Civil War North vs South

The North and South were deeply divided in the issue of black civil rights, with the North adopting a pro-civil rights stance and the South adopting a pro-slaves stance. The different elimination histories and economics bases of the North and South regions shaped these different views on civil rights for black slaves during 1 820 off 860. The North's pro-civil rights stance grew as a result Of solid economic base in industrialization and their settlement history of religious freedom.While the North's soil and climate did not favor large plantations, this region did have many natural resources which helped fuel the growth of industrialization and urban areas. As shown in Document A in the â€Å"Railroads in 1860,† the North had more than two-thirds of the railroad tracks which made it easier to rainspout goods and drive the economy. Because this industrial growth was not dependent on slave labor, but immigrants coming to the cities, Northerners saw the blacks as people not just economic resources.In addition, the North had been established on religious freedom and had been the focus on America's fight for independence, so the North was tolerant of messages from abolitionists like Frederick Douglas who talked about the injustice of slaves' lack of freedom (Document C). These views were also shown in response to the John Brown incident who tried to seize a federal arsenal and start a slave uprising (Document E). The Northerners called Brown â€Å"a martyr for the sacred cause of freedom. Thus, the northerners didn't rely on slave labor for their industrial economy and were tolerant of messages of freedom due to their settlement history, which led to their pro- civil rights stance. On the other hand, the South's economic base was largely agriculture, and their dependence on slave labor drove their pro-slavery stance. The Southern colonies were primarily settled for cash crops, like cotton and tobacco, because of their fertile soil and climate.As shown in Do cument A, â€Å"The Slave Density and Cotton Production, 1860,† cotton was almost exclusively grown in the South, and heavily relied on slave labor. In addition, the South had limited industry and relied heavily on the North for â€Å"almost every article of utility and adornment†¦ And that were are dependent on Northern capitalists for the means necessary to build our railroads, canals, and there public transportation† (Document B). Because agriculture was their key economic base and was dependent on slave labor, the Southerners viewed slaves as economic resources or property rather than people.They believed the Supreme Court's decision in the Dried Scott case, which held the the Fifth Amendment did not apply to African Americans because they were property, as proof of their viewpoint. They believed that civil rights would destroy their economy, and became violent against antislavery actions such as in the John Brown case that they believed were plotted by the No rth (Document E). Therefore, because the civil rights movement would have destroyed the southern economy which was heavily dependent on agriculture and slave labor, they adopted adopted pro-slavery stance.Therefore the different colonization histories and economics of the North and South led to the North's pro-civil rights stance and the South's pro-slavery stance in 1820 to 1860. These differences truly divided a nation as described by Abraham Lincoln during his Republic nomination speech for U. S. Senator: â€Å"A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free. † His speech foreshadowed the divide that would ultimately lead to the Civil War, in which North fought against South over the issue of slavery.

Preparation of Alum from Aluminum Metal Essay

The objective of the laboratory is to synthesize alum (KAl(SO4)2.xH2O) from aluminum powder and to determine the proportion of water in the alum crystals. Alum is a product from the reaction between potassium hydroxide and sulfuric acid. The reaction include several steps, as followed: Aluminum powder reacts with potassium hydroxide to generate Al(OH)4- ions and release hydrogen. 2 Al(s) + 2 KOH(aq) + 6 H2O 2 K[Al(OH)4](aq) + 3 H2 (g) A gelatinous precipitate of aluminum hydroxide was created when sulfuric acid was added to the aqueous solution of Al(OH)4- ions. 2 K[Al(OH)4](aq) + H2SO4 (aq) 2 Al(OH)3 (s) + K2SO4 (aq) + 2 H2O Later, excessive addition of the acid causes the precipitate to dissolve in the solution. 2Al(OH)3 (s) + H2SO4 (aq) Al2(SO4)3 (aq) + 6 H2O Precipitation of alum was resulted from cooling in ice water bath. K2SO4 + Al2(SO4)3 + 2x H2O 2 KAl(SO4)2.xH2O It is noticeable that alum is a hydrate (a hydrate consists of water molecules in its ionic structure), which leads to its solubility in water. However, a minimum amount of cold water will cause the alum to crystallize. The amount of water incorporated in the alum structure should be clearly defined to derive the full formula of alum, which makes it possible for calculations of theoretical, actual and percent yield of alum. Experimental Methods The experiment was constructed based on the guidelines from Franklin and Marshall Lab Manual1. In a 400 mL-beaker, 0.5 g of aluminum and 2.01g of potassium hydroxide was prepared and mixed together. An amount of 25 mL of distilled water was poured into the beaker in the hood. The mixture was then continuously stirred to help disperse the heat generated from the exothermic reaction. As observed, hydrogen was liberated from the solution, along with aluminum powder gradually darkening and disintegrating into insoluble flakes. It took the solutions 15 minutes to complete when there were no signs of hydrogen released. The solution was then filtered into a new 250 mL beaker. The residue left on the filter paper was carefully washed into the filtrate. A portion of 10 mL of 9M sulfuric acid was added slowly and attentively to the filtrate, with gentle stirring. The presence of acid will neutralize the solution, generating a gelatinous precipitate known as Al(OH)3. The precipitate was later dissolved when excessive addition of acid was poured into the solution, combined with gentle heating on hot plate. The acidity of the solution was confirmed when tested with litmus paper: the paper turned into red. The solution was filtered for the second time to eliminate any undissolved residues remaining. The solution was set aside to cool at room temperature. The crystallization process was conducted by placing the solution beaker into an ice water bath for 20 minutes. After crystallization, white, soft crystals were formed. The mixture was filtered through a Buchner funnel. A wash solution was prepared by combining 5 mL of ethyl alcohol and 5 mL of distilled water. The crystals were washed twice with proper wash solution. Then, the solution was put through suction again to dry out completely. The crystals were spread in a recrystallization disk. Large crystals were broken into small ones with a stapula. The crytals were allowed to air dry in one week. The weight of the air-dried crystals was then recorded.   Two porcelain crucibles were supported on ceramic triangles and heated to red heat with a Bunsen burner for 10 minutes each. The crucibles were set aside cool, then was placed into the desiccator to cool to room temperature. Their weighs were recorded. An amount of 0.5 g of the crystallized alum was placed into each of the crucibles. The crucibles (with alum inside) were carefully heated on ceramic triangles to red heat. The alum inside the crucibles appeared to melt, transforming into a kind of liquid solution. After 5 to 10 minutes of continuous and gentle heating, the content inside the crucibles started to solidify again, yielding white, soft crystals. The crystals were heated at maximum heat for 5 minutes. The crucibles were placed back to the desiccator. After cooling to room temperature, the masses of the contents inside the crucibles were carefully weighed. Results The masses of alum, KAl(SO4)2 and water recorded were given in Table I. Table I. Masses of Alum, KAl(SO4)2 and water in two different crucibles. | Crucible 1| Crucible 2| Alum| 0.5000 g| 0.5000 g| KAl(SO4)2| 0.2721 g| 0.2696 g| H2O| 0.2279 g| 0.2304 g| x= nwaterndry product| 12.00| 12.24| According to the values of x obtained from the table above, the average result of x is 12.12. We can define the formula of alum as KAl(SO4)2.12,12H2O (Molar Mass M = 476.16 gmol-1). Finding the formula of alum makes it possible to calculate the theoretical yield and the percent yield of alum. After calculations from the equations demonstrated in the introduction, the theoretical number of moles of alum would be 0.019 moles. The theoretical yield, as a result, would be mtheoretical = 9.69 g. The actual yield recorded after the laboratory was 4.77 g. Combining all the yields gives us the final result of the percent yield: 52,71%. Discussion Several steps of heating the alum crystals and calculations took place to find out the formula of alum. Concerning the first crucible, an amount of 0.5 g of alum was added to the crucible. After heating, there was 0.2521 g of contents (KAl(SO4)2) left in the crucible. That means there was 0.2479 g of H2O fully evaporating. In this case, x= nH2Ondry product= 0.2279180.2721258= 12.00. Concerning the second crucible, an amount of 0.5 g of alum was added to the crucible. After heating, there was 0.2496 g of contents (KAl(SO4)2) left in the crucible. That means there was 0.2504 g of H2O fully evaporating. In this case, x= nH2Ondry product= 0.2304180.2696258= 12.24. The average result of x: x= 12.00+ 12.242= 12.12. With calculations concerning the masses of contents in the crucibles before and after heating, it is observed that 12.12 molecules of water in a mole of alum. The general formula of alum, therefore, is KAl(SO4)2.12.12H2O. The literature value of portions of water molecules in alum is 12, which makes the formula of alum KAl(SO4)2.12H2O. The proximity of the calculated result and the literature result reflected to efficiency and accuracy of the laboratory. Through a series of chemical reactions, alum (the double salt with incorporated water molecules, with the calculated formula of KAl(SO4)2.12H2O) was formed from aluminum powder, potassium hydroxide and sulfuric acid. The reactions lead to the formation of alum are summarised as followed: (I) 2 Al(s) + 2 KOH(aq) + 6 H2O 2 K[Al(OH)4](aq) + 3 H2 (g) (II) 2 K[Al(OH)4](aq) + H2SO4 (aq) 2 Al(OH)3 (s) + K2SO4 (aq) + 2 H2O (III)2Al(OH)3 (s) + H2SO4 (aq) Al2(SO4)3 (aq) + 6 H2O (IV)K2SO4 + Al2(SO4)3 + 24 H2O 2 KAl(SO4)2.12H2O The theoretical yield was accumulated over a few steps: There are 0.019 moles in 0.5 g of Aluminum. Similarly, there are 0.036 moles in 2.01 g of potassium hydroxide. We used a portion of 10 mL of 9M sulfuric acid, meaning that we use 0.09 moles of sulfuric acid. In reaction (I) that potassium reacted with aluminum powder with the presence of water, the aluminum played the role of the limiting reagent. In reaction (II) that sulfuric acid was added into the solution of Al(OH)4- ions, the ions were the limiting reagents. The gelatinous precipitate formed in reaction (II) by pouring in acid was soon dissolved in the solution in the reaction (III) by the addition of excessive sulfuric acid. The alum crystals were formed in the reaction (IV) by cooling. From the four reactions, we can easily see that the number of moles of alum formed is equal to the number of moles of aluminum in the aluminum powder. nalum = naluminum = 0.019 moles. The theoretical yield is the product of the number of moles and alum’s molar mass: malum= n Ãâ€" M= 0.019 Ãâ€" 476.16= 9.05 (g). The actual yield is 4.77 g (as stated in the results). The percent yield is calculated by dividing the actual yield by the theoretical yield: %Yield= Actual YieldTheoretical Yield = 4.77 g9.05 g = 52.71%. About 47% of alum was lost during the crystallization. From 0.5 g of aluminum, 2.01 g of potassium hydroxide and 10 mL of 9M sulfuric acid at the beginning, the product obtained after crystallization was only 4.77 g of alum, compared to the theoretical value of 9.05 g. A significant amount of alum was lost during filtration, suction and crystallization, because of the fact that the filter paper was not wet enough and the crucibles were not dry enough due to short maximum heating time. References 1. Franklin and Marshall College Chemistry 111/112 Laboratory Manual, Fall 2012/Spring 2013, p. 39-41.

