Collection of Reflective Statements

Collection of Reflective Statements Amruth Ganesh One of the famous Australian cricketer the world has seen is Ricky Thomas Ponting. He was captain of Australian cricket team. He captained test cricket between 2004 and 2011 and One day international cricket between the period 2002 and 2011. He is famous for his batting skills and is a right handed batsman. He is the 42nd Test captain of the country (http://www.espncricinfo.com Ricky Ponting). Under his captainship Australia won world cups in 2003 and 2007. He was also the part of 1999 world cup match. Ponting started playing cricket from an early age and made his debut in 1992 for Tasmania. In 1995 made his debut in one day international match. It is not only batting skills he is famous for but also fielding and his aggressive captaincy. He is the only person who showed eagerness to lead the team when Australia was in search of replacement for the legendary captain Steve Waugh in 1994. He is famous for his series of achievements. He has won Allan Border Medal four times (http://www.edubilla.com Ricky Ponting). He is one of the four players who have scored 13000 test runs in the history. He is the only cricketer who has bagged most test victories (48 out of 77 tests) and world cup as a captain. His Concentration on the game was amazing and never used to get distracted. Though his temperament was high during the matches, he was successful in managing his team. In 2012, Ponting announced his retirement from test cricket one day before the test against South Africa. He played his last one day international match on February 2012 and his last test cricket on December 2012. He will always be remembered as the most successful captain of all the time. References: Ricky Ponting Available at: [Accessed 04 Mar. 2017] List of Ricky Pontings achievements and statistics Available at: http://www.gutenberg.us/articles/list_of_ricky_pontings_achievements_and_statistics [Accessed 04 Mar. 2017] Most successful captain, but not much love for Ponting Available at: [Accessed 04 Mar. 2017] Reflection Essay 2: Workplace Culture I am from India. I have worked in India for about 3 years after graduation before coming to Australia for post graduation. I can now make out some of the noticeable changes comparing both countries in terms of workplace culture. In Australia more preference is given to balanced work life irrespective of the jobs. The average working hours per week varies around 40 hours (http://www.abs.gov.au Trends in hours worked). While in India we work for minimum 48 hours per week and sometimes it will go up to till 55 hours. Hierarchy structure in India varies from job to job and is pretty high when compared to Australia. Staying back late in the office is common in India. In Australia they maintain strict timings and usually people wont make it late to the office and rarely they stay back late in the evenings (https://www.canstar.com.au What is Australias working culture like?). The breaks given during office hours are less in Australia when compared to India where we get more break timings. The main policy which fascinated me the more is about dignity of labor here in Australia. No work is less; no work is more, is the motto here. All occupations are treated equally here where whereas in India prominence is not given that much to the dignity of labor. This is one of the main barrier that is hindering the work productivity. Usually people are respected based on type of occupation and sometimes people think twice before doing the jobs like drivers, waiters and house help. On the whole, both countries have their own set of workplace culture. Changing the work style of a country and adapting to it takes time. These work policies should be reviewed from time to time to ensure smooth work life balance. References: Available at: Australia culture in the workplace Available at: [Accessed 04 Mar. 2017] Cultural Differences between India and Australia Available at: [Accessed 04 Mar. 2017] Reflection essay 3: The evolution of social media channels Social media is mainly a public platform to interact and connect with people through web-based technology. Social media channels contribute majorly in exchange of ideas between the people. Some of the examples are Facebook, Whatsapp, LinkedIn, Twitter, Youtube and so on. Today LinkedIn has more than 297 million members (http://www.digitaltrends.com The history of social networking). Communication between the people has become more convenient nowadays through these channels when compared to earlier times. Earlier it was more tedious process to connect with people more often. The evolution of social media has made a significant impact in the recent days. It has changed the way the people communicate with each other. These channels has become boon to marketing people. Marketing in these channels are free and reaches more people globally when compared to old traditional methods. Movie promotions go viral on these channels.   Its a good platform for new talents to showcase their skills. One of major benefit of these channels are exposure to more job opportunities and searching job has been made easier through these channels. The Sensis Social media report shows that 50 percent of users are accessing social media every day (http://www.shortpress.com How the evolution of social media has changed Australian small business). On the other hand there is significant number of drawbacks for these channels. Cyber bullying in the recent times have been increased and adults are more likely to get affected by this. More addiction to this social media will likely cause depression among people. Trolling and harassment cases have also been increasing. Hacking has become another major problem these days. There is considerable amount of threat if these channels are not used properly. Social media has become part of our life now. This has both advantages disadvantages. We always should be looking forward to make best out of this. We should not get addicted to this and should make proper use of these channels. References: 5 Social-Media Opportunities Businesses Mostly Overlook Available at:    [Accessed 04 Mar. 2017] Social media best practice for business Available at: [Accessed 04 Mar. 2017] 7 Social Media Challenges And Business Opportunities For Social Media Managers Available at: [Accessed 04 Mar. 2017] Reflection essay (Workshop 2) In Week 2 class professor explained about the importance of communication skill. I learnt how useful communication is, in exchanging ideas and information from one another which helps us to grow personally and also professionally. I also learnt about three different types of communication that is verbal, nonverbal and graphic communication. There are two types of communication in the workplace namely formal and Informal way of communication. Also I learnt when and where to use this particular type of communication.   