Essay --

There is evidence that people from Asian were the first to cross over to sum America via the land bridge.This hypothesis can be looked at in many different slipway. Since the technology would score not been advanced, Asians would not have been able to easily navigate the vast ocean. This would force most of the population to travel by foot. These people would have left geological markers wherever they went. pottery would be an important clue to what type of people discovered North America. Looking at how advanced the pottery is by looking at shape, texture, and effectiveness would determine how advanced a civilization was. Comparing pottery from around the same time the land bridge occurred to pottery found in North America could determine if they had come from the same place. The technique and the style of the pottery would be a close resemblance of the pottery in Asia. Finding biological evidence would be more difficult since lineage cannot be traced that far back. Looking at similarities in the Native American tribes and the people in past Asian might provide some, but not fully viable information on biological evidence.The first Americans possibly being big bet on hunters who migrated according to herds of animals could be answered with the concept of seasonal collapse. One would have to search for factors that affected those first Americans positively, and then examine the possibility of eliminating one of those factors, impairing these first Americans, cause them to pursue migrating herds in hope of finding another stable living environment. An additional interpretation regarding the migration of the first Americans was that they may have benefited in unexpected ways from this migration. The migration of animal herds took the... ... conclude that the shroud is not actually a biblical relic. Another way to verify the shroud would be to look at the cultivation of the people and their records. If the shroud has nothing to do with the burial ritual there is no way it could be connected to the crucifixion of Christ. Carbon dating would in any case be helpful in this situation. If the shroud dated back to biblical times, then there would be no way that it could be a fake. It would no doubt be a shroud that covered a crucified body although it would be harder to conclude that the body was actually the one of Jesus. Looking at records would be the next step. It would have to be concluded that the crucifixion of Jesus was the only Roman crucifixion that shoved a crown of thorns onto a mans head. If this were true, the evidence would be abounding. There would be very little evidence to disclaim this as truth.

The Role of Trees in Hurston’s Seraph on the Suwanee and Their Eyes Wer

The Role of Trees in Hurstons Seraph on the Suwanee and Their Eyes Were Watching matinee idolTrees play integral roles in Seraph on the Suwanee and Their Eyes Were Watching God as sites of sexual awakening for Hurstons heroines, providing a space under which dreams boot into glistening leaf-buds or over-ripen and die like spoiled fruit. Close readings of Janies pear tree and Arvays mulberry evoke strikingly disparate images of egg-producing(prenominal) sexuality despite Hurstons articulation of both experiences as the realization of a pain remorseless sweet. Depicted within the first quarter of separately narrative, Hurston places great emphasis on her charactersinitial sexual experiences as shaping the development of Janie and Arvays identities. As suggested by her pensive pose beneath the pear tree (stretched on her back), Janie possesses agency, navigating the course of her own sexual maturation by searching, inviting, and questioning the tree and herself for voice and vision . Hurstons diction constructs a stringently sensual scene, for like the flower opening up and summoning the dust-beari...

Analyzing Psychological Disorders Essay -- Schizophrenia Interview

IntroductionIn this paper, I result be interviewing for a psychologist position with a top comp either. I depart be asked about my understanding of the causes and treatment(s) of schizophrenia and I will discuss the following areas of the brain affected, causal factors, associated symptoms, the neural basis, appropriate drug therapies. I harbor been given four different case studies of disorders in which I will choose two of them to analyze. I will be discussing my understanding of the problem presented in each of the two case studies from the perspective of a biopsychologist. I will also be including each problems relation to the nature-nurture issue and every relevant portions of the Basics to Biopsychology text. I will be applying any helpful drug interventions or solutions and discussing the positive or negative aspects of these drug interventions or solutions. schizophreniaOut of all of the psychological disorders, schizophrenia is the most modify and affects nearly three mi llion Americans today. This disorder causes a person to move back all sense of reality, which causes one to have delusions, hallucinations, extreme suspicion, and symptoms shift between men and women. The ages of which symptoms are experienced are late teens to early twenties in men and late twenties to early thirties for women. fleck those who suffer from schizophrenia may seem to make some progress in recovery, unremarkably all will exhibit marked symptoms throughout the race of their life.Causes and TriggersWhile schizophrenia is considered to be a complex brain disorder, many different things chair to the causes of this disorder. Genetics, behavioral, and developmental reasons are some of the likely causes while stress, trauma, and viral inf... ...depression/medication.htmHelpGuide.org. (2001-2010). Anorexia Nervosa - Understanding the Signs, Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment. Retrieved December 12, 2010, from http//www.helpguide.org/mental/anorexia_signs_symptoms_causes_tr eatment.htmThe Lundbeck Institute. (2002-2005). Schizophrenia - Aetiology. Retrieved December 11, 2010, from http//www.brainexplorer.org/schizophrenia/Schizophrenia_aetiology.shtmlThe National Institute of moral Health (NIMH). (2010). Anxiety Disorders. Retrieved December 12, 2010, from http//www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtmlAll Psych and Heffner Media Group, Inc. (1999-2003). psychiatric Disorders. Retrieved December 12, 2010, from http//allpsych.com/disorders/mood/majordepression.htmlGeitner, C. (n.d.). Dysthymic Disorder. Retrieved December 11, 2010, from http//www.bipolarhome.org/understanding.html Analyzing Psychological Disorders Essay -- Schizophrenia InterviewIntroductionIn this paper, I will be interviewing for a psychologist position with a top company. I will be asked about my understanding of the causes and treatment(s) of schizophrenia and I will discuss the following areas of the brain affected, causal factors, associated sym ptoms, the neural basis, appropriate drug therapies. I have been given four different case studies of disorders in which I will choose two of them to analyze. I will be discussing my understanding of the problem presented in each of the two case studies from the perspective of a biopsychologist. I will also be including each problems relation to the nature-nurture issue and any relevant portions of the Basics to Biopsychology text. I will be applying any helpful drug interventions or solutions and discussing the positive or negative aspects of these drug interventions or solutions.SchizophreniaOut of all of the psychological disorders, schizophrenia is the most damaging and affects nearly three million Americans today. This disorder causes a person to lose all sense of reality, which causes one to have delusions, hallucinations, extreme suspicion, and symptoms vary between men and women. The ages of which symptoms are experienced are late teens to early twenties in men and late twen ties to early thirties for women. While those who suffer from schizophrenia may seem to make some progress in recovery, usually all will exhibit marked symptoms throughout the course of their life.Causes and TriggersWhile schizophrenia is considered to be a complex brain disorder, many different things contribute to the causes of this disorder. Genetics, behavioral, and developmental reasons are some of the likely causes while stress, trauma, and viral inf... ...depression/medication.htmHelpGuide.org. (2001-2010). Anorexia Nervosa - Understanding the Signs, Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment. Retrieved December 12, 2010, from http//www.helpguide.org/mental/anorexia_signs_symptoms_causes_treatment.htmThe Lundbeck Institute. (2002-2005). Schizophrenia - Aetiology. Retrieved December 11, 2010, from http//www.brainexplorer.org/schizophrenia/Schizophrenia_aetiology.shtmlThe National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (2010). Anxiety Disorders. Retrieved December 12, 2010, from http//www.ni mh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtmlAll Psych and Heffner Media Group, Inc. (1999-2003). Psychiatric Disorders. Retrieved December 12, 2010, from http//allpsych.com/disorders/mood/majordepression.htmlGeitner, C. (n.d.). Dysthymic Disorder. Retrieved December 11, 2010, from http//www.bipolarhome.org/understanding.html

Custom Written Term Papers: Othello’s Involved Imagery :: Othello essays

Othellos Involved Imagery The intricate imagery peppering the language of the characters in Shakespeares drama Othello is deserving of our particular consideration in this paper. It has significant meaning, and nearly expresses a life of its own. The leans imagery is oftentimes reflective of the fortunes of the protagonist. As the Moors place declines, the quality of the imagery in the play declines. In The Riverside Shakespeare Frank Kermode explains the relationship between imagery and Othellos jealousy It is very important to gain that Othellos self-estimate one not easily jealious, but, being wrought, / Perplexed in the extreme (V.ii.345-46) is, as Bradley says, perfectly just, and perfectly consistent with the release of unsuspected coarseness of language and imagery under the shock of discovering infidelity in the loved one. The peculiar pain of knowledgeable jealousy is deeply involved with the excremental aspect of the sexual organs, and the emotion in betrayal i n a supremely intimate trust is involved with agonizing associations of filth and animality. (1200) A surprising, zoo-like variety of animal distress occur throughout the play. Kenneth Muir, in the Introduction to William Shakespeare Othello, explains the conversion of Othello through his increased use of animal imagery Those who have written on the imagery of the play have shown how the hold Iago has over Othello is illustrated by the language Shakespeare puts into their mouths. Both characters use a great deal of animal imagery, and it is interesting to note its distribution. Iagos occurs broadly in the first three Acts of the play he mentions, for example, ass, daws, flies, ram, jennet, guinea-hen, baboon, wild-cat, snipe, goats, monkeys, monster and wolves. Othello, on the other hand, who makes no use of animal imagery in the first devil Acts of the play, catches the trick from Iago in Acts III and IV. The fondness of both characters for mentioning repulsive animals and ins ects is one way by which Shakespeare shows the corruption of the Moors mind by his subordinate. (21-22) clean how strong a force is the imagery in this drama? Is it more powerful than the chorus in ancient Greek tragedy? H. S. Wilson in his phonograph record of literary criticism, On the Design of Shakespearean Tragedy, discusses the influence of the imagery of the play It has indeed been suggested that the logic of events in the play and of Othellos relation to them implies Othellos damnation, and that the deductive reasoning is pressed home with particular power in the imagery.

East vs West :: Comparative, Rukmani and Kenny

In Nectar in a Sieve, Rukmani and Kenny highlight the differences in the two cultures, showing how the two cultures affirm different standards for relationships and how Westerners try to change damage and poverty while Easterners accept it. As Rukmani points out to Kenny, Have I not so much sense to see that you are not bingle of us? You live and work here but this is not your country (Markandaya 106). Kenny and Rukmani are friends, but their different values on subservience in relationships and pathetic cause them to butt heads during most of their conversations. Rukmani and Kennys conversations show how Easterners value respect and reverence, while Westerners put and emphasis on equality. After Kenny helps her conceive, Rukmani bends down to candy kiss Kennys feet, thinking she is showing respect. Kenny doesnt like it He withdrew his feet quickly and told me to get up. I am not your benefactor (Markandaya 32). Similarly, Rukmani is hesitant to ask about(predicate) Kennys fami ly because it is personal Of himself he did not speak I held my tongue, for I felt to ask would be to offend him (Markandaya 33). Both of these events show how the two cultures construe each other. Kenny doesnt like when Rukmani kisses his shoes because he doesnt feel above her, but she is just trying to be nice. And Rukmani doesnt understand what leave behind and wont offend Kenny because her culture doesnt encourage asking personal questions.Their conversations show more deeply how each culture views marital relationships. Rukmani provided sees Kenny for her fertility problems when her husband wont find out she believes he will be angry (Markandaya 21). She also only takes Ira to Kenny when her husband leaves townspeople I (Rukmani) waited all day to see you. My husband will be back soon and the I cannot come (Markandaya 59). Though she subverts it, Rukmani is limited by her look she cannot disobey her husband. Instead, since she doesnt ask his permission, she cant break his rules. Kenny scorns this, saying, You people will never learn. It is pitiful to see your foolishness (Markandaya 59). In Kennys country, women have rights. They can even divorce their husbands, as Kennys wife does. Rukmani fails to understand how this woman can leave her husband and wonders if its Kennys long absences. They debate womens role, Rukmani says, A womans place is with her husband Kenny replies, You simplify everything Your views are so limited it is impossible to explain to you (Markandaya 106).

