I Can t Sleep Essay - 880 Words

I can’t sleep, too many thoughts in my head. All I can think about is betrayal. I have trusted and loved Victoria and Henry since we were little. We used to be inseparable but not anymore. What haven’t I done for Victoria? I used to take the blame for everything she did. I even helped her escape the palace even though we aren’t supposed to. I get out of bed to take a walk and as soon as I walk out of my room I hear whispers. I follow them and see Abigail talking to Henry. I can’t really hear what they are saying all I can make out is â€Å"tea†, â€Å"tomorrow†, and â€Å"love†. What are they talking about? I walk back to my room tired of all these secret meetings, tired of it all. The next morning, I call Abigail and ask her to come in my room. I tell her to pick out clothes for me for today’s lunch with Victoria, both of our betrotheds, and our parents. Once I’m dressed, Abigail leaves the room and goes to do kitchen to help prepare the meal. As I walk towards the dining room, I think about Victoria, how much I loved her, how much I looked up to her. I think about my parents and how much they don’t care about either of us, how they have never bothered to even tell us apart. I think about Henry and how much I loved him even though we fought a lot. As walk closer to the dining room, I see Victoria and my parents laughing, something that I’ve never seen my parents do. I greet all of them and take my seat at the table. Abigail comes in and gives Victoria and I green tea and everyone elseShow MoreRelatedI Can t Sleep Anymore1221 Words   |  5 PagesI can’t sleep anymore. It all began after the Terran race of planet Earth, called humans, appeared on the Galactic stage. I was one of the many individuals who began researching them- some as a job, others out of plain curiosity. While the human species was certainly unique in culture, physiology, and ability, so was every other species. At first glance, there was nothing about them to make them stand out from the universal crowd at all. In fact, in a general sense, every single species in the galaxyRead MoreI Can t Sleep, And Toss All Night1070 Words   |  5 PagesMarch 5th 1850. I can’t sleep, and toss and turn all night. All the sudden I wake up with a forceful grab. I thought it was either my mom or dad, but it wasn’t either of them. It was a man I have never seen before. Now he has taken my arm and dragged me to the floor. I fell, and he started yelling at me. I don’t know what’s happing but I look around and see my mom being forced down by another man. I don’t know what happening my heart is beating so fast, and my palms are sweating. My momRead MoreWhy School Should Start Later1531 Words   |  7 Pages I wake up in the morning to my noisy alarm. I m so tired I don t want to get up so I say to myself I ll get up in a few minutes. But then I fall asleep and the next time I wake up I realized I missed the bus! Does this happen to you? Because of early school starts I have to wake up super early which makes me super tired. School starts way too early! Should students have to wake up at unreasonably early times just to get to school on time? No, they shouldn t and school should start laterRead MoreSymptoms And Symptoms Of Insomnia Essay1630 Words   |  7 PagesAs a kid all I would want to do is â€Å"pull all nighters†, now all I want is to actually have one good night s sleep, or at least half a night s sleep. For those who are completely oblivious to what insomnia is it is characterized as a persistent lack of sleep, but those who have insomnia know that it is so much more than just a lack of sleep. For instance, there are actually different types of insomnia that are ca tegorized by how long you stay awake, if lack of sleep last less than a week then itRead MoreSleep Cycle : How Your Body And Mind Rests, And Restores Its Energy Levels?997 Words   |  4 Pagesthrough what is called a sleep cycle. You may be wondering what exactly this is. During the sleep cycle, we go through 5 stages. Theses stages are 1,2,3,4, and REM (rapid eye movement). This means that when you are sleeping, your eyes move in all different directions very quickly, and it happens 90 minutes after you fall asleep. A complete sleep cycle lasts about 90 to 110 minutes. In stages one, two, and three you are in what is called non- REM. It is a very light sleep and you can be woken up withinRead MoreSleep Is An Essential Part Of Life Essay1521 Words   |  7 Pagesanalysis, I had notice sometimes I sleep for too long or too short. I came to a conclusion that I did get enough sleep. We all know that sleep is an essential part of life. During the day I always felt that I was not alwa ys doing my best. I often felt functional, but not at peak as a normal teenager. I think that I didn’t sleep enough is because of my biological rhythm, I usually sleep at 2 am or 1. My circadian rhythm starts to function around those time. For instance, On November 8th I went to sleepRead MoreThe Effects Of Music Therapy On Children With Health And Personal Problems921 Words   |  4 PagesThere s nothing like a good night of sleep. It s a wonderful feeling to wake up the next morning rejuvenated and refreshed. But even though we love our sleep; it can sometimes be very hard to fall asleep at times. I know that I personally struggle with this a lot. One thing that I found helps me go to sleep better is listening to music. For my research I will share how the sound of music can help you fall asleep and make you feel better. With the help of music I believe we do not need to prescribeRead MoreShould School Start Times?1527 Words   |  7 PagesIs sleep important? A question that many people wonder to themselves at night. Of course, the answer is yes. Sleep is one of the most important things in our lives, it keeps our brains healthy and working. It gives our brain cells time to relax and not over-work. However, some teens aren t getting the 8.5 hours of sleep they need, and believe the school is responsible for it. In most districts, schools start times around 7:00 am in some cases. Parents and students believe that the school districtRead MoreCollege Students : Sleep, Sleep Disorders, And Mental Disorders898 Words   |  4 Pagespeople hear the word sleep, they often fantasize themselves crawling into their cozy bed after a long, tiresome day. For countless college students, sleep is often just a dream. Countless studies have been done to attempt to understand why college students seem to lack of sleep and why they have a challenging time acquiring a suitable night’s sleep. After skimming through various articles, I found a few major themes co rrelated with college students and sleep: poor GPA, sleep disorders, and mentalRead MoreWhat I Like And Don t Like By Marcia Francois1130 Words   |  5 PagesWeeks With My Fitbit Flex: What I Like and Don t Like By Marcia Francois | Submitted On August 06, 2014 Recommend Article Article Comments Print Article Share this article on Facebook Share this article on Twitter Share this article on Google+ Share this article on Linkedin Share this article on StumbleUpon Share this article on Delicious Share this article on Digg Share this article on Reddit Share this article on Pinterest Expert Author Marcia Francois I heard about the Fitbit for the first

