The Role of the Internet in Supply Chain Management

Supply chain (SC) is made up of all the activities that are required to deliver products to the customer – from designing product to receiving order, procuring material, marketing, manufacturing, logistics, customer services, receiving payment and so on (Donovan, 2001). Hence, supply chain consists of a group of different companies working together to produce finished goods sold to customers out of raw materials. Company strikes to gain competitive advantages through improving their supply chain. Supply Chain Management (SCM)oversees different company’s activities and makes sure that they collaborate well. Supply Chain Management is therefore defined as the management of upstream and downstream relationships in order to deliver superior customer value at less cost to the supply chain as a whole. (Christopher, 1998). An increase in competitions means that companies must combine together to form a network of organizations. Failure or refusal of doing so would result in falling behind to the company’s rivals. The Internet has an important role in supply chain management because it enables real-time information and collaboration between trading partners, which makes decision making easier. Gunasekaran and Ngai (2004) refers e-SCM as the integration of Internet-enable activities within the supply chain. In order for the e-SCM system to work, applications such as determining the best way to fill an order, to track goods and to manage materials require state-of-the-art ITShow MoreRelatedProcess Flow Supply Chain Management1528 Words   |  7 PagesRunning head: PROCESS FLOW: SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT PROCESS FLOW: SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT AND ELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE (EDI) Clifford Butler Operation Management November 1, 2009 Table of Contents Abstract†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦3 Introduction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..4 The Internet-based supply chain system for mass customized markets†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..4 The role of electronic data interchange (EDI) and the Internet in supply chain integration..†¦...5 WhyRead MoreThe Supply Chain Concept1622 Words   |  7 PagesSupply Chain Concept Introduction In today s competitive business environment many firms face the arduous mission of managing their supply chain. In an effort to gain competitive advantage, firms must make key decision involving logistics and operations management to move products and service across the supply chain. The materialization and attractiveness of the Internet has made supply chain management more attainable for business enterprises. Research shows that Internet-derived technologyRead MoreSupply Chain Management : Case Study869 Words   |  4 PagesMicroeconomics 25 March 2015 Supply Chain Management Tom Greening once said, All management begins with planning† (Tom Greening). Those who study and research supply chain management will agree that the aforementioned quote holds true in their field. Companies looking to reduce their costs and better their customer service often look to implement supply chain management. In order to effectively execute successful supply chain management one must acknowledge the importance of demand management, communicationRead More Supply Chain Management Essay example1672 Words   |  7 PagesSupply Chain Management Supply chain management lets an organization get their products of raw goods to the place they are needed at the right time, the right place, and what exactly they have ordered, and at a reasonable cost. It moves from parts supplier to manufacturers to wholesale to retailer then consumer. Supply chain management plays an important role supplying the manufacturers all the way down to the consumer, so they can satisfy their customers, and to have good benefits for theirRead MoreSupply Chain Management Essay528 Words   |  3 PagesSupply chain holds a special place in B2B e-business. With the growth of internet and businesses operating electronically, the product life cycle has reduced to a large extent. This has increased the competition among the organizations to better manage their supply chain to satisfy the customers need in a competitive market. With the growth of information technology, the trends in determining the demand and supply are changing drastically. The organizations are developing and implementing betterRead MoreIntroduction to Supply Chain Management Essay1209 Words   |  5 PagesAs soon as an idea turns into a project, the organisation of the supply chain becomes vital to providing a quality service to the client yet at a minimal cost to the company involved. Vertical interpretation is required to deal with various constraints that arise in various stages of the project with the aim to keep the problems down and the efficiency high. Throughout this paper the author will describe how supply chain management (SCM) helps bring systems together to present a desirable outcomeRead MoreEmerging Technology and e-business957 Words   |  4 Pagescomputer and internet based information seekers. It is arguable that the advent of computer and internet has changed the role of information in business, and has increasingly affected the supply chain management (Moore, 2000). The principles of supply chain management (SCM) have been affected by the emerging information and communication technology in various ways, diverting the traditional methods of conducting business, and providing a platform for sharing information from supply to the marketRead MoreHow The Supply Chain Has Evolved Over The Years1033 Words   |  5 Pages The supply chain has evolved over the years. With new businesses that are on the rise in the competitive world it is important to stay on top. Different merchants create better deals that cause relationships between the suppliers and their customers to the end. I wanted to explore those relationships and research the history of the â€Å"supply chain†. I wanted to know how things were ran and how they are able to sustain business when the economy changes. How supply chain management has evolved InRead MoreCold Chain Logistics1185 Words   |  5 Pagesrequirements†. (Canadian Association of Logistics Management, 1995). Simply put it, logistics is about managing the flow of materials be it raw or finished product, information finances in the supply chain, a lot of people misunderstood the term logistics management and supply chain, logistics management is different from supply chain management, logistics management is part of the wide and complex supply chain. Logistics plays a big role in today business, as it controls the movement ofRead MoreInformation Technology and Supply Chain Management in Amazon.com684 Words   |  3 Pagesand Supply Chain Management in Amazon.com Introduction The most critical component of the Amazon.com business model is the efficient, profitable performance of its supply chain. For online retailers who compete in high velocity sales environments, the ability to orchestrate suppliers across a very broad supply chain is critical for their continual profitable operation and growth (Albors-Garrigà ³s, Hervas-Oliver, Mà ¡rquez, 2009). Integral to this aspect of Amazons business model is the role of Information

Home Schooling is a Better Choice Free Essays

Education is considered as a wealth that other people cannot take away from anyone. It can take an individual to far places, allow him or her to do greater things, and make it possible to have a brighter future. No matter how poor or how difficult it is to send a child to school, every parent would want to give their children a chance to have a quality education. We will write a custom essay sample on Home Schooling is a Better Choice or any similar topic only for you Order Now There are some cases when a child has to be home schooled. Home-schooling is the better alternative aside from sending a child to a normal school; and it is not as dangerous as some people think it is. This is why many parents who preferred to home-school their children reacted to a new court ruling that would make them criminals for teaching without credentials. This law was proposed by Justice H. Walter of the Los Angeles’ Second District Court of Appeal. He reasoned out that children aged six to 18 should attend public school unless exempted. Parents who home-school their children reacted because they believe that home-schooling is better than sending their children to public or private schools. Moreover, parents believe that they, and not the state, know better what is best for their children, including how they should be educated. In addition, parents reasoned out that since private schools do not necessarily require their teachers to have credentials, why are parents not allowed to teach their children even without a credential? (Yskamp, 2008). Home-schooling is a better option to steer children away from the dangers and the pitfalls associated with public schools (Distantschooling, 2006). Children are not at risk of bullying at school, or of alcohol and drugs or other negative influences. There is also a strengthened bonding between parents and children as they spend more time together, thus further reinforcing the family in the American society (Pride, 2009). Moreover, home-schooling enables parents to meet the unique needs of their children that will otherwise be ignored in classrooms accommodating more than 30 kids. There are also parents who reported that home-schooling best fits the learning needs of their children (Yskamp, 2008). How to cite Home Schooling is a Better Choice, Papers