What caused a hurricane, tornado, or other natural disaster Essay

What caused a hurricane, tornado, or other natural disaster - Essay Example Two of the most dreadful natural disasters on earth is Hurricane and Tornado. Both are abnormal weather occurrences that humans have little or no control of. Hurricanes are experienced when warm, saturated air from the surface of the ocean is heated and rises due to its reduced weight. The warm air is then condensed by cold air above and form rain, but as warmer air rises, more condensation takes place. This creates a very powerful and rigid wind pattern. The strong wind forces water to the earth’s surface at a high speed from a single point to another (Langley 33). A tornado is a spinning air, which is destructive and is usually in contact with earth surface and a cumulonimbus cloud developing from heavy rain and high speeding winds of different pressures. Hurricanes and tornadoes can be said to the most destructive, powerful, and awful natural disasters to mankind. For example, hurricane Katrina killed about 1,800 people and destroyed property of over $100 billion in the sta tes of Mississippi and Louisiana (Langley 35). Earthquakes are among the natural disasters experienced by man. An earthquake occurs when the tectonic plates of the earths crust move away from or towards each other. This movement of the plate causes them to collide, resulting in pressure, which in turn releases energy. When the pressure is high, it is impacted on the adjacent plates which end up shaking the earth (Langley 7-12). According to Langley (16-17), there are other natural causes of earthquakes, such as volcanic activities and landslides. Human activities such as mining, which involves crashing hard rocks, using powerful nuclear bombs can also trigger earthquakes. Flooding is another disaster that is controlled by forces of nature. Floods occur when a river or a lake bursts its banks causing water to spread in dry surfaces that are not normally occupied by water. Heavy, prolonged rains and the fast melting of ice are the main causes of floods. Lack of vegetation cover speed up

Letter of Interest Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Letter of Interest - Essay Example My Case Study Project revolved around a woman with sickle cell anemia who exhibited deteriorated eating habits. Despite encountering challenges when handling patients, the spirit of ‘patients first’ kept me grounded throughout. It was with such motivation that I devotedly engaged nurses, doctors and his parents by constantly communicating with them in a bid to unveil his nutritional needs and enable him attain skills on how to contain his insatiable appetite so that he could significantly gain weight and eventually enhance his eating habits. I believe that this experience best serves to demonstrate how my education, persistence, passion, devotion and expertise have modeled me to be of assistance to others. Besides my dedicated work in the Dietetic Internship, I recently graduated from New York University; Steinhart School of Culture, Education, and Human Development’s, masters program in Nutrition. I attained my undergraduate degree from United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) in Dietetics and was more than fortunate during the four-year B.S. degree to clinch tremendous knowledge from my professors and colleagues. Moreover, during my undergraduate years, I interned in various clinical nutrition departments in different hospitals in Dubai and Sharjah under which I had experience with different cases and patients. I was selected by food and agriculture faculty as 2009 Chair of the student-governed association and assisted in tutoring students in DPD courses. Following my educational background and extensive hands-on work experience, I was modeled into a well-rounded clinician, who will be an asset to the diverse clinical setting of your

Popular culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Popular culture - Essay Example The main character is ostensibly Jeff Winger (played by Joel McHale), a handsome, conniving lawyer who has to go to a community college when he is revealed to have a fake degree. However, the key character is actually Abed Nadir, a young Arab-American who has Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism. This plays on the audience’s assumption that the handsome white man is always the hero and the most important character. For the first few episodes, the audience is led to believe that the show is about Jeff and his pursuit of the beautiful blonde Britta while a group of co-stars provide comic relief; later we see that the show is actually about Abed and his attempts to understand other people. Because of his Asperger’s syndrome, Abed is fixated on television and movies, and comparing everything in his life to TV and movies is his only way to relate to the people around him. Every episode either references the plot of specific movies and shows, or parodies a particular genre of movies. As the viewer watches for several episodes, it becomes apparent that the entire show is filtered through Abed’s perspective. This is different from other shows. With nearly all other TV shows, there is an unspoken agreement between the makers of the show and the audience that the audience will suspend their disbelief and pretend for an hour or a half an hour each week that the events in the show are true. Community betrays this agreement by subtly suggesting to the audience that the events in the show might not be real. Of course the audience knows this, but everyone is supposed to pretend that that’s not the case. It then makes the audience unsure of what is real within the world of the show. Is Abed real? Is he imagining everything, or just modifying reality a little bit? If we could see the show from outside of Abed’s perspective, would the characters even really be Abed’s friends, and would any of the events we’ve seen them ena ct have actually happened? The humor in the show requires the audience to have a base of knowledge about pop-culture in order to get the jokes. The show doesn’t assume that the audience is stupid and needs everything to be simple or have everything explained to them, but instead assumes a certain amount of shared cultural experience. The assumption is that enough people have seen The Breakfast Club, for example, or perhaps Pulp Fiction, that when an episode references one of those movies, most of the audience will get it. According to Steven Johnson, author of Everything Bad Is Good for You, this is a recent phenomenon in television. TV used to be much simpler and did not require the same amount of memory or mental work to understand. This points to an increase in the demand by audiences for more intelligent and challenging humor (85-87). Community also does not give the same clear-cut moral messages that other TV shows did in the past. Most television shows from previous era s held to the same moral and political values. They preached against racism and in favor of diversity, paid lip-service to feminism while still mostly showing women in traditional roles, and spoke in favor of traditional â€Å"family values.† Community portrays a world where things are not that simple. For example, it shows rather than tells us that race and diversity is a confusing topic and that things do not fit perfectly into a â€Å"

The lessons for auditors and regulators from Enron fraud Essay

The lessons for auditors and regulators from Enron fraud - Essay Example This paper concerns the auditing as an investigative process performed to verify the reliability and accuracy of a company’s state of affairs for the last fiscal period. A comprehensive and authentic audit report adds to shareholder values and assists the company’s stakeholders to analyse how the management has responded to their financial interests. In addition, business decisions of third party stakeholders such as banks, other lending institutions, and investors are centred on the company’s annual audit report. It seems that even a well structured audit programme may fail to provide desired outcomes unless the whole audit team pays special attention to each and every phase of the audit process. The past decade witnessed a series of corporate scandals including Lernout & Hauspie, Arthur Anderson, Enron, WorldCom, Parmalat, Peregrine Systems, Rite Aid, and Homestore.com. Subsequent investigations have proven that majority of those failures were attributable to a ccounting fraud. However, these incidents greatly increased the significance of audit work and firms nowadays allot more money for developing internal control systems. Many of the economists argue that weaker corporate governance structure also greatly contributed to those corporate failures. As a result, organisations are vehemently trying to improve their corporate governance framework. Evidently, audit firms have made strategic amendments to their processes and procedures to detect frauds and errors in the account books of the client on time. This paper will analyse the lessons that auditors and regulators must learn from Enron Fraud. Enron Scandal: Overview In 1985, The Huston Natural Gas integrated its natural gas pipeline companies with those of InterNorth under the supervision of Kenneth Lay to form Enron. The Enron became the North America’s largest natural gas dealer by 1992 and the company’s gas contracts trading operations significantly contributed to its ma rket dominance. The firm’s stock rose by 311% during the period 1990-1998 and its market capitalisation went over $60 billion by the end of the year 2000. This unimaginable growth assisted the company to be rated as the most innovative huge company in Fortune’s Most Admired Companies survey. Unlike other corporate giants, the Enron had not published its balance sheet along with statement of earnings and this practice persuaded financial analysts to explore the company’s sources of income. Despite the explanations given by the company officials, Enron’ stocks started to fall in 2001 mainly due to its indecipherable nature of business and vague accounting practices. Following the stock level declines, the company faced a series of challenges including restructuring losses, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigation, liquidity issues, and credit rating downgrade. The Enron scandal was revealed in October 2001 and it gradually led to bankru ptcy. Reports indicated that Enron scandal was the biggest audit failure at that time. Jeffrey Skilling, the former President, CEO, and COO of the Enron Corporation, misled the company’s stakeholders through special purpose entities, accounting loopholes, and unsupported financial reporting practices and therefore they (stakeholders) were unable to identify debts resulted from failed deals and projects. These deceitful practices assisted the company to exaggerate its profit figures and thereby unfairly retain the trust of its shareholders. Andrew Fastow, the Chief Financial Officer, and other executives misled the Enron’s board of directors and also forced Andersen to neglect the issues. As per reports, the Enron shareholders lost nearly $11 billion when the company’s stock price fell from US$90 per share in mid-2000 to less than $1 in late-2001 (World News Inc, 2012). Following this issue, the U.S Securities and Exchange Commission commenced an investigation to bring out the actual reasons behind this

Humanity And Environment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Humanity And Environment - Essay Example This essay stresses that there is an economic dimension of the problem. For example, one should consider different kinds of pollution to be external costs that emerge in the course of transactions. Since the economy of the world is thriving, there is no wonder that these external costs will appear more often. However, one of the peculiarities of this concept lies in the fact that no one is held responsible for this kind of damage. Moreover, the majority of people would agree that it would not be beneficial for the world to change the existing patterns of economy since that would result in uncontrolled changes. In other words, the people accept these externalities. In response to that, free market environmentalism was developed. This peculiar platform argues that environmental problems can be taken care of without rejecting the principles of free market. This paper makes a conclusion that individual persons should not be held accountable for various environmental issues, such as climate change. First of all, it must be noted that the impact of the human civilization on the nature has already been acknowledge and the scientific community is likely to accept that the world is living in anthropocene. In addition to that, there is a number of various ethical notions that should be taken into consideration while analyzing the relationship between humans and nature. Finally, one should also take into account various solutions to this problem that have already been developed.

CONSUMER PREFERENCE ABOUT BREAKFAST PRODUCTS Assignment

CONSUMER PREFERENCE ABOUT BREAKFAST PRODUCTS - Assignment Example When producing a new product (a conventional breakfast product) in the affluent market in Saudi Arabia, it is important to note that this market is composed on individuals who have breakfast like in the western world. The affluent markets are in Jeddah, the Western parts of the country and Riyadh. It should also be noted that the Saudis main meal is lunch and thus they may not be willing to spend more on breakfast. I would introduce banana flavored oat flakes in the market which already contains honey and dried milk into the market. What the consumer only needs to add is hot or cold water to make it ready for consumption. A perception position I would like to draw of the existing Cereals is that there is a good variety of cereals to satisfy the clients in terms of nutritional and monetary value. First perspective is that there could be a product that is manufactured to have a high nutritional value and at the same time be cost friendly with a new sense of flavor and finesse (Hoyer, 2 008).. A lot has been done to target consumers by different brands but believe that there is still room for improvement. Second perspective, is that on the Saudi Arabians and their liking for having more than one meal during breakfast is time consuming when preparing the breakfast meals. Thirdly, the distribution in terms of breakfast cereals and products in the area was fairly done. The region still needs a boost to ensure adequate supply of cereal and breakfast products. Producing a breakfast cereal that is nutritious and incorporates all the foods will go a long way in reducing the number of foods that are prepared for breakfast. Production distribution to ensure availability of the goods in the market is one of the positioning strategies I will use to make a breakthrough in the cereals market. Perception Graph of the Nutritional Value over Time of 5 Cereals. Saudi Arabians are strongly guided by the traditional Muslim foods from many cultures therefore acceptance of the Western ways of having breakfast is not wholly practiced by their majority population. Therefore there is a gap in the cereals market due to the fact that the market is not adequately served. The Positioning strategy that I would adopt is Customer benefit strategy. I would basically lure the consumers by giving them the health benefits of oats over corn. Pricing as a positioning strategy will also be used by further marketing the product as pocket friendly in the sense that it does not require one to buy milk separately and this would separate my brand from the rest (Kardes, 2011). I would also adopt my positioning strategy based on use, in the sense that my oat flakes can be used as breakfast cereals by just adding water or they can also be used as an everyday snack because oats have a really soft crunchiness and the combination of the banana, honey and skimmed milk make a great tasty snack, even without the addition of water. Another positioning strategy I would employ is based on product class i.e. fortify my cereals, I would advertise my product as having vitamins, calcium, iron and folic acid but majorly I would concentrate on the fact that it has a distinctive taste and that it has been carefully produced so that the end result is a taste that cannot be compared to any other cereal. The market strategy of introducing my product in the market basically involves