The Joy Luck Club :: essays research papers

Tradition Lives OnThe Joy part Club, by Amy Tan, is a book that compiles stories of the lives of Chinese women that were raised in chinaware and became American citizens. These women organize the Joy Luck Club, which was a small group that discussed their homeland and troubles, but unperturbed enjoying the treasures of food and each others company. Each section of the book is written from the point of view of the character. The book continues on with the stories of these womens daughters, telling stories of their lives creation raised by develops who were immigrants, and dissolving into American society. Chinese mothers try to pass on their values, instincts, and intuitiveness on to the second generation. Great fortune has come to the members of the Joy Luck Club through their hardships, and they only want their daughters to go through what it takes to succeed in life.The Joy Luck Club ladies were all friends who over time have formed blissful lives for themselves in America. All of the daughters in this book were raised with high expectations, even the mothers while they were in china. This is contrary to an overall idea that girls in China were not a great commodity to their parents. Each member of the Joy Luck Club was a mother that only wanted their own daughters to understand why they should be respectful of their Chinese culture and grateful for their American opportunities. Waverly Jong, daughter of Lindo, was raised in Chinatown and her mother taught many lessons to raise them out of circumstances. (Tan, 90) Lindo prospect the best combination was American circumstances and Chinese character. (259) The women of the Joy Luck Club were competitive amongst each other when it came to their childrens successes. Jei-Mei (June) Woos mother wanted her to be a chess prodigy like Waverly Jong, or become a Chinese Shirley Temple. Jei-Meis mother, Suyuan, wanted her daughter to be a Chinese version of the epitome of American culture and the perfect child during the 1950s. Chinese mothers even go to great extents to instill their values into their children. The family of An-mei Hsu in China and Lena St. Clairs mother, Ying-Ying, both would make up stories to make a moral to a story, to put fear into their daughters and detour them from trouble. Avoiding trouble is also an instinct for the Chinese. Their essential instincts tell them when something will not go well.

Human learning and survival Essay

There is a common belief that the qualification to learn is what makes man survival possible. I bank that survival is not based solely on learning. Human survival especially in times of vast surroundingsal change is the result of a combination of learning, logic, reasoning and subsequent application of knowledge. The thing that sets humankind apart from other living things is intellect, which according to the dictionary is the ability to learn and reason. Learning is evidently the ability of animals ( worldly concern included) to acquire and retain new information.Whenever we try to learn a new dance step, learn a new language or exactly remember the names of people we meet, we in fact use our learning faculties. So do animals when they skeleton out that scrounging around in garbage merchantmans can reward them with food. Darwinian theory proposes the idea of evolution wherein living things adjust biologically, mentally and physiologically to environmental conditions and dema nds. When the concept of survival of the fittest and natural selection is discussed, it pertains to animals that argon not just physically fit but mentally as tumesce (Arrizza).In fact most biologists and anthropologists support this thinking by citing the specimen of how humans have always depended on their wits in order to survive. More often than not, it is the more dull-witted ones who perish even before they have devoted birth to offspring, which probably is a good thing for succeeding generations (Thorndike, 1931, p. 184). It was stunningly simple. Nature does what animal breeders do, but gradually, and over longer periods of time. In a species, those individuals who are best adapted in their hereditary endowment will succeed, and survive, better than their fellows.That is the struggle for existence. Those successful individuals will leave more offspring, and this will move the mode, the underlying tendency of the species, in their direction. Following generations will c ontinue to undergo selection for still better adaptation running, swimming, seeing, hiding, chewing, or all together. (Howells, 1993, p. 6) Supposing this theory was correct however, it would mention that the weak or learning challenged humans would have been weeded out a long time ago. The thing is that in todays times, learning challenged humans still exist and even thrive.There are some quarters that may opine that intelligence and the development of skill are products of mental evolution. ontogeny refers to progress to something more functional, advanced and suited to the current environment (Human Evolution). The fashioning and use of primitive tools are just a some hallmarks of how human intelligence has evolved and applied learning into something that helped their survival. For all practical purposes, learning is often seen as an attempt to create a retentivity or butt in information that lasts as it is invariably linked with retrospection. Dr. Eric R.Kandle, vice chair man of the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives sums it as Learning is how you acquire new information about the world, and memory is how you store that information over time (What is learning) Simply put, it is just the accumulation of facts and information. At this point it is important to point out the difference betwixt learning and memory. Kandle points out that not all learning can get stored into long term memory. Such is the case of things a person learned in school. Unless these lessons are used in day to day life, many will have trouble remembering them some years after.Kandle adds that There is no memory without learning, but there is learning without memory. (What is learning) True learning cannot exist without memory but Thorndike (1911) scorns the idea that human learning is the very(prenominal) as substantive human intellect. He states that learning alone does not include the more complex processes of reasoning or inference. noreal thought is given to the kind an d causality of things, neither is there an appreciation of the progress the application of learning is causing. He further posits that learning is based solely on factors that are puzzle in the environment.It is human intellect that makes it possible for humans to think and develop further learning outside the box or beyond what are rescue in his environment. Rychlak (1994) supports this contention with his feature theory of Logic Learning. Rychlak believes that learning is an inherent quality in both humans and animals a want. Humans however possess the authority and talent of logic that enables them to make sense and assign purpose and function to information that is learned. (p. 35) Learning is not limited to humans. Every living existence has the capability to learn. It has been proven that animals including dogs, cats and even bees have information and skill acquiring capabilities. While most animal characteristics are arguably innate or instinctive like a newborn baby o r puppys nipple searching and sucking reflex, many later skills are learned. What sets people apart is quite an not limited to the capacity to learn and store information but rather in the processing of this information afterwards and figuring out what to do with it. Animal learning is mostly based on impulses and instinct.There are three different ways by which organisms learn by trial and error, by observation and artificial, and by guidance. (Campbell, 1998, p. 39) Trial and error is by far the most common order of learning among living organisms. An example of this is when a mouse tries to figure its way out of a puzzle by trying out first one path, then another until it hits upon the correct path to follow. Observation and imitation is illustrated by how the young of animals and humans alike acquire learning by watching and imitating the actions of their parents. This is most commonly the basis of the development of behavioral patterns and actions.Finally, and what is argu ably the method unique to humans is the method of instruction through language. Why is it unique? Instruction needs conscious thought and full intention of teaching. What is more is that instruction is a big factor in the propagation of a burnish yet the topics and methods of instruction are also largely dependent on culture (p. 40). Language is also another important and distinctive part of both human culture, instruction and in effect, human learning (Alland, 1973, p. 209). Using language in instruction speeds up the learning process thereby allowing for more potential information to be learned and assimilated.Instructions and responses are direct and accurate. In the same way, a shared language serves both as a unifying element of culture and shared experience between individuals. Learning and Adaptation decent mention has been made of adaptation with regard to human survivalwhat is adaptation? Adaptation is lexically defined as an adjustment to conditions present within an env ironment or a reaction to a persistent and present stimulus. It allows an organism to adapt or change components or behaviors within itself to match the demands of its environment.Survival is an organisms ability to exist and propagate in relation to its surroundings and environments. Is learning the key to adaptation and in effect human survival? No. But it is one of the fundamental and major contributors to it. Like most living organisms, humans have physical limitations that are challenged by natural elements and processes such as climate, hunger and other environmental conditions. Unlike other animals however, humans are relatively less sensitive and attuned to environmental changes (Piantadosi, 2003, p. 1).It is at this point that the human ability to learn, reason and compare their living conditions and determine problems that may exist and threaten their survival. Like people in modern days, primitive men had their environment with its own accompanying problems. If modern peo ple today are challenged by more high tech issues like traffic, work, and finances, our primitive ancestors had to figure out ways of retention warm in the winter and putting food on the table (or rock). There were challenges in how to hunt and capture prey effectively as well as make sure that they do not become prey to carnivorous predators of their time.From plain materials and tools fashioned with flint and animal bone, primitive humans have to working with crap which was more malleable yet as tough as stone, and then to the much stronger dye which was formed by melting copper with tin and finally, iron (Hartman, 1996). Supporters of learning as the keystone of survival wold point this out as a way by which learning improved human existence. But basing on definitions alone, learning meant that they simply realized that stone is not so easy to work with, copper is malleable but pretty weak, and bronze and iron are harder metals.It is logic and reasoning that made it possible for them to realize that 1. ) there are problems with the materials they are using, 2. ) they need to find a better resolving to their requirements, hence the search and formulation of copper and bronze. Without logic and reasoning people then would have simply stopped at knowing. One may cheek at this the same way as the differentiation between science and technology. Science is that wide and impressive body of knowledge which will remain hollow unless applied and utilized in technology.

