Revolution from Within free essay sample

An analysis of the main character from Lorraine Hansberrys A Raisin In The Sun. This paper discusses the archetype of the emasculated, angry black man as set forth by Larry Neal in his essay, The Black Arts Movement, and applies this archetype to the character of Walter in Lorraine Hansberrys A Raisin In The Sun. In his essay, The Black Arts Movement, Larry Neal discusses how in literature the Black man is both an object of love and hate by the black women in his life. (1966). Neal says that in African-American literature of previous decades the strong Black mother was the object of awe and respect. But in the new literature, her status is ambivalent and laced with tension (1970). Her status is called in to question because of the resentment of her son. The son feels like he is emasculated like his father, because his mother, and later on his wife, is the economic provider for the family (1970). We will write a custom essay sample on Revolution from Within or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Neal says that the only way for a man to reclaim his masculinity is through revolution. It either must be an actual blood revolution, or one that psychically redirects the energy of the oppressed (1971).

Minimize vs. Reduce

Minimize vs. Reduce Minimize vs. Reduce Minimize vs. Reduce By Maeve Maddox A reader feels there’s a difference between the words minimize and reduce: Writers often use minimize to mean reduce. To minimize something is to reduce it to the smallest amount or degree. To reduce something is simply to make it smaller. He offers two examples of perceived misuse of the word minimize and draws a distinction: This tactic could minimize in-study deaths and, if ineffective, clear the path for more rapid investigation of other interventions. (NY Times).† â€Å"[Y]ou can actually boost your returns while at the same time minimize your risk by incorporating some simple option strategies. (NASDAQ site.)† In each example, the recommendation reduces a negative consequence, but it doesnt necessarily minimize it, because other negative consequences might exist. This may seem like a nuanced distinction, but it makes a degree of difference! My two main dictionaries give these definitions: OED minimize verb: To reduce (especially, something unwanted or unpleasant) to the smallest possible amount, extent, or degree. reduce verb: to make smaller, diminish. Merriam-Webster minimize verb: to reduce to the smallest possible number, degree, or extent. reduce verb: to diminish in size, amount, extent, or number; make smaller. In certain contexts, such as losing weight, lowering a price, or bringing a liquid to a smaller volume, reduce is the only choice. In other contexts, however, minimize and reduce are synonymous. The Oxford American Writer’s Thesaurus lists reduce among synonyms for minimize and minimize among those for reduce. The use of both words is tracked from 1800 on the Ngram Viewer, but minimize is rare until the beginning of the twentieth century. Reduce remains the more common word on the Viewer and in a Google search. Here are some other words and phrases that express degrees of diminishment: bring down contract [kon-TRACT] curtail cut, cut back decrease diminish keep down keep to a minimum lower make smaller narrow prune shrink shorten slim, slim down trim Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Misused Words category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Passed vs PastThe Letter "Z" Will Be Removed from the English AlphabetCharles's Pen and Jesus' Name

Gerlach & Ely Model of ID Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Gerlach & Ely Model of ID - Essay Example The content of the course is often established through a standard curriculum thus needs no assessment. In addition, since the model was designed with teachers in mind, who are expected to know their students and the setting of learning process, no learner or context analyses are included (Orellena, Hudgins and Simonson, 2009). Instructional design, according to Gerlach and Ely, recognize teachers. Most teachers think about their courses first and foremost in terms of context, not the course objectives. The first step in Gerlach and Ely’s ID model is to describe an interactive process of examining content and generating objectives. In addition, the model also highlights the importance of assessing entry behaviors as its second step. The last step involves five interactive and simultaneous procedures: determine strategy, organize groups, allocate time, allocate space and finally, select resources. These steps are followed by a performance evaluation and a feedback analysis step. The following is a brief summary of the steps to be followed in the Gerlach and Ely ID model. The first step involves the specification of objectives. The teacher specifies behaviors in terms of what the learners should be able to do at specified points along the instructional continuum. The next steps to be followed include: specification of content, assessment of entry behaviors, determination of strategy and techniques and organization of groups (Bruce, Ledford and Sleeman, 2001). In the step of organizing the group, it is important to note that the objectives determine the group size. Several questions might be asked during this step, for instance, which objectives can be reached by the learners on their own? Which objectives can be achieved through interaction among learners? Which objectives can be achieved through formal presentation by the teacher and through interaction between the learner and the

