Sunday, December 22, 2019

The Importance of the Sonnet in William Shakespeares...

Although Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy of two young lovers caught in the whirlpool of their own youthful passion, it is also a tragedy of two young people at the mercy of a feud not of their making and of fateful events over which they have no control. Regardless of our individual response to this play, we have a common response of deep sadness over the senseless deaths of the two young lovers. Regardless of the cause of the tragic events, we are on their side. There are several ways to think about Romeo and Juliet, but recent discussions of the play look at the form and language of love that Shakespeare uses and how his use of one particular form, the sonnet, enhances our sense of the play. By directing our†¦show more content†¦Shakespeare himself became a master of the sonnet, having written a total of 154. Like Petrarch, his subject matter was love, but Shakespeare was an innovative with the sonnet as he was with his plays. He wrote of the relationship between the intensity of love and its emphemerality, as in Sonnet 73, quoted above, and of the reality rather than the the reality of the sonnet lady, as in Sonnet 130: My mistress eyes are nothing like the sun. Clearly, then, his decision to evoke the sonnet and then actually to embed one within the action of Romeo and Juliet was a conscious one, intended to draw attention to the way those conventions were at work in the play. Romeo and Juliet begins with a choral sonnet that announces the fate of the two star-crossd lovers (prologue.6; all line numbers are from The Riverside Shakespeare [Boston: Houghton-Mifflin], 1974). After the opening scenes that establish the rowdiness and ribaldness of Veronas youth, Romeo enters. He is in many ways a stark contrast to his companions, especially Mercutio, who have displayed all the energy and crassness associated with adolescent boys. Above all, Romeo is a Petrarchan lover languishing over the unattainable Rosaline: O, she is rich in beauty, only poor / That, when she dies, with beauty dies her store . . . / She is too fair, too wise, wisely too fair / To merit bliss by making me despair / She hath forsworn to love, and in that vow / Do I live dead that live toShow MoreRelatedThe Use of Verse and Prose in RomeoJuliet3483 Words   |  14 PagesThe Use of Prose and Verse in RomeoJuliet Table of Contents page 1 Introduction 3 2 Technical terms 3 2.1 Metre 3 2.2 Foot 3 2.3 Enjambment and End-stopped Line 4 2.4 Rhyme 4 2.5 Rhyme Scheme 5 3 Prose 5 4 Verse 5 4.1 Rhymed verse 6 4.1.1 Sonnet 6 4.2 Blank Verse 6 4.3 Free Verse 7 5 Verse and Prose in Romeo and Juliet 7 5.1 Functions of the Use of Prose 7 5.1.1 Function of Variation 7 5.1.2 Class-Differing Function 8 5.1.3 Empathy-Creating Function 8 5.1.4 Realness-CreatingRead MoreEssay on Love and Loyalty in William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet718 Words   |  3 PagesLove and Loyalty in William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet In the play Romeo and Juliet (by William Shakespeare), I will be staging the fifth Scene of Act 1. Arguably, this scene is the most crucial point in the play, as this is where they both meet, and their love and loyalties divide between them and their families. This scene displays how the love of both Romeo and Juliet from different parties confronts divided loyalties for them, as they either have to be loyal Read MoreWilliam Shakespeare: A Legendary Author Essay896 Words   |  4 PagesWilliam Shakespeare’s intellectual use of the English language is what brought him prosperity throughout his lifetime, and what brings us to tears and laughter in the modern world. The life of Shakespeare is of great importance to English literature because of his many contributions including poetry, stories, and plays. However, many people do not know that he also owned a business. â€Å"William Shakespeare was a professional actor, a businessman, and a playwright. Today, nearly four hundred yearsRead MoreCompare the Presentation of Love in Shakespeare to Pride and Prejudice1074 Words   |  5 Pages‘Romeo and Juliet’ and ‘Pride and Prejudice’ are the two of English literature’s most celebrated and loved stories.   In both cases, the theme of the story is love between a young man and women and the lovers are the main characters about which the rest of the cas t or characters in the story revolve.   Although both are romances, in the literal sense of the word, there are numerous differences between them; this essay intends to examine the similarities and differences between the two works, specificallyRead More The True Essence of Romantic Love1130 Words   |  5 Pages In William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, love is exemplified more ways that we can imagine, from the undying love of two people to parental love. Love celebrated by the protagonists with playful sonnets to express their endearment and love for one another. Love that transcends from such powerful gazes and translates into an undying love. Society’s encroachment to a very innate and fundamental aspect of our being is met with violence and death. We must not forget that the very essence of loveRead More Uncovering Worth Unknown: The Constancy of Love in Sonnet 1162370 Words   |  10 Pagesfamed writer of all time, William Shakespeare became famous for his plays and for his sonnets. These sonnets discuss everything from the importance of children to the troubles of rival poets, and have even been divided into two distinct subgroups—those of the â€Å"Fair Youth† and those of the â€Å"Dark Lady†Ã¢â‚¬â€because of the differences between the two. Ho wever, a common theme that runs throughout nearly all of them is that of love. Illustrating and exemplifying love, Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116 provides a classicRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s An Enigma Throughout History1555 Words   |  7 PagesThe life of William Shakespeare has been an enigma throughout history. Little can be found about his life because many of the documents have been lost from the Elizabethan times. Information regarding his family, himself, and his works has been unraveled through looking at past historical documents and connecting one source of information to another to provide sufficient history on William Shakespeare. Many of William Shakespeare’s plays and poems have influenced other writers with their works, butRead MoreRomeo and Juliet Act 1 Scene 5 - Dramatic Effectiveness1599 Words   |  7 PagesRomeo and Juliet Act 1 Scene 5 – Dramatically Effective? Romeo and Juliet is widely regarded as William Shakespeare’s greatest piece of writing; one of the greatest tragedies ever written. It is a tragic love story, a story of love and hate. While there is a blooming love between the main protagonists of the play, Romeo and Juliet respectively, there is hate between the families of the two, the Capulet and Montague. One of the key ways that Romeo and Juliet became a classic is because it is dramaticallyRead MoreHow Baz Luhrmanns Interpretation of the Prologue Engages the Audiences Attention and Makes them Want to Watch the Rest of the Film1465 Words   |  6 PagesHow Baz Luhrmanns Interpretation of the Prologue Engages the Audiences Attention and Makes them Want to Watch the Rest of the Film How is it that after watching the opening sequence to Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet film (properly titled William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet) about twenty times, the exhilarating thrill I experience from it still has not faded out? To grab the attention of the viewers and keep their eyes glued to the screen as the movie starts, the directorRead MoreA Very Brief Biography of William Shakespeare1609 Words   |  6 PagesWilliam Shakespeare William Shakespeare, man with intelligence, creativity, and with great passion for love, was one of the most prestige playwright, poet, and actor from the British Literature. He contributed his whole life writing some of the finest and well known plays and poems that are still highly valued in the present literary world. Shakespeare’s conventional themes for most of his plays and poems are about universal matters such as love, jealousy, and beauty which were common focus during

