Saturday, December 28, 2019

What Is the Cingulate Gyrus

Gyrus is a fold or bulge in the brain. The cingulate gyrus is the curved fold covering the corpus callosum. A component of the limbic system, it is involved in processing emotions and behavior regulation. It also helps to regulate autonomic motor function. For purposes of study and medical diagnosis, the cingulate gyrus is divided into anterior and posterior segments. Damage to the cingulate gyrus may result in  cognitive, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Functions Coordinates Sensory Input With EmotionsEmotional Responses to PainRegulates Aggressive BehaviorCommunicationMaternal BondingLanguage ExpressionDecision Making The anterior cingulate gyrus is involved in a number of functions including emotional processing and vocalization of emotions. It has connections with speech and vocalization areas in the frontal lobes including Brocas area, which controls motor functions involved with speech production. The anterior cingulate gyrus is involved in emotional bonding and attachment, particularly between mother and child. This bonding happens as frequent vocalization takes place between mothers and their infants.  Not coincidentally, the anterior cingulate gyrus also has connections with the amygdala, the brain structure which processes emotions and relates them to particular events, thus also facilitating the bonding process. The anterior cingulate gyrus and amygdala work together to form fear conditioning and memory association with sensory information received from the thalamus as well. Another limbic system structure, the hippocampus, also has connections to the anterior cingulate gyrus, playing a key role in memory formation and storage. Collaboration between the anterior cingulate gyrus and the hypothalamus allow physiologic controls such as regulation of endocrine hormone release and autonomic functions of the peripheral nervous system. These changes occur when we experience emotions such as fear, anger, or excitement. Some of these functions include heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure regulation. Another important  function of the anterior cingulate gyrus is to aid in the decision-making process. It does so by detecting errors and monitoring negative outcomes. This function helps us in planning appropriate actions and responses. The posterior cingulate gyrus plays a role in spatial memory which involves the ability to process information regarding the spatial orientation of objects in an environment. Connections with the parietal lobes and temporal lobes enable the posterior cingulate gyrus to influence functions related to movement, spatial orientation, and navigation. Connections with the midbrain and spinal cord allow the posterior cingulate gyrus to relay nerve signals between the spinal cord and brain. Location Directionally, the cingulate gyrus is superior to the corpus callosum. It is  located between the cingulate sulcus  (groove or indentation) and the sulcus of the corpus callosum. Cingulate Gyrus Dysfunction Emotional and behavioral disorders relating to the cingulate gyrus include depression, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Cingulate gyrus dysfunction has also been linked to attention deficit disorders, schizophrenia, psychiatric disorders, and autism. Individuals with an improperly functioning cingulate gyrus often have problems communicating and dealing with changing situations. Under such conditions, they may become angry or easily frustrated and have emotional or violent outbursts. Physiologically, individuals may experience chronic pain or display addictive behaviors such as drug or alcohol abuse and eating disorders.

Friday, December 20, 2019

Peoples Exposure to Diversity and How This Affects Their...

To conduct my research I am first going to decide the purpose of my survey, which is to gain knowledge of peoples exposure to diversity and how that effects there social interactions on campus. I will then decide on the question I will ask and the type of question I will choose to use. For my particular choice of research I will chose to do a combination of open end and multiple choice questions. I choose the combination of the two because I would like to be able to get a more personal response and allow respondents to express their with the use of the open end questions, and having multiple choice questions just to get a view on how they feel about specific topics. To help strength my multiple choice answers I will use the lickert Scale because the structure will give my participants realistic answers to my question but not necessarily put words in their mouth. I will then decide what to ask in my survey that will give me the answers to my research question. When coming up with the question I must avoid putting my opinion in the questions and make sure in my questions the answer that I am trying to discover is clear. After coming up with the open end and multiple choice questions, I will then decide the population that I am going to conduct my research on. After choosing my population I will pick a large sample group that I will choose to represent my population. After choosing my sample group I will conduct my survey in the Kutztown University DMZ because it is aShow MoreRelatedCore Competencies For Entering Medical Students1658 Words   |  7 PagesOne of the AAMC Core Competencies for entering medical students involves cultural competence: Demonstrates knowledge of socio-cultural factors that affect interactions and behaviors; shows an appreciation and respect for multiple dimensions of diversity; recognizes and acts on the obligation to inform one s own judgment; engages diverse and competing perspectives as a resource for learning, citizenship, and work; recognizes and appropriately addresses bias in themselves and others; interacts effectivelyRead MoreHlsc1201844 Words   |  8 PagesPlea se  check  your  campus  unit  outline Unit  Outline: Learning  outcomes Assessment Content   Group  introduction  and  activity Assessment tasks Assessment Task Word length   Weight (or  equiv) Teamwork: Student  Seminar 20†25  mins 20% Written  Exam 2,000   words 40% Reflective  Writing  Assignment 1,750 words 40% 1 2/17/2016 Topics for Today †¢ A  sociological  approach  and  the  sociological  imagination †¢ Biomedical  model †¢ Globalisation  and  health After this sessionRead MoreConsumer Behavior Study Notes7882 Words   |  32 PagesConsumer Behaviour: the study of the processes involved when individuals or groups select, purchase, use, or dispose of products, services, ideas, or experiences to satisfy needs and desires. 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So, we have the same opinion that this fruitful report not only assure reasonable grade mark in our curriculum result but also assure well done feedback for near future job market. 1.2 Objective of the study: Knowledge and learning become perfect when it is associated with theoretical knowledge with practical application. Theoretical knowledge gets its perfection with practical application. We have prepared this report based on two purposes. That are- 1.2.1 Primary ObjectiveRead MoreHr Practice of Unilever Bangladesh9716 Words   |  39 Pagesfor future job market. So, we have the same opinion that this fruitful report not only assure reasonable grade mark in our curriculum result but also assure well done feedback for near future job market. 1.2 Objective of the study: Knowledge and learning become perfect when it is associated with theoretical knowledge with practical application. Theoretical knowledge gets its perfection with practical application. We have prepared this report based on two purposes. That are- 1.2.1 Primary ObjectiveRead MoreA Jerney in to the Deaf World15812 Words   |  64 Pagesfrom the deaf community be was eventually drawn back to it. He is currently teaching at the only deaf college called Galludet University. Each of these characters describes there lives growing up deaf from when they became deaf, to how their parents reacted, to how they feel about it now. Jake describes himself as a CODA, his parents and brother are deaf. Naturally he grew up to be a well adjusted well rounded deaf adult. His parents were thrilled that he was deaf. Roberto grew up differently. HisRead MoreLiterature Review on Consumer Behaviour16053 Words   |  65 PagesReview In order to develop a framework for the study consumer behaviour it is helpful to begin by considering the evolution of the field of consumer research and the different paradigms of thought that have influenced the discipline. As described in this article, a set of dimensions can be identified in the literature, which can be used to characterize and differentiate, the various perspectives on consumer research. It is argued that consumer behaviour itself emerged as a distinct field of study duringRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book Kebab Serai Essay10514 Words   |  43 Pagescustomer to assemble their dish as they wish. Food quality is average. †¢ Kebabs time: has a limited selection but the dishes are assembled with high-quality ingredients. The price point is high, but the food is quite good. Kebab Serai s is not sure how this company has been able to grow in size as their whole product is mediocre at best. †¢ Star kebab: offers kebabs and chicken on chips, fried chicken that is reasonably fresh, reasonably innovative and at a lower price point. The company was sold a

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Jamaica Essay Example For Students

Jamaica Essay Close your eyes and picture a beautiful sunset meeting far away on theshimmering clear blue water in front of you. You feel a cool breeze and a hotsun against your skin and the feeling of the warm sand beneath your feet. Youwalk forward and feel the refreshing water wet your legs and you are tickled asa school of tropical fish passes you by. You spot the palm trees and wild plantsoff the shore. Are you in an unreal paradise? Yes I have. It is Jamaica. Geographical Location Jamaica is blessed with superb geographical location andresources that makes it a great vacation spot. It is an island country south ofCuba and north of South America. So you must fly or sail there. Its shortdistance from the United States makes it a short distance from here and that isgreat for fliers. It is probably a four -hour flight. Jamaica is only about 17degrees above the equator so it is very warm all year round. (Grab yoursunglasses and tanning oil!) Land and Resources Everyone sees the commercialsfor the white-sanded beaches and the clear blue water but Jamaicas terrain ismountainous except for those several tracts of lowlands that you see on TV. Infact Blue Mountains, that is the highest mountain in Jamaica, is 7402 ft. Thereare many smaller mountains with many traverse spurs that extend west to theextremity of the island making a gigantic plateau. So if you plan on going toJamaica you had better think of bringing your hiking boots. Lead and Saltdepo sits can be found on the island and rich soils can be found on the coastalplains. The island is also equipped with excellent natural harbors, includingthose at Kingston, Saint Anns Bay, Montego Bay, and Port Maria. There is novolcanic activity in Jamaica but it is subject to severe earthquakes. Plants andAnimals Jamaica is filled with luxurious and diverse vegetation. More than 200species have been identified. The indigenous tree include such as the cedar,mahogany, rosewood, ebony, coconut palm, and pimento. Introduced varieties suchas the mango, breadfruit, banana, and plantain also flourish the island. Jamaican animal life generally includes highly diverse bird life. This groupincludes Parrots, hummingbirds, cuckoos, and green todies. No large four-leggedanimals or venomous reptiles exist there. Culture Jamaica is not only blessedwith great plenty of natural wonders but its people and their culture areprobably its greatest resource, and that is what draws the people to theisland. Jamaicas great dependency on Great Britain form the past 300 yearsshows in the language they speak and in their customs, which are combined withAfrican influences. Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, made Reggae, a distinctivelysyncopated style of Jamaican music popular in the 20th century. It was a greatinfluence on rock in the middle of the 80s, especially in Britain. GovernmentThe Jamaica constitution, promulgated in 1962, established a parliamentarysystem of government patterned after that of Great Britain. The Prime Ministeris the head of the government. The British monarch is the head of the state andis represe nted by a governor general, who is appointed on the advice of thePrime Minister. There is an Executive branch, a Legislative branch, and aJudiciary branch. Their government is quite like ours. The Prime Minister has alot of power, kind of like our president. Jamaica has two political parties. ThePeoples National Party (PNP) is one. It is socialist in orientation. The otheris the Jamaica Labour Group (JLP) which supports free enterprise in a mixedeconomy. A minor party is the Jamaica American Party, which favors U.S. .ud25690924af1abf5889eea6c38e27996 , .ud25690924af1abf5889eea6c38e27996 .postImageUrl , .ud25690924af1abf5889eea6c38e27996 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ud25690924af1abf5889eea6c38e27996 , .ud25690924af1abf5889eea6c38e27996:hover , .ud25690924af1abf5889eea6c38e27996:visited , .ud25690924af1abf5889eea6c38e27996:active { border:0!important; } .ud25690924af1abf5889eea6c38e27996 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ud25690924af1abf5889eea6c38e27996 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ud25690924af1abf5889eea6c38e27996:active , .ud25690924af1abf5889eea6c38e27996:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ud25690924af1abf5889eea6c38e27996 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ud25690924af1abf5889eea6c38e27996 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ud25690924af1abf5889eea6c38e27996 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ud25690924af1abf5889eea6c38e27996 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ud25690924af1abf5889eea6c38e27996:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ud25690924af1abf5889eea6c38e27996 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ud25690924af1abf5889eea6c38e27996 .ud25690924af1abf5889eea6c38e27996-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ud25690924af1abf5889eea6c38e27996:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Civil Rights Movement Essaystatehood for Jamaica. Language and Religion In Jamaica, the principle languagespoken by the people is English. It is spoken with a local dialect that includesAfrican, Spanish, and French elements. Christianity is the main religionpracticed in Jamaica. Other religious groups are Baptists, Anglicans,Seventh-day Adventists, Pentecostalists, and Roman Catholic. In addition severalJewish, Muslim, and Hindu communities exist. A number of popular groups, such asPocomania and Rastafarianism, are significant and famous in the Jamaicanreligious life. History Members of the Arawak tribe were the aboriginalinhabitants of the island. They named it Xaymaca. C hristopher Columbus sightedthe island during his second voyage, and Xaymaca became a Spanish Colony in1509. The Arawak quickly died out due to disease and harsh treatment. Africanslaves were imported to overcome the resultant labor shortage. An English navalforce under Sir William Penn captured Jamaica in 1655. The island was formallytransferred to England in 1670 after the Treaty of Madrid. During the finaldecades of the 17th century, great numbers of English immigrants arrived; thesugar, cacao, and other agricultural and forest industries were rapidlyexpanded, and the great demand for plantation labor led to enormous amounts ofslaves to be brought in. In 1682 Port Royal, the chief Jamaican slave market,was destroyed by and earthquake. Kingston was soon established and Parliamentabolished slavery on August 1, 1838. Large numbers of freed blacks abandoned theplantations following emancipation and took possession of occupied lands,gravely disrupting the economy. Labor shortages bankr upt plantations, anddeclining trade resulted in a delayed economic crisis. Jamaica was made a crowncolony thus losing the large degree of self-government it had since the late17th century. Representative government was partly restored in 1884. Jamaicagained Independence when it united with the Federation of the West Indies. ThePNP won large parliamentary majority in 1989, returning Manley to power. Heintroduced moderate free-market policies before resigning in March 1992 becauseof poor health. Percival J. Patterson, his successor as Prime Minister and PNPleader, easily won reelection a year later. Jamaica is a jewel. It is a greatplace with great people, and you can go there and see the beautiful beaches andswim in the beautiful clear blue water, or go hiking in the mountains, or listento a band play on the street, or go sightseeing in the beautiful cities. Theyhave great culture, and a unique style of living.

