Saturday, August 31, 2019

Economics & restaurant price

The restaurant price and whole price data shows that cost based and price discrimination based theory has been applied to the fifty wine products listed. The groups of wine are divided into to groups. They are the red win group and the white wine group. The data shows that the restaurant owners bought the wines from the whole sale store. The restaurant owner then adds a markup to cover for the cost of running a restaurant. The cost of running a restaurant includes the whole cost of the wine bought from the wholesale store and the cost serving the wine.Waiters, cashiers and dishwashers are part of the wine serving process(Brown,16). The additional restaurant wine includes the additional cleanup, the cost of storing the wine in the wine store room, the cost of managing and ensuring continuous stocks of the wines in the restaurant storeroom. The additional markup includes the cost of paying a wine connoisseur. He is an expert in wine criticism and advices the company on which wine to bu y, how long to store the wines in the store room, and also how to serve wine.The most important reason for introducing markups is to charge the restaurant clients for staying long hours on their tables talking business, or seducing a love object. In addition, the data presented showing that the restaurant price is an amount that has a mark –up of ninety –nine percent or more above the cost of buying the wines is definitely true. The restaurants add markups based on the willingness of the customers to pay the additional prices. This market segment does not care about the price of wine because they know that they want to add the high –priced wine to the food that they gobble up in the restaurants.This market segment even prefer to buy the high priced wines just for the pride of showing to their next table clients and to their restaurant friends that they have lots and lots of money. This market segment is willing to pay more for a wine because they feel that these wines rare and are of higher quality than the other wine brands(Philips,18). The data showing the fifteen wines clearly indicates that the restaurant charges each client a higher fee for the rare and higher –quality ones. The data also shows that the restaurant owners charge clients higher if they feel that the clients can afford to pay higher for the wines.On the other hand, the restaurant is willing to charge a higher markup if they foresee that the client is a little hard up on cash upon entering the restaurant. The implications of the cost based and price discrimination based discussion above are many. One implication is that the restaurant must introduce the markups in order to stay in the business. A business would not survive if it does not make the bottom line. The bottom line is that the company must generate a net profit. A company that does not make a profit generates a loss. A company that generates a loss would not look good to the stakeholders of the company.Th e stakeholders of the company includes the stockholders, the employees, the customers, the suppliers, the community, the government regulating agencies, the labor unions, and even the board of directors if there are any. Another implication of the cost based and price discrimination based discussion above is that there are customers who do not mind the markups. Many of the customers can easily see that the higher amount they pay for the wines bought in restaurants is because they are will savor an hour or two of their romantic interludes and seduction in the restaurants.They will use the restaurant to sort of ‘lay their cards down’ in the courtship game of life. This is the value that the restaurant clients get in exchange for willingly paying more for a bottle of wine. Another implication of the cost based and price discrimination based discussion above is that the restaurant prices of some wines are higher than the other wine choices. The $14. 25 restaurant wine price is priced at a markup of 96 percent of the cost. The $17. 00 restaurant wine price is priced at a markup of 182 percent of the cost. The $18. 00 restaurant wine price is priced at a markup of 133 percent of the cost.The $21. 60 restaurant wine price is priced at a markup of 99 percent of the cost. The $12. 50 restaurant wine price is priced at a markup of 180 percent of the cost. Another implication of the cost based and price discrimination based discussion above is that there are people who can afford the higher cost of wines. The $17. 00 restaurant wine price is priced at a markup of 182 percent of the cost. The $12. 50 restaurant wine price is priced at a markup of 180 percent of the cost. The $ 7. 50 restaurant wine price is priced at a markup of 220 percent of the cost. The $14.63 restaurant wine price is priced at a markup of 180 percent of the cost. The $13. 50 restaurant wine price is priced at a markup of 196 percent of the cost. The $ 6. 75 restaurant wine price is price d at a markup of 255 percent of the cost. Another implication of the cost based and price discrimination based discussion above is that there different wine qualities. The $ 6. 75 restaurant wine price is priced at a markup of 255 percent of the cost. The $14. 25 restaurant wine price is priced at a markup of 96 percent of the cost. The $17. 58 restaurant wine price is priced at a markup of 133 percent of the cost.The $17. 00 restaurant wine price is priced at a markup of 182 percent of the cost. The $ 7. 50 restaurant wine price is priced at a markup of 220 percent of the cost. The $18. 00 restaurant wine price is priced at a markup of 133 percent of the cost. The $19. 20 restaurant wine price is priced at a markup of 119 percent of the cost. Another implication of the cost based and price discrimination based discussion above is that the business will survive. The different prices of the wines show that they are done to fit the budget of the clients. One wine is priced at $28 a bo ttle.Another wine is priced at Another wine is priced at $48. Another wine is priced at $78. Another wine is priced at $122. Another wine is priced at $32. Another wine is priced at $40. Another wine is priced at $24(Haslam,100). The above discussion shows that there many implications of variances in the restaurant prices when compared to the whole prices. Definitely, One implication is that the restaurant must introduce the markups in order to stay in the business. Clearly, another implication of the cost based and price discrimination based discussion above is that there are customers who do not mind the markups.Undoubtedly, another implication of the cost based and price discrimination based discussion above is that the restaurant prices of some wines are higher than the other wine choices. Surely, another implication of the cost based and price discrimination based discussion above is that there are people who can afford the higher cost of wines. Truly, another implication of th e cost based and price discrimination based discussion above is that there different wine qualities. Unquestionably, another implication of the cost based and price discrimination based discussion above is that the business will survive.Conclusively, the restaurant pricing above is founded on the economic principles of supply and demand(McConnell & Brue,52). REFERENCES: Haslam, C. , Economics in a Business Context, Oxford, Taylor & Francis, 1989 McConnell, C. , Brue, S. , Economics: Principles, Problems, and Policies, N. Y. , McGraw- Hill, 2005 Brown, D. , The Restaurant Manager’s Hnadbook: How to Set Up, Operate, and Manage a Financially Succesful Food Service Operation. N. Y. , Atlantic Press, 2003 Philips, L. , The Economics of Price Discrimination: four essays in applied price theory, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1983

