Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Ryanair low cost airline

Ryanair low cost airline Introduction This case study highlights some aspects of Ryanair low cost airline operation. The company was the largest airline carrier by passengers and market capitalisation in the year 2009. The company based its operational model on the low cost strategy in order to increase its market shares and reduce costs. This model proved suitable during the economic crisis of 2008. The company also has a huge potential for growth as the EU low fare airline markets expand.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Ryanair low cost airline specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Ryanair has also introduced ancillary services to increase its revenues. However, some these strategies are not popular with customers. In addition, the company also suffers from negative publicity due to its treatment of customers and persons with disabilities. Still, Ryanair also has challenges related to legal issues, fierce competition, EU ban, regulatory me asures and costs, and fuel costs among others. The company needs a new strategy for its future operation. This should focus on reducing its risks and improving its market share. Current mission/objectives and strategy Low fare Ryanair operates on a low cost strategy. Customers and competitors know Ryanair for low prices. The company underwent restructuring in the 1990s and changed policies that eliminated free services. Ryanair has been operating as no frills passenger airline. The company has relatively low fare in relation to its competitors. However, Ryanair also has some of the most controversial charges in the airline industry. For instance, Ryanair has additional charges for passengers using wheelchairs, infant fees, baggage charges, check-in fees, and onboard toilet fees among others. Such fees related to wheelchairs, and how the company treats persons with disabilities have attracted controversies and negative publicity among stakeholders. In all, the low price strategy has positioned the airline as the cheapest in the European markets, and it constantly changes its strategy to match the European market (HOggins 618). The company also has some serious challenges from both inside and outside. These include poor customer services, legal challenges, fierce competition, regulation requirements, and poor relations with unionists among others. Low maintenance cost The low cost model has also resulted into low maintenance cost strategy. For instance, the company reduced its operating costs by 4 percent. The company maintains its costs as low as possible due to its fleet and staff. This approach also covers environmental area as the company strives to invest in environmental friendly fleets. These fleets are also fuel-efficient. The companys low maintenance cost also includes staff training. Ryanair also reduced flight frequencies in loss making routes in the UK and Ireland.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Ancillary services Ancillary services are also core parts of Ryanair strategy. This strategy aims at increasing the airline’s revenues. The company has in-flight beverages, food, online and onboard gambling, mobile phones, ‘fat tax’ for overweight customers, and sale of merchandise for extra revenues. In addition, Ryanair also has accommodation, car rental and travel insurance services. According to Ryanair financial statements of accounts, revenues from ancillary services have been growing steadily for the past three years, i.e., from  £3.6 million in 2007 to  £5.9 million in 2009. However, not all these ancillary services, such as gaming and entertainment console were successful as they met resistance from passengers. Expansion strategy Ryanair also has an aggressive expansion strategy. For instance, the company expects to operate 300 fleets by the year 2012. Meanwhile, Ryanair has inves ted in new and environmental friendly flights. The company reduced operation in loss making routes of the UK and Ireland, but replaced them with profitable routes in Germany, France, and Spain. The company took advantage of diminishing carriers and planned to open 146 new routes in 2010. At the same time, Ryanair also focused on increasing its market shares. This was also evident in the failed takeover attempt of Aer Lingus. Productive Employees Productive workforce strategy is also a strategy in Ryanair, and this starts from the CEO. The company nearly doubled its staff during the last three years of operation. Ryanair claimed that it paid its crew better than any other airline company. For instance, in 2009, the company Annual Report claimed that it paid an average of  £45,333 higher than other companies. In addition, pilots and other cabin crews negotiated new pay deals with the company. These negotiations aimed at maintaining a healthy workforce and complying with the EU regul ations. Web site advertisement Ryanair marketing strategy aims at positioning it as a low cost airline company. Ryanair has exploited Internet marketing opportunities and in turn eliminated travel agents. The Web site has been the primary tool that the company uses to advertise its low cost services. Consequently, Ryanair promotes its Web site on newspapers, radio, and television. This effort has ensured that 99 percent of the booking takes place via the Internet.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Ryanair low cost airline specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Ryanair is sensitive to costs. Consequently, it relies nearly on free and controversial publicity. These include topical advertising, press conference and publicity stunts. In addition, the company also relies on distributions of promotional and advertisement materials, cooperative advertisement with other travel organisations and tourist boards. Internal and ext ernal environment Economic factors Michael O’Leary commented that â€Å"an economic recession is good for Ryanair, as it can survive it better than airlines with higher pricing models† (HOggins). The globe recession of 2008 was the major economic factor that Ryanair faced. Economists like McConnell, Brue, and Barbiero claim that shifts in the economic patterns influence organisations operation (McConnell, Brue and Barbiero 34). The prevailing economic conditions influenced how passengers, sellers, and other stakeholders in European markets behaved. Airline companies diminished because their business models could not withstand recession challenges. However, as we have seen above, the recession created opportunities for low cost airlines like Ryanair. Ryanair was able to exploit the vacuum that other companies created. As a result, the company did not experience thorough effects of recession due to its business strategy of low cost. Instead, the company increased its ope ration to become among the best airlines in the region. From this observation, we can conclude that Ryanair business model was recession proof. However, tough economic conditions also had its effects on Ryanair. For instance, the company share prices dropped, revenue plummeted and it cancelled expansion decisions due to costs. The UK and Ireland routes became unproductive and forced the company to cut its operation in those routes. Ryanair was also able to exploit the favourable fuel prices in order to offer low fare fleets that no other company could achieve. In 2009 to 2010, the company managed to hedge 90 percent of its fuel costs and saved  £460 million. Political factors These are mainly regulations, taxes, and other related political factors. In this case, Ryanair must abide by EU regulations on airline operation. For a long time, Ryanair CEO has engaged in high-profile wars with the EU and British Airport Authority (BAA). For instance, the CEO accused the EU commission of b ias towards low fare airlines.