Summary Blue Ink Cap - 733 Words

Jessica Hester February 14th, 2015 Queer Foundation Pink Ink Scholarship The New Normal Given the chance, I would remove the word â€Å"normal† from our vocabulary. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but excluding me will make me nervous. Just a small word, not even a slur, and it causes the utmost stirrings of grief within. How can we place this modifier on people, shoving them into a singular category, pigeonholing us into a league we cannot identify with? â€Å"Am I normal?† â€Å"Is this normal?† â€Å"I just want to be normal.† However, I believe to be truly happy, content, confident, and well-adjusted, you must embrace the very things that make you abnormal. When I get asked if it’s normal to feel or be a certain way, I’m positively torn: I want to buoy their spirits by saying they are perfectly fine in their ways and they are perfectly normal, but on the inside, I want to scream, â€Å"Screw normal, be you!† It is so incredibly fulfilling to embrace the weird, wild side of yourself. To look social norms dead in the eye and say, â€Å"I’m not afraid to break you.† To stand up for what you believe in and forget following the crowd. With all the words I could use to describe myself: witty, clever, passionate, enjoyable, magical, queer, absolved, why would I want to be normal? The issue is, the word â€Å"normal† carries an implicit value judgment: it says, â€Å"typical or common, and therefore good, satisfactory, or desirable.† Well, who doesn’t want to be desirable? But in doing so, you areShow MoreRelatedOrg Dev6983 Words   |  28 Pagesand mail or fax it and your copies to: Mailing Address: FSSA Document Center PO Box 1810 Marion, Indiana 46952 Fax Number: 1-800-403-0864 ï‚ § ï‚ § ï‚ § ï‚ § ï‚ § ï‚ § ï‚ § To fill out the form, please complete the Documents Included section below using a blue or black ink pen. Place an X in the box next to each document that you are sending us. Example: X Utility Bill If a document that you are sending us is not listed, then place an X in the box next to ‘Other(s)’ and write the name of the document(s) on theRead MoreStock Analysis : Wal Mart2907 Words   |  12 PagesNYSE composite for the latest three months when compared with the composite. The below chart depicts that the Wal-Mart has always outperformed the NYSE composite index. The Violet trend in the chart indicates the NYSE composite performance and the blue line indicates the Wal-Mart price movement. Management Effectiveness: The effectiveness of the Wal-Mart’s management is shown below and the comparison is provided with the industry and the sector. The below percentages indicate how Wal-Mart isRead MoreManagement and Feasibility Study7141 Words   |  29 PagesPost-Defense Action After the Final Oral Defense, the student candidate/s shall do the following: 1. Revise the manuscript in compliance with the panel members’ comments and suggestions; 2. Submit a copy of the revised manuscript together with the summary of suggestions to the Feasibility/Business Adviser and to each of the panel members for further evaluation. 3. Submit the revised manuscript to the editor once it is approved by the panel members before its final printing and binding; andRead MoreEffective New Product Development8039 Words   |  33 PagesNPD – Report Part 2 Table of Contents 1. 2. Summary - Part 1 .................................................................................................................................. 3 Idea screening ....................................................................................................................................... 4 2.1 Methods of Idea Screening ................................................................................................................. 4 2.2Read MoreVideo Notes29279 Words   |  118 Pages |Chapter 1: Competing with Operations, | | |Video Case, page 30 | Summary: Recognizing that Starwood’s individual properties had their own approaches to convention planning, and that future growth and success relied heavily on its relationship with meeting planners, the company focused on standardizing it operatingRead MoreRetail Store Design and Layout15254 Words   |  62 PagesGurnasinghani MMS II (Marketing) VESIMSR, Chembur, Mumbai. |Sr. No. |Particulars |Page No. | |1. |Executive Summary |4 | |2. |Objective |5 | |3. Read MoreFeasibility Study on Organic Fertilizer17600 Words   |  71 Pagesof the study. Chapter II is the presentation, analyses and interpretation of the data, which consists of the management aspect, marketing aspect, technical aspect, financial aspect and socio-economic aspect of the study. Chapter III covers the summary, conclusions, and recommendations of this project feasibility study. These topics are discussed in this chapter to give the reader an overview and insight regarding the proposed project. The last part includes the bibliography, appendices, and curriculumRead MoreA Picatrix Miscellany52019 Words   |  209 PagesA PicA Trix MiscellAny Underground Edition 2007 e.v. CONTENTS On the Picatrix I. Introduction to the Picatrix (The Aim of the Sage) of al-Majriti, Maslamati ibn Ahmad II. Summary of the Contents of the Picatrix III. Excerpt from a Lecture on Alchemy by Terence McKenna On the Moon and the Lunar Mansions IV. Extracts on the Moon V. The Mansions of the Moon: â€Å"On the Creation, Proportion and Composition of the Heavens for the Fashioning of Images† VI. The Picatrix: Lunar Mansions in Western AstrologyRead MoreProject Managment Case Studies214937 Words   |  860 PagesE-Chargers Supplier (see handout provided by instructor) Spin Master Toys (C): Keeping E-Chargers Wings On (see handout provided by instructor) 8 PROJECT SCHEDULING 293 279 Crosby Manufacturing Corporation 9 PROJECT EXECUTION 299 295 The Blue Spider Project 301 Corwin Corporation 317 Quantum Telecom 329 The Trophy Project 331 Concrete Masonry Corporation 334 Margo Company 343 Project Overrun 345 The Automated Evaluation Project 347 The Rise and Fall of Iridium 351 Missing Person-Peter LeungRead MoreMs Excel88443 Words   |  354 Pagesbasic information—for example, the layout of those sales results and associated information. On the top sheet of the workbook, you might put a summary worksheet that presented an executive overview of the sales results. Excel lets you create formulas that link from one worksheet to another, so the sales-territory worksheets could automatically update the summary worksheet. See â€Å"Divide Data Among Workbooks and Worksheets,† in Chapter 3, for guidelines on how to divide your data. Open an Existing Workbook

