Ontology and Epistemology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Ontology and Epistemology - Essay Example We will talk about ontology and its direct, objective approach to studying an entity, and epistemology, with its more intrinsic approach concerning knowledge, truth, belief, and justification. Ontology Ontology is the study of kinds of things that exist and its nature of being (â€Å"Ontology†). It is said that everything that has a name exists. Every noun points to an actual entity. Ontology is the study about that entity. Whether the concept is concrete such as a microorganism, or abstract such as resilience, the study of that entity as something that exists is the ontological approach. It is generally a descriptive and categorical way of thinking that examines the nuts and bolts of an existing entity, categorizing and differentiating it from other entities. I am holding a flower. The flower I am holding is a rose. The thorns are pointy and can pierce my skin. These are all ontological notions. It is the recognition and classification of an entity that exists and its constit uent parts. Epistemology Epistemology on the other hand is the study of knowledge. It questions what a person knows, how he knows what he knows, and how much a person can know about something. Some philosophers believe that knowledge is a True Belief that has Justification. So the three components of knowledge are that it should be true, the person with the knowledge must believe it is true, and there should be proof or justification that it is true (Sahakian and Sahakian). If epistemology is about knowledge, this is how they look at the situation: I KNOW it is a flower because all flowers have a stem, a stalk, leaves and a bunch of petals on the tip. This is true because it is consistent with other flowers who also have the same characteristics. I KNOW it is in my hand because I can feel it and see it in my hand. This is true under the correspondence theory of truth and Naive Realism. I KNOW it is a rose because I was taught by my teacher that this is what a rose looks like. This i s true under the criteria of authority. I KNOW that the thorns can pierce my skin because pointy objects can pierce my skin. This is true under Consensus gentium. All these things are considered knowledge because I believe that they are as they are, and my beliefs are proven to be true because the justification satisfies the criteria of truth. Satisfying the criteria of truth is needed to justify a proposition. There are many criteria for truth, some of which are valid, and others are not. These criteria are all valid or invalid to certain extents. Truth The criteria for truth consist of Authority which states that a proposal is true as long as a qualified individual says it is. This criterion is not very reliable since different qualified individuals can have opposing views toward a single topic. Coherence is the criterion in which a proposal is true as long as the facts are well explained and are reconciled to support that proposal. This criterion could be the most effective test of truth but is limited by the person’s ability to gather all the relevant facts. Consensus gentium is a general truth accepted by all of mankind. An example is the existence of gravity; consistency can be either mere or strict. Mere consistency makes a proposition true as long as two correct statements don’t contradict. Strict consistency needs a prior true statement to validate the proposed true statement; correspondence makes a propositi

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson Essay Example for Free

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson Essay The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde was written by Robert Louis Stevenson in 1886. Stevenson spent his childhood years in Edinburgh, growing up with his father, Thomas Stevenson. His father was a very respectable and successful man (like Jekyll). His son, however, had a much less respectable, more rebellious streak to him (like Hyde). He challenges traditional Victorian society by expressing his belief that everyone had an evil side to them. Stevenson had a very religious background, so he grew up very aware that evil has the power to destroy, if given a chance (as it was by Jekyll). The book includes many contrasts between good and evil, such as the difference between the areas mentioned in the novella, the difference between Hydes front door and Jekylls front door, and simple quotes used such as If he shall be Mr Hyde, I shall be Mr Seek. The novella is set in Victorian London, specifically in Cavendish Square and Soho. Cavendish Square is the western section of London, a very much respectable area, renowned for its wealthy residents (like Dr Lanyon). Soho, however, was known for its poor housing, cheap restaurants and dubious pleasures, defiantly not an area any reputable gentleman would wish to be seen in. These areas are so close to each other, yet worlds apart. This suggests that even when youre surrounded by goodness, evil is lurking nearby. This clear contrast also becomes evident in the appearance of Jekyll and Hydes front doors. Jekylls door is in good condition and carries a great air of wealth and comfort about it. Hydes door, however is blistered and distained, equipped with neither a bell nor a knocker. The front of Jekylls house looks very appealing and has a butler, however his back door has a decaying faà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ade and an air of negligence about it. The connection between the buildings corresponds to the difference of personas they represent. The buildings are adjoined, yet appear completely different depending on which side you look at it. This is a clear representation of Jekyll and Hydes relationship because the casual observer would not detect that the two opposing buildings are part of a whole. Hydes evil nature is clearly shown in his physical appearance. He is described as repulsively ugly and deformed, small, shrunken and hairy. He has a displeasing smile and is portrayed as downright detestable. The fact that he is small could suggest that Jekylls evil side has been repressed for many years; therefore it hasnt been given the chance to grow. Everybody who sees Hyde describes hi as ugly and deformed, yet they cant identify exactly why. An impression of deformity without any malformation. There are no words that describe him, he is completely inhuman. Hydes visage is describes as Satans signature on a face. This is a strong link to the devil, which expresses the extent of his evilness. On the contrary, Dr Jekyll was a large, well made, smooth faced man of fifty. He was a well-respected gentleman, as suggested by his title, Dr. In the Carew Muder Case the mystery deepens with the first fog of the season. In London at this time people used coal fired for heat and the smoke produced fog, which could last for months. For here it would be dark like the back-end of evening suggests to the reader that Mr Uttersons fate will darken with the weather. Stevenson uses this simile as an example of pathetic fallacy to represent evil. He also uses dreary words such as haggard, muddy and dismal, to give the scene a sense of mystery and weariness. In The Last Night, Stevenson describes the setting as a wild, cold, seasonable night. This suggests that Utterson and Pooles night will be wild and eventful, yet cold and bleak. He uses personification such as the wind make talking difficult and flecked the blood into the face to create an atmosphere and frighten the reader. Stevensons use of pathetic fallacy throughout the novella gives us a clear impression of exactly how he wants his characters and setting to appear to the reader. For example, Jekyll is only seen in the daytime, which suggests a sense of goodness and purity, where as Hyde only appears at nighttime when it is dark, which symbolizes evil. Edward Hyde fully expresses his evil nature at two main points in the novella: the trampling of a young girl and the vicious murder of an elderly politician. One black winder morning Hyde ran into a girl of about 8 or 10 and trampled calmly over the childs body and left her screaming. Nearly a year later, he was carrying a heavy rake and all of a sudden he broke out in a great flame of anger. An old gentleman (Sir Danvers Carew), stepped back in shock, which caused Hyde to club him to the earth with ape like fury and then trample him to death. Both of these random monstrous attacks were on completely innocent people who did absolutely nothing to deserve it. This proves Hydes lack of any sense of morality and shows the full extent of his evilness. Hydes attack of Sir Danvers Carew was an obvious, literal attack on the upper class, however Stevenson includes many subtle hints in the novella, which challenges Victorian society at that time. For example, the Victorian upper class society was very repressed and they never expressed any feelings or emotions. The men were all meant to be respectable, wealthy gentleman, however the fact they are associated with Soho suggests that maybe they are not so respectable, considering the number of brothels in Soho. The men in the novella are very much concerned with social class, as seen when Mr Enfield says we would make his name stick from one end of London to the other. Dr Jekyll himself was supposed to be a well-known, respectable doctor, however he had a dark, evil side to him yearning to come out in the body of Mr Hyde. Stevenson believed that Victorian Society at the time had a dual nature of both good and evil. The novella contains all the typical elements of gothic literature, for example, hideous supernatural creatures, wild scientific experiments and good vs. evil. It is not written in chronological order, mainly due to the use of multiple narratives of Mr Utterson, Dr Lanyon and Dr Jekyll. This means the story is constantly moving backward and forwards in time, using multiple narrative forms (such as letters). Stevensons overall message is conveying that everyone has a bit of evil in their nature, but it only comes out if we let it. Mr Hyde became so dominant over Dr Jekyll that he started to morph into him unconsciously in his sleep. This made the goodness in Jekyll become weaker, and Mr Hydes evilness become stronger. He admits this in his letter where he says, That I was slowly losing hold of my original and better self, and becoming slowly incorporated in my second and worse. We learn from the novella that we need to control ourselves and resist temptations, because if we dont fight them, they could take over.

Rich Dad Essay -- essays research papers

A true tale of two dads, one dad is a highly educated professor, the other, an eighth grade dropout. The educated dad left his family with nothing, except a few unpaid bills. The dropout later became one of Hawaii’s richest men and left his son a fortune. The educated dad would say, â€Å"I can’t afford it† while the other, asked, â€Å"How can I afford it?† Rich dad teaches the boys priceless lessons on money, by making them learn through experience. The most important lesson he teaches is to free yourself from the â€Å"rat race† of life and learn to make money work for you, and not be its slave. He knew that financial literacy would help prepare the boys for their life. Though one must have a job, Rich Dad taught the boys to eventually use your day job to begin minding your own business. The first lesson the two boys learned was that the rich do not work for money. One should work to learn, not make money. At age 9, Robert Kiyosaki and his best friend Mike asked Mike’s father to teach them how to make money. After 3 weeks of dusting cans in one of Rich Dad’s convenience stores at 10 cents a week, Kiyosaki was ready to quit. Rich Dad pointed out this is exactly what his employees sounded like. Some people quit a job because it doesn’t pay well. Others see it as an opportunity to learn something new. Next Rich Dad put the two boys to work, this time for nothing. Doing this forced them to think up a source of income, a business scheme. The opportunity came to them upon noticing ...

