How to Achieve Your Goals

Achieving Your Goals â€Å"The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind. † – Lee Iacocca In today’s work world you have to be aware and be prepared for survival. Awareness starts with accepting the breathless pace of the ever growing technology and the fact that corporations can no longer guarantee job security. The job requirements keep changing with the advancements in technology. Lifelong learning is essential if you want to go with the flow and not drown in it. Up and ahead is not the only direction to move in an organization.If your sole definition of success is getting promoted or advancing in pay/status/job title, then you are not thinking broadly enough. In the new world of work, it is important to consider multiple directions in which your career could move and to focus on those moves that help you develop your employability the most. Focus on progress, not perfection. Flexibility is the key to it all. Self-Managed learning gives us that flexibility. Below are some pointers which will help get us to focus on achieving our goals: Aims & Requirements: First things first. Write down clearly what you are aiming at.What do you want to do? Why do you want to do it? Who do you want to be? What would you get out of it? Where do you want to reach? What all would you need to know to get there? Now picture yourself there. Keep that in mind always even when you face with failures. This will help you keep moving forward. Set achievable and realistic goals. Creating a Time Table: Whatever may be our goal, making a time table always helps us manage our time properly. For example, If we were on a ‘weight loss’ goal keeping a record of all our calorie intakes, the time we take to work out along with our daily routine will help us a great deal.We will know where we are going wrong, where we need to improve, what all could be done to help us improve ourselves. It k eeps us in check and helps us know our progress. There could be a column in which we can self-assess ourselves (give grades and fun remarks) to motivate and encourage us to go on. Yes, it would be a pain keeping tabs, but hard work pays more than short cuts ever will. Personal Orientation: Personal Orientation helps us to understand how we relate to an environment/situation/relationship. It gives us the opportunity to discover our aptitudes, interests and aspirations.When we are looking for a job in a company, this could help us to know what we can give to them. It could also help us to align our interests to what the company is looking for. For personal orientation you should learn to explore your world. Make mistakes and learn from them. It will help you make better choices suiting your interests. In short, personal orientation will help you feel more sure of yourself in this complex and ever changing technological world. Deadlines: Deadlines help us to make use of our time more e fficiently so as to get maximum output. It also helps to keep laziness at bay.When you know something has to be done within the specified time limit you tend to work harder to get it done. When things get hard we tend to keep it off until the next day. Deadlines keep a check on that. Without the urgency of a hard deadline pushing your work to completion, it’s easy for you to lose focus. As illustrator Christoph Niemann pointed out in a 99% interview, â€Å"Deadlines can actually help us by creating a fixed window of opportunity that requires us to be focused, pragmatic and decisive: In advertising, and also editorial, when people have 2 days, the briefing is much better, and the discussion is much better.It’s not that people just sign off on anything because they’re in a hurry. They’re just really looking at what they have, and trying to make the best product, and get it done. The problem is when people have too much time on their hands. Because then at some point everybody’s going to question, â€Å"Why did you make it red, not green? † and â€Å"Could we try it upside-down, or left to right? † and then at some point it becomes arbitrary. If the anxiety is about the deadline, then the energy really focuses on the result. If there is not anxiety about a deadline, all of the anxiety goes right to the creative part. Review your progress regularly Keep reviewing your progress daily. This will help you get back on track if you go off course. Monitoring your progress might also motivate you to work harder. These could be included in the Time table. Celebrate! Congratulate yourself when you manage to get through an especially tough spot. Give yourself a treat. Self-Reflection & staying true to your goals: â€Å"By three methods we may learn wisdom: first, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is the easiest; and third, by experience, which is the most bitter. –  Confucius How true the se words ring. No matter what goals we have set for ourselves or how efficient we have made our time table unless we really truly believe we are capable of it, we will most probable fail. Self-reflection is important. We have to understand and conquer our fears, come to terms with our inner self and strengths. This might seem a waste of time for most people but that’s not so. Being able to remove all those thoughts and feeling which are holding us back from giving our 100% can open so many doors for us. We will not be afraid to take the next step. It will help us grow as a person.We have to believe we can do it. And then we will become what we believe. Making goals is easy, but working towards achieving them might not be so. Anything worth having takes time and effort. So be prepared to face challenges to get what you want. Don’t let obstacles damper your desire for success. Even after having set your goals getting started is often the hardest thing to do. But doesnâ⠂¬â„¢t success taste the sweetest after some hard work? Try to follow your plans with a true heart and I’m sure you’ll success in every walk of life. And yes, pray to God! He will help you with it all!

Case Review Law of Tort

TRESPASS TO LAND BUKIT LENANG DEVELOPMENT SDN BHD v. TELEKOM MALAYSIA BHD & ORS [2012] 1 CLJ FACTS The plaintiff purchased a land from Oakfield Enterprises Sdn Bhd through a sale and purchase agreement dated 15 May 1996. The plaintiff was aware at that time of the presence of squatters on the land. Following the said purchase, the plaintiff commenced eviction proceedings against the squatters and succeeded in obtaining judgment where the court ordered that the squatters surrender vacant possession of the subject land to plaintiff.The plaintiff’s solicitors demanded that second defendant cease supply of electricity and remove all structures in connection with the supply by letter dated 28 April 2004. Plaintiff brings a suit due to second defendant’s refusal to comply with the demand. The defence counsel, however, argued that second defendant could not be held liable for trespass in view of its statutory obligation under the Electricity Supply Act 1990 (ESA), and the plai ntiff had failed to distinguish between the lots owned by the plaintiff and the rest of the land.ISSUES 1. Whether second defendant's failure to comply with plaintiff's demand to cease supply of electricity and remove structures in plaintiff's land can be amounted to trespass to land? 2. Whether second defendant liable for trespass to a certain extent? JUDGMENT 1. The High Court had come to a conclusion that the second defendant liable for trespass to the extent of supplying electricity to legal occupants in plaintiff's land.The illegal occupants did not have the authority to allow TNB as licensee to place any structures on the land of its cables or wires to run over the plaintiff’s lots which would be trespass. A valid and subsisting High Court order declaring the occupants’ status as squatters or trespassers had been served on second defendant and they had to comply with the plaintiff’s demand to cease supply of electricity premised on a valid and enforceable order.Second defendant as a public utility provider had failed to discontinue the trespass when due notice of illegal occupation had been given. 2. Plaintiff had vide its solicitors’ letter of 28 April 2004 put second defendant to notice that the court had determined that the occupiers on the plaintiff's land who had been supplied electricity were trespassers and the lot numbers owned by the plaintiff were supplied. The defence raised there was no evidence of any response from second to the effect that the plaintiff’s lots could not be identified from the entire piece of land.The occupants being squatters were strangers to the plaintiff whereas second defendant was in possession of records showing their identities and location of the households that had electricity supply. Hence, the issue of non-identification or demarcation of the plaintiff’s lots did not arise in this case. 3. So, second defendant were held liable for trespassing plaintiff's land by placing c ables and wires to run over plaintiff's lots and also by supplying electricity to illegal occupants in plaintiff's land.COMMENTARY I agree on behalf of High Court's decision where second defendant (Telekom Malaysia Bhd) should be liable for trespassing into plaintiff's (Bukit Lenang Development Sdn Bhd). This is because they had been informed earlier by plaintiff's solicitor to cease supply of electricity and remove all structures in connection with the supply by letter dated 28 April 2004 but they still failed to do so. They also know that the people they are supplying the electricity are illegal occupants of plaintiff's land.From a legal view, even by placing something on other's land and continue the act would be considered as trespass to land. So, second defendant had trespass plaintiff's land intentionally as they were informed earlier to comply with it. Furthermore, second defendant's action of supplying electricity to the illegal occupants is regarded as immoral by abetting a nd conspires with them to occupy plaintiff's land illegally. Therefore, in moral view, they should avoid from doing so. In conclusion, High Court's decision that second defendant liable for trespassing plaintiff's land is reasonable.PASSING OFF DANONE BISCUITS MANUFACTURING (M) SDN BHD V. HWA TAI INDUSTRIES BHD [2010] 8 MLJ 500 FACTS In early April 2001, the Plaintiff discovered that the defendant, Hwa Tai Industries Bhd, had been manufacturing and selling chocolate chip cookies bearing the trademark â€Å"Chipsplus†. The plaintiff subsequently requested that the defendant cease the manufacture and sale of cookies bearing this trademark, on the basis that the trademark, as well as get-up and packaging of the product, were confusingly similar to their registered â€Å"ChipsMore† mark.However, the defendant refused to do so, and as such, the plaintiff sued the defendant for trademark infringement and passing off. The plaintiff argued that the defendant’s â€Å"Ch ipsplus† trademark infringed upon its registered trademark, while the similar get-up and packaging of the cookies amounted to the defendant passing off its â€Å"Chipsplus† cookies as the Plaintiff’s â€Å"ChipsMore† cookies, and this affected their business, reputation and goodwill in Malaysia.The defendant however denied the plaintiff’s claims, and further contended that the â€Å"ChipsMore† registration had lapsed, and was therefore invalid. ISSUES 1. Whether Hwa Tai Industries Bhd is liable for passing off defendant's chocolate chip cookies â€Å"ChipsMore† trademark? JUDGMENT 1. It was held that the defendant’s mark â€Å"CHIPSPLUS† used on chocolate chip cookies were to bring result in confusion to the public as the mark â€Å"CHIPSPLUS† and the Plaintiff’s registered mark for â€Å"CHIPSMORE† for the same product are conceptually similar.The court found that the defendant was liable for infring ement because the plaintiff had a registration certificate and renewal certificate evidencing a valid trademark, and the Plaintiff had not given the defendant permission to use their trademark. Furthermore, as â€Å"Chipsplus† was similar to â€Å"ChipsMore†, there was a possibility of confusion or deception amongst the public. Court found in the plaintiff’s favour and allowed the plaintiff’s claim for infringement and passing off. COMMENTARYI am against the decision made by the court as the mark ‘CHIPSPLUS' used by defendant was like merely to use the word ‘CHIPSPLUS' to promote their new cookies products with extra and additional chips and it is not necessary to prove that the word ‘CHIPSPLUS' can be used by plaintiff only. Other manufacturers can have freedom to use any appropriate word as label for their products as long as it does not totally imitate other manufacturer's product label. Plaintiff maybe has the idea to promote their c hips cookies by using the ‘CHIPSPLUS' word too and not have the intention to pass off defendant's trademark.

