My Acquaintance With Africa Essay Example For Students

My Acquaintance With Africa Essay My Acquaintance With AfricaI thought I knew enough about Africa, this wonderful and strange continent with a hot tropical climate and a wealthy nature, which is populated by many different nations and tribes. I saw many movies, mostly about African nature and often read newspapers or magazines about frequent wars and economical problems. But I never made acquaintance with people who originated from Africa. Thus, it was really interesting to talk, even if a little to my classmate Kadra, who not long ago, two years, came here from the small East African country Djibouti. I was interested in how she has lived and thought and what problems have worried this young, beautiful black woman. In the period of two years, since I came from Ukraine and have lived in Chicago, I have known six or seven Afro-Americans. Although we worked together we had never talked about their problems. Maybe, it isnt done among the black people, all the more among the Americans. So, I really know nothing about native Africans. No wonder I always thought they are very poor, not well educated and cut away from world civilization. It was a big surprise when Kadra told me that she finished high-school in her motherland and whats more in French, which is the second, after her native Arabic, official language in Djibouti. Kadra speaks English sufficiently, clearly expresses her thoughts and doesnt stop to find the suitable words as I often do. She plans to continue going to college in order to get a degree in English, find a better job and probably go back to motherland where she can teach English to her compatriots. Of course, Kadra told me about her native country Djibouti, which I know nothing about. It is a beautiful country located on the East coast of Africa, on the shore of the Red Sea. The territory, divided into a low coastal plain, with mountains behind, and an interior plateau, is arid, sandy, and desolate. The climate is generally hot and dry. Two main ethnic groups, Somali and Afar, live there and almost all people profess the Muslim faith. Its a republic and the head of state is a president. The economy is a weak development and people often go to other countries hoping to find a job. I was interested that people in Djibouti are mainly Muslim, to whom I never talked before. So I began to ask questions about this topic and discovered the huge, mysterious, and alien Islamic world. It seems to me religion has great importance for Kadra; it is her spiritual universe, its like her second ?I?. It is strange that in the USA, with its furious rate of life, with its interlacing of nations, cultures, religions and as a result- a prevailing ideology of idealism, on the top of which is ?I? and ?myself?, Kadra continues to live in her closed Muslim world. I found many new things in her world and heard about the customs and laws ascribed to respect and help older people and parents. Muslims are not allow drinking alcohol, never using drugs and are faithful in marriage. I found that Islam allows getting divorced, if a man or woman doesnt love anymore. It changed my assumption about a woman in the Islamic world as a slave who carries her own cross to the end of her life. On the o ther hand, I have understood, or to be more specific, I felt how dangerous and awful is Islam. Since childhood Kadra has followed Muslim laws, gone to the Muslim school and known only this world because she lived among people who blindly submitted to Islams canons. When I asked her how her world outlook has changed for the last two years and how she imagines her future life here, in the USA, I was shocked by her firmness to live further in the Muslim world and her confidence that nothing can change. At first it seems she, as do most of us, works, goes to college, and drives a car. From the outside she looks like everyone, nothing particular, but what acts in this young soul, as though the black darkness covers her. I had this feeling when he told me her husband, relatives and all her friends are Muslims and only among them she has found happiness. Then I noticed she talks with hardly hidden disgust to other people (I understood that for her the ?other? means the people not other rac e, nation or culture, but who dont profess her religion). She truly believes Muslim is the best religion and all people must go only this way. Also she believes she will keep her religion not only for herself but also for her future children and the American way wont change them. When I question her about the assimilation, she had no idea about that, but she was unflinching in her belief when I explained to her what it is. What godly innocence and desperate firmness!Very often I have thought about the main point of a life and long ago I made the conclusion that the main in this world is a human with her/his willingness to know a new and property to a selfimproving. How interesting it is to discover something new and how thrilling to communicate with other people from different countries, and with other races, religions and cultures. So, I think about Kadra, about her tragedy- to live in such free, interesting country as is the USA and voluntarily keep herself in the dark world of th e Muslim. But I never stop to hope that the fresh wing of change will touch her and that she will open her eyes and heart, and finally find her really happy place in the blessed Washington land. .ufecd2ff8bdfec636aa1069d9564306c0 , .ufecd2ff8bdfec636aa1069d9564306c0 .postImageUrl , .ufecd2ff8bdfec636aa1069d9564306c0 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ufecd2ff8bdfec636aa1069d9564306c0 , .ufecd2ff8bdfec636aa1069d9564306c0:hover , .ufecd2ff8bdfec636aa1069d9564306c0:visited , .ufecd2ff8bdfec636aa1069d9564306c0:active { border:0!important; } .ufecd2ff8bdfec636aa1069d9564306c0 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ufecd2ff8bdfec636aa1069d9564306c0 { 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; } .ufecd2ff8bdfec636aa1069d9564306c0:active , .ufecd2ff8bdfec636aa1069d9564306c0:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ufecd2ff8bdfec636aa1069d9564306c0 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ufecd2ff8bdfec636aa1069d9564306c0 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ufecd2ff8bdfec636aa1069d9564306c0 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ufecd2ff8bdfec636aa1069d9564306c0 .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; } .ufecd2ff8bdfec636aa1069d9564306c0:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ufecd2ff8bdfec636aa1069d9564306c0 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ufecd2ff8bdfec636aa1069d9564306c0 .ufecd2ff8bdfec636aa1069d9564306c0-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ufecd2ff8bdfec636aa1069d9564306c0:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Cigs EssayEnglish Essays

