Professional football and subculture Essay

Sports around the world are a large part of the Americans subculture. There are many professional sports that are very competitive throughout the world, but in my opinion professional football is the most competitive. There are also many different cultures, values and different ways sports have impacted my life and the people surrounded by us. First of all, throughout America we all have different values in either huskie football, high school football or professional football. The culture- values in different Americans throughout the world unites people of different race and backgrounds for every sport around the world. In football, fans come together to support and cheer on their favorite team. Some of us consider football as a â€Å"past time† while others see it as their profession and get paid millions of dollars each season. In professional football culture values plays a very important role. For example, last year’s super bowl season involved the New York Giants and New England Patriots which took place in Indianapolis, Indiana. With the majority of football fans watching Super Bowl Sunday there are a lot of money values that are involved. For example, all of the commercials, clothing, ticket sales, hotel reservations and gambling is a good way to add to the economy. Another subculture example, the way fans dress up for the game, different outfits, clothing and facial paintings all add different styles of value during Super Bowl Sunday. Football season has impacted my life a couple of different ways. First of all, it takes up a few hours of my time during my favorite teams’ game. Even though it takes a few hours out of my day on either Sunday or Monday it is still worth it. Secondly, having to spend time with family, friends, having a barbecue and drinking cold adult beverages is always a plus. Although professional football is considered very competitive sport among various teams we still have our own beliefs on how the game is played, how much we spend, what we wear, how we look and basically who we are surrounded by. At the end of the day, we are who we are and we all live differently around the world. Lower class, middle class or upper class, but we are still people with our own beliefs!

Online Dating sites Essay

You’ve heard of tinder, POF, christianmingle.com, and match.com. These websites claim to find you perfect matches. They say love is right around the corner with their website. These websites make it so you, the searcher, has the opportunity to meet tens of hundreds of women in search for that special person that will steal your heart. These dating sites have become huge in today’s society in meeting new people. Dating sites were a good idea back in the day. However, if you go to google and search the word online personals you will find the online dating scene has evolved. There are roughly 15 million so called dating sites today and that number rises daily. A law suit was filed against Yahoo a few years ago stating the web site deliberately and intentionally created false or non-existing profiles to make matches for their clients to keep them interested in the dating scene. Customers would pay a monthly fee to try and find their match or women of their dreams. Meanwhile, yahoo was making false profiles to make people believe they had finally found that special person or had a potential match and paying a fortune to keep them around. In 1996 Yahoo tried to get the courts to dismiss the complaint on grounds that it was barred by the CDA or Communications Decency Act. This act was the first notable attempt by the United States Congress to regulate pornographic material on the Internet. The courts rejected the argument and stated that yahoo would have to become an information content provider. (Miller, 2014) Another dating site by the name of Match.com had a similar lawsuit filed against them. This company however took it to the next level. The have hired employees who would do something called a date bait. These employees would send bogus emails back and forth with customers and would even go on actual dates with these people. An employee stated, â€Å"They had gone on as many as 300 dates a month.† The employees would do this to keep customers paying for the use of their website. (Miller, 2014) This lawsuit has yet to be resolved and Match.com remains the leading online matchmaker to this day. I had a friend who had just gotten out of a very long relationship and wanted to get back out there  and start dating. Her problem was she had been out of the dating scene for so long she honestly did not know where to even start. She decided she would try out one of these so called dating sites and see if they actually worked. She told me that she did the site for about two weeks. During these two weeks she received hundreds of messages from creepy guys looking to hook up. She told me, â€Å"Half of the guys I messaged weren’t even real people.† What she meant by this was that the people she messaged were automated, not real, and responded to every request they received to try and get money out of you. An article in the Huffington Post stated, â€Å"A model is suing Match.com for 1.5 million dollars.† The model is suing Match.com because the website allowed ove r 200 fake profiles be made using her pictures. The people creating these profiles with her pictures are talking to people and actually getting to know them and then asking them for money for multiple reasons. Some people are actually sending the money and being scammed as the person they are talking to is never heard from again. Online dating has evolved immensely since the 1990’s. It used to be a credible source to meet people and go on actual dates. Now a days, in the 2010’s, any mention of online dating is usually mentioned because someone tried scamming you out of money from Nigeria or some other country. Lawsuits are being filed all of the time on the websites because people are being scammed but the websites are winning because you agree to terms and agreements. What this does is make you, the customer, liable for any actions that partake after signing up for the website. In closing, the world of online dating is a scary one. It is quickly evolving into a large scam. Lawsuits are being filed daily against these sites but there is nothing that can be done as we, the customers, are at fault. People are never who they appear to be online. References Communications Decency Act. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2014, from http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Communications_Decency_Act.html Miller, R., & Miller, R. (2014). 12. In Business law today: Text & summarized cases : Diverse, ethical, online, and global environment (10th ed.). Mason, Ohio: South-Western Cengage Learning. Scherker, A. (2013, November 25). This Model Is Suing Match.com For $1.5 Billion. Retrieved November 16, 2014, from

The Roman Empire experienced a period of greatness before it Essay

The Roman Empire experienced a period of greatness before it eventually declined and fell in 476 A.D. Discuss the reasons for th - Essay Example Some reasons are definite and some remains a mystery. Among the greatest empires known is the Roman Empire and just like any other empire, it also experienced its rise, peak as well as its decline and fall. The Roman Empire began in 27 BC, coming after the Roman Republic which lasted for about five hundred years. It experienced great expansion and a burst of a rich culture. After many great years of rising to greatness in name and number, the Roman Empire began to decline. There were also a number of different grounds of its disintegration and eventually, its collapse and end. One of the supposed main reasons was the coming apart of the Roman Empire, separating and dividing the West and the East, which is also known as the Byzantium Empire. During its time, there were also more than a few civil wars that occurred repeatedly and frequently which caused disarray and unruliness in the people. Some of the Roman emperors like Commodus indulged in the life filled with immorality. He also p racticed violence, which brought about his murder and assassination. This resulted in the beginning of the collapse of the empire. The Roman people in the end lost their power and rule as barbaric groups and rebels in the North often assaulted and attacked. The Roman army started to become unfaithful and disloyal to the empire.

Tuesdays with Morrie Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Tuesdays with Morrie - Essay Example Morrie Schwartz was the best professor Mitch could ever ask for. He supplemented Mr. Albom with the knowledge and advices in life that will surely help the young one in his future. Their relationship was more of a father and a son than a teacher and a student. When Mitch Albom graduated, Professor Morrie was more than proud of his achievement and he was very happy to see him graduate. During his graduation, Professor Morrie Schwartz embraced Mitch Albom as he was even crying because he was so happy. He only had one wish from his beloved student and that is to keep in touch with even after leaving the school. Mitch Albom promised to do so but he never kept his project. Only after Mr. Albom came across his old professor in one of the television shows that he remembered he was not able to keep his promise and he missed to see Professor Morrie for a long time. When he had the guts to see his professor, he drove to where he lives and after 16 long years, he saw his professor again, now se riously ill with ALS. Professor Morrie was already deteriorating and he was almost too late to see his professor. Despite the long years of waiting for his student, Professor Schwartz was still very happy to see Mr. Albom. The two reunited and Mitch now seeks for his advice again regarding his life, his job and his family life. The professor was very eager to see his student listens again to him. Mitch Albom's life was not perfect and his relationship with his wife is greatly affected by his work. Meeting up with Prof. Morrie Schwartz every Tuesdays, Mitch Albom now became more aware of he missed out chasing the life he thought was what’s best for him and his wife. He now finds himself wondering if he is really happy with what he has and what he had become. He needed more time with his professor to enlighten him and answer his questions about life but he now has little time left with his professor. If only he chose to keep his promise and kept in touch with his professor, he might be happier with his life. He may have chosen a different path with his life. But nevertheless, he had the chance to makeup with the time lost with his dear professor. This is one lesson that we need to consider in our life. We must not take for the granted the important people in our lives. Although they will be there to help us and love us, we must also reciprocate everything and let them feel our love. There will be a lot of opportunities that will come for us as we live, it is very important that we will not take others for granted as we embrace these opportunities. According to Professor Morrie Schwarz, it is very important that we "Love each other or die." (p.163) Make the most of your life In the book, not only did Mr. Albom ditch his promise with Professor Morrie, he also keeps on failing his wife by not keeping his promise to her. Although he knew his wife will stick and wait for him every time he leaves for his job, he still barely spends time with her to check on her or make-up for his absence. His wife only asked for them to have a baby. And yet, for years they have been married, they still don’t have a baby. Time flies so fast and there is a great possibility that his wife will not become pregnant anymore. What will happen if this will be the case? We don’

