Friday, December 27, 2019

Violent Video Games and The Human Psyche Essay - 1343 Words

According to Valadez and Fergusion (2012), â€Å"The effects of violent video game exposure, both positive and negative, on various behaviors are still highly contested within academia and the general public† (p. 608). Violence in video games is often wrongfully perused as a topic of extreme criticism pertaining to an individual’s act of violence in today society. Examples of such would include the shooting that occurred in April 2007 at Virginia Technical College; where Jack Thompson and Philip McGraw asserted that violent video games were the ultimate cause of the tragic incident, but further investigation suggested that Seung-Hui Cho had never played any such games (Valadez Fergusion, 2012). Since the early days of mankind, society has†¦show more content†¦Fergusion (2008) goes on to say that scientists, media, and politicians often cause what he refers to as , â€Å"moral panic† a process of inflicting fear among the populous by suggesting the beha vior, or moral decisions of a few individuals within the society have the potential to be a risk to the rest of the society in general. According to statistical research provided by Fergusion (2008), in 1996 roughly 75 million violent video games were purchased in the United States totaling an estimated 175 serious violent crimes. Comparing these numbers to 2005, there was almost 150 million more violent games sold, but yielded an estimated decline in violent crimes by 157 incidents. After a review of statistics published by C. J. Ferguson, it is hard to imagine that there is an actual relationship between violent games and violent crimes due to the staggering amount of violent games sold versus crimes that were actually committed. Statistically, this seems odd considering that eighty eight percent of adolescents ranging from age eight to eighteen are exposed to games, violent in nature, on an average of 13.2 hours per week (Adachi Willoughby, 2011). Considering ones infallible urg e to be competitively better than their competition, there are many factors that should have been considered in the initial stages of research. Adachi Willoughby (2011) assert thatShow MoreRelatedViolent Video Games: Closing the Doors to Success688 Words   |  3 PagesAn increase in violent outbreaks may be linked to violent video games. There has been an increasing amount of crime in the age groups involved violent video games in some way. In turn, watching and/or participating in violent video games can increase violent behavior. Violent outbreaks are more common with age groups that are actively participating in violent video games, or have an active role within the community of violent video games. An article states Sales of video games have more than quadrupledRead MoreEssay on Violent Video Games Raise Aggression1054 Words   |  5 Pagesactivities and games. Video games have become a very popular way to spend time and have fun from the 1970’s up to now. With new developments appeared different video game genres from adventure to racing, but the violent video games appear to be the most popular ones (Shin, 2003), for example: shooters, fighting and video games where you have to eliminate, destroy, or kill your enemies. Video games have become very influential on children and adults (Stafford, 1999). With violent video games humans are moreRead MoreDo Violent Video Games Make People More Violent?1277 Words   |  6 PagesDo Violent Video Games Make People More Violent in Real Life? The American Psychological Association reports that more than 90% of children in the United States play video games.Among kids between the ages of 12 and 17, the number rises to 97%. The psychological group also reported that 85% or more of video games on the market contain some form of violence (Do Video Games Lead to Violence). A video game may be considered violent if it contains â€Å"violent† language, gore/blood, and crime. Video gamesRead MoreViolent Media Essay1316 Words   |  6 PagesGerard Jones is quite a fan of The Hulk and Tarzan comic books. In his essay â€Å"Violent Media is Good for Kids† Jones argues that the violence in those and other comics teach valuable lessons that will help children understand difficult emotions. Jones states that in â€Å"try (ing) to protect our children from their own feelings and fantasies, we shelter them not against violence but against power and selfhood.† Throughout the essay Jones relies on personal anecdotes that reveal his opinions about violenceRead MoreThe History of Psychology and its Relations to Video Games Essay1350 Words   |  6 Pagesshows. The science of psychology evolved for a mix between biology and philosophy. Discussions about these two fields of study date back as far as the Greek time period of Aristotle and Socrates. The word Psychology is derived from the Greek word â€Å"psyche† which means â€Å"life† or â€Å"breath†, also derived from the words â€Å"soul† and â€Å"self†. Psychology wasnt truly well known as a separate field of study until the late 1800’s, although it was traced back to Greek times. A well known french philosopher ReneRead MoreViolence in The Media: Societys Regression to a Barbaric State1221 Words   |  5 PagesRegression to a Barbaric State Violent behavior is something that is innate to the human brain. It has been an instinct of humans since the beginning of our creation or our evolution from a primal state in order to primarily survive and maintain our supremacy atop the hierarchy of all living organisms. We are naturally violent creatures, and this natural tendency for us to exhibit violent behavior isn’t helped by the extreme lack of shelter from and glorification of violent actions through mainstreamRead MoreMedia Rooted Aggression And Its Effects On Society1403 Words   |  6 PagesTravis Smith Mrs. Kirkland ENG 131 10/3/16 â€Å"Media Rooted Aggression† In the modern world which we live in it is easy for the human psyche to place blame on media for the violence which it portrays. The constant onslaught of information being forced down our throats leaves us shaken and weary. Society has been lead to believe that life as we know it is teetering on the edge of chaos and destruction on a daily basis. Although fundamentally this is true in the grand scheme of the cosmos. Our livesRead MoreThe Effects Of Video Games On Children2592 Words   |  11 Pages12/11/14 Debate about Violent Video-Games Video games are fun, they create a sense of happiness for people of all ages, races, and preferences. Some might say that creating video games is an art form, because of the ability of developers creating a game suited to the specific preferences of individuals. However, because developers create a wide range of video game genres, violent games may be created. It is often debated that the animations created within these video games that allow you to emulateRead MoreThe Changing Faces Of Violence925 Words   |  4 Pagesword violence is being viewed. When looking at every aspect of violence, there are many events that at first would not be considered violent, but in actuality are very violence for instance, sports. Everyday somewhere around the world, men and women are paid to fight each other until a knock out or decision is ruled. Violence also is seen on news stations, video games, and nearly every television network on the air due to the popular demand. Most Americans would not see a movie if it did not haveRead More‚Äà ºthe historians task is to understand the past; the human scientist, by contrast, is looking to change the future.‚Äà ¹ To what extent is this true in these areas on knowledge?1011 Words   |  5 Pagesthe human scientist, by contrast, is looking to change the future.† To what extent is this true in these areas on knowledge? Life is too short for any individual to make every mistake. We use history to learn where we come from and what the caused events of the past to happen. There must be a strong in depth understanding of what causes events such as the renaissance all the way to World War Two. Creating a strong understanding of the past helps form a guide to make the future better. Human sciences

