Summary report of Sweat by Zora Neale Hurston - 1597 Words

Summary Report: Sweat Vital Statistics Author: Zora Neale Hurston Title: Sweat Published date: 1926 Main Characters Delia: A hard working, washerwoman and wife that is abused by her husband. She is portrayed as the protagonist. Sykes: A lazy, stay-at-home husband who is abusive to his wife and has a mistress name Bertha. He is portrayed as the antagonist. Point of View The story is written in a third person omniscient point of view. Setting of Action The story took place in a small town in central Florida near Orlando. The events took place in the spring and snakes are known to be prevalent in the area during that time. Plot Summary Sweat tells a short story about a black, washerwoman, Delia that lives in Florida†¦show more content†¦You know it would skeer me--looks just like a snake, an you knows how skeered Ah is of snakes. The characters’ personalities shown through so rapidly that it helped show us how their relationship was developing. Hurston also had long passages of narration mixed in with dialogues that made a relationship based on pain. For instance, â€Å"She lay awake, gazing upon the debris that cluttered their matrimonial trail. Not an image left standing along the way. Anything like flowers had long ago been drowned in the salty stream that had been pressed from her heart. Her tears, her sweat, her blood.† Once again, the choice of narrator makes the story much more believable and Delia’s situation more extreme which is why it created the sympathetic tone to this story. A combination of what Delia feels and what Sykes does to her leads the reader to fee l sympathetically towards her. For example, this happens here with Bertha, the mistress, Too late now to hope for love, even if it were not Bertha it would be someone else. The things that happens to Delia seems truthful and relatable in real life which makes readers react a certain way to the story. Lastly, the multiple-perspective approach caught my eyes because Hurston did not just tell the story from Delia and Sykes’ perspectives, but also the townspeople’s perspectives to further show us their

The Role of Gender in A Dollhouse Essay - 1150 Words

â€Å"A Dollhouse† In â€Å"A Doll’s House,† women lead a difficult life. They live on restrictions in society, as well as in their home. â€Å"The play depicts the father not only as absent but also as morally polluted† (Rosefeldt). Men are seen as a higher being than women. However, women seem to take on more sacrifices than men. Throughout the play, it expresses the misery of women or mothers and their disadvantages in society. Mrs. Linde went through a horrible past. We truly do feel sympathy for her when she says, â€Å"My Mother was alive then, and was bedridden and helpless, and I had to provide for my two younger brothers; so I did not think I was justified in refusing his offer† (Ibson). â€Å"Mrs. Linde, Noras friend, is the victim of an absent†¦show more content†¦Nora was just the toy in their marriage. Nora was just like the Christmas tree, an ornament that charmed others. She must always be on watch with her behavior, as it could ruin Torvaldâ€⠄¢s image. When Torvald becomes sick, Nora paid it. However it was just a loan and now she must pay the money back. Nora must keep it a secret though because if Torvald finds out about it, he would be infuriated. It would ruin their marriage and drastically destroy it. Torvald cannot accept the fact that his wife, a woman, helped him. Furthermore, it is illegal for a wife to obtain a loan without the consent of her husband. This shows the power of Torvald over Nora or the power of men over women. In the end their marriage or bond was broken. . However, it was ironic in the end as the lies, that Nora created, did destroy their marriage but not in the way we would expect. Torvald did think about ending it but when he saw that the signature that Nora forged was handed back to them, Torvald calmed down. â€Å"His behavior makes Nora realize that, in their eight years of marriage, he has never looked on her as a human being but only as a doll, and she leaves him in order to learn to bec ome a person in her own right† (Doll’s House). Nora finally severed all ties with him. Throughout the time, Nora’s definition and understanding of freedom has evolved. She considered freedom as something like a duty. In the first act,Show MoreRelatedThe, Death Of A Salesman909 Words   |  4 Pagesbecame more valuable than the strength of the body; causing the hunter and gatherer mentality to collapse, which leads to both genders to work side by side. Both genders are able to perform each other s task creating a more economically efficient society. Maintaining traditional gender roles in a modern society is detrimental to both genders. When maintaining gender roles, women would have their ability undermined,have limited professionally opportunities, be ignored emotionally and, place moreRead MoreAnalysis Of Whedon s Joss Whedon 1411 Words   |  6 Pagesof the reasons that his shows have gained so much attention is because he likes to use them to present his views on controversial topics. Joss does this by switching gender roles and using powerful symbols. You can see this in both Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Dollhouse. You can see this in both Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Dollhouse. He does this in order to change societies views on woman in society. To prove this I will give a few powerful examples from each show that makes it perfectly clear howRead MoreComparing Dollhouse And Buffy, The Vampire Slayer, And Firefly910 Words   |  4 Pagesbut he is also looking towards sending out a message. Generally, when people look deeply into his text they can find that he is usually sending a message to society about how gender roles and it is common for him to play with them. In these three shows Dollhouse and Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, and Firefly he takes gender roles and moves them around at will. In Buffy the Vampire Slayer, this is seen so often because the entire show is based around it. You have buffy this strong and witty girl who run’sRead MoreFeminist Analysis : A Doll s House1001 Words   |  5 Pagesmistreated women in texts. Such as blanks, unfinished sentences, and even silences. Henrick Ibsen’s, A Doll’s House, captures the unfavorable gender-role of oppressed women who are treated as mere â€Å"dolls† played by men. Nora Helmer, the main character, strives to be the perfect wife that is set forth by the society she lives in. She is trapped in the â€Å"dollhouse† which is her actual home. Torvald, her husband, has made a wonderful life for his doll wife and their children. Nora does love Torvald, butRead MoreArgumentative Essay On Gender Norms905 Words   |  4 PagesIronically, when we were given this assignment I had the perfect opportunity to violate a gender norm. I attended my cousins’ baby shower this weekend and all the guests were in for a surprise when my cousin began to open her gifts. I decided to buy my new baby boy cousin a pink onesie and a dollhouse. When my cousin pulled the gifts out of the bag everyone had puzzled looks on their face. My cousin even asked me if I had given her the wrong gift. Everyone thought I was crazy for buying a baby boyRead MoreA New World for Women: A Dollhouse by Henrik Ibsen1089 Words   |  4 PagesA new world for women Henrik Ibsen’s play, â€Å"A Dollhouse† is centered in the late 19th century following the time women seek more of their independence and greater freedom. From the play, â€Å"A Dollhouse†, Ibsen tends to understand women more than they do. As one of Ibsen’s famous play addresses the issue of feminine roles and importance in the past and present era. Nora as a mother and wife decided to quit from her gender roles as a wife and mother, to become an independent self made person afterRead MoreAnalysis Of Henrik Ibsen s A Dollhouse 960 Words   |  4 Pagesfor personal freedom in â€Å"A Dollhouse.† He uses marriage and gender roles indicative of his era as an example of the constraints placed on people in society. His work is controversial and ahead of its time, and Ibsen is able to show in â€Å"A Dollhouse† morality and societal customs do not always walk hand in hand. Through the use of the character Nora, he shows the necessity of sacri fice is sometimes needed to achieve freedom from culture. The conclusion of â€Å" A Dollhouse† appropriately demonstratesRead MoreA Doll s House By Henrik Ibsen994 Words   |  4 PagesIn A Doll’s House, a play by Henrik Ibsen, he adds many hints about the role of society and how the female gender was being treated during that time. Readers have observed from this play that Ibsen believed about the roles of society, equality between men and women, and the idea of feminism. This play is where the readers can see and understand how things were like at the time, and what Ibsen believed about the issues. Norma Helmer, the main character from this play tries to strive towards the ideaRead MoreMy Experience As A Male Dominant Culture994 Words   |  4 Pageswhen we do not realize it. We learn about our culture through different medias, such as our parents, relatives, and peers. My earliest enculturation experience is when I was in kindergarten. I learned about culturally accepted behaviors for both genders and experienced double standard between male and female. My family and my peers were the most influential in this enculturation experience as they were the people I associated with during my early childhood. My early childhood experience of doubleRead MoreSex And Gender : The Same Loop Time And Time855 Words   |  4 PagesSex and gender have been categorized in the same loop time and time again, but is merely confused about between one person to the next. Sex is what you are born with penis, vaginia, and in some cases both as opposed to gender. Although we link two and two togethe r mentally, logically they are opposites. Socialization, parenting, and media throughout the world, develop your sense of gender, male or female â€Å"gender roles.† Gender is much more complex than what we learn as kids (Killermann). Where

