-? retinoic acid receptor, loss of expression of p16 cell cycle inhibitor, mutations in p53, and an increase in the levels of telomerase reverse transcriptase mRNA.12 There is an increase in the expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor after the dysplasia sta

Circuit Theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Circuit Theory - Essay Example The paper "Circuit Theory" shows and describes some figures with the two-way crossover's work. At frequencies way above the pass band, the rate of increase in attenuation is 12dB/octave at a 90 degrees phase shift which goes to 180 degrees at very high frequencies. The rate of the attenuation here depends on the filter order, which in turn is determined by the number of reactive components in the ladder. For instance in our case here there are two reactive components, hence the filter order is two and its rate of attenuation is given by nx6dB/octave = 12dB/octave since n=2. Its response at different values of n is as shown below. A two-way crossover has a combination of a high pass and a low pass filter which could be used to drive a tweeter and a loudspeaker at the same time. These two could be fed from the same model of an amplifier if and only if it can accommodate the frequency ranges of both of them. However this is a wide range hence it’s impossible to come up with such an amplifier, hence the two-way crossover is used. With the low pass filter designed as explained earlier its high pass counterpart can be derived from it following the simple fact that their frequency response is reciprocal of one another. This means that attenuation of a low pass filter at say a frequency of w=2 is the same as the equivalent high pass at w=0.5. Deriving from this the high pass filter components are the reciprocal of the normalised low-pass filter, such that where there are capacitors in the low pass model they are replaced by inductors in the high pass model.

Molecular Changes in Oral Cancer Progression and Their Underlying Essay

Molecular Changes in Oral Cancer Progression and Their Underlying Mechanisms - Essay Example Alcohol has been found to be a primary risk factor in oral SCC.5 Other factors include tobacco consumption, genetic predisposition, viral infection, and denture related factors.2, 6, 7 The process of oral carcinogenesis is a multifactorial and multistep process occurring when epithelial cells are exposed to genetic alterations.8 Complex molecular changes associated with oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes (TSG), and other factors underlie the development and progression of oral cancer. A study of these molecular mechanisms is vital in order to better diagnose and detect oral cancer related alterations that are often invisible under a microscope.8 The present paper outlines some of the molecular changes that are believed to contribute to oral cancer progression. The mechanisms underlying some of these molecular changes are also discussed. II. Progression of Oral Cancer The pathological progression of cancer takes place when normal cells are transformed to pre-malignant cells and then to malignant cells through the accumulation of mutations.9 The progression of oral cancer from dysplasia to the stage of metastasis is associated with multistage pathologic changes caused by molecular alterations.10 The pathologic phenotypes involved in cancer progression include increase in cell proliferation, horizontal spread and survival, which are associated with molecular changes such as altered expression of molecules such as p53 that regulate cell cycle, altered growth factor response, altered protein metabolism and synthesis, and cell immortality associated with telomerase.10 The progression of oral cancer may also be attributed to other molecular changes that lead to the overproduction of growth factors, increase in the number of cell surface receptors, alterations in transcriptional factors and signal messengers, etc.8 III. Molecular Changes Contributing to the Progression of Oral Cancer As already stated, the progression of oral cancer occurs as a result of multistep genet ic alterations resulting from molecular changes. The normal functioning of the oncogenes and TSGs is altered due to which there is an increase in the production of growth factors, transcription factors, intracellular signal messengers and/or number of cell surface receptors.11 These alterations lead to phenotypic changes in the cell, which facilitate cell proliferation and suppress cell cohesion, subsequently enabling the infiltration of malignant cells.11 McGregor et al. have shown that the initial stages of oral cancer progression from the dysplasia stage are associated with loss of the expression of (RAR)-? retinoic acid receptor, loss of expression of p16 cell cycle inhibitor, mutations in p53, and an increase in the levels of telomerase reverse transcriptase mRNA.12 There is an increase in the expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor after the dysplasia sta