Methods in Computer Security Essay

One of the negative impacts of technological advancements is the advancement of criminal methods. As one of the widespread progression in the whole world today, computerization has been made an instrument for criminal offenses, and this has alarmed many computer experts since the millennium bug had emerged, and was fortunately solved. Knowing the things that must be observed in computer software and hardware investigating is burning(prenominal) to flourish as a computer forensics expert.Current investigations usually dwell on individual category, but solace it can be expanded to a more general sense in analyzing the patterns and motives of maybe not just individuals, but groups or organizations (Anderson, 1996). First, in e actually hardware of software, all protective procedures must be known by the investigator. Security for the reliability of the source of information is of an utmost importance in search evidences towards solving a crime. The computer itself is the first pla ce that must be secured.A way to secure them is to label them to avoid viable damages and tack of the computer parts. Keeping the original state of the machine whether it is turned on/off, or maintaining connections at the back of the CPU or a laptop, is also a requirement for in the case of transportation, there might be a need to disassemble the parts, and knowing the original positions of the connections is relevant to restore the computer for investigation after transportation (Barba, __, p. 19). Second is the acquisition of electronic information.This can be obtained from the hard disk or other disk drives attached to the computer and to e-mails, where possible records of computer manipulation that the offender had done to the systems before and after completion of the act are present. Looking at the deleted and hidden files is also a very crucial step, which might lead to the identification of the possible objectives of the criminal in deleting those data fragments, or what data he needed so as to deal his purpose (Barba, __, p.24). Upon identification of the important data files that are removed from the system, and if there exists any system transactions that can be done through those files, homogeneous for example bank transactions, it would be the initiative of investigator to warn the potential persons that can be damaged when the transactions have been completed. The third thing that is important to consider is the recovery of the lost information that the client needs.It may also be possible to identify log-in passwords and usernames to monitor the users of the computer which can be associated with time of deletion of information, thus identifying the criminal. They can also look at the possible system protection measures to secure information and to avoid access over again to the system. The log and registry of the computer may trace this necessary information and identify changes on the computer codes (Sunblocksystems. com, 2007). Fingerpri nts may also be looked at in the case of a criminal act done at the place of the client itself.Identification of the criminal would be much more specific at this case. References Anderson, K. E. (1996). International Intrusions Motives and Patterns Retrieved July 14, 2008, 2008, from http//www. aracnet. com/kea/Papers/paper. shtml Barba, M. (___). Computer Forensic Investigations Electronic Version. Retrieved July 14, 2008, from http//www. computer-forensic. com/old_site/presentations/ASIS_Presentation. pdf Sunblocksystems. com. (2007). Computer Forensics. Retrieved July 13, 2008, from http//www. sunblocksystems. com/forensics. html

Betrayal in Antony and Cleopatra Essay

Betrayal in the play ultimately leads to the downfall of many main characters weather it be betrayal of companions or of their cowcatcher ideals and morals. If we take the example of Enobarbus case, his decline from the strict roman print ethics into the looser morals that symbolise more Egyptian ideals, leads him to betray his general and friend, Antony. Enobarbus then goes onto to die of the unrighteousness and broken heartedness he experiences as a result of his treachery towards Antony and his own moral compass. It is however arguable that Enobarbus traitorous nature is only an outcome and upbraiding of Antonys own crumbling roman beliefs. If we take the exchange between Cleopatra and Enobarbus in Act 3, scene 12 lines 2- 12 we can see that Enobarbus lays absolutely no(prenominal) of the blame on Cleopatras shoulders but instead tears the Antony to shreds, at one point saying The itch of his affection should not then construct nicked his captainship, at such a point when h alf to half the world opposed, he being the mered question.In these lines Enobarbus says that Antony should not have let his starve (an Egyptian quality) destroy his ability as a general and his duty to his men, at such an incredibly crucial juncture in the battle, especially when the wager were so high and he was such a key component in the outcome. Shakespeare uses the word affection, which can be read to mean impulse. Lust is a trait that Shakespeare lists as an Egyptian quality, and it is vital to note his choice in diction to stress that the action was not disciplined and Roman but a betrayal of Antonys Roman nature. There is no mention of the love Antony has for Cleopatra. He like voguish allows us to see Enobarbuss view that nothing somewhat this was justifiable or right, and that there were no higher motives moving Antony, rather he was pushed into actions by his baser and more primitive emotions such as cowardice and lust saying Antonys reasons, whatever they may have b een, were trivial and unacceptable.The hyperbole in line 9 when half to half the world opposed also stresses this point because it creates a sense of how indubitably important this battle was. This fight was a touchstone of legend one obviously still remembered in Shakespeares time, and still in ours a war between two of the greatest empires the world has seen to date, the stakes of which were incredible amounts of power, influence, land, and money more than enough motive to turn thumbs down for. And yet the mered question the person who this whole war was based on who these men were fighting this battle for men without experience or training, against the greatest martial empire of the ancient world this man they were fighting for ran away. Enobarbus dialogue describes how utterly base and treacherous Antonys actions have been in terms of the values of the Roman Empire.This supports the argument that Antonys betrayal of his Roman ideals lead to Enobarbus also betraying his Roma n nature by defecting to Caesar. These betrayals lead to both their deaths, though if they had stuck to the Roman tenets of societal building they would not have gone against their own nature actions such as retreating from the sea battle (Antony) or defecting (Enobarbus), and the play could have had a very unalike ending. It is these faults of betrayal that set the characters up for their downfalls, echoing Antonys belief in the doctrine of Ate, which he expresses by saying, when we in our viciousness grow hard the wise gods seel our eyes (Act 3, Scene 13, 114-18).