Systematic Review of Research on Prepubescent Sexual Activity and Paper

Systematic Review of on Prepubescent Sexual Activity and Subsequent Abnormal PAP Smears (CIN cells) - Research Paper Example It shall first present a description of the current practice in the clinical unit, including its related policies, procedures, guidelines, reporting mechanisms, and the literature underpinning its practice. Then a comprehensive overview of a systematic review of a study related to drugs and alcohol and their relation to depression shall be presented. Two appraisal guidelines which can be used to appraise the systematic review shall be critically discussed. Similarities and differences between these guidelines shall be included. Finally, based on evidence discussed in the systematic review, advice and recommendations in my area of practice shall be forwarded. These recommendations shall be explained in relation to relevant literature. This study is being undertaken in order to establish a critical and comprehensive assessment of the current subject matter and nursing/midwifery practice. Body Brief description of unit The current practice in my clinical unit as a nurse is on dealing wi th alcohol and drug abuse patients who have a history of prepubescent sexual abuse. We routinely carry out PAP smears on these patients and find many of them to be positive for precancerous CIN cells. Many of them are also found to be depressed. Nurses who are working in units with alcohol and drug patients are involved with patients who usually have had a history of using drug and alcohol abuse. Patients in this unit are those who have used tobacco, alcohol, prescribed drugs, illicit drugs, amphetamines and cannabis, and a combination of drugs and alcohol. Nurses are the most numerous members of the health care profession and are often the ones who spend the most time with the patients. As such, they have to be equipped with the skills and the expertise in order to guide their patients towards full recovery. Working with drug and alcohol patients is a role of the advanced nurse practitioner. Advanced nurse practitioners are registered nurses who are educated and authorized to perfo rm duties autonomously and in coordination with other nurses in the advanced clinical setting (Ling, 2007). It includes the process of assessment and management of clients using skills and knowledge which may include the direct referral of patients to other health professionals, prescribing medications, and ordering further diagnostic tests (Ling, 2007). In the clinical setting where I work, we usually receive drug and alcohol patients. Upon meeting them, an overall initial assessment is carried out on these patients, including an assessment of the way they talk, the way they talk, their mannerisms, their physical demeanor, and similar qualities. An interview would then follow with the end goal of gathering as much information as possible about the patient’s history, as well as their living conditions, their eating, alcohol, drug, and possibly other habits impacting on their health. This assessment process would determine the next steps for the nurse and the patient – whether more diagnostic tests need to be undertaken, whether there is a need to refer the patient to a therapist, and whether or not the patient needs to be assessed for depression. Since this unit is involved in carrying out PAP smears, the PAP smear shall be scheduled for the patient after proper consent forms are signed and filled up. As an advanced practice nurse in the clinical unit, the role as counselor also sets in, especially if these patients are also depressed. The

Online Shopping in Thailand Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Online Shopping in Thailand - Research Proposal Example Therefore it has become necessary to conceptualize a online shopping mode that suits the Thai culture and satisfies most of the needs of the consumers. The present study intends to do so through quantitative methodology by undertaking survey through questionnaires and perform parallel research so as to collect information regarding their problems and requirements in the online shopping that may encourage them to make online purchases. The collected data further will be compiled and analyzed in tabulated format to arrive at a formidable conclusion and recommendations for conceptualizing online shopping in Thailand. The use of internet has increased to such an extent that most of the activities are performed online. Ho and Wu (1999) mentioned that the World Wide Web (WWW) users have been multiplying rapidly and have widely spread into all walks of life.1 Hsi -Jui Wu and Li (n.d.) also mentions that the progress and popularization of information technology and internet has led to enormous growth in the global ecommerce market. It is further stated that volume of B2C e-commerce sales will increase 23.3% annually in Asia Pacific Region and will reach $16.87 billion in 2011. Countries like Japan and Korea, who are having experience in B2C ecommerce markets, are facing stiff challenges from developing countries like India, China, Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia.2 Orton and Windham (2000) pointed out that Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore and Taiwan are the broad regions in Asia and the Pacific where 94 percent of the online sales are through Japan, Korea and Australia which suggests that the people in the other parts are not so user friendly and do not trust in online shopping.3 According to National Statistical Office, there were about 928,000 computers in use in Thai households during 2001 which is equivalent to 5.75 computers per 100 households and it was also found that there were an about 3.54 million internet user which is 3.83 times the number of computer owners which means that most users access internet through homes, offices, caf, etc.4 Laosethakul and Boulton (2005) stated that Thailand with a population of 66 million had seen a steady growth in the number of internet users from 4.8 million in 2002 to 7 million in 2004 which propelled the volume of ecommerce sales in Thailand to US$ 500 million in 2003 and US $750 million in 2004. However, the Thailand Internet User Profile 2004 Survey reported top four reasons stopping the consumers to shop online which were the trust as they cannot see/feel the products, distrust for online merchandisers, unwillingness to reveal the details of credit card, and slow processes along with computer viruses and slow internet speed.5 So in future any companies planning to develop an online shopping portal for the Thai consumers, the above problems need to be addressed. Laosethakul et al (2007) states that Thai consumers are still practicing the traditional shopping due its convenience associated