Justify The Proposed Approaches Essay

My campaign has various links to the national campaign which has the same topic as mine. This campaign is called ‘reducing underage drinking; a collective responsibility. This campaign used the mass media approach and the community development approach similar to my campaign. In my campaign I have used three approaches and have embedded them into the creation of my campaign. These are the role of mass media, national campaign and involving health e educators. The first approach would be the role of mass media. As I have mentioned in a previous task, media can be presented in various forms such as through the television, radio, Magazines newspapers and billboards. I have chosen to use the media approach because I think it will be more applicable to my target audience. The age group that my campaign applies to are very knowledgeable in the world of media. Having our own twitter page gives our campaign the opportunity to be seen on a large scale, on an off change that someone coul d see our twitter account it could be very beneficial for them. However using the media as an approach does some with some disadvantages, such as not being able to teach vital skills. Using the media in our campaign didn’t allow us to go into detail and give the personal support that some individuals may need. Using twitter didn’t allow us to write much, only short sentences. This approach relates to the health belief model. The health belief model suggests that people will only seek help when they have to. Our target audience was forced to listen to our campaign as we were presenting it to them. But to them go away and search our twitter page because they needed help happens on their own accord, and has nothing to do with us. They will be seeking help because they believe that they may have been one of the teenage binge drinkers we aware talking about. The second approach is uses were the social marketing approach. Using this approach made me use my brain strategically to see if what I was doing in my campaign would had related to my audience. Using the social  marketing approach I decided to use an app to get some information across. Using an app was a good idea for my target audience. Most people in the room had an iPhone and were excited to hear that there was an app available. The excitement made people download it, hopefully the information on the app, and the help that is provided will have a positive effect on the adolescence. The model I used the theory of reasoned action. This is because my audience had had the intention to drink when they drink. But after my campaign and the information I showed them that intention changed. They now realised the problems that come with drinking at obsessive measures, and have changed their intentions to not wanting to drink. Now that the people who were in my audience have changed their intentions. According to the theory of reasoned action they will no longer be involved in drinking activity.

Holistic care Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Holistic care - Essay Example The researcher states that holistic care may generally utilize various healthcare forms, ranging from conventional medication to any substitute therapy for treating patients. The holistic care approach is regarded as a treatment center wherein the patients are to be treated as an entire individual. This particular approach is often viewed to be a set of procedures that are related to traditional treatment methods, delivering effective healthcare to the individuals. The fundamental, physical, psychological along with social care requirements for Errol can be identified through using a holistic approach which is associated with traditional treatment method. These have been discussed in the following discussion. In the fundamental aspect of the traditional holistic approach, deliverance of effective healthcare to a patient can be duly considered as one of the decisive constituents in promoting better quality service. The fundamental requirement of traditional based holistic approach dem ands a better interrelation between the care providers and the ones receiving care. In relation to the case of Errol, the fundamental requirement would be to seek a doctor’s advice, as his health condition degraded daily. He has developed a lot of ill habits in order to get rid of his problems. To get free of the ill habits, Errol requires practicing certain good habits and most vitally leaving drinking habit as well. The physical care requirements typically refer to the offering of effective healthcare to the patients suffering from any sort of disease. One of the physical requirements which are needed for Errol can be the intake of the medicines, prescribed by the practitioner for the improvement of his health condition. Moreover, Errol must consider the suggestions of the doctor and follow the instructions accordingly in order to enhance his health condition.

IPO case study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

IPO - Case Study Example Most companies and opinions believe that the new year brings forth the increased earning potential of shares. In addition to this, most companies pay out bonuses and dividends as the year comes to a close. This therefore means that investors might have funds to participate in the initial public offering. v) The decision to involve the selected underwriters might have been well informed and carefully selected. The selected underwriters might have sent a positive message to the investors and therefore increasing their confidence and hope in the company’s prospective earnings. vi) In my informed opinion, the cost charged was fair bearing in mind the positive past track record of the underwriting companies chosen. This therefore could have influenced positively the decisions of the investors to participate on the public offering. Investor confidence on the parties involved is all it takes for a success in the initial public offering. I therefore believe that the compensation was fair and appropriate. vii) The overallotment offer to the underwriters acts like an incentive for them since they can use the overallotment funds to make some quick profits in the financial market as the allotment funds await to be returned back to investors. viii) The choice of the company’s listing venue was appropriate. NASDAQ is one of the leading stock markets in the world. Therefore, any company that lists there is regarded and perceived as a potential goldmine for the investors. This therefore influenced positively the decision of the investors to participate in the initial public offer. In addition, the venue has different categories where issuing companies can list according to their interests and prospects. ix) When companies issue shares to the public, the public is normally hopeful about the growth potential of the stock. This positive mindset and feedback might have resulted in an increase in the share price on the first day of trading. However, after

Car Accidents in Saudi Arabia Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Car Accidents in Saudi Arabia - Research Proposal Example   According to the figures by the Saudi health ministry, 598, 300 accidents occurred in Saudi Arabia in 2012(Toumi, 2015). These figures show that an average of 1,614 accidents occurred every single day in Saudi Arabia, and 67 accidents an hour. A look at the history of traffic accidents in Saudi Arabia shows that the problem of traffic accidents is among the greatest causes of death in Saudi Arabia; the history of traffic accidents in Saudi Arabia also shows that the rate of traffic accident in Saudi Arabia has been increasing steadily since 1971 (Ansari, Akhdar, Mandoorah, and Moutaery, 2000). According to the public health statistics, between 1971 and 1997, 564, 762 people died or were injured in traffic accidents in Saudi Arabia. During this period, 66, 914 people were confirmed dead due to road accidents in Saudi Arabia (Ansari, Akhdar, Mandoorah, and Moutaery, 2000). This means that between the years 1971-1997, one person died and four people were injured in every single Houthis high rate of road accidents has been attributed to over speeding and disobeying of traffic rules and regulations by the drivers in Saudi Arabia. A further look at the recent history of road accidents in Saudi Arabia shows that there has been significant increase e in the rate of accidents in Saudi Arabia between 2009- 2012. This increase in the rate of accidents in Saudi Arabia has been caused by chaotic driving culture and blatant violation of traffic regulations by some dishonest drivers.

Public relation strategy of AUstralia Federal Election Essay

Public relation strategy of AUstralia Federal Election - Essay Example has made use of considerable public relations tools, including new media forums such as Twitter and Facebook, offering both candidates more exposure in a large variety of different voter markets. This paper describes the key messages from both candidates, from Gillard’s focus on improving progressivism and touting feminist values as well as Abbott’s more conservative policies on health care, environmentalism, and immigration. Both Gillard and Abbott have their own, unique perspectives on how best to move Australia forward should they be elected the new Prime Minister. Julia Gillard is often portrayed by Australian society and multiple media outlets as being far too dedicated to the interests of the Labor party, proposing upcoming policies centred around monetary needs over that of the tangible needs of the Australian people. This is interesting criticism considering the socialistic values traditionally found in those characterized as centre-left. Gillard’s top priorities as Prime Minister include first economic growth, the improvement of education, and building national pride and confidence in the 21st century (Kearney, 2010). In fact, said Gillard in a recent interview, â€Å"Keeping the economy strong so that people can get the benefits of work† was her main goal (Kearney, 2010, p.1). Gillard has also been criticized significantly for her lack of religious conviction, this being a self-proclaimed atheist, which has created concern with the country’s Church leaders and faithful citizens with strong religious principles. Despite this criticism for her values related to religion, Gillard attempts to reinforce her stern respect for these institutions when stating, â€Å"My history has been to be a big supporter. In terms of the work that the Catholic church does, that other churches†¦do in our society, I am a big respecter† (theage.com.au, 2010, p.2). This is a public relations effort to reinforce her values about the value of diversity and religious faith

Insurance Research Paper about the Real Estate Development Industry

Insurance about the Real Estate Development Industry - Research Paper Example emand pool for real estate industry has increased due to various reasons of zero tax rules for foreign investor, strong international and domestic marketing campaigns, high rental on residential property, residence visa facility by property developer and speculation on short term market gain (Kumar, Agarwal, & Khullar). 2.0 Topic 1. Insurance in Real Estate Industry Real estate property dealers or common residents need to submit various documents like Police Report of burglary or any kind of criminal activity caused property loss, report about estimated damage or loss, surveyor report about property condition and relevant papers required by insurance company to get insurance cover. 2.1 Quotation Dhs.1, 500/- is deducted by insurance company from the claim amount on every loss while quotation value depends on the location and building condition of property. Insurance company and real estate property developers decide quotation amount after mutual agreement. In accordance with Dubai Is lamic Insurance & Reinsurance Co, proposal for real estate industry following insurance covers can be used to answer the question. 2.2 Perils Covered Under Insurance Building and all inside fixtures are protected by insurance cover, Loss of Rent due to fire accident, Sign Board of the company or any kind of hoarding, fixed metal plate work and glass work inside the building. Standards perils like Fire, Malicious Damage, Storm, Flood, Impact, Earthquake, Riots, Strikes, Lightning Explosion and Bursting of Pipes are also covered by insurance scheme. 2.3 Additional Benefit Additional benefits like Debris Removal, low Architect and Surveyors fees and reimbursing Fire Extinguishing expenses are also offered by some insurer to property developers. 2.4 Perils Not Covered Under Insurance Perils... This paper stresses that the present financial crisis may be regarded as a banking crisis, but there are hardly any possibilities of the solvency of the insurance industry. However to a certain extant the insurance industry on a whole has been affected by the ongoing financial crisis. To be more specific the insurance companies which are mainly involved in the real estate insurance also got hugely impacted. Mostly there have been adverse effects were adverse for the companies. The financial crisis had a visible impact on the insurance companies, principally due to their investment portfolio. Meanwhile as the crisis further spread, the valuations of the financial market worsened drastically. Apart from that a number of strenuous exposures were also reveled in the form of market and credit risks. This report makes a conclusion that the real estate insurance companies, during the midst of the crisis period were finding it difficult to sustain, due to extreme downward pressure. The real estate insurance companies are generally large investors and they highly depend upon the long term investment prospect, unlike banks and other financial institutions. Owing to the fact that declining household income reduces the demand of various products, similarly the demand of real estate insurance has greatly reduced due to the crisis. Furthermore, the financial crisis has also abridged activities pertaining to real estate. This has automatically minimized the need of the real estate insurances. Thus it can be concluded that the ongoing financial crisis did impacted the insurance companies which insured real estate to a large extant.

