Web Services in Android application Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Web Services in Android application - Essay Example However there is a belief that the utilization of RESTful services, with records in JSON format is the best choice for applications in mobile, whether the customer’s device technology is Android, Mobile Web or even Blackberry (Oehlman, Blanc 2013). This paper will try and look at the main differences that exists between REST and SOAP for usage in mobile apps, do an analysis of typical assumptions regarding them and try and offer an approach which is aimed particularly for the exceptional challenges involved in creating mobile apps, specifically for numerous platforms. It is important to define SOAP and REST.SOAP simply means Simple Object Access Protocol whereas REST is defined as Representational State Transfer. SOAP-is a protocol specification which exchanges structured information through XML in implementing Web Services in various computer networks. SOAP is a popular technology that has effectively been used within a framework of SOA for some period of time. Many businesses have instituted service tiers outside and inside their IT infrastructure to provide services to various applications, both outside and inside the firewall. The design of SOAP was done so as to leverage on many various kinds of data transport stratum, which include; asynchronous queues such as MQSeries, synchronous HTTP/HTTPS, and still over the email. This capacity assists SOAP to be a sole solution for several heterogeneous interconnectivity challenges. However, the design of SOAP was put in place even before mobile applications and mobile technology exploded (Constantine , 2011). There are some problems associated with SOAP and they are as follows. Foremost there is an issue with change control; this simply means that trying to change services that make use of SOAP frequently means a complex code change on the side of customer. When this customer is for instance a web app server, this change isn’t essentially problematic; however when the

Pest Analysis Essay Example for Free

Pest Analysis Essay 3.  (a) Training program Companies who work hard to meet the needs of their employees can cultivate a work atmosphere conducive to productivity. Being able to plan for the needs of employees by thinking ahead can help to improve the rate of skilled employees who chose to remain working for a company. Improving the employee retention rate can reduce the money companies spend on finding and training new employees. It is important to consider employees may want or need and what the company can reasonably supply. Providing specialized on-site training, even if provided by senior members of the company, and offering one-on-one assessment and coaching sessions, can help employees reach peak performance rates. After being hired on, a strong training and mentoring program can help a new member of the staff get up to speed on company policies and any current or ongoing projects they will be working on. To help employees perform at their best, a company can follow up with continual training programs, coaching, and regular assessment. Investing in the development of its employees can allow a company to turn out more consistent products. Incentive system An incentive program represents a substantial investment to most organizations. Engaging all employees to participate in the program will help them receive a sufficient return on their investment. Based on the concept of quality performance, incentive programs will increase an employees perception of themselves in achieving their program goals. In order to properly motivate, programs must be designed to offer a variety of products and services to employees based on their interests and needs. The programs need to have carefully determined their rewards methodology in order to maintain an employees motivation. In addition, successful campaigns require clearly defined rules, aligned rewards, efficient communication strategies and measurable success metrics. By combining each of these elements into the program, companies are better able to engage program participants and enhance the overall program effectiveness. In order to create an effective incentive program, an organization must keep the overall objective in mind when considering program design and implementation. Objectives should be clearly defined based on the companys goals and need to be specific so employees understand their expectations. Objectives can vary depending on the needs of each organization and they should be challenging, yet achievable. If objectives are viewed as unattainable, the program will not be successful. Once the program goals have been defined, all aspects of the program should be measured against this goal in order to ensure the programs success. 3.(b) communication network Communication is the exchange of useful information between and among people and organizations to support decisions and coordinate activities. Within an organization, information should be communicated to management and other employees who need it in a form and within a time frame that helps them to carry out their responsibilities. Communication also takes place with outside parties such as customers, suppliers and regulators. Management should ensure that there are open lines of communication for both staff and management to use. Open communication fosters reporting of both positive and negative results to the appropriate level of management without the fear of reprisal. Management should ensure that it takes the proper actions to address these results. For example, management may decide to: establish new goals and objectives to take advantage of newly identified opportunities; counsel and retrain staff to correct procedural errors; or adjust control act ivities to minimize a change in risk. Hierarchy of objective Objectives are the organizations desired outcomes. They are a product of the planning process and are necessary for coordinating efforts within an organization. Without clearly defined objectives, employees could be working in conflicting directions. Objectives can be organizational or operational. Management derives organizational objectives from the mission and often develops them during the strategic planning process. They are long-range, broad statements, which define the desired outcomes of the organization as a whole. Good organizational objectives can serve as starting points for more specific and detailed objectives within the subunits (i.e., divisions, departments, bureaus and assessable units) of the organization. They also serve as standards for evaluating overall organizational performance. Management derives operational objectives from the broad organizational objectives. Operational objectives are shorter-range, more specific and define the desired outcomes of each of the organizations subunits. They should be structured in a hierarchy so that each subunits accomplishment of its operational objectives helps the next higher level achieve its operational objectives, all of which helps management meet its organizational objectives. All objectives should be in writing. Management should provide employees with written organizational and operational objectives along with the mission statement. Management should ensure that employees understand the objectives and how their work helps to achieve them. Finally, just as changes in the environment can affect the adequacy and relevancy of the mission statement, these same factors also affect an organizations objectives. For an organization to function effectively and grow, it should periodically reassess its organizational and operational objectives. Company’s name: De vest Fashion Berhad Industry: Fashion Industry 3.1 Political Factors To improve consumers spending in the clothing industry, the Malaysian government has implemented the Mega Carnival Sale which is to be held 3 times a year. Its main purpose is to promote Malaysia as a value for money shopping destination. This aggressive approach calls on to the tourist to shop at the local malls, which in turn would increase foreign tourist spending and thus increase the countrys foreign exchange earnings. Furthermore, this approach would encourage the Malaysians to shop locally, which would benefit Elba Holdings Bhd in terms of their sales. Malaysia is a member of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), which aims to reduce trade barriers between the member countries Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar. This has created an opportunity for the domestic companies, like Elba Holdings Bhd to venture into the overseas market, such as Vietnam, where by the retail market there is lucrative for foreign investors. However, with AFTA, foreign investors would be interested in the Malaysian market, and with new foreign entrants, competition becomes fierce for Elba Holdings Bhd. In addition to this, the Malaysian government attempted to stabilize the retail industry after its slump in the 97 crisis by reducing inflationary pressures in the form of tariffs reductions, so that foreign investors would invest in the domestic market. The result of this would transform the retail industry into a competitive market, making it difficult for Elba Holdings Bhd to be a dominant player in the clothing sector as well as a market leader. Under the Eighth Malaysian Plan covering 2001-2005, the retail industry is expected to play a more pressures prominent role in the growth of the economy, due to a sustained economic growth and expansion of the tourism industry. A fair trade policy and law will be formulated to prevent collusion, cartel price fixing, market allocation and the abuse of market power. New distribution modes will be developed such as franchises, direct sales, factory outlets, and e-commerce, to provide the consumers with a variety of choice. 3.2 Economic Factors Malaysias economic growth is to be maintained at 4.5% in 2003 and expand further to 5.5% or 6.0% in 2004, taking into account the external demand conditions and the economic impact of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in the first half of 2003. The economic growth is expected to be due to the domestic market with growth in the private sector. The private sector makes up the bulk of the Malaysian economy, with private consumption accounting for nearly 44% of GDP. Despite the recovery in the household consumption over the last few years, inflation has remained unchanged. The overall inflation rate is expected to be at 1.5% in 2003 mainly due to mild deflationary from major global economies. Looking at the earlier years, total retail sales in Malaysia amounted to RM46.9 billion in 2001, with a 3.7% increase over2000. Having experienced healthy growth per annum from 1990, the Asian crisis caused total retail sales to plummet by21.2% in 1998. Reduced consumption and increased savings were some of the major causes of the significant decline. Apart from challenging economic conditions, 2001 also had unexceptional events that threatened to have a major impact on retail businesses. The recovery of the retail industry in Malaysia has been gradual, having yet to return to a pre-crisis level. The first quarter of 2001 had a slowdown of the retail industry as a result of the economic crisis in the United States. The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States had further dampen the potential of economic recovery in the country. Nevertheless, the industry managed to have an overall growth rate of 3.7% in 2001. Retail industry growth rate was above GDP growth rate for the entire year. The fall in consumer confidence resulted in reduced consumption and increased savings. The government subsequently launched a national campaign on wise spending, with the aim to educate consumers on the importance of domestic demand on the GDP growth and economic recovery as a whole. The Love Malaysia, Buy Malaysia campaign was also launched to get Malaysians to buy local products and take local holidays. This effort proved successful. The implications of these economic events had affected the growth of Elba Holdings Bhd, due to a fall in the tourism industry as well as the reduction in consumers spending. The company was adversely affected in terms of its financial position, and it was impossible to have a complete recovery due to unfavourable economic events reoccurring, for instance SARS. 3.3.Social Factors Malaysian is classified as an upper middle-income country, and considered as one of the most developed of developing countries. Middle income households defined as those earning between RM1, 500 and RM3, 500 per month, and has increased from 32.3% of total household population in 1995 to 37% in 1999. The low-income group, categorized by household income of up to RM1, 500 per month, spend a proportion of this amount on food. Meanwhile, the high and middle income households spend most of their money at hypermarkets. A small percentage of about 3.4% of their income is spent on clothing and foot wear. There has been a decrease in consumers spending since 2000, because consumers have begun to realise the values of money especially since the 97crisis took place. It is now slowly picking up in 2003.Malaysias consumers lifestyle has been changing to rising affluence and education levels. High profile retailers as well we global mass media have shaped consumers buying behaviour, resulting in the Malaysians being more westernised. The Malaysians life leisure life revolves around trendy shopping malls, such as one utama, mega mall, and klcc. Thus Elba Holdings Bhd has to me more update and kept abreast with the latest trends. They have to advertise and keep the consumers informed and reminded that they still exist and produce clothing with style and quality. 3.4 Technological Factor With the Internet and e-commerce, retailers can now sell their products on line and deliver it to customers on their door-step. It can make customers life a lot easier as they need to have to go to the city to make a purchase. Furthermore, retailers can also sell their products to the overseas market without the need to physically enter the foreign country. Microsoft (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd and Tradenex.com Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers(FMM), signed a memorandum of understanding to develop and operate a supply-chain hub for the retail sector, known as the Malaysian Retail Exchange. The Malaysian Retail Exchange is part of FMMs broad e-commerce initiative to assist manufacturers transact electronically with their trading partners as a community. The Exchange will provide the infrastructure and technology to connect manufacturers, distributors and retailers to adopt electronic trading in order to improve speed of communication, reduce transaction costs, better synchronization of supply with consumer demand and significantly improve inventory management. FMMs initiative is in line with the governments call to Malaysian businesses to be empowered with the tools of emerging technologies to improve operational efficiency and hence, competitiveness in amore open economy. The result of this would bring closer ties to the entire retailer in the retail industry, however in the case of Elba Holdings Bhd, the company stills practice the orthodox methods of getting to the consumers, and this has caused them to be laid back with other competitors such as Padini Holdings Bhd.