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Julius Caesar †Mark Antony Essay Summary Example For Students

Julius Caesar – Mark Antony Essay Summary Julius Caesar Mark Antony Mark AntonyThe character of Mark Antony from Shakespeares play Julius Caesarmay be viewed as simply the confident and devoted supporter of JuliusCaesar.On the contrary, Antony presents the qualities of a shrewd flatterer, aruthless tyrant, as well as a loyal follower.Antonys characteristics willchange as the play progresses.He will begin using flattery to get what hewants, but he will eventually depend on his powerful relentlessness. Furthermore, Antony uses these various attributes to make him successful. Throughout the play, Antony uses flattering to achieve his goals. Following the assassination of Caesar, Antony quickly grasps that he mustdeal with Brutus, and he has the shrewdness to take advantage of Brutussgullibility.Antony has his servant say, Brutus is noble, wise, valiant, andhonest (III i 126).From this point, it is clear that Antony intends to flatterBrutus and to work upon those personal qualities of Brutus which representhis fundamental weaknesses.Antony then comes to the Capitol where hefurther flatters the conspirators by shaking their hands and saying, Friendsam I with you all, and love you all (III i 220).This act symbolizes thatAntony has made a new friendship with the conspirators, but in reality, he isplotting to seek revenge so he can take over Rome.Antony is also able toflatter the vast angry crowd in order to get his way.He is first able to get thecrowd to feel sorry for him.This feeling is evident when the second plebeiansays, Poor soul, his eyes are red as fi re with weeping (III ii 116).Antony isthen able to turn the people in the crowd against Brutus by teasing them withCaesars will.Antony says, And being men, hearing the will of Caesar, itwill inflame you, it will make you mad (III ii 144-145).This blandishmentprovokes an immediate response of the crowd demanding that Antony readCaesars will.Although Antony uses flattery to get what he wants, he willalso show respect for others with his devotion and loyalty. One of the most significant characteristics of Mark Antony is hisstrong, affectionate loyalty to Julius Caesar.Antonys devotion to Caesarextends beyond a simple friendship, but politically as well.This fact is bestrecognized when he offers Caesar the crown of Rome three times in thebeginning of the play.This act shows that Antony is dedicated to Caesarbecause he is quite willing to serve under the rule of an ambitious tyrant. Immediately following the assassination of Caesar, Antony acts as though heis a friend of the conspirators.On the contrary, he is secretly plotting to gethis revenge on all of the assassins.Antony later reveals his true feelings in awholehearted soliloquy before the bloody cadaver of Caesar, Thou art theruins of the noblest man that ever lived in the tide of times (III i 256-257). Antony believes that Caesar was the most imposing man ever to livethroughout the course of history.To prove his loyalty, Antony gives aconfident and persuasive speech at Caesars funera l despite an extremedanger on his own life.First, Antony expresses his sadness and grief over thedeath of his distinguished friend.However, as the speech progresses,Antonys emotions transform into extreme anger towards the conspiratorswhen he says to the crowd, Look you here, here is himself/Marred as yousee with traitors (III ii 197-198).The people in the crowd were so movedby his speech that they were willing to go to war against the conspirators.Bystarting this civil war, Antony again risks his own life to get revenge on theassassins of Caesar.Antony realizes that loyalty is an advantageous qualityfor a person to possess.He emphasizes this speculation when he does not killLucilius, the officer to Brutus who stoically risked his own life to save hismaster.Antony says of Lucilius, This is not Brutus, friend, but, I assureyou, a prize no less in worth(V iiii 26-27).Realizing the value of havingloyal followers, Antony orders that Lucilius be protected.Eventually,Antonys loyalty will change into an envy of Caesars ambition and he willfollow the path of the ruthless tyrant. .u92a6cd2b19b78a0fd425526b96b127f1 , .u92a6cd2b19b78a0fd425526b96b127f1 .postImageUrl , .u92a6cd2b19b78a0fd425526b96b127f1 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u92a6cd2b19b78a0fd425526b96b127f1 , .u92a6cd2b19b78a0fd425526b96b127f1:hover , .u92a6cd2b19b78a0fd425526b96b127f1:visited , .u92a6cd2b19b78a0fd425526b96b127f1:active { border:0!important; } .u92a6cd2b19b78a0fd425526b96b127f1 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u92a6cd2b19b78a0fd425526b96b127f1 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u92a6cd2b19b78a0fd425526b96b127f1:active , .u92a6cd2b19b78a0fd425526b96b127f1:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u92a6cd2b19b78a0fd425526b96b127f1 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u92a6cd2b19b78a0fd425526b96b127f1 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u92a6cd2b19b78a0fd425526b96b127f1 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u92a6cd2b19b78a0fd425526b96b127f1 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u92a6cd2b19b78a0fd425526b96b127f1:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u92a6cd2b19b78a0fd425526b96b127f1 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u92a6cd2b19b78a0fd425526b96b127f1 .u92a6cd2b19b78a0fd425526b96b127f1-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u92a6cd2b19b78a0fd425526b96b127f1:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Bipolar Disorder EssayAs the play progresses, Antony develops a ruthless state of mind.Heforms into a relentless tyrant much like Caesar was before his death.Cassiusprobably describes him best as a shrewd contriver.Antony first shows hisfierceness in his speech at Caesars funeral.He speaks of the conspiratorssarcastically calling them honorable men.He enrages the people of thecrowd by convincing them that Caesars assassination was morally wrong andthe conspirators are traitors.By his powerful speech, Antony has createdcivil war in Rome and he has no concern for the welfare of the citizens whowill suffer in the strife.Antony again shows his ruthlessness when hecondemns his own nephew to death by saying, He shall not live; look, with aspot I damn him (IV i 6).The way in which Antony says these words showhis unrelenting mind.Antony is willing to ignore all ethical and moralconsiderations in order to concentrate on political practicality and expedience. Also, the way Antony regards Lepidus as a slight man without merit furthershows his relentlessness.Antony uses Lepidus essentially to run errands andhe intends to eventually append Lepidus powers to his own.At Phillipi,Antony shows his ruthless nature when he immediately attacks after Brutusleft Cassiuss army exposed.As a consequence, it is because of Antonysruthless state of mind that he is successful. In conclusion, Mark Antony is more than a simple follower of JuliusCaesar.Antony is a shrewd flatterer, a ruthless tyrant, as well as a loyalsupporter of Caesar.He is able to manipulate Brutus using flattery. Furthermore, he is able to get what he wants with his ruthless state of mind. In summary, Antony is able to use his various qualities to make himsuccessful.

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Agrarian Reforms in the Countries of Latin America

Agrarian Reforms in the Countries of Latin America The twentieth century was the period of many significant agrarian reforms in the countries of Latin America. In spite of the fact these reforms were developed in order to address the interests of peasants and landless rural population, in most cases the definite results of these reforms were not associated with the social and economic aspects, but reflected the peculiarities of the political situation in the countries.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Agrarian Reforms in the Countries of Latin America specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More However, to have the opportunity to make certain conclusions about the phenomenon of agrarian reforms in Latin America, it is necessary to concentrate on its peculiar features. This paper will focus on the examination of the positive and negative results of the agrarian reforms for the rural population in the countries of Latin America because each process or phenomenon always has two sid es of its representation. Positive Effects of Agrarian Reforms The period of agrarian reforms started in Latin America with the Mexican revolution which was developed at the beginning of the twentieth century and ceased with the progress of neoliberal policies in the territories. Providing agrarian reforms, governments were inclined to attract the rural masses and contribute to their political goals. That is why the question of the agrarian reforms’ positive effects for all the social classes is rather controversial. The poor peasantry was not discussed as the potential force for the progress in the field of the countries’ economy and agriculture. All the accents were made on the capitalist farmers. Their activity was connected with the income distribution. Thus, the opportunities to invest in agriculture and to develop the land market appeared (Gwynne Kay, 2004, p. 233). However, the situation changed with the period of neoliberal policies when the governments began to accentuate the importance of privatization land taxes. Thus, the advantages which were acquired by the poor peasantry as a result of the agrarian reforms were incomparable with the benefits which were provided for the developed capitalist farmers. Negative Effects of Agrarian Reforms In spite of definite positive shifts in the sphere of agriculture, the majority of the rural population is not satisfied with the agrarian reforms because the main promises are not completed (Gwynne Kay, 2004, p. 235). Poverty and landlessness remain the main issues for the rural population of the countries in Latin America. From the social point, the agrarian reforms had not positive effects on the changes in the situation of unemployment and poverty in the territories. From the economic point, many agrarian reforms in the countries of Latin America can be considered as the causes for the development of the further more influential and even dramatic reforms which were the part of the political cont ext.Advertising Looking for essay on government? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Peasants remained to be the weakest class in the social system which were also negatively influenced by the implemented land titling projects (Gwynne Kay, 2004, p. 233). Thus, the agrarian reform in Cuba was closely connected with the revolution and developed in the political field. Moreover, many results of the reforms were rather unexpected for the governors and that is why are difficult to be overcome effectively. The agrarian reforms of the twentieth century in Latin America can be discussed from the point of their positive and negative effects on the rural population of the countries. The positive effects are connected with the development of the countries’ market, the change of the position according to the global market, and the role of the capitalist farmers. The negative effects are associated with the position of the pe asants and the situation of poverty of the rural population which are more influential from the social point. Reference Gwynne, R. N. Kay, C. (2004). Latin America transformed: Globalization and modernity. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Marketing-Consumer Behavior essay

