Nous, Noology, and the Noosphere

Nous, Noology, and the Noosphere Nous, Noology, and the Noosphere Nous, Noology, and the Noosphere By Maeve Maddox My introduction to nous to mean â€Å"common sense† came from my reading of the Inspector Morse mystery novels by Colin Dexter. Morse frequently tells his long-suffering sergeant, Robbie Lewis, to use his: Morse  interrupted him. â€Å"Christ man, youre not in apron strings.  Use your nous!† Nous comes from ancient Greek philosophy in which it is the word for mind. It entered English with the meanings â€Å"mind, intellect, intelligence,† and â€Å"intuitive apprehension.† British speakers use nous colloquially to mean â€Å"common sense, practical intelligence, or gumption.† Some speakers make it rhyme with house; others with noose. Also deriving from the Greek word for mind are the words noology and noosphere: noology noun: the branch of learning that deals with the mind or thinking; the study of the spiritual or distinctively human aspects of humanity. noosphere noun: the part of the biosphere occupied by thinking humanity; (with reference to the writing of P. Teilhard de Chardin) a stage or sphere of evolutionary development characterized by (the emergence or dominance of) consciousness, the mind, and interpersonal relationships, postulated as following the stage of the establishment of human life. Since the 1940s, these words have been gaining popularity in discussions of cybernetics. We swim in imagination and bring the noosphere alive with collective consciousness. Wired, 1996. This paper also introduces Noology, which is the study of the intellect and intellectual phenomena and explains how Noosphere is connected with Cyberspace.- Abstract of a paper titled Application of Cybernetics in Cyber Criminology. Some people are going beyond the interaction between the noosphere and the physical world and see a link between the Internet and the noosphere.- Waking Times, a news blog. Princeton University’s Global Consciousness Project measures changes in global human consciousness. When random number generators indicate that some great event has â€Å"[synchronized] the feelings of millions of people,† the researchers â€Å"calculate one in a trillion odds that the effect is due to chance.† According to the project’s website, â€Å"the evidence suggests an emerging noosphere or the unifying field of consciousness described by sages in all cultures.† There can be no question that human interaction with computers is affecting the way people think and behave, not necessarily in a desirable way. Computer scientist Jaron Lanier sounds a warning against the consequences of a Web culture dominated by advertising and aimed at imposing conformity in his book You Are Not a Gadget, Knopf, 2010 (paperback, 2011). Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Direct and Indirect ObjectsThe Difference Between "will" and "shall"40 Synonyms for Praise

Simon Bolivar and the Battle of Boyaca

Simon Bolivar and the Battle of Boyaca On August 7, 1819, Simà ³n Bolà ­var engaged Spanish General Josà © Marà ­a Barreiro in battle near the Boyaca River in present-day Colombia. The Spanish force was spread out and divided, and Bolà ­var was able to kill or capture almost all of the enemy combatants. It was the decisive battle for the liberation of New Granada (now Colombia). Bolivar and the Independence Stalemate in Venezuela In early 1819, Venezuela was at war: Spanish and Patriot generals and warlords were fighting each other all over the region. New Granada was a different story: there was an uneasy peace, as the populace was ruled with an iron fist by Spanish Viceroy Juan Josà © de Smano from Bogota. Simon Bolivar, greatest of the rebel generals, was in Venezuela, dueling with Spanish General Pablo Morillo, but he knew that if he could just get to New Granada, Bogota was practically undefended. Bolivar Crosses the Andes Venezuela and Colombia are divided by a high arm of the Andes Mountains: parts of it are practically impassible. From May to July of 1819, however, Bolivar led his army over the pass of Pramo de Pisba. At 13,000 feet (4,000 meters), the pass was extremely treacherous: deadly winds chilled the bones, snow and ice made footing difficult, and ravines claimed pack animals and men to falls. Bolivar lost a third of his army in the crossing, but made it to the western side of the Andes in early July, 1819: the Spanish at first had no idea he was there. Battle of Vargas Swamp Bolivar quickly regrouped and recruited more soldiers from the eager population of New Granada. His men engaged the forces of young Spanish general Josà © Marà ­a Barreiro at the battle of Vargas Swamp on July 25: it ended in a draw, but showed the Spanish that Bolà ­var had arrived in force and was headed for Bogota. Bolivar moved quickly to the town of Tunja, finding supplies and weapons meant for Barreiro. Royalist Forces at the Battle of Boyaca Barreiro was a skilled general who had a trained, veteran army. Many of the soldiers, however, had been conscripted from New Granada and doubtless there were some whose sympathies were with the rebels. Barreiro moved to intercept Bolivar before he could reach Bogota. In the vanguard, he had some 850 men in the elite Numancia battalion and 160 skilled cavalry known as dragoons. In the main body of the army, he had about 1,800 soldiers and three cannons. The Battle of Boyaca Begins On August 7, Barreiro was moving his army, trying to get into position to keep Bolivar out of Bogota long enough for reinforcements to arrive. By the afternoon, the vanguard had gone ahead and crossed the river at a bridge. There they rested, waiting for the main army to catch up. Bolà ­var, who was much closer than Barreiro suspected, struck. He ordered General Francisco de Paula Santander to keep the elite vanguard forces occupied while he hammered away at the main force. A Stunning Victory It worked out even better than Bolivar had planned. Santander kept the Numancia Battalion and Dragoons pinned down, while Bolivar and General Anzotegui attacked the shocked, spread-out main Spanish army. Bolà ­var quickly surrounded the Spanish host. Surrounded and cut off from the best soldiers in his army, Barreiro quickly surrendered. All told, the royalists lost more than 200 killed and 1,600 captured. The patriot forces lost 13 killed and about 50 wounded. It was a total victory for Bolà ­var. On to Bogot With Barreiro’s army crushed, Bolà ­var quickly made for the city of Santa fà © de Bogot, where Viceroy Juan Josà © de Smano was the ranking Spanish official in Northern South America. The Spanish and royalists in the capital panicked and fled in the night, carrying all they could and leaving their homes and in some cases family members behind. Viceroy Smano himself was a cruel man who feared the retribution of the patriots, so he, too quickly departed, dressed as a peasant. Newly-converted â€Å"patriots† looted the homes of their former neighbors until Bolà ­var took the city unopposed on August 10, 1819, and restored order. Legacy of the Battle of Boyaca The Battle of Boyac and capture of Bogot resulted in a stunning checkmate for Bolà ­var against his enemies. In fact, the Viceroy had left in such haste that he even left money in the treasury. Back in Venezuela, the ranking royalist officer was General Pablo Morillo. When he learned of the battle and the fall of Bogot, he knew the royalist cause was lost. Bolà ­var, with the funds from the royal treasury, thousands of possible recruits in New Granada and undeniable momentum, would soon sweep back into Venezuela and crush any royalists still there. Morillo wrote to the King, desperately begging for more troops. 20,000 soldiers were recruited and were to be sent, but events in Spain prevented the force from ever departing. Instead, King Ferdinand sent Morillo a letter authorizing him to negotiate with the rebels, offering them some minor concessions in a new, more liberal constitution. Morillo knew the rebels had the upper hand and would never agree, but tried anyway. Bolà ­var, sensing the royalist desperation, agreed to a temporary armistice but pressed the attack. Less than two years later, the royalists would once again be defeated by Bolà ­var, this time at the Battle of Carabobo. This battle marked the last gasp of organized Spanish resistance in northern South America. The Battle of Boyac has gone down in history as one of the greatest of Bolà ­vars many triumphs. The stunning, complete victory broke the stalemate and gave Bolà ­var an advantage he never lost.