Coffee and Starbucks Essay

Starbucks has been the most successful coffee chain using their aggressive expansion strategies to surpass its competitors. Through its expansion, Starbucks has focused on creating a dense network of stores all around US, while also opening up new locations all around the world. However, Starbucks’ aggressive expansion strategies have posed major threats to its financial health such as tight cashflows, increase debts, poor liquidity ratios and etc. In addition, this approach can exacerbate competition among close Starbucks stores. Due to the aggressive expansion, Starbucks has lost its internal focus in its core business coffee and its unique â€Å"Starbucks Experience – third place†. The issues are how Starbucks can stay profitable in the future and at the same time sustain its dominant position in the gourmet coffee industry. We have examined the industry analysis that focuses on the industry trends, the firm competitive environment and followed by a SWOT analysis on Starbucks. Finally, we look at the company strategy analysis that focuses on the Starbucks’ strategic intent and its strategic position. From these analyses, we recommend a few options where Starbucks should pursue moving forward in order to avoid further decline and sustain its dominant position. .:Company Background & History:. Starbucks Coffee, Tea and Spice was established in 1971 by Jerry Baldwin, Zey Siegel and Gordon Bowker in Seattle to sell roasted coffee beans and coffee machines. (See Exhibit 1 for timeline) At that time, the founders’ philosophy was to provide high quality coffee and educate the public the art of appreciating fine coffee. It was the founders’ passion and strong commitment on educating the public that attracted Howard Schultz to join Starbucks in 1982 as the head of the marketing department, overseeing the company’s retail stores. On one of his business trips to Milan, Italy, Schultz stumbled upon an opportunity to revamp Starbucks and shift its focus from its original business activities. Schultz’s new business proposition for Starbucks was to serve freshly brewed coffee at their outlets which he sold to the founders without success. After many unsuccessful attempts, he left the Company. In 1987, Schultz acquired Starbucks from the founders and changed its name to the more abbreviated ‘Starbucks’ and modified her logo to what we see today. After the acquisition, he introduced the idea of ‘The Starbucks experience’ to all Starbucks’ outlets; that is to create a comfortable atmosphere for patrons to relax. From then on, every Starbucks outlet was the perfect duplicate of this concept. In 1992, Starbucks had launched an IPO and its common stock was being traded on the Nasdaq. In 1995, Starbucks venture overseas and formed a joint venture with SAZABY Inc to open Starbucks stores in Japan. In 1996, Starbucks first oversea outlet was opened in Tokyo. Today, Starbucks has a total of 7,087 Company operated stores and 4,081 License stores in US. Additionally, it has 1,796 Company operated stores and 2,792 Joint Venture and License store operating in other 43 countries. .:Definition of the Industry, Competitors and Scope of Analysis: Generally, Starbucks is in the Food and Beverages industry. However for the purpose of this paper, we would define Starbucks to be in the gourmet coffee industry with the following competitors : †¢Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf; †¢Costa Coffee; †¢Caribou Coffee (See Exhibit 2 for a brief write up on reasons for the choice of these competitors and some background information of them) For the purpose of this paper, our analysis will be focusing on Starbucks in US and Australia. The next section provides an overview of the gourmet coffee industry and the competitive environment in US and Australia. .:Overview of the Industry:. .:Political Forces:. Generally both the US and the Australia political situation appeared to be well established and stable. This will provide a good platform for both current businesses and new businesses to operate in. In US, despite the current verge of recession, the political mood is still likely to favour increased regulation of businesses. In addition, even though international tensions are likely to remain but their impact on political stability and economy will remain minimal. Similarly in Australia, the political climate is likely to remain relatively stable. Although the relationship between the federal government and the states had been rocky in the past; it has improved after the introduction of a more stable formula for revenue distribution. .:Economical Forces:. US: Real economic growth is expected to slow from an estimated 4% in 2008 to 3. 8% in 2009. The modest slowdown reflects the impact of lower demand from its trading partner. As these exists imbalances in the economy and the poor short-term outlook for growth, it is assumed that conditions in the US are now recessionary and that growth will remain very weak in 2009. This will in turn affect the GDP and the disposable income of its residents. Australia: Traditionally, rapid growth in Australia has been slowdown recently due to recession. Improved monetary and fiscal management have reduced macroeconomic volatility, but risks and imbalances are present. The low domestic savings rate renders the banking system dependant on foreign financing. The current account deficit is large, and international financial markets may start to worry about the underlying causes. Bubble conditions also seem to exist in the housing market. .:Socio-cultural Forces: Consumers’ Perceptions and Disposable Income:. US: There had been an increase in coffee consumption in the US market though the rate had slowed down in 2005 posing threats to coffee retailers. Recently, US consumers had increasingly opt for healthier hot drinks such as tea and RTD beverages which affect coffee consumption rate. The trend is likely to continue, leading to decline in coffee consumption. Australia: Coffee sales had experienced quite lukewarm growth from 2000 to 2005. The culture of cafe had caused more people to opt for on-trade sales coffee at the cafe instead of home-brewed coffee. According to BIS Shrapnel, people increasingly tend to go to cafes for their coffee and there is an increase of 50% within 2 years in coffee consumption. .:Technological Forces: Technological Developments:. Technological changes have created many new products and processes. It helps to reduce costs, improve quality and lead to innovations which in turn benefits consumers as well as organizations. Many organizations in the gourmet coffee industry had recognized the importance of providing wireless internet access and Wi-Fi hotspots to its patrons. These technology advances had created a leisure place for patrons to surf net or hang out after home and work. Most of the organizations had also introduced automated coffee machines to speed up the brewing process so as to shorten waiting time. To further improve business operations and efficiency, some organizations have also make use of information technology systems to help them run their businesses more smoothly. .:Environmental Forces:. With major climate changes occurring due to global warming, many organizations in the gourmet coffee industry had increased their environment awareness by reduced the usage of disposable cups to serve coffee and increased the use of ceramic mugs. Furthermore, the organizations had also reduced the size of their paper napkins, paper bags and in store garbage bags. The organizations were also encouraged to purchase Fairtrade certified coffees so as to promote responsible environmental and economic efforts. The following section presents our analysis of gourmet coffee industry with the aid of Michael Porters 5 Forces model. .: Analysis of Gourmet Coffee Industry- Porter 5 Forces:. Please refer to exhibit 3 for the criteria used for the scoring of each forces and an analysis of each forces. Force #1: Threat of New Entry:. †¢Threat of new entry is high. †¢High start up cost involved in purchasing equipments, sourcing for coffee beans and training barista. †¢Strong brand identity leading to high switching cost for consumers Score: 10 Force #2: Threat of Substitutes:. †¢Substitutes are gourmet coffee of a different brand †¢Current gourmet coffee industries is saturated †¢High switching cost. †¢Threat of substitutes considered to be relatively high Score: 6 Force #3: Bargaining Power of Suppliers:. †¢Majority of commercially available coffee beans come from a few industrializes countries. †¢Increase the cost of coffee houses in sourcing and gaining access to these high quality coffee beans. †¢Bargaining power of suppliers is relatively high Score: 5 Force #4: Bargaining Power of Consumers†¢Bargaining power of customers is relatively neutral. †¢Current player gained brand loyalty †¢Product differentiation helps to retain current customer and attract new customers. †¢However price sensitive customers might seek for cheaper alternative. Score: 0 Force #5: Rivalry between Competitors:. †¢Intensity of rivalry is moderate. †¢Brand identity and high switching cost is relatively unfavorable to new player that has just entered the market. Score: 3 Conclusion:From the above analysis, we noted that the threat of new entry, the bargaining power of the supplier and threat of substitutes are relatively high. On the other hand the bargaining power of the consumers is neutral and the intensity of rivalry is moderate. Hence from the above.