Eurasian Hedgehog :: essays research papers

CONTEXT AND CONTENT. Order Insectivora, family Erinacediae, genus Erinaceus, phylum Chordata, subphylum Vertebrata, class Mammalia, subclass Theria, intraclass Eutheria. DIAGNOSIS. Erinaceus europaeus can be distinguished from other hedgehogs by spines and its size. The spines average about 1 inch in length (Grolier 1972). The quills are set in transverse bands, which vary in color. It has approximately 5000 spines (Feldhamer et al. 1999). Erinaceus europaeus is about 7 to 10 inches (17.5-25.4 cm). GENERAL CHARACTERS. E. europaeus males are 10  ¨Ãƒ ¹ inches long. The female averages  ¨Ãƒ º inches smaller. They average 10-12 inches including the tail. The length of the tail is 1 inch. The tail consists of 12 vertebrae (Beddard 1902). Also, the tail is thin, cylindrical, and naked or scantily haired. The weight of both males and females can get up to 2  ¨Ãƒ ¸ lbs. (Burton and Burton 1969) or 400-1100 grams (Grzimek 1968). HRL is 13.5-30 cm and TL is 1-5 cm (Grzimek 1968). The height of the shoulders is 5-6 inches.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The quills covering the back and the top of the head are  ¨Ãƒ º-1 inch in length. Each spine is set at an angle to the skin. They are set in transverse bands, which vary in color from base to tip depending on the various zones of the body. Some of the spines have a yellowish-gray color. The spines do not have grooves. The rest of the body is covered with coarse hair. This area is light brown (Grolier 1972).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  All of the four feet have five clawed toes. There are 5 pads on the sole. E. europaeus walk on the sole of their feet.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are 14 or 15 ribs in E. europaeus the also do not have a caecum. DISTRIBUTION. Erinaceus europaeus occurs throughout Europe and Northern Asia. In Asia, it goes as far north as the limits of the deciduous forests. They live in burrows, which are often dug in a bank or stump. FORM AND FUNCTION. On the back and top of the head, E. europaeus has sharp spines. On the bottom of the body, legs, and tail is a coarse fur coat.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  They have rounded bodies and are squat. The muzzle is sharp and comes to a point. The eyes are roundish and broader than they are long. The ears are small and round, which barely project beyond the hair and spines. Both the eyes and the ears are well developed. The sight seems to be poor, but smell and hearing are acute.

“Same-Sex Marriage Should Not Be Legalized”

PONTICIFICA UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA MDRE Y MAESTRA. RECINTO SANTO TOMAS DE AQUINO. Academic Writing ILE-322 Student Name: Leslie Herrera. ID Number: 2009-5699 Teacher: Emilia Gracia Final Draft: Essay 3. â€Å"Same-Sex Marriage Should Not Be Legalized†. July 18th 2012. Same-Sex Marriage Should Not Be Legalized. As we know, same-sex marriage has been discussed and argued for a long time. Within the controversial topic of gay rights, there’s no area more controversial than same-sex marriage. And all of us ask ourselves if same-sex marriage should be legal or not. But the fact is that we have to start thinking about it as a moral and religious topic.The government shouldn’t legalize the same-sex marriage because the legal definition of marriage is the civil union between a man and a woman, marriage is a religious rite, and also those couples will be able to adopt children if they are given the right to marry. Same-sex marriage is also known as gay marriage. Same-sex ma rriage is between two people of the same gender. The Netherlands became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage in 2001; in the United States of America, the first state to legalize same-sex marriage was Massachusetts, on May 17, 2004. According to ProCon. rg (2011), as of May 10, 2012, same-sex marriage has been legalized in eight states such as: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Lowa, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Washington, Maryland, and the District of Columbia which will be effective on January 1, 2013. This has become an even more controversial topic since these current legalizations of same-sex marriage. One argument against same-sex marriage is that the legal definition of marriage is the civil union between a man and a woman. â€Å"The institution of marriage has traditionally been defined as between a man and a woman† (ProCon. rg, 2011, Con Gay Marriage,  ¶1). Further, if any government gives the right to marry same-sex couples this traditional institution of marriage will weaken. â€Å"Marriage runs contrary to two of the primary goals of the lesbian and gay movement: the affirmation of gay identity and culture and the validation of many forms of relationships† (ProCon. org, 2011, Con Gay Marriage,  ¶8). Therefore, same-sex marriage is totally the opposite of the traditional institution of marriage; those are two things that cannot have the same rights, and actually God made us to be heterosexual no homosexual.In addition, marriage is a religious rite. â€Å"Gay marriage is not compatible with the beliefs, sacred texts, and traditions of many religious groups† (ProCon. org, 2011, Con Gay Marriage,  ¶4). In fact, we know that most of the religions are opposing same-sex marriage, because they are always guided by the Bible and God’s commandments and his teachings. â€Å"Marriage was established by the Creator with its own nature, essential properties and purpose. No ideology can erase from the human spirit the certainty that marriage exists solely between a man and a woman† (ProCon. org, 2011, Con Gay Marriage,  ¶12).If same-sex is legalized, churches and other religious institutions would be forced to change their rules in order to marry same-sex marriage couples. Furthermore, one of the biggest problems for society and probably the most important for new generations is that same-sex marriage would be that those couples will be able to adopt children if they are given the right to marry. â€Å"The institution of marriage as a union of man and woman, uniquely involving the procreation and rearing of children within a family, is as old as the book of Genesis† (ProCon. org, 2011, Con Gay Marriage,  ¶1).Children need both a mother and a father, because they learn a lot from each of them. â€Å"Girls who are raised apart from their fathers are reportedly at higher risk for early sexual activity and teenage pregnancy. Children without a mother are deprived of the emotional s ecurity and unique advice that mothers provide† (ProCon. org, 2011, Con Gay Marriage,  ¶6). Besides, same-sex marriage will intensify to the assimilation of homosexuals into a heterosexual culture. And probably that one of the facts that can affects the society the most, because if that happened our moral and religious values would be lost.The supporters and people who are for the same-sex marriage argue that they should have the right to civil marriage because of same marriage benefits, such as: health insurance and public acceptance which heterosexual couples have. Nevertheless, that argument of the supporters is irrelevant, because each person can have his or her own health insurance that provides their workplace, so they don’t need a family or spouse health insurance to have the same benefits as traditional marriage. On other hand, if the government were to legalize same-sex marriage the public acceptance is not guaranteed.Because people are that decided in what t hey are going to believe, maybe some people will accept this and a larger group of people disagrees. Therefore, the government don’t have to legalized the same-sex marriage in order to people accept homosexual family or marriage or to receive health insurance. Hence, no government should legalize same-sex marriage for all the facts that this action may involve, for example, those couples will be able to adopt children and also because of moral and religious values.Accordingly about what we have read, the legalization of same-sex marriage is an unmoral and unreligious action. I think that promoting homosexuality with government-backed same-sex marriage it would hurt our children, the generations that are growing, the country, and also the entire world. If a homosexual man or woman wants to get married, the only thing they need to do is choose not to be homosexual and marry someone of the opposite sex. Reference Pro. Con. org. (2011, January 9). Should gay marriage be legal?. G ay Marriage. Retrieved from http://www. gaymariage. procon. org

Potbelly Sandwich Shop Essay

1.Identify and describe Potbelly’s strategy in terms of product (present or new) and market (present or new). Potbelly’s strategy in terms of product is to offer all sandwiches at one price regardless of what comes on the sandwich. All of the meat is sliced fresh in the store, milkshakes are handmade, and cookies are freshly baked on site. The company hires nice people because they sell an experience, not just a sandwich. Potbelly is focused on selling good food, having a nice environment, and a friendly experience. The store does not necessarily have a marketing budget. The generate promotions based off of store openings or around local charities/programs. At one location they gave away a free sandwich to each person who gave a cash donation for a local organization. 2. How would you describe Potbelly’s positioning strategy? Potbelly has many different stores that range in many different sizes. Some stores are very small and based in airports, other stores are very large. Many stores have an outdoor patio area during warmer months. Potbelly selects mostly urban locations where there are not a lot of sandwich chains. The stores are homey and even provide real books for customers to read or borrow. The main market for Potbelly is young professionals under the age of 35. 3. What types of environmental opportunities and threats to you see in Potbelly’s external environment? How might they impact Potbelly’s current strategy? I personally feel that Potbelly has a great thing going for them. Compared to other sandwich chains they are not the same in any way. Locally, the main stores that come to my head are Subway, Jimmy Johns, and Hungry Hobo. These stores are all based on very fast service. You are more than welcome to sit down and eat, but nothing really keeps you there besides the food. Potbelly offers an experience with each meal. Some locations have live music that you can enjoy or books that you can sit and read. You are offered more than just a table to eat at when you are at Potbelly’s; you are offered a complete experience.