Written Summary and Analysis of Assigned Readings Research Paper

Written Summary and Analysis of Assigned Readings - Research Paper Example The samples are divided into three starting with those who started schooling in the 1920. The assumption is that each person went to school for 12 years before they started working. Therefore, years of complete schooling in this analysis runs from 1932 to the year 1969 because the study runs twenty years of complete schooling. This is a correct choice of the sample because the group have finished with their schooling and many are running different jobs or employments. The research relies heavily on existing literature and research as one source of its data. The census statistics proved very important for this research because from it the researchers established a series of unrestricted earning-schooling model from sub samples drawn from it. Such census included the 1980 census, 1960, 1950, and 1940. Other data were obtained from the US office of education, which publishes a summary of the characteristics of the public schools system in each state. From state personal income, the study obtained average personal income per capita data used to indicate family background. In addition, statistical abstract of the US numbers 66, 75, and 85 provided data on median education of the parent’s generation. The main findings of this research were contrary to many other researches. Apparently, the research found out that there exist a positive relationship between quality of schooling and earnings. That is, school quality has an important effect on labour market performance but has no effect on standardised achievement tests. Therefore, labour market is a good yardstick of measuring the performance of education systems. I learnt some new information that the old system in the US required students to be in school for twelve years to start working unlike today when one can start earning quite early. Additionally, I was able to compare the earlier average pays of teachers with the current rates in the

Military Technology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Military Technology - Essay Example The internet and phones connect us to people who are thousands of miles away from us and have bonded people together as well as widening our view on staffs and made information even more accessible to persons. Evolution of technology has made life easier by saving lives via technological medical advances. Newer technological advances might lead to newer scientific discoveries. For instance, the developed DNA sequencing and copying technologies has led us into important breakthroughs in several areas of biology, specifically in reconstruction of evolutionary relationships amongst organisms. One might think the society is relying too much on it but that might be a good staff since that's the way our lives seems to be improving now thanks to technology (Hardy, 2002). Our everyday lives are spent surrounded by technology and technology not just being Xboxes and TVs. We heavily depend on cars, trains, and planes for transportation. The society also rely greatly on advancements in weaponry so us to keep the country safe. We spin around technology and it has enhanced our lives greatly. I think our everyday life would be miserable without evolution of technology. ... Moreover if you don’t own a recent one then it`s same as not owning one at all. With the evolution of technology, we are discovering new, and life altering ways to enhance research into many diverse fields which we use every single day. One of the most essential forms of research which with the aid of technology has assisted individuals worldwide is medical research. Devoid of the evolution of technology that the society has now, most of the treatments the society has for diseases, injuries and infections would have not been invented if the technology society has today did not exist. Human life spans would significantly be reduced, and they would not recover from diseases, injuries or infection the way they are able to now. Less harmful infections and injuries would be more serious and might not heal as they do. Diseases too would be way more deadly than they are currently (Jaeger & Bowman, 2005). A good example of how society is dependent on the current technology to assist p eople as well as make huge improvements on illnesses is evidenced in reliance on artificial limbs to make life easier. The continued funding of NASA( National Aeronautics and Space Administration), together with its combined innovations in shock-absorption and robotics materials are inspiring and allowing the private sector to generate new and better solutions to animal and human prostheses. Advancements for instance Environmental Robots Inc.’s improvement of artificial muscle systems that has actuation capabilities and robotic sensing for use in extravehicular activities and space robotic of NASA are being adapted to generate a very functionally dynamic artificial limbs. Technology also make our lives easier and that of society through improving the transport sector.

Dynamic Regression A Simulation Exercise Math Problem

Dynamic Regression A Simulation Exercise - Math Problem Example From the chart it is also the drop is also evident in the market and MOTOR returns and this shows that a drop in the market returns will also signify a drop in the returns of the stocks in the market. Finally from the chart it is evident that there was a decline in the market returns in 1987 showing that returns for the other stocks also declined. We use 120 0bservations to estimate the model estimate the model rjt = j + jrmt + Ujt for both stocks, we use MOTOR return data for the year 1976 to 1985, after estimation sung the TSM software the results show that rjt = 0.00255 + 0.7193 rmt the above model means that is we hold all factors constant and the market return level is equal to zero then the MOTOR stock return will be 0.00255, also if we hold all factors constant and we increase the market return level by one unit then the MOTOR stock return level will increase by 0.7193 units. ... The above model means that is we hold all factors constant and the market return level is equal to zero then the GPU stock return will be 0.00063, also if we hold all factors constant and we increase the market return level by one unit then the GPU stock return level will increase by 0.4297 units. The R squared for this model is 0.0854and this means that 8.54% of deviations in the dependent variable are explained by the independent variable. The correlation of determination R squared value for this model depicts a weak relationship between the explanatory variable and the dependent variable. Hypothesis testing: We test hypothesis for the estimated coefficients in the two models, MOTOR model: rjt = 0.00255 + 0.7193 rmt MOTOR model Constant: Null hypothesis: = 0 Alternative hypothesis 0 Standard error: 0.00737 Coefficient: 0.00255 T calculated = 0.00255 / 0.00737 = 0.34599 T critical at 95% level of test = 1.95996 When the T calculated value is less than the T critical value we accept the null hypothesis, in the above case therefore we accept the null hypothesis that = 0 and therefore the constant is not statistically significant at 95% level of test. Motor Model Slope: Null hypothesis: = 1 Alternative hypothesis: 1 Standard error: 0.12481 Coefficient: 0.7193 T calculated = 1- 0.7193/ 0.12481= 2.249 T critical at 95% level of test = 1.95996 When the T calculated value is greater than the T critical value we reject the null hypothesis, in the above case therefore we reject the null hypothesis that = 0 and therefore the constant is statistically significant at 95% level of test. GPU model: rjt = 0.00063 + 0.4297 rmt GPU model Constant: Null hypothesis: = 0 Alternative hypothesis 0 Standard error: 0.00841 Coefficient: 0.00063

Buyer behaviour and market research Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Buyer behaviour and market research - Assignment Example Consumer buying behavior is determined by what the consumers buy, how they do it, the time they purchase and why they purchase it (John & Jagdish, 1969). The study brings together psychology, sociology, and economics in order to understand the consumer decision making process as an individual or as a group of people (John & Jagdish, 1969). The theory also explains characteristics such as demographics, and behavioral variables of every buyer. It also tries to find out the influences the consumer might get from the family members, society, and peer groups when they want to buy. Buyers are not aware of many products and their usage in the market but they keep on choosing from different products. In many occasion, consumers buy new products without having knowledge on the product. When new products are introduced into the market, it is hard for the consumers to understand about the product and it is always hard for the consumers to access the information. If a new product is introduced, the consumers will respond depending on the product reliability and quality. In UK and US, Taste and preferences, culture, psychology of the consumers, social, personality and mode of communication is different. In US, internet has become the main source of marketing; many consumers go to social websites such as Face book and yahoo to find new products and compare the prices with similar products. The cream manufacturer should adopt the UK mode of marketing that is normally done through TV and radio, display, and poster advertisement. This will reach many people very fast unlike the social website which is not trusted b y many people. More advertisement and product promotion should be directed towards women since over 70% of household purchasing is influenced by women unlike in US where the household purchases are influenced by every family

The Crusaders and the Church Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Crusaders and the Church - Research Paper Example Neither can the writings of apostles and church fathers (prosecuted by Romans) be the departure point for analysis2. It is evident by now, that there are differences in three aforementioned texts and moral approaches, and the task of researcher is to clarify the motives behind different rhetorical strategies rather than search for positive models of behavior. The Main Controversy It was no secret for medieval church leaders that peaceful message of the New Testament was not appropriate for preaching in their violent world3. Moreover, there has always been an opposition to calls for the butchery of infidels: for example, Charlemagne was opposed y such influential figures as Alcuin of York and John Scot Erigena4. It was not until the 11th century AC that violent practices actually won full legitimacy in the church writings5. Moreover, those who came to battles fully realized what a demanding task it was, often spiritual rather than physical. For many knights, especially the participant s of the first crusades, the march was a form of religious initiation and repentance performed with prayers, fasts, and vows6. The difference is striking: one group of people, the clergy, was legally prohibited to take part in the crusades7; the spiritual leaders were against the murders or at least saw the controversy. Another group, the knights and the people of lower social classes helping them, did not feel that wars for the cross were controversial. That is how with the advent of the new influential social strata new morality code appeared in the already multifaceted Christian worldview. This new morality deserves more detailed examination. The Knighthood Phillips observes that the pope Urban II (who inspired the First Crusade) was sensitive to the needs of the new social class of war aristocracy, as the pope himself came from the like circles: He linked several ingredients familiar to medieval society, such as pilgrimage and the idea of a holy war against the enemies of God, w ith an unprecedented offer of salvation, a combination almost guaranteed to enthuse the warriors of western Europe8. Another accepted practice of this class was vengeance, which ideally corresponded the mission of the crusaders and echoed the Old Testament9. Many knights were pious and perceived their war service as a kind of spiritual mission. The examples was the knight Matthew described by Guibert of Nogent10. The customs like throwing away weapons after the crusade, fasting before serious military missions, temporary celibate and making testaments before departure was widespread throughout the whole history of crusades11. The very idea of abandoning home and family for the unknown future, the voluntary exile was in line with the practices of self-humiliation more appropriate for monks12. Still, even those monastic practices were not ‘innocent’ in class terms: they testified that the knighthood takes part in the crusades voluntarily and autonomously, unlike the parti cipants of most holy wars around the world (this is the reason why Riley-Smith distinguishes the ‘holy war’ aspect of crusades from the ‘penitential’ aspect)13. However, not all the knights were pious in this monastic sense. There is plenty of evidence of their greed, hedonism, and cruelty. A notorious example was Hugh, count of Avranches (11th century AC), a glutton, a butcher, and a typical representative of â€Å"