Saturday, December 14, 2019

The Most Important Discovery in the Last 100 Years Free Essays

A lot of significant discoveries have been made over the past centuries. While various discoveries in astronomy, science, physics set our lives on entirely different course, I strongly believe that the discovery of the fist antibiotic, penicillin played a crucial role in the history of mankind. Firstly, before the discovery of penicillin some diseases were incurable and any wound could result in death because of bacteria. We will write a custom essay sample on The Most Important Discovery in the Last 100 Years or any similar topic only for you Order Now Though different methods in medicine were used to limit outbreaks and reduce the spread of diseases, researchers did not know how to kill bacteria that caused diseases. Invented by Alexander Fleming in 1928, penicillin cured a lot of diseases that had caused so much pain and suffering. For example, such illnesses as sepsis and pneumonia were fatal in the majority of cases. Penicillin became the fist drug to defeat those illnesses. Moreover, due the use of penicillin during World War II a tremendous amount of soldiers survived. Penicillin made a major difference in the number of deaths and amputations caused by infected wounds. This antibiotic was the most powerful, the least harmful and gave quick results. Though being the most limited cure, penicillin saved countless lives during the war. Last but not the least, penicillin played an important role in the increase of world life expectancy. It prevented population from the risk of getting the fatal diseases such as fevers, sepsis and pneumonia and reduced deaths at young ages. To illustrate this, the world life expectancy has doubled over the past two centuries from 45 years in 1920 up to 67 and more nowadays. Above all, a lot of other types of antibiotics were developed from penicillin, such as amoxicillin, which, in turn has treated other serious diseases and become innovation in medicine. To conclude, the invention of penicillin became a very important event in the history of medicine. The use of penicillin helped to save lives of many people and reduce the number of losses during World War II. It is impossible to imagine the modern life without antibiotics. Due to them people are not in danger of suffering from serious diseases as they were before the invention of the life-saving cure. How to cite The Most Important Discovery in the Last 100 Years, Papers