Contemporary issues in Accounting True and Fair View Concept

Question: What is the History of the TFV,How did it Come about, Where, and when,What has been this Historical Purpose of the TFV? Answer: Introduction True and Fair View (TFV) as an accounting concept has since past been necessary for evaluating the performance of businesses (Jones Wolnizer, 2013). It is, therefore, the responsibility of the directors of different business entities to promote and make sure that their financial reports and statements depict a true and fair view of their stakeholders and other users. In auditing, true and fair view means that every financial declaration of any business entity is free from the possibility of any misstatements of their material and genuinely represents the financial worthiness and status of the business organization (DragnevaMillan, 2014). From the literature perspective, the concept of true and fair aspect in accounting has not been defined but a general conclusion of its meaning can be induced, an argument that forms that basis of this paper. According to Burlaud (2011), true means that every financial statement presented is factually correct and that it has been prepared in agreement with the reporting financial frameworks, rules, and standards. It includes IFRS and any other that lacks evidence of the misstatements in their materials that can miss-guide the users of the financial reports. These misstatements are caused by material errors or emission of some transactions and imbalance in the presented financial reports and statements (Epaves, 2010). On the other hand, fair means that the presented financial statements of the business entity faithfully present the information without any issue of biasness for they are the reflection of the economic implications and status of transactions and not just their usual law form according to Hulle (2013). According to Nobes (2016), the true and fair view of financial statements preparation is the responsibility of all directors of company as stated in the corporate legislations and rules of moststates such as the UK Companies Act 2006. Secondly, it is also the responsibility of auditors to ensure that the directors have effectively attained their rolesand responsibilities of the true and fair view financial statements preparation. Hulle (2013) also points out that the managers should expressly indicate or state in their audit reports whether in their view, the financial statements presented to them by directors present a true and fair view of the financial performance and position of their organization. The concept of true and fair view has been adopted since it was introduced in the 1948 UKs Companies Act. The concepthas thus held an historical origin in the 18th century after which it was translated into legal corporate definition in the 20th century (Alexander, 2012). The general essence of the standards and guidelines was to provide the possibility of recognition, measurements, representation, and directors disclosure of particular aspects of financial reporting in a mannerreflectingthe economic reality and thus providing a true and fair view. Evans (2013) also denotes that the accounting transfertechnique from one traditionalvalue to another has been faced or associated with many challenges due to different objectives and goals within the financial reporting, standards and legal systems in different countries and also in different roles of the profession. Therefore, these challenges have resulted from the different conceptualization of the concept of TFV in various countries. T he primary reasons for the difference are due to the difference in legal interpretation of the rules of the Roman law. Alexander (2012) points out that a common legal specific rule, in this case, the Roman law states, specific rules that take prudence over the other general issues. Secondly is the difference in the translation of the TFV phrase, which caused an inherent ambiguity (Nobes, 2016; Alexander, 2013; Nobes, 2012). These translations made the process of conceptualization of the true and fair view to be an ambiguous process. There was also the issue of some of the recognised true and fair concept definitions be obtained from operated terms previously used in describing the relevance and nature of the financial statements (Barlev Haddad, 2017). Lastly, there was also a difference in authority and character of the regulation between federal governments and the use of different accounting principles which causes a difference in the content and validity of any legal and professional pronouncement. Research also shows that the language used in financial reporting is an important tool for decision-making in the worldcapital globalization process where true and fair view (TFV) acts as a symbol of systems stability according to Jones and Wolnizer (2013). For ex ample, the western culture and ideologies of true and fair view was accepted in Poland be used in accounting communities and businesses to promote a fast-track accession in the world competitive markets. The origin of TFV also accounts to the fourth directive of the European Union which stated that, any annual account should conform to all the principles and guidelines of the proper and regular accounting (draft article 2,(2) ). During a negotiation between the European Commission and the Economic and Social Committee (ESC) in the Council Working Party 1974, the usefulness of TFV was questioned. Some delegates, however, supported the idea while insisting that there should be a requirement that will help in departing from the suggestions and provisions of the directive if necessary in order to satisfy the objective of the true and fair view (Wustemann, Kierzek, 2016). Each member state had been affected by certain implications of the European harmonization as each had its true and fair view before the fall out of the fourth directive. Secondly, the creation of a harmonized true and fair view requires the necessity ofchanging to a GAAP with the aim of constructing a common meaning. Res earch has shown that the context of European harmonization has seen the attempt of transferring a formula that consists of words which does not ensure that it is signified form of the formula. In such a case, (Sapkauskiene, 2014) denotes that the collection of normally accepted principles of accounting with accepted wisdom concerning the roles and value traditions of accounting. In practice, Wustemann and Kierzek (2016) point out that the words adopted are not relevant, and that the process of harmonization can only be attained when only the signified are harmonized through a signed agreement on the accepted accounting principles. External to the operational sense, Drabkova (2013) also asserts that the indeterminate knowledge base has specific responsibilities in establishing a professional standing. The scope supports that a true and fair view may be adopted as embodying a claim by accountants to a special knowledge, which in turn supports their claim of exclusive certification. In such a case, the professionals may raise issues concerning the true and fair view in a manner that is quite distinct from the operational reality. The review takes place in the context of the import of true and fair view into the Economic Commission Fourth Directive. The question hence comes as to whether the present requirements of Australia regulatory environment for, financial reporting, supports the true and fair view. The support in this case relates to the preparation of financial statements, the auditing of the statements and the usage of the financial reports. The Australian Financial Reporting standards (AFRS) requires and supports TFV in that all financial reports should be accompanied by a directors about the operations of the company or business entity. It is also required that the financial reports should also be accompanied by a directors declaration stating that the accounts meet the requirements of the accounting standards and give a true and fair view of the business financial statement. The Australian financial reporting standards also support the true and fair concept by giving guidelines on the auditing of financial statements. The financial statements should be prepared and audited according to the international auditing standards, therefore in this case supporting the principle of fair and true representation of financial statements as stated in the true and fair view concept. According to (FRS 102 section 10 and IAS 8) managers and directors are also given guidelines on establishing accounting policies, which can only be allowed under the international accounting standards (Drabkova, 2016). They should not use detailed accounting rules as excuses for accounting malpractices or problems and should also ensure that significant accounting information is not in any way obscured by immaterial or irrelevant disclosure. Financial reporting standards (FRS 102 section 2) managers and directors are also required to give prudent judgments in their consideration of accounts which supports the concept of true and fair view. IAS 1 paragraph 24 also explains that most of the times an accounting policy would conflict with the objective of the financial reports and statements when it does not represent genuinely the transactions. The section also requires disclosure where the true and fair override from a particular requirements so as to achieve a fair presentation. Lastly the companies Act 2006, sections 393(2) and 495 to 497,guides the opinion of auditors regarding companys financial records as to whether in their view the accounts give a true and fair view (Burlaud, 2011). The section therefore supports the true and fair view concept which requires auditors opinion when reporting on the validity and relevance of the financial statements and reports. Conclusion Though the development and harmonization of TFV concept have been faced with a lot of challenges, its importance has been equally supported in enhancing the quality reports and financial statements which have helped to propel a lot of business entities globally. Factual and unbiased information will always present a reliable data and hence the general importance of the true and fair view. However, the concept should be applied to the accounting standards of a certain country for it to have a greater importance. The managers and directors of companies should, therefore, ensure that all financial statements and reports reflect a true and fair view concept. Therefore; the requirements of the Australian Accounting Standards (AAS) from the research can also be concluded to genuinely represent the reporting entity of accounts. But a greater responsibility has been left to the decision makers of companies and the regulatory authorities governing the accounting standards. References Alexander, D. (2012). A European true and fair view?.European Accounting Review, 2(1), 59-80. Barlev, B., Haddad, J. R. (2017).Harmonization, Comparability, and Fair Value Accounting.Journal Of Accounting, Auditing Finance, 22(3), 493-509. Burlaud, A. (2011). Commentary on the article by David Alexander 'A European true and fair view'.European Accounting Review, 2(1), 95-98. Dominiak, G., Epaves, R. A. (2010). True and Fair View- History, Meaning and the Impact of the 4th Directive. Accounting Review, 52(1), 278-279. Drabkova, Z. (2016). Models of detection of manipulated financial statements as part of the internal control system of the entity.ACRN Oxford Journal Of Finance Risk Perspectives,5(1), 230-238. Dragneva, R., Millan, E. (2013).Transposing the "true and fair view" concept in the legislation of hungry and Poland in the context of eu enlargement.Review Of Central East European Law, 28(2), 183-209. Epaves, R. A. (2010). True and Fair View- History, Meaning and the Impact of the 4th Directive.Accounting Review,52(1), 278-279. Evans, L. (2013). The true and fair view and the 'fair presentation' override of IAS 1. Accounting Business Research (Wolters Kluwer UK), 33(4), 311-325. Hulle, K. (2011). The true and fair view override in the European Accounting Directives.European Accounting Review, 6(4), 711-720. Hulle, K. (2013). Truth and untruth about true and fair: a commentary on 'A European true and fair view' comment. European Accounting Review, 2(1), 99-104. Jones, S., Wolnizer, P. W. (2013). Harmonization and the Conceptual Framework: An International Perspective. Abacus, 39(3), 375-387. doi:10.1111/j.1467-6281.2003.00139.x Kircher, P., Meyer, P. E. (1999). The Significance of the Standard "True and Fair" View (Book).Accounting Review,57(2), 440. Millan, E. (2013). Transposing the "true and fair view" concept in the legislation of hungary and poland in the context of eu enlargement.Review Of Central East European Law,28(2), 183-209. Nobes, C. (2016). The True and Fair View Requirement: Impact on and of the Fourth Directive. Accounting Business Research (Wolters Kluwer UK), 24(93), 35-48. Sapkauskiene, A. (2014). Fair value accounting for investment asset: a case study.International Multidisciplinary Scientific Conference On Social Sciences Arts SGEM, 271-278. Wustemann, J., Kierzek, S. (2016). True and Fair View Revisited -- A Reply to Alexander and Nobes. Accounting In Europe, 391-116. Yardley, R. (2001). Accounting Principles for Life Insurance: A True and Fair View? (Book).Accounting Business Research (Wolters Kluwer UK),26(1), 83-85. Zahid, A. (2010). "True and Fair View" Versus "Fair Presentation" Accountings: Are They Legally Similar or Different?.European Business Law Review,19(4), 677-690