Declaration of Independence- Thomas Jefferson Final Term Paper

Declaration of Independence- Thomas Jefferson Final - Term Paper Example Distinctively enumerated into exceptional divisions, the writer demonstrated some rare writing skills that make it one of the best literal state papers. The Declaration of Independence can be divided into an introduction, a clearly developed preamble, a section describing the indictment of the Crown, denunciation of the American oppressors (the British) and a good conclusion. Any paper passing the test of good writing must at least show such organization. Throughout the document, artistic or literary devices (rhetoric devices) can be pointed out to prove the fact that the writer must have had tremendous proficiency with the topic of artistic discourse. With the topic of the Declaration of Independence at hand, this paper will tackle Thomas Jefferson’s rhetoric and the play of words he had used in the formation of this historical document. With the basis of textual analyses of the Declaration of Independence, historical interpretations will be conducted in order to explain the American context under the British colonial government. This paper will also explain the educational background of Thomas Jefferson – one that honed him as an eloquent writer of the mentioned document. Before going into the analyses of the Declaration’s text, it is important to give light to its author Thomas Jefferson. Although history has had laughable doubts of according Jefferson the credit of the text authorship, controversies of such nature are interesting to tackle. One good example of a weak school of thought that the authorship of the Declaration of Independence could be not of Thomas Jefferson is the belated publication of Mecklenburg Declaration. Mecklenburg Declaration which was allegedly duplicated by Jefferson. But as the proponents of this thought steadfastly argued, the controversy was later found out to be a â€Å"hoax†. It was disproven by Jefferson himself. Scholars

Organizational psychology Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Organizational psychology - Assignment Example Administers process organizational tasks and establish work environments. Leaders are mainly mandated with execution of administrative duties, inspiring supporters and creation of underlying common managerial cultures and tenets (Leonard et al, 2013). While managers deal with the underlying intricacy, leaders deal with initiating and adjusting underlying change (Aamodt, 2013). Leaders are majorly mandated with undertaking tasks that pertain to setting a way or idea, aligning populace to share goals, collaborating and motivating. Approaches of studying leadership in I/O psychology are widely categories into Leader-focused, Contingency-focused and Follower-focused approaches. Leader-focused approaches mainly focus on the organizational leaders in determining the underlying features of real leadership. Trait approach defines effective leaders to being having particular traits that are lacks in the ineffective leaders (Hersen & Thomas, 2003). The approach is mainly utilized in predicting leader emergence. Leader emergence is mainly predicted via analysis of the traits such as high intelligence, elevated desires for dominance, lofty self-motivation and communally perceptive (Aamodt, 2013). Behavioral approach as a leader-focused approach mainly emphases on the prevailing behaviors that differentiate effective from the corresponding ineffective leaders. Two main categories of leadership are contemplation and instigating structure. Behavior that is related with category of consideration pertains depiction of subordinates that they leaders value and care about them (Leonard et al, 2013). Moreover, behaviors that are related to initiating structure entail simpl ification of the task performance of the prevailing groups (Aamodt & Aamodt, 2007). Power and influence is also approach of leader-focused that mainly pertains to the means on how effective leaders influence people in line with the underlying organization’s mission and objectives (Hersen & Thomas, 2003). The degree of influence of a leader relies on the social power and corresponding probable in regard to manipulating their subordinates (Messick & Kramer, 2005). The major foundations of supremacy entail forcible power, authentic power, referent power, reward power and informational power. Leaders normally utilize numerous diverse tactics in manipulating others in their respective organization. The common tactics mainly entail rational inducement, inspiring appeal, session, ingratiation exchange, alliance, individual appeal, and pressure and legitimating (Hersen & Thomas, 2003). Contingency-focused approaches of leadership are the most dominant and are mainly based on the lead er’s efficacy on their capability in assessing and adapting to their behavior. The theories within this approach assume that the prevailing leaders are capable of reading the underlying a circumstance and dexterously employ a leadership style that warrant the individuals connections in behavior task at hand (Lowenberg et al, 1998). The main theories in the Contingency-focused approaches are Fiedler’s Contingency theory that outline that effectiveness of a leader depends on the underlying collaboration amidst their features and corresponding characteristics of the condition (Aamodt & Aamodt,

How are fashion and appearance central to the construction of social Essay

How are fashion and appearance central to the construction of social identities Discuss, with reference to specific examples - Essay Example Fashion plays a very important role in this process, for it is a way to express our personality, to state our beliefs, to communicate our likes and dislikes. Fashion is a skilled architect for our bodies, using colours, shapes and textures to create pieces of clothing, which combined in a particular way produce, at their turn, a graspable, yet unique image of our identity. As Bennett states in Culture and Everyday Life (2005) â€Å"fashion embodies a range of symbolic values which are collectively understood within and across different social groups†. Therefore, by dressing in a certain way and creating a particular appearance for ourselves, we can send out particular messages about our character, education, financial success, interests and intentions, even sexual preferences. After all, in this fast and complicated world we have very few seconds to make an impression, this is why fashion is a key factor which will help us express all of who we are trough our style and choice of clothing. A piece of clothing can make one feel inhibited, or on the contrary, free and daring, nostalgic for the past or a visionary of the future. The right clothes can help us accomplish our goals and better interact with the people surrounding us. Therefore, given the complex nature of fashion as a central part of our society I will focus on three major aspects: feminism and the way fashion has helped women define and change their social roles and identities, youth and their use of fashion to make statements about their place in the society, as well as their personalities and in the end, intercultural exchange and the way one can create a unique style by combining fashion elements from different cultures. I will start with a short historical map out and thus begin with the Medieval times, since it is considered a period marked by darkness, rigid ideology and strict social delimitations. This is why fashion did not suffer any exceptions: clothes were used to set specific socia l boundaries and thus, dictate social identities. First of all, fashion was inspired at court and it included carefully tailor garments, which offered information about the social status of the person that was wearing the clothes. It included heavy dresses, which did not allow women the privilege of fast movement and which transposed into society as little involvement and obedience. The clergymen’s simple tunics were supposed to represent their penitence and modest life. The peasants’ poor dressing was a result of their placement at the bottom of the Feudal Pyramid of social order. As we slip into the modern era, towards the 18th and the 19th century, fashion still remains a wealth-dominated area. However, new social roles appear, such as public magistrates and the militia, which mark their social identity by particular clothing and uniforms. The tailoring business develops rather faster and cheaper replicas of high-fashion, designer clothes became more accessible for women belonging to lower social classes and disposing of smaller wealth. Luxury was not limited to the elite or the metropolitan any more (Breward, 1995). However, women continued to be restrained in movement by their clothes, which included the corset and the long dresses: women’s dresses were composed of large quantities of fabric and different occasions needed different kinds of dresses, factors which

ICT - Webpage Implementation Essay Example for Free

ICT Webpage Implementation Essay After I pass the design to the manager, he gives me some information about his thoughts. He then wants me to start to create a website for their new game, so I use the software Dream weaver to start these jobs. By using the design part, Ive create a page Home. First I set up the front of the page; it contains some news and an Elf picture, also a flash at the bottom right hand corner. At the right hand side, it got different hyperlinks; First page would reopen the Home again; the Information will go to the second sheet as the person click on it. Theres an extra hyperlink added called Feed Back, this is use for the reader who want to give some opinion about the game and anything else. The second work in Home was the Flash, it has a short movie about the game, and it will play automatically as you enter this page. The flashes were creating as: Then I create a second webpage, Information, it include some information about the game, also some background of the shop. This page have the same set up for all the hyperlinks using the Home design, they will go to the direct page as we click on it. The date of the website will be update every time you look at it. The information of the game we use font times new roman so mostly people can be able to read it. Some more information could be fell in as the game were updated, the empty box under the information were a space for that. The next page I make was called download. In this download page, it got lots of different pictures to download, just have to click on the Show Larger Picture button; it will automatically bring you to a larger size of picture. This is another way of hyperlink, which can put lots of picture but save more spaces. Also, the hyperlink of the sheet was working as properly, they would take you to the place you wanted to be. If you click on Home, it will take you back to the homepage of this website. The next slide I create up was Contact. It got some short information for the company, such as phone number, mobile number, and email address. We may use the information to contact the shop and get more details about any problems we got in the game or so. As you click on the email address it will automatic goes to your email and uses this e-mail address to send a mail out. Also, by using the address given we may go to the shop and then we can be sure of more details of the game. The last page of the website use is the feed back. In this pace the person who visits the site can ask any questions, as they fill in the form. As they can see, the underline part is the area for filling in the information. After all the information and the feed back were fill back in, theres an send button at the bottom right hand corner, which can send the opinions to the staff. After I finish the implementation, I immediately show it to the manager. He looks please to have this normal website. He asked me to check that everything is going to be working properly.