Thursday, December 5, 2019

Chemical Fertilizer vs. Organic Fertilizers free essay sample

Agriculture is the most primitive occupation of the people which mainly needs land to grow different crops for food and as raw materials for different industries. Industrial use of agriculture for supplying raw materials came much later. Originally land was used for agriculture to supply food for human beings by the use of organic manures particularly animal dung. At the beginning land was used in its natural form to grow food. Land contains natural humus that supplies nutrients for crop. But people began to think that natural fertility of land cannot supply sufficient food crops for human to survive. This belief became concrete when Thomas Robert Malthus wrote in 1798 that population grows at a faster rate than the growth of food by the famous quote, â€Å"food grows at arithmetic progression and population grows at geometric progression. † As we cannot survive without food; so we have to grow more food to feed the fast growing population. To grow more food we have to add plant nutrition and research on plant nutrition began perhaps in 19th century after the publication of Malthusian Theory. In the 19th century a German chemist Justus von Liebig started the modern science of plant nutrition denouncing the vitalist theory of humus. For the first time he argued the importance of ammonia and in later course tried to promote the idea of using inorganic minerals to plant nutrition. Thus the concept of using fertilizer began and different types of inorganic fertilizer are manufactured and in this manner Erling Johnson in 1927 developed an industrial method of producing nitrophosphate. During the 19th century in England fertilizer companies were established and commercial production of inorganic fertilizer began and the debate on uses of organic versus inorganic was also started. In India widespread use of inorganic fertilizer began in 1968 which ushered a Green Revolution by large production of wheat using High Yielding Varieties of Seeds (HYV Seeds) ‘The HYV Seeds was first introduced in India by Dr. Norman Borlaug and the credit for introducing the Green Revolution goes to Dr. M. S. Swaminathan WHAT ARE FERTILIZERS? Fertilizers can be defined as a chemical or natural substance added to soil to increase its fertility. Fertilizers contain nutrients that promote plant growth. Created from numerous ingredients, derived from animals and commercial products, fertilizers are necessary for maximizing a plants health and size. Fertilizers can be composed of organic or inorganic material of natural or synthetic origin that is added to a soil to supply one or more plant nutrients essential to the growth of plants. Manure and compounds contain nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are spread on or worked into soil to increase capacity of crop yield. Fertilizers are available in various forms. The most classic form is solid fertilizer found in granulated or powdered forms. The next most common form is liquid fertilizer. It has some advantages like its effectiveness is immediate and its coverage is wide. There are also slow-release fertilizers most notably fertilizer spikes, tabs, etc. which reduce the problem of burning the plants due to excess nitrogen. Recently, organic fertilizer is on high rise as people are resorting to environmental friendly (or green) products. Though organic fertilizers usually contain a lower concentration of nutrients, this lower concentration avoids complication of nitrogen burn harming the plants. Moreover ,organic fertilizers such as compost and worm castings break down slowly into complex organic structures (humus) which constructs the soils structure and moisture- and nutrient-retaining capabilities. CLASSIFICATION OF FERTILIZERS: Fertilizers can be broadly classified into two types: (1)Organic Fertilizers or Chemical Fertilizers (2)Inorganic Fertilizers Chemical Fertilizers: A chemical fertilizer may be as defined as any inorganic material of wholly or partially synthetic origin that is added to the soil to sustain plant growth. Since chemical fertilizers are synthetically derived from inorganic materials , they may have some harmful acids, which stunt the growth of microorganisms found in the soil helpful for plant growth naturally. They’re mostly rich in the three essential nutrients needed for plant growth viz. nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium popularly known as â€Å"NPK†. Some examples of chemical fertilizers are ammonium sulphate , ammonium phosphate, ammonium nitrate, urea, ammonium chloride ,etc. ADVANTAGES OF CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS: Some of the major advantages of using chemical fertilizers are as following: (1)Commercial chemical fertilizers have the advantage of predictability and reliability. (2)Formulations of this type of fertilizers are blended with accuracy and we can buy different blends for different types of plants as per our requirement. (3)Commercial chemical fertilizers contains a balanced distribution of the three main essential nutrients needed for plant growth: nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. The amount of percentage of the three main ingredients is listed in an order on the fertilizer labels as the N-P-K ratio. 4) In addition to these three basic nutrients some fertilizer formulations may also contain iron, sulfur and cooper. Commercial formulated fertilizers allow us to know exactly which nutrients we’re giving our plants. DISADVANTAGES OF CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS: Some of the major disadvantages of using chemical fertilizers are as following: (1)Cont inuous use of chemical fertilizers led to degradation of soil health as farmers are now forced to use more and more chemical fertilizers to achieve the same production level thus making the cost of cultivation high. (2)Commercial chemical fertilizers are more expensive than natural fertilizers. 