The impact of Climatic Change on the Decline of Black French Truffle

Introduction1.2 BackgroundTruffles grow under a very sensitive environment; they naturally occur in the Mediterranean region of Europe. This has been a mysterious crop grown under a veil of secrecy for years in this region of Europe (Ruffles Estate, 2013). This crop is regarded as a delicacy and has sustained its appeal to food lovers all around the world. Truffle are actually a unique edible mushroom that grows underground also regarded as a fungus and is considered a delicacy complimenting the best foods worldwide. Its aroma as well as flavour is commonly described as unique (Ruffles Estate, 2013). The most preferred quality in truffle market is the black French truffle also known as Tuber melanosporum is one of the most expensive varieties in the market and occurs naturally in parts of France also geographical referred to as the Mediterranean basin (Jolly, 2012). However, the Tuber melanosporum is becoming scarcer, and there is a common idea that this scarcity is due to global ch ange of the climate (Jolly, 2012). This has led to a sharp price increase of this rare commodity, but most of all is the concern of the gradual decline in its availability. Europe, and more so, the Mediterranean basin has seen a steady decline of this rare species over the last 40 years (FAIR, 2000). This decline has been both in quantity, as well as quality, however this paper will examine the former.1.3 Project Aims and ObjectivesThis project’s principle aim is to collect and analyse data using both quantitative and qualitative methods to understand the increasing decline in the production of black truffles from France also referred to as Perigord truffle and Tuber melanosporum. In this regard, the project will adopt cause-effect deductions, hypothesis testing, and observations to develop understanding this decline in truffle production and in particular whether it affects the natural occurring or cultivated truffles. A secondary aim of this project considers the reasons for the decline of production of the black French truffle. This project, through careful analysis of related research acknowledges the fact that there is a general decline in natural occurring truffle and that this decline is associated with various factors. The study seeks to identify the main reason for the decline in production and harvesting of black French truffles. The study also aims at providing recommendations to address the decline in truffle production. This study will be documented accurately in order to provide subsequent researchers with all the information necessary to further the development in this field of study. Literature Review In consideration of Truffles biological and ecological growth and development Smith and Read (1997), assert that root symbionts are most significant in checking the ecosystem function in most temperate forests of the world, and this includes the rare ectomycorrhizal fungi. Their main function is the provision of the much needed trace minerals to the truffles as well as protection from drought, disease causing agents and pests (Garbaye, 2000; Govindarajulu et al., 2005). Smith and Read (1997) further add that truffles reciprocate provision of food and protection from disease with provision of carbon to the micro-organisms. The ecology in these temperate regions is complexly interconnected, the mushrooms that are produced by the micro-organisms and are significant sources of food for the animal populations in the forests (Carey et al., 2000). However, according to FAIR (2000), the black truffles production in Europe has dramatically declined over the last half century, this is both in quality as well as quantity. Furthermore, efforts have been made to increase the vegetation that promote truffle growth, but the decline has persisted. This trend had been identified earlier by Cherfas (1991), and in his research, he claimed that the decline had begun over 100 years ago in the natural habitat, in the temperate forests. The cause of this decline in the growth and development of black truffles has been the subject of inquiries and research. There is still little explanation for these long term decline in both natural and cultivated truffle.Research is needed to help understand this decline, the real difficulty lay in understanding the underground microbial since experimental environments fail to match the necessary real world conditions (Macdonald et al., 2005). As a matter of fact Lamon et al (2009) agree that there is sca rcity of much needed extended observations of quantitative data generated from natural the natural setting. Chevalier et al. ( 2001), assert that both Tuber melanosporum and Tuber magnatum are the most valuable species in the market. These varieties are also the endangered species at the brink of extinction. Hall et al. (2001), in their findings explain that geographically, Tuber melanosporum naturally occurs in France, Italy, Bulgaria and certain areas in Europe. Martin, F. et al (2010), specifically examines the decline in the production of Tuber melanosporum, however, he also adds that they naturally occur in the Mediterranean habitat. Sourzat (2002), in the french publication, explains that T. melanosporum’s fruits best in its natural setting characterized by rocks, forests that are open that are generally warm with mild winter seasons, as well, as regular precipitation in the summers. In addition, best production is expected on the slopes where the produce receives protection from excessive cold and dry wind. According to Hall et al. (2001), research reveals that truffier es grown in rainy areas with lower temperatures and have not yielded any truffles. In fact, truffles of the T. melanosporum species grew best in climatic regions with between 600-1500 mm average precipitations, average temperatures of 18-21 degree Celsius in the summer and the winter, an average of 1-8 degree Celsius (Zambonelli & Di Munno, 1992). It seems areas that continuously have frozen ground in the cold seasons are not suited for the growth of T. melanosporum because the fruits spoil when frozen. Fontana and Bonfante (1971) in their publication introduce the idea of growing truffle fungi in an artificial environment. They explain that this idea was to supplement the deficit of the produce collected in the natural habitat. This method was developed back in the 1970s indication that the decline of truffle had already been the cause of concern in the market. By the turn of the millennium, truffle grown in orchards accounted for half of the truffle produced around the world (Hall et al., 2003). It also important to note that a majority of these orchards are developed within truffles natural geographic areas. Having highlighted the required natural habitats for the truffles, and in reference to their decline, there are several suggestions based on various research on this decline. Cherfas (1991) traces back the history of this decline by asserting that the number of mushroom species gathered in every foray dropped from 72 to 38 between 1912 and 1982 in the Netherlands. In the same publication, it is revealed that chanterelles in central European market in mid 1970s were found to have reduced in size 50 times than those in 1950s. Hall et al.(2003) in their publication reveal that, by the 20th Century, T. melanosporum in the French market had dropped to 2000 tons annually and a further decline was witnessed by the turn of the 21st Century by 150 tons. It is true that the truffle harvesting in France has been an affair by a small number of people who mainly collected them from their natural setting. As seen in the previous paragraph, there is an increase in production of truffles in orchar ds as a supplement to the dwindling natural supply. In a later publication Hall et al., (2007), affirm that the decline in natural truffle harvest has persisted and is at an all time low of between 12 to 150 tonnes per year from the 1000 to 2000 tonnes in the 1990s. The steady decline in the production of truffle has led to the rise in price per unit over the last decade with an increase in demand (Lee, 2008). The decline of French Truffle has been a point of concern in the scientific research circles with some as Hall et al. (2003) in their study, pointing at water and air pollution, in addition to other factors including, the dynamism in forest structure and the lack of knowledge in traditional gathering as a result of world wars. Similar findings have been published in a report by Amaranthus (2007) citing destruction of truffle natural habitat, urban development, among the reasons for the decline. Such factors are most likely to continue reducing the production figures and specifically those in their natural settings (Amaranthus, 2007; Hall et al., 2007). Garvey and Cooper (2004), in their report further allude that this decline in natural habitat has resulted in the production of truffles on cultivated farms where the trees or truffieres are inoculated. However, these remedies cannot beat the native oak and hazel vegetation as the major producer of the French black truffles in France. In the recent years, the decline in truffle has been experienced in many regions of the world and especially the fast declining French black truffle or the Tuber melanosporum. However, it appears that most researchers are turning to climate as the main culprit. Buntgen et al.(2012) in their study on drought induced truffle decline explains the effect of climate on the production of truffle. They claim in their research that the effect of climate can either be directly or through the truffles symbiotic host vegetation. This literature review delves much into this article because of its relevance to the topic. Buntgen et al. (2012), provide in depth review on the yearly inventory of regional collection of truffle from Spain consisting of Aragon, France mainly a Perigord or Tuber melanosporum, and Italy a combination of Piedmont and Umbria. In this analysis, they indicate that the change in truffle production between 1970 and 2006 was similar between the species from Spain and France that is Aragon and Perigord respectively. Their analysis also found a lack of similarities in changes of production between Perigord and Piedmont–Umbria from France and Italy respectively. This observation from the regional-scale coherency is consistent with Sourzat (2002) observation that western mediterranean basin is the home of truffle fruiting. In addition, the harvests of Aragon and Perigord have revealed significant correlation, this the authors relate to the similarity in summer precipitation, whereas lack of correlations was found between Piedmont and Umbria production and precipitation (Buntgen et al., 2012). The difference in levels of sensitivity here is understandable because the Piedmont and Umbria experience double summer precipitation than Spanish Aragon with Perigord ranging in between (Zambonelli & Di Munno, 1992). The average of the three, truffle production outcomes, their regional mean correlated both positively and negatively at higher significant lev el of 99.9 percent with between June and August rainfall totals as well as maxima temperatures. The authors, Buntgen et al.(2012), posits in their analysis that both the natural and the cultivated truffles in the Mediterranean are seasonal and are subjected to the season between November and February a claim supported by Mello et al., (2006). In addition, this is dependent on the summer condition with rainy and cold weather instrumental in the fruit body development as supported by Gallot, (1999) in his publication more than a decade prior to Buntgen et al., (2012). Buntgen et al. (2012) postulate that given the relationship between fungi and host vegetation, there is bound to be competition for moisture due to the amount of rainfall in this season and this correlate significantly at 99.9 percent level with the yield. Fischer and Schar, (2010) present a suite of a dozen climatic models leading to rise in mean temperatures and decrease in rainfall totals for the Mediterranean region until the end of the 21st Century. This is indicative of the increased summer evapotranspiratio n. It is interesting to note that the simulated southwest European climatic conditions representing the last ten years are consistent to the drop in the production of truffle harvest (Buntgen et al., 2012). Nonetheless, Buntgen et al. (2012), state that it is unclear whether the truffle will reach tipping points as a result of the projected shift in climate, this is regard to their physiological and biogeochemical fruit body development. In their assumption, the expected or projected summer dryness will result in a sustained decline, in truffle yield, while the regions north of Alpine arc are most likely to provide suitable habitat for the truffle due to their calcareousness. Based on their observations, Buntgen et al.