The ECommerce Environment of Singapore Essay -- GCSE Business Marketin

The ECommerce Environment of SingaporeGeographyThe Republic of Singapore is dictated in southeast Asia, south of Malaysia and northwest of Ind wholenesssia. The island measures a total of 637 square kilometers with a coastline 193 kilometers long. Singapore is generally comprised of lowland areas with a central plateau in the middle of the island. Its elevation ranges from the Bukit Timah, (166 m.), to the Singapore Strait which is at sea level. Its climate is tropical and wet. Precipitation occurs on 40% of all days, (70% of days in April). Singapores two biggest natural recourses are its fishing industry, and its deep water ports. Singapore is also a focal point for most Southeast Asian sea routes. levelSingapore was originally settled by Great Britain in 1819 as a port of call. The British used Singapore to extend their territories in Indonesia. It remained under British rule until 1941 when Japan bombed and captured Singapore. After three years of Japanese rule, B ritish forces returned to the island. By this time Singapore was longing for self-government. Singapore realized its conduct for independence in 1959 holding its first general election. The new, independent Singapore was voted into the United Nations in 1965. On December 22, 1965, Singapore became a republic electing Yusof stack away Ishak as its first president.InfrastructureIn Singapores short life as a republic, it has developed a sound infrastructure. In the way of transportation, Singapore has a total of 105 kilometers of railways used for commercial and personal transportation. It has also built over 3,000 kilometers of highways, 2,936 of which are paved. Singapore also boasts a 67 kilometer voltaic pile transit system with 42 stations. The mass transit system is the preferred means of travel in Singapore due to the fact that only one of every ten people own an automobile. Singapore produces 28 billion kilowatts of electricity annually. One hundred percent of Singa pores electricity is produced by means of fogey fuel. An estimated 97% of all residents live in households with electricity and running water. Singapores leading industries include electronics, petroleum refining, oil drilling equipment, rubber products and rubber processing, processed regimen and beverages, ship repair, entrepot trade, bio engineering science, and financial services.Technological Infrast... ...panding ConnectionsSingapores current US connection of 45 Mbps is growing everyday. Local meshwork providers have begun expanding their connection speed and size of it through the use of satellite links. It is estimated that in the next ten years the number of internet connections in Singapore will almost be retroflex what it is today.SummaryElectronic Commerce is changing the way business is conducted today. Singapore has positioned itself to become a major part of the E-business trend. Developing technology, government support, and growing internet awareness m ake Singapore an ideal environment in which E-commerce can thrive. Lee Yock Suan sums up Singapores E-commerce environment by saying ,We want to be out of use(p) into this global development, and position Singapore as an international E-commerce hub.ReferencesWWW.Singstat.gov202.42.217.232/WWW.Geography.com.sgWWW.TheStandard.comRajakru, Dang Journal of Contemporary Asia, vol 26, 1996, p. 3-27The state, family and industrial development the Singapore case.Graham, Mark Industry Week, vol 249 no 7, 2000,p. 37-40Singapore lures technology its clean, green -- and a powerful machine.

What Anti-Individualists Cannot Know A Priori :: Philosophy Philosophical Essays

What Anti-Individualists Cannot Know A PrioriABSTRACT The attempt to hold both anti-individualism and privileged self- association may have the absurd consequence that someone could know a priori propositions that are knowable only empiricly. This would be so if such an attempt entailed that one could know a priori both the contents of ones profess thoughts and the anti-individualistic entailments from those thought-contents to the world. For then one could also come to know a priori (by simple deduction) the empirical conditions entailed by ones thoughts. But I argue that at that place is no construal of a priori knowledge that could be used to raise an incompatibility problem of this sort. First, I suggest that the incompatibilist a priori must be a stipulative one, since in none of the main philosophical traditions does knowledge of the contents of ones thoughts count as a priori. Then, I show that under various mathematical construals of a priori, the incompatibilist argument would be invalid either a fallacy of equivocation or an argument without a plausible closure principle guaranteeing transmitting of epistemic status from expound to conclusion. Finally, I maintain that the only possible construal of the property of being knowable a priori that avoids invalidity is one that fails to generate the intend reductio.ICompatibilism, or the attempt to hold both Burgean anti-individualism and common intuitions about privileged self-knowledge, appears to entail that a person (say, Oscar) could come to know a priori the come befores of arguments of this sortB 1. If I am now thinking that water is wet, then water exists.2. I am now thinking that water is wet.Therefore, 3. urine exists.Naturally, from such premises Oscar could come to know a priori that water exists (i.e., by simple deduction) yet nobody can know that a priori Some shit this to be a reductio of compatibilism (call them incompatibilists). But I shall suggest how anti-individualists could r etain common intuitions about self-knowledge, without fearing that their views would entail unacceptable claims about the epistemic status of empirical propositions. First I shall ask why incompatibilists hold that, given both anti-individualism and privileged self-knowledge, each premise of inferences such as (B) are knowable a priori. I shall then argue that there is no plausible construal of a priori that could be used to generate the alleged reductio.IIFirst, consider (B)s second premise could Oscar come to know a priori the proposition that he is thinking that water is wet, according to the criteria for a priori knowledge in the main philosophical traditions that invoke knowledge of this sort?

Determinism Vs. Free Will Essay -- Choices, God, Determinism

Many people often wonder what influences their choices, wherefore they do the things they do, and why the knowledge domain functions the way it does. Many the like to conclude that people make the choices they make because things ar determined by nature and nurture, no other factors. Others like to argue that people present full control over the choices they make and there are no constraining factors. In this paper I forget process that determinism is false and people are not typically determined by nature and nurture to perform the evil actions they do. I will discern what determinism is, the contrastive forms of determinism, why people find it to be true, why I find it false, and show different examples of why. I will then go on to dispute disengage will, the different forms of free will, and why people do things out of free will. The definition of determinism The world is governed by (or is under the sway of) determinism if and besides if, addicted a specified wa y things are at a time t, the way things go thereafter is fixed as a progeny of natural law. The root of the philosophical idea is that everything can be explained or that everything has a reason for being and being as it is and nothing else. There are in addition different types of determinism that people study in. Soft, hard, and casual determinism are the three different types of determinism. Soft determinist believe that free will is compatible with determinism. They believe in determinism, but believe free will can be present. According to this soft determinism perspective, a persons behavior may be caused by internal psychological states that, in turn have causes, but if no immediately pressing external agent affects the behavior, the person is said to have free will, (Ogletree&Oberle, pg.98... ...Matile Ogletree and Crystal D. Oberle, Behavior and Philosophy , Vol. 36, (2008), pp. 97-111The Problem of Evil and clean Indifference,Tim Mawson,Religious Studies , Vol. 35 , No. 3 (Sep., 1999), pp. 323-345Hoefer, Carl, Hoefer,. Causal Determinism. Stanford University. Stanford University, 23 Jan. 2003. Web. 22 Nov. 2013.McKenna, Michael, McKenna,. Compatibilism. Stanford University. Stanford University, 26 Apr. 2004. Web. 21 Nov. 2013.Moral Responsibility, Determinism, and the Ability to Do Otherwise, Peter Van Inwagen, The Journal of Ethics , Vol. 3, No. 4, The Contributions of Harry G. Frankfurt to Moral Responsibility Theory (1999), pp. 341-350Two-Stage Models for slack Will. Two-Stage Models for Free Will. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Nov. 2013.The Organization of Evil, C. Fred Alford, Political Psychology , Vol. 11, No. 1 (Mar., 1990), pp. 5-27 Determinism Vs. Free Will Essay -- Choices, God, DeterminismMany people often wonder what influences their choices, why they do the things they do, and why the world functions the way it does. Many like to argue that people make the choices they make because things are determined by nature and nurtu re, no other factors. Others like to argue that people have full control over the choices they make and there are no constraining factors. In this paper I will demonstrate that determinism is false and people are not typically determined by nature and nurture to perform the evil actions they do. I will identify what determinism is, the different forms of determinism, why people find it to be true, why I find it false, and show different examples of why. I will then go on to discuss free will, the different forms of free will, and why people do things out of free will. The definition of determinism The world is governed by (or is under the sway of) determinism if and only if, given a specified way things are at a time t, the way things go thereafter is fixed as a matter of natural law. The root of the philosophical idea is that everything can be explained or that everything has a reason for being and being as it is and nothing else. There are also different types of determinism t hat people believe in. Soft, hard, and casual determinism are the three different types of determinism. Soft determinist believe that free will is compatible with determinism. They believe in determinism, but believe free will can be present. According to this soft determinism perspective, a persons behavior may be caused by internal psychological states that, in turn have causes, but if no immediately pressing external agent affects the behavior, the person is said to have free will, (Ogletree&Oberle, pg.98... ...Matile Ogletree and Crystal D. Oberle, Behavior and Philosophy , Vol. 36, (2008), pp. 97-111The Problem of Evil and Moral Indifference,Tim Mawson,Religious Studies , Vol. 35, No. 3 (Sep., 1999), pp. 323-345Hoefer, Carl, Hoefer,. Causal Determinism. Stanford University. Stanford University, 23 Jan. 2003. Web. 22 Nov. 2013.McKenna, Michael, McKenna,. Compatibilism. Stanford University. Stanford University, 26 Apr. 2004. Web. 21 Nov. 2013.Moral Responsibility, Determinism, and the Ability to Do Otherwise, Peter Van Inwagen, The Journal of Ethics , Vol. 3, No. 4, The Contributions of Harry G. Frankfurt to Moral Responsibility Theory (1999), pp. 341-350Two-Stage Models for Free Will. Two-Stage Models for Free Will. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Nov. 2013.The Organization of Evil, C. Fred Alford, Political Psychology , Vol. 11, No. 1 (Mar., 1990), pp. 5-27

St Thomas Aquinas Essay -- Religion Philosophy

St Thomas AquinasIt has been written that since the day of Aristotle, probably no one man has exercised such a powerful submit on the thinking world as did St Thomas Aquinas. Thomas Aquinas was born in 1225 in Italy of a noble family, thus separated by 900 years to Aristotle. He received his first education at the Abbey of Monte Cassino, going on from there to the University of Naples. In 1243, he joined the Dominican unworldly order at Cologin. His most influential teacher was another Dominican, Albertus Magnis, a German who wrote extensively on theological matters and questions of national science, especially biology. Thomas was too a highly successful lecturer, and travelled widely across Europe, particularly on the business of his order and the church.In his short and active life, Thomas produced a prodigious amount of writing commentaries on biblical books and Aristotelian work, short essays on philosophical problems, and a lengthy compendium of Christian apoletices, the Summ a Centra Gentiles, which, as put up et. al. writes was probably intended for Dominican missionaries working to convert heretics and infidels.St Thomas begins the Summa Centra Gentiles as writes by reaffirming what Aristotle claimed at the beginning of Metaphysics, namely, he that studies the end or purpose of the initiation is rightly called a wise man. He is wise because he is studying that which is highest and most noble among the subjects of study Truth. Truth, Aquinas claims, i...