Friday, August 30, 2019

Ford Motor Company Analysis Essay

Executive Summary Ford Motor Company is an American automobile manufacturer founded and headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan but incorporated in the state of Delaware. The company was started by Henry Ford in 1903 and is historically famous for the creation and implementation of the assembly line in manufacturing processes. Ford’s mission is to produce and sell automobiles – cars, trucks, SUVs, etc – from the ones initially designed and engineered by Henry Ford all the way through the newer versions created in the last few years. (Profitable Growth for All, 2012) In 2011, the company performed strongly – producing revenues of $134,264,000,000 and net income of $20,213,000,000. Financial data has been gathered from the 2011 annual report and 10-K forms filed with the SEC for further analysis. Appendix A contains these reports and appendix B contains select financial ratios calculated in the analysis. The ratios are divided into six major categories: short-term liquidity, capital structure and solvency, return on invested capital, asset turnover, operating performance and profitability, and financial market measures. All six combine to provide an overall picture of financial health for the company. The below analysis provides evidence that, although Ford’s public stock may be overvalued, the company itself is in good financial health. Company/Industry Description Ford is one of the world’s largest producers of cars and trucks but also engages in other business sectors, particularly vehicle financing, through subsidiaries. The major segments of the automotive production and sales portion include Ford North America, Ford South America, Ford Europe, and Ford Asia Pacific-Africa. Ford Motor Credit Company is the predominant financing subsidiary of the firm. (Profitable Growth for All, 2012) As of 2011, Ford Motor Company’s vehicle brands included Ford and Lincoln; between the two lines, the company sold over 5.5 million vehicles through almost 12,000 dealerships around the world. (Profitable Growth for All, 2012) Since vehicles are durable goods, Ford and the entire automotive industry is highly affected by general economic conditions. Given the 2008 financial crises and its lasting effects, the sale of durable goods has been  relatively low in recent years. In addition to economic factors, Ford must also contend with competitors worldwide. The automotive industry is highly competitive and ever growing in terms of brands and the various vehicles offered by each. The high level of competition within the automotive industry, particularly in mature markets like the United States, has led to a very competitive pricing environment. Competitive pricing in automotive sales tends to surface in the form of price discounts, marketing incentives, and financing incentives to attract customers to a particular brand since vehicles do not tend to be highly differentiated products. In terms of brand recognition, Ford is well known as one of few American car makers still thriving and is probably best known for its pick-up trucks and sports cars, particularly the Mustang. Findings and Assumptions Select financial ratios have been calculated based on Ford Motor Company’s financial statements from 2011 and can be found in Appendix B. The financial statements used for calculations are contained in Appendix A. Based on the calculations, analysis of short-term liquidity, capital structure and long-term liquidity, return on invested capital, asset turnover, operating performance and profitability, and financial market measures are included here. Ford’s short-term liquidity looks promising. The current ratio of 1.16 is good; it shows that the company can pay its short-term obligations 1.16 times. Typically, a current ratio over 1 is considered healthy, though higher is definitely better. (Wahlen et al, 2008) At first glance, Ford’s cash ratio of 0.52 seems a bit weak. It shows that, although the company can meet its short-term debts per the current ratio, it only has enough cash on hand to meet 52% of its short-term obligations. The financial statements included tend to combine cash and marketable securities into a category labeled â€Å"cash and cash equivalents†. If the cash ratio is recalculated using this value instead of simply cash than the ratio improves to 1.10, which shows much stronger liquidity capabilities. Long-term solvency for Ford Motor Company also appears to be strong. The company’s times interest earned ratio of 1.96 means that it can cover its  interest charges on current debt issues almost two times over. This is a good sign that bankruptcy is not eminent and the company is solvent in the long-run. A higher debt to equity ratio means a company gets a larger portion of its financing from creditors than shareholders, though higher is a subjective measure and depends on the industry. (Wahlen et al, 2008) Automotive manufacturers tend to have debt to equity ratios above 2 because the industry is capital intensive. (Debt/equity ratio, 2014) Ford’s debt to equity ratio in 2011 was 10.89, far higher than the industry standard, potentially due to the circumstances of the time. The financial crisis of 2008 resulted in major financial bailouts across the automotive industry. These large levels of debt to the government would increase the debt to equity ratios of