Marketing-Consumer Behavior essay Marketing-Consumer Behavior essay Marketing-Consumer Behavior essayMarriott Hotels is a renowned international brand operating in the hospitality industry that focuses on the international market expansion and attempts to gain the positive brand image through the formation of the positive perception of the brand by the public.The perception of the brand is quite positive at the moment. At the moment, Marriott Hotels attempts to create a stronger brand image through the formation of the vision of the company as the hospitality company offering hospitality services of the superb quality. The development of the positive perception of the brand image is achieved through advertisements based on the video advertisement that visualizes the ideal hospitality services offered by Marriott Hotels. Video offers not only visual messages conveyed to the audience but also audio messages that stress the positive image of the company’s hospitality services. The advertisement emphasizes the superb quality of services offered by the company. The company makes a breakthrough distinguishing its services from other companies operating in the hospitality industry. In such a way, the company attracts the target customer group and draws attention to its brand and hospitality services as the company that offers high quality hospitality services worldwide and offers the full range of hospitality-related services.The advertisement of the company contributes to the formation of a strong brand image that customers can easily retain in their memory due to the bright images and colors used in the course of the advertisement. The advertisement is catchy and bright but, at the same time, it creates a solid image of the company that customers learn and retain in their memory. As a result, customers form a strongly positive image of the company and develop a positive attitude to the company and its services. The advertisement persuades them that Marriott Hotels can offer superb hospitality services in any part of the world .The exposure (stimulus) of the advertisement catches the attention of the audience. At the same time, the interpretation (individual meaning) of the advertisement is clear since the audience understands that Marriott Hotels offer hospitality services of the superb quality. The advertisement influences the sensory perception of the advertisement.   The audience almost feels the scent of the environment, where the advertisement is shot. The sound is distinct and clear. The audio watermarking is virtually present in the advertisement. The sound symbolism gives positive implications and makes the audience wanting to touch the screen. The advertisement is haptic conveying the development of positive emotions and rise of the expectations of the miracle to come. The exposure of the advertisement creates the expectation of happiness from services of the superb quality of products of Marriott Hotels. The audience becomes active participants rather than mere viewers of the advertisement. T he advertisement manipulates certainty as it shows almost improbable benefits offered by Marriott Hotels.The visualization makes a breakthrough forming the difference of Marriott Hotels from other hotels. The advertisement uses distinct stimuli such as video imaging. The relevance of the content of the advertisement and its message is accurate and high. The interpretation of the advertisement may vary due to the variety of objects depicted during the advertisement that may have multiple meanings and implications.In such a way, the advertisement makes the clear perceptual positioning of Marriott Hotels as the company offering superb hospitality services.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Management - Assignment Example Indirect export is one of the five market entry strategies that can be implied by businesses while implementing global strategies. In the indirect export strategy, there is a minimum amount of risk involved. On the other hand, the level of control of the market is also the least in this strategy. The market control is less due to the reason that products are being transferred abroad by other intermediaries (Levesque, 2004). In this strategy, the organisation does not get involved in any type of marketing. No type of marketing or any other activity is conducted in the strategy of indirect exporting. The sales in such a strategy are conducted as sales in a domestic market. Indirect exporting has the ability to invest in new markets and to do this they do not require any expertise or high amounts of investments. The strategy of indirect exporting is a common strategy initiated by organisations as a market entry strategy. If organisations become successful with the results of this strategy then they plan towards further agreements with the organisations of the host country (Terpstra and Sarathy, 2001). Indirect exporting is conducted via sales organisations that are domestically located. Domestic sales organisation is considered to be an easy method of managing sales in foreign markets. In this strategy, products can be bought and sold in the domestic market and it can be resold in the foreign market. The firm that is exporting the products needs to be in touch with the marketing activities of the foreign market so that they are able to increase the sales of their products at a constant note (Raff, Ryan, and Stahler, 2009). International trading companies is another form of indirect exporting. This type of indirect exporting is conducted by initiating local offices across the globe. Examples of international trading companies can be Mitsubishi Company of Japan. The international trading

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Choose by your own no specific topic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Choose by your own no specific topic - Essay Example it were a rational fallacy in perfect harmony with the fallacy of composition; the exposure of such eliminates metaphysical and naturalistic ethics and makes the arguments of intuitionists correct. However, on a deeper analysis, naturalistic fallacy is an assumption, not a tool to resolve the debate. The concept of a naturalistic fallacy has been related to the idea of a split between the descriptive and the normative and between the ‘is’ and the ‘ought’. However when the intuitionists confirm the split of the ‘is’ and the ‘ought’, they suggest more than the idea that ethical principles cannot be inferred from non-ethical principles. As pointed out by Moore, ‘pleasantness’ and ‘yellow’ cannot be defined in non-ethical ways, yet they are natural aspects and part of ‘is’ concept. . It is evident that the naturalistic fallacy cannot be considered a logical fallacy, because it could be included even if the premise is true. Of the fallacies known and recognized in philosophy the naturalistic fallacy is the most popular or widely used. For scholars of a given type of ethical theory, which is widespread in the Americas and Europe, and which is diversely referred to as ‘intuitionism’, ‘non-naturalism’, or ‘objectivism’, have often criticized their rivals for perpetrating the naturalistic fallacy (Foot, 2002, 51). Several of these rivals have intensely rejected the accusation of fallacy, others have reacted to it briefly, and in all the concept of a naturalistic fallacy had a major importance in ethical texts. However, despite its popularity and controversy, the naturalistic fallacy has been largely ignored (Foot, 2002), and, thus, this paper analyzes this concept. Specifically, this paper argues that naturalistic fallacy is essential, especially in the field of ethical theory and practice. The naturalistic fallacy was defined and coined in 1903 by G.E. Moore, a British philosopher. According to him, a naturalistic fallacy is

Monday, November 18, 2019

Do Athlethes and Actors Get Paid to Much Assignment

Do Athlethes and Actors Get Paid to Much - Assignment Example , it is a belief that in a typical society where traditionally the amount of money payable in salaries and related earnings is determined against the value of one’s work to the society, the pay packages of athletes and actors go against the grain. It is a common economic practice in the modern society that in determining the pay commensurate to someone’s work, it is to be determined by the economic significance of their work, and value added to the society by that particular job. For instance, the teaching profession is among one of the most economically significant profession since the future of any economy is dependent on the education acquired by its young generation. In spite of this fact, teachers are paid peanuts when compared to established athletes such as Usain Bolt (Quirk, Rodney and Pay108). In addition, there is the opinion that athletes and actors do not encounter hardships and life-endangering situations in their work. However, this cannot be said of occupations such as those of policemen, medical practitioners and fire brigades who save lives of other people even risking their lives in the process. What of the gallant police officers and military personnel who even abandon their loved families for the service of protecting and defending their nations with some paying the ultimate price in the process? They all earn just a little fraction of these athletes and actors. In fact even the number one patriot in America, President Obama’s pay cannot stand what these A-class athletes and actors take home in spite of the fact that he handles and makes critical policy decisions that directly affect the entire world each day he is in office (Hanold 89). The group that hold this view reiterate that if athletes and actors are to be paid these huge pay packages, then they should at least give back some of it to the society. They can do this through charity organizations as a show of goodwill since the same people make their payday. In addition, they should