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Written Report - 1983 Words

A REPORT ON WRITTEN COMMUNICATION SKILLS OF NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE STUDENTS Prepared by: Ang Kar Yong Updated on: 3rd March 2013 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank my supervisor, Ms. Sylvia, for the valuable advice and support she has given me in the writing of this report. I would also like to thank her for her encouragement and guidance. ABSTRACT This study was to investigate which aspects of written communication should take priority, and to provide the appropriate recommendations to improve on National University of Singapore (NUS) students’ written communication skills. It was requested by NUS on 8th February 2013. The investigation was done by Eka Training Group, supported by Centre for English Language†¦show more content†¦Listening skills Written communication skills Intercultural skills Oral communication skills Interpersonal skills What do you see as the most common barriers to effective communication in your workplace? 49 89 100 105 73 Figure 1. Common barriers to effective communication 2 The major finding of the investigation was that a majority of the respondents believe that email writing skills are very important in their job. Referring to Figure 2. 96.7% of all the respondents perceive email writing to be important or very important; 88.2% of all respondents perceive report writing to be important or very important; and 80.2% of all respondents perceive proposal writing to be important or very important. Not at all Somewhat important Important Very important N/A How important is each of the following skills in your job? 150.0 112.5 75.0 37.5 0 Email Letter Report Proposal Figure 2. Types of writing skills and its importance 3 In addition, many of the respondents state that they commonly and frequently write emails in response to enquiries/requests, information sharing with their colleagues/staffs and to request for information. Referring to Figure 3. 50.3% of all respondents indicate they write emails in response to enquiries/requests more than 10 times per month; 48.5% of all respondents indicate they write emails to shareShow MoreRelatedWritten Report1258 Words   |  6 PagesBusiness Law/Module #2 Written Assignment Case Study #1 In the case study regarding the actions of the Students for Fair Tuition and Steve Steel there are several reasonably clear factors involved as well as a few unknowns. It is clear that not just one, but at least a few crimes were committed. Steel’s actions can clearly be described as an assault on Prudence Pimply. It does not appear that the actions would also include battery as there was no direct or indirect physical contact thatRead MoreMusic Industry: Written Report1615 Words   |  7 Pages218 Teaching Team: Bob Brazill Andrew Fryer Justin Morey Sam Nicholls Guest Speakers tbc. This assignment is one half of the work required for this module. You will also need to complete Assignment 1. Assignment 2 (of 2) - Written Report (50%) Answer one of the following questions (1600-2000 words) 1. You are a member of a band which is receiving considerable interest from major and independent labels. Using examples from the industry, discuss: i. The advantagesRead MoreWritten Report Of Play Assessment Essay1655 Words   |  7 PagesWritten Report of Play Assessment Student ID #: __1144284________________________ Section _61__ Additional Information About Client/Description of Client 1. Context of Interview: L.W. was interviewed at his house at approximately 5 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon. His mom, dad, and brother were present in the house during the interview. Before beginning the assessment, L.W. and I played catch outside for about twenty minutes. L.W. and I then completed the play assessment together in the kitchen whileRead MoreWritten Report Sample I.P.T2080 Words   |  9 Pages| I.P.T Major Assessment Written Report | System Development