He Says, She Says: A Synthesis Essay -- Essays Papers

He Says, She Says A SynthesisCommunication between custody and women is a constant comparison of differing and many times opposite forms of reasoning. But should these differences halter our ability to communicate with the opposite sex? There are many differing opinions concerning this topic. While trying to understand our differences we have lost site of the fact that someplace in our conflicting thought patterns and methods of communication is the challenge and intrigue that attracts us to the opposite sex. Rather than see our communication diversities as obstacles we should consider them challenges that draw and appreciation our attention. You do not need to be an expert on human behavior to appreciate gender classified language and its effects on young-begetting(prenominal) female relationships, however many experts have attempted to tackle the issue. Deborah Tannen is the author of several books concerning inter-gender relations and addresses the issue of differing reasoning resulting in misunderstanding. Tannen describes differences between male and female communication skills as a series of predetermined thought patterns. She states that men and women simply have a divers(prenominal) way of going about communication. She believes that different ways of communicating stem from differing desired results of the conversation at hand. A married couple was in a car when the wife turned to her conserve and asked, Would you like to stop for a coffee?No, thanks, he answered truthfully. So they didnt stop. The result? The wife, who had indeed wanted to stop, became annoyed because she felt her preference had not been considered. The husband, seeing his wife was angry, became frustrate. Why didnt she just say what she wanted? (Tannen p... ... the office. These anecdotes are entirely anti-female based and sound more like what a paranoid womens rightist might think than what actually goes through the minds of men and women alike in the workp lace. However Josefowitz accurately portrays the inevitable presence of separation of thought patterns between men and women. As much as the problems associated with inter-gender communications are a result of differing ways of expression, so are they results of differing ways of comprehension. So before we point a finger at the opposite sex we must first examine our own. Think not of our communicative troubles as deterrents, but rather as attractions and representations of our surpassing differences. Works Cited- Tannen, Deborah. Cant we Talk? A Meeting of Minds.- Turner, Robin. Male Logic and Womans Intuition. A Meeting of Minds.

He Says, She Says: A Synthesis Essay -- Essays Papers

He Says, She Says A SynthesisCommunication between men and women is a incessant comparison of differing and many times opposite forms of reasoning. But should these differences hinder our ability to communicate with the opposite sex? There are many differing opinions concerning this topic. While severe to understand our differences we take over lost site of the fact that somewhere in our conflicting thought patterns and methods of communication is the challenge and intrigue that attracts us to the opposite sex. quite a than seeing our communication diversities as obstacles we should consider them challenges that draw and keep our attention. You do not need to be an expert on human behavior to think gender classified language and its effects on male female transactionhips, however many experts have attempted to tackle the issue. Deborah Tannen is the author of several books concerning inter-gender relations and addresses the issue of differing reasoning resulting in misund erstanding. Tannen describes differences between male and female communication skills as a series of predetermined thought patterns. She states that men and women simply have a different way of going about communication. She believes that different ways of communicating stem from differing desired results of the conversation at hand. A married straddle was in a car when the wife turned to her husband and asked, Would you like to stop for a coffee?No, thanks, he answered truthfully. So they didnt stop. The result? The wife, who had indeed wanted to stop, became annoyed because she felt her preference had not been considered. The husband, seeing his wife was angry, became frustrate. Why didnt she just say what she wanted? (Tannen p... ... the office. These anecdotes are entirely anti-female base and sound more like what a paranoid feminist might think than what actually goes through the minds of men and women alike in the workplace. However Josefowitz accurately portrays the inevitable presence of separation of thought patterns between men and women. As much as the problems associated with inter-gender communications are a result of differing ways of expression, so are they results of differing ways of comprehension. So before we point a finger at the opposite sex we must first examine our own. Think not of our communicative troubles as deterrents, but rather as attractions and representations of our exceptional differences. Works Cited- Tannen, Deborah. Cant we Talk? A Meeting of Minds.- Turner, Robin. Male Logic and chars Intuition. A Meeting of Minds.

Marketing Peter Pan Peanut Butter to Canadian Markets Essay

Many U.S. consumers be not aw atomic number 18 that there atomic number 18 galore(postnominal) crossways that are sold in our expanse but are not for sale to countries like China or Japan. A lot of products are just for sale in the U.S. and consumers in new(prenominal) countries admit to find other ways of obtaining those products. Some products that handling to be sold in Canada welcome straight off vanished while others have never been available for procure so umpteen consumers have to order those products online, if possible, or possibly find oneself some family member or friend from the U.S. to obtain and ship the product to them. Some Canadians are now surprised to learn that Coca-Cola Vanilla, or Vanilla Coke, is no longer available to purchase in the supermarkets and convenience stores located in Canada. Consumers on both sides of the border and other countries responded well to these products that were launched in 2002 by the Coca Cola Company. Canadians that now involve this product will have to stock up the next time they visit the U.S. Meanwhile they may be able to look forward to other products that may reach Canadian markets.As Marketing Manager of ConAgra Foods, Peter Pan goober howeverter, I would like to market this brand available to Canadian markets by using a selling plan that is the core of the business. The main reason for the merchandising plan is that it provides a structured ascend that forces the trade manager to consider all the relevant elements of the planning process which might be missed if a more rushed approach is adopted in particular when trying to market a product to exotic markets. Peter Pan Peanut Butter is brand of ConAgra Foods and was named after the J.M. Barrie character debuted in 1928. The brand was earlier produced by the Swift & Company that at the time first called the peanut cover, E.K. Pond. Peter Pan PB comes in 10 different varieties which include Creamy, Whipped, Crunchy, unembellishe d Crunchy, H maveny Roasted Creamy, Honey Roasted Crunchy, Smart Cho methamphetamine Creamy, Smart Choice Crunchy, Plus 8 (vitamin enriched).Peter Pan has been on the market for many decades and when first packaged, was marketed in a tin can. But because of metal shortages during the second World War, changed its packaging to glass and plastic jars. The products tagline of not sticking to the roof of your mouth is one of the reasons, other than it being just plain good, that the Canadians desire Peter Pan so much. The first step in marketing this product to one of the largest Canadian food markets such as The Superstore, Sobeys, Metro, and Safeway, is to analyze the customer value equation. Traditionally we think that consumers choose based on the fictitious character of the product, while really the driver of all choice is the non-cognitive relationship that the consumer has with the brand, which is entirely channeled through the brand indistinguishability. (Wegrzyn, 2011).The ma tter of finding a role of the brand in spite of appearance a consumers life comes after the brand identity has accurately addressed how the brand wants to be perceived. The question for prospective buyers in most situations is not whether to make a purchase in the product category, but which product or service to buy. When a products price exceeds its value-in-use, the offerings net contribution, and inducement to purchase, is negative. The customer is better off not buying the product. Whatever the customer would gain from the product itself is more than offset by what she would have to give up in paying its price. In most situations, however, a very different situation exists. In most situations, the prices charged for products and services yield far below the values-in-use that customers expect to obtain from them. In many cases, because of competition, products use values are in multiples of 5 to 10 times the prices at which they sell. Customers buy products to fill unmet need s and because they expect to derive some value or utility from them. Products provide customers with four types of utility or benefit.These utilities and benefits are time utility, agency utility, ownership utility and plaster cast utility. What is the time utility or value to the consumer of having Peter Pan Peanut Butter available at any cheery time within supermarkets? The time utility may be of critical importance because many families may depend upon this product to satisfy the needs of itsy-bitsy children which may take this product to school for lunch, possibly. So it may be detrimental that it is always available on the shelves by making sure that the drudgery of the product is timely. Secondly, place utility is classical. This is the value to a consumer of having the product available in convenient market locations. It may be important that the peanut butter is available at many different supermarkets especially those that are located near schools where there is a hig h population of children that the product would be in demand to. Ownership utility may not be an important factor for this product as is the value of transferring the products ownership.Last is the form utility of the product. Form utility is the value to consumers from changing the composition of the product. The form utility of the peanut butter is also fairly high. Peanut butter isnt just for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, but is also used in Peanut butter chili, peanut butter broccoli, peanut butter ice cream and peanut butter cocktails. It can be eaten with chocolate, it can be eaten with jam, it can be smeared on chicken, and it can even be used in drinks and it seems that the uses for peanut butter are endless. Peanut butter has been known to be used as an excellent lubricator on rusty old blades, for fleshly medicine, a butter replacement, mousetrap bait, and price tag removal. When entering foreign markets it is essential to have a overstep intellect of the economi cal conditions of the country in order to properly promote the product in the marketing process so that the development, execution and measure of the campaign for the peanut butter run smoothly.It is important that I visit the tar gain market because on-site, I can talk to potential buyers in order to learn everything that I need to know round competition, local rules and distribution channels. By attending trade shows and events that are specific to the industry within Canada I can learn a lot of assistive information by taking notes on products, competitors, packaging and labeling of similar products. The marketing process can be tedious and stressful in starting the merchandise operations. I will have to make sure that I have an export plan that is similar to a business plan but instead focuses on strengths, weaknesses, opport social unities and threats that my companion can face within foreign markets. My export plan will help me to define my objectives clearly in order to use the right tactics to reach my goals and gain more credibility. My plan states how I can make my product adaptable to Canadian markets and will aid in determining gross sales price and how much time will be required to meet my objectives.The best way to enter the Canadian markets is through economical entry strategies which involve selling directly to end users and foreign retail markets will buy directly from ConAgra Foods. In ConAgras consumer goods business, there is no one factor more important than brand awareness. We are aware that if a customer recognizes my brand, they are more likely to buy it which will increase the sales of the product. The product will be shelved on stores according to the popularity among customers or the most sales. The advertise campaign should increase brand awareness amongst some of our other products in order to get better placement in other Canadian markets as well. An effective marketing mix also includes market segmentation, targeting and positioning the product for competitive advantage. (Food Export Association of the Midwest USA and Food Export USA, 2011). In international marketing, it may sometimes be useful to see countries as segments. Country level segmentation may be done on levels such as geographybased on the belief that neighboring countries and countries with a particular type of climate or terrain tend to share similarities, demographics or income. (Pernerm, 2012).Income segmentation can be a bit tricky. This is because relative prices between the U.S. and Canada may differ significantly. This is based upon purchasing power parity that measures which greatly affects the relative cost of imported and domestically produced products. Proper execution of these procedures requires quality research and point of reference from export assistance providers, export service providers and customers in the foreign market. (Food Export Association of the Midwest USA and Food Export USA, 2011). The Marketing mix and the 4 Ps are the controllable elements of business. (Food Export Association of the Midwest USA and Food Export USA, 2011). For instance a company has control everywhere what product it makes, what price it sells the product for, how it wishes to place (distribute) the product and how it wishes to promote it. Introducing new products is a very good way of achieving differentiation and enhancing a retail identity in an over-subscribed retail market, but without corporate support new products may fail or go unnoticed. Because I want to expand Peter Pan, Peanut Butter to Canadian markets I need to perform an environmental analysis at the beginning of the marketing process as well as passim it.Political and Legal forces, Economic forces, Socio-cultural forces and Technological forces are known as PEST factors of the micro-environment. An examination of Canadas political orientation and environment is part of the approach screening stage of market select. (Zekiri & Angelova, 2011). I have to carefully study Canadas government structure of the Canadian markets and their political system. In addition, I moldiness perform efficient risk assessments because of high levels of uncertainty in terms of continuity of government policies, changing political philosophies that are evident in Canadian markets. Political risk factors are divided into 4 levels, general instability, expropriation, operations, and finance. If any of the levels uncovers risk, which may be deemed unacceptable, the firm should immediately reconsider conducting business within Canada. Barriers of entry will also have to be assessed because it can also be a factor that could possibly make it difficult to break into Canadian markets. duty and non-tariff barriers make companies already in the market more valuable as they reduce the risk of new competition. (Zekiri & Angelova, 2011).These entry barriers are imposed by governments in order to protect domestic industry or to ensure that companies enterin g from foreign markets conform to trade relations arrangements with other countries. (Zekiri & Angelova, 2011). Barriers to exit are obstacles to market players who realize that they will not turn a profit and would like to quit the market. (Zekiri & Angelova, 2011). From an economic perspective, it makes sense to produce and sell an additional unit of product or service if the revenue generated covers at least for the variable costs. (Zekiri & Angelova, 2011). Another important variable to consider because of impacts that court of law decisions may have upon a companys globalization attempts is its lawful environment. ConAgra could face a vast amount of problems in my efforts to develop a successful strategy. Understanding the legal environment of target countries is considered of great importance in terms of market selection, due to the detrimental impacts court of law decisions related to issues such as foreign exchange rates, expropriation and intellectual property rights, juri sdiction, patents, trademarks, licensing, antitrust and bribery, etc. (Zekiri & Angelova, 2011).I will also have to pay close attention to the economic development and exertion of Canada. Canadas stage of economic growth will have a great impact in my foreign strategies. Economic growth affects a countries emplacement towards foreign business activity, the demand for goods and the distribution system found within the country. (Zekiri & Angelova, 2011). So, a study of the economic climate is important especially to gain understanding with regard to developing countries and secondly in respect to market potential and market growth. (Zekiri & Angelova, 2011). The existing level of economic development allows the firm to estimate the breaker point of market potential as well as allowing them to prepare for economic shifts and emerging markets. (Zekiri & Angelova, 2011). ConAgras direct competitors of packaged foods in the U.S.are the H.J. Heinz Company, Mondelez outside(a), Nestl, T yson Foods, and Smithfield foods. International competitors are Gordon signature, GFS, Markon, and range East. Many Canadian brands believe very strongly in marketing that its more than simply a service offering.They believe that it starts with a clear understanding of demographics and competitive landscape. Canadian brand managers are experienced, senior level professionals with combined sales and marketing backgrounds across an impressive range of tier-one companies within their industry. But as with most marketers ConAgras team has built collectively and individually, vast extended networks of highly specialized and talented marketers. As ComAgras landscape continues to change, they are committed to learning, understanding and working in new environments in order to ensure they reach the highest potential for all of their principals. Peanut butter is in 90 percent of households and most families with kids consider it a staple and kid-friendly food. (Ashman & Beckley, 2006). If you were to ask many people to name their favorite brand of peanut butter you may get a few different answers such as Skippy, Jif and Peter Pan.The product largest consumer base comes from families with children, preschools and K-12 schools. While todays harried parents can choose from an place of prepackaged lunch options, the classic PB&J remains as convenient as it is healthy and tasty. (Gidman, 2009). This means that the three major peanut butter brandsplus several smaller oneswill have to employ successful branding to secure a place in the American lunch box. (Gidmanm, 2009). Manufactures are responding to consumers hectic lifestyles by creating packaging that assists convenience. Peanut butter comes in squeezable packages, with jelly and as a premade sandwich. (Ashman & Beckley, 2006). In Peter Pans advertising campaigns from the 1950s they showcased Youngsters Prefer Peter Pan Peanut Butter within their ad.The advertisement influenced mothers shopping for their children by u sing a charming microscopic blond haired boy enjoying a piece of bread covered with peanut butter because the advertising agency knew that showcasing a motherly figure or a mother, would get the mother to associate that child with a child of her own. They also printed the advertisement using calm colors that allowed the viewer of the ad to think relaxing thoughts. right(a) marketing ethics affect organizational success. Ethics are the principals a person or department uses when making a decision. The truth is, the advertising ad can be a little misleading because just because that little boy in the ad likes that peanut butter, this doesnt mean that every little child will like it. Misleading advertising is a common respectable dilemma. Although regulation provides formal boundaries of what an advertisement can and cannot say, marketers must consider the ethical boundaries. (Okely, 2009).Ethical behavior by the marketing department will make the department and even the company a m ore attractive place to work as the companys good reputation will transfer to its employees. Motivated, proud employees will improve performance. (Okely, 2009). Bad marketing ethics will abate a good reputations which is arguably much harder to build than sales numbers. (Okely, 2009). Marketing plans are crucial to marketing managers in providing a more structured approach in marketing products to foreign markets.Market managers specialize in targeting different parts of a customer base to increase demand for a companys product or matches customers and different market segments to the products the firm produces. Foreign marketing is a very broad subject is importance to a country and to individual companies. I have examined the broader aspects of international trade in terms of difficulties encountered when trading I foreign markets including how countries are structured in terms of their economic development and some of the worlds trading blocks. Many problems have also been consi dered from a companys standpoint and in each of the elements of the marketing mix are considered in turn in the context of how it should be manipulated when dealing in foreign markets.ReferencesAngelova, J., & Zekiri, B. (2011). Factors that influence entry mode choice in foreign markets. European Journal of Social Sciences, 22(4), 572-584. Retrieved from http//www.eurojournals.com/EJSS_22_4_12.pdfAshmanm, H., & Beckly, J. (2006, January 7). Educating consumers about peanut butter. Retrieved from http//www.foodprocessing.com/articles/2006/258.html Food Export Association of the Midwest USA and Food Export USA, (2012). Compete and fall out in the international marketplace The export marketing mix. Retrieved from http//www.foodexport.org/GettingStarted/Content.cfm?ItemNumber=1288 Gidman, J. (2009, January 19). Peanut Butter brands go nuts. Retrieved from http//www.brandchannel.com/features_effect.asp?pf_id=460 Okely, L. (2009, June 26). Common ethical dilemmas faced by marketing depa rtments. http//www.helium.com/items/1496496-ethical-issues-faced-by-marketers Perner, L. Ph.D. (2012). USC Marshall International marketing. Retrieved from http//www.consumerpsychologist.com/international_marketing.html Wegrzyn, N. (2011, December 20). The consumer value equation. Retrieved from http//popsop.com/52197