The Lost Duke of Wyndham Chapter Three

Five miles away, in a small posting inn, a man sat in his room, alone, with a bottle of expensive French brandy, an empty glass, a very small case of clothing, and a woman's ring. His name was Jack Audley; formerly Captain John Audley of His Majesty's army; formerly Jack Audley of Butlersbridge, County Cavan, Ireland; formerly Jack Cavendish-Audley of the same place; and formerly – as formerly as one could get, as it was at the time of his christening – John Augustus Cavendish. The miniature had meant nothing to him. He could barely see it in the night, and he'd yet to find a portraitist who could capture a man's essence on a miniature painting, anyway. But the ring†¦ With an unsteady hand, he poured himself another drink. He hadn't looked closely at the ring when he took it from the old lady's hands. But now, in the privacy of his rented room, he'd looked. And what he'd seen had shaken him to his bones. He'd seen that ring before. On his own finger. His was a masculine version, but the design was identical. A twisted flower, a tiny swirled D. He'd never known what it meant, as he'd been told that his father's name was John Augustus Cavendish, no capital D's to be found anywhere. He still didn't know what the D stood for, but he knew that the old lady did. And no matter how many times he tried to convince himself that this was just a coincidence, he knew that this evening, on a deserted Lincolnshire road, he'd met his grandmother. Good Lord. He looked down at the ring again. He'd propped it up on the table, its face winking up at him in the candlelight. Abruptly, he twisted his own ring and yanked it off. He couldn't remember the last time his finger had been bare. His aunt had always insisted that he keep it close; it was the only keepsake they had of his father. His mother, they told him, had been clutching it in her shivering fingers when she was pulled from the frigid waters of the Irish Sea. Slowly, Jack held the ring out, carefully setting it down next to its sister. His lips flattened slightly as he regarded the pair. What had he been thinking? That when he got the two side by side he'd see that they were actually quite different? He'd known little of his father. His name, of course, and that he was the younger son of a well-to-do English family. His aunt had met him but twice; her impression had been that he was somewhat estranged from his relations. He spoke of them only laughingly, in that manner people used when they did not wish to say anything of substance. He hadn't much money, or so his aunt assumed. His clothes were fine, but well-worn, and as far as anyone could tell, he'd been wandering the Irish countryside for months. He'd said he had come to witness the wedding of a school friend and liked it so much that he stayed. His aunt saw no reason to doubt this. In the end, all Jack knew was this: John Augustus Cavendish was a well-born English gentleman who'd traveled to Ireland, fallen in love with Louise Galbraith, married her, and then died when the ship carrying them to England had sunk off the coast of Ireland. Louise had washed ashore, her body bruised and shivering, but alive. It was over a month before anyone realized she was pregnant. But she was weak, and she was devastated by grief, and her sister – the woman who had raised Jack as her own – said it was more of a surprise that Louise survived the pregnancy than it was that she finally succumbed at his birth. And that fairly well summed up Jack's knowledge of his paternal heritage. He thought about his parents from time to time, wondering who they'd been and which had gifted him with his ready smile, but in truth, he'd never yearned for anything more. At the age of two days he'd been given to William and Mary Audley, and if they had ever loved their own children more, they never allowed him to know it. Jack had grown up the de facto son of a country squire, with two brothers, a sister, and twenty acres of rolling pasture, perfect for riding, running, jumping – anything a young boy could fancy. It had been a marvelous childhood. Damn near perfect. If he was not leading the life he'd anticipated, if he sometimes lay in bed and wondered what the hell he was doing robbing coaches in the dead of night – at least he knew that the road to this point had been paved with his own choices, his own flaws. And most of the time, he was happy. He was reasonably cheerful by nature, and really, one could do worse than playing Robin Hood along rural British roads. At least he felt as if he had some sort of purpose. After he and the army had parted ways, he'd not known what to do with himself. He was not willing to return to his life as a soldier, and yet, what else was he qualified to do? He had two skills in life, it seemed: He could sit a horse as if he'd been born in the position, and he could turn a conversation with enough wit and flair to charm even the crustiest of individuals. Put together, robbing coaches had seemed the most logical choice. Jack had made his first theft in Liverpool, when he'd seen a young toff kick a one-handed former soldier who'd had the temerity to beg for a penny. Somewhat buoyed by a rather potent pint of ale, Jack had followed the fellow into a dark corner, pointed a gun a his heart, and walked off with his wallet. The contents of which he had then dispersed among the beggars on Queens Way, most of whom had fought for – and then been forgotten by – the good people of England. Well, ninety per cent of the contents had been dispersed. Jack had to eat, too. After that, it had been an easy step to move to highway robbery. It was so much more elegant than the life of footpad. And it could not be denied that it was much easier to get away on horseback. And so that was his life. It was what he did. If he'd gone back to Ireland, he would probably be married by now, sleeping with one woman, in one bed, in one house. His life would be County Cavan, and his world a far, far smaller place than it was today. His was a roaming soul. That was why he did not go back to Ireland. He splashed a bit more brandy into his glass. There were a hundred reasons why he did not go back to Ireland. Fifty, at least. He took a sip, then another, then drank deeply until he was too sotted to continue his dishonesty. There was one reason he did not go back to Ireland. One reason, and four people he did not think he could face. Rising from his seat, he walked to the window and looked out. There wasn't much to see – a small barn for horses, a thickly leaved tree across the road. The moonlight had turned the air translucent – shimmery and thick, as if a man could step outside and lose himself. He smiled grimly. It was tempting. It was always tempting. He knew where Belgrave Castle was. He'd been in the county for a week; one could not remain in Lincolnshire that long without learning the locations of the grand houses, even if one wasn't a thief out to rob their inhabitants. He could take a look, he supposed. He probably should take a look. He owed it to someone. Hell, maybe he owed it to himself. He hadn't been interested in his father much†¦but he'd always been interested a little. And he was here. Who knew when he'd be in Lincolnshire again? He was far too fond of his head to ever stay in one place for long. He didn't want to talk to the old lady. He didn't want to introduce himself and make explanations or pretend that he was anything other than what he was – A veteran of the war. A highwayman. A rogue. An idiot. An occasionally sentimental fool who knew that the softhearted ladies who'd tended the wounded had it all wrong – sometimes you couldn't go home again. But dear Lord, what he wouldn't give just to take a peek. He closed his eyes. His family would welcome him back. That was the worst of it. His aunt would put her arms around him. She would tell him it wasn't his fault. She would be so understanding. But she would not understand. That was his final thought before he fell asleep. And dreamed of Ireland. The following day dawned bright and mockingly clear. Had it rained, Jack wouldn't have bothered to go. He was on horseback, and he'd spent enough of his life pretending he didn't mind that he was soaked to the skin. He did not ride in the rain if he did not have to. He'd earned that much, at least. But he was not meant to meet up with his cohorts until nightfall, so he did not have an excuse for not going. Besides, he was just going to look. Maybe see if there was some way he could leave the ring for the old lady. He suspected it meant a great deal to her, and even though he could have probably got a hefty sum for it, he knew he would not be able to bring himself to sell it. And so he ate a hearty breakfast – accompanied by a noxious beverage the innkeeper swore would clear his head, not that Jack had said anything other than, â€Å"Eggs,† before the fellow said, â€Å"I'll get what you need.† Amazingly, the concoction worked (hence the ability to digest the hearty breakfast), and Jack mounted his horse and took off toward Belgrave Castle at an unhurried pace. He'd ridden about the area frequently over the last few days, but this was the first time he found himself curious at his surroundings. The trees seemed more interesting to him for some reason – the shape of the leaves, the way they showed their backs when the wind blew. The blossoms, too. Some were familiar to him, identical to the ones that bloomed in Ireland. But others were new, perhaps native to the dales and fens of the region. It was odd. He wasn't sure what he was meant to be thinking about. Perhaps that this vista was what his father had seen every time he'd ridden along the same road. Or maybe that, but for a freak storm in the Irish Sea, these might be the flowers and trees of his own childhood. Jack did not know whether his parents would have made their home in England or Ireland. They were apparently going over to introduce his mother to the Cavendish family when their ship had gone down. Aunt Mary had said that they were planning to decide where to live after Louise had a chance to see a bit of England. Jack paused and plucked a leaf off a tree, for no reason other than whimsy. It wasn't as green as the ones at home, he decided. Not that it mattered, of course, except that in a strange way, it did. He tossed the leaf to the ground and with a snort of impatience, took off at a greater speed. It was ludicrous that he felt even a niggle of guilt at going over to see the castle. Good God, it wasn't as if he was going to introduce himself. He did not want to find a new family. He owed the Audleys far more than that. He just wanted to see it. From afar. To see what might have been, what he was glad hadn't been. But maybe should have been. Jack took off at a gallop, letting the wind blow the memories away. The speed was cleansing, almost forgiving, and before he knew it he was at the end of the drive. And all he could think was – Good Lord. Grace was exhausted. She'd slept the night before, but not much, and not well. And even though the dowager had chosen to spend the morning in bed, Grace had not been afforded that luxury. The dowager was powerfully demanding, whether vertical, horizontal, or, should she ever figure out how to hold the position, at a slant. And so even though she tossed and turned, and refused to lift her head from the pillow, she still managed to summon Grace six times. The first hour. Finally, she had become engrossed in a batch of letters Grace had dug up for her at the bottom of her late husband's old desk, tucked in a box labeled: JOHN, ETON. Saved by school papers. Who would have thought? Grace's moment of rest was interrupted not twenty minutes later, however, by the arrival of the Ladies Elizabeth and Amelia Willoughby, the pretty, blond daughters of the Earl of Crowland, longtime neighbors and, Grace was always delighted to note, friends. Elizabeth especially. They were of an age, and before Grace's position in the world had plummeted with the death of her parents, had been considered proper companions. Oh, everyone knew that Grace would not make a match like the Willoughby girls – she would never have a London season, after all. But when they were all in Lincolnshire, they were, if not equals, then at least on something of the same level. People weren't so fussy at the Dance and Assembly. And when the girls were alone, rank was never something they noticed. Amelia was Elizabeth's younger sister. Just by a year, but when they were all younger, it had seemed a massive gulf, so Grace did not know her nearly so well. That would change soon, though, she supposed. Amelia was betrothed to Thomas, and had been from the cradle. It would have been Elizabeth, except she was promised to another young lord (also in infancy; Lord Crowland was not one to leave matters to chance). Elizabeth's fellow, however, had died quite young. Lady Crowland (who was not one for tact) had declared it all very inconvenient, but the papers binding Amelia to Thomas had already been signed, and it was deemed best to leave matters as they were. Grace had never discussed the engagement with Thomas – they were friends, but he would never talk about something so personal with her. Still, she had long suspected that he found the entire situation rather convenient. A fiancee did keep marriage-minded misses (and their mamas) at bay. Somewhat. It was quite obvious that the ladies of England believed in hedging their bets, and poor Thomas could not go anywhere without the women attempting to put themselves in the best possible light, just in case Amelia should, oh, disappear. Die. Decide she didn't wish to be a duchess. Really, Grace thought wryly, as if Amelia had any choice in the matter. But even though a wife would be a far more effective deterrent than a fiancee, Thomas continued to drag his feet, which Grace thought dreadfully insensitive of him. Amelia was one-and-twenty, for heaven's sake. And according to Lady Crowland, at least four men would have offered for her in London if she had not been marked as the future Duchess of Wyndham. (Elizabeth, sister that she was, said it was closer to three, but still, the poor girl had been dangling like a string for years.) â€Å"Books!† Elizabeth announced as they entered the hall. â€Å"As promised.† At her behest, Elizabeth's mother had borrowed several books from the dowager. Not that Lady Crowland actually read the books. Lady Crowland read very little outside the gossip pages, but returning them was a fine pretext to visit Belgrave, and she was always in favor of anything that placed Amelia in the vicinity of Thomas. No one had the heart to tell her that Amelia rarely even saw Thomas when she was at Belgrave. Most of the time, she was forced to endure the dowager's company – company, however, being perhaps too generous a word to describe Augusta Cavendish whilst standing before the young lady who was meant to carry on the Wyndham line. The dowager was very good at finding fault. One might even call it her greatest talent. And Amelia was her favorite subject. But today she had been spared. The dowager was still upstairs, reading her dead son's Latin conjugations, and so Amelia had ended up sipping tea while Grace and Elizabeth chatted. Or rather, Elizabeth chatted. It was all Grace could do to nod and murmur in the appropriate moments. One would think her tired mind would go utterly blank, but the opposite was true. She could not stop thinking about the highwayman. And his kiss. And his identity. And his kiss. And if she would meet him again. And that he'd kissed her. And – And she had to stop thinking about him. It was madness. She looked over at the tea tray, wondering if it would be rude to eat the last biscuit. † – certain you are well, Grace?† Elizabeth said, reaching forward to clasp her hand. â€Å"You look very tired.† Grace blinked, trying to focus on her dear friend's face. â€Å"I'm sorry,† she said reflexively. â€Å"I am quite tired, although that is not an excuse for my inattention.† Elizabeth grimaced. She knew the dowager. They all did. â€Å"Did she keep you up late last night?† Grace nodded. â€Å"Yes, although, truthfully, it was not her fault.† Elizabeth glanced to the doorway to make sure no one was listening before she replied, â€Å"It is always her fault.† Grace smiled wryly. â€Å"No, this time it really wasn't. We were†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Well, really, was there any reason not to tell Elizabeth? Thomas already knew, and surely it would be all over the district by nightfall. â€Å"We were accosted by highwaymen, actually.† â€Å"Oh, my heavens! Grace!† Elizabeth hastily set down her teacup. â€Å"No wonder you appear so distracted!† â€Å"Hmmm?† Amelia had been staring off into space, as she frequently did while Grace and Elizabeth were nattering on, but this had clearly got her attention. â€Å"I am quite recovered,† Grace assured her. â€Å"Just a bit tired, I'm afraid. I did not sleep well.† â€Å"What happened?† Amelia asked. Elizabeth actually shoved her. â€Å"Grace and the dowager were accosted by highwaymen!† â€Å"Really?† Grace nodded. â€Å"Last night. On the way home from the assembly.† And then she thought – Good Lord, if the highwayman is really the dowager's grandson, and he is legitimate, what happens to Amelia? But he wasn't legitimate. He couldn't be. He might very well be a Cavendish by blood, but surely not by birth. Sons of dukes did not leave legitimate offspring littering the countryside. It simply did not happen. â€Å"Did they take anything?† Amelia asked. â€Å"How can you be so dispassionate?† Elizabeth demanded. â€Å"They pointed a gun at her!† She turned to Grace. â€Å"Did they?† Grace saw it again in her mind – the cold round end of the pistol, the slow, seductive gaze of the highwayman. He wouldn't have shot her. She knew that now. But still, she murmured, â€Å"They did, actually.† â€Å"Were you terrified?† Elizabeth asked breathlessly. â€Å"I would have been. I would have swooned.