World trade organization and how does it help poor countries Essay

World trade organization and how does it help poor countries - Essay Example es – one hundred and forty nine in number – and is a successor to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, which was dissolved in the year 1995 to give birth to the World Trade Organization in its stead. All of the principles and agreements of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade were adopted by the new organization, which added approximately thirty more to them. The new organization stated that its mission is to increase international trade by promoting lower trade barriers. World Trade Organization is also a platform for the negotiation of trade (â€Å"World Trade Organization,† 2006). One of the fundamental principles of trading around which the World Trade Organization discussions revolve is that a trading system ought to be more accommodating for poor nations by giving them more time to adjust, greater flexibility, and more privileges. An open market system is advocated, while it is stressed that a trade system should be free of discrimination. The World Trade Organization is thus a powerful ally for the poor and less developed countries against exploitation from rich and developed nations as well as powerful companies. Some have argued that the World Trade Organization simply serves the interests of the United States and the European Union. Contrary to their opinion, the organization plays a crucial role in controlling a ravenous quest for profits on the part of rich nations and companies (Lipsey, 2006). Of course, the poor nations are in no condition to impose trade sanctions against developed countries. Disparities do exist. Rich nations are also known to engage in behind the scenes negotiations with the World Trade Organization. Yet, the organization gives a fair chance to the poor countries to voice opposition and form alliances through a major forum especially arranged for the less developed countries. The World Trade Organization is thus an indispensable tool for the poor nations’ access to and lawful participation in the

Select a Public Service or Service Industry. Produce a report on Assignment

Select a Public Service or Service Industry. Produce a report on changes in that sector over a period of time' - Assignment Example One general way to view the changes in the public education sector of England is to view recent historical figures for spending in the sector, which, while having been on an uptick since the 1950's, is set to reverse course in the medium term, meaning that for the first time in decades spending in public education in England is expected to grow at a slower pace compared to historical averages (Chowdry and Sibieta, 2011): Graph Source: Chowdry and Sibieta, 2011, p. 3 In the plot above, one can see that relative to base figures for the 1955-1956 period, spending for public education in England has grown through time, while it seems to have plateaued somewhat in terms of the share of education in the country income. In both plots what is evident is that spending is expected to decrease moving forward, raising concerns about the impact of the declines on educational outcomes for students in England's educational system. This is one perspective among many, and have political and environme ntal contexts owing to the fact that the changes in spending have roots in the political and environmental processes in the medium term. The rest of the paper examines these and other changes in the education sector in England through time (Chowdry and Sibieta, 2011; Kwon, 2002; University of London & History of Parliament Trust, 2013; Gillard, 2011). II.Discussion A. The View of Changes from the Earliest Levels of the Public Education System One set of changes through time can be tied to technological developments relating to the understanding of what England needs moving forward and what educators have learned with regard to the need for structure in early education in order to meet England's standards for literacy as well as for numerical competence among the members of the population. The changes tied to this have to do with restructuring the nature of early childhood education, away from traditional structures that allowed for more freedom and less structure in the way young st udents were molded, to introduce more rigor and a greater focus on specific subject areas to prepare children to face the rigors of a more subject-oriented and less student-oriented educational system. These changes are technological too in the sense that inputs for the changes stem from what can be deemed as technological advances in the understanding of the educational needs of England in general and of a better understanding of how the educational system needs to evolve moving forward, via a greater emphasis on standards for measuring learning outcomes (Kwon, 2002). B. Spending per Student, Changes in Enrollment and Faculty Numbers Through Time The plot below tells a story of the evolution of public education in the recent past, with the teacher to student ratio basically staying the same, but the ratio of teaching assistants plus other supporting staff to students having increased over time, a proxy measure of the positive increase in the amount of resources spent for public edu cation in England. The implication of the plot below is that environmental and political factors should have played into increasing the focus on public education in England through the observation period from 1997 all the way to 2010 (Chowdry and Sibieta, 2011): Graph Source: Chowdry and Sibieta, 2011, p. 8 In light of the above, moreover, the following plot detailing the sustained increase in per capita spending per student across different educational levels in England also make sense, and present a