30 things to do before you turn 30

30 things to do before you turn 30 We all like to set goals for ourselves, and we often set a timeline to accomplish them based on certain milestones- the end of a year, an anniversary, or a certain age are popular choices. Many folks like to use the beginning of a new decade in life as a â€Å"chronological yardstick† to gauge what they’ve accomplished in life and what they still need to do. Are you about to turn 30? If so, then congratulations- for many people, this is an important time in life. It’s an age at which your adolescent and young adult years are firmly behind you and you begin embarking on the middle portion of your life’s journey through adulthood and towards middle age. You may be wondering what sort of goals in life you should have achieved by the time you reach this milestone. The following are some ideas for things to try to do before reaching 30. How many of these have you already done?Finance Milestones1. Start a checking/savings account: If you haven’t already, it’s about time you established a bank account that will allow you to pay bills, save money for a rainy day, and not keep your life savings in a shoebox or under your mattress.2. Establish a money-saving routine: Living paycheck to paycheck may have worked when you were younger, but life tends to get more complicated- and expensive- as you get older. Building a regular money-saving routine will help you face unexpected life expenses when they come up.3. Start a retirement account: The older you get, the closer you get to the end of your career journey- and retirement. It may seem like it’s a long was off, but trust us, the years tend to go by faster the older you get, and it’s never too soon to start planning for retirement- either independently or through your employer if feasible.4. Build good credit: The things we tend to covet and need later in life- from a home mortgage to a car or bank loan and more- often require having good credit. Work on building a sol id credit history now, so you won’t have to scramble later.5. Invest in the stock market: Consider taking advantage of investment opportunities in the stock market to strengthen your financial position as you transition into adulthood.6. Buy property: Have you always thought of buying and owning property? Now may be a good time to see what’s available and what makes sense for your financial position.7. Pay off your credit card debt: For many folks, becoming a fully-fledged adult means becoming more financially responsible- which includes getting rid of credit card debt.Fitness Milestones8. Get a gym membership: Taking care of your health becomes increasingly more important as you get older, and turning 30 is a good time to establish a regular exercise routine. Joining a gym can be a great place to start.9. Run a 5K: Consider challenging yourself by signing up for a 5K run in your area; often, these races help raise money for good causes, so it’s a real win-win.1 0. Climb a mountain: What better way to challenge yourself than facing an actual mountain and conquering it? Go for it!11. Exercise every day: Do yourself a huge favor and commit to doing some type of regular exercise every day- and stick to it. It’s okay to start small and build from there.12. Get out of your comfort zone: There’s nothing quite like envisioning a new challenge or obstacle- and then overcoming it! Think of something you’ve always wanted to try, or have been afraid to try, and then do it.Career Milestones13. Be a boss: As we get older and climb our career ladders, it’s natural to want to take on more responsibility and be in charge of supervising others. Becoming a boss is a great way to test our professional skill set.14. Start your own business: It’s not uncommon to want to take the knowledge and skills you’ve acquired in your professional experience thus far and use it to blaze your own trail. Many successful business vent ures have been started by people before they reached 30, and you can join this list.15. Consider a career change: By the time we reach 30 we’ve often had a few years of experience in our chosen industry. It might be worth taking some time to consider other possible options, which may either reassert your original choice or put you in a bold new career direction.16. Help someone just starting in your industry: It’s always a nice idea to â€Å"pay it forward†- chances are someone helped you learn the ropes when you were starting out, and it’s nice to do the same thing for someone else who’s new to your company or industry.Personal Milestones17. Get a master’s degree: Consider pursuing an advanced degree to open up a world of new career opportunities.18. Enter into a committed relationship: Many folks feel that finding a partner and building a life with them is a core part of adulthood and can really fill your life with happiness and meaning.19 . Learn a new language: Learning a new language can be a wonderful challenge and a valuable new skill to acquire.20. Spend more time with family: The older we get, the more we realize that life is short and that spending time with loved ones is a valuable gift- and one that we should take greater advantage of whenever possible.21. Volunteer: Consider investing your time and energy in a cause that really means something to you. It will be time well spent.22. Travel abroad: Do you have a desire to travel and yearn to see a new part of the world? If so, there’s no better time than now to embark on a new journey.23. Practice forgiveness: Life can be complex and difficult, and none of us handles every situation we encounter perfectly. Try practicing the art of forgiveness- including yourself and others. Carrying fewer grudges can really lift a huge weight off of your shoulders.24. Move to a new city: Do you sometimes feel as if you’ve lived in one place for too long? If so, you may want to make a big change and relocate to experience a change of scenery and pace.25. Start a new hobby: A great way to make a positive change in your life is to build your skills and knowledge when taking on a new hobby. Think of something that has caught your interest recently and dive in!26. Read more: You’ve probably learned by now that knowledge is power, and the more you know about a wide variety of subjects, the better off you’ll be in whatever circumstance you find yourself in. Making more time to read- whatever subject interests you- will enrich your life in countless ways.27. Face a fear: We all know what this entails- staring directly at something that has always intimidated us or has sent us running and facing it head on. There’s simply no better way to know what you’re capable of in life than to face down something that scares you.28. Learn to cook: This is a great way to expand your horizons, learn something new, and save some money (goodbye takeout). Try learning all about a cuisine that you’ve always loved and then have fun exploring with flavors.29. Trace your family tree: Enrich your life by learning more about where you came from- you may be surprised by what you discover!30. Talk to strangers: This may sound strange at first glance, but give it a shot- it may just remind you that the world is full of interesting people and you may make some new friends.There you have it: 30 ideas for things you may want to try before you reach 30 years old, which should keep you busy until you’re ready for 40 ideas for things to try before you reach 40!

Dolphin Fish (Mahi-Mahi) Facts

Dolphin Fish (Mahi-Mahi) Facts The dolphin fish is not a dolphin. Unlike dolphins, which are mammals, dolphin fish are a type of ray-finned fish. The dolphin fish most likely got its confusing common name because it was previously classified in the genus Dolfyn. It also has a melon-shaped head, much like that of a true dolphin. In the modern classification system, the fish belongs to the genus Coryphaena. If a restaurant menu includes dolphin, its referring to the dolphin fish, not the mammal. Some restaurants use the alternative names mahi-mahi and pompano to prevent confusion. Fast Facts: Dolphin Fish Scientific Name: Coryphaena hippurus (common dolphin fish); Coryphaena equiselis (pompano dolphin fish)Other Names: Dolphinfish, dolphin, mahi-mahi, dorado, pompanoDistinguishing Features: Brilliantly colored fish with single dorsal fin spanning the length of the body; males have protruding foreheadsAverage Size: 1 meter in length and up to 40 kilograms (88 lb) weightDiet: CarnivorousLife Span: Up to 5 years, but usually less than 2 yearsHabitat: Temperate, subtropical, and tropical oceans worldwideConservation Status: Least ConcernKingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ChordataClass: ActinopterygiiOrder: PerciformesFamily: CoryphaenidaeFun Fact: The dolphin fish is a very fast swimmer, reaching speeds of nearly 60 mph. Description There are two species of dolphin fish. The common dolphin fish (also known as mahi-mahi or dorado) is C. hippurus. The other species of dolphin fish is C. equiselis, which is also known as the pompano dolphin fish. Both species in the genus Coryphaena have a compressed head and single dorsal fin running the full length of the body. Both the anal and caudal fins are sharply concave. A mature male (bull) has a prominent protruding forehead, while a female has a rounded head. Mature females are smaller than males. Their long, slender bodies are well-suited to fast swimming. Mahi-mahi swim up to 50 knots (92.6 kph or 57.5 mph). Pompano dolphin fish are sometimes mistaken for juvenile common dolphin fish or mahi-mahi because they are small, reaching a maximum length of 127 centimeters (50 in). Pompano dolphin fish are bright blue-green with silver-gold sides. The fish fade in color to dull gray-green when they die. A typical mahi-mahi reaches a length of one meter and a weight of 7 to 13 kg (15 to 29 lb), but fish over 18 kg (40 lb) have been caught. These fish are brilliantly colored in shades of blue, green, and gold. Pectoral fins are iridescent blue, the back is green and blue, while flanks are silvery-gold. Some individuals sport red spots. Out of water, the fish appears golden (giving rise to the name dorado). Upon death, color fades to yellowish-gray. Distribution Both species of dolphin fish are migratory. The common dolphin fish prefers coastal and open water from sea level to a depth of 85 meters in temperate, subtropical, and tropical oceans worldwide. The pompano dolphin fish range overlaps that of the common dolphin fish, but it usually lives in the open ocean and occurs as deep as 119 meters. The fish form schools and tend to congregate in seaweed and under floating objects, including buoys and boats. Diet and Predators Dolphin fish are carnivores that prey upon zooplankton, squid, crustaceans, and smaller fish. The fish is prey to other large oceanic predators, including billfish and sharks. Both species are important for commercial and sports fishing. The fish are generally considered safe to eat, but they are moderately contaminated with mercury and can serve as a vector for ciguatera poisoning. Reproduction and Life Cycle Dolphin fish grow and mature very quickly. Fish reach maturity between 4 and 5 months of age and start spawning when they reach a length of about 20 centimeters. Spawning occurs throughout the year when water currents are warm. Females spawn two to three times each year, producing 80,000 to a million eggs each time. Pompano dolphin fish have a life span of up to 3 to 4 years, but most live less than 2 years. Mahi-mahi live up to 5 years, but rarely exceed 4 years. Conservation Status Both the common dolphin fish and pompano dolphin fish are categorized as least concern on the IUCN Red List. Its population is stable. However, the fish face threats from declining habitat quality. The species has high commercial value and is extensively harvested. Many countries have imposed bag limits and size limits to support sustainable fishing. Sources Collette, B., Acero, A., Amorim, A.F., Boustany, A., Canales Ramirez, C., Cardenas, G., Carpenter, K.E., de Oliveira Leite Jr., N., Di Natale, A., Fox, W., Fredou, F.L., Graves, J., Viera Hazin, F.H., Juan Jorda, M., Minte Vera, C., Miyabe, N., Montano Cruz, R., Nelson, R., Oxenford, H., Schaefer, K., Serra, R., Sun, C., Teixeira Lessa, R.P., Pires Ferreira Travassos, P.E., Uozumi, Y. Yanez, E.  2011.  Coryphaena hippurus.  The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species  2011: e.T154712A4614989.  Gibbs, R.H., Jr. and Collette, B.B. 1959. On the identification, distribution, and biology of the dolphins,  Coryphaena hippurus  and  C. equiselis.  Bulletin of Marine Science  9(2): 117-152.Potoschi, A., O. Reà ±ones and L. Cannizzaro. 1999. Sexual development, maturity and reproduction of dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) in the western and central Mediterranean.: Sci. Mar. 63(3-4):367-372.Sakamoto, R. and Kojima, S. 1999. Review of dolphinfish biological and fishing data i n Japanese waters.  Science Marine  63(3-4): 375-385. Schwenke, K.L. and Buckel, J.A. 2008. Age, growth, and reproduction of dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) caught off the coast of North Carolina.  Fish. Bull.  106: 82-92.