Friday, November 15, 2019

Impact of E-banking on Traditional Banking Services

Impact of E-banking on Traditional Banking Services Introduction: In order to introduce e-banking and traditional banking this part of the article is explained a short background of established bank, problem statements, research question and the research intention. Also, a concise overview of e-commerce activity on e-banking and traditional bank has been presented in this chapter. Bank and business are intimately connected to each other. At the beginning, the original type of commercial bank that handled customer deposits and made investment loans to businesses. Franlin (1995) illustrated that the traditional banks only entities legally able to issue checking accounts prior to the 1980s. While still dominant in the banking industry, traditional banks are joined by savings and loan associations, credit unions, and mutual savings banks. In a recent decade, traditional banks adopted e-commerce and converted to e-bank that is an important component of business development plan. During better times, business is easier to acquire and maintain. An extreme view speculates that the e-banking will destroy old models of banking services (DeYoung, 2001a). This extreme view proved that banks take advantage of this new technology that depends on their assessment of the profitability and established e-banking services (Malhotra and Singh, 2009). For example, Titrade (2008) demonstrated that e-banking services offer customers to get online benefits those are: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ achieve information about accounts and loans, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ transfer money to different accounts, even between external banks, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Paying bills, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Buying and selling stocks and bonds by depot, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Buying and selling fund shares Magdalena and Luminita (2009) reported that banking services through internet have, generally, operational and transactional costs cheaper than usual banking services. In the meantime, banking industry must adapt to the electronics age, which in its turn is changing all the time In addition, Berger (2003) revealed that industry analysis outlining the potential impact of e-banking on cost savings, revenue growth and risk profile of the banks have also generated considerable interest and speculation about the impact of the e-banking industry on traditional bank. However, one of the issues currently being addressed (Titrade, 2008) is the impact of e-banking on traditional banking. Rogers (1998) points out that the impact of traditional bank measures based only on traditional balance sheet figures where as largely ignored non-traditional activities. On the other hand, Panait (2009) argued that the impact of e-banking evaluates to customer information under the existing regulations. Ensure the security and confidentiality of customer information; Protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of such information; Save from unauthorized access to or use of such information that could result harm or problem to any customer. Researchers important activities and usefulness course of action have prompted a search for better methods for reducing impact of traditional banking service. Although a number of methods have been reported, simple and efficient approaches still remain scare. In recent years much effort has been devoted to study the effect of different measuring extreme systematic risk process (Olivier, 2008). In this paper it will be discussed how e-banks are different from the traditional banks in terms of profitability, cost efficiency, asset quality and other characteristics by examining bank financial statements. The present study will examine a comprehensive a set of measurements of financial performance that allow us to look inside the black box of e-banking performance. By developing a deeper understanding of these phenomena, we can draw more insightful inferences about the impact of e-banking strategies, production processes and financial performance. Background: Research significance: The need and demand of e-banking possesses a great challenge for traditional banking service. In order to meet a high-quality service in business sector traditional banking service has to be optimized to e-banking. The significant of research associated with e-bank itself and e-commerce, off course, lies in its availability. Ineligible banking progress and decisions may amplify a financial strategic risk (Cezar et al.). Carter and Garcia (2009) made it clear that traditional banking system and transactions have recognized that they are not as permanent as previously assumed. The loss of confidence in traditional banking system has revealed by the recent financial system fall down. Panait (2009) made it understandable that banking operations hazard arises from fraud, handling errors, system trouble, or other unexpected actions. This risk continues in each item for consumption and service offered. Funding and investment-related risks could increase with an institutions e-banking initiatives depending on the volatility and pricing of the acquired deposits. On the other hand, the drawback lies in its security factors and complexity. Both of them have profound impact of e-banking traditional banking service. It may appear form social and organizational perspective (Ioannis, 2009) and may arise due to a failure of some relevant integrity or all the lack of authentic and confidential information. From the above point of view, it is clear that traditional banking faced a lot of problems from different user and non user. The study can be extend this examine to all banks offering online banking sectors. Problem statement: Main area of this study is impact e-banking on traditional bank services and several drawbacks of some traditional banking. There are few reasons for directed on this topic: 1) Most traditional bank activities, such as banks acting as derivatives dealers, expose banks to risks and moral hazard problems failure to get customer satisfaction (Franlin, 1995). 2) A potential commercial market for e-banking services are successful, but old model banks getting lose to manage their vast expenses (Yuan, 2010). 3) The banking sector has been most successful with online transaction, easy internet access, the availability of secure, high standard online banking functionality, cost savings, and the necessity of banking services (AC Nielsen Consulting 2000; Laforet Li, 2005). Besides that poor public image, customer dissatisfaction, competition and specialization had made the practice of much more difficult to deal traditional banking. Research Question: The research questions of this study relate to the factors that influence the adoption and implementation of e-commerce in particular reference to the traditional banking industry. The specific questions to be examined are: What impact factors verify the adoption of ecommerce in traditional banks? According to the present study I initiated following question: How e-banks are different from the traditional banks? How the traditional banks financial performance affected by e-banking? General responsible of bank is public funding operation such as; payment and deposits then why bank are regulated? In comparison with e-banking why traditional bank services failed to get customer satisfaction? How to utilize the new digital products and services to create a more sustainable future. Aim and object: Aims: In view of the extensive occurrence of traditional banking in our society, specifically in public sector and organizations as well as their important activities of the e-banking, it is planned to search for better methods and recommendation for developing banking systems. Objectives: The study is designed to correspond with the objectives of assessing the impacts of e-banking, specifically focusing e-banking on the traditional banking service. The following objectives are discussed: Understanding e-banking and traditional banking terms of profitability. To assess the impact of e-banking on traditional banking service. To identify and highlight potential improvements what reduces the impacts of traditional banking. To highlight the different products or services distribution strategies which increases resource of efficiency and customers satisfaction? 2. Literature review: 2.1. E-banking VS traditional banking: The banking sector is an integral part of the economy. Bjelica and Dejan (2010) addressed that traditional banks are considered to be financial institutions which deal with financial activities in terms of collecting deposits and giving loans. An e-banking, on the other hand, is consists of several distribution channels that can supply several information about transaction (Karjaluoto (2002a). Similarly, Daniel (1999) illustrated that e-banking is the delivery system of banks which provides information and services to customers via different delivery policy that can be used with a variety of devices such as a internet accessory, cell phone and desktop, telephone or digital television. Under the traditional bank payment transactions, we assume every payment which is done via a bank or some other similar organization concerning any kind of legal affairs (Bjelica and Dejan, 2010). However, the Internet is a main delivery channel for e-banking and its value to customers and banks is continuously increasing its delivery systems (Karjaluoto, 2002; Mattila, 2001). But, the payment transactions system does not include only cash payments, i.e. when a debtor gives money to a creditor. Definition of traditional banking transactions system extended by Bjelica and Dejan,( 2010) that all natural and legal persons are on the side of the applicants while the authorized organizations for payment transactions (banks, PTT exchange, savings banks) are on the side of the recipients. Conversely, e-banking is the automated delivery system to customers through internet, interior message channels (Daniel, 1999; Sathye, 1999). According to Basel Committee report on banking supervision (2008) it refers to the provision of retail and banking products and services through electronic channels. Thus in the most encompassing definition, electronic banking would run the gamut from direct deposit, ATMs, credit and debit cards, telephone banking, to electronic bill payment and web-based banking. 2.2. Movement of e-banking According to Karjaluoto (2002), the consumer movement from traditional branch banking to e-banking has meant that new strategies to attract new customers and retain existing ones become critical. Ranaweera and Prabhu (2003) argue that ideally, firms should aim at a combined strategy that makes switching costs act as a complement to customer satisfaction. While customer satisfaction may be one important driver of customer retention, switching costs are also likely to influence customer retention (Lee et al., 2001; Ranaweera and Prabhu, 2003). Portal providers are likely to attract the most significant share of banking profits. Indeed banks could become glorified It required much more effort to manage and sustain a successful practice. 2.3. The impact of traditional bank: In the last two decades the impact of traditional banks tainted a great deal. Therefore the understanding of the essence of this banking system has been changed as well. Bjelica and Dejan (2010) illustrated that many aspects prejudiced this trend. For example; internationalization, globalization, the increase in number of financial services, the progress of competition, technological development and the appearance of a great number of innovations have changed banking system. In addition, Altunbas et al., (2001), Iannotta et al. (2007) argued that the impact of traditional bank is focused on ownership of different types banking service such as; the state ownership (Porta et al.,2002), Berger et al. (2005), Micco et al. (2007), foreign ownership (Berger et al. (2005), Lensink et al. (2008), Staikouras et al. (2008)) and block holder ownership (Caprio et al. (2007), Laeven Levine (2008)) are on the banking performance. Furthermore, DeYoung et al. (2001) was studied to examine the impac t of the level of management and board ownership on bank efficiency. By separating management and board ownership, It address the criticism presented in Demsetz Villalonga (2001) that many studies on the impact of management ownership has included board ownership in the management or insider ownership variable even though the interests of the management and board are different. 2.4. Potential improvements that reduces the impacts of traditional banking Goski et al.(2007) concentrated on the frustrations of accessing credit facilities compel from formal banking systems to informal enterprises which is non banking activities and informal arrangements to access funds for their business operations. De Wulf et al. (2001) realize that building a profitable and sustainable long term relationship with customers is central to the relationship marketing theory. Correspondingly, increasing customers retention, developing and maintaining trust and commitment between sellers and customers (Gaur Xu, 2009) are part of theory. In addition, Gaurav, (2008) appreciated that achieving high customers loyalty and more customers satisfaction is the main objectives of an organization. Also, cost reduction due to the better understanding of customers needs (Ndubisi, 2004) equally important of marketing theory. The application of relationship marketing theory has even extended into financial services, due to the deregulation policy (Yavas Yasin, 2001). The removal of restrictions between banks, building societies and insurance companies (Speed and Smith, 1992) and the vast expansion in the adoption and use of information technologies (Bergeron et al, 2008) is important factor. There are outlined specific actions that organization should consider in implementing a security program (Ramball M. (2008)). These measures include: Identifying and assessing the risks that may threaten consumer information; Developing a written plan containing policies and procedures to manage and control these risks; Implementing and testing the plan; Adjusting the plan on a continuing basis to account for changes in technology, the sensitivity of customer information, and internal or external threats to information security. There are also outlined the responsibilities of management to oversee the protection of customer information including the security of customer information maintained or processed by service providers. Titrade, (2008) afraid that in opportunity of e-banking and its allegation are uncertain. The points of view in favor are as follows: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ E-banking transactions are much low-priced than branch or even phone transactions. This could be a large competitive advantage for e-banking, that allow e-banks to undercut bricks-and-mortar banks. This is commonly known as the beached dinosaur theory. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ E-banking will lead to al other banking sector that is currently enjoyed by the major UK banks. 2.5. Products or services which increase resource of efficiency and customers satisfaction: Traditional banks may simply be left with payment and settlement business even this could be cast into doubt and customers unhappiness. The idea of customer pleasure has been exercised since the early 1980 (Bailey Pearson, 1983; Ives, Olson, Baroudi, 1983) and its have been studied since the 1980 (Bailey Pearson, 1983; J. Chin, Diehl, Norman, 1988; Ives et al., 1983; Rivard Huff, 1988; Rushinek Rushinek, 1986). Bailey et al. (1983) state that several factors affect the user satisfaction and it can be seen as a bi-dimensional attitude. The user satisfaction can be seen sum of users feeling and attitudes toward several factors that affect the usage situation (Bailey et al., 1983). Recently, there has been growing interest in traditional bank user experience (Hiltunen et al., 2002; Lindgaard Dudek, 2003; Wilson Sasse, 2004), which can be seen as much larger concept of consumers satisfaction. User experience has become an important factor in e-banking because the end user often pays for the majority of new products and services, which indicates that new products characteristics such as; security, ease of use, Digital products/services, transaction and payments, and innovation contents(Khanfar, 2006). From this perspective, assessing the user experience is essential for many technology products and services (Wilson Sasse, 2004). 3.2. Theoretical framework: From the practical point of view, there are mainly two kinds of venture, one of which is adaptation of e-commerce and other is development of e-banking. Kyu and Bipin (2001) provided both theoretical explanations and empirical validation on the adoption of e-commerce for traditional banking services. Regarding the adoption of e-banking, they enabled to offer specific recommendations on marketing strategies for practitioners. Ronald (2003) observed that law and right and the increase of internet facilities moved up the transaction. Elias (2000) explored the status of e-commerce in the banking industry. Many researches focused on the user of e-banking that have been done on adoption of e-commerce, and the following factors influencing it. Security: The quality or state of being secure to be free from danger. Ease of Use: A method that the bank Availableness it for the customer who through it use the procedures of banks easily. Digital Products/Services: Goods and services that can be transformed to digital format and deliver upper the internet banking. Transaction and Payment: services and procedures that the bank availableness for the customer who through it able to payment and other borrow and other transaction form banks online. Information Content: content at a web site that need to be changed continually to keep it up to date. Innovation: the innovation of new ideas such as new technologies, design and best practice that permit bank to compete efficiently in the worldwide environment. When an enterprise realized danger, it will takes a series of examine on the basis of tthree hypothesizes. This study tries to make relationship and linkage between e-business and networking technology. HYPOTHESIS DEVELOPMENT The proposed model depicts that a customers assessment of traditional banking service quality is positively related to customer satisfaction and his/her willingness to recommend and will decrease his/her likelihood to complain. On the other hand, if the customers assessment of the traditional banking service quality is negative, the customer will engage in unfavorable behavioral intentions. Therefore, the following hypotheses are developed: H1: There is a significant difference between customers expectations and their perceptions of service quality offered by traditional banking. H2: There is a significant relationship between traditional banking service quality and customer satisfaction. H3: There is a significant relationship between internet banking service quality and customer behavioral intentions H4: Customers at are dissatisfied with banks environment and location. There is a significant relationship between customer satisfaction and customer behavioral intentions 3. Methodology: The methodology will be based on a cross- sectional survey method with three (3) main components. These included Reviews, Contacts and Field Activities. The review was conducted through desk research of online resources, research papers, working documents, conference documents, and other publications. The contacts were made through one on one discussion and/or small group discussions by visiting offices and officials of banks whether, semi informal or formal. A self developed instrument was used for the field exercise. The study classified the system into three categories based on the classification by (Basu et al., 2004) in an IMF working paper. The suggested method which is also applicable in the study is the use of the questionnaires wherein the banks can determine the level of understanding of the customers about the online banking and the other related services. Also through the help of the questionnaires, the banks can measure the influence or the impact of the interactive banking in finding solutions out of the clients busy life. All of the information created out of the questionnaires will lead to the determination of the various perceptions of the customers in the services that is offered through the use of Internet. Investigation will be prepared by collecting data, analyzing, comparing and interpreting the results according to literature procedure. The course of action will be ready by gathering data from several years to current published journal. The data will be monitored by comprising with several aspects. The accumulated data will be justified based on analytical data obtained from internet publication. Rationale: The important networking activities and usefulness as natural process have prompted a search for better methods of producing e-business. Although a number of synthetic methods for judging of e-business have been reported, simple and efficient approaches still remain scare. Limitation: To collect more information from present fast moving situation, manage formal and informal interview within the time will be main problem for this study. Anyway, more limitation will be including actually when I will handing out data. Reflection: e-banking is the real output of the impact of traditional bank. Timetable: Task Start End Research proposal 10/11/2010 18/11/2010 Topic selection 19/10/2010 22/11/2010 Finding 23/11/2010 30/11/2010 Literature review 01/12/2010 10/12/2010 Problem identification 11/12/2010 15/12/2010 Methodology 15/12/2010 20/12/2010 Drafting 21/12/2010 27/12/2010 Submission of research proposal 28/12/2010 08/12/2010 Conclusion: The result of this study shows that traditional bank users are not completely satisfied in comparison with online banking system. Traditional bank did not provide sufficient facilities to their clients that they obtained from online bank organizers. For instant, e-bank consumers are achieving several benefits such as; ATM, internet banking, credit card and a range of buying or selling option. As a result, most of the customers are moving to e-banking system. Usefulness, perceived ease of use; consumer awareness and perceived risk are the important determinants of e-banking banking adoption. This study meets the desired objective; but it suffers from one setback. Study concludes that a majority of customers are accepting e-banking since of many positive issues. We concluded that value, effortlessness of use of the system and the awareness about online banking and risks related to it. Those are real thing to accept online banking system. These factors have a strong and positive effect on customers to accept online banking system. These researches provide a rapid entry to justify business market in all conditions. This methodology is expected to be widely used in e-banking sector. Therefore, the process will provide a new entry into the active system for improving traditional banking system.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Labrador Retrievers :: Dogs