Cycle | | | | | Understanding the Problem Monster Tours have hired for the purpose of designing a solution to the problem of needing a means of attracting investors to the business with a multimedia presentation with the hope of them purchasing a franchise and setting up their own company based on the original Sydney based firm. I am also needed to increase demand for the companies’ travel packages resulting in increasedRead MoreWritten Report for â€Å"July at the Multiplex†6160 Words   |  25 PagesWritten Report For â€Å"JULY AT THE MULTIPLEX† MEMORANDOM TO: Mr. Mull T. Plex and the Consortium FROM: Team 1 DATE: March 6, 2011 RE: Legal, Statistical, and Ethical Analysis of â€Å"July at the Multiplex† As per your request, we have arranged a report based on the incident that plaintiff, moviegoer Tommy, has filed a civil complaint about. This incident involved Tommy’s visit to the Royal 16 Theater, your property in the Eastfield Mall, intending to watch a movie, â€Å"The Governator.† This analysisRead MoreThe Importance of Well-Written Business Reports608 Words   |  2 PagesThe Importance of Well-Written Business Reports Introduction Some practitioners suggest that because reports are written for business executives who want them, they do not need to be concerned about holding their readers interest. Others, though, maintain that good writing is needed in any business communication to ensure that the recipients understand what is being said and will be in a position to make decisions using this information. To determine which perspective is more accurate, this paperRead MoreReviewing An Report Written That Should Address The Points982 Words   |  4 Pages reviewing report written that should address the points - Recommendations, improvement of the work Should draw Markov state diagram, Should make some experiments and tests, Should study, apply, circular statistics ,Should draw some curves on 2D or 3D, Should deduce TPM (transition probability matrix), TRM (transition rate matrix) for Markov process, Should deduce the utilization factor of the roads, Should deduce the maximum capacity of the road ,Should deduce the local balance equation and studyRead MoreIntroduction. This Report Is Written To Devise Personal1536 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction This report is written to devise personal financial plan for Tim Ellie who are in their late 50’s. This report will consider the early retirement plan of Tim and how it will affects its’s pension expectations so as to devise suitable investment strategy for him. Besides these it will also discuss how Tim’s early retirement will affect Ellie’s financial plan. Finally, it will also provide recommendations to ensure the financial security of the family. The entire analysis will be doneRead MoreWritten Analysis and Communication: Report on Homesafe Limited1033 Words   |  5 PagesHomesafe   Ltd.       Written   Analysis   and   Communication       Instructor:   Dr.   Seema   Khanvilkar       Submitted   By:    Apurv   Jain,   D023    Shreyansh   Jain,   D027    Mohit   Sejwal,   D055    Vinay   Pal,   D045    Sahil   Bhavnani,   D006    Aman   Jakhar,   D030          Letter   of   Transmittal    To, Dr. Seema Khanvilkar, Business Communication Faculty, SBM, NMIMS – Mumbai Date: 4th MarchRead MoreThe Art Of The Police Report By Lera Boroditsky1125 Words   |  5 Pages Ellen Collects â€Å"The Art of the Police Report† complements Lera Boroditsky article on â€Å"How does language shape the way we think† by supporting the proposition constructed in her piece. Boroditsky claims that language exhibits a substantial portion of constructing humanities mental capacity and therefore is not only important but essential for proper communication amongst individuals. Speaking on behalf of Collett’s thesis, throughout his article, his writing affirms Boroditsky premise by mentioning

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Oedipus Rex as a tragic hero Essay Example For Students