† â€Å"I wouldn't have swooned,† Amelia remarked. â€Å"Well, of course you wouldn't,† Elizabeth said irritably. â€Å"You didn't even gasp when Grace told you about it.† â€Å"It sounds rather exciting, actually.† Amelia looked at Grace with great interest. â€Å"Was it?† And Grace – Good heavens, she felt herself blush. Amelia leaned forward, her eyes lighting up. â€Å"Was he handsome, then?† Elizabeth looked at her sister as if she were mad. â€Å"Who?† â€Å"The highwayman, of course.† Grace stammered something and pretended to drink her tea. â€Å"He was,† Amelia said triumphantly. â€Å"He was wearing a mask,† Grace felt compelled to point out. â€Å"But you could still tell that he was handsome.† â€Å"No!† â€Å"Then his accent was terribly romantic. French? Italian?† Amelia's eyes grew even wider. â€Å"Spanish.† â€Å"You've gone mad,† Elizabeth said. â€Å"He didn't have an accent,† Grace retorted. Then she thought of that lilt, that devilish little lift in his voice that she couldn't quite place. â€Å"Well, not much of one. Scottish, perhaps? Irish? I couldn't tell, precisely.† Amelia sat back with a happy sigh. â€Å"A highwayman. How romantic.† â€Å"Amelia Willoughby!† Elizabeth scolded. â€Å"Grace was just attacked at gunpoint, and you are calling it romantic?† Amelia opened her mouth to reply, but just then they heard footsteps in the hall. â€Å"The dowager?† Elizabeth whispered to Grace, looking very much as if she'd like to be wrong. â€Å"I don't think so,† Grace replied. â€Å"She was still abed when I came down. She was rather†¦ehrm†¦distraught.† â€Å"I should think so,† Elizabeth remarked. Then she gasped. â€Å"Did they make away with her emeralds?† Grace shook her head. â€Å"We hid them. Under the seat cushions.† â€Å"Oh, how clever!† Elizabeth said approvingly. â€Å"Amelia, wouldn't you agree?† Without waiting for an answer, she turned back to Grace. â€Å"It was your idea, wasn't it?† Grace opened her mouth to retort that she would have happily handed them over, but just then Thomas walked past the open doorway to the sitting room. Conversation stopped. Elizabeth looked at Grace, and Grace looked at Amelia, and Amelia just kept looking at the now empty doorway. After a moment of held breath, Elizabeth turned to Amelia and said, â€Å"I think he does not realize we are here.† â€Å"I don't care,† Amelia declared, and Grace believed her. â€Å"I wonder where he went,† Grace murmured, although she did not think anyone heard her. They were all still watching the doorway, waiting to see if he'd return. There was a grunt, and then a crash. Grace stood, wondering if she ought to go investigate. â€Å"Bloody hell,† she heard Thomas snap. Grace winced, glancing over at the others. They had risen to their feet as well. â€Å"Careful with that,† she heard Thomas say. And then, as the three ladies watched in silence, the painting of John Cavendish moved past the open doorway, two footmen struggling to keep it upright and balanced. â€Å"Who was that?† Amelia asked once the portrait had gone by. â€Å"The dowager's middle son,† Grace murmured. â€Å"He died twenty-nine years ago.† â€Å"Why are they moving the portrait?† â€Å"The dowager wants it upstairs,† Grace replied, thinking that ought to be answer enough. Who knew why the dowager did anything? Amelia was apparently satisfied with this explanation, because she did not question her further. Or it could have been that Thomas chose that moment to reappear in the doorway. â€Å"Ladies,† he said. They all three bobbed curtsies. He nodded in that way of his, when he was clearly being nothing but polite. â€Å"Pardon.† And then he left. â€Å"Well,† Elizabeth said, and Grace wasn't certain whether she was trying to express outrage at his rudeness or simply fill the silence. If it was the latter, it didn't work, because no one said anything more until Elizabeth finally added, â€Å"Perhaps we should leave.† â€Å"No, you can't,† Grace replied, feeling dreadful for having to be the bearer of such bad news. â€Å"Not yet. The dowager wants to see Amelia.† Amelia groaned. â€Å"I'm sorry,† Grace said. And meant it. Amelia sat down, looked at the tea tray and announced, â€Å"I'm eating the last biscuit.† Grace nodded. Amelia would need sustenance for the ordeal ahead. â€Å"Perhaps I should order more?† But then Thomas returned again. â€Å"We nearly lost it on the stairs,† he said to Grace, shaking his head. â€Å"The whole thing swung to the right and nearly impaled itself on the railing.† â€Å"Oh, my.† â€Å"It would have been a stake through the heart,† he said with grim humor. â€Å"It would have been worth it just to see her face.† Grace prepared to rise and make her way upstairs. If the dowager was awake, that meant her visit with the Willoughby sisters was over. â€Å"Your grandmother rose from bed, then?† â€Å"Only to oversee the transfer. You're safe for now.† He shook his head, rolling his eyes as he did so. â€Å"I cannot believe she had the temerity to demand that you fetch it for her last night. Or,† he added quite pointedly, â€Å"that you actually thought you could do it.† Grace thought she ought to explain. â€Å"The dowager requested that I bring her the painting last night,† she told Elizabeth and Amelia. â€Å"But it was huge!† Elizabeth exclaimed. â€Å"My grandmother always favored her middle son,† Thomas said, with a twist of his lips that Grace would not have called a smile. He glanced across the room, and then, as if suddenly realizing his future bride was present, said, â€Å"Lady Amelia.† â€Å"Your grace,† she responded. But he couldn't possibly have heard her. He was already back to Grace, saying, â€Å"You will of course support me if I lock her up?† â€Å"Thom – † Grace began, cutting herself off at the last moment. She supposed that Elizabeth and Amelia knew that he had given her leave to use his given name while at Belgrave, but still, it seemed disrespectful to do so when others were present. â€Å"Your grace,† she said, enunciating each word with careful resolve. â€Å"You must grant her extra patience this day. She is distraught.† Grace sent up a prayer for forgiveness as she let everyone think the dowager had been upset by nothing more than an ordinary robbery. She wasn't precisely lying to Thomas, but she suspected that in this case the sin of omission could prove equally dangerous. She made herself smile. It felt forced. â€Å"Amelia? Are you unwell?† Grace turned. Elizabeth was watching her sister with concern. â€Å"I'm perfectly fine,† Amelia snapped, which was enough, of course, to show that she was not. The pair bickered for a moment, their voices low enough so Grace could not make out their exact words, and then Amelia rose, saying something about needing some air. Thomas stood, of course, and Grace rose to her feet as well. Amelia passed by and even reached the doorway before Grace realized that Thomas did not intend to follow. Good heavens, for a duke, his manners were abominable. Grace elbowed him in the ribs. Someone had to, she told herself. No one ever stood up to the man. Thomas shot her a dirty look, but he obviously realized that she was in the right, because he turned to Amelia, nodded his head the barest of inches, and said, â€Å"Allow me to escort you.† They departed, and Grace and Elizabeth sat silently for at least a minute before Elizabeth said resignedly, â€Å"They are not a good match, are they?† Grace glanced at the door, even though they had long since departed. She shook her head. It was huge. It was a castle, of course, and meant to be imposing, but really. Jack stood, open-mouthed. This was huge. Funny how no one had mentioned that his father was from a ducal family. Had anyone even known? He had always assumed his father had been the son of some jolly old country squire, maybe a baronet or possibly a baron. He had always been told that he was sired by John Cavendish, not Lord John Cavendish, as he must have been styled. And as for the old lady†¦Jack had realized that morning that she had never given her name, but surely she was the duchess. She was far too imperious to be a maiden aunt or widowed relation. Good Lord. He was the grandson of a duke. How was that possible? Jack stared at the structure before him. He was not a complete provincial. He'd traveled widely whilst in the army and had gone to school with the sons of Ireland's most notable families. The aristocracy was not unknown to him. He did not consider himself uncomfortable in their midst. But this†¦ This was huge. How many rooms in the place? There had to be over a hundred. And what was the provenance? It didn't look quite medieval, despite the crenellations at the top, but it was certainly pre-Tudor. Something important must have happened there. Houses did not get this big without stumbling into the occasional historic event. A treaty, maybe? Perhaps a royal visit? It sounded like the sort of thing that would have been mentioned in school, which was probably why he didn't know it. A scholar he was not. The view of the castle as he'd approached had been deceptive. The area was heavy with trees, and the turrets and towers seemed to twinkle in and out of sight as he moved through the foliage. It was only when he reached the end of the drive that it had come completely into view – massive and amazing. The stone was gray in color, with a hint of a yellow undertone, and although its angles were mostly squared off, there was nothing boring about the facade. It dipped and rose, jutted out and swept back in. No long Georgian wall of windows was this. Jack couldn't even imagine how long it would take a newcomer to find his way around inside. Or how long it would take to find the poor fellow once he got himself lost. And so he stood and stared, trying to take it in. What would it have been like to grow up there? His father had done so, and by all accounts he'd been a nice enough fellow. Well, by one account, he supposed – his Aunt Mary was the only person he knew who'd known his father well enough to pass along a story or two. Still, it was difficult to imagine a family living there. His own home in Ireland had not been small by any standards, but still, with four children it often felt as if they were constantly crashing into one another. You couldn't go ten minutes or even ten steps without being swept into a conversation with a cousin or a brother or an aunt or even a dog. (He'd been a good dog, God rest his furry little soul. Better than most people.) They had known each other, the Audleys. It was, Jack had long since decided, a very good – and very uncommon – thing. After a few minutes there was a small flurry of movement at the front door, then three women emerged. Two were blond. It was too far away to see their faces, but he could tell by the way they moved that they were young, and probably quite pretty. Pretty girls, he'd long since learned, moved differently than the plain ones. It did not matter if they were aware of their beauty or not. What they weren't was aware of their plainness. Which the plain ones always were. Jack quirked a half smile. He supposed he was a bit of a scholar of women. Which, he'd often tried to convince himself, was as noble a subject as any. But it was the third girl – the last to emerge from the castle – who captured his breath and held him motionless, unable to look away. It was the girl from the carriage the night before. He was sure of it. The hair was the right color – shiny and dark, but it wasn't such a unique shade that it couldn't be found elsewhere. He knew it was her because†¦because†¦ Because he did. He remembered her. He remembered the way she moved, the way she felt pressed up against him. He remembered the soft breath of the air between their bodies when she'd moved away. He'd liked her. He didn't often get the chance to like or dislike the people he waylaid, but he'd been thinking to himself that there was something rather appealing about the flash of intelligence in her eyes when the old lady had shoved her at him, giving him permission to hold a gun to her head. He'd not approved of that. But he'd appreciated it all the same, because touching her, holding her – it had been an unexpected pleasure. And when the old lady returned with the miniature, his only thought had been that it was a pity he didn't have time to kiss her properly. Jack held himself quietly as he watched her move in the drive, glancing over her shoulder, then leaning forward to say something to the other girls. One of the blondes linked arms with her and led her off to the side. They were friends, he realized with surprise, and he wondered if the girl – his girl, as he was now thinking of her – was something more than a companion. A poor relation, maybe? She was certainly not a daughter of the house, but it seemed she was not quite a servant. She adjusted the straps of her bonnet, and then she (What was her name? He wanted to know her name) pointed to something in the distance. Jack found himself glancing the same way, but there were too many trees framing the drive for him to see whatever had captured her interest. And then she turned. Faced him. Saw him. She did not cry out, nor did she flinch, but he knew that she saw him in the way she†¦ In the way she simply was, he supposed, because he could not see her face from such a distance. But he knew. His skin began to prickle with awareness, and it occurred to him that she'd recognized him, too. It was preposterous, because he was all the way down the drive, and not wearing his highwayman's garb, but he knew that she knew she was staring at the man who had kissed her. The moment – it could only have lasted seconds – stretched into eternity. And then somewhere behind him a bird cawed, snapping him from his trance, and one thought pounded through his head. Time to go. He never stayed in one spot for long, but here – this place – it was surely the most dangerous of all. He gave it one last look. Not of longing; he did not long for this. And as for the girl from the carriage – he fought down something strange and acrid, burning in his throat – he would not long for her, either. Some things were simply untenable. â€Å"Who was that man?† Grace heard Elizabeth speak, but she pretended not to. They were sitting in the Willoughbys' comfortable carriage, but their happy threesome now numbered four. The dowager had, upon rising from her bed, taken one look at Amelia's sun-kissed cheeks (Grace did think that she and Thomas had taken quite a long walk together, all things considered), and gone into a barely intelligible tirade about the proper decorum of a future duchess. It was not every day one heard a speech containing dynasty, procreation, and sunspots – all in one sentence. But the dowager had managed it, and now they were all miserable, Amelia most of all. The dowager had got it into her head that she needed to speak with Lady Crowland – most probably about the supposed blemishes on Amelia's skin – and so she invited herself along for the ride, giving instructions to the Wyndham stables to ready a carriage and send it after them for the return journey. Grace had come along, too. Because, quite frankly, she didn't have any choice. â€Å"Grace?† It was Elizabeth again. Grace sucked in her lips and positively glued her eyes to a spot on the seat cushion just to the left of the dowager's head. â€Å"Who was it?† Elizabeth persisted. â€Å"No one,† Grace said quickly. â€Å"Are we ready to depart?† She looked out the window, pretending to wonder why they were delayed on the drive. Any moment now they would leave for Burges Park, where the Willoughbys lived. She had been dreading the journey, short though it was. And then she'd seen him. The highwayman. Whose name wasn't Cavendish. But once was. He had left before the dowager emerged from the castle, turning his mount in a display of horsemanship so expert that even she, who was no equestrienne, recognized his skill. But he had seen her. And he had recognized her. She was certain of it. She'd felt it. Grace tapped her fingers impatiently against the side of her thigh. She thought of Thomas, and of the enormous portrait that had passed by the doorway of the sitting room. She thought of Amelia, who had been raised since birth to be the bride of a duke. And she thought of herself. Her world might not be quite what she wanted, but it was hers, and it was safe. One man had the power to send it all crashing down. Which was why, even though she would have traded a corner of her soul for just one more kiss from a man whose name she did not know, when Elizabeth remarked that it looked as if she knew him, she said, sharply, â€Å"I do not.† The dowager looked up, her face pinched with irritation. â€Å"What are you talking about?† â€Å"There was a man at the end of the drive,† Elizabeth said, before Grace could deny anything. The dowager's head snapped back in Grace's direction. â€Å"Who was it?† she demanded. â€Å"I don't know. I could not see his face.† Which wasn't a lie. Not the second part, at least. â€Å"Who was it?† the dowager thundered, her voice rising over the sound of the wheels beginning their rumble down the drive. â€Å"I don't know,† Grace repeated, but even she could hear the cracks in her voice. â€Å"Did you see him?† the dowager asked Amelia. Grace's eyes caught Amelia's. Something passed between them. â€Å"I saw no one, ma'am,† said Amelia. The dowager dismissed her with a snort, turning the full weight of her fury on Grace. â€Å"Was it he?† Grace shook her head. â€Å"I don't know,† she stammered. â€Å"I couldn't say.† â€Å"Stop the carriage,† the dowager yelled, lurching forward and shoving Grace aside so she could bang on the wall separating the cabin and the driver. â€Å"Stop, I tell you!† The carriage came to a sudden stop, and Amelia, who had been sitting face front beside the dowager, tumbled forward, landing at Grace's feet. She tried to get up but was blocked by the dowager, who had reached across the carriage to grab Grace's chin, her long, ancient fingers digging cruelly into her skin. â€Å"I will give you one more chance, Miss Eversleigh,† she hissed. â€Å"Was it he?† Forgive me, Grace thought. She nodded.