Concept Of Entrepreneurship All Across World †Free Samples

Question: Discuss About The Concept Of Entrepreneurship All Across World? Answer: Introduction The concept of entrepreneurship all across the world is taken as the important assets that every country must cultivate, motivate and also reward it well so that it can achieve the highest level possible. It is often changed the way in which people work as well as lead their lives. In case of success, the level of innovation along with creativity can increase the standard of living for the people (Silverthorne, 2017). It also means that apart from developing wealth from different venture options for entrepreneurship, it is also important to create employment options and the situations for the country and society to prosperous. Definition of entrepreneurship The concept or the idea of entrepreneurship can be defined as a person who initiate, organize as well as manage any establishments in the form of organization which is also surrounded by considerable amount of risks and initiatives (Ismail et al., 2016). It can be small establishment as well as big business with big risks and rewards as well. The overall concept depends on perceiving new opportunities in business and them usually shows a positive kind of biases in different perceptions. It is also amalgamated with a risk taking approach that can make them more options or alternatives as opportunities (Remund et al., 2017). Entrepreneurs should also control several commercial based undertaking with directions for different factors of production along with human, financial and material based resources that are needed for exploiting the business opportunities. (Borisseko Boschma, 2017). An entrepreneur has to take over different positions like manager as well as they also oversees the launch and development associated with enterprise. In other words, it is a process which can help people or a team to recognize a business opportunity and get as well as deploy the importance of resources needed for proper exploitation. It further may also include: - Development of plan for business Recruiting or hiring the right kind of human resources Getting material and financial resources Providing right kind of leadership Acting more responsible for the success of the venture as well as failure (Kapinga and Montero, 2017) Matter of risk aversion Origin of Entrepreneurship The word entrepreneur is taken from a French word. This word first used in the year 1723 and in the todays world it implies as the qualities based on initiative, leadership as well as innovation in new kind of venture based designs. According to number of authors, the term is associated with the concept of team building, ability of management and essential qualities for any entrepreneur to have (Borissenko Boschma, 2017). In historical term, the study of this concept goes back in late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries when the concept of classical economics also introduced. In 20th century, the concept was thoroughly studied by authors like Joseph Schumpeter and other types of economists like Ludwig von Mises and many more. The word entrepreneurship was introduced around the year 1920 (Alvarez et al., 2016). Mindset The clear defining of the activities that need to be processes. The protection and the management of the time. A proper planning of the day Outcome oriented Dealing with the different actual facts Living for providing a better value. Performance of the mind makeover. Entrepreneurship and the concept of business ventures For many years to come, advancement in technology will help in creating more and more kind of jobs in several respective industries all across the world. At the same time, the present technology industry can also become one of the most lucrative industries in terms opportunities for prospective or potential entrepreneurs like food and beverages. Such industry can expect a steady level of development next few years (Kirzner, 2015). It is important to understand here that technology is making several industries very appealing for many entrepreneurs and it is also crucial for any entrepreneur and their business career to do something that can help in generating returns at steady pace before actually moving on other projects. Market expansion The market obviously looks for the opportunities to expand in several industries and can be taken as one of the stepping stone towards several business operations. This is why, it become easier to develop the business in rapid manner and also expand the personal wealth of the entrepreneur. After the recession that hit the world economy in the year 2008, people in many developed countries like USA, is spending more and more money on forms like entertainment instead of taking high prices vacation or sports (Kuratko, 2016). The economies of several countries are still recovering, the trend however continues since the future looks bright for such ventures. The focus is developing in this niche market with affordable kind of entertainment (Coviello et al., 2017). The level of affordability will also result in business partners and leveraging the future because of stagnant prices of liquor and there will also be an interest which will help in setting the bar. Role of the entrepreneur As far as role of entrepreneur is concerned, the fist basic or on fundamental grounds, there is neoclassical form of theory that has no role for the entrepreneurs because the market is based on achieving the equilibrium in market which also means no profit. As per the Austrian theory, the concept is also based on driving profit in the market which further pushes the market towards the level of equilibrium (Schaper et al., 2014). Then there is role of discovery and as per neoclassical theory, it suggests that the overall decision and the results are not rightly corrected or modified. There is no kind of evolvement or level of improvement. It is important to understand here that incorrect or wrong decisions are further corrected by attentive kinds of entrepreneurs (Shiri, 2017). In addition, the entrepreneurs also help in stimulating the additional form of discovery with the help of profit based options presented when there is any mistake and this cycle further pushes the market towards achieving a level of equilibrium. (Coviello Tanev, 2017). However, the important fact is that it is never achieved because of the constant change. Franchises and entrepreneurship The business or organization has great opportunities of achieving success and to initiate the process, the marketing strategy consists of many potential ideas like franchises. There are so many competitors as well that create individual level of location for the strong customer based and the idea to expand the overall scale along with product for the business will help in accomplishing the success. The company will also help in setting up like a corporation and business that tends to identify the right strengths of every element tend to achieve success in right manner. Since there is also some kind of need to take final decisions within the companies, it is right for every founder to accomplish the same money for right kind of input as well as investment. In such cases, the struggle for the companies to move forward becomes long term plan (Storey, 2016). The first year of the organization is expected to struggle to achieve the target and the sales as expected since this is the time to make foundations and form deep roots. In order to establish business at large scale and in large city, it is expected to make moderate amount of profit given all right steps are taken in this direction. Importance of entrepreneurship The concept of entrepreneurship usually develops a set of options for the sake of employment and on initiating the business with the help of monetary assets, the owners or the entrepreneur needs to share the load of word in equal manner. It is also important to understand and employ right kind of people to work since over a period of time, the overall satisfaction with the investment will come when every element has been used and optimized in right manner. When the size or the scale of the business is huge, it becomes their ability to offer more employment opportunities for people. The concept of entrepreneurship also helps in boosting the growth of the economy and through properly creating the employment, people normally creates more wealth (Storey, 2016). In addition, the entrepreneurship and innovation in it tend to provide the product of high quality at the lowest possible rates. People therefore get to experience the best products and at the same time, saves a huge amount of mon ey. The strengths help in boosting the economy of the country. In addition, the concept of entrepreneurship also helps in strengthen the small scale businesses. These kinds of functions and activities normally offer right kind of strength to small businesses as well and as an outcome, the current niche market further flourishes to give some kind of strength for the national economy. This is why, the concept of entrepreneurship is an investment and it is also perceived as a paramount for the current economy of the world. (Drucker, 2014). Finally, entrepreneurship is crucial or important for the overall enhancement of the managerial level of capabilities. The large important of this concept is based on the fact it helps in the recognizing and developing the managerial capabilities of the entrepreneur. The study is also based on the issue that decides the option in comparison of the advantages and the overall cost involved with it and in the end based on the best option (Baum et al., 2014). The process also helps in honing or sharpening the talent or skills of taking right decisions. In addition, the owner or entrepreneurs also use all these skills to develop new set of products and advanced technologies, which can switch or replace the older options with high level of performance. The entrepreneurs can actually be taken as gamblers who have the skill to take risk and the chances of winning rise when he has the power and ability to use right skills. It is important to have some level of tolerance for taking right kind of risk that is important feature for the entrepreneurs. (Shiri, 2017). The risk taking ability can be taken as an activity even if the consequences are negative by nature. Establishing a business from scratch is risky business and especially when the money of people gets involved in it. There is time when there is a risk of convincing investors to come along with new venture or by also forming the team of entrepreneurs (Shepherd, 2015). Conclusion The concept and overall advantages of the concept of entrepreneurship cannot be underestimated. This is why, people must move from the mentality of forming category in the sectors of small business to a separate distinct entity. The concept of entrepreneurship is the foundation of achieving great form of businesses and for the current economy as a whole it is important to accomplish it in long run (Shepherd, 2015) Reference Alvarez, A,S., Audretsch, D and Link, N, A., 2016. Advancing Our Understanding of Theory in Entrepreneurship https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/sej.1216/full Baum, J.R., Frese, M. and Baron, R.A. eds., 2014.The psychology of entrepreneurship. Psychology Press. Borissenko, J. and Boschma, R., 2017.A critical review of entrepreneurial ecosystems research: towards a future research agenda(No. 2017/3). Lund University, CIRCLE-Center for Innovation, Research and Competences in the Learning Economy. Coviello, N. and Tanev, S., 2017. Initiating a New Research Phase in the Field of International Entrepreneurship: An Interview with Professor Nicole Coviello.Technology Innovation Management Review,7(5). Drucker, P., 2014.Innovation and entrepreneurship. Routledge. https://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/meet-the-oddball-entrepreneurs-who-invented-green-businesses Ismail, I., Husin, N., Rahim, N.A., Kamal, M.H.M. and Mat, R.C., 2016. Entrepreneurial success among single mothers: the role of motivation and passion.Procedia Economics and Finance,37, pp.121-128. Kapinga, F, A., and Montero, S, C., 2017. Exploring the socio-cultural challenges of food processing women entrepreneurs in IRINGA, TANZANIA and strategies used to tackle them https://journal-jger.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40497-017-0076-0 Kirzner, I.M., 2015.Competition and entrepreneurship. University of Chicago press. Kuratko, D.F., 2016.Entrepreneurship: Theory, process, and practice. Cengage Learning. Remund, C, M., Peris-Ortiz, M., Gehrke,J,H., 2017. The Vitruvian Man of Leonardo da Vinci as a model of innovative entrepreneurship at the intersection of business, art and technology https://innovion-entrepreneurship.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s13731-017-0077-9 Schaper, M.T., Volery, T., Weber, P.C. and Gibson, B., 2014.Entrepreneurship and small business. Shepherd, D.A., 2015. Party On! A call for entrepreneurship research that is more interactive, activity based, cognitively hot, compassionate, and prosocial. Shiri, A.T., 2017. Business Models for Social Entrepreneurs. InEntrepreneurship: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications(pp. 536-548). IGI Global. Silverthorne, S., 2017. Meet the Oddball Entrepreneurs Who Invented Green Businesses Storey, D.J. ed., 2016.Entrepreneurship and new firm. Routledge.