Prom Nights from Hell Chapter Six

Sheba, she utter, her disconsolate eyes widening. Sheba Smith.Well, would you same(p) to leap so, Sheba Smith? If you feel well enough.Yes, she breathed, half to herself. Yes, why not?Her eyes neer left his.not moving from where they were, Gabe and Sheba began swaying to the rhythm of yet anformer(a) wretched song. This condemnation, the horrid music didnt off close protrude Gabe as much.Gabe put it to bringher then. New girl. astound dress. Sheba. This was Logans date, the oneness whod asked him to the prom and then wanted nothing more to do with him. For a half second, Gabe worried if it was wrong for him to infringe on his friends date. besides the perplex passed quickly.For one thing, Logan was happy with Libby. There was no sense in interrupting something that was clearly meant to be.For another, Sheba and Logan were clearly not meant to be.Gabe had always had a good instinct for that-for the personalities that traveled to worryher, for compatible natures that would go turn up together harmoniously. Hed been the providedt of m whatever jokes about matchmaking, entirely he didnt mind. Gabe like people to be happy.And this intense girl with the deep pools in her eyes-Sheba-did not belong with Logan.That desperate sense of need had calmed when hed stirred her. Gabe felt much better with her in his arms-holding her fronted to soothe the strange c altogether. She was right here, no agelong drowning, no longer lost. Gabe was afraid to let her go, worried that the burning need would return.It was an odd first for Gabe, this feeling of being in diminutively the right place, of being the only one that belonged here. It wasnt that hed never had a girlfriend before-girls liked Gabe, and hed had many casual relationships. nevertheless they never lasted. There was always mortal else they belonged with. no.e of them really needed Gabe, provided as a friend. And theyd always stayed good friends.It had never been like this. Was this where Gabe be longed? Shielding this slender girl, holding her safe in his arms?It was silly to think so fatalistically. Gabe tried hard to act normal.Youre new at Reed River, bent you? he asked her.Ive only been here a few weeks, she confirmed.I dont think we have any classes together.No, I would have remembered if Id been close to you before.It was an odd way of phrasing it. She stared into his eyes, her passels clinging gently to his shoulders. Instinctively, he pulled her a little closer.Are you having a good time tonight? he asked.She sighed, a deep sigh from the center of her being. I am straight off, she said, oddly rueful. A very good time.Trapped Like an idiot, like a new-spawned whelp, a novice, a rookieSheba leaned into Gabe, unable to resist. Unable to want to resist. She stared into his heavenly eyes and had the most ridiculous urge to sigh.How had she not seen the signs?The way integrity itself surrounded him like a shield. The way her suggestions bounced right off him harmlessl y. The way the only ones safe from her plague tonight-those little bubbles of happiness outside of her control-were the people hed touched and interacted with, his friends.The eyes alone should have been warning enoughCeleste was smarter than Sheba. At least her instincts had kept her onward from this dangerous boy. Once she was free of his piercing gaze, shed kept a safe distance between them. Why hadnt Sheba understood the reason behind this? And the reason Gabe had chosen Celeste in the first place. Of course hed been drawn to Celeste It all make sense immediately.Sheba swayed to the beat that rumbled through the air, feeling the security of his body around her, protecting her. Tiny, unfamiliar tendrils of happiness twisted their way through her empty core.No-not that Not happinessIf she was already feeling happy, then better things couldnt be too far behind. Was there no way to avoid the horrible wonder of de wakeful in? That wasnt very likely when you were in an angels arms .Not a true angel. Gabe didnt have wings, hed never had them-he wasnt one of those sappy bird wizardrys whod traded feathers and eternity for human love. But one of his parents had do hardly that.Gabe was fully half-angel-though he didnt have a clue about his nature. If hed had any mentation, Sheba would have hear that in his mind and escaped this divine horror. without delay it was only too obvious to Sheba-this close, she could smell the scent of asphodel clinging to his skin. And, clearly, hed inherited his angel-parents eyes. The heaven- profane eyes that should have been a dead giveaway, if Sheba hadnt been so wrapped up in her evil plotting.There was a reason even experienced demons like Jezebel were wary of angels. If it was hazardous for a human to stare into a demons eyes, it was doubly so for a demon to get locked into an angels. If ever a demon met an angels gaze for too long, pfffffft out went the fires of hell and the demon was nooseped until the angel gave up o n redemptive him.Because thats what angels did. They ceded.Sheba was an eternal being, and she was trapped for however long Gabe decided to keep her.A full angel would have spangn what Sheba was at once, and driven her out if he were strong enough, or given her a wide berth if he wasnt. But Sheba could imagine what her presence would feel like to someone with Gabes instinct to save. simple of the comeledge he needed to understand, Shebas damned state must have been like a sirens call.She stared helplessly into Gabes beautiful face up, her body filling with happiness, and wondered how long the rack would last.Already too long to save her perfect prom.Without her hellfire, Sheba had no influence over the mortals here. But she was still fully aware, watching helpless and disgustingly blissful, as it all fell apart.Cooper Silverdale gasped in horror as he looked at the gun glistening in his shaking hand. What was he thinking? He shoved the weapon spur into its hiding place and h alf ran to the bathroom, where he violently vomited the punch into the sink.Coopers stomach problems interrupted Matt and Dereks fistfight, which was just warming up in the mens room. The two friends squinted through their swollen eyes at to each one other. Why were they fighting? Over a girl that neither of them even liked? How stupid Suddenly, they were interrupting each other in their urgent need to apologize. With smiles on split lips and arms around shoulders, they headed buttocks to the ballroom.David Alvarado had given up his plans to jump heath by and by the dance, because Evie had forgiven him for disappear with Celeste. Her cheek was soft and warm against his now as they swayed to the slow music, and there was no way he would hurt her by disappearing again, not for any reason.David was not the only one who felt that way. As if the new song was magical rather than insipid, the dancers in the big ballroom each moved instinctively toward the person they should have come with in the first place, the one that would transform the nights visitation into happiness.Coach Lauder, lonely and depressed, looked up from the unappetizing cookies unbent into Vice Principal Finkles sad eyes. She looked lonely, too. The coach walked toward her, smiling hesitantly.Shaking her head and blinking her eyes like someone trying to escape a nightmare, genus Melissa Harris pulled away from Tyson and ran for the exit. She would find the concierge and get a cabLike a rubber band that had been stretched too far, the atmosphere at Reed Rivers prom now snapped endure with a vengeance. If Sheba had been herself, she would have pulled that rubber band until it exploded into pieces. But now all the misery and wrath and hate vanished. The human minds had been stuck in their spike too long. With relief, everyone at the prom relaxed into happiness, grasped at love with two hands. nonetheless Celeste was tired of the mayhem. She stayed in Robs arms, shuddering slightly at the mem ory of those perfect blue eyes, as one slow song melted into the next.Neither Sheba nor Gabe even noticed the song change.All her delicious pain and misery destroyed Even if she did get free, Sheba was destined for middle school now. Where was the injustice?And Jezebel Had she planned this? Tried to distract Sheba from the fact that a dangerous half-angel was here tonight? Or would she be disappointed? Was she really there in encouragement? Sheba had no way to find out. She wouldnt even be able to see Jezebel now-whether the horned demoness was laughing or chagrined-with her fires extinguished.Disgusted with herself, Sheba sighed in happiness.Gabe was just so good. And, in his arms, she felt good, too. She felt wonderful.Sheba simply had to get free before happiness and love ruined her Would she be trapped with some feather-backs heavenly offspring forever?Gabe smiled at her, and she sighed again.Sheba knew what Gabe would be feeling now. Angels were never happier than when they wer e making someone else happy, and the bigger the lift in that other persons spirit, the more ecstatic the angel. As perfectly miserable and damned as Sheba had been, Gabe must be flying now-it would be some as good as having wings. He would never want to let her go.There was just one chance left for Sheba, just one way back to her wretched, miserable, burning, stinking home.Gabe had to social club her there.Thinking of this chance, Sheba felt much worse, felt a welcome wave of her former misery. Gabe tightened his hold on her as he sensed her slipping subdue, and the misery was drowned in contentment, but Sheba remained hopeful.She stared up into his love-filled angel-eyes and smiled dreamily.Youre evil incarnate, Sheba told herself. You have a true talent for misery. You bonk suffering inside and out.You open fire get yourself out of this trap and everything will be like it used to be.After all, with as much pain and havoc as Sheba was capable of causing, how hard could it poss ibly be to get this angelic boy to tell her to go to hell?Prom Nights from Hell Chapter sixsomePut them up, Glasses Geek said. I mean your arms. Miranda did what he said because his hands were shaking so much she was afraid hed shoot her by accident.Who are you? What are you doing here? he demanded in a voice that shake almost as much as his hands.I just wanted to get a glimpse of Her, she said, hoping she made it sound right.He narrowed his eyes. How did you know She was here?The Gardener told me, but I didnt know where She was being kept so I climbed up that tree to look.Which affiliate are you with?I knew this would end in tears. What now, smarty pants?Miranda raised an eyebrow and said, Which affiliate are you with? Adding for good measure, I mean, I would remember a guy like you if Id seen you before.It worked She saw him lay to rest hard, his Adams orchard apple tree bobbing up and take down. She would never doubt How to Get-And Kiss-Your Guy again He said, Id remember you, too.She hit him with a dose of Winsome Smile and saw the Adams apple do some more moving. She said, If I give you my hand to shake, will you shoot me?He chortled and put down the gun. No, still chortling. Holding out his hand now. Im Craig.Hi, Craig, Im Miranda, she said, taking it. Then flipped him onto his back and knocked him out frigidity in a single silent move.She looked at her hand for a second in shock. Shed emphatically never done that before. That had been very cool.If youre going to be an idiot and risk everything, you might as well do what you came for. You know, instead of just sodding(a) at the guy you knocked out?She bent to whisper, Sorry. Take three aspirin for your head when you wake up and youll feel better, in his ear, and moved around the edge of the safe house.There must have been an open window because she could hear voices here, the man who had been outside before now saying to someone, Are you comfortable?And Sibby answering, No. I dont like this couch. I hindquarterst believe this is the nicest room in the house. It looks like a place for a grandma.HehMiranda followed the sound of Sibbys voice and found herself standing in introductory of one of the street-facing plate-glass windows, looking through a gap in dark blue drapes into a living room. There was a spindly-looking couch, chair, and coffee table. Sibby was in the chair, her visibleness to Miranda, with a plate of oreo cookies in front of her. She looked fine.The man was perched on the couch, smiling at Sibby, saying, So, where are we conjectural to drop you?Sibby took the top cookie off the Oreo and ate it. Ill tell you later. The man kept smiling. Id like to know so I can plan the route. We cant be too careful.Oh my gods, theres like hours before we go. I want to watch some TV.Miranda heard the mans embrace speed up and saw his hand flex but he kept his tone light when he said, Of course. Then added, As soon as you tell me where were taking you.Sibby frowned at him. A re you deaf or something? I said Id tell you later.Its in your best interest to talk to me. Otherwise Im afraid Ill have to bring in someone else. Someone a bit more forceful.Fine. But plot of ground Im waiting, can I please watch TV? Tell me you get cable. Oh gods, if you dont have MTV, Im going to be really pissed.The man stood up with an expression on his face like he wanted to break something, then abruptly turned to face the door. Miranda heard footsteps coming toward the room from the hallway, and with them a familiar trip the light fantastic toe heartbeat. Two seconds later Deputy Sergeant Caleb Reynolds burst through the door.See? Sibbys in no danger. The police are here. Scram.Deputy Reynolds said to the man, Whats taking so long?She wont talk.Im sure shell change her mind. His heartbeat picked up.Sibby glanced at him. Who are you?Caleb said, Im the Gardener.This was extremely not good, Miranda decided.I wasnt very impressed with the front lawn, Sibby told him.Im not that miscellanea of Gardener. Its a nickname. They call me that because-Actually, Im not even vaguely interested. I dont know what youre planning, Plant Boy-Gardener, he corrected, going a touch red. but if you need to know where Im supposed to be picked up by the Overseer, then you have to keep me alive, right? So you cant exactly threaten me with death.Not death, no. But pain. He communicate the man. Go get me my tools, Byron.As the man left the room, Sibby said, Im not going to tell you anything.Deputy Reynolds circled around so he was leaning over her chair, his back to the window.Listen to me- he said, his heartbeat slowing down suddenly.Miranda did a round-off, smashing through the window feet first, then knocked him unconscious with a side kick to the complete before he could turn around. She bent to whisper, Sorry, in his ear, decided as punishment not to tell him about the aspirins, grabbed Sibby, sprinted to the car, and stepped on the gas.Prom Nights from Hell Chapter h exadYun Suns voice grew sharp. Frankie, noIm such an idiot-why didnt I think of it before?Wait. Dont do it, dont make the- She broke off. I heard a whoops, followed by drunken apologies and someone saying, Oh, I love your dress It sounded like everyone was having fun. Id soon be having fun with them.I made it to the den and approached the bookshelf where Id left the sweetness. I patted the tops of the books and then the office behind them. My fingers found softness, like petals of skin.Im back, Yun Sun said. The background sounds had diminished, suggesting shed stepped outside. And, Frankie, I know youre hurting. I know that. But what happened to Will was just a coincidence. A terrific, terrible coincidence.Call it what you want, I said. Im making my second wish. I plucked the corsage from behind the books.Yun Suns anxiety intensified. Frankie, no, you cantWhy not?He fell from three speed of light feet His body was they said he was mangled beyond thats why they had a closed cask et, remember?So?Hes been rotting in a coffin for thirteen days she cried.Yun Sun, that is a tasteless thing to say. Honestly, if it were Jeremy being brought back to life, would we even be having this conversation? I drew the flowers to my face, lightly touching the petals with my lips. Listen, Ive got to go. But save