(2012), are inclined to the idea that climatic change and more so reduced summer precipitation and increased temperatures are the cause for truffle yields in the Mediterranean basin the natural habitat of T. melanosporum. Mello et al. (2006), in their analysis claim that the reduction in future summer rainfall coupled with summer aridity will result in drought resistant strain of T. melanosporum within its natural setting or distribution range. Samils, et al, (2008) in their research predict that the expected drop in truffle harvest in the Mediterranean region, will have a significant impact not only on the local tourism, but the agriculture as well as the global prices of this valuable commodity. This is most likely to increase the value of other varieties with artificial metabolism and not specific to the requirements of their ecological niche as the T. melanosporum (Mello et al., 2006;Gallot, 1999). This might see an increase in T. aestivum cultivation in areas where traditionally T. melanosporum was predominant as well as an increase in demand of truffle from non-traditional T. melanosporum producing regions outside Europe (Buntgen et al., 2012). Splivallo et al. (2012), in their analysis of the Burgundy truffle, suggest that the change in climatic conditions that were said to have begun a century ago has no impact on the current burgundy truffle distribution. However, they concur with Buntgen et al.(2012) on the impact of climatic change on species with narrower ranges such as the French black truffle, Perigord or Tuber melanosporum, and Italy a combination of Piedmont and Umbria. They support this by claiming that if the climate fails to restrict the distribution of these two species, then even a slight temperature increase in northern Europe as predicted by Buntgen et al. (2012) might result in its northern expansion. They confirm what Chevalier et al.(2001) had outlined that rainfall, soil composition are also factors that contribute to the decline in the production of Perigord. Splivallo et al. (2012), concur with Buntgen et al.(2012) assertion that other options will be needed to avert the looming shortage of this truf fle species, success cultivation lies in orchard farming as a change from the current empirical practices. They claim that cultivation of truffle in a bid to mitigate the effects of climate change which is a major cause of the decline should be based on scientific evidence. Therefore, the rise in temperature, in its self, will not be sufficient for the shift of truffle production in the northern European region (Splivallo et al., 2012). Methodology and Procedure3.1 Research DesignThis study will adopt a mixed methods research design. This process entails collecting and analysing data using both quantitative and qualitative methods to understand the research problem comprehensively. When both qualitative and quantitative methods are combined in research, they supplement each other allowing a comprehensive analysis of the research problem (Tashakkori & Teddlie, 2003). According to Charles & Mertler (2002), quantitative methods deal with numerical data using cause-effect deductions, hypothesis testing, and observations to develop an understanding of the research issue. On the other hand, qualitative methods require the researcher to develop a complete picture of the research issues by conducting an in-depth analysis of words, as well as, compiled reports by the study participants. In this approach, the researcher adopts a constructivist approach to have a complete understanding of the problem centred on different conte xtual aspects (Charles & Mertler, 2002). In the mixed research methods, the uses pragmatic philosophy by affirming that truth is what works. Therefore, mixed methods integrate both text and numerical data to give a clear overview of the research problem. In this regard, this study will use surveys and interviews since they are the most popular data collection research tools (Creswell, 2002). In the first step of data collection, a web-based survey will be used, and data analysed using discriminant function. The qualitative method will involve semi-structured interviews to collect textual data from people to regarding the decline of Truffles.3.2 Research SampleThe target population sample will be about 1,200 environmentalists and hoteliers in France regarding the decline of truffles. These individuals are people who have been working in the hotel and environmental sectors in France. For the first quantitative stage of the research, a convenience sample will be chosen comprising indi viduals studying truffles decline, locals, and environmentalists, as well as, hoteliers. For the qualitative phase of the research, a smaller sample will be used to understand the main issue regarding the decline of French truffle (Creswell, 2002, p. 194). This is to ensure the selected participants will give appropriate answers to the research questions. Besides, for the qualitative part of the research, participants will be notified of their selection for voluntary follow-up individual interviews. Given the use of mixed methods research in the study, selection of participants for the qualitative part will rely on the outcomes of the quantitative stage. The use of this approach will ensure the researcher gets a multidimensional outlook of the research problem. For this research, the participants will be chosen centred on the statistically significant difference outcomes of the discriminant function analysis.3.3 Data CollectionFor the quantitative phase of the research, a cross-sec tional survey will be used; this implies that statistics will be gathered at one point in time (McMillan, 2000). The survey used for this research will be of different formats including multiple choices, yes/no questions, self-evaluation items, and open-ended questions. The questionnaire will comprise twenty four questions divided equally into six sections. The first section will contain questions regarding truffles and the participant’s understanding of truffles measured on a 7-point Likert scale. The second part will evaluate the participants’ awareness regarding the decline of truffles using a 7-point scale. The third part will provide information regarding the factors participants believe to cause a decline in truffles. The current issues regarding management of truffles will constitute the fourth part while the fifth segment will provide data answering how ecological factors influence truffles survival. Demographic questions will be in the sixth part of the survey regarding data about the participants’ age, residency, gender, and employment among others. Besides, the final question in the survey will be open-ended asking for additional information about truffles decline in France. The survey will be web-based accessible through a URL address given to the participants. For the qualitative method, in-depth semi-structured face-to-face interviews will be used to collect data. Half of the research sample will be interviewed regarding the research question. Historical texts will be further used to validate the data collected from the interviews. The interviews will include twenty open-ended questions pilot-tested before the interviews. The interviews questions will be formulated based on the results from the quantitative method. During the interview, the participants will be debriefed to obtain reliable information for the interview questions though, they will be issued with the questions prior to the interviews. The interviews will be tape recorded with the participants’ consent and a copy of the transcript emailed to them after the interview. The respondents will also be allowed to review their answers for the interview transcripts to ascertain their correctness.3.4 Data AnalysisPrior to the statistical analysis of the survey results, the data will be screened on both univariate and multivariate levels. This will help the research detect any multicollinearity in the collected data. Any data that shows a high probability in another category will be excluded during the analysis since they may give a poor model fit (Tabachnick & Fidell, 2000). The research’s data screening will entail descriptive statistics for the variables, linearity and homoscedasticity, normality, multivariate outliers, multicollinearity and singularity. The descriptive statistics will be tabulated, and a frequency’s analysis conducted to determine the validity of the survey questions. The discriminant function analysis will be used to determine the proportion by which the variables differ, and classify the functions into predictable groups. The results will then be reported in the form of discussion. Nonetheless, all the statistical analyses will be conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences software (SPSS) version 11.0. In most qualitative research, data collection and analysis progress concurrently. For the qualitative analysis, data collected from the interviews will be coded and analysed for premises using the Qualitative Software and Research (QSR) N6 for qualitative data analysis. Furthermore, a visual data display will be used to identify the relationship in the data collected from the interviews. Data analysis for this phase of the research will involve creating a comprehensive description of the results; the researcher situates the cases in its context to make the case descriptions, and premises related to particular activities in the study’s outcomes (Creswell & Maitta, 2002). The researcher will construe the meaning of the results and describe them in the discussion section of the research proposal. Bibliography Amaranthus, M., 2007. Independent Truffle Expert’s Report in Product Disclosure Statement for the Oak Valley Truffle Project. Oak Valley Project. Buntgen, U. et al., 2012. Drought-induced decline in Mediterranean truffle harvest. Nature Climate Change, 2, pp.827-29. Carey, A.B., Colgan, W., Trappe, J.M. & Molina, R., 2000. Effects of forest management on truffle abundance and squirrel diets. Northwest Science , 76, pp.148–57. Charles, C.M. & Mertler, C.A., 2002. Introduction to educational research. 4th ed. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon. Cherfas, J., 1991. Disappearing mushrooms: Another mass extinction?. Science, pp.254: 1448. Chevalier, G., Gregori, G., Frochot, H. & Zambonelli, A., 2001. The cultivation of the Burgundy truffle. In Proc Second Intl Conf on Edible Mycorrhizal Mushrooms. Christchurch: Crop & Food Research Limited. pp.1-12. Creswell, J.W., 2002. Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative approaches to research. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill/Pearson Education. Creswell, J.W. & Maitta, R., 2002. Qualitative research. In N. Salkind, ed. Handbook of research design and social measurement. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. pp.143-84. FAIR, 2000. Improvement of the organoleptic quality of European truffles (EUROTRUFFE). Cooperative Research Measures. Fischer, E.M. & Schar, C., 2010. Nature. Geoscience, 3, pp.398–403. Fontana, A. & Bonfante, P., 1971. Mycorrhizal synthesis between Tuber brumale Vitt.and Pinus nigra Arnold. Allionia, 17, pp.15-18. Gallot, G., 1999. La truffe. INRA. Garbaye, J., 2000. The role of ectomycorrhizal symbiosis in the resistance of forests to water stress. Outlook on Agriculture , 29, pp.63-69. Garvey, D. & Cooper, P., 2004. Increasing the productivity of truffieres in Tasmania. RIRDC. Govindarajulu, M. et al., 2005. Nitrogen transfer in the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis. Nature , 435, pp.819-23. Hall, I.R., Brown, G.T. & Zamboneli, A., 2007. Taming the Truffle. The History Lore and Science of the Ulimate Mashroom. Timber Press. Hall, I., Byars, J. & Brown, G., 2001. The Black Truffle: Its History, Uses and Cultivation. Christchurch: New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Limited. Hall, I., Yun, W. & Amicucci, A., 2003. Cultivation of edible ectomycorrhizal mushrooms. Trends in Biotechnology, 21, pp.433–438. Jolly, D., 2012. $1,200 a Pound, Truffles Suffer in the Heat. [Online] Available at: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/21/business/global/is-climate-change-shrinking-the-luxury-truffle-crop.html?_r=0 [Accessed 2 December 2013]. Lamon, L. et al, 2009. Environmental Science Technology, 43, pp.5818–5824. Lee, B., 2008. Taking Stock of the Australian Truffle Industry. Barton: Canprint. Macdonald, R.W., Harner, T. & Fyfe, 2005. Macdonald, R. W., Harner, T. & Fyfe, J. Sci. Total Environ. J. Sci. Total Environ., 342, pp.5–86. Martin, F. et al, 2010. Tuber melanosporum. Nature , 464, pp.1033–38. McMillan, J.H., 2000. Educational research: Fundamentals for the consumer. 3rd ed. New York: Addison-Wesley Longman. Mello, A., Murat, C. & Bonfante, P., 2006. FEMS Microbiol.. Lett, 260, pp.1–8. Ruffles Estate, 2013. An Internationally Recognised Gourmet Experience. [Online] Ruffles Estate Available at: HYPERLINK â€Å"http://canberratruffles.com.au/† http://canberratruffles.com.au/ [Accessed 2 December 2013]. Samils, et al, 2008. Econ. Bot., 62, pp.331–40. Smith, S. & Read, D.J., 1997. Mycorrhizal Symbiosis. London: Academic Press. Sourzat, P., 2002. Guide pratique de trufficulture. Station d’experimentation sur la truffe. Le Montat: Lycee professionnel agricole et viticole de Cahors. Splivallo, R. et al., 2012. Is climate change altering the geographic distribution of truffles. Front Ecol Environ, 10, pp.461–62. Tabachnick, B.G. & Fidell, L.S., 2000. Using multivariate statistics. New York: Allyn & Bacon. Tashakkori, A. & Teddlie, C., 2003. Handbook on mixed methods in the behavioral and social sciences. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Zambonelli, A. & Di Munno, R., 1992. Indagine sulla possibilita di diffusione dei rimboschimenti con specie tartufigene: aspetti tecnico-colturali ed economici. Ministero dell’Agricoltura e delle Foreste.