Motivation and Personality Motivation is a business and how it affects consumers

Motivation and Personality Motivation is a business and how it affects consumers 3.4 Motivation and Personality Motivation is a stimulating factor; it generates a behaviour which gratifies a need (Meyer et al., 2004 and Parish et al 2008). As a particular need satisfies, it generates a new one thus needs are perennial (Drakopoulos, S. A., 1994). As per Abraham Maslow consumer behaviour or purchasing decisions are based on their live pyramid which is exhibited in Fig (1.1). Â  This figure also clarifies priority decisions based on economic and general circumstances. Maslows motivational need theory states that people are encouraged through their unsatisfied needs. It further implies that lower needs should be fulfilled prior to higher needs. Also, he stresses that each and every need (i.e. survival, physiological, love, safety, and esteem)Â  should be fulfilled in an unbiased manner (Gawel, 1997). The definitions of motivation (Meyer et al., 2004 and Parish et al 2008) and the concept of needs (Drakopoulos, S. A., 1994) emphasis over consumers purchase decisions. These definitions clearly justify that there is a relation between consumer behaviour and Maslows motivational theory; as a person who is living in a street, would be more interested in food and shelter rather than keeping money to buy a BMW car. Maslows theory is quite pertinent for marketing purpose as marketers must keep into consideration this theory while designing marketing tactics and strategies, and specifically for marketing communications quotes and messages. The Maslows theory is appropriately elaborated below :- Fig.1.6 Source: (Huitt. 2004, pp1). Physiological needs are primary needs of human being; it comprises the basic necessities of life (food, clothing, and shelter). These needs are more significant than safety needs or other needs which are in the hierarchy (Maslow, 1970). He further described these needs as survival needs, and stated that their gratification is prominent in order to fulfil other hierarchical needs. Security and safety comes under safety needs, it includes economic security and physical safety and economic security. Once an individual becomes physically secured and economically stable, he/she start focusing to social needs, which consist of need for love, affection, intimacy, acceptance etc. After gratifying social needs, he/she starts craving for self accomplishment, which means prestige and social status. The final need is Self-Actualization when the individual recognises his/her personal potential, seeks personal growth, self-fulfilment and peak experiences. The main question here is how these needs do affects consumers purchasing behaviours, and what are the marketing implications? Norwood proposes that Maslows hierarchy is very helpful to describe and understand the variety of information that individuals search in order to gratify their needs at various levels. Norwood (1999) again stated that individuals at the lowest level only look for information which will him/her help to get their basic needs. Hence, any information which is not directly helping the individual to meet basic need will be ignored. He further emphasized that individual who is at the safety level of the hierarchy will be interested for that information which will help him/her to be secure and safe. Belongingness needs can be easily sought out by Enlightening information [which is generally found in books, magazines or other materials pertaining to relationship development]. He further evoked that Individual at the esteem level would be more interested to gather Empowering information which will help him/her to satisfy their self ego. In order to satisfy cognitive, aesthetic, and Self-actualization needs, edifying information would be helpful. While Norwood does not specifically address the level of transcendence, I believe it safe to say that individuals at this stage would seek information on how to connect to something beyond themselves or to how others could be edified (Huitt, 2004) 3.5 Learning and Perception Perception is the process by which an individual selects, organises and interprets information to create a meaningful picture of the world. (Pizam and Mansfeld, 1999, pp21) It is also defined as changes in an individuals behaviour based on experience. Learning and Perception are very prominent and persuading psychological factors in consumers buying decisions. Within the domain of perception, self concept is the totality of an individuals thoughts and feelings about oneself. Thus ones thoughts and feelings influences how one selects, organises and interprets information to create a picture of the world (Rosenberg 1979 and DeLamater, 2003) After intensely analysing the two definitions [perception by Pizam and Mansfeld and self concept by Rosenberg], it can be easily conclude that consumers perception about product affect his/her purchase decision as purchase decision is directly proportionate to consumer perception. Repercussion of perception in marketing is that people selectively perceive what they look forward for which ultimately affect their buying decisions. Different perceptions impact consumers decision making differently (Pizam and Mansfeld 1999) Selective perception notifies that it is a tendency of customer to organize and interpret information constantly, on the other side selective exposure proposes that customer pay attention to those thoughts and messages which are connected to its belief and attitude. And if in case these messages are not related or connected than they remain unnoticed and ignored. Just opposite to this approach, selective comprehension states that customer interprets only that information which is consistent with their held attitude and belief. The other element of perception is selective retention which reveals that everyday customer come across several advertisement, marketing communication messages, emails etc but they do not remember all that they see, read, and hear, hence they are always very selective as what to retain and what not. Lastly comes, subliminal perception, it stresses that several times customer hear and see messages without awareness, nevertheless, the impact of these messages on buying decisions is still pretty arguable. Learning is a behaviour which result into repetitive buying. It comprises the process of automatic reaction to a circumstance constructed through constant exposure of it (i.e. Behavioural learning); monitoring the results of others buying behaviour and correct it accordingly (i.e. cognitive learning) and the next arguable point is loyalty, its a positive and supportive attitude or in other words consistent purchase of a single brand again and again (Kerin et al., 2003). As per Delamater (2003), lifestyle means learning of influenc, how an individual live, what products he/she buys, how he/she use it, what they actually think about these products and how they feel. Moreover, attitude, values and beliefs are other very important psychological factors that stimulate consumer decision making. 3.6 Marketing, Social and Economic Factors influencing consumer purchase decisions There are various factors like social, environmental, marketing, promotional, and economic except psychological factors, that play vital role in consumer buying decision. Persuasive promotional campaigns, advertisements and other informative messages are at time very useful while consumer buying decisions such as whilst information search phase, adverts serve as significant source in order to evaluate information regarding rival brands. [as discussed in chapter three] Moreover, marketing campaigns also convince consumer to a large extent in order to identify their wants and needs towards products and services (inception of decision making process) Some factors like economic factor are as prominent as psychological influences (Pizam and Mansfeld, 1999; Norwood, 1999; Kerinn et al., 2003 and De Lamater, 2003) For instance, If need is identified, it is dependent on the consumers economic powers that can actually decide whether to buy products or services or not to gratify the urge. At times consumers ethical values could also stimulate the buying behaviour. Additionally, disposable income and availability of finance have great impact on buying a product or brand over other, in a broader sense it greatly impact consumers buying decisions. According to a research in US, it is revealed that the level of disposable income is considered most important factor which impact automobile demand. It further showed that the scarcity of fuel and frequent hike in gasoline prices also influenced the demand of cars to a great extent and noticed a steep fall in demand (Carlson, 1978) Soon, another research was carried out by Carlson and Michael (1980) with the aim to forecast the demand of US car industry. This research concluded that disposable income is a major factor that affects the final demand. It also revealed that price plays a significant role to decrease the sale of automobile. Similarly various other studies was carried out to by various researcher like Arguea, Hsiao and Taylor (1994), Kang and Chen (1996) Kobos, Erickson, and Drennen (2003) over the topics study of the US car industry and research of demand for Chinese automobiles. All of them concluded that prices of fuel and income of the consumer stimulates the demand of cars. Their research also demonstrated that availability of credit and income are very important determining factor of consumer decision. Here the foremost question arises that how the recent economic recession result in to decrease in the demand of goods and especially for cars [which this project intends to uncover]. Generally, during recession, consumers even those who are employed] are sceptical and more conscious about their spending and more towards savings money for future uncertainties, and this is one of the reasons of reduced demand of goods and it is quite apparent in the car industry. Further, the impact of this and all other theories discussed above are analysed in chapter four and five.

The Duel :: English Literature Essays

The Duel Walking onto the stage, seeing my challenger; thought not much of him, then I glanced to my left; hundreds upon hundreds of people have come to see this. My nerves shot to hell, I picked it up, plugged it in, waiting for the challenger’s opening riff. â€Å"Just one more time, I’ll get it this time, for sure!† I was tutoring some twelve year old; his name, David Ellison Mai. I was trying to teach him how to play the guitar. I have been playing for so many years, I cannot even begin to think how it is like for a beginner, all those new chords, scales, getting your fingers used to the touch of cold steel; set adrift on memory bliss. The only reason I got into this type of music is because of my brother. He meant to pack up his guitar when he moved out to his student home, he did not have enough space for it, and so he left it a week, and said that his friend would drop it off. Of course, seeing it sitting there in my room, I couldn’t just leave it alone; the shiny black surface, shimmering the light, almost giving it a warm glow. Every day, I would just look at it, and I was just getting into the whole rock music scene, so I knew a lot of inspirational guitarists. I couldn’t just sit around anymore; I pic ked it up, and started to learn. I did not know what to do for the first week, it was only when my brother came back that I started making progress. My brother came back for a week, to tie up some loose ends before he moved out for three years, to get his degree. It wasn’t long before my parents were supporting me to learn, they were always buying me books, strings and anything I needed to progress. I can still remember my fingers getting to the point where they would bleed, due to me playing for so many hours on end. When I wasn’t playing, I would just sit down and imagine myself playing on a stage, with thousands of people cheering me on. That dream was very far off; I was still having trouble holding the thing. Many of the guitarists I knew of all taught themselves, and I could see how good they were. I wanted to be just like them, I vowed never to get a teacher.