Discrimination of Against Women Free Essays

This refers to any form of exclusion, restriction, or distinction that is made on the grounds of sex and that has the purpose or effect of nullifying or weakening the exercise, enjoyment or recognition of women regardless of their human rights, equality, freedom and marital status. Women today unfortunately are still a group that is discriminated against, stereotyped and even prejudiced by the society in general and at the workplace in particular. The concept of discrimination against women Handhelds of thousands of women around the world have been living under circumstances of utter deprivation, and constant violation of their basic human rights and the reason is only because they are women. We will write a custom essay sample on Discrimination of Against Women or any similar topic only for you Order Now Women around the world are battered, raped, traded, and also trafficked to become workers in compelled prostitution. The ability of women to join and remain in employment is barred by employers who exclude them from employment just because of being women. The employment law is also discriminatory in some places all to the disadvantage of women. In some countries like Saudi Arabia, the government goes to the extreme by legalizing discrimination that makes women unequal to men in the eyes of the law. In the family, young girls and women normally have their rights taken away and have them placed under the mercies of the family members who are male. Women are also prohibited and restricted from participating in public affairs, Thomson, C. and Rampton, L. (2003). Discrimination against women is systematic, relentless and widely accommodated and even openly condoned. These issues are a global epidemic in spite of the progress made in the international movements on women’s basic human rights. The movements have been creating awareness on women’s discrimination and also challenging the violation of women’s rights. In the world that we are living in today, women have no control over their bodies. Millions of girls and women are forced in to marriage and sexual relations with men whom they have no desire for, Sparrow, P. and Hilltop, J. (1994). The government has not been strongly supporting women in the fight against discrimination. Women have faced grave consequences like physical violence and the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS in women has been on the higher side. Women face violence even in jail and in hospitals, the poor women are subjected to mandatory family planning. The access to reproductive health and care of women is subject to discussion by the husband and on his absence, the male family members take over. In situations where there is poverty, women are accorded the least in   accessing health, training, food, and employment opportunities among others needs. Discriminating against women is violation of the principle of equality of rights and value of human dignity.   This is a barrier to women’s participation on equal grounds with their counterparts in the economic, social, cultural and political arenas of their respective countries. This consequently interferes with the growth, development and prosperity of the family unit and the society. In addition, the discrimination against women makes it difficult for the complete development of women’s potential in being of service to humanity and the society.   Forms of discrimination against women Discriminatory employment laws Some of the employment laws that are put in place out rightly discriminate against women. At some work places, women serve in the lowly paid positions as secretaries, cleaners are even receptionists. This is not due to lack of competence but due to discrimination. The top and powerful positions are then reserved for their male colleagues. Some of the laws reduce the opportunities for women to join certain jobs. For instance, some employment contracts dictate that a woman can only get pregnant once in five or so years. This bars women from such forms of employment. Employment law discriminates against women where some times women who hold similar positions with men are paid lesser amounts so that they appear lower even if they hold the same position with the men, Sparrow, P. and Hilltop, J. (1994). Inequality There is lack of equal opportunities for both men and women where women are put on the receiving end. The women are denied opportunities which are then taken by men. Women come second to men and are treated as lesser beings. This is realized in the roles and positions that women are given at the work places, in the family, community and the country in general. Women receive lesser recognition in the society and are even given lesser education opportunities compared to men. Women are normally forced to early marriages and do not get the opportunities to get a good education. They consequently are not able to compete with men in the job market. Culturally, women are highly discriminated by the norms and traditions of the society. For instance, in some societies women are told whom to marry, and when and they are not consulted. They end up marrying people they do not love. Domestic Violence Women are physically assaulted and brutally beaten in their own homes by their husbands for domestic reasons. The society has for a long time considered it as a way of disciplining women for any mistakes. Some of them are even beaten up for no apparent reasons, but their husbands subject them to domestic violence since they are the heads of their homes. Such violent treatment against women is dehumanizing not to mention risky since some women end up dying under such circumstances. Deprivation Women are deprived off their basic human rights at the places of work, in the society and even by their families. For instance, women do not have control over their lives; they are controlled by their husbands or senior male family members. Women are not allowed to participate in public affairs a factor that violates their freedom of association. Marchington, M.   Adrian, W. (2005). Sexual assault Women have been brutally raped and violated at work places. Most of the women have their employers demanding for sexual favors, a factor that has seen many women lose their jobs for failing to conform. At work places, the promotion of women to higher positions depends on their cooperation with the employers in sexual relations. At the family level, women are raped by their own husbands and other male members of the family. The women are also victims of rape in jails, and in the communities where they live and especially in the warring countries. Trafficking Women world over are trafficked to various countries where they become slaves and subjected to forced laboring the foreign lands, women are under paid or not paid at all, they are treated like lesser beings. Some of these women are forced to be commercial sex workers and this lowers their dignity. Probable Solutions to the discrimination against women Equity at the work places This is the best way to bring an end to the persistence poverty that makes women vulnerable to discrimination. Women in this regard should be given equal pay at the place of work for equal positions held with the men. This would translate to an elevated economic position of the households that are headed by women. There should be equal employment opportunities for both men and women and the employment law should not favor men. Rather it should accommodate women with their feminine natural processes like pregnancy and child birth. Some employers often fire women employees when they leave for their maternity leave. Other employers especially in the private sector limit the number of times that a woman can get pregnant while working in that organization. The promotions at work places should be done on merit and based on competence and performance and not on the sex of the individual, Maundy, L. (2001). Socialization process The cultural process of men and women socialization is to blame for much of the discrimination we have today. There should be a change in the way the society is socialized. Much of the violence and discrimination today results from the fact that men from their young ages are treated as better and more senior as well as important to women. This is attitude is carried to the places of work and in all other political, economic and social aspects. The women on the other hand have been socialized into being senior to men and have accepted the discrimination as a normal way of life. A change is desirable in the socialization process and this may bring an end to discrimination against women, Hoyer, S. (2001). Government initiative There should be pressure on the government to implement and enforce the policy on discrimination that is already in place. The government and relevant authorities should also include the principle of equality in the legal system as well as eradicate all the laws that are discriminatory. In addition, appropriate laws should be adopted to proscribe the discrimination against women. There should be equality in access of opportunities in education, employment, economic, social, public and political arenas. The government should protect women from discrimination by affirming the human rights. In addition, strict measures should be taken on issues to do with domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking and other forms of exploitation and discrimination against women. Conclusion Discrimination against women is one way of violating the women’s human rights. Women have been marginalized and dehumanized and deprived off their dignity. International movements have been fighting for the liberalization of women and campaigning to bring to an end any form of discrimination against women. Women’s lives have to be made important at all the places all the time. This can only happen if discrimination against the women of the world is brought to an end. How to cite Discrimination of Against Women, Papers

Credit Card free essay sample

Many people use credit cards and most of the time the credit card is not used in the right moment. I believe that credit cards are not beneficial because they arent used for the right things. It would be very different if they were used correctly, credit cards are to be used it case of an emergency,meaning not to be used when you are going to the 7-eleven to buy a bag of chips an a soda. It has shown that more than 75% percent of americans have been bankrupt or on the verge of it. There are more than 60% of americans that have credit card debt because they are using them for the wrong things. Facts have proven that the total U. S. credit card debt, is $793. 1 Billion. and Average credit card debt per household is 15,799. Most people do not understand that when you have a credit card it comes with alot of responsibility and i say that because there are more than 10% of americans have been victims of credit card theft it may not seem like alot but credit card theft is a very serious thing. We will write a custom essay sample on Credit Card or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Most complaints come from adults within the ages 40-59, Nevada, Colorado, and New Hampshire have the highest rate of credit card fraud. Having a credit card is not what people think it is; people think that if i have a credit card then i do not have to have money with me, and its just free money but its very dangerous to have a credit card. Having a credit card can lead to bankrupt and going bankrupt can make you lose everything such as your car, house, and etc. , or it could be worse an you could be placed in jail for a long time. Just because you had a credit card and used it for the wrong thing and spent way to much money A credit card is nothing but trouble each and every type of way. The credit card companies and banks are getting richer, while most Americans are getting more in debt. The economy is in trouble, therefore, more and more people are relying on credit cards. In todays society we are constantly trying to get out of debt, but in the process of trying to get ourselves out of debt, we create more debt. One of the major problems that most of us are dealing with is credit card debt. Most credit card companies are not looking out for your best interest. They are constantly raising interest rates. Minimum payments are just enough to cover the finance charges. Most Americans should not use credit cards for the following reasons: it will create bad spending habits; you will incur more debt affecting credit score rating; and possibly make you a victim of identity theft. In my opinion, a credit card should be used for purchases that you are able to pay off in full upon receiving your statement, but most of us dont. Most people lack self control and tend to misuse the credit card. Credit cards should mainly be used for emergencies, but we tend to use them for everyday purchases such as: food, gas, clothing, etc. Some people are living in a borrowed lifestyle, because they purchase things they cant afford. People will spend more on a purchasing using a credit card than they would with cash. People that use credit cards tend to spend 12%-18% more on transactions than those who use cash (faithfitnessfinance. com). For example, if you are going to pay with a credit card in a fast food establishment, it is easier to get the large drink instead of the medium drink. When the statement arrives, most people will make the minimum payment on his/her credit card. The minimum payment only covers the finance charges, which will increase the amount of time it will take to pay the debt off. It will also increase the amount of interest you end up paying