Leadership Scenario Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Leadership Scenario - Essay Example Various leadership theories will help in increasing the productivity and maximizing the benefits of innovation and gaining competitive advantage over its competitors. The study will try to solve various managerial issues related to the case study with the guidance of varied leadership theories and models. The case study deals with the complexities faced by two employees in departmental store working under two separate heads. The author of the study will also lay emphasis on the different working procedures of the managers and its impact on the performance of the employees. The study will give an insight into components of leadership theories like transformational, path goal, equity and need goal theory. Finally, the study will conclude recommendations of leadership theories which will help in improvement of performance of the employees and also increase their morale. (b) Case 1: Transformational leadership It is observed that the two departmental store workers Alex and Stephanie work under different managers. It is also observed that the leadership and managerial traits exhibited by these two managers are absolutely distinctive from each other and their impact on the work performance of the employees is absolutely different from each other. ... This allows her to test her creativity skills and also improve her interaction skills communicating largely with the customers and colleagues. However, Alex has been working continuously in single department for weeks which has increased his dissatisfaction and lowered his morale considerably. It is evident from the case study that Dan exhibits an autocratic leadership style which has not only promoted a non congenial work atmosphere but also has lowered the moral of Alex. Transformational leadership style will help the employees to become more active due to their inner motivation, which is triggered by the managers (Hautala, 2006). Transformational leadership theory is directly related to higher productivity, lower employee turnover rates and increasing the morale of the employees. Transformational leadership includes components of charismatic, inspirational leadership, individualized consideration and intellectual stimulation (Ozaralli, 2003). This theory would serve purposeful in enhancing the personality of the managers by enhancing their personality and improving their attitude. Transformational leadership would help in improving the managerial situation and help Dan to portray a positive attitude (Godwin, Neck & Houghton, 2000). It would help Dan to improve his mentality and also he may think of providing rewards, incentives to the employees working under him including Alex. (c) Case 2: Goal Setting Theory Alex has been working in the stocking department since a long time, which has not only created monotonous, dissatisfaction within him but has also instilled negative attitude in him. Unlike, Stephanie, Alex is dissatisfied with his work procedure and is reluctant to resolve his potential issues with his immediate manager. It is evident

Online vs. Brick and Mortar Shopping Essay Example for Free

Online vs. Brick and Mortar Shopping Essay Abstract It seems that many of us are discovering a new and more convenient way of shopping, and this would be online. Online shopping has become a major way of making purchases today, and it seems to offer everything that your local department, grocery, or drug store does, only with more convenience. On the other hand, there are those â€Å"Die-Hard† shoppers who would rather pound the pavement and deal with the hustle and bustle of the crowds, either because of habit or tradition. The â€Å"Brick-and-Mortar† shoppers are the most common folk, who wouldn’t have it any other way, because to them there’s just something about personally choosing the items that they are purchasing. The online shopper seems to be less particular, when it comes to online shopping; you have to have a certain amount of faith in certain web sites when buying anything from items for the home to clothing. Online vs. Brick-and-Mortar shopping seem to be two ways of doing the same thing. Although online shopping takes a little more time for the consumer to receive their purchase(s), many people don’t seem to mind because of the convenience of it all. They seem to accept the risks that go along with it, and some of the risks could include getting the wrong size, color, or an item that doesn’t work properly. An item can always be shipped back, and we can wait on either another product or a refund, which can cause some inconvenience. When the â€Å"Brick-and-Mortar shoppers make their purchases, most of them are satisfied, because they have made the decision to take the time to personally inspect and admire their item(s) personally, and if something is not quite right, they have the option of returning to the store and waiting in line for customer service to either refund or exchange their item(s). It seems that there can be some inconvenience with  whatever method of shopping you choose. When you think of making a purchase, part of the excitement is in choosing your items personally, and you want to do that first hand and in person. There also leaves room for a chance meeting with friends and acquaintances, which open the opportunity for reconnecting and catching up on old times. If you choose to shop online, you won’t have that opportunity because computers don’t have that capability. To the Brick-and-Mortar shoppers, it’s just a way of life, and a part of living and staying socially connected to the happenings in the community. This can be an adventure or a task; it all just depends on the circumstances and the situation. Online shopping enables retailers to display merchandise which can be seen by people all around the globe, which wouldn’t have been possible in the case of visiting a store. Nevertheless, there are a series of disadvantages attached to the worldwide online shopping as well. For example, one of the main flaws is represented by security issues. Some of the advantages of traditional or â€Å"Brick-and-Mortar† shopping, are that you get what you see with no hitches, so you know if it’s right for you. It also gets you out of the house and if you are walking it keeps you fit. Some of the disadvantages to traditional shopping are that you might have to travel long lengths which cost more money, as Internet shopping can get delivered to your door. Sometimes you may have to look through almost every shop to get what you want, therefor on the Internet you type exactly what you need. While online shopping might be the right choice for purchasing some items, there are those items that require a more personal touch, such as clothing, personal items, food, and in some cases the medications that we take, all of these things require personal attention. To the Brick-and-Mortar shopper, they wouldn’t have it any other way because shopping is like an adventure that you don’t want anyone else to go on but yourself. When we choose to do our shopping online, it just seems that we are becoming less social and less active in our communities. When you go out and patronize your local department, grocery, or drug stores there’s something about feeling connected and a part of something. Online shopping has changed people’s lives, some people today only purchase online. For some, their geographic location makes a trip to the store almost impossible. Fortunately, the  Internet is both a time saver and a cost comparison opportunity, where you can frequently find not only what you are looking for, but also get the best prices (including shipping) by doing a little shopping comparison. Basically, the retailer today needs to focus on what all worldwide online shopping is offering to a customer. This would include an abundance of information besides perfect price transparency. Also on offer are a bouquet of special deals and much more. Retailers relying on the earlier formats will have to either adapt to this change or they will die out, since the new ones will pull volume from their stores and take away their profitability. Today the economic reality is well established that e-commerce is reaching for a much larger share in retail revenue. When we purchase items right now because we just can’t wait it is called â€Å"Hyperbolic Discounting†, it’s when you prefer an option that arrives sooner than later. Fortunately, this is one of the biases that you can really fight against. If you start comparing prices before you are actually in a store, you have a better chance of putting everything on the same delivery timeline. Two day shipping from Amazon to save fifty percent sounds very good when you’re sitting at your computer and thinking about the commute to the store. If you know the variation on prices beforehand, you’re more likely not to worry about getting it immediately. While some of us choose to do our shopping the traditional way, which means getting out there and dealing with the long lines and the crowds, all in for the sake of tradition or habit, there are those who choose to do their shopping online, which is more â€Å"Convenient†. It all boils down to the choices that we make, and our personal preference. This could lead us to believe that we may be becoming less social creatures, and if we really reflect on it, we might be. In the case of online vs. brick-and-mortar shopping and which is best, I would have to say that it’s a matter of choice. References Bibliography answers.com. (2012). online shopping. articlesfactory.com. (2012). Online shopping. .