Oedipus Rex as a tragic hero Essay In the play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, Oedipus is a classic tragic hero. According to Aristotles definition, Oedipus is a tragic hero because he is a king whose life falls apart when he finds out his life story. There are a number of characteristics described by Aristotle that identify a tragic hero. For example, a tragic hero must cause his own downfall; his fate is not deserved, and his punishment exceeds the crime; he also must be of noble stature and have greatness. Oedipus is in love with his idealized self, but neither the grandiose nor the depressive Narcissus can really love himself (Miller 67). All of the above characteristics make Oedipus a tragic hero according to Aristotles ideas about tragedy, and a narcissist according to Alice Millers The Drama of the Gifted Child: The Search for the True Self. Using Oedipus as an ideal model, Aristotle says that a tragic hero must be an important or influential man who makes an error in judgment, and who must then suffer the consequences of his actions. Those actions are seen when Oedipus forces Teiresias to reveal his destiny and his fathers name. When Teiresias tries to warn him by saying This day will give you parents and destroy you (Sophocles line 428), Oedipus still does not care and proceeds with his questioning. The tragic hero must learn a lesson from his errors in judgment and become an example to the audience of what happens when great men fall from their lofty social or political positions. According to Miller, a person who is great, who is admired everywhere, and needs this admiration to survive, has one of the extreme forms of narcissism, which is grandiosity. Grandiosity can be seen when a person admires himself, his qualities, such as beauty, cleverness, and talents, and his success and achievements greatly. If one of these happens to fail, then the catastrophe of a severe depression is near (Miller 34). Those actions happen when the Herdsman tells Oedipus who his mother is, and Oedipus replies Oh, oh, then everything has come out true. Light, I shall not look on you Again. I have been born where I should not be born, I have been married where I should not marry, I have killed whom I should not kill; now all is clear (Sophocles lines 1144). Oedipuss decision to pursue his questioning is wrong; his grandiosity blinded him and, therefore, his fate is not deserved, but it is far beyond his control. A prophecy is foretold to Laius, the father of Oedipus, that the destiny of Oedipus is a terrible one beyond his control. But when it is prophesized to Oedipus, he sets forth from the city of his foster parents in order to prevent this terrible fate from occurring. Oedipuss destiny is not deserved because he is being punished for his parents actions. His birth parents seek the advice of the Delphi Oracle, who recommends that they should not have any children. When the boy is born, Laius is overcome with terror when he remembers the oracle. Oedipus is abandoned by his birth parents and is denied their love, which is what results in what Miller calls Depression as Denial of the Self. Depression results from a denial of ones own emotional reactions, and we cannot really love if we deny our truth, the truth about our parents and caregivers as, well as about ourselves (Miller 43). The birth of Oedipus presets his destiny to result in tragedy even though he is of noble birth. In tragedies, protagonists are usually of the nobility to make their falls seem greater. Oedipus just happens to be born a prince, and he has saved a kingdom that is rightfully his from the Sphinx. .u6ba52ca31292c49f28ea090de950cf60 , .u6ba52ca31292c49f28ea090de950cf60 .postImageUrl , .u6ba52ca31292c49f28ea090de950cf60 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u6ba52ca31292c49f28ea090de950cf60 , .u6ba52ca31292c49f28ea090de950cf60:hover , .u6ba52ca31292c49f28ea090de950cf60:visited , .u6ba52ca31292c49f28ea090de950cf60:active { border:0!important; } .u6ba52ca31292c49f28ea090de950cf60 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u6ba52ca31292c49f28ea090de950cf60 { 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; } .u6ba52ca31292c49f28ea090de950cf60:active , .u6ba52ca31292c49f28ea090de950cf60:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u6ba52ca31292c49f28ea090de950cf60 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u6ba52ca31292c49f28ea090de950cf60 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u6ba52ca31292c49f28ea090de950cf60 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u6ba52ca31292c49f28ea090de950cf60 .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; } .u6ba52ca31292c49f28ea090de950cf60:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u6ba52ca31292c49f28ea090de950cf60 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u6ba52ca31292c49f28ea090de950cf60 .u6ba52ca31292c49f28ea090de950cf60-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u6ba52ca31292c49f28ea090de950cf60:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: teen suicide Essay His destiny is to be of noble stature from birth, which is denied to him by his parents, but given back by the Sphinx. His nobility deceived him as well as his reflection, since it shows only his perfect, wonderful face and not his inner world, his pain, his history (Miller 66). When he relies on his status, he is blind, not physically, but emotionally. He is blind in his actions; therefore he does not see that the questioning would bring him only misery. Later, after his self-inflicted blinding, Oedipus sees his actions as wrongdoing when he says What use are my eyes to me, who could never See anything pleasant again? (Sophocles line 1293) and that blindness does not necessarily have to be physical as we can se when he says, If I had sight, I know not with what eyes I would have looked (Sophocles line 1325). In the play Oedipus Rex, Sophocles portrays the main character, Oedipus, as a good-natured person who has bad judgment and is frail. Oedipus makes a few fatal decisions and is condemned to profound suffering because of them. I agree with Aristotle that Oedipus misfortune happens because of his tragic flaw. If he hadnt been so judgmental or narcissistic, as Miller would characterize a personality like Oedipus, he would never have killed King Laius and called Teiresias a liar. In the beginning, Teiresias is simply trying to ease him slowly into the truth; but Oedipus is too proud to see any truths, and he refuses to believe that he could have been responsible for such a horrible crime. He learns a lesson about life and how there is more to it than just one persons fate.Category: Book Reports