Political Responses Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Political Responses - Assignment Example It is also amusing, interesting and highly dynamic. It revolves around doing what ordinary men do, but the levels of the activity bring out the difference. Politicians tend to do more activities than what other people do in the aim of winning their support. He argues in reference to political scientists, who study and analyze politics. These entail doing what other people do: listening to press conferences and reading news paper, playing party in political campaigns, among others. However, politicians look at both sides of issues in question, because being emotional on issues could lead to cloud judgment. Politicians borrow ideas from other disciplines before making conclusions; these include sociology, economy, psychology, history, and philosophy. This is in the aim of analyzing how issues in the country are progressing politically. He also argues that politics is substantially complex; this is in regard to terms associated with it such as liberal and represent. This brings on the i dea on collective decision. Mobilization of the public is critical in pushing any agenda in politics. This is because politician act as people’s representatives in the legislature. ... This may be by convincing, and at times through pressure. He uses Hitler as an example as he rose to power through convincing many Germans to vote for him. Another example used by the author is the relationship between the congress and the head of State in US. There are frequent disagreements between the two parties because the president does not have the power to convince the congress on the energy issue. This forces him to follow the majorities’ choice. In short, politics revolves around the power one has over the others. The point put forward by the author has weight. This is because if one analyzes what is entailed in politics, the ultimate results are power and choice. The most influential character ends up being chosen by the majority. It is also evident that at times power may be exercised through coercion. This is where the powerful force the minority in the society to do what they want. At times, power may use corrupt incentives. This points out where the powerful use s money, physical strength, strong allies, affection among others. This strategy was used by Northern Vietnam to defeat USA forces in the 1970's war. This helps to make people other do what they wish. Question two Political action This entails all actions that bring pressure on governmental or political agencies with the aim of persuading them to take action. These persuasions should take positive environmental actions. There is many cause of political action is a reference to the films used in the course. Some politicians call for political actions in the efforts to bring political values or liberty. In other cases, political action is brought up as a result of quest for power, deliberation, and consensus. An Insight of