Have you ever seen a labrador retriever? If you have you know they have short fur, floppy ears, and a long â€Å"otter† tail. They are great pets and very loyal. If you want to learn more keep reading. Several dogs were brought by the British to Labrador, which is located in the Canadian province of Newfoundland. These dogs, over the course of time, were bred into the modern Labrador Retriever. Labrador Retrievers were originally bred as hunting and retrieving dogs. These dogs are now also trained to be search and rescue dogs and seeing eye dogs. The basic labrador retriever is large with â€Å"an otter like tail†1, a long snout, they are usually larger dogs with floppy ears. As puppies their heads tend to look bigger and their snout looks smaller. There are three different kinds of labs yellow, chocolate, and black. They all have slightly different behaviors. The yellow lab tends to have a more mellow behavior while the black has a hyper behavior and the chocolate a mild behavior. Each color of lab are often different sizes. The yellow tends to be the biggest, the chocolate tends to be in between, and the black lab is the smallest. Labs communicate in many different ways. Simple signs like wagging tails and other body language. A few signs are the tail wag means happy and when the fur sticks up on the back of their neck they are suspicious. A whimper means sad or hurt, a growl means angry, and if they are scared they will just sit down by their owners. Labs are available in many different places. You can buy a dog from a reliable breeder and the advantages to that are you know the dogs background and know it is usually healthy. The disadvantages are it cost more and if one of the puppies gets sick they can all get sick. You can buy a dog at the pound and the advantages to that are you have a chance to help a dog who would not have the opportunity for a very good life. The disadvantages are you don’t know its background and it also maybe scarred from abuse. The SPCA is another reliable source to obtain them. Once you buy a dog there are lots of responsibilities every day. Labrador Retrievers :: Dogs Have you ever seen a labrador retriever? If you have you know they have short fur, floppy ears, and a long â€Å"otter† tail. They are great pets and very loyal. If you want to learn more keep reading. Several dogs were brought by the British to Labrador, which is located in the Canadian province of Newfoundland. These dogs, over the course of time, were bred into the modern Labrador Retriever. Labrador Retrievers were originally bred as hunting and retrieving dogs. These dogs are now also trained to be search and rescue dogs and seeing eye dogs. The basic labrador retriever is large with â€Å"an otter like tail†1, a long snout, they are usually larger dogs with floppy ears. As puppies their heads tend to look bigger and their snout looks smaller. There are three different kinds of labs yellow, chocolate, and black. They all have slightly different behaviors. The yellow lab tends to have a more mellow behavior while the black has a hyper behavior and the chocolate a mild behavior. Each color of lab are often different sizes. The yellow tends to be the biggest, the chocolate tends to be in between, and the black lab is the smallest. Labs communicate in many different ways. Simple signs like wagging tails and other body language. A few signs are the tail wag means happy and when the fur sticks up on the back of their neck they are suspicious. A whimper means sad or hurt, a growl means angry, and if they are scared they will just sit down by their owners. Labs are available in many different places. You can buy a dog from a reliable breeder and the advantages to that are you know the dogs background and know it is usually healthy. The disadvantages are it cost more and if one of the puppies gets sick they can all get sick. You can buy a dog at the pound and the advantages to that are you have a chance to help a dog who would not have the opportunity for a very good life. The disadvantages are you don’t know its background and it also maybe scarred from abuse. The SPCA is another reliable source to obtain them. Once you buy a dog there are lots of responsibilities every day.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

The Autocratic Leader

1. Introduction to Autocratic Leadership There are several effective leadership styles used to run organizations. The autocratic style basically tells employees what to do. This style is defined as excessively demanding, with one way of communication-from management to employee. Managers possess the power to coerce â€Å"subordinates† to accomplish the mission. Decision making comes from the leader(s) and the opinion or input of the employee is not considered. Nevertheless, autocratic leadership can be useful in certain situations or types of businesses. At times, management must utilize this type of leadership to achieve important goals. 2. Martha Stewart – An Autocratic Leader Autocratic leadership is a management style that places pressure on employees to produce a product, service or image. This style is reminiscent of a dictatorship but in some businesses or military organizations, this type of leadership is necessary. Many employees have worked with an authoritarian manager and are used to it, require it, and even expect it. A good example of an autocratic leader is Martha Stewart who has built an empire based on her teaching techniques for simplicity and creativity in the home: cooking, crafts, finding the perfect housewares, etc.; all accomplished with great attention to detail. Whether people have admired Martha Stewart or not, one cannot argue that she has remained careful, consistent and demanding of her employees. She's very successful in nearly all of her endeavors, and often, if not always, has used an autocratic management style. It's common knowledge that it's her autocratic leadership style that has made her a success in nearly every form of media. Martha Stewart's critics (who are many) argue that she would have found even more success had she not relied so heavily on the autocratic style of leadership. 3. Autocratic Leadership in the Group Project Setting Another circumstance where autocratic leadership can be helpful is while working on group projects. When a group has no designated leader, a project can fail. When each group member expresses their own opinions and tenaciously holds to them, conflict is sure to arise. In this circumstance, project quality may suffer or literally come to a standstill. Groups need an autocratic leader who can hold to the decisions made by or for the group. The leader should seek for solutions to problems that arise in the project and then delegate the task to the members of the group. Steve Jobs, founder of Apple, Inc., was a very successful autocratic leader. He was typically authoritative and made every major final decision for Apple. Some argue that autocratic leadership can never lead to success – it's controlling and solely based on the personality and style of the manager. But an effective autocratic leader can achieve great success in bringing a project to completion. During the first stages of developing an entrepreneurial organization, implementing an autocratic leadership style will enable the company to have and keep direction and momentum. A leader who is autocratic should apply his/her style wisely and with trepidation.

Friday, November 8, 2019

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Sugar Ray Leonard essays

Sugar Ray Leonard essays This is my last fight, my decision is final. The journey is ended, my dream fulfilled. This is what Sugar Ray Leonard said after he won the gold medal for boxing in 1976. The journey was not over, nor was the dream was unfulfilled. Leonard had just begun one of the greatest careers the sports world had ever seen. Leonard early life, training, professional career, style, and ability to come back despite many obstacles shaped him into one of the greatest and most successful boxers of all time, not only in wins and loses but also in dollars and cents. This great and successful boxer had to begin somewhere. Even though Ray Charles Leonard was named after the great jazz musician, Ray Charles, he did not follow his parents dream for him to be a singer. Ray Charles Leonard was born on May 17, 1956, in Wilmington, North Carolina (Leonard). Leonard grew up in Wilmington and in Palmer Maryland, a racially-mixed lower-middle class suburb of Baltimore. He was the fifth child of Goethe and Cicero Leonards seven children. He graduated from high school and had no further education. His mothers original dream for him was early exhibited. He sang in the church choir with two of his sisters. Leonard was a good singer and the local church parishioners commented that he sounded similar to Sam Cooke (Schwartz). His brother Roger turned him to the boxing world early in his teens. Ray told his mother about his boxing I put the singing in the swinging (Schwartz). His statement was a good demonstration of the artistry in his boxing. Having avoided a life as a singer Leonard was ready to jump into the world of boxing. His first trainers were Dave Jacobs and Janks Morton, who took care of Leonard and taught him how to box. Leonard was considered a natural by his early trainers (Schwartz). Leonard was able to do almost anything in the ring (Sugar Ray). Leonard fo...

Monday, November 4, 2019

Analyies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Analyies - Essay Example As a result, the price begins to fall. As such, this paper seeks to illustrate how these macroeconomic forces are applied to world markets through an analysis of a recent article about world oil demand. Oil is a commodity that drives the economy in every country and for this reason, it is in demand across the whole globe. According to International Energy Agency (2015), â€Å"The price of oil continued to collapse into January as rising supplies collided with weak demand growth and OPEC maintained its commitment to not cut production. Brent crude futures last traded at $48.40/bbl, near a six-year low.† the problem is heightened by weak macroeconomic forces that continue to restrain global oil demand according to the energy agency. The graph below illustrates the trend in oil demand across the globe. It can be observed that the supply of this precious commodity is higher than the actual demand. Given such a scenario, it can also be noted that the price of this commodity begins to fall. The law of demand and supply applies in every market economy. There are quite a number of macroeconomic forces that come into play in as far as the price of a particular commodity is concerned. For instance, it the consumers have enough disposable income, it means that the price of the commodity is likely to decrease. On the other hand, more supply of the commodity than what is actually demanded in the market entails that the product price will also decline. Many countries across the globe are slashing the prices of fuel because of the fact that oil prices are falling on the world market. Given such as situation, it can be observed that countries in different parts of the globe a compelled to respond according to the macroeconomic conditions obtaining on the ground. In the same vein, when the supply of oil declines, the price of the commodity increases. As discussed above, it can be seen that the price of a certain

Friday, November 1, 2019

Qatar Airways Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Qatar Airways - Essay Example This has led to many of its global achievements and awards. Management strategies help to identify new opportunities for growth, like the merger between the American Airlines and US Airways which provides an exciting opportunity for further growth American Airlines and US Airways provides an exciting opportunity for further growth American Airlines and US Airways provides an exciting opportunity for further growth and connecting of customers to North America. The airline has also refocused its capacity to Africa in response to market and competition developments. During the recent years the airline has launched various global networks and destinations covering from Europe, South Asia the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America with a modern fleet and cargo aircrafts. It has made plans for its expansion with an additional frequency ad capacity to both existing and new destinations. The addition of airlines provides a major increase in the number of passengers and networks. Qatar Airways is one of the launch customers of the twin-deck super jumbo recognized for its luxurious design and as the world’s biggest aircraft capable of carrying capacity of 555 passengers. The first aircraft was delivered in 2014. The company also operates corporate jets for its executive subsidiary launched in 2009. The use of modern technology is a major advantage in the airline industries; it plays a key role in enhancing efficiency and customer services, the Qatar airways has partnered with Wipro Infotech in order to conceptualize their growth strategies. This gives them a competitive edge as they will be able to utilize Wipro’s highly technical resources, research and development centers to explore and take advantage of new technological solutions. Hamad International Airport opened I April 2014 is a project undertake y Qatar Airways designed to help shape Doha as one of the greatest regional and international aviation hub. The

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Marketing Campaign Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Marketing Campaign - Case Study Example Furthermore, it does not sacrifice the other wonders and advancements of car technology such as the optional Bluetooth capabilities or the option to include an input jack, so you can directly input whatever music you want to listen to while you drive around. It's your car, make it clean, make it affordable, and make it run well. That's a Toyota. For this marketing campaign we have chosen to specifically target men. We believe that this vehicle is already quite popular amongst women. However the gender gap is pretty big, and we need to find a way to market to more male customers. We are going to base the whole marketing technique around sex appeal, sports appeal, and make it so the Prius strongly appeals to the male population to increase our targeted sales. We are going to try to include as many groups, including marketing to all age groups of men, and to include people from every finical bracket. Already, TV ads are going to be geared towards the younger 18-35 audiences and older male audiences(35+), but both of those groups will be targeted by the sex appeal marketing plan. In addition, we are also going to cast people of many different races into the advertisements, so we can increase the appeal of this product to a more diverse group of customers. People connect best with people who are similar to them, this is why we also make sure to include all racial demographics. We are currently working on finding several celebrities to star in these ads, and are awaiting the results of which celebrities are most popular amongst the different age demographics that we have set aside for the male gender. We will be using male, as well as female actors, and intend to use attractive models to incorporate sex appeal into the marketing plan. Sex sells, everybody knows it, and if we could get a babe behind the wheel of a Prius or on a commercial, we would be golden. We have come up with a temporary draft of a man driving a Prius, with a hot girl, and then a man driving another model stuck with an ugly girl. This idea is just a rough draft and sample of one of the TV ads that may be implemented and used. The first wave of our campaign is going to be Internet based. We have joined with several huge advertising agencies to run online ads containing the Prius and the new Prius girls, a group of extremely attractive girls all swooning over the car, as they would in the first commercial idea. The ads will be run on companies such as Yahoo and Google, and we are currently looking into spreading these ads to popular sports sites to properly target the male demographic on the Internet, such as ESPN and Sports Net. The next campaign for our advertising is going to be TV, which will probably be the biggest force of our advertising. We have come up with several ad ideas and are in discussions with several popular rappers to try to appear in some of our commercials. We are also hoping to get several foot ball stars, basketball stars, baseball stars, and, of course, plenty of attractive women. We need to make the Prius sexy, because if men think the Prius is sexy they are going to purchase it. Men want sex appeal and if they think driving a Prius will help them have more sex appeal, then they will be more inclined to buy one. We are going to run these ads on the major networks, including EPSN, Comedy Central, FOX, ABC, Spike TV and CBS. In