The Anglo French Concorde Project

The Anglo French Concorde Project 1.1) Introduction Faster than the speed of sound comes the plane of the future. It has cost at least fifteen times the original estimates. It is described as a commercial disaster by a review committee of one of the countries that built it. It is besieged by the environmentalists. The Concorde is the benighted offspring of Anglo-French diplomacy and once-and-future dreams of glory in the skies. Now its builders are trying to keep it from crashing in a sea of red ink (Gillman 1977). Concorde was one of the greatest man made engineering design projects of the twentieth century. It was made by the successful handshake between British Aerospace and French Aerospatiale and was therefore termed as the Anglo-French collaboration. Their engineers and designers had put lot of hard work in producing the worlds first supersonic passenger aircraft, which can fly with the speed twice as much of the sound. It was so fast that it could cover the distance between London and New York in almost 3 hours (Design Museum 2006). In 1962, when the project began, its expected cost was between  £150 and  £170 million. It took nearly 20 years to put in front the first ever supersonic aircraft, which was quite efficient than the normal jet planes. Concorde had a take-off speed of 250mph and cruising speed of 1350mph at a height up to 60,000 feet. During its 27 years of service, it was considered as the economic pride for both the nations and also made emotional attachments with the people as it made them cherish, whenever they spotted it in the sky (Design Museum 2006). It was a 2 billion pound project started in 1962 and was completed in 1976. There were a total of 20 Concorde constructed: 14 for commercial service development and 6 for development. The key features about Concorde, was its Delta wings, pinpoint movable nose and sonic boom. Its wings were made by French, engines by British, the centre section by French and the middle section by the British; therefore it was a total collaboration between the 2 nations. It was an aircraft built for the people to whom Time is Money like big Celebrities. But was also protested by some people due to the amount of noise pollution it causes during its flight. In 1990 it earned a profit of almost 20 million pound a year and was considered as one of the safest aircraft and had become peoples attraction (BBC-The Concorde Story 2001). But on 25th July 2000 Concorde had its first massive crash killing about 113 people and all the 100 passengers including the crew members. Thus the aircraft lost its majesty as the peoples confidence on it was shattered and were frightened to fly. Later after much of the investigations the Concorde was finally grounded in both the nations because of the safety reasons stating that there were some design flaws in its construction. Thus it was the end of the 27 years of great service that this aircraft has provided (BBC-The Concorde story 2001). 2) Stakeholder Analysis Stakeholders are any individual, group or an organisation that has demonstrable interest in the outcome of the project. They are the people who actually participate in the project and are actually affected by its results. So, the most critical task of a project is to identify its stakeholders as this would help to predict the demands of the stakeholders which would help in running the project successfully. The following analysis is done by using the STEEPLE model (Mansfield 2008). The major stakeholders concerned with the Concorde project are as follows: 2.1) Environmentalists: Concorde was considered as an environmental disaster as it degrades the ozone layer and thereby lets the suns rays to enter into the environment, which ultimately cause diseases like skin Cancer etc. And the amount of noise that it produces was also intolerable for the human ears and not suitable for the people living nearby. Also, Concorde often creates a shockwave, which is actually a sonic boom and so if it passes over the populated areas, then it could also shake buildings, break glasses and can cause harm to the eardrums which often made people angry. Therefore it was routed only over oceans (Scott 1997, Happenheimer 2008). Their attitude was like Terrorists towards the project. (Mansfield 2008). 2.2) British and French Government: It was recognized as a powerful symbol of ultra modern technology and was considered as a symbol of national pride to most of the people in Britain and France As before this, only USA and Russia were the superior leaders in making of the supersonic aircrafts. So, the British and French wanted to make an aircraft more powerful and faster. This made both the countries to collaborate with each other in the interest of economy and efficiency .So, it was a clean chit given to it by the French and the British government without looking at the economical and environmental effects. Thus an agreement was formed between them as an Anglo-French collaboration. Also they had to overcome with the culture and language barrier, which was also a big challenge (Knowledgerush.com 2003, Design Museum 2006, Beginnings 2008). Their attitude was like Saviour towards the project (Mansfield, 2008). 2.3) Economists: It was considered as an economic white elephant (Owen 2001: 8). It was also considered as a economic disaster as it was failed to complete within the time specified as it got passed the original estimate by millions. The air routes above the sea level also causes intolerable effects to the people living nearby, because of the amount of noise it creates. Another factor that made it uneconomic was that it required heavy fuel consumption as it was launched when the fuel crises was at its highest peak, therefore it was unable to enter into the lucrative trans-pacific market. Thus all these factors like production delays, noise pollution, increase in price of fuel due to its shortage has made the task of selling it more difficult and due to its unaffordable cost, many airports have refused to buy a Concorde. Therefore it was difficult to operate it on an economic standpoint (BBC News 1969, Arnold 2003). Their attitude was like Irritant towards the project. (Mansfield 2008). 2.4) Local Population: The Concorde became the peoples attraction and was residing in almost every heart because of its beauty as well as its speed. It was a marvellous aircraft which belong less to the modern world than to the future. In its 27 years of commercial service, it became one of the best loved engineering design projects of the 20th century. It carried out an example of technological brilliance. The people were so emotionally attached with it, that when they saw it in the sky, they used to cherish a lot by taking photographs of it. Overall it was considered as a safe plane by the people. As it was considered as a national symbol so it made them get closer and gave them an exciting sensation (Design Museum 2006). Their attitude was like Acquaintance towards the project. (Mansfield 2008). 2.5) Stars and Businessman: Concorde was a great boon to them as faster the speed less the time and time is money for them, and if a plane is fulfilling and actually implementing that concept so it was the only medium that they were looking for, which actually they got it in the form of Concorde, which was providing them speed, which was twice the speed of sound and also the comfort that the businessman requires (Supersonic proving, 2008, BBC-The Concorde Story 2001). Their attitude was like Friend towards the project. (Mansfield 2008). 2.6) Global Population: People in Antarctica and other countries were protesting against this project as the amount of noise it generates was intolerable for them and also the speed with which it goes by creating the sonic beam i.e. it pushes the air out by creating a shockwave, which can cause disturbance to the people living in populated areas. So, it was highly opposed by them. Their attitude was like Irritant towards the project (Mansfield 2008). 2.7) Global Government: countries like India ,Russia and Africa didnt allowed this aircraft to reach there because of its certain flaws like noise pollution and depletion of ozone layer done by it, which can cause harmful affects to the human body. Their attitude caused Concordes route to be limited to some places only. Their attitude was like Irritant towards the project (Mansfield 2008). 2.8) Americans and Soviet Union: They were the main rivals for the Concorde project. There were many people in United States who were willing to bubble out the Concordes network to expand due to its noise and environmental pollution. US had a fear that if, Concorde would be able to capture the market forecast for supersonic transport, then USA would be forced to surrender world civil transport leadership and also to face payment deficits (Owen 2001:143pg). Their attitude was like Timebomb towards the project (Mansfield, 2008). Based on the above analysis, I have made a mapping of the stakeholders according to their Level of Interest and Level of Power. L E V E L O F I N T E R E S T LEVEL OF POWER LOW HIGH LOW Local public Stars and businessman Economists HIGH Global public Global government British and French Govt. Environmentalist Americans and Soviet Union Figure: Stakeholder Mapping (Mansfield 2008). According to the above mapping, we can summarize it in the form of Stakeholders Analysis: Stakeholders Analysis Stakeholder Groups Interest Power Environmentalist High High British and French Government High High Economists High Medium Local Public Low Low Stars and businessman High Low Global Public Medium High Americans and Soviet Unions High High Global government Low High 3) Financial slippage Slippage is a minute delay in the progress of a project. If its a single one then it can be managed but it becomes a combination of many slippages then it is often difficult to manage as it becomes overwhelming. So, its the responsibility of all the people associated with the project to report any slippage, no matter how small it is. There were certain reasons behind the financial slippage of the Concorde project: 3.1) Lack of commitment to the Project: There was an overall lack of commitment in the project. The original estimate that was made was around  £150 million for 4 years. But in 1963, when first major design took place then there was first official appraisal of costs which was raised to  £275 million compared with the maximum estimate of  £95 million. Then there was an additional redesign in 1965, where by 1966 the costs were given as  £45 million. As, the effort progressed, there was some problems related to the payload, which represented only 6% of the overall plane weight. As each time the design hurdle increased, the percentage was further reduced. As the original payload was for 150 passengers but was soon reduced to 130. But by 1968, it was observed that it was unattainable so they had to once again design the fuselage, undercarriage and wings. In 1969, due to redesigning, the cost rose up to  £730 million. And finally by 1975 the cost rose to  £1096 million, with a total of around 100 seats (Gillman 1977). 3.2) Too frequent changes: The rise in the cost of Concorde, was not because of the inaccurate estimation of the investors but it was because of increase in inflation rate which was around 37%, 31% due to the change in specifications; and nearly 20%on the new technology. Thus, they had to pay extra cost for reserved resources and have to make modifications in it according to the situation (The Concorde Project 1974). 3.3) Waste of time and resources: As during the making of Concorde, the time and resource management were not given more importance. Knowing that the plane having 4 engines could cause harm to the environment, they were continually investing on it. According to Journalist Mary Goldring, Concorde was a waste of resources on her understanding of airlines at the time which questioned if signing up to Concorde would be financially viable. She says that the project was a waste of time and a waste of resources (Goldring 2008). 3.4) Unrealistic targets objectives: In 1962, when the collaboration between the two nations began, it was estimated to cost between  £150 and  £170 million and for making this huge supersonic aircraft they planned just 4 years as a deadline. But actually, this project was so complex that it took much longer time and cost (Design Museum 2006). 3.5) Inadequate Resources: There was a lack of firm orders, which made workers to believe that their jobs are at risk and enable them to turn out the available work as long as possible. 3.6) Costs of being late 3.6.1) Loss of reputation: During the start of the Anglo-French collaboration, several airlines from different parts of the world, expressed their interest in ordering Concorde. But due to its periodically increasing cost and increasing price, almost all of them stepped back and by the end of its development only two airlines were left to buy planes for a mammoth cost of  £23 million each. They were the two respective national carriers, British Airways and Air France (Design Museum 2006, Gillman 1977). 3.6.2) Extra cost for retained resources: It was developed at the time when the inflation rate was about 37% so ultimately cost of the booked resources also got higher. Thus, the project managers had to put extra cost into it (The Concorde Project 1974). 3.6.3) Maintaining existing equipment to extend its life: As after its development and running for several years, it had no supersonic competitors. So, there was no pressure to improve Concorde or to make investments in new sub-contractors and suppliers. As a result of that the maintenance expenditure had risen progressively, which made it impossible to take a flight because of the increasing expenses. Therefore on April 10 2003, both Air France and British Airways announced that they were withdrawing Concorde from service by the end of year. And finally on 24th October 2003, Concorde retired, being acknowledged as the fastest passenger aircraft in the world (Design Museum 2006). 4) Project Management Methodology Every Project which is going to implement is associated with some particular types of risks. These risks cannot be overlooked but can be reduced to some extent. Thus, we can foresee and avoid these risks by doing proper doing Risk Analysis. 4.1) Risk Analysis Risk Analysis is the systematic use of the available information in determining the occurrence of specific events and characterizing the risks involved in it (Mansfield 2008). Risk Analysis also helps in judging the impact of those risks on the project which may bring either positive or negative effect on the execution of it Several risks and their avoidance are given below Risk Description/Prevention Probability (1-5) [P] Severity (1-5) [S] Score [PxS] Financial Risks Description As per the case study, the project must be completed with the total budget of  £150 million. So, if the project is not completed in specified budget then it can cause the budget to go high resulting in a big loss. Prevention To avoid over budgeting, they must always need to have an eye on their budget. 