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The company noted that the EU Commission prevented its agents from booking low cost airlines. This is a case of regional regulations affecting activities of Ryanair. At the same time, the Commission’s fixed charges also discriminate low cost airlines (Ryanair 2012). According Ryanair, this is discrimination against low fare airlines. At the same time, BAA has also imposed charges that affect the company’s revenues. For instance, the UK government planned to raise passenger charges from  £10 to  £11. Social factors The CEO can control the company’s image and its relationship with customers. This is because such factors affect consumers’ emotions, attitudes, opinions and interests about Ryanair services. Some of these social factors have generated negative publicity for the company. These may include relations with disabled and overweight passengers. At the same time, passengers who prefer service-oriented flights may not find high quality services in R yanair. Brassington and Pettitt note that social factors are priority concern to marketers (Brassington and Pettitt 24; Solomon 39). Technological factors Ryanair is technologically evolving company. The company conducts its 99 percent of bookings through its Web site. Ryanair noticed convenience that online services provided to its customers and the company. Therefore, the company advertises its Web site in different media. Technological developments have transformed the way airlines conduct their management processes (Kotler, Wong, Saunders and Armstrong, 2005). Legal factors The company has some of the most expensive lawsuits in the industry. Consequently, its operation costs have increased. The company has faced charges from regulators, competitors, passengers, and it is also in poor relations with trade unionists, politicians, and people with disabilities. Environmental factors Environmental factors also influence activities of Ryanair. The company embarked on using modern airc rafts and maximised usages in order to reduce emissions. At the same time, Ryanair also claimed that its decision to eliminate free food, beverages, and newspapers had reduced waste products from the company fleets. Ryanair SWOT Analysis Strength Low fare strategy Environmental friendly fleets Ancillary revenues generation Web site booking Few flights cancellations Weaknesses Poor customer services Overreliance on CEO Negligence on security issues Opportunities Growing EU markets Provisions of ancillary services Expansion of marketing strategies Investing in environmental friendly flights Using hedge to save on fuel costs Threats Expensive lawsuits Competition from other low fare flights and large flight companies, alternative modes like train EU ban on low fare flights Different states regulations and charges Unproductive routes like Ireland Customer resistance to some revenue generation strategies Negative publicities Map and determine the organizational stakeh olders’ expectations power and influence Shareholders High Power hareholders of Ryanair have significant power and control over the future of the company strategies (Roloff 233). Shareholders expect returns from their investments. However, since the year 1996, the company had never declared or paid dividends on shares. The company believes in retaining earnings for future expansions, acquisition of new fleets, and expansion of current services (Svendsen 85). However, shareholders of the company expect their dividends after 2012. We can also see how shareholders influenced Ryanair’s strategic decision to takeover Aer Lingus. Employees The company’s management team and employees have been responsible for its current position. Ryanair believes that it pays its employees relatively well above the average of other airline companies. For instance, the company report of 2009 claimed that the staff cost was  £45,333 above other European airlines. Employees can also n egotiate for favourable pay with the company, but their power is low. However, Ryanair also expects its employees to deliver positive results. Lenders Lenders have high interest in the company because of business advantages. However, their power to control the company’s decisions is low. Government /Regulators These groups influence all the company’s policy, charges, and decisions among others through their regulatory and tax measures. The company cannot consider decisions that go against governments’ wishes. Thus, their interest and power in the company remain high. Customers In a world of fierce competition, Walker and Marr believe that customers are key stakeholders for success (Walker and Marr 13). The company is favourable among low fare airlines in European markets. Customers expect fair treat and quality services for charges they pay. Though Ryanair is a low fare airline, the company has formulated some of the most controversial methods of charging custom ers extra fees. Some of these methods are not popular among its passengers. Ryanair charges persons with disabilities who use wheelchairs onboard. This move has generated debate on how the company handles its disabled customers. At the same time, the company also targets overweight passengers with its ‘fat tax’ charges. However, the ‘fat tax’ led to wastage of time and the management eliminated it. Some of these ancillary services for extra revenues have generated negative publicity for the company. In fact, critics of the airline believe that passengers use it because it is a low fare airline available in most routes. Competitors and Suppliers Competitors and suppliers are also important elements of Ryanair. We can look at fierce competitions among airline companies of Europe. These companies have based their battles on prices. Ryanair uses different media to compare its prices with its competitors. In turn, competitors have accused it of misleading passen gers. Competition among these organisations is responsible for the growth of the airline industry in Europe particularly the growth of Ryanair. The relationship between Aer Lingus