Social Media And The Small Business

Social Media And The Small Business Social media has gained significant momentum as a business tool in the past five years. In the following study will analyze how selected small businesses currently use social media, how the businesses may expand the use of the social media medium and precautions small businesses should consider when utilizing social media. The business owners interviewed for the research study vary in their product and service offerings: personal training, music, systems consulting and a karaoke machine retailer. The conclusion of the research will include recommendations for how small businesses may consider the utilization of social media as a strategy to gain or maintain competitive advantage. Social Media and the Small Business Purpose of the Report Social media outlets such as Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace and Twitter have widespread, worldwide popularity. According to Facebooks Press Room statistics, there are over 300 million Facebook active users worldwide, and more than six billion minutes are spent each day, by users, online (Facebook, 2009). The allure of social networking is tremendous, making it possible for people to connect globally, with ease and free of charge. Many small businesses utilize social media as a marketing tool because it costs nothing and it reaches a large audience. The purpose of this study is to reveal the strategic implications social media and networking provide for small businesses seeking competitive advantage. The research team will first analyze how social media advertising differs from traditional marketing and advertising. Interviews conducted with four small businesses, currently using social media sites, will identify how they currently use social media in terms of marketing. The conclusion o f the report will include recommendations for how small businesses should utilize social media for competitive advantage. Background of the Topic In order to conduct a study on social media and networking, the concept of social media and social networking must first be defined. S. Boyd, of Socialmedia.biz states, Social Media are those forms of publishing that are based on a dynamic interaction, a conversation, between the author and active readers, in contrast with traditional broadcast media where the audience is a passive consumer of content' (Boyd, 2009). Through the social media platforms, such as Facebook.com, MySpace.com, LinkedIn.com, and Twitter.com, users create connections, or networks, as further explained by Laudon, Social networking is the practice of expanding the number of ones business or social contacts by making connections through individuals. Social networking sites link people through their mutual business or personal connections, enabling then to mine the friends (and their friends friends) for sales leads, job-hunting tips, or new friends. MySpace.com. Facebook.com, and Friendster.com are for people who are primarily interested in extending their friendships, while LinkedIn.com focuses on job networking (Laudon, 2009, p. 417). Social networking stems from a persons desire to connect and interact with others who may be related or share similar interests. Private and public forums were the first form of social networking on the Internet (Borders, 2009). Created in the 1990s, they quickly grew in popularity, spurring millions of community sites where people logged in and conducted discussions, typically around specific topics of a special interest website. Around the same time, real-time chat applications came into play, like ICQ and AOL instant messenger. The real-time chat option required users to log onto a website or download an application to talk to other people who were online at the same time. Blogging gained popularity as well, and these online diaries were put on sites like LiveJournal.com and WordPress.com. In the late 1990s, SixDegrees introduced the first social networking website that allowed the user to create a profile and trace friendships through people (Borders, 2009). SixDegrees premise was that individuals are all connected to each other somehow though direct and indirect relationships. By connecting with friends and family, then connecting with friends of friends and family members, the platform enabled users to meet new friends and potential love interests through a network. It had short-lived popularity, followed closely by Friendster in 2002, an online community that connects people through networks of friends for dating or making new friends. (Borders, 2009). Since its conception, Friendster has become well known in the Asian communities, and in the United States newer social media forms have replaced it, such as MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn and, more recently, Twitter. The popularity of a given social media site and the abandonment of another appears to be connected to a sites functionality. Six Degrees gave way to Friendster, which was then replaced by MySpace because the earlier social media platforms had slow server speeds, and once the initial novelty of connecting with friends and family wore off, there was little else to do on the sites. With both Six Degrees and Friendster, users lost interest. MySpace and, later, Facebook offered more, not only to individuals, but functions that businesses could utilize for little to no cost. MySpace.com launched in January 2004, and now has over 65 million users in the U.S. alone. According to the creators of MySpace.com, it is a technology company connecting people through personal expression, content, and culture. MySpace empowers its global community to experience the Internet through a social lens by integrating personal profiles, photos, videos, mobile, messaging, games and the worlds largest music community. MySpace was the first site to allow users to explore public profiles, and users could utilize it as a virtual bulletin board to post information, pictures, music and video. Like Friendster, MySpace offers its users the ability to customize their personal pages, making the site very popular among teenagers and those in their twenties. As a business platform, bands and filmmakers use the site because of its ability to post material and get instantaneous feedback from known and unknown MySpace users. In less than three years, it became one of the most popular webs ites on the World Wide Web (Random History, No Author, 2008). TheFacebook.com also started in 2004 at Harvard University, as a personal network between students. It quickly extended to other universities and then in 2005, it became Facebook.com, garnering worldwide recognition. Facebook appeals to a different audience than MySpace, focusing on navigation capabilities and a uniform appearance in contrast to the high degree of variability displayed on MySpace. Users have access to free games, videos, links, and fan pages that continue to grow daily. The companys overview states, Facebooks mission is to give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected. Millions of people use Facebook everyday to keep up with friends, upload an unlimited number of photos, share links and videos, and learn more about the people they meet. Fan pages are becoming increasingly popular on the Facebook site. This is a page made by a business, cause, or individual that users may connect to as a fan. The fan page is then displayed through an indivi duals profile to his connections, and that individual may encourage his connections to also connect to the fan page. A fan page allows for an individual to post information about her business separately from her personal page. For users in search of a business networking platform, LinkedIn.com is a professional social media website. First launched in 2003, users may add business contacts, provide recommendations and create a strong business network. The LinkedIn mission states, Relationships Matter and that Your professional network of trusted contacts gives you an advantage in your career, and is one of your most valuable assets (LinkedIn, 2009). LinkedIn provides value to the small business because it allows for an individual to share professional information with people he does business with, and make contacts with an associates network through introductions or an InMail function. Twitter.com is a combination of previous networking sites. It is a mini blog that has the ability of active updating to Facebook, which also has SMS or instant-messaging capabilities. The original concept of Twitter was initially inspired by the concept of an away-message merged with the freedom and mobility of [Short Messaging Service] SMS. Twitter began as an experiment in 2006. When value as an instant communication network during shared events like earthquakes, conferences, and