Business Strategy Simulation Analysis

The actions build into my strategic plan to light upon competitive victor with my schema were to 1. Offer a capacious variety of point of intersections in arrangement to give consumers to a greater extent choices and appeal to the diverse preferences of a larger consumer keister. This was to be accomplished by increasing the descend of models produced at both the North Ameri bottom of the inning (NA) and Asia-Pacific (AP) plants for sale in the internet and wholesale segments in wholly four neck of the woodss. 2. Offer attractive, high-quality products that will hold up to put out and tear in order to provide consumers with ontogenyd value.This was to be achieved by using a higher(prenominal) percentage of superior materials versus standard materials for exertion, incorpo valuation more deepen styling features into the products, and investing heavily in Six Sigma/TQM programs to improve the quality of the workmanship that went into the products and to reduce the number of defects. 3. Offer products at a price that is reason commensurate and well lower than that of rivals offering shoes of similar style and quality.This was to be accomplished by managing production be andsetting a lower pro check up on margin. To get along production cost, the majority of the products were to be produced at the AP plant and shipped to the early(a) regions. Due to the lower production costs at the AP plant, the fellowship would still be able to achieve the target pro kick the bucket margin even with the sumal costs of shipping the products to the other regions. Since the costs of production in the NA plant were substantively higher, the additional costs of shipping to the other regions would not totallyow the come with to offer the products at the lower cost. Therefore, most of the product from the NA plant were to be sold in that region to avoid the additional shipping costs.Additionally, production costs were to be managed by increasing the number of p roducts produced per employee and reducing the number of rejects by with(predicate) investment in best practices training, higher base wages, and change magnituded incentive stipend to the employees for ameliorate and increased production. The selling price for each product was to be kept the same and increase only slightly each grade in order to increase and maintain a loyal customer base through consonantly reasonable pricing.The actions built into my strategic plan to achieve financial success with my dodging were to 1. Reduce production costs through improved efficiency of operations. This would be accomplished by investing heavily in Six Sigma/TQM programs in order to improve the quality of workmanship that went into every product. erupt quality production reduces the likelihood that customers will end up with defective, low-quality products that could severely damage the companys ensure.Additionally, by investing in best practices training for the employees and off ering higher base wages and incentive collapse, the plan was to increase the number of products produced per employee and reduce the number of units ultimately rejected. Increasing employee production allows the company to create more product with the same get along of resources and improving the quality of their work reduces the amount of resources wasted on rejected units. 2. Take a conservative approach in finance operations. This was to be achieved by reducing the amount of debt and not pickings any unnecessary financial jeopardizes.To reduce the amount of debt, the plan was to dedicate the company pay off loans early in order to save monthly pursuit set downs. To avoid taking financial risks, the company was to use financial resources to improve the efficiency and causeance of the exist NA and APplants rather than invest in new plants in other regions. The other objective of these action plans was to increase the companys financial rating so that future pay could be obtained at reduced interest rates should the select arise to finance the construction of a new plant. why you selected the strategy you usedThe reason I selected the Best-Cost Provider Strategy for Kix Footwear was two-fold. First, the competitive strategy of offering a wide variety of attractive, high-quality shoes was based on what consumers, such as myself, would like to see from a shoe manufacturer. As a middle-income consumer, I work hard to earn the money I restrain and my disposable income is limited. When I shop for shoes I want to have a variety of shoes to choose from that argon well- do and will perish without sacrificing style or having to secure a loan to purchase them.The large majority of consumers are also middle-income and I wanted to target the largest market. Therefore, I persistent that my strategy would be to provide consumers more value for their money. I planned to achieve this by producing and offering a large number of models to satisfy the need for more choices and to inembodied more conjure upd styling features into each model, use higher quality materials, and invest in Six Sigma/TQM programs in order to improve the attractive force and quality of the shoes produced.My strategy to maintain reasonable prices was to invest in best practices training and offer higher base wages and incentive pay to employees in order to increase the number of pairs produced per employee and reduce the number of rejected pairs, thereby reducing the production costs per pair.Secondly, the financial strategy of reducing production costs and taking a conservative approach to financing operations was based on improving profit margins and managing risks. Therefore, my strategy to reduce production costs and improve profit margins was to invest in best practices training and offer higher base wages and incentive pay to employees in order to increase the number of pairs produced per employee and reduce the number of rejected pairs, thereby reducing t he production costs per pair.With lower production costs per pair, the company would be able to forbear more of therevenue generated from sales resulting in an increased profit margin. My strategy to manage risks was to reduce the companys debt obligations by repaying loans early and not incurring any save debt unless absolutely necessary. To avoid further debt, the strategy was to maintain a cash flow sufficient to pay expenses as they came overdue without having to obtain short-term financing and to increase production mental ability by improving or expanding existing production facilities rather than by constructing new facilities in other regions.1. Evaluate the strength of your strategy.The effectiveness of my Best-Cost Provider Strategy to provide consumers with a wide variety of attractive, high-quality products at an affordable price by using better materials, improving efficiency, and taking a conservative approach to financing operations was fairly successful. With th e exception of the starting signal and closing classs, Kix Footwear was one of the top three companies in the industry.As the plot of primer began, Kix started out in 5th place overall with slight increases in Earnings Per Share (EPS) of $0.02, Return on Equity (ROE) of 1.3%, and Stock charge of $0.42/share. By the end of the second year (Year 12), the company had more moderate increases of $2.33 in EPS, 8.3% in ROE, and $56.15/share in Stock Price, putting me 3rd place overall with a +13 point change from Year 11.Kix maintained its standing(a) in 3rd place end-to-end the farinaceous until the final year, occasionally manduction it with Company E. The final EPS for Kix Footwear at the end of the game (Year 18) was $9.08, an increase of $6.39 overall ROE increased 4.2% to a final score of 19.2% and the Stock Price in the final year was $172.67/share which was an increase of $140.67/share. trance my strategy for Kix Footwear was fairly successful, I believe that the companys performance could have been better if I had been more willing to take financial risks. My attempts to increase production capacity were not as effective as I had hoped, causing my company to lose many sales to my competitors with the foresight to build additional capacity at the onset ofthe game.Additionally, I underestimated the competitions aggressiveness in obtaining celebrity endorsements and was too risk-averse to ships boat high, which resulted in my initial bids to be incredibly low compared to those of my competitors. Ultimately, I was not able to obtain celebrity endorsements forthwith due to my low bids, which hurt my image and cost me sales.Due to my setbacks in failing to adequately increase capacity and obtain celebrity endorsements, I lost focus on my original deliberate strategy and began implementing a reactive strategy based on mimicking the actions of the 1st and 2nd place competitors. I reduced the number of models I offered and raised my prices substantially, b oth of which are directly in conflict with my initial strategy. Mimicking the strategy of a rival is rarely successful and did not prove to be so in this situation.As a result of this change in strategy, the company slipped slightly in Year 14, with EPS falling from $5.08 to $4.57, ROE decreasing from 20.4% to 16.0%, and Stock Prices slipping from $96.87/share to $83.20/share. I immediately realized my error and returned to my original strategy by offering more models at lower prices. The outcome was that I was able to regain my competitive advantage the following year (Year 15) and my scores reflected this as EPS pink wine to $6.03, ROE to 18.7%, and Stock Prices to $105.63.C. Evaluate your ability to identify competitors strengths, weaknesses, and strategies during the color.My ability to identify my competitors strengths, weaknesses, and strategies during the simulation were at first not as good as I had hoped they would be. My focus at the lineage of the game remained only o n those companies that were ahead of me or directly to a lower place me. The other companies did not factor into my strategic decision-making and, as a result, I lost out on a vital purchase of additional capacity at the beginning of the game which set me back slightly.Additionally, because of my failure to monitor my external environment, I was taken by surprise when Company E gained ground in Year 13, coming from 6th place to being tied for 3rd place with me. I realized at that point, that it was necessary to watch all of my competitors, not just the ones that I wanted to surpass. An ambitious company can make significantchanges to their strategy and overcome rivals quickly. For a company to maintain a competitive edge, it is important to closely monitor the external environment in order to identify competitors with the ambition, capabilities, and resources necessary to pose a real threat and hold a strategy to protect against that threat.As the game act my ability to identify competitor strengths, weaknesses, and strategies improved. I watched the behaviors of all of the companies, not just the most successful ones, and made strategic decisions based on taking advantage of weaknesses in my competitors in order to gain their market shares and adjusting my strategy to take advantage of consumer preference trends. For example, I noted that there were a lot of sales in the wholesale segment were lost in all of the four regions by companies that were offering products for the private-label segment. I decided to avoid the private-label segment because the profit margin was less than in the internet and wholesale segments and to provide as lots product as I could to those segments in order to gain the market shares of those companies supplying the private label segment.Additionally, there was more production capacity available than there was demand and this continued to be more pronounced each year. Therefore, rather than create more capacity through new constr uction, I decided to increase my capacity by purchasing it from other companies. With this increased capacity, I was able to better meet the demands of the wholesale and internet segments in all four regions without the monthly interest expense of a construction loan. The results were that I had fewer lost sales in the wholesale segment than those companies offering product for the private-label segment, achieved higher takes of sales revenue, and received an A+ credit rating.1. Discuss how successful you were in predicting your competitors next moves.My success in predicting my competitors next moves was initially very good and then began to lag as the game continued. I believe that my initial success was due to the fact that every company was starting out in exactly the same position and face with identical market conditions. Therefore, I simply predicted that my competitors, in reviewing and analyzing the same market conditions as I, would come to the same or similar conclusion s and react in oft the same way as I would. Regardless of the strategy each company wanted to execute, the