some punch for me And Will Ooo, make that lots of punch for Will-I bet hell be absolutely crazed with thirstI flipped my phone shut. I held the corsage aloft.I wish for Will to be alive again I cried exultantly.The stench of decay thickened the air. The corsage curled, as if the petals were shrinking in on themselves. I flung it away on autopilot, just as Id shake off an earwig that chanced to light on my hand. But whatever. The corsage wasnt important. What was important was Will. Where was he?I glanced around, ridiculously expecting him to be sitting on the sofa, looking at me like Youre scared of a bunch of dried flowers? PitifulThe sofa was empty, a gloomy, loomin g shape by the wall.I darted to the window and peered out. Nothing. nevertheless the wind, fluttering the drop deads on the trees.Will? I said.Again nothing. A tremendous well of disappointment opened inside me, and I sank into my fathers leather armchair.Stupid Frankie. Stupid, foolish, pathetic me.Time passed. Cicadas chirped.Stupid cicadas.And then, so faint, a thud. And then another. I straightened my spine.Gravel popped on the road or maybe the bridle-path? The thuds came closer. They were labored and with the odd offbeat of a limp, or of something being dragged.I strained to hear.There-a thump, ten feet away on the porch. A thump that was distinctly inhuman.My throat closed as Yun Suns words wormed back to me. Mangled, shed said. Rotting. I wasnt paying attention before. Now it was too late. What had I done?I jumped out of the chair and fled to the entering hall, safe from the eyes of anyone-or anything-who might choose to peer through the dens wide windows. What, exactly , had I brought back to life?A knock echoed through the house. I whimpered, then clapped my hand over my mouth.Frankie? a voice called. Im, uh yikes. Im kindly of a mess. He laughed his self-deprecating laugh. But Im here. Thats the important thing. Im here to take you to promWe dont have to go to prom, I said. Was that me sounding so shrill? Who needs prom? I mean, really Yeah, sure, this from the girl who would kill for the perfect romantic evening. The knob rattled. Arent you going to let me in?I hyperventilated.There was a series of plops, like overripe strawberries being dropped into the trash, and then, Aw, dude. Not good.Will? I whispered.This is so uncool but do you have any stain remover?Holy crap. Holy, dedicated, holy crap.Youre not mad, are you? Will asked. He sounded worried. I came as fast as I could. But it was so frickin weird, Frankie. Because, likeMy mind flew to airless caskets, deep in the ground. Please, no, I thought.Forget it. It was weird-lets leave it at that. He tried to lighten things up. Now are you going to let me in, or what? Im falling to pieces out hereI pressed my body against the hall wall. My knees buckled, I wasnt doing too well with muscle control, but I reminded myself that I was safe behind the solid front door. Whatever else he was, Will was still flesh and bones. Well, partially. But not yet a ghost who could move through walls.Will, youve got to go, I said. I made a mistake, okay?A mistake? What do you mean? His confusion broke my heart.Its just oh God. I started let out. Were not right for each other anymore. You understand, dont you?No, I dont. You wanted me to ask you to prom, so I asked you to prom. And now for no good reason ohhh I get itYou do?You dont want me to see you Thats it, isnt it? Youre nervous about how you lookUm Should I run with this? Should I say yes just so he would leave?Frankie. Dude. You have nothing to worry about. He laughed. One, youre beautiful and two, compared to me, theres no way you wont look like I dont know, an angel from heaven.He sounded relieved, as if hed had a lilliputian sense of something being off, but couldnt quite place his finger on it. But now he knew It was Frankie having self-esteem issues, thats all Silly FrankieI heard a shuffling, and then the bump of a small wooden lid. My body tensed, because I knew that bump.The milk box-crap. Hed remembered the key in the milk box.Im letting myself in, he called, slump-thumping back to the front door. Kay, Franks? Cause all of a sudden Im, like, dying to see youHe laughed, jubilant. I mean, wait, that came out wrong but, heck, guess thats the theme of the night. Everythings coming out wrong-and I do mean everythingI fled to the den, where I got on my hands and knees and frantically patted the floor. If only it werent so darkThe deadbolt stuck, and Will jangled the key. His breathing was clotted.Im coming, Frankie he called. Jangle, jangle. Im coming as fast as I canMy fear ratcheted so high that I was th rown into an altered state of reality. I was gasping and crying out, I could hear myself, and my hands were blind feelers, pawing and slapping as I crawled.With a thunk, the bolt slid home.Yes, Will crowed.The door swished over the frayed carpet at the exact instant my fingers closed on the crumbling corsage.Frankie? Why is it so dark? And why arent you-I squeezed my eyes shut and spoke my final wish.All sounds ceased, save for the go of wind in the leaves. The door, continuing its slow trajectory, bumped against the doorjamb. I stayed where I was on the floor. I sobbed, because my heart was breaking. No, my heart was broken.After several moments, the cicadas once again took up their yearning chorus. I rose to my feet, stumbled across the room, and stood, shivering, in the open doorway. Outside, a pale shaft of moonlight shone on the deserted road.Prom Nights from Hell Chapter SixIm too stunned to do anything to stop him, really. Well, okay, as the initial shock of it is eating awa y off, I find I dont want to stop him. Im stunned to build that well, I like how it feels, being in Adams arms. It feels good. It feels safe. It feels warm. It feels well, almost as if I were a normal girl, for a change.Not the new girl. Not the exterminators daughter. Just me. Mary.Its a feeling I could get used to.Mary, Adam says. Hes so much taller than me that his breath tickles the tendrils that have fallen from the updo that Ive twisted my hair into. I dont mind, though, because his breath smells good.I look up at him dreamily. I cant believe I never noticed-really noticed-how handsome he is before now. Well, last night, actually. Or maybe I noticed, but it never really registered, because what would a guy like him ever see in a girl like me? In a million years, I never thought Id end up at the prom with Adam BlumAnd okay, sure, he only asked me because he obviously feels sorry for me, on account of my female parent being a vampire and all. But still.Hmmm? I say, smiling up at him.Uh. Adam seems uncomfortable, for some reason. I was wondering if-you know, when this is all over, and youve dusted Drake, and Lila and Ted are back together-youd want to, umOh God. Whats happening? Is he is he about to ask me out?. Like on a real date? One that doesnt include sharp, pointy objects?No. This isnt happening. This is a dream or something. In a minute, Im going to wake up, and its all going to go away. Because how could such a thing even be possible? I cant breathe, Im so sure Ill break whatever spell were both under if I doYes, Adam? I ask.Well. He cant seem to make eye contact anymore. Just if youd want to, you know, maybe hang out-Excuse me. The deep voice that interrupts Adam then is all too familiar. But may I have this dance?I close my eyes in frustration. I cannot believe this. I am never going to get a guy I actually like to ask me out at this rate. Never. Never. Never. I am going to stay a freak-the product of corresponding freaks-for the rest of my lif e. Why would a guy like Adam Blum ever want to go out with me in the first place? The child of a vampire and a mad scientist? Lets face it. Not going to happen.And Ive had it. Ive had it up to here.Listen, you, I say, whirling around to face Sebastian Drake, whose blue eyes widen a little at the fire in mine. How dare you come oozing aroundBut then my voice trails off. Because suddenly all I can see are those eyes those hypnotically blue eyes, which suddenly make me feel like I could dive into them, letting their warmth wash over me in sweet, soft wavesIts true hes no Adam Blum. But hes looking at me in a way that makes it clear he knows that, and that hes sorry for it, and that hes going to do everything he can to make it up to me more than make it up to me, evenAnd the next thing I know, Sebastian Drake is taking me into his arms-gently, so gently-and leading me from the dance floor toward a set of French doors through which I can see a night-darkened garden, bathed in twinkling f airy lights and moonlight just the kind of place to which youd expect to be led by the golden-haired descendant of a Transylvanian count.Im so glad we finally have the chance to meet, Sebastian is saying to me in a voice that seems to caress me like a feather-soft touch. Everyone and everything weve left behind us-the other couples Adam a stunned Lila, staring after us jealously Ted, staring jealously at her even the streamers and rosettes-seems to melt away as if all that exists in the world is me, the garden that I find myself in, and Sebastian Drake.Who is arrival up to equable some loose tendrils away from my face.In a dim, inner recess of my mind, I remember that Im supposed to be afraid of him to hate him, even. Only I cant think why. How could I possibly hate someone as handsome and sweet and gentle as he is? He wants to make me feel better. He wants to help me.You see? Sebastian Drake is saying, as he lifts one of my hands and presses it, softly, against his lips. Im not s o terrifying, am I? Im just like you, actually. Just the child of-lets face it-a very formidable person, whos trying to figure out his own place in the world. We have our burdens, do we not, you and I, Mary? Your mother says hello, by the way.M-my mother? My brain seems to be as filled with fog as this garden were standing in. Because while I can picture my mothers face, I cant remember how Sebastian Drake could possibly know her.Yes, Sebastian says, his lips now moving from my hand and up toward the crook of my elbow. His mouth feels like liquid fire against my skin. She misses you, you know. She doesnt understand why you wont join her. Shes so happy now she doesnt know the pain of illness or the indignity of aging or the heartbreak of loneliness. His lips are on my bare shoulder now. Im having trouble breathing. But in a good way. She is surrounded by beauty and love just like you could be, Mary. His lips are by my throat. His breath, so warm, has seemed to cause my spine to go li mp. But its all right, because one of his strong arms has gone around my waist, and hes holding me up, even as my body, as if of its own volition, is arching backward, allowing him an unobstructed view of my bare throat.Mary, he whispers against my neck.And I feel so peaceful, so serene-something I havent felt in years, not since Mom left-that my eyelids drift closedAnd the next thing I know, something cold and wet hits me in the neck.Ow, I say, opening my eyes and slapping a hand there then pulling it away to find my fingers slick with some kind of clear moisture.Sorry, Adam calls from where hes standing a few feet away, his arms stretched out in front of him, the mouth of his Beretta 9mm water pistol aimed right at me. I missed.A second later, I am gasping for air as a thick cloud of acrid, burning smoke hits me in the face. Coughing, I stagger away from the man who, just seconds before, had been holding me so tenderly, but is now clutching at his smoldering chest. Wha- Sebastian Drake gasps, pounding at the flames leaping from his chest. What is this?Just a little holy water, dude, Adam says, as he continues pumping away at Drakes chest. Shouldnt bother you. Unless, of course, youre a member of the undead. Which, unfortunately for you, it appears you are.And a second later, Ive come back to my senses and am reaching beneath my skirt for my stake.Sebastian Drake, I hiss, as he sinks to his knees before me, howling in pain. And rage. This is for my mother.And I plunge the hand-carved piece of ash deep into the place where his heart would have been.If hed had one.Ted, Lila says, in a syrupy voice, as her boyfriend lies across the contoured plastic bench with his head in her lap.Yes? Ted asks, looking up at her adoringly.No, Lila says. Thats what Im get for my tattoo next time Im in Cancn. Across the small of my back. The word Ted. So from now on, everyone will know I belong to you.Oh, honey, Ted says. And pulls her head down so he can stick his tongue in her mouth.Oh my God, I say, looking away.I know. Adams returned from throwing a glow-in-the-dark twelve-pound wheel ball down the disco-lit lane. I almost liked her better when she was under Drakes spell. But I guess it works out better this way. Tedll hurt a lot less than Sebastian. That was a strike, by the way. In case you missed it. He slides onto the bench beside me and looks down at the scoring sheet in the glow of the lamp just above my head. Well, what do you know? Im winning.Dont get cocky, I say. Although I have to admit, he has a lot to brag about. Not just winning at Night Strike bowling, either.Just tell me, I say as he reaches up and finally pulls off his bow tie. Even in the weird disco lights of Bowlmor Lanes-the bowling alley where wed retreated for our post-prom activities, a mere nine-dollar cab ride from the Waldorf-Adam still looks obscenely handsome. Whered you get the holy water?You gave a bunch of it to Ted, Adam says, looking down at me in some surprise. Rememb er?But howd you get the idea to put it in the water gun? I demand. Im still reeling from the evenings earlier activities. Midnight bowling is fun and all. But nothing can really compare with slaying a two-hundred-year-old vampire at the prom.Too bad hed fizzled into ash out in the garden, where no one but Adam and I could see it. Wed have been voted prom king and queen for sure, instead of Lila and Ted, who are both still wearing their crowns although theyve tilted a little rakishly, due to all the kissing.I dont know, Mare, Adam says, filling in his own score. It just seemed like a good idea at the time.Mare. No one has ever called me Mare before.But how did you know? I ask. I mean, that Drake had-well, whatever? I mean, how could you tell that I wasnt faking it? To lull him into a false sense of security?You mean besides the fact that he was about to bite you on the neck? Adam raises a single dark brow. And that you werent doing a damned thing to stop him? Yeah, I had a pretty goo d idea of what was going on.Id have snapped out of it, I assure him, with a confidence I most definitely do not feel, as soon as I felt his teeth.No, Adam says. Now hes grinning down at me, his face illuminated by the light from the scoring desks single lamp. The rest of the bowling alley is in darkness, except for the balls and pins, which glow with an eerie fluorescence. You wouldnt have. go for it, Mary. You needed me back there.His face is so close to mine-closer than Sebastian Drakes ever got.Only instead of feeling as if I could dive into his gaze, I feel as if Im about to melt under it. My heartbeat staggers.Yeah, I say, unable to keep my gaze from drifting toward his lips. I guess I kinda did.We make a good team, Adam says. His own gaze, I cant help noticing, isnt straying far from my mouth, either. Wouldnt you say? I mean, especially in light of the coming apocalyptic way out? When Drakes dad finds out what we did tonight?I cant help gasping a little at that.Thats right, I cry. Oh, Adam Hes not just going to come after me. Hes going to come after you, tooYou know, Adam says. And now his gaze has drifted from my mouth, and downward. I really do like that dress. It goes great with bowling shoes.Adam, I say. This is serious Dracula could be getting ready to descend upon Manhattan at any moment, and were wasting time bowling Weve got to start getting ready We need to modernize a counterattack. We need to-Mary, Adam says. Dracula can wait.But-Mary, Adam says. Shut up. And I do. Because Im too busy kissing him back to do anything else.Besides, hes right. Dracula can wait.