festivals emerged, Twitter began to grow (Milstein, 2009). The goal of a tweet is to get a point across in 140 characters. Twitter allows individuals and businesses to broadcast an announcement or status in real time. It enables users to pick whos information they want to follow, who they want to allow to follow them, and if they want to be a part of any groups that they might find interesting. MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter are just a sample of social media formats available to todays Internet users. Through social media, individuals and businesses find a way to connect on a virtual platform. People spend hours surfing pages, checking out other members, and exchanging messages and they reveal a great deal of information about themselves. Businesses harvest this information to create carefully targeted promotions that far surpass the typical text and display ads found on the web. They also use the sites to interact with potential customers. The ability to deliver digital goods and digital content over the Web has created a new alternative to traditional print publications and broadcast media (Laudon, 2009, p. 417). For the analysis of how small businesses may use social networking, MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter are the focus in this study. Discussion of Current Issues Social media is a popular marketing medium for small businesses because it costs little to nothing. A. Gooding, owner of Inspire Fitness, states that she chooses her advertising media based on anything that is free. I use Facebook, word of mouth, and I write a column for our local paper. I have handed out fliers at schools, and I have had a booth at a local health fair. Im also a contestant for Best of Western Washington, personal trainers, and even if I dont win, its great publicity (Appendix A). When asked about how he advertises, Rex James Bands co-founder, D. Powell replied, Were doing [Facebook], Hotmail, [MySpace], newsletter, website, Sonic Bids for bands, help you get bids, help you update your calendar. Artist Direct just recently currently in BETA currently free, they have a lot of cool tools to format calendar and they update [Facebook] and [MySpace] for you one stop shop. (Appendix D). For R. Mickler of Mickler and Associates, I chose Twitter because of its phenom-qua lity and its growth its fairly popular and has the greatest sticking power out of all of them, I think. I chose LinkedIn because its a more professional site than Facebook, and conveys the professional information in a way that I can control (Appendix C). Small businesses have limited advertising budgets, and social media provides a free venue for marketing. In addition to being free, social media provides an interactive forum for the small business to meet its customers. In traditional advertising, the advertiser broadcasts to an audience, but does not get immediate feedback. Social media facilitates a conversation between the small business and its customers. It is through these conversations that social media provides a business to consumer electronic commerce (B2C). B2C involves retailing products and services to individual shoppers (Laudon 2009, p. 420). Social media provides a forum where businesses may start a conversation with potential clients, creating a relationship that allows for both the business and customer to decide if and when they will do business together. Unlike large businesses, a small business may not have the capacity to serve a large customer base. When asked about his business growth, Mickler responded, Ill start from 2004 I acquire about 7-10 additional customers a year (roughly a 15-20% growth rate) and thats been fairly consistent. Growth rate is tricky for a company my size: too much growth and Id have to hire a staff, and thats not in my business plan; too little growth and I cant keep up with attrition and my competitors. Generally, 20-percent of my customer base are cornerstone assets that I spend my most time with. The other eighty-percent are potentially new cornerstones (Appendix C). A business like Mickler and Associates must be able to be selective about who it sends its marketing message to, because the businesss size limits the number of clients who may be helped at any given time. In traditional advertising, a marketing message is broadcast through radio, television or print. In the past, to prevent an overwhelmi ng response to advertising, a small business may have selected a direct marketing campaign to communicate with past and potential clients. Social media allows businesses to decide whom they want to advertise to, essentially picking out their niche market. On Facebook through a profile they can provide information to friends family, with the creation of a fan page they can push it a bit further as friends of friends view profiles. Twitter allows a business to be selective on who gets messages, or a business can join groups to help get their name out there. LinkedIn allows businesses to connect through their colleagues, so that they are only offering their services to those already a part of their network. Growth is not the only element a small business may want to control. If an individual starts a home-based business, the business owner wants to know her clients. Social media provides a means to communicate directly with friends and friends friends, rather than casting a wide net. According to A. Gooding, Because I have a gym studio in my house, I am very careful with whom I hire as clients. Therefore, I would much rather market to those who I know, in hopes they know someone who needs a personal trainer (Appendix A). Gooding created a fan page on Facebook and invited her friends and family members to connect to the page. As friends of friends also connected to the page, she could learn more about the potential clients by looking at their profile information or asking friends and family about the person. For a small business that wants more exposure, search engine optimization (SEO) is a benefit of social media presence. Search engines started on the Internet as simple keyword indexes of all the pages they visited (Laudon 2009, p. 293). In 1998, the launch of Google introduced a new facet to the index, This search engine was different; Not only did it index each Web pages words but it also ranked search results based on the relevance of each page (Laudon 2009, p. 293). As search engines continue to evolve, small businesses benefit from appearing in unsponsored search links (links that were not paid for), because the more presence a small business has on the Internet, the more likely it will appear in a keyword search. The Rex James Band recognizes the benefit of more exposure, The more places your music and keywords are on the Internet, the better chance people will find you on the Internet and search engines can correctly categorize your website with the keywords when people do sear ches, this is all part of a technique that large companies spend millions on each year to increase their search engine ratings (Appendix D). We see this in Russell Micklers experience as well, Its very useful. Content pushes more search engine results my way, making me look like a good authority, and that improves people finding me on the web (Appendix C). The small business owners interviewed for this study largely described the benefits of social networking, but there are negative aspects in the utilization of social media. L. Nguyen of VitekUSA explains why he will not use MySpace, There are just too many ads on that people dont pay attention to any type of advertisement. I believe people are programmed to filter out any type of ads on MySpace (Appendix B). The sites, while free for users, need to make money to support growth and development. One key way the online social media sites make money is through paid advertising. On MySpace, animated banner ads run along the top and side of a users profile. As a result, the user is bombarded with advertisements, and eventually learns to ignore them. Nguyens concern raises the question regarding how long it will be before Facebook users ignore business fan pages, because the person feels bombarded with marketing messages. Nguyen states that he feels multi-level networking is the best busine ss model, but when asked if he would expand his use of social media, he replies, My long term advertising strategy is to push more advertisement on forums and blogs that has to do with karaoke, less of social media (Appendix B). Another negative aspect of social media is the potential loss of an individuals privacy because much of the information placed on a social media web site is publically available through search engines. R. Siciliano, an internet security analyst, writes, Privacy issues and identity theft in social media are a growing