Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Antigone Interpretive Essay Essay

The play, Antigone, written around 422 B.C. by the author Sophocles, is the first of the three Theban plays written by this author. Although it was the first written, Antigone is the third in the series coming after the plays Oedipus Rex and Oedipus at Colonus. This play follows the story of a girl, Antigone; and the king of the city of Thebes, Creon, who both have different beliefs about Antigone’s dead brother Polyneices. Creon makes a rule that no one can bury Polyneices because he was a traitor to the city and attacked it with an enemy army. So as an insult to him, he will not permit his burial. Antigone, on the other hand, believes that even though what he did is wrong, that family is family and she has a right to bury him. She does so, defying Creon’s law, but gets caught in the act and Creon sentences her to death. With this decision, he refuses to let go of, we see Creon’s contradictory opinions: on loyalty, by wanting what is best for the city yet he kil ls their princess, he kills his own son’s bride to be; he pays more attention to himself and what he says is best for the city, rather than his own family, especially his wife. The first example of Creon’s contradictory opinions is his belief that everything he does is for the best of the city. As this quote from Creon states, â€Å"I say to you at the very outset that I have nothing but contempt for the kind of governor that is afraid, for whatever reason, to follow the course that is best for the state; and as for the man who sets private friendship above the public welfare- I have no use for him, either.† (1/20-24/1027) he states his belief in the safety of the city and its people, no matter what the cost is. So once Creon becomes aware of what Antigone has done, he stands by his word and orders her killed, thinking that if he lets her go the people will see him as weak and breaking his word, saying the good of the people comes first, above all else. What he doesn’t realize is that the opposite is true. The people become outraged with him because they feel that Antigone had a right to bury her brother as family, and because she is th eir princess. Nevertheless, Creon doesn’t listen to anyone, and has his guards lock her in a stone vault, with some food, so as to say he did not kill her but she died of starvation. From this act, this is the beginning of his spiral downward, and loss of respect from his own family. Soon after hearing what his father has done to his bride to be, Haemon, Creon’s son, rushes to the castle, to try to persuade his father  to spare her life. He feels she has really done no wrong. As usual, though, Creon does not listen to reason, even by his own son, as seen in this quote, â€Å"I will carry her far away, out there in the wilderness, and lock her living in a vault of stone. She shall have food, as the custom is, to absolver the state of her death. And there let her pray to the gods of hell: they are her only gods† (3/142-146/1045). After the argument with his father, Haemon flees the castle and isn’t seen until much later. Close to the end of the play, Creon finally realizes his wrongs only to find out it was too late. He goes to the tomb of Antigone to free her, only to find she hanged herself and Haemon at her feet crying. When Creon tries to apologize for his wrongs, now that he knows what he has done, Haemon, in a rage, ignores his father’s plea and takes his sword and strikes his father. Creon manages to narrowly escape the blade, which causes Haemon to become so enraged, he takes his sword and ends his own life in front of his father, and he dies there with Antigone. The third and final thing to happen to Creon, because of his opinions on loyalty, is that he neglects his own wife. While Creon is away trying to right his wrongs, his wife returns home to the castle, where she is informed by the messenger of what Creon has done. The messenger tells her how he sentenced Antigone to death, how Haemon tried to reason him but he didn’t listen. And worst of all, how their own child swung at Creon and then took his own life. All of this news is too much of a shock for her, so she leaves to her quarters without a word, which the messenger finds a bit suspicious, so he follows to make sure she is ok. At this time, Creon returns with the body of his son in arms, and talks with the choragus about all the grief he has gone through in this day. Then, suddenly the messenger returns with even worse news, which Creon doesn’t believe could be worse than what has already happened. The messengers tells him that his own wife took her life, â€Å"She stood before the altar, and her heart welcomed the knife her own hand guided, and a great cry burst from her lips for Megareus dead, and for Haemon dead, her sons; and her last breath was a curse for their father, the murderer of her sons. And she fell, and the dark flowed in through her closing eyes.† (Exodus/112-117/1060). From this, Creon cannot bear it any longer and asks if everyone else is dead, where his death is, but he is doomed to live with all he has done, still as king of the city. From all that Creon has learned in this play, from losing respect from the  people, to being cursed by his closet family, we can learn that sometime what we think is best, may not be right, or may not be the best for everyone, or even yourself. I believe the message Sophocles was trying to convey to us, is that we must all learn to care for the well-being of everyone by listening to advice offered, and listening to the opinions of those you are trying so hard to protect.

Miracle of the Crib at Greccio

Name: Marco Yu Ming Chan Date: 6 September, 2012 Professor Kate Dimitrova The Work of Art. The Miracle of the Crib at Greccio (Legend of St. Francis- 13. Institution of the Crib at Greccio), Portrait by Giotto Di Bondone, 1297-1300, church of St. Francis, Assisi, Italy. Book Resources Cynthia Ho, Beth A. Mulvaney, and John K. Downey. Finding Saint Francis in literature and art. New York, Palgrave Macmillan, 2009. The three authors created and edited this book a big collection of essays, which they are about St.Francis, and some art works and texts about him, with the knowledge, tools and technics now-a-days, to study his life in a different view. William R. Cook. The art of the Franciscan Order in Italy. Leiden ; Boston : Brill 2005. Though the book is not directly about â€Å"The Miracle of the Crib at Greecio†, It’s about all the works related to St Francis. There are also some article that talks about this piece of work, and the different background of it. It’ s combined by essays from The United States and The Great Britain, studying franciscan art in late medieval and early Renaissance Italy.Essays Rosenthal Erwin, â€Å"The Crib of Greccio and Franciscan Realism† The Art Bulletin (Mar 1954): 57-60. This article begins with a research in 1926, explaining the differences of the view of the relationships between St. Francis, Nature and Art before and after the first quarter of the twentieth century. It talks about the old idea of how St. Francis respected and instructed nature (animals) and thinks it’s all connected with God, and how some art works like â€Å"The Cribs of Greecio† are so different and a new interpretation of his influence on arts.Ursula Schlegel, â€Å"The Christchild as Devotional Image in Medieval Italian Sculpture: A Contribution to Ambrogio Lorenzetti Studies† The Art Bulletin (March 1970): 1-10. This article introduces and compare some pieces of art works that are related to St. Francis it self and the Christ. Some of them made St Francis to be the â€Å"second Christ† and some of them are showing the picture that he’s holding the Christ (the miracle in Greecio).It talks a lot about what the relationship between those art works and the piece â€Å"Christchild†, but still, there are some informations and background about â€Å"The Miracle of the crib at Greecio†. Web Sites N/A. â€Å"Saint Francis cycle in the Upper Church of San Francesco at Assisi† wikimedia commons, March 2012.

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Metapardigm concepts of nursing Essay