is also crucial as it affected profits of Ryanair. Aer Lingus is a fierce competitor of Ryanair. However, Ryanair has 25.2 percent stake in the company. The deteriorating fortunes of Aer Lingus meant losses to Ryanair shareholders in the year 2009. As a result, Ryanair CEO admitted investment in the company was a mistake. In this case, the company could have sold its shares before accruing further losses (Lock 67). Another relationship of significance is the interaction between Ryanair and its suppliers. Ryanair attempted to expand its fleets in 2009, and the company invited Boeing and Airbus. The invitation of Airbus was a strategy that the company wanted to apply in order to get a massive discount from Boeing. Airbus declined because the process would be expensive and time-consuming. On the other hand, t alks with Boeing collapsed. These cases show how Ryanair management use different strategies in order to keep costs as low as possible. Formulation of new strategic direction for the organization This was the largest airline carrier by passengers and market capitalisation in the year 2009. In fact, the airline and its management have won several awards. In addition, its low cost strategy proved recession proof in 2008. However, the company must address some concerns for future growth by balancing its strategic direction with revenue generation, legal issues, market dynamics, and industry relations among others (Kaplan and Norton 56). Home Business Ryanair should emphasise weekend travel and last-minute travel and provide the best packages for such travellers. The company can rely on such strategies for improving its customer base. However, home business strategy for Ryanair can lead to poor services as customers may increase beyond the company’s capacity. This strategy may al so affect perceptions of customers about the quality of services Ryanair offers. As a result, some customers may use alternative means like rail transport. Holiday packages Ryanair should introduce free seat campaigns for a given period of time, especially during winter seasons. The company should use this approach as sales strategy particularly in unpopular routes so as to increase the number of customers. The company should offer few seats in popular routes. The company should also inform its customers about tax charges with free seat campaigns. Such holiday packages should save customers on costs and improve experiences of their holiday. This shall enable Ryanair popularise itself among travellers and attract many travellers. Promotional strategies can only improve the number of customers who need free seats or discounted services. Thus, Ryanair must restrict such offers to a specific number of customers for its fleets. Frequent traveller loyalty programme Ryanair should introduc e loyalty programmes for its frequent travellers. The company can reward its frequent customers through free flights or reduced charges. Every travel should earn redeemable credits. The best method to capture such data is through the use of smart card. The company must also give specific periods for expiry of such credits. Loyalty schemes should not target blackout dates. Thus, customers can redeem their free flights at any time. However, loyalty programmes can severely affect the profit of the company (Pocket Mentor 12). Referral discounts The industry is still competitive (Bache and Freeman 3). Thus, Ryanair should work with local travel and accommodation companies so as to promote its flight. In turn, customers who also book through the Internet can also get discounted rates in hotels rooms and car hire among others. However, the company must apply policies such as nonrefundable and advance payment in order to discourage cancellations after booking (Madison 233). Referral discoun ts also shall affect the company’s profit margins. Baggage and Saving Ryanair should encourage its customers who have baggage to check while booking in order to avoid extra charges while boarding. Customers can check the option and determine the number of baggage they can carry in different flights. This means that customers can purchase the baggage depending on their travel requirements. This option should also give customers opportunities to save flight costs instead of incurring extra charges when boarding. Web Booking and Check-in Ryanair should continue exploiting Web booking, and it should also introduce Web check-in before with or without luggage before a given deadline for check-in expires. This should also allow customers to choose their ideal seats depending on availability. This is a method of improving customer service for Ryanair that has poor customer service. Conclusion Ryanair has used low cost strategy to increase its market share and reduce costs of operatio n. This model protected the company from recession of 2008 and increased its competitive advantages. As a result, its customers have cost advantages. However, Ryanair also has some charges that customers oppose. Ryanair has huge potential for growth as EU market is growing, and it has not fully utilised the low cost model. The company must also address challenges that threat its operation, increase costs, and reduce profit margins. Bache, Alan and Mike Freeman. Is Our Vision Any Good? Journal of Business Strategy, March-April (1999): 1-3. Print. Brassington, Frances and Stephen Pettitt. Essentials of Marketing. Essex: Pearson Education Limited, 2005. Print. HOggins, Eleanor. Ryanair: the low fares airline future destination? Dublin: University College Dublin, 2010. Print. Kaplan, Robert and David Norton. The Strategy-Focused Organization: How Balanced Scorecard Companies Thrive in the New Business Environment. Boston: Harvard Business Review Press, 2000. Print. Kotler, Philip, Ver onica Wong, Saunders John and Armstrong Gary. Principles of Marketing. 4th ed. Essex: Pearson Education Limited, 2005. Print. Lock, Dennis. Project Management. Hampshire: Gower Publishing Limited, 2007. Print. Madison, Dan. Process Mapping, Process Improvement, and Process Management. Chico, CA: Paton Professional , 2011. Print. McConnell, Campbell, Brue Stanley and Barbiero Thomas. Microeconomics: Canadian Edition. 9th ed. Toronto: McGraw-Hill/Ryerson, 2002. Print. Pocket Mentor. Improving Business Processes. Boston: Harvard Business Review Press, 2010. Print. Roloff, Julia. Learning from Multi-Stakeholder Networks: Issue-Focussed Stakeholder Management. Journal of Business Ethics 82.1 (2008): 233-250. Print. Ryanair. Ryanair condemns EU Commission bias against low fare airlines. 2012. Web. Solomon, Michael. Consumer Behavior. New Jersey: Prentice Hall Europe, 2006. Print. Svendsen, Ann. The Stakeholder Strategy: Profiting from Collaborative Business Relationships. San Francisco: B errett-Koehler Publishers, 1998. Print. Walker, Steven and Jeffrey Marr. Stakeholder Power: A Winning Plan For Building Stakeholder Commitment And Driving Corporate Growth. New York: Basic Books, 2001. Print.