4 4 16 Political/ Legal Risks Description Usually due to the Governments instability there is always a risk associated with the project. As if the government changes, then it can also result in the loss of contract. Prevention There must be proper deed, stating the security of the order, which can be helpful in minimizing these types of risk. 4 3 12 Scope creed Risks Description This risk is due to poor management and unpredicted moves in the target. This can cause lack of communication between the peers and the higher management Prevention There must be an effective communication channel between the employees of the company. 3 3 9 Environmental Risks Description Natural disasters like noise pollution, earthquakes etc can sometimes obstruct the progress of the project. So, the Concorde project must take all these factors into consideration, as it can lead to loss of money, material and time. Prevention Before proceeding with the project, analysis about its environmental impact must be done. 3 5 15 Technical Risks Description As a project involves different types of technologies, so while designing a product, technical risks must be kept in mind. As one failure can cause redesigning of the product and thereby increase in its manufacturing cost. Prevention To avoid any failure, each step towards the progress must be taken with proper assistance of the supervisor and higher officials. 3 4 12 Quality Risks Description As it was an Anglo-French collaboration, to design the worlds fastest passenger Aircraft, so they need to put lots of efforts in giving out a quality product. If the quality is poor, then they have to suffer from huge losses. Prevention Good quality and environment feasible aircrafts should be made so as to avoid loss of reputation and also several quality checks must be planned on timely basis, so as to avoid any problem. 3 2 6 Time Schedule Risk Description As per the case study, the Concorde project must be completed in 4 years of time. So, if the project is not completed in specified time then it can cause various hurdles and barriers in getting the orders from different airlines and also their payments. Prevention To prevent this to happen, a proper schedule must be prepared, so as to avoid redundant delays. It should be created in such a way that the activities that are more complex and time consuming should be done first. 4 4 16 5) Success and failure of the project 5.1) Success The meaning of success: It is an axiomatic that the goal of project management is to be successful; otherwise the incurring of this management overhead, and the training of staff to do it is a valueless exercise. (Knutson 2001:356pg). If a project doesnt meet all its objectives or achieve its certain objectives, does not mean that the project was a failure. It is also about whether what you are doing is infact the right thing to do (Knutson 2001:356pg). Though, the projects success is not only defined in terms of acceptability of the project deliverables like scope, quality, etc., but also in terms of the internal processes like time, cost, efficiency etc. Thus, success must always be assessed in terms of its contribution to the organisation that is doing the project. It is a multidimensional construct, which means different things to different people (Knutson 2001:356pg). There are four dimensions of success in which the project can be related 5.1.1) Project efficiency: Concorde project was considered as a success because it succeeded in providing the high standards of comfort to the passengers and provided them deluxe travel experience. It was hailed for its beauty and speed and it seemed to belong more to the future than to the modern world. During its 27 years of flying, over 2.5 million passengers have enjoyed the unique experience of travelling at a speed which is twice the speed of sound. Thus, it was quite efficient in reducing the time of the flight. As it made people to fly from London to New York in less than 3 hours. Even though the project was completed well out of its estimated budget but still it was recognized as a powerful symbol of ultra modern technology and was considered as a symbol of national pride to most of the people in Britain and France. Thus, the project was efficient in proving the needs and giving a promising start to the people (Design Museum 2006, Rowell 2008, Knowledgerush.com 2003). 5.1.2) Impact on customer: The Concorde had a great positive impact on the customers. It became the peoples attraction right from its first flight and captured itself into the peoples heart. It was considered as a beautiful, marvellous aircraft because of its quality service and the speed with which it travels. Due to this feature, it provides hours of extra time to the passengers, for some extra amount. It was more meant for the people, who were less fare-conscious, but more time conscious and they welcome those extra hours like stars, as for them Time is Money. Thus, Concorde made a strong emotional relation with the people, which often made them cheer whenever they spotted it in the sky (Supersonic Proving 2008, Design Museum 2003). 5.1.3) Business and direct success: As Concorde was cherished and loved by all the people so it was regarded as a successful project. Although it was an over budget project which took large amount of money and time in its completion, yet it was successful in giving out the final model of a supersonic aircraft, which can actually fly with the speed twice as much of the sound. On an average Concorde earned a profit of about  £30-50 Million per year for British Airways from the first class passengers. British Airways reportedly received  £1.75 Billion in revenue for Concorde services against an operating cost of around  £1 Billion. However, Air France made a much smaller profit with respect to that of British Airways (Concorde FAQ 2008). 5.1.4) Preparing the future: Concorde had no supersonic competitors, so its maintenance costs was raised steadily, which made BA and manufacturers to discuss about the maintenance programs, if they wanted the aircraft to continue the service. Finally it was decided to ground the aircraft, because of the increasing maintenance cost (Design Museum 2006). Thus, BAs chief executive Rod Eddington said: Concorde has served us well and we are extremely proud to have flown this marvellous and unique aircraft for the past 27 years (Concorde grounded for good 2003). So, even though it was retired, it was still considered as a Success. 5.2) Failure of the project A failure is caused if there is an inconsistency in its specification right before the beginning of the project and that inconsistency is overlooked. It can also be caused due to unrealistic and conflicting objectives. It is often caused due to poor planning and management, lack of understanding of contract strategy and process and underestimating costs to get the project to be approved (Mansfield 2008). The Concorde project was a failureà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ As technically the project was considered as powerful symbol of very modern technology, but it had more of the negative effects than the positive in terms of: 5.2.1) Environmental Feasibility: According to Environmental Scientists, the Concorde flights causes erosion to the ozone layer, which ultimately causes the incidences of skin cancer and also the noise it produces when it passes by was absolutely intolerable for human beings. Also it produces a shock wave, which tends to shake buildings, break glasses and can often cause damage to the ear drums. This made other airlines also to move backwards, in buying this disastrous aircraft, as during the beginning of this project they showed their keen interest in ordering it. Thus, it was considered as environmental disaster (Scott 1997). 5.2.2) Uneconomic: As per economic point of view it was considered as an economic disaster. The project took large amount of time and cost in its completion. As it had a range of around 4,143 miles and has a capability to carry 26,286 gallons of fuel, which was around 5,638 gallons of fuel during each hour of flight. This can be calculated as 6 gallons of fuel for every mile and also 1 gallon of fuel can take 1 passenger 16.7 miles only. So, none of the airlines wanted to by Concorde because of the shortage of fuel and rapid increase in its price (Rowell 2008, Design Museum 2006). This was also quoted by Journalist Mary Goldring in a way that: While the venture might be impressive technically, it would in fact prove to be a hugely expensive mistake. As the plane takes its final commercial flights, she says she was proved right. (Goldring, 2008). 5.2.3) Cost Inefficient: There were lots of financial problems associated with this project. It was the project that was started in 1960, with cost estimation between about  £150 million and  £170 million. Of which, France had to complete 60% of work on airframe and 40% of the engine and remaining was to be completed by Britain. But the development was so complicated that it took far more cost and time (Design Museum, 2006). As with the increase in inflation rate which was around 37%, 31% due to the change in specifications; and nearly 20% on the new technology, which made its estimated cost much higher, nearly double, and ultimately Britain fell into the financial crises. Then Britains new prime minister, Harold Wilson tried to cancel the partnership but he couldnt do it as France could collect the funds from London as a charge of breaking the partnership, so fearing from that, he continued the partnership. Therefore the project cost went up year by year causing the project to be over budget (The Concorde project 1974, Happenheimer 2008). 5.2.4) Commercial Impact: As per commercial point of view, the Concorde project was also a failure. Various factors like: The production delays, the environmental pollution, the shortage of fuel and its rapid increase in price, had made the selling of the aircraft more complicated, which was due to the cost estimate of  £20 million that made it quite expensive for the other aircrafts to buy. Thus at last only two of the airlines wished to buy the plane, were the 2 respective national carriers, British Airways and Air France. Thus, it had very limited routes to cover as it was opposed by almost all the nations (Gillman 1977). In a statement, BA said Concorde would cease flying in the autumn because of commercial reasons, with passenger revenue falling steadily against a backdrop of rising maintenance costs for the aircraft (Concorde grounded for good 2003). As the price of fuel was increasing, so was maintenance cost of the aircraft. So, continuing the service with Concorde was increasingly expensive. From this statement: BA has decided that such an investment cannot be justified in the face of falling revenue caused by a global downturn in demand for all forms of premium travel in the airline industry. (Concorde grounded for good 2003). It is clear that, it was no longer profitable, therefore British Airways and Air France decided to retire the renowned aircraft after 27years of its service. 5.2.5) Lack of coordination of activities: The Concorde project also had several problems related to their jobs, resources, orders and cultures like the languages and tradition of the people from Britain and France. And it is clear from the following statements. This statement shows that there was a risk about the future of the project in the mind of the workers. The PM was told by the Department of Trade and Industry, The main reasons are all too clear. A lack of firm orders, and a consequent belief by the workers that their jobs are at risk, causes them to spin out the available work as long as possible (BBC News 2004). The following statement shows that there was no communication medium between the managerial hierarchies. The number of people deployed on the project steadily increased to nearly 50,000. Most of these thousands were able to get on with their work without reference to anyone except their immediate superiors. But their efforts could only be effective so long as there was coordinated direction at the top and close liaison at all executive levels throughout the international organization (Beginnings 2008). These all factors made the project to lack in coordination of activities. 5.2.6) Successive slippages: The Concorde project was considered as the project with many continuous slippages, which made the project to go out of control, which ultimately made it to cross the barriers of its estimated time and cost. As it was scheduled to complete in 4 years of time with the budget of about  £150 million but it actually took 14 years with the increased budget of  £1096 million. It was all due to lack of planning as their milestone was quite blurred and were not set accurately. And also the reason behind their continuous slippage was continuous change in the design and inadequate objectives, which was the ultimate reason for its slippage (Wysocki 2007:331pg, Mansfield 2008). 6) Conclusion According to me the Concorde Project was a Failure Concorde was the first supersonic aircraft to travel with the speed twice as that of the sound, which offers its passengers the ultimate travel experience. And based in this quality it became the peoples attraction and was considered as the safest and luxurious plane ever made. During its 27 years of service, it provided unique experience of travelling faster to more than 2.5 million people. Thus, it was considered as a symbol of national pride to most of the people in Britain and France. However, only fast travelling is not the only factor which declares it as a success. There are certain other factors in which this project was a complete disaster. First of all, the Concorde aircraft was an economic disaster as it was outdated and incredibly fuel inefficient plane. Also it was too costly for any normal airline operations to buy it. And as this aircraft was unique and had no competitors, so its cost of maintenance was rising was increasing year by year. Thus, keeping the aircraft in service would be quite expensive for the British government. Therefore they took the brave decision to finally ground this aircraft and keep it out of service. Another factor was its hazardous impact on the Environment. While flying, it often causes erosion of the ozone layer, which gives rise to various diseases like skin cancer. And also the amount of noise that it produces was intolerable for the human ears. Also it produces a shock wave which can cause damage to the ear drums, shake buildings and break glasses. Therefore it was not possible for it to fly over cities and towns. Th