3)Some fertilizers may contain ingredients that may have high acid content or toxic substances which may burn our skin or affect adversely to our respiratory system. (4)We also need to mix and measure them accurately. If we use access of the fertilizers than it can kill our plants. (5)Chemical fertilizers escape from soil and pollute groundwater, lakes, rivers, kill bacteria and other microorganisms in the soil making it infertile. ORGANIC FERTILIZERS: Organic fertilizers are fertilizer compounds that contain one or more than one kinds of organic matter. The ingredients may include animal or vegetable matter or a combination of the two. Some naturally occurring organic materials are chicken litter, manure, worm castings, compost, seaweed, guano, bone meal or naturally occurring mineral deposits for e. g. saltpeter can be used to form organic fertilizers. Poultry litter and cattle dung often create environmental and disposal problems, making their use as a constituent of fertilizer. Bones of dead animals can be processed into phosphate-rich bone meal; however, most are simply buried in landfills. Recent studies show that urine can also be improved by converting it to struvite , which already has been experimented by a Dutch firm using human urine. The conversion is performed by adding magnesium to the urine. The economical advantage of using urine as fertilizer is that it contains a large amount of phosphorus which is an important ingredient for plant growth. Leguminous cover crops are also grown to enrich soil as a green manure through nitrogen fixation from the atmosphere; as well as phosphorus (through nutrient mobilization) content of soils. ADVANTAGES OF ORGANIC FERTILIZERS: Some of the major advantages of using organic fertilizers are as following: (1) Organic fertilizers are known to improve biodiversity , soil life and long-term productivity of soil, and may prove a large depository for excess carbon dioxide. (2) Organic nutrients increase the abundance of soil organisms by providing organic matter and micronutrients for organisms such as fungal mycorrhiza , bacteria (which aid plants in absorbing nutrients), and can drastically reduce external inputs of pesticides and chemical fertilizer, at the cost of decreased yield. 3) In nature, decomposition of organic matter creates a natural fertilizer. Applying organic compost or well-aged herbivore manure adds nutrient-rich organic material to the soil, improving quality and texture of the soil. (4) Adding organic material to the soil improves and increases its ability to hold water; reduces erosion from water and wind; increases soil organic matter; improves soil structure and tilth ;decreases compaction and crusting of the soil; and raises soil phosphate. (5) Natural fertilizers are less likely to burn tender, young plants as they are less concentrated in acid and toxic substances than chemical fertilizers. 6)Natural fertilizers are cheap, easily available and easy to handle. DISADVANTAGES OF ORGANIC FERTILIZERS: Some of the major disadvantages of organic fertilizers are as following: (1) The nutrients in organic fertilizers are not equal and unevenly distributed. Moreover organic fertilizers may contain pathogens and other disease causing organisms if not properly composted. (2) Nutrient contents are variable and their release to available forms that the plant can use may not occur at the right plant growth stage. (3) Natural fertilizers are slow in breaking down the nutrients it contains to the growing plants/crops requires. 4) Many natural fertilizers, such as manure, seaweed or fish oil are quite smelly as they release foul odour and are too offensive to use on indoor plants. (5)Gathering natural materials, such as animaldung, grass clippings and leaves, to add to the compost pile is labor-intensive and time-consuming. (6) Organic materials break down at different rates, so the composition and content of organic fertilizer is never consistent. Therefore from the above given Advantages and Disadvantages of chemical as well as organic fertilizers we can draw the following comparisions between the two: ? NPK Ratio: In chemical fertilizer it is 20 to 60% but in organic fertilizer it is about 14%. ?Rate of production: Immediate supply in case of chemical fertilizer and in case of organic fertilizer its release is slow. ?Source: Chemical fertilizers are manufactured from synthetic material but it is reverse in case of organic fertilizers as they are made from materials derived from living things. ?Preparation: Chemical fertilizers are artificially prepared but organic fertilizers are prepared naturally and that is why one can prepare organic fertilizers, themselves or can also buy. Cost: Chemical fertilizers are costly but organic fertilizers are cheap and easily affordable. ?Nutrients: Chemical fertilizers have equal distribution of three essential nutrients: phosphorous, nitrogen, potassium but The nutrients in organic fertilizers are not equal and unevenly distributed. ?Effect on environment: Both has some effect on environment but the larger effect is being created by chemical ferti lizers. CONCLUSION: Population on this earth is increasing day by day but the crop yield is not sufficient. So in order to keep the pace organic fertilizers were insufficient, thus modern techniques of farming were introduced which includes chemical fertilizers. But when people came to know the drawbacks of these chemical fertilizers ,people started making a transition to organic farming. Thus we come to a conclusion that neither of chemical fertilizer nor organic fertilizers are fully/wholly perfect. It is a controversial matter in the society that people are opposing the use of chemical fertilizer and supporting to use organic fertilizers. They say that it is more eco friendly and safer to people sustaining on earth. It may be a misconception to believe that just because a fertilizer is organic, it is automatically safer. Whatever may be the contradiction and controversy of the use of chemical fertilizer over organic fertilizers or vice-versa ,it is the duty of the people of a society , agricultural sectors as well as Governments to implement and invent new fertilizers which coexist the characteristics of both chemical and organic fertilizers and make our surroundings clean and mother earth pollution free.