Lateral Thinking Essay Example

Lateral Thinking Paper 1. Introduction As human beings, people have different ways of thinking. The way they think will influence their decisions. Nowadays, some people try to improve their potential to think uniquely. This type of thinking can be called Lateral thinking. This concept is very useful for people who are working in business organisation especially when they make a decision. This report will illustrate more about lateral thinking, the method to improve lateral thinking, and how to use this concept in corporate world. 2. Lateral Thinking There are three basics ways of thinking, which are logical thinking, common sense, and puzzles science. Logical thinking is where people do not over look to the reason why they consider thing as correct. For example, a car will not run without fuel and most people know it without comprehend this problem. The second basic method is common sense. In this method where people find solution for their problems based on their experience. The third method is Puzzles and science where people try to find solution for certain problem. (Mero 1990, pp. 11-36) Mero has overlooked a new method of thinking which called Lateral Thinking was first introduced by Edward de Bono. He stated that lateral thinking is the way of thinking which approach different principles and ideas (Lateral thinking 2006). An example to describe Lateral thinking: â€Å"You cannot dig a hole in a different place by digging the same hole deeper. † (de Bono 1992, p. 52) From this example, Edward de Bono emphasized that people should look at things from different alternatives and perception. Thinking of different alternatives will help people to eliminate conventional way of thinking and find new solution to their problems. (de Bono 1992, p. 53) 3. We will write a custom essay sample on Lateral Thinking specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Lateral Thinking specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Lateral Thinking specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Lateral Thinking in relation with creativity and Innovation Altering concepts and perception lead people to think laterally. This changing process involves creativity to generate new ideas. According to De Bono (1992, p. 55) assert â€Å"The term â€Å"lateral thinking† is very precise. Lateral thinking is based on behavior of self-organizing information system. † Even though the basic pattern of lateral thinking is focusing on searching of perception and concepts, its still considers the shifting of its process. In other words, creative thinking is a process of finding new concepts and ideas to solve a problem. (de Bono 1992, p. 5) Characteristics of creative thinkers are innovative and creative, imaginative in problem solving, arranged mind, positive thinking, and hard working (Tanner 1992). The first characteristic is creative and innovative which means creative thinkers dislike of being stagnant and they will do creative act to make changes. Their creative way of th inking may contribute to the benefit of themselves and their community. Second characteristic is imaginative in the way of searching alternatives for problem solving, â€Å"They do not grab at the first idea to solve a problem but take the time to search for alternatives†. Third characteristic is arranged mind. At this point, creative thinkers will adopt the situation and try to get the idea from that situation. Fourth characteristics of creative thinkers is positive thinking, it means they see things even problems in positive way. The last characteristics is hard working which means creative thinkers always focus and concentrate their mind and put effort on their goal. (Tanner 1992) 4. Access to Understand Lateral Thinking There are several accesses to understand lateral thinking which are â€Å"reading materials, seminars and lectures, group and individual practice. (Bono 1971, p 158-163) Reading materials is the first access to understand lateral thinking, where people can find the information from book. However, there will be misunderstanding of this subject when people only read and try to understand from books. The second access is attending seminars and lectures which only cover the background of lateral thinking theory because seminars and lec tures only concentrate to one technique (de Bono 1971, p. 158). The last accesses that people can use are group and individual practice. According to De Bono (1971, p. 58), group practice will give pictures about lateral thinking methods. Moreover, people can learn lateral thinking by individual practice. â€Å"The purpose of individual practice in lateral thinking is to acquire skill and confidence in this type of thinking. † (De Bono 1971, p. 158) 5. Methods to Improve Lateral Thinking Nowadays, people have to improve their skill to think laterally. There are many methods to develop lateral thinking that were introduced by Edward de Bono. Particularly, this report will only concentrated on six thinking hats method and the creative pause method (Bono 1992). . 1 Six thinking hats method Six thinking hats method is â€Å"a model that can be used for exploring different perspective towards a complex situation or challenge. † (Bono 1985) The purpose of this method is to h elp individuals directly accept the difference point of view of one thing. Edward de Bono uses different colors to explain this method. For example, white represents objective facts, red represents justification, black represents logical negative views, yellow represents looks for benefit, green represents new ideas and blue represents organizer. Trained employees who attend this training wear one hat to put them selves in other person’s position. From this process, employees can learn to see one subject from different point of view. The advantages of this system can develop communication skill among the employees within organisation and help decision making. (de Bono 1979 and de Bono1985) 5. 