Customer Attitudes Toward Bmw Motorcycles Essay Example for Free

Customer Attitudes Toward Bmw Motorcycles Essay This final report is the finish summary version of overall information, knowledge, and data of the marketing research under the area of BMW R1200 GS/GSA motorcycles in UK. The BMW Motorrad under the BMW group has been producing motorcycles since 1923 and has providing a variety range of motorcycle styles (bmwgroup, 2012). In addition, the model of BMW R1200 GS/GSA motorcycles is a major consideration motorcycle in adventure sport style for all bikers in UK as it was named in the top ten model of new motorcycles registration (MCIA, 2011). However, The Motorcycle Industry Association defines Adventure motorcycle as â€Å"These bikes encompass trials which similar in style to Enduro motorcycles but are predominantly designed and capable for on-road use (MCIA, 2012)†. The objective of this research paper is to discover attitudes of UK customers towards the model. To be more specific, the research paper will look into the association between brand images, quality and price perception of the current riders towards this BMW motorcycle model. Moreover, the research paper will explore customer satisfaction and the loyalty of the brand. Additionally, this research paper will determine the outstanding in product value of BMW R1200 GS/GSA that it has over its rivals in the adventure motorcycle segmentation. The paper will first provide background information of conceptual model in brand equity which would provide a basic understanding of how to measure and manage brand equity. Furthermore, the explanation in the model of satisfaction towards loyalty will be discussed. Besides, the hypothesis of the study model will be illustrated. In the next section, the method of conducting online surveys and the utilization of this technique will be discussed. Thirdly, the interpretation from the obtained data will be shown in the finding and analysis section. Finally, the conclusion of the paper will be discussed to sum up the entire research paper including limitations and ethics issues. Literature review In the book, Managing Brand Value (Aaker, 1991) has defined the term of brand equity as the connection of the name and emblems to a set of assets that would increase the value of the company’s products or services. In addition, during the customers buying decision process (McKinsey 1996) has found in his research that brands affect 18 percent of total purchase decisions. Therefore, these can be indicated that branding act as one of the significant factors towards customers purchasing. However, the suggestion from (Keller, 2003) stated that the power of a brand would remain in customers ‘mind together with their perceived experiences and they will learn about the brand over time. Hence, there is the development process of strengthen the brand of a company. The figure (2) illustrates the framework of brand equity from (Keller, 2003). Figure 2 Brand Equity Framework Source: Keller, K (2003). Building, Measuring and Managing Brand Equity. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall The framework provides 4 steps that involved in building a strong brand however, the hierarchy of brand equity determine that in order to move up in each level, there is a requirement from the successful of the previous one. The first level, companies have to set up a brand identity which will imply brand silence and would lead customers to aware the brand (Keller, 2003). The next step is to create an appropriated brand meaning involve either performance or imagery that related to the brand (Keller, 2003). Thirdly, it is a significant to response the judgments and feelings (opinion, evaluation and emotional) from the customers to gain brand attitudes in customers point of view (Keller, 2003). Lastly, the companies need to create a brand resonance by trying to minimize the gap between what companies think and what customers think via communication tools that would permeate put the brand into consumers’ mind, resulting in a good relationship with them (Keller, 2003). However, after building the strong brand equity, (Keller, 2003) has claimed that brand loyalty would appear to be one of the benefits to the brand. On the other hand, most companies consider the customers to be one of the significant keys to make the company successful. Therefore, (Erdem Swait, 2004) propose that the determination of successful business in long-term is to deliver the value to customers which related to (Marconi, 2000) suggestion that one of the factors which would make customers to remain loyal over brand is customer satisfaction. However, the American Customer Satisfaction Index (figure 3) will be used to explain the model of customer satisfaction. Figure 3 the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) Source: (Johnson, Gustafsson, Andreassen, Cha, 2001): The evolution and future of national customer satisfaction index models. (theacsi.org, 2001) explained that customer satisfaction occurs from two driven factors which can affect the satisfaction either directly or going through the perceived value factor (quality relative to the expense). From those two driven factors, the first factor is customer expectation, which is the customer’s anticipation of the quality of the products in both prior consumption experience from consumer and the expectation from company’s product quality deliver. In addition, the second factor is perceived quality which determine by the evaluation of the product’s quality from customer toward the organization. However, the figure shows that there is a negative relationship between customer complaint once they disconfirm with the expectation and customer loyalty. This can be explained as the more satisfied from the customers, there is less chance in the resulted of getting complain from the customers. However, (theacsi.org, 2001) suggests that there is a chance of turning unsatisfied customers to loyalty customers after the compensations have been introduced to them. To conclude, in order to gain customer loyalty, the companies have to deliver the value of the products to meet or exceed customers ‘expectation as loyalty customers are more likely to create repurchase activity. The another related support to the important in loyalty of customers provided by (Reichheld.F.F, 1996) in his book, The Loyalty Effect, in which he stated that in order to bring in a new customer to the company is five times more costly than it is to retain an existing customer. Research Design The early discussion was about satisfying the customers who act as a main player of building the successful businesses as they are involve in many organization’s process. Hence, it is clear that the framework of this research paper is to focus on the importance of satisfying customers as it will create the benefit toward the company in term of brand loyalty. (Gobe, 2001) states that, there is several area of supporting customers into customers’ satisfaction such as price-quality-relation. Furthermore, (Keller, 2003) consider brand attitude in brand equity process to be a drive towards loyalty as well. This research design will be classified as causal research to obtain evidence of cause-and-effect relationships (Malhotra, Birks, Wills, 2012). These ideas made the hypothesis of the study as: H1a: There is a relationship between brand image perception and the level of customer satisfaction for BMW R1200 GS/GSA H1a: There is a relationship between quality perception and the level of customer satisfaction for BMW R1200 GS/GSA H1a: There is a relationship between price perception and the level of customer satisfaction for BMW R1200 GS/GSA H2: There is a relationship of BMW R1200 GS/GSA customers toward purchase loyalty The Figure 4 illustrates the study model involving the relationship between brand attitudes towards customer satisfaction in BMW R1200 GS/GSA and customer satisfaction in BMW R1200 GS/GSA towards brand loyalty. Methodology This research has been utilized quantitative in order to gather data under one particular model of BMW motorcycles, which is R1200GS/GSA. The objective of quantitative is to collect customer’s attitude influence factors relate to each participant perceptions. However, this survey method has introduced a set of questionnaire with 25 closed questions. The period of survey collection was between 10th November and 10th December 2012 through online survey technique under the survey site named Wufoo. The format of online survey included structure scales in a range from 1 to 5 and yes or no questions. The questionnaires have been distributed and upload onto BMW Motorrad Parklane Facebook and UKGSer page. The total respondent is 11 people which specific that have to be BMW R1200 GS/GSA riders. The questionnaires have been mainly divided into 6 sections. The first 3 questions were designed to seek for the top three requirements of participants that they consider before purchasing any adventure motorcycles. In the next section, 3 questions were designed to find the competitive advantage factors and the relative of price-to-quality in perspectives’ view. In the third section, 5 questions were used to determine the customers’ judgment toward the product quality. Moreover, there are a set of 5 questions used in search for customer feeling toward BMW R1200 GS/GSA. In addition, the others 5 questions were used to indicate customer resonance and their potential of creating benefit toward the brand. Finally, 5 questions were used to gain demographic information of respondents. Limitations The limitation of time was the major restrictive as the data collection periods is within 1 week. Furthermore, the difficultly of realizing the actual target population as some of respondents may not own the actual motorcycle in BMW R1200GS/GSA. Additionally, there are no female respondents in all of the returned forms. The scope down of the research topic into a specific model of motorcycle created an obstacle to find the right target of respondents. The post on facebook page has bias of gained non-geographic target group information as there are respondents which are not in UK. Moreover, some of the forums and websites are not currently frequently activated making the posts being used ineffectively. Finally, with the limited number of 10 respondents, resulted in low resources are being used in the evaluation. Ethical considerations The purpose of doing this research paper has been announced and posted on every websites and forums before the actual online-survey. There is a statement state clearly in term of confidentiality that respondents’ information is treated with highly confidentiality. In addition, the questions in the questionnaire under the demographic section have provided an alternative of ‘prefer not to answer’ option to allow the refusing of answering for respondents as they may have an uncomfortable condition. The collected data and information will be used in an education area only; there is no hidden purpose in either businesses or individual organization. Findings The process of gathering data took 4 weeks and there are 72 perspectives viewed of the survey in total. However, there are only 11 entries out of 72 viewed which can be transfer into 15.3% as the conversion rate. The average time per respondent to finish the survey is 3.16 minutes each. However, there is 1 out of 11 responded that is a fault data due to the location of the respondent is outside UK. In the first section, 50% of total responded consider exterior design to be considered the most when they buy an adventure motorcycle, while seat comfort is their second consideration with 40% of total. In addition, they consider bag and storage to be the third choice with 40% of the total. In the next section, 60% of total respondents have agreed that BMW R1200 GS/GSA is worth its price. In addition, 90% of them perceived that this model is more superior to other brands within the same price category. Moreover, the data explained that 70% of respondents perceived the superior fact as this model is the best in handling, while another 30% expressed the fact as the endure motorcycle. The third section is finding of the customers’ judgment toward the product quality with the full score of 5 marks. The best perceived value in quality of the model is safe follow by status symbol, quality product, trustworthy, and lowest is high performance product with the scores of 4.5, 4.2, 4.1, 3.9, and 3.6 points respectively. The data shows the customers’ feeling toward BMW R1200 GS/GSA in the fourth section. It is freedom that customer feel the most with 4.2 while fun is their second perceived with the score of 4 out of 5. The respondents share the third feeling that come in to their mind of excitement and self-respect with 3.9 point, while social approval is the last place in their feeling of 3.8 point. In the Fourth section, the data is used to analyze the customers’ resonance toward the model. However, out of 5, respondents show 4.1 point as they are happy with the model the most, while the fact that they satisfied and willing to refer the model to others share the same scores of 4 point each. Lastly, perspective expressed their love to BMW R1200 GS/GSA only 3.7 point. Finally, the data from the survey shows that all of 10 entries were male which translated into 100%. The average group is between 46-55 years old with the percentage of 80 out of total. Moreover, 50% of the total earns their income more than  £50,001 yearly while 40% of them earn the average between  £25,001-  £50,000 yearly. Moreover, 70% of respondents married and which left remaining 30% of them as single. Finally, the education fact shows that 50% of the total respondents graduated their highest education in high school while other 40% and 10% are undergraduates and master level respectively. Conclusion According to the study, exterior design consider to be the most important to customers when they buy as it’s related to social approval most customers agree that BMW R1200 GS/GSA give them that feeling. However, BMW is considering this factor as one of the main development processes make the company continuously improve a better look in designing along with new technologies attached to their bikes. Moreover, the seat comfort and storage is considered to be significant to all adventure riders. Due to a long distance in riding their motorbikes, they require a suitable seat to support their physical body and space to storage their goods. Results also show that BMW R1200 GS/GSA has the competitive advantage over the rival in the same category as customers perceived that the model has the best balance in control. On the other hand, only 60% of customers perceived this model is worth a premium price due to the less agreement that this model is a high performance product. However, customers still satisfied with the product even though, the customers have standard perceived that this motorcycle model is worth to spend money on. Therefore, it can be analyzed that there is less relationship between price and satisfaction. The relationship between product quality and satisfaction can be interpreted as there is a positive relationship between these two factors. The research shows that customers are highly consider BMW R1200 GS/GSA as a safe motorcycle and high quality product. The company has captured the most important need in every rider which is safety, and delivers the value to them clearly which resulted in gaining the satisfactions from value deliver. However, by looking at specifically to individuals that has less satisfaction, it is only the fact that BMW R1200 GS/GSA is not high performance enough for them. In term of brand image, the customers is highly involved with status symbol as the high score of 4.2 point can determine that the company has created brand association and meaning towards customers. Moreover, the company has well delivered the feeling of freedom in this product make a fulfillment in the want of adventure travelers. Therefore, brand image has positive relationship toward satisfaction. Finally, with the high number in people who are happy and satisfied with BMW R1200 GS/GSA related to their willingness to refer this motorcycle model to others. This is can be explained that there is a positive relationship between satisfaction and customers loyalty as loyalty customers would most likely to be influencers in bringing new customers to purchase the product. References Aaker, D (1991). Managing Brand Equity: Capitalizing on the Value of a Brand Name, Free Press, New York, NY Aggarwal, P. (2004). The Effects of Brand Relationship Norms on Comsumer Attitudes and Behaviour. Journal of consumer research, June Court, D., Freeling, A., Leiter, M., Parsons, J. A. (1996). Mckinsey Quarterly: Uncovering the value of brands. Retrieved from http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/Uncovering_the_value_of_brands_201 Erdem, Tulin, and Swait, Joffre. (2004). Brand Credibility, Brand Consideration and Choices. Journal of consumer research,June Gobe, M. (2001). Emotional Branding. New York, NY: Allworth Press. Keller, K. (2003). Buliding, Measuring, and Managing Brand Equity. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Kiley, D. (2004). Driven: Inside BMW, the most admired car company in the world. Malhotra, K. N., Birks, F. D., Wills, P. (2012). Marketing Research (4th ed.): An Applied Approach. The Motor Cycle Industry Association (2011). Motorcycle Registration Statistics. Press statistic. Retrieved from http://www.mcia.co.uk/Press-and-Statistics/NewReg_Statistics.aspx We iler, M. (2004). BMW : Exploring Customer Attitudes.

Politician qualities Essay Example for Free

Politician qualities Essay A Politician qualities are his characters that is natural, while some of the qualities are as a result of external influences. Promising politicians qualities are often backed by skills, experiences, intelligence, integrity, with instincts -all combined together to achieve their goals. First and foremost, the best quality of a politician is honesty, God fearing and loving. A faithful and effective politician is trustworthy and reliable. He must capture the essence of truth, display sincerity, candor and practices what he preaches. He makes decisions and accepts responsibility for his actions and his words. The same is true in his dealing with his people. He makes promises and keeps those promises. Somebody that people may be relied upon. Loving people with all his heart, might, mind, soul and striving to help them as a true mark of responsible politician. Moreover, a fake politician, will after taken the oath office with the Holy book and lousy thanksgiving services, use their power as an end in itself, rather than for public good, making them indifferent to the progress of their citizens. A good politician becomes the image of his creator. A good and responsible politician will give high regard for morality, law abiding with no tendencies to corrupt even a single cent or kobo. The greatest strength of good politicians is deriving joy in serving people and not to steal tax payer’s money. They know that a fulfilling and meaningful life is created through service to others. To be an effective politician, your followers must have trust in you. And the very best way for a politician to build trust is to display good sense of characters and qualities composed of values, beliefs, traits and skills. Another important quality of a good politician is integrity and technical skills to handle those challenging assignments, fiscal matters, policies, plans, projects, ideas and initiative solutions to problems. Integrity is consistency of actions, methods, measures, values, principles, expectations and outcomes. It is doing what is right, both legally and morally at all-time even when no one is looking. Since politicians play very significant roles in the administrative processes, especially having hands in thousands of important laws and policies to their communities and country, thereby they should be well-educated, modest, with experience in social welfare, volunteering or should have done some good work for the society. A politician should have a  thorough knowledge and up-to-date information about the constituency where he is going to contest an election. A good politician should be of a well discipline personality with selfless service to make live better for his people. This should be reflected in the community where he lives in all ramifications. Discipline is necessary for an orderly society and political life, without it, the social life would become miserable. A selfless service is putting the welfare of the people representing before your own. Winston Churchill described it as â€Å"the first of all human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees all others†. A good politician firmly believes in taking care and maintaining the community of his people. He believes that community service is about giving back. According to Theodore Roosevelt, â€Å"the most successful politician is he who says what the people are thinking most often in the loudest voice†. A person or politician who is with criminal background, or any links with criminals or whose allegation on corruption has not been cleared by the law court should be disqualified to participate in elections. Responsibility and party loyalty is another quality of responsible politician in a democratic state. A transparent politician is nearer to his people and meeting them to understand their problems. Only fake politicians are seen by voters when an election is near or change parties as footballers change clubs. As every parent has its responsibility to teach their children the principles of moral, culture, truth, sincerity to be self- responsible, so politicians need to integrate its citizens with importance of political responsibility and democratic values. A politician leads by example and knows his minimum responsibilities as an elected representative. A politician comes to politics to work for his constituents and not to work against them. He is the beck and call of the people and ready to listen to everybody. All these build a strong foundation for a dynamic society which will create solutions for any challenges, and finally develop strategies and political systems that will help implement those solutions automatically. He is quick to give hand to his fellow man. A reliable politician should be very loyal and committed to his party which shares his vision and goals. The value of loyalty simply depends on trust. A citizen should belong to a party with most brilliant, skillful, patriotic and dynamic people with common goals and aspirations. Team work best when they have common goals, mutual respect and understanding of each party  member’s strength. Politics is to unite and reach consensus and not to divide or create enimity among people. Power is only a product of collective action. Finally, to become a great politician or statesman, you have to use your talents, skills, experiences, honesty, integrity, challenges and constraints with the positive effect that we can have in touching other human lives. Politician must leave his constituency better than before elected. Greatness is within reach of a politician who consistently do things they out to be doing. He learns from mistakes and criticisms. It is a bad politician that will see that all the good is in his side and that all the bad lies with his opponent or just because someone does not agree with him, does not mean that all their ideas and solutions are bad. Good politicians show respect to the views and experience of others. Nobody has a monopoly of wisdom. He/she who aspires to be a great politician should have the ability to find and analyses problems in their constituency and find the best solutions for all these problems. There is no problem in this world without solutions. A good politician knows that simply giving consistent effort in the little task of services, social reforms, kindness or sacrifice in day-to-day life leads to true greatness of a nation. If all politicians make it a point of responsibility to develop and make life better for people in their units, wards, constituencies, states and regions-we will definitely have a great country.