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T-Rex and Roxy Music Essay As the hippie movement almost completely disappeared from the realm of popular culture, the next noticeable subculture in both music and fashion terms was that of glam-rock, with its main advocators being David Bowie and to a lesser extent T-Rex and Roxy Music. The glam rock subculture had a notable effect on gender issues at a time when gender was generally separated within music and indeed society itself. The wearing of normally feminine clothes and make-up by men shocked, outraged and confused many of the particularly conservative British public, particularly when Bowie appeared on the TV show Top of The Pops in his Ziggy Stardust persona dressed in what would be considered feminine attire. We will write a custom essay on T-Rex and Roxy Music specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now In the Teddy boy subculture, women had a particular role to play and had their separate uniform and separate role to fill within the everyday workings of that subculture. In society in general women were virtually separated from men and although womens rights and liberation had come a long way since the War, a situation still existed where a much greater number of women were confined to a role of maintaining the home and raising the family. The emergence of Bowie and other glam-rock acts had an immense impact on the normally static gender roles in both society and indeed within music itself. Bowies immense popularity in the early seventies under his Ziggy Stardust persona rose to the point where he achieved a legion of fans mimicking his distinct visual style. As the music became popular, so did the visual style which created a new sexually ambiguous image for those youngsters willing and brave enough to challenge the notoriously pedestrian stereotypes conventionally available to working class men and women.(3) The blurring of gender lines that Bowie and other glam-rock stars achieved did indeed cause outrage among the general public and sections of the media, which can be attributed to the fact that it was rare to see women and men as not having separate roles to play in both society and music itself. For Bowie to appear on Top of the Pops wearing lipstick seemed to rebel against the basic hegemonic values of a rather conservative Britain and the consequent popularity of this style can be seen as an instance where music has influenced fashion and created a subculture rather been a result of society itself. The late seventies gave rise to perhaps the most infamous of all subcultures in what became termed as the Punk era. The punk movement was essentially a very working class youth based movement with bands such as Stiff Little Fingers, The Clash and perhaps the most famous of all the punk bands, The Sex Pistols. Punk music generally rebelled against everything hegemonic value it could find, in both the music world and society itself. Towards thbe late seventies, progressive rock was the basis for mainstream music and the music itself was generally very complicated, consisted of long guitar solos and innovative instruments, was dominated by middle class musicians and was very concerned with being progressive. Punk, on the other hand, mostly consisted of working class bands with the music usually being described as primitive. As a more minimalist genre, punk rock eschewed the growing use of electronic instruments associated with progressive rock (4) and tended to stick to the formula of one drum and guitars. This basic line-up of punk bands was a sound best suited to expressing anger and frustration (5) and the sound of anger and frustration was clearly a message that punk seemed to express. The Sex Pistols were perhaps punks most popular band and tended to cause controversy from the very beginning of their careers. The title of their album Never Mind the Bollocks caused widespread anger amongst the conservative public, as did the very name of the band itself to the extent that they were banned from playing on Top Of the Pops. .ue109b4e0426f6f0e46372df6394a1083 , .ue109b4e0426f6f0e46372df6394a1083 .postImageUrl , .ue109b4e0426f6f0e46372df6394a1083 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ue109b4e0426f6f0e46372df6394a1083 , .ue109b4e0426f6f0e46372df6394a1083:hover , .ue109b4e0426f6f0e46372df6394a1083:visited , .ue109b4e0426f6f0e46372df6394a1083:active { border:0!important; } .ue109b4e0426f6f0e46372df6394a1083 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ue109b4e0426f6f0e46372df6394a1083 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ue109b4e0426f6f0e46372df6394a1083:active , .ue109b4e0426f6f0e46372df6394a1083:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ue109b4e0426f6f0e46372df6394a1083 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ue109b4e0426f6f0e46372df6394a1083 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ue109b4e0426f6f0e46372df6394a1083 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ue109b4e0426f6f0e46372df6394a1083 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ue109b4e0426f6f0e46372df6394a1083:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ue109b4e0426f6f0e46372df6394a1083 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ue109b4e0426f6f0e46372df6394a1083 .ue109b4e0426f6f0e46372df6394a1083-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ue109b4e0426f6f0e46372df6394a1083:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The Power of One- Music and Boxing EssayYet while their named caused controversy, the content of their album caused even greater debate and anger amongst the general public, in particular the song entitled God Save The Queen. The song starts with the lyrics God save the Queen, our fascist regime and continues to protest against the monarchy throughout. To condemn the monarchy in such a manner caused outrage among the general public, who would generally hold the Queen and monarchy in high regard. Respect for the monarchy was a rather dominant value in the majority of society, hence why this song in particular caused so much controversy. The Sex Pistols were certainly not the only band who questions the hegemonic ideals of their society as the entire punk movement was founded on an act of rebellion against the society they live in. Stiff Little Fingers were a band that came from Northern Ireland, at a time when the troubles in the province were at its peak. The song Alternative Ulster spoke out against the situations and problems that existed in the province between the two sides and called for an alternative to be built. Other songs spoke out against the different paramilitary organisations and divisions within the society while the album Inflammable Material is credited as the first completely independently recorded and produced album to achieve such success. The band clearly spoke out against the hegemonic values of its particular society while the fact that they were independently produced gave them credit amongst the punk subculture that tended to rebel against the music industry in general. The distinguishing feature of this particular punk band is that while other punk bands tended sing about anarchy, Stiff Little Fingers spoke out against the anarchy and violence that existed in their environment. However, while such subcultures as punk may have rebelled against the existing hegemonic values in society, various tensions exist in regards to what is known as bottom up or top down tensions within forms of music. These tensions refer to where exactly the music comes from, namely whether its manufactured or whether its real. Generally when we consider real music we consider it to come from a personal and artistic level, unaffected by commercial interests, which will generally spread upwards through society and become mass culture. This process is referred to as bottom up. However since music is essentially published in a capitalist system, there will be inevitable attempts to produce music that will essentially appeal to the masses and then place it on the market. This is referred to as a top down approach. The tension between the two is inevitable, and can be seen when looking at the particular forms of music that subcultures adhere to. In an era where consumption of music is on a mass scale, there will inevitably be market forces trying to gain money by producing music that will appeal to the masses and the subcultures within society. For every subculture that is produced, a new area of the market is open that can be exploited by the many record companies. It is inevitable that as long as subcultures continue to exist and become fashionable, then there will be a new audience to which the market forces can appeal to. Subcultures often exist as a form of expression against the hegemonic values of the particular society yet this can often lead to a contradictory mixture of the authentic and the manufactured: it is an area of self-expression for the young and a grazing ground for the commercial providers (6). This tension can be seen in the new alternative or indie scene that has become popular in mass culture. While most of the indie bands were to some extent described as underground around five years ago, the popularity of bands such as Coldplay and Keane have provided this genre with a huge increase in popularity. This increase in popularity is obvious in the latest fashion trends and indeed the music business who both profess the brand of being alternative. .u40f350a23a464f4277484bd818c43556 , .u40f350a23a464f4277484bd818c43556 .postImageUrl , .u40f350a23a464f4277484bd818c43556 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u40f350a23a464f4277484bd818c43556 , .u40f350a23a464f4277484bd818c43556:hover , .u40f350a23a464f4277484bd818c43556:visited , .u40f350a23a464f4277484bd818c43556:active { border:0!important; } .u40f350a23a464f4277484bd818c43556 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u40f350a23a464f4277484bd818c43556 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u40f350a23a464f4277484bd818c43556:active , .u40f350a23a464f4277484bd818c43556:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u40f350a23a464f4277484bd818c43556 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u40f350a23a464f4277484bd818c43556 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u40f350a23a464f4277484bd818c43556 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u40f350a23a464f4277484bd818c43556 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u40f350a23a464f4277484bd818c43556:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u40f350a23a464f4277484bd818c43556 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u40f350a23a464f4277484bd818c43556 .u40f350a23a464f4277484bd818c43556-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u40f350a23a464f4277484bd818c43556:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Music Traditions Around the World Chapter EssayThe situation of the mainstream audience purporting the idea of being alternative is an obvious case of a paradoxical situation that exists when a subculture resists the mainstream but then becomes the mainstream itself. The same paradoxical situation can be seen with the mainstream popularity of hip-hop and rap music, which started off as essentially a form of expression amongst black youths in urban areas and voiced the ideals of keeping it real. Yet as the popularity of this form of music soared due to rappers such as Eminem, it has become popularised and marketed to a vast extent. The tensions that exist within the hegemony and subculture are plentiful. As long as grievances or the need to feel individual exists in any society, then subcultures will unavoidably appear as a form of expression in which people can air their grievances or seek individuality. The style in which these subcultures are distinguished will inevitably involve a certain type of music that will tend to express their refusal to accept the hegemonic values of the society in which they exist. And while the phenomena of subcultures continue to exist, tensions will also exist amongst with the hegemony in that society, with music providing an arena for these tensions to be displayed.