During this, one guy in the class raised a question that whether gender needs to considered as a part of communication, later which professor clarified by saying it needs to be considered. Professor also taught about types of nonverbal messages and classification of nonverbal communication. Main pillars of the constructive and effective communication are Ask, Look and Listen. One more important thing I learnt is listening is more important than speaking because we receive information when we listen. Professor stressed more on Active listening which is necessary to become an effective communicator and it also encourages the person on the other side. Also came to know about the listening funnel, forms of questioning and also types of questions. Professor made us understand the importance of seven elements of communication process and different causes for communication barriers. Social networking platforms play an important role in communication. I understood the need of behaving ethically while business communication. Overall the session was more interacting one and professor encouraged each and everyone to actively participate in the learning and discussion. Also professor allowed us to discuss on case studies and guided us about assignments. Case Study 1: 1.  Bernie has to apologize to Nicola for not appreciating the work she has done. He must assure her this wont be repeated again in the future and should convince her to continue working. He should ask here to be bold enough in raising her questions and clarifying them, so that it will be easy to resolve the conflicts. 2.  I would suggest Bernie to have more frequent interaction with Nicola and should try to understand her concerns regarding the work. He should avoid thanking her when she is alone instead he should appreciate her work in front of everyone and should also contribute by helping her in the work, which makes Nicola more confident and will be happy to continue work with him. 3.  Nicola should first listen with open mind while she is being instructed and should ask whatever doubts she has and must clarify at the end before starting up the work. She should stop talking to herself and start raising concerns if she is feeling something is not going right. This way she can work with clear mind and will be more confident. Q2: 1. Maintain eye contact with speaker Ensure correct posture Be attentive and dont get distracted Keep an open mind Respond appropriately Dont interrupt or suggest in the middle Use mirroring of some facial expression of the speaker Ask relevant questions Try to feel what speaker is feeling Summarize back to the speaker Give feedback to the speaker 2. Verbal signals Nonverbal signals Remembering Eye contact Question and answer Handshake Giving feedback Gestures Summarizing in the end Dressing Being attentive Facial expression 3.  In a workplace my active listening skill will show that I am a good listener and it also shows my interest towards the work. It makes an impression that I am respecting my co-workers and also helps me in gaining their trust. It also helps in solving the conflicts between one another by encouraging them to speak openly. It gives better insight in understanding the problems and thus enabling me to provide best and suitable solutions to it. It helps me in noting down few points regarding what happened in meeting and thus helps me gain better understanding and remember them, so that feedback can be given and questions can be raised at the end of the meeting.

Soft Powers Relationship With Hard Power

Soft Powers Relationship With Hard Power The decline of U.S. Hard Power perturbed the rabid US nationalists. Hence in response to US declining Hard Power came the concept of Soft Power. Joseph S. Nye first developed the concept of Soft Power in Bound to Lead, a book in reply to Paul Kennedys book The Rise and Fall of great powers In this book Paul Kennedy had announced the decline of US Power. Mr. Nye disputed Kennedys claim that US was in decline. At that time he pointed out that the United States was not only the strongest nation in military and economic terms, but also in a third dimension which he called soft power. He defined Soft Power as the ability to get what you want through attraction rather than through coercion or payments. It arises from the attractiveness of a countrys culture, political ideals and policies. When our policies are seen as legitimate in the eyes of others, our soft power is enhanced.  [i]  The greatest source of power in international affairs today, says Joseph S Nye, Dean of Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University and the leading proponent of Soft power, may lie in persuading other nations to see your interests as their interests. Underlying this assertion persuading others that our respective interests are aligned is the fact that we live in a world where countries can no longer live in splendid isolation. Globalization has been the juggernaut propelling interconnectedness and global media the glue that binds people across continents.  [ii]   He went on to say that this power could be cultivated through relations with allies, economic assistance and cultural exchanges. He argued that this would result in a more favourable Public opinion and credibility abroad. Later Joseph S. Nye authored two more books titled Soft Power: The means to success in world politics and Paradox of American power: Why the worlds only super power cant go it alone. Hans Morgenthau has defined power as, Ability of a nation to persuade, influence, force or otherwise induce another nation to take an action or change an objective that the latter would otherwise not prefer to of its own.  [iii]  Power is an ability of an actor to impose its will on others. In this sense three basic conditions are required so that Power can come into existence. First, an actor must have the possibilities/ assets to influence other actors. Quantifiable elements like military and economic possibilities and unquantifiable elements like culture, value system and mode of life constitute the first dimension of Power. Second, the actor having these power elements must be conscious of having them. In other words, the actor must have the will to capitalize on these assets. Thirdly, the other actors in the system must recognize and acknowledge that power. For power to exist, other actors must change their policies in line with the interests of the party that has power. In this sense, power is relational. 5. Historically, actors have been using military and economic Power to force other actors to fall in line with the preferences of power holders. In other words, it forced the other actors to undertake a cost-benefit analysis. It is this cost-benefit analysis which determined the preferences of other actors. An actor preferring to use hard power will frighten, buy or coax the adversary.  [iv]   6. Contrary to Hard Power Soft Power  [v]  is the Power of culture, value system, mode of life. The distinction between Hard and Soft power is made on the basis of the instrument used. But Tarik Oguzlu disputes this basis of categorizing Hard and Soft Power. According to him what makes power Soft is not the nature of means employed but the way those means are employed. Military power is not Hard Power and civilian power is not Soft Power. Military and civilian aspects of power refer to the kinds of means utilized. Hard and Soft dimensions of power refer to the ways military and civilian elements of power are used.  [vi]   7. Joseph S Nye also points out in his article Think Again: Soft Power, that the term Soft Power has been stretched and twisted.  [vii]  The popular understandings of the concept encompass a narrower sense and broader sense. In the narrower sense, soft power is similar to cultural influence. Prominent examples of this view include those of British historian Niall Ferguson and German publicist Josef Joffe. The majority school of thought on soft power in China also subscribes to this narrower sense. In the broader sense, soft power is synonymous with non-military power and includes both cultural power and economic strength. While these popular understandings are misunderstandings, Scholars have argued that much of the confusion and misunderstanding of the concept of soft power is due to its being under-theorized, lack of academic refinement, and analytical fuzziness. 