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

The Lure of the Lottery Essay Example

The Lure of the Lottery Paper The Lure of the Lottery â€Å"The modern experience of state-run lotteries in this country begins with New Hampshire in 1964. In a story that would be repeated across the country, New Hampshire faced a difficult choice: either raise taxes or institute a lottery† (Haugen). Since 1964 a myriad of states have been inclined to induce state lotteries to bring in a greater amount of revenue for their individual states. While state lotteries may be a method for converting individual contributions into works of collective good, they are about as inefficient a way as could be designed. State lotteries do whatever it takes (i. e. sophisticated advertising, specialized marketing techniques, clever slogans) to sell their product. They do this even when it means misleading players about their odds of winning, introducing more addictive games that aggressively target the poor, and look away while minors gamble. The fact that state lotteries have the lowest odds of winning of any form of gambling is never stated in the countless advertisements states have about their lotteries. â€Å"According to the U. S. Council on Compulsive Gambling, fewer than 50% of state-run lotteries disclose their odds in print advertising, and only 25% do so in television ads† (Bayer). Unless state law requires the lottery to disclose the true odds of winning, and few do, lottery advertisements generally overstate or obscure the chances of winning, in order to make the worst bet in gambling seem attractive. Lotteries are regulated only by the state governments themselves, which are the same state governments that depend on lottery profits to increase their revenues. Although commercial sweepstakes operators like Publisher’s Clearinghouse are governed by the Federal Trade Commission’s truth-in-advertising rules, Congress has exempted state lotteries from such restraints† (Nelson). State governments are not only hurting their citizens by using deceitful advertising, they are also hurting themselves. The deceptive and corrosive nature of lottery advertising contributes to a general dist rust for the word of government officials. As if states running general advertisements were not enough, the state lotteries have now turned to sending direct mail. In addiction to running ads, some states even conduct direct-mail campaigns, sending coupons for free tickets via mail† (Shenk). State lottery advertisements are not only dishonest, but most are aimed specifically at those most likely to gamble on lotteries; the poor. State lotteries prey upon the most vulnerable; those with smaller amounts of disposable income that spend a greater proportion of their earnings on lotteries. â€Å"Lottery ads prey on a sense of economic hopelessness, claiming to offer a real chance of financial success; a chance that work and saving, the messages seem to suggest, cannot provide† (Gearey). We will write a custom essay sample on The Lure of the Lottery specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Lure of the Lottery specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Lure of the Lottery specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The ubiquitous promotion of lotteries, equate success with luck rather than work, thus undermining a fundamental societal norm. State lotteries are the antithesis of the American dream. They are mechanisms by which the state seduces its most vulnerable citizens with the promise of riches, suckering them into gambling away their income and their unemployment checks on games that offer an almost infinitesimal chance of winning big. Lotteries also prey on the poor by timing ads to coincide with monthly welfare and Social Security checks. â€Å"Charles T. Clotfelter and Philip J. Cook report that an advertising plan for Ohio’s SuperLotto read: ‘Schedule heavier media weight during those times where consumer disposable income peaks Government benefits, payroll, and Social Security payments are released on the first Tuesday of each calendar month’† (Gearey). This shows the devious nature of state officials that has lead to innumerable social implications implemented by state lotteries. During economic downturns, people increase their spending on lotteries and other risky ventures, even when they really can not afford to do so. Lotteries and other forms of gambling encourage a ‘get-rich-quick’ mentality that induces other forms of risky behavior. Gambling discourages hard work, encourages greed and materialism, and leads to compulsive gamblers who are more prone to divorce and suicide† (Parvez). The more state lotteries that are induced and the more they advertise, the higher the crime rate in the United States will b ecome. â€Å"William A. Glaston and David Wasserman’s study found that lotteries lead to an increase in crime† (Parvez). While crime and lotteries go hand-in-hand, another dynamic of any vice is progression. A jaded addict is always looking for a stronger fix. To keep players’ interest and to attract new ones, lotteries have developed a barrage of different games. These games are meant to be more stimulating, and more addictive, than the basic lotteries. State lotteries also contribute to increases in the the overall number of gambling addicts. â€Å"Gamblers also have a hard time kicking the habit: of the 80 participants followed for 12 months, 92% experienced relapse† (Parvez). Once state lotteries brain wash people into believing