Monday, October 28, 2019

A Better Future with Green Technology Essay Example for Free

A Better Future with Green Technology Essay We live in the 21st century which has been called the â€Å"century of the environment†. Our nation’s leaders and individual citizens are coming to an understanding that we can not assume any longer that problems such as pollution, climate changes and the dwindling amount of natural resources can be put off for a future generation to deal with (Green Technology, 2010). There are many uses and reasons for green technology. However, with the use of green technology we can have a healthier, cleaner and possibly longer future. In this paper, I will be discussing just a few of those many uses. The term technology refers to the application of knowledge for a practical purpose. Now the field of green technology encompasses a continuously evolving group of industries, industrial applications, methods and materials which exploit the value of the technologies that benefit the environment. This includes techniques from generating energy all the way to non-toxic cleaning products (Green Technology, 2010). These groups particularly exploit the way this technology impacts the human condition. See more: Unemployment problems and solutions essay The group of effected industries is quite diverse. It includes businesses as far as the fields of energy and agriculture. There are some who predict that someday every consumer product will be affected by green technology. The main goal of green technology is to find ways to produce technology in a way that does not damage or deplete any of the Earths natural resources. The use of green technology is supposed to reduce the amount of waste and pollution that is created during production and consumption. There are many different uses for green technology in our everyday lives. These different uses include a renewable energy source from alternative fuels, recycling, building green, natural and environmentally friendly cleaning supplies, green chemistry and even green nanotechnology (Green Technology, 2010). The most urgent of these issues is perhaps the use of renewable energy. The two main ways to be able to generate energy would be by using solar powered panels and the other is using wind turbines. Recycling is an easy way for us to help out our future generations. Recycling helps to eliminate unnecessary waste in our landfills and is also environmentally friendly. Another good way to also be environmentally friendly is to buy products that have been made using recycled products and natural ingredients. The U.S. Enviromental Protection Agency defines building green , also known as â€Å"sustainable† or â€Å"high performance† building, as the practice of creating structures and using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building’s life-cycle from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation and deconstruction. This practice expands and complements the classical building design concerns of economy, utility, durability, and comfort (Palmese, 2009). Building green encompasses everything from the choice of building materials to where a building is located (Green Technology, 2010). The United States military is trying to cut back its dependency on their usage of fossil fuels. Therefore, they are turning to more greener and natural approaches to curb their dependency. The green that the military is turning to is definitely not the camouflage. Currently the Army and Navy are both exploring green technology options. Soldiers are going green with solar power units, purifying stagnant waters, solar tents and LED lights (Lowman, 2011). The military is developing two solar powered humvees that they call FED Alpha and FED Bravo. FED stands for Fuel Efficient Ground Vehicle Demonstrator (Iliaifar, 2011). FED Bravo’s details are very sparse and so it still remains more of a mystery. FED Alpha is suppose to be equipped with a solar panel that is mounted on the Humvee to be able to assist with its electrical systems (Iliaifar, 2011). The U.S. military are currently using solar powered cooling tents in Afghanistan. The U.S. military has a goal to achieve 25 percent renewable energy by the year 2025. Fort Drum, NY has one of the world’s largest solar installations which currently heats the entire base (Lowman, 2011). The U.S. army and the U.S. Navy have both kicked off net zero programs which is aimed at reducing not only energy use on bases and also on water use and waste. The U.S. Navy is aiming for half of its bases to have net zero energy consumption by 2020. The Army is planning to install rooftop solar installations in as many as 160,000 private military home in 33 different states to help with energy costs (Westervelt, 2012). The Navy has commissioned a ship that is energy efficient. It is called the Makin Island. It is the first amphibious assault ship to replace its steam boilers with gas turbines. It is also the first Navy surface ship to be equipped with both gas turbinesand an auxiliary propulsion system (Department of Defense, 2009) The trucking industry is also continuously evolving to be be more green. Carriers are going with cleaner trucks to get better fuel mileage and help cut out on harmful emissions. These days there are numerous opportunities for a carrier to turn their fleet into a green fleet (Britton, 2010). California is becoming more of a green state. The state of California passed new laws to where a truck driver can not idle there truck if it is not a clean emissions truck. Now that the new clean trucks, Freightliner Cascadia and the International ProStar and Lonestar, are readily available it makes this easier to achieve. The trucking industry has been able to achieve nearly zero nitrogen oxide emissions as of January 1, 2010. It also achieved zero particulate matter emissions as of January 1, 2007 (Britton, 2010). Now that the trucking industry has been able to cut back nearly all emissions to zero they are turning their sights on another problem. The new problem the industry is tackling is fuel consumption. One thing they have tried so far is using auxiliary power units, which are also known as APUs, when idoling the truck at a rest area or truckstop has helped instead of burning a gallon of fuel an hour to idol the truck like before it now takes a gallon to idol for all ten hours since having an APU installed on the trucks. Another way the trucking industry was tried to conserve fuel to become greener is by switching to wide-based tires. This has cut consumption as much as ten percent in some cases (Britton, 2010). Freightliner has clean drive technology in all their trucks they make now. They can claim this only due to Selective Catalytic Reduction, or SCR, and Blue Tec Emissions Technology that help their heavy duty trucks to exceed EPA standards while still being cost efficient, practical and proven to stand the wear and tear of the industry (Freightliner). Blue Tec Emissions Technology has proven to increase performance with every drop of diesel fuel, reduce more of the pollutants from exhaust gases, and improve profitability from every mile covered. The Blue Tec Technology treats the exhaust gases and the end results are nitrogen and water. The same thing we breathe in. The Cascadia has an aerodynamic exterior to also help reduce drag and improve on fuel efficiency. There are new developments constantly in the field of green technology. One of the new developments is a hydrogen powered car. It is a zero emission car that produces water as exhaust. Green technology is hitting our major cities. Most cities are going organic and natural to preserve the Earth’s resources. Most larger cities have public transportation that run off clean fuel. Before we know it there will not be a location that is not going green or already gone green. We ourselves can jump on the green bandwagon. We can do this simply by doing a few things we already do to begin with. The first way is to come up with your own cleaning supplies from a few things around the house such as baking soda, vinegar and even lemons. Baking soda is good to remove stains, cut through tough grease and to freshen carpets (US Green Technology,2012). With these three simple products you could clean your entire home. Vinegar and newspaper or paper towel you can clean windows, mirrors and tile. Do not throw out any old electronics. It is better to donate old cell phones to someone in need or recycle them at a store that offers it. This is important because the old battery and possibly even the device still could contain mercury, which is extremely poisonous to the environment (U.S. Green Technology, 2012). After all the hard earned money spent on the device to begin with, it would be better to put it to good use some how. Another way to be green is the stop drinking bottled water because it saves our planet from having another non-biodegradable plastic bottle laying around. It is better to get a filter that you place on your faucet (U.S. Green Technology, 2012). Hopefully the nation’s leaders and all of the individual citizens will come to understand that while we live in the century of the environment, they can no longer assume that the Earth’s natural resources will be there for the future generation to be able to handle the problems of pollution, climate changes and the rapidly dwindling amount of natural resources left. There are many great uses and reasons for choosing to use green technology. The use of green technology can lead us all to a healthier, cleaner and possibly longer future. References Bibb, B. (2011) Green Perspectives Mandatory Commercial Recycling Creates Manufacturing Jobs. Green Technology. Retrieved from http://www.green-technology.org/green_technology_magazine/a-new-kind-of-corporation-in-california-for-a-new-bottom-line-q-/green-perspectives-mandatory-commercial-recycling-creates-manufa/ Britton, D. (2010, February 17) Investing wisely in Green Technologies. Heavy Duty Trucking. Retrieved from http://www.truckinginfo.com/news-details.asp?news_id=69434 Department of Defense. (2009, October 22). Retrieved from http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=49147 Freightliner Trucks (2012, March 5) Retrieved from http://www.freightlinertrucks.com/TruckInnovation/Clean-Drive-Technologies Green Technology (2010) Retrieved from http://www.green-technology.org/what.htm Green Technology (2010) Retrieved from http://www.green-technology.org/about.htm Iliaifar, A. (2011, December 29). Retreived from http://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/us-military-planning-to-go-green- with-hybrid-humvees/ Lowman, M. (2011, August 01) The military goes green. Science/Technology. Retreived from http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/08/01/v-print/1381865/the-military-goes-green.html Palmese, R. (2009, June) Green Building Construction in California. Retrieved from http://www.green-technology.org/greentech-report-june09r.pdf U.S. Green Technology. (2012, January 14). How to be Green. Retrieved from http://www.usgreentechnology.com/stories/how-to-be-green/ Westervelt, A. (2012, Febuary 2). Why the military hates fossil fuels. Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/amywestervelt/2012/02/02/why-the-military-hates-fossil- fuels-and-you-should-too-part-one-inefficiency/ Westervelt, A. (2012, February 6). The Military’s Green Tech Strategy. Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/amywestervelt/2012/02/06/why-the-military-hates-fossil-fuels-part-two-alternatives/ Westervelt, A. (2012, February 14). How the Military uses Green Tech to Save Soldiers L ives. Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/amywestervelt/2012/02/14/how-the-military-uses-green-tech-to-save-soldiers-lives/

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Compare and contrast - Huckleberry Finn (Huck) and Tom Sawyer Essay

Compare and contrast - Huckleberry Finn (Huck) and Tom Sawyer. Huckleberry Finn (Huck) and Tom Sawyer are two of the characters created by Mark Twain for two of his timeless books. They are as different as night and day but in some cases as similar as an alligator and a crocodile. Tom is a born leader and Huck is a follower. Tom is unaccustomed to the fierceness of life on the streets and Huck is very familiar with it. However, both Tom and Huck enjoy playing tricks on people and causing trouble in the town where they live. Another way that they are similar is that they both confuse information. For example, Huck tells Jim that Henry VIII married a new wife everyday after cutting off the head of the previous one. Huck also says that each of the wives would tell the king a story and he collected the stories until he had 1001. There is factual information in both of those statements. Henry VIII did cut off some of his wives heads, but only so he could marry another woman in hopes that she would bear him a son to rule in his place. The part about collecting stories comes from the legend of how 10001 Arabian Nights was composed, which states that a wife of an Arab king told him various stories for 1001 nights. Tom on the other hand confuses information from books. For example, he convinces his friends to help him raid a caravan that was transporting jewels through the woods and after it turns out that they were raiding a Sunday school picnic, Tom tells Huck that genies transformed the treasure and its guards into children. This explanation is the merging of the windmill scene in Don Quixote and Aladdin from 1001 Arabian Nights. The fact that Tom can turn a Sunday school picnic into a caravan of Arabs prov... ... signs being able to make up his own mind about things. That being evident from his blending of the reality he reads about in books and the real world. Huck furthers his inclination to determine whether or not he believes someone by spotting almost instantly that the two men he and Jim pick up are not even remotely related to any form of royalty as they claim to be. Huck ability to reason seems almost ingrained in him. It appears that way because he has had very little schooling and it is doubtful that the schooling he has had covers practicality. That is most likely why Huck is found to be a very complex character, where as Tom is almost transparent. Both are magnificent creations of Mark Twain's imagination. Their friendship just goes to prove that opposites do attract one another. And their adventures are what cause them to be read about to this day.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Island of the Sequined Love Nun Chapter 51~53