Article Summary “Strategy as Simple Rules”

„Strategy as Simple Rulesâ€Å" by Kathleen Eisenhardt and Donald Sull A) Article Summary Basically the article describes how and why companies like Yahoo, AOL or Enron use simple rules in rapidly moving markets. In the past companies were able to apply complex strategies due to a simple business landscape and stable markets, but nowadays most markets are not stable any more. Markets are fast moving and so complex themselves that companies are forced to react and to simplify their strategies. Associated essay: The Proverbs of Administration Herbert Simon SummaryThe authors' central statement is that the traditional approach of staking out a defensible position misses the key to success in rapidly moving markets. That key is the ability to recognize and capitalize on fleeting opportunities. For dotcoms like Yahoo or AOL it's more important to pursue opportunities than to establish position or to leverage resources. As Kathleen Eisenhardt and Donald Sull analyzed dozens of companies in unpredictable markets, they have discovered that simple rules can be divided into five categories:How-To Rules show key features of how a process is executed. For example Enron focuses on the risk management process in its commodities trading business with two rules: 1) Each trade must be offset by another trade that allows the company to hedge its risk and 2) every trader must complete a daily profit-and-loss statement. Boundary Rules define a framework in which managers have to focus on the right opportunities and to sort out the ones which are outside the pale.Example: Cisco focuses on the acquisition process with three rules: 1) The target must have no more than 75 employees 2) 75% of those employees must be engineers and 3) the target must be within 50 miles of headquarters. Priority Rules rank the accepted opportunities. Intel for example focuses on the process of allocating manufacturing capacity with one rule based on a product's gross margin. Timing Rules synchronize managers with the pace of emerging opportunities and other parts of the company.Example: Nortel focuses on the product development process with two rules: 1) The team must know when the product has to be delivered to the key customer in order to win their business and 2) the product development cycle can be no longer than 18 months. Exit Rules tell managers when to pull out of former opportunities. One high tech company focuses on new business creation by pulling the plug on new initiatives that fa il to meet certain sales and profit goals within two years.Key processes: Each of these companies has zeroed in on one or two key processes that are critical success factors. They then set up a few simple rules to guide activity in these processes in a way that balances risk with the need to move quickly. Deciding if Simple Rules will Work for You: Most dotcom managers are faced with a vertiginous number of opportunities: partnerships, acquisitions, licensing deals, new products, new markets, new ideas, all with the potential to make or break the company.Simple Rules may be the right approach for your company to use in managing this creative chaos. B) Application The article was very interesting, it made my pensive and stimulated some new thinking. The most important thing for me – as I am a type of human being that likes complicated situations which need clever decisions to get an advantage over other competitors – was the warning about to try to apply complex strateg ies in rapidly moving markets. You'll probably work 100 hours a week if you complicate your strategy. Therefore I feel this article and t's theses as very helpful for my future career. But it is also very doubtful whether I can use this information from the outset. I think it's going to be very difficult. A lot of experience will be necessary, especially to know which opportunities should be taken and how the accepted opportunities should be ranked. Furthermore it is complicated to sort out â€Å"yesterday's opportunities† for a prospecting manager. It depends also on the industry the company belongs to. If you behold a company like Yahoo, it will be clear that applying simple rules is not the worst decision.But if you look at a traditional company like ExxonMobil, you'll see that opportunities are limited and you have to gain market share with a clever, thought-out strategy. Altogether I would say to know the three approaches and the five categories of simple rules is alread y a big advantage and one day I'll be certainly able to apply this information, especially as I am looking forward to work for a company which is part of a new business landscape. C) Opinion When I started to read and recognized company names like Yahoo, AOL or Enron, I knew this article was not the newest one.And although Yahoo is still a relatively successful company I am not quite sure whether they have always applied the right strategy. But the principle to use simple rules in a fast moving market probably is the right solution. And even I liked the article at all, I did not like the structure. Maybe because I read it on the internet and not in the Harvard Business Review Magazine, but for an article which supports a simple way of (business) life, it has a quite confusing structure. But OK, this does not bother me too much.After I had eventually printed it and had read it a second time, I was even more fascinated. Additionally I was enamoured of the caricature on the first page. It shows how complex the business landscape nowadays is and how difficult for a managers it is to find the right way between those many possibilities or to do the next step right without a signpost or somebody who can help you to capture an opportunity at the right time or to let the wrong opportunities go. In summary I think the article is full of thought provocative examples as well as being an easy read. I highly recommend it!

Fan Violence in International Soccer Essay

Fan violence in international soccer is a very serious form of aggression and it must be given a lot of attention by the games’ stake holders. Fan violence in international soccer involves actions that are taken by the football supporters and fights between the supporters of rival teams may sometimes take place after the football matches. The fights could also be prearranged in locations that are away from the stadiums so that the fans can avoid the police interventions. Fan violence can be at times be prompted by violent actions which involve the players themselves or any other form of event that could be taking place during a game or even disturbances and riots that are sport related and often they occur for other reasons. Fan violence in international soccer has been on the increase as it is known as the existence of an essentially unstable and an abnormal temperament in some individuals who happen for some reason to have taken soccer as an arena in which they act out their instabilities. (Smith, 1983) It has become very difficult to deal with the offenders in the football matches and the international football federation has had difficulties punishing the spectators who misbehave themselves . The international football federation has also had to deal with issues that prompt fans violence in soccer matches such as providing seats in place of standing accommodation, initiating maximum cooperation between the police and the football clubs and also ensuring that there is an absolute acceptance of the referees decisions by everybody in the football arena. The key stakeholders of the soccer game are the international football federation who ensure that the punishment that is given to the offenders and to those who participate in football hooliganism should match the seriousness of the offence. It is notably very true that the consumption of alcohol is a very important factor in crowd misbehavior especially in places where the football matches are taking place. (Smith, 1987) The football fans are mainly controlled by the activities and the popularize of different clubs . This makes it a contest as they embark on slogans chants and even songs so that they can demonstrate their support to the teams they support. The violence that exists between the sets of fans is seen as a part of their participation in the game. Violent fans and those who mainly participate in violent actions in the international soccer are basically those people who are young and unemployed. It also involves also those who are members of fanatic clubs and they are poorly educated since they attribute most of their behavior to the external factors rather than the internal ones. In most case there are usually two matches going on in a football stadium and whereas one match concerns the football teams that are on the pitch and the second match usually involves the fanatic fans whose interests are not in the game as such but on the opportunities which are offered by the football such as meeting the club mates and giving vents to their emotions and energies in the battles with others. (Smith, 1983) It is at times very complex to handle fan violence in soccer ethically since the game requires intense physical contact which may cause harm of injury. When the stake holders access the moral status of an action, they examine the issue of consent by the person on whom the action has been performed. Actions by the fans which are outside the rules of the federation of international soccer are considered to be morally unacceptabl. Reference: Smith, M. (1983): Violence and Sport, Toronto, Ontario: Butterworth’s. Smith, M. (1987): Violence in Canadian Amateur Sport, a Review of the Literature, Ottawa, Ontario, Commission for Fair Play, Government of Canada.