Thursday, November 28, 2019

There Are Many Issues That Face Todays Teenagers. Probably One Of The

There are many issues that face today's teenagers. Probably one of the most common is the issue of individualism or identity. The teenage years harbor some of the most confusing and impressionable years in the life of any human being. There are many expectations, both individual and societal, that play a large role in the development of each teenager. Though most teenagers find their way through these difficult years as their own person, there are some who never seem to fully understand who they are. This misunderstanding can lead to many problems in hood. When a child is born they are catered for about three or four years. Once the child embarks on their first journey away from home (school) there are some changes that occur in the child. For the most part these changes are minimal, for the child still retains the nature not to care or understand the art of conforming to those around him or her. Once a child enters the pivotal time in it's life called adolescence that confident child becomes an awkward teenager. What once never crossed the mind of that child now weighs heavily on the mind of that teenager. The most important thing for a teenager is to be liked by others. The easiest way for teenagers to be liked by others, they seem to think, is to conform to what others do. So the pattern begins. Teenagers create expectations for themselves by looking at famous people or perhaps even some of their peers. Teenagers will starve themselves to be thinner, but overpriced clothing, and even aquire the same interests as others, but to what end? The instability of caused during this time in a person's life causes them to be less sure of themselves than ever before. In an effort to be liked or popular or just simply not d, teenagers ten to give up their right to think on their own. Many just do what others say. This is a dangerous habit. There are so many unspoken expectations both that teenagers set for themselves and that society sets for them. Society has set an expectation that there is a certain ideal for a or guy to base their morality, beliefs and behavior on. Though these are small parts of these expectations, these are unreasonable expectations that cause teenagers to set unrealistic expectations for them selves. The intolerance of individuality leads to pain and the mindset that different is wrong. Insecurity is a great problem for many s. The inability to find onself can lead to depression and self-desruction. Teenagers are given a very difficult job-to figure out who they are. This may very well be one of the most important decisions or discoveries that any person can make. Though society is pushing expectations in our faces, I think if teenagers base their decisions on who they want to become, they will find the best choice is to be an individual. When one knows them, they can only then truly begin to see the world around them. It seems the only war we are raging is the war against ourselves. Todays teenagers can change the world. Celebrate the differences in people.

Monday, November 25, 2019

Candide Essays

Candide Essays Candide Paper Candide Paper Essay Topic: Candide The Glass Castle Optimists choose to value a glass that is half filled with water. Pessimists acknowledge the missing water, and complain as they tell the waitress to fill up the glass. Optimism is a trait that certain people exhibit, displaying a distinctive outlook on life. It is a tactic that involves focusing on the positive sides of an issue while struggling through terrible circumstances. Throughout the novel Candide, the author Voltaire uses the base principle expressed by the optimistic philosophy to convey one mans quest for personal happiness. While Candide, the main character, is forced to strive through a repetition of hopeless events, he is reminded to live by the philosophy All is for the best. Candide grows up in the Castle of Westfalia under the influence of Dr. Pangloss. Dr. Pangloss firmly believes that Things can not be otherwise; for since everything was made for a purpose, everything is necessarily for the best purpose (Voltaire 18). Shortly after hearing the powerful conclusion drawn from Dr. Pangloss, Candide is expelled from the castle for engaging in a relationship with the barons daughter, Lady Cunegonde. This first act ignites the early questioning of Dr.Panglosss theory All is for the best. Another character that challenged the philosophy of Dr. Pangloss was Lady Cunegonde. After being captured by the Bulgars, doubts began to arouse in her mind. Lady Cunegonde watched innocently as Dr. Pangloss was hung by order of his Eminence the Inquisitor. Following this event, Lady Cunegonde exclaimed, I see now that Pangloss cruelly deceived me when he told me that all was for the best in the world (Voltaire 36). Though Dr. Pangloss had taught Lady Cunegonde to accept every event and make to best of situations, she finds it impossible to justify that a pure life may be taken away for a positive reason.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Advertising effects in social network Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Advertising effects in social network - Essay Example Cloud Computing revolutionizes the usage of computer systems and digital infrastructure. Cloud Computing has evolved to include many industries and types of businesses within its peripheries of operation and implementation. Out of the multiple Cloud Computing Applications of few of the most popular and widely preferred are: In the earlier days of internet and web applications an organization dependent on an application would have to worry about the individual software, the hardware to install them in, the platform on which they would run the infrastructure and lastly the resources. Having so many areas to look into meant a significant investment and a recurring maintenance charge. The innovation and experimentation with the web environment lead to the birth of Cloud Computing a technology based on virtualization, hybridization, and platform/ technology independence. Cloud computing has the power to take care of all the drawbacks of traditional online applications and web based tools and technologies. Sanmina a California based Electronics Manufacturing Company was one of the first to used cloud computing based Google applications in their day to day client service delivery. Test driving the cloud computing benefits at work a handful employees started using cloud based Google applications for emails, document creation, appointment scheduling. Within a span of six months almost 1,000 employees started using the applications on the cloud framework. (King 2008) It was one of the first live evidences of the tremendous potential and processing abilities of the cloud computing technology. It was one of the first success stories of applying cloud computing environment successfully at work with clear cut evidences of computing power and financial and infrastructural flexibility that cloud computing had to offer. Cloud computing radically transforms the