Stc Five Forces Model and Competitive Advantage Essay Example For Students

Stc Five Forces Model and Competitive Advantage Essay Rivalry Among Competitors In 2005 Saudi Arabia became a member of WTO and opened up the Saudi Telecommunications market to foreign competitors. The Saudi Arabian Telecommunication market has become increasingly competitive. In addition to competing on prices all the major competitors are striving to offer differentiated products and services aimed at increasing their market shares. The competition is apparent in the decline in STC’s income despite higher revenues. Table 1 – Level of Competition (2008)| | | | | | | | | | | | | | Â  | Local services| Domestic fixed long dist| Inter-national fixed long dist| Wireless local loop| Data| DSL| Cable modem| VSAT| Leased lines| Fixed Wireless Broadband| | Â  | C| C| C| C| C| C| | C| C| C| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Â  | Mobile| Paging| Cable TV| Fixed sat| Mobile sat| GMPCS| IMT 2000| Internet services| Inter-national gateways| | Â  | C| Â  | | C| C| C| C| C| C| | It is also noteworthy that Saudi Arabia is one of the thr ee countries in the region which has reached a status of full competition according to ITU across all telecommunication fields, the other two being Jordan and Bahrain. We will write a custom essay on Stc Five Forces Model and Competitive Advantage specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now As such it is clear that the Rivalry among competitors is high and thus keeps the prices down and requires for all rival in the market to come up with innovative and differentiated ways to attract customers. Threat of New Entrants The growth in Telecommunications globally has many factors one of which makes the threat of new entrants high. Which the shift is from wired to wireless services has made it possible for many entrants to come in. However the market currently seems saturated. The number of fixed telephone lines has been particularly stable and risen only 0. 2 % CAGR over the last five year from 16. 2 per 100 inhabitants to 16. 22. Mobile phone subscriptions in Saudi Arabia are overwhelming at 174. 43 per 100 inhabitants (Note that mobile phone users in different from mobile phone subscriptions) with a growth rate of 37. 4 % CAGR from 2004 to 2009 (140 per 100 inhabitants for digital mobile phone subscriptions). However internet is still unsaturated with only 7. 32 subscripti ons and 38. 10 users in each 100 inhabitants. Hence where the saturation in mobile communication keep the threat of new entrants low however the extremely low penetration in Internet services leaves the threat of entrants very high. However in internet and broadband the threat of entrants is high especially with the advent of WiMax technology. Overall the threat of entrants in the Saudi Telecom market as of 2009 can be considered moderate. The threat of entrants force is not considered major and is not pulling down prices and driving the competitiveness of the mobile sector in Saudi Arabia any longer where as it was the major force from 2005 to 2007. However STC providing best services with lowest rates for Internet Services is a proof of high threat of entrant in the Internet sector. Threat of Substitutes The threat of substitutes is also very high. It is a contributing factor in keeping prices low and competitiveness high in the Saudi Telecom industry. With VoIP services users can make virtually free calls. Such services are allowed in Saudi Arabia over private networks and otherwise (ITU). Many alternative solutions keep on popping up on the scene and challenging the traditional communication channels. Once the benefits of such services are well known and information flow is faster it has a high power of challenging all major players in the market. In addition to that such services are becoming increasingly innovative and have started to offer amazing quality. .u79c10dba7d8cd9831e30177cc37e7c27 , .u79c10dba7d8cd9831e30177cc37e7c27 .postImageUrl , .u79c10dba7d8cd9831e30177cc37e7c27 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u79c10dba7d8cd9831e30177cc37e7c27 , .u79c10dba7d8cd9831e30177cc37e7c27:hover , .u79c10dba7d8cd9831e30177cc37e7c27:visited , .u79c10dba7d8cd9831e30177cc37e7c27:active { border:0!important; } .u79c10dba7d8cd9831e30177cc37e7c27 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u79c10dba7d8cd9831e30177cc37e7c27 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u79c10dba7d8cd9831e30177cc37e7c27:active , .u79c10dba7d8cd9831e30177cc37e7c27:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u79c10dba7d8cd9831e30177cc37e7c27 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u79c10dba7d8cd9831e30177cc37e7c27 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u79c10dba7d8cd9831e30177cc37e7c27 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u79c10dba7d8cd9831e30177cc37e7c27 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u79c10dba7d8cd9831e30177cc37e7c27:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u79c10dba7d8cd9831e30177cc37e7c27 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u79c10dba7d8cd9831e30177cc37e7c27 .u79c10dba7d8cd9831e30177cc37e7c27-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u79c10dba7d8cd9831e30177cc37e7c27:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Conventional surveying methods EssaySatellite phones can either be considered a competitor or substitute. However for our discussion it is considered a substitute which has a possibility of threatening the mobile phone market if innovation leads to more functionality in Satellite phone handsets with probable introduction of satellite internet. Overall the force of threat of substitutes has high impact on the Saudi telecommunications market competitive scenario. Power of Buyers Approximately 59. 4 % of the Saudi population is between 15 to 64, with a per capita GDP of $ 21,300. Customers tend to demand products that are high in quality and reasonably priced. The shifting costs are negligible to zero as such the power of buyers is moderate to high. The evidence shows that the prices have been driven down as such it is obvious that the Power of buyer has been and remains high. Power of Suppliers Network Equipment Providers (NEPs) are companies that provide communication solutions to Service Providers like fixed or mobile operators as well as to Enterprise customers. If you place a call on your mobile phone, surf the internet, join a conference call or watch a video on demand through IPTV (internet protocol TV) – it is all NEPs technologies that are enabling such kind of services. The key players per type of customer segment are Service Providers; Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, Huawei, Juniper, NEC, Nokia-Siemens, Nortel, ZTE, Emerson Network Power and Enterprise Sector Providers; Avaya, Cisco, Motorola, Siemens Enterprise Communications Consolidation among communication service providers due to convergence leads to greater dependence on a few large clients of suppliers, which means lower bargaining strength of suppliers. Due to pressures on their profitability, service providers are increasingly looking at lowering their operating costs and capital expenditures (lowering cost per subscriber), and this is putting pressures on NEPs margins. Switch from PSTN to Next-Generation Network and increasing use of standardized network components (COTS) compared to more proprietary equipments is continuously reducing the bargaining power of suppliers. Also software is to increasingly replace traditional network components. Overall the Power of suppliers is low in the Global telecommunication market as such the same impact is exhibited in Saudi Arabia. Reources Capabilities FORWARD strategy International Expansion Mobile Network Coverage – 92 % Introduction and ability to cater to VIP and Business sector Niche Penetration with low prices (Loyal Customers) Good Distribution Network High Market Capitalization Good Capital Base Core Competencies Catering to VIP and Business Sector Niche leads to strong small market niche of high paying and loyal customers High Market Capitalization and Capital Base eads to ability to drop prices High Mobile Network Coverage and ability to use multiple distribution channels leads to ability to cover more customers and penetrate deeper Competitive Advantage All three Core Competencies are basis First mover advantages that together form the Competitive Advantage. This passes the Competitive Advantage Test of being Relevant or Appropriate, Non Imitable, Non Substitutab le, Durable and provides Competitive Superiority. This Competitive Advantage is the First Mover Advantage creating strong base and ability to compete through both price and differentiation.