Reason in Philosophy Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Reason in Philosophy - Term Paper Example Reason in Philosophy Thus, philosophers even criticize what has being existing for many years’ Mummies have being f found to cry successfully thus, creating a senses of immoral and deceiving people about true world. On the other hand of reasoning, philosophers learn to be moral so as to free themselves from deception of senses. On the other hand, Heraclitus is considered to be highly respected. Thus, he holds in multiplicity of change while others rejected it. This was due to solidity and unity of other opposing members. According Heraclitus, the testimony that introduced lies in the way the Eleatics believed. Arguing the lie of unity and like of thing hood of permanence thus rejecting the testimony. More so, they derived reason for fake the testimony of the senses. Insofar as the senses show becoming, passing away and change they do not lie. Unlike Heraclitus remain right with his statement that being is an empty invention. Therefore, in real world the true world is always accompanied by a lie. R easoning also addresses the magnificent instruments of observation which overlook the logic of which are posed in our senses. Various weak instruments are in position to sense tiny chemical concentrations that even avoid spectroscope. Nowadays possessions of science have contributed to an extent to which new innovation and ideas are incubated. Thus, applied logic has been considered not to be reality even when solving problems with the recommended signs. The other characteristic of philosophers consist of confusing the last and the first of any subject. Additionally, believe in a concept that ought to have similar start and end. This shows the way of respect thus, origin of something is considered an opposition of questioning of value. Consequently, all the concepts which has being absolute the good, the true, the perfect thus they become cause. In turn, to conclude philosophers arrive to an amazing concept which is always the last thing in their subject (Friedrich14) On the other h and, is contrast which conceives the problem of error and appearance, thus alteration of the past which leads to proof of mere appearance to the philosopher? In addition the suggestion that lead to something which is lost.In contrast, nowadays prejudices of reason forces individuals unity, identity, caught error, so as to certain the basis of rigorous examination where error lies. The other case is when philosopher advocates of error thus individual language is used. Hence, elementary psychology which come in the realm of crude fetishism when summon prior to consciousness, the basic belief of metaphysics of language. Philosophy of reasoning can also be reduced in four theses. First proposition which outline world as apparent thus representing the reality thus, other kind of reality is completely indemonstrable. On the other front, the principle that has being granted on the true being of things that are not reality. The third proposition is inventing of fables about a world of †˜other ‘that has no meaning at all unless an instinct against life. Consequently, human being gained an upper hand for better life. Fourth proposition bring distinction between a true and an apparent world whether in Christian manner or in the way an unhanded Christian. In the case of appearance, it explain reality more only by way o f assortment and support. How The ‘True World’ Finally Became A Fable. According philosopher’s true world has attainable for the sage thus, the pious and virtuous

Sales Contract Essay Example for Free

Sales Contract Essay Sale of Goods 1. The Seller will sell, transfer, and deliver to the Purchaser the following goods on or before May 31, 2012 (the â€Å"Goods†) a. 10,000 widgets Purchase Price 2. The Purchaser will accept the Goods and pay for the Goods with the sum of fifty thousand ($50,000) USD, paid as follows: a. Down payment of $5,000 upon contract execution b. the remainder of the purchase price within 10 day of receipt of delivery of the Goods. 3. Payment of the Goods will be made to the Seller when the Purchaser has confirmed receipt of the Goods. Delivery of Goods 4. The Goods will be deemed by the purchaser when delivered the Purchaser’s place of business located at 456 First St., Secondville, Michigan. The Purchaser agrees to pay the cost of the shipment. Risk of Loss 5. Risk of loss will be the responsibility of the Seller from the time of delivery to the Purchaser. The Seller will provide at its expense insurance on the Goods insuring the Seller’s and the Purchaser’s interest as they appear, until receipt of shipment has been confirmed. Warranties 6. THE GOODS ARE SOLD WITH WARRANTY. THE SELLER ACCEPTS ALL WARRANTIES WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. The Seller assumes, or authorizes any other person to assume on the behalf of the Seller, any liability in connection with the sale of the Goods. 7. Upon delivery of the Goods, the Purchaser reserves the right to inspect the Goods, or have it inspected. The Purchaser must confirm and accept the Goods as being in good condition. Further the Seller accepts  any and all warranties as to the condition of the Goods. Title 8. Title to the Goods will be shared with the Seller and Purchaser until the delivery and actual receipt of the Goods by the Purchaser. Upon delivery, the Seller must provide a document of title or registrable Bill of Sale of the Goods, bearing the necessary endorsement to the Purchaser. Security of Interest 9. The seller retains a security interest in the Goods until paid in full. Inspection 10. Inspection will be made by the Purchaser at the time and place of delivery. Claims 11. The Purchaser must give notice of any claim within 30 days from the date of delivery. Excuse for Failure to Perform 12. The Seller is liable in any way for any delay, non –delivery or default in shipment due to labor disputes, transportation shortage, delays in receipt of material, priorities, fires, accidents and all other causes. If the Purchaser, in its sole judgment, will be prevented directly or indirectly, on account of any cause beyond its control, from accepting the Goods, the Purchaser reserves the right to terminate this Agreement by notice in writing to the Seller. Remedies 13. The Purchaser’s remedy and the Sellers complete liability for any and all losses or damages resulting from the defective goods or from any other cause will be for the purchase price of the particular delivery with respect to which losses or damages are claimed, plus all transportation charges paid by the Purchaser. Cancellation 14. The Purchaser reserves the right to cancel this Agreement: a. if the Purchaser deems the shipment incomplete or unacceptable in condition. b. in the event of the Purchaser’s insolvency or bankruptcy; or c. If the Purchaser deems that its prospect of providing payment is impaired. Notices 15. Any notices to be given or document to be delivered to either the Seller or Purchaser pursuant to the Agreement will be sufficient if delivered personally or sent by prepaid registered mail to the address specified below. Any written notice or delivery of documents will have been given, made and received on the day of delivery personal, or on the third (3rd) consecutive business day next following the date of mailing if sent by prepaid registered mail: PURCHASER:456 First St., Secondville, Michigan SELLER: 123 Main St., Podunk, Iowa General Provision 16. All representations and warranties of the Seller in the Agreement will survive the closing of this Agreement. 17. This Agreement cannot be modified in any way except in writing signed by all the parties to the Agreement. 18. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan, including the Uniform Commercial Code and the Seller and the Purchaser hereby attorney toe the jurisdiction of the Courts of the State of Michigan. 19. Except where otherwise stated in this Agreement, all terms employed in this Agreement will have the same definition as set forth in the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the State of Michigan on the date of execution of this Agreement. 20. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Purchaser and Seller and their respective successors and assigns. 21. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and there are no further items or provisions, either oral or otherwise. IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this Sales Agreement on this 10th day of October, 2012.