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Forest transpiration is an element in the water cycle

Forest transpiration is an element in the water cycle Transpiration From Forest Woody Plants Transpiration is a term used for the release and evaporation of water from all plants including trees that is released out and into the Earths atmosphere. Nearly 90% of this water exits the tree in the form of vapor through small pores called  stomata  on leaves. The leaf cuticle covering located on the surface of leaves and corky lenticels located on the surface of stems also provide some moisture. The stomata are also specially designed to allow carbon dioxide gas to exchange from air to assist in  photosynthesis  that then creates the fuel for growth. The forest woody plant locks up carbon-based cellular tissue growth while releasing residual oxygen. Forests surrender large volumes  of water into the earths atmosphere from all vascular plant leaves and stem.   Leaf transpiration  is the main source of evapotranspiration from forests and, at some cost during dry years, give up much of its valuable water to the Earths atmosphere.   Here are the three major tree structures that aid in forest transpiration: Leaf stomata  -   microscopic openings on the surfaces of plant leaves that allow for the easy passage of water vapor, carbon dioxide, and oxygen. Leaf cuticle  - a protecting film covering the  epidermis or skin of  leaves, young shoots, and other aerial plant organs. Lenticels  -  a small cork pore, or narrow line, on the surface of woody plant stems. In addition to cooling forests and the organisms within them, transpiration also helps to cause a massive flow of mineral nutrients and water from the roots to the shoots. This movement of water is caused by a decrease in hydrostatic (water) pressure throughout a forests canopy. This pressure difference is mainly caused by water endlessly evaporating from the tree leaf stomata into the atmosphere. Transpiration from forest  trees is essentially the evaporation of water vapors from plant leaves and stems. Evapotranspiration is another important part of the  water cycle of which forests play a major role. Evapotranspiration is the collective evaporation of plant transpiration from the Earths land and sea surface into the atmosphere. Evaporation accounts for the movement of water to the air from sources such as the soil, canopy interception, and waterbodies.   (Note: An element (such as a forest of trees) that contributes to evapotranspiration can be called an   evapotranspirator.) Transpiration also includes a process called guttation, which is the loss of water dripping off uninjured leaf margins of the plant but plays a minor role in transpiration. The combination of plant transpiration (10%) and the evaporation from all bodies of water to include the oceans (90%) is responsible for all of the earths atmospheric moisture. The Water Cycle The interchange of water between air, land and the sea, and between organisms living in their environment is accomplished through the water cycle. Since the Earths water cycle is a loop of occurring events, there can be no starting or ending point. So, we can start learning about the process by beginning where most water exists - with the  sea. The driving mechanism of the water cycle is ever-present solar heat (from the sun) which warms the waters of the world. This spontaneous cycle of naturally occurring events creates an effect that can be diagrammed as a spinning loop. The process involves evaporation, transpiration, cloud formation, precipitation, surface water runoff, and the percolation of water into the soil. Water at the seas surface evaporates as vapor into the atmosphere on rising air currents where the resulting cooler temperatures cause it to  condense  into clouds. Air currents then move clouds and particulate materials which collide continuing to grow and eventually falling out of the sky as precipitation. Some precipitation in the form of snow can accumulate in polar regions, stored as frozen water and locked up for long periods. Annual snowfall in temperate regions will usually thaw and melt as spring returns and that water returns to fill rivers, lakes or soaks into the soil. Most precipitation falling onto land will, due to gravity, either percolate into the soil or will flow over the ground as  surface runoff. As with snow-melt, surface runoff enters rivers in valleys in the landscape with  streamflow  moving water towards the oceans. There is also groundwater  seepage that will  accumulate and is  stored as freshwater  in aquifers. The series of precipitation and evaporation continually repeats itself and becomes a closed system. Sources:     Ecology and Field Biology, R.L. Smith (buy from Amazon)         Transpiration and the Water Cycle, USGS

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Book report on hiroshima by john hersey. the full edition Essay

Book report on hiroshima by john hersey. the full edition - Essay Example Miss Toshiko Sasaki, a youthful clerk, fractured her legs in the explosion. Her wound deteriorated due to the infection, and she got no medical assistance for weeks following the explosion. The blast kills over half the physicians in Hiroshima and hurt a large number of the remaining doctors. For instance, Dr. Masakazu Fujii becomes incapable of helping others. Therefore, he only manages to maintain himself. On the contrary, Dr. Terufumi Sasaki remained the only uninjured medical practitioner amongst Red Cross Hospital. Weeks after the bombing, Mrs. Hatsuyo is a widow bringing up her young children. She is caring and dependable, and a committed statesperson. As side from that, Nakamura is an obedient person. Luckily, she and her offspring survived the explosion with no bodily harm. However, Nakamura and her daughter fall victims of a radiation sickness and struggle with the problem for years. Consequently, Nakamura succumb to poverty since the war causes a destruction of her properties. In the narrative, Nakamura is an ordinary casualty of an extraordinary occurrence. Surprisingly, she holds no vengeance for the Americans in spite of the agony they caused to him. Interestingly, she secures a job that leads to her financial liberation. Dr. Sasaki is a twenty-three years old surgeon working at Red Cross Hospital in Japan. Additionally, he is hardworking, ingenious, ambitious and selfless. His kindness comes into play after he risks penalties for attending to ill patients in the villages before getting permission. Sasaki ends up treating thousand if victims since he is the only available doctor in the hospital. Consequently, after the bombing Sasaki makes an advancement in the treatment and studies of radiation illness. Therefore, Dr. Terufumi spent his post-bombing years in attempting to remove Keloid. Later, he leaves the city for a far area in order to stay away from the gruesome