Barnes Noble Nook Essay Example

Barnes Noble Nook Essay Marketing Strategy Strategic Situation Summary: Market Target(s) Description: Barnes Noble Nook 1. Market Segments Identified- Middle-Upper Class, educated, moderate- high income, heavy internet user 2. Primary Market- Business travelers Percent More Likely Than Average U. S. Adult to†¦. †¢ Have accessed the Internet outside the home via WiFi or wireless connection (in last 30 days): 199% †¢ Have household income of $100,000 or more annually: 87% †¢ Have accessed the Internet with a cell phone or other mobile device (in last 30 days): 154% †¢ Be a Heavy Internet User: 116% Have a Bachelor’s or Post-Graduate Degree: 111% †¢ Be between the ages of 35-54: 20% †¢ Be male: 16% 3. Secondary Market- Education- High School students, College Undergraduates 4. Market Characteristics a. Geographic- Suburban – travel to cities for work or school b. Demographic- The following is a survey conducted for Nook Owners’ age distribution from 111 Nook owners †¢ 7. 21% Nook Owners between 10 and 19   8 out of 111. †¢ 21. 62% Nook owners between 20-29 – 24  out of 111. †¢ 17. 11% of Nook owners between 30-39 – 19  out of 111. †¢ 22. 52% of Nook owners are between 40-49 – 25 out of 111. †¢ 18. 1% of Nook owners are between  50-59 – 20  out of 111. †¢ 11. 71% of Nook owners are between 60-69 – 13  out of 111. †¢ Just 1 nook owner between 70-79. †¢ Just 1 nook owner between 80-89. c. Psychographic- †¢ Personality: †¢ Values: †¢ Primary Motivation: †¢ Ideals: †¢ Self-expression: †¢ Resources: d. Behavioral- †¢ User-status: †¢ Usage-rate: †¢ Purchase-occasion: †¢ Benefits sought: Objectives for the Market Target(s): Marketing Program Positioning Strategy: A. Product Strategy a. New Products b. Product Improvements: Incremental Innovation NOOKstudy i. It will allow the student instant downloads for academic ebooks. We will write a custom essay sample on Barnes Noble Nook specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Barnes Noble Nook specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Barnes Noble Nook specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer It will allow students to search for keywords in lecture notes, syllabuses and more. ii. Its a desktop app that will work on Macs and PCs. When installed, it provides students with access to a wide library of textbooks for less than standard books. iii. Furthermore, the app will enable students to highlight and take notes that are searchable and customizable, and provide students access to all of their materials – eTextbooks, lecture notes, syllabi, slides, images, and other course-related documents – all in one place. Their digital library will be able to go from home, to the library, and to the classroom. B. Distribution Strategy C. Price Strategy: a. Of the 181 million US consumers who are online, 14%, or 25 million consumers, say that eReaders priced at $199 or higher — the current price range for eReaders — are expensive, but they’d still consider them for purchase at that price point. What this means: The maximum addressable market for eReaders as they are currently priced is substantial, but to reach the largest market possible, the prices will need to come down. Still, they have phenomenal social and economic impact as they catalyze a new behavior of digital reading across multiple devices. We’re just at the beginning of this revolution. [pic] D. Promotion Strategy a. Advertising i. Banner ads inside books. The average U. S. adult reads four books a year; with a population of 250 million you get 1 billion books digested annually. At 200 pages per book, thats 200 billion potential ad impressions if just one ad was placed at the bottom of each page. Now, charge a $20 CPM for such premium placement and you have just unlocked a $4 billion advertising market. This concept can extend to college textbooks with coupons for partners, such as Starbucks Coffee. ii. Readers give advertisers more consumer attention because readers cannot easily surf away to other websites. Advertisers would win higher response rates because the ads are much more noticeable and could be contextually targeted to content and the users personal information disclosed by their book purchases. b. Publicity c. Internet d. Personal Selling e. Sales Promotion i. Visit any Barnes Noble store and show y our NOOK or mobile device to one of our booksellers, and receive a voucher for the FREE eBook. The voucher will require recipients to enter an online code to receive the free eBook. This will create more movement to the website and to promote other product offerings. E. Marketing Research F. Coordination with Other Business Functions [pic] Mediamark says there are approximately 2. 1 million US adults who own eReaders. Available this week, the new Nook WiFi device is priced at just US$149. The price on the existing Nook 3G, meanwhile, was slashed from $259 to $199, making it the first under-$200 dedicated e-reader with both free 3G wireless and WiFi, according to the company. Barnes Noble now offers all Nook users complimentary access to ATTs (NYSE: T) entire nationwide WiFi network. Its eBookstore now boasts more than one million e-books, periodicals and other digital content, the company said. Under-$200 is always a new product categorys sweet spot, and BN is probably selling the Nook at a slim margin or even a loss in order to gain market share and brand share in the digital book distribution world. Price, meanwhile, is a very important factor in that competition particularly the sub-$200 price point, which is psychologically very important for consumer adoption, she asserted. Any time you deflate the margin on a product by merely adjusting price, it has consequences to the bottom line, he explained. Another option to just dropping price would have been to add a coupon for up to $50 worth of content; this would have fulfilled the urge to drop price however would have kept topline revenue flat. Style: The Nook has a color menu, whereas the entire Kindle display is focused on black and white, he explained. The Nook is lighter. The Nook is now cheaper and the Nook is a little more aesthetically appealing. Potential Target Markets Specifically, individuals interested in a very focused reading experience are one; the education market is another, she pointed out. If device manufacturers and educational and professional publishers are successful at getting that constituency, we think e-readers will be able to hold their own against media tablets, Kevorkian said noting, however, that while theres great potential, it has yet to be realized. A total of 7. 6 million media tablets, including the iPad, will ship worldwide in 2010, growing to 46. 7 million units in 2014, IDC has forecast. The e-reader category, on the other hand including both connected e-readers and USB-enabled ones will ship 6. million worldwide this year, the company predicted, increasing to just over 9 million in 2012 before declining to 7. 9 million in 2014, Kevorkian noted. NOOK for Android-based smartphones and device s. The new application offers those with devices using Android OS 1. 6 and higher the ability to shop Barnes Nobles expansive eBookstore of more than one million eBooks The new Android app is also the first eReader software to feature Barnes Nobles new NOOK-centric branding, leveraging the strength of the companys NOOK brand across its entire eReading offering. The new eReader software branding aligns with the companys current NOOK offering NOOK 3G and NOOK Wi-Fi eBook Readers, and the recently announced NOOKstudy online study platform and software solution for higher education. NOOK for Android will soon be followed by an updated NOOK for iPhone, NOOK for iPad, and others in the coming months, the company noted. Barnes Noble is diving deeper into the education market with an expected August release of NOOKstudy which will run on Macs and PCs and not require a NOOK or any other mobile device. NOOKstudy will act as a hub for eTextbook, class notes, syllabi, scanned handouts, and even non-educational eBooks. It will allow students to take notes as well as highlight passages in eTextbooks. Users will also be able to tag items for easy retrieval using common terms like: for the final exam. It will provide full searches of anything, in the eTextbooks or your notes, and link into Google or Dictionary. com to look up terms. Multiple eTextbooks can be opened at the same time, or two pages from ifferent sources can be simultaneously displayed. The program is currently being piloted at Penn State, University of Nevada, Queensborough Community College, and the Rochester Institute of Technology. Barnes Noble’s ability to market the Nook through its bricks-and-mortar stores, along with the comparative newness of the device, were keys to that competitive edge. Under the terms of the Best Buy agreement, the Nook’s e-reader software will come pre-loaded on a number of PCs and smartphones sold through the retailer. Both Barnes Noble and Amazon have focused on porting e-reader applications onto a number of devices, including ostensible rival iPad, in a bid to increase the potential audience for their proprietary e-books. Barnes Noble announced a software update for its Nook e-reader, including a Web browser and Android-based games, on April 23. Another feature, â€Å"Read In Store,† allows Nook users to browse the retailer’s e-books for free at any Barnes Noble bookstore, with the entirety of each book accessible for an hour. NOOK Wi-Fi eBook Reader marries innovative technology and sleek minimalist design with Wi-Fi connectivity. This latest addition to the NOOK family gives customers the opportunity to take advantage of the proliferation of both in-home and public Wi-Fi hotspots, where they can browse the Web and shop the Barnes Noble eBookstore of more than one million eBooks, periodicals and other digital content. With its latest software update for all NOOK devices (now available at www. nook. com/update), Barnes Noble is offering all NOOK customers complimentary access to ATTs entire nationwide Wi-Fi network, including Barnes Noble bookstores which have previously been available to NOOK customers. As part of the NOOK eBook Reader family, NOOK Wi-Fi features Barnes Noble’s breakthrough LendMe technology, enabling customers to share eBooks with friends for up to 14 days. NOOK Wi-Fi also offers the same great in-store features like Read In Store to browse complete eBooks in Barnes Noble stores at no cost, and More In Store, offering free, exclusive content and special promotions. http://floridaresearchgroup. wordpress. com/2010/02/16/demographics-of-kindle-a