8. Power always depends on context. To describe the context of power in the 21st century, Joseph S. Nye uses the metaphor of a three dimensional chess game: on the top board of the three-dimensional game, the United States is the worlds only superpower, and one is unlikely to see a balance in military power for the next decade or two or perhaps even more. But on the middle board of economic relations between states, there is already a balance of power. The United States can not get a trade agreement or an anti trust solution if the European Union acts collectively, and without that balance and agreement, one cant achieve the desired outcomes. It is a bit anomalous to call international economic relations American Hegemony or empire. But if one goes to the bottom board of transnational relations, problems across borders outside the control of governments, whether its infectious diseases or drug smuggling or terrorism, no one is in charge. Power is chaotically organized or distributed. The only ways to deal with these issues is by cooperation among governments. To call that again American empire or American hegemony or unipolarity makes no sense at all. One is taking a metaphor from the top board and applying it to the bottom board, where it doesnt fit.  [viii]  New Threats are arising from the bottom board of transnational relations. While military power can be of some use occasionally on the bottom board, more often some other forms of power, particularly Soft Power is required. What makes Soft Power? 9. Since soft power is the power to attract, the question, what constitutes soft power? becomes, What generates attraction? To answer this question, we must look for the power currencies that cause attraction. According to Alexander L. Vuving , Associate Professor, Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, there are at least three generic power currencies from which both power and its softness are derived. He calls them beauty, brilliance, and benignity. 10. Benignity is an aspect of the agents relations with others, especially with the client of soft power. It refers to the positive attitudes that you express when you treat people, especially when you treat the client. Benignity as a power currency works on the tendency of reciprocal altruism that exists in most, if not all, organisms. Among humans, it generates soft power through the production of gratitude and sympathy. 11. Brilliance is an aspect of the agents relations with its work. It refers to the high performance that you accomplish when you do things. In international relations, brilliance manifests itself in various forms, for example, a strong and awesome military, a wealthy and vibrant economy, a rich and radiant culture, or a peaceful and well-run society. Brilliance as a power currency works on the tendency of human beings to learn from the successes of others. It generates soft power through the production of admiration, which can lead to imitation, or emulation, and respect, or fear, or reverence. 12. Beauty in world politics is about the resonance that draws actors closer to each other through shared ideals, values, causes, or visions. Opposite values and causes provide a firm ground for regimes to see each other as ugly; and shared values and causes provide a push toward the perception that the other regime is beautiful, which in turn will encourage confidence, friendship, and cooperation. If others perceive you in this role, they will adhere to you and look at you for guidance, example, encouragement, and inspiration. Beauty generates soft power through the production of inspiration.  [ix]   Dialectics of Hard and Soft power 13. Prima facie, there is no direct correlation between Hard Power and soft power. A country may be strong in hard power but yet may be weak in soft power and vice-versa. But nonetheless on closer examination it is found that a country strong in Hard Power is not totally impotent in soft power. Any country strong in Hard Power is always a role model for aspiring power. Hence aspiring powers are attracted to emulate the Soft power of Hard Power holder. This has been the case since antiquity. Since the Roman times till today every aspiring power imitates Romans.  [x]   14. There is a close relationship between the degree of securitization of issues and mode of power used. If the issues of concern were securitised, the tendency to use hard power would increase. The main difference between hard and soft power stems from the kind of Logic of action which governs the behaviour of actors, and not the kind of instruments employed. If the logic of action is instrumental, i.e. if the goal were to force others to make a cost-benefit analysis through coercing or coaxing strategies, then Hard Power occupies the centre-stage. On the other hand, if the goal were to ensure that other actors in the system would automatically follow the lead due to power of attraction, then one could refer to the existence of Soft Power. Whereas the concept of Hard Power assumes a strong emphasis on the agent/actor, the concept of Soft power underlines the significance of perceptions others hold vis-à  -vis the agent / actor.  [xi]   15. Hard and Soft Power sometimes reinforces and sometimes interferes with each other. A country that courts popularity may be reluctant to exercise its hard power as and when the situation demands. But a country that throws its weight around without regard to the effect on its soft power may find others placing obstacles in the way of its hard power. But rarely can a state totally replace one by the other.  [xii]   16. A countrys soft power can affect its hard power. During the Iraq war, the United States wanted to persuade the Turkish Government to send the fourth Infantry Division across Turkey to enter Iraq from the North. But the Turkish government said no, because the United States had by then become so unpopular. Its policies were perceived as so illegitimate that they were not willing to allow this transfer of troops across the country. The net effect was that the Fourth Infantry division had to go down through the canal, up through the Gulf, and arrived late to the war, which made a difference in the number of troops on the ground. Neglect of Soft Power made definite negative effect on hard Power.  [xiii]   17. It has been historically observed that state weak in Hard Power has exercised strong influence on others by its soft power. This has been the case with disintegrated Italys music. Hobsbawm writes  [xiv]   à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦..Cultural hegemony is not an indicator of imperial power, nor does it depend much on it. If it did, Italy, disunited, powerless and poor, would not have dominated International musical life and art from the fifteenth through the eighteenth centuries. Moreover, where cultural power survives the decline of the power and prestige of the states that one propagated it the Roman Empire, or the French absolute monarchy Advent of Smart Power 18. The term hard power refers to guns and bombs, the military force of a country. Soft power is used to describe other forms of persuasion a country can employ: trade deals, foreign aid, diplomacy, cultural influence and more. Joseph S Nye argues, however, that the most effective leaders are actually those who combine Hard and Soft Power skills in proportions that vary with different situations. He calls this Smart Power.  [xv]   19. Smart power is a term in international relations defined by Joseph Nye as the ability to combine hard and soft power into a winning strategy. According to Chester A. Crocker, Fen Osler Hampson, and Pamela R. Aall, smart power involves the strategic use of diplomacy, persuasion, capacity building, and the projection of power and influence in ways that are cost-effective and have political and social legitimacy essentially the engagement of both military force and all forms of diplomacy.  [xvi]   Myths about Soft Power 20. Soft Power Is Cultural Power According to Joseph S Nye Soft Power is partly Cultural Power. Power is the ability to alter the behavior of others to get what you want. British historian Niall Ferguson described soft power as non-traditional forces such as cultural and commercial good sand. Of course, the fact that a foreigner drinks Coca-Cola or wears a Michael Jordan T-shirt does not in itself mean that America has power over him. This view confuses resources with behavior. Whether power resources produce a favorable outcome depends upon the context. Consider Iran. Western music and videos are anathema to the ruling mullahs, but attractive to many of the younger generation to whom they transmit ideas of freedom and choice. American culture produces soft power among some Iranians, but not others.  [xvii]   21. Economic Strength is Soft Power. Peter Brookes in a recent article refers to soft power options such as economic sanctions. However, he argues that there is nothing soft about sanctions and they are clearly intended to coerce and are thus a form of hard power. Economic strength can be converted into hard or soft power: You can coerce countries with sanctions or woo them with wealth. As Walter Russell Mead has argued, economic power is sticky power; it seduces as much as it compels.  [xviii]  Theres no doubt that a successful economy is an important source of attraction. Sometimes in real-world situations, it is difficult to distinguish what part of an economic relationship is comprised of hard and soft power. European leaders describe other countries desire to accede to the European Union (EU) as a sign of Europes soft power. Turkey today is making changes in its human rights policies and domestic law to adjust to EU standards. 22. Soft Power is Better than Hard Power. Not necessarily. Because soft power has been hyped as an alternative to raw power politics, it is often embraced by ethically minded scholars and policymakers. But soft power is a description, not an ethical prescription. Like any form of power, it can be wielded for good or ill. Hitler, Stalin, and Mao, after all, possessed a great deal of soft power in the eyes of their acolytes. It is not necessarily better to twist minds than to twist arms. 23. Although soft power in the wrong hands can have horrible consequences, it can in some cases offer morally superior means to certain goals. Contrast the consequences of Mohandas Gandhi or Martin Luther King Jrs choice of soft power with Yasir Arafats choice of the gun. Gandhi and King were able to attract moderate majorities over time, and the consequences were impressive both in effectiveness and in ethical terms. Arafats strategy of hard power, by contrast, killed innocent Israelis and drove Israeli moderates into the arms of the hard right. 24. Hard Power can be Measured and Soft Power Cannot. False. In fact, its quite possible to quantify sources of soft power. One can, for example, measure and compare the cultural, communications, and diplomatic resources that might produce soft power for a country. Public opinion polls can quantify changes in a countrys attractiveness over time. Nor is hard power as easy to quantify. The apparent precision of the measurement of hard power resources is often spurious and might be called the concrete fallacy. Some people act as though the only resources that can change behavior are those that can be dropped on your foot or on a city. But that is a mistake. The United States had far more measurable military resources than North Vietnam, but it nonetheless lost the Vietnam War. Whether soft power produces behavior that we want will depend on the context and the skills with which the resources are converted into outcomes.  [xix]   25. Some Goals can only be Achieved by Hard Power. Soft Power is not the solution to all problems. For example, North Korean dictator Kim Jong Ils penchant for Hollywood movies is unlikely to affect his decision on developing nuclear weapons. Hard power just might dissuade him, particularly if China agreed to economic sanctions. Nor will soft power be sufficient to stop the Iranian nuclear program, though the legitimacy of the administrations current multilateral approach may help to recruit other countries to a coalition that isolates Iran. And soft power got nowhere in attracting the Taliban government away from its support for Al Qaeda in the 1990s.It took American military might to do that. But other goals, such as the promotion of democracy and human rights are better achieved by soft power. Coercive democratization has its limits as the United State found out in Iraq. 26. Military Resources Produce Only Hard Power. Military force appears to be a defining resource for hard Power, but the same resource can sometimes contribute to Soft Power. Dictators like Hitler and Stalin cultivated myths of invincibility and inevitability to structure expectations and attract others to join their bandwagon. As Osama bin Laden has said, people are attracted to a strong horse rather than a weak horse. A well run military can be a source of attraction, and military to military cooperation and training programs, for example, can establish transnational networks that enhance a countrys Soft Power. Of course, misuse of military resources can also undercut Soft Power. Brutality and indifference to just war principles of discrimination and proportionality can also destroy legitimacy. The efficiency of the initial American military invasion of Iraq in 2003 created admiration in the eyes of some foreigners, but that Soft Power was undercut by the subsequent inefficiency of the occupation and the scenes of mistreatment of prisoners at Abu Ghraib.  [xx]   27. Soft Power Is Difficult to Use. Governments can control and change foreign policies. They can spend money on public diplomacy, broadcasting and exchange programs. They can promote, but not control popular culture. In that sense, one of the key resources that produce soft power is produced by civil society largely independent of government control. from Hollywood to Harvard.  [xxi]   28. Soft Power is irrelevant to the current terrorist threat. False. There is very little likelihood that we can ever attract people like Mohammed Atta or Osama bin Laden. We need hard power to deal with such hard cases. But the current terrorist threat is not Samuel Huntingtons clash of civilizations. It is a civil war between a majority of moderates and a small minority who want to coerce others into their simplified and ideologized version of their religion. We cannot win unless the moderates win. We cannot win unless the number of people the extremists are recruiting is lower than the number we are killing and deterring. That equation is hard to balance without Soft power. We cannot win hearts and minds without it. Soft power is more relevant than ever.