concern. Most people who post their personal information about themselves do not recognize the potential consequences of their actions, or maybe they simply dont care if their entire life is an open book (Siciliano, Huffington Post, 2009). Gooding mentioned that her use of advertising on Facebook is strictly targeted towards friends and friends friends, because she conducts business from a home-based gym. However, friends of friends friends also have the ability to view some content she posts, diminishing the security of her page, should she use her personal page to promote her business. To limit the information available to those interested in her business, Gooding creat ed an Inspire Fitness fan page. Fan pages allow anyone who is interested to link to a companys profile, but not access an individuals personal information. Finally, there is the risk of misleading or controversial information on social media sites that may present risks to a business. Social media is largely unregulated. Users of Twitter, for example, may face lost business or legal troubles if a disgruntled client voices an opinion that is defamatory. Entertainer, Courtney Love, is being sued by a clothing designer for posting 140 character rants about the designer, including name calling such as liar and thief. The designer alleges her business has suffered due to Loves posts (Reuters, March 2009). And, while Facebook and MySpace creators encourage users to report abuse of the sites, it does not prevent the presence of controversial content. [MySpace has] many teenage subscribers [who] post suggestive photos of themselves and lie about their age. About one-fourth of all MySpace users are registered as minors under 18 years of age, but that number could be larger. Parents, politicians, and police worry that sexual predators use MySpace to stalk potential victims (Laudon, 2009, 418). Recommendations The interactive relationships developed between customers and businesses through social media provide businesses with a competitive advantage. When used wisely, social media enables the small business to gather information about and respond to customer needs faster than through traditional marketing. The key to obtaining and maintaining competitive advantage through social media is to find a medium that is manageable and positively reflects the product or service offered. When a business does not select the correct venue, the advertising may lose value or tarnish a companys image. For the Rex James Band, MySpace provides a platform for sharing music and allows the band to interact with its fans. It appeals to a twenty-something audience, as well as other bands and entertainers. But, because of the ability to post messages on a connections page, businesses that use MySpace and Facebook must monitor their pages frequently, and remove posts that may offend or dissuade potential customer s. A high-traffic, highly interactive platform like MySpace or Facebook would not work for a professional service, like Mickler and Associates, who may desire testimonials, but not a steady stream wall posts that require frequent attention. Mickler wisely selected LinkedIn to reflect his business image of professionalism and uses Twitter as a real-time interactive tool to engage current and potential customers. Once a small business selects an appropriate social media platform, it should make initial connections with people already familiar with the company or product. If a small business asks current customers to add the fan page to their social media, not only will other customers see it, but their friends and other contacts will see it as well. This phenomenon of obtaining business through social networking is called word-by-mouse rather then word-of-mouth advertising. D. Scott, author of Viral Marketing Success explains Word-of-mouse is the single most empowering tool available to marketers today (Scott 2008, p. 8). He provides an example of how the process worked for the opening of the new Harry Potter theme park for Universal Orlando. C. Gordon, the Vice President of New Media and Marketing Partnerships, did not broadcast the event in a traditional manner through television or print. Gordon and her counterpart at Warner Bros. chose to launch The Wizarding World of Harry Potter by firs t telling the exciting news to a very small group of rabid fanThese seven [fans] were invited to participate in a top-secret Webcast held at midnight on May 31, 2007. (Scott, 2008, p. 6 7). By relaying the announcement through seven die-hard fans, then family and friends, previous customers and bloggers, Gordon reached an audience 350 million through social media. Powell describes how word of mouse benefits Rex James on MySpace, You can get new contacts without spending any effort, people will find you if you are participating in the same circles, and with a little bit of effort you can build your friend lists greatly in a short time (Appendix D). A business owner must make the decision on how much or how little online exposure he desires to obtain. On Facebook, business owners may elect to steer current and potential customers to a fan page. The fan page gains a following through word-of-mouse networking, and a dedicated business page will keep the focus on the business, rather than the business owners personal information. Social media users must also remember that once they publicize their pages, it is open to anyone that performs a web search. For example, when performing a search for Inspire Fitness on Facebook, both the Inspire Fitness fan page and Goodings personal page appear in the search results. If Gooding prefers to be excluded from the search results, she would need to remove all references to Inspire Fitness on her personal page. Business owners should perform frequent searches on Google and Yahoo search engines to observe what content are in the public forums. A business owner may also elect to receive email or mobile text alerts when their name or their business name makes a new appearance in a search engine. For a new business trying to create a presence on social media site, like Twitter, online resources can help. Geekpreneurs Geeks Guide to Promoting Yourself with Twitter, provides several tips for obtaining followers, and driving followers to the business web page. When asked if he would explore social media options beyond Facebook, L. Nguyen responded, My long term advertising strategy is to push more advertisement on forums and blogs that has to do with karaoke, less of social media (Appendix B). Rather than abandoning social media, Nguyen should consider establishing a website and utilize Twitter to drive business to him. A savvy business owner understands that the social networking mediums are ever-evolving. According to d. boyd, Online communities are more like nation-states than technological tools. There is a master behind the architecture, a master who controls the walls of the system and can wage war on her/his people at any point. People know this. They have to trust that the creators have their best intentions in mind. They invest a lot of time and energy into creating an identity in the system they want to believe that it is worth it (boyd, 2006). If a social media site fails to meet the changing expectations of its users, people will move on to another medium that serves their needs. For the small business, depending on social media to obtain and retain customers, it is important to watch the interaction between the creators of the media sites and the users. A small business should not count on any one platform to carry its marketing message because social media sites will come and go. Conclusion The initial intent of this study was to find ways social media could help small businesses compete with larger businesses. As the research progressed, the project team realized small businesses do not typically want to compete with larger businesses, but social media gives them key advantages in their target markets. Some of the businesses interviewed had already found appropriate social media platforms, experiencing success in reaching their intended customers. For businesses not connecting with their target audiences to the degree desired, the recommendations resulting from the project teams research may provide social media solutions not previously explored. Regardless of the solution selection, small businesses must be flexible, as new technology and online platforms evolve rapidly. While social medias advertising benefits small businesses through low or no-cost marketing, it should still only be a small part of what makes up a larger marketing plan. Through the project teams res earch, the study concludes that the best business practice is to find multiple ways to connect to customers and always deliver on the companys promise.