Corporate Ethics, a Business Asset

Corporate Ethics, a Business Asset 1.Corporate Ethics, a Business AssetEthics in the corporate world is a key concept that has gained importance, more so in the recent years, possibly due to the very publicized and prominent scandals of 2002 concerning Enron, Aurther Anderson, and snowballed effect to another scandal of WorldCom.It created more awareness among the stakeholders which is making ethics harder and harder to ignore. The noise on Ethics in the corporate world has gained a key place not only due to the Bad guys, also due to Good guys, one such company who has been at the top of the list on the fortune 500 is GE. Other companies being Starbucks, Johnson and Johnson, Southwest2. Ethics:2.1 What is Ethics? ;-A system of moral principles or values-Rules or standards governing the conduct of members of a profession-A matter of developing good habits-Standards of conductOrOne of those things that we conveniently forget when faced with tough choices!!2.2ConceptsCorporation Street, Birmingham - Temple Pointof Ethics :Very Briefly:Relativism: believes in morality being relative. Under the descriptive doctrine it claims that different cultures have different moral values, under the normative doctrine it claims each culture is right in itself.Egoism: under the normative doctrine, believes one ought to act in maximizing benefit for ones self.Utilitarianism: is about good consequences, looks for maximum benefit. Ends justify the means. Corporations can sometimes end up looking at the bottom-line a little too closely being morally bound to the shareholders and use means which could prove to be disastrousDeontologism: believes that the right action is independent of consequences. Actions which are duty bound, keeping aside personal gain.Moral=YesImmoral=NoBuilds security, trust. E.g. corporation values, code of business ethics, Corporate Social responsibility, corporate citizenship.3. Corporate Ethics:A system of morals and values applied in the business world providing guidelines of acceptable behavi or stated by the organizations...

The Pythagorean Theorem Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

The Pythagorean Theorem - Essay Example The area of such a rectangle is a times b: ab. Therefore the four triangles together are equal to two such rectangles. Their area is 2ab. As for the square whose side is c, its area is simply c. Therefore, the area of the entire square is c + 2ab . . . . . .(1) At the same time, an equal square with side a + b (Fig. 2) is made up of a square whose side is a, a square whose side is b, and two rectangles whose sides are a, b. Therefore the area of that square is a + b + 2ab But this is equal to the square formed by the triangles, line(1): a + b + 2ab = c + 2ab. Therefore, on subtracting the two rectangles -- 2ab -- from each square, we are left with a + b = c. This is the Pythagorean Theorem Proof using similar triangles The Pythagorean theorem, is based on the proportionality of the sides of two similar triangles. Let ABC represent a right triangle, with the right angle located at C, as shown on the figure. We draw the altitude from point C, and call H its intersection with the side AB. The new triangle ACH is similar to our triangle ABC, because they both have a right angle (by definition of the altitude), and they share the angle at A, meaning that the third angle will be the same in both triangles as well. By a similar reasoning, the triangle CBH is also similar to ABC. The similarities lead to the two ratios..: As so These can be written as Summing these two equalities, we obtain In other words, the Pythagorean theorem: The Arabian mathematician Thabit ibn Kurrah A clever proof by dissection which reassembles two small squares into one larger one was given by the Arabian mathematician Thabit ibn Kurrah (Ogilvy 1994, Frederickson 1997). Proof by Perigal Another proof by dissection is due to Perigal (left...Therefore the four triangles together are equal to two such rectangles. Their area is 2ab. At the same time, an equal square with side a + b (Fig. 2) is made up of a square whose side is a, a square whose side is b, and two rectangles whose sides are a, b. Therefore the area of that square is Let ABC represent a right triangle, with the right angle located at C, as shown on the figure. We draw the altitude from point C, and call H its intersection with the side AB. The new triangle ACH is similar to our triangle ABC, because they both have a right angle (by definition of the altitude), and they share the angle at A, meaning that the third angle will be the same in both triangles as well. By a similar reasoning, the triangle CBH is also similar to ABC. The similarities lead to the two ratios..: As Another proof by dissection is due to Perigal (left figure; Pergial 1873; Dudeney 1970; Madachy 1979; Steinhaus 1999, pp. 4-5; Ball and Coxeter 1987). A related proof is accomplished using the above figure at right, in which the area of the large square is four times the area of one of the triangles plus the area of the interior square. From the figure d=b-a, so Perhaps the most famous proof of all times is Euclid's geometric proof , although it is neither the simplest nor the most obvious.