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Business Strategies by Alex and Doreen Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Business Strategies by Alex and Doreen - Essay Example With the company’s total sales of $597,123 compared with the average of best of three of the companies at $653,764 from the CRR, the company could be deduced to be nearly closed, although below, to the average. Since the company ranked third out of eight companies and yet below the average, it would mean the top and second ranking companies may have higher sales revenues than the company. Â  As to what the best companies are doing in terms of strategies, the facts case study is not also clear. There is also no information on industry or company growth from one period compared to others periods for the purpose of deriving information on whether the industry is characterized by growth or not. Â  In term of profitability, the company is observed to be performing less than the industry average using the best of the three from the other companies. With $39,227 as net income compared with $110,254 average of the best of three, the company is less superior. Thus the company can be considered performing less than the average, which indicates the weakness of its strategy. Since the company ranked fifth out of eight firms in terms of net income in relation to sales, it would mean that Sparke Electrical was performing less than half of all the total of the number of companies on the average. Â  Any strength of Sparke Electrical is not evident based on its revenue and profitability performance compared with an average of eight companies in the industry.

Monday, November 18, 2019

How America is Responding to the Flat World Essay

How America is Responding to the Flat World - Essay Example This essay discusses the topic of the United States and that it is no longer the world’s clear economic leader. The researcher suggests that perhaps that is a result of their archaic response to globalization. It will be necessary to redefine productivity in light of emerging technological advancements worldwide. These new policies will have to support the digital revolution, boost technological innovation, enhance workforce skills, promote entrepreneurship and ensure competitive and open markets. The Government will have to look inside and reorganize itself by placing more reliance on networks than hierarchy, more on civic and private sector actors than bureaucracy, and more on technology than on rule-based, bureaucratic programs. Be that as it may, the researcher states that America has single-handedly rescued many third world nations from meager subsistence and it has been somewhat detrimental to the United States internal economic policies. A collective response is necessa ry, but it must be spearheaded by the US Government. The submission to the internationalization of America and the shift away from Americanization by foreign nations demands serious attention. Perhaps rather than internationalization policies, American policy makers should concentrate on emphasizing pursuit of science and technology in the American school system. The researcher concludes that after that American’s themselves might want to become more ambitious in the pursuit of the sciences themselves.