Hm3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Hm3 - Essay Example The pillar of Islam very relevant in context of the present global scenario is Zakat. The significance and relevance of the aforementioned verse is the cartoon controversy in which French cartoonists are making cartoon images of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.). In Quran, Allah has revealed that Muslims will hear abuse from some non-Muslims and the best course of action for the Muslims in response is to be patient and fear Allah. The significance and relevance of the aforementioned Hadith is because nowadays, ISIS is gaining strength in Iraq and Syria and it is killing many Muslims. Every few days, ISIS releases videos of brutal murders and killings of the Muslims. The aforementioned Hadith prohibits Muslims from engaging in such acts by defining a Muslim in a particular manner. Zakat is quite significant and relevant today because of the growing poverty globally. If every able person gave Zakat as per the defined manner in Islam, the poverty would have been totally eradicated from the world. These verse, Hadith, and pillar of Islam portray the concept of brotherhood, peace, and harmony by encouraging people to be patient, noble in character, and contributing to the development of society. Verily, the Quran, Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.), and pillars of Islam are all directed at making the world a better and peaceful place for

The Making of Indonesia Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

The Making of Indonesia - Research Paper Example The facts and myths about Indonesia, a Southeast Asian country, make it a highly complex subject matter with its incomprehensibly varied and dynamic history, politics and social structure. Its international image, however, to a certain extent has been defined by Oriental theories that partially represent its true political, social, historical, religious and national aspects. The President of the United States articulated his views, while addressing the students of the University of Indonesia: â€Å"The nations of Southeast Asia must have the right to determine their own destiny, and the United States will strongly support that right. But the people of Southeast Asia must have the right to determine their own destiny as well.† (Obama 2010) The concepts of ‘Orientalism’ and ‘othering’ could not have been explained in better words. The region of Southeast Asia is supposed to have common issues; and this kind of geographical cartography represents the mindset of the Western nations. The phrase, ‘the right to determine their own destiny’ has profound repercussions of centuries of colonialism and imperialism of Southeast Asian countries. This historical fact has so arendered the concept of Orientalism to a great extent. As the heritage of Indonesia is diverse and magnanimous; therefore, it was natural to ignore certain facts about Indonesia while studying and analyzing its existing political, religious and social structures. Islam, being the dominant religion in this country raises concerns in the West that desire it to become a secular country, in its own interest.

Prepress and Production Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Prepress and Production Management - Essay Example It is not a simple case rather involve a huge production process required a complete formulation of strategies and policies. The prepress business from the last year took a great leap in the production management and this all because of the technological advancement [Jeff Madura (2003)]. As the technology emerges, the process and steps in the production management augmented. Therefore, the aim of the paper is to look at the successive track of prepress production management and factors that greatly affect on this industry. When seeking the advancement in the publishing o f books within the years of 1985 to 1995 then it shows that little advancement took place, the same typesetting methods were in used by the firms due to lack in the computer technology. The computers affect the typesetting in the late years of 1993 and 1994 [N. Gregory Mankiw (1998)]. But this advancement was on very short area as less computer help was taken by the firms. The reason is that they were holding less computer specialist that can handle all the type setting of the books. The binding system of the publishing house was usually a mechanical process in which less ethnology was used and more human power and labour was in use. Less technological advancement in binding books were taken in account by the firms. Whereas, the large huge firms which were few in number was continuously seeking the latest technology for binding books and were using by only these firms. Very few famous companies emerge at that time that is still consid ered as the pioneer of the publishing house such as Pearson [Kenichi Omaha (1892)]. However, the printing set of the firms enhanced with time rapidly. The firms were able to better print the pages. This is the only sector of the publishing housed that completely affects the over all efficiency of the firms. 1996 to 2006 eras During these ten years the publishing house widely enhanced at global level. There are many reasons that directly and indirectly affect the production management of a publishing house in last 10 years. The information technology is one of the reasons that took great place in augmenting the publishing house. Other than technological advancement, the competition boost the publisher to introduce much better techniques and tools that can help him/her in lowering their internal cost but enhancing the quality of the books [Michael Armstrong (2003)]. Different production management techniques were redesign and new techniques substitute the old ones. In the start of 21st century a huge leap in the publishing industry were seen. Their production management changes at once thus affect the effectiveness and efficiency of the publishing house. Though different publishers are using different mechanism and techniques in their publishing house that in their term producing best quality work. Below we are taking in account different steps of production management to know that which real steps are taken by the firms in the production management of the publishing house [Payne.A. ed.1995]. These steps start from the planning process to the production completion process. We will overview different advancements that were introduced by the famous firms. Production management process of Prepress firm with respect to the latest techniques used by firms in year

Netflix Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Netflix - Essay Example characteristics of the target market that would become a basis of market segment are demographics which is the physical characteristic of the market, psychographics which is the psycho-cultural characteristic of the market, geographics or the physical and political delineation of the market and purchase behavior or buying patterns of target market. In the case of Netflix, it would be necessary first to define its product and service to effectively segment its market. At present, Netflix is an online video store that caters its customers with a wide array of video collections through video download, online streaming or door to door delivery. In the future, it is envisaged that Netflix will converge from a merely internet base video provider to include a traditional TV broadcasting company. The array of their services will then widened that would include not just video titles but also TV shows. The mobile and handheld movie industry is also expected to be entered into by Netflix. In short, Netflix would be â€Å"becoming like them in doing some originals and they are becoming more like us in creating an on-demand interface like HBO Go" which allows viewers to watch channels on the Web and on mobile and tabulate devices† (Coyle, 2012). Having defined the products and services Netflix today and the future, its target market are those movie viewers which has internet connection and handheld devices. In the future, the TV viewing public will also become their target market. Netflix primary serves the consumer market or those who watch movies (and in the future TV shows) for leisure. In particular, Netflix caters to the movie watching customers by having an extensive movie title collection it can offer to the customers either by video streaming, download or door to door delivery. The manner which Netflix’s products will be delivered to its customers will likely to change as more and more consumers are having internet connection at an increasing speed making

Accounting principles impact Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Accounting principles impact - Case Study Example While this is considered to be critical to effective financial reporting, these principles are also a significant part of the financial control within organisations. The principles have different impacts upon the organisation as discussed below. This could be termed as the most significant accounting principle among all the available accounting principles. The concept of revenue recognition remains critical to financial reporting because it seeks to determine the sources of finance and expenses, in order to determine profitability of the organisation. This principle remains critical to business operations because it seeks to ensure that all the revenue generated becomes recognised through the various records used by the organisation (Kothari, Ramanna, and Skinner 252). Organisations within different industries must ensure the development of appropriate and standardised approaches through which the revenue recognition will be effected. This principle results in the development of an approach for making comparison of different accounting concepts to determine effectiveness of the organisation. Sainsbury which is a retailing outlet for household good would effectively adopt an approach for recognising revenue based on cash basis. This would be mainly because most of the transactions are undertaken instantly and the days is received upon the exchange of the product. Once the cash has been received it become recognised as a sale and revenue. UNIQOL, which is involved in a different level of retailing would have to combine the accrual and cash basis of revenue recognition in its processes. This would be mainly because of the various products which are sometimes shipped and cash is received later. Harmonisation of these transactions remains essential as the organisation seeks to ensure there is accuracy in the process of revenue

System Information System Planning & Management Essay

System Information System Planning & Management - Essay Example The methodology section entails different mechanisms through which the company will employ to achieve the info for success. The report findings will provide the actual issues for analysis. There will be discussion of the issues and conclusion basing on the rationale. Finally, the recommendations will be suggested to allow for the actual specifications of the report stipulations and measures for improvements. Introduction GLM is a company that deals with the production of a large range of small products made from plastics and their customization. The business has managed to hire competent personnel who have in turn availed viable ideas that have seen the business navigate challenges and manifest excellent performance. The Greens Lime Mouldings (GLM is a business that began as a single entity, but has experienced significant economic revolution through better service offerings to the clients. The business deals in the production of plastic products through the involvement of an appropr iate technology. The systems incorporate persons, technology and data. The information systems are essential in the in provision of options for decision-making. The business targets full satisfaction of the workers through provision of best services on time. The objectives of the report an the business; i. To provide excellent services to the customers ii. To lead in innovation of products iii. To operate in the global scope iv. To utilize best technologies in its operations The Mission Statement To provide the best production and information system services in the globe. The vision statement To provide the best products with a commitment to competence and life- changing services which are critical whole the world through the application of appropriate technology. Even though the company has strategized and formulated the procedures, the company requires clear understanding on the impacts of deviations from its stipulations. The company cannot attain its objectives without strict fo llow up of the set policies. Nonetheless, there are other factors that have to be regarded to as being potential and without their considerations there cannot be significant improvements, instead, there can be decline in the business performance. Considering the role of IS/IT in the enterprise The information technology and the information systems fit in all departments of the company. The information systems help in the improvement of management. For instance, information management systems assist in the decision making process of the business after a critical evaluation of the prevailing situation. The transaction processing systems assist the company’s billing systems in obtaining and disbursing payment to different individuals or companies. The negotiation support systems involve in he exchange of direct information and from the company and into the business. The information technology provides efficiency to individual and improves the accuracy of the operations in the bu siness. A description of your choice of the 3 most important areas of technology for GLM’s business and the benefits and opportunities provided by each of the technologies in relation to GLM’s information systems strategy and aligned business strategy Mobile Technologies Mobile technologies refers to variant types of cell communication know -how. The mobile technology has transformed rapidly in the past few years. The GPS connection device has also enable the connection has