Introduction. The purpose of this assignment is to identify and explore one of Jacqueline Fawcett’s (1984) metapardigm concepts of nursing that she identifies as being concepts central to nursing and explore how this is expressed in Judith Christensen’s (1990) Nursing Partnership Model. The following discussion seeks to analyse the metaparadigm concept of ‘person’ according to Christensen (1990). To facilitate this, it is important to discover what is meant by metaparadigm and to further explore what a conceptual model is. This will lead to a better understanding of what Fawcett means by the four metaparadigm concepts of nursing. Within the development of nursing theories, there is recognition of common themes and concepts. A concept of a subject is related to the way it is viewed and can be a way of classifying a theme when applied to a particular area (Pearson, Vaughan & Fitzgerald, 1997). Fawcett (1984) identifies the four main concepts or themes central to nursing as including; health, environment, person and nurse. These four concepts, the recurring themes and the inter-relationships between them are described as nursing’s metaparadigm. Metaparadigm is the combination of two words, meta and paradigm. According to Mosby’s (1994) definition, Meta, can mean either â€Å"after or next† or â€Å"change or exchange.† Mosby’s (1994) defines Paradigm as â€Å"a pattern that may serve as a model or example. Chin & Jacobs (1987) identify paradigm as, a generally accepted world view or philosophy, a framework or structure within which theories of the discipline are organized. According to Fawcett (1984), â€Å"a metaparadigm of a discipline is a group of statements identifying its phenomena in a global rather than specific way.† Metaparadigm is â€Å"the most global perspective of a discipline and acts as an encapsulating unit or framework, within which the more restrictive structures work† (Fawcett, 1984, p.5). A conceptual model focuses on the main points of relevance whilst ruling  others to be less important within the metaparadigm. A conceptual model has a set of concepts and statements that allow integration of them into a meaningful configuration. Mosby’s (1994, p.273) description of conceptual model (framework) as, â€Å"a group of concepts that are broadly defined and systematically organised to provide focus, rationale and a tool for the integration and interpretation of information.† In seeking to clarify the meaning and what is meant by the four metaparadigms, Fawcett (1984) describes the ‘health’ concept as the relationship of a person’s degree of illness or wellness. The concept of ‘environment’ is and includes the surroundings or context the person moves in and interacts with e.g. home, work, roles, socio-economic status and the pattern of the person’s life in relation to these things. The concept of ‘person’ is any identity that receives health care, and may include an individual, a family (whanau) or a community (hapu or iwi). Lastly, the concept of ‘nursing’ is the giver or provider of health care and the activities the nurse undertakes that enables this giving to occur. This may include an individual or a system (Fawcett, 1984). Metaparadigm concept ‘Person’ -the work of the patient. Normal life for a person encompasses the ability to accomplish a wide range of activities, including those activities of daily living such as for caring for ones own personal needs, activities that allow social interaction and other activities which enable the person to live and grow (Pearson et al. 1997). If however, when a person becomes hospitalised and the hospital in turn becomes the person’s home, the person needs to relinquish roles and norms and put themselves in the care of hospital staff. The person leaves their familiar surroundings and subsequently withdraws from the full expression of the person’s usual social roles (Christensen, 1990). The Beginning phase: In reaching the point where the person finally reaches the decision to become dependent on a medical expert can be a lengthy and stressful process. Illness is not seen to begin merely when the person encounters a health professional, rather therein lies a significant period of decision making and self directed treatment in an effort by the person to control the illness, bring about symptomatic relief and leading to self healing (Morse & Johnson, 1991). The person may have lived with a period of suffering from ill health for some time because it may not have appeared to be life threatening and one just ‘coped’ with the symptoms. Christensen (1990, p.50) quotes an example of a person with a history of childhood urinary tract infections. â€Å"I just get bad kidney infections -you know -I can hardly walk†¦I just know when it’s coming and when it’s gone†¦I used to go to the Dr. all the time†¦feed me some more rubbish -antibiotics and stuff†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Reaching the point were the person initiates medical help might be something they have considered and deliberated over for some time, because they known that something ‘just isn’t quite right,’ but might have put off due to a fear of the unknown. When the person decides to engage in some form of intervention, the person becomes busy putting their life of normality on hold. They reach a point where they believe the right decision has been reached and they are ready to hand themselves over to the health experts. The person continually recounts and relays each new experience to others. This may include, friends, family or other people who are sharing similar experiences. Such information is shared many times with added information shaping and retesting issues as further information is discussed with the health care professionals. By the time the hospital admission takes place, the person has shared and thus interpreted their experience (Christensen, 1990). This does not mean that a person undergoing hospitalisation suffers no anxiety even when that person has become prepared for the event. Taylor, Lillis & LeMone (1993), found that even from the point of admission into a health care setting, the individual experiences a range of emotions including, anxiety, confusion and concern related to unmet and unfulfilled role obligations left behind. Settling In phase: It takes courage and strength to trust another, for the patient this trust is often placed in a stranger, this can be a trying experience and can jeopardise emotional security. While the person may have met their doctor before, it is still a burden to place such trust in someone else’s hands. Emotional stability, trust and security are desirable and need to be met for the person’s admission into the health care setting (Taylor et al. 1993). Assisting the person to understand and identify ward routine can positively influence this. Christensen (1990, p.66) quotes a patient’s response after having been shown round a ward. â€Å"I’m finding it much easier. I know what’s sort of going to happen†¦I think knowing what the routine was is quite helpful.† It becomes necessary for the person to reveal significant information of a personal nature to members of the health care team. Such disclosure becomes an accepted norm even though this may occur between the person and many strangers numerous times each day. Being able to shed privacy and attend to personal activities in front of others and submitting to intrusion, shows that the person acknowledges the legitimacy of health care workers (Christensen, 1990). The partnership developed between the person and nurse further compounds this, creating a feeling of goodwill and concern for one another (Christensen, 1990). Negotiating the Nursing Partnership phase: The person now looks for techniques that establish a sense of control and ensure inclusion in what is going on. The person now reaches a point whereby there is sense of trust and acquiescence, however the person may attempt to give legitimacy to the situation by trying to overcome inhibitions or lack of control by taking personal responsibility for the outcome of the intervention (Christensen, 1990). In doing so, the person becomes part of the health care team. The person accepts submission to necessary rules and procedures of the health care environment, but it is not always passive. Christensen (1990, p.87)  highlights this by quoting one of several patients. â€Å"My priorities are to make sure I do my bit to make sure this works out because the surgeon has done his bit and the nurse can put drops in. I think the main thing is my own action -not being stupid over the thing, not bending down or jerking†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The person is required to meet many different health care workers. In doing so, the person attempts to co-operate and affiliate with these people while acquiescing to their expertise, fitting in and retaining autonomy (Christensen, 1990). Health professionals and the person must establish a partnership and involvement with one another needs to recognise multiple identities and these need to fit together and be complimentary (Beck, 1997). However, â€Å"acquiescing may be associated with a sense of powerlessness in the presence of the expert person, particularly the surgeon.† (cited in Christensen, 1990 p.97). If a person has trust and confidence in that expert then submission is willingly given (Christensen, 1990). It could be said that the person is the real expert as they are the only one who really knows the role of the patient and context with which that experience occurs. The person has a life outside the health care setting that they will continue when they leave. The health care team in turn, will remain behind (Christensen, 2001, personal communication). Even though a person enters into the health care setting, there can be no assumption that they are totally prepared or agreeable to intervention. New or conflicting information or coping with an unknown environment can raise doubts and that the former consent obtained was quite tenuous (Christensen, 1990). Christensen (1990, p.90) quotes one patient as saying â€Å"it came as bit of a surprise to me when I saw him hospital before the operation, the very day before, when he explained about this vision and that night I didn’t sleep to well. I thought about it quite a bit and thought am I doing the right thing?† Additionally, communication between health care personnel and the person is of great importance, anxiety can result if there is a sense that information is being withheld. The person may adopt the ‘good patient role,’ which is then subsequently reinforced by staff (Curtis, 2000). The ‘good patient’  role is seen as being counter productive to a good recovery. If the person does not take an active role in their own care, it may lead the person to not report a change in symptoms (Curtis, 2000). Patients may feel that by maintaining an outward sign of composure they will invoke a significant feeling of control. Endeavouring to maintain such composure underlies many behaviours of the hospitalised person, such as using humour in a frightening situation to mask nervousness (Christensen, 1990). Christensen (1990, p.92) quotes a number of patients with comments similar to the following that utilise humour. â€Å"Imagine operating all day! I certainly wouldn’t like to be at the end of the day if he was†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢Oh, who’s this one? Arm? Leg?† Additionally attending to such activities as personal grooming to the person’s usual standard can be another way of maintaining a sense of normality and composure (Christensen, 1990). Roy & Roberts (1981) theory of ‘the person as an adaptive system’ which puts forward the idea that each person is a system utilising adaptive behaviours to meet changing environmental needs by assuming coping mechanisms (cited in Fawcett, 1984, p.85). Hardship of a temporary nature whilst the person negotiates the passage is an expectation and is generally accepted as part of the process (Christensen, 1990). Pain experienced within the health care setting is expected and tolerated, where as this might not be the case were such an event to occur within the persons home. Pitts & Phillips (1998) say there is little doubt that surgery will involve anticipation of pain for a person, due to the use of needles or knives, or other discomforts post operatively. These things can cause stress but this combined with anxiety and coping maybe extremely hard for the patient even when expected (cited in Curtis, 2000, p.82). â€Å"if I sort of move it around, it can ache a bit. It’s got a suggestion of a little bit of stinging†¦certainly nothing uncomfortable that I can’t tolerate†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Christensen (1990, p.104) Once the effects of surgery lessen, the person feels a sense of hope that all is well and the time of discharge is nearing. The person may start to feel  that they are expert enough to assist in meeting the person’s needs. There is development of expertise and wisdom surrounding the person’s condition and this gives rise to being able to self-care in the future (Christensen, 1990). Going Home phase: Discharge from the health care setting does not always indicate a return to life as it was before admission. It maybe just a step on the road to recovery, with much work yet to be done (Christensen, 1990). A cardiac rehabilitation study by Joy Johnson (1988) identified some of the participants as â€Å"raring to go† but were mindful of the need to not â€Å"overdo it† and were aware that life would not be the same (cited in Morse & Johnson, 1991, p.43). Travel arrangements, arranging plans for care, learning about self medication and understanding what to do and recognition of emergency signs and symptoms are all jobs the person must learn in preparation for discharge. Not all persons being discharged experience positive feelings; some negative reactions emerge when a person readies to go home (Christensen, 1990). â€Å"I think you feel as though you are in a different world. That world is going on outside and you’re in this one and it takes a little while to adjust†¦you miss it all†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Christensen (1990, p.152). Solidified realisation that their own life may in fact be in their own hands can empower the person to plan, anticipate ahead improving their own outcome. Not withstanding the person is still under the influence of the health care professionals who have instructed them in ways to do this. However, the person can decide for themselves just how much and for how long they will be compliant with the ‘doctors orders’ (Christensen, 1990). The final step is the resumption of autonomy and self-management for the person. â€Å"Torvan and Mogadon and aspirin -I was taking those and I thought it’s one of those that is giving me a headache so I’ve cut them off the last few nights.† Christensen (1990, p.155) Conclusion Fawcett (1984) identified four central themes of nursing which she described as nursing’s metaparadigm. Metaparadigm or generally regarded worldview of commonalities of nursing were identified as, including; health, environment, person and nurse. The discussion focused on Christensen’s (1990) Model of Partnership in relation to the concept of person. The reader has been taken through the persons work which has identified within it specific phases. These phases include acceptance of illness or disease, reaching a decision for action, coping with entering and passing through a period within the context of a health care setting, and finally resuming life as it was prior to the episode of contact, or life as it be following such contact. References Anderson, K. N. Anderson, L. E. & Glonze, W. D. (1994) Mosby’s Medical, Nursing and Allied Health Dictionary. (3rd ed.). Mosby, Missouri. Beck, C. S. (1997). Partnership for Health -Building Relationships Between Women & Health Caregivers. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, London. Christensen, J. (1990). Partnership for Health -A Model for Nursing Practice. Daphne Brasall Associates Press, Wellington. Curtis, A. J. (2000). Health Psychology. Rutledge, New York. Fawcett, J. (1984). Analysis and Evaluation of Conceptual Models of Nursing. F. A. Davis Company, Philadelphia. Fawcett, J. (1984). The Metaparadigm of Nursing: Present Status and Future Refinements. The Journal of Nursing Scholarship, Vol. 16 (3), 84-87. Morse, J. M. & Johnson, J. L. (1991). The Illness Experience -Dimensions of Suffering. Sage Publications, London. Pearson, A. Vaughan, B. & Fitzgerald, M. (1996). Nursing models for practice. (2nd ed.). Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford. Taylor, C. Lillis, C. & LeMone, P. (1993). Fundamentals of Nursing -The Art and Science of Nursing Care. (2nd ed.). Mosby, Missouri.