128 Words You Can Use Instead of Very

128 Words You Can Use Instead of Very Developing your professional reputation has a lot to do with the way you communicate with the people around you. The way you communicate can make or break your reputation. Sometimes the smallest things you say can have a drastic impact on how you are perceived. For instance, take the word â€Å"very†. We’ve all used â€Å"very† to describe things. Very big, very small, very good, very powerful, etc. But these are great examples of your language being overly simplistic. Even if you have an advanced degree in English literature, if you use the word â€Å"very† to describe something, then people may perceive you as someone who lacks an advanced understanding of the English language. That being said, we’ve found an infographic detailing 128 words you can use instead of â€Å"very†.   These words should be used in  it’s place  when you are in formal situations  such as the workplace.Source: [ProofReadingServices]

Hillingdon Electricals Ltd (a case study) Coursework

Hillingdon Electricals Ltd (a case study) - Coursework Example This has eventually helped the company in building an appreciative reputation for itself in the market. However, in the recent years, the company has failed to deliver its services as per expectations, which resulted in its declining market share further affecting its competitive advantage. Contextually, the top level management of the company has decided that each of its stores situated all over the UK market needs to have a particular sales target for its various categories of goods. The scenarios highlighted and discussed below therefore deals with certain situations that the company is dealing with, post its approach of enhancing its performance. Scenario A (Tony and Ursula) In this scenario, it has been noted that due to a manual error, price of certain products of the company were advertised in websites and newspaper at a much lesser price in comparison to the present market price for the same. Subsequently, a customer named Tony bought the same product from the company website in a usual procedure as per the advertised price. However, in the following day, the customer received a mail from the company stating that the website was in total error which depicted a false price of the product and hence, the product can only be sold at its original market price. However, the company offered certain discount as an effort to maintain goodwill with the customer. In this regard, Tony denied to pay the present market price and demanded the product at the committed price in website advertisement. Correspondingly in another case, Ursula went on to buy a product from a retail shop of the company in accordance to the price advertised in the newspaper. However, similar to the condition of Tony, the store manager her that the actual price of the product was more than the price disclosed in the advertisement in the newspaper. Ursula too refused to pay the extra amount and demanded the product in the advertised price. It is apparent from the above scenario that human error is mainly responsible for the false advertisement of the company, which can be assumed to be unintended on the grounds of good faith. Despite of such considerations, the case can be considered as breach of the UK tort law. A tort is a crime that involves the use of unfair means in conducting activities that harms or results in loss of others. The harm or injury, as per law is not limited to physical injuries; rather, it covers emotional and reputational injurious as well (Findlaw, 2012). Correspondingly, the approach of the company, despite of the fact that it was owing to human error can be considered as a tort against the customers and competitors. It can therefore be classified as a clear case of negligence of the company in its advertising, which is illegal under and punishable under the tort law (Lawskool, n.d.). Conceptually, the tort law in the UK is applicable for several activities, which primarily includes activities related to negligence and duty of care. In simple terms , negligence can be regarded as carelessness of people in their work, which results in unfavourable impacts on others. According to the tort law, individuals or a body of individuals (companies or organisations or associations) should not depict negligence attitude

My Nursing Philosophy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

My Nursing Philosophy - Essay Example The nature and aspect of taking care of other people in the field of health is an incredible phenomenon to most nurses. Personally, I consider it a calling to assist and aid people who are in need of medical assistance and care in this field. The care of individuals from all walks of life and the different circumstances that every one of them faces is what drives me to be better at what I do. In advocating and promoting for a safe environment in which individuals of all ages, sex, and backgrounds can acquire treatment and rehabilitation, I can say that this field offers me satisfaction, which makes me believe I am changing the world. This is even if it is in the smallest way possible. Nursing, in my opinion, is the use of clinical judgment to protect, advocate, and promote for an environment that allows people to heal and live their lives to the fullest. Health is one of the elements in nursing that aids nurses in trying to comprehend the manner in which patients are to be treated wh ile in their care. The use of every available power in the nurse’s repertoire is required in this case to allow the natural order of things to take control when caring for a sick person. It is the nurse’s duty to ensure that the patient is as comfortable as they need to be while providing them with the necessary help. This is in terms of clinical assistance that may allow them to go back to their natural state of health. Nightingale (1859/1992) claimed that the art of nursing is to â€Å"unmake what God had made disease.† This statement indicates that the primary goal of nursing should be the patient’s health, which should take precedence over everything else (Parker & Smith, 2010). Environment The environment in which most patients are exposed to may determine the existing health conditions. Poor and deteriorating environments can lead to poor health and a higher level of diseases. The doctors and physicians present in the healthcare environment need to be particularly careful when handling the sickly. Doctors may be the most crucial factor in the healing of sick people in the hospital. It is the belief of countless individuals that the doctor’s clinical and professional decision in the healthcare environment is final. Failure to abide by these decisions may lead to dire consequences. It is, therefore; crucial for most of the physicians in the field to be in a position to handle most of the cases that are reported in health facilities. Maintaining an aura of professionalism on the physician’s part can work toward preserving a patient’s dignity. This is what the medical environment should be all about, and nurses assist in making this a reality. Nursing It may be different from practicing medicine because nursing is all about care of the patient/client. Placing an individual in need of care, in the best conditions, is the principle element behind nursing. Promoting health through some of the activities in the nu rsing field is what brings out the caring aspect of nurses, which differentiates them from physicians and doctors. Creating the conditions that best suit the patient can be done by anyone, but nurses know what best to do in certain, if not all situations. The proper use of different elements in the health environment should help restore clients to their natural state. Elements such as; fresh air, cleanliness, quiet, and administration of proper diet are vital to the patient’s healing. Person The biological, spiritual, psychological, and social aspects of persons/clients/patients make them multidimensional. This makes every individual unique to their present situation, and how they might relate to their medical conditions. Dealing with all individuals, regardless of their age, is difficult. Take for instance a case where an individual may be dying from an incurable disease and has already given up and may not want treatment to help them cope with their situation. Such a case i s particularly difficult for nurses

How national culture relates to marketing strategy Essay

How national culture relates to marketing strategy - Essay Example From this research it is clear that numerous authors have studied various market theories and models with respect to national cultural effects. Their works looked at the specifics of marketing tasks to culture (micromarketing view) and the marketing concept to culture (macro marketing view). However, there are no significant works on the view between the micromarketing and the macromarketing in which the realm of marketing strategy falls. One reason for this is that it is typically a more difficult area to study. Each type of business dictates a different marketing strategy. It is easier to study very specific items, such as culture to product development, or culture to product choice. Or study very broad topics, such as national culture to market orientation. However, the study of marketing strategy is between the micro and macro marketing views making it difficult to develop theories that are testable. Overall marketing strategy is too broad to practically study, yet not homogeneou s enough to relate to as a whole. Therefore, to study this area requires the creation of artificial boundaries.Since it is such a difficult area to study authors have not published any significant research that may lead to a better understanding of why businesses have failed in their international efforts. Moreover, there is still debate among the academic community concerning the relevance of national culture in regards to customization versus standardization of products and marketing efforts.

Hospitality Operations of Alltalia Airlines Research Paper

Hospitality Operations of Alltalia Airlines - Research Paper Example The management is in disarray since it cannot possibly determine the source of the problem. The company that had a capital base of more than three million dollars and over two hundred employees has now shrunk to about five jumbo jets and other smaller jets with monthly revenue of six million dollars down from the previous eleven million monthly incomes. The current revenue cannot comfortably sustain the operations of the industry a fact that has resulted in the company retrenching some of its employees. The hospitality industry has a number of challenges and requires an extremely vigilant and dynamic management to process and effect policies that counter the challenges. Some of these challenges include understanding the market. Stakeholder analysis According to Slattery (2008), no business exists in a vacuum. Before setting up a business, one must have an effective understanding of the market and the entire community. Operations in the hospitality industry have a number of smaller co mmunities that must integrate for the business to succeed. The management requires a fundamental understanding of all these communities and effective operational policies that incorporates all of them. These communities are the global community, the industry community, business community and the local community. The global community determines the scope of the business, by understanding the global community in the hospitality industry, the Alitalia airlines will determine the global destinations that have a sizable customer base and the new global destinations to introduce to make the business relevant to the market (Painter, 2012). By understanding the industry community, Alitalia airline stays conscious of its competitions. In analyzing the competition, the manager determines the weaknesses of the current existing companies and majors on their weaknesses to introduce unique products that complement the weaknesses thus grabbing the market from the previous owners. The industry also reveals the stratification of the current market. Through this, the management formulates products that target every segment of the market thus maximizing sales through an increased presence. Understanding the business community is one of the most important determiners of the success of the market. This includes having an effective human resource management. Operations in the hospitality industry rely on the human resource, the employees of the companies require effective management to ensure that there is an efficient flow of information and optimum service delivery to the customers resulting in satisfaction. The management must determine cost-effective ways of hiring the human resource and keeping them highly motivated. Alitalia is currently retrenching its employees a clear indication of the human resource management flaws (Lane, 2005).