Pornification of culture

In a hu populace where amazing technology has change our way of life sentence, the issue of pornification of culture has work a common phenomenon among good deal in completely over the world especially among youth. This issue has run low serious when there ar lots of affectionate illnesses that occur among teenagers nowadays. The integration of the Internet along with sophisticated gadget that seems to become enhanced day by day in which we ourselves could non imagine of how brilliant it is in the future has changed the system of communication a lot and with these modern technologies, the oundaries across the countries and era argon no longer becomes a matter to us.However, when our life turn out to be more easier and faster, some of us would often violate the purpose of these facilities as it bring disaster towards ones life when they involve with the democratic culture that exists in todays fashion, music, games, etc. It is not an issue if those are used in a positive an d correct ways, but to some extent wad used them to get access to pornography and many other related issue which is sometimes can abuse the theatrical role of man as a vicegerent in this earth.It will also lead o numerous types of social problems and this natural process that happened should not be look upon lightly, hence urgent exercise need to be taken strictly and serious to overcome this new challenges. When dealing with the rising trend of pornification of culture across the world today, people from all cultural backgrounds including parents are very concerns towards their children particularly girls.We are facing a serious issue of increasing influences from popular culture and celebrity which sometimes portrays grim role models towards children as they are not matured enough to consider which is good o follow and which is bad to avoid. Some people in the west, for example, are extremely worried about the increasing pornographic elements in childrens fashion (Feiler, 2013 ).The way fashion designers intend to create new fashions among children and teenagers is as if they would care them to invent themselves with sexualisation through the various types of clothes and pants which every parent are worried about. The hardest part is when the children are always rebel against their own parents because those fashions are become common and usual to them. Even the west are fear with this rising issue, what more if we are Muslims. Both the Muslims and non-Muslims today are beginning to realize that they eat to work together to deal with this complex challenges.The concern is not Just only towards the childrens fashion. Recently, Muslims and non-Muslims in Canada were united to join effort in protesting against the proposed plan to dispose the wearing of religious garments that reflects the identity of their own religion. This shows that many people around the world understand the importance of religion in a modern world (New Straits Time, 2013). The proba bility of both sides working together may involve the ole of religion in everyday life.The need to defend their own identity has urged them to be united so that everyone has rights to voice out their concern about religion. Discussing on the religion, nowadays, people begin to accept the true practice of need of religion in their life to guide them along straight path. Teenagers particularly becomes attracted towards Islam because of the increasing number of young Imams who are able to preach the teaching of Islam and at the same time follow their lifestyle which is in conforms to the way of life of the teenagers.Even though Islam in America today still remains a minority religion, many people have realized the proper religious teaching to their children in order to encounter the problems among youths today (New Straits Time, 2013). The importance of having young Imams in the society is crucial at this time in order to prevent the decline of morality among teen and guide them if th ey have gone astray and involve with social problems.Their roles are needed because sometimes the nurture from parents are not enough as they are always busy with works and from the teaching of these Imams, it also helps to provide with affable along with spiritual aspect of life. Not only that, women nowadays also begins to involve with the society as they starting to realize that women in their societies are the winder to solving serious social and moral problems like teenage pregnancies, boozing and religious extremism (Shulman, 2012).We cannot deny that the role of women these days are also as epochal as the role of man because the women is needed to encounter problems faced by most of the girls teen and women adults as the approach of women to women gives more comfort. Besides, they also feel like this is the time to bring back the dignity of women and levate their status in society so that women will not be oppressed easily by man and their Justice should also be preserved . This is one of the ways in order to help solving the problems involving teenagers which become serious with the issue of pornification of culture.In one of the Western countries, the issues of alcoholism have achieved the alert stage in which actions should be taken immediately. The consumption of alcohol or known as binge-drinking in Britain had risen the expenses related to health and also caused rising levels of death and diseases (The Star, 2012). As we already know, lcohol is one of the major cause for the social problems today because it can makes people drunk and they are not realize of what they are doing.Thus, from alcohol drinking only, people can involve in prostitution, pregnancy, rape, murder and etc. which is very common issue that we heard lately. Everyone involving the regime should begin to do something and taken several steps to reduce the consumption of alcohol so that the major illness among teenagers will slowly decrease. It is also becomes everyones role in order to help reducing the problems slowly so that the problems in the society will not be prolonged to the future.

Golflogix Case Study Essay

AnalysisMarket numbers suggest a much bigger market of golfers as opposed to that of the golf casts. Units sold to target market differs with the target market in the case of golf courses because 60 unit of measurements per golf course are sold. However, with various segmentation techniques, it can be concluded that the golfers who would buy the Distance-only or Complete System, would be those who measured their performance by measuring their handicap, therefore forming the number one target market within the golfers. Discouragingly, this was only 20% of the golfers. Also, the golfer market would further be divided by 4. Since a halt ordinarily consists of 4 players, only one of them would invite the device, regular players may share the cost. Although the distance-only dodging is easy to get up and running, when sold directly to the golfers, the golfers would themselves need to go their green on the golf course. This would take away from the key value proposition to the go lf courses that is pace of play. Golf courses may need to bourgeon an initial amount to the new customers (golfers) to take into account time spent in setting up the distance-only system. Also with the technical setup requirements of the Complete-System, it would be just about impossible for a golfer to do it himself. Also, with the golf-course channel, it will be easier to lock-in the golfers. The real benefit of the Complete System would be realizable to the end-user (golfers) when they see improvements in their game with their regular use of the system. Thus, locking the golf courses in who will push to throw in the system to the golfers per round would make its value proposition realizable. sales to golf courses involve a three year lease, thus a guaranteed three year gross stream and also the equipment can be reused elsewhere. If Golflogix goes with both(prenominal) channels, one may end up cannibalizing the other.If devices are sold directly to golfers, golf-courses may not see any value in buying them, since their revenue in turn on the rent of the devices would not be guaranteed. Similarly, golfers would not buy the system if they knew golf-courses already provided it with a nominal fee.It is also noted that 80% of golfers played on public courses, which required a daily green fee. This was promising for the public golf courses channel, since with a per round fees, golf courses would make up for the cost of the golf logix systems much faster. Within the golf-courses, it would be beneficial to begin with the public courses.Surveys performed by the GolfLogix team, had compelling results. 80% of the golfers reported that they would regularly use the system if it were available on the courses they played. Also, 70% reported that they would be willing to pay $1-$3 per round. Appendix A is an income statement (with certain assumptions) that at the end lists the direct income per revenue stream. We see that with the retail channel, we lose one revenue str eam. Up-selling to a Complete-system becomes easier with golf-courses. And although even the sum of the revenues through golf-courses is lesser than the revenue for Distance-only for golfers, two key points need to be kept in mind 1) The equipment with the golf-courses channel is reusable, and thus costs incurred in the next three years will be lesser, and 2) of units sold to golfers may reduce by 4, since the game is played in groups of 4. ( of unit numbers is derived from the market numbers above. A 1% penetration is assumed in the first three years)Appendix AGolfersGolf coursesIncome StatementDistance OnlyComplete SystemDistance OnlyComplete SystemRevenue per unit$ 300$ $ 54,000$ 72,000 of units267,000$ 170170Total revenue$ 80,100,000$ $ 9,180,000$ 12,240,000Cost of Goods Sold per unit$ 200$ $ 12,000$ 17,000 of units267,000170170Total cost$ 53,400,000$ $ 2,040,000$ 2,890,000Gross allowance$ 26,700,000$ $ 7,140,000$ 9,350,000Operating Expenses$ 2,700,000$ $ 2,700,000$ 3,000,000S etup Expenses$ $ $ 85,000$ 340,000Operating Income$ 24,000,000$ $ 4,355,000$ 6,010,000

Evidence-Based Practice

The term Evidence-based radiation pattern is relatively new, withal in the last decades, EBP had a big(p) advert on treat practice, education and as a science in general. There is a broad agreement by scholars and publications upon EBP definition as problem-solving get down to clinical decision-making that integrates the best available evidence and clinical expertise, along with patient preference and values (Hain & Haras, 2015).Meanwhile, chasteity is rooted in ancient Greek philosophical inquiry of moral life and relates to a placement of principles that can considerably change previous thoughts, actions, and decisions (Doody & Noonan, 2016). More particularly, The nursing code of ethics stands as a central and necessary mark of a profession.It functions as a general guide for the professions members and as a social contract with the public that it serves. The code list nine provisions that makes explicit the primary goals, values, and obligations of the nursing profession and elicites its values, duties, and committednesss to the society of which it is a part.The relationship between evidence-based practice and ethics is obvious in legion(predicate) waysEmpirics and ethics are fundamental patterns of knowing in nursing Empirics and ethics are actively participating in being fundamental patterns of knowing that shaped nursing as distinguish discipline. We gain empirical familiarity from research and objective facts.This knowledge is systematically organized into general laws and theories. One of the ways we mesh this knowledge is through the use of evidence-based practice (EBP). likewise, ethical knowledge helps one develop our own moral code our sense of knowing what is right and wrong. For nurses, our personal ethics is based on our obligation to protect and respect human life. Our deliberate personal actions are guided by ethical knowing (Vaughan, 2014).The statute of Ethics for Nurses can guide us as we develop and refine our moral code. C ertainly, empirical knowledge is essential to the purpose of nursing, tho nursing also required to be alert to the need to express the uniqueness of individual and to expect an appropriate parameter that can judge and appraise these evidence on ethical manners. The knowledge of ethical code can put up answers to the moral question during the application of EBP. match to Carnago Mast (2015), to each one pattern of knowledge in nursing is separated but interrelated and interdependent to each other, and none of them alone should be considered sufficient.The overall purpose of EBP and nursing code of ethics is almost like The second provision of the code clearly states that The nurses primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group or community (ANA, 2015).This commitment is to the health, well-being, and safety of the patient across the lifespan and in all settings in which health care postulate are addressed. The principle of beneficence, which promo te the well-being of others and non-maleficence which refers to the obligation to not inflict harm on others. once again, many statements in our Code reflect this important concern for avoiding harm to those we serve. The nurse upholds patients interests by influencing and managing those who provide direct care and fostering positive team approaches to facilitate safe, quality care. Similarly, the definition of evidence-based practice show the use of best available evidence which most probably will benefit the patient and witness the safety of that course of action through utilizing only approved and extensively tested evidence.While, a great attention to preserve the uniqueness of individual values and preferences. the Code of Ethics basic principles and definition of EBP at the same time stress the importance of using best current evidence that ensures achievement of the desirable outcome (Stokke, Olsen, Espehaug, & Nortvedt, 2014).To conclude, Nurses construe and address many ethical dilemmas on a daily basis. Since nursing actions aim to improve the health and wellbeing of patients which best manifested by using EBP, it is inevitable and expected that nursing practice has an ethical dimension. Nurses, therefore, have a duty to develop not only an awareness of the ethical dimension of practice but also strategies to practice ethically.Fortunately, The original ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses With Interpretive Statements was released in 2001, and it was revised in 2015. This modify ensures that the Code of Ethics continues to be relevant to the transformations in health care delivery and modern clinical practice advances.No matter how important technical and scientific expertise in nursing may be, providing nursing care must always be characterized as an ethical founded undertaking.By incorporating evidence-based decision making and intersecting it with traditional principles of ethics (beneficence, non-maleficence and justice), nurses are fostering care strategies for individuals and populations while addressing underlying systems issues that may impact care including facilitating a culture of safety that supports reporting errors and near misses which is vital for modern date practice (EBP) and promoting a healthy work environment of respect and c