Legalizing Marijuana :: The United States Should Legalize Marijuana

Marijuana is a misunderstood drug that is thought of as dangerous, when in fact it is in anything but. Because of people’s ignorance and gullibility marijuana has become illegal for all the wrong reasons and should highly be reconsidered for legalization. For centuries, marijuana has been used by different nationalities of people for religious, recreational, and medical use. Marijuana has been legalized in such European countries as Holland and Belgium. Civil Liberties on the Internet has quoted Great Britain’s Guardian saying, â€Å"Italy, Spain and Portugal are reported to be considering similar moves for cannabis" (Europe Goes To Pot) So why is the legalization of marijuana in the United States such a problem for many people today? Considered to be a gateway drug and the reason for the downfall of our youth today, marijuana has developed a negative reputation. Lester Grinspoon, a professor at Harvard University, states, â€Å"Few drugs in the United States ha ve produced as much affective heat as marijuana, particularly during the last decade. The controversy essentially revolves around the question of how dangerous or safe the drug is† (Grinspoon, 1). However, many people are chronic users and believe that this drug is no more harmful than smoking cigarettes. Despite its useful medical effects for relieving pain and nausea, marijuana is a psychedelic drug that will be looked down upon because of false claims about it. Marijuana is a dried leaf from the top of the hemp plant. This plant is able to reach a height of 16 to 20 feet high, depending on climate conditions. Producing both male and female plants, the male plant is thought to have little effect when used for intoxication. With a hollow stem, the female marijuana plant can have seven to eleven leaves and a very strong odor. The part of the marijuana plant that is responsible for intoxication is the sticky, golden resin, which contains the highest amounts of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Expomed dot COM has done further study of marijuana and states, â€Å"Tetrahydrocannabinol is generally accepted to be the principle active component- in marijuana, although other cannabinoids are likely to contribute to the physiological activity of marijuana† (Tetrahydrocannabinol, THC) Other parts of the female marijuana plant may contain THC, but more investigation will be needed to determine its potency. Greater intoxication is determined by t he amount of resin in the plant.

