Hybrid Cars Essay Example for Free

Hybrid Cars Essay Company: Within the company there are a few areas to look at regarding Toyotas introduction of the Prius. Areas such as financing, research, development, as well as others. When introducing the Prius, Toyota started early with its promotion of the hybrid. Spending US$15 million out of the US$190 million is spent on marketing in the 2002 year. Toyota informed its potential customers threw informative emails, TV commercials, and earth day give a ways. Toyota put a lot into research and development to come up with the hybrid with the advances in technology, such as the engine of the Prius. The engine combines a 1. 5 litre, 4 cylinder gas engine, with a 33-kilowatt electric engine that runs of a nickel-hydride battery. With this new engine and normal highway driving conditions the car is said to get 106 km per gallon. It is also rated one of the greenest vehicles on the market. Since North Americans complain about gas mileage, and want to be environmentally friendly this seems like the way to go. Suppliers: One of Toyotas major costs of manufacturing the Prius would be the nickel-hydride battery that the electric part fo the engine runs off of. This is also one of the main reasons why hybrid cars are so expensive compared to similar gas powered cars of the same size. But if manufacturers of hybrid cars were to see a yield in economies of scale then there would be more reason for producers of the battery to put more time and money into research and development of the battery and thus decrease costs of producing it. this would in term pass savings onto the potential buyers of the hybrid car. Customer Market: when looking for a way to market the Prius to consumers Toyota looked at what consumers wanted in a vehicle. Things like lower gas mileage, lower emmissions, and something that what technologically appealing. so with this in mind Toyota set out to design a car to appeal to all these things. with the combined electric and gas engine the Prius gets better mileage, and one of the greenest vehicles on the market. consumers have also been able to technologically modify there Prius, some have added DVD players and such, or programmed the cars computer to shower videos etc, on the monitors in the car. Competitors: introducing the Prius was the way in which Toyota planned to get an advantage over competitors like the big three auto manufacturers (ford, GM, DaimlerChrysler) none of whom had a hybrid in market when the Prius was released. the big three had plans of releasing hybrid vehicles in 2003, Toyota planned to stay on top of the hybrid market with its early release of a hybrid. Publics: there are a lot of different publics to take in mind. publics such as the media, government, citizen-action, local, general, etc. Toyota used a lot of these when it can to promoting the Prius. they ran articles, in vanity air, and newsweek, as well as running commercials on different television statements such as discovery, the history channel, and the learning network. it ran different taglines, such as A car that sometimes runs on gas power and sometimes runs on electric power, from a company that always runs on brain power. it also used tag lines that drew the customer in to find the meaning in it and also educating the customer on what exactly a hybrid was. Question # 2: Demographic Forces: this is one of the key forces that affect marketing plans it involves the study of people and when they want. Toyota looked at the different things that people wanted in a car. things like low fuel usage, and being environmentally friendly. using the information gathered Toyota came up with the combined engine that runs on gas and electric power to reduce mileage and also make it environmentally friendly. this hybrid would more likely be targeted to generation Y drivers. seeing as they are younger and more into the technological advances in society. it would also be marketed to the generation X drivers for the fact that they are more concerned over the outlook of the environment. Natural Forces: with natural forces marketers would be aware of trends, like the shortage or raw materials trend, the increase of population, and the government. with the government putting more emphasis on being environmentally friendly Toyota seems to have taken this to heart seeing as the Prius is one of the greenest vehicles on the market. also with the population tending to gather around more urban settings it is becoming more essential to have a vehicle with better gas mileage with more people commuting back and forth to work. Technological Forces: with the advances in technology recently people now except more from manufactures. Toyota seeing this used it to its advantage using the combined engine and adding other features as a computer system installed right in the car. it also used the internet as one of the ways it go to potential consumers to educate them on the Prius and what it was all about. which in turned created sales of the hybrid. Political: on problem with the Prius is that its not all that affordable. so makers of hybrid cars have gone to the government to see if there was a way to incorporate a benefit of driving a environmentally friendly car. while the US now offers a tax benefit for driving such a car there has yet to be any incentive in Canada. since there is no documented proof as of yet that driving one of these cars helps the environment they do not see the point in implicating anything yet. Cultural: the cultural force takes into account the values and beliefs of the consumer.like being friendly to the environment. valuing technology, etc. Toyota conformed to these by using the combined engine, not only is it environmentally friendly is also increased gas mileage. it also put a lot of new technologies into the Prius that consumers are finding many ways to use to their advantage. doing things like tweaking the computer system to play videos and mp3s, etc. Question # 3: Value proposition is essentially the full mix of benefits upon which the brand is positioned. Toyota sets the benefits to come from the higher gas mileage, the fact that it lowers emmissionsÃ'Ž