Music and Its Influence free essay sample

These primitive musicians would not have known many of the modern terms such as octaves and pitch, but they invented quite possibly the most important aspect of music today – just whack it. Music is basically the control of sound. We can control this sound by varying the pitch, tempo, octaves, and dynamics and so on. There are thousands of ways that we can use music and to shape it to how we want to hear it. But how much has music influenced the way we think today? Why is it so popular?Music dates right back to the prehistoric eras where primitive instruments were constructed using items like bone and wood Quite literally, they would have used things like 2 bones and they would have ‘whacked’ them together. This would obviously have made a sound – either loud or quite depending on how hard you hit them together. Take these primitive bones and add on 8 or 9 thousand years of musical evolution and you get the modern day drum kit. We will write a custom essay sample on Music and Its Influence or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In my own opinion; instruments Have come a very long way. In my research drums, guitars and pianos has change in the way it looks and sounds. Ask yourself!How far did music come from to now? First close your eyes and picture this, even today if you go to some native parts of Africa or Asia. you can see tribes of people performing primeval forms of music. They do this for both entertainment and their religious belief. This form of music normally consists of basic wind instruments and small, hand-made percussion instruments normally made from animal skin or fur. This has been kept traditional by the tribe as they have not been into contact with the outside world. They have managed to keep their precious tradition for thousands of years, and they will be able to keep it for years to come.Their music is the only real surviving traditional music from the early days, and that genre of music has slowly made its way into western culture. If we see a film about a jungle, normally the soundtrack is composed of instruments like bongos or shakers. This is because we instantly associate this sort of music with jungles and indigenous tribes. So whereas some parts of the world stayed traditionalist, other parts were taking music to the next step. Western cultures have used music for almost every aspect of life. Music was used for entertainment and religion.Some countries have unfortunately lost their culture and heritage thanks to more developed countries trying to expand their empires. Traditional drums and flutes have been replaced with more vibrant shakers and trumpets. It is no doubt that the way other countries have acted has greatly affected the distribution of music worldwide. I’m sure you’ll all agree when I say that music is changing very fast. It’s either that or we keep changing our tastes in music every five minutes – which is far more probable. Today if someone put on a record from just 10-20 years ago we’d probably think of that music as being incredibly old or very simple. I don’t know about you, but I can’t stand to watch some (if not most) of the early Top of the Pops because the music is so old. We think of this as being old, but in fact it is incredibly new. The music industry has become overwhelmingly popular ever since some of the pioneers of modern music. Before the War, there had never been a real music industry, but during the war many radio stations made the majority of their income by playing music because lots of music during that era was lyrically focused on subjects like peace and hope.This was undoubtedly something that people wanted to hear, so the music industry started to really form during this time. WHAT? I’ll just get the album when it comes out, thanks. After this, more and more businesses and corporations started to set up record labels and started to sign more and more artists to their label and then distributing their music in CD/Vinyl release and on the radio. Since then, technology of all sorts has had to shape the way it works so that it can keep up with the music industry. Many devices that once had no connections to music now play music and the radio due to customer demands.For example, a fridge with a built in radio. Record labels have got so big nowadays, that they are starting to charge excessive fees for artist’s music. Many bands/artists have recognized this and have made their own record labels so they can have their own means of music distribution. Some examples of these would be Nothing Records, owned by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, and Morning Records, owned by the Cooper Temple Clause. During my research I’ve learned how music changes the lives of people throughout the world. I can honestly say, I have discovered how has influenced my life and the production of my music.In conclusion, music has evolved substantially from its early days as a form of basic ceremonious compliments to a huge booming industry that plays a major role in our culture and it continues to change every day to suit the needs of the consumers, who enjoy music for what it is, rather than the profit that can be made from record labels.

Actuellement Is a French False Cognate

Actuellement Is a French False Cognate Mistakes will always be made in French, and now you can learn from them. French and English have hundreds of cognates, which are words that look alike or are pronounced the same in both languages. There are true cognates (similar meanings), false cognates (different meanings) and semi-false cognates (some similar, some different meanings). The French adverb actuellement looks an awful lot like the English word actually, but looks can be deceiving.  Its really the  case of a  false cognate, because these two words mean completely different things: Actuellement means at the present time and should be translated as right now or currently.  Actually means in fact and should be translated as  en fait,   vrai dire  or vraiment. Still, many people have not assimilated this lesson, and  actuellement  is mistakenly used to mean actually so often that  you  have to read the sentence two or three times to decide what the person actually means. How to Remember Which Is Which If you need a memory device, keep this in mind: Actualità ©Ã‚  refers to a  current event.  If you can remember this, you shouldnt have trouble remembering that actuellement and actually are false cognates with different meanings. Or you can remember the etymology. The root word of actually is actual, which means real or true. (Depending on the context, actual can be translated as  rà ©el,  vrai,  và ©ritable,  positif, or  concret.)  By extension then, actually means in fact. Meanwhile, the French root word for actuellement is the French adjective actuel, which means current or present. So actuellement  naturally refers to time as well and, by extension, means currently or right now. Examples of Correct Usage Je travaille actuellement. (I am currently working.)Le problà ¨me actuel (The current/present problem)Actually, I dont know him. (En fait, je ne le connais pas.)The actual value (La valeur rà ©elle)

Facts and Figures About Plesiosaurus, the Long-Necked Marine Reptile

Facts and Figures About Plesiosaurus, the Long-Necked Marine Reptile As you may already have surmised from its name, Plesiosaurus is the eponymous member of the family of marine reptiles known as plesiosaurs, which were characterized by their sleek bodies, wide flippers, and relatively small heads set at the end of long necks. These Mesozoic reptiles were once famously described as looking like a snake threaded through the shell of a turtle, although it was quickly established that they didnt have shells and were only distantly related to modern testudines. Plesiosaurs were closely related to, but distinct from, pliosaurs, contemporary marine reptiles possessing thicker torsos, shorter necks, and longer heads. The eponymous member of the pliosaur family was – you guessed it  Ã¢â‚¬â€œ Pliosaurus. Like all marine reptiles, Plesiosaurus was not technically a dinosaur, having evolved from different antecedents in the reptile family tree. Theres a lot we still dont know about Plesiosaurus, which, like many name brand prehistoric reptiles, is much less well understood than the family to which it gave its name. (For a terrestrial parallel, think of the enigmatic Hadrosaurus and the well-known family of dinosaurs to which it belonged, the hadrosaurs, or duck-billed dinosaurs). Discovered very early in paleontological history by the pioneering English fossil hunter Mary Anning in 1823, Plesiosaurus created a sensation back in the early 19th century. Scientists at the time didnt quite know what to make of this 15-foot-long, 120-million-year-old beast. However, Plesiosaurus wasnt the first marine reptile to be discovered in England; that honor belongs to the distantly related Ichthyosaurus. The Lifestyle of Plesiosaurus Plesiosaurs in general, and Plesiosaurus in particular, werent the most accomplished swimmers, ​since they lacked the hydrodynamic builds of their bigger, meaner and more streamlined cousins, the pliosaurs. To date, its unknown whether Plesiosaurus and its ilk lumbered onto dry land to lay their eggs or gave birth to live young while still swimming (though the latter is the increasingly favored possibility). We do know, however, that plesiosaurs went extinct along with the dinosaurs 65 million years ago, and have not left any living descendants. (Why is this important? Well, many otherwise well-meaning people insist that the putative Loch Ness Monster is actually a plesiosaur that survived extinction!) The heyday of the plesiosaurs and pliosaurs was the middle-to-late Mesozoic Era, especially the late Jurassic and early Cretaceous period; by the end of the Mesozoic Era, these marine reptiles had been widely supplanted by even more vicious mosasaurs, which likewise succumbed to the K/T Extinction 65 million years ago. The big fish/bigger fish template applies throughout evolutionary history; an argument has been made that mosasaurs partly went extinct because of the increasing diversity and dominance of sharks, the best-equipped marine predators yet evolved by Mother Nature. Name: Plesiosaurus (Greek for almost lizard); pronounced PLEH-see-oh-SORE-us Habitat: Oceans worldwide Historical Period: Early-Middle Jurassic (135-120 million years ago) Size and Weight: About 15 feet long and 1,000 pounds Diet: Fish and mollusks Distinguishing Characteristics: Long neck; tapered body; blunt flippers; small head with sharp teeth

Information Technology Applications in Marketing Research Paper

Information Technology Applications in Marketing - Research Paper Example Gradually, in the month of March, 2010 the developers were provided with a monetary value of US$500,000 for developing the service. It was in this year that Josh Riedel joined the company, developing the first version of the program in January, 2011. He added hash tag providing the facility to discover and find each picture. It was in the same year that the company had also collected an amount of US$7 million valuing it at around US$25 million. It was in April, 2012 that the first version of Instagram was released. However, it was viewed that due to a lack of employees and funds to improve Instagram, the service was sold at US$1 billion to Facebook in cash and in stock (Geron, 2012; Hui, 2012). Reason for Growth/Decline The current features of Instagram can be considered to be the primary reason behind its rapid growth. Instagram is amongst those apps that provides seamless social integration to well-known social networking sites such as Facebook, Tweeter, Flickr and Tumbler. The sim ple interface can also be determined as another prime reason behind the success of the social service. Though there are numerous photo sharing apps available however Instagram is simple and it also provides digital edit options which make it separate from others. It is worth mentioning that though Instagram offers the facility of sharing photos or video taken in other social websites, users can also share their photos on it which makes it a social network platform on its own (Stratmann, 2011; Sengupta et al., 2012). Future The future of a social networking site directly relies on the way innovation is made in it. In this context, it has been viewed that Instagram has been a... This essay stresses that Instagram is recognized to be amongst those social network based services that has flourished within a short period of time. Firstly, it is believed that the business model of the Instagram is comparatively simpler than any other form of social app available in the market. Instagram aims at providing a user-friendly experience to its users by adapting innovative ways or features. Secondly, Instagram can be used as a live coverage tool which provides an opportunity for any user to keep updated of the places where they are at. It is worth mentioning that Instagram also aims at improving it series of functionalities with the growing demand of its users and marketers. Marketers can use Instgarm to share the images or videos of their offered products or services to create significant consumer awareness which in turn can enable them to draw a diverse range of consumers. This report makes a conlusion that the social media vehicle i.e. Instagram has been in continuous discussion amid different social networking gurus since its launch for public use. It has been viewed that Instagram has largely been able to attract a huge extent of user base because of its simplicity and uniqueness. With reference to the above stated discussion, it can be affirmed that though Instagram is considerably new in the social networking market however if it keeps on following its innovative ways of making new changes in the app, this social media vehicle would be able to maintain its eminent position.