Dracula as the Persecuted Outsider in Bram Stokers Dracula Essay

Dracula as the Persecuted Outsider in Bram Stoker's Dracula Bram Stoker's Dracula is highly acclaimed and has received many different interpretations which deal with complex symbolisms and metaphors. These interpretations often require a great deal of knowledge in psychology, political science, anthropology, and other non-literary disciplines. These interpretations may be valid, as they are related to the disciplines on which their arguments are based, but the true power of the novel is due to a very simple theme that lies beneath the other, more convoluted interpretations. This theme is the universal concept of identity: us versus them. This criticism sets aside outside disciplines and focuses on the literary motif of identity. John Allen Stevenson gives an in-depth criticism of this work based mostly on anthropological ideas, but he states that Dracula is a representation of "fears that are more universal than a specific focus on the Victorian background would allow" (141). He brings up the concept of "universal" ideas but fails to pursue t hem on a universal scale. The truly universal theme involves the perception that Dracula is a monster. But Dracula is not a monster - he is simply a persecuted outsider. In this interpretation, it is important to seperate the actions of the characters from what those actions represent in relation to the theme of identity. Count Dracula is shown to be a vampire - a monster who engages in horrific, violent acts, but these acts of violence are merely Stoker's vehicle for presenting the difference between the Count and the other characters. His vampirish actions are not to be taken literally. "Dracula" is not a work of fantasy - it is primarily a realistic novel with one fantastic charact... ...safe once Dracula left, but the pursuit and slaying of him represents society's wish to remove him entirely from their minds. The killing of Dracula is not literal--he is only dead to society because they refuse to acknowledge his right to be different. Thus, Dracula is the victim of this story, not the ones society felt he victimized. Works Cited Arata, Stephen D. "The Occidental Tourist: Dracula and the Anxiety of Reverse Colonization." Victorian Studies 33.4 (Sum. 1990) : 621-45. Stevenson, John Allen. "A Vampire in the Mirror: The Sexuality of Dracula." PMLA 103 (1988) : 139-49. Stoker, Bram. Dracula. 1897. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1992. Wasson, Richard. "The Politics of Dracula." English Literature in Transition 9 (1966) : 24-27. Zanger, Jules. "A Sympathetic Vibration: Dracula and the Jews." English Literature in Transition 34 (1991) : 33-44.

Essay --

‘Myths get thought in man unbeknowest to him’[1]; As a structuralist, Levi-Strauss ‘offers a number of important reinterpretations of the kinds of ideological thought and practice with ‘symbolic anthropology’, within his analysis of the four Winnebago myths, he sheds light on how change within myth reflects Winnebago society universally. Within each of these myths, the way one goes about living their life determines what happens to them after their life on earth comes to an end. Through using Levi- Strauss’ analysis of each of the four myths, I am going to demonstrate how spiritual change occurs within the Winnebago culture and ‘since structure is entirely relational [...] any content can only arise for us out of the form – the kinship, mythological, or social structures with which anthropology confronts us.’ Structuralism is in a way, attempting to ‘create codes by means of which to communicate.’ To be able to u nderstand our own culture it is simply ‘dialectic’, this is as it is content for our own society; yet when looking at ‘alien cultures it can only be structural – containing knowledge of- and, as such part of the subjectivity of our own society which communicates to us the objectivity of another.’ The chapter, which I am evaluating, is primarily based on myths collected by Radin whilst creating his ethnography of the Winnebago culture. Levi-Strauss chose myths that are all of the same belief but they differ slightly in their forms; the person experiences death but each form differs slightly in each myth, which further develops through the ability to renew lives through the act of heroic traits. Within the first myth, warriors die in battle defending their tribe. This highlights the concept of the capital of life... ...ve; that is ambivilant spirits combining good and evil features. So ends the myth.’ Levi-Strauss concludes that that this myth highlights the Winnebago believe that those who live extraordinary lives, yet have qualities that are negative, will neither live nor die.’ Through the use of cross analysis, Levi- Strauss was able to theorise how the people of the Winnebagos interpret and experience how the change affects the spirit of these people. In only pursuing the betterment of the group and not as an individual within the society you are rewarded by the spiritual world, which in turn affects the way in which the members of these tribes act; as they would be punished, which we see with the transformation from human to animal. He demonstrates how we can grasp a good source of information from the symbols that are represented within the culture. [1] Strauss, Levi,

Mixed branding Essay

Definition: Mixed Branding is where a firm markets products under its own name and that of the reseller(s) because the segment attracted to the reseller is different than its own market. Eg. The company sells its Elizabeth Arden brand through department stores and a line of skincare products at Wal-Mart with the â€Å"Skinsimple† brand name. Stratergies: When promoting a brand, companies sometimes choose to follow a multiproduct branding strategy, similar to automakers Ford and Toyota. In this regard, a company’s name is an umbrella brand for all its products. Coca-Cola, Apple and Intel have focused their energies on branding their corporate names and images rather than individual products. Grocery chains and big-box retailers use private-label branding to attract value-conscious customers. Advantages: Companies use branding to differentiate their products based on value, quality and other attributes. A positive brand image creates a halo effect that affects existing products and makes it easier to introduce new products. The â€Å"Intel Inside† campaign, for example, was designed to brand all Intel microprocessors as high-performance and high-quality products. Apple has followed a somewhat different route because it relies on its corporate name and unique product brands. A mixed-branding strategy can leverage a company’s reputation for innovation to carve out profitable market niches, such as Apple’s Mac computers for graphics-intensive operations, while developing entirely new markets, examples of which would be iPods and iPads. Kraft consumers know they are getting a quality food product, which makes it easier and more cost-effective for Kraft to introduce and gain consumer acceptance for new products. Disadvantages: The main disadvantage of branding is the high advertising and related public relations costs. Establishing a local or international brand requires years  of sustained advertising, high levels of quality and exceptional customer service. A brand image and reputation cannot be established in a few weeks. Companies must continue their promotions even during economic downturns or when sales stagnate, because if they do not, competitors might fill the void and be in a better position when the economy turns around. These expenditures can reduce margins, especially if sales volumes are being affected by price competition or changing customer preferences. Also, there is the risk that poor customer service by wholesalers or retailers in the distribution channel might reflect poorly on the brand itself. Manufacturing issues that lead to product recalls, such as Toyota’s well-publicized problems with brakes from 2009 to 2011, can also affect a brand’s image, which usually requires additional expenditures to repair.