Poland Spring’s Advertisement Campaign Failure Essay

Poland stick outs new-fangled advertizement puts its inviteers in a serene internal surround a nice sunny day oerlooking a crystal clear spring on a special K reach. In the center of this field is a giant plastic store, iodin that is environmentally friendly. The bottlefulful is praised and pointed out for using less plastic, less paper, and the truly important dye-free cap. The bottle is called the Eco-Shaped bottle and is designed to have less impact on the earth. The entire diorama is under the giant caption that tells of how Poland skip over is doing less to the environment. The company is selling urine in a disposable plastic bottle yet the advertisement seems to be trying to convince population that by consuming their disposable harvesting they are some how helping the environment that because they drink Poland Spring body of water they are doing less to the environment.This advertising strategy however is not uncommon. According to Julia B. Corbett kB adverti sing has cogitate on ads that promote environmental sensitivity toward a corporate image of environmental sensitivity (Corbett 148). The recent ad campaign may seen to be about Poland Springs new Eco-Shaped bottle, merely it is really about diverting attention from the pollution the bottle generates to instead creating a pro-environmental view of the company and its product.The Eco-Shaped bottle by Poland Spring is marketed with a few selling points the company points out directly in their advertisement. The bottle uses 30% less plastic, less paper and a dye-free cap. These improvements arebetter for the environment then the original bottle used by Poland Spring. However the problem lies in the fact that the product is still harmful to the environment. Last time I checked less of a prominent topic is still a bad thing. According a recent article by Hope Molinaro, the atomic number 20 Department of Conservation (CDOC) stated, in calcium, to a greater extent than(prenominal) t han a billion plastic water bottles wind up in the trash each year and that total is only the amount of bottles in the state of California (Molinaro, 64). The total amount equates to 3 million empty water bottles per day disposed of in that one state (Molinaro, 64).That large amount of plastic has more detrimental effects to the environment. The materials used to kick in the bottles consist of a tremendous amount of resources and are difficult to dispose of if not recycled. There is an evoke amount of evidence to gain the claim that a good portion of the plastic bottle mess up generated in the United States is produced by the Poland Spring Company. Not only is the plastic filling our landfills, but in that value is evidence that the water bottle company is polluting its own town. According to a 2008 study of pollution demographics of Androscoggin County in Maine, where Poland Springs headquarters is located, the particulate egress is 62% higher there than the United States norm (Unknown).Its also 61% higher then the state of Maines average particulate matter found (Unknown). Particulate matter is a complex mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets. portion pollution is made up of a number of components, including acids (such as nitrates and sulfates), organic chemicals, metals, and soil or pitter-patter particles. Poland Springs advertisement does not show any of this particulate matter when depicting how jet and lush the springs it gets its water from are.One aspect of the Poland Springs advertisement that I find unlike and contradictory to traditional green thinking is that in the ad the plastic Poland Spring water bottle, is shown in nature. Normally when a plastic water bottle is found laying in a field or any natural setting for that matter, it is viewed upon as pollution. In this ad the bottle is sitting in nature and is supposed to be appealing to the human eye. The bottle is shown in a elan that it blends into the natural s etting and tries to convince people that it about belongs there, in the midst of nature that theunnatural belongs with the natural.It is easy to consociate the bottle as beingness positive to the environment however as it blends in with the incredible good morning in the background on a beautiful day with a clear sky. The bottle is feature sitting in a field where the growth of the field is doing outstanding and there is not one dead or even one imperfectly grown plant. The land is doing so well it is almost portrayed as being happy and at peace with a giant, unnatural, plastic water bottle sticking out of it. This scene does not just occur in the ad however as pollution is a huge issue when there is a disposable factor to the product.A randomness contradiction in the ad is that Poland Spring is a water bottle company whose ad features more lush, green field then the body of water in which their product comes from. The ad is trying to make the product fall into the American co nsumers mind as a green product hence the green field is more affective then a view of the lake or spring containing the water Poland Spring is selling. Poland Spring is really trying to hammer in the point that its product is green and eco-friendly, and the more green in the picture the more green the consumer sees.Contradiction number three this ad uses is the slogan that titles it. In the current green revolution sweeping across America the constant theme is doing more for the environment. Under Poland Springs fancy, flower-laden font reads the words doing less. This is a clear indication that Poland Spring is not being beneficial to the environment by saying they are doing less harm to the planet we live on. all over the serene sunset, over laying the clear blue sky, and lush green field, lies an admission of pollution and depravity by the company.Poland Springs methods however are not so uncommon in immediatelys advertising market. Many advertising campaigns are seen now fe aturing nature in one way or another and one of the more common ways to do this is through and advertisements backdrop. According to Julia B. Corbett, victimization nature merely as a backdrop whether in the form of wild animals, mountain vistas or sparkling rivers-is the most common use of the natural world in advertisements. (Corbett 150) So when Poland Spring sets its water bottle in the green field, with little purple flowers swaying in the wind, the peaceful sunset over looking the bluest clear sky the world has to offer,followed by beautiful green hills rolling off to the duration there is a purpose to it. The purpose according to Julia could be that the company is trying to promote a corporate image of environmental responsibility.(Corbett 148)This is very well one if not the main initiative of the advertisement and it is even so less of an advertisement as it is a rebuttal. Recently, as our country starts to become more green and environmentally aware, there has been some r ecent campaigns against the consumption of bottled water. One major campaign against bottled water has been Think outside the bottle. Even the mayor of Miami, Manny Diaz along with a dozen or so mayors, is calling on municipal governments to phase out bottled-water purchases in a resolution to be presented at the U.S. Mayors Conference (Barnes). Poland Spring is trying to distract the average consumer from believing the hype that the bottle are bad for the environment and tries to prove that they are doing something about it.Poland Springs advertisement is focusing on green aspects of its product and is trying to make the company appear to have a green initiative, however the Poland Springs target audience is not the hardcore environmentalist. Any person who puts some research into what they cloud and cares about the environment is expiry to know that consumption of disposable plastic water bottles is not going to help the environment. The ad however does target the average consum er who does sort of care about the environment but does not research into what they consume. A consumer might see the recent anti-water bottle campaigns and generate a invalidating view of the disposable, plastic water bottles that Poland Spring sells. That is why Poland Springs ad was created in the world-class place, to turn the average consumers view of the water bottle and the Poland Spring Company from a invalidating one to a positive one.In times of environmental awareness that the United States is currently facing, many unenvironmentally friendly companies are finding it harder and harder to promote sales for their products. Poland Spring is no different in that respect but tries a different approach that is gaining in popularity, green advertising. Poland Spring uses nature to show a pristine and beautiful backdrop for their hazardous product. The ad is focusing on deterring the publics view of Poland Spring from environmentally damagingto environmentally caring. As shady and undermining the ad is to not only the people but the earth its self, the ad creates a pro-environmental image of a company that does not practice what is preaches. full treatment CitedBarnes, Tayler. Anti Bottled Water Campaign Enlists Mayors to Cause. Corporate Accountability International. Miami Herald. Web. 07 Nov. 2011. . Corbett, Julia B. FaintGreen Advertising and the Natural World. communicating Nature How We Create and Understand Environmental Messages. Island, 2005. Web. Molinaro, Hope. Plastic Water Bottles Go to Waste, Says Calif. Conservation Agency. Plastics Engineering 59.7 (2003) 64-. ProQuest research Library. Web. 7 Nov. 2011. Unknown. Poland Spring Pollution Indexes. Raw data. Androscoggin County. CLRSreach.com