A Definition Of Tourism Tourism Essay

A Definition Of Tourism Tourism Essay Tourism can be defined as a temporary absence, inside or outside the country, of residence, away from home for reasons other than earning an income in the place visited (Burkhart Medlik, 1981 as cited in Lickorish Jenkins, 1997). Saayman (2008) defines tourism as the total experience that originates from the interaction between tourists, job providers, government systems and communities in the process of providing attractions, entertainment, transport and accommodation to tourists. Within the context of the above definitions, travelling outside the borders of the country of residence is termed international or external tourism whereas travelling within the borders is seen as domestic or internal tourism (Coltman, 1989). The tourism industry A definition of tourism by Jafari (1987) is mentioned which can be seen as a reference point when explaining the concept of touristhood. Jafari concludes: tourism is the study of man away from his usual habitat, of the touristic apparatus and networks, and of the ordinary and nonordinary worlds and their dialectic relationship. This definition emphasizes the difference between two different worlds and between two different environments; the ordinary and the nonordinary. The ordinary comprises the mundane, profane, daily life whose procession loses strength due to its own ordained, rhythmic course; while the nonordinary is the heightened position resulting from the departure from the ordinary ranks Tourism is now the largest industry in the world by virtually an economic measure, including gross output, value added, employment, capital investment and tax contributions (Wheatcroft,1994) Since travelling domestically and internationally has become easier due to ease of access, education and rising income, the past few decades have witnessed a considerable increase in the number of people leaving their place of residence, travelled specified distance and returning back home. In order to give them all the required facilities, or more precisely, services, products and amenities, miscellaneous organizations continue to exist. Leiper (1979) considers the tourist industry as consisting of all those firms, organizations and facilities which are intended to serve the specific needs and wants of tourists. Goeldner et al(2002)have developed an integrated system model to capture the essential elements of what they call the tourism phenomenon. In addition to the regular industry sectors of tourism, such as transport and accommodation, they included government and quasi- government agencies, the built environment, the natural environment and its resources, as well as activities such as reward and stewardship. Sectors and Sub-sectors of the Tourism Industry (source:G.K Shaw, 2010 -A risk management model for the tourism industry in South Africa) Visitors attraction -Natural -Manmade -Cultural -Social Transport -Airlines -Seatravel -Bus/coaches -Rail -Car rental Travel organizers -Travel agent -Tour operator -Tour broker -Sport/conference organiser Providers of accommodation -Hotels -Guesthouse -Bed breakfast establishments -Lodges Tourism industry Destination organization -governmental tourism organizations -private tourism organisations Commercial industrial -Souvenir shops -Tourist trade goods manufactures Support services -Tourist guides -Travel insurance -Travel trade press According to Australias new strategic plan, unlike many industry sectors, the tourism is unable to be defined simply as a group of businesses that produce particular, similar products. Rather, the tourism industry embraces a diverse range of providers and users of a variety of goods and services, and overlaps with other sector of the economy. It can simply be interpreted in the terms of demand and supply where demand involves the needs and expectations of tourists while supply involves the organizations delivering tourism products as well as services (Peter E Murphy and Ann E Murphy, 2006) As Jagmohan Negi (2004) rightly puts it: The tourist industry is difficult to define because it consists of all those trades which together satisfy the needs of travelers. Every expenditure made by tourists contributes to the prosperity and development of the travel industry. Although travel means going out only for a temporary period outside the local of ones residence, it involves a complete shake up in the equilibrium that one achieves between himself and the outside world, while living at one particular place for a long time. It involves a long chain of agencies to complete a visit worth its purpose. A tourist (holiday maker) spends his money the moment he leaves his home to go to his holiday. This paper would be focused on the private sector tourism as it deals with most of the shareholders which are in direct contact with the tourists and creation, as well as delivery of services/products; hotels, travel agencies, resorts, retailers and passenger carriers. The Private Sector of Tourism Hall (1992) suggests that the period of mid 1080s which witnessed many political events brought significant changes in the tourism industry. The WTO (1994) explains this idea where it states: As well as political change, the world has seen significant economic restructuring and general recession and downturns in traditionally strong economies. These changes have been marked by an increasing reluctance and/or inability of governments to invest in or support areas such as tourism and, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ This clarification was preceded by the arguments advanced by Lowyck and Wanhill (1992) Davidson (1993), and Harrison et al. (1993)on the economies divesting themselves of state owned assets to the private sector and on privatization which were for purposes of increasing efficiency and enhancing competitiveness by making greater use of markets for resource allocation. Many schools of thoughts