Marine Finance and Insurance - Coursework 3 Essay

Marine Finance and Insurance - Coursework 3 - Essay Example In this particular case, no tax rate is given. 7Capital investment appraisal or capital budgeting is primarily concerned with incremental cash flows therefore depreciation should be added back to arrive at the projected cash flow from operations, because there is no actual cash outflow for depreciation (Brigham, et al, 1999). 3The discounted cash flows are the resulting cash flows after applying the cost of capital which is 14% or , projected cash flow during the year/ (1.14)t, where t represents the time or nth year, 1 is constant, and .14 or 14% is Tower’s cost of capital. To illustrate: Discounted Cash Flow for the first year is computed as: 2,890,000.00/ (1.14)1. For the second year, it is, 6,370,000.00/ (1.14)2, and so on until the sixth year. We will use the discounted cash flows in calculating the discounted payback period and the profitability index or PI (Gapenski, et al, 1999). Regular Payback Method. This method of appraising investment tells the number of operating years needed to recover the initial investment or cash outlay. It is the number of years required until the accumulated cash inflows will equal to the amount of the initial investment. The exact payback period is computed using the formula: Payback = Year before full recovery + (Unrecovered Cost at the start of Year/Cash Flow during the Year). If the capital is recovered within the shortest possible time, then this is good for the company (Brigham et al 1999). If the payback period is less than the companys required payback period for the investment, the proposal is accepted, otherwise it is rejected. However, this method does not consider significant cash flows or profit after the payback period. Therefore, this could not be a sound basis for deciding on the profitability of the investment (Bucklery 1996). For Towers, it will take 3 years before full recovery of proposed investment, total accumulated inflows

Hospitality Operations of Alltalia Airlines Research Paper

Hospitality Operations of Alltalia Airlines - Research Paper Example The management is in disarray since it cannot possibly determine the source of the problem. The company that had a capital base of more than three million dollars and over two hundred employees has now shrunk to about five jumbo jets and other smaller jets with monthly revenue of six million dollars down from the previous eleven million monthly incomes. The current revenue cannot comfortably sustain the operations of the industry a fact that has resulted in the company retrenching some of its employees. The hospitality industry has a number of challenges and requires an extremely vigilant and dynamic management to process and effect policies that counter the challenges. Some of these challenges include understanding the market. Stakeholder analysis According to Slattery (2008), no business exists in a vacuum. Before setting up a business, one must have an effective understanding of the market and the entire community. Operations in the hospitality industry have a number of smaller co mmunities that must integrate for the business to succeed. The management requires a fundamental understanding of all these communities and effective operational policies that incorporates all of them. These communities are the global community, the industry community, business community and the local community. The global community determines the scope of the business, by understanding the global community in the hospitality industry, the Alitalia airlines will determine the global destinations that have a sizable customer base and the new global destinations to introduce to make the business relevant to the market (Painter, 2012). By understanding the industry community, Alitalia airline stays conscious of its competitions. In analyzing the competition, the manager determines the weaknesses of the current existing companies and majors on their weaknesses to introduce unique products that complement the weaknesses thus grabbing the market from the previous owners. The industry also reveals the stratification of the current market. Through this, the management formulates products that target every segment of the market thus maximizing sales through an increased presence. Understanding the business community is one of the most important determiners of the success of the market. This includes having an effective human resource management. Operations in the hospitality industry rely on the human resource, the employees of the companies require effective management to ensure that there is an efficient flow of information and optimum service delivery to the customers resulting in satisfaction. The management must determine cost-effective ways of hiring the human resource and keeping them highly motivated. Alitalia is currently retrenching its employees a clear indication of the human resource management flaws (Lane, 2005).

Spaghetti Western and the role of music in the revival of the western Essay

Spaghetti Western and the role of music in the revival of the western genre - Essay Example During this time, there was a division with Western genres, specifically with many who were interested in the genre because it was a part of their roots and upbringing. Others didn’t like the music as a main part of listening because of the other available alternatives that were available. This caused the genre of Western music to become specialized and to create divisions within society, specifically based on identity and what was considered as acceptable for listening. The identity was then based on those who lived in urban areas, lived with specific ideologies and which connected to different trends. This marginalization led to the country music filtering only to those who were interested in the lifestyle and which were interested in concepts such as the barn dance and country living (Tichi 1994: p. 9). The concept of country music is one which is reflective of the overall ideology of the Western genre and what it stood for before the Spaghetti Westerns. The identity which was used with the music as well as the understanding of what it meant to be a part of the Wild West and the western culture were all depictive of those living in the wild or on farms and working through the difficulties that were a part of this. It was from these characteristics that the Spaghetti Western began to gain its values and to understand the overall culture which became the Western genre used both in movies and in other forms of expression in the mainstream culture. History of Spaghetti Westerns The concept of country Western music didn’t move into a popular genre until there was revitalization in the late 1960s and 1970s. This was based on other aspects of the genre, specifically which were... This "Spaghetti Western and the role of music in the revival of the western genre" outlines the historical aspects of western music and the concept of the Spaghetti Western. The concept of country Western music didn’t move into a popular genre until there was revitalization in the late 1960s and 1970s. This was based on other aspects of the genre. The 1960s and 1970s flourished with this concept specifically with the genre of westerns in film and the use of different ideologies which were based on the Western. The context which was used included those who had built American history, settled the West and which continued to live in difficulty to make history and to create a future for those interested in the culture. The idolization of the West not only led into a reminiscence of history but also was based on other cultures looking at the Western to show the attitudes and myths that were a part of settling the West. The European reflection of this was seen in the Spaghetti Weste rn, named after the Italian directors that were interested in creating the genre of film (Frayling: 2006: p. 13). The main ideology that was created with the Spaghetti Western was to understand and explore the culture which had framed America and which continued to shape the identities of the Americans. Synchronization and dubbing for country – specific concepts were used in this. The synchronization was inclusive of changing the setting to a Western region, including the identity of cowboys and changing the voices to the Western style of speaking.