Russia history essays

Russia history essays In reading Peter McPhee's book The French Revolution 1789 - 1799 he makes the argument that as he put it ...creating the environment within which capitalist industry and agriculture would thrive.1 There are two ways in which the revolution created this environment, first by maximizing the capital in which the merchants, manufacturers and farmers would have to spend to fuel this new economy. The way in which the facilitated this was to abolish the tithe, feudal dues, and tolls on internal trade, and to set up a laissez-faire and laissez-passer economy. The second way is by making resources cheap and available to all. In an agrarian society like France was in the years of the revolution the only resource you need is land, and this was made available trough the taking and selling of church lands, and through the clearing of forest and expansion into the wastelands. All of theses helped created the institutional foundations on which capitalism could thrive.2 Furthermore, help j ump-start the industrial revolution, which had already started in the north of England and was soon to start in the United States. France during the 1780's was a seigneurialism economy in which the king and the nobles acquired their wealth. Placing a burden of the taxation firmly on the shoulders of the peasantry and the rising bourgeois. Many cities were ringed by wall not for protection, but to limit the access to the city so a toll could be collected on goods entering the city.3 This was not only just a hindrance to the movement of goods. The toll made almost did not promote a laissez-passer and national market. Besides this inconvenient of the toll system in the large cities of France the rural peasantry have tithe placed on their crops. In the countryside the church draw its vast wealth from the rural peasantry, which worked the land, upon which the Catholic Churched owned. The Church owned up to ten per cent of t...

Pfizer and the Challenges of the Global Pharmaceutical Industry

Pfizer and the Challenges of the Global Pharmaceutical Industry Identification The case of Pfizer is one of the most interesting studies in the pharmaceutical business. One major reason is that it almost fell into near-death situation, a paradox considering that its mission is treatment of diseases. What happened to this once the biggest global pharmaceutical firm? Who or what was responsible for this fall?Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Pfizer and the Challenges of the Global Pharmaceutical Industry specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Pfizer has been a leading drug company, involved in manufacturing of new medicines to treat popular human diseases, like cardiovascular and metabolism diseases. Half of its total revenues were attributed to prescription drugs. Pfizer’s mission and goals were to provide cutting edge research and development in the different operating segments, from product development to the patient’s therapeutic stage, which encompass the productâ €™s life cycle. Pfizer also became actively involved in biotechnology with the acquisition of some biotechnology firms. It has been said that the life-blood of a pharmaceutical firm is in research and development (RD). Although this has to be corrected, since RD is sometimes the â€Å"killer† of a pharmaceutical firm, Pfizer became a leader in the industry because of its RD centers in many parts of the world. These centers created blockbuster drugs and produced profits, but just as many also caused losses for the firm. The fact is Pfizer had many problems – the usual and unusual problems which pharmaceuticals face in the course of inventing new medicines for new diseases, recovering the costs for inventing and pre-testing those medicines, maintaining the hold as the leader of top pharmaceutical firms, among others. Pfizer lost profits by inventing one drug after another; the main causes were the usual ones – side effects, human safety concerns, etc. The caus es were internal and external ones – a scenario all managers abhor and would love to close shop. Analysis and evaluation From its financial report for the year then ended 2012 (2012 Financial Report, 2012), Pfizer had total revenues of $58.986 billion. The medicines that were originally manufactured in Pfizer’s manufacturing plants, ranging from the Lyrica and Viagra to the Primarin family, produced those revenues.Advertising Looking for case study on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Some of the products lost their momentum along the way, creating a negative impact costing millions of dollars in research and development and in the pre-clinical testing and actual testing processes. A recapitulation of the expenses and income generated from the invented/manufactured medicines is shown in Appendix 1. The calculations in this attachment were rounded off to provide simplicity in the figures. The overall performance showed that revenues went down in 2012. Appendix 1 shows that Pfizer had an operating profit margin of $0.67 billion, which is short of saying that this is what (or how) the company got from its invested money without charges. The amount is rather low if we have to consider the resources that the company had spent and exerted. The explanation in the financial report stated that the losses were due to the negative impact made by its major product, the Lipitor, amounting to $7.7 billion, equal to 12% of the total revenues for the year (2012 Financial Report, 2012, p. 15). The financial report made mention of the negative impact of the manufactured drugs, and the decrease of sales of the drugs (2012 Financial Report, 2012, p. 2). Kindler announced the dismissal of 10,000 employees, mostly from European branches and RD centers. Those who were retained came from the US branches. This is because the United States and North America have largely contributed to the a nnual revenues. US Per capita spending on pharmaceutical products is 728, which is larger than the European countries even those from France and Germany. SWOT Analysis Strength Pfizer’s assets have been earned and built through the years: it has adequate financial resources to counter the tides of weak sales or any downturn. Its strength lies in its standing in the industry – it is a recognized leader. Its commitment to RD is also well recognized as it spends millions to invent and manufacture medicines for emerging diseases. The period of Kindler’s entry in the company was described as slow growth – the company was in the verge of a sharp decline from all its sales of the various manufactured drugs, to include the Lipitor. But Kindler’s entry was seen as strength because of the changes he introduced which produced positive results.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Pfizer and the Challenges of the Global Pharmaceutical Industry specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Weakness The drug Lipitor was a problem; a paradox because they used to call it a blockbuster. At first, Lipitor contributed to the firm’s sales, reaching up to US$13 billion, equal to 40% of Pfizer’s total profit. The firm developed another medicine called â€Å"Torcetrapib†, believed to be the successor of Lipitor, but the drug also created a problem in the human safety aspect. Opportunity From the case analysis and perusal of the 2012 Financial Statement, we can conclude that Pfizer is capitalizing on the manufactured drugs for the various diseases. These drugs are the lifeblood of the company. While some drugs made some setbacks, most of them are selling good and have provided profits. The expired patents still earned profits for Pfizer considering that it has rights to the sale of generic drugs. Threats As it has always been said, there’s strong competition in the ph armaceutical industry. Firms compete to introduce new drugs and manufacture patented drugs and generic drugs. Pfizer is strongly competing with GSK, Sanofi-aventis, Novartis, JJ, which are giants in their own right. Before a drug is introduced in the market, firms already compete to manufacture and own the patent for the still undeveloped drug. Discussion of alternatives The inside and outside factors provided a negative environment for Pfizer. There were many changes that Pfizer had to deal with; one concerned price setting. For example in 2005, the German government reduced the prices for all types of drugs. This paved the way to reimbursing the medical expenses of those who took Lipitor. The drug’s price also had to be reduced. The price reduction and the reimbursement produced a negative impact on Pfizer. Price continued to pressure in other parts of Europe, particularly in the United Kingdom whose government issued the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme (PPRC) which set profit ceilings on all kinds of drugs. It created a unified reaction from the different pharmaceutical firms, while others considered it ‘extortion’. Pfizer was very much affected by the price scheme. The invention of drugs, to include research and development, pre-clinical testing and testing, and manufacturing, takes about ten to fifteen years. When it is introduced in the market as a safe drug, a considerable amount of time, money, and resources of the company have already been spent. When the drug has to be withdrawn from the market because of safety issues, the investing firm will already have lost millions of dollars. But this is not to say that it losses every time it manufactures medicines. Return of investment also provides millions, if not billions, of dollars.Advertising Looking for case study on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Pfizer introduced innovations to counter the negative image and also to minimize unnecessary costs and increase profits. The alternatives were said to be revolutionary because they were introduced by a new brand of management, that of Kindler. But the innovations proved to be effective, even if it cost firing thousands of jobs. Regarding its products, it appears that Pfizer will continue to earn profits from the manufacture of medicines. This is its prime source of revenues and will continue to be so in the future. Recommendations/Implementability Pfizer had to continue this strategy of convincing doctors to prescribe branded medicines to their patients because this is where most of their profits for drugs come. Moreover, Pfizer has been promoting their drugs through advertisements and the Internet. This year, Pfizer promoted vaccination in Ireland. Although it was a marketing strategy, it was also part of the firm’s corporate social responsibility. Health care for children i s one of Pfizer’s primary goals. Kindler’s goals have become Pfizer’s mission – health care for the different segments the firm has targeted. Research and development has been very much improved ever since the company has streamlined, modified the corporate structure and introduced changes and innovations, particularly in the RD centers all throughout the world. By continuing the changes in the area of RD and the focus on the five segments, Pfizer will continue to recover the losses and regain the leadership in the pharmaceutical industry. Competition continues in this industry, but focusing on servicing and providing health through the introduction of new medicines, this firm will continue to recover and maintain the lead. Pfizer’s drugs have helped the ageing population and the fight against cancer and AIDS which formerly had no cure. However, by continuing on their cutting-edge method in RD and the operating costs in the millions and dollars, it may affect the firm’s goal of increasing profits. The goal of service to humanity has to continue but it may affect profits. Kindler’s aim was to minimize losses in the RD areas by conducting collaborative efforts with other companies. In short, Pfizer had to focus on transparency by opening to the public and acquiring more acquisitions. Kindler motivated the new sales force to boost sales. But all these efforts tended not to help Pfizer. When Kindler announced the dismissal of thousands of employees, the stock market negatively responded with a sharp fall. References 2012 Financial report. (2012). Retrieved from https://www.pfizer.com/sites/default/files/annualreport/2012/financial/financial2012.pdf Appendix 1 Goods sold = $12 billion (Lyrica, Celebrex, Viagra, and others) 6 billion (Norvasac and the Primarin family) Total Sales = $18 billion (for the various medicines manufactured) Cost of goods sold (expenses) = $11.3 billion Gross profit margin = Sales – Co st of goods sold Sales = $18 billion – $11.3 billion $18 billion = $0.372 billion (margin provided to cover operating expenses) Operating profit margin = 12.08 billion 18billion = 0.67 billion Net profit margin = Profits after taxes Sales = 12.08 – 7.64 18 Net profit margin = $0.25 billion Taxes Taxes on income = $2.56 billion Discontinued ops. = 5.08 billion Total taxes = $7.64 billion Return on total assets = Profits after taxes total assets = 4.4 billion 58.986 billion = $0.074 billion