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Common law Degree Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Common law Degree - Essay Example About the mother who suffered distress, anxiety and nervous shock resultant of the straying of the children onto an unfinished landscaping project, the direct link or chain of causation element is likewise in attendance. However, the emotional impact may not be fully appreciated by the court as it could possibly be an unusual and unnatural over-reaction. Again, this can be a mitigating circumstance. d-2. Remoteness of damage. It is an element where the damage or loss must be determined as the proximate result of the negligence or quasi-delict. In the elderly/disabled customer, this cannot be made a consideration as the slippage was in truth and in fact the direct result of the unsafe pathway or of the lack of personnel in the center to have provided assistance along the passage. However, for the mother who was shocked, this may be a consideration, but one of mitigation. Why Because if her having been annoyed or distressed or disturbed is in such a level as will render a judgment from an unbiased mind that it is too much more than an ordinary or usual reaction from a human emotion. It is like saying that it is a remote possibility that the shock which the mother experienced would be in that proportion as to become one of a nervous wreckage. d-3. Foreseeability. ... The centre is liable for the elderly/disabled guest who slipped while passing the unsafe pathway. Although Rareplants exercised the diligence required of a good father of a family, it could have done better like providing escort or ushering assistance to the special customers who are handicapped. In sum, the centre was in a position to foresee that the slipping off track could happen to a visitor who has disabilities or limitations. In the incident of the children having gone astray, Rareplants has to be adjudged answerable because it was in the position to foresee that some classes of visitors like adventurous children would explore the supposedly prohibited area and could have designated guards or watchmen for the purpose of avoiding any unfortunate happening. ABC Accountants Ltd c. Yes. There is a special relationship between you and Lucy. Any advice from a professional, even if not express or formal or written, is binding even if there is a proviso of non-accountability. The characteristic of that relationship which is not express or formal or written may be denominated as special in that it is not in the regular or standard form. As a matter of course, one that is not ordinary is special. In professional ethics, it does not matter whether the relationship is either. In the instant case and according to its underlying circumstances, however, you are not liable. Why Because your advice did not guarantee success in any given situation which was, as a matter of fact, subject to unpredictable variances and that if the client took it as a wagering decision, she did so at her own risk. In contrast, an engineer who advises this and

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Electronic Gadgets Like Apple iPod - A Boon or Bane Essay Example for Free

Electronic Gadgets Like Apple iPod A Boon or Bane Essay It has become a necessity. But like everything in universe, electronic gadgets too have two sides to them. I am a house wife. I remember very clearly that evening when my husband came home, beaming from ear to ear. He had got a hefty refund on filing his income tax return. And my first reaction was buy me a washing machine. And I was on cloud nine when my first ever washing machine was delivered. Because I must confess that I hate washing even a small hanky with hands. Over the years I surrounded myself with various electronic gadgets. Latest models replaced old ones. I had the same excuse every time that this one works better. Microwave, toaster, griller, refrigerator, vacuum cleaners, dishwasher, geyser, air conditioner, and room warmer the list is endless. No household today is complete without these. They are no longer considered luxuries. They make our life easy. It was ok when mistress of the house stayed back and looked after the house. But today 99% of women are working. They have to balance both home and office. These gadgets are any home makers friends. Electronic gadgets have brought entertainment right inside our living rooms. Today we could see the majestic full solar eclipse taking place in Kabul while sitting in India. Television and Internet has brought the world together. We all are citizens of a large global village. Computers and laptops are now part of commercial life at all levels. Corporate offices, business houses, railways, banks, post offices are dependent on computers. Work, which used to take hours to complete are just done with a click of mouse. And you can carry your office with you where ever you go that is if your spouse has no objection. Cell phones, iPod, digital cameras, the list is endless. Technology has made our life comfortable rather too comfortable. And this is a cause of concern. No I have nothing against electronic gadgets. I am against our dependency on these gadgets. We fail to perform in their absence. They are meant to serve us and not to rule us. Today we can watch solar eclipse taking place in Kabul, but fail to hear cries of distress in our neighborhood. Our children are turning computer savvy, but they have not experienced the simple pleasure of climbing up a tree. We have become so used to of air conditioners that breathing in fresh air makes us sick. This dependency is making us physically sick. See the obesity rate in the world all over, especially the developed countries. List of diseases are also endless like endless gadgets. Lets not make them our masters.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Skinner’s Use of Metaphor in Explaining the Behaviorism of Walden Two E

