Aphorisms :: essays papers

Aphorisms "Aphorism - a brief statement of truth." This is the dictionary definition of an aphorism. I see an aphorism as a quote that you can relate to personally. An aphorism is a fact about life. But is an aphorism always a fact, or is it sometimes an opinion too? Sometimes you might not even agree with what an aphorism says. It depends on who you are and what type of personality you have. The first aphorism which I would like to discuss is, "'Stay' is a very common word in a friend's vocabulary," by Bronson Allcott. This aphorism is one that I definitely agree with. You don't want friends who aren't going to be there for you at times when you need them the most. You want friends who stay with you and won't leave you alone, no matter what the circumstances are. Even if you and your friend get into a fight, you never want your friend to leave you forever, even if what they did to you was really wrong. They'll always be your friend no matter what and you and that person need to realize that and stick together. Take two kids, for example, who have been best friends since the first grade. Later in high school, one of the two friends is heading downhill with their life. This is a time when the friend needs the other friend the most. If the other friend isn't there for them, then it can be really hard. We depend on our friends to help us out. A second aphorism is, "It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it's been through a blender first," by Les Barker. This aphorism is very true also. Once you've been through some really tough times, the impossible is now possible. You should be able to accomplish anything now. For a third aphorism, I chose, "If you come to a fork in the road, take it," by Yogi Berra. This is a really good aphorism. He's saying that if you come to a situation in life where you have different opportunities, make sure you take advantage of them, because who knows, it might be a once in a life time opportunity. Later on in life, you may be sorry for the choices you've made. "You can observe a lot by watching," another quote by Yogi Berra, is my fourth aphorism.