argue that the private sector would be better implementer of tourism policies and can lay down long term plans that provide continuity amid situational changes. The private can implement policies while the government agencies can collaborate with one another and provide support (Robert Joseph, 2010 Cebu Daily News) In most countries, government involvement in tourism takes places to varying degrees at different levels as per a governments scope of powers, commitment to tourism management and available resources. All levels of government typically focus on the economic aspect of tourism and its main, dominant role in most destinations is a very strong focus on promotion (Peter.E Murphy and Ann E Murphy, 2006) Some countries do have a tourism industry operating on public-private leadership schemes but still the private sector plays a more active role in defining the direction of tourism. Tourism is all embracing; it involved the interaction of other components such as transportation, communication, accommodation and destination among others. Sectors cannot be singularly handled by the government as they constitute pillars of tourism development. Therefore, the private sector must, of necessity, be involved in the development and promotion of tourism in any country that intends to make tourism the mainstay of her economy. (Akpet, 2005) The private sector normally includes accommodation companies, travel companies, restaurants and bars, retailers and others which are not owned and regulated by the government. Most of the times, these companies have to abide by certain laws and regulations proposed by their constitution but they have got their own set of rules and principles, faction of practices, own and unique management style, profit margin and budgeting and criteria for leadership. Components of tourism private sector The composition of tourism private sector Primary trades/profit oriented organization Secondary trades/profit oriented organization Hotel industry Retail shops Food and beverage industry Financial institutions Transport industry Suppliers of goods and services for hoteliers, Tourist attraction caterers and transport undertakers figure 1: composition of private sector tourism (source: International tourism and travel, Jagmohan Negi, 2004) Primary trades According to Leonard JJ Lickorish and Carson LL Jenkins, the primary trade/profit motivated tourism organizations are interdependent to a certain degree and propose the following explanation: Transportation, accommodation and catering acting as the tourism hardware and tour operators/agents , tourist attractions and recreation activity fulfilling the role of software in so far as they usually provide the reason and catalyst for tourism to take place and for the use of the transport and accommodation. Secondary trades The secondary organizations offer facilities and services which are sometimes not offered by primary ones; example souvenir shops, entertainment and shopping, and insurance companies. On the other hand, Jenkins (1997) argues diversely by suggesting that there are three rather than two types of tourism private businesses. He puts it as follows: (1) the primary trades, which are most commonly associated with tourism (e.g., transport, tour companies, travel agencies, accommodations, catering facilities and attractions); (2) the secondary trades that help support tourism, though are not exclusive to tourism (e.g., retail shopping, banks and insurance, entertainment and leisure activities, personal services); and, (3) the tertiary trades, which provide the basic infrastructure and support for tourism (e.g., food and fuel, manufacturing). The inherent challenges accompanying the variable boundaries of what comprises the tourism industry are further exacerbated when the nature of the tourism product is also considered. Risks The formal Australian standard for Risk Management defines risk as the chance of something happening that will have an impact on objectives. It states that risk can either be positive or negative depending on situations. Andrew Minns (2003) refers to risk as the common combination of the probability (or likelihood) and consequences of an event (or outcome or result of exposure). He explains that this gives rise to the widely used concept of risk: Risk = Probability Consequence External and internal factors The risks facing an organisation and its operations can result from factors both external and internal to the organisation. The diagram overleaf summarises examples of key risks in these areas and shows that some specific risks can have both external and internal drivers and therefore overlap the two areas. They can be categorized further into types of risk such as strategic, financial, operational, hazard, etc. Types of risks According to the Cranfield School of Management, there are different types of risk any organization could face, but the categories of risks are not rigid as parts of business may fall into more than one category due to similar attributes.(Martin Christopher et al, 2011) Types of risks and factors affecting them (Source: The institute of Risk Management, 2002) preview005.png Strategic risk In an ACCA paper of 2008, it was stated that strategic risks are those that arise from the fundamental decision that directors take concerning an organizations objectives. Essentially, strategic risks are the risks of failing to achieve these business objectives.