Skinner’s Use of Metaphor in Explaining the Behaviorism of Walden Two B. F. Skinner revolutionized the field of psychology through his numerous writings on behaviorism. However, he began his collegiate life as an English major, and his education in literary techniques and devices clearly shows through in the manipulation of metaphor in his famous novel Walden Two. Although Skinner rarely diverges from the incessant description of behavioral engineering through his mouthpiece in the novel, Frazier, he occasionally digresses from the theory and application of scientific experimentation to the literary elements that are essential to any novel. One of these elements, the metaphor of the sheep that appears at the beginning and end of the book, clearly embodies three principles of Skinner’s behaviorist rationale: the superiority of positive reinforcement over negative reinforcement, the necessity for humans to accept their roles, and the function of the Walden Code to the members of Walden Two. The novel begins in the disillusioned atmosphere of post-World War Two America. Burris, a psychology professor and the main character of the novel, views his academic life with indifference, sharing this attitude toward teaching with his philosophy professor colleague, Castle. A former pupil of Burris, Rodge, and a fellow soldier, Steve, return from the war, and dissatisfied with what they are expected to do with their lives, approach Burris with a proposition. A former classmate of Burris’, Frazier, has started a utopian community by the name of Walden Two, and the two friends invite Burris and Castle to accompany them on a visit. When they arrive, the enthusiastic, egotistical Frazier leads th... ...erimental nature of the Code. Frazier says how it is encouraged â€Å"to view every habit and custom with an eye to possible improvement. A constant experimental attitude toward everything† (25). This applies to the Code as well, which changes whenever the members feel that it is necessary. Even though Skinner made a name for himself through his scientific endeavors, his novel Walden Two displays his literary training and knowledge. By using the metaphor of the sheep to further explain the lives of Walden Two members in an enriching and scholarly way, Skinner manages to weave science and art together. His ability to enforce the ideas of positive reinforcement, acceptance of roles, and the politics of the Walden Code through the simplicity of a flock of sheep shows his literary merit. Skinner proves that he is not only a scientist, but a writer as well. Skinner’s Use of Metaphor in Explaining the Behaviorism of Walden Two E Skinner’s Use of Metaphor in Explaining the Behaviorism of Walden Two B. F. Skinner revolutionized the field of psychology through his numerous writings on behaviorism. However, he began his collegiate life as an English major, and his education in literary techniques and devices clearly shows through in the manipulation of metaphor in his famous novel Walden Two. Although Skinner rarely diverges from the incessant description of behavioral engineering through his mouthpiece in the novel, Frazier, he occasionally digresses from the theory and application of scientific experimentation to the literary elements that are essential to any novel. One of these elements, the metaphor of the sheep that appears at the beginning and end of the book, clearly embodies three principles of Skinner’s behaviorist rationale: the superiority of positive reinforcement over negative reinforcement, the necessity for humans to accept their roles, and the function of the Walden Code to the members of Walden Two. The novel begins in the disillusioned atmosphere of post-World War Two America. Burris, a psychology professor and the main character of the novel, views his academic life with indifference, sharing this attitude toward teaching with his philosophy professor colleague, Castle. A former pupil of Burris, Rodge, and a fellow soldier, Steve, return from the war, and dissatisfied with what they are expected to do with their lives, approach Burris with a proposition. A former classmate of Burris’, Frazier, has started a utopian community by the name of Walden Two, and the two friends invite Burris and Castle to accompany them on a visit. When they arrive, the enthusiastic, egotistical Frazier leads th... ...erimental nature of the Code. Frazier says how it is encouraged â€Å"to view every habit and custom with an eye to possible improvement. A constant experimental attitude toward everything† (25). This applies to the Code as well, which changes whenever the members feel that it is necessary. Even though Skinner made a name for himself through his scientific endeavors, his novel Walden Two displays his literary training and knowledge. By using the metaphor of the sheep to further explain the lives of Walden Two members in an enriching and scholarly way, Skinner manages to weave science and art together. His ability to enforce the ideas of positive reinforcement, acceptance of roles, and the politics of the Walden Code through the simplicity of a flock of sheep shows his literary merit. Skinner proves that he is not only a scientist, but a writer as well.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Love at First Sight Essay

Love at first sight is a common trope in Western literature, in which a person, character, or speaker feels romantic attraction for a stranger on the first sight of them. Described by poets and critics from the Greek world on, it has become one of the most powerful tropes in Western fiction. In the classical world, the phenomenon of â€Å"love at first sight† was understood within the context of a more general conception of passionate love, a kind of madness or, as the Greeks put it, theia mania (â€Å"madness from the gods†).[1] This love passion was described through an elaborate metaphoric and mythological psychological schema involving â€Å"love’s arrows† or â€Å"love darts,† the source of which was often given as the mythological Eros or Cupid,[2] sometimes by other mythological deities (such as Rumor[3]). At times, the source of the arrows was said to be the image of the beautiful love object itself. If these arrows arrived at the lover’s eyes, they would then travel to and ‘pierce’ his or her heart, overwhelming them with desire and longing (love sickness). The image of the â€Å"arrow’s wound† was sometimes used to create oxymorons and rhetorical antithesis. â€Å"Love at first sight† was explained as a sudden and immediate beguiling of the lover through the action of these processes, and is illustrated in numerous Greek and Roman works. In Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Narcissus becomes immediately spellbound and charmed by his own (unbeknownst to him) image. In Achilles Tatius’s Leucippe and Clitophon, the lover Clitophon thus describes his own experience of the phenomenon: â€Å"As soon as I had seen her, I was lost. For Beauty’s wound is sharper than any weapon’s, and it runs through the eyes down to the soul. It is through the eye that love’s wound passes, and I now became a prey to a host of emotions†¦Ã¢â‚¬ [4]†Love at first sight† was not, however, the only mode of entering into passionate love in classical texts; at times the passion could occur after the initial meeting or could precede the first glimpse. Another classical interpretation of the phenomenon of â€Å"love at first sight† is found in Plato’s Symposium in Aristophanes’ description of the separation of primitive double-creatures into modern men and women and their subsequent search for their missing half: â€Å"†¦ when [a lover] †¦ is fortunate enough to meet his other half, they are both so intoxicated with affection, with friendship, and with love, that they cannot bear to let each other out of sight for a single instant.†[5]