they will win or even have a fathomable chance of winning, they are hooked on gambling for life. Among academics there is a heated debate about the higher rates of pathological and problem gambling among teens and young adults. Some say younger people will have a larger and more permanent problem with gambling than older generations, due to an explosion of addiction fed by easier availability and the erosion of social sanctions against gamblingà ¢â‚¬  (Nesbitt). States are not only promoting their lotteries to the older generations with their advertising and pervasive sales, they are unintentionally targeting children and young adults. The most egregious example of lotteries ducking their responsibilities has been selling tickets to minors. It is illegal in every state for anyone under the age of eighteen to gamble, â€Å"but a recent survey of fifteen to eighteen-year-olds in Minnesota showed that 20% have purchased lottery tickets themselves and 8% had another underage friend buy tickets for them† (Geary). The recent proliferation of instant ticket vending machines has made it nearly impossible for state lotteries to monitor who is buying the tickets. The presence of lottery tickets alongside candy and chips in neighborhood convenience stores places children and teens directly in contact with gambling. In 1997, researchers from Louisiana State University Medical School found that 86% of the twelve thousand sixth through twelfth-graders they studied had gambled. 6% met the measure of the pathological gambling, and 16% fit the profile of problem gamblers† (Nesbitt). States are bypassing their culpability to protect and advise children and teens to not partake in their lotteries, which begs the question as t o if states are being ethical in their attempts to reap in profits from the lotteries. At issue is not the constitutionality of legalized gambling, but the uestionable ethics of state governments sponsoring and exploiting their citizens’ vices to raise revenue. Although governments also raise revenue from other â€Å"sinful† activities like the consumption of alcohol,  pornography, or tobacco, lotteries are perhaps the only vice that governments â€Å"manufacture† and encourage. States also cut themselves a bigger break than they allow other forms of gambling, for instance, â€Å"according to Rick Rolapp, spokesman for the American Horse Council, state governments mandate, on average, a payout for permitted wagering on horses of about 80%, when lotteries have only a 49% payout on average† (Bayer). State officials are not only promoting their lotteries through advertising and unfairly mandating less of a payout for themselves as other forms of legal gambling, but they are also encouraging lottery referendums. Far from discouraging gambling, some states faced with large budget deficits actually seek to make more forms of gambling available. It has been apparent over the last few years, compulsive gamblers are not the only ones who are addicted: given the general anti-tax atmosphere, state officials have come to depend on lottery revenues in their budgeting. Many states now view lottery money as ‘painless taxation. ’ According to the National Conference of State Legislators, the lottery is now the predominant  new revenue source for state governments† (Bayer). Most lottery referendums are promoted by state legislators and the lottery industry. Legislators who favor lotteries are looking for a new revenue source without the political cost of a tax increase. â €Å"Lured by the promise of tourists and revenue, governments around the country are dropping moral qualms about gambling and  approving the one tax we still pay with a smile† (Olinger). By raising revenues through lotteries the â€Å"easy way,† public officials bypass an important step in political accountability. The decisions about taxation provide an occasion for debating the proper functions and objects of government. â€Å"It is true that lottery profits go to state treasuries, but so do taxes. Taxes are also honestly raised and reflect community decisions about how to fairly distribute burdens and responsibilities† (Shenk). No one is really in the lottery business to help the elderly, improve the schools, or save endangered species; those are just the sugar that make state-sponsored gambling seem easier to swallow. In many states, legislators estimate lottery profits for the coming year and then reduce the existing education budget by that amount, so education funds do not actually increase† (Gearey). Most states say their lotteries help increase money for education, but it is apparently not true in most cases. Today’s lotteries have evolved into the opposite of what they were intended to be. In the early days of the country, lotteries were even more commonplace than they are today. They were sponsored by the states and held as needed, financing such projects as reconstructing Faneuil Hall in Boston and buildings on the campuses of Harvard and Yale. With the reputation of state lotteries being so malevolent, it would be thought that state officials would want to change how they are run, but â€Å"at a recent industry convention that included officials from every state lottery, it was clear that reform was not really at the top of the agenda† (Gearey). State lotteries are immensely unethical, cause numerous social implications, and provide for an abrasive skepticism of government principles. It is increasingly palpable that there needs to be an end to the lotteries all together. Works Cited