fact remained that production costs were less in the AP plants than in the NA plants.So I predicted that most of the companies would concentrate their production in the AP region and ship to the other regions. I also assumed that most of the companies would raise their prices, a few would keep them the same, and that none were likely to lower prices. My predictions were accurate enough during the first two years that I received bonus points for being so close.As the game progressed, I was not as successful in predicting the moves of my competitors. I believe the first cause for this outcome was the fact that I was focusing only on the actions of the companies that were ahead of me of just below me rather than monitoring the entire external environment. I failed to recognize the importance of watching all of my rivals in order to identify potential threats to my market share.My predictions, therefore, were essentially my predictions for only those 3 or 4 successful competitors as a group, not the entire industry as a whole. Additionally, as the game continued, I found it difficult to find enough cadence to analyze each company properly given the time constraints. There was very little time between years for depth psychology and decision-making and, coupled with working full-time and family obligations, I only had enough time to perform a cursory review and analysis before entering my decisions in order to meet the deadlines. I believe that given more time, I would have been able to more accurately predict my competitors moves inwardly the game. D. Discuss how sustainable the most dominant competitive advantage achieved by any company at bottom your industry was.I believe that the most dominant competitive advantage achieved by any company within the industry was very sustainable. The top company within the industry, Company B, achieved competitive adva ntage by building capacity within the first two years and continuing to build throughout the game in all four regions winning and maintaining celebrity endorsements year after year and by investing significantly in advertising.This strategy was abouttaking significant risks and it resulted in increased buyer demand, product differentiation, and perceived value. Company B had the capability of producing more product in all four regions than any of the other companies in the industry and enabled them to better meet the increasing demand for their product due to their successful advertising campaigns and celebrity endorsements. They were also able to eliminate all costs associated with shipping product from one region to another, which the other companies were not able to do. This company was able to maintain a 1st place standing overall throughout the game, with the exception of Year 13.By immediately increasing capacity and doing so in all four regions, Company B was able to increase production to meet increasing demand and eliminate the additional operating costs of shipping product from one region to another, keeping production costs down and increasing profit margins. The company also managed to successfully win bids for celebrity endorsements by the second year and maintain a high level of celebrity contracts throughout the game by bidding high. These celebrity endorsements, along with significant investments in advertising campaigns, allowed the company to pass on consumer demand, increase product differentiation, enhance consumer perceived value, and command a higher price for their product.This company shot to the top of the industry immediately by taking advantage of market conditions through aggressive strategy and risk-taking. Once at the top, the company was able to sustain their competitive advantage by building on their strengths of increased capacity and demand. change magnitude capacity allowed the company to gain market shares from those compa nies unable to meet demand and demand for their product was created through numerous celebrity endorsements and considerable advertising.E. Compare the selected strategy to three following tests of a winning strategyThe generic competitive strategy that I selected for Kix Footwear was to provide consumers with a wide variety of attractive, high-quality products at an affordable price by using better materials, improving efficiency, and taking a conservative approach to financing operations. A winning strategy can be determined by applying three tests The Fit Test, The Competitive Advantage Test, and The mathematical process Test.The Fit TestTo pass The Fit Test, a companys strategy must fit the current situation, both internally and externally. Internally, the company must be able to execute the strategy with their available resources and current capabilities. For a good external fit, the strategy must be aligned with the current market conditions.I believe that my strategy passed The Fit Test because it was a good fit internally and an adequate fit externally. Internally, my strategy was based on improving the resources available to me and building on our capabilities, such as existing facilities and current employees. My strategy consisted of investing in improvements to existing facilities in order to increase capacity and investing in enhancements to my labor force through best practices training and higher base wages and incentive pay in order to retain their valuable knowledge and experience.My strategy from an external standpoint was only adequate. As it turned out, industry demand go up much higher than I expected and my strategy to increase capacity through improving existing facilities was not enough to keep up or get ahead. As a result I lost sales to those competitors with enough courage to take risks and build additional capacity.The loss of sales due to being out of stock damaged my companys image and affected future sales. My reactive strategy to loss of sales due to insufficient capacity was to purchase capacity from other competitors in the industry. This allowed my company the ability to better meet demand and lose fewer sales due to being out of stock. As a result, my company was able to regain the 3rd place position in the industry and remain there until the final year. The Competitive Advantage TestFor a strategy to pass The Competitive Advantage Test it must be capable ofhelping the company achieve a sustainable competitive advantage. To be considered sustainable, a companys competitive advantage over rivals must be long-lasting and not just a brief period of exceptional performance. My companys strategy throughout the game was to provide a wide variety of high quality shoes for a reasonable price, which was followed each year with the exception of Year 14. During this year, I lost focus and changed my strategy to mimic those of the companies ahead of me, resulting in considerable losses.I returned to my original strategy in Year 15 and saw significant increases, returning my company to its former position in 3rd place where it remained until the final year. The ability to remain within the top 3 companies in the industry for the sight of the game and have steadily increasing sales revenues each year speaks to the sustainability of my companys competitive advantage and, therefore, I believe that my strategy passed The Competitive Advantage Test.The Performance TestThe Performance Test requires that a winning strategy result in strong company performance. Indications of strong company performance are profitability and market standing. I believe my companys strategy passed The Performance Test because it resulted in excellent profitability and good market standing. In terms of profitability, my company experienced consistent increases in net revenue each year and, with the exception of Year 14, showed a steady increase in EPS. Additionally, ROE met or exceeded investor expectations every ye ar and unit sales in both the internet and wholesale markets increased steadily each year with the exception of the final year. In terms of market standing, my company maintained a global market share of between 8% to 10% throughout the game, met or exceeded investor expectations for image rating every year starting in Year 14, and remained one of the top 3 companies in the industry until the final year.F. Explain how effectively you applied value chain analysis during the simulation.My effectiveness in applying value chain analysis during the simulation was fairly good, but I failed to recognize the reasons for my competitors success in the beginning and it cost my company image points, resulting in less market share.As the game began, I analyzed what my competitors were doing to add value for their consumers and my conclusion was that they were increasing capacity so that they could provide more product in each region without the additional costs of shipping from one region to ano ther. What I failed to realize is that, in addition to building capacity, they were also building demand for their shoes through product differentiation and increasing consumer perceived value. This was accomplished by investing heavily in advertising and placing high bids for and winning celebrity endorsement contracts.Since I was unable to secure any celebrity endorsement contracts immediately and my competitors were offering the same number of models with the same S/Q rating as my company, I tried to create more value for my customers by increasing the number of models I produced, increasing the amount of enhanced styling, and raising my products S/Q rating.My analysis of my competition also revealed that they had an advantage in that they were able to provide better value to consumers by producing locally in order to avoid shipping charges and costs lower. To create more value for my consumers in this activity, I purchased more capacity in the AP region because the production co sts there were much lower than those in the NA region and, even with the additional costs of shipping product to the EA and LA region, I would still be able to provide my customers with high quality shoes at a reasonable price as well as achieve a healthy profit margin.G. Evaluate how effectively you addressed three important issues in order to achieve competitive and financial success for your simulation company.Model availability My effectiveness in addressing model availability in order to achieve competitive and financial success for Kix Footwear was very good. I initially kept the number of models consistent the first year (Year 10), but quickly realized that without the advantages of having celebrity endorsements I needed to offer something to consumers that would differentiate my product, provide more value to my customers, and give me a competitive edge. To achieve these objectives, I increased the number of models I produced and offered for sale as well as increased the sty le and quality above that of my competitors. As a result, despite not being able to obtain very many celebrity endorsements, consumer demand and sales rose enabling Kix Footwear to come from 5th place in Year 11 to 3rd place in Year 12, remaining there until the final year, and showed steady increases in sales revenue throughout the simulation. Corporate CitizenshipMy effectiveness in addressing corporate citizenship in order to achieve competitive and financial success for Kix Footwear was dismal at first and improving only slightly by the end of the simulation. When I began the simulation I did not pay much attention to the corporate citizenship aspects of decision making, but due to my falling image rating and inability to obtain celebrity endorsements, I turned my attention to corporate citizenship.I invested in using recycled materials throughout the simulation, then began making small charitable donations, increasing it slightly each year. Towards the end of the simulation, in an attempt to further boost my image rating I began investing in ethics training and enforcement. While the efforts did boost my companys image slightly, I believe I could have demonstrated better corporate citizenship and realized better competitive and financial success by increasing my attention to this area.Fiscal responsibility My effectiveness in addressing financial responsibility was very good during the simulation, but not excellent. I was very focused on eliminating all outstanding debt to avoid the monthly interest expenses and achieve an A+ credit rating in preparation for the possibility of needing capital in the future at a lower interest rate. While this aspect of my strategy was quite effective and I believe that my credit rating helped boost the companys attractiveness to investors in that the credit risk was very low, my companyshould have been putting the available capital to use to increase investment earnings. Rather than simply sitting on the available capita l, the company should have invested it in order to increase investors return on equity. In that respect, I feel that I was not effective in addressing fiscal responsibility.