Blue Nile Case Essay Example for Free

Blue Nile Case Essay Background Blue Nile has grown into one of the largest jewelry retailers in the United States with only using the Internet as its distribution channel. The success is a direct result of a well-crafted business strategy that attracts high price customers and provides them with in-depth education about diamonds and jewelry. Gamble, Peteraf, Strickland III, and Thompson (2012), indicated that the company’s strategy provides customers with high quality diamonds, exceptional customer service and low prices (p. c-128). They pride themselves on their selection and outstanding education that they provide to consumers looking for the perfect diamond. In addition they have received various awards and recognition from Forbes and Bizrate.com (Thompson, Peteraf, Gamble, Strickland, 2012, p. C-127). Blue Nile has found a niche in which to differentiate itself by creating an online marketplace for jewelry shopping and with low operating costs which makes them extremely competitive. In viewing Blue Niles website, one can see that they have a vast amount of for potential buyers, that which determine a diamond’s value- carat, clarity, color, cut, and cut grade. Strength The company has a user friendly site that present a lot of diamonds styles to choose from with the 5C’s of diamond selection which are cut shape, cut, color, clarity and carat weight. Their price is much lower than others. Blue Niles also prides themselves on their selection and outstanding education that they provide to consumers looking for the perfect diamond (Thompson, Peteraf, Gamble, Strickland, 2012, p. C-127). Weakness Blue Nile competes in a small area with a specialty offering. Brand awareness remains a constant source of weakness for the company. Blue Nile, Inc. needs to increase their advertising campaign to attract new and retain old customers. Opportunities Blue Nile needs to create a strong brand awareness that will allow can compete with Tiffany and Co. Blue Nile, Inc. recently opened warehouses in Canada and Britain, but has limited globalization to sales of 40 nations. Blue Nile will need global growth into the European market could prove to be a financial success. Threats Through the operating capital calculations it indicates that Blue Niles strategy is needs some adjustments in the current market space. From 2005 to 2009 the cash that has been available for the firm’s day-to-day operations has dropped dramatically. There was an estimated $58.8 billion in sales in the United States alone in 2009 (Thompson, 2012, p. C-127). With Blue Nile taking $302 million in sales in 2009, they had a great year but in reality only maintain a less than 1% of the market industry hold. This suggests that there is room for growth in this are. With steady profits for the past two years, 2011 has been the best year even though the 4th quarter resulted in small loss. The company profits are 2011 $348 million, 2010 $332.9 million, 2009 $302.1 million, and in 2008 $295.3 million be (Blue Nile, 2012, Investor Relations). References: Blue Nile, Inc. 2011 Annual Report (2012). Blue Nile, Inc. (online). Retrieved from http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/NILE/1855688484x0x560442/D1DAE1BA-0161-4574-8447-242F9561DF0E/2011_Annual_Report_FINAL.pdf Thompson, A. A., Peteraf, M. A., Gamble, J. E., Strickland, A. J. (2012). Crafting executing strategy: The quest for competitive advantage (18th ed.). New York, NY: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Discussion 6.1 Jeffrey Clapper Jeffrey, I agree with your posting and I enjoyed reading it also. In reviewing the financials and the Internet site, it is apparent that Blue Nile spends a lot of money in the area that has no direct impact on generating profit. Blue Nile is now pursuing a new market consisting of non-engagement jewelry by offering an expanded range of products across several price points. This market should offer a great amount of growth opportunities for now and the future. All in all the brand and name recognition is the key aspect that the must pay attention to. Discussion 6.1 Michael Veltman Michael, Your post was very insightful. A main issue for Blue Nile is the lack of exposure through the their advertising. Blue Nile offers the best prices while still being able to create a profit. The low operations cost of the business enables them to offer low prices and still make a profit. On the other hand the lack of store front exposure creates a problem for gaining additional clients. By adding new products they can create there reach and drive more revenue.