Impact of Fast Fashion on Sustainability

Impact of Fast Fashion on Sustainability Impact of fast fashion in the development of sustainable materials. Introduction Fast fashion is ever increasing which puts a strain on the promotion of sustainable materials. This paper will outline the effects of fast fashion and the development of eco materials and other ways that can be maintained within sustainable system, within the fashion industry, and also by looking at slow fashion company People Tree (Sailsbury, 2011), and Swedish mega company H&M and their sustainable outlook within their brand (The H&M Group, 2016). The documentary ‘The True Cost’ is referenced, as it shows every aspect in the production process, that everyone should watch as fashion consumers. From farmers to designers, they all make their statement why sustainability is in need for ethical and environmental reasons (The True Cost, 2015). Most sustainable fabrics are often made from natural materials that use less water and contain fewer chemicals, these are the materials which need to be made more aware of, they take longer to make but are worth our sacrifice (Shen, 2014). Most retailers have a fast fashion strategy, make it, sell it, buy it and then dispose of it. However, this is causing major backlash on our environment and the people who produce it (The H&M Group, 2016).   The impact of fast fashion is what’s going to be left to our future, as we rely on things being instant to us. What would happen if things that took a little longer would not just benefit us, but a whole generation? These days we use up more natural resources on things that can be cut down on, and produce more hazardous waste that our planet simply cannot retain (Joy , et al., 2012). Contextualisation Fast fashion is a term that has come about from high street retailers, such as Topshop, H&M and the Spanish retail giant Zara, creating and producing their own versions of luxury fashion goods. These imitations of luxury items form the basis for their trends for each season, and are produced on a mass scale to sustain the ‘deeply held desires among young consumers’  (Joy , et al., 2012). The industry works at such a fast speed and to such a huge scale that the time period from the luxury products being shown on the catwalk to being imitated and produced by the various high street retailers and ending up in our hands, is very little and in turn puts a huge strain and pressure on every part of the industry (Joy , et al., 2012). As these garments are being made at a ridiculously fast rate, the quality of fabrication and production has been compromised and thus the products become more disposable as new stock is always being made available to the consumer. This is the core concept of fast fashion and its function in the fashion system (Claudio, 2007). With this the environmental footprint of each piece clothing grows and grows as high street stores continue to ramp up the rate of production with the aim of flooding the market with more and more trend focussed disposable products (Black, 2012, p. 216). The beginning of the garments, start with the actual materials used. The most used fabric is cotton, that uses ‘a quarter of pesticides used in the US’ (Claudio, 2007). Not to mention the amount of water and energy used to wash and dry it, the environmental waste impact, and this is before it has been shipped to another country for the actual making process. There are efforts to make these more sustainable by using organic cotton, which the pesticides have been removed and are made using ‘nontoxic farming methods’ (Black, 2012, p. 216).Modified (GM) cotton farming sparks a huge debate, as an environmental and an ethical impact. There are 50 million cotton farmers in the world today and most of them live in developing countries such as India. These farmers rely on GM cotton as a super crop, however they are under huge amounts of ‘consumer pressure’, which has had some major backlash and resulted in debts from these farmers, which led to their suicides as a result of unpaid loans to these GM cotton seed manufactures, who are based in the US   (Black, 2012, p. 192). There are other sustainable materials that can be used, and is more sufficient, and doesn’t cause environmental and social devastation. Organic and sustainable fabrics are available which reduce energy and water consumption whilst keeping down co2 emissions, these fabrics are left out by the big fast fashion brands, as they take longer to make and are carefully traced from seed to product   (Shen, 2014). Fast Fashion consumers It’s all for the consumer and our need of wanting the latest styles and brands. Clothing and fashion become two different ideals. Clothing answers more to what we need, wool jumper to keep warm, whereas fashion is a style and can be disposed of when the next trend comes along (Black, 2012). Some fashion brands try and initiate some kind of sustainable intent into their brands, for example Topshop released a sustainable line called reclaim, launched by eco line From Somewhere (Quiros, 2015). However, as purchasers acknowledge the environmental attempt, they still stick to the same style and quality (Hill & Lee, 2015).   Fast fashion allows our desires of luxury clothes to come true and sustainability is not something style conscious consumers link to fashion  (Joy , et al., 2012, p. 276).   Sustainability is not promoted enough in magazines and by big fashion labels, and with a hefty price point it’s no wonder young consumers don’t buy into the trend  (Claudio, 2007). During the World War 2, the phrase ‘make do and mend’ came into effect as people would recycle or made to measure for another family member  (Strasser, 2000). Sustainability, as mentioned before is what consumers need to do to conquer fast fashion. It can be explained by ‘making a current generation’s needs, without compromising those of a future generations’ (Joy , et al., 2012). Brands that promote sustainable fashion should target the needs and wants of this generations style, size and quality. This is hard as, within these brands that do promote these environmental friendly materials, not a lot of information is given on their impact and the amount of style options available are limiting (Hill & Lee, 2015). Slow fashion comes with sustainability, this is a process were they support and empower workers, promote up recycling, renewable and eco-friendly raw materials (Henninger, et al., 2016). The industry is developing ‘eco fashion’ to help overcome the high demand, according to ‘The International Standards Organisation (ISO) they will develop labels that can examine clothing to meet the criteria of environmental friendly and sourced (Claudio, 2007). This will allow the identification of sustainably sourced and manufactured garments to be recognised within a brand. Consumers treat ethical fabrics as less refined than organic food, however they both share the same working and environmental qualities (Black, 2012). Materials that impact sustainability To look at fast fashion and sustainability you have to go back to the main materials that holds all our fashion wants and desires together. The two most common fabrics used worldwide are cotton and polyester (Lee, 2009). Polyester is a manmade fibre that along with other synthetic materials, is time consuming and produces vast amounts of sub sense like ‘crude oil, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter and acid gases’ (Claudio, 2007). Most polyester and anything blended with it lets out and by gas that has a toxic effect on the repertory system, liver and skin (Lee, 2009). Cotton is used in more than half of the total fibre of all clothing used today and produces huge amounts of chemical and water waste thanks to its new genetically modified fibres.(The True Cost, 2015). GM cotton farming, as mentioned before is a pesticide used to kill insects, such as the bollworm, which destroys the cotton plant (Black, 2012). Cotton is a natural fibre, but is inundated with these modifications that keep the cost low and the produce high (Claudio, 2007). The death of many Indian farmer’s deaths have been linked to production of GM cotton seeds, edosulfan is a chemical, that when absorbed into the skin is life threatening (Lee, 2009). Other materials have been used to encourage the ethical process of sustainable fabrics, however when looking into these fabrics you have to take the energy use for production into consideration and the pollution it in turn gives off (Makko & Koskennurmi Sivonen, 2013). Even in the dyeing process a raw material can take anywhere between 80 – 800 litres of water (Lee, 2009). To conquer this the Regulation, Evaluation, Authentication, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), have made a legislation within the European Union to make ‘manufactures and producers to identify and verify the chemicals used in their products’ (Claudio, 2007). Sustainable fabrics. Going back to traditional methods of processing fabric is eco-friendlier compared to the waste just from dying the fabrics alone, but it is harder to cater to the mass market, however it gives one more of an appreciation to the design and process of the fabric (Henninger, et al., 2016). Designer brands tend to use local handcrafted methods more as this gives the items more durability, style and quality, and also effects the economic and social side to sustainability (Joy , et al., 2012). This works for traditional methods that use animal by products such as wool, leather and silk, but this costs more than making cheaper manmade fabrics that can mimic these materials (The True Cost, 2015). Another method to help sustainable fabrics make an impact is upcycling/recycling. Old clothes, bottles and other manufacturing castoffs, can all be included in sustainable fabrics, also high street giant Marks and Spencer’s created a suit line all made from recycled materials (Shen, 2014). As mentioned before Topshop has a sustainable extension line, ‘Reclaim’ which is made by upcycling other garments, from vintage buttons to a simple cotton t-shirt and leftover stock (Quiros, 2015). We all have clothes that get left behind and are of a good quality and durability that we can swap with friends or others giving that item a new lease of life (Lee, 2009). Donating and buying from charity/thrift shops is an easy way to help sustainable materials get the long use out of them and, even if they are made in a fast fashion environment and by donating these garments to third world countries that resale them on market stalls or give them to local people who need clothes that they can endure (Black, 2012).   In New York, there is a family that runs Trans- America Trading Company, that take all the unused clothes and divided them into loads of categories like, size and fibre content and recycle them into all sorts of things, from upholstery stuffing to industrial rags (Claudio, 2007). When it comes to luxury garments, consumers tend to make more ‘investment purchases’ and as these are made from good quality and they tend to be more of a better quality, making it more durable (Henninger, et al., 2016). Although some charities and countries are being inundated with masses of clothes from the US and European consumers who’s excessive purchasing is increasing all the time, as production costs from fast fashion get cheaper (The True Cost, 2015). In order to overcome these materials that are of an environmental hazard, new fabrics are being created that are sustainable and offer unique selling points to consumers (Henninger, et al., 2016). Designers need to realise and understand that protecting the environment can have a more beneficial economic effect, thus making and souring sustainable materials (Whitfield, 2009) Organic cotton is of course the obvious material that should be promoted more even if you have to pay more for it. Organic cotton is free from hazardous pesticides that harm the environment and cause sever health conditions (Lee, 2009). For a garment to be 100% organic cotton it has to not be genetically modified (GM), which accounts for 30% of all cotton grown, to make sure this is correct, you have to look out for The Soil Association’s label that ensures environmental and social criteria   (Black, 2012). Linen a natural material made from flax, which is plant based. Linen is much harder to iron than cotton which makes it consume more energy, but in terms of water use and harmful toxins, which makes it have much smaller ‘environmental profile’ than organic cotton (Chapman & Hollins, 2010). Made from wood pulp, Tencel. This material is made from the eucalyptus tree, which uses no harmful pesticides and very little water. This material is also biodegradable, and its absorbency level is very high making it easy to dye (Black, 2012) Inego is a polymer which is a plant based fibre, made by a corn by-product, that can be spun and weaved together into other materials. Versace has been known to use this fabric in their collections (Claudio, 2007). Salmon skin has been used in accessories, shoes and bikinis. This material is valuable and flexible and is less toxic in the tanning process than leather, and can be used as a by-product (Whitfield, 2009). At this point consumers are fully aware of the environmental and social awareness in the fashion industry. Yet why do consumers ignore this and but fast fashion appeal? (Park & Kim, 2016). To address the issues of how a brand can be sustainable they should keep in mind the ‘Triple Bottom Line’ effect that looks at sustainability in 3 ways, ‘environmental, economic and social sustainability’ (Park & Kim, 2016). An example of a high street store that adheres to the TBL effect and continues to develop its sustainability within its brand is H&M, the Swedish multinational retail store (Black, 2012). They have their own sustainable program ‘Conscious Action’, this initiative makes consumers donate unwanted clothes to any H&M store in return for a 15% off coupon to spend ion their stores. This system is made to create more jobs in less developed countries, use more recycled and environmental friendly fabrics and to educate consumers to be more ethical to carry out this sustainable concept (Shen, 2014).They also work closely with the suppliers and include information, so that it can be tracked along the whole process (Black, 2012). Every year H&M release a report on how they can promote sustainability and be a Fairtrade company. As H&M, is a massive successful retailer with more than 5 other sister brands. They have really paved the way for being a sustainable high street store. In the report they outline how they are continuously trying to develop new technologies to help recycle garments, they want to find a way to make renewable blended fibres and a way to capture carbon, by investing in start-up companies such as, Swedish company Sellpy who help people sell their unwanted clothes. Normal retailers work in a linear model, they create the product, the customer buys it and then throws it away. H&M work in a circular way, by products staying in the system longer and then recycled into a new product (The H&M Group, 2016). People Tree is a slow fashion brand, which means that it produces fewer garments for each season and takes away all the harsh realities fast fashion promotes. They design beautifully made garments that can be traced right from the source, and lead the way for sustainable production whilst having decreasing environmental change. People tree products can be found in high street stores such as Topshop, Asos and Selfridges, they are nowhere near as big as H&M, yet they are a perfect example of how a smaller company can be a representative for sustainable fashion, not only by being more involved in every aspect of production but by being able to tell the story of the brand through all their efforts to reach this environmental accomplishment (Sailsbury, 2011). it is one of the first sustainable companies to be recognised by the Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS) (Black, 2012). Evaluation Fashion is everywhere. To the person in front or behind you, we constantly are looking at brands and styles, but we never really know what we are looking at, who made it and where is it from, thanks to fast fashion and its ever changing ways, we are all getting lazy and not appreciating what we are wearing (Chapman & Hollins, 2010). When it comes to fast fashion and its harsh outputs not only into the environment but also the horrendous social side, like the Indian cotton farmers committing suicide for not being able to pay their fees to the organisations who create GM cotton seeds, or the water and co2 consumption being made just by washing and dyeing cotton and other materials (Black, 2012). Our needs and wants are putting the environment under too much pressure. We need to cultivate our usage and encourage other stores that make an impact on this planet not just to the climate but to the people who make these garments under horrendous conditions whilst getting paid an unfairly amount, that’s why we need to promote sustainable materials, so that big fast fashion high street stores recognise their potential (Joy , et al., 2012). Sustainable fashion helps create and reach out to a wider consumer base, which ‘promotes their responsibility for society and environment’ (Shen, 2014).Natural fibres use much less energy than their synthetic counterpart but some use a bit more water, however when using these materials, it is more beneficial because they are made in a Fairtrade surrounding (Chapman & Hollins, 2010). Like the H&M report, we should also look towards recycling as a renewable source, as it is something we can already do by clearing out our wardrobes and sending these unwanted clothes to H&M stores or places where they buy these second hand clothes (The H&M Group, 2016). We need to change our shopping habits. But as long as we appreciate our purchases more and buy things that last long, it would be more of an immediate effect rather than waiting for these mega stores to re think their environmental footprint. People Tree, is a nice representative of a slow fashion brand that from the start has promoted fair and equal trade on all its garments. They can source where, who and what the product has gone through to end up in our hands (Sailsbury, 2011).Slow fashion is considered a high price for quality rather than quantity (Henninger, et al., 2016), when fast fashion is all about that bargain with more amounts, that don’t last and are of a bad quality (Abeles, 2014). Bibliography Abeles, T. P., 2014. Fast Fashion and the Future. On The Horizon, 22(2), pp. 157-160. Black, S., 2012. The Sustainable Fashion Hnadbook. London: Thames & Hudson. Chapman, D. A. & Hollins, O. R. &. C., 2010. Enviromental footprint of different textiles and comparison of cotton and linen (flax) fabric, Aylesbury, UK: Oakdene Hollind research and consulting. Claudio, L., 2007. Waste Couture : Enviromental Impact of the Clothing Industry. Enviromental Health Perspectives, 115(9). Craik, J., 2003. The Face of Fashion: Cultural Studies in Fashion. Brisbane, Australia: Routledge. Henninger, C. E., Alevizou, P. J. & Oates, C. J., 2016. What is Sustainable Fashion. Journel of Marketing and Management : An International Journel, 20(4), pp. 400-416. Hill, J. & Lee, H.-H., 2015. Sustainable Brand Extensions of Fast Fashion Retailers. Journel of Fashion Marketing and Management , 19(2), pp. 205-222. Joy , A. et al., 2012. Fast Fashion, Sustainability, and the Ethical Appeal of Luxury Brands. Fashion Theory, 16(3), pp. 273-296. Knox, K., 2011. Culture to Catwalk. Lonon: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. Lee, M., 2009. Moral Fibres : whats the most sutainable fabric?. Ecologist, Volume 1, p. 39. Makko, M. & Koskennurmi Sivonen, R., 2013. Designing Sustainable Fashion: Possibilities and Challenges. Research Journel of Textile and Apparel, 12(1), pp. 13-22. Minney, S., 2016. Slow Fashion Aesthetics meets Ethics. Oxford: New International Publications Ltd. Park, H. & Kim, Y.-K., 2016. An empiricle test of a tripple bottom line of consumer-centric sustainability: the case of fast fashion. Fashion and Textiles, 3(25). Quiros, C., 2015. Topshop Launches First-Ever Sustainable Fashion Line. Paste Magazine, 15 July. Sailsbury, P., 2011. Green Business: People Tree. The Ecologist, 6 April. Shen, B., 2014. Sustainable Fashion Supply Chain: A Lesson from H&M. Sustainability, 11 10, pp. 6236-6249. Strasser, S., 2000. Waste and Want: a socal history of trash. New York : Holt Publishers. The H&M Group, 2016. Sustainability Report 2016, Stockholm : The H&M Group. The True Cost. 2015. [Film] Directed by Andrew Morgan. USA: Life Is My Movie Entertainment Company. Whitfield, J., 2009. Sustainable F ashion. Nature, Volume 459, p. 915.