Analysis of Nike Essay -- Nike Tennis Shoes Retail Businesses Essays

Analysis of Nike Basketball players â€Å"wanna be like Mike†, but shoe companies â€Å"wanna be like NIKE.† NIKE is the worlds #1 company and controls more than 40% of the US athletic shoe market. The company designs and sells shoes for just about every sport, including baseball, volleyball, cheerleading, and wrestling. NIKE also sells Cole Haan dress and casual shoes and a line of athletic wear and equipment, such as hockey sticks, skates, and timepieces. In addition, it operates NIKETOWN shoe and sportswear stores and is opening JORDAN in store outlets in suburban markets. NIKE sells its product to about 19,000 US accountants, in about 140 other countries, and online. Chairman, CEO, and co-founder Phil Knight owns. Nike Co. is very interesting, as well is a popular brand. Nike, pronounced NI-KEY, is the winged goddess of victory according to Greek mythology. She sat at the side of Zeus, the ruler of the Olympian pantheon, in Olympia. A mystical presence, symbolizing victorious encounters, NIKE presided over history’s earliest battlefields. A Greek would say, â€Å"When we go to battle, and win, we say it is NIKE.† Synonymous with honored conquest; NIKE is the twentieth century footwear that lifts the world’s greatest athletes to new levels of mastery and achievement. The NIKE â€Å"swoosh† embodies the spirit of the winged goddess who inspired the most courageous and chivalrous warriors at the dawn of civilization. Among artistic representations of Nike are the sculpture by Paeonius (c. 424 BC) and the â€Å"Nike of Samothrace.† Rhodians probably erected the latter, discovered on Samothrace in 1863 and now in the Louvre Museum, Paris, about 203 BC to commemorate a sea battle. Excavations have shown that the sculpture was placed alighting on a flagship, which was set in the ground in such a way that it appeared to float. If you were to break the word NIKE down, you would get Ni-key. The pronunciation for Nike is ‘nI-kE. Its function is noun, and its etymology is Greek NiKE. If you defined the word NIKE, you would find out that it means the Greek goddess of victory. Another meaning and definition of a word is SWOOSHING. Main entry: Swoosh, function is noun, and it is an act or instance of swooshing. The origin of the swoosh dates back as far as 1971. Phil Knight was supplementing his modest income from Blue Ribbon Sports Inc. by teachi... ...enior labor official reiterated complaints that workers in Nike-contracted factories faced inhumane treatment. ``Violations of labor rights generally are occurring in their smaller contractor joint venture or wholly-owned ventures in which the Vietnamese side has minimal control,'' said Tu Le, a senior official from the Vietnam Labor Union. Nguyen's report was to be released today in New York. Just weeks ahead of the report, Nike announced it had hired former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young and his Goodworks International group to review a new code of conduct for the company's overseas factories. The measure was aimed at quelling mounting criticism that working conditions at factories in Indonesia and Vietnam were substandard. Nike uses five manufacturing plants in Vietnam, where it takes advantage of low-cost labor and relatively high production standards. About 3 percent of Nike's output is produced in Vietnam, a Nike spokesman said in an earlier interview. Michael Jordan became the first athletic mega businessman. His role as a spokesman for Nike turned that athletic-shoe and- apparel company into the world leader, earning both him and Nike millions of dollars. Analysis of Nike Essay -- Nike Tennis Shoes Retail Businesses Essays Analysis of Nike Basketball players â€Å"wanna be like Mike†, but shoe companies â€Å"wanna be like NIKE.† NIKE is the worlds #1 company and controls more than 40% of the US athletic shoe market. The company designs and sells shoes for just about every sport, including baseball, volleyball, cheerleading, and wrestling. NIKE also sells Cole Haan dress and casual shoes and a line of athletic wear and equipment, such as hockey sticks, skates, and timepieces. In addition, it operates NIKETOWN shoe and sportswear stores and is opening JORDAN in store outlets in suburban markets. NIKE sells its product to about 19,000 US accountants, in about 140 other countries, and online. Chairman, CEO, and co-founder Phil Knight owns. Nike Co. is very interesting, as well is a popular brand. Nike, pronounced NI-KEY, is the winged goddess of victory according to Greek mythology. She sat at the side of Zeus, the ruler of the Olympian pantheon, in Olympia. A mystical presence, symbolizing victorious encounters, NIKE presided over history’s earliest battlefields. A Greek would say, â€Å"When we go to battle, and win, we say it is NIKE.† Synonymous with honored conquest; NIKE is the twentieth century footwear that lifts the world’s greatest athletes to new levels of mastery and achievement. The NIKE â€Å"swoosh† embodies the spirit of the winged goddess who inspired the most courageous and chivalrous warriors at the dawn of civilization. Among artistic representations of Nike are the sculpture by Paeonius (c. 424 BC) and the â€Å"Nike of Samothrace.† Rhodians probably erected the latter, discovered on Samothrace in 1863 and now in the Louvre Museum, Paris, about 203 BC to commemorate a sea battle. Excavations have shown that the sculpture was placed alighting on a flagship, which was set in the ground in such a way that it appeared to float. If you were to break the word NIKE down, you would get Ni-key. The pronunciation for Nike is ‘nI-kE. Its function is noun, and its etymology is Greek NiKE. If you defined the word NIKE, you would find out that it means the Greek goddess of victory. Another meaning and definition of a word is SWOOSHING. Main entry: Swoosh, function is noun, and it is an act or instance of swooshing. The origin of the swoosh dates back as far as 1971. Phil Knight was supplementing his modest income from Blue Ribbon Sports Inc. by teachi... ...enior labor official reiterated complaints that workers in Nike-contracted factories faced inhumane treatment. ``Violations of labor rights generally are occurring in their smaller contractor joint venture or wholly-owned ventures in which the Vietnamese side has minimal control,'' said Tu Le, a senior official from the Vietnam Labor Union. Nguyen's report was to be released today in New York. Just weeks ahead of the report, Nike announced it had hired former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young and his Goodworks International group to review a new code of conduct for the company's overseas factories. The measure was aimed at quelling mounting criticism that working conditions at factories in Indonesia and Vietnam were substandard. Nike uses five manufacturing plants in Vietnam, where it takes advantage of low-cost labor and relatively high production standards. About 3 percent of Nike's output is produced in Vietnam, a Nike spokesman said in an earlier interview. Michael Jordan became the first athletic mega businessman. His role as a spokesman for Nike turned that athletic-shoe and- apparel company into the world leader, earning both him and Nike millions of dollars.