(Annon, 2008) Financial risk According to Marquis Codjia (2011), financial risk is a factor in all economic activities and may cause a firm to suffer losses from unfavorable price variation in securities or partner default. He rightly puts it as financial risk is the probability that a company may not have sufficient cash flows to operate, reimburse a loan or meet other financial commitment when they become due. Operational risk As David Tattam (2011) mentions in one of his publications, operational risk is defined as the risk of loss from failed or inadequate processes, people, systems or external events. He later argues that loss is not the only issue to be taken into consideration and redefines operational risk as the risk of loss or gain arising from people, systems or external events whicn can have the potential to cause the organization to deviate from its objectives. Jack L.King(1998) argues that there is a fundamental problem with operational risk as there is lack of consensus on its definition. As per his explanations, operational risk must be broken down into triggers(causes) and events. Briefly, loss or gain is triggered by an event and causes are the assignable or chance causes for the event. Assignable causes are attributable to factors that can be eliminated. In contrast, chance causes are natural or random. He therefore proposes another definition for operational risk as the uncertainty of loss in the book value of the firm or organization due to the failures in the manufacturing of the firms goods and services. Invention of operational risk In his second paper on risk management, Michael Power(2003) explains that operational risk pretty much inexistent before the 1990s. By the end of the decade, books were being published, conferences were being organized and apparently new roles such as operational risk manager were being created to the extent that there is talk of an operational risk profession. Risk management From the works of James E Roughton and Nathan Crutch Field(2008), it can be gathered that risk management is pre-emptive rather than reactive. This approach is based on the philosophy that it is irresponsible and wasteful to wait for an accident to happen, then figuring out how to prevent it from happening again. We manage risk whenever we modify the way we do something to make our chances of success as great as possible. It is a common sense approach to balancing the risks against the benefits to be gained in a situation and then choosing the most effective course of action. Baltzan , Philips and Hag (2009) describe risk management as a process of ongoing risk identification, analysis and developing responses to risk factors. Following the same concept, Kerzner (2001) argues that risk management is the art or practice of dealing with risk. He rightly puts it as: Risk management includes identifying, assessing and analyzing risk issues as well as planning for the occurrence of risk, and includes developing a management system to handle risks. This system should be designed to allow for monitoring of risk s to determine how they have changed. If not taken appropriate care of, the operational risk could have potential impacts on different aspect of an organization such as: The health and safety of employees and customers The business reputation, credibility and status Public and customer confidence Equipment and the environment (source: adapted from Queensland Tourism, 2009) In the tourism domain, risk management can be defined as the process whereby shareholders methodically address the risks attending to their activities with the goal of achieving sustained benefit with each activity and across the portfolio of all activities. It must be integrated into the culture of tourism private organization with an effective policy and programme led by the most senior management. It must translate the strategy into tactical and operational objectives assigning responsibility throughout the organization with each manager and employee responsible for the management of risk part of their job description. Operational risk management Operational risk management a simple six steps process which identifies operational hazards and takes reasonable measures to reduce risk to personnel, equipment and the mission. It is also a decision making tool that helps to systematically identify risks and benefits and determine the best courses of action for any given situation.(Anon,2000) Operational risk management process Step 1: Identify the hazard A hazard is defined as any real or potential condition that can cause degradation, injury, illness, death or damage to or loss of equipment or property. According to David Maccollum (2007), there are three different ways to methodically identify hazards. Hazard identification by area Hazards are grouped into common types and are identified by surveying all the different areas of an static site. This involves a precise process: Get an up to date plan of worksite. A precise picture of the work area must be provided Get a chart that shows the production process or work flow. The chart must be well explicit and updated for any changes. Divide the worksite into identifiable areas and number them. The physical layout of the working site can be divided according to certain dimensions and given a specific name code or number. Ask staff in all areas to list what they consider as potential hazards in their working environment and to give reasons why these hazards can harmful. Use existing resources and data to review information which can be gathered for example from regulations form, code of practices, booklets and records. Hazard identification by work analysis This method is preferable for small independent group of people who are under minimal supervision. Identify all the tasks people carry out. The employees are asked exactly how do they perform their tasks, their course of action and then the work process is broken down into smaller components for analysis. Work out the steps or stages involved in doing the task. The steps to perform the work are reviewed and possible hazards at each steps are noted and looked at. Using a list of possible hazards, to ask the employees what they consider could apply to each step identified and to write them down. Use existing resources such as guidelines, records of accidents and near misses not only from within the organization but from the industry as well to make sure of identifying all hazards. Use of information derived from task analysis to build up a profile of hazards and the occupations and tasks they apply to. A computer database can be used by giving specific codes to the hazards. (adapted from Occupational