Friday, November 15, 2019

The Octopus Cards Limited Information Technology Essay

The Octopus Cards Limited Information Technology Essay Octopus Cards Limited is wholly owned by Octopus Holdings Limited. The Octopus Cards is a contactless smartcard which can be used for public transport and for others payment and nonpayment application. The Octopus smartcard system was launched in September 1997. Octopus Cards system is the most popular smartcard system in the world with more than 95% market share in Hong Kong. Octopus Cards Limited has over 10m daily transactions and values over HK$90m. In this discussion paper, the innovation and creativity technology adopted by the Octopus Cards limited in Hong Kong will be addressed. Radical and Product innovation Awareness of problem and identify Market needs Being an international financial center, Hong Kong has a well-developed and efficient public transportation network. The increasing number of passengers has created a need and opportunity for transport operators to develop a more comprehensive ticketing system. Ideas Generation of Octopus Cards In the past, besides the use of coins for fare payment, MTR used magnetic plastic cards technology for single journey and its stored value ticket. However, the magnetic plastic cards only can be used in the MTR. In 1993 the MTR took the lead in reviewing its fare collection technology and it was found out the contactless smartcard technology is the most appropriate platform for future need. In 1994, MTR joined with other four major public transport operators namely, KCRC, KMB, Citybus and Hong Kong Yaumati Ferry (HKF) to form a joint venture company named Creative Star Limited (later as Octopus Cards Limited in 2002) to oversee the contactless smartcard systems development and implementation. (Ref: Appendix I) Octopus Technology-Product innovation The Octopus Cards is manufactured by Sony. It has a built-in IC chip and can communicate with different fare processors through the use of card reader/writer. User simply holds the Octopus Card over a reader after hearing a Dong sound, the correct fare amount will be deducted from the card automatically. The features of Octopus Cards are convenient and fast, secure and reliable, efficient and accurate, cost saving, contactless, multi-usage, easy reloading, and can be applied on discounts/loyalty programmes. The reasons for Octopus Cards success Octopus card fulfills the Cooper and Kleinschmidt (1991) three key factors for innovation success: product unique feature, proficiency of predevelopment and market needs (Szeto R. Cheng E., From Creative People to Innovative Organisations, 2010, Pg 157). The company also does well on below: Joint Ventures with other-synergies effect New technology is often risky and when the cost of entry into a new market or the cost of a new product becomes too large, the stakes become too high for a single organization. (Szeto R. Cheng E., From Creative People to Innovative Organisations, 2010, Pg 135) Use Co-operation strategies lead to the success of Octopus. When the MTR management developed the payment system, they co-operated with other transport operators rather than self development of own payment system. Another benefit from joint venture was widen the business network. Octopus system technology allows passengers to travel across multiple public transport modes using one single card. With wide system coverage and support for the public transport operator, Octopus system becomes popular and gains fast acceptance to public. Identify the market needs and consumer behavior. In previous years, the consumer only can use credit card and EPS as an electronic payment tools. However the credit card and EPS cannot be used for small amount of payment. Moreover the credit card company has to review the applicant credit status before approval. Octopus Cards can tackle these market loopholes. Most of passengers are not willing to carry lots of coins, with the advantage of Octopus Cards, it provides a convenient way to them. With its security features, same as store value card, the customers are more willing to use Octopus Cards to buy small value things. In addition, the contactless design also provides convenience to passengers without withdrawing cards from wallets. Innovation and multi usage function Octopus Cards IC chips can storage difference data. As a result, octopus system can be widely used in transport, parking, retail, self service business, leisure facilities, wet markets, school and property access control. Current innovation business Octopus Cards Limited is a newly formed company. The company has clear goal Continuously innovate and delight our customers. Its slogan is Making Everyday Life Easier. Nowadays, 95% of Hong Kong people have at least one Octopus Cards. The company targets on two types of customers: B2B (retail shops, KCR, MTR, etc) and B2C (public). The product life cycle and market has seemed to reach maturity. To sustain the business, the Octopus Cards Limited has adopted customer diffusion to extend the customer base. In October 2005, Octopus Holdings Limited formed three new subsidiaries to target non-payment business of Octopus, which includes Octopus Rewards Limited, Octopus International Projects Limited and Octopus China Investment Limited. (Ref: Appendix II) Non-payment Application The Octopus Rewards Programme is a type of loyalty programme. It allows customers to earn and redeem cash reward, regardless of payment means. With this common platform, participating merchants can offer tailor-made discounts or special offers to their consumers without having any new rewards systems. Over 2.3 million customers have registered for the programme and they can enjoy the benefits at over 20 participating merchants. Incremental product The Octopus Cards Limited broadens their income source by targeting the business on Sold Octopus and Bank Issued Octopus and corporate custom-made octopus. Sold Octopus Cards The Sold octopus is a specially designed Octopus Cards, including key chains, ornaments, watches and commemorative limited edition cards, theres an Octopus to suit your lifestyle. For example: Hello Kitty Octopus Cards. Octopus Cards is not only for the purpose of payment but also becomes a kind of fashion. Bank Issued Octopus Today most people have registered the Automatic Add Value Service (AAVS) to reload the Octopus Cards values. Octopus starts to cross over their products with Credit Card Company. For example: Citibank Octopus Visa card. The customer can enjoy both octopus reward and credit card benefit. Octopus for corporation The Octopus Company creates a compelling marketing tool with a Corporate Octopus, Corporate Mini Octopus, or customized Octopus premium to enhance the corporate image. Process Innovation In the past, Octopus system only can be used on large chain store, e.g., Cafà © De Coral or 7-Eleven etc. The Octopus Cards Limited does not have enough resources to broaden their business to some small stores or small business areas. The expensive installation and monthly charges also create the barrier for the small business to use their product. Recently, Octopus Cards Limited appointed four Octopus service providers: Bank of China, Hang Seng Bank, PCCW, Union Cash Register Co., Ltd. The providers can help rent the octopus reader with a much cheaper monthly fee. Octopus Cards Limited can take advantage of the synergies effect by using the strength of the service providers to penetrate all segments of retail sectors faster. Ideas recommendation for future opportunity Incremental product Resizing the Card Reader Octopus Cards Limited can redesign the current card reader. Octopus Cards involves many design mini-Octopus Cards. But the size card reader and design remain unchanged. The company can design slim size reader, support wireless and 3Generation network. The slim size and 3Gs Octopus Cards Reader can apply in Charity Flag Day, Taxi fare payment or in Newspaper Hawker. In addition, it can be used on online shopping or TV shopping. The slim size card reader can also be installed in laptop and television. The public may use the octopus card reader at home to settle the payment in future. Multi Currencies Support Octopus Cards can use some creative swiping techniques such as Dual Currency Debit Card(à ©Ã¢â‚¬ ºÃ¢â€ž ¢Ãƒ ¥Ã‚ ¹Ã‚ £Ãƒ ¥Ã‚ Ã‚ ¡) technique. People can use two types currency Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) or Renminbi (RMB). The Octopus Cards Limited can partner with China Bank to issue these types of Dual Currency Octopus Cards. Cross over Product The Octopus Cards Limited can cooperate with Phone Company. Most peoples have mobile phone and Octopus Cards. These two things become necessary for Hong Kong Peoples lives. Cross over product like the octopus mobile phone can be a future trend. For the process innovation Alliance with credit card company Besides the product innovation, Octopus system can join alliance with Credit Card Company. As credit card system with advance technology and well-developed global network, sharing experience can enhance Octopus system to penetrate to global market easier. Consultancy services Octopus Cards Limited is a success and experienced company on smartcard technology. The company can use its knowledge to provide consultancy service to other countries and to share their technology and services for potential customer. VIP membership card service Nowadays, most people have over a dozen of discount or VIP cards for various shops or restaurants. Carrying them all around is impractical. Octopus can try to develop VIP or loyalty cards. In future, peoples can bring one Octopus Cards to enjoy shopping and VIP service. For the merchant, it can be easier for them to track the consumer usage and spending pattern. Increase customer Satisfaction Today Octopus holder can only check balance and transaction in Octopus Enquiry Machines at MTR stations, some 7-Eleven or Circle-K outlet or PCCW eye device. To enhance the customer needs, Octopus Card can establish platform for card user s to download the transaction statement via the Internet. In addition, with the needs of global market and concern on security issues, the company should shorten the lost card processing time, say, from now 6 hours to real time block card. Conclusion Innovation is the cornerstone of Octopus success. With a clear goal, Octopus Card becomes the most famous innovation product. Product feature and the innovation strategy both are important for the company. In future, Octopus can utilize their competitive advantage and market leader position to formulate more creativity ideas to make our lives easier. Appendix Joint venture shareholder of Octopus Holdings Limited Source from: Octopus Holiding Limited Corporate Structure of Octopus Holdings Limited Source from: Octopus Holiding Limited