An Investigation into the Portrayal or Truth Within the Documentary Gen

As documentary by its very nature introduces itself as factual, concerns exist as to where the boundary between the truth of subject and the fiction produced by its creator emerges. As anything that has been edited has by definition removed certain aspects and enhanced others, there must be at best an innocent naturally occurring bias formed from individual perception, and at worst purposefully manipulated misinformation. Through researching various sources, I intend to discover the difference (if any) between these two methods making factually based programmes, to determine any variables that lie in the ‘grey area’ between the two extremes, and to ascertain the diverse forms of conduct in which truth (and in turn documentary) can be presented to an audience, and to what effect? This report aims to make light of certain elements of documentary making that are perhaps more susceptible to influence on the director’s part, and once again explore the effect of these decisions on the audience’s reaction to the information presented. Corner, J. ed., 1986. Documentary and the mass media. Suffolk: Richard Clay ltd This book contains, amongst other things, an insightful account into the foundations of documentary, in particular its British base and its early days via the medium of radio. It features quotations and journal extracts, as well as interviews with some of the prominent figures of early documentary programming during the first half of the 20th century, before leading into the mass observation experiments beginning in the late 30’s. The book describes the documentary format’s departure from its BBC London base under the guidance of Hilda Matheson and Charles Siepmann, who relocated their mobile recording units to what was kn... ... a documentary film by definition must include visuals, but Ames aspires to explain how an emphasis on certain imagery can be used to persuade as well as inform. Works Cited Corner, J. ed., 1986. Documentary and the mass media. Suffolk: Richard Clay ltd Davies, N. 2008. Flat Earth News. London: Random House Publishing Control Room, 2004. [Film] Directed by Jehane Noujaim. Iraq: World Cinema ltd. Waltz with Bashir, 2008. [Film] Directed by Ari Folman. Israel: Artificial eye. Tompkins, C., 2009. The paradoxical effect of the documentary in Walter Salles’s â€Å"Central do Brasil†. Studies in 20th & 21st Century Literature 33 no1 p9-27 Zeitgeist, 2007. [Film] Directed by Peter Joseph. USA: Released via Internet. Available at http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com. [accessed 14/03/2010] Ames, E,. 2009 Herzog, Landscape and Documentary. Cinema Journal v. 48 no. 2 p46-69.

Futility :: essays research papers

While mining over abundant quotes, sonnets in a seemingly different language, and soliloquies with enough meter and meaning to write a doctorate, the main thing I’m left wondering is: What exactly was Shakespeare’s intent in writing Hamlet? He too, like the readers of today, was a mortal being. He too felt feelings of revenge and purposelessness, and questioned being and capability. As any other human has strived to comprehend at some point in their humble lives, I believe that this is one of Shakespeare’s attempts to justify the life given to man, or more fittingly, to comprehend man’s purpose in life. Hamlet is a pessimistic view of life that deems any man’s attempt at change, futile.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Several times within the play, Hamlet talks of man’s unused â€Å"capability and god-like reason† (259). He is distressed by â€Å"what a piece of work is a man! how noble in reason! how infinite in faculties!† (217). Man has a seemingly infinite range of action and it distresses the hero of this play that he, as well as mankind, does not utilize it. I imparts a guilt within him and he asks, â€Å"why yet I live to say ‘This thing’s to do,’/ Sith I have cause, and will, and strength, and means to do’t.† (260). I believe this worry rings true more now than ever. Today’s society is driven by time-management and efficiency. If you can do something, well we are taught we must do it. High school students are reared to be exceptional scholars, recruited athletes, multi-talented, upstanding citizens, and somehow volunteer, too. Free time is a waste of time is the message I’ve been getting, and Hamlet is battling this issue as well.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Besides being torn over the discrepancy between his capability and actions of avenging his father’s death, Hamlet is also concerned that thinking over the matter too much yield no action and therefore makes him â€Å"a coward† (225). He states that by turning something over and over in one’s mind and not coming to an immediate action â€Å"conscience does make cowards of us all† (228) and that â€Å"a thought which, quarter’d, hath but one part wisdom and ever three parts coward† (260). Does he mean to have action without thought? Is acting, or the act of being, the essence of man? By Hamlet’s saying â€Å"the readiness is all† (289) I feel that he is saying that by having fulfilled one’s potential to act, it can be done without thinking.