Understanding The Concepts Of Green Chemistry Environmental Sciences Essay

Understanding The Concepts Of Green Chemistry Environmental Sciences Essay Our environment, which is endowed by nature, needs to be protected from ever increasing chemical pollution associated with contemporary lifestyles and emerging technologies. India, 2nd largest producer of pesticides and ranked 12th in pharmaceutical production, is fast emerging as top 5 player in selected petrochemicals. The challenge for the institution and industries is to come together and pursue development in the field of greener chemistry by reducing or eliminating the use and generation of hazardous substances. We have organized a national and an international symposium for promoting Green Chemistry in India, which has provided the platform for interaction of concepts among the leading scientist. Moreover a refresher course of three weeks for college teachers on eco-friendly chemistry has also been organized earlier to promote awareness and facilitate education training and the practice of green chemistry in academic institutions. The main idea behind is to activate work towar ds green chemistry for which involvement of academic, industrial, governmental and non-governmental bodies is needed collectively which will help the designing and development of environment friendly chemistry practices in India. Contents Introduction. Principles of green chemistry. Sustainable development. Atom economy. Reactions in green chemistry. Reducing toxicity. Green analytical chemistry. What can green chemistry do? Why green chemistry? What is the role of chemist in green chemistry? Graph of published articles in journals. Examples of green chemistry. Examples of investigatory projects in green chemistry Future products. Some basic ways in which we go about green product development. Values of green chemistry in innovation, application and technology: Indian Scenario. Some recent developments and examples in green chemistry. Government initiatives. Introduction Green chemistry: Green chemistry may be defined as the invention ,design ,and application of chemical product and process to reduce the eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances. Therefore, green chemistry is a tool not only for minimizing the negative impact of those procedures aimed at optimizing efficiency, although clearly both impact minimization and process optimization are legitimate and complementary objectives of the subject. Green chemistry, however, also recognizes that there are significant consequences to the use of hazardous substances, ranging from regulatory, handling and transport, and liability issues, to name a few. To limit the definition to deal with waste only, would be to address only part of the problem. Green chemistry is applicable to all aspects of the product life cycle as well.   Finally, the definition of green chemistry includes the term hazardous. It is important to note that green chemistry is a way of dealing with risk reduction and pollution prevention by addressing the intrinsic hazards of the substances rather than those circumstances and conditions of their use that might increase their risk. Green chemistry is not complicated although it is often elegant. Green chemistry applies to any type of chemistry such as organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, bio chemistry, analytical chemistry and even physical chemistry. Green chemistry is mainly for industrial area. The main goal of green chemistry is to minimizing the hazard and maximizing the efficiency of any chemical choice. Green chemistry can be applies on organic chemistry, physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry and biochemistry. Mainly green chemistry focuses on industrial applications. The main goal of green chemistry is to minimizing the hazard and maximizing the efficiency of any chemical choice. Principles of green chemistry:- There are twelve principles of green chemistry. It is better to prevent waste than to treat or clean up waste after it is formed. Synthetic methods should be designed to maximize the incorporation of all materials used in the process into the final product. Wherever practicable, synthetic methodologies should be designed to use and generate substances that possess little or no toxicity to human health and the environment. Chemical products should be designed to preserve efficacy of function while reducing toxicity. The use of auxiliary substances (solvents, separation agents, etc.) should be made unnecessary whenever possible and innocuous when used. Energy requirements should be recognized for their environmental and economic impacts and should be minimized. Synthetic methods should be conducted at ambient temperature and pressure. A raw material or feedstock should be renewable rather than depleting whenever technically and economically practicable. Unnecessary privatization (blocking group, protection/ deprotection, temporary modification of physical/chemical processes) should be avoided whenever possible. Catalytic reagents (as selective as possible) are superior to stoichiometric reagents. Chemical products should be designed so that at the end of their function they do not persist in the environment and do break down into innocuous degradation products. Analytical methodologies need to be further developed to allow for real time, in-process monitoring and control before the formation of hazardous substances. Substances and the form of a substance used in a chemical process should be chosen to minimize the potential for chemical accidents, including releases, explosions, and fires. The term Green Chemistry, coined by staff at the US EPA in the 1990s, helped to bring focus to an increasing interest in developing more environmentally friendly chemical processes and products. An evaluation of how green a chemical reaction or a chemical process is seems to be best done in terms of the 12 principles that have been advocated by Anastas and Warner. These tenets deal with fundamental issues such as pollution prevention, atom economization and toxicity reduction. The essence of the 12 principles may be summarized as follows: Waste prevention instead of waste clean-up, atom economy as an important concern, design of environmentally friendly synthetic methodologies, design of safer chemicals, redundancy of auxiliary substances, conservation of energy, use of renewable feedstock, reduction of unnecessary derivatization , catalytic reactions instead of stoichiometric ones, debasement of final products after the end of their function, real-time analysis for pollution prevention and strategies for chemical accident prevention. Sustainable development- Sustainability in science and technology begins when we start thinking how to solve a problem or how to turn science into technology. Chemistry, as the science of matter and its transformation, plays a central role in this process and is the bridge between physics, material sciences and life sciences. Only chemical processes, which have reached after careful optimization a maximum in efficiency, will lead to more sustainable products and production. Scientists and engineers, who invent, develop and optimize such processes, therefore play a key role. Their awareness, creativity and looking ahead is needed to bring reactions and chemical processes to maximum efficiency. The term Green Chemistry has been coined for efforts towards this goal. Atom economy:- Atom economy means maximizing incorporation of material from the starting materials or reagents into the final products. It is essentially pollution prevention at molecular level. For example, a chemist practicing atom economy would choose to synthesis a needed product by putting together basic building blocks, rather than by breaking down a much larger starting material and discarding most of it waste. Atom economy is an important development beyond the traditionally taught concept of percent yield. Barry Trost, from Stanford University, published the concept of atom economy in science in 1991. In 1998 received the president green chemistry challenged award for his work. Atom economy answers the basic question, how much of what you put into your pot end up in your product. Calculation of Atom Economy Reactions in green chemistry- There are two types of reactions- Atom economic reactions. Atom un-economic reactions. In atom economic reactions there are another two type reactions Rearrangement reactions. Addition reactions. In atom un-economic reaction there are three type of reactions Substitution reaction. Elimination reaction. Witting reaction. Reducing toxicity- One of the underpinning principle of green chemistry is to design chemical product and process that use and produce less hazardous materials. Here hazardous cover all aspects, including toxicity, flammability, explosion potential, and environmental persistence. A hazard can be defined as situation that may lead to harm, whilst risk is the probability that harm will occur. From the point of view harm being caused by exposure to the chemical. Risk = Green analytical chemistry- The relationship between green chemistry and analytical chemistry can be treated in two ways. Analytical chemistry is a subject to control and justify green chemistry. This is where analytical chemistry is an efficient tool for confirmation of the green result of a chemical product or technology. On the other hand, chemical analysis methods need solvents, reagents, and energy, and they generate waste. The principles of green chemistry, suggested by Anastas and Warner, are directly related to analytical chemistry as well, the most important of them being prevention of waste generation; safer solvents and auxiliaries; design for energy efficiency; and Safer chemistry to minimize the potential of chemical accidents. In this way, analytical chemistry becomes an object of application of the principles of green Chemistry, and can be the target of a green chemistry approach similarly to other areas of chemistry and chemical technology. The term green analytical chemistry has been proposed by J. Namies ´nik in that several aspects of making analytical chemistry greener were discussed. The development of instrumental methods to replace wet chemistry in sample preparation and treatment is a general trend in analytical chemistry. Here, the main analytical result is related to an increase of analysis reliability, higher precision, and time saving, which very positively combines with a substantial reduction of waste. In most cases, the result of instrumental methods in analysis is a decrease in sample volume needed for analysis. Special efforts to integrate micro fluidics and processing in micro scale can substantially decrease the sample amount and accompanying generation of waste. In some cases, there is a choice of direct techniques of analysis (different laser-spectroscopic methods) or solvent less processes of analysis, which are green processes. However, in most cases, the samples under study are very complicated mixtures with interfering matrices not allowing the use of waste less method. The search for alternative solvents is an important step on the way of using greener methods. In This process, the main target should be not just the replacement, but introduction of an additional advantage from different properties of these solvents to improve the selectivity, sensitivity, and reliability of analysis, as well as reduce analysis time. The development of instrumental methods in general leads to an efficient use of energy, especially when the method is highly automated and uses a minimal amount of sample. The hyphenation of several methods for sample treatment and separation of components or integration of separation and complicated methods of detection enables an efficient use of energy. Additional energy saving is possible when a microwave treatment or even just microwave heating is incorporated into the process. An ultrasonic irradiation may also have a strong effect on several sample treatments. The development of photochemical methods is a highly green way in analytical chemistry as well. Most of the above-mentioned procedures also result in safer chemistry. In many cases of sample preparation and treatment, different chemical methods for derivatization and chemical modification of samples are still used. The search for less toxic compounds and processes with reduced waste generation should be an aim in the development of new methods. What can green chemistry do? Green chemistry is not a particular set of technologies, but rather an emphasis on the design  of chemical products and processes.   Sometimes, green chemistry takes place at the molecular level to reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances. This approach offers environmentally beneficial alternatives to more hazardous chemicals and processes, and thus promotes pollution prevention. Green chemistry can lead to dramatic changes in how we interact with chemicals on a daily basis as in the case of the  2005 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the development of the metathesis method in organic synthesis. The word metathesis means change-places. In metathesis reactions, double bonds are broken and made between carbon atoms in ways that cause atom groups to change places. This happens with the assistance of special catalyst molecules. Metathesis can be compared to a dance in which the couples change partners. Metathesis is used daily in the chemical industry, mainly in the development of pharmaceuticals and of advanced plastic materials. Thanks to the Laureates contributions, synthesis methods have been developed that are more efficient (fewer reaction steps, fewer resources required, less wastage), simpler to use (stable in air, at normal temperatures and pressures), and Environmentally friendlier (non-injurious solvents, less hazardous waste products). This represents a great step forward for green chemistry, reducing potentially hazardous waste through smarter production. Metathesis is an example of how important basic science has been applied for the benefit of man, society and the environment. The main question is that Why Green Chemistry? Green chemistry is effective in reducing the impact of chemicals on human health and the environment. In addition, many companies have found that it can be cheaper and even profitable to meet environmental goals. Profits derive from higher efficiency, less waste, better product quality, and reduced liability. Many environmental laws and regulations target hazardous chemicals, and following all these requirements can be complicated. But green chemistry allows companies to comply with the law in much simpler and cheaper ways. Finally, green chemistry is a fundamental science-based approach. Addressing the problem of hazard at the molecular level, it can be applied to all kinds of environmental issues. Since 1991, there have been many advances in green chemistry, in both academic research and industrial implementation. For example, Spinosad , an insecticide manufactured by fermenting a naturally occurring soil organism, was registered by the EPA as a reduced-risk insecticide in 1997. Spinosad does not leach, bioaccumulation, volatilize, or persist in the environment and in field tests left 70 to 90 percent of beneficial insects unharmed. It has a relatively low toxicity to mammals and birds and is slightly to moderately toxic to aquatic organisms, but is toxic to bees until it dries. In