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Target Corporation free essay sample

Target Corporation was founded in 1902 by George Dayton in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was originally called â€Å"Dayton Dry Goods Company† and then later became Dayton Company in 1910. By 1962, Dayton Company opened its first discount store in Roseville, Minnesota by the name of â€Å"Target†. By 2000, all Dayton Hudson Corporations changed their name to Target Corporation. It opened three operating divisions including Target, Mervyn’s and the Department Store Division. In 2001, Target’s division generated about 80 percent of retail sales and operating income while Mervyn’s generated only 12 percent and the Department Store Division only generated 9% of sales therefore Target merged their e-commerce team and direct merchandising unit into one organization creating Target Corporation opening 74 new stores within the same year. Target’s operating strategy is built on providing great value to their consumers. They distinguish themselves from the competition by differentiating their inventory from other competing retail stores such as Wal-Mart and K-Mart. We will write a custom essay sample on Target Corporation or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page They are also known as being environmentally responsible. Target’s Corporation Associated Merchandising Corp. is a global sourcing organization that is involved with other souring companies to source goods to other parent companies. Target has developed a very unique store personality since its inception to ensure that it is core targeted market is reached. Targets store image is designed to reach its â€Å"target† market that is understood to be a step above its competitors of Wal-Mart and Kmart. The typical target customer is 44 years old with an average household income of $54,000 per year with 80% being female and over half being college graduates. Target reaches this core market through a strategic and well analyzed store development and retail site selection process. The Target real estate department identifies potential markets for new stores through an extensive search of analyzing population growth, existing stores performance, competition, demographics, and market potential. Target actively seeks the local communities input to ensure new stores are sensitive to local market needs and concerns. Once these market conditions have been met and local communities are on board Target will then construct one of the two possible Target prototype stores, The General Merchandise Store or The super Target. Target strives to open the stores at precise times being either March, July, or October as to ensure maximum exposure as construction on new stores ranges 9-12 months and store openings are planned well beyond 12 months in the future. The General Merchandise Store maintains a mixture of everyday needs including, electronics, household products, limited assortment of non-perishable and perishable food in addition to seasonal items. These stores on average employ 150-250 persons with a planned square footage of 128,000 square feet. The Super Target as the name implies is designed and constructed on a larger and grander scale and is located in large population areas with upscale demographics. The typical Super Target Store provides all the offerings of The General Merchandise Store with the added accompaniments of a full grocery store including fresh organic produce, deli, and bakery. These stores employ on average 200-300 persons and are constructed to be between 180,000 and 190,000 square feet. Target will locate these stores in suburban and urban markets with the urban market stores being single level raised elevation stores. In addition to these new store designs and openings Target breeds its store image and personality in several other ways to maintain its strong and affluent customer base. These objectives are also reached through store remodels, rebuilds, relocations, and in some cases store closings to preserve the brand name. Target is committed to its loyal customers and extensively reinvests in older store remodels to maintain the expected â€Å"store image† Target customers’ desire. Target Real Estate department analyses store sales volume, age of store, new store opportunities, and times since last update when considering a store for its remodel program. In some instances Target will do a complete rebuild of a store when factors allow. Target on average owns 85% of its buildings and land which enables Target in some situations to rebuild the store on the same site while the existing store remains in operation. In all of these situations Target will always to a simultaneous opening in conjunction with a store closing, the older store will close that fternoon with the new/remodeled store opening in the morning. This seamless transition ensures there are not any lapses in employee’s employment as well as customer’s ability to shop. With all of the in-depth site analysis, store analysis, demographic study, traffic count consideration, and local community reach-out that is placed in every new Target store selection, remodel, rebuild or store closing it is very easy to understand how Target has developed a â€Å"cult† like following based somewhat solely on its store image and personality. When a Target store, the bricks and mortar, and contrasted with its counterparts Wal-Mart and Kmart the Target hope is there is simply no comparison. In order to establish a business, Target Corp. had to first start with their marketing mix which includes their products, prices, place, and promotion also known as the four P’s. Their products and services consists of a wide variety including women’s, men’s and children’s fashion, baby equipment, home accessories, furniture, electronics, toys, fitness equipment, bath and bedding, baby and wedding registry, photo, pharmacy, optical and much more. They offer discount prices and clearance items in order to help consumer’s wallets while still offering quality products. (â€Å"Expect More, Pay Less†) Target Corp. has 26 regional distribution centers, 5 import warehouses and stores located in 47 states. They ship all their items directly to consumers from the Target. com Distribution Center. Their promotion strategies consists of newspapers, television commercials, internet and direct mailing lists and Channel Red, an in store network. Target Corporation has a unique market segmentation that makes consumers different from one another. Target Corp. as median age of forty-six years of age which is the youngest among other retailers. They target young customers with higher incomes than their competitors. The median household income of Target consumers is $55,000 and they typically live in suburban areas. About thirty-eight percent of consumers have children at home which is also more than any another competing discount store. Eighty to ninety percent of Target’s consumers are female and forty-three percent have completed college. Although Target’s main consumers are women (93%), they still target men by establishing an automotive, hardware and sporting good departments. Target’s positioning (or market) strategy is centered on a â€Å"cheap chic strategy†. Instead of competition for the lowest price to their everyday competitors, Target wanted to build an attractive clientele and venue. They have attracted a much younger and better educated clientele therefore their consumers are known as â€Å"guests† instead of being known as your everyday â€Å"customer. † Because of their upscale discount prices and products and their concept of associating style and quality, Target created their cheap but chic strategy; setting them apart from competitors. In order to offer quality products, Target uses several marketing tactics in order to keep existing consumers and establish new ones. Television, newspapers, magazines, brochures and testimonials from existing consumers help Target increase their client base and differentiate them from the competition. Another strategy Target Corp. uses in order to lure in younger audiences (both new and existing and typically ages 13-21) is established by running thirty second commercials featuring current celebrities.