2 The Creative pause method This method is the easiest way for people to train their lateral thinking skill. However, in order to make this method effective people should give special attempt and high commitment to learn the method. de Bono 1992) â€Å"The creative pause is an interruption in the smooth flow of routine in order to pay deliberate attention at some point. † (De Bono 1992, p. 86) When using this method, people will focus to some objects or problems and many questions will come into their minds which respond intention the situation that occur. For example, â€Å"Why we eat in the restaurant? †, â€Å"Wh y we do not eat at home? †, â€Å"How about if we do not eat anything tonight†. (de Bono 1992, p. 86) Motivation plays an important role in learning the method, when people have the right motivation it will give them benefits, and that is being able to think creatively. In addition, hope also gives a significant impact since there is a new possibility for a solution. (de Bono 1992, p. 87) As mentioned above, this method is the easiest way to learn lateral thinking; therefore it does not require any special system. De Bono (1992, p. 88) stated, â€Å"the main point of the pause is to give attention to something and to place that point in your mind as being worthy of attention. † To think creatively, people should think slowly in order to concentrate on particular point. For example, when drawing it is important to take time in order to get a good inspiration to be applied on the painting. (de Bono 1992, p. 88) People should understand the difference between creative pause and selecting important parts of the problem. Essentially, creative pause only concentrate in creating new idea about the problem. (de Bono 1992, p. 89) 6. Application of lateral thinking in Business Organisation Today, many large business organisations are trying to look at creative thinking method which founded by Edward De Bono. This method becomes famous in UK and many companies send their representatives to take advantage of this method. Several companies that have been applying lateral thinking within the organization are IBM, Federal Express and British Airways. Those companies are implementing the theory of lateral thinking by establishing program of thinking creatively and systematically using six thinking hats method which already explained above. (Evans 1994) Another company that has applied Lateral thinking is NDS (Norse Dairy System) which based in Columbus, Ohio. They were applying lateral thinking method by creatively made various types of ice-cream cones in 2003. NDS was the first ice-cream cones supplier that created cones in flavors, iced oatmeal cookies, and chocolate vanilla cookies covered with chocolate. That kind of innovation in the ice-cream industry was created by thinking outside the box because at that time, there was no other competitor who had the same innovation. (Be a Trend Setter 2003, pp. 6-7) Implementation of Lateral thinking in business organisation has made many companies succeed and become more effective and efficient. More over, the most important of applying this method is making modern corporate world more innovative and creative (Evans 1994). 7. Conclusion In conclusion, lateral thinking is very important for problem solving in modern world because with lateral thinking people can observe one thing in different perspectives and try to find new solution for the problem. The founder of lateral thinking, Edward de Bono, has made significant changing in corporate world which lead many organisations to be successful by implementing lateral thinking.

The United States, the Soviet Union, and the Cold War essays

The United States, the Soviet Union, and the Cold War essays The end of World War Two left Europe divided. As soon as the war was over, old alliances were quickly forgotten, yet tensions still remained. The biggest tension, however, was between the Soviet Union and the United States. The conflict between these two nations was that of Communism versus "freedom", whether it be through Democracy, Nationalism, or Capitalism. Many events took place over a period of roughly forty years that were examples of Soviet communism and the United States attempt to crush it. This time period was termed the "Cold War" although it was not really a war, but merely a competition between to political powers in an attempt to be the best in the world. Some people consider the Cold War to have been a friendly war because, despite cold feelings and rivalry, there wasn't a massive battle and bloodshed. This is not true because, during the ongoing competition between the two world powers, battles against Communism were fought with raging war, and tensions were h igh. The first example of heated tensions during the Cold War was in Korea. In 1949, the United States and the Soviet Union had troops in Korea. The Soviets supplied Northern Korea with tanks, planes and money in an attempt to spread their Communist ideals. America, on the other hand, supported Nationalist South Korea. When North Korea crossed the 38th parallel to invade South Korea the United States was quick to come to the aid of the south. The United States president at the time, Truman, stood firmly by his Truman Doctrine, and saw defending South Korea as an act in the crusade against Communism. Fighting raged for months, each side taking turns at forcing the enemy's lines farther and farther back, and gaining new allies and opposition. China, frustrated on their own border encroachment, fought alongside North Korea, and the UN came to the support of the Nationalists. Finally, after three years of fighting, treaties were signed and the borders ...