Monday, July 29, 2019

Critical analysis of a qualitative study Research Paper

Critical analysis of a qualitative study - Research Paper Example The clinical or medical impact that healthcare team members can derive from continued exposure to facial transplantation led to the study. The research problem relates to the fact that no conclusive research explores the personal, professional, and ethical experiences and perceptions of the healthcare team members who have participated in facial transplant procedures, whose attitudes and experiences may consequently influence patient care (Evans, 2013). Therefore, the study seeks to address this knowledge gap using an ethical approach. Notably, we should care about this study as it derives the knowledge on the experiences and perceptions of healthcare team members on caring for facial transplantation patients, using an ethical framework (Evans, 2013). The study established that facial transplantation required a different approach than the other organ transplants. Indeed, the study reckons that unlike other transplants, which take one direction, health care givers, and patients partic ipating in facial transplantation need collectively intense physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual care (Evans, 2013). The study established that clinical participants experience a high level of responsibility since they must do it perfectly. However, the study notes that most clinical participants were hesitant and uncertain about the success of facial transplantation due to the complexity of the process (Evans, 2013). Nevertheless, all participants in the study welcomed the moral obligation to transform the patients’ lives through facial transplantation and hence they had to develop confidence, teamwork, discipline, and perfection to succeed in this process. The study notes that healthcare team members involved in facial transplantation meet ethical, psychological, and clinical challenges, which they have to overcome for the process to succeed (Evans, 2013). The study establishes the financial burden and long-term effects that health members derived from facial t ransplantation. These findings relate to the clinical problem (Shanmugarajah et al, 2012). Purpose and Research Questions The purpose of the study is to explore the experiences of healthcare team member in caring for facial transplantation patients, using an ethical framework (Evans, 2013). The qualitative study had relevant research questions that it sought to answer. The research questions included: What were the experiences of the healthcare team members in caring for patients undergoing facial transplant surgery? What are some of the ethical, personal, and professional impacts that health caregivers derive from continued exposure to facial transplantation? How do healthcare team members meet ethical, psychological, and clinical challenges in facial transplantation? How did the ethical, personal, and professional experiences and perceptions by the healthcare team members affect patient care in facial transplantation? Notably, the research purpose and research questions had a corr elation with the research problem. This is evident where the research purpose and research questions address the research problem by leading to a research that explores the personal, professional, and ethical experiences and perceptions of the healthcare team members who have participated in facial transplant procedures, whose attitudes and experiences may consequently influence patient care

Sunday, July 28, 2019

Critically discuss the use of low glycaemic index diets in the Literature review

Critically discuss the use of low glycaemic index diets in the treatment of diabetes mellitus - Literature review Example 2010). The number of individuals suffering from diabetes is increasing and by 2030, the number of patients suffering from the chronic condition is expected to increase to three hundred and sixty million patients worldwide (American Diabetes Association 2012, 64). It is a major world threat as the annual health care expenditures for patients with diabetes is 11.5 percent of all the health care expenditure (Drouin et al. 2013, 68). According to Drouin et al. (2009), the condition has been associated with significant mortality and morbidity accounting for 7 to 9 percent of all deaths resulting from all comorbidities thus; it has become a top health care priority. The literature review focuses on the use of low glycemic index diets in diabetes mellitus treatment. The main reason for diabetes control is normalizing and stabilizing the levels of blood glucose, as glucose control has been linked to a decline of complications associated with the disorder. Common treatment remedies for diabetes include diet and weight control as well as physical activity. If the blood glucose levels remain relatively, high diabetes tables can be administered and in other cases, insulin injections and islets cell transplants are required (Kashikar & Tejaswita 2011, 23). According to Zhang et al. (2010), nutritional factors are key in affecting the blood glucose levels. Despite of the research conducted, there is no any recommended way for optimal diabetes dietary strategy. According to Thomas & Elliott (2009), the improvement in glycemic control that can be achieved through dietary interventions is fundamental in decreasing the diabetic complications, improving life among the affected, minimizing the expenses associated with diabetic medications, as well as increa sing their life expectancy. There are different carbohydrates each with different effects on

Saturday, July 27, 2019

Statistics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 7

Statistics - Essay Example Statistics has greatly enabled me to fully understand the weather changes. Before I learned statistics, I could just hear the theory of weather forecasting dominating the news but I could not believe that in real sense it can be forecasted. Through learning statistics and acquiring the relevant skills, I can build statistics and use the computer representations to compare the previous weather condition with the current one, then predict future weather patterns. Additionally, statistics has enabled me to predict the deadly diseases that one can contract. I used to hear of bulletin journalists reporting the number of people who perished from a chronic disease like liver cirrhosis that was meaningless to me (Freedman et al., 2008). When statistics came in, I could comprehend how it can even affect me. I heard of studies showing that almost 90% of individuals who drink alcohol are likely to contract liver cirrhosis. This tells me that a large number of people who die from alcohol consumption. Apparently, if I do not want to die from such a disease, then I should not drink

Friday, July 26, 2019

Wynn Las Vegas Environmental Analysis Assignment

Wynn Las Vegas Environmental Analysis - Assignment Example Growing number of visitors provides an opportunity to Wynn Las Vegas. For example, they can offer more creative, luxurious, economical and mesmerizing hospitality services to the potential clients for Wynn Resorts. For example, they can offer additional concession or attached offer if a new client first time avails and enjoys the hospitality services in the Resort. Switch, Las Vegas-based technology firm, plans to create more jobs in Las Vegas by bringing more technological investment to Las Vegas (Komenda, 2015). This increase would directly benefit to hospitality firms, such as Wynn Resorts, as the availability of the latest technology will enable them to access more customer data and that data can be further processed for churning out the customer trends which can be used to increase the frequency of customers by looking into their tastes, choices and expectations from the firms operating in the hospitality industry. Technology offers faster and greater access to information. For example, faster and greater access to information will enable the potential customers to choose the most economical offer and rate. And this could lead to decrease in occupancy ratio. Nightlife has become a modern trend in Las Vegas. It has become a common habit of residents and visitors to enjoy nightlife in Las Vegas as many entertainment places are open throughout night. And this trend has become a cultural part of Las Vegas. Wynn Resorts should avail this new trend of nightlife structure by providing attractive entertainment services and offers to the current and potential customers. For example, double offer can be provided in which availing and paying for one service would bring access to the attached service with that purchase. Through this double offer, Wynn can increase its occupancy ratio and can attract more clients. Porter’s five forces model is consisted of threat of substitutes, bargaining power of buyers, suppliers,

Thursday, July 25, 2019

Managing Business Processes& Information Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Managing Business Processes& Information - Essay Example In the recent phenomenon, it has been widely considered that customers are among the biggest assets of any form of business in the modern day business scenario. The performance of any business unit is therefore largely dependent on the approaches and perceptions of the customers towards the business and its products and/or services (Brandi, 2001). Subsequently, the concept of customer service comes into being. Aspects, such as gaining customer loyalty and their retention over a long time-period, comprise the approach of the companies towards managing the customers effectively. Theoretically, customer’s services are referred to the provisions or the approaches followed by contemporary business units in serving their customers with the sole intention to augment their brand value and correspondingly, increase brand loyalty for the products/services on offer under the brand. It is the process that companies follow while dealing with the customers before and after the purchase of t he product to ensure highest possible satisfaction to the buyers. This not only facilitates companies to attain maximisation of their profit level but also ensures the overall sustainable development of the company, assisting it to suffice the stakeholders’ interests to a substantial extent. As per the principle of customer services, organisations are also directed to be responsive towards the complaints of the customers and their expectations from the business and strategize their move accordingly in alignment with the market trends (Slack, & et. al., 2011; Svendsen, 1998). This will make sure that the customers are satisfied, rewarding maximum loyalty to the business units, which further determines due compliance of the statement by Dr. W Edwards Deming - â€Å"Keep the customers coming back; not the products.† In this context, the paper intends to conduct an elaborate discussion on the statement of Dr. W. Edwards Deming with focus on its central theme. Furthermore, the paper also emphasises replicating the various dimensions of the statement by illustrating the case scenario witnessed in Tesco, a global retail chain that is currently dealing with the problem of weak customer services. Accordingly, certain recommendations for improvement will also be provided to the same. Explaining the Central Focus of the Statement – â€Å"Keep the Customers Coming Back; Not the Products† by Dr. W Edwards Deming It is evident that customers are one of the most prominent stakeholders for any sort of business and they tend to have a direct and strong impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of the business through responding to the company’s operation. Thus, it is important that in order to attract the attention of the customers, companies need to come up with various diverse ideas in order to preserve the interests of the customers as intact towards the business for a longer period of time. Contextually, it can be

Cell biology Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Cell biology - Research Paper Example The study of cells using microscopes can either be through transmission electron microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, confocal microscopy and optical microscopy (Lodish, 411). There are a number of techniques that are commonly used in cell biology. Immunohistochemisty/ immunostaining is a useful histological technique that locates (tags) proteins in tissues and cells through fluorescence microscopy (towards various desired goals). Another common technique, cell culture, is used to grow cells under special conditions in the lab, outside a living organism while gene knock down is a method used to elicit mutation in a selected gene. Computational genomics identifies certain patterns in genomic data as DNA microarrays are essential in noting variations in transcript levels of various experimental circumstances. The method of PCR indicates the number of gene copies found in the cell and the process of transfection introduces into a cell an entirely new gene. To discover which cells are expressing a certain transcript of RNA, cell biologists use in situ hybridization. During cell biology, purification of cells can be accomplished using techniques such as flow c ytometry, cell fractionation, immunoprecipitation, and so on (Pollard and William, 418). Some of the processes of the cell commonly studied by cell biologists include active and passive transport, adhesion, cell movement, DNA repair (cell death and senescence), gene expression, metabolism, cell signaling, division and autophagy. Knowledge of cell biology is useful in fields such as cancer research and other disciplines like genetics, microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, developmental biology, biochemistry, anatomy, biostatistics, ecology, epidemiology, histology, mycology, reproductive biology, toxicology, virology, bacteriology, and so on (Pollard and William,