Sunday, November 24, 2019

How Design Can Help Improve Branding Essay Example

How Design Can Help Improve Branding Essay Example How Design Can Help Improve Branding Essay How Design Can Help Improve Branding Essay Name: Instructor: Course: Date: How Design Can Help Improve Branding Different companies have specific images or phrases that identify with their brand. Graphic designers are involved in the creation of these communication material that consumers use to identify different brands. Graphic designers, though at the bottom of this business chain, can influence the communication their brands make by emphasizing on the integrity of their graphic works. Advertisements and logos designed by graphic designers are supposed to communicate the real value and state of the brand being advertised. Realism has to be brought to product branding because before the customer decides to acquire that branded product, all they relate to is the brand logo or phrase design. Reality branding seeks to engage the company heads in designing the outcome of their brand logo and phrases. Designers must seek the actual truth about the state and reputation of a company before engaging themselves in designing their brand logo, phrases, brochures or advertisements. The real information has to be communicated to the interested parties. If a company is local, for example, designers should not portray them as being regional or global in their advertisements. All information in the adverts should be relevant. Design communication should be honest and communicate in a down-to-earth way. Reality branding designing stipulates that designers allow for criticism in their design process. Designers should question the internal indiscipline of brands and inform the management to correct these before portraying a better image of them. Reality branding should point out the real responsibilities of the brand to its customers. Personalities used in advertising should communicate the â€Å"personality† of these brands to their target market. Social networking advertisement removes the barrier between the individual in the ground and the company at the top. Communication on these networks should also employ reality branding.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

General computer knowledge Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

General computer knowledge - Coursework Example Dragging Dragging is an activity of moving icons or images across the display screen mostly by using a mouse button. In tablets, it can be done using touch. It can also be used for moving block of text across the display screen while keeping the mouse button pressed. Defragment Defragmentation is the process of minimizing fragmentation by organizing files into smallest contiguous regions. Defragmentation increases region of free space area by compaction. It tries to compact smaller files together that can be accessed sequentially. Defragmentation also improves accessing files in faster times as read/write operations is faster in defragmented files in comparison to system of fragmented files. Podcast Podcast refers to digital media that includes series of multimedia, PDF, ePub files that can be streamlined to mobile or electronic devices through subscription. Podcast’s etymology is rooted in the traditional word â€Å"broadcast† and â€Å"pod† of the apple product â€Å"iPod†. The process of Podcast applies the software â€Å"podcatcher† to web feed the series of multimedia, PDF, or ePub files from distributor’s servers for downloading any files. ... Digital entertainment industry applies Vodcast mostly for short video clips of 2-9 minutes. Vodcast is also used for marketing, blogs, and in combination with traditional medium. Scam (give examples) Scam in cyber world applies manipulation for gaining access of private information to stealthily deprive money of potential target. Phone scam is one of the recent tricks in which attackers represent themselves as technical support person of branded organization such as Microsoft or other large companies. They apply technical jargons to confuse the person and maliciously install a program bypassing Antivirus of computer to take advantage of personal information or forcing the client to purchase product of particular company. Phishing is another scam that sends mail from branded organization to target unsuspected victim. Phishing Phishing act tries to gain accounting or credit card information masquerading themselves as reliable representative of branded company. Social media, mail, or ot her websites tries to lure public into their trap and takes the person to website with malware. E-mail spoofing is also one of the ways to trap victim by deceiving them using similar looking logos or website of branded organization. Phishing applies social engineering methodologies to exploit technological naive. Urban legend (give examples) Urban legends refer to modern myth that has been created through repetition of false story mostly using the medium of Internet that provides the platform faster broadcast of the story. They increase the believability factor by personalizing the story that it has been happened to one of the friends. "The Infamous Modem Tax", "Craig