3 Questions To Guide Your Marketing Program With Michael Brenner

3 Questions To Guide Your Marketing Program With Michael Brenner Successful marketing takes more than just running ads, publishing articles, and designing newsletters. With so many moving parts, running a successful marketing program can be elusive. So, use a thoughtful and simple framework to cut straight to the heart of what it means and what it looks like to get consistent results. Today, we’re talking to Michael Brenner, the CEO of Marketing Insider Group and co-author of The Content Formula. He shares his global perspective and the secret to success when it comes to content marketing. Michael discovered that he had an aptitude for helping customers at scale Counter-intuitive nature of life applies to marketing; there’s a lot more to marketing than just advertising, which we hate and tune out We perceive marketing in the wrong way; it’s a two-way communication between a company and its customers What type of marketing works? Things that are not selfish, promotional, and interruptive, but aligned to what customers are wanting and what helps them Marketing starts with culture, and growth equates to the amount of empathy a company has for its customers, employees, and world Mission Statement: What is your purpose? Meaning? What do you achieve for the people you touch? Step 1: No matter what you are working on or what role you play in the company, always ask: What’s in it for the customers? Do less promotion in advertising and more content marketing or education Identify the amount of integration and interaction that occurs across the company Step 2: What’s in it for your colleagues? Marketing goes beyond the marketing department; it’s a collaborative and magical effort Step 3: What’s in it for the company? Conversions and ROI of content marketing Culture, empathy, and performance lead to effective and successful marketing Michael tries to do 2 things every day: Be thankful and show empathy (T E) Links: Michael Brenner Michael Brenner on Twitter Marketing Insider Group The Content Formula Jim Stengel’s Grow AMP on iTunes leave a review and send screenshot to podcast@.com If you liked today’s show, please subscribe on iTunes to The Actionable Content Marketing Podcast! The podcast is also available on SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Google Play. Quotes by Michael Brenner:: â€Å"If you just help your customers, or help your buyers buy, and answer the questions that they have in that journey, then you can really succeed.† â€Å"There’s a lot more to marketing than just advertising.† â€Å"Selling is helping buyers buy, and marketing is helping buyers buy, as well, but at scale.†

Contemporary & international marketing Case Study

Contemporary & international marketing - Case Study Example Further, aspects like target segments, differentiation were also adequately addressed. The Company Tatbury Crystal Glass Ltd is a family-owned manufacturer of quality cut glass made from full lead crystal. Known as Tutbury Crystal (TC) since 1984, manufacturing on the site in the Staffordshire village went back as far as the 15th century. In the 1920-60s, the crystal had the name Thomas, Webb & Corbett, a prestigious name renowned for high-quality product. The manufactured crystals were to be seen as traditional, English, aspirational, handcrafted, exclusive and full of heritage. Luxury brands have characteristically been correlated with the essential proficiencies of originality and ingenuity, individuality, craftsmanship, accuracy and meticulousness, high quality, innovation and premium pricing. These product features provide consumers the satisfaction of not only having possession of expensive items but the added psychological benefits like esteem, prestige and a sense of "high status" that reminds them that they belong to an exclusive group of a select few who can afford these costly items. Generally, the luxury sector aims its products and services at consumers on the top-end of society's economic spectrum. These self-selected elite are more or less price-insensitive and choose to spend their time and money on objects that are plainly considered as 'opulence' rather than necessities. For these reasons, luxury and prestige brands have, for hundreds of years, commanded a stanch and often illogical customer loyalty. At present, the luxury market is taking on a new direction with exceptional demand coming from Asian countries, and hence research has centered on the cross-cultural comparison of attitudes toward the luxury concept (Dubois & Laurent, 1996; Dubois & Paternault, 1997) and the comparison of motivations between Asian and Western societies (Wong & Ahuvia, 1998). Nonetheless, these investigations have focused on only some facets of prestige-seeking consumer behavior. Although researchers concur that the inquiry of prestige goods is interesting and significant, there is currently little agreement about how best to define, and tehrefore understand, the psychology of prestige-related consumer behavior. "Status brand strategies are intuitively recognised by marketing professionals and practitioners. However, there is little literature on the topic reported in scientific journals" (Andrus, Silver & Johnson 1986). As a consequence of the remarkable growth of luxury markets over the years, the marketing arena has recently seen ample and significant interest in the study of prestige brands. Research in the UK projected important social changes by the year 2000 (Powderly & MacNulty, 1990). Their study recognised that people's needs for appearances and materialism were increasing. That is, they reported a rising demand for conspicuous and status products. In Australia, contemporary market reports seem to support this analysis. "Australians have embarked on a shopping spree for imported luxury goods, with sales of diamonds, furs, caviar and champagne jumping this year" (Rees 1997, p. 8). The United States' economic recovery and the fast growing demand in Asia, before the slowdown that started in 1997, have also boosted the growth of the

Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian - Essay Example The novel can be called a â€Å"historical novel† without the aura of historical fiction, and not an â€Å"escapist Western† as it chronicles the expeditions of Glanton’s paramilitary gang sent out by both the Mexican and Texan authorities to murder and scalp as many Apaches as possible. Further encouraged by the bounty offered by a Mexican governor for Indian scalps, the Glanton gang takes to scalp hunting Apaches with a vengeance. However, this is not just a case of bloodthirsty whites slaughtering noble savages: the Apaches themselves commit horrendous atrocities of their own. Most of the action in the novel centers around Judge Holden, a massive 7-foot albino who towers over everyone else, yet seems pre-pubescent because of his total lack of hair and small hands and feet. (â€Å"He was bald as a stone and had no trace of beard and had no brows to his eyes nor lashes to them† {McCarthy 6}). Judge Holden manages to manipulate everyone with whom he comes into contact (even Glanton), and easily turns situations to his advantage. The Judge’s physical characteristics are used as comparison with other characters such as the Kid (the Kid is not big, but he has big wrists and hands {McCarthy 4} – unlike the Judge’s small hands) and the dead babies that the Kid finds, who â€Å"stare eyeless at the naked sky. Bald and pale and bloated†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (McCarthy 57): a comparison with the Judge, who is bald and pale (being an albino). Judge Holden is a mystery from his very first appearance in the novel and remains so until the very end, when he is one of the few characters surviving. One mysterious aspect is his uncanny ability to move from place to place so swiftly and eerily that it seems he is in fact not one, but two persons (e.g. he escapes from the riot in Reverend Green’s tent to a salon where he is completely dry, even though it is heavily raining outside). His seeming â€Å"double

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Essay Example for Free

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Essay This article has deeply looked into the importances of education. The different perspectives that the author of the article has used in explaining the significance of education has made me to understand the noble part of education which I though was increased economic power. However from the article, I have realized that there are other benefits accrued to education such as improved lifestyle, and also status quo of an individual though they have not been fully exhausted in the article. The completion of tertiary education has also increase in Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) members have also learnt that there is inequality in economic earning in the OECD country members with Spain, Luxembourg and Belgium having the lowest level of gender inequality. This however does not conform in all countries especially the developing countries where the level of unemployment is high. There is high level of unemployed graduates in the developing countries which deprive education of its importance. The income rate in the developing countries do not match with education level due to high level of corruption in these countries. It is possible to find a Bachelor degree holder earning less than a college diploma holder. The education in different countries vary in significance and in the developed countries the people enjoy the benefits of education more than the people in the developing countries. The articles analysis on sciences and maths score has brought the clear image of performance across different countries. Just like many people, I could not have imagined that the United States could be led by any other country in the science and technology sector. Amazingly from the articles analysis on these subjects (Science and Maths), Asian countries take a lead including Singapore, China, South Korea and Japan. It have also been noted that different countries differ significantly on the level of education and education attainment. The gender inequality in earning is very prominent in the developing countries which the article should have focused. The article did not include African states in the analysis except in the science and math performance. I feel that the article needed more of comparison on education in Africa with the first world countries which could have brought about a clear view of education in the two disparities. The article could have discussed about the future prospect of education in the world. With the improved technology, different individuals from different countries are able to acquire universal education and hence chances of employment increase. The level of competition in education is also likely to go higher as children at a lower age are being exposed to technology such as the internet. The article need therefore to address the future of education in the globe. The benefits of education are broader than the article is stating. Education plays a major role in the conservation of the environment. The level of education determines the ones level of environmental consciousness. With the threat of global warming, education through creating awareness and providing solutions to the problem can make a difference.