The Creation Story of Ancient Babylon Essay Example for Free

The Creation Story of Ancient Babylon Essay The Enuma Elish is one of the most famous stories in the Babylonian corpus of mythology. It is a creation story that is erroneously through to have led to the creation story in Genesis. Some, such as Bracher (2006) hold that this story is no more than the recitation of much older stories personifying the agricultural movement between birth (Spring) and death (later fall, after the harvest). The two major figures are Tiamat and Apsu, both gods of water, but two distinct properties of water: the one, the water used to fertilize fields, water that is fresh and good, but the other, salty and chaotic, the goddess of the Ocean, that is Tiamat. Timat, the female, with her husband Apsu gives birth to two gods of intermediate rank: that of the sky, and their names are Anshar and Kishar. These gods begin, like so many gods do, by behaving badly, and they ultimately need to be destroyed. Eah, the grandson of Tiamat, once this plan to have them destroyed is realized, he seeks to murder his grandfather Apsu. Once this is done, Eah and Damkina, his wife, give birth to the chief of the Babylonian pantheon, Marduk, the patron of the city and of Babylonian civilization. So far, it is quite a stretch to see how this has anything to do with the story of creation found in Genesis. Marduk is similar to the Greek god Apollo, for he the god of the sun, of geometry and order, all things necessary to build a city. He is the god of â€Å"re-creation† or re-creating an allegedly bad earth through the ingenuity of man, urban, civilized man. Once the murder of Apsu is discovered, Tiamat marries again and seeks to wreak havoc on the children and grandchildren. In the first tablet (section 90), Marduk is described in this way: He rendered him perfect and endowed him with a double godhead. Greatly exalted was he above them, exceeding throughout. Perfect were his members beyond comprehension, Unsuited for understanding, difficult to perceive. Four were his eyes, four were his ears; When he moved his lips, fire blazed forth. Tiamat, as said before, is chaos. She is the sea, not only dangerous, but useless in that one cannot drink it and one cannot grow crops by watering them with it. She, however, is a perennial element in the universe, the chaos of which all urban, civilized societies fear. The second tablet says: â€Å"Her decrees are firm, they are beyond resisting. † In other words, all civilizations fail. Man and technics can only go so far in taming her. He is the primal nature seeking revenge against the forces of man who have slashed into her with civilization: with technology (that Babylon had in abundance,) building of stone and cutting down trees of fuel and building materials. It seems here that Marduk is this god of civilization, that needs to â€Å"cut into† Tiamat in order to build their civilization. That the Babylonians had learned to harness water might have something to do with this fear of chaos. At the end of section 20 of Tablet II, this description of Tiamat’s army is given: She has set up the Viper, the Dragon, and the Sphinx, The Great-Lion, the Mad-Dog, and the Scorpion-Man, Mighty lion-demons, the Dragon-Fly, the Centaur Bearing weapons that spare not, fearless in battle Many of these objects and creatures became part of later mythological constructions. The Sphinx is the most fascinating, but its adoption by Egypt makes little sense, not only in that the two civilizations were bitter enemies, but that if the Sphinx is part of the arsenal of disorder, in that it works for Tiamat, how was it adopted as a major figure by Egypt? The Great Lion was used in Israel and Ethiopia, the Dragon is well known throughout ancient mythology of both eastern and western background (a dragon is just an old name for the dinosaur). It seems that this anti-pantheon is very important to mythology and might speak of either the land based forces of chaos and their affect on man (i. e. the scorpion man). In the meantime, Eah has learned of Tiamat’s plan, but it is clear that resisting her is futile. As both Eah and Anu both fail to stop this vengeful symbol of chaos and the passions, there is great fear from the progeny of the first couple, through it must be said that this second tablet is damaged, and only so much can be taken from it. The only one that has the ability to stand up to the forces of chaos now is Marduk himself, and ths is the purpose of tablet III. Significantly, section 130 of Tablet III has Marduk confronting chaos with rhetoric of civilization: Unalterable shall be what I may bring into being; Neither recalled nor changed shall be the command of my lips! Now hasten here and promptly fix for him your decrees, That he may go forth to face your mighty foe! When Lahmu and Lahamu heard this, they cried out aloud, All the Igigi wailed in distress: How strange that they should have made this decision! We cannot fathom the doings of Tiamat! They made ready to leave on their journey, All the great gods who decree the fates Several issues bear discussion at this point. First, Marduk, the god of order and civilization, says that his life will be forever. â€Å"Unalterable shall be what I bring into being. † But what he brings into being is identical to Apollo. Civilization and order, man’s fight against an alleged â€Å"mal-formed† universe, the very heart of Gnosticism and the secret societies who claim ( to this day) to have preserved the wisdom of Apollo, Marduk and Osiris. A council of the gods is called in the beginning of Tablet IV. This council suggests a sort of divine oligarchy of power that will be imitated in Babylon, an oligarchy of wealth, as all civilizations are. The wisdom of Marduk, it seems, is only for the powerful. The gods need to test his abilities, and a test is the destruction and re-creation of matter, things that science, with some reservations, says is impossible. The creation and re-creation of prime matter (really any matter) is the real holy grail for science, since it would permit the scientific elite to create (or re-create) the world nearly from zero, it is the grail of true revolution (cf Hoffman, 2001, for a detailed discussion of this). He passes this particular test and makes a cloak disappear and re-appear, a trick that has substantial ritual overtones. What is interesting here is that Marduk is no dictator, he is commissioned, as some say, to fight Tiamat by the council or pantheon of gods, all springing from the original union of Tiamat and Apsu. His weapons are the four winds of destruction, which seems to suggest that the forces of order can use, but not necessarily control, the forces of disorder for their own purposes (e. g. the water wheel, or the use of wind to harness power). It is this wind, and the chariot of destruction that Marduk rides, that eventually with destroy Tiamat: she is â€Å"inflated† by the use of the winds of destruction, and she is then killed by an arrow. With the carcass of Tiamat, Marduk will fashion the earth, with its laws, joining form with matter, as well as â€Å"setting the bounds† of the waters in an ordered universe. I’m still waiting to see exactly how this has anything to do with the Genesis story that many authors claim show â€Å"unmistakable† connections (see Heidel, 1966). At the very end of Tablet IV, at section 150 (which is apparently cut off) it is written: He crossed the heavens and surveyed the regions. He squared Apsus quarter, the abode of Nudimmud, As the lord measured the dimensions of Apsu. The Great Abode, its likeness, he fixed as Esharra, The Great Abode, Esharra, which he made as the firmament. Anu, Enlil, and Ea he made occupy their places. This is of immense importance, since out of chaos, civilization is born, everything, both man and matter, â€Å"has its place† and function with the rationally organized whole. But in order to do this, Marduk and his allies needed the â€Å"tablets† of knowledge that the goddess of Chaos had. But Tablet IV says that â€Å"these are not rightly his† (first line, section 130). Hence, the manipulation and destruction of the pristine nature (rather than chaos) is not the right of civilization. Marduk has created civilization and ordered the universe with form and number, law and regularity that civilization will take as its hallmark. But Marduk has no right to do this. His is the right of conquest. Tablet V is the most interesting of all the sections of this story. It is really the description of the infusion of order and number into chaos. It is the creation of the universe by the infusing of wisdom, that is, form, into chaos, that is, matter. The seasons of the agricultural year are ordered in the cycle of birth and death that already plants the seeds (so to speak) of all civilization’s eventual destruction. He creates the planets and their movements, and lastly, given the law giving of the natural world, he creates the human city, the lowest of the orders of nature, law of the city is the law of form in matter. It is the later natural law theory of human relations. This section of the tablet sums it up: Below I have hardened the ground for a building site, I will build a house, it will be my luxurious abode. I will found therein its temple, I will appoint its inner rooms, I will establish my sovereignty. When you come up from the Apsu for assembly, You will spend the night in it, it is there to receive all of you. When you descend from heaven for assembly, You will spend the night in it, it is there to receive all of you. I will call its name Babylon which means the houses of the great gods, I shall build it with the skill of craftsmen (section 130) This is likely the most important section of the story, in that it describes, not an Adam and Eve in a non-civilized paradise ordered by God, but civilization, the domination of men over nature under the decrees of Marduk. Nothing more different could be imagined. It is worth noting that only after Cain had killed his brother is the first city formed. The city is the place of sin, the place where the elite oppress the poor in the name of law and order. In the Babylonian story, it is the opposite, the very structure of Marduk’s wisdom is manifest in the city, that is a city only in that it is established by the sovereignty of Marduk. Tablet VI is the story of human creation, again without the slightest relation to the Hebrew story. Man, in short, is created by the blood of the second husband of Tiamat, the leader and instigator of the revenge on Tiamat’s progeny, and that is Kingu. Man is created with the blood of the first rebel, the consort of the goddess of chaos. Man is created, basically, to work as slaves for the gods, to manifest their wisdom and order at the lowest, material level. Several issues should be taken from the above: first, that man is a creation of two forces, light and darkness, chaos and order, wisdom and passion. These are opposite in the sense of bearing dialectical movement to higher and higher levels of synthesis. Second, that this is the pagan wisdom so beloved of the Masons and other societies, it is the beginnings of magic. Magic, given the above, is the ability to balance the order of the universe with its underlying drive to destruction and atomization. Force is at the root of this synthesis: force brought order and chaos together, form and matter. Force destroyed Tiamat, force created the world. Hence, all is force, all is manipulation. Magic takes its start from here. Man will not rest content begin the plaything of the Gods. He is made from the blood of rebellion, yet the order of the universe is to be found in him. This IS the very foundation of magic: making of one’s own order, not the god’s order. The creation and re-creation of matter in the council where Marduk proves his mettle is a symbolic and ritual form that shows the coming rebellion of men: to seek the power of the gods for themselves, for them to become gods themselves. This later myth is brought to fruition in Prometheus and Lucifer. Marduk and his creation of man is the fulness of man’s development, through it is far from clear that this development is a good thing. Civilization partakes of both forms of existence, chaos and order: it uses order in its general affairs, seeks the domination of Tiamat through technology, but also uses chaos, things such as subterfuge, massacre in war and other devices to maintain this order. Order is self defeating in that it must, like Marduk himself, use disorder in the maintenance of order. These two principles of the universe are at the root of all paganism: the moral equivalence of light and dark, order and disorder. There is no sin, only inappropriateness, something that any good magician would know. The nature of pagan religion here is manifest in the last Tablet: Who produces riches and treasures, establishes abundance; Who has turned all our wants to plenty; Whose favoring breeze we felt in sore distress. Let them speak, let them exalt, let them sing his praises! (Section 30) Marduk is not a god of mercy or of goodness, but he is the later Baal, the god who one approaches to ask for things. Through civilization, Marduk gives prosperity and treasure, but at a price. Civilization demands sacrifice, sacrifice through war, accident, disease and overcrowding. It seems that only the elite will share in Marduk’s wisdom. It is the continued multiplication of want and desire. It is the never ending cycle of spring and winter, want and satisfaction, good and bad, life and death, war and peace. References: Enuma Elish. (2006) Translated and Introduced by Dennis Bratcher. CRI Institute Press. Hoffman, Michael. (2001) Secret Societies and Psychological Warfare. Independent Press. (Excellent resource for explaining how the ancient pagan creation myths are used by modern civilization as a form of control). Heidel, Alexander. (1963). The Babylonian Genesis. University of Chicago Press.