Consumer Behavior TrendsCocooning Research Paper

Consumer Behavior TrendsCocooning - Research Paper Example Cocooning is an interesting practice which implies a certain accepted belief set with respect to what will become of the overall economy. Likewise, the level of economic optimism displayed by this group is invariably quite low (Sexton 2011). In short, those that practice cocooning are intent on building/fortifying their own interests/needs against the backdrop of an increasingly uncertain economic reality. These consumers cannot be easily defined as they incorporate elements of TEOTWAWKI (The end of the world as we know it), survivalism, conservationism, and a pervasive element of fear for future stability. It is this fear, more than any other factor, which defines the behaviors and actions of consumers as will be discussed in this analysis. As such, this brief analysis will review the product many different product offerings of freeze dried food and other long-term food storage items. This type of activity, although still considered fringe, is gaining more and more popularity due to the uncertain outcome of the current financial crisis and the fear by many individuals that the situation will only become more and more desperate as time goes on. This belief is further compounded by a growing group of individuals who have developed a worldview that is defined by the belief that the complete and total collapse of the global economy is imminent. Although there have always been elements of survivalism and fear of a coming global apocalypse, the size and scope of such activities has verifiably increased over the past few years to encompass a much larger demographic than was previously associated with such cocooning activities as this. Individuals, spurred on by aggressive marketing campaigns in alternative media outlets1, are actively seeking to stockpile not only food but other necessary supplies that they believe will insulate them in some way from the coming/imminent collapse. This behavior is unique due

Applied Modelling and Data Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Applied Modelling and Data Analysis - Essay Example The aim of this project is therefore to analyse the behaviour of the share price of a given company by finding the relationship between share price inflation and other key market determinants and variables such as market index and Treasury bill interest rate. This means that share price of the company is the dependent variable for the study, while market index and Treasury bill interest rate are the independent variables for the study. The study is conducted with the approach of performing time series that checks for stationarity by applying the formal unit root tests of Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test. To get a better understanding of the relationship between the dependent variable and independent variables, the researcher will take a step further to estimate time series dynamics through the use of the GARCH family models. Because shares are traded with their derivatives, there is a common discussion in literature of the impact of the introduction of derivatives on volatility. Th rough the GARCH model, the effect of derivatives on the underlying market will also be determined. In pursuant to the achievement of the aim of the study discussed above, the researcher conducted a research that was based on both theoretical background and empirical evidence. The theoretical background of the research was performed mainly by the use of a brief literature review, which forms the second component of the study’s report. Under the literature review, the findings of major studies on stock price behaviour are critiqued by comparing different schools of thoughts against each other. This makes it possible to give the rationale behind various findings from literature. The third component of the study is the econometric methodology, where the researcher presented a detailed analysis of the methodology adopted for the study. Under this section, the market fraction hypothesis and how it was used to test the stationarity of the