Ethnic History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Ethnic History - Essay Example For purposes of this brief response, this student will attempt to show the ways in which individuals from a Muslim background engage with and understand their ethnic history. Although the topics which will be represented will further help to shed a level of understanding on many of the ways in which current levels of trust and suspicion continue to exist with regards to the relations that individuals from an Islamic background and/or from the Middle East or North Africa share with regards to an interpretation of their own history. Firstly, when one begins to discuss an ethnic history, it is a means of understanding that necessarily divides groups into â€Å"us† vs. â€Å"them†. Such a construct is not necessarily bad; rather, it is just another way of seeking to provide a level of understanding for why the world has developed in the unique way that it is has. This â€Å"us† versus â€Å"them† attitude is especially useful in situations in which a colonizer of entity has been present. This is of course very much the case when it comes to many of the Islamic regions within North Africa and throughout the Middle East. In this way, trying to understand the way that a type of shared ethnic history has developed would not be complete without first trying to understand that indelible imprint that the period of European colonization and control affected on the collective ethnic memories of the subjugated people throughout the Middle East, North Africa and elsewhere in the Islamic Maghreb ( Leong et al 2013). After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire soon after the end of the First World War, European powers quickly exerted their influence throughout the remnants of the power vacuum that existed. What was unique about this situation as compared to what occurred elsewhere throughout Africa and Southeast Asia during the same period was the fact that many of these Islamic lands had recently transitioned away from the grip of the

Pilchard Impact and Requirement Essay Example for Free

Pilchard Impact and Requirement Essay Pilchard or sardines are groups of small fishes which belong to the herring family. They are caught almost throughout the year especially in the night. Pilchards are rich in minerals and they are usually consumed in different ways. They are also referred to as low-value pelagic species. Pilchard and Tuna The introduction of tuna farming had a major impact on pilchard hunting simply because it was found to be a major source of food for the tuna. This resulted in an increase emphasis on pilchard research and farming. Pilchards are mostly used to feed carnivorous fishes such as tuna, trout and salmon. Pilchard farming requires marine scalefish fishers, not targeted for recreational purposes, provides feeds for predator species such as salmon, and tuna, fishing methods (use of small mesh and fishing done by night), and pilchard farming done in temperate waters. Pilchard farming is of great economic importance. About 20 pounds of pilchard is required to produce a pound of tuna, indicating a resource-intensive form of producing tuna and depleting the stock of small fishes. This will ultimately disrupt the aquatic ecosystem in that it will not only affect the fishes alone but marine mammals and seabirds directly or indirectly. Some documentation about the introduction of viral infection into the aquatic ecosystem has been documented. Several factors such as ecological integrity, social justice and status of the pilchard population must be maintained. Pilchard and Dolphins Dolphin swim license is indirectly related to pilchard in that pilchard is not farm for ecological purpose, and dolphin only feeds on them as an opportunistic predator. Dolphin feeding on pilchard will cause a major and drastic decrease in their population and subsequently leading to enormous financial loss. Conclusion Considering the immediate need for tuna fishes and the relationship between the fish and pilchard, the tuna license should be granted while licensing dolphin swim should not be allowed because of it the negative impact on the aquatic ecosystem, and associated financial loss. References Lopez, D. (2005). â€Å"Interaction between bottlenose dolphins and fish farms: could there be an economic impact†. Retrieved May 23, 2009 from http://www. thebdri. com/resources/downloads/ICES2005X10. pdf PIRSA Fisheries, (2009). â€Å"Sardine (Pilchard) fishery†. Commercial fishing Retrieved May 23, 2009 from http://www. pir. sa. gov. au/fisheries/commercial_fishing/sardine_pilchard_fishery Primary industries and resources, (2009). â€Å"Ecological assessment of the south Australian pilchard fishery†. South Australian fisheries management series. Retrieved May 22, 2009 from http://www. pir. sa. gov. au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/12858/sa_pilchard_submission. pdf Stuart, N. (2001). â€Å"Tuna farmers face fresh challenges†. Landline Retrieved May 23, 2009 from http://www. abc. net. au/landline/stories/s363097. htm

How We Acquire Knowledge :: Education Educating Essays

How We Acquire Knowledge When I think about knowledge the first thing that comes to my mind is education. I believe that knowledge comes to people by their experiences in life. In other words, life is an instrument that leads me to gain knowledge. Many people consider that old people are wise because they have learned from good and bad experiences throughout their lives. Education requires work, dedication and faith to gain knowledge. We acquired knowledge through the guidance of from parents, role models, college/University teachers and life experiences. When we were little our parents had to guided us because we did not have the ability to live by ourselves. Sometimes, for some people, their parents taught them or they sent them to school to develop their knowledge. Parents helped their children to do their homework. They encouraged them to continue their early education. Parents help their children to build confidence in their life. A child with confidence is able to has a positive attitude in school. Also, help the child to be positive in his leaning. Many children have problems learning in school because parents do not give them support. Instead, they tell them that they are not good nothing. Also, parents help to build ways of learning at an early age. When we were, little we did not know how to study, how to read. Our parents found the best way to learn the basic education. As students, knowledge is very important to guide us to continuo our education. A way to acquire knowledge is to have a role model in our lives. In this society almost every child, adult and elder has o had has a hero in their lives. It is very important to have someone to admire because it helps to increase our interest in education and eventually it will lead us to gain knowledge. Role models make the students to feel positive that they will be able to fulfill their dreams. For example, I grew up in a Christian family. My role model since I was a little girl was Jesus. I wanted to be like him, and follow all his teachings. I knew that I could gain knowledge through his words. I know that most religions have a leader that most of the people follow. In schools, teachers can be role models. Many students want to be like their favorite teacher.

Nutrition and Body Essay

All macromolecules are essential to the body. One has to have the right amount of all of the macromolecules in order to be healthy. It is believed that high protein diets with carbohydrate restriction causes weight loss. However as a result of high protein diet, one damages his/her kidney which is responsible for filtering proteins from blood. In the article, Janine says, â€Å"If you eat too much proteins and not enough carbs you can ruin your kidneys forever.† I agree with Janine, one has to have enough carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are important in the body as they provide energy for short term storage. However if one does not have enough carbohydrates in his/her diet, it affects the brain. Glucose from carbs is the fuel that brain uses to produce energy that moves and motivates one therefore one has to have glucose in the body. Mitchell has this misunderstanding about carbs and fat. Mitchell thinks that if one cuts down on carbs, he/she is actually training the body to burn fat instead. Fats and carbohydrates are two different things. If one is gaining weight, that’s because of calories. The amount of calories one takes causes obesity. Obesity is linked with poor body image. A positive body image is maintained by eating foods that contain fewer calories in it. A person’s weight is affected by genetic inheritance, nutrition and physical activity. Perceived body size is affected by media, puberty, and peer groups. All these factors affect body weight and perceived body size. Metabolism refers to all chemical processes that go on continuously inside the body. The amount of kilojoules your body burns at any given time is affected by your metabolism. Thyroid gland located below the larynx produces thyroid hormone which controls metabolism, growth, body temperature, muscle strength and appetite. Homeostasis is the process used by the body to maintain a stable internal environment. Hormonal regulation of metabolism such as when blood sugar levels rise in the body, insulin is secreted by the pancreas to covert glucose into glycogen, and when sugar levels in blood fall, glucagon is secreted by the pancreas to convert glycogen into glucose. If people have high blood sugar, they get diabetes. If people have low blood sugars, they get headaches, hunger, pale skin etc. Maintaining a normal blood sugar level is very important in the body. In the article, Mitchell says, â€Å"I get pretty hungry and I was getting headaches.† I think it’s because of having low blood sugar level. Mitchell has high  insulin and less glucagon hormone in the body. The advice I would give to Mitchell is to stop dieting and eat healthy foods that contain fewer calories. Mitchell needs to have physical exercises, healthy foods and self-concept.