all compa nies that accepted the money. In addition to both short and long term solvency, a company’s return on invested capital should be analyzed when determining its financial health. Ford’s return on assets from 2011 is 11.3%. This number seems strong on its own but the best information comes from comparing it to either competitors or previous years in the same company since return on assets varies drastically across industries. (Wahlen et al, 2008)) In 2010, Ford’s return on assets was only 4%. This increase is a significant improvement since the two ratios show that, in 2011, $100,000 of assets would generate $11,300 in income while the same assets in 2010 would have only generated $4,000 in income. Ford’s return on equity in 2011 was 134%, a hugely impressive ratio! This calculation shows that $100,000 in shareholder equity would generate $134,000 in income. Considering the ROE in 2010 was negative, this is an extreme improvement in profitability for the company. In 2010, Ford’s asset and inventory turnover ratios were excellent. The total asset turnover of 74.9% shows that the company is effectively deploying their assets and has been able to generate $74,900 profit for every $100,000 in assets. This is not surprising considering the high return on assets analyzed earlier. Days sales in inventory for Ford in 2011 was only 19 days – meaning the company could convert inventory to sales in less than 3 weeks. Like return on assets, the acceptable level of inventory convertability varies drastically from one industry to another. (Wahlen et  al, 2008) In recent years, automotive companies have averaged over 60 days for this inventory ratio. Ford’s 2013 days sales in inventory was almost 90 days and increased by 26% to over 100 days in January of 2014. These increased numbers are likely a result of the slow economic recovery and consequential decrease in car sales. (Young, 2014) Operating performance and profitability ratios, including fixed asset turnover ratio and operating performance ratio, also show financial strength for Ford Motor Company. The fixed asset turnover ratio of 5.62 shows that the company is able to generate significant revenues from fixed assets, i.e. property, plant, and equipment. Ford’s operating performance ratio of 15.06 also shows that the company is performing strongly. Ford’s price-earnings ratio of 3.15 means the company’s stock was trading at 3 times the earnings value as of December 31, 2011. This shows that investors were willing to pay 3 times its worth to own Ford stock, signifying that earnings growth was expected. The market-to-book ratio of 4.23 means that the market value of the stock is 4.23 times the book value of the same stock. In other words, Ford’s stock was overvalued in excess of 4 times its book value. Crucial Factors Many crucial factors play a role in analyzing a company’s financial situation. Some of these factors are internal – such as management, particularly changes in management, and the business model. Other factors are external – examples include governmental action, competitors, and the overall economic state. The above analysis of Ford Motor Company incorporated numerous crucial factors when interpreting the selected ratios and their piece in the overall financial health of the company. Conclusions Overall, Ford Motor Company seems to be in good financial health as of the end of 2011. Both short and long term solvency are strong, particularly when marketable securities are included in the cash ratio calculation. Ford’s capital structure is heavily tilted towards creditors, though this is likely due to the governmental bailout and lack of investors in the slowly recovering stock market. Return on assets and return on equity are both  impressive, particularly when compared to data from the previous year. In 2011, Ford had excellent asset and inventory turnover statistics. Unfortunately, these have since declined – most likely due to the decrease in automotive sales in today’s slowly recovering economy. Operating performance and profitability standards both show financial strength and good performance, though the financial market measures indicate that investors may be more ambitious than they should be about the performance strength. References (2012). Profitable growth for all: Ford motor company 2011 annual report. Retrieved from Ford Motor Company website: http://corporate.ford.com/doc/2011 Ford Motor Company AR_LR.pdf Debt/equity ratio. In (2014). Investopedia. Retrieved from http://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/debtequityratio.asp United States Securities and Exchange Commission, (2012).Ford motor company 10-k . Retrieved from Ford Motor Company website: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=87772&p=irol-SECText&TEXT=aHR0cDovL2Fwa S50ZW5rd2l6YXJkLmNvbS9maWxpbmcueG1sP2lwYWdlPTgwODI3MDYmRFNFUT0wJlNFUT0wJlNRREVTQz1TRUNUSU9OX0VOVElSRSZzdWJzaWQ9NTc= Wahlen, J., Baginski, S., & Bradshaw, M. (2008).Financial reporting, financial statement analysis, and valuation. (7th ed.). Mason, OH: South Western CENGAGE Learning. Young, A. (2014, Feb 13). Us new auto inventories highest since ’09; gm, volkswagen top list; kia, hyundai up most; toyota stock at ‘healthiest’ level. International Business Times, Retrie ved from http://www.ibtimes.com/us-new-auto-inventories-highest-09-gm-volkswagen-top-list-kia-hyundai-most-toyota-stock-healthiest