The Effects of Junk Food on Health

The Effects of Junk Food on Health Junk foods are deemed to be trash foods as they are high in fat, sodium  and sugar. The apparent effect of junk food can lead to obesity and a range of attendant health problems, including diabetes, heart disease and arthritis. Majority of junk food choices do not deliver beneficial nutritional values. Here are the facts about  how excessive junk food consumption affects your body. First of all, junk food doesn't contain the nutrients your body needs to stay healthy. As a result, you may feel chronically fatigued and lack the energy you need to complete daily tasks.The high levels of sugar in junk food puts your metabolism under stress; when you eat refined sugar, your pancreas secretes high amounts of insulin to prevent a dangerous spike in blood sugar levels. Also, you can be less focused with anything you undertake at work and home because what you are acquiring from junk foods are mere fats, not healthy ingredients. Also, you will experience lack of important oxygen that eventually result to poor brain functioning. In fact, junk food will cause our body lacking of energy and less concentration and focus when doing work. Next, junk food contributes obesity.Junk food contains large amounts of fat, and as fat accumulates in your body, you'll gain weight and could become obese. The more weight you gain, the more you'll be at risk for serious chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease and arthritis. The high levels of fat and sodium in junk food can cause high blood pressure or hypertension. You'll feel tired and have trouble concentrating because your body might not be getting enough oxygen. Hence, fat will lead to weight gain and obese sickness, furthermore, high risk in suffering critical illness such as heart disease.Moreover, junk food can lead to diabetes. This happens because eating too much sugar puts your metabolism under stress, your body has to pump up insulin production to prevent a dangerous spike in blo od sugar levels. Because junk food doesn't contain the protein or complex carbohydrates that your body needs to maintain consistent blood sugar levels, your blood sugar levels will drop suddenly soon after eating. You'll crave sugar and likely end up eating more junk food. Over time, this stress damages your body's ability to use the insulin secreted by your pancrease.A healthy diet can help maintain your body's insulin sensitivity. As can be seen, over amount of sugar will cause pancrease problem and diabetes which will affect the ability of controlling sugar level. In conclusion, junk food caused diabetes, obesity and lack of nutrients for a healthy body. We must be disciplined in indulging in these types of food because they are initially unhealthy to have. Too much of anything sweet or salty is health threatening, to prevent it, we can pick fruits and high-fiber food for good snacks and meals.

Ashamed

Ashamed A while back I approached C Hope and asked, â€Å"If you could special order your next article for FFW, what would it be about and when would you need it She replied, â€Å"I cannot begin to tell you the perfect article unless it was I’ve been reading the FundsforWriters newsletter and absorbing C Hope’s advice for nearly 20 years. I should have known better before sending the first email. I was brazen, albeit dumb, enough to send yet another. â€Å"You answered exactly what I asked, but what I really wanted to know is what kind of article could I write for you? Im basically asking for an assignment. I realize you dont typically do that, so Im kind of asking you to push the boundaries a bit because Im special and you love me?† I said those words! She responded (I suspect she rolled her eyes while doing so), â€Å"I cant begin to tell you what to write for FFW. I depend on writers relying upon their strengths to pitch the right pieces.† I know the types of articles that comprise the FFW newsletter. I have developed a relationship with C Hope over the years. I hold her in the highest regard and respect her implicitly. She pours her entire heart and soul into helping her readers succeed. It is because I know this, I am ashamed of my actions. It is why I decided to write this, even though it isn’t the â€Å"perfect† article she described. I learned three vital lessons. BE A PROFESSIONAL Whether you have been reading FFW for a week, or a decade, you are reading it because your goal is writing for money given the title of the newsletter is â€Å"FundsforWriters.† Writing for money, means you are running your own business. Unless your niche is business writing, it can be easy to slip into a conversational tone when sending queries and emails. When it concerns your writing business, keep correspondence professional. DON’T ABUSE YOUR NETWORK One of the golden rules in business †¦ in life, is to network. It is equally as important not to abuse your network. It is acceptable to ask questions or for guidance in their area of expertise. It is okay to ask for a special favor occasionally. It is never okay to say, â€Å"I’m asking you to push the boundaries a bit because I’m special/new/learning/don’t know what to do/know you.† TAKE YOURSELF SERIOUSLY The internet is inundated with ezines, newsletters, blogs, coaches, consultants, and advisors. Glean knowledge from these sources to build your writing business. FFW has printed numerous articles on the importance of queries, pitches and writers’ guidelines. Had I been taking myself seriously, I would never have sent the email. I would have gone to the website and searched the archives and the writers’ guidelines. Be willing to research. Be willing to put in the elbow grease. Take responsibility. Own your process. Don’t end up ashamed.