Air Pollution Essay

Introduction The earth’s atmosphere, at or near sea level, consists approximately of 78 percent nitrogen, 21 percent oxygen and 1 percent other gases. If it were possible to remain in this state, 100 percent clean air would result. However, many varied sources allow other gases and particulates to mix with the clean air, causing our atmosphere to become unclean or polluted. Some of these pollutants are visible while others are invisible, with each having the capability of causing distress to the eyes, ears, throat, skin and respiratory system. Should these pollutants become concentrated in a specific area and under certain conditions, death could result due to the displacement or chemical change of the oxygen content in the air. These pollutants can also cause great damage to the environment and to the many man made objects that are exposed to the elements. To better understand the causes of air pollution, the pollutants can be categorized into 3 separate types, natural, industrial and aut omotive. Natural Pollutants Natural pollution has been present on earth since before man appeared and continues to be a factor when discussing air pollution, although it causes only a small percentage of the overall pollution problem. It is the direct result of decaying organic matter, wind born smoke and particulates from such natural events as plain and forest fires (ignited by heat or lightning), volcanic ash, sand and dust which can spread over a large area of the countryside. Such a phenomenon of natural pollution has been seen in the form of volcanic eruptions, with the resulting plume of smoke, steam and volcanic ash blotting out the sun’s rays as it spreads and rises higher into the atmosphere. As it travels into the atmosphere the upper air currents catch and carry the smoke and ash, while condensing the steam back into water vapor. As the water vapor, smoke and ash travel on their journey, the smoke dissipates into the atmosphere while the ash and moisture settle back to earth in a trail hundreds of miles long. In some cases, lives are lost and millions of dollars of property damage result. Industrial Pollutants Industrial pollution is caused primarily by industrial processes, the burning of coal, oil and natural gas, which in turn produce smoke and fumes. Because the burning fuels contain large amounts of sulfur, the principal ingredients of smoke and fumes are sulfur dioxide and particulate matter. This type of pollutant occurs most severely during still, damp and cool weather, such as at night. Even in its less severe form, this pollutant is not confined to just cities. Because of air movements, the pollutants move for miles over the surrounding countryside, leaving in its path a barren and unhealthy environment for all living things. Working with Federal, State and Local mandated regulations and by carefully monitoring emissions, big business has greatly reduced the amount of pollutant introduced from its industrial sources, striving to obtain an acceptable level. Because of the mandated industrial emission clean up, many land areas and streams in and around the cities that were formerly barren of vegetation and life, have now begun to move back in the direction of nature’s intended balance. Automotive Pollutants The third major source of air pollution is automotive emissions. The emissions from the internal combustion engines were not an appreciable problem years ago because of the small number of registered vehicles and the nation’s small highway system. However, during the early 1950’s, the trend of the American people was to move from the cities to the surrounding suburbs. This caused an immediate problem in transportation because the majority of suburbs were not afforded mass transit conveniences. This lack of transportation created an attractive market for the automobile manufacturers, which resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of vehicles produced and sold, along with a marked increase in highway construction between cities and the suburbs. Multi-vehicle families emerged with a growing emphasis placed on an individual vehicle per family member. As the increase in vehicle ownership and usage occurred, so did pollutant levels in and around the cities, as suburbanites drove daily to their businesses and employment, returning at the end of the day to their homes in the suburbs. It was noted that a smoke and fog type haze was being formed and at times, remained in suspension over the cities, taking time to dissipate. At first this â€Å"smog,† derived from the words â€Å"smoke† and â€Å"fog,† was thought to result from industrial pollution but it was determined that automobile emissions shared the blame. It was discovered that when normal automobile emissions were exposed to sunlight for a period of time, complex chemical reactions would take place. It is now known that smog is a photo chemical layer which develops when certain oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and unburned hydrocarbons (HC) from automobile emissions are exposed to sunlight. Pollution was more severe when smog would become stagnant over an area in which a warm layer of air settled over the top of the cooler air mass, trapping and holding the cooler mass at ground level. The trapped cooler air would keep the emissions from being dispersed and diluted through normal air flows. This type of air stagnation was given the name â€Å"Temperature Inversion.† TEMPERATURE INVERSION In normal weather situations, surface air is warmed by heat radiating from the earth’s surface and the sun’s rays. This causes it to rise upward, into the atmosphere. Upon rising it will cool through a convection type heat exchange with the cooler upper air. As warm air rises, the surface pollutants are carried upward and dissipated into the atmosphere. When a temperature inversion occurs, we find the higher air is no longer cooler, but is warmer than the surface air, causing the cooler surface air to become trapped. This warm air blanket can extend from above ground level to a few hundred or even a few thousand feet into the air. As the surface air is trapped, so are the pollutants, causing a severe smog condition. Should this stagnant air mass extend to a few thousand feet high, enough air movement with the inversion takes place to allow the smog layer to rise above ground level but the pollutants still cannot dissipate. This inversion can remain for days over an area, with the smog level only rising or lowering from ground level to a few hundred feet high. Meanwhile, the pollutant levels increase, causing eye irritation, respiratory problems, reduced visibility, plant damage and in some cases, even disease. This inversion phenomenon was first noted in the Los Angeles, California area. The city lies in terrain resembling a basin and with certain weather conditions, a cold air mass is held in the basin while a warmer air mass covers it like a lid. Because this type of condition was first documented as prevalent in the Los Angeles area, this type of trapped pollution was named Los Angeles Smog, although it occurs in other areas where a large concentration of automobiles are used and the air remains stagnant for any length of time. HEAT TRANSFER Consider the internal combustion engine as a machine in which raw materials must be placed so a finished product comes out. As in any machine operation, a certain amount of wasted material is formed. When we relate this to the internal combustion engine, we find that through the input of air and fuel, we obtain power during the combustion process to drive the vehicle. The by-product or waste of this power is, in part, heat and exhaust gases with which we must dispose. The heat from the combustion process can rise to over 4000 °F (2204 °C). The dissipation of this heat is controlled by a ram air effect, the use of cooling fans to cause air flow and a liquid coolant solution surrounding the combustion area to transfer the heat of combustion through the cylinder walls and into the coolant. The coolant is then directed to a thin-finned, multi-tubed radiator, from which the excess heat is transferred to the atmosphere by 1 of the 3 heat transfer methods, conduction, convection or radiation. The cooling of the combustion area is an important part in the control of exhaust emissions. To understand the behavior of the combustion and transfer of its heat, consider the air/fuel charge. It is ignited and the flame front burns progressively across the combustion chamber until the burning charge reaches the cylinder walls. Some of the fuel in contact with the walls is not hot enough to burn, thereby snuffing out or quenching the combustion process. This leaves unburned fuel in the combustion chamber. This unburned fuel is then forced out of the cylinder and into the exhaust system, along with the exhaust gases. Many attempts have been made to minimize the amount of unburned fuel in the combustion chambers due to quenching, by increasing the coolant temperature and lessening the contact area of the coolant around the combustion area. However, design limitations within the combustion chambers prevent the complete burning of the air/fuel charge, so a certain amount of the unburned fuel is still expelled into the exhaust system, regardless of modifications to the engine.