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Expectations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Expectations - Essay Example The California Department of Education is responsible for ensuring that schools adhere to these standards. The advantage of all schools in a state to adopt same standards is that when a student changes schools, they are still guaranteed good education due to the same standards in the state. Mathematics and Science are some of the most important subjects in the curriculum. These subjects though require students to have a higher level of concentration during the learning process, due to the nature of their concepts. Most schools therefore, put more emphasis on these so that students perform equally well in them, like in the other subjects. For this reason, the national council of teachers of mathematics (NCTM) has also set its standards and expectations of schools in their performance in Mathematics. The mathematics expectations and standard by NCTM applies to the levels of prekindergarten through grade 12. These expectations are specific to each grade basing on their curriculum. Howev er, generally, this body of mathematics teachers expects that as a student goes through all the grades up to grade 12, they should have mastered all the important concepts in mathematics. Fist, students should be good at numbers and operations. This includes number systems, relationship between numbers, meaning of operations, and computing. In algebra, students must understand patterns, relations, and functions. They should also be able to analyze situations in mathematics using algebraic symbols (â€Å"National Council of Teachers of Mathematics†). The geometry standard requires students to be able to analyze the properties of geometric shapes and their relationships. They should also be in a position to apply symmetry to different mathematical situations, and use visualizing and geometry in problem solving. In measurement, students must understand different measurements and apply them. For data analysis and probability, students must be able to develop questions that can be solved with data collection. In addition, they should be able to employ right statistical method in data analysis. Overall, NCTM expects that the mathematics learning process should impart problem-solving skills in students and help them identify reasoning and proof as an important aspect in mathematics. The mathematical process must also help students develop their communication, including mathematical thinking. Additionally, students must be able to apply mathematical principles outside of mathematics. Finally, the concept of representation should help students to create and interpret social, physical, and mathematical phenomena (â€Å"NCTM†). The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) also has a set of standards and expectations of schools in the science subject. This expects the science program to impart problem-solving skills in students, to solve problems in today’s scientific world. Teachers must therefore, involve students in first-hand scientific experi ences and utilize mathematical and communication skills in the learning process. Teachers must use different teaching styles and allow class discussions without any form of discrimination. Use of hands-on experiments to enhance and develop skills in students, and participations in workshops and conferences for scientific knowledge gain must be practiced (â€Å"National Science Teachers Association†). The school administrators provide instructional leadership by enforcing the national standards of science,