The End or The Journey

The road awards my incoming goal would be able to stipulate my personality. The go would allow myself to understand my personality even further. Also, the passage towards my future would grant myself the privilege of discovering who I am. I do not understand myself, hardly a part of the journey is discovering what your intentions, dreams, actions, modes are. The goal would still be at the end. However, the journey is a never-ending adventure. The initial goal would waiver with each action, decision, made. The future is full of different paths, experiencing the different paths would transform a person into a new being.A person is similar to a caterpillar, a transforming creature. The caterpillar changes from a helpless creature into a powerful onlyterfly and humans climb with each experience they encounter. For example, each day that goes by, science is evolving by the scientists who encounter new Ideas, experiments, and results. severally day passes with change from within. A s a future is full of different paths, dreams are full of different results and mind grades. In the life Vive experienced so far, Vive been through many dreams and career paths, the journey towards my future is a never-ending experience.My first dream started as an artist during my elementary school days that ended when I realized there were other people who were more talented in the arts. However, I continued to sketch as a hobby. My second career path was through history as an anthropologist that career went down the drain because of money issues. My third dream was a preschool teacher. That dream began with my love for children and is still a realizable career selection for my future. My 4th career choice Is a pedantically. Although the choice of continuing school for a long time will probably throwing stick on me, the desire to alp children has kept that dream alive.My fifth dream Is to be an accountant, my current dream. All the different dreams Ive had over the years has s et myself towards different results, but my ever-changing demeanor has confused my end result. The future Is unclear and the path Is cloudy, the end Is a mystery and the Journey Is a challenge. People will grow as they move forward. However, there Is no guarantee of growth at the end of the road. The obstacles before a challenger calls for mistakes and growth, not perfection. The end is perfection, but the journey towards he end is full of mistakes, errors, and progress.That is why I believe that the journey is great than the goal. The End or The Journey By Cindy The Journey is far greater than the inn. I am a sixteen year old girl. As a child, there is a long Journey towards adulthood. There is the pleasure of the Journey taken and the Joy of the end. Some people may more impact on the person. During Journeys, there are obstacles that the Journeyer has to overcome. The road understand myself, but a part of the Journey is discovering what your intentions, dreams, actions, paths a re. The goal would still be at the end.However, the Journey is new ideas, experiments, and results. Each day passes with change from within. As a selection for my future. My fourth career choice is a petrifaction. Although the help children has kept that dream alive. My fifth dream is to be an accountant, my current dream. All the different dreams Vive had over the years has set myself result. The future is unclear and the path is cloudy, the end is a mystery and the journey is a challenge. People will grow as they move forward. However, there is no the end is full of mistakes, errors, and progress. That is why I believe that the Journey

Pericles Funeral Oration Essay

I do non think that everything Pericles said in his funeral Oration was true. Pericles goes on and on about how great the capital of Greece city-state had become a strong democratic government. He also talks about how they accept everyone into their city-state and give them the same rights as the Athens people regardless if they are foreigners. Pericles compensate compares his city-state to that of the Spartans while using slanderous and defaming words to describe their culture. Pericles believes from reading his Oration that the Athens are better people because of their equally of all in their city state and the freedom they have given their people.Pericles fails to see the contradiction in the culture and in the oration of the Speech he gives about the Athens way of life and this is because he is biased towards the men. Obviously everyone being equal is not true because woman is not equal to men and is certainly not treated as equals. Pericles states himself that it is better for woman to never be spoken of whether it is glory or criticism. He states that a womans localize is in her home, the only jobs that are available to women are to bare children and to maintain the household, other than that everything else only a man should and could do.The fact that women are treated other than proves that the Athens were not a democratic state their laws to provide fairness to all the people were only catered to the males not the females. The Athens had a negative office towards woman and how they should be treated, Pericles seemed almost disgusted to even have to address woman in his speech and when he did he had nothing positive to understand about them. Pericles exaggerates in his oration. He depicts a perfect picture of what the Athens society is thought to be, as if the people and the law have no imperfections that motive to be spoken of.He illustrates a great city-state with no flaws but then continues to describe and speak of women as if they were not hum an and discrimination against them was normal. Pericles was in mourning and wanted to give the dead soldiers and their families and all the people of the city-state the honor and confidence they needed to continue on with the war so he exaggerated, he did not want to dishonor the soldier with his words so he chose to speak of their culture and everything they stood for. Coming from a leaders perspective I think the ideology may be slightly off but much of it was true from the Athens culture and society.

Graduating from High School Essay

Most grade-schoolers dream about the day they will walk across the stage on beginning day and watch their diplomas. They are under the impression they will be free from all work in their life, and be able to finally live. A person graduating from lavishly up school can take legion(predicate) directions in life most graduates also go to dorm at college, travel to college, or start working.First, many graduates run from their parents and desire to go to college as far away from home as possible. When students move away, they get their first feel of living away from home. Which brings occasional jobs like Cooking, cleaning, and doing laundry are a few examples of how college students have to learn to give for themselves. Also, earning a college degree gives a person greater earning like the mogul to work in the field of their choice. Going away to college can be a wonderful time for a person to grown-up and start their adult life.another(prenominal) decision a person may choose s ubsequently graduating high school is commute to a college. Traveling is not a possibility for everyone graduating high school because of location, but can be a great chance for those who are in drivable distance to a college. Living with parents and driving to college can sustain college student money because they do not have to buy off to dorm. Staying with parents means mom is still around to give home cooked meals and life does not salmagundi from high school. Commuting to college can be a great way to save money, while still earning a college degree.Last, many high school students define not to go to a college and join the work force right after high school. This means they will not be able to pay back expensive school loans and will be able to have more financial freedom in the short term. A person connector the work has the ability to stay in touch with fri rests in the area they live in and a few years after graduating or view their own place to reside. Joining the wor k force out of high school is a great option for some people who choose to do so but is not the best plan for those who want to more education.A persons decision about what they will do after high school, weather it is going away to college, commuting to college or joining the work force, will affect them the rest of their life. A lot of thought and appeal should go into any decision, especially those which will affect a person for the rest of their life. In the end, if a person they believe God wants them to does it will end up the way God wants it.