Conflicting Objectives

A partnership with the appropriate fem. can help add value to existing products. For example, partnerships that improve time to market, distribution times, or repair times help to Increase the perceived value of a particular firm, Similarly, com/public-administration-and-management-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-partnerships-in-terms-of-improving-service-delivery-and-accountability/">partnerships between companies with complementary product lines can add value to both companies' products. Improving market access. Partnerships that lead to better advertising or increased access to new market channels can be beneficial. Strengthening operations.Alliances between appropriate firms can help to improve operations by lowering system costs and cycle times. Facilities and resources can be used more efficiently and effectively. Adding technological strength. Partnerships in which technology Is shared can help add to the skills base of both partners. Also, the difficult transitions between ol d and new technologies can be facilitated by the expertise of one of the partners. Enhancing strategic growth. Alliances provide a tremendous opportunity for organizational learning.In addition to learning from one another, partners are forced to learn more about themselves and to become more flexible so that these alliances work. Building financial strength. In addition to addressing these competitive Issues, alliances can help to build financial strength. Income can be Increased and administrative costs can be shared between partners or even reduced owing to the expertise of one or both partners. Of course, alliances also limit investment exposure by sharing risk (D. Smirch-Levi, Samisens ; E. Smirch-Levi, 2008, p. 248).If these mutual partnerships are to succeed there needs to be a mutual business understanding built up of respect, honesty, trust, communication and a desire for each party to profit by recognizing that the success of one partner helps with the success of the there (Rioter, 2007). Of course there needs to be compliance with all laws but also within the partnership between buyers and suppliers there needs to be respect, honesty, open communications and strategic financing that benefits all the parties involved (Rioter, 2007). Types of RSVP There are three types of Retailer-supplier Partnerships (RSVP) Strategies.They are the: Information sharing/quick response strategy – supplies receive point of sale (POS) data from retailers and use this Information to synchronize their production Ana Inventory actively wilt actual sales at ten retailer. In tons strategy ten retailer still prepares individual orders, but the POS data are used by the supplier to improve forecasting and scheduling and to reduce lead time. Continuous replenishment strategy (rapid replenishment) – vendors receive POS data and use these data to prepare shipments at previously agreed-upon intervals to maintain specific levels of inventory.Suppliers may gradually decr ease inventory levels at the retail store or distribution center as long as service levels are met. Inventory levels are continuously improved. Inventory levels could be based on sophisticated models that change appropriate levels based on seasonal demand, promotions, and changing consumer demand. Vendor-managed inventory (VIM) (vendor managed replenishment) (VIM) – the supplier decides on the appropriate inventory levels of each of the products (within previously agreed upon bounds) and the appropriate inventory policies to maintain these levels.In the initial stages, vendor suggestions must be approved by the retailer, but eventually the goal of many VIM programs is to eliminate retailer oversight on specific orders (D. Smirch-Levi et al. , 2008, p. 254). Requirements of RSVP As with any venture, there are requirements that must be met in order for the Retailer-supplier Partnerships (RSVP) Strategies to succeed. The most important requirement for an effective RSVP is to hav e advanced information systems on both sides of the supply chain.Electronic data interchange (DEED') or Internet-based private exchanges are essential to cut down on data transfer time and entry mistakes. Bar coding and scanning are essential to maintain data accuracy. And inventory, production control, and planning systems must be online, accurate, and integrated to take advantage of the additional information available. Such a partnership may shift power within the organization from one group to another which in turn might cause conflict within the organization itself. However, RSVP requires partners to develop a certain level of trust without which the alliance is going to fail.Confidential information is provided to the supplier. The top management at the supplier must understand that the immediate effect of decreased inventory at the retailer will be a one-time loss in sales revenue (D. Smirch-Levi et al. , 2008, p. 256). Issues with RSVP â€Å"One major issue is the decision concerning who makes the replenishment decisions nice inventory ownership issues are critical to the success of this kind of strategic alliance effort (D. Smirch-Levi et al. , 2008, p. 257). † Conflicts may arise about ownership issues.Ownership of goods are transferred to the retailer when originally received but more of a consignment relationship is needed with this type of alliance which leaves the supplier still owning the goods until the goods are sold (D. Smirch- Levi et al. , 2008, p. 257). Since the supplier owns the inventory, they might be a bit more concerned on how the buyer handles the management of said items. The errs and suppliers at this point might not agree on the way the inventory is handled at said location(s) and the buyer might feel that their toes are being stepped on in their own house.This might cause a bit of conflict and tension for both parties. In Vendor Managed Inventory (VIM), one tries to optimize the entire system by coordinating production an d distribution. The supplier can decrease their total costs by coordinating production and distribution for several retailers. However, the supply contract must be negotiated so that the supplier and the retailer share overall system savings (D. Smirch-Levi et al. 2008, p. 257). Performance measurement criteria must De agree o at . Polyglot sale (POS) accuracy, Inventory accuracy, shipment Ana delivery accuracy, lead times, and customer fill rates are commonly used.Confidentiality is an issue. A retailer who deals with several suppliers within the same product category may find that category information is important to the supplier in making accurate forecasts and stocking decisions. In many cases, the supplier in a partnership commits to fast response to emergencies and situational changes at the retailer (D. Smirch-Levi et al. , 2008, p. 257). The buyer of course is cooking to get a fair price but the supplier has to make sure he is covering all of his costs while still managing t o make a profit. It is not always in the buyer's interest to negotiate down to the very lowest price; the result can be less trust or loyalty from the vendor (Rioter, 2007). † Trust and constant communication are the key factors in any alliance being business or otherwise. A sustainable relationship cannot exist if those key elements are missing. In this way, clear concise contracts are needed for all parties so that there is no deviation from the norm and each party knows what its unction and objectives are within the partnership so that conflicts can be minimized and profits maximized.