tyger :: essays research papers

The Tyger In the poem the tyger William Blake shows a lot of symbolism, imagery, and irony. He likes to explain to his audience how he writes with all the knowledge he knows. Reading this poem makes me think of how a person feels when he is taken advantage of at work. Like when ones work is difficult to cope with, suffering, and pain is all that is left. It seems to that in the end all the pain endured happens to what is left for this person and suffering is what hurts the most. William Blake shows symbolism in this part of the poem, â€Å" In the forest of the night,†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. (line 2). This part shows that you can be trapped from your work or even your life. â€Å" what immortal hand or eye could frame thy fearful symmetry?’† ( line 3-4). This part shows how much struggle he has in his life and all the pain he feels in his life. â€Å" in what distant deeps or skies burnt the fire of thine eyes.† (line 5-6). He shows his emotions and how much anger that was built up in his heart. He feels like crying because he is frustrated. â€Å"What the hammer? What the chain†. ( line 13). This shows that his been treated like a slave and has endured what slaves endued like working on the rail roads. â€Å"When the stars threw down their spears, and watered with their tears, (lines 17-8). Shows that he has mellowed down and is ready to accept all that has happen to him. â€Å"Did he smile his work to see? Did he who made the lamb make thee? â€Å"( lines 19-20). He is talking to god and its bringing out his emotions. Asking for forgiveness and wants to be treated normal in his life.† Tyger! Tyger! Burning bright in the forest of the night,† ( lines 21-22). This phrase started in the beginning and ended at the end. Its because it’s the true meaning behind the whole poem no matter what you do or how hard you work there is always something that gonna take you down. throughout the poem I have seen a lot of Irony and symbolism. The parts that I chose from the poem brings out a lot of pain, suffering, hard work. tyger :: essays research papers The Tyger In the poem the tyger William Blake shows a lot of symbolism, imagery, and irony. He likes to explain to his audience how he writes with all the knowledge he knows. Reading this poem makes me think of how a person feels when he is taken advantage of at work. Like when ones work is difficult to cope with, suffering, and pain is all that is left. It seems to that in the end all the pain endured happens to what is left for this person and suffering is what hurts the most. William Blake shows symbolism in this part of the poem, â€Å" In the forest of the night,†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. (line 2). This part shows that you can be trapped from your work or even your life. â€Å" what immortal hand or eye could frame thy fearful symmetry?’† ( line 3-4). This part shows how much struggle he has in his life and all the pain he feels in his life. â€Å" in what distant deeps or skies burnt the fire of thine eyes.† (line 5-6). He shows his emotions and how much anger that was built up in his heart. He feels like crying because he is frustrated. â€Å"What the hammer? What the chain†. ( line 13). This shows that his been treated like a slave and has endured what slaves endued like working on the rail roads. â€Å"When the stars threw down their spears, and watered with their tears, (lines 17-8). Shows that he has mellowed down and is ready to accept all that has happen to him. â€Å"Did he smile his work to see? Did he who made the lamb make thee? â€Å"( lines 19-20). He is talking to god and its bringing out his emotions. Asking for forgiveness and wants to be treated normal in his life.† Tyger! Tyger! Burning bright in the forest of the night,† ( lines 21-22). This phrase started in the beginning and ended at the end. Its because it’s the true meaning behind the whole poem no matter what you do or how hard you work there is always something that gonna take you down. throughout the poem I have seen a lot of Irony and symbolism. The parts that I chose from the poem brings out a lot of pain, suffering, hard work.

Analysing Willfred Owens Dulce Et Decorum Est. Essay -- English Liter

Analysing Willfred Owen's Dulce Et Decorum Est. ‘Dulce ET Decorum Est’ is an anti-war poem, which emphasizes the intensity of war. The meaning of the ironic title roughly translated into ‘it is good and honourable’ but is not fully established until you examine the poem. The full title ‘Dulce ET Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori’ means ‘it is good and honourable to die for your country’. However the main aspect of this poem is paradoxical to its title. This demonstrates the message Wilfred Owen’s is insinuating and his attitude towards war. The poem is regarding Wilfred Owen and his troop of exhausted soldiers making their way back to base after combat at the front line until a gas shell is fired at them. A soldier is fatally gassed, is put in an ambulance dying slowly and then eaten away from the inside. Owen describes a man being engulfed by gas, â€Å"Dim through the misty panes and thick green light, Under a green sea I saw him drowning.† The death and distress is shown and the harsh actuality of war uncovered. It is almost as though you are reliving the agony the man is suffering. The reader is nowhere near as unfortunate as Wilfred. He was repeatedly tortured by his experiences even after having to encounter them. â€Å"In all my dreams before my helpless sight, He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.† It is an inescapable memory that haunts him even when he attempts to sleep, on constant replay in his treacherous mind. His feeling of helplessness from that moment were captured and frozen, regret for not helping covered with hope, the possibility that he was unable to do anything useful anyway. A sense of regret, disbelief and anger are reused in other anti-war poems that Wilfred Owen ha... ... aid the pain once and still endured. Owen has created a way that transports the reader back to the scene of the poem. Using the effectiveness of the senses. He describes the sounds, the smells and the sights around to give the feeling that you witnessing the happenings expressed. My final contemplations to conclude this analysis are not in despair but queries, whether it is rhetorical or not I am not completely sure. The thing that concerns me is how the government send men off to fight war when under the misapprehension that they are fighting for their country? Do they have no conscious, no guilt in sending the doomed youth off to their inevitable deaths? The decisions they make obviously have repercussions as do all decisions, but to knowingly condemn so many innocent people to physical and mental torture then death, to me is worse murder, is it not?