Role Of Climate In The Classic Maya Collapse History Essay

Role Of Climate In The Classic Maya Collapse History Essay In this paper, the impacts of climate change on the Maya will be examined. It is likely that a number of factors combined to produce the collapse for which the civilisation is well known. With this in mind, the extent to which climate itself played a role will be particularly looked into. Defining the Collapse Before the role of climate can be looked into, it first needs to be established what the Maya collapse actually was. Popular media has often portrayed the collapse as something that happened simultaneously across the Mayan region, resulting in the abrupt and complete destruction of the entire Mayan civilisation. However this was not the case. The collapse mainly refers to the drastic decline of the cities of the southern Maya Lowlands. Many of these cities had been extremely powerful in the Classic period (AD 250-900), the so called pinnacle of Mayan civilisation, and had dominated the entire Maya region (Sharer and Traxler 2006: 287). It is the fall of these city states that defines the Terminal Classic (AD 790-900), but this period also saw many sites, particularly in the north and east, continue to flourish and in some cases even grow, supporting large populations into the Postclassic (AD 900- c.1542) long after the collapse. Sharer and Traxler therefore define the collapse as a p rocess of transformation that saw the end of Classic states and the rise of new states that dominated the Postclassic period (2006: 503). Identifying the Collapse It has been seen that the collapse of Classic Maya sites was focussed within the southern Maya Lowlands, but what were the changes in the archaeological record that signal collapse in this region? A major factor suggesting collapse was the decrease in the number of carved stone stelae and altars dedicated over the course of the 9th century, with the last known dated stela having been erected at Tonina in AD 909. The cessation of erecting monuments varied between sites, with inscribed stelae ceasing at Dos Pilas as early as AD 760 and Tikal at AD 889, suggesting that the collapse was not a sudden, simultaneous event, but was an ongoing process that affected different cities at different times; although ultimately the outcome was the same (Chase and Chase 2006: 169). Drastic depopulation of the region is also identifiable. This can be seen in a decline of domestic activity in palaces and common houses alike. The cities of Tikal, Calakmul, Copan and Palenque, among others, had reached peak population in the Late Classic and so their subsequent decline is particularly noticeable (Sharer and Traxler 2006: 500). There have been various estimates as to the maximum population of the southern and central Lowlands during the Classic period, ranging from 3 to 14 million people, but it is seemingly agreed that this had dropped to around only 1 million by the start of the Postclassic. This suggests a depopulation rate in the range of 53-90%, a level unprecedented prior to European arrival in the New World (Gill 2000: 351). So although limited to the Maya Lowlands, the collapse was a significant event, leaving once powerful cities deserted within the space of 150 years. What made the Mayan civilisation different from others that suffered a drastic collapse was that it was not a single, unified society, but was instead a collection of individual city states and their hinterlands, each controlled by a king. This would seem to suggest that there must have been external pressures that, at the very least, triggered and compounded existing problems within these city states, rather than internal problems that somehow all resulted in collapse. So what had caused these once great cities to be abandoned? Causes of the Collapse Many different arguments have been put forward to explain the Maya collapse. In the past a single cause had been sought, and natural disasters such as earthquakes or hurricanes were considered. It is now generally agreed however, that there was likely no single cause, but an interplay of factors (McNeil et al. 2010: 1017). For the purpose of this paper however I shall focus on drought and warfare, which are two of the most commonly debated theories. Drought Fluctuation in rainfall was common to the Maya area and there was precedent for drought, although evidence suggests that the Classic droughts lasted longer and were more intense than any previously experienced by the Maya (Gill et al. 2007). Lake sediment cores from Lake Chichancanab in the Eastern Yucatan Peninsula show that there was a period of drought lasting around 150-200 years, with three peak phases of severe drought within this. This is supported by evidence from marine sediments of the Cariaco Basin off the coast of Venezuela, which show that, in this particular region, the drought lasted from AD 760-930. Four periods of intense drought are identifiable from these samples, centring on the years AD760, 810, 860 and 910 (Gill et al. 2007). The correlation between the periods of severe drought and the collapse of Classic Maya civilisation in the Lowlands, surely suggests it had a critical impact on those polities, such as Tikal, Calakmul, Naranjo and Palenque, that were not we ll served by rivers. Lucero suggests that the Classic Maya elite based their power on the control of water. Many of the regional centres of the Maya Lowlands did not have access to natural water sources and relied on artificial reservoirs which were under the control of the rulers. As a result they were dependent on seasonal rainfall for water, and Maya royalty would have also used their special connections to the gods, specifically Chac the rain god, to guarantee enough water through rituals and ceremonies. It was upon this basis that Maya rulers exacted tribute and labour from their subjects (Lucero 2002). Decreasing rainfall and long term drought would have undermined the foundation on which the Mayan elite drew their power, resulting in political collapse. The diminishing power of the elite can be seen archaeologically through a reduction in the manufacture and distribution of prestige and ritual goods at many centres during the Terminal Classic (Sharer and Traxler 2006: 499-500). The production of p olychrome pottery and ornately carved items of jade, wood, bone and shell, was controlled by the elite and used to reinforce status (Demarest 2004: 213). The increasing absence of such items in the archaeological record therefore suggests rulers no longer had the same level of support from their subjects. Their power was waning, as also reflected in fewer dynastic stelae, used to legitimise power, and the end of monumental construction projects such as ball courts, temples and causeways. The decline of the elite and, as a result, centralised political organisation was a major feature of the Mayan collapse. It is Luceros argument that drought was the main reason behind this. It was only able to inflict such damaging change because water control was inherent to the institution of Kingship within Mayan society. Drought would have also had the obvious consequences of a lack of drinking water and severe decrease in agricultural production. Warfare Conversely it has also been suggested that rather than drought, it was endemic warfare and competition amongst the various city states that led to the weaker polities being overpowered, causing the breakdown of dynastic power in these defeated polities. The cities of the Petexbatun region of present day Guatemala, in particular, are argued to have collapsed while trapped in a state of siege and fortification warfare (Demarest et al. 1997). This constant state of war is believed to have destabilised the political and economic structures, resulting in political devolution and eventual failure in the early 9th century. Interestingly the Petexbatun region had good river access, making it unlikely that drought was a major factor in the collapse of this area (Sharer and Traxler 2006: 515-17). It is on this basis that Demarest disputes an ecological model, pointing out that political disintegration had already begun in the Petexbatun by the time drought occurred, the last inscription at the earliest known city to fall, Dos Pilas, dated to AD760 (Demarest cited in McKillop 2004: 99). Zooarchaeological evidence from this region also suggests there was no danger of famine, or nutritional stress through protein deficiency, in the Classic or Terminal Classic (Emery cited in Demarest 2006: 105). The violence prevalent in this region was seemingly independent of an environmental impetus. Common Ground? There is a convincing amount of evidence in support of each of both drought and warfare, suggesting that they both likely played some role. The nature of Maya society however, being a collection of city states, means that evidence of warfare in one region, for instance, does not necessarily mean that it can be inferred elsewhere. As mentioned, it was in the cities of the Petexbatun where evidence shows endemic violence caused the abandonment of the region. It has often been the mistake to imply that this then must surely have been the cause for collapse across the entire Maya lowlands, or at least present in a wider area, but the evidence does not support this. The same goes for drought. Although this may have been noticeable over much of the Maya lowlands, the affects were surely most closely felt by those cities without access to natural water sources and dependent on rainfall for agriculture. Instead the evidence appears to suggest that different regions likely had a different trigger cause or combination of causes (Sharer and Traxler 2006: 514). It seems hard to believe that such catastrophic events could have occurred within a similar timeframe, yet independently of each other, but have the same result. This does suggest however that Mayan civilisation had reached a point where it was extremely vulnerable to the slightest variation, with location playing a large part in deciding the factor that would tip a particular city over the edge, towards collapse. Manmade or Natural Occurrence? Drought appears to have played a relatively large, although joint, role in the collapse of the Classic Mayan civilisation. But was this environmental change anthropogenic or a natural occurrence? The answer to this relates closely to the argument over the level of deforestation carried out by the Maya. It has long been argued by many of those supporting the theory that drought was at least in part responsible for the Maya collapse, that the Maya themselves were to blame for the environmental degradation, due to deforestation. Shaw believes that the varying fate of the different city states during the Terminal Classic was a result of the level of deforestation in their particular region. She argues that, as deforestation raises temperatures and decreases evapotranspiration at a local or regional level only, the varying extent of tree removal explains the irregularity that the North and East of the Yucatan Peninsula continued to support a thriving population, while the heartland collapsed under severe drought (Shaw 2003). Studies into 20th century droughts in the United States and Mexico, however, show that over large areas they are hardly ever uniform, and so it is actually normal for certain areas to be affected more, or less at different times (Gill et al. 2007: 287). This provide s another explanation for the asymmetrical effects of drought in the Maya area, disputing the idea that deforestation was responsible for the irregularities. The Maya would have cleared sections of forest to make room for farming and agriculture. Wood was also used as domestic fuel, and was needed for the high temperature fires used to make lime mortar from limestone, a key component in Maya construction (Demarest 2004: 145). That the Maya made use of their forest environment is