safety health service-A workbook, 1994) Hazard identification by process This approach is more thorough as it identifies the processes involved on a worksite and go through each process step by step to look for all hazards at each stage. Make inventory of all substances and materials used in the process List the process from where the material is delivered to the organization to where the finished goods are dispatched or services are offered. Draw up a flow chart detailing every step pf the process Use existing resources such as information booklets, records of accidents and near misses and reports from inspectors. Summerise the collected information (Adapted from Occupational safety health service-A workbook, 1994) Step 2: Assess the risk Risk assessment is actually the comparison of risk elements and their impacts against some acceptability criteria. Risk assessment sometimes involves consolidation of risks into risk sets that can be jointly mitigated, combined and then used in decision making. The assessment of risk is done by applying quantitative and qualitative measures to determine the level of risk associated with specific hazards.(Anon,2000) A risk assessment has three main functions -to consider the chance of harm actually befalling anyone in particular circumstances and the possible consequences -to make proper planning and take adequate preventive measures to control the risks -to shoulder responsibilities properly concerning identification and control of hazards Step 3: Analyse Risk Control Measures After identifying and assessing the hazards which need to be controlled, the next process is to select options or methods to take care of the hazard. The choice of an option is based on factors such as the potential severity of the harm posed by the hazard, the likelihood of injury or illness occurring and the cost of control measures. (Anon, 1994) Step 4: Make control decision The person with best decision abilities must be identified to choose the most appropriate control methods or set of strategies. It is important however to look at all options before making a decision, even though the identified hazard may already have some controls in place. Dale Stewart(2011) explains that these decisions must be made at the right time for maximum duration of effectiveness of the tools. The decision maker should be able to judge situations from required perspective and be responsible for consequences. Step 5: Implement Risk Controls Once control measure have been selected, an implementation strategy must be developed and carried out. For implementation to be successful, it should be clear, accountability should be established and support must be provided at all levels.(Dale Stewart, 2011) Step 6: Supervise and review It is very important to ensure that once hazard controls are put in place, regular checks must be carried out by designated persons to ensure their effectiveness and a feedback mechanism must be followed for future maintenance and utility maximization. (Dale Stewart, 2011) Maximize operational capabilityObjectives of operational risk management Conserve personnel resources Reduce or prevent increase or losses advance gain evaluate and minimize evaluate and maximize risks gain identify, control document identify, control document hazards opportunities Objectives Of Operational Risk Management (source  : FAA System Safety Handbook, Chapter 15: Operational Risk Management, 2000) Jurgen H.M Van Grinsen (2009) explains in his publication that the setting of operational risk management objectives affects or determines the choice of the methods and tools to be used. There are certain principles which need to be followed while implementing the operational risk management process and these are: Accept no unnecessary risk Make Risk Decisions at the Appropriate Level Accept Risk When Benefits Outweigh the Costs Integrate ORM into Planning at all Levels (source: adapted from FAA System Safety Handbook, Chapter 15: Operational Risk Management, 2000)

Celebrating Nutrition Month at a School :: Health Nutrition Pyramid Diet

Nutrition Month Celebration Last July, Life College has a celebration for Nutrition Month. The program runs like this: In the morning, the students have a food fair, each level decorated their booth and sell cuisines. Elementary students sell nutritious food like fruit salad, pancit, eggs and etc. assisted by their parents. 1st year class was assigned to cook Seafood cuisines, 2nd year for Asia cuisines and 3rd year for World cuisines. While the food fair is on going, chosen grade 1to 4 students participated in Poster Making Contest. It was held in the Library at 9:00 am. The contest was not that easy because they must just used their fingers and natural food color for painting. A Grade 3 Matatag student won the contest. Aside from those activities, some of the students join the parlor games. Their activeness in the games showed that they are healthy and fit. Some of the games are Tug of War, Stop Dance and Pasa Buko. The food cooking competition started an hour and a half before noon. Each level and section are provided a list of ingredients that they must bring and use in making appetizer, main dish, soup, dessert and beverage. When the clock struck at 12:00, the judges start to taste and grade the food that they cooked. 2nd year students got the taste of the judges and won the contest. In the afternoon, the program is held in the Life Church auditorium. They have Quiz Bee about nutrition. You will see that all of the contestants are giving their best. 1st year Dependable got the 1st place, 3rd year A got the 2nd place and 1st year committed got the 3rd place. After few minutes of break, the Search for A1 child 2008 started. 6 children from the Preschool Department joined the contest. They are all smart and talented. The audience cheered when they saw these children dressed with their costumes related to fruits and vegetables, sport wears, and school uniforms. The mass stood up form their chair and clapped their hands when the children showed their talents.