Boutique Owner- Career Report

Running of a boutique is classified in the class of small business venture in fashion industry, and it is a dream to many people. The desire by many people to operate a boutique is motivated by the capability of individuals to apply managerial skills in operating small businesses. In addition, this is a very lucrative industry capable of bringing in a good income. However, management of a boutique business is not that easy due to the need of being up to date with ever changing fashions and tastes of customers.One main challenge is developing mission and vision statements in addition to application of good leadership and managerial skills. These factors support the fact that most of the accomplished boutique owners are people who are successful in the field of managing small businesses. This is achieved through application of personal traits such as determination, self driven motive, and enterprenual skills, basic of planning, management, and organizational skills. As a matter of fact , boutique business is a complex line of business where total management skills are required.In-depth knowledge on the running of the boutique and fashion statistics is very useful to any owner in order to make a meaningful progress. Boutique as a career requires the owner to employ other people who are capable and able to manage the business accordingly (White & Griffiths, 16). It also requires that the employees to perform their boutique work according to their past knowledge and experience. Therefore, workers or employees who have knowledge on the tactics that lead to improved performance play a very big role in operations of a boutique as a career. EducationAs a boutique owner it requires you to look for employees with knowledge as well as the skills of a boutique. Owning a boutique is not simple because one is required to have a substantial amount of start-up capital. This may force one to get a bank loan which should be paid regardless of whether the business succeeds or not. The failure or success depends on the management style of the owner. It is true to say that one can know the fate of a boutique business within the first few months or years. However, at the beginning losses are very high because of the initial investments and also extra expenditures of acquiring initial stock.At this early stage, one is expected to maintain high expectation through management of the losses as you focus on the profits generated in each transaction. But this only lasts for a period of time because once the business has stabilized, the expenditures becomes minimal creating a good source of income for the owner. Therefore, for a person to own a boutique future expectation that is the mission and the vision will be required. Managerial knowledge and the leadership of the employees is also another factor that determines the performance of the boutique.Owning a boutique needs a person who is open minded in matters pertaining to ideas regarding different boutique issues. T he business requires a well motivated individual who can use the combination of savoir-faire business skills and in depth the knowledge of the fashion retail industry to make profit. It requires a person to have the exact knowledge that is needed to ensure that a boutique is well managed. It needs leadership skills and management skills for a nice and effective boutique to be effective, planning should also be effective.Boutique deals with a wide range of fashion products for example sportswear, beachwear, novelty items, shoes, handbags accessories, and watches. In my case, a combination of the accessories and the novelty items, watches, shoes, handbags make my career as an owner of a boutique. Training This business requires one to have an education background which is specific on the knowledge of issues relating to fashion. One is required to have a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration Fashion Retailing or Marketing as well as management is of essence when operating a boutiq ue.Masters in Business Administration is an added advantage since it attracts investors in form of partners as they may have a greater trust in your management capability. Experience also applies in addition to the education background. This includes an extensive experience in fashion retail industry in a variety of positions from different levels of retail sales associated with exact experiences as a retail store manager. In boutique ownership career, risk taking personality is very important and solid business backgrounds such as marketing, accounting, sales, management and knowledge of the fashion are critical requirements.Other important requirements in connection with retail market place including trends and forecasts, flexible multitasking capabilities, excellent time management and communication skills in depth are important (Style career). Training focuses on the management and leadership qualities required in operations of the boutique. Tactics on customer response is also important during the training; the trainees are provided with a wide range of knowledge of handling different positions in the boutique business.Salary range My salary range is $100,000-$150,000 pa. The range is however not fixed as it can fluctuate depending on the level of profitability. Being a fashion industry, the knowledge of current trends in the market will promise one an upper limit income. Future trends Many successful businesses start small and build up to larger ones through expansion. Being a small business owner has been my dream for me. I do not regret why I chose a boutique business as my career since I have seen fruits of my labor.I am looking forward to building a large business empire by opening up boutique outlets which are at the proximity of my customers. I will even remain sensitive to the needs of my customers in addition to allowing them to make requests for the kind of products they would like me to stock for them. This I believe will give me a mileage ahea d of my competitors. Works Cited Style career, Breaking Into and Succeeding as a Boutique Owner. Viewed on 11 July 2010 from http://www. stylecareer. com/boutique. shtml White, N and Griffiths, I. The Fashion Busines

Juvenile Death penalty essays

Juvenile Death penalty essays Are Juveniles too young and underdeveloped physically and mentally to be sentenced to death for the murders they commit? Or do they really know what the thoughts are going through their head and the consequences for the actions they take regarding the thoughts they are thinking? Could it be the genes they were born with made them commit the crimes, or it was that they grew up in poverty and had no other choice but to become criminals? With all these reasons and excuses should they still be sentenced to the death penalty for crimes committed by minors under the age of 18, and in some states 21 years of age? Thirty-nine out of the fifty states in America authorize the death penalty, out of those thirty-eight only twenty-three allow offenders who commit murder under the age of eighteen be sentenced to the death penalty. The minimum age for the death penalty varies from state to state. Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah and Virginia all have a minimum age of sixteen to be sentenced to death. The states with the minimum age of seventeen are Florida, Georgia, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Texas. In Connecticut, New York and North Carolina all offenders sixteen years of age and older are tried as adults. All suspects seventeen years of age and above are tried as adults in Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin. (DPIC) The first known execution of a juvenile was Thomas Graunger, from Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts back in 1642. A total of 365 people have been executed for juvenile crimes since 1642, 20,000 Americans have been executed since 1608. Only twenty-two of those executions have been made after the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976. In the 1990s the annual rate went to a consistent 2-3 percent of all sentences, despite the dramatic in...

What Freezing Point Depression Is and How It Works

What Freezing Point Depression Is and How It Works Freezing point depression occurs when the freezing point of a liquid is lowered or depressed by adding another compound to it. The solution has a lower freezing point than that of the pure solvent. Freezing Point Depression Examples For example, the freezing point of seawater is lower than that of pure water. The freezing point of water to which antifreeze has been added is lower than that of pure water. The freezing point of vodka is lower than that of pure water. Vodka and other high-proof alcoholic beverages typically dont freeze in a home freezer. Yet, the freezing point is higher than that of pure ethanol (-173.5Â °F or -114.1Â °C). Vodka may be considered a solution of ethanol (solute) in water (solvent). When considering freezing point depression, look at the freezing point of the solvent. Colligative Properties of Matter Freezing point depression is a colligative property of matter. Colligative properties depend on the number of particles present, not on the type of particles or their mass. So, for example, if both calcium chloride (CaCl2) and sodium chloride (NaCl) completely dissolve in water, the calcium chloride would lower the freezing point more than the sodium chloride because it would produce three particles (one calcium ion and two chloride ions), while the sodium chloride would only produce two particles (one sodium and one chloride ion). Freezing Point Depression Formula Freezing point depression can be calculated using the Clausius-Clapeyron equation and Raoults law. In a dilute ideal solution, the freezing point is: Freezing Pointtotal Freezing Pointsolvent - ΔTf where ΔTf molality * Kf * i Kf cryoscopic constant (1.86Â °C kg/mol for the freezing point of water) i Vant Hoff factor Freezing Point Depression in Everyday Life Freezing point depression has interesting and useful applications. When salt is put on an icy road, the salt mixes with a small amount of liquid water to prevent melting ice from re-freezing. If you mix salt and ice in a bowl or bag, the same process makes the ice colder, which means it can be used for making ice cream. Freezing point depression also explains why vodka doesnt freeze in a freezer.

International Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

International Marketing - Essay Example Product and product line The company deals with consumer product goods. Its consumer product ranges from beauty products to household care products. Beauty products includes skincare products-creams, lotions, perfumes; hair care products- hair oil, shampoos, conditioner; Household care products includes packaged food, detergent powder and liquid, dish washer and toilet papers. The company has been investing a good amount of money in innovations and in Research and Development department. The company plans to expand into Central American country because of the growing opportunity and to create a global presence for itself. Therefore the product that the company would export is packaged food or so called ready to eat food. The reason for choosing this product is that Central America has a tremendous growth opportunity in the retail food segment especially for ready to eat foods. The company can export its packaged food items and try to capture a reasonable market share in the retail fo od segment. Packaged food items would include breakfast’s cereals, fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products and snack foods. Proposed Export Country The country where the company should export is Central America. The reason for choosing Central America is that the country is experiencing a growth in the consumer products and it would sound profitable for the company to invest in a growing economy. The Central America includes seven states and they are United States, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Honduras. There is a huge opportunity in the consumer product category especially in the ready food products. The company product line includes packaged foods; therefore it would help the company to expand its business in Central America. But the country has a preference for US products and the importers also prefer doing business with the exporters from US and consider them reliable and trustworthy. The US product has a better brand image th an the local products in Central America (Food Export Association, 2011). The company can take this challenge as an opportunity and let the consumers of Central America experience a different brand, a brand from Hong Kong. The demographics of Central America states that the total population of the country is about 41,739,000 out of which Guatemala comprising the highest population of about 14,027,000 and least population with 307000 in Belize. Spanish is the dominant language of the country and official language in six countries. The culture of Central America is said to be rich despite of its small geographic area. Central America has a diverse culture especially in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala (Moving to Central America, 2011). The retail sector of Central America is expanding rapidly; the hypermarkets and the supermarkets are expanding into multiple markets in the region. The local touch is important for the people of Central America as they find it personal and reliable. The consumer products have been forecasted to have a positive growth rate especially for ready foods such as breakfast cereals, snack food, pancake mix, dairy products to name a few (Food Export Association, 2011). Entry strategy When a company plans to enter the international market, it is essential for a company to choose an entry strategy in