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Advanced Persistent Threats Against RSA Tokens Case Study

Advanced Persistent Threats Against RSA Tokens - Case Study Example Likewise, in the entire hoax, there was a requirement of evaluating homeland security that also pertains to Information technology infrastructure. The Information technology infrastructure was not the only consideration, as these attacks affect vulnerabilities pertaining to federal information systems and any organization that acquires information systems. However, there were several laws that were passed in the congress after September 11 terrorist attacks. In the process, a series of homeland security presidential directives were issued for sustaining domestic security. However, on the other hand, despite an economic turmoil from September 11 attacks, the aviation industry continues to grow at a rapid pace and is considered as a fundamental transformation. Moreover, there is also a significant change for managing air traffic via net-centric approach. The acquisition of this change will replace the traditional approach for controlling air traffic that is constructed on Information t echnology solutions. By focusing on security, there is a significant increase in utilizing computerized systems onboard of an air carrier. Likewise, these systems facilitate high airborne and internally located system connectivity, operational and maintenance requirements. Moreover, the net-centric ATM connectivity raises concerns for cyber security threats and vulnerabilities. Propagation threats are critical because it is capable of rapidly broadcasting traffic on the Internet along with bypassing intrusion detection systems. Likewise, for augmenting the primary phase of work propagation, it uses a ‘hit list’ comprising of overflowed users i.e. users consuming heavy bandwidth. By identifying users, worm spreads itself at a rapid pace when compared to traditional spreading worms. Moreover, this type of attack saves a considerable amount of scanning time by only attacking a visible target. In the context of any cyber threat to an airport, the airport cannot be the prima ry target, as the Spanair flight JK5022 crash was successful by one of the contributions from a Malware. Vulnerabilities Existed in the System / Attack Methods Computer network intrusions are becoming very sophisticated and advanced and they have enforced a challenge for modern computer network based organizations. Likewise, a new class of challengers called now as ‘Advanced Persistent Threats’ (APT) demonstrates a well-planned and sponsored, highly skilled hackers targeting highly classified data for gaining competitive edge specifically in corporate businesses, law firms, military networks, national or international politics (Cole, 2012). Likewise, these highly skilled cyber criminals utilize sophisticated tools and methods that are constructed to disrupt computer network defense semantics without being detected. As per Mr. Mike Cloppert, is a Co-Chair of the cyber threat intelligent summit says that the cyber threat intelligence can facilitate organizations to mainta in an information classification and protection mechanism based on the priorities of these cyber criminals. As a result, the likelihood of success for these hackers will become low. Moreover, organizations can than plan accordingly for the targeted information and can counter these complex advanced persistent threats. Information security management team requires authentic and on time information for constantly monitoring new and potential threats and techniques. Likewise, exploiting the received information will improve a resilient defense posture of an organization. The number of RSA tokens implemented up till now exceeds 40 million and another 250 million are mobile software, as that leads the market for enabling

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Political ideologies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Political ideologies - Essay Example The diverse ideologies include liberalism, conservatism and absolutism. Other ideologies include socialism and anarchism. I will look at the political ideologies in more detail. I will also give a detailed explanation on the ideology that I believe in. In many cases, a person who believes in one of the ideologies will not believe in another political ideology as the same time. The different ideologies have led to remarkable changes in people over the years leading to historic changes that improved life. A liberal is a person who believes in individualism. This means that personal interests and individual rights take center stage over other people in the society. Apart from this, liberals also believe that no person is above another (Eccleshall, 2000). Everyone is equal regardless of their political, social or economic status. They also believe that people have rational and are thus able to come up with solutions in times of troubles. They are also very open to new ideas. Environmenta lism on the other hand, is a type of ideology where people believe in keeping the environment free from pollution. They believe that there should be a balance between the human activities in the environment and the other organism, however, small. Anarchism is a type of ideology where people believe that the government can never be perfect. ... Socialists believe in societal activity compared to individualism thus the society and not individuals own property. In absolutism, people believe that the society should be organized well to ensure order. The people who believe in absolutism consider the king, emperor or leader to be the person who is above other people and capable of making all the right decisions. Ordinarily, I do not like disorganization of any form. This is because it makes me quite uncomfortable and I normally end up organizing whatever it is. I also believe that confusion and disorder is very dangerous and can cause adverse, negative effects to a country. When a nation has clear governing structure, common problems of disorder and confusion are extremely rare. Some people who are born to lead other people. They are people who are talented in heading people and ensuring everything is in order. They also make good choices and ensure that the nation grows economically. Again, other forms of leadership that entail s many people in charge of the nation leads to initiation of very many new ideas in the society. This is very dangerous because many times than not, it always leads to the chaos. This brings about loss of lives and property in wars. Consequently, it is always better retaining old ideologies, as they are safer because have been in use for a long time. This has made me believe that the ideology that best describes my beliefs is the absolutism ideology. Absolutism leadership is the most effective type of government, and it guarantees that the leader does not favor some people in the society. This is unlike the governments led by many individuals. This is because each leader wants to, please a majority of people in the society so that he secures

Monday, July 22, 2019

Venus and Adonis and The Rape of Lucrece Essay Example for Free

Venus and Adonis and The Rape of Lucrece Essay William Shakespeare was born in the Hole Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire on April 23, 1564. He was the first son and third child of John Shakespeare, a leather tanner and a maker of gloves, and Mary Arden Shakespeare. Williams parents were married around 1558 and had a total of eight children, three of which died in childhood. Williams family had been living in the area of Warwickshire for many years and was respected. Williams father was at one time prosperous and elected to municipal offices. He was a member of the Stratford council in 1557 and appointed mayor in 1568. John was not without fault, though, and four times from 1570 to 1572 he faced prosecution for money lending and illegally buying wool. He fell into hard times financially and stopped buying property, went into dept, and even mortgaged part of his wifes inheritance. Despite financial difficulties in the family, the boy Williams education was not neglected, and he went to the local school in Stratford. Some scholars questions whether a single could have written all the great literature attributes to Shakespeare, citing his schooling as proof that he was poorly educated, but their assumption is probable false. ( ) The teachers in school the William had attended had degrees from Oxford, and the education that the boy received was likely very good. Exactly what young William did after his years of schooling is not really clear, but we do know that during the winter of 1582, at the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway, the eldest daughter of Richard Hathaway. She was 26, much older than her teenage husband, and pregnant by him. The church announcement of the marriage was waived on November 28, 1582 and less than six months later their first child, Susanna, was baptized in Stratford church on May 26, 1583. Early in 1585, Anne gave birth to twins: Hament, their only son (who died young), and Judith, their second daughter. With a wife and three kids to maintain, and still dependent on his father one of the London acting companies that had been touring in Stratford. Shakespeare moved to London in 1585, where he was very successful. He was an actor and a writer and even owned his own playhouse. He was very respected man there. He was the first playwright to have his formal biography written and published with his works. By 1592 William was firmly established in the big city of London. He was all ready the author of ten plays and successful enough to inspire jealous and be called an upstart crow by a fellow dramatist, Robert Greene. ( ) Between 1592-1594 all the theatres were closed by an outbreak of the plague. So during this time Shakespeare turned to poetry, writing sonnets and two long narrative poems: Venus and Adonis and The Rape of Lucrece. When the theatres reopened in 1594, Shakespeare joined the newly formed Lord Chamberlains Men, and was entitled to a share of the profits. We was an acting troupe under the patronage of QueenElizabeth?