another advance, an industrial cleaning solvent, ethyl lactate, made from cornstarch and soybean oil was patented in 2000 and is competitively priced with petrochemical solvents. It biodegrades to carbon dioxide and water and has no known harmful effects for the environment, humans, or wildlife. These advances, however, represent an extremely small fraction of the potential applications of green che mistry. Because the products and processes that form the basis of the economy and infrastructure are based on the design and utilization of chemicals and materials, the challenges facing this field are enormous. What is the role of chemist in green chemistry? Chemist can use his knowledge of green chemistry and its benefits to justify research into cleaner and greener process. In most cases it is readily demonstrable that green chemistry approach involving reduction of waste, material and energy, will also lead to cost reductions and that this in turn will have a positive effect on profitability. In academia initiatives such as the engineering and physical sciences research council (EPSRC) Clean Technology Programme and the governments sustainable technology initiative have already encouraged professionals to enter this area. Although many of the technologies or tools required to make chemical manufacturing more sustainable are available, and indeed industry already making significant progress , much more can be achieved. In order to move forward chemist need to understand, and overcome the barrier s, both real and perceived, that exist to innovation in this area. In some cases a culture change may be required before the potential financial benefits are fully appreciated. Professional chemist also have a major role in helping to encourage all interested parties, including industry, customers, pressure groups, government, educationalist and researchers, to co-operate to ensure a cleaner and more sustainable future. Graph of published articles in journals- Examples of green chemistry- Lead-free solders and other products- Breakthroughs in the replacement of lead include use of new soldering materials, alternatives to lead additives in paint and the development of cleaner batteries. Bioplastics Plastics made from plants, including corn, potatoes or other agricultural products, even agricultural waste, are an important example of green chemistry. Products already available are forks, knives and spoons made from potato starch and biodegradable packaging made from corn. Flame resistant materials-Plastics that do not require the use of flame retardants are a solution to the problem of toxic flame retardants. A combination of polylactic acid and kenaf-two agriculturally products-has already been developed for this purpose. Halogen-free flame retardants- For products that still require the use of flame retardants, green chemistry can help identify new, less toxic alternatives. For example, silicone based materials can be used. Biopesticides also the good example of green chemistry- Biopesticides offer powerful tools to create a new generation of sustainable agriculture products. They are the most likely source for alternatives to some of the most problematic chemical pesticides currently in use. Biopesticides also offer solutions to concerns such as pest resistance to traditional chemical pesticides, public concern about side effects of pesticides on the surrounding environment and ultimately, on human health. Examples of Investigatory Projects in Green Chemistry- Effects of Detergent Phosphates on Plant Growth Because phosphates from household detergents seep into groundwater, a simulated effect can be investigated using a young pea plant and a solution of 90-percent water to 10-percent  laundry detergent  solution. Use two containers of pond water to simulate phosphates catalytic effect on algae growth by adding detergent solution to one container intermittently and using an unaltered container as a control. Record all observations qualitatively and quantitatively. Effect of Pollution on Biodiversity Use several terrariums made from local organisms, soils and water to investigate how pollution affects the amount of biodiversity in an ecosystem. Pollute terrariums by spraying diluted sulphuric acid into a terrarium to represent acid rain. Pollute another terrarium by carefully burning a birthday candle inside daily to represent smog. Leave one terrarium unpolluted to use as a control group. Record all observations qualitatively and quantitatively. Storm Water Geologically Filtered After a hard rain, water rushes into local waterways carrying many pollutants. Polluted water can be created by mixing water with small objects and dark colored dirt to represent different types of pollution. Devise a system of filtration using different sized grains of soil to create situations of altered porosities and permeability. Record all effects on pollution filtration qualitatively and quantitatively. Future products- PVC free cables  -will reduce the use of both PVC and of lead, which is used as a stabilizer in PVC cabling. The Toxic Use Reduction Institute has been working on this new solder. New lead-free solders  with lower heat requirements are being developed. Our new product development will focus on: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Polymeric solutions, big molecules à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Reactive products that become bound to the final polymer à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Non-toxic small molecules à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Mineral products à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Minimizing the life cycle of products that remain in the environment   à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Improving recyclability à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Implementing measures throughout the supply chain to minimize emissions of persistent compounds à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Engaging distributors, customers and competitors in programs, such as VECAP, to eliminate all harmful products from the environment à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Continuing to advise consumers of the important of sustainable products. Some basic ways in which we go about green product development Selection of reagents with lowest toxicity Choice of catalysts that would provide highest reaction yield, thus minimizing waste Choosing the right form of energy to maximize reaction efficiency Precise calculations to predict with just two to three experiments how the reaction can be optimized, as well as the two or three preferable solvents for that reaction Identification of potential hazards before conducting the reaction. Specific parameters such as heat of the reaction are studied. Values of Green Chemistry in Innovation, Application and Technology: Indian Scenario- Green chemistry focuses on the reduction, recycling, and/or elimination of the use of toxic and hazardous chemicals in production processes by finding creative, alternative routes for making the desired products that minimize the impact on the environment. Green chemistry is a more eco-friendly green alternative to conventional chemistry practices. The green chemistry movement is part of a larger movement ultimately leading to a green economy- namely sustainable development, sustainable business and sustainable living practices. Green chemistry can contribute to achieving sustainability in three key areas. First, renewable energy technologies will be the central pillar of a sustainable high-technology civilization. Second, the reagents used by the chemical industry. Third, polluting technologies must be replaced by benign alternatives. The aim of the article is to acquaint the academicians, researchers, scientists and engineers with values and positive impact of green Chemistry in in novation, application and Technology. The green chemistry wave has reached our country too. We need to work for its betterment by encouraging the practices of green chemistry. Collaborations between industrial and academic partners are important to expedite the transfer of significant green products to the marketplace. For such collaborations to be successful, individuals in these two differently motivated cultures need to work together to advance green science. Governments could undoubtedly facilitate formation of more effective industrial/academic partnerships. Under an agreement with the Green Chemical Institute, University of Delhi has been accepted as an international chapter. The Indian chapter will promote green chemistry through education, information collection and dissemination, research and international collaboration via conferences, workshops, meeting and symposia.   In India, although there is growing awareness about the ill effects of pollution, promotion of continual introduction of environmentally friendly products a methodologies in the chemical industry needs to be furthered. Usage of nonconventional technologies is highly popular in India. First in this list is the usage of microwaves. Further, the microwave chemists are turning their attention toward microwave-assisted dry-media reactions in order to minimize solvent usage, an added advantage to already established microwave chemistry. In addition to microwave-assisted reactions, ultrasonic and photochemical reactions are also used as nonconventional reaction technology. Analytical chemistry has been at the center of the green chemistry movement. Advances in analytical chemistry are key to environmental protection. In India, the focus for analytical chemistry is mainly on extraction technologies such as solid phase, ultrasound and microwave, supercritical fluid extraction, and automated s oxhlet extraction. Monitoring and analysis of heavy metals and pesticides is very important for an agro economy-based country like India and chief governmental institutes like the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) and the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) are working extensively in this field. Further removing of these elements from industrial and agrochemical usage is of prime importance for these. Some recent developments and examples in green chemistry- Chemists from all over the world are using their creative and innovative skills to develop new processes, synthetic methods, analytical tools, reaction conditions, catalysts, etc. under the new green chemistry cover. Some of these are. A continuous process and apparatus converts waste biomass into industrial chemicals, fuels and animal feed. Another process converts waste biomass such as municipal solid waste, sewage sludge, plastic, tires and agricultural residues to useful products, including hydrogen, ethanol and acetic acid. A method for mass producing taxol by semi continuous culture of Taxus genus plant. A fermentation method for the production of carboxylic acids. A method of partially oxidizing alcohol such as methanol to ethers, aldehydes, esters or acids, by using a supercritical fluid mobile. A process for producing a fluoropolymer by using supercritical carbon dioxide. A cost-effective method of producing ethyl lactate, a non-toxic solvent derived from corn. A range of organic solvents that are worker friendly and environmentally sound. A new environmentally friendly technology in mixed metals recovery from spent acid wastes has been used to recover zinc and ferrous chloride from pickle liquor. The demand for non-ionic surfactants is growing and a new example of this is alkyl glycoside, which is made from saccharide. This product can be used as a replacement for alkyl aryl sulphonate anionic surfactants in shampoos. Sodium silicate can be used as a more environmentally benign replacement for phosphorus-containing additives in washing powder. Three coconut oil soap bases for liquid cleansing applications have been developed. One of these products has very light color and low odor, making it suitable for introducing dyes and fragrances. Feedstock recycling  of plastic wastes into valuable chemicals useful as fuels or raw materials. Developing Countries and Green Chemistry- In developing countries, the introduction of green chemistry is still in a stage of infancy, despite the significant need and the significant role green chemistry can play. Many of the practices in developing countries are still far from the concepts of safety, pollution prevention and design of energy efficiency. Environmental pollution and waste generation are some of the aching problems many developing countries are suffering from. Many of the reasons behind these problems lie in policies and strategies adopted that are based on end-of pipe treatment, rather than pollution prevention at source or implementing life cycle thinking in handling waste problems. Most frequently, income generation activities are dependent on an efficient use of energy and other resources such as water, which may pose some serious problems to future generations. The United Nations reporting on the millennium development goals at a country level indicated a high level of energy consumption and limited energy resources in most of the developing countries. The report strongly recommends the imperative need to ration the use of energy resources in these countries and to implement energy conservation policies. The same trend of difficulties developing countries face has been illustrated in the series of country reports produced by the rural development at the water and environment department of the World Bank. Sustainable chemistry could play a pivotal role in salvaging many of the ailing conditions that many of the developing countries are subjected to. The use of solar energy, introduction of sustainable farming, recycling, and the implementation of life cycle thinking and life cycle analysis as a management tool for some of the chronic issues such as municipal waste management, are some few examples of how green chemistry can benefit developing communities. Green chemistry can also have a very strong impact on water sufficiency issues in that part of the developing world where water resources is the most vital issue. It is through the implementation of cleaner production and use of safe and biodegradable chemicals that a huge volume of wastewater could be reused to quench the emerging, critical need of water in many of these countries. Government Initiatives- Government can do a lot of good for the cause of green chemistry by increasing public awareness and by bringing and enforcing strict environmental legislations. One of the recent and controversial examples of government initiative is the conversion of diesel vehicles to compressed natural gas (CNG) in order to reduce pollution. Relocation of industries into industrial areas away from residential parks is another bold step taken by the Delhi government. Further, the government is also concentrating on new projects such as fuel pellets from municipal waste, aspirated H-cylinder engines for light commercial vehicles (LCVs), meeting India 2000 emission norms, battery-powered cars for pollution-free driving, hydrogen energy and energy towers for new environment-friendly fuel, development of traditional herbal drugs as adapt gens a immunomodulators. The government should also increase funding to encourage research in green chemistry. By introducing green chemistry education at all levels, the government can build a solid foundation toward green chemistry in India.