The American Dream in the Works of John Steinbeck and Hunter S. Thompso

Two writers who come quickly to my mind whenever I hear or see images of American patriotism are John Steinbeck and Hunter S. Thompson. As different as these two men are, their writing is similar in that the American Dream constantly fails their characters. Both seek to define America and the American Dream, however, it remains seemingly elusive, and both writers fail to find it. I choose Steinbeck and Thompson because, to me, their writing styles are the same. They have the same lust for language and powerful writing. Their subjects are contemporary; they are not necessarily moral or upright, but are average people. Both view the world in the same sad way, that people are as easily led to beauty as deceit, joy to sorrow and life to death. There are certain truths in their writing that is not expressed elsewhere; consequences that we might not always like to believe exist. I also choose Steinbeck and Thompson in that they are representative of the twentieth century. Steinbeck neatly covers the first half more or less, and Thompson from the sixties to present. Both authors have also experienced a number of failures. Steinbeck has been called sentimental, overdrawn, boring and grossly contrived. While this may be true, for example, the killing of Candy's dog as a metaphor for the killing of Lenny in Of Mice and Men. Steinbeck received attention after Tortilla Flats was published. Since then, he has become one of the most popular authors of the twentieth century and won a Nobel Prize in Literature in 1962. Thompson, who has been called names less polite, continues to be a dynamic force in modern American writing, because he broke conventional rules of writing and journalism. Thompson, who flunked out of Columbia, also worked hard before gaining fame for Hell's Angels. His popularity continues today with his cult following of fans. Rather interesting is that both men are alcoholics. One of Steinbeck's last books is Travels With Charley in which the old man and his poodle take a road trip in a custom built truck named Rosinante. This book is my least favorite; here, sentimental, overdrawn, boring and grossly contrived apply greatly. Steinbeck records faithfully how he procured his truck, meets with his sons one last time before setting off, then hurtles across the country, interviewing cowboys and common people. He makes brief comments on current events suc... ...Fear, the characters are even accused of being un-American. Once in California, the Joads and their friend Casey (the preacher) hear strange talk of "reds". The reds, are of course, communists, and those who are not communists but want to offer people a better standard of living. It is talk of unionizing that ultimately leads to the death of Casey and why young Tom Joad must leave his family. He swears to live out Casey's dream. Thompson, while sitting in a bar in Aspen, finds a former astronaut (whose name was deleted at the insistence of publisher's lawyers), hassling a band that plays songs with some un-American sentiments. Thompson, as Raoul Duke, admonishes the bullish spaceman - "Hey, I'm an American and I agree with every word he says,† When the astronaut is asked by a young boy for an autograph, the spaceman is aghast when the boy rips the slip of paper up, proving just how worthless the spaceman's "heroism" is. So where do we go from here? Is the American Dream all meaningless imagery and puffery symbolism? Or is it something attainable, like money and power? Does it actually exist? If so, why does it elude so many writers and everyday people? The American Dream in the Works of John Steinbeck and Hunter S. Thompso Two writers who come quickly to my mind whenever I hear or see images of American patriotism are John Steinbeck and Hunter S. Thompson. As different as these two men are, their writing is similar in that the American Dream constantly fails their characters. Both seek to define America and the American Dream, however, it remains seemingly elusive, and both writers fail to find it. I choose Steinbeck and Thompson because, to me, their writing styles are the same. They have the same lust for language and powerful writing. Their subjects are contemporary; they are not necessarily moral or upright, but are average people. Both view the world in the same sad way, that people are as easily led to beauty as deceit, joy to sorrow and life to death. There are certain truths in their writing that is not expressed elsewhere; consequences that we might not always like to believe exist. I also choose Steinbeck and Thompson in that they are representative of the twentieth century. Steinbeck neatly covers the first half more or less, and Thompson from the sixties to present. Both authors have also experienced a number of failures. Steinbeck has been called sentimental, overdrawn, boring and grossly contrived. While this may be true, for example, the killing of Candy's dog as a metaphor for the killing of Lenny in Of Mice and Men. Steinbeck received attention after Tortilla Flats was published. Since then, he has become one of the most popular authors of the twentieth century and won a Nobel Prize in Literature in 1962. Thompson, who has been called names less polite, continues to be a dynamic force in modern American writing, because he broke conventional rules of writing and journalism. Thompson, who flunked out of Columbia, also worked hard before gaining fame for Hell's Angels. His popularity continues today with his cult following of fans. Rather interesting is that both men are alcoholics. One of Steinbeck's last books is Travels With Charley in which the old man and his poodle take a road trip in a custom built truck named Rosinante. This book is my least favorite; here, sentimental, overdrawn, boring and grossly contrived apply greatly. Steinbeck records faithfully how he procured his truck, meets with his sons one last time before setting off, then hurtles across the country, interviewing cowboys and common people. He makes brief comments on current events suc... ...Fear, the characters are even accused of being un-American. Once in California, the Joads and their friend Casey (the preacher) hear strange talk of "reds". The reds, are of course, communists, and those who are not communists but want to offer people a better standard of living. It is talk of unionizing that ultimately leads to the death of Casey and why young Tom Joad must leave his family. He swears to live out Casey's dream. Thompson, while sitting in a bar in Aspen, finds a former astronaut (whose name was deleted at the insistence of publisher's lawyers), hassling a band that plays songs with some un-American sentiments. Thompson, as Raoul Duke, admonishes the bullish spaceman - "Hey, I'm an American and I agree with every word he says,† When the astronaut is asked by a young boy for an autograph, the spaceman is aghast when the boy rips the slip of paper up, proving just how worthless the spaceman's "heroism" is. So where do we go from here? Is the American Dream all meaningless imagery and puffery symbolism? Or is it something attainable, like money and power? Does it actually exist? If so, why does it elude so many writers and everyday people?