How to Select a Science Fair Project Topic

How to Select a Science Fair Project Topic Great science fair projects dont need to be expensive or difficult. Even so, science fair projects can be very stressful and frustrating for students, parents, and teachers! Here are some tips for coming up with science fair project ideas, deciding how to turn an idea into a clever project, performing the science fair project, writing a meaningful report about it, and presenting a great-looking, sturdy display. The key to getting the most out of your science fair project is to start working on it as soon as possible! If you wait until the last minute you will feel rushed, which leads to feelings of frustration and anxiety, which makes good science harder than it needs to be. These steps for developing a science project work, even if you procrastinate until the last possible minute, but your experience wont be as much fun! Science Fair Project Ideas Some people are brimming with great science project ideas. If you are one of those lucky students, feel free to skip to the next section. If, on the other hand, the brainstorming part of the project is your first hurdle, read on! Coming up with ideas isnt a matter of brilliance. Its a matter of practice! Dont try to come up with only one idea and make it work. Come up with lots of ideas. First: think about what interests you. If your science project is restricted to a subject, then think about your interests within those limits. This is a chemistry site, so Ill use chemistry as an example. Chemistry is a huge, broad category. Are you interested in foods? properties of materials? toxins? drugs? chemical reactions? salt? tasting colas? Go through everything you can think of that relates to your broad topic and write down anything that sounds interesting to you. Dont be timid. Give yourself a brainstorming time limit (like 15 minutes), enlist the help of friends, and dont stop thinking or writing until the time is up. If you cant think of anything that interests you about your subject (hey, some classes are required, but not everyones cup of tea, right?), then force yourself to think up and write down every topic under that subject until your time is up. Write down broad topics, write down specific topics. Write anything that comes to mind - have fun! See, there are LOTS of ideas! If you were desperate, you had to resort to ideas on websites or in your textbook, but you should have some ideas for projects. Now, you need to narrow them down and refine your idea into a workable project. Science is based on the scientific method, which means you need to come up with a testable hypothesis for a good project. Basically, you need to find a question about your topic that you can test to find an answer. Look over your idea list (dont be afraid to add to it at any time or cross off items that you dont like... its your list, after all) and write down questions that you can ask and can test. There are some questions you cant answer because you dont have the time or the materials or the permission to test. With respect to time, think of a question that can be tested over a fairly short time span. Avoid panic and dont try to answer questions that take most of the time you have for the entire project. An example of a question that can be answered quickly: Can cats be right or left pawed? Its a simple yes or no question. You can get preliminary data (assuming you have a cat and a toy or treats) in a matter of seconds, and then determine how you will construct a more formal experiment. (My data indicates yes, a cat can have a paw preference. My cat is left-pawed, just in case you are wondering.) This example illustrates a couple of points. First, yes/no, positive/negative, more/less/same, quantitative questions are easier to test/answer than value, judgement, or qualitative questions. Second, a simple test is better than a complicated test. If you can, plan to test one simple question. If you combine variables (Like determining whether paw use varies between males and females or according to age), you will make your project infinitely more difficult. Heres a first chemistry question: What concentration of salt (NaCl) needs to be in water before you can taste it? If you have a calculator, measuring utensils, water, salt, tongue, pen, and paper, youre set! Then you can proceed to the next section on experimental design. Still stumped? Take a break and go back to the brainstorming section later. If you are having a mental block, you need to relax in order to overcome it. Do something that relaxes you, whatever that may be. Play a game, take a bath, go shopping, exercise, meditate, do housework... as long as you get your mind off of the subject for a bit. Come back to it later. Enlist help from family and friends. Repeat as necessary and then continue to the next step.

Innovation in Vodafon Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Innovation in Vodafon - Case Study Example Hendricks & Singhal (1997. pp432-435) conducted a research in relationship between timing of new product introductions and market value of firms to discover that all firms that are late in introducing new products to the market lose market value. These theories indicate the importance of innovations for organization to remain competitive in the markets & the overall industry. As presented by Brown and Kozinets et al (2003. pp30-33), just carrying forward the heritage of the brand will not ensure its survival - old brand need to keep on learning new tricks of survival. In this essay, the author presents a brief introduction of innovations of Vodafone whereby the history, innovation characteristics and most innovative service of Vodafone have been covered in brief. In the end, the author has presented they perspective of his contribution to the innovations of Vodafone. Vodafone has slightly more than two decades of history and hence is relatively younger compared to many competitive firms in the telecommunications industry. It started in 1988 as a 100% owned subsidiary of Racal Electronics Plc and was operating in the name of Racal Telecom Plc which first time got listed in 1988 offering 20% of the overall capital to the public. Racal Telecom Plc became independent of Racal Electronics Plc in 1991 and was renamed as Vodafone Group Plc after the de-merging. As on today, the Vodafone Plc executive board is chaired by Sir John Bond and the Group CEO is Vittorio Colao who has taken charge from Arun Sarin very recently after the latter's retirement. Vodafone operates in 20 countries directly or through franchises that are Albania, Australia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Spain, Turkey and the UK. In every country, the local operations are led by the country CEO who acts as the business in-charge of Vodafone in the country. All the country CEOs collectively report to the group CEO. (http://www.vodafone.com/start/about_vodafone/who_we_are.html) Vodafone Group Plc is one of the largest global mobile communications company having the vision to achieve the number one position in this industry. The vision statement of Vodafone states that "Our goal is to be the communications leader in an increasingly connected world". The "Cute Dog" advertisement with the "Happy to Help" message at the end itself is an innovation. Currently, this advertisement is getting close to hearts of the Indians with many variants of it floating in the local markets (http://www.resourcesforlife.com/docs/item1413). Vodafone has largely focussed on the global wireless communications market unlike their nearest global counterparts AT&T Inc. & British Telecom Plc. that are engaged more in wired telecommunications markets across the world. In the statement by the Group Chairman, Sir John Bond, it is emphasized that Vodafone is actively looking at mobile communicat