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Human Resources Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Human Resources Management - Essay Example It is a means of industrial government since it is different from unilateral and workers’ control management. The Donovan Commission bargained for it in 1960s, but in 1980s and 1990s, the employers reduced the range of issues regulated jointly, e.g. work pace and organization, and restored unilateral management (Braton and Gold, 2001:318). After the World War II, bargaining was used to determine the working condition of employees and their pay. This transformed the workplaces bringing with it power balance and the growth of shop stewards’ organization. This organization aimed at fighting for the employees’ rights using striking strategies (Inman et al., 2010:214). The conservative government in 1970 was against the trade unions; a move that led to political and industrial militancy. This saw the labour government create a social contract in order to control the employees’ wages. This was followed by strikes between 1978 and 1979 to oppose the move by the g overnment (Gilmore and Williams, 2009:24-44). In light of this information, this paper examines the managerial styles, objectives and strategies used in trade union and non-union organisations. Employment relationship With the election of Margaret Thatcher under the Conservative government in 1979, the reversal of conservatives’ policies was experienced. ... This saw election of union leaders and an increased union militancy. Major challenges during this time included reduced state jobs and services and an increase in the private sector influence. This had a dramatic influence on employment relations leading to massive opposition from trade unions (Price, 2007:413). Managerial Styles and Objectives of Managing the Employment Relationship There are four styles of managing employment relationships, which influence management strategies and human resource management practices. These are traditionalist, sophisticated paternalists, sophisticated moderns and standard moderns. These styles have different objectives that define their nature. The traditionalist style is authoritative, hostile and does not entertain trade unions (Pynes, 2008:215). Sophisticated paternalists refuse to recognize unions, but they ensure employees are committed to the organizations’ goals and their needs are satisfied. Sophisticated moderns, on the other hand, accept trade unions as well as collective bargains to determine the terms and conditions of employment relations. Standard moderns also accept trade unions, but they change their approach towards them depending on internal and external pressures and responses. It is thus clear that, in traditionalist and sophisticated moderns style, both the manager and employees have the same goals and interests i.e. they are unitary. The other two recognize that the employees and the manager have different goals and interests (Guest et al., 2003:291-314). Managerial Strategies to the Employment of Non-union Organizations Non- union organizations are a disadvantage to the

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

UEL Undergraduates Planning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

UEL Undergraduates Planning - Essay Example The society also benefits both directly and indirectly from these higher learning institutions. The direct benefits of the society come as a result of the existence of these institutions within the locality of the area surrounding the community. These benefits include community projects that can or may be fully funded by the institutions such as the construction of boreholes or water points, health faculties can also be accessed by the community members, the society also gains access to electricity by virtue of the existence of the higher learning institutions. Similarly, the community also benefits from access to good roads and telecommunication networks that are essential for transport and communication. The benefits to the society are very many hence outweigh the disadvantages. The indirect benefits that the society enjoys from the existence of these higher learning institutions are seen through many ways. Firstly, the institutions produce very productive and industrious individua ls with skills and knowledge that they will apply to stimulate economic growth in the society. This will also later provide employment opportunity to the society members and as a result, an improved standard of living is realized. Secondly, the literacy levels of the society are increased since the institution educates trains and equips the students with skills that are very important life. ... Â  The study was done on 40 students picked randomly within the school. The methods used to collect the data were mainly through the use of questionnaires and interviews. The methods were made to be interactive so as to get the information directly from the students. This was done so as to obtain accurate and efficient data from the study. The study would later help both the students and the university itself to improve their learning and the learning techniques respectively. This would be realized by analyzing the findings collected from the study and coming up with concrete solutions that would enable the students to learn effectively. Findings After taking a sample of forty students from various faculties in the institution by random sampling method, it was established that 40% of the students take 5 – 6 hours in their personal studies while 60% take under 5 hours on their personal studies. The majority of the students was found to allocate a few hours to their personal st udies due to the fact that during the daytime, they have to attend lectures that are in most cases spread across the day with break intervals to prepare for coming lectures or go for lunch. In the wee hours of the day, most students were established to concentrate more on their social welfare than creating more time for their personal studies. 40% of the sampled students who were found to spend more time in their personal studies were serious in pursuing successfully their faculties.