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

The Punishment of Oedipus the King (Oedipus Rex) :: Oedipus the King Oedipus Rex

The Punishment of Oedipus the King At the end of Sophocles' Oedipus Rex, Oedipus, king of Thebes, ends up banished forever from his kingdom. Additionally, Oedipus physically puts out his own eyes, for several reasons which will be discussed later. The question is: Did Oedipus deserve his punishments? There are many factors that must be considered in answering this, including how Oedipus himself felt about his situation. His blinding was as much symbolic as it was physical pain. After all factors have been considered, I think that only Oedipus' banishment was the necessary punishment.. It is important to keep in mind the whole basic reasoning for Oedipus' search for Laius' killers: he wished to put an end to a deadly plague, and that plague would only be stopped when said murderer is killed, or driven from the land (pp 4-5). Thusly, when it is revealed that Oedipus himself murdered Laius, then banishment seems to be the only option. Death, in my mind, is not valid simply because of what it might do to the kingdom's people. Even though it seems that Oedipus has not been a particularly good monarch, in fact his only major accomplishment seems to be killing the Sphinx all those years ago, having a king put to death could have serious repercussions on the rest of the kingdom. So in the end, the only way to cure the plague and keep the kingdom stable seems to be the banishment of Oedipus. In this case, the question of whether or not he deserved to be punished seems irrelevant; Oedipus' only goal was to stop the plague and by leaving, he has accomplished that goal. Banishment was the only choice. But what exactly was Oedipus being punished for? Even after re- reading the play, this still seems to be a gray area. Incest? Immoral, to be sure, but Oedipus was obviously ignorant to his actions, and to my knowledge, in Sophoclean times, there was no written law against it and therefore no punishment for it. Oedipus' punishment may have been for killing Laius, but how could you punish someone for being a victim of fate? Greeks believed at the time of the play's writing that a man's life was " woven" by the 3 fates (Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos) and that he was