The Development of American Science and Technology in the Eyes of Essay

The Development of American Science and Technology in the Eyes of Henry Adams - Essay Example Firstly, it will contextualize the historical developments that led to the zenith of American development. Secondly, it will discuss the monumental feats at the early years of the Gilded Age and the important industries and figure heads during that time. The Post-Civil War, the Reconstruction Period and President Grant Important developments in the American nation happened notably during the Presidency of Ulysses Grant in 1869, after the Civil War and the offset of the Reconstruction Era. The societal context of Adams’ life at that time was in a period of aggressive American territorial expansion to the West. By traversing the annals of American history during the post-Civil War and the height of the Reconstruction, the politics of the American federal government dictated the type of society that the nation had produced during those years. President Jackson was a hostile leader but more importantly, supportive of the idea of Southern reconstruction. He was willing to give the black race, formerly slaves of the white people, the equality and freedom they were demanding before and during the Civil War. Policies such as the Human Rights of 1865, the establishment of the Freedman’s Bureau and the emancipation of slaves with the eventual abolishment of the policy of slavery was the major political aura surrounding Adams during the 1850s and the 1860s.1 This meant that the society of Adams allowed the osmosis of both races - the whites and the clacks. Parallel with the developments in the political sphere of the United States, accompanying technological advancements had been enhanced at the entrance of President Grant’s administration. This was made possible through the seizure of the Southern plantations under the supervision of the American federal government. In this case, the predominant industrial states up North worked in hand with the agricultural aggregates of the South.2 The formerly debating economies of the North and the South had been complementing one another towards a definite linear development of what would turn out to be a strong American economy. Adams writes in his recollections that the United States at the late 19th century and the dawn of the early 20th century had been fully industrialized. Scientific and technological advancements were the turning points of the time.3 The rise of big businesses and the industrialization of the agricultural sector served the economy well. The United States had almost been immediately marked as one of the rising superpowers of the international scene.4 By analysing what Adams had written, it can be said that based on his words, a rich capitalist-oriented society was at its peak. By his experiences after the Civil War and with the subjugation of the South by the North, political stability went in favor for the Republican Party. In such case, Republican policies and the support of free labor was the basis of American economy.5 The Gilded Age and the Emergence of the Amer ican Oligarchy Adams’ recollection in the chapters â€Å"The Dynamo and the Virgin†, â€Å"The Height of Knowledge† and â€Å"The Grammar of Science†, the author infers the development of America with the entrance of the Gilded Age of politics and economy. Adams greatly details the happenings which surround

Marketing Principle Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Marketing Principle - Essay Example There has been an extension in this marketing mix adding more elements to it. 3 Ps have been added to this traditional marketing mix. These Ps are: Physical Layout: Initially the physical appearance of the production unit prepared in the factories were not given much significance but now as the customers purchase a product from the retail store their expectation with the presentation of the product has increased. Provision of Customer Service: In the heart of the modern service industry lays customer service. The firms that serve their customers will succeed in gaining their loyalty. The firms need to give their best shot whether it be listening to the customers queries on phones or interacting with them face to face. â€Å"Have a nice day† approach works better than the â€Å"I don’t care† attitude of the firm’s employees that come in contact with the customers. Processes: There are a lot of processes related to customer services that make the marketing e ffective for any organization. These processes may include handling the complaints received by the customers, identifying the needs and requirements of the customers and the processes related to handling of the orders. Now the extended marketing mix involves Place, price, product, promotion, physical layout, processes and Provision of customer service. 1.1 In the relation of the "product" elements of the marketing mix, say how "Tip Top Accessories" product can be developed to sustain competitive advantage. The firm must try to position its product quite effectively among its target market. It must first understand the demand and then accordingly set the price of its product. Product differentiation is another aspect that must be kept in mind in order to fix the price of the product. Making the product attractive helps firm gaining more customers. Tip Top Accessories must develop effective promotional strategies in order to communicate their objective to the customers. (Marketing the ory, 2013). 1.2 Explain how appropriate distribution policies can provide convenience for Tip Top Accessories’ customers. The distribution policies of Tip Top Accessories should directly be associated with its marketing mix. The firm can exhibit its objectives through different activities. Several activities related to distribution such as in-store demonstration of a product, distributing samples and other can be a source of delivering the objective of the firm to its consumers and it is also convenient for the customers to judge the product based on its different features. It is also useful for the firm to arrange giveaways and sell products at a low price for at the initial stage of the launch of a product it can be quite effective strategy for a firm (CHANNELS OF DISTRIBUTION, 2013). 1.3 Explain how prices for "tip Top Accessories" product should be set to achieve the organization’s profit and growth objectives, bearing in mind market conditions.   The price strat egy of Tip Top Accessories must be related to its strength. Low price and product differentiation can be the critical elements in maximizing the profit of Tip Top accessories. Tip Top pricing must be based on the level of differentiation it is providing in its products. The higher the differentiation the higher the price set by the firm. Customers are willing to pay higher price for the product whose features are different from those of others. There are often times when the sales revenue of the

Maria Laach Abbey Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Maria Laach Abbey - Essay Example A basilican axis is pressed between the towers of the structure, bordered by the traditional aisles and brightened by clerestory windows. A patio facing the west entryways provides a greater connection to the churches of the late Antiquity (Stalley, 1999). Such conventional aspects create a center to which have been inserted various additional components, most apparently the towers, insertions which it is simple to ignore or assume. Similar to numerous structures of the early medieval period, Maria Laach is a complex building, a combination of distinct elements, and a particular mission of the historian is to shed light on how the different elements became unified. In fact, a valuable way of examining medieval churches is to start by analyzing those components which have been inserted to the basilican nave. In the case of Maria Laach such would comprise the western set of towers, the crossing tower, the eastern stair steeples, the catacomb, the western cove, the long chancel, and the transepts (Torgerson, 2007). In order to make sense of the history and significance of these components, one should revisit the world three centuries ago, to the purported Carolingian Renaissance, a time of extraordinary development in the field of European architecture (Stalley, 1999). Maria Laach is a previous Benedictine abbey in Germany. It was known to be built in 1093, under the command of Palsgrave Henry II. It was handed over to the Cluniac Benedictines. It stayed in Benedictine possession for several centuries, becoming a hub for the monastic activities and in specific periods for education and literary arts (Torgerson, 2007). The Maria Laach Abbey is situated on the forested coastlines of a crater lake. The structure is regarded an essential model of German Romanesque architecture; due to its squatness and horde of towers, the church looks like an enchanted castle, highlighted by its panoramic, lakeside scenery. At the east end of the

Memo writing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Memo writing - Essay Example r is that Social Security has been viewed by both parties and many different congresses as a means to rapidly provide a level of funding to any number of pet projects or current goals that exist. Naturally, such a practice has been short sighted to say the least. The end result has been that due to the fact that such a high level of borrowing from the fund has taken place, no project or governmental action is necessarily better off. The level of intra-governmental debt has remained the same. Moreover, the worst part of this type of borrowing is the fact that due to the way in which the laws that govern the use and utilization of Social Security â€Å"surplus† has meant that no meaningful level of surplus has been allowed to accrue. With respect to the way that Social Security surplus funds are allocated and distributed, the government considers a surplus as anything over current liabilities. A secondary means by which the government could and should seek to provide extra resources to the Social Security Fund is to increase withholding taxes on paychecks. Although raising taxes is never a popular choice among candidates that are seeking popularity with their constituents, the fact of the matter is that it is mathematically proven that the fund itself cannot continue to survive unless it receives an influx of new cash; whether as a function of increased government debt or by increased tax burdens upon those individuals who will one day rely upon it. In this way, the reader can quickly see that there remain two options for keeping the current fund afloat past 2033; taxation or an increase in government debt.1 Due to the fact that government debt already surpasses 15 trillion US dollars, it is not advisable that the government should assume that it will continue to have the capacity or the option to borrow the funding necessary to provide Social Security past the time in wh ich it will become insolvent. As one is fully aware, the benefits of Social Security are

Maria Laach Abbey Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Maria Laach Abbey - Essay Example A basilican axis is pressed between the towers of the structure, bordered by the traditional aisles and brightened by clerestory windows. A patio facing the west entryways provides a greater connection to the churches of the late Antiquity (Stalley, 1999). Such conventional aspects create a center to which have been inserted various additional components, most apparently the towers, insertions which it is simple to ignore or assume. Similar to numerous structures of the early medieval period, Maria Laach is a complex building, a combination of distinct elements, and a particular mission of the historian is to shed light on how the different elements became unified. In fact, a valuable way of examining medieval churches is to start by analyzing those components which have been inserted to the basilican nave. In the case of Maria Laach such would comprise the western set of towers, the crossing tower, the eastern stair steeples, the catacomb, the western cove, the long chancel, and the transepts (Torgerson, 2007). In order to make sense of the history and significance of these components, one should revisit the world three centuries ago, to the purported Carolingian Renaissance, a time of extraordinary development in the field of European architecture (Stalley, 1999). Maria Laach is a previous Benedictine abbey in Germany. It was known to be built in 1093, under the command of Palsgrave Henry II. It was handed over to the Cluniac Benedictines. It stayed in Benedictine possession for several centuries, becoming a hub for the monastic activities and in specific periods for education and literary arts (Torgerson, 2007). The Maria Laach Abbey is situated on the forested coastlines of a crater lake. The structure is regarded an essential model of German Romanesque architecture; due to its squatness and horde of towers, the church looks like an enchanted castle, highlighted by its panoramic, lakeside scenery. At the east end of the

Research Methods and Statistics (Report) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Research Methods and Statistics (Report) - Essay Example That is, communication must be determined based on the different dimensions that surround this concept, which include, among others, the ability of the disabled individual to communicate through speech and nonverbal communication, as well as understand communication from other people, or as the message is being transmitted to him/her. When the dependent variable is clearly determined and defined-that is, effectively operationalized-the authors will be able to state the generalizability of the results of the study in terms of communication, and specifically in the context of the participants' experiences as individuals with either learning or physical disabilities. 2) While communication is just one facet of the variable engagement level, engagement level as a dependent variable was also not clearly stated in the article. In this particular variable, the measures through which communication was identified as such was not only restrictive, but are also limited or few in scope. Identifying engagement level of the self in terms only of rocking and hand-flicking are simple measures that do not cover the entirety of the measure, 'engagement level in terms of the self.' The article left the reader wondering whether the engagement levels were only identified in the terms reported by the authors, or whether there are other measures that they used to quantify engagement levels, and in effect, establish the quantitative relationship between engagement levels and response vis--vis the participant's immersion to hydrotherapeutic environment. In effect, what this observation demonstrates is that engagement level does not translated to communication only, b ut also an understanding of the activity and corresponding physical action that the individual has given in response to a specific communication prompt. 3) The article reported an increase in the engagement levels of the participants once they have been immersed or exposed to the hydrotherapeutic environment. Although there has been an increase in the engagement levels, three contentions to these findings can be observed. The first contention is that the reported increase in engagement levels are not reliable because of the questionable operationalization of the variables used for the study. Secondly, the study did not also report whether these increase in engagement levels are significant relationships or not. This is a crucial point that must be established in the article, since the increase in engagement levels of the participants will cease to be relevant and important if the reported percentages and increases are not significant in relation to the participants' immersion to the hydrotherapeutic environment. In effect, because the relationship established in the article were not clarified as whether significant or not, the effect and influence of the independent variable from the dependent variables loses its importance, rendering the study and its findings insignificant for the readers. 4) The design of the research study itself should have used a time-series experimental design, comparing the participants' performance during and after the time they have been exposed

Conservation of natural resources and physical environment Essay Example for Free