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Sarah’s Night

Sarah wanted to impress them. Maybe Sara did not have many friends, and she wanted to make sure to make a good Impression on these new friends. New friends can be exciting, and the thought of going to a party excited her more because she had never been to a party. Sarah was trying to impress these friends by doing things she had never done. The ways Sarah displayed cognitive dissonance was her excitement of having new friends, and doing something different, but at the same mime she was uneasy about going to the party because she knew she should be home and was worried that she may get caught, and get Into trouble with her parents.She still had fun at the party and was glad that she went, but she still knew she should have been at home, and should have obeyed her parent's rules. Sara conformed to her peer†s beliefs by going to the party with them. They told her how much fun she would have, and she would be missing out if she did not go. Sara gave into peer pressure. Even though she knew this would cause problems with her parents, she anted her new friends to like her. That is why she gave into the peer pressure.Sara also had the excitement of going to the party. She had never been to a party before and was excited as well as curious. Some of the reasons Jack was Interested In Sara was because he found her attractive, they both lived In the same neighborhood, and when they started talking they found out they had the same taste in music, and had some of the same hobbies. These are related to the factors of attraction. Physical attraction because Jack said Sara was beautiful. Proximity because Jack and Sara lives n the same neighborhood.Similarity because they found out they have the same taste In music, and had some of the same hobbles. Aggression was the type of social Interaction displayed through the fight at the party. The aggression started as yelling, and quickly turned into a physical fight. We are not sure what started the fight. It could have starte d as a simple misunderstanding, or maybe of the guys was talking to the other's girlfriend, and that started a fight. It could have been a case of bullying, alcohol may have been involved as well. There were also teens from different spinsterhood at the party.This could be an issue If one is from a better part of town, so he thinks he may be better than the teen that does not have as much. Social even Sara and her friends. Up to the point of the fight, everyone was having a nice time at the party, but that stopped almost everyone's good time. Sarah's behavior was mostly influenced by her friends almost all night long. Starting off when they wanted her to go to the party. I'm sure she felt pressure, and wanted to fit in with her new friends. I believe that is why she said yes to them, and went to the party.Obviously Sara knows right from wrong, but at 15 years old, she succumbed to peer pressure. Teenagers are easily more influenced at this age because they want to fit in with their friends. Sara was worried about get caught, and getting into trouble with her parents, but she knew she always had listened her parents, and never got into trouble. This made her think it would be all right, and she would not get into much trouble if she went to the party because she had never been in trouble. Sara and her friends were influenced to leave the party because of the fight that broke out.If not for the fight, I am sure they would have stayed much longer. Looking back on the night, I am sure Sara may have had mixed emotions. Some positive, and some negative. On the positive she got to experience her first party with her new friends, and she met a boy at the party. On the negative she probably let her parents down by breaking curfew, and had them worried about her. Sara had to wonder if it were worth lying to her parents to have fun, or is her new friends, and the party more important. This is something Sara will need to have a look at in her life.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Quotes About Courage From the Cowardly Lion

Quotes About Courage From the Cowardly Lion The Cowardly Lion from The Wizard of Oz lives up to his name, at least at the beginning of the 1939 film. We eventually learn that hes not really a coward;  rather, he thinks he is  because he doesnt ​believe in himself. Before all is said and done, the Cowardly Lion performs several courageous acts without realizing his bravery. The Cowardly Lion Is Caught Faking Bravery The first time  the Lion encounters Dorothy, the  Scarecrow,  and the Tin Man, Dorothy smacks him on the nose for being a bully. She quickly realizes hes all bluster: Dorothy:  My goodness, what a  fuss youre making! Well, naturally, when  you go around picking on things weaker than you are. Why, youre nothing but a great big coward!Cowardly Lion:  [crying] Youre right, I am a coward! I havent any courage  at all. I even scare myself.  [sobbing]  Look at the circles under my eyes. I havent slept in weeks!Tin Man:  Why dont you try counting sheep?Cowardly Lion:  That doesnt do any good, Im afraid of em. The Cowardly Lions Funny Fear Quote The Cowardly Lion doesnt usually let his nervousness keep him from doing the right thing. He has a sense of humor about it, too. In one scene, he wants to be brave and save Dorothy  but has to make a joke first: Cowardly Lion: All right, Ill go in there for Dorothy. Wicked Witch or no Wicked Witch, guards or no guards, Ill tear them apart. I may not come out alive, but Im going in there. Theres only one thing I want you fellows to do.Tin Man and Scarecrow: Whats that?Cowardly Lion: Talk me out of it! The Cowardly Lion Shows His Bravery By the time he encounters the Wicked Witchs palace guards, the Lion has had enough. If hes afraid, he doesnt show it (we suspect that he is but is putting on a brave front): Cowardly Lion: Put em up, put em up! Which one of you first? Ill fight you both together if you want. I’ll fight you with one paw tied behind my back. I’ll fight you standing on one foot. I’ll fight you with my eyes closed...oh, pullin’ an axe on me, eh? Sneaking up on me, eh? The Cowardly Lions Thoughts on Courage In his most famous song, the Lion muses on what it would be like if he had courage (not realizing he already has plenty): Cowardly Lion: [singing]Im afraid theres no denyinIm just a dandy-lionA fate I dont deserveIm sure I could show my prowessBe a lion, not a mouseIf I only had the nerve Just before meeting  the Wizard in the Emerald City, the Cowardly Lion muses about what it would be like to be the king of the forest,  imagining that everyone would respect and fear him: Dorothy:  Your Majesty, if you were king, you wouldnt be afraid of anything?Cowardly Lion:  Not nobody! Not nohow!Tin Man:  Not even a rhinoceros?Cowardly Lion:  Imposerous!Dorothy:  How about a hippopotamus?Cowardly Lion:  Why, Id thrash him from top to bottomus!Dorothy:  Supposing you met an elephant?Cowardly Lion:  Id wrap him up in cellophane!Scarecrow:  What if it were a brontosaurus?Cowardly Lion:  Id show him who was king of the forest!