Psychological Disorders Essay

1. Does Katherine’s description meet the clinical criteria for a panic attack? Substantiate your  answer. A panic attack is described as an unexpected period wherein the person suffers intense fear that occurs without warning or any reason.   It is characterized by shortness of breath, palpitations, chest discomfort, trembling, choking feeling, intense sweating, nausea, dizziness, feelings of being detached from oneself, fear of going crazy, dying fears, numbness, and cold or hot flashes.   For an episode to be considered a panic attack, the person has to meet four of the symptoms.   In Katherine’s case, she described four of the symptoms to having a panic attack.   She said that she felt dizzy, had difficulty breathing, was feeling nauseous, and felt like she was detached from herself.   From this, I believe Katherine had a panic attack. 2. Does Katherine meet the criteria for a dissociative disorder? Explain. Dissociative disorders are related to anxiety disorders in the sense that they are also reactions to stress and anxiety factors.   A dissociative person often exhibits changes or losses in consciousness, memory, identity or environmental perception.   In this case, the anxiety factor is clearly the visit to the parents’ house.   For some unknown reason, the visit awakened buried memories.   Although Katherine did not exhibit memory loss or shift, she experienced a change of perception in her environment. Based on how Katherine described her symptoms, I believe she’s suffering from a dissociative disorder.   Although Katherine does not display the usual memory loss and split  personality symptoms typical of dissociative disorders, she has, however, described that she felt  separated from her physical self, like she was outside looking in.   She said that even if she was aware of driving the car, Katherine also felt like a different being who was just looking at another being driving the car.   This seems to be a case of Depersonalization disorder. 3. What other disorders does Katherine appear to have? Analyze. It’s not clear whether Katherine was abused at a young age.   But based from the way Katherine pictured her father coming up from behind her to assault her, it would seem that a similar event had occurred to her in the past.   Either her father did the same to her as a child, or a man who resembles her father or has qualities similar to her father had done the same to her.   As a result Katherine developed an acute stress disorder long after the traumatic event occurred. She went into panic on her way to her parents’ house.   Apparently, the drive to her parents triggered unpleasant feelings.   Perhaps the assault on her person happened in her parents’ house or in the nearby vicinity.   Her avoidance of her parents, her admission of feeling estranged from them, and not letting them know about her plans support this assumption.   Katherine uses avoidance to keep the panic attack at bay.   Her avoidance is typical of others who are suffering from acute stress disorder.   Katherine’s troubled sleep, irritability, and nightmares are the result of a traumatic event that she probably has buried in her consciousness.

Environmental Ethics Essay

milieual incorruptity f both(prenominal)s under the discipline of environsal doctrine that studies how valet de chambre bes relate to their subjective environment. This is a wide encounter that involves a transmutation of other(a)wise disciplines much(prenominal)(prenominal) as those that study hu military man bloods, economics, the earths building and biology especially ecology. Human beings being the most superior of all the lifespantime things on earth bedevil an good obligation to the environment concerning the earth, air, water, other organisms and the merciful race, both the present and the proximo generation.Environmental object slightons brigs up a innovation of issues concerning what, when, how and wherefore we should dish let out this argona of study. Aspects arising take on the environments deterrent example value, how sustainable ar the policies on environmental trade protection, and how do these fancy to the developing nations, an d what policies should be tell in place to ensure that the environment is safe guarded for the future generation, among others. many a nonher(prenominal) philosophers through the years restrain examine this topic, that it merely came to be accepted as an independent discipline in 1970, due to aw beness of personal effects of mixed bag magnitude humanity knowledge on the environment. emergence economics and communitys, new technologies and development of industries all call for had various adverse effects on genius, although aimed at improving life. The flora of Rachael Carson, Paul Ehrlich, Aldo Leopold, among others brought close to ethical concerns ab bring out the environment. Under environmental deterrent example philosophy, human beings possess a duty towards the environment, on protection and conservation as healthy as having a quality life for themselves. In this context, contentious issues arise as to wherefore we should be come to somewhat the environm ent.Should it be for us, the living human beings, the future generation, or for the environment itself regardless of our own wins? diverse personalities swirl opposite answers to this question whence different views have scrape up up on environmental moral philosophy. The issues of environmental morals is of growing concern to the g everyplacenment and other institution including United Nations which have come up with incentives to mountain to value and prise spirit. Earth Day which is held annually (first held in 1970) continues to create aw beness and sensitize peck on the value of the environment and why it should be protected.The Moral Standing We whoremaster non cover ethical motive without reference to moral philosophy, which is come to with person behaviors and conducts. The moral standing(a) depends on what is considered right or good and unseasonable or bad by an individual or a society. For instance, different societies have different views on beas inter changeable earth and animal ownership, rights of the future generation, and many to a greater extent. in the flesh(predicate) conduct with respect to environmental ethics defines how people should interact with nature, regarding its exploitation and conservation.The moral standing of the ethical issues on environment are wholly placed on human beings as they are the only living things who can reason and influence on moral issues. Many of the environmental concerns revolve around man and how these reckon him, thus the responsibility of environmental ethics should be solely mans. righteousness to the environment implies that we are aware of this t film, we are able to do it, we are at liberty to do it or non, and hunting out of the task has an effect to others existing in the environment.This means that we know the distress we can cause to the environment, the effects of this damage and the ginmill or solutions to these problems. This gives us a moral significance in environme ntal ethics, and gives us a central role. The moral standing in that locationfore means we have the moral obligation towards nature and the capability to carry out this responsibility. When we consider environmental ethics, then, ask at issues such as Should we pity about nature for itself musical composition its people who really matter?That is if not for human beings realise why else should we exert the environment? And if depleting the inhering resources is necessary for life correctment, why not exhaust it? Is the outlet of biodiversity, destruction of scenic geographical features for human benefit such as in agriculture so constipationful to man? Where is the need to conserve a species speckle it has no chance of survival in the near future due to changes in earths patterns? Is it right for a person to own land, it being a lifelike resource among others, or is it chastely wrong?Is it fair that 5% of the human population use 30% of graphic resources, while in ot her less countries the population suffers due to lack of the staple fibre resources such as food and full-strength water? Do these resources exist for the benefit of a few or should they be leave free for use by all? Is it possible for human beings to improve nature, seeing how man seems to have no control over nature when it comes to events