Bastard Out Of Carolina Essay -- English Literature

Bastard Out Of Carolina â€Å"Pay Attention to Detail† ========================= One must consider a little history on Dorothy Allison in order to see how the directions that she takes the novel add up. When she was 24, Allison lived in a lesbian-feminist collective. The women there gave her the confidence she needed and the ability to see the value in her own writing (Amazon.com). During this time, she also found someone who seemed normal, yet she had experienced the same â€Å"incest† (Megan 74). This discovery removed some of her separation that she believed her abuse created between her and the world (Amazon 74). Allison actually was born a â€Å"bastard† (Amazon 78), and her life was further complicated through dealing with her â€Å"brutal† step-father (Amazon 76). When she began writing, her goal as a writer, especially in Bastard Out of Carolina centers on having â€Å"compassion† and no â€Å"rage† (Megan 75). Allison hoped to further her goal in this book by making Bone appear to be able to survive through making others take ownership in the wrongs that have been dealt to her (Megan 73). Through Bone, Allison could comprehend how her childhood could have been better, so she would not raise her child in the same manner (Megan 75). In writing Bastard, she also learned how to turn a poem into a novel, a valuable skill for one who usually begins writing poetry (Megan 72). Which creates themes present in the novel and in order to truly get an appreciation of Bastard Out of Carolina, by Dorothy Allison, one must take a close look at the main concepts: Abuse, Fire, Legitimacy, Social Class, Hands, and Identity; to see how they all play a role in the overall tone and personification of the book. One of the main concepts in Ba... ...p to the man who tries to destroy her. In conclusion, we saw how in writing Bastard, she also learned how to turn a poem into a novel, which created themes present in the novel and in order to have truly gotten an appreciation of Bastard Out of Carolina, by Dorothy Allison, one must have taken a close look at the main concepts: Abuse, Fire, Legitimacy, Social Class, Hands, and Identity; to see how they all played a role in the overall tone and personification of the book. Works Cited: "Amazon.com Talks to Dorothy Allison." http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/show-interview/a-d-llisonorothy/ 1261-2240565-375045 (22 March 1998). "An Evening to Remember:Dorothy Allison." http://www.progway.org/dorothy.html (22 March 1998). Megan, Carolyn E. "Moving Toward Truth: An Interview with Dorothy Allison." The Kenyon Review Journals 16.4 (Fall 1994):71-83.