Monday, August 26, 2019

School Violence Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

School Violence - Essay Example The nation’s experiences on the juvenile violence’s have been disturbing to most of the people throughout the country. The situation has been worse especially the shootings that are happening in the locality. For instance, in our case is Ian who is a 15-year old student who is in possession of an armed gun. He took it from the parent’s cabinets and sneaked it to school where he commits a serious crime. The boy is a high school student and lives with the parents in the Southern where he attends school on a daily basis. Ian, like many other teenagers is short temperamental and resistive to corrections. He gets offended very first due to trivial issues and can easily cause harm. However, Ian lacks the attention he deserves as a teenager and his parents are less available due to work conditions. The teachers on the other hand, teach generally and follow their time schedule strictly. Ian thus lacks the support and the general life qualities (Altun & Baker, 2010). It was a normal school day and everything moved on swiftly without interactions. As it was the case with the assignments submissions, the teacher was not pleased with Ian’s work. As the students were dispersed after the school activities, the teacher called him aside. As Ian explained, the teacher was making un recommendable comment to him before he less knew of what to reply to the teacher he had withdrawn the gun he sneaks to school with and shot the teacher. This was a violent reaction that Ian did not understand and was extremely aggressive. According to McGee and DeBernardo (1999), they figure facts that being a loner as Ian was with less support could lead to a person straying away or rather an indication that moves someone away from the cultural norms as well as committing serious violent behavior. A further research done on the same, what causes someone to be a loner, found that the males

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Paradox of Violent Video Games Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Paradox of Violent Video Games - Research Paper Example The incident at Colorado phoenix theatre is still a fresh news item in which, a gunman turned the new Batman movie into areal horror. In this particular incident, 12 people died on the spot with 58 other surviving with serious injuries. The three incidents indicate how people are willing and ready to turn fiction into reality. Although such incidents have a political or social motivation, violent video games play a significant role in motivating such killers. For instance, Tristan had been playing Call on duty: Modern warfare 2 before he went on a shooting spree. These are isolated cases of violence resulting or inspired by violent video games. It is a paradox that violent video games inspire people into becoming saviors. This essay will, therefore, analyze the paradox of violent video games in relation to violence and mass murder. There have been intensive studies on the effects of video games in promoting acts of violence among teenagers. Studies in this field have attracted variou s people particularly sociologists and psychologists attempting to find links between the video games and acts of violence, particularly among teenagers. Concentration on teenagers is necessitated by the fact that teenagers are the main consumers of violent video games and researchers are interested in analyzing the correlation between playing violent video games and engaging in real violence. Studies completed in 2002 at the concluded that violent video games did not motivate people to indulge in real acts of violence.  ... It is a contradiction that violent video games addicts do not commit real violence. In fact, all the recent cases of shooting rampage have a political or social motivation Flew (Terry and Humphreys 211). Police are currently investigating the Colorado incident to unearth the motives behind the killings. However, other cases such as the Oslo shootings had a political motivation. For instance, Breivick complained that Norway was increasingly becoming a multicultural and Islamic state. The gunman claimed the authorities were to blame for the acts. These incidents disassociate violence particularly mass murder with violent video games. The paradox of video games in relation to acts of violence depicts rivalry that exists between media and producers of video games. Media and video games are complementary pastime activities and hence they have conflict of interest. According to Shaw, the video game industry has become a soft target to the media and entertainment industry, which consider it as a rival (121). From the author’s argument, association of video games and real violence is a tool applied by media houses to win the entertainment market. This is an expected phenomenon considering that both industries target the same audience. Recent meta-analysis conducted on 130, 000 subjects concluded that violent video games induced short-term aggression and antisocial behaviour. Although the studies have a significant value of truth, they are subject to criticism and misinterpretation. For instance, the tests did not consider the sanity or the mental health of the subjects (Davis 123). In addition, the tests did not consider exposure to other triggers such as physical