51 Where Losers Flourish The Sorcerer paced back and forth across the lanai. â€Å"I want to find another pilot, Beth. We can't let him act that way and get away with it.† The Sky Priestess yawned. She was draped across the wicker emperor's chair, wearing a towel she'd wrapped above her breasts at the Sorcerer's request. He said he needed to think. â€Å"Did you ask him why he did it?† â€Å"Of course I asked him. He said he was trying to liven up the game.† â€Å"Worked, didn't it?† â€Å"It's not funny, Beth. We're going to have trouble with him.† The Sky Priestess stood up and put her arms around the Sorcerer. â€Å"You have to have a little faith in me,† she said. â€Å"I can handle Tucker Case.† She didn't want to have this conversation. Not yet. She hadn't told the Sorcerer about Tuck going off course. She had plans for the fair-haired pilot. The Sorcerer pulled away from her and backed up to the rail. â€Å"What if I don't like the way you handle him?† â€Å"And what's that supposed to mean?† â€Å"You know what it means.† She approached him again, this time untucking the towel so it dropped as she stepped into his arms. Her nipples just brushed the front of his shirt. â€Å"‘Bastian, if what happened today proved anything, it proved that Tucker Case is a troglodyte. He's no threat to you. I'm attracted to finesse, not force. Case reacts to force with force. That's why he hit Yamata. You use a gentle touch with a guy like that and he's helpless.† Sebastian Curtis turned away from her. â€Å"I'm not taking the guards off his house, not for a while anyway.† â€Å"You do what you think is best, but it's not good policy to make an enemy of someone whose services you require. So what if he hates the ninjas? I hate the ninjas. You hate the ninjas. But we need them, and we need a pilot. We're not likely to be as lucky next time.† â€Å"Lucky? The man's a reprobate.† â€Å"Tucker Case is a loser. Losers flourish on islands, away from competition. You taught me that.† Flattery might work where seduction seemed to be failing. â€Å"I did?† She unzipped his pants. â€Å"Sure, that monologue about ninety percent of the endangered species living on islands. That's because they would have died out years ago from real competition. Losers, like Tucker Case.† â€Å"I was talking about unique ecosystems, like the Galpagos, where evolution is speeded up. The way the religions take hold.† â€Å"Same difference.† He yanked her hand out of his pants and pushed her away. â€Å"What's that make us, Beth? What does that make me?† The Sky Priestess was losing on all fronts. There was an element here that she was not in control of, an unknown variable that was affecting the Sorcerer's mood. When sex and flattery don't work, what next? Ah, team spirit. â€Å"It makes us the fittest, ‘Bastian. It makes us superior.† He looked at her quizzically. Easy now, she thought. You're getting him back. She walked slowly back to the emperor's chair and sat down daintily, then threw a leg over either arm and leaned back spread-eagle. â€Å"A quiz, ‘Bastian, a quiz on evolution: Why, after all these years, with all the fossil evidence, doesn't anyone know for sure what happened to the dinosaurs? Don't answer right away. Think.† She fiddled with her left nipple while she waited, and finally a smile came over his face. He really did have great teeth. She had to give him credit for keeping up his dental hygiene all these years on the island. â€Å"No witnesses,† he said finally. â€Å"We have a winner. But more precisely, no surviving witnesses. Losers can only flourish until a dominant species appears, even on an island.† A shade of concern crossed his face. â€Å"But dinosaurs ruled the Earth for sixty million years. You can hardly call them losers.† Could he be any more difficult? â€Å"Look, Darwin, there are absolutely no dinosaurs getting laid tonight. Pick your team.† 52 Don't Know Much About History Tuck twisted the guts out of the stick pen and pried off the end cap with a kitchen knife, making, in effect, a perfect compact blowgun. He found a piece of notebook paper in the nightstand and seated himself on the wicker couch so he had a good diagonal view of the guards posted outside his door. He tore off a small piece of the paper with his teeth, worked it into a sufficiently gooey ball, then fit it into the pen tube and blew. The spit wad sailed through the window and curved harmlessly away from the guards. Too much moisture. He squeezed the next one between his fingers before loading, then let fly to strike the nearest guard in the neck. He brushed at his neck as if waving off an insect, but otherwise didn't react. More moisture. Tuck had taught himself deadly accuracy with the spitball blowgun at a time when he was supposed to be learning algebra. In contradiction to what his teacher had told him, he had never needed to know algebra in later life, but mastery of the spitball was going to come in handy, although this skill had not ended up on his permanent record, as had, presumably, his failure of algebra. The third wad struck the guard in the temple and stuck. He turned and cursed in Japanese. Tuck had prechewed a follow-up shot that took the guard in the neck. The guard gestured with his Uzi. â€Å"Go ahead, fuckstick. Shoot me,† Tuck said, a gleam in his eye. â€Å"Explain to the doc how you shot his pilot over a spit wad.† He tore off another piece of paper with his teeth and chewed it while the guard glared. The corrugated steel storm shutters above the windows were held open with a single wooden strut. The guard clipped the strut and the shutter fell with a clang. Tuck moved to the next window down. He leaned out and fired. A splat in the forehead of guard number two, another strut knocked out, another clanging shutter. One window to go, this one demanding a shot of almost twenty-five feet. Tuck popped his head out and blew. A spiderweb of spittle trailed behind the projectile as it traveled down the lanai. It struck the first guard on the front of his black shirt and he ran toward Tuck, leading with his Uzi. Tuck ducked back inside and the final shutter fell. Tuck heard the guard at each shutter, latching it down. Mission accomplished. With the guards peeking in the window every two minutes, he would have never been able to pull off the coconut dummy switch. And even in the ambient moonlight, he'd have never made it to the bathroom unnoticed. Of course, he couldn't have closed the windows. That would have been suspicious. â€Å"Good night, guys. I'm turning in.† He stood, blowgun waiting, but the shutters remained latched. He quickly turned off the lights and crawled into bed, where he constructed the coconut man and waited until he heard the guards start to talk and smelled tobacco smoke from their cigarettes. Then he tiptoed to the bathroom and made his escape. He half-expected the shower bottom to be nailed down. Beth Curtis had used it to escape only this morning. Maybe she hadn't figured that he knew about it. No, she was nuts, but she wasn't stupid. She knew he knew. She even knew that he knew she knew. So why hadn't she told Sebastian? And she hadn't said anything about their little detour to Guam either – or maybe she had. Sebastian hadn't sent a big postflight check like before. Tuck made a mental note to ask the doc about the check the next time they were on the golf course. For now he snatched up his flippers and mask and headed for the beach. Before entering the water, he pulled a bottle of pills from his pocket – anti-biotics left over from his dickrot – and made sure that the cap was on tight. This might be the only chance he'd have to get medicine to Kimi. He swam around the minefield and went straight into the village and down the path toward Sarapul's house. Women and children were still sitting around outside their houses, the women weaving on small looms by kerosene lantern, the children playing quietly or finishing up dinners off banana leaf plates. Only the smallest children looked at Tuck as he passed. The women turned away, determined, it seemed, not to make eye contact with the strange American. Yet there was no alarm in their ac-tions and no fear, just a concerted effort to not notice him. Tuck thought, This must be what New York was like before the white man came. And with that in mind, he stared at a spot in the path exactly twelve feet in front of him and denied their existence right back. It was better this way. He never knew when he might have to fly one of their body parts to Japan. He made his way quickly up the path and soon he could see a glow near Sarapul's house. He broke into the clearing and saw the old cannibal and Kimi sitting around a fire, working on something. Sewing, it looked like. â€Å"Kimi,† Tuck said, â€Å"you shouldn't be up.† Kimi looked up from his work. There was a huge piece of blue nylon draped over his and Sarapul's laps. â€Å"I feel better. You fixed me, boss.† Tuck handed him the pills. â€Å"Take two of these now and two a day until they're gone.† â€Å"Sarapul give me kava. It make the hurt stop.† â€Å"These aren't for the hurt. These are for infection. Take them, okay?† â€Å"Okay, boss. You want to help?† â€Å"What are you guys making?† â€Å"I'll show you.† Kimi started to rise and his face twisted with pain. Sarapul pushed him back down. â€Å"I will show.† The old cannibal snatched up the kerosene lantern and gestured for Tuck to follow him into the jungle. Tuck looked back at Kimi. â€Å"You take those pills. And don't move around much, I'm not sure how well those stitches will hold. You had a big hole in you.† â€Å"Okay, boss.† Sarapul disappeared into the jungle. Tuck ran after him and almost ran him over coming out of a patch of small banana trees into an area that cleared into walking trees, mangroves, and palms. About fifty yards ahead, Sarapul stopped near the beach. He stood by what appeared to be a large fallen tree, but when Tuck got closer he saw it was a long sailing canoe. Sarapul grinned up at Tuck, the light from the lamp making him appear like some demon from the dark island past. â€Å"The palu – the navigator – he make. I help.† Sarapul ran the light down the length of the canoe. Tuck could see that one of the tall gunwales was darkened and glazed with age, while the other had been hewn recently and was bright yellow. He could smell the fresh wood sap. There was an outrigger the size of a normal canoe and a platform across the struts. As canoes went, it was a huge structure, and hewing the hull from a single piece of wood with hand tools had taken an incredible amount of work, not to mention skill. â€Å"Kimi did this? This is gorgeous.† Sarapul nodded, his eyes catching the fire of the lamp. â€Å"This boat broken since before the time of Vincent. Kimi is great navigator.† â€Å"He is?† Tuck had his doubts, given the storm, but then again, as Kimi had said, they had survived a typhoon in a rowboat. And this craft was no accident; this was a piece of art. â€Å"So you guys are sewing a sail for this?† â€Å"We finish soon. Then palu will teach me to sail. The Shark People will go to sea again.† â€Å"Where'd you get the nylon for the sail? I can't see Dr. Curtis thinking this is a good idea.† Sarapul climbed into the canoe and dug under a stack of paddles and lines, each hand-braided from coconut fiber, until he came up with a tattered mass of nylon straps, Velcro, and plastic buckles with a few shreds of blue nylon hanging here and there. â€Å"My pack. You guys used my pack?† â€Å"And tent inside.† â€Å"Do you have the stuff that was inside? There were some pills that can help Kimi.† Sarapul nodded. He led Tuck back through the jungle to his house. Kimi had gone inside and was lying down. â€Å"Boss, I don't feel so good.† â€Å"Hang on. I might have some more medicine.† Actually, Tuck had never been sure of all the things that Jake Skye had loaded into the pack. Sarapul retrieved a palm frond basket from the rafters and handed it to Tucker. Tuck found the antibiotics he had been looking for, as well as painkillers and aspirin. Even what was left of his cash was in the basket. All the pills were still dry. Tuck doled out a dose and handed them to the navigator. â€Å"Take these when you have pain, and these take like the other ones, twice a day, okay?† â€Å"You good doctor, boss.† â€Å"You did a hell of a job on that boat.† Kimi seemed distressed. â€Å"You not tell Sorcerer or Vincent's white bitch.† â€Å"No, I won't tell them.† Kimi seemed to breathe easier. â€Å"Roberto come today. He say you must see the canoe. But he say you should no tell the Sorcerer.† â€Å"Roberto told you that.† â€Å"He talk funny now,† Kimi said. â€Å"Like you, kinda. In American. He tell me Sepie is okay. She come home soon.† â€Å"I couldn't get in to see her. There was a guard on the clinic.† â€Å"Dog fuckers,† Kimi said. Then Tuck told the navigator about the golf game and watched as the old cannibal held him while he laughed, then curled with pain. â€Å"I better sleep now, boss. You come back. I take you sailing.† â€Å"You got it.† Tuck backed out of the house and waited until Sarapul joined him with the lamp. â€Å"You know which pills to give him?† Sarapul nodded. Tuck started down the path toward the village, but pulled up a minute later when he heard the cannibal running after him. â€Å"Hey, pilot. Vincent send you to us, huh?† â€Å"I don't know.† â€Å"You tell Vincent I wasn't going to eat you. Okay?† Tuck smiled. â€Å"I'll try to smuggle you some Spam next time I come.