Leadership: Equality, Justice, Truth, and Freedom

Leadership: Equality, Justice, Truth, and Freedom| Busi 472- Organizational Ethics || Katherine Carpenter| 10/3/2011| Abstract | In this paper the reader will read about leadership. The basis for this paper is from a quote by Clarence Walton, â€Å"Leadership, an ill-defined word, comes from understanding and respecting four crucial ideas: equality, justice, truth, and freedom,† (Hosmer, 2011). This paper will illustrate the importance of the four ideas to leadership. IntroductionLeadership is defined as â€Å"the position or function of a leader, a person who guides or directs a group,† (Dictionary. com, 2011). How does a person become a leader and what should that person’s values be to be a good leader? Clarence Walton said it best, he said â€Å"Leadership, an ill-defined word, comes from understanding and respecting four crucial ideas: equality, justice, truth, and freedom,† (Hosmer, 2011). The ideas stated by Clarence Walton are all important in build ing a talented leader. In this paper each of the four ideas will be expanded on.There have been many leaders in the past and the present who have been great leaders because they understood and respected the crucial ideas of being a leader. Equality in Leadership Equality is defined as â€Å"the state or quality of being equal; correspondence in quantity, degree, value, rank, or ability,† (Dictionary. com, 2011). Equality should be followed by a leader, because they will lose or never earn respect if they do not treat each person equally. Even when women were first allowed to work with the men they were not treated equally.Some women were only given jobs that others felt that a woman could handle and the women that did have the same job title as a man were paid significantly less than the man. A great leader is one that will look at the work that the person has done rather than judge them on their sex or color. â€Å"Discrimination of any kind undermines the strength of our c ommunities,† (Association of Flight Attendants, 2011). I think that this is a very true statement, because if one or several are not treated equally then the help and support of those is lost making the whole weaker.Justice in Leadership Justice is defined as â€Å"the quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness,† (Dictionary. com, 2011). Justice is an important quality for a leader to possess. If a leader was not just then his authority would be unfair, and people will not want to work for someone who is unfair. If a leader is not just then people will not hold the position long. Blaise Pascal who was a French philosopher said, â€Å"Justice and power must be brought together, so that whatever is just may be powerful, and whatever is powerful may be just,† (BookRags, 2001).There are many interpretations of the Goddess of Justice but the main ideas of her are that she is blindfolded balancing a scale and wielding a sword, (Dean, 1999). This shows that being just in leadership takes a lot of hard work and dedication to overcome any obstacles. If being a leader was easy then everyone would do it. Truth in Leadership Truth is defined as â€Å"the true or actual state of a matter,† (Dictionary. com, 2011). Truth is a very cut and dry topic. If it did not happen or something is just a little bit off then it is not the truth.A great leader will not lie or fabricate truth in order to gain respect or to try and get to a particular outcome. I have had leaders that have lied to me or only given me partial truth; I lost all respect for them and did not know when I could actually believe them. One of the biggest problem is when a leader tells one lie they will have to tell another to cover up the first lie. Telling just one lie is not possible and it makes people not trust a leader who have lied to them. A leader who wants to be a good leader or wants to gain the respect of others should always strive to tell the trut h.Freedom in Leadership Freedom is defined as â€Å"the state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint,† (Dictionary. com, 2011). In this country we have many freedoms granted to us. All of our freedoms are written in the constitution. If we did not have those freedoms the only people that held jobs would be white males. There have been leaders in the past that have helped to give all people the freedom to be able to have jobs. Harriet Tubman was leader in her time helping to free slaves, she believed in the freedom of others.After Harriet Tubman helped free slaves in the Underground Railroad she pursued women’s rights, (Women in History, 2011). Conclusion In this paper the effort was put into trying to show that great leaders will have certain qualities. There have been great leaders in the past that have helped to define what great leadership is. â€Å"Leadership, an ill-defined word, comes from understanding and respecting four crucial ideas: equality, justice, truth, and freedom,† (Hosmer, 2011) is the definition that we can use for leadership.If we look upon the great leaders of the past and the four crucial ideas stated in this paper then incorporate that into ourselves we to can become great leaders. Being a great leader also takes a great deal of work so that others will respect and look up to the leader. References Association of Flight Attendants. (2011). Association of Flight Attendants. Retrieved October 3, 2011, from AFA: The Leader of Equality: http://unitedafa. org/news/details. aspx? id=6233 BookRags. (2001). Brainy Quote. Retrieved October 2, 2011, from Blaise Pascal Quotes: http://www. brainyquote. om/quotes/authors/b/blaise_pascal_3. html Dean, M. A. (1999). Images of the Goddess of Justice. Retrieved October 2, 2011, from http://mdean. tripod. com/justice. html Dictionary. com. (2011). Dictionary. Retrieved October 2, 2011, from dictionary. com: http://dictionary. reference. com / Hosmer, L. (2011). The Ethics of Management, A multidisciplinary Approach (Vol. Seventh Edition). New York, New York: McGraw-Hill. Women in History. Harriet Tubman biography. Last Updated: 10/3/2011. Lakewood Public Library. Date accessed 10/3/2011. http://www. lkwdpl. org/wihohio/tubm-har. htm

Rfid at the Metro Group Essay

The market is mature and continually seeks innovative ideas to enhance competitive advantage -Highly capital intensive -Low to moderate labor intensiveness -Low margin; high volume – they take advantage of economies of scale -Characterized by high volume holding capacity controlled through Information Technology Company Facts Metro Group was Germany’s biggest retailer (250 stores, 10 warehouses, 100 suppliers) that operates globally in 6 divisions: Metro Cash & Carry (wholesale), Retail (hypermarkets), Extra (supermarkets), Media Market and Saturn (consumer electronics), Praktiker (building materials), Galeria Kaufhof (department stores) -Metro Group (hereafter, Metro) is the world’s 3rd-largest retailer -Having the capacity to carry large volumes of inventory and have it adequately controlled and managed by cost efficient Information Technology resources – Increased company international expansion overseas -Metro is seeking to improve product accessibility: Having products consumers want in locations consumers can find them easily oReducing shrink in the Supply chain oHaving little to no Out of Stock occurrences -Launched the Future Store Initiative in September 2002 to test different initiative aimed at improving all aspects of the customer experience Competitive Environment -Porter’s Five Forces o Supplier Power- Relatively low; products can be procured from many different places at low price. Products have low differentiation oSubstitutes- High threat with established companies such as Walmart, Tesco, and Carrefour in the same industry. Buyer Power- Moderate level of buyer power. Customers are sensitive to prices, brand names and are willing to investigate substitutes oBarriers to Entry- Relatively high- Metro is rather large and established as well as some of its competitors. Need lots of capital, innovative supply chain management strategy will be need to be able to compete. oRivalry- Moderate to high level of rivalry between the competition. Companies are investigating new way to improve product availability and cut costs Strategic Fit or Alignment -Metro’s supplier have not been implementing RFID as Metro would like i. e. Misplaced, low quality tags are a major issue -Metro’s IT subsidiary has aided in improving fit across the 6 independent sale divisions -There is a lack of fit between employees’ training and the mission of management to implement the RFID -Lack of alignment existent within Metro’s leadership as to whether or not RFID should be applied company-wide as the solvent for Metro’s supply chain issues -Hard Conclusions: Metro should develop an even more strategic relationship with its suppliers so that they are cognizant of how to implement RFID and that they maintain a certain level of quality; Metro should also train its employees on how to apply RFID within their tasks; Metro’s highest management should continue to utilize RFID but should also seek to improve its supply chain in the areas suggested by opponents of RFID RFID Facts -RFID contains at least two parts oIntegrated circuit- storing and processing information, modulating and demodulating a radio frequency and other specialized functions oAntenna- receiving and transmitting the signal Used in enterprise supply chain management to improve the efficiency of inventory tracking and management -Limited growth and adoption in enterprise supply chain markets due to advanced technology needed to implement it Metro’s Competitive Strategy -Metro is a leader in supply chain innovation through the use of the RFID system. Metro does not want to sacrifice quality over costs for RFID which: oReduces shrink because of great accuracy in inventory location oImproves on-shelf availability and reduces substitute purchases oReduces out-of-stocks by reducing poor store execution oImproves productivity and labor efficiencies by eliminating manual entries and barcode scanning -Strengths (Metro) oMore economies of scale oGlobal recognition and success Moving in a positive direction with innovative technologies.