Gods Forgiveness in Taylors Meditation 42 Essay -- Edward Taylor Poe

In Edward Taylor's "Meditation 42," the speaker employs a tone of both desire and anxiousness in order to convey the overall idea that man's sinful nature and spiritual unworthiness require God's grace and forgiveness to gain entrance to the kingdom of heaven. In the opening stanza, the speaker describes the human craving and longing for material objects. From the very first word of "Meditation 42," a sense of longing and desire infuses the poem as "apples" (ll. 1) often symbolize both temptation and desire. Because Eve allowed the lure of attaining the God's knowledge to overtake her in the book of Genesis, she bites from a fruit on the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil which is commonly depicted as an apple. In addition, because the "apples" allude to man's fall from paradise they thereby represent man's imperfection and sinful nature. Furthermore, the fact that "apples of gold in silver pictures shrined" (ll. 1) emphasizes the desire or lust for physical, material items of beauty and wealth. These items "enchant" (ll. 2) as the "gold" and "silver" appeal to mankind's covetous nature and tendency to value superficial items. Thus, the speaker conveys his longing and desire for physical riches which "enchant" him. Yet his want for treasures exist as strictly human desire, causing physical consequences as they "make mouths to water" (ll. 2). However, despite the monetary value of precious metals, attaining such superficial items does not allow man to gain any true fulfillment. For example, in the opening stanza, all the treasures "In jasper cask, when tapped, doth briskly vapor" (ll. 4). The material items mean nothing in the larger scheme of the world and therefore "briskly vapor" and disapp... ..., but still pleads for God to "take me in" (ll. 41), and promises to "pay...in happiness" for mercy. Once again, the speaker demonstrates the same desires for physical treasures that he expresses in the first stanza as he asks God to "give mine eye / A peephole there to see bright glory's chases" (ll. 39-40). Even in the God's kingdom, the speaker reveals his humanity as he focuses on ornamentation which starkly contrasts with God's divinity as He has the ability to show love even for sinners. Thus, while man shows his human nature, desiring and coveting physical riches and treasures, God demonstrates his truly divine nature as he possesses true spiritual riches, in the form of love, mercy, and forgiveness. Works Cited Taylor, Edward. â€Å"Meditation 42.† The Heath Anthology of American Literature. Ed. Paul Lautier. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004

Globalization’s Side Effects

Globalization’s Side Effects May. 14. 2009 Discussing globalization’s side effects might not be appropriate without determining first what globalization is. Although everyone has his or her own definition and uses the term globalization in his or her own way, globalization can be defined generally as a condition in which cross-border movements of money, goods, thoughts, and even people have become much more available on a large scale. Despite globalization having provided people throughout the world with many benefits, it has caused negative impacts on their countries’ economies as well as serious concerns about their nationalities and identities, which globalization gradually erases. The primary adverse effect of globalization is that it destabilizes the foundation of the developing countries’ economies. After cross-border movements of money and goods had become much faster and easier, many cheap and well-made products have invaded the markets of emerging countries. As a result, many local products almost have disappeared because they simply can not rival the cheap prices and high qualities of foreign products. In Paracho, Mexico, for instance, things are getting worse. A Mexican traditional guitar maker complains that his village has lost its famous craft of building guitars because of the invasion of the cheap and well-made guitars from China (Campbell, 2004). Paracho is not only losing its famous craft, but also losing the smarter and more intelligent workers who are leaving it to seek better job opportunities in the Unite State of America. In fact, hundreds and hundreds of villages and cities, especially in developing countries, are losing their main industries in addition to their traditional crafts and therefore their people emigrate to avoid being jobless. The second adverse effect of globalization is that it is gradually erasing the differences between cultures. Needless to say, a culture is a set of values and assumptions that group of people hold, and what makes the differences between one nation and another is the variety of the differences between these values and these assumptions. People’s thoughts all over the world about what is stylish and fashionable are starting to converge. Today, everyone seems to have the same desire which is buying what the advertisements want them to buy. The more you buy, the more happiness you get (Rifkin, 2003). For some intellectuals, globalization is making people’s desire cheap. It replaces people’s high and noble thoughts such as building their countries and contributing to human development with the culture of consumerism instead. Although many people all over the world acknowledge that globalization has provided them with many benefits, they have a strong feeling that globalization is slowly but surely obliterating their culture and traditional way of living. (The Pew Global Attitude Project). In conclusion, there is no doubt about the benefits that people all over the world gain from globalization. However, it causes developing countries serious problems. People in those countries are not only losing their jobs, but also their identities. They have become consumers of goods that are made in other countries. Globalization indeed is a huge challenge that many societies face: some of them have successfully known how to cope with it, yet many of them, unfortunately, have not, and therefore they have become globalization’s victims

Where is Croydon’s CBD?