Anna Pavlova Ballerina Biography

Anna Pavlova Ballerina Biography Anna Pavlova, a famous Russian ballet dancer best known for changing the ideals for ballet dancers, was the first to make ballet popular in America and the rest of the world. Her love for classical ballet, determination to perform her love for the arts, influences and zest can still be evidently felt. Born on 31 January 1881, in St. Petersburg, Russia, Anna Pavlova was awestruck by the first ballet performance she watched and was intent on becoming a ballerina. Petite Pavlova entered the Imperial Ballet School in 1891 despite not having the preferred body type of a ballerina which was a strong, muscular and compact body. However, she gave the examiners enough confidence that she would work hard and excel. In the later years, Pavlova became one of the most astounding ballerinas. Young Pavlova was a talented and hardworking student. Training years were difficult due to her special physique. She was considered physically weak as she was small and thin coupled with highly arched feet unlike the preferred body of a ballerina at that time. Pavlova was fed with cod-liver oil which tasted awful to her in the hope of getting the ideal body. Even so she remained slender. In order to improve faster, Pavlova tried imitating other ballet dancers. However her teacher, Pavel Gerdt taught her to  understand her unique dancing of daintiness and fragility and the importance to dance out those rare qualities. Her zeal for ballet was remarkable; she worked hard to strengthen her weakness and also with what she had instead of trying to be someone else. Her willingness to overcome these obstacles at such a young age is commendable. Soon, Pavlova grew in gracefulness and could stand in a way that her body formed a beautiful line where she was able to bend and twist her torso wi th ease and grace. Instead of mastering multiple fouettes turns and other technical steps that the muscular Italian style had induced at that time, Pavlova danced poetically and expressively. She stood out.. Finally upon graduation, Pavlovas hard work paid off she graduated as a first class dancer. After Pavlovas school years, she continued training hard to improve her technique and even took extra lessons with different teachers such as Christian Johansson, Madame Sokolova and Nikolai Legat. Pavlova graduated at a time where virtuoso Italian ballerinas and a muscular ballet stylewas popular. Although Pavlova had mastered difficult steps and ballet technique, her highly arched feet were still too weak for the flamboyant pointe work. She experimented with ways to wear her pointe shoes with the hope of maximizing her potential. Through experiments, she discovered that by adding a piece of hard leather to the soles, the shoes provided better support. Many people thought this as cheating because ideally, ballerinas should be able to hold their own weight on their toes. However, her idea enabled her to perform better and allowed her to balance in her arabesque with poised and elegance inflicting less pain and  hence easier to sustain on pointe. In doing so, Pavlova created what is known as our pointe shoes today. Being able to go on pointe with ease and having a beautiful extension, flexible torso and tremendous feminine expressive dancing, Pavlova set a higher aesthetic of beauty in ballet where ballet dancers were able to perform with poise and elegance like a princess. With the recreation of the pointe shoes, there was a demand for brilliant and fancy footwork like jumps, multiple turns and balances and that of ballerinas performing on pointe. Pavlovas extremely strong stage presence caught a lot of attention and impressed several people such as leading ballerina, Kchessinskaya and ballet master Marius Petipa, who later became her most revered mentor. Pavlova started off performing at the Maryinsky Theatre playing minor roles. Although she was only able to perform short solos, she was not disheartened. Learning under Petipa, Pavlova improved tremendously earning the title role in Paquita, Princess Aspicia in The Pharaohs Daughter, Queen Nisia in Le Roi Candaule, and Giselle. She was named coryphà ©e in 1902, premià ¨re danseuse in 1905, and finally prima ballerina in 1906 after a resounding performance in Giselle. Petipa would edit various ballet variations to suit Pavlova and her unique style of dancing. With the collaboration between Pavlova and Petipa, they made ballet very popular and was highly demanded in places after Pavlova had performed. Pavlova and her ballet were so popular that she had a fans base who called themselves Pavlovatzi. Pavlovas popularity and fame rose with every performance she undertook, both at home and overseas. However she remained humble and danced genuinely. After earning the valuable title of Prima Ballerina in a mere four years, Pavlova traveled around the world to promote ballet. She felt that she needed to venture around the world to look for her true identity as a dancer coupled with the desire to be the best ballerina ever. It lasted for many years and took her all over the world. Pavlova left the Maryinsky Theatre and joined another company where she performed The Dying Swan which became her trademark. Pavlova performed extensively, even if it meant small stages. She was sincere in all her performances that she always took the audiences breath away. Pavlova and her company traveled extensively introducing classical ballet to the world. Countries such as China, India and Australia were touched by her sincere performance. Her first appearance in America, at the Metropolitan Opera House was an astounding one. Most of the American audiences had never seen classical ballet and critics could not depict what Pavlova had offered to them. They concluded however, that it was beautiful. Pavlova appearance in the various countries not only overwhelmed the people with her elegance and grace in dancing but also introduced a new kind of art form, classical ballet. Subsequently, there was a rise in demand and a higher expectation for ballet performances of both technique and aesthetics. Increasingly more people became interested in learning the art form as they wanted to dance as gracefully and elegantly as Pavlova. Pavlovas performance was always awaited enthusiastically. In 1904 when Russia was in chaos, Pavlova fought for dancers rights such as a  raise in the unjustly low salaries. She was firm in upholding her principles, ;Pavlova was insistent and determined in her values but at the same time respected what others wanted to do. Pavlova had little regard for the wealth she obtained, she was more interested in spreading her love for classical ballet. She would donate generously to charities and to dancers who were paid low. This provided the dancers with a motivation to work hard so that their daily expenses were less of a worry. Shortly after becoming the Prima Ballerina at the Maryinsky Theatre, Pavlova left the company travelled around the world to promote ballet and later setting up a company of her own. Since then she contributed greatly to both the arts and her home town financially and artistically. Although she was on tour during World War I, she gave special charity performances to raise funds to send home and for the needy, making sure that ticket prices were affordable. At the same time, she promoted classical ballet to places where it was foreign to them. Hence more people had the chance to have a glimpse at classical ballet Pavlova used her love for classical ballet as a source of comfort to the audience. In addition, she was very patriotic. She established a home for Russian refugees and sent large amounts of everything she could to help them including from her own private resources, vast entertainments and charitable performances. She believed that through dance she would be able to make and help patrons forget their problems, or the very least forget their problems momentarily during the performance. Her sincerity and utmost respect for the audience during the performances always awed them and this was what made her very special. Pavlova never believed in teaching her students how to imitate her in dancing. Pavlovas student would try to intimate her style of dancing, following her sentimental and melodramatic expression, which she would never hesitate to rebuke the student. She believed that by intimating another, one would only be a dancer without a soul. Everyone is special to her and that no one is replaceable. She too did not believe in teaching a dancer to be a technical dancer, she felt that expressing inner beauty and feelings was more important because that was the way to create sincerity in dancing. Hence Pavlova always taught her students to dance with their heart leading to genuinely performed movements. In 1931 she contracted pleurisy. An operation would have saved her life however she would never be able to perform again. With her love for dance, Pavlova chose to die. In the end, she died before she was able to perform The Dying Swan on stage. Pavlovas love for dance and ever lasting determination to do her best in perfecting what she loves is widely recognized in the world. It was because of her that ballet and the usage of her handicraft, the pointe shoes became popular till this day. Through her undying love and creativity in creating wonderful performances in classical ballet, Pavlova touched the hearts of many people. Pavlova taught people the true meaning of art through her sentimental and melodramatic style of dancing. As a result, ballet moved beyond mastering techniques, to the expression of inner beauty and sincere feelings. Pavlova taught people to be sincere with themselves and only so will they be able to perform sincerely. Similarly, her strong character has taught many people to be  humble and to have self respect for themselves, the art form and the people around them. If not for Pavlovas insistence, classical ballet or any sort of dance would not have been taken seriously or respected till today.

To Kill A Mockingbird - Who Is The Most Guilty :: To Kill a Mockingbird Essays

Who is the most guilty? Review the involvement’s of the characters in the novel and evaluate weather or not they were guilty, and if so how guilty? In the classic novel ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee there is an abundance of characters that could be proclaimed to be the guilty party, but who is truly the guiltiest one of all? The definition of guilt is as follows; the state of having done something wrong or committed an offense; a feeling of self-reproach from believing that one has done something wrong. My job is to examine the characters closely and determine who is the most guilty in the involvement’s of Tom Robinson’s prosecution, conviction and ultimately his death. As I stated, there is an abundance of characters that could be guilty, from Mayella and Bob Ewell, Heck Tate, to the jurors and Atticus Finch. All of these characters play a roll in the story, and a roll in the events that happened to Tom Robinson. The story is an interesting one, but guilty parties are found throughout. The story is set against the background of nineteen thirties Southern life. The Finches are a family that once ran a large, successful plantation. Their ancestors had been aristocratic ladies and gentlemen of the south. Now they are reduced to gentle poverty. Atticus and his family live in a town named Maycomb, he is a career layer. He has a son named Jeremy and a daughter named Jean-Louse. They also have a cook named Calpernia, she is a Negro but they respect her greatly. Racism in Maycomb is evident almost where ever you look, and Negro peoples don’t have a chance to succeed. A family that played a huge roll in the novel are named the Ewells. They live on the out skirts of town by the dump, near the Negro dwellings. The family consists of Bob, whom has a daughter named Mayella and several other siblings. In the context of the book, they are seen as no better than the Negro’s. There is a sheriff named Heck Tate, he is the one and only police officer in the small town, and a judge named Taylor, who in the end hands down Tom’s punishment. To Kill A Mockingbird deals with many primal and basic lessons in human nature. The book expresses many issues that affect people throughout there lives. The novel deals with what you feel inside, and I think that some of the characters, or at least, they should be feeling guilt inside.