Sunday, July 21, 2019

Death In Shakespeares Hamlet

Death In Shakespeares Hamlet The Issue Of Death In Shakespeares Hamlet And Its Relation To The Renaissance Thinking The issue of death is inseparably linked with a traditional idea of tragedy. Such ancient dramatists as Aeschylus, Euripides, Seneca and Sophocles implemented the theme of death into their dramatic works to reflect the essence of their own times and the attitude of ancient people towards death. Their treatment of death was presented through serious and tragic elements that intensified a portrayal of certain events and characters, but the concept of death was restricted by the ancient religious dogmas. The Renaissance gave birth to new visions and interpretations of various issues of existence, especially concerning life and death. According to William Engel (2002), The decline and decay of every individual is an old theme with many ways of being expressed during the Renaissance (p.14). Although William Shakespeare, a famous English dramatist of the Renaissance period, constantly applies to various aspects of death in his tragedies, he goes beyond the ancient and Renaissance conceptio n on death. Shakespeare interprets the issue of death through both tragic and comic elements, making an attempt to solve one of the most crucial issues of that era. The dramatist revives some medieval customs associated with death and interprets them through the Renaissance vision. His idea of death is connected with both religious dogmas and atheistic values; for him, death simultaneously embodies everything and nothing. The aim of this essay is two-fold: 1) to analyse the empowerment of death in Shakespeares play Hamlet and 2) to evaluate the concepts relation with the Renaissance thinking of Michel de Montaigne, Thomas More, Sir Walter Raleigh and Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus. In Renaissance England death was perceived as a mysterious phenomenon that aroused debates among Elizabethan philosophers, priests and writers (Cressy, 1997, pp.465-468). The lack of knowledge in regard to various diseases resulted in constant increase of mortality rates. Thus, death was regarded as a leveller that eliminated social inequality, that is, both the poor and rich could die of an incurable illness or be murdered (Duddley, 1999, pp.277-281). Executions and mutilations were usually conducted in public and were rather popular among certain groups of British population. As Michael Neill (1997) puts it, death and other funerary issues constitute a crucial part of any Elizabethan drama that is aimed at transforming individual death into a common recollection (pp.12-17). During Elizabethan ruling various funeral images and buildings were created in Britain, so that people could constantly think of their mortality (Gittins, 1984, pp.140). Death became an integral part of British existence; as Nigel Llewellyn (1991) claims, Images reminding people about their own mortality were to be found in all kinds of public and private situations In early Modern England, Death always accompanied the individual on the streets or at home among the family (p.25). Thus, Renaissance literature reflects this aesthetics of death, as Neill claims (p.356). In this regard, William Shakespeares Hamlet is also overwhelmed with characters deaths that usually come out from revenge or deception. This is just the case with almost all principal characters of the play. For instance, Laertes, Ophelias brother, is masterfully deceived by Claudius and dies. Claudius makes Laertes avenge Hamlet who is accused of the murder of Laertes father. As Claudius claims, Laertes, was your father dear to you? / Or are you like the painting of a sorrow, / As face without heart? (Shakespeare, 1985 4.7.107-109). Although Hamlet makes an attempt to apologise for Polonius death, Laertes refuses to forgive him, because he feels fury and anger, as his sister Ophelia and his father Polonius are dead. Laertes utilises the poison sword during the dual, but Hamlet accidentally changes the sword and kills Laertes. Ophelias death does not fall under the category of revenge; instead her suicide is closely connected with her sexual desires towards Hamlet. As Jonathan Dollimore (1998) puts it, Death inhabits sexuality: perversely, lethally, ecstatically (p.xi). As Ophelia experiences strong desires for the P rince, she implicitly wishes death. Dollimore (1998) demonstrates that there is a close connection between sexual desires and death; the Renaissance ideas on love reveal that love is a changing phenomenon, and if it is so, sexual desires are also exposed to changes. With the loss of love and desires a person starts to feel a desire for death. According to Dollimore (1998), For the Jacobeans, as for us, what connects death with desire is mutability the sense that all being is governed by a ceaseless process of change inseparable from an inconsolable sense of loss (p.xii). Such a thought is consistent with a Christian dogma that human desires bring destruction and death, as is just the case with Eves desire for an apple. Claudius death also conforms to the Christian principles; he is punished for his cruel actions and is killed by Hamlet. Claudius obsession with wealth and power results in many deaths and troubles; thus Shakespeare reveals that Claudius deserves death. But despite so many deaths, Shakespeares treatment of the issue of death is especially obvious through his portrayal of Hamlet who is presented as a person preoccupied with the idea of death and the Ghost of King Hamlet. It is through these characters that the dramatist reveals his ambiguous representation of the principal theme. From the very beginning Hamlet reflects a youthful idolization of death, living life as a journey toward death (Engel, 2002, p.10); although he is afraid of the Ghost, he tries to get in touch with him. Initially Hamlet is anxious about death, because he does not know what awaits him after death. Hamlet reflects his anxiety in his famous soliloquy To be or not to be, where he demonstrates the controversy of the issue of death. As he claims, But that the dread of something after death, / The undiscovered country from whose bourne / No traveler returns, puzzles the will / And makes us rather bear those ills we have / Than to fly to others we know not of (Shake speare, 1985 3.1.86-90). However, as Hamlet collides with cruelty, murders, injustice and deaths, he seems to form a certain unconcern towards death. In his search of revenge, Hamlet thinks much about death and afterlife. But these attempts to revenge for his father are only a prerequisite to Hamlets thoughts of committing suicide. This obsession with death gradually drives him mad; William Shakespeare demonstrates this obsession with implicit mockery. For instance, when Hamlet kills Ophelias father, he is not able to remember, where he hides his body; instead he starts to madly speak about the worms that eat a dead body. Shakespeare demonstrates that even Hamlets appearance shows his obsession with death; he wears black clothes and looks depressed. In the graveyard scene Shakespeare intensifies Hamlets preoccupation with death, revealing Hamlets gloomy thoughts. As he claims, No, faith, not a jot; but to follow him thither with modesty enough and likelihood to lead it; as thus: Alexander died, Alexander was buried, Alexander returned into dust; the dust is earth (Shakespeare, 1985 5.1.201-206). In fact, the image of the grave is shown several times throughout the play to reveal the characters attitud e towards death. With the exception of Hamlet, all characters demonstrate fear and pity at the sight of the grave that they associate with death. As Hamlet constantly thinks of death, he does not value his own life, as well as other peoples lives. As a result, Hamlet appears to be also responsible for the death of Ophelia, Claudius, Polonius, Guildenstern and Rosencrantz. Thus, Hamlets obsession transforms him from a miserable youth into a cruel murderer. However, contrary to other characters deaths that are portrayed with a certain degree of irony, Hamlets death is depicted in more serious terms. From the very beginning of Shakespeares play each death seems to be blackened and is soon forgotten by other characters. For instance, Hamlet demonstrates that his fathers death is already neglected by people, although King Hamlet died only a couple of months ago. When Horatio claims, My lord, I came to see your fathers funeral, Hamlet responds: I prithee, do not mock me, fellow student. I think it was to see my mothers wedding (Shakespeare, 1985 1.2.183-185). Such an ironic viewpoint reveals that even the most generous people are forgotten. The death of Polonius is also ignored by the principal characters; Ophelia and Laertes are too preoccupied with their emotions and feelings to remember their father, and Hamlet who accidentally kills Polonius expresses o nly some sympathetic words: Thou wretched, rash, intruding fool, farewell (Shakespeare, 1985 3.4.38). Ophelias death is described in even more ironical portrayal, as the dramatist presupposes that her death is a result of suicide and asks: Is she to be buried in Christian burial, when she wilfully seeks her own salvation? (Shakespeare, 1985 3.4.38). Similar to Ophelias death, the deaths of Gertrude, Claudius, Guildenstern and Rosencrantz are able to arouse only sympathy in readers. In this regard, Hamlets death stands out against a background of other deaths; it evokes respect and powerful emotions towards the character. Although Hamlet expresses irony to death throughout the play, his death is a tragedy for those who knew him. As Horatio claims, Now cracks a noble heart. / Goodnight sweet prince. And a flight of angels sing thee to thy rest (Shakespeare, 1985 5.2.397-398). Hamlets death is the tragedy for the whole country, because it has lost its noble king and can hardly find another great person. Fortinbras considers that For he was likely, had he been put upon, to have proved most royal Speak loudly for him (Shakespeare, 1985 5.2.443-446). Hamlets noble death corresponds with the ideas of death maintained by such a Renaissance philosopher as Michel de Montaigne (1910) who claims that death uncovers the true essence of a person. According to him, a person can be really judged at his/her last moments. The similar attitude towards death is revealed by Sir Walter Raleigh who claimed that only death could provide people with real understanding of life. During his imprisonment Raleigh demonstrated real courage and was not afraid of death. As he wrote in the latter to his wife, I perceive that my death was de termined from the first day (Raleigh, 1940, p.82). In this regard, Hamlets real self is obvious only after his death. At the end of the play Hamlet accepts his death with courage and inevitability. However, Shakespeare demonstrates that, despite Hamlets indifference to life, he needs much time and courage to prepare himself for killing and death. As Hamlet observes numerous deaths, he becomes immune to his own fortune. He starts to perceive death with irony, realising that life has no value for him. To a certain extent, it is Hamlets insanity that helps him to adjust to the idea of death and succeed in his revenge. As Hamlet collides with cruel reality, he seems to be mentally destroyed by it: Who does it, then? His madness. Ift be so, / Hamlet is of the faction that is wrongd; His madness is poor Hamlets enemy (Shakespeare, 1985 2.233-235). Simultaneously, the principal character manages to create an ironical attitude towards death that is intensified by the utilisation of Biblical and classical allusions. For instance, Hamlets revenge resembles the classical story of Priam and Pyrrhus; when Priam kills the father of Pyrrhus, the latter decides to kill Priam in revenge. In Hamlets case the irony is explained by the repetition of the situation, but Hamlet finds it difficult to succeed in his revenge; he avoids some fortunate situations and kills Claudius only at the end of the play. Another allusion is taken from the Bible: when Shakespeare (1985) mentions the primal eldest curse A brothers murder (3.3.40-41), he draws a parallel between the story of Cain and Abel with the murder of King Hamlet by Claudius. Although Claudius seems to ask for forgiveness in the church, he does not really repent of his action. When Hamlet recognises the truth about his fathers death, he decides to make a play The Murder of Gonzago, where h e implicitly depicts the murder of his father by King Claudius. Ironically, the play has a great impact on Hamlet who has to suppress his desire to kill Claudius and his mother Gertrude. As he states, Let not ever the soul of Nero enter this firm bosom. / Let me be firm, not unnatural. / I will speak daggers to her, but use none (Shakespeare, 1985 3.2.426-429). As Agrippina, the character of the play