The Great Gatsby- Immorality

The American DreamA Road to Immorality You go out not for sure die, the serpent said to the woman. For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God,knowing good and fell (New International Bible, genesis 34-5). The prevalence of temptation and immorality has been present from the beginning of time. In the Biblical sense, it was the serpent that tempted Eve with his promises for greatness and divinity, but in the end corrupted her world, as well as the world today. Presently, the lust for power and authority is exceedingly evident amongst todays society.In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the American dream was a foundation of desires for wealth and supremacy. doneout the novel, the characters greed has a negative impact on their everyday decisions, and leads them d have the path of immorality and depravity. Through the examination of the lives of prick Carraway and Jordan Baker, Tom and Daisy Buchanan, and Jay Gatsby, the follo wing essay will prove how the tempting and agonizing pursuit of the American dream often leads to a purport full of deception and corruption.In the beginning of the novel, Nick Carraway evidenced his mixed emotions towards the plenteous lifestyle. In the manner he described Tom Buchanan, it is clear that Nick noticed the complacency of the spicy lifestyle Two shining arrogant eyes had established dominance everyplace his face and gave him the appearance of always leaning aggressively forward. . . . His speaking voice, a gruff husky tenor, added to the impression of fractiousness he conveyed. There was a touch of paternal contempt in it, even toward people he desireand there were men at New Haven who had hated his guts. Fitzgerald 12) Despite his distaste towards the rich, Nick also idolized them. His strong desire to achieve the American dream persuaded him to associate with these people. However, as he got sucked into their world, he became more and more duplicitous and immo ral. When asked by Tom and Daisy about his rumoured engagement to a woman masking home, Nick denied it. However, it is later revealed that he is, in fact, engaged But I am slow-thinking and full of interior rules that act as brakes on my desires, and I knew that first I had to get myself definitely out of that tangle back home.Id been writing letters once a week and signing them Love, Nick, and each(prenominal) I could think of was how, when that certain girl played tennis, a faint mustache of perspiration appeared on her upper lip. Nevertheless there was a shadowed lowstanding that had to be tactfully broken off before I was free. (Fitzgerald 59) Regardless of this, he pursued an topic with Jordan Baker. As the novel progressed, Nick began to slang how the fast and extravagant lifestyle of the rich was only a cover for the disturbing moral emptiness amongst them.He learned that even Jordan, whom he had developed feelings for, was dishonest and was willing to do some(prenomin al)thing to ensure her success Jordan Baker instinctively avoided clever, shrewd men, and now I saw that this was because she felt safer on a plane where any divergence from a code would be thought impossible. She was incurably dishonest. She wasnt able to endure being at a disadvantage and, given this unwillingness, I suppose she had begun dealing in subterfuges when she was very young in order to keep that cool, insolent smile turned to the world and yet satisfy the demands of her hard, spruce body. Fitzgerald 58) After gaining much maturity, Nick returned to Minnesota seeking a life structured by more traditional moral values. The lives of Tom and Daisy Buchanan are point examples of how achieving the American dream often leads to living a low and vulgar life. At a first glance, their home seems to be the perfect family setting. It isnt ache before Toms affair with his mistress becomes evident Is something happening? I inquired innocently. You mean to say you dont know? said allot down Baker, honestly surprised. I thought everybody knew. I dont. Why she said hesitantly, Toms got some woman in New York (Fitzgerald 20). When Daisy sees Gatsby again, she also begins an affair of her own. However this affair is short lived as Tom becomes aware of the infidelity of his wife. Daisy was forced to choose between Tom and Gatsby, but she refused to abandon her old rich lifestyle. After hitting Myrtle while driving Jays car, Daisy and Tom decided to conspire a plan in order to avoid state for the tragedy Daisy and Tom were sitting opposite each new(prenominal) at the kitchen table, . . . There was an unmistakable air of natural intimacy about the picture and anybody would shake up said that they were conspiring together (Fitzgerald 138). Despite Daisys professed love for Gatsby, she allowed him to take the blame for the accident, which eventuated in his death. When Wilson went to Tom and asked him who the car belonged to, Tom had no problem mentioning Jay G atsbys name, providing Wilson with the nurture needed to justify Myrtles death I told him the truth, he said. He came to the door hile we were getting ready to leave, and when I sent down contrive that we werent in he tried to force his way up-stairs. He was crazy enough to kill me if I hadnt told him who owned the car. . . . (Fitzgerald 169). In the end, Daisy chose the American dream over her moral conscience, proving that the rich are not really better than the poor. Jay Gatsbys quest for the American dream began at the age of 17, when he left his North Dakota farm-life home in pursuit of better life. After meeting Daisy and seeing her wealth, he became obsessed with her.Gatsbys love for Daisy was more of an imperative desire to possess her. He lied to her in order to draw her to him He might have despised himself, for he had certainly taken her under false pretenses. I dont mean that he had traded on his phantom millions, but he had deliberately given Daisy a sense of certif ication he let her believe that he was a person from much the same stratum as herselfthat he was fully able to take safekeeping of her. (Fitzgerald 142) Gatsbys desperation drove him to work for Meyer Wolfsheim.He quickly earned a vast amount of money by bootlegging alcohol and associating in other illegal activities under Wolfsheims order He and this Wolfsheim bought up a lot of side-street drug-stores here and in Chicago and sold grain alcohol over the counter. . . . (Fitzgerald 127). Even though Jay seemed to be an unsavory, worldly man with his illegal and immoral tendencies, he had an incredible sense of loyalty. His unfailing loyalty extended to everyone he cared for, from his own father to Dan Cody to Daisy.Unfortunately, he did not always receive the same measure of devotion in return, demonstrated when Daisy allowed him to take the fall for her foolish actions. Nick Carraway recognise this goodness about him, and reassured Gatsby Theyre a rotten crowd, I shouted across th e lawn. Youre worth the whole damn bunch put together (Fitzgerald 146). Jay Gatsbys hunger for the American dream proves how even good-natured people can become corrupted by their lust for money and power. You will not certainly die, the serpent said to the woman. For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God,knowing good and evil (New International Bible, Genesis 34-5). The prevalence of temptation and immorality has been present from the beginning of time. In the Biblical sense, it was the serpent that tempted Eve with his promises for greatness and divinity, but ultimately corrupted her world, as well as the world today. Presently, the lust for power and authority is exceedingly evident amongst todays society. In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the American dream was a foundation of desires for wealth and supremacy.Throughout the novel, the characters greed has a negative impact on their everyday decisions, and leads them down the path of immorality and depravity. Through the examination of the lives of Nick Carraway and Jordan Baker, Tom and Daisy Buchanan, and Jay Gatsby, the following essay will prove how the tempting and agonizing pursuit of the American dream often leads to a life full of dishonesty and corruption. Works Cited Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Toronto Penguin Books Ltd. , 1998. New International Bible. New York Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1982.

Family and Issue

The first edit out is all about the genealogy of Kamapuaa. He was the enemy of the Lava Goddess Pele who lived in Kilauea. -The second Issue is the story of how his mother was born and kapud for the king plainly she fell in love with the Kings brother and gave birth to 3 children and a pig child. The youngest child was taken to the sky and turned into a kind of rain while the others were adopted into grandmothers home. The grandmother says a chant and Kamapuaa gains powers to modify body forms. The third Issue is about the Pig- Child using his powers to plant a whole taro patch with his youngest borhter in a single day, as to where the older brother trying to do it by himself would have taken several days. Kamapuaa finishes both gardens single-handedly.This issue also show the love surrounded by him and his family, they treat him very nicely and praise him for all that he does. This issue ends with Kamapuaa stealing chickens from nearly the whole island. He will be divergence fo r the Kings chicken coop next. -The fourth issue is about how the pig continues to go out and steal chickens, continuously getting closer to the kings roost when he finds a mystical chicken that he leaves. He rested for 3 days because he was tired of chasing chickens. He the got up and raided Kailua. The people of Kailua came thinking that Kamapuaa did it but he changed into a sick looking pig. The pig then went and raided the kings chickens and got seen and chased by the guards -The fifth issue is about how the King sends armies to kill a trivial pig but cannot overcome the magic powers of Kamapuaa. Kamapuaa is constantly outsmarting his opponents.He is found sleeping under a rock and is taken prisoner, being stabbed with a rock-and-roll dagger the whole time. That is where the fifth issue ends. -In the sixth issue Kamapuaa was dead and came back to life, killing everyone who was against him. He then sailed to Kauai and found one of the chiefs daughters who had fainted. He brought her back to consciousness and made her his woman. In this issue he meets his new father in law and learns of his brother in law who causes terror and mayhem on the island. Kamapuaa tells his wife that he will go to challenge, she objects but it will not be enough to stop him.

The effects of ICT on the individual

1. internet e.g. email, websites, messenger, chat rooms2. talk e.g. rambling ph one and only(a), video record phone, video conferencing, information points3. pleasure e.g. games console, MP3 player, digital TV4. rambling access e.g. laptop, PDA, Wi-Fi, WAP5. data earmark e.g. digital camera, voice recorder, s sensner6. Financial transactions e.g. ATM, EPOS, happy cardInternetHow the Internet Is employThe internet is employ in more different slipway such as communication, finding information, publishing, commerce and for online learning. The most widely apply facilities on the internet atomic number 18 The population Wide Web (WWW), electronic mail (e-mail), newsgroups, chat and publishing. The web is the most popular and windy growing part of the internet. It provides easy access to a vast range of information stored on computers alto exhausther everyplace the gentleman.E-mail allows tribe to send messages from one computer to an other(a) almost immediately. It is widely employ and has become an alternative to the conventional letter post, the fax, and bring forward. Newsgroups are discussion groups that usually focus on one particular subject and therefore enable people with common interests to pass around. Chat is similar to a telephone conversation, except people suit rather of talk. People flowerpot hold conversations with one or more people by typing their messages on the screen. These appear instantly on the screens of everyone involved. Publishing is not only for organisations or businesses. Anyone can create their own Web site or weblog and publish their files on the World Wide Web.Benefits of the InternetThere are a numerous benefits of the internet such as communication, information, downloading parcel, gaietyction and e-commerce. People can benefit from internet communication because people can give out in seconds with a person who is in the other part of the world. We can too e-mail people from all over the world a nd we can chat for hours with loved ones. Information is probably the biggest benefit the internet offers. Any benign of information on any topic in the world is available on the internet. People can almost find any type of data on any kind of subject that they are looking for. There is a vast amount of information available on the internet ranging from judicature law and operate, market information, new ideas and technical support. Another benefit is downloading software. This is one of the most happening and surplus rein things to do exploitation the internet. People can download countless games, music, videos, movies, and lots of other pleasure software from the internet, which are mostly free. Many services are now provided on the internet such as online banking, job seeking, purchasing tickets for favourite movies, guidance services on a range of topics, and hotel reservations. Often these services are not available off-line and can cost more. Ecommerce is the idea empl oy for any type of commercial planning, or business deals that involves the transfer of information across the globe via Internet. Ecommerce has got a real incredible and wide range of products from household needs, technology to entertainment.The internet can also provide children and adults alike with a world of exciting opportunities. It offers1. educational games and programs2. research information for school projects and business3. the opportunity to communicate with people from all approximately the world4. the opportunity to share resources and ideas with people that have the same interests5. Shopping around the world without leaving a computer.Disadvantages of the InternetThe internet can have some disadvantages such as theft of personal information, spamming and virus threats. Theft of personal information is a disadvantage because if soulfulness uses the internet, they may be facing great danger as their personal information such as their name, address, course credi t card number can be accessed by other people. Spamming means the sending of unwanted emails in bulk which dont provide a purpose. These illegal actions can be very foil for people. Viruses are programs which interrupt the usual function of computers. Computers attached to the internet are more prone to virus attacks.EntertainmentHow Entertainment Is UsedEntertainment is used in several ways such as games consoles, MP3/4 players and digital TV. Games consoles are used as entertainment by playing games, watching movies, glide the web and listening to music. MP3 players are used as entertainment by listening to music. MP4 players are used as entertainment by watching video clips, looking at pictures and listening to music. Digital TV is used for entertainment by watching TV programmes. Digital TV has over 30 bring to watch.Benefits of EntertainmentThere are various benefits of entertainment. Entertainment sets peoples minds free, keeps people chilled out, releases stress, and it ma kes people feel happy. Entertainment is fun and keeps people occupied for long amounts of time. You can also use entertainment anywhere in the world as you can watch movies, play games and much more on mobile devices such as mobile phones, iPods and tablets.Disadvantages of EntertainmentThere are some disadvantages of entertainment as people can get carried away watching a movie, playing a game on a games console or listening to music using a MP3 player can make people late to appointments and meetings. Entertainment can also steer people away from work or studying as entertainment is addictive.Mobile AccessHow Mobile Access Is UsedMobile access can be used to access different things while on the move using a laptop, PDA or other devices. Mobile access can be used to access emails and to surf the web. Mobile devices can be used to access the internet via Wi-Fi (wireless internet) or via WAP (Wireless application Protocol).Benefits of Mobile AccessMobile access can be used almost any where in the world even on Mount Everest. Mobile access is wireless so there isnt the hassle of carrying wires around. The price of mobile access isnt over priced either and in fact some Wi-Fi hotspots are free to access and use. Mobile wideband can also be used in areas which do not have broadband. Mobile broadband can also be pay as you go so it is paid for when it is used instead of monthly.Disadvantages of Mobile AccessStandard broadband or home broadband can sometimes be a lot cheaper than mobile broadband. The speed of mobile access can be slower than warning broadband. The download/usage limits for mobile broadband are quite restrictive. chatHow Communication Is UsedCommunication can be used with mobile phones, video phones, video conferencing and computers. Mobile phones can be used to communicate by texting and voice calling individual. Video phones can be used to communicate by seeing the person someone is talking to on the phone. Video conferencing can be used to commu nicate by seeing and speaking to numerous individuals at once. Computers can be used for communicating by sending an email to someone, chatting to someone in a chat room and video calling or voice calling someone using a program such as Skype.Benefits of CommunicationCommunication can be used all most anywhere in the world using many different devices. Some forms of communication can be free such as using a free messenger program on a computer for example Windows Live Messenger is free to chat to someone, free to call someone who has Windows Live Messenger using a microphone and video calling someone who has Windows Live Messenger. Programs like Windows Live Messenger and Skype can be used to communicate with people from all over the world for free.Disadvantages of CommunicationCommunication can have some disadvantages as the cost of some communication devices can be expensive. Calling someone using a mobile phone can sometimes cost quite a bit. If a webcam is used to communicate to someone sometimes the webcam can be hacked so a hacker can see you. If someone communicates to someone using the internet and the connection is slow things could be misinterpreted. data CaptureHow Data Capture Is UsedData capture is used to capture many different things for example photos, speech and documents. Data capture is used in different ways such as taking pictures with a digital camera, recording a conversation using a voice recorder, scanning a barcode using a barcode digital scanner and copying a photo or document using a scanner.Benefits of Data CaptureData capture is a great way of capturing memories by taking photos using a digital camera. It is also a great way for people who are in a meeting and need to conceive what was said in the meeting, people can do this by using a voice recorder. Data capture is also very helpful in shops as products can be scanned for a barcode using a barcode scanner. Another benefit of data capture is that if a backup of a printed photo or document is needed then it can be backed up by using a scanner.Disadvantages of Data CaptureSome data capturing devices may not capture data properly for representative a voice recorder may stop recording randomly or the device may not record properly causing voices recorded to be muffled. Another disadvantage may be that barcode scanners in shops may not be updated properly so some product barcodes cant be scanned as they wont appear on the system.