Digital marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Digital marketing - Essay Example Many of them uses their computers, mobile phones among other things to access Facebook, twitter and instagram, therefore in the process they see information. There are no barriers like distance, and even students who study online and live in other parts of the world will be able to see the information and decide whether to join the club or not (Harris, 2008, 85). Posting adverts on social media is cheaper as compared to other ordinary means of advertising. There is no operating cost; maintenance as well as paying employees since this system only needs one person to post information to the site. Once information is posted, students will need to login and only charged browsing fees like they usually does when doing other things online. It is one of the cheapest means of selling a product (Michie, 2006, 14). Personalization of products and good designing is greatly achieved through social media. Description of the club, its roles and even good photographs can be designed to great effect and [posted to help the club gain strong base within the institution. Organizers of the club are not worried about delays of information reaching the target group since currently; all students are active in social media. This will maximize awareness of the club to students in long run (Michie, 2006, 12). Advancing technology is also another reason why Facebook, twitter and istagram is a good platform to market the club. With all the students being active in these sites, it is important to take this advantage. They are used to these programs and their interpretation and perception about the club will be positive (Harris, 2008, 87). They will link the club with good leadership, unity and vision which will help the club to gain further success. In conclusion, the world has become a dynamic place to live in. there are changes all over the place, and the people who experience this are students as they discover a lot while still studying. In the university, the club will gain huge fame

Are Public Protests in Public Places Effective Ways of Bringing Change Essay

Are Public Protests in Public Places Effective Ways of Bringing Change - Essay Example It was the largest ever seen demonstration in the capital that attracted over 250,000 people and one of the first to have extensive television coverage. The Cairo’s Tahrir Square, which was a protest against the country’s leadership, that is, revolution against former President Hosni Mubarak and his regime. The two events are memorable as they have some similarities and differences depicting the nature of public protests in the past and recent years. The two events being the best examples of public protest, indicating that public protest in public places can be an effective way of bringing change to the people. The atmosphere and conditions that led to the protest of Civil Rights March (Washington DC 1963) started way back in 1950s and 1960s where the civil rights movement in the United States was for political, legal, and social struggle to gain citizenship rights for black Americans and to achieve equality. A racial unrest of civil demonstrations was sparked off by th e police action in Birmingham, Alabama that had media coverage showing how dogs and fire horses were turned against protestors who were still young in their early teens (ABC, 2005). In The Tahrir Square (Cairo 2011) protest, around the year 2005 and 2006 after the re-election of Mubarak opposition started to demand for political changes. The protests were however, started because of a June 2010 incident in which a young man Khaled Said was allegedly beaten by police. This is the same period that there was unrest in Tunisia and protests in Egypt has been linked to this protest too. The high levels of unemployment of black people, the persistence racial segregation, the poor and minimal wages at their jobs, the disenfranchisement of many African Americans, and the slow or lack of any meaningful reforms by earlier protests led to this march of 1963. This led to demands for the passage of a meaningful and comprehensive civil rights legislation, the protection against police brutality on the protestors, and the ending of cultural separation in public schools. Further, it led to enactment of laws that prohibits racial unfairness in public and private hiring, a major program for public-works to provide jobs for the black Americans, a 2 dollar an hour minimum wage, and the call for a self government for the District of Columbia which had a black majority (Anheier, 2004). In the 2011 Egyptian protests, it were mainly for political and legal issues including; the main issue being the end of President Hosni Mubarak’s regime, uncontrolled corruption, lack of freedom of speech and free elections, economical issues including high unemployment, police brutality, food price inflation, state of emergency laws, and low minimum wages. More than 250,000 demonstrators descended upon the nation’s capital to participate in the march of Washington for â€Å"Jobs and Freedom† on August 28, 1963. The protest began with a rally at Washington Monument where several c elebrities and musicians performed and the protests became a collective celebration too. This was one of the largest demonstrations by various civil rights organizations in United States showing their unity in agitation for Jobs and freedom. The participants went from National Mall to the Memorial which was a mile long away. At the Lincoln Memorial, there was a three-hour long program, which included speeches from prominent civil rights and religious leaders. The two outstanding speeches came from came from John Lewis and Martin Luther King, Jr. The march was

The Big Race Essay Example for Free

The Big Race Essay The character I like best is Mrs. Wakefield because she always support her children . Sheteaches them the good things to do . She gives them a tender loving care everyday . She assure thattheir children have a good health and keep away from illness. Conflict or Problem: The conflict or problem in the story is to find a wheels for their soap-box derby cars. Another one is the strategy that they will use in the contest to beat the other contestants so that theywill win. Most Interesting Part of Story: The most interesting part of story is when the race was started. The distance betweeneach cars are too near . Ken is first while Jessica is third during the race . Todd second during therace has a problem,one of his wheel rolled off . Jessica overtake with Todd’s car . A few secondslater Jessica overtake with Ken’s car . At last Jessica won in the race. Summary: One morning in class,the twins’ teacher ,Mrs. Otis ,made a special announcement . TheSweet Valley Elem. School has decided to sponsor a soap-box derby . It’s kind of race . Each person who enters builds his or her own car . Soap-box cars don’t have engines,though, so races arealways downhill . It was after school that day . The Wakefields were in the lumber store buyingwoods and other materials for their soap-box cars . After dinner Mr. Wakefields helped the twinsclear out a space in the garage and got out tools to start building. It was Sunday and the twins were still trying to find wheels for their cars . The twinsask their mom where can they find wheels . The next day after school,Mrs. Wakefield,the twins,andsteven went to junkyard . Elizabeth and Jessica found a wheels for their cars . After they boughtwheels,they hurry up to go home,to attach wheels to the poles and put it into the soap-box cars. OneThursday morning ,Mrs. Otis announce the route for the derby . It’s marked in red on this map of Secca Lake . That afternoon ,Mrs. wakefield and the twins loaded both cars into the van . They will go at Secca Lake for practice runs . Everyone’s taking turns on the hill. When it was her turn, Jessica was flying down the hill . Then suddenly –BANG! One side of her car fell off . Then the other side . Jessica’s car was broken into many pieces. On Saturday morning,the day of big race . The cars are lined up . the first race was begun . Jessica came in sixth while Ken came in first . The final race was begun . Jessica got off to agreat start ,but Ken and Todd still were ahead of her . Then about half away down the hill ,one of the Todd’s wheels rolled off . Jessica steered around todd’s car and missed him by an inch . Asecond later Jessica and Ken were lined up . Seconds later Jessica zipped across the finished line infirst place. Moral Lesson: Don’t loose hope in a contest or race ,it is just only a challenge of God . Alwaysthink positive that you can beat all the contestants and you will be the winner.

A Report On Snowboarding Sport Essay

A Report On Snowboarding Sport Essay Snowboarding Snowboarding is a kind of sport that evolved from surfing and skateboarding. Often, its a sport described as skateboarding or surfing on snow. Before one goes to the slopes, it is advisable to have some stretching and warm up exercises. After snowboarding, the same exercises and stretching must be repeated. We normally do this to minimize pain. It can be frustrating the first time one goes down a hill. But it can be interesting if the right procedures are followed. We are required to dress properly for snowboarding. A helmet must be worn properly because it prevents one from getting injured if it is not moving around the neck and its below the eyes. However, it should not be too tight. Boots must be comfortable and tight. Always wear high socks. For safety reasons, wear only one pair of snowboarding socks as wearing two pairs will make the boots too tight thus giving no room for blood circulation on the feet. Every person has got his/her lead foot. Snowboarding requires us to determine our lead foot before we put our foot on the snowboard. Lead foot may be determined by sliding on ice, running on hardboard floor and slide or standing with the feet squared and then having a friend push us from behind. In all these instances, the foot that we put forward naturally is the lead foot. The lead foot should then be put in the front binding. Make sure the bindings are fastened tightly and get the real bindings. This should be repeated for the other foot. It is advisable to move around and bounce to get a feel of the snowboard. In order to prevent a runaway board which is normally serious, we loop a lead chain around the lead binding. This is then clipped into the lead boot lace. An angle of 15+ degrees for the lead foot binding is allowed so that the ankle is not sprayed after falling. Every beginners big toe is supposed to be angled towards the boards nose. From here, we get on the ski lift with our board. After getting off the ski lift, we dont go speeding down a hill once we are off the chairlift. We start from a little hill where we can then turn to the larger one. Going to a bunny/practice hill which can give a speed of 5 miles in an hour helps you to have enough practice. When on the edge of the bunny hill, it is a requirement to sit with your board perpendicularly and then check whether the binding and the boot are tight enough. If this is okay, one can then stand and apply pressure on his lead foot. The best position is to keep the back straight while the knees are bent so that balance is maintained. Slowing down is done by switching to the toe or the heel. This is very important to learn as it vital when turning. Always, the board follows our body. Thus when switching to the heel edge from the normal stance, the torso must be turned to face downhill. Sometimes balance is lost and falling back means that we have leaned back too far. But this is better rather than having the toe edge catch snow while falling forwards. Leaning backwards also accelerates stopping. Its very similar to switching the toe edge where we turn the torso uphill. In this case, applying the pressure on the rear leg and placing weight over the toes through leaning little forward is advised. Controlling turning is the same way as switching the toe edges. This is important when one gets to the edge of the hill where we are supposed to get back to the foot forward stance as we aim for chair lift line. Snowboarding is an interesting activity. Its through snowboarding that our bodies are toned and at the same time getting a good cardiovascular workout. This is a sport that keeps on strengthening our heart muscles. Oxygen is excellently delivered to our muscles through snowboarding. Since snowboarding is a physically demanding activity, in one way or the other it assists us to loose weight thus lowering risks of several diseases. The warm up exercises and stretching help in burning of calories and thus such people look better than those who dont. We escape some dangerous diseases like high blood pressure and type 2diabetes. Its a sport that keeps benefiting all body parts. The exercises involved help in secretion of endorphins. This is a chemical that helps us to feel happy and more peaceful. Its even possible to sleep better after snowboarding. Once we are able to go down a given hill, there is that feeling of accomplishment and pride that there is a goal achieved. This helps a pers on to age so well. Snowboarding is a risky sport. Several people have their careers in snowboarding as skiing instructors while other design snowboards. Others have been employed as terrain park designers, event organizers, filmers, product testers, resort managers and sales material designers. Due to the risks associated through accident and personal injury, there is provision of insurance policy that deals with medical costs. Where one experiences an injury or a minor accident, compensation is always at hand. These are considered to be special benefits offering standard coverage. The skiing equipment is expensive too. Loss of this equipment may leave a person out of pocket. Thus, those in this career are provided with cover for any replacement costs. This also assists in payment of hire fees. A ski pass is not cheap too. There are several policies that have been in use in order to award compensation coverage just in case one loses the ski pass. Most importantly, the major benefit in snowboarding is t hat one can compete in organized sports and a win earns him/her the prize money.