Beware of these 8 Red Flag Illegal Interview Questions

Beware of these 8 Red Flag Illegal Interview Questions We all go into interviews nervous, and ready to answer (or at least pivot) any question that comes our way. But there are a few questions that step over lines you might not even realize are there- though they are there to protect you. As you’re preparing answers to every possible question in order to put your best foot forward in the interview, try to keep an ear out for some of these, which you are under no obligation to answer. In fact, it is illegal even for your interviewer to ask!1. â€Å"Are you married?†Any question that could lead to questions about your family situation or plans (i.e. â€Å"Do you plan to have children?† or â€Å"Do you have any children?†) falls under pregnancy discrimination. It’s often not polite conversation; quite the contrary. An interviewer might even be asking about your sexual orientation- also illegal and discriminatory!2. â€Å"How old are you?†Even if you don’t think your age is problematic or anyt hing to hide, you shouldn’t be asked this question- or answer. Ageism in the marketplace is a real problem for some applicants. And it is illegal to discriminate against anyone over 40. Similarly, â€Å"When did you graduate?† is a sneaky way of getting at the same information.3. â€Å"Are you healthy?†Especially if you’re applying for a physically demanding job, an employer might want to make sure you’re up to the task. They can ask about specific physical tasks related to the job performance, but nothing further.4. â€Å"What church do you attend?†Avoid religious discrimination attempts by not responding to any questions about your religion or any religious holidays you might plan to celebrate. A simple â€Å"I’d prefer not to discuss my religious preferences† will do, even if your religious observations might affect the amount of time off you’ll need to take.5. â€Å"Where are you from?†As long as you’re authorized to work where you are, there’s no reason to answer this question. Discriminating on the basis of nationality is illegal. As is asking whether or not English is your first language.6. â€Å"Are you an alcoholic?†I mean, if someone asks you this in an interview situation, you might want to reconsider your application. But if they do happen to ask, you are under no legal obligation to respond. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 recovering alcoholics and drug addicts are not required to disclose anything about their addiction or recovery.7. â€Å"Are you in debt?†Employers are not allowed to inquire as to your credit history unless it would directly impact your job performance. They also can’t ask you about owned property, or how you balance your finances.8. â€Å"How were you discharged from the military?†This is another totally inappropriate question. What you can be asked, however, is what kind of experience and edu cation you acquired whilst in the service.