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Effect

Sentence Connectors Sentences Showing Cause / Effect Sentence connectors are words and phrases that connect sentences to help with understanding. Sentence connectors are also known as linking language. This linking language can be used to order what you have to say, show opposition, provide clarification and so on. In many grammar books, you will find information about sentence connectors when reading about subordinating conjunctions, coordinating conjunctions and so on. Here are sentence connectors that show cause and effect in written English.   Type of Connector Connector(s) Examples Coordinating conjunctions for (cause), so (effect) Professionals can sometimes be extremely impatient, for their positions are at times rather stressful.The doctor decided a second opinion was required, so Tom was sent to an eye specialist. Subordinating conjunctions because, since, as Since high level positions are at times rather stressful, professionals can sometimes be extremely impatient.Ive decided to go back to school because Ive always wanted to study philosophy.As the meeting began late, the CEO went directly to his presentation on last quarters sales. Conjunctive adverbs therefore, as a result, consequently High level positions are at times rather stressful. Therefore, professionals can sometimes be extremely impatient.Susan enjoyed spending her free time at the theater. As a result, she decided to take a vacation in London in order to attend plays.The rent has increased drastically over the past two years. Consequently, weve decided to move to a less expensive city. Prepositions because of, due to, as a result of Due to the stressful nature of high level positions, professionals can sometimes be extremely impatient.Albert left work early because of his appointment with his doctor.Many students spend two or more hours playing video games each day. As a result, their grades suffer and they sometimes need to repeat classes. More About Sentence Connectors Once you have mastered the basics of correct usage in written English, you will want to express yourself in increasingly  complex ways. One of the best ways to improve your writing style is to use sentence connectors. Sentence connectors are used to express relationships between ideas and to combine sentences. The use of these connectors will add sophistication to your writing style. Sentence connectors can do more than show cause and result. Here is a short overview with examples of each type of sentence connector and links to more information. When you want to give additional information: Not only have I not finished my work on the report, but I also need to begin work on next months presentation in New York which is very important.Mark would like to focus on his studies next year. In addition, he wants to look for an internship to improve his resume to help him in his future job hunt. Some sentence connectors show opposition to an idea  or indicate surprise situations. Mary asked for another week to complete the project although she had already spent three weeks in preparation.Despite the economic growth of the past eight years, most middle class citizens are having difficult making ends meet.    Contrasting information with connectors helps you show both sides of any argument: On the one hand, we havent invested in infrastructure over the past three decades. On the other hand, tax revenues are at the lowest in years.Unlike my French class, homework in my business course is challenging and interesting.   Subordinating conjunctions such as if or unless express conditions in various situations. If we dont finish the project soon, our boss will be very upset and fire everyone!She decided to finish school in New York. Otherwise, shed have to move back home and live with her parents. Comparing ideas, objects ,  and people is another use for these connectors: Just as Alice would like to attend art school, Peter wants to go to a music conservatory.  The marketing department feels we need a new add campaign. Similarly, research and development feel our products need a fresh approach.

Sunday, November 3, 2019

North America Immigration Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

North America Immigration - Essay Example The pace of migration rose from 1910 following the Mexican revolution. Around fifty thousand Mexicans migrated to USA each year from that period till 1929. The reason of migration was higher availability and opportunity of Job in USA than in Mexico. Jobs in USA also offered a higher wage rate than that in Mexico. To tame this inflow, in 1929 around 2 million Mexicans were forcefully deported back to Mexico. In 1942 during the Second World War considering the Mexicans as a cheap source of labour again looked profitable and a programme named Bracero was formed by USA and Mexican officials that paved the way for legal status for the Mexican immigrants as guest labourers. Obviously the Mexican labourers working in USA under that programme were bereft of any labour protections that were extended to USA labourers. The same set up has been maintained till 1986, however not in papers rather through verbal and mostly under the table agreement. In 1986 USA government gave amnesty to 3 million uncited Mexican labourers and were given all possible rights that a USA labour enjoys. However, owing to the high demand of undocumented Mexican labourers from corporations for the lesser burden on corporations regarding wage and rights, their number kept on growing. (Head) According to the 1990 census of United States of America the documented Mexican population was 4.3 million that rose to 9.8 in 2002. The undocumented population of Mexicans in USA grew at a faster rate; it was 2 million in 1990 and 5.3 million in 2002. The projected number of Mexican immigrant in USA would be 13 million by the end of 2010. (migrationinformation.org) A striking change has taken place in terms of destination of the Mexican immigrants in USA. The traditional destination areas mentioned previously are gradually getting replaced by states like â€Å"Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and