Review of The Skin of our Teeth essays

Review of The Skin of our Teeth essays The Skin of Our Teeth was a thought provoking and entertaining production. First the Ice Age, been there done that, learned nothing. The great flood, been there done that, learned nothing. A world of war and fighting, been there done that, learned nothing. These are the points Thornton Wilder worked so hard to get across. The human race as portrayed by the Antrobus family has been there and done that, yet have learned nothing and keep repeating the errors of the past over and over again and ends with the idea that we don't know what is to come. From Sabina, the flirty maid to the comical pet dinosaur and mammoth, who are kept as family animals, the play is a great production for all audiences. The costumes were perfect for the play, they were time appropriate as each act progressed and added to helping with setting the time and place of the play. During the final scene when the family comes back together after the war, the clothing is burnt and very dirty looking, it was very appropriate for that portion of the play. Lighting and sound was great. The props could have been a bit more realistic during Act II and III, the plywood furniture wasn't exactly correct for the time. The destruction of the furniture and books during Act III were appropriate and fit well. At the opening of the play when Sabina first enters onto the stage and it appears as if someone is missing their cue, it was very believable. I was beginning to wonder what was happening, and then the voice over says tells her to stall and she did a great job of portraying that an actor/actress was missing. The actors/actresses all spoke very clearly and lines were all clearly understandable. My favorite performer was Sabina; she was very realistic and stayed in character throughout the entire play. She played the role of flirtatious maid, pageant winner and back to classical maid without skipping a beat, all t...