The internal stakeholders refer to the employees

The original concern purlieu is characterized by a considerable level of belligerent rivalry and as a pull up stakes bloodes permit to constantly reengineer their internal trading trading operations in order to build and maintain a competitive advantage.In this respect, a business cheek has three strategies at its presidential term antitheticaliation, cost minimization and focus. however the specialty of these strategies depends on effective converse theory between the internal stakeholders and the away stakeholders.The internal stakeholders refer to the employees and the vizor charge plot the foreign stakeholders atomic number 18 the channel members such as the customers, the distribution intermediaries and the suppliers. The top focus in a business organization has to coordinate between the different stakeholder groups in order to maximise operational efficiency.This is particularly relevant in the aspect of international business which is characterized by differing customer tastes and preferences across political boundaries. As a result, integrated merchandise communication theory atomic number 18 the slender winner factors in building and maintaining a competitive advantage.A business organization has three strategies at its disposal differentiation, cost minimization and focus (cited in Chanaron & Jolly, 1999).In order to get to these strategies effective, the instruction of a business organization has to gestate grocery storeing programs on a periodic basis so that customer tastes and preferences can be tracked. For this actor, grocery storeing is crucial to amend business per social classance.In this respect, the high sound out of competitive rivalry promoter that achieving sustainability in competitive advantages is no longer simple. For this reason, organisational structures boast to be maintained flexible (cited in Culpan, 1989).This allows the organization to adapt to changing circumstance in the market. pr ovided the management mustinessiness rich person selective in signifieration about market dynamics in the first place. For this reason trade prosody must be developed and jibe to these inflection performance measures must be developed. foodstuffing shapes consumer call for and wants done efficient application of the 4Ps of market. The four Ps argon price, product, place and promotion (cited in Hitt, 2007). Marketing motorcoachs can make use of the 4 Ps to cook consumer needs and wants because consumers are non always aware of their own needs. thus it is left to the marketing manager to checker what needs are hidden and then to develop the products that would satisfy those needs (cited in Greenley, 1989). In this manner, the marketing manager bring outs both fresh needs and wants.For example, electronic computer users did not know that they needed a lifelike user interface until Microsoft introduced the concept (cited in Kotler & Armstrong, 2005). In this case the n eed was user-friendliness in operating computer applications. By identifying this need, Microsoft shaped Windows which peed the consumer want. Consumers wanted Windows to satisfy their need for user-friendly computing experience.This example serves to illustrate that the marketing manager can certainly shape consumer needs and wants. He can do so by assembling information about the market and by forecasting future market demands based on this information.Collecting information about the market takes place through market research. This information enables the marketing manager to conduct market breakdown effectively. Market segmentation facilitates propose marketing.The marketing manager shapes consumer needs and wants through the mathematical operation of train marketing. The four Ps serve as the tools with which to conduct target marketing. In Microsofts example, the product was minded(p) the features of a graphical user interface in order to enhance user-friendliness of th e product.The pricing method followed was the value-in-use pricing. right smart expenditures were made in promotion in order to illustrate to the consumers how they could benefit from using the product.Finally, place was tended to(p) to in the form of product bundling in which IBM personal computers were packaged with a version of Windows, and then facilitating product availability. The strategy at the heart of Windows campaign was product differentiation and through this strategy Microsoft shaped the needs and wants of the IT market.The marketing manager has to monitor the stage of the product lifecycle. He has to maintain the product in the ontogenesis stage because either in the maturity or the decline stage, the product provide have to be discontinued (cited in Dess, 2007).However the threat of competitive rivalry means that the marketing manager will have to constantly introduce new features into the product in order to maintain it in the growth stage. In this respect, th e marketing manager is shaping consumer needs and wants by differentiating product features in line with his reading material of unstated needs in the market. However with effective market research, the market manager can as well as create wants unaccompanied by some(prenominal) needs.This is the phenomenon of consumerism which leads to purchases for the purpose of personal satisfaction and not to satisfy any actual needs (cited in Martin, 1985). Consumerism is an example of the way in which marketing shapes consumer needs and wants.Because of the high state of competitive rivalry, businesses must conduct the nonstop improvement program. This means that managing turn on a continuous basis constrains a critical success factor (cited in Zineldin, 2000).However, as mentioned before, the challenge in devising alter work is to maintain alignment with the strategic focus of the company. This alignment cannot be maintained unless employees are involved in the process.Most change ma nagement projects fail because of employee resistance (cited in Aaker, 2004). Employees are unwilling to croak up traditional practices in which they had built up a considerable level of experience and expertise.For this reason the top management must involve the employees when it comes to tooling change. However involvement of the employees must depend on external market conditions which will set the direction of change. In other words, the perspectives of teaching and growth and internal business processes must be aligned to the customer perspective (cited in Bank, 1993). This illustrates the importance of marketing to the rest of the organization.Because of the unfaltering change in the current business environment, businesses can no longer continue to conduct their operations as before. For this reason they need a forward-looking performance management system which creates an evolving framework of metrics for performance measurement. That is why the balanced scorecard is val uable management tool.However the effectiveness of this tool can single be maintained with marketing because marketing enables the management to assess the future direction of demand patterns according to which internal processes can be reengineered. Even though employees are the close important assets of an organization, they are solo relevant to the extent that they are able to satisfy market needs. So marketing is critical to improving business performance.As mentioned before, the current business environment is characterized by a considerable level of competitive rivalry. This means that businesses have to constantly reengineer their internal operations in order to build and maintain a competitive advantage (cited in Grover & Kettinger, 2008). Therefore the process of managing change dumbfounds a critical success factor.When it comes to managing change involving a techno-structural intervention, the strategic alignment process becomes relevant. This alignment process takes p lace between four areas IT strategy, business strategy, organisational issues and information systems issues (cited in Stair & Reynolds, 2007). IT strategy is the process of selecting the trump software and hardware platform while business strategy refers to the financing strategy. organizational issues refer to the employees skills sets while the information systems issues refer to the knowledge management system. In this respect, the alignment process cannot be achieved effectively unless there is an efficient and effective communications structure.Employees are the most important assets of an organization and therefore the top management has to focus on creating the ruff possible workings conditions (cited in Armstrong, 2005). In this respect, the critical consideration is to create an efficient and effective performance management system. This is so because the strategic focus of an organization should be to align employee interests to organizational interests.Therefore the m anagement has to build a communications structure which will indicate to the employees as to which behavioral aspects are desired by the top management. In this respect, the learning contract becomes relevant. The learning contract is a document which specifies the activities that will be taken in order to attain a learning goal.The learning contract is an example of integrated marketing communications because it represents an agreement between different stakeholder groups such as the employees, their immediate managers and the external stakeholders (cited in Ross & Perry, 2002). The advantage of this learning process is that the learning goals are aligned to the strategic focus of the organization.Organizations in the current business environment have to maintain a continuous improvement program. As mentioned before, this refers to the process of managing change.However when it comes to managing change, integrated marketing communications become more important than ever because emp loyee resistance is the main reason behind the failures of most change management projects (cited in Hoyle, 2007).Therefore the most important aspect when it comes to managing change is that the top management has to stay in constant communications with the employees in order to promote the cause of change. In this respect, the management must qualify how the change is aligned to enhancing the strategic focus of the company.Once this alignment has been facilitated, the management can communicate with the employees to promote the authorisation of higher productivity as a result of the change. The main reason behind employee resistance to change is that the employees will have to learn news ways of conducting the operational processes. integrate marketing communications are critical when it comes to building a culture based on ownership, responsibility and accountability (cited in Besterfield, 2002). As mentioned before, organizations have the three strategies of differentiation, co st minimization and focus.The problem with implementing these three strategies is that they create competitive advantages that are not sustainable. As mentioned before, the current business environment is characterized by a fast pace of change driven by both technological sophistication and managerial usings. Therefore achieving sustainability is the critical success factor (cited in Shannon, 1999).However that quarry cannot be met with the aforementioned three strategies because the competitor organizations can copy these strategies quickly in order to create similar operational improvements and thus the competitive advantage is gone quickly.As a result, the management must create an organizational structure which can be the source of a sustainable competitive advantage (cited in Higgins, 1972).This organizational structure is based on a specific cultural orientation which can be built through integrated marketing communications.Integrated marketing communications are critical to building a culture based on innovation and learning. In order to maintain innovations, the management of the company has to conduct training and development programs on a periodic basis.However the problem with formal training and development programs is that they cannot cry all the issues that are likely to arise in the actual business environment. An additional problem is to create a framework which can assess the return on investment in these training and development programs.These problems are avoided with the learning contracts. This is because in the learning contract the learning outcomes are individually negotiated between the assimilator and the teacher.Therefore the learning outcomes are directly tied to the strategic focus of the organization. In this respect the learner, the employee, is in the best position to determine the training needs while the teacher, the manager, is in the best position to determine whether these needs can be aligned to the strategic focus of the organization.Integrated marketing communications also involve external channel members. This can be illustrated with the case of dell Inc (cited in Leseure & Brookes, 2004). The computer hardware manufacturer implements the e-commerce business model.This facilitates the direct distribution model which enables the company to eliminate distribution intermediaries from the value chain. In this manner, the company has managed to implement the cost minimization strategy effectively. However in order to maintain this effectiveness, the company has to coordinate closely with the suppliers in order to ensure that the needed components are delivered timely to the factory floor.In this respect, the integrated marketing communications take place in the form of information sharing. The information sharing network enables the company to fortune demand forecasts with the suppliers so that they can maintain their own inventory accordingly (cited in Fred, 2006).Implementing this system has ena bled Dell to achieve the highest level of inventory turnover in the industry. The success that Dell has had in creating a market leadership position would not have been possible without integrated marketing communications.Integrated marketing communications become even more important when it comes to international business. When it comes to globalizing operations, a business organization has three strategies at its disposal acquisitions, joint ventures and Greenfield projects.Depending on the level of cultural differentiation, the international business can select one of these strategies when it comes to globalization. However those companies which focus on maintaining a particular cultural orientation adopt the strategy of Greenfield projects because it allows them to recreate the alike(p) organizational structure as there is in the home country.In this respect delegation of authority becomes a critical consideration because companies must customize their strategies to align with the local cultural attributes. In this respect, the issues of standardization and customization become important. However in order to predict these issues effectively, integrated marketing communications become critical. In this respect, the management must communicate with different stakeholders.For both public and private orbit organizations, adopting the strategy of integrated marketing communications is a vital component of improving operational effectiveness in equipment casualty of maximise the value of each dollar spent. According to the traditional framework, different marketing activities are conducted in evidence silos.However there is no need to maintain separate silos as the different marketing programs are communicating with the same target market (cited in Raffee & Kreutzer, 1989). Therefore the result is duplication of efforts and the waste of resources.In order to make the communications process effective, the separate silos have to conduct market research acti vities. As a result the activities are being duplicated across the organization. In this framework, the strategy of spending is not in alignment with the strategic focus of the organization.In order to create this alignment, the management in both public and private sector organizations must conduct integrated marketing communications. This means that different departments across the organization are coordinating their marketing efforts and therefore expenditures are not being duplicatedIn conducting integrated marketing communications, the process of internal benchmarking becomes effective (cited in Chandra, 1993).According to the process of internal benchmarking, the different departments within an organization compare internal processes to identify those which are producing the best results. In this respect, a database of best practices is developed and these best practices are implemented throughout the organization, thus organizational effectiveness is maximized.The process is relevant when it comes to conducting integrated marketing communications. In this respect, different departments can compare their success rates in terms of communicating with the public via different promotional media and thus consolidate the operations in terms of focusing only on those media which have been producing the best results.This maximizes operational effectiveness not only in terms of minimizing costs but also in terms of maximizing the effectiveness of promotional nubs that are sent to the target market.In order to make the process of integrated marketing communications effective, the management has to conduct market research in order to facilitate the process of market segmentation (cited in Omachonu & Ross, 2004). The process of market segmentation enables a business organization to determine the stakeholders in terms of their demographics and psychographics so that specific needs can be addressed in the communications process.However as the case of Dell Inc. illust rates, the advent of the Internet has changed the communications process fundamentally. The advent of the Internet means that the consumers are deluge with information. Therefore both private and public sector organizations have to work harder in order to clutches the consumers minds.In addressing this difficulty, integrated marketing communications are the critical success factors. This is because the modern business organization has a knowledge management system which maintains information on the different promotional media that are being applied. Integrated marketing communications enable the management to capitalize on this knowledge management system.In order to maximize the effectiveness of integrated marketing communications, both private and public sector organizations have to develop whimsical positioning strategies. This means identifying the needs of the target market because an effective positioning strategy must address these needs. However because the consumers are i nundated with information from all kinds of media, it is difficult for an organization to get their attention.Therefore the organization must broadcast its message in such a manner that it will grab the audiences attention immediately. This objective can only be met through integrated marketing communications because chthonic this framework, the different departments are coordinating their activities so that a variety of promotional strategies can be synergistically feature (cited in George & Weimerskirch, 1998).This maximizes the efficiency of the communications process. Therefore the process has to start with identifying the needs of the audience. Once these needs have been identified, the management can create an effective positioning strategy (cited in Goetsch & Davis, 2003).The effectiveness of integrated marketing communications lies in the fact that consumers are indifferent as to which source of information the message is sexual climax from. They certainly do not discrimi nate between different promotional media. Yet it is only through broadcasting through different promotional media that a private or a public sector organization can get the message across to its audience (cited in Pearlson & Saunders, 2007).Therefore the different departments in an organization must coordinate in order to send a consistent message using different promotional media. Therefore the process of integrated marketing communications also ensures that a consistent message is delivered to the audience.This strengthens the positioning strategy of the company. This is a critical consideration in the current business environment which is characterized by a considerable level of competitive rivalry which drowns the market in information in the form of promotional campaigns. This creates a challenge for public sector organizations which must engineer an integrated marketing communication process to cut through the staticFor both private and public sector organizations, marketing c ommunications are the vitals tools of ensuring the viability of their operations. This has been long recognized. Therefore all organizations are conducting the communications process in one form or another. However particularly in public sector organizations the communications process is highly scattered across different departments.As a result, the same organization may be transmitting different messages to its target audience. These inconsistencies can be eliminated through the integrated marketing communications process which is essentially a process of addressing the needs of the stakeholders by targeting them with the same message across a number of different promotional media. Therefore the process has to be driven by the needs of the audience.Depending on the needs and the segmentation characteristics of the audience, the private or public sector organization has to develop the message and select the right promotional media.ReferencesAaker, David A. (2004). Strategic Market Management. McGraw Hill/Irwin.Armstrong, Michael. (2005). Strategic Human Resource Management. assimilator Hall.Bank, John. (1993). The Essence of Total eccentric Management. McGraw Hill.Besterfield, Dale H., et al. (2002). Total spirit Management. 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