The impact of technology on families and communities essays

The impact of technology on families and communities essays Discuss the impact of social, legal and technological change on individuals, groups, families and Communities As time moves on so does humanity and society we adapt and change as new knowledge and understanding is presented to us in different forms such as technologies, laws and social views all impacting on us within our homes and within our communities. Technology gets more and more advanced everyday its designed to entertain help and study humans it affects almost every aspect of the average persons life in one way or another wether that be machines in the work place the home computer or the knew technology that helps save lifes. Since the Industrial revolution which first occurred in Europe in the 1700s factories all around the world became involved with the new technology of the machine which in many ways replaced the manual human workers designed to help increase effiency and cost which has helped many companies consumers and workers and also buried some with jobs being replaced and people being put out of work which became increasingly the case with the introduction of computers with multiple task capabilities it could fill the job and effency of several workers. This effected society and communities drastically with unemployment levels soaring these levels decreased but the impact is still seen today with fewer jobs to go round. It hasnt all been negative though its also opened up paths for people who want to carry out a career with in technology such as IT workers etc and with a computer now in many homes schools and workplaces public understanding of technology has expanded and adapted to the changes with computers and machines being essential to run many business and carry out the day to day tasks we take for granted. Technology has also helped increase communication between nations, communities and individuals that once would not have been as easily accomplished; the internet has provided communicat...

The Problem of Obesity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Problem of Obesity - Essay Example Hilde Bruch says that the claim that obesity runs in the family is one that researchers think may a basis in fact. There would be distinct patterns in behavior that would be handed down from generation to generation as family traditions; such as the preparation of food and eating behaviors. In fact, Bruch points out, if a child comes from a family with two obese parents, a seventy percent incidence in obesity is found among the offspring. Indicating that eating behavior is also a family behavior. Although Bruch is quick to point out that â€Å"Such studies are based on the often unreliable statements of patients, and the ability to record the potentially obese and the actually obese phenotypes makes interpretation of their significance even more difficult..† That was in 1973; today we have more extensive research and testing and even genetic tracking information that builds on what Bruch has posited and demonstrate that in some cases – certainly not all – that ob esity is in fact an inherited trait. In 1998, Robert Pool writes, researchers in Europe conducting tests on obesity found that with regard to a certain patients, and study of the family, a DNA mutation existed that prevented the brain from detecting leptin, a condition associated with diabetes, which is a hereditary condition; that sent the message to the patient’s brain that the patient’s body was starving. â€Å"Thus, in both humans and mice the diabetes mutation produces an obesity almost identical to that produced in the obese mutation. However, it has also been determined that each time the aforementioned appears it has been in â€Å"highly inbred families.† The pattern of first cousins intermarrying is a common one in many developing nations.

Rethinking Leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Rethinking Leadership - Essay Example A leader is the one who motivates and influences his/her subordinates to attain the pre-defined goals (Hernandez et al. 1166). With this definition in mind, one can recognize a number of effective leaders; Alexander the Great, Nelson Mandela, Adolf Hitler, Asoka and Mahatma Gandhi etc. However, at the organizational level, Steve Jobs is undoubtedly the most legendary leader of the 21st century who transformed the world of information technology. Steven Paul  "Steve"  Jobs  (February 24, 1955  Ã¢â‚¬â€œ October 5, 2011) was an American entrepreneur, innovator, leader and inventor, best known as the co-founder, chairman, and CEO of  Apple Inc.  Through Apple, he was widely recognized as a charismatic pioneer of the  personal computer revolution and for his influential career in the computer and  consumer electronics  fields, transforming one industry after another, from computers and smart phones to music and movies. Jobs also co-founded and served as chief executive of  Pixar Animation Studios. He became a member of the board of directors of The Walt Disney Company  in 2006, when Disney acquired Pixar. Steve Jobs was the one, who led to the creation of the  Apple Lisa  and, one year later, the Macintosh. He also played a role in introducing the  LaserWriter, one of the first widely available laser printers, to the market. Steven Paul Jobs was born on 24 February 1955 in San Francisco, California, to an un-married couple who gave him up for adoption. He was taken in by a working class couple, Paul and Clara Jobs, and grew up with them in Mountain View, California. He attended Homestead High School in Cupertino California and went to Reed College in Portland Oregon in 1972 but dropped out after only one semester, staying on to "drop in" on courses that interested him (Hertzfeld 53). He took a job with video game manufacturer Atari to raise enough money for a trip to India and returned from there a

The Kissnger Qiestion Essay Example for Free

The Kissnger Qiestion Essay The Vietnam War resulted in the deaths of 1.5 million to 3 million Vietnamese and other Indochinese and 58,000 Americans. It was the catalyst for Richard Nixon’s self-induced disgrace. Henry Kissinger played a pivotal role in guiding America’s foreign policy as the war torn nation reeled under the loss of one president to assassination and another to fraud. The Vietnam War singed the conscience of the world and Kissinger found himself where foreign policy and national security converged. National Security Advisor is the one that holds the most strategic meetings at the highest levels of US administration. External and internal threats to the nation’s security and well being should be calculated well in advance; otherwise the entire fabric of security planning lies in shreds. There must have been some constructive and sensible proposals to avert the Vietnam fiasco. It’s fair to ask what alternative course Americas critics would have followed. Some serious people argued for complete withdrawal, on the grounds that the war was already lost. Some have argued that Nixon, after taking office, should have declared that the situation in Vietnam was far worse than he had thought, blame it on the Democrats and seek a deal with the North Vietnamese like the one that was ultimately reached. Meanwhile, the argument goes, Nixon could have used tough rhetoric at home to appease the foreign policy makers. Whether the approach would have worked can’t be known, but had it worked, it certainly would have been preferable to what happened instead. Once in office, Kissinger and Nixon said they were seeking peace with honor: the abandonment of our South Vietnamese allies would be a dishonorable betrayal and would undermine our credibility in the world. America ended up abandoning them anyway. Even overlooking for the moment how the whole thing turned out, the peace with honor formulation was riddled with flaws. And the South Vietnamese regime was known to have been inept and hopelessly corrupt. In writing about the importance of our allies in South Vietnam, Kissinger gives minimal attention to the Vietnamese people but a great deal to South Vietnam’s president Nguyen Van Thieu, calling him a great patriot and a dauntless leader. McNamara and Kissinger, not unlike some American presidents, including Nixon, had myopic affinity for strongmen like the Shah of Iran, Philippines president Ferdinand Marcos. A student of Metternich, the 19th-century Austrian statesman, Kissinger was a practitioner of the realist (or realpolitik) school of diplomacy, which places emphasis on the state’s interests and the use of military power to achieve them, and he preferred to deal with the strong leaders of nation-states who could deliver. The US administration’s complicity in the 1963 overthrow of South Vietnam’s leader General Ngo Dinh Diem conferred legitimacy on the North Vietnamese claim that the South Vietnamese government was illegitimate. Ironically, when all this was happening in Vietnam, the rest of the world could only look and expect. Even the Nobel society that conferred the peace prize to Kissinger made almost no mention of the American lives lost during the Vietnam War, and none of the fact that USAs pursuit of what many saw as a patently hopeless cause may have damaged Vietnam permanently. To see the US side of the story, Nixon had a peculiar governing style. He hated to give direct orders and sometimes issued orders he hoped or expected would not be carried out. He had an aversion to controversy among his advisers. And after Vice President Spiro Agnew said in one meeting that the South Vietnamese, with American support, should attack two North Vietnamese sanctuaries in Cambodia rather than just one, as had been proposed, Nixon agreed. But, according to Kissinger, Nixon was so annoyed that Agnew had staked out a more hawkish position than his own that he excluded Agnew from the next meeting on the war. Even Kissingers colleagues are portrayed as politically astute Mel Laird, secretary of defense, to be slippery. Though, Laird was often proved right about the likely public reaction to proposed U.S. actions. Unfortunately, the men surrounding the president were accomplished charmers, masterly manipulators in a field where manipulation was the job requirement. The Vietnam War was not without its tragicomic aspects. There was the futile hunt for the elusive COSVN, supposedly the North Vietnamese military headquarters in Cambodia—and a leading rationale for U.S. military incursion into Cambodia in 1970. The South Vietnamese troops and their American advisers found only deserted huts. Nevertheless, USA describes the attack as a success, leading to the capture of documents, arms and ammunition, which, according to Karnow, were quickly replaced. There was also the raid by American commandos on the Son Tay prison in North Vietnam, which was believed to hold American prisoners of war but turned out to be empty. U.S. intelligence had said the prison was closed. The war did infuse sacrifice, though not entirely based on moral lines. Historians omit several relevant matters or deals with them in triumphs of understatement. The two senior members of the National Security Agency, Anthony Lake and Roger Morris, quit in 1970 in protest over the expansion of the war into Cambodia. And as for the national upheaval and constitutional crisis that was Watergate, Nixon felt unappreciated for his effort to withdraw troops, that antiwar sentiment touched Nixon on his rawest nerve and that he saw enemies all around him and so engaged in methods of all-out political combat. That’s it. No mention of Nixon’s enemies list; of the White House’s hiring a goon squad (the plumbers) to conduct break-ins; or of Kissinger’s supplying names to the FBI for wiretaps of his own aides and of journalists, to trace leaks about the war. Vietnamese people had to face brutalities of warring factions and deceit of their power hungry leaders. Many years on, we still cannot confidently classify the leaders who could have been true to the national cause or the people of Vietnam. Some critics persisted in believing that given enough time and resources, Americas Vietnam policy would have succeed. In 1975, after Ford had taken office as president with sole card to prevent Saigon’s collapse was additional money from Congress to fund the war effort—an appropriation that Congress was resisting. The denial of the money may well have sped the collapse of the South Vietnamese government, but how long it could have been sustained is another matter. If leaders truly continued to believe in enforcing the type of government, one is forced to conclude that USA would have deluded the world. Kissinger and Nixon were in a bunker of their own, clinging to the false promise of Vietnamization, holding to a misbegotten concept of national honor and railing at the war’s opponents. Great nations have the intent to make the right decisions in critical circumstances. Unfortunately, the reputation of USA is doomed to carry the fact that they failed to take a timely decision in Vietnam. References    John Prados, LOST CRUSADER: The Secret Wars of CIA Director William Colby, Oxford University Press, 2003