Sex in Indian Society

Hindoo views of homo innerity and, in planetary, LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi elicitual, and transgender) issues, ar diverse. Same- raise relations and gender variance cause been be within Hindooism from Vedic measures by dint of to the present day, in rites, law of nature books, religious or alleged(prenominal) mythical narratives, com mentaries, paintings, and body-build. The extent to which these representations embrace or reject lesbianity has been disputed within the religion as well as outside of it.In 2009, The united Kingdom Hindoo Council issued a statement that Hinduism does non condemn trans informal(prenominal)ity, subsequent to the decision of the Delhi High Court to legalise homophileity in India Unlike the West, the Hindu ordering does non have the concept of sexual orientation that classifies manfuls on the basis of who they relish. However, on that point is a arduous, quaint concept of third gender, which is for individuals who have strong elemen ts of both male and female in them. Third genders accommodate males with a predominant feminine soul or gender orientation.These males ar not classified as men. Only non-feminine gendered males are classified as men. The Hindu society, since the ancient times, does not consider the mens desire or sexual activity with men, the same as that of a third genders desire or sexual activity with men. Although, the society, formally does not ack directlyledge sexuality among men, it formally acknowledges and gives space to sexuality between men and third genders as a variation of male-female sex (i. e. , a assort of heterosexuality, rather than homosexuality, if analysed in western terms).In situation, Hijras, Alis, Kotis, etc. the various forms of third gender that exist in India like a shot, all are characterized by the gender role of having receptive anal and oral sex with men. Sexuality between men (as distinct from third genders) have nevertheless thrived, mostly unspoken, info rmally, within mens spaces, without organism seen as different in the way its seen in the West. Like in other non-western cultures, it is considered more or less, a customary bottomlanddidate of manhood, even if not socially desirable.Its the effeminate male sexuality for men (or for women) which is seen as different, and differently categorised. men often refer to their sexual play with each other as Masti. Western concept of queerness seeks to break this distinction between third gender and men, and to isolate sexuality between men on with the third genders, with all its negative consequences. As such, men in India have long resisted the concept of gay, and have sex with men without identifying as a homosexual. Gay activists, have sought to introduce a topically acceptable term for homosexual for deuce decades, without success. Finally, the term MSM was taken, because it was technically difficult for men to avoid, if they had sex with men. However, it too was rejected by In dian men, as if was seen as just another term for gay. In the past near years, however, the concept of homosexuality has finally taken root, as mens spaces have weakened because of Westernization and gay groups suitable strong with years of gay and AIDS activism.A significant fallout of this has been that sexual desire between men, which was skilful universal earlier, is now become more and more isolated from the mainstream, as men are distancing themselves from it because of the gull of effeminacy or third gender attached to the notion of gay. Things have become so unstable in some westernized urban spaces, that devil men can no longer hold hands something which was a common sight in India, not too far back. Contemporary Hindu societySexuality is rarely discussed openly in contemporary Hindu society, eespecial(a)ly in modern India where homosexuality was illegal until 2009, due to colonial British laws. On July 2, 2009 The Delhi High Court in a diachronic judgement dec riminalised homosexuality in India where the court noted that the existing laws violated fundamental rights to personal autonomy (Article 21 of the Indian Constitution) and equality (Article 14) and prohibition of discrimination (Article 15). counterbalance before this judgement, in India homosexuals were rattling rarely prose narrowed despite the existence of such laws in the penal code. Even though Hinduism is never known to alto draw inher ban homosexuality, certain Hindu nationalist factions are opposed to legalizing homosexuality while certain others prefer to remain silent. However, in the last twenty years homosexuality has become change magnitudely visible in the print and audio-visual media, with many out LGBT nation, an active LGBT movement, and a large Indian LGBT presence on the Internet.From the nineties onward, modern gay and lesbian Hindu organizations have surfaced in Indias major cities and in 2004, plausible calls were make for the first time to repeal Indi as outdated and nontraditional laws against homosexuality Deepa Mehtas 1996 film Fire, which depicts a romantic blood between both Hindu women, was informally banned for religious insensitivity after Hindu Nationalists attacked cinemas where it was being screened on the grounds that it denigrated Indian culture, not on the grounds of homophobia per se,a position shared and confirmed by feminist Madhu Kishwar.In addition, The Bharatiya Janata Party (Hindu Nationalist Party) who were in power in India at the time, refused to ban it convertible protests occurred in 2004 against the lesbian-themed film Girlfriend even though the portrayal of lesbianism was this time distinctly unsympathetic several(prenominal) human-rights groups such as the Peoples Union for Civil Liberties have asserted that sexual minorities in India face horrific discrimination and violence, especially those from rural and glare caste backgrounds.Hijras and other third-gender groups are similarly oppressed in modern-day India, forced to live on the margins of society In her book, Loves Rite, Ruth Vanita examines the phenomena of same-sex weddings, many by Hindu rites, which have been storyed by the Indian press over the last thirty years and with increasing frequency. In the same period, same-sex joint suicides have in addition been reported. Most of these marriages and suicides are by lower lower-middle-class female couples from small towns and rural areas across the country these women have no contact with any LGBT movements. two cross-sex and same-sex couples, when faced with family opposition, tend to resort to either elopement and marriage or to joint suicide in the commit of reunion in the next life. Vanita examines how Hindu doctrines such as rebirth and the genderlessness of the soul are often interpreted to legitimize socially disapproved relationships, including same-sex one and only(a)s. In a 2004 survey, most though not all swamis verbalize they opposed the concept of a Hindu-sanctified gay marriage.But several Hindu riests have performed same-sex marriages, arguing that grapple is the resolvent of attachments from previous births and that marriage, as a union of spirit, is transcendental to gender. Many Indian and Hindu intellectuals now publicly support LGBT civil rights. Some liberal Hindu reform movements, especially those in the West, too support social acceptance of gays, lesbians and other gender minorities. Psychoanalyst Sudhir Kakar writes that Hindus are more accepting of divagation or eccentricity than are adherents of Western religions, who typically treat sexual variance as anti-social or psychopathological, requiring correction or cure.Hindus, he argues, believe instead that each individual must fulfill their personal destiny (svadharma) as they travel the path towards moksha (transcendence). Commenting on the legalization of homosexuality in India Anil Bhanot, general secretary of The United Kingdom Hindu Council said The poin t here is that the homosexual nature is part of the natural law of God it should be accepted for what it is, no more and no less.Hindus are generally conservative nevertheless it seems to me that in ancient India, they even celebrated sex as an enjoyable part of procreation, where priests were invited for ceremonies in their ingleside to mark the beginning of the process The third gender Hindu philosophy has the concept of a third sex or third gender (tritiya-prakriti literally, third nature). This category includes a wide range of people with mixed male and female natures such as transgenders, homosexuals, transsexuals, bisexuals, the intersexed, and so on.Such persons are not considered fully male or female in traditional Hinduism, being a combination of both. They are mentioned as third sex by nature (birth and are not expected to behave like mundane men and women. They often keep their own societies or town quarters, perform specific occupations (such as masseurs, hairdress ers, flower-sellers, interior(prenominal) servants, etc. ) and are generally attributed a semi-divine status.Their participation in religious ceremonies, especially as crossdressing dancers nd devotees of certain temple gods/goddesses, is considered auspicious in traditional Hinduism. Some Hindus believe that third-sex people have special powers allowing them to bless or curse others. In Hinduism, the universal creation is honored as unlimitedly diverse and the designation of a third sex is simply one more aspect of this understanding. In 2008, the state of Tamil Nadu recognised the Third Gender with its civil supplies department giving in the ration card a provision for a new sex column as T, distinct from the usual M and F for males and females respectively.This was the first time that authorities anywhere in India have officially recognised the third gender. Hindu religious narratives The Hindu god Shiva is often represented as Ardhanarisvara, with a dual male and female nature . This sculpture is from the Elephanta Caves near Mumbai. In the Hindu narrative tradition, stories of gods and mortals changing gender occur. Sometimes they withal engage in sexual activities as different reeincarnated genders.Homosexual and transgender Hindus commonly identify with and worship the various Hindu deities machine-accessible with gender diversity such as Ardhanarisvara (the hermaphrodite form of Shiva) Aravan (a hero whom Krishna married after becoming a charr) Ayyappa (a god born from the union of Shiva and Mohini, a female incarnation of Vishnu) Bahuchara-devi (a goddess connected with trans-sexuality and eunuchism) Bhagavati-devi (a Hindu goddess associated with crossdressing) Bhagiratha Maharaja (an Indian king born of two female parents) Caitanya Mahaprabhu (an incarnation of Radha and Krishna combined) Chandi-Chamunda (twin warrior goddesses) Gadadhara (an incarnation of Radha in male form) Gangamma-devi (a goddess connected with crossdressing and disguises) Harihara (Shiva and Vishnu combined) Kartikeya Vallabhavardhana, Yellamma-devi and countless others There are also specific festivals connected to the worship of such gender-variant deities, some of which are famous in India for their crossdressing devotees and homosexual undertones. These festivals include the Aravan Festival of Tamil Nadu, the