What Peasants and Laborers Wore in the Medieval Ages

What Peasants and Laborers Wore in the Medieval Ages While the fashions of the upper classes were changing with the decade (or at least the century), peasants and laborers stuck to the useful, modest garments their progenitors had been clad in for generations during the Middle Ages. Of course, as the centuries passed, minor variations in style and color were bound to appear; but, for the most part, medieval European peasants wore very similar clothing in most countries from the 8th to the 14th century. The Ubiquitous Tunic The basic garment worn by  men, women, and children alike was a tunic. This appears to have evolved from the Roman tunica of late antiquity. Such tunics are made either by folding over a long piece of fabric and cutting a hole in the center of the fold for the neck;  or by sewing two pieces of fabric together at the shoulders, leaving a gap for the neck. Sleeves, which werent always part of the garment, could be cut as part of the same piece of fabric and sewn closed  or added later. Tunics fell to at least the thighs. Though the garment might be called by different names at different times and places, the construction of the tunic was essentially the same throughout these centuries. At various times, men and, less often, women wore tunics with slits up the sides to afford more freedom of movement. An opening at the throat was fairly common to make it easier to put on over ones head; this might be a simple widening of the neck hole; or, it might be a slit that could be tied closed with cloth ties or left open with plain or decorative edging. Women wore their tunics long, usually to mid-calf, which made them, essentially, dresses. Some were even longer, with trailing trains that could be used in a variety of ways. If any of her chores required her to shorten her dress, the average peasant woman could tuck the ends of it up in her belt. Ingenious methods of tucking and folding could turn the excess fabric into a pouch for carrying picked fruit, chicken feed, etc.; or, she could wrap the train over her head to protect herself from the rain. Womens tunics were usually made of wool. Woolen fabric could be woven rather finely, though the quality of the cloth for working-class women was mediocre at best. Blue was the most common color for a womans tunic; though many different shades might be achieved, the blue dye made from the woad plant was used on a large percentage of manufactured cloth. Other colors were unusual, but not unknown: pale yellow, green, and a light shade of red or orange could all be made from less-expensive dyes. All these colors would fade in time; dyes that stayed fast over the years were too expensive for the average laborer. Men generally wore tunics that fell past their knees. If they needed them shorter, they could tuck the ends in their belts; or, they could hike up the garment and fold fabric from the middle of the tunic over their belts. Some men, particularly those engaged in heavy labor, might wear sleeveless tunics to help them deal with the heat. Most mens tunics were made of wool, but they were often coarser and not as brightly colored as womens wear. Mens tunics could be made from beige (undyed wool) or frieze (coarse wool with a heavy nap) as well as more finely woven wool. Undyed wool was sometimes brown or gray, from brown and gray sheep. Undergarments Realistically, there is no telling whether or not most members of the working classes wore anything between their skin and their woolen tunics until the 14th century. The contemporary artwork depicts peasants and laborers at work without revealing whats worn underneath their outer garments. But usually the nature of undergarments is that theyre worn under other garments and are therefore ordinarily unseen; so, the fact that there are no contemporary representations shouldnt hold much weight. In the 1300s, it became the fashion for people to wear shifts, or undertunics, that had longer sleeves and lower hemlines than their tunics, and therefore were plainly visible. Usually, among the working classes, these shifts would be woven from hemp and would remain undyed; after many wearings and washings, they would soften up and lighten in color. Field workers were known to wear shifts, hats, and little else in the heat of summer. More affluent people could afford linen undergarments. Linen could be fairly stiff, and unless bleached it wouldnt be perfectly white, though time, wear, and cleansing could make it lighter and more flexible. It was unusual for peasants and laborers to wear linen, but it wasnt altogether unknown; some of the clothing of the prosperous, including undergarments, were donated to the poor upon the wearers death. Men wore braes or loincloths for underpants. Whether or not women wore underpants remains a mystery. Shoes and Socks It was not at all uncommon for peasants to go about barefoot, especially in warmer weather. But in cooler weather and for work in the fields, fairly simple leather shoes were regularly worn. One of the most common styles was an ankle-high boot that laced up the front. Later styles were closed by a single strap and buckle. Shoes were known to have had wooden soles, but it was just as likely for soles to be constructed of thick or multi-layered leather. Felt was also used in shoes and slippers. Most shoes and boots had rounded toes; some shoes worn by the working class might have somewhat pointed toes, but workers didnt wear the extreme pointy styles that were at times the fashion of the upper classes. As with undergarments, its difficult to determine when stockings came into common use. Women probably didnt wear stockings any higher than the knee; they didnt have to  since their dresses were so long. But men, whose tunics were shorter and who were unlikely to have heard of trousers, let alone wear them, often wore hose up to the thighs. Hats, Hoods, and Other Head-Coverings For every member of society, a head-covering was an important part of ones attire, and the working class was no exception. Field workers often wore broad-brimmed straw hats to keep off the sun. A coif, a linen or hemp bonnet that fit close to the head and was tied under the chin,  was usually worn by men undertaking messy work such as pottery, painting, masonry,  or crushing grapes. Butchers and bakers wore kerchiefs over their hair; blacksmiths needed to protect their heads from flying sparks and might wear any of a variety of linen or felt caps. Women usually wore veils, a simple square, rectangle, or oval of linen kept in place by tying a ribbon or cord around the forehead. Some women also wore wimples, which attached to the veil and covered the throat and any exposed flesh above the tunics neckline. A barbette (chin strap) might be used to keep the veil and wimple in place, but for most working-class women, this extra piece of fabric may have seemed like an unnecessary expense. Headgear was very important for the respectable woman; only unmarried girls and prostitutes went without something covering their hair. Both men and women wore hoods, sometimes attached to capes or jackets. Some hoods had a length of fabric in the back that the wearer could wrap around his neck or his head. Men were known to wear hoods that were attached to a short cape that covered the shoulders, very often in colors that contrasted with their tunics. Both red and blue became popular colors for hoods. Outer Garments For men who worked outdoors, an additional protective garment would usually be worn in cold or rainy weather. This could be a simple sleeveless cape or a coat with sleeves. In the earlier Middle Ages, men wore fur capes and cloaks, but there was a general view among medieval people that fur was worn only by savages, and its use went out of vogue for all but garment linings for quite some time. Though they lacked todays plastic, rubber, and Scotch-Guard, medieval folk could still manufacture fabric that resisted water, at least to a degree. This could be done by fulling wool during the manufacturing process, or by waxing the garment once it was complete. Waxing was known to be done in England, but seldom elsewhere due to the scarcity and expense of wax. If wool was made without the stringent cleansing of professional manufacturing, it would retain some of the sheeps lanolin and would, therefore, be naturally somewhat water-resistant. Most women worked indoors and didnt often have need of a protective outer garment. When they went out in cold weather, they might wear a simple shawl, cape, or pelisse. This last was a fur-lined coat or jacket; the modest means of peasants and poor laborers limited the fur to cheaper varieties, such as goat or cat. The Laborers Apron Many jobs required protective gear to keep the laborers everyday wear clean enough to wear every day. The most common protective garment was the apron. Men would wear an apron whenever they performed a task that could cause a mess: filling barrels, butchering animals, mixing paint. Usually, the apron was a simple square or rectangular piece of cloth, often linen and sometimes hemp, which the wearer would tie around his waist by its corners. Men usually didnt wear their aprons until it was necessary and removed them when their messy tasks were done. Most chores that occupied the peasant housewifes time were potentially messy; cooking, cleaning, gardening, drawing water from the well, changing diapers. Thus, women typically wore aprons throughout the day. A womans apron often fell to her feet and sometimes covered her torso as well as her skirt. So common was the apron that it eventually became a standard part of the peasant womans costume. Throughout much of the Early and High Middle Ages, aprons were undyed hemp or linen, but in the later medieval period, they began to be dyed a variety of colors. Girdles Belts, also known as girdles, were common accouterments for men and women. They might be made from rope, fabric cords, or leather. Occasionally belts might have buckles, but it was more common for poorer folk to tie them instead. Laborers and peasants not only tucked up their clothing with their girdles, but they also attached tools, purses, and utility pouches to them. Gloves Gloves and mittens were also fairly common and were used to protect the hands from injury as well as for warmth in cold weather. Workers such as masons, blacksmiths, and even peasants cutting wood and making hay were known to use gloves. Gloves and mittens could be of virtually any material, depending on their specific purpose. One type of workers glove was made from sheepskin, with the wool on the inside, and had a thumb and two fingers to offer a little more manual dexterity than a mitten. Nightwear The idea that all medieval people slept naked is unlikely; in fact, some period artwork shows folk in bed wearing a simple shirt or gown. But due to the expense of clothing and the limited wardrobe of the working class, it is quite possible that many laborers and peasants slept naked, at least during warmer weather. On cooler nights, they could wear shifts to bed,  possibly even the same ones theyd worn that day under their clothes. Making and Buying Clothes All clothing was hand-sewn, of course, and was time-consuming to make compared to modern machine methods. Working-class folk couldnt afford to have a tailor make their clothes, but they could trade with or purchase from a neighborhood seamstress or make their outfits themselves, especially since fashion was not their foremost concern. While some made their own cloth, it was far more common to purchase or barter for finished cloth, either from a draper or peddler or from fellow villagers. Mass-produced items like hats, belts, shoes and other accessories were sold in specialty stores in big towns and cities, by peddlers in rural areas, and at markets everywhere. The Working-Class Wardrobe It was sadly all too common in a feudal system for the poorest folk to own nothing more than the clothes on their back. But most people, even peasants, werent quite that poor. People usually had at least two sets of clothes: everyday wear and the equivalent of Sunday best, which would not only be worn to church (at least once a week, often more frequently) but to social events as well. Virtually every woman, and many men, were capable of sewing, if only just a little, and garments were patched and mended for years. Garments and good linen undergarments were even bequeathed to heirs or donated to the poor when their owner died. More prosperous peasants and artisans would often have several suits of clothes and more than one pair of shoes, depending on their needs. But the amount of clothing in any medieval persons wardrobe, even a royal personage, couldnt come near what modern people usually have in their closets today. Sources Piponnier, Francoise, and Perrine Mane, Dress in the Middle Ages. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1997.Kà ¶hler, Carl, A History of Costume. George G. Harrap and Company, Limited, 1928; reprinted by Dover.Norris, Herbert, Medieval Costume and Fashion.: London: J.M. Dent and Sons, 1927; reprinted by Dover.Netherton, Robin, and Gale R. Owen-Crocker, Medieval Clothing and TextilesBoydell Press, 2007. Jenkins, D.T., editor. The Cambridge History of Western Textiles, vols. I and II. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003.