s Republic - Gender Equality

Plato’s Republic was perhaps one of the more controversial pieces of writing from its time. In this book, Plato attempted to immortalize the ideals put forward by his teacher and mentor, Socrates the Sophist. Most of Socrates’ beliefs went against Athenian tradition and convention, and as such was subject to great disapproval from influential Athenian superiors. Essentially, Socrates disagreed with virtually every aspect of the way Athens was run. He had his own ideas about the way in which an ideal city should be run, and voiced his opinion on diverse topics of discussion including the role of Athenian women in society. On examination of Socrates’ discourse, as he put forward his viewpoint on a woman’s place in the ideal city in Plato’s Republic, it was glaringly obvious that his opinion would not be embraced open-heartedly by Athenian readers of that time. It was customary in ancient Greece that women’s activities were held completely separate from those of the men. In the time of Homer, women were seen as possessions, as was demonstrated throughout the Iliad, where they were awarded to men as prizes. Their status in society did not improve by very much in later years. In Thucydides’ account, one of the few mentions of women was made by Pericles, in his funeral oration, where he advocated that they should be â€Å"least talked of among the men, whether for good or for bad† (Thuc. 2.45). In essence, women lived in the shadows, unseen, and unheard, with their primary purpose being to bear heirs for their husbands. The proposition put forward in Plato’s Republic was in complete disagreement with this long-standing view of society’s females. The concept that women and men should be treated equally was totally foreign, and the presentation of this idea to any ancient Athenian male would have been immediately scorned. It would have been viewed as totally unacceptable, because this was simply not the way things were do... 's Republic - Gender Equality Free Essays on Plato\'s Republic - Gender Equality Plato’s Republic was perhaps one of the more controversial pieces of writing from its time. In this book, Plato attempted to immortalize the ideals put forward by his teacher and mentor, Socrates the Sophist. Most of Socrates’ beliefs went against Athenian tradition and convention, and as such was subject to great disapproval from influential Athenian superiors. Essentially, Socrates disagreed with virtually every aspect of the way Athens was run. He had his own ideas about the way in which an ideal city should be run, and voiced his opinion on diverse topics of discussion including the role of Athenian women in society. On examination of Socrates’ discourse, as he put forward his viewpoint on a woman’s place in the ideal city in Plato’s Republic, it was glaringly obvious that his opinion would not be embraced open-heartedly by Athenian readers of that time. It was customary in ancient Greece that women’s activities were held completely separate from those of the men. In the time of Homer, women were seen as possessions, as was demonstrated throughout the Iliad, where they were awarded to men as prizes. Their status in society did not improve by very much in later years. In Thucydides’ account, one of the few mentions of women was made by Pericles, in his funeral oration, where he advocated that they should be â€Å"least talked of among the men, whether for good or for bad† (Thuc. 2.45). In essence, women lived in the shadows, unseen, and unheard, with their primary purpose being to bear heirs for their husbands. The proposition put forward in Plato’s Republic was in complete disagreement with this long-standing view of society’s females. The concept that women and men should be treated equally was totally foreign, and the presentation of this idea to any ancient Athenian male would have been immediately scorned. It would have been viewed as totally unacceptable, because this was simply not the way things were do...

Paraphrasing Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Paraphrasing Assignment - Essay Example Absolutely, the natural course of things with behavior on both does not permit any further exertion that may not be anticipated to relate to the basic single knowledge intended to keep them in the original, constant association. The unchanging character proceeds to establish in definite position both the prayerful lady in black and the inseparable lovers who have been so disposed to godly matters and eternal bond respectively. Unlike them, Edna has not yet realized any depth of significant intimacy with God and with her personal desire that potentially detaches her from current restrictions to dissolve into natural freedom (Church & Havener, 2008, p.225). Summary: As the lovers and the lady in black offer a view of distinct characters well-defined by their favorable nature, Edna appears to be too huge a difference with here situation (Church & Havener, 2008, p.225). Second Paragraph: The linguistic strategy of economy of stereotype is prominent in Kate Chopin's The Awakening. Edna ha s a "quadroon nurse" (7) who is looked upon as a "huge encumbrance" (7) by Edna's children because it is the nurse who performs the duties of making sure the children look presentable.

Work place discrimination Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Work place discrimination - Essay Example Workplaces have generally accepted language of communication among the workforce. The working unit of an entity employs a uniform mode and means of communication across the staff. The reason behind the uniformity of language of communication is to cater for the entire workforce that in most cases is made up of diverse groups of people, who are probably from different origins and social setting (Gavin265). When the working unit is made up of diverse individuals and the formal language of communication is not observed, then language discrimination results. Language discrimination emerges in the event that the communication medium in the workplace does not provide for the individual differences in that place. Individuals associated with a given language are treated indifferently by others of a different language. This may even encompass communication by individuals in a language that particular colleagues cannot understand. Language discrimination in the workplace is therefore primarily based on the communication interaction of the entire staff unit in places of work. This form of discrimination is based on race, color, nationality, ethnic or national origin (Gavin 253). Individuals or groups of people discriminated against are treated less favorably based on the above factors. Basically, the discriminated against individuals are deemed to of lesser importance than others. This is a persistent form of discrimination in places of work. A clear-cut example on this is the discrimination against whites or blacks. Depending on whether one is back or white, different workplaces treat individuals from either of the two differently prior to the black-white social context. Workplaces employ different people from diverse social setups. Individual workers are expected to coherently relate with one another across the working units in the realization of the set objectives in the place of work. However, this is not always the case.