The Depletion Of Global Oil Reserves Environmental Sciences Essay

The Depletion Of Global Oil Reserves Environmental Sciences Essay The literature review summarized the research done on the problem that global oil reserves are depleting day by day and there is a dire need to find out and utilized alternate energy options especially for a developing country. The depletion of global oil reserves has led to conflicts between the nations and soaring of prices. Oil is the main source of energy and developing countries are facing lot of problems due to shortage of oil in providing their populations better living standards. The literature also covered situation of shortage of oil reserves and energy crises consequent to it. It identifies main consumers of oil in a country and alternate energy resources that could possibly be worked on to meet the energy requirement through sources other than oil. DEPLETION OF GLOBAL OIL RESERVES The API estimated in 1999 the worlds oil supply would be depleted between 2062 and 2094, assuming total world oil reserves between 1.4 and 2 trillion barrels and consumption at 80 million barrels per day. In 2004, total world reserves were estimated to be 1.25 trillion barrels and daily consumption was about 85 million barrels, shifting the estimated oil depletion year to 2057. The US EIA predicted that world consumption of oil will increase to 98.3 million barrels per day in 2015 and 118 in 2030. With 2009 world oil consumption at 84.4, reaching the projected 2015 level of consumption would represent an average annual increase between 2009 and 2015 of 2.7% per year while EIAs own figures show declining consumption and declining supplies during the 2005-2010 period. The worlds oil supply is fixed because petroleum is naturally formed far too slowly to be replaced at the rate at which it is being extracted. Over many millions of years, plankton, bacteria, and other plant and animal matter become buried in sediments on the ocean floor. When conditions are right a lack of oxygen for decomposition, and sufficient depth and temperature of burial these organic remains are converted into petroleum compounds, while the sediment accompanying them is converted into sandstone, siltstone, and other porous sedimentary rock. When capped by impermeable rocks such as shale, salt, or igneous intrusions, they form the petroleum reservoirs which are exploited today. 3.2 ENERGY SECTOR IN PAKISTAN Energy is considered as one of the most important inputs to economic growth and development. Its consumption is also one of the significant indicators of the level of development of any country. It is now well recognized that energy services play a crucial role in enhancing social and economic development. Energy has become an engine of economic growth at local and global level. It is needed worldwide for fostering and sustaining development process perspective of developing or developed states of the economy. Keeping in view the global economic growth coupled with an increase in population, the demand for energy is bound to increase and meeting this demand poses serious challenges at the global level. In coming decades, the demand for energy is expected to grow more rapidly in developing countries. Since independence, the central thrust of Pakistans energy policy has been on augmenting the countrys energy system. As a result of significant planning and public investment, there has been substantial expansion of energy sector. Despite the significant development in the energy sector, Pakistan yet suffers from energy shortage. This situation has been increasingly viewed as a bottleneck to industrial and agricultural sectors that in turn are seen critical in stimulating the economic and social development. Being a developing country, Pakistan has faced the challenge of fueling industry and agriculture sectors adequately for meeting growth targets and providing energy at affordable prices to poor especially those living in the rural areas. The availability of energy at affordable prices can be a major factor that determines a whole array of other productive activities leading to economic growth. NATIONAL ENERGY MIX Energy sector in Pakistan comprises electricity, gas, petroleum, coal and nuclear power. The share of natural gas in primary energy supplies during 2010 reached 45 percent followed by oil (28 percent), hydro electricity (15 percent), coal (10 percent) and nuclear electricity (2 percent). As can be seen Pakistan is dependent on oil and Gas, which together contribute around 73% of the total primary energy supplied. 3.4 POWER GENERATION, SECTORAL DISTRIBUTION AND CONSUMPTION The total installed capacity generation during 2006-07, was 19,440 MW. WAPDA generated 11,363 MW of which, hydle accounts for 56.9 percent or 6,463 MW, thermal accounts for 43.1 percent or 4,900 MW. IPPs generation was 5858 (MW) which constituted 30% of total installed capacity. KESC with 1756 (MW) contributed 9.1% share and nuclear added 2.4%.Number of WAPDA consumers stood at 17 million out of which household accounted for 84%,commercial 13%and industrial and agricultural1.4%each. As on 30th June, 2007 industrial sector consumed 26%, agriculture 12%and households 43% besides commercial and others. The annual per capita electricity consumption in Pakistan is around 320kwh, and this only caters for 60 percent of the population. Forty percent of Pakistanis still have no access to electricity. There is currently load shedding of up to 700 MW a day because of shortage poor transmission capabilities. Electricity demand is expected to grow by eight per cent a year during the period 2005 2015, requiring an annual installation capacity of about 2000 MW for the next 10 years. Currently about 45% of Pakistans power supply is based on natural gas, 28% on oil, 15% on hydro and remaining on coal, nuclear and renewable electricity. Keeping in view the current power mix, it is essential to concentrate on indigenous and cost effective sources for power generation. 3.5 CURRENT ENERGY GAP IN PAKISTAN Pakistan is currently facing electricity shortfall of around 4000-9000 MW. Everyone agrees that an essential precondition for industrial development is an uninterrupted supply of power.The installed capacity for generation of electricity in the country is 11,500 MW of which 82.7 per cent was thermal; 15.3 percent was hydroelectric and 2 percent was nuclear. Pakistan needs to sustain an annual economic growth rate of at least 6 to 7 percent to alleviate poverty and realize desirable socio-economic and human development. To achieve the growth target of GDP, it is absolutely essential that the minimum electricity growth rate is maintained. The provision of adequate and reliable supply of electricity at a reasonable cost is a prerequisite to attain this goal. Power is the prime mover. Any big push of the economy would need accelerated power development. But there is a likelihood that Pakistans current economic growth might not sustain in the absence of consistent and continuous devolvement of new power projects. 3.6 REVIEW OF PAKISTANS ENERGY PORTFOLIO Looking at the power portfolio of Pakistan it looks as if we are living in an oil rich country. Presently, Pakistan has lot of oil fired power plants. Continuous hike in furnace oil prices can make them unviable in near future. But even if circumstances are not extreme, even if there are no upheavals in producing countries, no terrorist attacks and supply disruptions, the prices will keep going up. Why? Because there is a fundamental imbalance for oil in the world economy. Production is just enough to meet demand. There is no spare capacity to take care of unforeseen shutdowns, supply disruption or a further rise in demand. Such an unbalance power profile carries serious repercussions. An evenhanded power portfolio would require a fair balance among various sources of power with no excessive reliance on any. One of the few matters which must be considered in establishing the power portfolio is that excessive reliance on any single source especially foreign source on which we have no control over supply and price can make things miserable any time. Oil import bill of more than $ 7 billion or around 50% of foreign exchange reserves of a developing economy with no hopes of creating exportable surplus in the near future is undoubtedly very alarming. As 28% of the power generation is based on oil therefore any hindrance in the transportation of oil can cause severe damage to the economy. In short, time has proved that the best solution for all such problems is encouragement and development of indigenous resource. Many countries, including the developed and emerging economies, have adopted extensive programs for increasing hydle and coal based power into their energy portfolios. It would not be wrong if we say that continuous negligence of indigenous resource has made Pakistans power policy directionless. This negligence, absence of priorities and focusing on expensive foreign fuel has made cheap electricity and self reliance a day dream. Pakistan is fortunate enough to have two cheap indigenous resources for power generation i.e. water and coal. But it is sheer bad luck that we have not been able to use both of these resources effectively. Estimated coal reserves of Pakistan are around 185,175 million tons which is one of the largest coal reserves of the world whereas their utilization for electricity generation is barely ten percent. Essentially indigenous coal-based power will bring various benefits for Pakistan; first and foremost benefit would be immense savings in foreign exchange on import of expensive oil. Coal based power plants are labor intensive and will create thousands of new jobs and various other new business opportunities at plant site in particular and in Pakistan in general. ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN PAKISTAN Like any other country, energy is vital for the economic development of Pakistan. Energy should not only be available but it must be ensured that it is available at a reasonable and affordable price and with out any interruption. For a developing country, like Pakistan where the main stress is on the poverty alleviation, energy plays a positive role. It is imperative that energy production should be environment friendly. More over a mix of energy sources will be helpful in diversification of the sector and would ensure the provision of this vital resource where it is required. The stage of economic development and the standard of living of individuals in a given region strongly influence the link between economic growth and energy demand. An increased use of energy, either through natural gas or electricity, impacts favourably on the living standards of the poor as they then spend less time looking for alternative forms of fuel such as firewood. Similarly, the provision of electricity to the rural areas can help in raising productivity levels of small-scale industry thereby indirectly raising income levels and in the longer term improving the quality of life for the rural poor. Rural electrification is important because it brings to the rural areas the benefits that urban consumers take for granted -an improvement in the standard of living with the associated socio-economic benefits. Provision of electric power also has a purely economic outcome that of increasing the productive capacity of the rural areas with increases in agricultural output. 