The Murder of Gonzago, is killed by her son Nero, Hamlet is afraid of his desire to also kill his mother. Another element of death that Shakespeare strengthens in his play is the Dance of Death that is crucial for understanding the dramatists interpretation of the issue. In the Renaissance this dance was performed in the form of a carnival, during which some people disguised themselves into skeletons and guided other people into afterlife. As a humorous festivity, the Dance of Death was popular among different groups of people and was depicted in many dramatic works (Freedberg, 1989). The image of the Dance of Death occupies the principal place in Hamlets graveyard scene. In Hamlets conversation with the gravedigger, Shakespeare uncovers many important issues of existence. For instance, Hamlet asks Did these bones cost no more the breeding but to play at loggets with them? Mine ache to think ont (Shakespeare, 1985 5.1.91). The Dance of Death ha s a great impact on Hamlet, especially when he sees the skull of his friend Yorick who occupied a position of fool in the court during his life (Triggs, 1990, pp.73-76). Hamlet realises that death is inevitable for all people, as he puts it, We fat all creatures else to fat us and we fat ourselves for maggots. Your fat king and your lean beggar is but variable service two dishes but to one table (Shakespeare, 1985 4.2.21-24). But this scene also reveals that the gravedigger and Hamlet are blasphemous in their treatment of death, although to a different extent (Frye, 1979, pp.17-22). As the gravedigger prepares the grave for Ophelia, he sings songs; Hamlet regards this action as awful, although his further action is more cruel. When he finds Yoricks skull, he begins to mock at him, simultaneously laughing at death: Where be your gibes now? your gambols? your songs? your flashes of merriment that wont to set the table on a roar? Not one now to mock your own grinning? Quite chapfallen? (Shakespeare, 1985 5.1.196-199). Such an ironic vision of the principal character reveals Hamlets inner degradation; Ewan Fernie (2002) considers that Hamlet involves into the depth of mortality and destruction, because he feels shame that makes him regard death in an easy and obscure manner. Hamlet thinks that the inner destruction is a necessary prerequisite of revenge, and the failure of this tragic hero works against the i llusion and the tyranny of the self (Fernie, 2002, p.225). Although death is a natural phenomenon, Shakespeare demonstrates that people imagine and endure death before they really die, as the ancient culture forms an attitude of people towards death based on suffering and purgatory. As Stephen Greenblatt (2001) puts it, by the late Middle Ages in Western Europe, Purgatory had achieved both a doctrinal and a social success (p.14). In other words, it not only concerned the religious side and the idea of existence, but was also associated with society and its attitude towards reality. In the sixteenth century there were two religious groups in Britain Catholics and Protestants; the first group maintained the idea of Purgatory, while the second group opposed it. Although during the Renaissance period Protestants made everything to eliminate the principles of Purgatory, Shakespeare demonstrates that Purgatory was also closely connected with cultural beliefs of British people. In this regard, the Ghost of King Hamlet confirms to the dogma of Purgatory, as he appears as a creature that suffers much because of his murder and that demands revenge. In fact, the very image of the Ghost brings up the question of death and supernatural elements, simultaneously demonstrating an ambiguous attitude of Renaissance literature towards the issue of death. On the one hand, on the example of his principal character Shakespeare reveals peoples wish to communicate with dead people, but, on the other hand, he shows the wish of the dead to communicate with human beings. Thus, the Ghost in the play seems to ask not only for revenge, but also for recollection. Despite the fact that Shakespeare does not utilise the word purgatory in regard to the Ghost, the dramatis t implicitly mentions that the Ghost comes back from this particular place. As Shakespeare (1985) states, Doomed for a certain term to walk the night / And for the day confined to fast in fires, / Till the foul crimes done in days of nature / Are burnt and purged away (1.5.11-14). Purgatory, mystery plays and various medieval rituals were prohibited by the Church of England in the era of Reformation, destroying many important aspects of English culture. Purgatory was closely connected with the beliefs in phantoms, that is why the Church made everything to suppress the spread of these beliefs. However, Renaissance tragedy seems to revive some earlier traditions and customs associated with the dead, and Shakespeare is considered to be one of the principal Renaissance dramatists who combine medieval and Renaissance cultural traditions. Making the Ghost come back from Purgatory, Shakespeare simultaneously signifies the revival of the very concept of Purgatory, although in a changed form. In this regard, William Shakespeare resembles a famous Renaissance philosopher Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus (1994) who also rejected many religious dogmas of Protestants and tried to revive some traditions, such as Purgatory. In his work Praise of Folly (1509) Erasmus reveals an ironical vision towards the issue of death, although he believed in God. According to Greenblatt (2001), Shakespeares play takes part in a cult of the dead (p.203), investigating in depth various aspects of death. Shakespeare demonstrates that Purgatory is an important tool for preserving a connection between society and continuity, between life and death; thus the rejection of the principles of Purgatory is considered by the dramatist as the destruction of the Renaissance cultural traditions. In this context, Shakespeares interpretation of the issue of death corresponds with the thinking of such conservative philosophers as More, Erasmus, Montaigne and Raleigh. In particular, Sir Thomas More in his works The Supplication of Souls (1529) and The Last Things demonstrates the importance of Purgatory for saving the ghosts and establishing relations between the quick and the dead. Thomas More also discusses the issue of death through the Seven Deadly Sins that are closely connected with Purgatory (More, 1997, pp.142-160). On the other hand, Shakespeare does not explicitly reveal his support for the issue of Purgatory. Although he challenges the Reformists rejection of Purgatory, he avoids taking one or another side. Shakespeare shows that the image of the Ghost is crucial for the Renaissance public, as Ghost stories were an integral part of British cultural traditions. Despite the fact that other Renaissance tragedies also portray the images of Ghosts, Shakespeares interpretation of the issue greatly differs from other interpretations. As Greenblatt (2001) puts it, Shakespeares ghost is presented in three different images: the Ghost as a figure of false surmise, the Ghost as a figure of historys nightmare, and the Ghost as a figure of deep psychic disturbances (p.157). All these images demonstrate that Shakespeare treats the Ghost in a rather serious way, cons idering that it can give answers to some issues of existence, albeit the dramatist does not reveal these answers; he simply points at the possibility to get these answers. The fact is that Shakespeare intentionally makes the Ghost a controversial creature, so that readers can interpret this image in their own ways. The controversy of the Ghost reflects the controversial attitude of Elizabethan society to the issue of death and afterlife. If the Ghost is thought to come back from Purgatory, then Hamlet may believe that it is the Ghost of his father who suffers much and is in search of revenge (Low, 1999, pp.463-472). However, the Ghost may also appear to come back from Hell; in this regard, his aim is to turn Hamlet into insanity. William Shakespeare reveals this controversy, but he does not solve it. The issue remains open throughout the play and is aggravated with the disappearance of the Ghost. Greenblatt (2001) even claims that purgatory exists in the imaginary universe of Hamlet and [it provides] many of the deep imaginative experiences, the tangled longing, guilt, pity and rage evoked by More (p.252). However, the deaths of Hamlet and other principal characters of the play uncover the truth about these people. In particular, throughout the narration Hamlet pretends to have a secret, althou gh he does not reveal it, but at the end he seems to expose his heart and all his secrets: Thou wouldst not think how ill alls here about my heart; but it is no matter It is but foolery (Shakespeare, 1985 5.2.208-211). Hamlet tries to fool other characters, but instead he fools himself, as he is not able to admit that he is also afraid of death. Analysing the treatment of death in William Shakespeares play Hamlet, the essay suggests that the play contributes much to the Renaissance debate on the issue of death. In particular, the dramatist goes beyond the ancient and Renaissance understanding of death, reviving some medieval death customs in Hamlet and challenging the traditional religious dogmas in regard to death. Introducing the image of the Ghost of King Hamlet, Shakespeare brings up the crucial issues of life and death and eliminates the suppression of the Purgatory concepts. According to the dramatist, the suppression of some earlier beliefs, such as the belief in Purgatory, destroys Renaissance culture. Shakespeares thinking cooperates with the thoughts of such philosophers as Erasmus, Raleigh, More and Montaigne who also demonstrate the necessity to preserve the medieval beliefs and traditions and who believe that a person reveals his true self only at death, while life is a preparation for death. However, Shakespeare avoids supporting either side of the Renaissance death debate; although he revives some concepts, he does not provide an explicit answer to the controversial issue of death. In this regard, the reasons for his characters death are also different; such characters as Hamlet and Laertes die because of their anger and revenge, Claudius dies because of his murderous actions, Ophelia dies as a result of her madness and sexual desires towards Hamlet, while her father Polonius and Hamlets mother die from an unintentional murder, similar to Guilde nstern and Rosencrantz. Applying to these characters deaths, Shakespeare reveals both serious and ironical attitude to death that, on the one hand, reflects Renaissance preoccupation with death, while, on the other hand, demonstrates his own philosophical treatment of this crucial issue. References Cressy, D. (1997). Burial, Marriage and Death. New York: Oxford University Press. Dollimore, J. (1998). Death, Desire, and Loss in Western Culture. New York: Routledge. Dudley, S. (1999). Conferring with the Dead: Necrophilia and Nostalgia in the Seventeenth Century. ELH 66.2, 277-294. Engel, W. E. (2002). Death and Drama in Renaissance England: Shades of Memory. Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press. Erasmus, D. (1994). The Praise of Folly. Prometheus Books. Fernie, E. (2002). Shame in Shakespeare. London and New York: Routledge. Freedberg, D. (1989). The Power of Images. Chicago: Chicago University Press. Frye, R. M. (1979). Ladies, Gentlemen and Skulls: Hamlet and the Iconographic Traditions. Shakespeare Quarterly 30.1, 15-28. Gittings, C. (1984). Death, Burial, and the Individual in Early Modern England. London: Croom Helm. Greenblatt, S. (2001). Hamlet in Purgatory. Princeton: Princeton University Press. Llewellyn, N. (1991). The Art of Death: Visual Culture in the English Death Ritual 1500-1800. London: Reaktion Books, 1991. Low, A. (1999). Hamlet and the Ghost of Purgatory: Intimations of Killing the Father. ELR 29.3, Autumn, 447-463. Montaigne, M. de. (1910). The Works of Montaigne. New York: Edwin C. Hill. More, T. (1997). The Yale Edition of The Complete Works of St. Thomas More. Vol.1. English Poems, Life of Pico, The Last Things. A. S. G. Edwards, C. H. Miller K. G. Rodgers (Ed.). New Haven: Yale University Press. Neill, M. (1997). Issues of Death: Mortality and Identity in English Renaissance Tragedy. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1997. Raleigh, S. W. (1940). Sir Walter Raleigh to his Wife. In M. L. Schuster (Ed), A Treasury of the Worlds Great Letters (pp.81-85). New York: Simon and Schuster. Shakespeare, W. (1985). Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. In P. Edwards (Ed.), The New Cambridge Shakespeare. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Triggs, J. A. (1990). A Mirror for Mankind: The Pose of Hamlet with the Skull of Yorick. The New Orleans Review 17:3, Fall, 71-79.