Ecology Lab Report: Creating an Ecosystem in a Bottle Essay -- essays

Objective: To create an ecosystem contained in a bottle with both terrestrial and aquatic environments sealed to the outside world. Hypothesis/Predictions: I predict the fish will last for 3 days. I predict the crickets will last for a week. Materials: 1. fish 2. Water 3. 2 plants 4. Soil 5. Rag 6. Graphite 7. 2 Liter Bottle (2) 8. Tape 9. 2 Snails 10. 3 crickets Procedure: Cut top off 2 liter bottle and bottom off another. Fill the one without a top with water and put a plant, 1 fish, and 2 snails in water. Put a rag through the top of other bottle and pile with graphite (rocks). Put dirt, plants, and anything else that is required or put in optionally in container. Data: Water Level 1- 10 Â ½ cm Plant height 1- 9 Â ½ cm 2- 10 Â ½ cm 2- 9 Â ½ cm 3- 10 Â ¼ cm 3- 9 Â ¾ cm 4- 10 cm 4- 10 cm 5- 10 cm 5- 10 Â ¼ cm 6- 10 cm 6- 10 cm 7- 10 cm 7- 10 cm 8- 10 cm 8- 10 cm 9- 98 mm 9- 10 cm Logs Day 1 5/22/07 The water has turned into a very light and transparent yellow. Everything in tank seems in order. Crickets and fish seem lively. Not much change. Day 2 5/25/07 The water is a medium shade of yellow. The fish and crickets s... ... yes the ecology project of course! Through the exciting endeavors of my experimentation I have discovered over time that my environment has changed dramatically! The mighty creatures of before have fallen to their graves. Only 50% of all life from the beginning of my project still lives. During the experiments I have discovered that both my early predictions came true. The crickets did live for a week and my fish lived for more then 3 days. My predictions came as true as Edward Cayce?s. During this experiment I learned that a tiny environment within a 2 liter bottle was possible and it could very easy be capable of life. It seems in the end this experiment has made me wiser and stronger in a sense and gave me strength to keep on marching toward a bright future in which the old days shall return and everyone shall be just as it once was many years ago?..

Malczewski and the ideas of Young Polnd

According to Satanists Stopcock. The break of the 19th and 20th centuries in Poland was a time well known for the problem that many artists who represented that period had: they were constantly looking for their own truth(s), they own way(s), their own style. They developed into two main categories, those who made work for â€Å"today', that fulfilled itself during the lives of the artists and those who tried to develop a new style (Art Novel to be precise) and regime for creating aesthetic forms and applied art.It's appropriate to add that the latter, that was created with the intention of a style was crushed by steel constructions and/or lost it's truth on the production line, leaving It simply a historical phenomenon. I however will concentrate on the former. The Young Poland art movement, that was centered In Kara?w and took place in the years 1891-1918 and is widely accepted as the Polish version of modernism. (1) I shall start with a bit of cultural and historical context.The last decades of the XIX century and the first 1 5 years of the Sixth, were said to be the worst time for post- partition Poland, but also a period full of hope and a slow gathering of collective activism after an opaque of complete hopelessness. Various factors led to Pollard's politics not being taken into account in the scheme of European politics, but rather left to be resolved internally by the Probationers ( ).These factors included the fall of the January Uprising, the creation of the victorious and united Bismarck Reich the French-Russian alliance and the military and political failures of Austria, which led the Austrian partition to be more and more jumbles and dependent on Germany. This turn of events In combination with a respiratory atmosphere and the loss of hope for a better future, due to the Inability to accept defeat, led to the overall loss of patriotic morale and the formation of so called â€Å"tribalism†. The Polish people tried to form a policy of agreeme nt.They tried to work with the probationers, patiently focusing on social, economical and cultural development of Poland rather than trying any risquà ©, bold actions toward autonomy, which was In the consciousness and hopes of most, but accepted to be a distant dream rather than Immediate possibility. This Is the synthesis of what the philosophy f positivism in Poland meant. Cultural and rustication proved the policy of agreement not that effective. (4) Galatia (which is where Maleness's was born and raised) had the best conditions for the development of â€Å"Polish national life†.The status-Hungarian monarchy had quickly changed to a democratic-liberal state after a series of political failures and guaranteed the many nations that It Incorporated much political freedom. Calla had it's own government, the administrative language was Polish, it had two Universities, in Kara ¶w and Law ¶w as well as many schools. In return for loyalty to the Viennese government they had freedom to manifest their patriotism.. (3) The social situation in Poland was getting worse and worse for the middle class: the cheap labor and was the reason for massive migration from the country to cities and their rapid growth.The proletariat was exploited, and they were becoming unhappy. They were turning into a massive socio-political force, that could demand change. Industrialization was taking it's toll, the market was being flooded with factory-made consumables and was creating an atmosphere of depressing, Lourdes uniforms. The young characterized the â€Å"midyear† (which translates into soap-maker), the townsman, owner of a small business or property, whose sole philosophy was common materialism, his only values were money, his only goal was gathering goods and only norm and rule of conduct opportunism and looking for the easy way out.Modernism all around Europe, was a broad avian-grade movement that started as a result of rapid cultural changes and transformations in the modern world. All modernism shared the feeling that the modern world was substantially different and hat â€Å"art needed to renew itself by confronting and exploring it's own modernity' (2). In Poland specifically it was triggered by feeling of being shut off in a hopeless situation. It started with a crisis of values, when positivism which was perhaps the most prevalent and representative world-view had become materialistic and lay, modernism found the metaphysical and transcendental.Artists started going back to Christian ideas (this started in France, one might say as a defensive reaction after the division between church and state in 1871). Christian ideas linked them back to a renewed interest in the Middle Ages. The middle ages led to exploring black and white magic, secret sects and cults, demons and Satanism. Chariot made sensational discoveries in the etiology of madness, and scientists made connections between ideas from the middle ages and modern discoveries tha t led to the creation of parapsychology – the psychology of abnormal, transcendental phenomena.Life and it's tendencies was represented in artwork in a personal fashion, filtered through the artists feelings and thoughts. Modernism, symbolism, nonromantic, decadence, was all encompassed in one particular movement, under the banner of Ewing young: Young Germany, Young Belgium, Young Vienna, Young Scandinavia and of course Young Poland. The first painting I shall discuss is the 1894 â€Å"Melancholia† which translates to â€Å"melancholy'. The painting shows an artists studio, a painter's studio to be precise.On the left side, at the top we can see the infinitesimal figure of the painter, concentrated on the task in front of him on the easel. A cacophony of figures pours out of the canvas the artist is currently working on. They are all allegorical fugues, personifying the tragically history of Poland in the XIX century. You can tell by their loathing and attributes tha t they are representations of various layers of society. Upraises, women in tears of despair, convicts in handcuffs and peasant soldiers.It seems that the figures are arranged in chronological order, starting with youngsters on the brighter left side, near the artists, ending with old men on the contrasting right. The young seem to be looking forward with faces full of conferment and pain. Of the painting we see a dynamic, chaotic mass of writhing figures. Most are looking angrily towards the window. At the bottom of the artwork they seem to be floating above the ground focusing on fighting one another rather than looking toward the main focus of the painting which is the lady shrouded in black, who is on the windowsill, looking outside into the sunny garden.I think that this lady is Melancholy. She is guarding the window, the gate to freedom. There is an old man on the windowsill looking at her with despair, another in the middle facing her with his hands holding his shirt back as if to say â€Å"stab me! Kill me! â€Å". It's quite obvious that the Polish viewer will interpret this painting as a representation of Polish history that had oaken place in the last century, but this painting is actually said to be one of the first examples of Symbolism in the Visual Arts in Young Poland (1).It shows patriotic historical content but not directly but rather through a metaphor. Maleness's didn't try to find or manifest universal truths but rather showed his own subjective view on the situation in his country. My interpretation is that he was showing the futility of the national uprisings, the armed excursions, the suffering and the hopes of revolt, through the woman blocking the passage to freedom.