Argument essay (mini research paper) about immigration( specific

Argument (mini research paper) about immigration( specific topics included in instructions) - Essay Example must oppose the Great Wall of America because it is not an effective and efficient solution to illegal immigration, it promotes nativism that borders racism, and it results to inhumane consequences that goes against the universal right to work and live in other nations. The Wall is too expensive, yet ineffective, in curbing illegal immigration. The Wall is too costly, and it is not even completed in a consistent manner. Wayne A. Cornelius from the University of California at San Diego complains of the endless costs of building the wall: â€Å"Upward of $25 billion has been spent on border fortification since 1993, but we have little to show for it beyond photo ops for anti-immigration politicians.† These funds are approved by Congress, but the expenses will never end because of the large area of territory needed to build the Wall and to maintain it. Furthermore, the Wall will not stop immigrants, who are deeply driven to cross physical barriers because of socio-economic reasons. David Von Drehle, a reporter for Time, notes that immigrants will seek for other ways to illegally enter America: â€Å"Crossings didnt stop--they moved† (2). People will not stop in searching for means to breach the Wall, especially when they have nothing to lose. Furthermore, a wall, no matter how solid or guarded it is, cannot stop the ingenuity of human smugglers. Their business is to move people illegally across borders, and not even the Great Wall can stop them: â€Å"Smugglers like to cut this fence with torches, then carefully put everything back in place so the border patrol wont notice† (Von Drehle 2). When obstacles exist, human smugglers use other modes of getting people across the border. Thus, the present Wall is inefficient and not significantly effective in stopping illegal immigration. Apart from being an ineffective and expensive way of controlling immigration, the Wall promotes sentiments of nativism that can lead to racism. Richard Rodriguez, a news writer for Los Angeles

Education of Young Children Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Education of Young Children - Essay Example However, "the preparation" context of DAP does not neglect the fact that more and more knowledge are being discovered regarding the significance or uniqueness of childhood that should merit the attention and commitment of educators, parents, government and communities alike - thus, DAP is consequently becoming more attuned to the ever-current needs of the child. DAP also recognizes the individual child as much as the diversity of the socio-economic and cultural environments that contribute to the differences in children's perceptions that they carry with them while attending early education. There are certain elements that make developmentally appropriate programs well suited to the aim of supporting the development of children in their education. These are knowledge or information used to come up with learning programs, the learning environment which is the dynamic interface between children and the educators, whether inside or outside the school system, and the policies which serve to institutionalize the mechanisms that make DAP continuously responsive to its aims. Knowledge as a key element of DAP allows educators to come up with learning programs and applications that are guideposts on what will work or not for the development of children. ... Furthermore, knowledge of varying socio-economic and cultural contexts as applied in DAP allows for relevance among children and families coming from different backgrounds. The learning environment as an element of DAP encompasses the interface between young children and the all the actors such as teachers, families and other children. It also includes the inter-related practices of teaching, developing curricula and the feedback processes that go with DAP. The learning environment is where social interactions and relationship skills are developed, that is why DAP is committed to fostering a safe and caring environment for young children. Continuous assessment of how children fare in learning programs also constitutes an important facet of the learning environment. Policies also constitute an important element of DAP in as much as they make learning programs committed to the development of young children viable. These include formal mechanisms that would set up personnel with the needed expertise, funding and other guidelines that serve as rules when certain expectations under DAP are not met. 2. What are the underlying values of DEC Recommended Practices According to the Division for Early Childhood of the Council (no date) for Exceptional Children or DEC, Recommended Practices are important because RP "represents collective wisdom, identifies what practices work, provides a framework to define quality, supports positive outcomes and applies to all settings". Instead on focusing on the larger framework of locating the child in the greater milieu of the education system or the society and to a certain extent and taking off from there, the approach is more evidence-based and is more geared towards what is practical and works. The