Philippine Artifacts Essay

The Manunggul Jar is evidence of the spirituality of indigenous Filipinos. The Manunggul jar is cultural treasure found in the early 1960’s in Manunggul Cave, Lipuun Point, Palawan which is classified as a secondary burial jar, which means that only the bones of the corpse are placed inside. It has an elaborate design consisting of scrolls and curves on the top cover and is painted with hematite – a type of mineral that produces red coloring once subjected to heat. However, the most remarkable part of the jar is its lid which features two souls sailing to the afterworld in a death boat. The figure at the rear is holding a steering paddle, although the blade of the paddle is missing. The one in front is believed to be the soul of the person whose remains are inside the jar, since it has its arms folded across its chest which was the usual position of a corpse being prepared for burial. It also seems like the figures are wearing cloth bands tied over the crowns of their heads, more evidence of indigenous burial practices in the Philippines. The burial jar which is unrivaled in Southeast Asia and considered as the work of a master potter, signifies the belief of early Filipinos in life after death. It is dated to the late Neolithic Period, about 890-710 B.C. Laguna Copperplate Inscription The Laguna Copperplate Inscription is the oldest written document ever found in the Philippines, and one of very few available artifacts of precolonial times. According to the inscription on the plate, it was written during the Saka era 822 (which translates to April 21, 900 CE). Portions of the inscription are in Malay, Javanese, and Tagalog, as well as Sanskrit, which is not part of the Southeast Asian linguistic group. The copperplate is now in the posession of the National Museum of the Philippines. Inscription The copperplate was a document from a chief of Tundun saying that he has pardoned a person named Namwaran of a debt of 1 kati and 8 suwarna (926.4 grams) of gold. The text has been translated as follows: â€Å"Long Live! Year of Siyaka 822, month of Waisaka, according to astronomy. The fourth day of the waning moon, Monday. On this occasion, Lady Angkatan, and her brother whose name is Buka, the children of the Honourable Namwaran, were awarded a document of complete pardon from the Commander in Chief of Tundun, represented by the Lord Minister of Pailah, Jayadewa. By this order, through the scribe, the Honourable Namwaran has been forgiven of all and is released from his debts and arrears of 1 katà ® and 8 suwarna before the Honourable Lord Minister of Puliran, Ka Sumuran by the authority of the Lord Minister of Pailah. Because of his faithful service as a subject of the Chief, the Honourable and widely renowned Lord Minister of Binwangan recognized all the living relatives of Namwaran who were claimed by the Chief of Dewata, represented by the Chief of Medang. Yes, therefore the living descendants of the Honourable Namwaran are forgiven, indeed, of any and all debts of the Honourable Namwaran to the Chief of Dewata. This, in any case, shall declare to whomever henceforth that on some future day should there be a man who claims that no release from the debt of the Honourable†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Maitum Anthropomorphic Potteries In 1991, archeologists discovered anthropomorphic secondary burial jars in Ayub Cave, Pià ±ol. Maitum, Sarangani Province, in Mindanao, Philippines. Since this sensational finding, a number of archaeological excavations were conducted to recover these important artifacts. These excavation projects were either government or privately sponsored. These burial jars are made of earthenware and characterized by their design and form that looks like or suggests human figures with complete or partial facial characteristics. These are earthenware potteries with incisions and cut-out foot-rings. These humanlike forms were associated with metal implements like bracelets. Some jars are decorated with glass beads and shell scoop, spoon, and pendants. Among the anthropomorphic vessels are plain non-anthropomorphic burial jars. According to scientists, these secondary burial jars date back to the Metal Age. The artifacts were dated to 830 +/-60 B.P. (by a calibrated date of A.D. 70 to 370) and 1920 +/- 50 B.P. (by a calibrated date of 5 B.C. to 225 A.D.). Scientists determined the age of the jars by doing radiocarbon date tests on the soot samples taken from a small earthenware vessel. This small vessel was found inside one of the larger burial jar. Angono Petroglyphs The Angono Petroglyphs are 127 images carved into a wall of rock, and are estimated to date back to 3,000 BC. They were discovered in 1965 by Carlos â€Å"Botong† Francisco along the boundaries of Angono and Binangonan, Rizal. It is considered thye earliest prehistoric rock drawings. The site is a rock shelter or a shallow cave about 63 meters wide, 8 meters deep and 5 meters at its highest point. One hundred twenty seven human figures scattered on the wall were made by engraving lines using a piece of stone on the surface of the rock shelter. The cuts vary from ten centimeters down to faint lines figures. The figures consist of circular heads, with or without necks set on a rectangular or v-shaped body. The linear arms and legs are usually flexed. Some incisions on the rock wall are triangles, rectangles and circles. Rock art is closely linked with a system of belief of a particular group of people. It is symbolic, not decorative. According to Filipino anthropologist Jesus Peralta, â€Å"The engraved drawings are made without any reference to a baseline, suggesting that these were made during different points in time through a long period.†[ In 1996, the petroglyphs were included in the World Monuments Watch, drawing attention to the rock art’s conservation. Since their discovery, many of the carvings have been eroded, or destroyed by vandalism. Butuan Palaeograph The Butuan Palaeograph, also known as the Butuan Silver Strip is a piece of metal with inscriptions found in Butuan province in mid-1970s by a team of archaeologists from the National Museum. Treasure hunters who were looking for old ceramics and gold ornaments discovered this metal strip inside a wooden coffin. Coffins of the same characteristics, which dated back to the 14th and 15th centuries, were found in the site, however, according to Dr. Jesus Peralta, found inside were human fossils with artificially deformed skulls – a practice limited to Southern Philippines and unpopular in Luzon. Because of the similarities found between the coffins, it is reasonable for the archaeologists to assume that the latter came from that same era. But debates arose regarding the origin of the said artifact, but until now, it is considered to belong to Butuan where it was found. Dr. Boechari of Indonesia, said Peralta, identified the writings as very close to a Javanese script that existed from 12th to 15th century. This yet-to-be-decipher Butuan palaeograph is now in the hands of Proceso Gonzales, the city engineer of Butuan. Calatagan Pot The Calatagan Pot, excavated by treasure hunters in 1961, is considered to be the first pre-Spanish colonization artifact with traces of indigenous writing. Discovered at Calatagan, Batangas, the scripts are oriented in a left-to-right manner around the mouth of the pot which are separated by marks of five or seven symbols. Studies conducted in the Calatagan Pot arrived at a belief that its scripts is a form of Tanaga – a four-versed poetry with no rhyme – or a Mangyan Ambahan – a type of chanted poetry of seven syllables. The Butuan Ivory Seal Shown on the right is an ivory seal from Butuan. The upper representation is how a wax impression from the tool would look like. The lower view shows the face of the ivory seal except that it has been flipped (mirror image) to show the writing in its correct orientation. The combination of the positive impression and the negative but flipped view gives a better idea of what the writing looks like than either one alone. The ivory seal’s provenance is unknown to me. Antoon Postma reports that it was shown to him by Dr. Angel Bautista in 1990 at a conference in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. He says that the seal was in Bautista’s custody but does not know whether it belonged to the National Museum or not. The writing is stylized Kavi, each letter being fitted into an oblong box so that it appears distorted. Postma states that the script is similar to that on the inscription of Puh Serang near Kediri dated 1002. He further indicates that the writing says â€Å"Butban,† which presumably stands for â€Å"Butwan† or â€Å"Butuan† since band w are frequently interchangeable. If this is correct, the three symbols need to transliterate as bu, t-ba, and n. Although I am not very familiar with this specific variation of the script, I find it hard to see the medial form of u in the first symbol and the t-baligature in the second symbol. Balangay . The Balangay is the first wooden watercraft ever excavated in Southeast Asia. Also known as the Butuan boat, this artifact is an evidence of early Philippinecraftsmanship and their early attempts to venture in open waters. The balangay boats were discovered in the late 1970s in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte by archaeologists from the National Museum. There were actually nine balangays recovered in the province. The first balangay, now preserved and displayed in a site museum in Libertad, Butuan City, was radiocarbon tested and was dated at year 320. The second boat was dated to 1250, and is now located at the Maritime Hall of the National Museum in Manila. The third balangay was transferred to the Butuan Regional Museum and is still undergoing preservation. The six other boats, which are yet to be excavated, remain in their original waterlogged condition which is proven to be the best way to preserve the said artifacts. Bronze Socketed Adzes and Moulds Socketed adzes made from bronze are characteristic of the Early Metal Age. Bronze socketed adzes were found in Batu Puti and Uyaw Caves in Palawan; Sanga-Sanga in Tawi-Tawi; and Batangas. These tools were dated from 300 B.C. to 500 B.C. Clay molds for casting these bronze adzes recovered in the caves indicate that the people during that time reused damaged bronze implements for making socketed adzes. The present implement known as wasay (axe) in central Philippines could have come from the bronze socketed adze of the Early Metal Age. Stone and Shell Adzes Prehistoric man used ground and polished stone tools. It is believed that a stone adze shaped like an upper front incisor could be found where lightning hit a tree. Today, these stone implements are associated with thunder and lightning. Locally they are called ngipe’t duldug (thunder tooth), tango han linti (lightning tooth), and dila latik (light-ning tongue). The polished stone adzes that are oval in cross-section were made and used by the people during the Early Neolithic period. Ground stone tools typical of the ‘Quadrangular Adze Culture’ on the other hand, were found in a late Neolithic jar burial site. They are believed to be used for woodworking. These are small, ground and polished adzes of fine grained stones which are rectangular or trapezoidal in cross-section. The stone adzes were found in Arku Cave, in Penablanca, Cagayan; Duyung Cave in Palawan; Dimolit, Isabela; and Candaba, Pampanga.

Extremism: Political Philosophy and International Political Issues Essay

MANY counterterrorism and security experts believe that extremism and terrorism have a cause and effect relation. If this were true, it would be almost impossible for Pakistan to tackle the issues of terrorism and militancy without effectively responding to growing extremism and radicalism in the country. Countering extremism and extremist ideologies is an important component of the current debate on internal security and counterterrorism. Though extremism has yet to be defined in Pakistan at least there is a consensus in the country that terrorism is a major issue and needs to be addressed on a priority basis. On the other hand, the realm of extremism is very broad, and different segments of society hold diverse views regarding the phenomenon. Let us first take a look at the different views on extremism that are prevalent in the country and then examine the question of breaking its links with terrorism. Extremism is defined in Pakistan in a number of ways, and is used mainly in the political, religious, and social contexts. Political scientists consider it a political phenomenon, triggered by inequality, socio-economic injustices and state policies. In 2008-9, the Pak Institute for Peace Studies, an Islamabad-based research group, consulted several experts in the fields of political science, international relations, faith studies, science, media and human rights. Their opinion was sought through detailed discussions and a survey on issues of terrorism and extremism. Out of 16 experts, 11 agreed that extremism was a political phenomenon; only three looked at extremism in the light of an ideological struggle, whereas two experts linked extremism to the misinterpretation of religion. The experts also differed on what they considered to be the reasons behind extremism. Most of the respondents pointed out political, social and economic disparities as the main causes of extremism. A similar study that was conducted by the institute in 2009 to collect the views of teachers in madressahs showed that the majority of clerics and madressah teachers believed that extremism was a political issue. However, the respondents believed that regional and international political issues were more important. A large number of madressah teachers also thought that extremism in the country could only be countered if Pakistan distanced itself from the US-led war on terror. Very few discussed the religious and ideological aspects of extremism. They considered Talibanisation to be an outcome of state polices, and the state’s failure to enforce Islamic law in the country. The teachers also expressed concern over the ‘Westernisation’ of Pakistani society. Such narratives are also reflected in public opinion, and policymakers follow the same discourse. Even the debate in the right-wing media reflects the same approach. The opinions of those that are among the first targets of extremism are of obvious significance. Public opinion is shaped by the media as well as by religious and political leaders. It ultimately influences the political trends that a society is witnessing. But signs of confusion are discernible in public opinion with regard to extremist and violent groups. Another survey conducted by the institute to map the political behaviour of the masses revealed that though more than 56pc of Pakistanis acknowledge the services of religious scholars for Islam, over 53pc oppose a political role for the scholars. Public opinion considers the provision of justice and basic necessities as crucial to the exercise of countering extremism. Interestingly, marginalised segments of society including religious, sectarian and cultural minorities, women and those associated with the creative arts appear to hold a different view of extremism. According to the survey, they unanimously defined extremism as imbalanced ideological attitudes — attitudes that were conceived in a state of mind where an individual regards himself as superior to others and acts as an inquisitor. They classified the causes behind extremism as falling under three main categories: the misinterpretation of religion, political, economic and social inequalities and the lack of rational and logical behaviour. Such divergent perceptions on extremism are not surprising as the Taliban in the tribal areas, the Malakand region and adjacent parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa first targeted women, confining them to their homes and banning their entry in markets. Girls’ schools, Sufi shrines, cultural heritage sites and music shops have been torched and bombed. Violent activities and threats by the Taliban brought cultural activities and creative expressions, such as painting and poetry, to a halt in the affected areas. Each segment of Pakistani society has its own viewpoint on extremism and on how to counter it. The prevalence of diverse and often conflicting viewpoints makes it almost impossible for society to generate a collective response to issues of extremism and terrorism. Whereas the intellectuals lay more emphasis on ideological and empirical aspects when it comes to countering extremism, social experts and religious scholars vehemently assert that that is not an effective solution. More comprehensive studies and analyses may yield a clearer answer, but can the state afford to prioritise any particular set of causes said to be responsible for extremism and terrorism? Can the rationalisation of certain ideological, political and socio-cultural thinking patterns provide a quick fix for terrorism? Especially when views on extremism and also terrorism are paradoxical? At the same time, adjusting counter-extremism goals in the narrow operational framework of counterterrorism is an uphill task. Western counterterrorism frameworks cannot help Pakistan. In these frameworks, extremism and terrorism are not separated and a single policy is followed to deal with both challenges. The reason is that the challenge of terrorism in the West mainly originates from parallel societies of immigrant communities there. Adopting such an approach here would be devastating, as terrorism is not a community-oriented phenomenon in Pakistan. The government has to focus on countering terrorism to bring down the level of violence in the country. Until violence in the country is not reduced, both state and society will continue to suffer from the chicken and egg syndrome.