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Review of the film The Immortal Beloved Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Review of the film The Immortal Beloved - Essay Example After this, Ludwig and Casper’s relationship was increasingly strained, and Ludwig continuously referred to Johanna as a whore, even going so far as to attempt to have her arrested. The implication was that the reason why he wanted her arrested was because she was a whore, and he burst into the room when Johanna and Casper were lying naked. The movie also portrayed Ludwig as relentlessly pushing his nephew Karl towards music, even though Karl could not play very well and desired to be a soldier. While there is some truth to these complicated relationships that he had with Casper, Johanna and Karl, there are also many inconsistencies with the historical truth, according to Maynard Solomon (1977). According to Solomon, there was some hostility between Ludwig and Casper, due to Casper’s marriage to Johanna, as he wrote â€Å"my brother’s marriage was as much an indication of his immorality as of his folly† (Solomon, 1977, p. 299). Solomon stated that the reas on why Ludwig was against the marriage was because Casper and Johanna had premarital sex, as Johanna was pregnant with Casper’s child before they got married. ... Solomon stated that Casper did small errands for Ludwig, and that Ludwig actually stated with Casper and Johanna when the French bombarded Vienna in 1809. Solomon also stated that the relationship between the brothers was on and off – â€Å"After 1812, the brothers were in close contact, which, for them, consisted of furious conflicts alternating with passionate reconciliations† (Solomon, 1977, p. 299). Solomon also stated that, in the conflict between the brothers, that Johanna played the part of the peacemaker. This is also in contrast to the film, as Johanna never played the part of the peacemaker, and it appears that her relationship with Ludwig was constantly stormy. In the end, the film stated that Johanna was the immortal beloved in the letter. This is in contrast to Solomon, who stated that, while Beethoven probably did have a secret attraction to Johanna, and theorized that Beethoven took his nephew Karl from Johanna to keep Johanna in his life, there was no in dication that Beethoven and Johanna had an affair. The way that Solomon described Beethoven’s attraction to Johanna was that it was unacknowledged, even to himself - Solomon stated that Beethoven’s hostility and apparent hatred towards Johanna was a form of denial for his actual love and attraction for her – â€Å"Feelings of love that have not yet become manifest express themselves to begin with by hostility and aggressive tendencies† (Solomon, 1977, p. 306). This implies that Beethoven never actually stated, even to himself, that he was in love with Johanna, so she probably was not the immortal beloved. As for Beethoven’s relationship with his nephew, there is no indication in Solomon’s writings that Beethoven tried to push young Karl

Causal analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Causal analysis - Essay Example A murderous event appears normal to the villagers. This depicts the innate evil of human nature. The pretense of the villagers is extreme especially when they are preparing for what appears like a celebration but turns out to be a murder. This paper focuses on the reasons why leaders will always be able to relate the story The Lottery and be scared. As depicted by the immediate reaction after its release, The Lottery is a story that scares the readers due to the ingenuous way it depicts the nature of humans. The story cannot be ignored due to the emotions it creates in the reader. The story generates very many questions left for the reader to analyze. The author does not explain the reason why the villagers conduct the lottery. This triggers the author to conceive the irrationality that can arise when people follow ideas they do not approve just because they have been in existence for long. The author does not give the name of the village where the ritual is occurring. The anonymity helps the reader to relate with the idea that the vicious event could be happening anywhere in the society (Jackson 4-8). The wicked nature of humans displayed in this story gives the reader a reason to be scared. From the start of the lottery, the participants act like if they are in a celebration. A person reading the story would expect that the winner would be rewarded. However, the villagers are aware of the consequences awaiting one of them. The reader only comes to this realization when the villager start collecting stones to kill one of his or her own (Anonymous 11-13). Another reason why the reader will always relate to the story and be scared is the level of hypocrisy depicted in the story. For several years the villagers engage in such a terrible and inhuman act, which none of them seems to question. It is possible that some are opposed to the event but remain silent not to be criticized for questioning the traditions. This is petrifying and it demonstrates the extent to w hich humans are willing to go to avoid being isolated from their families and friends. Although most show anxiety towards the event, they do not object. The anxiety amongst the villagers is depicted by comments such as â€Å"Don’t be nervous Jack† (Jackson 28). Irrespective of the anxiety revealed by some of the villager, they all go along with most of them feigning enthusiasm (Jackson 12-15). Although the villagers do not declare their opinions, it is clear that they disapprove the event since "Mr. Summers spoke frequently to the villagers about making a new box, but no one liked to upset tradition as was represented by the black box." The box after so many years is "Faded and stained" (12). Just as they are scared of upsetting their traditions, they participate in the event out of fear, which makes them hypocrites. The extent of hypocrisy in humans as demonstrated in the story is terrifying. However, it clearly depicts the effects of peer pressure when the influence is negative. Activities such as those perpetrated by gang families dealing with drugs are good examples on the inhumanity amongst humans (Jackson 16-21). Another reason why readers will relate with this story is the level of irony depicted. The name given to the event makes the reader associate the event with reward as is usually the case in a lottery. However, the person who succeeds in the event turns out to be a