Free College Admissions Essays: To become a Scientist :: College Admissions Essays

Desire to become a Scientist Ever since I could remember, I have always wanted to become a scientist. That craving to understand the mysteries of the universe has been one of the most passionate desires of mine since I was a toddler. I can still recall laying in my bed, staring at the ceiling, and wondering why some people had crooked teeth while others didn't. The question "How?" always echoed within my thoughts. When I entered school, science and mathematics quickly became one of my most favored subjects. In my mind, they were the most logical and precise. The answers they provided were based on fact, not human intuition. As I matured, I grew to enjoy the systematic mechanics of the human body. Within months, I knew without a doubt that I wanted to enter college with the intention of graduating with a Ph.D. in genetics. It is my hope that with such a degree, I would be able to pursue a career in medical research. I would like to have that chance of contributing in a cure for the common cold, or maybe some of t he most troubling viruses, which inundate our society today. Unfortunately, such an ambition requires money to achieve. Finances are a strong factor in my family, and I realize that my college choices need to revolve around a simple fact: Can I afford it? My mother has provided for my private school education since I entered kindergarten. With each passing year, it becomes harder and harder to continue providing for this kind of education. My mother, who currently works two jobs that could often extend beyond fourteen hours a day, sacrifices a number of luxuries just so that I could finish my thirteenth year in private school. My younger brother is currently attending public school with the hope of transferring into a private school once finances can accommodate it. These are the sacrifices that they make for me; I acknowledge this fully. Though my mother intends to continue paying for my education, I know very well that this is close to impossible. With graduation closely approaching, I know that I will need to assist her in financing for col lege.

And Then there were none. :: essays research papers

Two policeman, Sir Thomas Legge and Inspector Maine, discuss the perplexing Indian Island case. They have reconstructed much of what happened on Indian Island from diaries kept by various guests. It is clear to them that the murderer was not Blore, Lombard, or Vera. When they arrived, the police found the chair Vera kicked away to hang herself mysteriously set upright against the wall. We learn that Isaac Morris, who hired Lombard and Blore and bought the island in the name of U. N. Owen, died of an apparent sleeping-pill overdose the night the guests arrived on the island. The police suspect that Morris was murdered. The police know that the people of Sticklehaven were instructed to ignore any distress signals from the island; they were told that everything taking place on the island was part of a game being played by the wealthy owners of the island and their guests. The rest of the epilogue takes the form of a manuscript in a bottle, found by a fisherman and given to the police. It is written by Judge Wargrave, who writes that the manuscript offers the solution to an unsolved crime. He says he was a sadistic child with both a lust for killing and a strong sense of justice. Reading mysteries always satisfied him. He went into law, an appropriate career for him because it allowed him to indulge his zeal for death within the confines of the law. Watching guilty persons squirm become a new pleasure for him. After many years as a judge, he developed the desire to play executioner. He wanted to kill in an extraordinary, theatrical way, while adhering to his own sense of justice. One day, a doctor mentioned to Wargrave the number of murders that must go unpunished, citing a recently deceased woman he felt sure was killed by the married couple who worked as her servants. Because the couple withheld a needed drug in order to kill her, the murder could ne ver be proven. This story inspired Wargrave to plan multiple murders of people who had killed but could not be prosecuted under the law. He thought of the â€Å"Ten Little Indian† rhyme that he loved as a child for its series of inevitable deaths. Wargrave took his time gathering a list of victims, bringing up the topic of unpunished murders in casual conversations and hoping someone would mention a case of which they knew.