The Indigo Spell Chapter Ten

THE near MORNING, I sought pop discover Ms. Terwilliger forrader class to set up her a reexamination of yesterdays adventures. She leaned against her desk, sipping a cappuccino as I stave. Her observation grew pitch-darker as the story progressed, and she sighed when I finished.Well, thats unfortunate, she say. Im merry you were able to find the St oneness girl, nevertheless that kills our lead on Veronica until the next full moon. It could be in addition latterly by on that pointfore.Youre accredited theres no early(a) scrying darn? I asked.She agitate her head. nigh that I could attempt would alert her that I was looking for her. There is one that powerfulness mask me while Im using it . . . provided it also magnate non be able to penetrate any(prenominal) shield shes using to hide herself.Its sleek over worthy a try, isnt it? I asked. The example buzzer rang, and students began trickling into the classroom. She shot me a smile as she straightened up .Why, Miss Melbourne, I never mind Id test you suggesting such things. But youre right. Well tittle-tattle approximately it this afternoon. Its roundthing Id wish sound you to chat.That anti- conjuring trick gut brain started to rear its ugly head . . . and then stop. Somewhere, against my wishes, Id gotten caught up in on the whole of this. I was in addition c at oncerned promptly more than or lesswhat Veronicas other victims to aloneowance disquiet to my public worries. In Alchemist eyes, using magic was gloomy. In my eyes, leaving innocents in danger was worse.With no other critical slips to contend with, I found that the day flew by. When I rejoined Ms. Terwilliger for our supererogatory-living study, I found her packed up and postponement for me to arrive. Field trip, she told me. We need to puzzle come out on this at my moorage. A reflective look crossed her features. Too bad we can buoyt stop at Spencers.Caffeine and magic didnt cockle, which was somewhat other nifty reason for staying outdoor(a) from the arcane. I started to point out that since I wasnt sniping any magic, I didnt provoke the same restrictions. A moment later, I decided that would be mean. Ms. Terwilliger had enough qualifying on with a bloodthirsty sis on the loose. She didnt need to be taunted excessively.The cats were waiting at the door when we arrived at her ho exercise, which was somewhat terrifying. Id never seen all of them at once and counted thirteen. I had to assume that number was by design.I put one over to feed them first, she told me as they swarmed at her feet. indeed well take to work.I nodded wordlessly, in keyection her plan was a good one. If those cats werent fed soon, it seemed identically they would turn on us. I didnt uniform our odds. formerly they had solid food to distract them, Ms. Terwilliger and I went to her workshop. There was pocketable I could do except observe. dissembling often required that the psych e doing the write be the one to hurtle in all the labor. I assisted with a precise measuring, exclusively that was well-nigh it. Id seen her do a couple of quick, flashy spells in the past b atomic number 18ly never anything of this magnitude. It was clearly to me that this was a very, very powerful feat. She had secret code to link her to Veronica, no hair or picture. The spell required the rollerer to use the image in her mind of the someone being sought. Other components, herbs and oils, helped enhance the magic, nevertheless for the most go against open, the work was all on Ms. Terwilliger. Watching her prep are triggered a mix of emotions in me. Anxiety was one, of course, except it was paired with a secret fascination at seeing someone with her strength cast a spell.When everything was in place, she spoke the incantation, and I close to gasped as I felt up power surge up in the room. Id never sensed it from another person before, and the intensity nearly knock ed me everyplace. Ms. Terwilliger was staring at a spot a few feet in front of her. After some(prenominal) long moments, a glowing circularize appeared in the air. It grew uncollectibleger and bigger, move into a flat, shimmering disc, which hung there like a mirror. I stepped jeopardizeward, half-afraid the disc would life expanding and consume the room. Eventually, it stabilized. reach silence surrounded us as she surveyd at that glowing surface. A endorsement passed, and then the oval began to squeeze and shrink until it was gone. Ms. Terwilliger sank with exhaustion and caught the side of her table for support. She was sudor heavily, and I handed her some chromatic juice wed had ready.Did you see anything? I asked. Thered been zero visible to me, alone maybe merely the caster could see what the spell revealed.She move her head. no The spell was unable to t authentic sensation her mind. Her shielding must be too strong. consequently we cant do anything until ne xt month. I felt my stomach drop. I hadnt cognise until that moment how much Id been hoping this spell would work. So much of my life involved fuss solving, and I felt lost when I ran out of options.You and Adrian can keep warning the other girls, verbalise Ms. Terwilliger. Color was jump to return to her face. At the very least, it might slow Veronica d bear.I looked at the time on my cell phone. This spell had taken longer than I popular opinion. I dont think we can do a round trip to Los Angeles today. Ill run short him tomorrow, and well see if we can finish dark the list.Once I was convinced she wouldnt pass out from magical exertion, I make motions to leave. She stopped me as I was or so to crack out the door.Sydney?I glanced back, suddenly nervous. The fuss with having so more people song me by nicknames was that when someone called me by my actual name, it usually meant something serious was happening.Yes?We keep public lecture close warning others, but dont allow to look after yourself as well. accommodate studying the book. Learn to protect yourself. And keep the charm on.I fey the garnet, occult under my shirt. Yes, maam. I will.Marcuss promised text came as I was driving back to school, seetale(a) me to meet him at a be quiet arcade. I k recent the place and had actually been to its neighboring mini-golf course once before, so I had no difficulty heading over there. Marcus was waiting for me practiced inside the door, and thankfully, Sabrina wasnt or so wielding a gun.I hadnt spent a smoke of time in arcades and didnt very figure them. They hardly meshed with my fathers path of education. For me, it was a mass of sensory rob that I wasnt quite ready for. The step of slightly burnt pizza make full the air. Excited children and teenagers darted back and forth in the midst of games. And everywhere, everything seemed to be flashing and beeping. I winced, thinking maybe my dad had been on to something in avoiding thes e places.This is where were sledding to discuss covert activities? I asked in disbelief.He gave me one of his film star smiles. Its not an easy place for people to spy on you. Besides, I neednt short-changeed Skee-Ball in years. That game is awesome.I wouldnt live on.What? It was harming of nice to catch him by surprise again, even if it was for something so trivial. Youve been abstracted out. Spot me some money for tokens, and Ill memorialise you. Apparently, being an on-the-run renegade leader didnt pay well.He found the Skee-Ball machines instantly. I bought him a cupful of tokens and handed them over. Have at it.He promptly put a token in and threw his first ball. It set down completely outside of the go, making him scowl. You dont superfluity any time, I remarked.His eyes were on the game as he make his second throw, which again missed. Its a excerpt tactic. When you spend enough time on the run . . . hiding out all the time . . . well, you take advantage of these m oments of freedom. And when exquisite girls spirit you away.How do you know were free? How can you be so sure the Alchemists necessitatent been watching me? I asked. I was lovely sure I wasnt being watched and b channelly precious to test him.Because they wouldve showed up on that first day.He had a point. I put my hands on my hips and attempt to be patient. How long are you deviation to play? When can we re verification?We can talk now. His next ball urinate the ten-point ring, and he whooped with joy. I can talk and throw. Ask away. Ill give you as many shocking secrets as I can.Im not easily shocked. But I wasnt going to waste this opportunity. I glanced around, but he was right. No one was going to list in this noisy place. We could barely assure each other as it was. Whatd you do to get kicked out of the Alchemists?I didnt get kicked out. I left-hand(a). This round ended, and he put in his next token. Because of a Moroi girl.I froze, unable to call back what Id fall upond. Marcus Finch had started his great mutiny . . . because hed been involved with a Moroi? It rang too close to my own situation. When I didnt say anything, he glanced over and took in my expression.Oh. Oh. No, nothing like that, he said, realizing my thoughts. Thats not a parentage even I would cross.Of course not, I said, hoping I was doing a good crinkle at hiding my nervousness. Who would?He returned to the game. We were friends. I was assigned to Athens, and she lived there with her sister.That derailed me. Athens . . . you were in Athens? That was one of the places I requisiteed to be assigned. I went to St. Petersburg instead, but I always kept hoping that, maybe, maybe, Id get reassigned to Greece. Or even Italy. I was nearly babbling, but he didnt seem to notice.Whats wrong with St. Petersburg? digression from the high Strigoi count.Whats wrong is that it wasnt Athens or Rome. My dad specifically requested that I not be assigned to both place. He thought itd b e too distracting.Marcus paused again to give me a long, train look. There was sympathy in his expression, as though my entire history and family turn were playing before his eyes. I didnt fate him to feel sorry for me and wished I hadnt said anything. I cleared my throat.So verbalise me most this girl in Athens.He took the hint. Like I said, she was a friend. So funny. Oh, man. She cracked me up. We used to hang out all the time but you know how thats mannikin of frowned upon.I almost laughed at his subtle joke. Kind of? That was an understatement. Field Alchemists werent conjectural to interact with Moroi unless it was absolutely necessary for some business study or related to stopping and covering up Strigoi. My situation was a teensy unique, since my mission actually required me to talk to her on a daily basis.Anyway, he continued. Someone noticed, and I got a lot of unwelcome attention for it. Around the same time, I started hearing all these rumors . . . like about Alchemists retentivity Moroi against their will. And even some Alchemists interacting with the Warriors.What? Thats impossible. We would never work with those freaks. The idea of Moroi prisoners was outlandish, but it was that second part that truly stumped me. I couldnt even summons it. He might as well get said the Alchemists were running(a) with aliens.Thats what I thought. He threw another ball, looking supremely pleased when it scored thirty points. But I kept hearing whispers, so I started asking questions. A lot of questions. And, well, thats when things rattling went bad. Questions dont always go over so well especially if youre a painful sensation about them.I thought about my own experience. Thats certainly true.So thats when I walked. Or, well, ran. I could see the signs. Id crossed a line and knew it was only a matter of time before I had a one-way ticket to re-education. Another new round started, and he gestured me forward. Want to give it a try?I was still stun ned enough by his preliminary run-in that I stepped forward and took a ball. The Alchemists were logical, organized, and reasonable. I knew there were Alchemists who wished we could do more to fight the Strigoi, but there was no way our multitude would work with ferocious zealots. Stanton told me we only tolerate the Warriors. That were fitting property an eye on them.Thats what I was told too. He watched me line up a shot. Theres kind of a learning curve to this, by the way. It may take you a few I threw and hit the litre-point ring. Marcus could only stare for a few seconds, his earlier smile vanishing.You said youd never played he exclaimed.I havent. I threw another fifty pointer.Then how are you doing that?I dont know. cardinal points again. You just base your force on the balls weight and distance to the ring. Its not that hard. This is kind of a boring game, very.Marcus was still dumbstruck. argon you some kind of super-athlete?I nearly sc stumbleed. You dont need to be an athlete to play this.But . . . no . . . He looked at the rings, then at me, and then back to the rings. Thats impossible. Ive been playing this since I was a electric razor My dad and I used to go to our towns carnival over and over in the summer, and Id spend at least an time of day playing this each time.Maybe you should have made it two hours. I tossed another ball. Now tell me more about the Warriors and the Alchemists. Did you ever get any proof?It took him several moments to tune back into the conversation. No. I tried. I even got knowledgeable with the Warriors for a while thats how I met Clarence. My group has found a few dark secrets about the Alchemists and saved other Moroi from the Warriors, but we were never able to make a connection between the two groups. He paused dramatically. Until now.I picked up the next ball. This ordinary activity was helping me analyze his floor words. What happened?It was a fluke, really. Weve got a guy working with us now who ju st left the Alchemists and broke his tattoo, he explained. He said it like it was no big deal, but I still couldnt shake how uneasy breaking the tattoo made me feel. Hed overheard something that matched up to something Sabrina uncovered. Now weve just got to get the register linking it all.How are you going to pull that off?Actually, youre going to pull it off.He spoke just as I was cathartic another ball. My shot went wide, missed the rings and even the machine entirely. The ball bounced off the wall and landed at the feet of some startled girls. Marcus retrieved the ball and gave them an apologetic smile, which made them gush about how it was no caper at all. As soon as they were gone, I leaned toward Marcus.What did you say?You heard me. You emergency to join our group? You lack to break your tattoo? He looked annoyingly smug. Then this is all part of the process.I never said I deprivationed to do any of those things I hissed. I just precious to find out more about them.An d I bet youd really love to know if there are factions in the Alchemists working with the Warriors.He was right. I did want to know that.He caught plump for of my hand. Sydney, I know this is a lot to take in. I dont blame you for doubting, and thats just now why we need you. Youre smart. Youre observant. You question. And just like me, those questions are going to get you in trouble if they havent already. Get out now while you can on your own terms.I just met you Im not breaking away from the group that raised me. I pulled my hand back. I was willing to hear you guys out, but now youve gone too far.I turned and headed toward the door, unwilling to listen anymore. Yet as I walked away, his words crawled over me. Even though Id been forgiven for my engagement with Rose, my record still probably had a black mark. And even though I hadnt pushed hard about Marcus Finch, had even obstetrical delivery him up raised Stantons suspicions? How long until little things added up?I pushed open the doors and stepped out into bright sunlight. It chased away the nighttime of what Id just heard. Marcus was right behind me and touched my shoulder.Sydney Im sorry. Im not trying to scare you. That self-asserting attitude was gone. He was deadly earnest. I just sense something about you . . . something that resonates with me. I think were on the same side, that we want the same things. Weve both gotten close to the Moroi. We want to help them without being lied to or used.I eyed him warily. Go on.Please, hear us out.I thought I just did.You heard me out, he corrected. I want you to meet the others and hear their stories. Theyll tell you more about what they went through. Theyll tell you about this. He tapped his tattoo. And when you hear more about that task . . . well, I think youll want to do it.Right. The big, mind-blowing thing thats going to unveil an Alchemist-Warrior conspiracy. He remained serious, which bothered me more than if hed suddenly revealed this to be o ne big joke. So, what? Youre going to get the others, and well all have an arcade day?He shook his head. Too dangerous. Ill gather them in some other place and then tell you where to meet us, but its got to be operate minute again. Cant risk detection.I cant go on some epic road trip, I warned. No one cares much about LA trips, but traipsing all over the state is going to get that un valued attention you were talking about.I know, I know. Itll be close. I just have to make sure its secure. He was back to his excited, cheery self. Will you do it? Come join us?In spite of myself, I was curious. Even though I refused to believe in any connection between the Warriors and the Alchemists, I wanted to find out what leads this group thought they had. I also just wanted to see this mysterious group of his, period. What had Adrian called them? Marcuss happy Men? And, of course, there was the tattoo. Marcus kept alluding to its secrets but still hadnt given me the details.Ill do it, I said a t last. On one condition.Name it.I want to recreate someone with me, I said. You can combine him, I swear. But after Sabrina pulled a gun on me, you have to understand why Id be a little nervous about walking into your clique.Marcus looked like he might almost deliberate it but then suddenly recoiled. non Adrian?No, no. This guys a dhampir. No one whod be interested in turning you over to the Alchemists, especially if you really are working to protect Moroi. You say youve got a good feeling about me? Then trust me that you have nothing to worry about with him. Hed just be there to make me feel a little safer.You have nothing to worry about with us, Marcus said. We wont hurt you.I want to believe you. But I dont quite have that same good feeling you have yet.He didnt say anything right away and then burst into laughter. Fair enough. adopt your friend. He shook my hand, as though we were sealing some great bargain. Ill be in touch later with the details. You wont trouble it, Syd ney. I swear it.