Tesco Changing Business Environment

Tesco Changing Business Environment Briefly describe and evaluate the changing business environment at Tesco over the last five years using appropriate theories, models and relevant examples. Introduction Tesco was been founded by Jack Cohen, on his first day he managed to gain a profit of  £1 and sales of  £4. Tesco is ranked third in world for largest grocery retailer, with its operations in more than 14 countries. The name â€Å"Tesco† had appeared first in 1924, and its first shop was opened in London. In 1947 the company was been listed on London Stock Exchange and in 1948 it opened the first self-service shops for business. First Tesco supermarket was opened in 1956 in Essex. In 1947 Tesco started selling Gasoline. Its annual Turnover in 1979 was around 1 billion pounds. It started its first senior department in 1975 and in 1997 Its first Large stores (extra). Companies main purpose is to create value for customers in order to earn them lifetime loyalty. This strategy made them successful and is now the topmost Supermarket in UK. Tesco apart from being one of the largest retailers for food have also embraced the non food products and expanding on household goods, toil etries, electrical items, clothing etc. One of the most important strategies of Tesco is focus on non food items. Business environment: Business environment includes of many factors that affect an organisations operation are customers, competitors, stakeholders, suppliers, industry trends, regulations, other government regulation, social, economic factors and technological developments. â€Å"Business Environment is the total of all things external to business firms and industries which affect their organisation and operations.† (Bayard O Wheeler, 1968) The business depends on many factors, but it has to act and react accordingly inside as well as outside of factory. Changes that occur within a company is called as internal factors and changes outside the company are called as external factors. This effect the objectives and strategies of the company. PESTEL Analysis of Tesco:- PESTLE Political, Economic, Social and Technological factors: analysis measures the market potential and situation, particularly indicating growth or decline Tesco is the giant of all supermarkets due to its UK dominance. Analysis of the marker has shown three main reasons for this. A PESTLE analysis is therefore useful in keeping TESCO up to date with their environmental surroundings, for example, realising in advance that we were heading for a recession would have helped them to plan ahead. Tesco are scattered everywhere both locally and internationally They sell to almost every segment of the society They sell both food and non food items Political: Politically, the recession is one of the main spectrums that are currently affecting all the countries which may lead to higher numbers of unemployment. As one of the largest and fastest growing retailers more jobs will be available with TESCO therefore helping to reduce the levels of unemployment. Economic: One of TESCO’s competitive advantages at present relates to their overwhelming physical presence, there are issues about TESCO driving out the competition from other retailers. There are policies as well as laws and regulations governing monopolies and competition which would be identified though an analysis. This is potentially one of the main issues that TESCO’s are faced with. Protecting consumers and ensuring that entrepreneurs have the opportunity to compete in the market economy are important within consumer law. Due to the current state of the economy, many small businesses are failing and many unable to enter the market. Analysis has helped to assess where location wise there is a demand for expansion. The situation is in no way being assisted by the ever expanding TESCO’s chains of store. Under EU law, there is presumption that an organisation with a large market share is dominant. The concerns with this are that quality of products and service s will slip and there is a risk of paying higher prices. TESCO to date has not been assessed as posing a risk of exploitation but should bear this in mind. This is the reason why regular or continuous scans making use of the PESTLE analysis will lead to continuous assessments which can ensure that TESCO’s dominance is not in any way exploitative. Planning permission is an issue that TESCO seriously need to be aware of due to their continued expansion. Planning permission is heavily regulated in the UK. A thorough analysis would help us to identify the relevant laws on planning permission and whether any resistance to planning was on lawful grounds or merely local people’s dissent. It therefore initially assesses the potential success of a store in a new area. Social: Sociological aspect of the PESTLE analysis involves lifestyle trends, demographics consumer attitudes and opinions, consumer buying patterns major events and influences buying access and trends in the case of Tesco considerations such as the increase in immigration of Eastern Europeans or increase in young professionals. Naturally there is therefore a demand for new goods for example; the career minded professional who is a single person. This has seen a rise in the meals for one or quick microwaveable meals to make cooking quick and easy for those always on the go. Technological : Technological factors which have perhaps had the most impact on TESCO has been the growth in the use of the internet .Internet has given new shape to new day shopping They have capitalised on the use of online shopping forum Tesco direct and provide a delivery service through their website at www.tesco.com.this has aided the company to cater to a larger segment of people at their convenience. TESCO’s are also instrumental as a retailer in supporting carbon reductions and have created a  £100 million Sustainable Technology Fund for this purpose. They also encourage their customers to make low carbon choices. Yet if TESCO’s did not take their corporate responsibilities seriously in relation to environmental issues it could have face consequences for TESCO’s reputation. By doing a PESTLE analysis we can analyse the development and the success of TESCO’s in addition to the day to day management of each store in line with strategic decisions. Without knowing what external factors affect the organisation, it is difficult to manage the business in an efficient manner. Tescos Business Operations Understanding thorough various business models, all companies need several business strategies to run their business in a smooth manner. They follow various methods to do so. One of the major is to analysis the strengths weakness of the company along with the opportunities it has and which may arise in future and the threats which they may face. SWOT Analysis Strength, weakness, Threat and Opportunities Strengths 1. Tesco is one of the largest and renowned grocery retailers. The brand name is one of the biggest strengths they possesses. They have diversified into different countries with about 1 million workforces from different backgrounds and different age groups. During the decline of global retail overall sales the company has still shown a growth of 13% within the UK markets and 26% internationally .They have won several retail awards for keeping up their standards and providing best retails services keeping in mind their corporate responsibilities . They are continuously expanding with propositions of opening several stores on an international level. 2. Of the major supermarkets in the UK, only Tesco, The Co-operative, Iceland and Sainsburys offer loyalty card schemes to customers. Customers can collect two Club card points for every  £1 (or one point for â‚ ¬1 in Ireland and Slovakia) they spend in a Tesco store, or Tesco.com, and 1 point per  £1 in petrol station (not in Slovakia). Customers can also collect points by paying with a Tesco Credit Card, or by using Tesco Mobile, Tesco Homophone, Tesco Broadband, selected Tesco Personal Finance products or through Club card partners, E.ON and Avis. Each point equates to 1p in store when redeemed or 4p when used with club card deals (offers for holidays, day trips, etc). Club card points (UK IE) can also be converted to Air miles. Club card points are also converted into coupons which can be redeemed for extra points or cash totals. 3. They use its own-brand products, including the upmarket Finest, mid-range Tesco brand and low-price Value encompassing several product categories such as food, beverage, home, clothing, Tesco Mobile and financial services. Weaknesses 1. Due to the current economic conditions TESCOs may suffer from the rising cost of living and lower incomes available to the public resulting in less demand for the non essential and mid to high priced items. 2. Due to the ongoing recession TESCOs Finance profit levels were impacted through bad debt, credit card arrears and household insurance claims. This could continue if the market doesn’t see change soon. 3. TESCOs has retained its position as a price leader in UK markets for which they had to reduce profit margins in order to retain the key price points on commercial items. 4. Grocer outlets are not set up to operate as specialist retailers in specific areas of product which can be capitalised on by smaller retailers and things can be sold locally. Threats 1. Due to the ongoing recession UK and American markets have been affected by economic concerns. Loss of employment and Lower income available will impact and strategic focus may need to change to lower priced basic products with less focus on higher priced brands and luxury products suggesting a change in pricing structure. 2. Due to modern development and constant changes in technology there are a lot of changes to consumer buying behaviours. Requiring further analysis as technology develops consumer buying patterns change which will result in product areas requiring evaluation constantly to keep up with the demands. 3. Rising raw material costs from both food and non food will impact profit margins overall. 4. Sourcing changes to Far East locations with regards exporting restrictions on some non food product areas will reduce margin rates on products with already low margins. 5. Tesco has always feared the threat of takeover from the market leader Wal-Mart who has both means and motive to pursue such action. Wal-Mart has been a leader especially in the US market for few years now. With its alliance with ASDA in the UK they are one of the nearest competitors. Opportunities 1. After researching the growth figures and sales of Tesco the statics suggest that TESCO is the third largest global grocer which indicates a level of buying power to ensure mainstream economies of scale. 2. The acquisition of Homever provides the opportunity to develop the brand through Asia, specifically South Korea and further grow International markets for the group. 3. Tesco Direct has been one of the recent and great achievements which has been seen as one of the important tools in increasing the sales margins. The online and catalogue shopping will grow the use of technology, providing the launch pad for larger non food based products with moderate to high margin returns and less focus on sales and margin per foot return to space. The development of such platforms not only help in saving retail space but reach a larger number of people. 4. TESCO mobile have grown  ¼ million customers in 2008 and moved into profitable status suggesting further growth and development within this technological area can be developed. Tesco’s Market Share (Figures based on year 2008-2009) in comparison with the closest competitors ASDA, Morrison, Sainsbury) Fig 1 TESCO’s growth chart over the last five years (2005-2009) showing constant growth in turnover and profit. Bowman strategy Its another suitable way to analyze a companys competitive position in comparison to the offerings of competitors. Bowman considers competitive advantage in relation to cost advantage or differentiation advantage. There are six core strategic options Low price / low added value: this option is based on segmentation. Tesco has products that will be suitable for different geographical areas, population or age Low Price: this option signifies the importance of being the cost leader. The company has to the risk of price war and low margins Hybrid the Company need to take care of the cycle of reinvestment by keeping a low cost base and low price Differentiation: Differentiation can be created either with a price premium the perceived added value should be sufficient enough to bear the price premium or without where the perceived value by user yielding market share benefits Focused differentiation: the company tries to focus on perceived added value to a particular segment which will assure a premium price. Increased price standard: keeping higher margins in case competitor do not want value risking loosing the market share Increased price /low values .this option will only work if the company holds a monopoly and has no competitors Low value standard price: in this option one would lose the market share as the value provided is low at a standard price of the market Tescos Steering Wheel (1997)- Key performance indicators :The rationale for the strategy is to broaden the scope of the business to enable it to deliver strong sustainable long-term growth by following the customer into large expanding markets at home – such as financial services, non-food and telecoms – and new markets abroad, initially in Central Europe and Asia, and more recently in the United States. The strategies and objectives of the company: Tesco has a well-established and consistent strategy for growth, which has allowed us to strengthen our core UK business and drive expansion into new markets. †¢ To be a successful international retailer: Tesco is focusing on not only a full expansion within the UK but also throughout the world. Currently they have several projects including reopening of retail outlets in countries like China, India, Brazil. †¢ To grow the core UK business: Tesco wants to provide excellent customer service and value to all customers thought the UK †¢ To be as strong in non-food as in food. The expansion of hypermarket style supermarkets and the emphasis of sale of non products have increased over the last few years .non food represents a significant profit opportunity I have tried to look at the overall company’s policies and strategies of Tesco to be as strong in non food item like it does in food. †¢ To develop retailing services such as Tesco Personal Finance, Telecoms and Tesco.com †¢ To put community at the heart of what we do: Tesco emphasis on providing value services and to earn life time loyalty. They take initiative in developing the community and making an effort to shape the environment for betterment. The policies they follow include using fair trade policies, creating shared value, social accounting etc. They have close affiliations with charitable organizations like cancer research, race for life etc The growth of any product sale depends on different aspects. I have visited nearly all Tesco formats and had a view of what Tesco is offering and how the services are provided for the same Earning Customer Loyalty- What is in place and how have they improved over the five year – loyalty card , membership Tesco’s Club card program boasts 10 million active households and captures 85% of weekly sales. It is also a symbol of Tesco’s commitment to their customers as individuals: multidimensional customer segmentation and tailored communications as of last June, four million unique quarterly mailings prove to Tesco’s customers that they can count on their â€Å"local grocer† to know them. Mailings are tailored to the needs, interests, and potential interests of Club Card members. Customers are segmented into cost conscious, mid-market, and up-market segments, which are in turn segmented into healthy, gourmet, convenient, family living, and so on. These sub segments are then segmented further and communications are tailored to each. Impressively, Club Card coupon redemption is in the 20%-40% range and cost per redemption decreased since the inception of the Club Card Program. By targeting in such a relevant way and treating customers according to their individual behaviors, needs, and desires, Tesco came to understand that a higher-value coupon is not needed when you’ve reached the right person in the right way with a tailored message. In the five year period following the implementation of the Club Card program, sales have increased by 52% and still grow at a rate higher than the industry average. Store openings and expansions have increased Tesco’s floor space by 150%. In the online space, tesco.com boasts 500,000 transactions weekly, totaling nearly two billion pounds in sales each year. The profitability, plus the size of the tesco.com business and the number of transactions it completes, makes tesco.com a truly unique online grocery store. (http://www.loyalty.vg/pages/CRM/case_study_14_Tesco.htm) Conclusion and recommendation: After a thorough research of Tesco as a company, its strategies and the turnover and sales figures it can be assessed that the company has been on a constant growth graph. The company is facing few challenges due to recession and constant technological developments however with their strategies they are turning them into opportunities. The company not only is focusing at a diversified and international market but is also doing it in way which will not only benefit it customers and meet the corporate responsibility. They currently also are one of the leaders in the UK market with 30% share and 3rd internationally. Tesco also y launched a new range of cheaper discount goods to stop shoppers deserting, which hit Tescos top-line sales as shoppers traded down to the new items. Shoppers now buy an average of two items each from the discount range. The launch of the Tesco Club card to encourage shopper loyalty is also been a great advantage. The company should focus on dealing with recessi on and devising new ways to keep up with the market share than slashing the prices down to meet competition. Bibliography References: http://www.tescoplc.com/plc/about_us/strategy/ http://www.businessballs.com/portersfiveforcesofcompetition.htm http://www.oppapers.com/essays/Tesco/249648 http://www.modelanswer.co.uk/business/help/pestle/tescos.php http://www.businessteacher.org.uk/business-resources/swot-analysis-database/tesco-swot-analysis/ http://www.tescoplc.com/plc/about_us/strategy/community/ http://www.oppapers.com/essays/Tesco/249648 http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/jun/16/tesco-sales-losing-market-share Other Essays on Tesco Other essays available on the Tesco organisations are: Tesco Business analysis Tesco is one of the leading supermarkets Tesco Strategy analysis Tesco SWOT analysis Tesco Fresh Veg Supply Chain Management