Ayyappa and Chamaya-Villaku Festivals of Kerala, the Bahucara-mata Festivals of Gujarat and the Yellamma-deviFestivals of Karnataka, among others Mahabharata In the Mahabharata, as the result of a curse he was compelled to honor, the hero Arjuna takes a vow of eunuchism, that is, to live as the third sex for a year O lord of the Earth, I will declare myself as one of the expurgate sex. O monarch, it is, indeed difficult to hide the marks of the bowstring on my harness. I will, however, cover both my cicatrized arms with bangles. Wearing brilliant rings on my ears and conch-bangles on my wrists and causing a braid to hang drink from my hea d, I shall, O king, appear as one of the third sex, Vrihannala by name Another all-important(a) character, Shikhandi, is born female, but raised as a boy.Sihkandis father, King Drupada, had begged the god Mahadeva to give him a son, to which Mahadeva replied molarity shalt have a electric razor who will be a female and male. Desist, O king, it will not be otherwise. When Sikhandi comes of age and marries, Sikhandis wife soon came to know that Sikhandiwas a woman like herself, refusing him. Fleeing from the unnamed wifes wild father, Sikhandi encounters a male Yaksha (nature spirit) in the forest, and they agree to swap sexes. Now in a male body, Sikhandi proves to his father-in-law that he is truly male, after the latter sends a number of young ladies of broad beauty to Sikhandi to test him.They report back that he is a powerful person of the masculine sex, and Sikhandi becomes a skilled and famous warrior, playing a pivotal role in the war. Ramayana In some versions of the Krittivasa Ramayana, the most popular Bengali schoolbook on the pastimes of Lord Ramachandra (an incarnation of Vishnu), there is an interesting narrative of two queens that conceived a kidskin together. When the famous king of the Sun Dynasty, Maharaja Dilipa, died, the demigods become concerned that he did not have a son to continue his line. Lord Shiva therefore appeared before the kings two widowed queens and commanded them, You two make love together and by my blessings you will bear a beautiful son.The two wives, with great affection for each other, executed Shivas order until one of them conceived a child. Unfortunately, however, the child was born boneless, but by the blessings of a sage, Astavakra, the child was restored to full health and continued the dynasty. Astavakra accordingly named the child Bhagiratha he who was born from two vulvas . Bhagiratha later became one of the most famous kings of India and is credited with bringing the Ganges River down to earth throug h his austerities. Hindu texts Hindus have many sacred texts and different communities give special importance to different texts. Even more so than in other religions, Hindus also foster disparate interpretations of the meaning of various texts.The Vedas, which form the foundation of Hinduism for many, do not refer explicitly to homosexuality, but Rigveda says Vikruti Evam Prakriti (perversity/diversity is what nature is all about, or, what seems un-natural is also natural), which some scholars believe recognizes the cyclical constancy of homosexual/transsexual dimensions of human life, like all forms of universal diversities. People of a third gender (tritiya-prakriti), not fully men nor women, are mentioned here and there throughout Hindu texts such as the Puranas but are not specifically defined. In general they are portrayed as effeminate men, often cowardly, and with no desire for women. Modern readers often track down parallels between these and modern stereotypes of lesbian , gay, bisexual and transgender sexual identities.Historians Ruth Vanita and Saleem Kidwai, in their pioneering book, Same-Sex Love in India Readings from Literature and History, for the first time compiled extracts from Indian texts, from ancient to modern times, including many Hindu texts, translated from 15 Indian languages. In their consecutive analytical essays, they also demonstrated that Hindu texts have discussed and debated same-sex desire from the earliest times, in tones ranging from critical to non-judgmental to elfin and celebratory. Historian Devdutt Pattanaik summarizes the place of homosexuality in Hindu literature as follows though not part of the mainstream, its existence was acknowledged but not approved. Other Indologists assert that homosexuality was not approved for brahmanas or the twice-born but accepted among the lower classes. In his book, Tritiya-Prakriti People of the Third Sex, Vaishnava monk AmaraDas Wilhelm demonstrates how ancient expressions of Hi nduism accommodated homosexual and transgender persons much more positively than we see in India today Early Vedic teachings stressed obligated family life and asceticism but also tolerated different types of sexualities within general society Manu Smriti The Manuscript, which lists the oldest codes of conduct that were proposed to be followed by a Hindu, does include mention of homosexual practices, but only as something to be regulated. though homosexuality was considered a part of sexual practices, it was not always well accepted.There were punishments prescribed for homosexual behaviour. For instance, the verse referring to sexual relations between an older woman and a virgin (woman) reads woman who pollutes a damsel (virgin) shall instantly have (her head) shaved or two fingers cut off, and be made to irritate (through the town) on a donkey, suggesting a severe punishment. However, the verse referring to sexual relations between two virgins suggests a relatively milder punish ment a damsel who pollutes (another) damsel must be fined two light speed (panas), pay the double of her (nuptial) fee, and receive ten (lashes with a) rod. These provisions, quoted out of context, seem homophobic, but in fact they are concerned not with the gender of the partners but with the loss of virginity that rendered a young woman sickening of marriage.For instance, the punishment for a forced sex act between a man and a woman states if any man through insolence forcibly contaminates a maiden, two of his fingers shall be instantly cut off, and he shall pay a fine of six hundred (panas), which seems more severe in parity to the punishment prescribed for the same act between two virgins. Sex between non-virgin women incurred a very small fine, while homosexual copulation between men was sought to be censured by a prescription of a bath with ones clothes on, and a penance of eating the five products of the cow and safekeeping a one-night fast- the penance being a replace ment of the traditional concept of homosexual intercourse resulting in a loss of caste.The discrepancy in treatment may have been due to the texts non-equal views on males and females, considering that the Manusmriti is the same scripture that has stated that the status of woman in the society is the same (or even lower than) that of a mans land, his cattle and other possessions. For Brahmanas and twice-born men, causing an injury to a priest, smelling wine-colored or things that are not to be smelled, crookedness, and sexual union with a man are traditionally said to cause loss of caste In the same chapter, the atonement for twice-born men is a ritual bath A twice-born man who has intercourse with a male, or with a female in a cart drawn by oxen, in water, or in the day-time, shall bathe, dressed-up in his clothes.Here again, it can be noticed that the proscriptions are specifically for brahmana and twice-born males there is no mention in the Manu Smriti of punishment for homosexu al behavior between males of the other classes. The majority of sexual matters dealt with by the law books are heterosexual in nature, and the punishments prescribed for heterosexual transgressions are often more severe. For example, A man who is not a Brahmana ought to produce death for adultery (samgrahana) (2. 8. 359). The Manu Smriti also notes the biological origins of a third gender A male child is produced by a greater quantity of male seed, a female child by the prevalence of the female if both are equal, a third-sex child napumsaka or boy and girl twins are produced if either are weak or deficient in quantity, a failure of conception results. (MS 3. 49) Narada SmritiThe Narada Smriti, write around 400 CE, forbids the marriage of homosexual men (mukhebhaga men who perform oral sex on other men) to women These intravenous feeding irsyaka, sevyaka, vataretas, and mukhebhaga are to be completely rejected as unqualified for marriage, even for a woman who has been raped. ( NS 1. 12. 15) The Narada Smriti also lists fourteen different types of panda or men who are impotent with women. Kama Sutra The Kama Sutra is an ancient text dealing with kama or desire (of all kinds), which in Hindu thought is one of the four normative and spiritual goals of life.The Kama Sutra is the earliest extant and most important work in the Kama Shastra tradition of Sanskrit literature. It was compiled by the hilosopher Vatsyayana around the 4th century, from earlier texts, and describes homosexual practices in several places, as well as a range of sex/gender types. The author describes techniques by which masculine and feminine types of the third sex (tritiya-prakriti), as well as women, perform fellatio. The Second Part, Ninth Chapter of Kama Sutra specifically describes two kinds of men that we would recognize today as masculine- and feminine-type homosexuals but which are mentioned in older, Victorian British translations as simply eunuchs. The chapter describes their a ppearances feminine types dressed up as women whereas masculine types maintained muscular physiques and grew small beards, moustaches, etc. and their various professions as masseurs, barbers and prostitutes are all described.Such homosexual men were also known to marry, according to the Kama Sutra There are also third-sex citizens, sometimes greatly attached to one another and with complete faith in one another, who get married together. (KS 2. 9. 36). In the Jayamangala of Yashodhara, an important twelfth-century commentary on the Kama Sutra, it is also stated Citizens with this kind of homosexual inclination, who let go women and can do without them willingly because they love one another, get married together, bound by a deep and trusting friendship After describing fellatio as performed between men of the third sex, the Sutra thusly mentions the practice as an act between men and women, wherein the homosexuals acts are scorned, especially for brahmanas. (KS 2. 9. 37)The Kam a Sutra also refers to svairini, who are self-sufficing women who frequent their own kind or others (2. 8. 26) or, in another passage the liberated woman, or svairini, is one who refuses a husband and has relations in her own home or in other houses (6. 6. 50). In a famous commentary on the Kama Sutra from the 12th century, Jayamangala, explains A woman known for her independence, with no sexual bars, and acting as she wishes, is called svairini. She makes love with her own kind. She strokes her partner at the point of union, which she kisses. (Jayamangala on Kama Sutra 2. 8. 13). The various practices of lesbians are described in detail within the Second Part, Eighth Chapter of the Kama Sutra.