Conservation of natural resources and physical environment Essay It is a fact that population growth or its decline is a resultant effect of both births and deaths or in some countries; immigration and emigration are indeed significant factors of this phenomenon. The carrying capacity as defined by specialists is that maximum number of persons that can be comfortably supported in a particular environment without posing any possible threats of depletion of the available resources in the near future. It thus not only considers space availability but also emphasizes on the importance of relating the numbers to the available resources as well as the potential of the earth system as a whole to support them (S. P. Hays, 1986). It is therefore important to realize that human beings are part and parcel of the world’s ecosystem and its only valuable for them to preserve its best. The ecosystems has constantly undergone modifications by humans not only as a consequence of population expansion but also due to enhanced technological know how and human consumption. It is the human race that has in the past destroyed habitats, polluted his own environment that has adversely changed the atmosphere hence threatening global stability. Experts have further warned that these observable negative impacts could see the ecosystem undergo irreversible damages if not quickly addressed. Conservation of natural resources involves good management, wise and proper utility of the abundant earth resources by man (D. W. Ehrenfeld, 1972). Read more: Essay About  Conservation of Natural Resources This is not only for economic reasons but also for the survival of the new generation to come. Wood and wood products for instance, form the fundamental economic gain from forests but it is also worth noting that most forest zones are the major water catchment points and since water is life, then, it is only fair to preserve forests so as to support life. The human race has therefore developed interest in the study of his environment with the intention of understanding it better. These studies have not been fruitless sine certain scientific fields like ecology which deeply analyses living organisms in relation to each other and their physical environment have significantly improved man’s understanding of the ecosystem by bringing out clearly the vital roles of specific organisms in the universe. Through this information, man has comprehended that his survival depends on the other part of the system as well. The principle â€Å"Energy is neither created nor destroyed† suggests the capacity of the earth’s self renewal but also raises a particular concern over nonrenewable energy resources that are fast getting depleted! It is for this noble purpose that various nations have set up their own policies on environmental conservation with the major aim of achieving better and healthy lives for their citizens now and in the future. However some countries like Iraq and others in record have no restrictions to various areas considered ‘special’ environmentally especially considering the fact that some wildlife in those parts are at a risk of getting extinct. This therefore brings the big debate on whether its really necessary to conserve our environment? Since the mid-nineteenth century, the globe has recorded increasing mean atmospheric temperatures, a phenomenon attributed to the emission at extremely high levels, of greenhouse gases. This warming trend has been traced to originate from human activities. As much as we are fast to point blame on industries and other businesses, research has it that everyone creates pollution through various activities that we undertake daily and therefore contribute to the level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This is because every manufactured product finds its way to us and by all means leaves behind some carbon footprint however small (John Darabaris, 2007). Thus man being aware of the deadly impacts of this phenomenon on his environment is constantly struggling to reduce carbon footprint to he smallest possible amounts. Modern science has sophisticated instrumentation that can precisely predict harsh weather events that may result from global warming. Industrialization that has seen man adopt modern farming techniques, improved infrastructure amongst many other human practices is here to stay and even advance further, yet it must be controlled and channeled appropriately into activities that will not deplete the scarce resources. History has it that man, through industrialization, has enhanced erosion activities at the coast and affected the duration of planting seasons in many agriculturally dependant zones, thanks to the constantly warming globe. Human race is very much aware that if these trends persist, more destructive and violent storms are yet to be observed, dreadful and deadly diseases are also likely to attack depending on the new temperatures of the earth which may favor the existence of new pathogens. This not only poses human race at great risk but also predicts real danger to the vast resources that we have on earth. Permafrost for instance, is a major factor that controls several environmental processes and thus changes in nutrients, water content and even temperature will for sure have some effect on the soil composition (Bolter, M. 1999). It is also expected that a warmer globe will initiate more energy to be pumped into tropical storms hence developing stronger and more destructive and vicious storms. The warm condition also, according to scientific predictions, could make earth observe long periods of drought and this will definitely cause global food shortages. Such persistent drought conditions also put the globe at the risk of experiencing more wild fires that will destroy property and other natural resources. Wildlife is one of the most treasured natural resource not only because of its economic importance but also because of its aesthetic value and ecological significance. However, the current trajectory path traced by global warming effects could result into the extinction of rare planet species that would otherwise fail to adapt to the new environment due to the shift in ecosystem. The physical topography is not spared either since man now understands that the warming trend has significantly speeded the melting of polar ice bringing along with it severe and unbearable weather conditions. Science and engineering technology has significantly contributed to the advancement of humanity thereby increasing the understanding of our world, ambitions and inspirations, and our ability to satisfy our diverse needs in our lifetime (Clift, 1998). Our survival on the planet earth will indeed to a great extent depend on how we effectively relate to all the other living organisms and even to the physical environment. As much as man has been innovative, new technologies do come with diverse environmental challenges. The increasing world population for instance, has seen a significant rise in energy demand. A clean and reliable yet sustainable energy source is thus essential to meet this demand, the selection of which must be carefully made. Innovative solutions are therefore called upon from the concern industrial sectors, governments and even communities. Europe, America, China, India and other industrialized nations depend almost entirely on fossil fuels; the developing nations are reportedly increasing their consumption of the same! Arguably, the methods used to produce and consume these fuels are not the best and have significantly contributed to the destruction of the ecosystem. It is for this reason that man has used the available technology to develop alternative means of producing energy with minimal or no impact at all on the environment. Using this knowledge man has resorted to energy sources that are found naturally in the environment (Carroll, 1993). For instance, using solar panels has made it possible to harness solar energy safely into viable use. This is a significant step made in protecting and saving the environment since it does not cause pollution and is also considered an infinite source of energy. However, this invention came with its own challenges such as unpredictable climatic patterns especially in the twentieth century , a phenomenon associated to global warming thereby forcing man to diversify into other energy sources such as the nuclear energy, wind power, sea power amongst many others. Nuclear power alone has attracted many developed countries with most of them claiming it is the answer to the global energy crisis. The only controversy that arises on nuclear energy production is the after effects it has on the environment. Storing and effectively damping radioactive material for as long as a thousand years is still a threat to the environment and the planet at large. Most people are now aware of various threats resulting from environmental problems. Many people are reported to panic in some cases, though it makes them have a clear understanding of the necessity to conserve and protect the little we have or else face permanent destruction from the cruel nature we have created. Since we can’t afford to despair, this extraordinary times calls for extraordinary solutions that promises a better tomorrow. Experts have issued warnings about the changing climate for example, and our understanding is that we have the solution with us. Therefore, by taking individual responsibility, there is hope, these damages can either be slowed down or completely reversed (Engel, 1990). The current generation understands so well that the generation tomorrow will enjoy the natural resources we have today only if we live in a sustainable way and this is irrespective of whatever modernity dictates. Indeed, with this kind of rapid loss of biodiversity, the global community full of researchers and practioneers must move with speed before the situation gats out of hand (Jacobson 1995). By conserving the resources and managing them sustainably, the future is secure of having clean water, clean energy, clean air and even fertile soils for productive agriculture. Modern man has also realized that diversity in culture and biological diversity are greatly linked (Mc Neely, 1995). Different societies within this very globe possess very unique cultural practices, beliefs and knowledge about the environment that is very valuable especially in solving certain environmental problems. Redesigning industrial systems to obtain safe technology reduces waste and encourages recycling of refuse in biological lines. This is a concept full of hope that will see the world maximize the use of raw materials, reduce the consumption of energy and with minimal or no negative impacts on the environment (D. Worsher, 1977). Different cultures for example, find different uses of different plans which essentially constitute the ecosystem. By preserving the diverse or sometimes complex cultural practices and lifeways, biological systems will then be protected in the process. It is imperative to note that human beings have constantly adjusted and adapted to their environment almost simultaneously as it changes. This justifies the argument by scholars that ‘nature and culture are indivisible’ and thus the necessity to narrow down human ecology to the analyses of socio-natural systems (Bennett, 1996). Due to fundamental shifts in the interrelationship between industrialization and the other part of the ecosystem, experts have identified possible radical changes that may accompany these historical moments and therefore suggested thorough rebuilding of all industrial systems. Mediterranean region for example, has been greatly eroded due to poor farming methods like overgrazing and deforestation. Siltation and salanization are also some observable effects from irrigation activity at the region (Hillel, 1991). Different regions thus have dispatched relevant authorities to help sensitize and educate the communities living around such valuable resources on the importance of conservation measures and proper management. Conservation of the environment is therefore not debatable if the treasured human race needs to protect its self against possible harm in the future. The rapid race at which global climate has changed, the ever expanding global population amongst many other critical environmental declines are some of the critical issues that need addressing as a mater of urgency. Intensive research work carried out by various scientific groups indicates for instance, that the world losses 22 million acres forest area yearly (Elizabeth, 2006). Similarly, very toxic chemicals find their way into the atmosphere yearly some of which last over decades in the environment. It is therefore very serious to realize that we are obviously threatened when our natural resources are threatened since we greatly depend as major sources of medicine, food, shelter, fuel, just to mention a few. Nature is known to be unforgiving and respects no boundaries; environmental problems threaten global economy, health and even security. The tropical forests which are rapidly disappearing hold the source of close to twenty-five percent of prescription drugs (George P, 1973). A world without energy, food, safe clean water or inhabitable environment exposes its people to political unrest as well as economic instability. This could see the world spend an enormous sum of money inform of peacekeeping, humanitarian aid or even in attempt to revive global markets. With this kind of understanding, man has realized the significance of working together with a lot of commitment by all countries to provide lasting solutions to fundamental problems and also offer sustainable management of the scarce natural resources. This indeed is an assurance of hope that promises better future to all the human society. References D. W. Ehrenfeld, (1972), Conserving Life on Earth; D. Worsher, (1977), Natures Economy; Roderick Nash, (2001). Wilderness and the American Mind, NY: Yale University Press,). R. Nash, (1982), Wilderness and the American Mind; NY. S. P. Hays, (1986), Conservation and the Gospel of Efficiency. Bolter, M. (1999). Consequences of Global Warming on Soil Processes in Arctic Regions, Polarforschung, 66, 1/2, 1-10. Jacobson SK (ed). (1995). Conserving wildlife: international education and communication approaches. New York NY: Columbia University Press. Noss RF. (1997). The failure of universities to produce conservation biologists. Cons Biol 11(6) Hillel, Daniel. 1991. Out of the Earth: Civilization and the Life of the Soil. Free Press. NY. Bennett and Flatley, G. W. , J. W. (1996) ‘Using Contingent Valuation to Determine Australian Tourists Values for Forest Conservation in Vanuatu’. Economic Analysis and Policy 26 (2) Donald Worster, (1994) Nature’s Economy, NY: Cambridge University Press. William Cronon. (1991) Nature’s Metropolis. NY: Norton. Elizabeth Kolbert (2006). Field Notes on a Catastrophe: Man, Nature, and Climate Change. NY, Bloomsbury. Carroll, W. J. (1993). ‘World Engineering Partnership for Sustainable Development. ’ Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice, 119 Clift, R. (1998). Engineering for the environment: The new model engineer and her role. Process Safety and Environmental Protection. 76(B2)