Impacts on Market Structures

Impacts on Market Structures Market Structure La’Toni Rice Market structure, as it relates to economics has concerns. Our Market Structure is made of many different budgetary elements and variables, for example, the merchant, the purchaser, the value, item the presence of rivalry and the level thereof or the complete nonattendance. In light of the different stages and consolidations of the interrelationship of these variables, there are exactly four real sorts of market structures. There are four market types; perfect competition, monopoly, monopolistic competition, and oligopoly. Monopoly, alone hold the greatest market power. With relation to different market structures, these two are especially significant, perfect competition and monopoly. The products that form the basis of all market transactions may be either homogeneous or heterogeneous. Market Structures Perfect competition subsist when numerous firms offer an indistinguishable item to numerous purchasers; there are no limitations on entrance into (or retreat from) the business; created firms have no focal point over new firms; and dealers and purchasers are decently educated about costs. A firm in immaculate rivalry is a value taker—it cannot impact the cost of its item. The business interest bend is descending slanting. At the same time, a superbly focused firm confronts a consummately versatile request so the associations interest bend is flat. Negligible income, MR, is the change in aggregate income that comes about because of a one-unit expansion in the amount sold. In impeccable rivalry, peripheral income equivalents cost. A firm expands its benefit by preparing the amount of yield at which add up to income surpasses sum require by the biggest measure. An alternate approach to discover the benefit-boosting yield is to utilize peripheral examination. A firm expands its be nefit by preparing the amount of yield at which minimal income measures up to negligible expense. In the event that a firm close down, it causes a misfortune equivalent to its aggregate settled expense. The shutdown focus is the value that equivalents the base normal variable expense. A companys supply bend is its minor expense bend above least normal variable rate. (Amacher, R., Pate, J. 2013) In Perfect Competition Price = Average Revenue = Marginal Revenue, the relationship between elasticity of demand, price and total revenue is if demand is elastic then increase in price decreases total revenue and decrease in price increases total revenue, if demand in unitary elastic then decrease or increase in price has no effect on total revenue, if demand is inelastic then increase in price leads to increase in total revenue and decrease in price leads to decrease in total revenue. (Amacher, R., Pate, J. 2013). In long run equilibrium firm earns normal profit, thus price = marginal cost = minimum average cost, resulting in total revenue = total cost. (Amacher, R., Pate, J. 2013). A prime example of Perfect Competition is something purchasing identical looking cucumbers from your local farmers market, or buying an HTC on Amazon. The market supply curve in the short run indicates the amount supplied at each one cost by a settled number of firms. Market demand and market supply focus the business cost and amount purchased and sold. Each one firm takes the cost as given and produces its benefit augmenting yield. The point when value rises to the normal sum take, a firm makes zero monetary benefit, that is, its holders win an ordinary benefit. The firm makes a monetary benefit when value surpasses normal aggregate cost and causes a budgetary misfortune when value is not exactly normal sum cost. Oligopoly is a business sector structure in which a little number of firms contend and common or legitimate restraints anticipate new ones. Firms in oligopoly would make the same financial benefit as a monopoly assuming that they can act together to limit yield to the restraining monopoly level. When we think of Oligopoly one thinks of Exxon, ATT. In spite of the fact that each one firm can make a bigger monetary benefit by expanding generation, this movement diminishes the investment benefits of alternate firms. A cartel is a gathering of firms acting together to utmost yield, raise cost, and consequently build investment benefit. The duopolists difficulty is that each one firm, taking activities to augment its benefit by expanding creation, could wind up with a more level benefit on account of the self-interest of alternate firms, taking comparable profit amplifying movements to stretch their productions. Monopoly is a market is a business sector with a solitary supplier of a good or service that has no close substitutes and in which common, proprietorship, or lawful restraints, which prevent section, avert competition. A solitary or single-price monopoly is an imposing monopoly that offers every unit of its yield for the same cost to all its clients. A value separating monopoly infrastructure is a syndication that has the capacity to offer diverse units of a goods services with many distinctive costs. A monopoly requires that barriers to entry into the market must be so high that no other firms can enter. There are four barriers high enough to keep out competing firms: A government blocks the entry of more than one firm into a market; one firm has control over a key resource necessary to produce a good; there are important network externalities in supplying the good or service; economies of scale are so large that one firm has a natural monopoly. Monopolistic competition is a market structure in which a substantial number of firms contend; each firm produces a separated item; firms contend on item quality, value, and showcasing; and firms are allowed to enter and passageway. The four-firm fixation proportion and the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index that measure the degree to which a business is commanded by a little number of firms. A firm in monopolistic rivalry expands benefit by generating the yield at which peripheral income breaks even with minor expense. For example Reebok will probably always compete against Nike, just as HTC will continue to compete with Samsung, as will Sony and RCA rivalry continue. The value is controlled by the interest. Entrance and passageway bring about zero financial benefit in the long- run. Monopolistically intense firms have abundance limit in long-run balance since they process less than the proficient scale. In monopolistic competition cost surpasses negligible expense which shows wastefulness however the wastefulness emerges from item variety. To maintain economic benefit, firms in monopolistic competition develop and create new items, and acquire colossal expenses to guarantee that purchasers like the contrasts between their own particular items and those of their rivals. Offering expenses, for example, publicizing, are a settled cost and expand the aggregate expense. Yet they may lower normal aggregate expense assuming that they build the amount sold by a vast measure. When we think of Real-life example of Market structures it is practically difficult to think about just one immaculate case of an industry, or market, that shows flawless attributes. Take for example Teletech which was once located in my city, Birmingham is now located in Englewood Oregen, and is now [emailprotected] Virtual Solutions. [emailprotected] serves clients in every vertical industry and across multiple geographies. (www.teletech.com). [emailprotected] Virtual Workforce Solutions addresses the following: Full Service, Provides clients with the ability to extend their footprint into an at-home solution while allowing the TeleTech experts to fully support the model Business Continuity, the ability to utilize a set-up and standby support model with Virtual support. Hub and Spoke- Allows clients to extend their brick-and-mortar centers to address seasonality impacts, avoiding the cost of investing in additional facilities. (www.teletech.com.) Americans now use VoIP phones, with 42 million users estimated (Suzukamo). According to Infonetics research, North American VoIP service revenue was up to $1.3 billion in 2004. Sales are expected to reach $29.9 billion in 2012 (Francis). Our text describes Barriers to entry as impediments that make it troublesome, immoderate or even inconceivable for new firms to enter an industry. Case in point, licenses make it inconceivable for opponents to prepare machines or pharmaceuticals that have been created by a specific firm. Also, if a mining organization controls the main wellspring of a specific mineral, on the other hand adversaries will be unable to give that mineral along these lines contend with the organization. Also, a few firms by righteousness of their size delight in respectable expense funds, and these economies of scale can additionally be incomprehensible for newcomers to match, hence likewise making a considerable hindrance to new contestants Competitive Pressures can be better understood when using simple logic If your firm is inefficient but operating, then high barriers prevent others from being able to establish a competing business making the inefficient business more likely to continue to exist. When the option of honestly creating a product to compete many produce substitutes, for example hip and lip injection. High barriers to entry = lower competitive pressures. This ensures that new companies cant jump in and compete to their advantage. Price elasticity of demand is a term in economics often used when discussing price sensitivity. The formula for calculating price elasticity of demand is: Price Elasticity of Demand = % Change in Quantity Demanded / % Change in Price Price elasticity of demand measures the responsiveness of interest to changes in cost for a specific great. In the event that the price elasticity of demand is equivalent to 0, interest is splendidly inelastic (i.e., demand does not change when value changes). Price values between zero and one show that request is inelastic (this happens when the percent change sought after is less than the percent change in cost). The point when elasticity of demand of interest equivalents one, interest is unit flexible (the percent change is then equivalent to the percent change in cost). At last, if the quality is more terrific than one, interest is splendidly versatile demand is influenced to a escalating degree by progressions in cost. Businesses evaluate price elasticity of demand for various products to help predict the impact of a pricing on product sales. Typically, businesses charge higher prices if demand for the product is price inelastic. Price takers must offer their items at the market cost. Since each of their value is small contrasted with aggregate business yield, value takers can offer their sum yield at the market price. Notwithstanding, they cant offer their output at a value more amazing than the business cost. In a price takers market, each firm handles indistinguishable items (homogenous products) the yield supplied by a that single firm has almost no impact available value every vender confronts a flat (or consummately versatile)demand curve. Value grabbers are organizations whose item has a descending slanting interest. The sum the organization can offer is contrarily identified with the cost charged. The firm picks the cost, however the amount sold hinges on upon the cost charged. Although Government plays a pevital role in our economy, their main role is to correct problems how ever associtated with external costs and benefits, public goods, and imperfect competition. (Amacher, R., Pate, J. 2013). The intervention taken on by Government to correct market failure is a great attempt in bringing markets closer together with very successful outcomes and thereby reducing any attached deadweight losses. Although theses attempts have been made they are not guaranteed. Governments may try to change the procurement of certain merchandise and administrations dependent upon a regularizing judgment that buyers will devour an excessive amount of or excessively little of the products. Merchandise for which such judgments are made are called legitimacy or bad mark products. Governments redistribute salary through exchange installments. Such redistribution frequently runs from individuals with higher earnings to individuals with more level salaries, however other exchange installments head off to individuals who are generally more contented. It can be said that the positive effects of International Trade (IT) on Economic Growth1 (EG) were first pointed out by Smith (1776). If you walk into your local Publx and have your choice of are able to buy Europian bananas and pineapples and a bottle of French bottle of De Luze Cognac, you are experiencing the effects of international trade. International trade permits us to extend our businesses for both merchandise and administrations that generally might not have been accessible to us. It is the motivation behind why you can pick between a American, Eurrpean, or German auto. As an after-effect of universal exchange, the business holds more excellent rivalry and in this manner more aggressive costs, which carries a less expensive item home to the purchaser. The economic system will continue to grow and flurish and Market structure, will continue to be composed of various economic dynamics and variables Government will continue to play a pevital role in our economy. We know we cannot abolish Government nor their decision, but we can continue to make ourselves knowldgable of changes that take effect in our economy. Assuming that firms have utilized an incredible arrangement of money making a productive brand, this may also cripple new firms from entering the industry as they may be unwilling to utilize the measure of money significant to match the made affiliations brand power. If firms have used a great deal of cash making a fruitful brand, this may additionally debilitate new firms from entering the industry as they may be unwilling to use the measure of cash important to match the created associations brand power. References Withagen, C. A., Florax, R. M., Mulatu, A. A. (2007). Optimal Environmental Policy Differentials in Open Economies under Emissions Constraints. Journal Of Economics (Zeitschrift Fur Nationalokonomie), 91(2), 129-149. doi:http://dx.doi.org.proxy-library.ashford.edu/10.1007/s00712-007-0259-1

Push and Invisible Man - Nobody Is Truly Invisible Essays -- Push, Inv

Precious and her family members are invisible to the larger world because they don’t posses any skill that enables them to make even the slightest difference in the world. The tests that Precious take show her lack of intelligence and only amplify her inferiority to the people around her. When you’re invisible, nobody treats you with respect; in the beginning of the book, everyone treats Precious like worthless trash. Though, later, she becomes visible again through the people she meets at the alternative school, and the birth of her second baby, Abdul. The two authors, the author of Push and the author of Invisible Man, both use the metaphor of invisibility to describe their main characters, but do so in different ways. In Push, Precious is invisible because of her inferiority to her peers and her lack of education. She struggles to find love and acceptance. However, in Invisible Man, the main character considers himself socially invisible, not being able to have a say in anything he does or any argument, despite the numerous rallies and protests that he performs speeches at. He...

Advantages of Being an Adult and Being a Child

Melanie Montez Eng 101 10/20/2012 Mr. Schlittner Compare and Contrast Essay Advantages of being a child vs being an adult. The advantages of being a child are easy enough to say that it will be a lot simpler than being an adult. Growing up you always wanted to be an adult and all the freedom that comes with being an adult. Being a child, you have your parents there every day to help you to adjust in the world.You also have all of your siblings there to fight or argue and then make up after your done, that always made your mom upset that you were always fighting with each other and then there goes the time when your mom will make you do this holding hands thing until you guys can get along. There is always cartoons on in the morning befrore you get up and go play outside. You can eat cereal three times a day and not ever be tired of it and you can also play in the mud without even caring if you got dirty. The birthday parties were always more fun too.Being a child had its disadvantage s too, you would have to go to sleep early and have to be up in the morning to go to school. There is the doctors appointments that your mom never told you about, and when you get into the doctors office the doctor pulls out this big humungous needle and sticks it in your arm. Your mom used to tell you that it was good for you and it will make you not get sick, then when your arm is in pain you think she is telling you a lie from your parents and basically their undevided attention and think as a child â€Å"wow that would be fun and great.It is a daily routine being a child; getting up to go to school, shower, breakfast, lunch money, a ride to school and to see your friends and learn for the day. Not worrying about all those grown up things that adults do to survive and to do right by trying to survive and take care of children so they do not have a life most children do not get to have. You would have to worry only about friends, siblings and having the best time as a child. At t he end of the day you would have dinner made for you and only have to worry about doing all these things all over again the next day.When you are an adult your day would start by waking up in the early morning thinking about how you will spend the day. Well of course in some cases you will have children so automatically there is responsibilities that has to be taken care of and that will the start of the day. Of course being and adult comes with a lot of responsibility. Growing up; schools and parents would teach you that being an adult comes with a lot of responsibility; so of course the day would start off by waking up to think of how you would take care of the family today.Even if it is just to make them food or give them a ride to school. In order to be a responsible adult you would have to find ways to provide for yourself and your children. These things do not come in books either because I looked. They are not as easy as you think it is. You will have these people depending o n you to do the best and to get them the things they need. As a child you would get to experience many things such as vacations, friends, allowence, and some kids; even though they would not be able to experience a vacation hey would still have those child hood memories that one day their children will want to hear and know about. Think of how it would make a parent feel if they cannot give their child a vacation. Parents just do not come across vacations that easy.Something a parent would have to do to get a child a vacation would be impossible. That is just one of the things parents would have to think about. It would be more complicated than that to be a great parent. There is also a lot of caring to consider when raising a child. You ave to consider the begining of the childs life and make sure you are parents who love their children. Need is another part of parenting that we all need to consider. Children will need to learn from their parents and grow up to be what is right for them and when you are a child you will learn to find out that one day with all the hard days of raising children they will be able to find out in the real world that it takes a lot of work to raise children. When you see your children grow up because you who had anything to do with it they will thank you as long as you grow up right.Children are always wanted and needed for this world to continue and it is very important that we all think and take advantage for the great things we get in life. As you get older you also start to loose family members and we all will get old. As an adult we will have to face the fact that the children we do have will eventually grow up and find someone of their own to start their own family with. It is not the best to be an adult and all the responsibilities it has to come with but in the long run as long as you have the right mentality.