Overview of The History of Sexuality

Overview of The History of Sexuality The History of Sexuality is a three-volume series of books written between 1976 and 1984 by French philosopher and historian Michel Foucault. The first volume of the book is titled An Introduction while the second volume is titled The Use of Pleasure, and the third volume is titled The Care of the Self. Foucault’s main goal in the books is to disprove the idea that Western society had repressed sexuality since the 17th century and that sexuality had been something that society did not talk about. The books were written during the sexual revolution in the United States. Thus it was a popular belief that up until this point in time, sexuality was something that was forbidden and unmentionable. That is, throughout history, sex had been treated as a private and practical matter that should only take place between a husband and a wife. Sex outside of these boundaries was not only prohibited, but it had also been repressed. Foucault asks three questions about this repressive hypothesis: Is it historically accurate to trace what we think of sexual repression today to the rise of the bourgeois in the 17th century?Is power in our society really expressed primarily in terms of regression?Is our modern-day discourse on sexuality really a break from this history of repression or is it a part of the same history? Throughout the book, Foucault questions the repressive hypothesis. He does not contradict it and does not deny the fact that sex has been a taboo subject in Western culture. Instead, he sets out to find out how and why sexuality is made an object of discussion. In essence, Foucault’s interest does not lie in sexuality itself, but rather in our drive for a certain kind of knowledge and the power that we find in that knowledge. The Bourgeois and Sexual Repression The repressive hypothesis links sexual repression to the rise of the bourgeoisie in the 17th-century. The bourgeois became rich through hard work, unlike the aristocracy before it. Thus, they valued a strict work ethic and frowned upon wasting energy on frivolous pursuits such as sex. Sex for pleasure, to the bourgeois, became an object of disapproval and an unproductive waste of energy. And since the bourgeoisie were the ones who were in power, they made the decisions on how sex could be spoken about and by whom. This also meant they had control over the kind of knowledge that people had about sex. Ultimately, the bourgeois wanted to control and confine sex because it threatened their work ethic. Their desire to control talk and knowledge about sex was essentially a desire to control power. Foucault is not satisfied with the repressive hypothesis and uses The History of Sexuality as a means to attack it. Instead of simply saying that it is wrong and arguing against it, however, Foucault also takes a step back and examines where the hypothesis came from and why. Sexuality in Ancient Greece and Rome In volumes two and three, Foucault also examines the role of sex in ancient Greece and Rome, when sex was not a moral issue but rather something erotic and normal. He answers questions such as: How did sexual experience come to be a moral issue in the West? And why were other experiences of the body, such as hunger, not subject to the rules and regulations that have come to define and confine sexual behavior? Source: SparkNotes Editors. (n.d.). SparkNote on The History of Sexuality: An Introduction, Volume 1. Retrieved February 14, 2012. Foucault, M. (1978) The History of Sexuality, Volume 1: An Introduction. United States: Random House. Foucault, M. (1985) The History of Sexuality, Volume 2: The Use of Pleasure. United States: Random House. Foucault, M. (1986) The History of Sexuality, Volume 3: The Care of the Self. United States: Random House.

Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, Essay - 3

Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you - Essay Example One day, when I stood to address the crowd I heard the voice of my leaders and developed some coldness. I started stammering, a sweat swept through my face and I wished that the earth could open and swallow me. That event changed my qualities in the Girl Scout movement. I started developing courage to address dignitaries. When the camp meetings were organized, I knew it was my time to enjoy. I like meeting people and exchanging ideas, so the camp meeting would provide my needs. The camp lessons brought Girl Scouts together. During the lessons, I listened keenly to the instructors because I knew I would need their information in answering questions. We had to make presentations after the lessons. I took the opportunity to address the crowd about environmental issues that the scouts could tackle. As I spoke, the crowd became still, I was disturbed, but took courage of a lion. I knew I had drummed the right message. I got a Gold Award because of my exemplary duties in the Girl Scout movement. When I left scouting, I joined women movements, which addressed matters affecting women in the society. The interpersonal and leadership skills that I developed while I was Girl Scout have helped me to cohabit in the society. The society has recognized my efforts in championing for rights of the environment. I had never imagined that I could influence many people in the society to vote for me or do whatever I could ask them to do. I am proud because am the president of the National Honor Society. Wooing women in the society is not easy, but I do it with a lot of ease. I developed the feeling of championing for the women rights. My position exposes me to arguments with people who do not believe in the movement. The courtesy that I learnt while in the Girl Scout movement has been a great asset to me since I take my time to respond to people with the utmost respect that they deserve. I believe in the principle of making wise

Marks and Spencer Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Marks and Spencer - Coursework Example Its history can be traced back to the late 1980s when the company opened its first stall in Kirkgate Market, Leeds. From a single point store, the company has now become one of the world’s largest retailers. The aim of the study is to analyse the different strategies and activities of Marks & Spencer’s such as its leadership style, organizational structure as well the analysis of the company’s resources and competencies. Introduction The garment industry consists of organizations that design, manufacture and market clothing, its associated accessories and footwear. The product category encompasses almost everything starting from basics such as underwear to the luxury items such as alligator-skin handbags to costly sweaters. Traditionally, majority of the apparel companies used to function as a wholesaler where bulk quantities were sold to the retailers and the retailers in turn sold them to the consumers with a profit margin. However, in the present context it ha s become extremely difficult to draw a line between an apparel retailing company and an apparel wholesaling company because most of the apparel companies now have both types of operation. Reports have suggested that a number of factors lying outside the internal environment of the organization impact the industry. One of the most apparent one is the speed of change. Managers and industry experts feel that the speed of global communication and pace of technological change has rapidly increased since the last few years and as a result of that, companies had to bring a different kind of strategic changes. Scholars argue that the strategy of a firm depends upon the positioning and repositioning of the company and also depend upon its competencies related to the marketplace and the forces that shape the market (Mcgrath, 2001). According to a report by Barrie (2013) â€Å"uncertainty is perhaps the biggest challenge facing the apparel industry in 2013.† Furthermore, the global fina ncial situation coupled with rising production cost, lack of innovation and low growth resulted in industry downsizing. Hence, it is evident that the garment industry needs to reinvent them for the purpose of gaining competitive advantage in the marketplace. For this purpose, a company needs to create an edge over its rivals. One of the most common ways of gaining competitive advantage is to carry out strategic planning and extensive research works. The company failed to keep up the pace with the rapid changes taking place in the retail market. This has resulted into declining market share and profitability. In the context of the technological environment, the company has failed to launch simple and basic schemes such as buying cards. Company profile (M&S) Marks and Spencer PLC, commonly known as M&S, is a UK based multinational retailing company. The company was founded in the year 1984 by Sir Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer. It is presently headquartered in London, England. From a single market stall in Leeds, the company went on to become one of the world’s largest multi-channel retailing retailers. Presently, Marks and Spencer operate in more than 40 countries of the world with 1184 stores spread in different countries. The UK alone consists of 766 stores and the remaining 418 are international stores M&S organization Structure & Management Function The organization structure is one of the crucial factors of a company. A well defined organization structure not only ensures a smoother flow of information but also promotes internal and external communication. In the context of Marks and Spencer, the company follows a functional organizational structure and as a result o