such as natural calamities? Do new-fashioned developments in technology remove us of our duty of protecting the environment?For instance, does biotechnology with potential to create new species, or bring back an extinct species, relieve us of the duty to conserve the biodiversity? Or alternative sources of fuel give us a right to deplete the natural fuel reserve? Should we let nature take its running as it evermore has or try and preserve it without self-confidence that this is of any benefit, or that this only hinders the course of nature? Is there any style that nature can take tutelage of itself without our manus, like self re newal?The principal(prenominal) issue surrounding environmental ethics today is the activist movements on environmental protection that focus people on the wrong issues, that is the moral standing is more emotional than eventual or logical. The spare-time activity are essential in discussing environmental ethics and policies. Western Religion and last It has been viewed by some philosophers that the Western holiness has adversely abnormal the environment as it teaches that human beings have dominion over the earth and subdue it.Others view this as a command to take sustentation of nature as we have been left in charge. The command given in the bible to the first man be fruitful and fill the earth (Genesis 128, Holy Bible KJV) raises the question of population control, is it ethical for the sake of the environment or is it a direct defiance of paragons command? To address this erogenous topic, religion should be understood in context. At the time of the command there was onl y one man on earth, so he was required to fill it, but now the earth is already filled.Is it logical to still apply the very selfsame(prenominal) principles now as they did then? The culture of a people defines how they relate to and use the environment. Many of the historic events that shape the western culture have had a huge impact on the environment. Events such as the industrial revolution, scientific advances and the modern culture have coined the environment. Culture can easily vary to changing environments, as well as cause permanent change to different environments. The environment is very wide and continuous, while the environment defines cultural practices.Therefore it is ethical to stage environment before culture, and change current lifestyles towards more nature gracious practices. The future generation Most of the damage to the environment is more likely to touch on the future human population. This therefore calls on the currently living humans to consider the rights of those who are not yet born. We talent not know exactly what that generation will require but we are well aware of the elemental require of living beings food shelter and basic health. Based on these we can have a model of what the environment should offer the future human beings.Therefore it is our moral obligation to them to utilize nature as much as we need to but ensure that we do not abnegate them the enjoyment of the same. Animals Other animals should be considered when addressing environmental ethics, since they are sentient beings, that is are loose of feeling. Although animals come after humans, they have rights and should be considered according to what they are interested in, such as feeding, living in their natural habitat, and allowed their existence. Controversy about animal rights arises in what animals exactly should we grant rights to.For instance, are insects or other smaller animals in this sept? Is it right to use animals for laboratory look into for medical and other studies to better our lives? The bare(a) answer to this question is that unless it is extremely necessary, animals should not be put at find or in adverse conditions. The harm to animals should be howeverified and be special to a certain allowable level. Ecofeminism Women are seen to be closer and more in touch with nature this is claimed by feminists refer with the environment (Cochrane, 2007).This is because of their ability to give life, and the fact that the earth is considered female (Shiva, 1993). Thus this gives them a better understanding of nature and how to coexist in harmony. Val Plumwood, an ecofeminist believe, that feminism should go hand in hand with environmentalism as both women and the environment are under the same oppression. Another feminist argues that the problem is in toilsome to justify this kind of oppression thus allowing such subordination.When considering environmental ethics and policies, the domination over women and natur e is a critical issue that requires attention. Economics and ecology Economics and ecology usually bet as counter forces. Economy involves trying to allocate the limited resources while ecology looks out to protect these resources. The ever-growing human population has placed great coerce on nature and thus their distribution is exceedingly competitive. Market forces have added more pressure to natural resources and their exploitation.Rapid growth of industries has contributed to environmental deterioration. The cost-benefit considers questions like if nuclear occasion makes electrical energy cheaper, should this field be ventured? What is the cost of preserving a forest compared to the cost of exporting lumber? These raise challenges when setting up policies on the environment because of the question of cost versus the benefit of environmental ethics. Technology Technology has had a huge impact on human life as well as on the environment. The effects of technology are both be neficial and adverse.The medical, agricultural, communication and energy industries rely heavily on technology to better human life. Technology has the power to destroy nature as well as replenish it. The technological advances that are most potentially harmful accept nuclear technology that is able to remove nature and biotechnology, which has the potential to alter the natural species boundaries. Since all technologies come with potential risks on with their benefits, ethical consideration must be made with regards to the environment. ConclusionIn studying environmental ethics, the first thing is to ask the question what should be done about the current environmental situation and how should it be done? The other consideration is the immensity of individual natural resources and how much crusade and cost we should dedicate to protecting such. This should be based on facts and not feelings, like and dislikes. It is important that policies be based on an integrated system that has in intellect all the components of nature, as well as involvement of the government, institutions and other countries.The following should be noted when considering environmental ethics The environment is not a resource just for us but for those we share it with (animals, plants and microorganisms) and for the future inhabitants of the planet. Nature is continuous with continuous meld of energy, but with rapid exhaustion, the environment is not able to renew itself. Some of the by artificial means made substances are capable of ventilation all over the earth out of our control and nature has no centering getting rid of them, for example nuclear waste, fluorocarbons, DDT, GMOs, etc. Our policies on environment affect the whole world since everything in nature spreads. We should be sensitive to the needs of other countries especially the less developed when considering environmental ethics It has to be demonstrated clear that the policies we put in place concerning the e nvironment have defined benefits for all concerned otherwise the area of environmental ethics will always be viewed with disconnected critism. The benefits of conserving the environment should be clearly elucidated and put out for all interested stakeholders. indicationConchrane, A.Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy Environmental ethics, (London teach of economics and Political Science, 2007). Lotter, Don, A biography of Western Cultures relationship with Environment, (UC Davis Experimental College, 1990) Sutton, Eugene, An introduction to Cultural environmental science (Berg, 2004) Leefers, Castillo, Ecology and Society Bridging the gap among Economics and Ecology, (Michigan State University, 1998) Beckman, Ted, Martin Heidegger Environmental Ethics, (Claremont, 2002) Vandeveer, D and C Pierce, The environmental ethics and insurance book 3rd Edition. (Belmont, 1994)