therefore known, but it is Shaws argument that they exploited it through conscious overuse (Shaw 2003). Diamond is another advocate of the deforestation model as a cause of collapse, arguing that deforestation would have made the soil much less fertile at a time when more agricultural land was needed, due to population pressure. He also agrees with Shaw that another of the consequences would have been manmade drought, and he uses the example of Copan, in present day Honduras, in particular (Diamond 2005: 168-70). That deforestation was widespread, and a human induced cause of drought, is a plausible theory, and in Copan, is supported by a core sample from Petapilla Swamp, a peat bog 4.5km north of the city itself (Rue 1987). Pollen retrieved from the core showed a much lower representation of tropical and deciduous forest trees than previously known, and less variation in the palynoflora. The cores showed no suggestion of significant climatic change from the palynological evidence, and led Rue to conclude that the vegetational changes were human induced through deforestation, with increased activity in the Late Classic (Rue 1987). New evidence has recently been put forward however, that disputes deforestation as the cause of environmental degradation. This new research particularly focuses on the polity of Copan where, as touched on above, it had previously been asserted that by AD800, not a single tree remained from the deciduous, or pine forest on the slope above the city (Abrams and Rue 1988, Diamond 2005: 169). McNeill et al. argue that Rues Petapilla Swamp core, upon which much of the deforestation theory has been based, only dates back to AD1010 with its oldest sediment, 100 years after Copans collapse (2010). Therefore it could not possibly have bearing on the Classic period population and their affect on the environment. The new data comes from another core from the same swamp, of which the earliest sediments this time date to 900-790 cal BC, providing data over a much longer range. It provided an interesting pollen profile, with the most pronounced deforestation apparent at the earliest stage of 900-7 90BC, with another later surge in the 5th century AD. Very much in contrast to the earlier core, it also shows an increase in arboreal pollen in the Late Classic, particularly that of pine. This data allowed McNeill et al. to surmise that: At the close of the citys Classic period, the hills above Copan were more densely forested than when the Maya first built their polity centre. (2010: 1021) This therefore suggests that rather than destroying their environment, the Maya were actually managing and cultivating it. Even though Copan was situated on a river, it received much less rainfall than other river centres at around 130 centimetres a year; so was likely at the mercy of changing rainfall patterns and drought. But if drought in this region was not caused by deforestation as the latest evidence suggests, then climate change was likely behind it. Palaeoclimatic records from North America, Europe and the Arctic indicate that the 9th and 10th centuries AD were as cold as during the Little Ice Age. Tree rings from the White Mountains of California show a steep decline in temperatures from AD790-950 and glacial advances in Alaska have been dated to AD700-900. In Sweden also, a number of glacial advances are known from this period, dated to AD800-910 (Gill 2000: 287-88, 385). Severe cold in the Northern Hemisphere can indicate a south-westward displacement of the North Atlantic High and a southward shift of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) which would have caused summer rains to fail in the Maya Lowlands. The failure of the ITCZ to move north in the summer at this time, is evidenced by a drop in sea surface salinity in a marine sediment core from the north-eastern Caribbean, coinciding with the period of collapse (AD 760-930) (Gill et al. 2007). As a result, all this evidence points to the climatic conditions as having been conducive of drought at the time of the Maya collapse. Avoidable Climate Change? It seems apparent that climate change was responsible for the drought that affected much of the Maya Lowlands. In some places this may have been exacerbated by deforestation, but on the whole it seems more likely that it was not anthropogenic. As discussed previously, drought was one of the main factors to influence and perhaps even trigger the Maya collapse in some regions. If the drought was not induced by human action or inaction, is it possible to learn from the mistakes of the Maya as Diamond asserts in his book? Diamond bases much, if not all, of his argument on the belief that the Maya had a choice, but their refusal to change led to their downfall. He more or less suggests that the Maya of Copan, which he uses as an example, stood back and watched as the last tree fell. But his argument is based on flawed evidence. This is easy to say with hindsight, in the light of recent publications, but he also ignored existing evidence, seemingly because it did not support his position. He comments: Maya kings sought to outdo each other with more and more impressive temples, covered with thicker and thicker plaster- reminiscent in turn of the extravagant conspicuous consumption by modern American CEOs. (Diamond 2005: 177) As previously mentioned, lime plaster required extreme heat to create and for this reason much wood was required in its production. If deforestation was causing problems for their society, which is now believed to be false in any case, then to continue to create vast quantities of plaster for nothing but aesthetic reasons would have been ignorant and stupid. This is seemingly what Diamond is suggesting, despite research published in 1996 that showed that sculptures dating to the Late Classic at Copan used much thinner layers of plaster than those of an earlier date. Implying the Maya were taking measures to prevent unnecessary tree loss (Fash and Fash 1996). Diamond focuses on the implications for our present society, which is a good reason for studying past collapse, but he seems to oversimplify the problems of the Maya. Under the heading The Maya Message he identifies the various strands that he believes led to the collapse, but in a way that makes it seem like they are a checklist to avoid if we do not want our present society to fail. He does not give the Maya any credit for having attempted to change their society in any way. But he would likely not have wished to do so; acknowledging that the Maya understood the precarious ecological situation they found themselves in and made attempts to counter this, but still failed, does not bode well for our current society, where short term benefit, at seemingly any cost, is most often preferred over long term solutions. Conclusion To come to the conclusion that the Maya did not shape their own downfall, in as much they did not create drought through deforestation, apparently leaves the almost equally unwelcoming alternative that borders on environmental determinism. This argument implies that the Lowlands were not conducive to complex and advanced civilisation; the Mayan cities were destined to collapse, it was an inevitable event that could only be put off not overcome. I feel there is, however, a middle ground between the two. I would agree that the drought was likely not the result of the Maya being irresponsible and overusing their natural resources. On the contrary it seems more likely that the Maya, at least at Copan, had become well adapted to their environment and were using it sustainably. They were at their peak florescence in the Classic period, when both environmental and climatic conditions were relatively constant. As a result of this stability though, they were increasingly becoming part of a ri gidity trap, mastering their environment of relatively low level, but predictable rainfall by growing water-efficient maize, and utilising reservoirs in order to build cities on fertile land far from a permanent water source. They had made themselves highly vulnerable to drought and in the terminal classic were faced with the worst droughts the region had seen for 7000 years. It was not the carrying capacity of the region however, but the nature of Mayan society that reduced their ability to change, as it must also be remembered that warfare was as important a cause of the collapse as drought in some regions. Although the Maya showed some adaptability at Copan in maintaining the forest, factors other than land use were much harder to change. Another society without a ruling system based on the control of water for example, would perhaps have fared better in the same circumstances, as drought would likely not have brought down their political system as easily. But this method of control was inherent to Mayan society, allowing for such things as monumental construction and the exacting of tribute. The Maya way of life had evolved to meet their circumstances and their environment, but in the end they had become fixed in these ways and were unable to modify their society enough when their situation changed. Even if the elite had foreseen drought and wished to change the basis of their power, it is unlikely they could have even done so without collapse remaining the end result; it was such a fundamental component of their society. It can therefore be seen that the Maya collapse was an extremely complex event that was the result of multiple factors, of which warfare and drought were dominant. In an attempt to focus more on the role of climate, I have neglected some of the other factors such as weakening economy through loss of trade and overpopulation among others, but have attempted to emphasize the multi faceted nature of the collapse in the hope of avoiding oversimplification. Climate change and the resulting drought played a large, albeit joint role in the collapse of the Lowland Classic Maya. A long period of relative stability had made the Maya culture fragile and inflexible, so that when faced by changes to this constancy, a precarious balance between the various elements of their society was revealed; ultimately they proved unsuccessful in maintaining this in a time of stress.

Vincent van Goghs Starry Night and Vincent’s Chair Essay -- Art Criti

Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night and Vincent’s Chair   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One of the most famous Post-Impressionists was the Dutch artist, Vincent van Gogh. Van Gogh believed that art was a form of expression. Painting was an emotional and spiritual experience for him. He painted not only how he interpreted his surroundings, but his sensations and feelings on his subjects. One of his most famous paintings, Starry Night, is a perfect representation of this Post-Impressionistic style of painting.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  With its swirling colors and lines, Starry Night, incorporates not just the color and light that is found in the earlier works of these painters, but it shows how forms and feelings also came into play. "Waves and swirls" were applied so thickly in this piece that the paint itself cast shadows. His heavy brushstrokes and vivid colors portray the night sky as crazy and chaotic and the village below as peaceful and serene.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The historical significance of Starry Night mirrors the events taking place during this era of modernity. During this time, scientists, writers and artists were seeking nontraditional ways of thinking. While scientists were learning about humans and physics in ways that had not been used before, and philosophers were finding new theories of life, writers and artists were disregarding old ways of writing and painting, and pursuing new forms of expression. Van Gogh, like his contemporaries, was ignoring the old styles of painting realistic images; instead, as portr...