Prelude to Foundation Chapter 6 Rescue

LEGGEN, JENARR-†¦ His contributions to meteorology, however, although considerable, pale before what has ever since been known as the Leggen Controversy. That his actions helped to place Hari Seldon in jeopardy is undisputable, but argument rages-and has always raged-as to whether those actions were the result of unintentional circumstance or part of a deliberate conspiracy. Passions have been raised on both sides and even the most elaborate studies have come to no definite conclusions. Nevertheless, the suspicions that were raised helped poison Leggen's career and private life in the years that followed†¦ Encyclopedia Galactica 25. It was not quite the end of daylight when Dors Venabili sought out Jenarr Leggen. He answered her rather anxious greeting with a grunt and a brief nod. â€Å"Well,† she said a trifle impatiently. â€Å"How was he?† Leggen, who was entering data into his computer, said, â€Å"How was who?† â€Å"My library student Hari. Dr. Hari Seldon. He went up with you. Was he any help to you?† Leggen removed his hands from the keys of his computer and swivelled about. â€Å"That Heliconian fellow? He was of no use at all. Showed no interest whatever. He kept looking at the scenery when there was no scenery to look at. A real oddball. Why did you want to send him up?† â€Å"It wasn't my idea. He wanted to. I can't understand it. He was very interested. Where is he now?† Leggen shrugged. â€Å"How would I know? Somewhere around.† â€Å"Where did he go after he came down with you? Did he say?† â€Å"He didn't come down with us. I told you he wasn't interested.† â€Å"Then when did he come down?† â€Å"I don't know. I wasn't watching him. I had an enormous amount of work to do. There must have been a windstorm and some sort of downpour about two days ago and neither was expected. Nothing our instruments showed offered a good explanation for it or for the fact that some sunshine we were expecting today didn't appear. Now I'm trying to make sense of it and you're bothering me.† â€Å"You mean you didn't see him go down?† â€Å"Look. He wasn't on my mind. The idiot wasn't correctly dressed and I could see that inside of half an hour he wasn't going to be able to take the cold. I gave him a sweater, but that wasn't going to help much for his legs and feet. So I left the elevator open for him and I told him how to use it and explained that it would take him down and then return automatically. It was all very simple and I'm sure he did get cold and he did go down and the elevator did come back and then eventually we all went down.† â€Å"But you don't know exactly when he went down?† â€Å"No, I don't. I told you. I was busy. He certainly wasn't up there when we left, though, and by that time twilight was coming on and it looked as though it might sleet. So he had to have gone down.† â€Å"Did anyone else see him go down?† â€Å"I don't know. Clowzia may have. She was with him for a while. Why don't you ask her?† Dors found Clowzia in her quarters, just emerging from a hot shower. â€Å"It was cold up there,† she said. Dors said, â€Å"Were you with Hari Seldon Upperside?† Clowzia said, eyebrows lifting, â€Å"Yes, for a while. He wanted to wander about and ask questions about the vegetation up there. He's a sharp fellow, Dors. Everything seemed to interest him, so I told him what I could till Leggen called me back. He was in one of his knock-your-head-off tempers. The weather wasn't working and he-â€Å" Dors interrupted. â€Å"Then you didn't see Hari go down in the elevator?† â€Å"I didn't see him at all after Leggen called me over.-But he has to be down here. He wasn't up there when we left.† â€Å"But I can't find him anywhere.† Clowzia looked perturbed. â€Å"Really?-But he's got to be somewhere down here.† â€Å"No, he doesn't have to be somewhere down here,† said Dors, her anxiety growing. â€Å"What if he's still up there?† â€Å"That's impossible. He wasn't. Naturally, we looked about for him before we left. Leggen had shown him how to go down. He wasn't properly dressed and it was rotten weather. Leggen told him if he got cold not to wait for us. He was getting cold. I know! So what else could he do but go down?† â€Å"But no one saw him go down.-Did anything go wrong with him up there?† â€Å"Nothing. Not while I was with him. He was perfectly fine except that he had to be cold, of course.† Dors, by now quite unsettled, said, â€Å"Since no one saw him go down, he might still be up there. Shouldn't we go up and look?† Clowzia said nervously, â€Å"I told you we looked around before we went down. It was still quite light and he was nowhere in sight.† â€Å"Let's look anyway.† â€Å"But I can't take you up there. I'm just an intern and I don't have the combination for the Upperside dome opening. You'll have to ask Dr. Leggen.† 26. Dors Venabili knew that Leggen would not willingly go Upperside now. He would have to be forced. First, she checked the library and the dining areas again. Then she called Seldon's room. Finally, she went up there and signaled at the door. When Seldon did not respond, she had the floor manager open it. He wasn't there. She questioned some of those who, over the last few weeks, had come to know him. No one had seen him. Well, then, she would make Leggen take her Upperside. By now, though, it was night. He would object strenuously and how long could she spend arguing if Hari Seldon was trapped up there on a freezing night with sleet turning to snow? A thought occurred to her and she rushed to the small University computer, which kept track of the doings of the students, faculty, and service staff. Her fingers flew over the keys and she soon had what she wanted. There were three of them in another part of the campus. She signed out for a small glidecart to take her over and found the domicile she was looking for. Surely, one of them would be available-or findable. Fortune was with her. The first door at which she signaled was answered by a query light. She punched in her identification number, which included her department affiliation. The door opened and a plump middle-aged man stared out at her. He had obviously been washing up before dinner. His dark blond hair was askew and he was not wearing any upper garment. He said, â€Å"Sorry. You catch me at a disadvantage. What can I do for you, Dr. Venabili?† She said a bit breathlessly, â€Å"You're Rogen Benastra, the Chief Seismologist, aren't you?† â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"This is an emergency. I must see the seismological records for Upperside for the last few hours.† Benastra stared at her. â€Å"Why? Nothing's happened. I'd know if it had. The seismograph would inform us.† â€Å"I'm not talking about a meteoric impact.† â€Å"Neither am I. We don't need a seismograph for that. I'm talking about gravel, pinpoint fractures. Nothing today.† â€Å"Not that either. Please. Take me to the seismograph and read it for me. This is life or death.† â€Å"I have a dinner appointment-â€Å" â€Å"I said life or death and I mean it.† Benastra said, â€Å"I don't see-† but he faded out under Dors's glare. He wiped his face, left quick word on his message relay, end struggled into a shirt. They half-ran (under Dors's pitiless urging) to the small squat Seismology Building. Dors, who knew nothing about seismology, said, â€Å"Down? We're going down?† â€Å"Below the inhabited levels. Of course. The seismograph has to be fixed to bedrock and be removed from the constant clamor and vibration of the city levels.† â€Å"But how can you tell what's happening Upperside from down here?† â€Å"The seismograph is wired to a set of pressure transducers located within the thickness of the dome. The impact of a speck of grit will send the indicator skittering off the screen. We can detect the flattening effect on the dome of a high wind. We can-â€Å" â€Å"Yes, yes,† said Dors impatiently. She was not here for a lecture on the virtues and refinements of the instruments. â€Å"Can you detect human footsteps?† â€Å"Human footsteps?† Benastra looked confused. â€Å"That's not likely Upperside.† â€Å"Of course it's likely. There were a group of meteorologists Upperside this afternoon.† â€Å"Oh. Well, footsteps would scarcely be noticeable.† â€Å"It would be noticeable if you looked hard enough and that's what I want you to do.† Benastra might have resented the firm note of command in her voice, but, if so, he said nothing. He touched a contact and the computer screen jumped to life. At the extreme right center, there was a fat spot of light, from which a thin horizontal line stretched to the left limit of the screen. There was a tiny wriggle to it, a random non-repetitive seder of little hiccups and these moved steadily leftward. It was almost hypnotic in its effect on Dors. Benastra said, â€Å"That's as quiet as it can possibly be. Anything you see is the result of changing air pressure above, raindrops maybe, the distant whirr of machinery. There's nothing up there.† â€Å"All right, but what about a few hours ago? Check on the records at fifteen hundred today, for instance. Surely, you have some recordings.† Benastra gave the computer its necessary instructions and for a second or two there was wild chaos on the screen. Then it settled down and again the horizontal line appeared. â€Å"I'll sensitize it to maximum,† muttered Benastra. There were now pronounced hiccups and as they staggered leftward they changed in pattern markedly. â€Å"What's that?† said Dors. â€Å"Tell me.† â€Å"Since you say there were people up there, Venabili, I would guess they were footsteps-the shifting of weight, the impact of shoes. I don't know that I would have guessed it if I hadn't known about the people up there. Its what we call a benign vibration, not associated with anything we know to be dangerous.† â€Å"Can you tell how many people are present?† â€Å"Certainly not by eye. You see, we're getting a resultant of all the impacts.† â€Å"You say ‘not by eye.' Can the resultant be analyzed into its components by the computer?† â€Å"I doubt it. These are minimal effects and you have to allow for the inevitable noise. The results would be untrustworthy.† â€Å"Well then. Move the time forward till the footstep indications stop. Can you make it fast-forward, so to speak?† â€Å"If I do-the kind of fast-forward you're speaking of-then it will all just blur into a straight line with a slight haze above and below. What I can do is move it forward in fifteen-minute stages and study it quickly before moving on.† â€Å"Good. Do that!† Both watched the screen until Benastra said, â€Å"There's nothing there now. See?† There was again a line with nothing but tiny uneven hiccups of noise. â€Å"When did the footsteps stop?† â€Å"Two hours ago. A trifle more.† â€Å"And when they stopped were there fewer than there were earlier?† Benastra looked mildly outraged. â€Å"I couldn't tell. I don't think the finest analysis could make a certain decision.† Dors pressed her lips together. Then she said, â€Å"Are you testing a transducer-is that what you called it-near the meteorological outlet?† â€Å"Yes, that's where the instruments are and that's where the meteorologists would have been.† Then, unbelievingly, â€Å"Do you want me to try others in the vicinity? One at a time?† â€Å"No. Stay on this one. But keep on going forward at fifteen-minute intervals. One person may have been left behind and may have made his way back to the instruments.† Benastra shook his head and muttered something under his breath. The screen shifted again and Dors said sharply, â€Å"What's that?† She was pointing. â€Å"I don't know. Noise.† â€Å"No. Its periodic. Could it be a single person's footsteps?† â€Å"Sure, but it could be a dozen other things too.† â€Å"It's coming along at about the time of footsteps, isn't it?† Then, after a while, she said, â€Å"Push it forward a little.† He did and when the screen settled down she said, â€Å"Aren't those unevennesses getting bigger?† â€Å"Possibly. We can measure them.† â€Å"We don't have to. You can see they're getting bigger. The footsteps are approaching the transducer. Go forward again. See when they stop.† After a while Benastra said, â€Å"They stopped twenty or twenty-five minutes ago.† Then cautiously, â€Å"Whatever they are.† â€Å"They're footsteps,† said Dors with mountain-moving conviction. â€Å"There's a man up there and while you and I have been fooling around here, he's collapsed and he's going to freeze and die. Now don't say, ‘Whatever they are!' Just call Meteorology and get me Jenarr Leggen. Life or death, I tell you. Say so!† Benastra, lips quivering, had passed the stage where he could possibly resist anything this strange and passionate woman demanded. It took no more than three minutes to get Leggen's hologram on the message platform. He had been pulled away from his dinner table. There was a napkin in his hand and a suspicious greasiness under his lower lip. His long face was set in a fearful scowl. † ‘Life or death?' What is this? Who are you?† Then his eye caught Dors, who had moved closer to Benastra so that her image would be seen on Jenarr's screen. He said, â€Å"You again. This is simple harassment.† Dors said, â€Å"It is not. I have consulted Rogen Benastra, who is Chief Seismologist at the University. After you and your party had left Upperside, the seismograph shows clear footsteps of one person still there. It's my student Hari Seldon, who went up there in your care and who is now, quite certainly, lying in a collapsed stupor and may not live long. â€Å"You will, therefore, take me up there right now with whatever equipment may be necessary. If you do not do so immediately, I shall proceed to University security-to the President himself, if necessary. One way or another I'll get up there and if anything has happened to Hari because you delay one minute, I will see to it that you are hauled in for negligence, incompetence-whatever I can make stick-and will have you lose all status and be thrown out of academic life. And if he's dead, of course, that's manslaughter by negligence. Or worse, since I've now warned you he's dying.† Jenarr, furious, turned to Benastra. â€Å"Did you detect-â€Å" But Dors cut in. â€Å"He told me what he detected and I've told you. I do not intend to allow you to bulldoze him into confusion. Are you coming? Now?† â€Å"Has it occurred to you that you may be mistaken?† said Jenarr, thin-lipped. â€Å"Do you know what I can do to you if this is a mischievous false alarm? Loss of status works both ways.† â€Å"Murder doesn't,† said Dors. â€Å"I'm ready to chance a trial for malicious mischief. Are you ready to chance a trial for murder?† Jenarr reddened, perhaps more at the necessity of giving in than at the threat. â€Å"I'll come, but I'll have no mercy on you, young woman, if your student eventually turns out to have been safe within the dome these past three hours.† 27. The three went up the elevator in an inimical silence. Leggen had eaten only part of his dinner and had left his wife at the dining area without adequate explanation. Benastra had eaten no dinner at all and had possibly disappointed some woman companion, also without adequate explanation. Dors Venabili had not eaten either and she seemed the most tense and unhappy of the three. She carried a thermal blanket and two photonic founts. When they reached the entrance to Upperside, Leggen, jaw muscles tightening, entered his identification number and the door opened. A cold wind rushed at them and Benastra grunted. None of the three was adequately dressed, but the two men had no intention of remaining up there long. Dors said tightly, â€Å"It's snowing.