Environmental impact of tourism in Romania

Environmental impact of tourism in Romania The Environmental Impact of Tourism in Romania Introduction In this essay the main attention will be focussed on the impact of tourism upon the environment in Romania, so the positive and the negative aspects of tourism will be brought in discussion. In Romania the environment is a factor influencing tourism demand. Given that the demand for products of interest is partly determined by its quality, the environment can have a positive or negative impact on tourism. Tourism-environment relationship is particularly important, protection and conservation of the environment being the primary condition for progress and development of tourism. This link is complex; it is manifested in both directions. The environment is defined as the quality of life of people living and natural environments suitable habitats for animals and plants. The impact of tourism on the environment The positive impact Tourism is one of the most important industries and has developed continuously. Romania is visited by more people which are interested in exploring new destinations and cultures as distant. Thus, areas having special natural resources attract more visitors, especially if they offer the opportunity to know the customs and traditions of other cultures. When tourism and environment coexist in harmony, environment benefits from tourism. There are many examples of this kind, most falling into one of two types: conservation and environmental rehabilitation. Preservation means keeping informed choice and use of the natural and anthropogenic. Conservation and tourism often go hand in hand. In Romania many historical and archaeological monuments have been saved from destruction because of tourist interest to them. In Romania parks and nature reserves managed to protect many species that would otherwise have been destroyed by uncontrolled hunting. Tourism not only provides a reason to preserve the environment from man, but also provides money for conservation: a share of the income from tourism can be used to preserve the environment. In this tourist from all over the world are involved in different touristic programs like hiking the trails of medium and high difficulty , visiting historical monuments and palaeontology, easy routes to points of Belvedere, and Keys resort to Rà ¢usor Buti, trails for ski touring, climbing routes, programs for the study / observation of flora, bird watching and observation traces animals. Conservation implies preservation of the environment in a form as close to the original, rehabilitation involves a major change in the use environment. Many buildings and tourist areas have been saved by being restored as tourist attractions or tourist accommodation.  Ã‚   Many buildings and tourist areas have been saved by being restored as tourist attractions or tourist accommodation. Many factories in Romania began a new life as museums, industrial areas were converted into places of festivals, a variety of impressive castles and houses that were in decay became accommodation for tourists. Such examples show how the environment can benefit from tourism, saving what would otherwise be lost entirely. The most important natural reserve from Romania, natural monument, internationally recognized as a Biosphere Reserve is Retezat National Park. The park contains many touristic attractions such as over 80 lakes, 20 peaks over 2000m, the most extensive and deepest glacial lake in Romania, more than 54 habitats of rare or vulnerable plants and animals, glacial relief in the north and caustic terrain in the south. In this reservation tourist from all over the world are involved in different touristic programs like hiking the trails of medium and high difficulty , visiting historical and paleontological monuments, light trails to points of Belvedere, ski at Rà ¢usor and Cheile Butii, climbing routes, programs for the study and observation of flora, bird watching and observation animal trails. Another international known touristic attraction from Romania is the Danube delta. Tourists from all over the world choose the Danube delta as their holyday destination because of its unique landscapes and habitats. This has a good impact upon the natural reservation, because foreign tourists help raising the money for modernising and maintaining the many and diverse natural habitats in the delta. The negative impact Tourism is a consumer of space and tourist resources, participating default degradation and environmental pollution and tourism potential. This degradation is carried out either by direct pressure of tourists on the landscape, flora and fauna and other tourist attractions on which tourism can partially or totally damaged or recovery by the misconception of some areas, points and tourist attractions. Human pressure on the natural environment increases day by day, people moving more often and longer distances on the past. Leisure offers greater opportunity in the exploitation and conquest of the natural environment, most free time is spent outside the city, in nature. Periodic output of the city to green areas in the form of tours, a weekend or holiday sites has become a social custom with negative environmental effects. Many of the environmental damage caused by tourism are caused by the large number of visitors arriving at destinations whose optimal reception capacity has been exce eded.   Ã‚   Environment rarely escape harm when the number of tourists is very high. Air and water quality and diversity of flora and fauna are inevitably affected in some way, and landscapes, cities and monuments. Movement of uncontrolled tourist sightseeing done in natural or anthropogenic causes of often irreversible destruction of some of the items they have devoted to tourist attractions (the destruction of vegetation and flora, breaking trees and especially juveniles, poaching, degradation of the landscape). Pollution is increasing and because of the nature of automobile tourism whose deleterious effect is alteration of air quality, destruction of grasslands, trees and flora, etc Another way of environmental degradation is the purpose of investment unscientific and irrational nature tourism, investments take the form of: over-dimensioning stations in terms of reception and treatment capacity, failure of general principles of natural resource exploitation. An example showing the mutual relationship between tourism and environmental complex in general, and the negative impact that it manifests on each other, in particular, is the disappearance of the last 20 years to 14 huts in the Romanian Carpathians, the loss due to fire. Such damage is due to negligence of tourists. Conclusions Through this essay it has been showen that tourism has much more negative impacts on the environment of Romania than positive ones and that they are often closely related to the economical aspect of tourism. In conclusion Romania is a country enjoying a natural setting with great potential and infrastructure often enough natural tourism, travel form, in this view, is less demanding . After research, results that Romania does not benefit by much more positive aspects, since many components of the environment have been destroyed by tourists, rather than preserved. As Romania has much to do about environmental preservation. References: Cooper et al, C., (1998) Tourism Principles and Practice, 2nd Edition. New York: Addison Wesley Longman Publishing Cooper et al, C., (2005) Tourism Principles and Practice, 3rd Edition. Harlow (Essex): Pearson Education Limited http://www.plural-magazine.com/article-the-danube-delta-eco-tourism-museum-center-in-tulcea.html http://www.romanianmonasteries.org/romania/retezat-national-park

Saturday, July 20, 2019

The Great Depression Essay -- American History

The causes and far-reaching effects of The Great Depression are examined. Discussion includes its impact on both American cultures and nations around the world. The role of World War II and the New Deal in overcoming the Depression are explored. The Great Depression began in October 1929, when the stock market in the United States dropped rapidly. Thousands of investors lost all of their of money and were forced to live on the streets often going without food. This crash led into the Great Depression. The ensuing period of 10 years ranked as the worst period of high unemployment and low business activity in modern times. Banks, stores, and factories were closed and left millions of Americans jobless, homeless, and without food. Many people came to depend on the government or charity to provide them with food. The Depression became a worldwide business slump of the 1930's that affected almost all nations. It led to a sharp decline in world trade as each country tried to protect their own industries. The Depression led to political turmoil in many countries such as Germany where poor economic conditions helped lead to the rise of Hitler. Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected President in 1932 and his 'new deal' reforms gave the go vernment more power and helped slow the depression. The Great Depression ended as nations increased their production of war materials at the start of World War II. This increased production provided jobs and put large amounts of money back into circulation. Several factors led to the great depression. One being the lack of diversification in the American economy. The prosperity of America had been basically dependent on a few industries like construction and the automobile and in the late 20's these industr... ...l deficit and Bennett cut back on government spending. A great burden on the country was Canadian National Railway, the government had to take over many railways and from that took in a debt of over two billion dollars. After seeing president Roosevelt's New Deal policy having good results in the U.S. Bennett introduced policies based on the New Deal. Bennett started up minimum wage and unemployment insurance. However Bennetts attempts to revive the economy were not nearly as successful as Roosevelt's. as a result the depression was worse in Canada than in the U.S., and this led to the defeat of Bennett in the 1935 election to liberal Mackenzie King. Like in the U.S. the Great Depression did not end until the outbreak of the second world war. A boost in the economy was created by a strong demand of Canadian goods in Europe and an increase of government spending.(ibid)

Friday, July 19, 2019

Gender Stereotypes in Culture Essay -- Gender Issues

1. Describe our cultural gender stereotypes, objectification, and media portrayals of women and how these lead to violence against women. Gender is the psychological characteristics and social categories that are created by human culture. Doing gender is the concept that humans express their gender when they interact with one another; it is done every day without thinking about it. Messages about how a male or female is supposed to act come from countless places. According to Helen M. Eigenberg in Woman Battering in the United States, â€Å"Gender construction starts with assignment to a sex category on the basis of what the genitalia look like at birth. Then babies are dressed or adorned in a way that displays the category because parents don’t want to be constantly asked whether their baby is a girl or a boy† (2001, p. 32). Schools, parents, and friends influence a person. Treatment of one gender differs from those in another. Gender roles also change. Another major factor that influences millions of impressionable females and males is television. Not only does the television teach each sex how to act, it also shows how one sex should expect the other sex to act. In the current television broadcasting, stereotypical behavior goes from programming for the exceptionally young to adult audiences. In this broadcasting range, females are portrayed as motherly, passive and innocent, sex objects, or they are overlooked completely or seen as unimportant entities. In the United States, as well as throughout the majority of the world, people are bombarded with commercials, ads, and articles on a daily basis. The information is used to appeal to the masses. Society perpetuates violence against women through the use of the medi... ...d forcing villagers to carry their food, ammunition, and gear into the jungle. Women cannot even walk to the market without being grabbed by the throat and raped. Domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, rape, and so on all intersect with one another. Many forms of violence are used in combination with one another to establish power and control over the victim. In addition, gender stereotypes, objectification, media portrayal of women, and victim blaming increase and cause the use of violence against women. Works Cited Eigenberg, H. (2001). Women battering in the united states. Prospect Heights, Illinois: Waveland Press, Inc. Herbert, B. (2009, August 7). Women at risk. The New York Times , p. A19-A20. Russell, D. (1993). Pornography causes violence. Against pornography: the evidence of harm (p. 149-151). Berkeley, CA: Russell Publications.