Criticisms of the positivism approach

Criticisms of the positivism approach This essay aims to explore and assess the criticisms that have been levelled at the application of positivism within human geography. It will become clear that most of these criticisms follow two interlinked themes: The idea that such scientific and quantitative approaches rely on generalisation and are shallow by nature, and that positivisms objective approach tends to refuse acknowledgement of individuals and their experiences. However, despite the numerous flaws of positivist approaches, it would be naive to ignore the useful aspects of their nomothetic direction. This paper will conclude that the divide between the positivist and non-positivist (humanistic, radical and Marxist) geographers should not be seen as a weakness in the discipline, but rather as Geographys main strength. As Ackerman (1958 p.74, cited in Johnston, 1997) noted, most geographical research has dealt with much generalisation, yet it has given meaning to other research efforts which succeeded it. In this sense it has a block-building characteristic. (p.17). The philosophical divide is therefore in fact constructive. Non positivist approaches compliment the generalisations of the previous more positivist studies through expansion and critique. Before immersing into the stark debates inherent of these criticisms though, a brief history of positivism is necessary so that the critiques that follow can be understood on a contextual basis. Positivism is a philosophical approach that can be applied to social sciences. The approach was founded upon the belief that phenomena of the human social world are no different from those of the natural inorganic and organic world (Unwin, 1992 p.31). As a result, the father of positivism (Kitchin, 2006 p.20), Auguste Comte felt that social phenomena should be studied using more scientific methodologies. Kitchin (2006) explains that this new approach, first presented in Comtes mid 19th century writings, focused on facts and truths that could be empirically proven and observed. Indeed the reasoning behind the coining of the term positivism was the approaches aim to prioritise actual truths. Comte demanded objective studies using replicable methods so that common laws could be generated, he was consequently dismissive of metaphysical and normative questions as they were seemingly impossible to answer from a scientific standpoint. As positivism grew in influence it branched into two main directions; logical positivism and critical rationalism (falsification). Logical positivism, a product of the Vienna Circle in the 1920s, revolves around the idea that a hypothesis should be set and vigorously tested until it becomes statistically true (Johnston et al, 2000). Popper (1976) on the other hand suggested the ideal that something is only true until it is disproved, therefore academics should be aiming to nullify hypotheses. In turn this becomes a more objective method as you are not biased toward satisfying the criteria within your own hypothesis. Of course there are flaws with both of these ideals. It is impossible to prove many things beyond a doubt, especially when dealing with processes as complicated as those applied to human geography; and not everything can be falsified, it is for example not possible to falsify something that cannot be directly tested. Nevertheless, these two strands of positivism played an important role in the application of the philosophy within human geography. Whilst positivism set the groundwork for the debates that are to follow, the quantitative revolution acted as the trigger. In the 1950s Geographys low reputation as a science led to an increase in positivist and quantitative approaches to human geography as the discipline attempted to legitimise itself by producing laws based on observational evidence (Unwin, 1992 p.106). Indeed geography had shifted dramatically from a traditional idiographic descriptive approach to that of a nomothetic, thriving on evidence and statistics. Of course both approaches are still present in contemporary geography, yet the rise in positivist research is undeniable. This of course leads us to the criticisms that one half of the geographical divide have levelled at their positivistic adversaries. As outlined in the introduction, most of the criticisms aimed at positivism in human geography are loosely based around its shallow nature, sweeping statements and lack of normative questions. The first major critique of the positivist approach is its over tendency to focus on space, this has been termed spatial fetishism. Livingstone (1992, p.328) goes as far as to suggest that Geographys confrontation with the vocabulary of logical positivism was a post hoc means of rationalizing its attempt to reconstitute itself as a spatial science. Geography should be covering more than just space and scales, indeed it is called human geography as its intent should be to uncover peoples experiences and interactions with the world and each other. It is certainly easy to criticise positivism if its purpose was to prioritise spatial science over other geographies. The progress of the discipline would certainly be limited if the majority of research was based only on quantitative spatial analysis a nd modelling. Sack (1980) agrees that positivistic geographys spatial feitsh has been at the expense of all other aspects of geography. Collinge (2005) argues that too much focus on distinctive spatial relations to society and social change can be deconstructive. He applauds and calls for a continuation of critique against geographies current understanding of space and society, instead suggesting that interactions between the two (the kind that can not be covered with mass generalisations) should be studied more closely with less focus on the distinction between the two dimensions. Whilst this effort by Collinge and indeed new feminist geographers is certainly noble, it is a relatively weak critique as it offers no real solution. Even so, as Collinge himself inferred, critique can actually be constructive, it does after all lead to further research and in turn further knowledge of the world. Continuing along the critique of positivist geographys spatial fetishism, Sack (1980) also claims that this focus on space actually serves to isolate space from time. This is yet another critique that suggests positivism to be deconstructive. Dynamism is at the heart of geography, particularly the human side. Quantitative studies can be taken, correlations and patterns can be observed, but the results are always going to be inherently subject to change. Indeed positivisms nomothetic approach aims to produce laws, but does not take all things into consideration. This is integral to Harveys (1973) argument as he claims that positivism ignores factors such as political and sociological shifts that can only be studied qualitively. However, that does not mean that positivism doesnt belong in geography. Even if we were to assume that positivism were only interested in spatial