3.7 PAKISTAN ENERGY SECURITY PLAN AND ENERGY MIX Pakistan historically has been subjected to energy demand suppression due to limited supplies and lack of infrastructure development for provision of energy to the industrial sector. The non availability of sustained and affordable energy to industry has suppressed economic growth and created declining tendency for industrial investment in the country. It is now more important then ever that an adequate supply be made available to industry to drive economic growth, and create employment opportunities. Energy has also to be made available to the domestic sector and the life line segments of society to provide economic support and the convenience of clean fuel for cooking and heating and prevent the continuing environmental degradation and deforestation by massive use of wood for domestic fuel. The commercial availability to various sector of the economy will help in increasing job opportunities, enhancing agriculture productivity, improving standard of living and preserving environmen t through reducing deforestation. A long term integrated National Energy Security Plan, covering the period up to 2030 has recently been approved by the Government vide Mid Term Development Framework (MTDF). The energy sector development is aimed at (i) enhancement in the exploitation of hydropower, and exploration and production activities of oil, gas and coal resources, and to increase the share of coal and alternative energy in the overall energy mix, (ii) optimum utilization of the countrys resources base to reduce dependence on imported oil through an institutionalized strategy, (iii) creating an environment conducive to the participation of the private sector, and (iv) developing the local energy scenario in the context of regional perspective. The current energy mix includes 28 percent oil, 45 percent natural gas, 10 percent coal, 15 percent hydro and 2 percent nuclear. By 2015, the share of oil and gas is targeted to be reduced to 25 percent and 42 percent respectively with corresponding increases in the shar e of coal to 12 percent, hydro to 17.6 percent, renewable to 1 percent and nuclear to 3 percent. Over the long term, the increase in other sources of energy, has been targeted with substantial reduction in the share of oil. EXISTING ENERGY RESOURCES IN PAKISTAN THE CONVENTIONAL RESOURCES 3.8 HYDROPOWER The identified hydro power potential of Pakistan is 46,000 MW, out of which only 14 per cent (6,500 MW) has been exploited so far. Despite this big potential, no hydro power project has been established by WAPDA since Tarbela Dam. The most feasible and economical project Kala Bagh Dam has become so controversial that it could not take off though successive governments wished so. There are plans to develop the hydro resources on a large scale through storage and run -of-the-river projects. Feasibility studies of several projects have already been prepared, while studies of several additional projects are in progress or planned. Hydro is one of the major economic energy supply options in Pakistan for increasing the energy security of the country. The experts caution that for the time horizons of around 100 years, hydro storage projects are non -renewable due to the silting of these reservoirs. For example, over the last 30 years, the storage capacity of Tarbela dam has been reduced by 27 per cent due to silting. Similarly, there is a world wide concern over the dislocation of population and the environmental hazards associated with large dams. Another issue related to the hydro power is that a large number of additional sites with major potential exist in the mountainous North, but the difficulty of access and the high cost of transmission to the populous South make the idea into a completed project a distant prospect. Not only, it means additional cost to build the transmission infrastructure but at the same time a huge loss occurs during the transmission (it is estimated to be between 28 to 30 percent). Another problem is the seasonal variation, where in winter the generation is reduced due to shortage of water in the storages. However, hydro is still the most economical energy resource in Pakistan. 3.9 OIL AND GAS There are considerable oil and gas reserves in Pakistan. The crude oil reserves are estimated at 27 billion barrels including 300 million barrels proven reserves. The level of production is presently 22.6 million barrels compared with the level of consumption of 100 million barrels. The natural gas reserves are 8 trillion cubic meters including the proven reserves of 0.8 trillion cubic meters. The level of production is presently 93 million cubic meters per day compared with the level of consumption of 82 million cubic meters per day. The oil sector has all along been heavily dependant on imports of about 85 percent of the national requirement. Annually about 7.8 million tonnes of crude oil, 5.2 million tonnes of oil products and 2.8 million tonnes of coal are being imported. The local production of oil and gas would start declining due to depletion of resources. There would also be a deficit of gas unless considerable contribution is made from new discoveries. In case the gap is not met through indigenous supply, there will be need to import gas, and the requisite infrastructure would have to be placed in a timely manner. 3.10 COAL Pakistans coal resources are estimated at 185 billion tonnes (82,700 MTOE, or 2 per cent of the world coal resources), out of which 95 per cent are in the Thar coal field in Sindh. This coal is of lignite rank having high moisture content and low heating value. So far only 3.3 billion tonnes of coal resources are in the measured category, and considering a recovery factor of 60 per cent, these correspond to some 2.0 billion tonnes of recoverable coal reserves. However, this coal is equivalent to the combined oil reserves of Saudi Arabia and Iran. As part of the strategy of increasing local energy content, a major emphasis is being placed on exploiting coal resources for large-scale use in power generation, and possibly for the production of coal bed methane. 3.11 NUCLEAR ENERGY Pakistan has two nuclear power plants, Chashma-1 and Kanupp, with 300 MW and 125 MW respectively, of installed capacity. The PAEC operates both nuclear plants. Pakistan is currently working on a third nuclear power plant (Chashma-2), with the help of China National Nuclear Corporation. The plant will have 325 MW of installed capacity expected to be completed by 2012. INTRODUCTION AND DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATE ENERGY Energy is one of the most important issues for all governments world over. Developed states need energy to sustain their advanced way of life and to cater to the every-changing needs of life dictated by technology. Developing countries need energy for it is the sine qua non for development. Alternative energy has been the most recent addition to the academic and practical aspects of the energy world. The concept is relevant but its importance is absolute. Developed states have begun to manage their energy sector in an increasingly alternative energy based perspective and, this has a great lessons for a country like Pakistan which is aspiring to develop into a healthy economy with an improved quality of life for its citizens. The theory and use of alternative energy is at the most introductory stage in Pakistan. However, in terms of resources and use of alternate energy, Pakistan stands well placed to employ this novel concept in the national policy framework Alternative or renewable energy, sources show significant promise in helping to reduce the amount of toxins that are by-products of energy use. Not only do they protect against harmful by-products, but using alternative energy helps to preserve many of the natural resources that we currently use as sources of energy. The Alternate Energy Development Board (AEDB) has been established to facilitate development of renewable energy projects. At least 5 per cent of the total electricity generating capacity of the country is targeted to be based on these sources by the year 2030. To understand how alternative energy use can help preserve the delicate ecological balance of the planet, and help us conserve the non-renewable energy sources like fossil fuels, it is important to know what types of alternative energy can be brought into reality in Pakistan. Renewable sources of energy like wind power, solar, geothermal energy, wave and tidal power, biomass energy, hydrogen and fuel cells, as well as hydropower are alternatives to fossil fuel and regarded as alternative sources of energy. 3.12 WIND POWER Wind power is one of the earliest forms of energy used by humankind. Windmills were used on farms in the early part of the twentieth century to pump water and generate electricity. Now considered an alternative energy source, wind power is being harnessed by modern windmills with lighter, stronger blades. In US states such as California, New Hampshire, Oregon, and Montana, up to several hundred windmills may operate together in open areas with steady winds. Single giant windmills capable of providing electricity to several thousand homes are also operating in the United States. With new technologies being developed to improve windmill performance and efficiency, wind power is a promising, clean, cheap, and abundant source of energy for the future. The wind power captured by turbines at is a source of energy that does not harm the environment. Wind energy harnesses the power of the wind to propel the blades of wind turbines. The rotation of turbine blades is converted into electrical current by means of an electrical generator. In the older windmills, wind energy was used to turn mechanical machinery to do physical work, like crushing grain or pumping water. Wind towers are usually built together on wind farms. Now, electrical currents are harnessed by large scale wind farms that are used by national electrical grids as well as small individual turbines used for providing electricity to isolated locations or individual homes. Wind power produces no pollution that can contaminate the environment. Since no chemical processes take place, like in the burning of fossil fuels, in wind power generation, there are no harmful by-products left over. Since wind generation is a renewable source of energy, Pakistan will never run out of it. Farming and grazing can still take place on land occupied by wind turbines which can help in the production of bio-fuels. Wind farms can be built off-shore. Since 2001, global wind capacity has nearly doubled to 47,760 megawatts and is cheaper than natural gas even without subsidies; on good sites, wind is even closing in on coal. Pakistan has potentials of wind energy ranging from 10000MW, yet power generation through wind is in intiaial stages in Pakistnan and currently 06 MW has been installed in first phase in Jhampir through a Turkish company and 50 MW will be installed shortly. More wind power plants will be built in Jhampir, Gharo, Keti Bandar and Bin Qasim Karachi. 3.13 SOLAR POWER Energy from the Sun is a free, abundant, and nonpolluting source of energy. Solar power involves using solar cells to convert sunlight into electricity, using sunlight hitting solar thermal panels to convert sunlight to heat water or air. Pakistan has potential of more than 100,000 MW from solar energy. Buildinn of solar power plants is underway in Kashmir, Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan. However, private vendors are importing panels/solar water heaters for consumption in the market. Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) is working for 20,000 solar water heaters in Gilgit Baltistan. Mobile companies have been asked by theh government to shift supply of energy to their transmission towers from petroleum to solar energy panels. 3.14 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY Geothermal energy harnesses the heat energy present underneath the Earth. Hot rocks under the ground heat water to produce steam. When holes are drilled in the region, the steam that shoots up is purified and is used to drive turbines, which power electric generators. If done correctly, geothermal energy produces no harmful by-products. Once a geothermal plant is build, it is generally self-sufficient energy wise. Geothermal power plants are generally small and have little effect on the natural landscape. Geothermal energy is the natural heat generated in the interior of Earth and released from volcanoes and hot springs or from geysers that shoot out heated water and steam. Reservoirs of hot water and steam under Earths surface can be accessed by drilling through the rock layer. The naturally heated water can be used to heat buildings, while the steam can be used to generate electricity. Steam can also be produced by pumping cold water into rock that is heated by geothermal energy; such steam is then used to produce electric power. Geothermal energy is an important alternative energy source in areas of geothermal activity, including parts of the United States, Iceland, and Italy. Homes in Boise, Idaho, are heated using geothermal energy, as are most buildings in Iceland. The Geysers in California is the largest steam field in the world and has been used to produce electricity since 1960. Unlike solar energy and wind power, however, the use of geothermal energy has an environmental impact. Chemicals in the steam contribute to air pollution, and water mixed with the steam contains dissolved salts that can corrode pipes and harm aquatic ecosystems. 3.15 TIDAL AND OCEAN ENERGY The rise and fall of ocean tides contain enormous amounts of energy that can be captured to produce electricity. Tidal power cab be extracted from Moon-gravity-powered tides by locating a water turbine in a tidal current. The turbine can turn an electrical generator, or a gas compressor, that can then store energy until needed. Coastal tides are a source of clean, free, renewable, and sustainable energy. Plans are underway in Pakistan to harness tidal energy, however, no implementation has been made so far. 3.16 AGRICULTURE BIOMASS/BIODIESEL Biomass production involves using garbage or other renewable resources such as sugarcane, corn or other vegetation to generate electricity. When garbage decomposes, methane is produced and captured in pipes and later burned to produce electricity. Vegetation and wood can be burned directly to generate energy, like fossil fuels, or processed to form alcohols. Brazil has one of the largest renewable energy programs from biomass/biodiesel in the world, followed by USA. Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) of Pakistann has planned to generate 10 MW of electricity from municipal waste in Karachi followed by similar projects in twenty cities of country.