Credit Crunch Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Credit Crunch - Essay Example During a credit crunch, also known as a "liquidity crisis" or a "credit squeeze", the banks won't or can't lend. Investors can't or won't buy debts. Suddenly it's very difficult to borrow money. There is a lack of easy money. Consumers and businesses have less to spend. There could be serious ramifications for an economy. Even if the credit crunch is narrowly define as something that affects just banks, private equity and hedge funds, there is little out there to suggest that the British economy is out of the woods. Around the world, banks remain reluctant to lend to each other - or anyone else, for that matter, except blue-chip corporations or mortgage customers who can afford to furnish lenders with large up-front deposits. House prices are down 13 per cent year-on-year and rising; the boss of Countrywide, the country's biggest lender, says one in 11 borrowers are falling behind on their home loan payments; house repossessions were up 57 per cent in March compared to the previous year; consumer confidence has hit a 26-year low Almost 7,000 has been wiped off the value of the average British home since October 2007, after house prices dropped for a fifth consecutive month, according to latest survey figures. Britain's average house price fell by a further 0.6 per cent, or just over 1,000, in March, on the heels of a 0.5 per cent decline in February, the Nationwide Building Society's most recent snapshot of market conditions shows (The Times March 2008). Impacts on Interest Rates: in the past few weeks 10 mortgage lenders, including the Royal Bank of Scotland, Alliance & Leicester and the country's biggest building society, the Nationwide, have increased some of their rates, despite the Bank cutting rates from 5.75 per cent to 5.5 in December. Bank of England data shows that the average mortgage rate has been inflated. When interest rates were previously 5.5 per cent - in May last year - the average mortgage rate was 5.66 per cent but when rates moved back down to that level in December the average was 5.93. Credit CRUNCH IN the United States For more than half a century, Americans have proved staggeringly resourceful at finding new ways to spend money. But now the freewheeling days of credit and risk may have run their course in the United States - at least for a while and perhaps much longer - as a period of involuntary thrift unfolds in many households. With jobs shrinking, housing prices plummeting and debt levels swelling, the same nation that pioneered the no-money-down mortgage suddenly confronts an unfamiliar imperative: More Americans must live within their means. For the 34 million American households who took money out of their homes over the last four years by refinancing or borrowing against their equity - roughly one-third of the nation - the savings rate was running at a negative 13 percent in the middle of 2006, meaning they were borrowing heavily against their assets to finance their day-to-day lives Employment and credit crunch in UK Indications of the severity with which the credit crunch is likely to hit working people in Britain are contained in a number of recent reports and press articles. These focus, firstly, on the impact of credit becoming more difficult to obtain and, secondly, on the cost of mortgages. According to the National Institute of