Thursday, July 18, 2019

Urban Legend of Vanishing Hitchhiker in Pakistan Essay -- Urban Legend

The Vanishing Hitchhiker in Pakistan During my search for stories, I met a sophomore, nineteen year old male student who is majoring in Chemistry and Math. His parents are from Muzaffarabad, Pakistan. Currently, he lives in Maryland. His father is a cardiologist and his mother is a housewife. His parents immigrated to the United States in the 1970's. The source says this story is known by almost three quarters of the people living in Pakistan. His uncle initially told him the story when he went back to Pakistan for the first time. The story takes place in the mountainous regions of Pakistan that are fairly remote from civilization. However, other versions take place in a middle of small towns. One day, a man is driving along a road that is often surrounded by repetitive landscape, such as continuous mountains and plains. Upon driving for quite some time, he spots a silhouette of a woman a kilometer down the road. As he gets closer, he realizes that it is a young woman wearing a slender white dress, and from her expression, he deduces that she has lost her way and needs to get home. From a quick glimpse at her face, he realizes that she is very beautiful. Confused, but being the caring gentleman that he is, he offers her a ride back to her home. She meekly nods as she slowly enters the car and sits in the passenger seat. He begins talking to her, and the subject matter often varies in different variations, but the consensus is that it is small talk. From the moment she speaks, he is astonished by her beautiful voice. Before long, the man actually becomes attracted to her. They continue talking as he continues driving. At one point in their conversation, he reaches to the right to get his drink by his sid... ...s of society will not recognize one in an encounter either. This reflects the fear that one cannot distinguish the real world from the supernatural world. Works Cited Bennett, Gillian. The Vanishing Hitchhiker at Forty-Five. Long Beach: Western States Folklore Society, 1998. Brunvand, Jan Harold. The Vanishing Hitchhiker: American Urban Legends & Their Meanings. New York: W. W. Norton, 1981. Littlejohn, Carol. "Urban Legends and Other Scary Stories." Unknown journal.15.2 (1996): 27-31. Okonowicz, Ed. Baltimore Ghosts: History, Mystery, Legends, and Lore. Elkton: Myst and Lace Publishing, 2004. Turetsky, Rita. Ghosts and Evil Spirits. Publication information unknown. Wilson, Michael. "The Point of Horror: The Relationship Between Teenage Popular Horror Fiction and the Oral Repertoire." Children's Literature in Education 31.1 (2000): 31-40.

Ikea report Essay

Executive summary This report describes the importance of market research, the target market and market segmentation. How a business can use a situation analysis and SWOT to provide a direction for Ikea. This examines how types of customers and buyer behaviour will impact marketing strategies. Evaluates as a key marketing strategy for Ikea as a case study. Analyses marketing strategies can be used to achieve marketing objectives and describes some ethical and legal things that a business must manage and respond to while marketing. Business Overview Ikea is a well-known global brand with hundreds of stores across the world. In order to improve performance, it must assess its external and competitive environment. This will reveal the key opportunities it can take advantage of and the threats it must deal with. Ikea responds to both internal and external issues in a proactive and dynamic manner by using its strengths and reducing its weaknesses. Through this, Ikea is able to generate the strong growth it needs to retain a strong identity in the market. Ikea’s passion combines design, low prices, economical use of resources, and responsibility for people and the environment. The company’s products, processes and systems all demonstrate its environmental stance. For example, clever use of packaging and design means more items can fit into a crate, which means fewer delivery journeys. This in turn reduces Ikea’s carbon footprint. Ikea believes that there is no compromise between doing good business and being a go od business. It aims to go beyond profitability and reputation. Ikea is intent on becoming a leading example in developing a sustainable business. This will create a better everyday life for its customers. Market research When Ikea conducts market research it is important that the business first determines its information needs. The business should have some idea about the type of information it is looking for. It could vary from customer profiles or brand awareness through to attitudes towards certain new products. Once its information needs are established, the business can determine the most appropriate research method. This is primarily done by IKEA group although individual stores would use sales reports in order to  gather data about the types of customers and popular products that are particular to the area or store. The Target Market The target market is a group of customers for whom a particular product has been developed. The business hopes that these people will buy the product when it is made available in the marketplace. Some products appeal to all consumers, while others have limited appeal. A business needs to understand the nature of consumer markets. The three types of markets Ikea appeals to are Consumer, Mass and niche. The products in Ikea produce are universal to all and with their flat pack design they fall into the niche market. Ikea focuses on meeting the customer demands and satisfying their needs. Ikea’s main focus is that of the selling orientation. Market segmentation Market segmentation is the process of breaking down a total market into small markets It allows businesses to focus their efforts and resources on a section of the market. By focusing on a particular target group, It would consider the features that consumers of this target group would be looking for in a product, the appropriate promotional strategies to generate awareness of and sustain interest in the product, and the most suitable pricing policies and distribution channels. Market segmentation and product/service differentiation,Demographic segmentation, dividing consumers into groups based on selected demographics, so that different groups can be treated deferent Situation analysis and SWOT Situation analysis is the way in which a business can examine the current position within the market and provides them with direction for their marketing campaign. SWOT is the first stage of planning and looks at the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats involved in a project or business venture. For example, one of Ikea’s key strengths is its strategic aim to use no more material than necessary in the production of each item. One particular table, the NORDEN table, uses knotty birch wood. The knots in this wood usually mean it is rejected by other retailers and manufacturers as unsuitable for use. However, IKEA has made the knots part of its design feature. Types of customers. psychographic segmentation, this is based on lifestyle and personality, values and interest, Ikea does not divide the store into sections but you have to walk through the whole store before you can exit, this is a strategy to sell more products. The types of customers vary from people, households, firms, educational institutions, government, clubs and societies, religious organisations. The customers that account for most of Ikea’s sale is the bold customer. Ikea is a business that is not aiming towards a purchase occasion but the usage rate of their product, being household items they aim for their products to last well and function to a good quality standard. Ikea has a good user loyalty with a wide range of buyers from the types of customers. Consumers see how affordable Ikea products are and how well they last, as long as they don’t mind putting the product together. The buying process would not be different from Ikea customers but the free yearly catalogue gives purchasers time to plan a trip to Ikea as the Ikea stores are not usually located conveniently due to the large floor space required to house their product. Ikea stores are not usually located outside the inner metropolitan area for this reason. There are psychological, sociocultural, economic and government reasons why people shop or don’t shop are Psychological segmentation Branding. Ikea is ranking 41 in the world’s most valuable brands. The brand name alone is worth 8 million. The brand image for Ikea stands for affordable, contemporary design and its flat pack product range that gives Ikea its identity. The brand name or logo essentially provides a message to the people of the quality and value associated with that product, when they see it they immediately form judgements on the quality, a strong brand name is essentially enhancing the relationship between a business and its customer. Marketing and strategies Product Ikea’s products are tangible, Product matters because it is the reason that customers go to Ikea in the first place. Ikea has the market in flat pack furniture and the unique design attracts customers and meets their needs, this product could include the prestige of owning the product which would also relate to psychological factors. Place Place matters because it is how the customers access the product. The Ikea experience is more than just products, it is a retail concept laid out in such a way that families, singles, couples etc. can enjoy shopping for furniture. A day at Ikea has been described as more of an outing than a shopping trip. Price Price matters because it is at the heart of the Ikea concept. Flat pack furniture cannot compete on price with upmarket, fully assembled pieces, so it is essential that Ikea continues to keep its prices below the competition. Price including pricing methods, market and competition based, Competition based pricing is the commonly used pricing strategy. Promotion Promotion is the most public aspect of marketing and it matters because it helps to drive customers into the stores in order to buy furniture. Ethical and legal. Ikea is recognised as a business that is both legally and ethically a responsible business that looks beyond profit and develops a positive workforce with these practices, advertising is very powerful in developing the wrong or wright idea and misleading advertising is bad ethics. Developing products in 3rd world country is considered unethical because they get payed well below minimum wage. Ikea produces environmentally responsible products, the flat pack design would be argued that it minimizes wastage and the cardboard would be environmentally friendly. The role of consumer law deals with Deceptive and misleading advertising which could be false information about products features and content, false special offers which don’t exist and  overstating the benefits that a product will provide to the consumer. Price discrimination, giving preference to some retail stores by providing them with lower prices than is offered to the competitors of those retailers. The competitor and consumer act aims to discourage the price discrimination in the business environment. Implied conditions and warranties is a great way for a business to ensure the product will last at least the warrantee time, this attracts customers and the consumer expects the business to fulfill their legal obligation to provide a refund or replacement or the product if there is a manufacturing problem within the warranted date, regardless the business by law. Resale price maintenance, this aims to balance the profit maximization of a business, Ikea ensures that the quality of a product in one country doesn’t differ from another. A manufacturer cannot refuse to sell the goods to a retailor if the retailor intends to sell the product for below the recommended price.