No Country for Old Men

In the novel No Country for Old Men, written by Cormac McCarthy, a perversion of the American dream is presented as the relinquishment of power. Power is defined as the influence one has over people and in McCarthy’s novel he demonstrates three ways to posses this: money, authority, and the ability to strike fear into the hearts of others. Every thing is swallowed by a money-induced apathy lately, leaving nothing else of any importance. Moss, a main character in the novel, uses his new found wealth as a tool to manipulate bystanders into helping him get what he needs.In most cases people are hesitant at first to help this distressed looking man, but as soon as he waves a hundred dollar bill or two there are no more questions asked: Excuse me, he said. Leaning against the chainlink fence. His bloody footprints on the walk behind him like clues in an arcade. Excuse me. They were stepping off the curb into the roadway to go around him. Excuse me I wondered if you all would sell m e a coat. They didnt stop till they were past him. Then one of them turned. What’ll you give? He said. (p. 117)Money is power, and with this in mind many people do not see or simply just do not care about the people who are affected by their action. As long as the outcome has a nicely figured income it is all the same to them. When Llewellyn Moss stumbles across a leather briefcase containing the better part of 2 million dollars, a payoff intended for some Mexican dope-runners, his life takes a turn for the worst. He’s just too dumbfounded to realize. During a shoot out with the opposing parties, two of mosses bullets pierced threw an old woman’s second floor apartment window blowing her brains out on the back of her rocking chair.When Moss is presented with photographs of the woman he denies the fact that he could have ever done this and says, â€Å"You’re full of shit†(p151). How does a man that carries around a shotgun in a duffle bag not believ e he could have killed someone with a stray bullet? The unreal amount of money he posses now blinds him from the cold truth reality has to offer. Power has turned this once sensible man into a reckless killer and a fugitive. This asks the question what good is power if your life is uncontrollably spiraling down the drain.Moss let this power get the better of him and it ended with his death, where as Bell, the Texas county Sheriff, is over powered by the way society is forever changing in the worst ways. He realizes there is not much his authority can do to change the way crime is escalading, but he is still going to give it his best at the end of the day: I read the papers ever mornin. Mostly I suppose just to try and figure out what might be headed this way. Not that I done all that good a job headin it off. It keeps getting harder. (p. 40)It is people like Chigurh that the Sheriff is talking about if not specifically when he says â€Å"They dont have no respect for the law†¦ they dont even think about the law†. This man, whose authority was once well respected by the people, is now just referred to as â€Å"a redneck sheriff in a hick town†(p. 151). Even though he had the law, authority, and a taskforce behind him, Sheriff Bell was never even a threat to anyone in this novel. He lost his power a long time ago. Chigurh, a field worker, is in the business of killing and getting jobs done like the retrieval of stolen drug profit.And thinks of him self as a superior to al of his victims as if they should be thankful he is how he is, he tells one man â€Å" I’m here and you are there. In a few minutes I will still be here†¦if you don’t respect me what must you think of yourself? Look at where you are. † (p. 177). It really just relates back to the animal kingdom. Chigurh is a lion and everyone he has ever killed is a gazelle. If the lion stopped hunting the gazelles they would eventually not fear him anymore and he woul d no longer be kink of the jungle.Chigurh realizes he only has power because of his murders and becomes a slave to them. Even though he doesn’t want to kill Mosses wife he has to, so he try’s to explain â€Å"You’re asking that I make myself vulnerable and that I can never do. I have only one way to live†¦Do you see? † (p. 259) No country for old men sends across the message that Power is not everything it is cracked up to be especially in a bad situation. It comes and goes, but if it is your soul purpose in life to find it, you might just look up from your map and find yourself lost.When moss finds the briefcase he might think he is dream at first but he soon realizes it is more of a nightmare. So does Sheriff Bell, every time he reads the newspaper he thinks back to the way it was when his grandfather was the Sheriff. The only one who has managed to maintain what they consider to be a simple happy life is Chigurh the psychotic killer. So it is real ly left up to you to decide weather or not we are living the dream or trapped in a never-ending nightmare. By Kyle Dunbar No Country for Old Men In the novel No Country for Old Men, written by Cormac McCarthy, a perversion of the American dream is presented as the relinquishment of power. Power is defined as the influence one has over people and in McCarthy’s novel he demonstrates three ways to posses this: money, authority, and the ability to strike fear into the hearts of others. Every thing is swallowed by a money-induced apathy lately, leaving nothing else of any importance. Moss, a main character in the novel, uses his new found wealth as a tool to manipulate bystanders into helping him get what he needs.In most cases people are hesitant at first to help this distressed looking man, but as soon as he waves a hundred dollar bill or two there are no more questions asked: Excuse me, he said. Leaning against the chainlink fence. His bloody footprints on the walk behind him like clues in an arcade. Excuse me. They were stepping off the curb into the roadway to go around him. Excuse me I wondered if you all would sell m e a coat. They didnt stop till they were past him. Then one of them turned. What’ll you give? He said. (p. 117)Money is power, and with this in mind many people do not see or simply just do not care about the people who are affected by their action. As long as the outcome has a nicely figured income it is all the same to them. When Llewellyn Moss stumbles across a leather briefcase containing the better part of 2 million dollars, a payoff intended for some Mexican dope-runners, his life takes a turn for the worst. He’s just too dumbfounded to realize. During a shoot out with the opposing parties, two of mosses bullets pierced threw an old woman’s second floor apartment window blowing her brains out on the back of her rocking chair.When Moss is presented with photographs of the woman he denies the fact that he could have ever done this and says, â€Å"You’re full of shit†(p151). How does a man that carries around a shotgun in a duffle bag not believ e he could have killed someone with a stray bullet? The unreal amount of money he posses now blinds him from the cold truth reality has to offer. Power has turned this once sensible man into a reckless killer and a fugitive. This asks the question what good is power if your life is uncontrollably spiraling down the drain.Moss let this power get the better of him and it ended with his death, where as Bell, the Texas county Sheriff, is over powered by the way society is forever changing in the worst ways. He realizes there is not much his authority can do to change the way crime is escalading, but he is still going to give it his best at the end of the day: I read the papers ever mornin. Mostly I suppose just to try and figure out what might be headed this way. Not that I done all that good a job headin it off. It keeps getting harder. (p. 40)It is people like Chigurh that the Sheriff is talking about if not specifically when he says â€Å"They dont have no respect for the law†¦ they dont even think about the law†. This man, whose authority was once well respected by the people, is now just referred to as â€Å"a redneck sheriff in a hick town†(p. 151). Even though he had the law, authority, and a taskforce behind him, Sheriff Bell was never even a threat to anyone in this novel. He lost his power a long time ago. Chigurh, a field worker, is in the business of killing and getting jobs done like the retrieval of stolen drug profit.And thinks of him self as a superior to al of his victims as if they should be thankful he is how he is, he tells one man â€Å" I’m here and you are there. In a few minutes I will still be here†¦if you don’t respect me what must you think of yourself? Look at where you are. † (p. 177). It really just relates back to the animal kingdom. Chigurh is a lion and everyone he has ever killed is a gazelle. If the lion stopped hunting the gazelles they would eventually not fear him anymore and he woul d no longer be kink of the jungle.Chigurh realizes he only has power because of his murders and becomes a slave to them. Even though he doesn’t want to kill Mosses wife he has to, so he try’s to explain â€Å"You’re asking that I make myself vulnerable and that I can never do. I have only one way to live†¦Do you see? † (p. 259) No country for old men sends across the message that Power is not everything it is cracked up to be especially in a bad situation. It comes and goes, but if it is your soul purpose in life to find it, you might just look up from your map and find yourself lost.When moss finds the briefcase he might think he is dream at first but he soon realizes it is more of a nightmare. So does Sheriff Bell, every time he reads the newspaper he thinks back to the way it was when his grandfather was the Sheriff. The only one who has managed to maintain what they consider to be a simple happy life is Chigurh the psychotic killer. So it is real ly left up to you to decide weather or not we are living the dream or trapped in a never-ending nightmare. By Kyle Dunbar