† Leggen said, â€Å"It's wet snow. The temperature's just about at the freezing point. It's not a killing frost.† â€Å"It depends on how long one remains in it, doesn't it?† said Dors. â€Å"And being soaked in melting snow won't help.† Leggen grunted. â€Å"Well, where is he?† He stared resentfully out into utter blackness, made even worse by the light from the entrance behind him. Dors said, â€Å"Here, Dr. Benastra, hold this blanket for me. And you, Dr. Leggen, close the door behind you without locking it.† â€Å"There's no automatic lock on it. Do you think we're foolish?† â€Å"Perhaps not, but you can lock it from the inside and leave anyone outside unable to get into the dome.† â€Å"If someone's outside, point him out. Show him to me,† said Leggen. â€Å"He could be anywhere.† Dors lifted her arms with a photonic fount circling each wrist. â€Å"We can't look everywhere,† mumbled Benastra miserably. The founts blazed into light, spraying in every direction. The snowflakes glittered like a vast mob of fireflies, making it even more difficult to see. â€Å"The footsteps were getting steadily louder,† said Dors. â€Å"He had to be approaching the transducer. Where would it be located?† â€Å"I haven't any idea,† snapped Leggen.-That's outside my field and my responsibility.† â€Å"Dr. Benastra?† Benastra's reply was hesitant. â€Å"I don't really know. To tell you the truth, I've never been up here before. It was installed before my time. The computer knows, but we never thought to ask it that.-I'm cold and I don't see what use I am up here.† â€Å"You'll have to stay up here for a while,† said Dors firmly. â€Å"Follow me. I'm going to circle the entrance in an outward spiral.† â€Å"We can't see much through the snow,† said Leggen. â€Å"I know that. If it wasn't snowing, we'd have seen him by now. I'm sure of it. As it is, it may take a few minutes. We can stand that.† She was by no means as confident as her words made it appear. She began to walk, swinging her arms, playing the light over as large a field as she could, straining her eyes for a dark blotch against the snow. And, as it happened, it was Benastra who first said, â€Å"What's that?† and pointed. Dors overlapped the two founts, making a bright cone of light in the indicated direction. She ran toward it, as did the other two. They had found him, huddled and wet, about ten meters from the door, five from the nearest meteorological device. Dors felt for his heartbeat, but it was not necessary for, responding to her touch, Seldon stirred and whimpered. â€Å"Give me the blanket, Dr. Benastra,† said Dors in a voice that was faint with relief. She flapped it open and spread it out in the snow. â€Å"Lift him onto it carefully and I'll wrap him. Then we'll carry him down.† In the elevator, vapors were rising from the wrapped Seldon as the blanket warmed to blood temperature. Dors said, â€Å"Once we have him in his room, Dr. Leggen, you get a doctor-a good one-and see that he comes at once. If Dr. Seldon gets through this without harm, I won't say anything, but only if he does. Remember-â€Å" â€Å"You needn't lecture me,† said Leggen coldly. â€Å"I regret this and I will do what I can, but my only fault was in allowing this man to come Upperside in the first place.† The blanket stirred and a low, weak voice made itself heard. Benastra started, for Seldon's head was cradled in the crook of his elbow. He said, â€Å"He's trying to say something.† Dors said, â€Å"I know. He said, ‘What's going on?' â€Å" She couldn't help but laugh just a little. It seemed such a normal thing to say. 28. The doctor was delighted. â€Å"I've never seen a case of exposure,† he explained. â€Å"One doesn't get exposed on Trantor.† â€Å"That may be,† said Dors coldly, â€Å"and I'm happy you have the chance to experience this novelty, but does it mean that you do not know how to treat Dr. Seldon?† The doctor, an elderly man with a bald head and a small gray mustache, bristled. â€Å"Of course, I do. Exposure cases on the Outer Worlds are common enough-an everyday affair-and I've read a great deal about them.† Treatment consisted in part of an antiviral serum and the use of a microwave wrapping. â€Å"This ought to take care of it,† the doctor said. â€Å"On the Outer Worlds, they make use of much more elaborate equipment in hospitals, but we don't have that, of course, on Trantor. This is a treatment for mild cases and I'm sure it will do the job.† Dors thought later, as Seldon was recovering without particular injury, that it was perhaps because he was an Outworlder that he had survived so well. Dark, cold, even snow were not utterly strange to him. A Trantorian probably would have died in a similar case, not so much from physical trauma as from psychic shock. She was not sure of this, of course, since she herself was not a Trantorian either. And, turning her mind away from these thoughts, she pulled up a chair near to Hari's bed and settled down to wait. 29. On the second morning Seldon stirred awake and looked up at Dors, who sat at his bedside, viewing a book-film and taking notes. In a voice that was almost normal, Seldon said, â€Å"Still here, Dors?† She put down the book-film. â€Å"I can't leave you alone, can I? And I don't trust anyone else.† â€Å"It seems to me that every time I wake up, I see you. Have you been here all the time?† â€Å"Sleeping or waking, yes.† â€Å"But your classes?† â€Å"I have an assistant who has taken over for a while.† Dors leaned over and grasped Hari's hand. Noticing his embarrassment (he was, after all, in bed), she removed it. â€Å"Hari, what happened? I was so frightened.† Seldon said, â€Å"I have a confession to make.† â€Å"What is it, Hari?† â€Å"I thought perhaps you were part of a conspiracy-â€Å" â€Å"A conspiracy?† she said vehemently. â€Å"I mean, to maneuver me Upperside where I'd be outside University jurisdiction and therefore subject to being picked up by Imperial forces.† â€Å"But Upperside isn't outside University jurisdiction. Sector jurisdiction on Trantor is from the planetary center to the sky.† â€Å"Ah, I didn't know that. But you didn't come with me because you said you had a busy schedule and, when I was getting paranoid, I thought you were deliberately abandoning me. Please forgive me. Obviously, it was you who got me down from there. Did anyone else care?† â€Å"They were busy men,† said Dors carefully. â€Å"They thought you had come down earlier. I mean, it was a legitimate thought.† â€Å"Clowzia thought so too?† â€Å"The young intern? Yes, she did.† â€Å"Well, it may still have been a conspiracy. Without you, I mean.† â€Å"No, Hari, it is my fault. I had absolutely no right to let you go Upperside alone. It was my job to protect you. I can't stop blaming myself for what happened, for you getting lost.† â€Å"Now, wait a minute,† said Seldon, suddenly irritated. â€Å"I didn't get lost. What do you think I am?† â€Å"I'd like to know what you call it. You were nowhere around when the others left and you didn't get back to the entrance-or to the neighborhood of the entrance anyway-till well after dark.† â€Å"But that's not what happened. I didn't get lost just because I wandered away and couldn't find my way back. I told you I was suspecting a conspiracy and I had cause to do so. I'm not totally paranoid.† â€Å"Well then, what did happen?† Seldon told her. He had no trouble remembering it in full detail; he had lived with it in nightmare for most of the preceding day. Dors listened with a frown. â€Å"But that's impossible. A jet-down? Are you sure?† â€Å"Of course I'm sure. Do you think I was hallucinating?† â€Å"But the Imperial forces could not have been searching for you. They could not have arrested you Upperside without creating the same ferocious rumpus they would have if they had sent in a police force to arrest you on campus.† â€Å"Then how do you explain it?† â€Å"I'm not sure,† said Dors, â€Å"but it's possible that the consequences of my failure to go Upperside with you might have been worse than they were and that Hummin will be seriously angry with me.† â€Å"Then let's not tell him,† said Seldon. â€Å"It ended well.† â€Å"We must tell him,† said Dors grimly. â€Å"This may not be the end.† 30. That evening Jenarr Leggen came to visit. It was after dinner and he looked from Dors to Seldon several times, as though wondering what to say. Neither offered to help him, but both waited patiently. He had not impressed either of them as being a master of small talk. Finally he said to Seldon, â€Å"I've come to see how you are.† â€Å"Perfectly well,† said Seldon, â€Å"except that I'm a little sleepy. Dr. Venabili tells me that the treatment will keep me tired for a few days, presumably so I'm sure of getting needed rest.† He smiled. â€Å"Frankly, I don't mind.† Leggen breathed in deeply, let it out, hesitated, and then, almost as though he was forcing the words out of himself, said, â€Å"I won't keep you long. I perfectly understand you need to rest. I do want to say, though, that I am sorry it all happened. I should not have assumed-so casually-that you had gone down by yourself. Since you were a tyro, I should have felt more responsible for you. After all, I had agreed to let you come up. I hope you can find it in your heart to†¦ forgive me. That's really all I wish to say.† Seldon yawned, putting his hand over his mouth. â€Å"Pardon me.-Since it seems to have turned out well, there need be no hard feelings. In some ways, it was not your fault. I should not have wandered away and, besides, what happened was-â€Å" Dors interrupted. â€Å"Now, Hari, please, no conversation. Just relax. Now, I want to talk to Dr. Leggen just a bit before he goes. In the first place, Dr. Leggen, I quite understand you are concerned about how repercussions from this affair will affect you. I told you there would be no follow-up if Dr. Seldon recovered without ill effects. That seems to be taking place, so you may relax-for now. I would like to ask you about something else and I hope that this time I will have your free cooperation.† â€Å"I will try, Dr. Venabili,† said Leggen stiffly. â€Å"Did anything unusual happen during your stay Upperside?† â€Å"You know it did. I lost Dr. Seldon, something for which I have just apologized.† â€Å"Obviously I'm not referring to that. Did anything else unusual happen?† â€Å"No, nothing. Nothing at all.† Dors looked at Seldon and Seldon frowned. It seemed to him that Dors was trying to check on his story and get an independent account. Did she think he was imagining the search vessel? He would have liked to object heatedly, but she had raised a quieting hand at him, as though she was preventing that very eventuality. He subsided, partly because of this and partly because he really wanted to sleep. He hoped that Leggen would not stay long. â€Å"Are you certain?† said Dors. â€Å"Were there no intrusions from outside?† â€Å"No, of course not. Oh-â€Å" â€Å"Yes, Dr. Leggen?† â€Å"There was a jet-down.† â€Å"Did that strike you as peculiar?† â€Å"No, of course not.† â€Å"Why not?† â€Å"This sounds very much as though I'm being cross-examined, Dr. Venabili. I don't much like it.† â€Å"I can appreciate that, Dr. Leggen, but these questions have something to do with Dr. Seldon's misadventure. It may be that this whole affair is more complicated than I had thought.† â€Å"In what way?† A new edge entered his voice. â€Å"Do you intend to raise new questions, requiring new apologies? In that case, I may find it necessary to withdraw.† â€Å"Not, perhaps, before you explain how it is you do not find a hovering jet-down a bit peculiar.† â€Å"Because, my dear woman, a number of meteorological stations on Trantor possess jet-downs for the direct study of clouds and the upper atmosphere. Our own meteorological station does not.† â€Å"Why not? It would be useful.† â€Å"Of course. But we're not competing and we're not keeping secrets. We will report on our findings; they will report on theirs. It makes sense, therefore, to have a scattering of differences and specializations. It would be foolish to duplicate efforts completely. The money and manpower we might spend on jet-downs can be spent on mesonic refractometers, while others will spend on the first and save on the latter. After all, there may be a great deal of competitiveness and ill feeling among the sectors, but science is one thing-only thing-that holds us together. You know that, I presume,† he added ironically. â€Å"I do, but isn't it rather coincidental that someone should be sending a jet-down right to your station on the very day you were going to use the station?† â€Å"No coincidence at all. We announced that we were going to make measurements on that day and, consequently, some other station thought, very properly, that they might make simultaneous nephelometric measurements-clouds, you know. The results, taken together, would make more sense and be more useful than either taken separately.† Seldon said suddenly in a rather blurred voice, â€Å"They were just measuring, then?† He yawned again. â€Å"Yes† said Leggen. â€Å"What else would they possibly be doing?† Dors blinked her eyes, as she sometimes did when she was trying to think rapidly. â€Å"That all makes sense. To which station did this particular jet-down belong?† Leggen shook his head. â€Å"Dr. Venabili, how can you possibly expect me to tell?† â€Å"I thought that each meteorological jet-down might possibly have its station's markings on it.† â€Å"Surely, but I wasn't looking up and studying it, you know. I had my own work to do and I let them do theirs. When they report, I'll know whose jet-down it was.† â€Å"What if they don't report?† â€Å"Then I would suppose their instruments failed. That happens sometimes.† His right fist was clenched. â€Å"Is that all, then?† â€Å"Wait a moment. Where do you suppose the jet-down might have come from?† â€Å"It might be any station with jet-downs. On a day's notice-and they got more than that-one of those vessels can reach us handily from anyplace on the planet.† â€Å"But who most likely?† â€Å"Hard to say: Hestelonia, Wye, Ziggoreth, North Damiano. I'd say one of these four was the most likely, but it might be any of forty others at least.† â€Å"Just one more question, then. Just one. Dr. Leggen, when you announced that your group would be Upperside, did you by any chance say that a mathematician, Dr. Hari Seldon, would be with you.† A look of apparently deep and honest surprise crossed Leggen's face, a look that quickly turned contemptuous. â€Å"Why should I list names? Of what interest would that be to anyone?† â€Å"Very well,† said Dors. â€Å"The truth of the matter, then, is that Dr. Seldon saw the jet-down and it disturbed him. I am not certain why and apparently his memory is a bit fuzzy on the matter. He more or less ran away from the jet-down, got himself lost, didn't think of trying to return-or didn't dare to-till it was well into twilight, and didn't quite make it back in the dark. You can't be blamed for that, so let's forget the whole incident on both sides. â€Å"Agreed,† said Leggen. â€Å"Good-bye!† He turned on his heel and left. When he was gone, Dors rose, pulled off Seldon's slippers gently, straightened him in his bed, and covered him. He was sleeping, of course. Then she sat down and thought. How much of what Leggen had said was true and what might possibly exist under the cover of his words? She did not know.