sciences, it is still a useful philosophy, as is quantitativism a useful tool. In a subject as dynamic as geography qualitative methods alone could not sufficiently understand the world. Whilst positivism is flawed and overgeneralising, and could even be said to be a form of spatial fetishism, quantitative research can produce quick results. This of course is vital in what is an ever changing landscape. To revert to the two main themes of critique outlined in the introduction, positivist studies are, or at least were, shallow natured both in terms of what, and how they analysed phenomena. As Spate (1960) explained, there is a need for quantitative geography, but the knowledge that is gained cannot be expressed purely in number form. It is starting now to become clear that the philosophical divide that exists within geography may not be such a bad thing after all. Positivist studies are acquiring the raw facts, all be it with at times a generalised attitude, but critics are expanding upon these facts, thus engineering a better working knowledge. Interestingly though, many of these criticisms are loosely based around the logical side of positivism. The potential usefulness of falsification (despite its flaws) in an ever changing subject is intriguing, in which case, truths need not necessarily always be truths. A second set of critiques target positivisms laissez faire attitude towards its research subjects. Perhaps the key figurehead behind this critique is David Harvey. Even in Harveys Explanation in Geography (1969, p.107), a book that wasnt exceptionally radical being one of his earlier works, saw that it would be foolish to suggest that all our outstanding substantive problems will be solved merely by the touch of the glittering wand of scientific explanation. By 1973 Harvey had become disheartened with the over reliance of positivist approaches within geography, not just because it so often failed to ask why things were as they were, but namely due to its neutrality and hence its inability to solve the problems that it so often uncovered. It was this silence and ineptitude which essentially explain(ed) the necessity for a revolution in geographic thought (Harvey, 1973). Harveys revolution namely resulted in the creation of both Marxist and Radical geographers (Kitchin, 2006). Indeed t he effects of this evolving geography are still felt today with the expansion of feminist geography amongst other groups. Once again we reach the divide within the discpilne. To quickly summarise and reiterate here, the dualism within geography and the critique of positivist approaches actually went as far as to create new branches of geography, something that can only be beneficial for research purposes as the subject has evolved to become more diversified than ever. Surely then the hunger for knowledge within geography is actually as great as it has ever been. Whilst Kwan and Schwanen (2009) argue that this antagonistic divide is only hindering progress, I would argue that based on this historical evidence, the critique between the two has actually helped geography evolve into a much more complex, and consequently more knowledgeable discipline. To return to this set of critiques though, it could be said that Harveys earlier quantitative interests (present in Harvey, 1969) only serve to show Harvey up as a hypocrite considering the radical reversal in his views. Indeed Harvey himself stated that by our theories you shall know us (Harvey, 1969 p.486). Of course if this were the case then it may serve to discredit his works. On the contrary, it actually shows the true degree to which he was discontented by the general ignorance of positivistic geography. His experience within quantitative studies actually gives extra validity to his arguments. The last of the main attacks on positivism targets the objectivity that is underpins the philosophy. Goodwin (2005) discusses the advent of humanistic geography, yet another offspring from the critics of positivism and its scientific and nomathetic approach. Humanistic geography aims to uncover the importance of ideal, cultures and languages within local geographies. Humanists argue that people cannot be modelled using sweeping scientific methodology, indeed independent thought prevents that, not to mention the fact that ideals cannot be mapped quantitatively. Ley (1974) argues that such phenomena can be mapped qualitatively though, actually visiting the areas that you wish to research. Upon researching geographies of gang culture Lay suggested that graffiti markings represent the language of space for members of the street gang culture (1974 p.218, cited in Goodwin, 2005 p.55). From a critical standpoint though, humanist geography can only ever achieve so much. There frankly arent e nough geographers, nor is there sufficient time to absolutely understand aoll of the emotional attachments and ideas that humans have relating to place, space and nature. To go back to an earlier point, geography is inherently dynamic. Positivism, if nothing else, can produce a relatively quick scientific (all be it shallow) representation of the world. Even if these laws do isolate time from space, the studies can be repeated so that new laws can be constructed. It is by no means perfect, but it is pragmatic. An example of where mass information is required is in government. With governments usually in power for just 4-5 years in the UK, actual raw figures are necessary so that policies can be planned and implemented within the partys term time. Such data is often acquired and analysed by positivist geography academics (Rhind, 1981). Of course we have to be careful not to rely solely on such quantitative studies or else important issues will go unnoticed and thus unsolved, but thanks to the evident divide, there is little chance of positivism ever totally dictating geographical research. It has become apparent that there are many critics of positivism and its application to human geography. The critiques themselves generally target the philosophies objectivity, generalising nature and and its shallow desire for fact alone. Yet there is a need for positivistic and quantitative approaches. These often sweeping studies that assume homogeneity are flawed in many ways, but they deliver actual results that are necessary for many institutions, furthermore they can quickly respond to changing laws within a dynamic environment. In conclusion it is clear that positivist approaches have become a necessary part of research within human geography, but the humanist side cannot be ignored. Much more can be learned about the world than numbers alone can ever represent. The need for a balance between quantitative and qualitative studies is obvious. Where Kwan and Shawanen claim that the confrontations between the two strands are detrimental to geographys progress, it should be contested that in actual fact the divide in opinion has been beneficial to the discipline. Critique and expansion have led to the creation of new divisions and understandings of geography, hence, wider knowledges.