Explain How An Organisation Can Cost A Product And Determine Its Price At Any Activity Level

You may wish to choose a business you already have knowledge of from trips or your part-time employer. For a product of your choice: 1. Clearly explain the main cost elements and the nature of those costs – define and give relevant examples of variable, fixed, semi-variable, direct and indirect costs 2. Suggest the weekly production level and a breakdown of costs for one product from your chosen business. Then calculate the marginal and absorption costs per unit. 3. Describe at least 2 methods of setting the price, including cost-plus pricing. Then suggest which method is best suited to your chosen business’ product and why. You may wish to choose a business you already have knowledge of from trips or your part-time employer. For a product of your choice:Clearly explain the main cost elements and the nature of those costs – define and give relevant examples of variable, fixed, semi-variable, direct and indirect costs2. Suggest the weekly production level and a breakdown of costs for one product from your chosen business. Then calculate the marginal and absorption costs per unit. 3. Describe at least 2 methods of setting the price, including cost-plus pricing. Then suggest which method is best suited to your chosen business’ product and why.You may wish to choose a business you already have knowledge of from trips or your part-time employer. For a product of your choice: 1. Clearly explain the main cost elements and the nature of those costs – define and give relevant examples of variable, fixed, semi-variable, direct and indirect costs 2. Suggest the weekly production level and a breakdown of costs for one product from your chosen business. Then calculate the marginal and absorption costs per unit. 3. Describe at least 2 methods of setting the price, including cost-plus pricing. Then suggest which method is best suited to your chosen business’ product and why.You may wish to choose a business you already have knowledge of from trips or your part-time employer. For a product of your choice: 1. Clearly explain the main cost elements and the nature of those costs – define and give relevant examples of variable, fixed, semi-variable, direct and indirect costs 2. Suggest the weekly production level and a breakdown of costs for one product from your chosen business. Then calculate the marginal and absorption costs per unit. 3. Describe at least 2 methods of setting the price, including cost-plus pricing. Then suggest which method is best suited to your chosen business’ product and why. You may wish to choose a business you already have knowledge of from trips or your part-time employer. For a product of your choice: 1. Clearly explain the main cost elements and the nature of those costs – define and give relevant examples of variable, fixed, semi-variable, direct and indirect costs 2. Suggest the weekly production level and a breakdown of costs for one product from your chosen business. Then calculate the marginal and absorption costs per unit. 3. Describe at least 2 methods of setting the price, including cost-plus pricing. Then suggest which method is best suited to your chosen business’ product and why.You may wish to choose a business you already have knowledge of from trips or your part-time employer. For a product of your choice: 1. Clearly explain the main cost elements and the nature of those costs – define and give relevant examples of variable, fixed, semi-variable, direct and indirect costs 2. Suggest the weekly production level and a breakdown of costs for one product from your chosen business. Then calculate the marginal and absorption costs per unit. 3. Describe at least 2 methods of setting the price, including cost-plus pricing. Then suggest which method is best suited to your chosen business’ product and why.

The Vampire Diaries: The Fury Chapter One

Elena stepped into the clearing. Beneath her feet tatters of autumn leaves were freezing into the slush. Dusk had fallen, and although the storm was dying away the woods were getting colder. Elena didn't feel the cold. Neither did she mind the dark. Her pupils opened wide, gathering up tiny particles of light that would have been invisible to a human. She could see the two figures struggling beneath the great oak tree quite clearly. One had thick dark hair, which the wind had churned into a tumbled sea of waves. He was slightly taller than the other, and although Elena couldn't see his face she somehow knew his eyes were green. The other had a shock of dark hair as well, but his was fine and straight, almost like the pelt of an animal. His lips were drawn back from his teeth in fury, and the lounging grace of his body was gathered into a predator's crouch. His eyes were black. Elena watched them for several minutes without moving. She'd forgotten why she had come here, why she'd been pulled here by the echoes of their battle in her mind. This close the clamor of their anger and hatred and pain was almost deafening, like silent shouts coming from the fighters. They were locked in a death match. I wonder which of them will win, she thought. They were both wounded and bleeding, and the taller one's left arm hung at an unnatural angle. Still, he had just slammed the other against the gnarled trunk of an oak tree. His fury was so strong that Elena could feel and taste it as well as hear it, and she knew it was giving him impossible strength. And then Elena remembered why she had come. How could she have forgotten? He was hurt. His mind had summoned her here, battering her with shock waves of rage and pain. She had come to help him because she belonged to him. The two figures were down on the icy ground now, righting like wolves, snarling. Swiftly and silently Elena went to them. The one with the wavy hair and green eyes- Stefan, a voice in her mind whispered-was on top, fingers scrabbling at the other's throat. Anger washed through Elena, anger and protectiveness. She reached between the two of them to grab that choking hand, to pry the fingers up. It didn't occur to her that she shouldn't be strong enough to do this. She was strong enough; that was all. She threw her weight to the side, wrenching her captive away from his opponent. For good measure, she bore down hard on his wounded arm, knocking him flat on his face in the leaf-strewn slush. Then she began to choke him from behind. Her attack had taken him by surprise, but he was far from beaten. He struck back at her, his good hand fumbling for her throat. His thumb dug into her windpipe. Her attack had taken him by surprise, but he was far from beaten. He struck back at her, his good hand fumbling for her throat. His thumb dug into her windpipe. But he was stronger than she was. With a jerk of his shoulders, he broke her hold on him and twisted in her grasp, flinging her down. And then he was above her, his face contorted with animal fury. She hissed at him and went for his eyes with her nails, but he knocked her hand away. He was going to kill her. Even wounded, he was by far the stronger. His lips had drawn back to show teeth already stained with scarlet. Like a cobra, he was ready to strike. Then he stopped, hovering over her, his face changing. Elena saw the green eyes widen. The pupils, which had been contracted to vicious dots, sprang open. He was staring down at her as if truly seeing her for the first time. Why was he looking at her that way? Why didn't he just get it over with? But now the iron hand on her shoulder was releasing her. The animal snarl had disappeared, replaced by a look of bewilderment and wonder. He sat back, helping her to sit up, all the while gazing into her face. â€Å"Elena,† he whispered. His voice was cracked. â€Å"Elena, it's you.† Is that who I am? she thought. Elena? It didn't really matter. She cast a glance toward the old oak tree. He was still there, standing between the upthrust roots, panting, supporting himself against it with one hand. He was looking at her with his endlessly black eyes, his brows drawn together in a frown. Don't worry, she thought. I can take care of this one. He's stupid. Then she flung herself on the green-eyed one again. â€Å"Elena!† he cried as she knocked him backward. His good hand pushed at her shoulder, holding her up. â€Å"Elena, it's me, Stefan! Elena, look at me!† She was looking. All she could see was the exposed patch of skin at his neck. She hissed again, upper lip drawing back, showing him her teeth. He froze. She felt the shock reverberate through his body, saw his gaze shatter. His face went as white as if someone had struck him a blow in the stomach. He shook his head slightly on the muddy ground. â€Å"No,† he whispered. â€Å"Oh, no†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He seemed to be saying it to himself, as if he didn't expect her to hear him. He reached a hand toward her cheek, and she snapped at it. â€Å"Oh, Elena†¦Ã¢â‚¬  he whispered. The last traces of fury, of animal bloodlust, had disappeared from his face. His eyes were dazed and stricken and grieving. The last traces of fury, of animal bloodlust, had disappeared from his face. His eyes were dazed and stricken and grieving. He stared at her a moment, the pain in his eyes reaching a peak, and then he simply gave up. He stopped fighting completely. She could feel it happen, feel the resistance leave his body. He lay on the icy ground with scraps of oak leaves in his hair, staring up past her at the black and clouded sky. Finish it, his weary voice said in her mind. Elena hesitated for an instant. There was something about those eyes that called up memories inside her. Standing in the moonlight, sitting in an attic room†¦ But the memories were too vague. She couldn't get a grasp on them, and the effort made her dizzy and sick. And this one had to die, this green-eyed one called Stefan. Because he'd hurt him, the other one, the one Elena had been born to be with. No one could hurt him and live. She clamped her teeth into his throat and bit deep. She realized at once that she wasn't doing it quite right. She hadn't hit an artery or vein. She worried at the throat, angry at her own inexperience. It felt good to bite something, but not much blood was coming. Frustrated, she lifted up and bit again, feeling his body jerk in pain. Much better. She'd found a vein this time, but she hadn't torn it deeply enough. A little scratch like that wouldn't do. What she needed was to rip it right across, to let the rich hot blood stream out. Her victim shuddered as she worked to do this, teeth raking and gnawing. She was just feeling the flesh give way when hands pulled at her, lifting her from behind. Elena snarled without letting go of the throat. The hands were insistent though. An arm looped about her waist, fingers twined in her hair. She fought, clinging with teeth and nails to her prey. Let go of him. Leave him! The voice was sharp and commanding, like a blast from a cold wind. Elena recognized it and stopped struggling with the hands that pulled her away. As they deposited her on the ground and she looked up to see him, a name came into her mind. Damon. His name was Damon. She stared at him sulkily, resentful of being yanked away from her kill, but obedient. Stefan was sitting up, his neck red with blood. It was running onto his shirt. Elena licked her lips, feeling a throb like a hunger pang that seemed to come from every fiber of her being. She was dizzy again. â€Å"I thought,† Damon said aloud, â€Å"that you said she was dead.† He was looking at Stefan, who was even paler than before, if that was possible. That white face filled with infinite hopelessness. â€Å"Look at her† was all he said. A hand cupped Elena's chin, tilting her face up. She met Damon's narrowed dark eyes directly. Then long, slender fingers touched her lips, probing between them. Instinctively Elena tried to bite, but not very hard. Damon's finger found the sharp curve of a canine tooth, and Elena did bite now, giving it a nip like a kitten's. Damon's face was expressionless, his eyes hard. â€Å"Do you know where you are?† he said. Elena glanced around. Trees. â€Å"In the woods,† she said craftily, looking back at him. â€Å"And who is that?† She followed his pointing finger. â€Å"Stefan,† she said indifferently. â€Å"Your brother.† â€Å"And who am I? Do you know who I am?† She smiled up at him, showing him her pointed teeth. â€Å"Of course I do. You're Damon, and I love you.†