A CBD is a central business district of a town/city. This is near to where the city first developed. The obvious characteristics of a CBD are many buildings grouped together. There will be many shops, restaurants and offices. Also there will be some pubs other high rise buildings and entertainment of some description (Cinemas, arcades etc). There will be a wide range of transportation that takes you into of very close to a CBD, in Croydon, trams, trains and buses all come into the CBD. There are also car parks in the CBD to allow access to cars. I expect the following things to be in or near Croydon CBD: * Offices * High rise buildings * Shops * Main roads * Tran stations/bus stations * Old houses * Factories I have shown where I expect Croydon's CBD to be on the base map. I have also chosen categories these categories are: * Retail outlets * Banks and financial services * Restaurants and fast food outlets * Public buildings/ offices * Recreational I have seen that the people driving cars are mostly from the south of Croydon and people coming by public transport are mostly from the north. Businessmen prefer to use their cars or a faster method of transport such as train to commute to work with. The poorer people from the north are mostly using public transport. Unit 2 The services around Croydon are unevenly spread throughout. There are three main shopping retail areas where many people come; these are, The WhitGift Centre, Drummond Centre, and North end/ High Street. I have shown on the map where these places are. Many people would agree that the WhitGift centre / North end are the centre of Croydon. The restaurants and food establishments are situated throughout the centre but the bigger restaurants are located in the south of Croydon. Other restaurants are along George Street and Surrey Street. Both have access via the car but only in the evenings. They also have reasonable access to public transport. Most offices are situated east of Wellesley Road. This is because most access from the south is more accessible on Wellesley road and the wealthy people will be coming from the south to work in the offices. The bigger eating restaurants are located towards the south of Croydon as well because the wealthier people want to eat out. The poorer people would cook their own food. The transport methods into Croydon are: Cars – they can park in the big car parks located towards the south. These car parks can be more easily access from the south because of the roads. If cars where to come from the North they would have to drive all the way down, past the car parks, onto the main road and then drive back up to the car parks. People from the south drive straight in. Train – Fairly even access for all areas. Buses – There are many bus routes to Croydon from the North. There aren't many from the South though only 1 comes to Croydon from Sandstead and 2 from Selsdon etc. there is a poor service of buses from the South. Unequal provision. Trams – Trams come from the areas which lack other modes of transport. New Addington and Wimbledon are good examples. The transport differs for a good reason. Cars come mostly from the wealthier people who can afford more who live in the south. Bus routes from the south are poor because of this. Wealthy people wouldn't want to come on the bus with other people so they would just drive into Croydon. The car parks are located to the south of Croydon and have easy access from roads coming from the south. This makes it easier for the wealthy people coming from the south to get into Croydon. The buses vary a lot because more people would come from the North because generally they are less wealthy and would need to use public transport they do not own cars. There are many more bus services running from the North so they can accommodate the people coming from the North. Overall the large number of bus services for some areas cancels out the lack of tram services in the same place. Thornton heath has 9 bus routes that will take you into Croydon but does not have any tram routes taking you to Croydon. Unit 3 The bigger retail outlets such as the WhitGift Centre and the Drummond centre have easy and fair access to all because it is in the centre of Croydon. However places where you can eat (restaurants and fast food shops) are spread unevenly throughout Croydon. Fast food shops are mostly found in the centre of Croydon and to the North. Main expensive restaurants and places where you can drink are located to the south of Croydon off the main roads. This allows for the richer south to drive straight in and eat food. The location of these restaurants also link in to the whereabouts of banks and building society's which are also located to the south, off of the main road. This is so that the wealthier south can drive in at night, park the car quickly just outside the bank, withdraw cash and spend it in the restaurant. The smaller fast food shops have been located in the middle of Croydon and towards the north because many shoppers will come into the shop and get food quickly because they haven't got the time and money to eat in a restaurant. In conclusion the retail shops are mostly situated evenly in the middle of the CBD. Restaurants are located more to the South of Croydon Banks and financial buildings are located off of main route ways and roads Offices are mainly located in the east of Croydon on Dingwall Road. I have also made maps to show routes of abled and disabled people to compare them to see if they are equal. The hypothesis does say that that it has equal access to all groups of people. Unit 4 The hypothesis says that Croydon has equal access to services from all groups of people. This means that all people can get to wherever they desire in Croydon as such. This means that it wouldn't matter if they are disabled or not, they can still get to the same place as an abled person. If you look back into unit 3 where I constructed the maps to show abled and disabled people's routes. My conclusion is that all people can get around Croydon pretty easily. Disabled people can get to the same destination but it might take a little bit longer. When you look at my work in unit 2 it shows that the provision of transport is unequal but the population of Croydon is also unequal. What we see in Croydon is an answer to that inequality because the different areas have allowed for different methods of transport.