† Sarapul smiled back. As he came up on the drinking circle, Tuck stopped and checked his watch. He didn't want to be gone more than a couple of hours. There was little danger that he'd be called to fly, at least not without the warning appear-ance of the Sky Priestess, but Beth Curtis might show up at his bungalow at any time. Funny, he didn't think of the Sky Priestess and Beth as the same person. The Shark men were applying new coats of red paint to their bamboo rifles by the light of a kerosene lamp. They moved around on the logs and Tuck took a seat by Malink. Without a word, the young man who was pouring handed Tuck the cup. He drained it and handed it back. â€Å"What's the deal with the rifles?† Tuck asked Malink. â€Å"Vincent's army,† Malink said. â€Å"Vincent said we must always be ready to fight the enemies of the United States of America.† â€Å"Oh,† Tuck said. â€Å"Why red?† Malink looked at Tuck as if he was something he had stepped in. â€Å"It is the color of Vincent's brother.† â€Å"Yeah?† Tuck didn't get it. â€Å"Vincent's brother, Santa Claus. Red is his color. You must know that.† Tuck couldn't help it. He let his mouth fall open. â€Å"Santa Claus is Vincent's brother?† â€Å"Yes, Santa Claus brings excellent cargo for everyone, but only once a year. He comes in a sleigh on the snow. You know, right?† â€Å"Right. But I don't get the connection.† Malink looked as if it was all he could do not to tell Tuck how incredibly dense he really was. â€Å"Well, we have no snow, so Vincent will come in a plane. Not once a year. When Vincent come, he will bring cargo every day. More than he gives through the Sky Priestess. More than Santa Claus.† â€Å"And Vincent told you this, that he was Santa's brother?† Malink nodded. â€Å"His skinny brother, he say. So we make rifles red.† Malink watched for signs that Tuck was getting it. Tuck wasn't giving them. â€Å"Even Father Rodriguez know about Santa Claus,† Malink insisted. â€Å"Okay,† Tuck said, â€Å"how about moving that cup around the circle a little faster, guys?† â€Å"Vincent will bring us real rifles when he come. We must be always ready to fight,† Malink said. â€Å"Who?† Tuck asked. â€Å"Have you guys ever been attacked?† â€Å"Once,† Malink said. â€Å"When I was boy, some guys from New Guinea come in canoe. We no like those guys. We go in our canoes to kill them.† â€Å"And what happened?† â€Å"It got dark.† â€Å"And?† â€Å"We come home. Those guys from New Guinea pretty lucky no one know how to navigate in the dark.† â€Å"No palu?† Tuck asked, using the native word for â€Å"navigator.† â€Å"Japanese kill them. No palu left, except maybe one.† â€Å"That's why you didn't turn Kimi over to the Sorcerer?† Malink nodded and trouble crossed his brow. â€Å"I am thinking, if Vincent send you, how come the Sorcerer not know you here? And how you not know Santa Claus?† Tuck noticed that the men had stopped painting their rifles and talking among themselves to listen to his answer. There was pressure here, beyond whether he'd be able to drink or not. He told them what they needed to hear. â€Å"Vincent called me from the land of armored possums to come to the island of the Shark People. I am a flyer, as Vincent was a flyer. He does not tell me everything, and he does not tell the Sorcerer everything. Vincent is sometimes mysterious, but we must trust his judgment.† Malink smiled. â€Å"Let us drink to this flyer. Then we go to sleep.† To Tuck, Malink said: â€Å"Tomorrow is the hunt.† 53 How the Shark People Got Their Name When the pounding came at his door just after dawn, Tuck prepared himself mentally to meet the smiling face of Sebastian Curtis, who would be overly cheerful at the prospect of trouncing the pilot at another round of gravel golf, but when he opened the door, there was Beth Curtis wearing a long-sleeved white cotton dress and a huge sun hat with a brim that fell over her face like a lampshade. Tuck had on hand-me-down boxer shorts that showed more of his morning bulge than he was comfortable with. Strange, a month ago he was ready to sell his soul for this physiological phenomenon, and today it was an embarrassment. â€Å"Good morning,† he said. â€Å"I was expecting the doc.† â€Å"Oh, did you two have plans?† â€Å"No, I just†¦never mind. Would you like to come in for some coffee?† He gestured to the small kitchen nook. â€Å"Why don't you make yourself a cup and bring it with you? I have something to show you.† â€Å"Sure. Just give me a second.† She waited by the door while he threw a pot of water on the stove, dressed quickly and combed his hair, then poured the water over some coffee grounds and stirred in some powdered milk. â€Å"I'm ready. What's up?† â€Å"I want to show you something on the other side of the island.† â€Å"Outside of the compound?† â€Å"Near the village. I think you'll enjoy it.† Tuck walked with her out into the morning sun, nursing his coffee as they went. There were no guards in sight anywhere. The wide gate to the runway was open. â€Å"Where's the ninjas?† â€Å"You call them that too? That's funny.† She laughed, but because he couldn't see her face under the hat, he couldn't tell if there was any sincerity in it. She put her hand on his arm and let him lead her across the runway like a Victorian lady under escort. â€Å"Do you ever miss your family?† she asked as they walked. Tuck was taken by surprise. â€Å"My family? No. We parted on less than favorable terms. I fell out of contact with them long before I came out here.† â€Å"I'm sorry. Really. Is it difficult for you?† Tuck thought she might be joking. â€Å"My mother and my uncle are my only real family. They married after my father was killed. I wasn't pleased.† â€Å"You're kidding. I thought they only did that in West Virginia. Aren't you from California?† â€Å"She married my father's brother, not her brother. Still, I don't miss them.† â€Å"What about your friends?† Tuck thought for a second. Things had changed for him since he'd last seen Jake Skye. In a way he'd taken on some responsibility. He was acting on his own, without a net. He wished that he could tell Jake about it. â€Å"Yeah, I miss my friends sometimes.† â€Å"Me too, Tucker. I'd like to be your friend.† â€Å"You have Sebastian.† â€Å"Yes, I do, don't I.† They walked in silence until they entered the village, which was deserted except for a few dogs and too many roosters. â€Å"Where is everybody?† Tuck reminded himself not to let it appear that any of this was familiar to him. â€Å"Is this where the natives live?† â€Å"They're all at the beach. Today is the day of the hunt.† â€Å"The hunt?† â€Å"You'll see. It's a surprise.† As they passed the bachelors' house, Tuck peeked through he door. He could see someone sleeping inside. Beth led the way to the beach and Tucker looked back. Sepie stood in the doorway wearing only a bandage around her ribs. She waved and Tuck risked a quick smile and turned away. They were going to give him away. One hint of recognition and he was screwed. The women, children, and old men were all lined up on the beach. Tuck had never seen most of the women and children. There must have been three hundred people there. The only familiar face was Favo, the old man from the drinking circle, who showed no recognition when he looked at Tuck. The younger men were out in the water, standing knee deep on the reef in the light low-tide surf. Each of the men held a five-foot-long stick with a rope tied at one end. They wore long knives tucked into cords tied around their waists. â€Å"Fishing?† Tuck asked. â€Å"Just watch,† Beth said. â€Å"This is how the Shark People got their name.† Tuck spotted Malink coming out of the jungle with four other men. Each carried a large plastic bucket. â€Å"They make the buckets out of net floats from the huge factory ships,† Beth Curtis said. â€Å"The plastic is tougher than anything they can make.† â€Å"What's in them?† Tuck watched as each man swam out to the reef holding a bucket on his head. â€Å"Pig and chicken blood.† Two men helped Malink onto the reef and took his bucket from him. Malink looked out to sea and said something in his native language, then looked to the people on the beach as if to say, â€Å"Ready.† The chief shouted a command to the men in the water and they dumped the buckets of blood. Soon they were all knee deep in crimson surf and the bloodstain swept out into the ocean in a great cloud. â€Å"Isn't that dangerous?† Tuck asked. â€Å"Of course. It's insane.† Interesting choice of words. Tuck was surprised that no one seemed to notice or make a big deal of Beth's presence. â€Å"Why aren't they drumming and kowtowing to you?† â€Å"They aren't allowed to when I'm dressed like this. It's a rule. I need my privacy at times.† â€Å"Of course,† Tuck said. A fin appeared in the water about twenty yards out from the reef. Someone shouted and Tuck recognized Abo from his warrior's topknot. Malink nodded and Abo dove into the water and swam toward the shark. Before he was ten yards out, the fin turned toward him. More fins appeared and as Malink nodded, more young men dove into the water with their sticks. â€Å"Shit, this is suicide,† Tuck said. He watched as the first shark made a pass at Abo, who moved out of its way like a bullfighter. â€Å"You've got to stop this.† Tuck couldn't remember ever feeling such panic for another human being. Beth Curtis squeezed his arm. â€Å"They know what they're doing.† The shark circled and made a second pass at Abo, but this time the young warrior didn't move out of the way. He shoved his stick into the shark's jaws as if it was a bit, then flipped himself on the shark's back and wrapped the cord just behind the pectoral fins, then back to the other end of the stick so it wouldn't come out. The water boiled around Abo as the shark thrashed, but Abo stayed on and, holding the stick like handlebars, he pulled back to keep the shark from diving and steered him into the shallow water of the reef, where the other men waited with their knives drawn. A roar went up from the crowd on the beach as Abo turned the shark over to the slaughterers and held up his arms in triumph. The men on the reef slit the shark's belly and cut off a huge hunk of the liver, which they handed to Abo. He bit into it, tearing out a ragged chunk and swallowing as blood ran down his chest. Soon others were steering sharks onto the reef and the water beyond was alive with fins. The red cloud expanded as the sharks died and bled and more came to take their place. The gutted sharks were brought onto the beach, where the women continued the butchering, handing pieces of the raw flesh to the children as treats or prying out serrated teeth and giving them to little boys as trophies. One of the men actually stood up on the back of a huge hammerhead that he was steering to the reef and nearly castrated himself on the dorsal fin as he fell. But the shark was held fast and died on the reef with the others. In half an hour the shark hunt was over. The sea was red with blood for a thousand yards in all directions and the beach was littered with the corpses of a hundred sharks: black tips, white tips, hammerheads, blue, and mako. Some of the deadliest creatures had been taken like they were guppies in a net, and not one of the Shark People was hurt, although Tuck noticed that many were bleeding from abrasions on the inside of their thighs where they had rubbed against the sharks' skin during their ride. The Shark People were ecstatic, and every one of them was drenched in blood. Tuck was stunned. He'd never seen such courage or such slaughter before, and he was getting the willies thinking about all the time he had spent swimming in these waters at night. Malink walked up the beach dragging a leopard shark by its gills. His Buddha belly was dripping in blood. He looked up at Tucker and risked a smile. â€Å"That's the chief,† Beth Curtis said. â€Å"He's really too old for this, but he won't stay on shore.† â€Å"Do the sharks ever get any of them?† â€Å"Sometimes. Usually just a bite. A lot of sutures, but no one's been killed since I've been on the island.† No one hunting sharks, anyway, Tuck thought. A little girl who had been helping her mother shyly peeked over the carcass of a big hammer-head, then ran up to Tucker and quickly touched him on the knee before retreating to the safety of her mother. â€Å"That's strange,† Beth Curtis said. â€Å"The women and girls won't have anything to do with a white man. Even when they come to Sebastian, they talk to him through a brother or husband – and he speaks their language.† Tuck didn't answer. He was still looking at the little girl's back. She had a massive pink scar that ran like a smile from her sternum, under her arm, to her backbone at exactly the place where the kidney would be. Tuck felt sick to his stomach. â€Å"I think I've seen enough, Beth. Can we go?† â€Å"Can't deal with the sight of blood?† â€Å"Something like that.† As they walked back through the village, Tuck noticed a woman and a little boy sitting outside of one of the cookhouses. The mother was holding the boy and singing to him softly as she rocked him. Both of his eyes were bandaged with gauze pads. Tucker approached the woman and she pulled the child to her breast. Beth Curtis caught Tuck's arm and tried to pull him back. Tuck shook her off and went to the woman. â€Å"What's wrong with him?† Tuck asked. The woman slid across the gravel, away from him. â€Å"Tucker!† Beth Curtis said, â€Å"Leave her alone. You're scaring her.† â€Å"It's okay,† Tuck whispered to the woman. â€Å"I'm the pilot. Vincent sent me.† The woman seemed to calm down, and although her eyes went wide with wonder, she managed a small smile. Tuck reached out and touched the child's head. â€Å"What's wrong with him?† The woman held out the boy as if presenting him for baptism. â€Å"He is chosen,† she said. She looked at the Sky Priestess for approval. Tuck stood and backed away from her. He was afraid to look at Beth, afraid that he might strangle her on the spot. Instead, calmly, deliberately, although it took all his effort to keep from shaking, he said, â€Å"We'd better get back.† He led the way through the village and back to the compound.