Email Policy at Johnson & Dresser Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Email Policy at Johnson & Dresser - Essay Example It is legal under some circumstances and illegal in other words. It is necessary to for the managers to maintain the business ethics within business environment. So in this case it becomes legal when the employers at the time of recruitment or employment clear the privacy policy to its employees. They should know how much privacy they can enjoy under the privacy policy set by the company. Their consent in reading mails should be made the criteria of employment. So that they would know that all the emails could be read by the manager for any assistance. It is illegal when the policies regarding reading mails secretly or having full access to employee email messages is hidden from the workers. Or when they are told that they can enjoy full privacy in this regard but indeed they keep on eye on their emails. There could be number of reasons varying from organization to organization. It mainly depends upon the policies and nature of company. So mostly this option is availed by the companies to keep track of their employee’s performance regarding their jobs. For example they can check whether the sales officer is dealing with the customer in the suitable manner or doing his job with full sense of responsibility or not. Employee can use the email for work purpose only and can’t use it for personal use while at work. It is right of the company to keep track of it to reduce extra expenses. The negative consequence could be reduction in the productivity of the company. Only those employee would feel uncomfortable with this policy who really not too much in work. They doesn’t rely on handwork and are not that much fair with their jobs. But of course this policy offers bit strict working environment so employees would try to be careful for this they would work in pressure all the time which can result in less productive outcome. As far as my opinion is concerned, I think the appropriate policy is that employer should keep track of emails and

List of countries for Obscure Country Project Research Paper - 1

List of countries for Obscure Country Project - Research Paper Example It has some great geographical sites spread all over the region which might prove to be of interest to the tourists. The Northern areas of Pakistan consist of mountains with snow which range over from 1000 to more than 8000 metres. There are a total 14 over 8000 metre peaks in the world and 4 of these peaks are located within Pakistan. These peaks are K-2, Broad Peak, Gasherbum and Nanga Parbat. Moreover the northern regions also have the widespread glaciers which are usually found in the Polar regions of the world (PTDC 2011; CIA 2011). The state of Pakistan is divided into five provinces namely Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and North West Frontier Province. The climate of Pakistan is not of concern to people as it is mostly hot in the regions of Sindh, Balochistan and Punjab. Because of the desert conditions in Sindh and Balochistan the temperature is dry and arid. On the other hand the northern region of north West Frontier Province is cold on the peaks. But here also it can be said that the climate is suitable for people visiting the country. Catastrophes which have to be feared in the region of Pakistan are related to the seismic plates. Earthquakes and floods are common in certain regions. A major flood hit Pakistan in the months of July and August in 2010. Other than that the country does not face from any other problem of catastrophes with the weather (CIA 2011; PTDC 2011). Points of Tourism Pakistan has different spots for tourism and these relate to different adventures. The mountainous areas pertain to these different spots. The Karakoram, Silk Route, and other glaciers are sights which are worth seeing because of their natural significance. The beauty of these regions can be witnessed in the natural resources found in these regions. Moreover the country has different parks, rivers, forests and plains which are worth seeing. All these sites have their own significance as they relate to something important in Pakistan. Birds of different species can be f ound in the forests and blind dolphins can be found in the Arabian Sea which are famous all over the world for their beauty. Ayubia National Park is one of the most famous parks in Pakistan and is worth a visit. The religions practiced in the region of Pakistan are also worth a visit by the ones who are interested in religious tourism. Forts can also be found in different cities of Pakistan which clearly shows the importance of historical tourism in Pakistan. Similarly the remains of old civilizations of Gandhara can also be found in this region (PTDC 2011). Goods, Services and Native Plants and Animals The goods and services in country relate to different methods. People belonging to lower class are seen to be working in industries and agriculture. Textile industries are the most useful for the country as they help the country to increase their exports. Moreover the agricultural industry is booming within the country as many of the people feed their family on it in Pakistan (CIA 20 11). Alpine, coniferous and subalpine trees are found in the northern regions of Pakistan. Shisham is a type of tree found in the Salt Ranges of Pakistan and scrub plants along with dwarf palm are found in the province of Balochistan. Thorn trees are found in the hotter regions of Pakistan as they can survive a higher temperature. Mangrove forests are also

IDiscusson board reply645 Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

IDiscusson board reply645 - Coursework Example The Bible is full of teachings on rewards that should be fair and just (Deuteronomy 25:4). In most of Jesus’ teachings, one will be rewarded for what they have done. In business, this sets a yardstick for just and consistent compensations. The same principles are applicable to person-focused pay systems. Skills are acknowledged in the Bible the same way they are acknowledged in the business world as basis of competency-based pay. In 2 Chronicles 2:3, Huram-Abi is preferentially sent because he is â€Å"a man of great skill.† NIV (â€Å"BibleGateway.com,† n.d.). In the same way, Ecclesiastes 10:10 states that â€Å"If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.† NIV. Those in leadership, according to the Word of God, should lead in all diligence and Colossians 3:23 admonish everyone that â€Å"whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.† (AKJV). As such, everything one does should be to perfection and justly. The Bible is sensitive to equitable pay to everyone (PETER, n.d.), including the top executive by giving an analogy of an ox that ploughs in Deuteronomy 25:4 that says â€Å"Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out

Life for African Americans in the United States after slavery was Essay

Life for African Americans in the United States after slavery was abolished - Essay Example After the defeat of the Confederacy, the southern states faced economic and physical devastation. While millions of slaves got freedom legally, the political infrastructures of the southern states lost their legitimacy. Transformation of the South into a free labor economy and readmission of the southern states to the union imparted the need for reconstruction of the South. Freedom fight of the slaves in the post-Civil War and the Reconstruction Era transformed into a struggle for survival. Most of the slaves that had been withdrawn from the plantations were penniless. African Americans’ wages frequently fluctuated as a result of their perceived worth. Manual labor could be replaced easily in the post-Civil War era. There were only a few ex-slaves that had the kind of money to own a piece of land as a vast majority of the ex-slaves dealt with the issue of lack of source of income. As per the estimate of the 1880 Census, no more than 20 per cent of the African Americans were, i n part, the owners of the land on which they farmed (â€Å"Being an African American†). Most of such holdings were also beset with debt that led to the crippling of the ex-slaves in the long run. For some, life at the time of slavery was better than after its abolishment because as slaves, they at least had some place to sleep and eat at that time. Sharing his views on the dark side of emancipation in the post-Civil War era, Johnson stated, â€Å"Since them times, a many a nigger has had it tough to make a livin’. I know dat is so, too, cause I has been all long dere† (Johnson). Ex-slaves saw immense poverty during the Reconstruction Era. Years of prevalence of poverty caused a lack of medical care and nourishment among the ex-slaves which resulted in a high rate of mortality among the African Americans in general and among their children in particular. Ex-slaves were under the burden of due medical bills and were still not able to access the required medical at tention. Many started using herbal remedies to treat their illnesses. According to the Census of 1900, annual death rate of the African Americans was 30 in every 1,000 opposed to no more than 17 per 1,000 among the White Americans (â€Å"Being an African American†). 79 years old James Johnson, an ex-slave from Columbia noted that he â€Å"[felt] and [knew] dat de years after de war was worser than befo’† (Johnson). Although the slaves’ freedom was secured by The Emancipation Proclamation and victory of The Union, yet ex-slaves were not liberated under the Jim Crow Laws and segregation. Emancipation brought along with it new kinds of challenges, insecurities, and problems for the ex-slaves. Malnourishment and health deterioration were only some of the multitude of problems ex-slaves had to deal with in the post-Civil War era. A deep sense of isolation from their families weakened the ex-slaves emotionally and psychologically. This division was mainly cause d by the sale of slaves, owners’ death, and presentation of the slaves in the pre-Civil War era as gifts from one owner to another. The slaves’ newly found freedom was dampened by loneliness and alienation. White Americans not only saw the African Americans as a nuisance upon normality but also as a potential risk to their dominance. â€Å"Our greatest danger is that in the great leap from slavery to freedom we may overlook the fact that the masses of us are to live by the productions of our hands, and fail to keep in mind that we shall prosper in proportion as we learn to dignify and