Eight Artists Address Brown v. Board of Education :: Art Exhibit

Social Studies: Eight Artists Address Brown v. Board of Education I ignore the first room, there is an African American, I assume a student, listening to his c.d. player and taking notes of the first few photographs. I am overwhelmed by this illuminating neon glow, and continue into the next room. I find that I am alone, for the most part, but I am being watched. Literally by a security camera in the southeast corner, but mostly by the oversized photographs and paintings. I feel uncomfortable and I almost want to leave, but there’s a paper that I need to write and I want to revisit some things. Something catches my eye on the northeast wall and I am reintroduced to 3 chromogenic prints from Carrie Mae Weems’s â€Å"For Roses, for Daisy,† from Days Long Forgotten. The first and last are a close aerial view of roses. I can’t tell what color they are because the photos are in black and white, but they’re still beautiful. The middle picture is somewhat larger; there are two African American children. They’re sharing a tight space, but seem to be comfortable with each other. I ask myself why Weems used black and white film, and the only thing I can think of is that the roses, no matter what their colors, are beautiful. And the children are human, which is a beauty in itself. I come to the conclusion that there isn’t a certain race that is more beautiful than another. I am white, and that is beautiful. I have friends from all sorts of ethnic backgrounds, and they are beautiful as well. I decide not to read any of the authorâ⠂¬â„¢s bios or explanations in the brochure I picked up until the end. I guess I’m afraid of judging the works before I even take a chance to look into them myself. In time a read that â€Å"For Rosa, for Daisy,† â€Å"forgoes the imagery of struggle in favor of a pastoral iconography of flowers and children†¦ [The photos] offer an idyllic world of private beauty and repose that contrasts with the public record of strife and oppression† (O’Brien, 5). In her series â€Å"May Days Forgotten† she photographs the girls inside of nature, sometimes in floral prints. I find that her ideas to combine the aspects of natural beauty, from the girls to the flowers and to nature, are breathtaking.

The Return :: essays research papers

The Return Essay   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The novel The Return, written by Sonia Levitin, is a fascinating novel written to show the oppression that Ethiopian Jews suffer. The Return is about a young Ethiopian Jewish woman named Desta, who, with her immediate family, travels to Israel for freedom. During this journey, her brother Joas is shot and dies, she has difficulty finding the group she is supposed to walk with, and she has to stay in a refugee camp for a short period of time. Finally, she reaches her destination and lives in Israel from then on. There are three main topics illustrated in this novel. Prejudice and its effects, maturing and finding one’s own identity, and joining together to achieve common goals.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Prejudice against Ethiopian Jews plays a big role in the Jews’ lives. For example, early on in the novel, Joas makes Desta realize that Ethiopian Jews are not even allowed to pray aloud. This relates to prejudice and its effects because praying aloud is very important for Jews and taking that away from them is the ultimate form of oppression. Furthermore, the novel explains that Ethiopian Jews are called Falasha (strangers) even though they have lived in Ethiopia for generations and are citizens. This is an example of the prejudice because calling an entire section of the population strangers makes them feel like outsiders. Also, when Desta and her aunt want to sell their pottery, the other Ethiopians pay them an unfair price. The prejudice against Ethiopian Jews is illustrated by the fact that non-Jewish Ethiopians cheat Jewish Ethiopians in commerce. Finally, when Desta and Almaz go to a small town on the way to Israel, the people of the town begin shouti ng at them, â€Å"You are buda, go before we kill you!† The people also refuse to give them food even though they are obviously starving. This episode in the novel shows the racial hatred felt by many against Jews.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  During the journey to Israel, maturing and finding one’s own identity plays a big part in Desta’s and her family’s lives. For example, when Joas is shot, Desta has to take care of her younger sister and lead the way to Israel. This shows maturing on Desta’s part because now she is the one in charge, she is able to take care of her younger sister and get food so that she and her sister do not starve and she never gives up on going to Israel.

Common Sense vs Sociological Sense Essay -- Sociology Analysis

A wide range of people all over the world inaccurately come to the conclusion that sociology is merely, ‘the study of the obvious’ and the application of common sense, this statement could not be further from the truth. Common sense derives from statements such as, ‘opposites attract’, however the Sociological sense takes this belief and carries out numerous tests to discover whether it is fact, or fiction. Bauman regards common sense knowledge and common sense understandings as powerful social mechanisms which can fundamentally shape attitudes about the world in which humans live. Sociology is the ‘social science’ that studies human behaviour and characteristics based on their development within society. Common sense however is, what a person has learnt from society due to them being socialised. Michael Jacobson illustrates Bauman’s opinion of common sense, ‘Defamiliarization shatters the impenetrable walls of common sense that prevents us from experiencing and understanding the world anew’. Bauman’s argument depicts that humans have grown with society’s changes and are now dependent upon ‘common sense’ due to the lack of interest in exploring the world they live in at greater depths. This is reiterated further as Jacobson continues to exemplify Bauman’s argument, ‘he always points to the yet undiscovered human p otential and the – in principle- unlimited possibilities waiting to be uncovered by humanity beyond the constraining confines of common sense’. Bauman persistently disputes that if the human race was to distance themselves from any beliefs they have heard, or have been raised with, that are originated from common sense they would discover a world of greater potential. I have looked at three articles based on educatio... ...at life from unexpected and unexplored angles, constructing the well known as strange’. This strategy forms the link between the sociological sense and common sense. Common sense expects the individual to believe in society’s concepts and not further their own understanding by deciphering a certain belief as a sociologist. For instance the common sense belief that opposites attract, when scrutinized it seems that people are more likely to seem attractive if they share things in common with another person than if they had very different beliefs. This is the concept of sociology according to Bauman. Works Cited Hurd, G.E & Johnson, T.J (1963) Education and Development. Journal of The Sociological Review. Vol 15, No.1, pp59-7. Jacobsen, M.H and Poder, P. (eds). (2008). The sociology of Zygmunt Bauman: challenges and critique . Ashgate: Ashgate Publishing Ltd

Local and Foreign Entertainment Appreciation Essay

Our topic for research is about â€Å"Level of Appreciation of Filipino Teenagers between Foreign Entertainment and Local Entertainment in terms of Television Shows.† Nowadays, people have different ways of entertaining themselves. Entertainment consists of any activity affording pleasure, diversion, or amusement. Entertainment can be in passive such as watching movies or active forms such as sports. It also provides a lot of fun and enjoyment. In today’s technologically advanced living style, people have no time to spend for leisure. Life is too fast and the people have little time to spend with their friends and family. Unlike the good old days where people used to work and relax, go back home and have a good time with the friends, people nowadays tend to move with the work. Entertainment has an important role in socialization, relaxation, family ties, community structure and forms of expression beyond sheer logic. It strengthens the emotional ties between individuals and around groups of individuals. A well rounded individual, and also society as a whole, benefits from many activities and interest beyond those just needed to provide food and shelter. One form of entertainment is mass media. Mass media refers collectively to all media technologies which are used for mass communications (delivering messages to a large audience), and to the organizations which control these technologies. Included in this collection is television. Television nowadays has a great effect, especially in entertainment. As stated in previous paragraphs, entertainment has a lot of importance and it is expressed in many ways. Also, it can influence the lives of the people, especially in terms of our country, which may be considered a small country in some terms. There is no doubt that we can see a trend towards a global culture but westerns dominate. Our traditional culture is overwhelmed by the â€Å"Western† kinds of entertainments in our country, especially when it comes to television shows. It is obvious that poor countries do not have adequate resources like skills, technology, funds and human resources to develop their own high quality TV programs. Due to these limitations of local production, educated people may complaint more about inappropriate supplies. At the same time the lower educated people and children accept the harmful culture directly. On the other hand, if majority imported shows and entertainments still dominate the whole market, it will affect the creative ideas by native talented producers because of limited resources. This will show now if a student chooses our locally-made television shows or those famous shows in abroad.