Action plan for optimum health and wellness Essay

There are several elements of health and wellness, which include physical, social, environmental, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual. However, the top three elements of health and wellness that need more advocacy in society are physical, emotional, and environmental. Health is a good physical condition, the condition of the body and mind, and the presence of illness (Donatelle, 2011). Physical health is extremely important because exercise, for one, means the ability to have a strong, healthy heart, and good recuperating abilities. Incorporating different kinds of exercise into one’s daily routine will help not only relieve stress but also a variety of other health factors. Emotional health is a serious issue in our society today. Keeping a positive attitude and self- esteem is extremely essential for good health. When one lets certain situations fall to a low, it results in hurt, anger, and even depression, which are key factors of an unhealthy lifestyle. Possessing low emotional health could interfere with motivation to exercise, healthy eating habits, and good communication skills. Environmental health is also priority. Society can do certainly more to improve environmental conditions. This includes not littering, recycling properly, and less air pollution. These key elements ensure a positive clean way to healthy living. Understanding the important roles that nutrition and fitness have as active parts in our lives is a topic that requires additional advocacy. Nutrition and fitness are two key factors that work alongside each other and are critical elements that help maintain optimum health. Concentrations in good nutrition can deliver effective results in preventing the body from acquiring a chronic disease and obesity. Obtaining a chronic disease can have major impacts on a person’s life and requires extreme lifestyle changes. A chronic disease developed from poor nutrition is vital and can lead to many complications, inclu ding death. According to the CDC (2009), nearly one hundred and thirty-three million people live with at least one chronic disease. Consistency with daily exercise and good nutrition will ensure a healthy balance needed for good health and wellness. Without the right nutrition, fitness will not improve the body, and without fitness, nutrition will not have any additional benefits. Fitness is important because it helps fight infections in the body and improves the immune system to help fight infection at a more effective and rapid rate. Fitness is also important because it may give a person a sense of self-confidence. Self-confidence allows a person motivation and pride in who they are. Fitness will help primarily to live a better life in the way he or she thinks, sleeps, and in daily activity performances. It is mandatory to be consistent with eating healthy and staying fit. Great fitness and nutrition are necessities in obtaining optimum health and is achievable by incorporating daily physical activity. Without nutrition and fitness, a person will expose their body to a chronic disease that may eventually cause one’s life. Some of the environmental effects on health that people may be exposed to and be unaware of are in places such as the home and workplace, which can be fatal. Air pollution is one of the most common problems we encounter daily. Mold is another cause of concern with symptoms that range from something as harmless as a cough to a serious condition such as respiratory illness. Lead is one of the most significant and widespread environmental hazards for children. According to the CDC (2013), about 24 million homes in the United States contain deteriorated lead-based paint and elevated levels of lead-contaminated house dust. It is critical to know what environmental health hazards people can be in contact with in order to prevent any damage to our health. Other environmental issues people need awareness on is water contamination and toxic chemicals stored undernea th kitchen cabinets. The drinking water quality has a major influence on public health. Significant attention is required on all chemicals used in the home daily, which can be very harmful to one’s health if people use it inappropriately. It is particularly important to store toxic cleaning supplies appropriately when children are present in the home. In addition, smoking is an environmental health concern that can lead to very serious health problems, which includes the inhalation of secondhand smoke. Awareness of the resources and prevention  tips available is vital for all of these environmental health hazards. Making positive changes to the way the environment is today will ensure a healthier lifestyle. There are different strategies available for preventing chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardio-vascular disease. First, one strategy for preventing cancer is maintaining yearly examinations at the physician’s office. It is also important to follow steps in checking oneself, more so, if cancer is hereditary. Proper nutrition is an import ant factor; however, there are specific items that can be included in daily eating habits, which will help in prevention. These items are green leafy vegetables and tomatoes. One should also avoid excessive sunlight and unnecessary x-rays for prevention of skin cancer. Exercising as often as possible to avoid stress is also a key factor for cancer prevention. Eliminating smoking habits and secondhand smoke are vital for prevention of lung cancer. According to the American Lung Association (2013), cigarette smoking is the number one cause of preventable disease and death worldwide. â€Å"Smoking-related diseases claim over 393,000 American lives each year† (American Lung Association, 2013). Diabetes best practices are staying away from drinking liquids that contain high levels of sugar. Walking, running or any type of physical activity at least twice a week is essential for keeping diabetes controlled. Cardiovascular disease is another chronic disease that is responsible for several heart attacks and deaths. Some helpful tips for prevention of cardiovascular disease are exercises such as walking o r running. The heart is a muscle; therefore, it requires physical activity to be healthy. Avoiding some red meats and incorporating healthy breakfast meals like oatmeal are also very helpful. There are several tips one can follow for prevention of cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Staying proactive and aware of these issues is necessary to live a healthy life. â€Å"On the whole, the immune system does a remarkable job of defending you against disease-causing microorganisms† (How to boost your immune system, 2013). However, there are different factors that play a role that help attack the immune system, causing defenses to weaken. When germs invade the immune system, this causes one to get sick. Certain illnesses, such as diabetes, and AIDS can cause the immune system to not perform at an optimum level and allow sickness to invade the body more quickly. There are several ways to boost one’s immune system to achieve strong fighting  defenses. Good nutrition, proper vitamins and good exercise are some examples to boost the immune system. â€Å"To function well, it requires balance and harmony† (How to boost your immune system, 2013). Adopting healthy-living strategies is necessary to ensure good health, which means a strong immune system with strong defense fighting capabilities. â€Å"There is still much that researchers do not know about the intricacies and interconnectedness of the immune response† (How to boost your immune system, 2013). According to How to Boost Your Immune System (2013), â€Å"for now there are no scientifically proven direct links between lifestyle and enhanced immune function†. REFERENCES Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009) Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. The power to prevent, The Call to Control: At a Glance 2009. Retrieved October 28, 2013, from http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/aag/chronic.htm Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Get the Lead Out: National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2013. Retrieved October 28, 2013, from http://blogs.cdc.gov/yourhealthyourenvironment/2013/10/23/get-the-lead-out-national-lead-poisoning-prevention-week-2013/ Donatelle, R. J. (2011). Health. The Basics, Green Edition. Retrieved from The University ofPhoenix eBook Collection database. How to boost your immune system. (2013). Retrieved October 29, 2013 from http://www.health.harvard.edu/flu resource-center/how-to-boost-your-immune-system.htm Smoking. (2013). Retrieved October 31, 2013 from http://www.lung.org/stop-smoking/about smoking/health-effects/smoking.html

Descartes’ First Argument of God’s Existence in Third Mediation

In this paper, I would like to critically discuss paragraph 24 in Descartes’ third meditation. First of all, I would like to give an explanation of the proposal that Descartes’ criticizes in this paragraph. Secondly, I will evaluate Descartes’ response to this proposal. Finally, I will give considerations that support the â€Å"finite first† and â€Å"infinite first† pictures and analyze which picture I think is more plausible. Firstly, I want to give the background of the proposal that Descartes criticizes in paragraph 24. In Third Meditation, Descartes argues the existence of God for the first time.His argument is known as the cognitive causal principle and goes like this: 1) The cause of an idea must contain formally (or eminently) as much reality as the idea contains objectively. 2) My idea of God contains infinite reality objectively. 3) My idea of God is caused by something that contains infinite (unlimited) reality, eminently or formally. 4) Only God has unlimited reality. 5) Therefore, God exists. In this argument, Descartes means that the reality that exists in the world has formal reality, and the reality that exists in our mind as an idea has objectively reality.In order for an idea to contain objective reality, it has to have a cause that contains as much or more reality formally. For example, we have an idea of a chair objectively, and chair that exists in the world has to contain as much or more formal reality to cause my idea of a chair. In the case of God’s existence, Descartes’ main idea of his argument is that we can understand God exists through our idea of God, because our idea of God contains infinite objective reality that is caused by God who has infinite formal reality.Descartes’ argument is striking and controversial. By looking at this argument on the surface, it is natural to question why we should think the cause of an idea has to have as much reality as the idea being caused, a nd why our idea of God has infinite objective reality. Descartes himself may expect many criticisms to his argument, so here is how Descartes advances his argument through criticizing this proposal in paragraph 24. If this proposal is not addressed and criticized, it will cause a problem for his first argument of the existence of God.This proposal is that, the acquisition of our idea of God simply begins with our cognition of finite things. When we cognize finite things, we negate finite things and remove the limits of finite things, then we can get an idea of the infinite. Our idea of God is merely how we cognize ourselves as finite and limited, thus we come up with an imagination that there is an infinite being who is limitless, and then we have the idea of God. If this proposal is true, Descartes’ first argument of the existence of God will become unsound, because our idea of God is simply our imagination that has no objective reality.Descartes’ response to this pro posal points out we do not come up with this idea of an infinite being by beginning with our recognition of finite things. According to Descartes in paragraph 24, being able to negate finite things requires that we already see ourselves as limited/finite, which in turn that we must already have conceptions of the unlimited and infinite. In other words, in order for us to cognize that we are a limited/finite being, we must first have an idea of the unlimited. Therefore, Descartes believes that our idea of infinite being should come before our perception of us being finite beings.If we do not have this idea of God first, we may never have a cognition that we are limited and may not even be able to negate finite things. I also think what Descartes believes is not that we cannot think of ourselves without being aware of an infinite being at first. In fact, I think Descartes actually does not deny that we get access to our idea of the infinite through being aware of the finite first. Our understanding of ourselves being finite beings can lead us to our idea of an infinite being/God.I think Descartes just wants to clarify that our being able to be aware of the finite and negating it presupposes that we already have a conception of the infinite innately prior to that. Our idea of the infinite is present in us with reality but not merely a negation of the finite that begins with the finite first. Here I think Descartes suggests a substantial claim about the essence of our idea of God. From understanding Descartes’ claims, I would like to give considerations that support both the â€Å"finite first† and â€Å"infinite first† pictures for a further discussion.In the finite picture, I think it seems possible that our idea of good could merely be some extensions of our finite virtues. We do not negate our finiteness to infiniteness for the idea of God, but we extend our virtues to have the idea. For example, we have benevolence and we extend this virt ue, thinking that there may be an infinite being with infinite benevolence, and then we may have an idea of God. If this finite first picture is true, we may not have a real idea of God that represents who he is, and our idea of God is merely our imagination from finite things and thus does not contain infinite reality.I think the ‘finite first picture’ is less convincing to me, so I would like to explain this with my consideration of the ‘infinite first picture’. I think our being able to extend virtues also presupposes that we already have a conception of the infinite, because being able to conceive something greater than us also means we are aware of our finiteness/limits. As Descartes discusses, being able to cognize the finite presupposes that our idea of God is already in us prior to it. For example, we have an idea of God being infinite through realizing us being finite.On the other hand, we also can have an idea of God who has infinite benevolence t hrough realizing we have benevolence. Our being able to extend virtue is another way that presupposes our idea of God is already in us enabling us to do this. Therefore, I think the â€Å"infinite first picture† is more convincing that all of our understandings of our idea of God, which are negating the finite, extending virtues, enlarging abilities (e. g. I can read signs of human behaviors but God could read people’s mind) and etc, depends on our innate idea of God/the infinite which is already in us prior to these.To conclude, I think we can understand the plausibility of Descartes’ first argument of God’s existence (that there is an infinite being/God who has infinite formal reality causes my idea of God that has infinite objective reality) through this proposal he criticizes and his responses in paragraph 24, because it gives a sense why our idea of God contains infinite objective reality. His argument seems more plausible with a convincing claim tha t the idea of God already possesses in us prior to all of our cognitions of God. .