The XX band, album XX review Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The XX band, album XX review - Article Example The album received positive reviews and has just released a second album, â€Å"The Co- Exist.† (Rodgers). History of the XX band The xx band is an indie pop band formed in 2008 based in London. It released their debut album in 2009. The band has four members, Romey Madley Croft, Oliver Sim, Jamie Smith better known as Jamie xx and Baria Qureshi who left the band in 2009 after the first album. The band members studied music together at the Elliot School and have known each other for years. The band was ranked highly in the best of 2009 lists. It was number 1 on the Guardian list and 2nd on the NME. In 2010 the band won the Mercury prize for their debut album. They have just released their second album â€Å"Co-Exist† on 10th September 2012. The name of the band XX is not the chromosomes or kisses but more seen as mysterious marks. Their eponymous debut album in term of music and lyrics has traces of Pixies and Aaliyah. Caius Pawson founder of the Young Turks label an im print of XL signed them up after listening to them perform at various gigs and became their manager. Creativity Making of the Album XX Romney Madley Croft is the singer cum guitarist of the band. She is sweet natured and soft spoken. She is incapable of uttering a line that does not have a ‘come on’. She adores Mariah Carey. In the songs â€Å"Islands† and Basis Space† her voice is pleasant and has a soft vibe. She is reflective about a subject that is something not often associated with teenagers. Oliver Sim, the bassist, feels up through his responsive vocals and ever present bass. His voice is papery and has a sticking point. Oliver is obsessed by Aaliyah and this can be seen in their music. Romy and Sim may not have the best voices but they sing together because they have something to say. They provide plenty of friction to their music and bring a lot of excitement to the music. Baria Qureishi was the guitarist cum keyboard player and responsible for dr ums, but left the band after the band’s debut album under unclear circumstances (Rodgers). Jamie Smith known as â€Å"Jamie xx† is the band’s producer. He created a sound world where the simplest chord change was full of emotion. The first production acquainted listeners to music that expressed the guitar. He is a producer who is adventurous and open minded compared to other young producers. He is hungry to incorporate all manners of sounds and approaches to music. The band’s music is pop music about sex and interpersonal relationships. They are not fashionistas but definitely their influence is potent. They are strongly influenced by R&B. The XX band makes electronic edged music that is ghostly, low key and enigmatic as their curious name. The connections to the different types of music they adore gives their music an atmosphere of simplicity. The group caused a stir during their gigs in London before being signed up by Young Turks (Rodgers). The debut a lbum â€Å"XX† The eponymous debut album was self titled â€Å"xx†. The first album filled a void that most music lovers did not know exist. Their music was new where several currents of music flowed. xx the song was like a whispered secret. It incorporated hushed voices through the process of subtraction with a daring sense of space. Croft’s voice in the first album used gently picked lines that were

Effective Religious Practices Essay Example for Free

Effective Religious Practices Essay Throughout our history, leaders of various religious sects have used a number of methods, materials, and programs to initiate their followers into a certain ideology or belief system. This has proved to be both useful and destructive over the course of time. We have seen many horrifying events take place in the name of certain religions (Jim Jones, The Peoples Church), and have also seen many cases that could serve as a message of hope for others (Mother Teresa). The outcome of events that are sparked by the formation of a new religious sect, are primarily influenced by the programs and methods used by the sects religious leader, to instruct his followers to believe in certain belief systems, and commit actions that are justified by those underlying beliefs. When analyzing how a religious sect instructs its followers, or disciples, we should analyze both positive and negative correlations shared by various sects, in doing this, we could determine what practices have proved beneficial to society, and which ones have proved to be destructive. When observing certain pastors methods in instructing their followers, we could come to the assumption that a leader who preaches a peaceful and uplifting message is more likely to attractive followers who share the same views, on the other hand, a pastor who preaches destructive and self righteous message is more likely to have a congregation that reflects those same views. For example, Joel Olsten, a pastor at Lakewood church, has a consistent uplifting message that he shares with his congregation on a daily basis. When using this method of preaching, the pastor is not focusing on the negative actions of some of the members of his congregation, (Hell, or Damnation) but rather inspiring them to try harder, or to do better. When a pastor only focuses on topics such as sin, Hell, or damnation, then many members of his congregation will leave feeling ashamed and scared, rather than uplifted and motivated. A useful method that a pastor can use is always having sermons with a positive and uplifting theme, focused on what’s ahead for an individual rather than what they have done in there past. Another useful method practiced by certain pastors is not classifying there religion under a certain categories, such as Catholic, Methodist, or Jehovah Witness, but rather inviting people of all faiths to join, not just a select view. In practicing this, a pastor’s congregation has the potential to grow, without being confined by a certain sect’s moral philosophies. A church is only as powerful as its congregation, the larger the congregation, the more influence a church has in its surrounding communities. When practicing such things, a pastor does not limit himself to one moral view, but rather stays open minded and tolerant to the many views that his congregation may have. If I were to become a pastor, I wouldn’t be subject to one particular faith, but rather welcome any faith to my congregation. I feel that it is important to have a diverse congregation; it teaches people how to be tolerant and appreciative of another persons belief system. This ideology also proves useful in expanding a church’s total number of members, therefore harboring growth and overall success. As a church’s congregation grows, so does its net worth, and its influence in its surrounding communities. Secondly, I would choose to preach messages of hope rather than self-shame. I would want people to come to my church and leave with a renewed vision of hope, so that they are self motivated to become active members in there communities. In my opinion, this would prove to be very effective in increasing the total number of people in my congregation. In conclusion, it is far more beneficial when recruiting members for a congregation, to appeal to everybody’s emotional needs, by preaching an unbiased message that has a theme based in hope, and inspiration.

Goal And Objectives Of A Spar Business Tourism Essay

Goal And Objectives Of A Spar Business Tourism Essay Through its vast network of research on the consumer and industry, some researchers were pinpointed the following spa industry trends: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Spa is a Lifestyle: Research shows that more than 2 million spa-goers took part in lifestyle classes in 2005. Examples of lifestyle offerings include healthy cooking classes, seminars on achieving balance and managing stress and treatments which allow guests to customize their own at-home spa experience. more people are embracing the spa experience as it is linked to lifestyle decisions based on health and wellness. Issues such as stress, obesity, and environmental toxins being serious concerns, many spas are incorporating lifestyle elements, which include fitness, diet and overall health into the traditional treatment-based spa concept. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Spa Visits are Necessary and an Entitlement: This trend is catching particularly among baby boomers. The most common reasons for visiting spas include soothing sore joints/muscles, relieving/reducing stress to feel better about oneself and for mental/emotional health. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Looking for Results: People expect more than just pampering from their spa visits simply. More than one in ten spa-goers treat spa-going as part of their larger health and wellness lifestyle. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Medical Components: The annual growth of 69 percent from 2003 to 2005 shows that medical spas are one of the fastest growing segments of the industry. The most popular medical treatments are microdermabrasion, chemical peels and natural weight loss measures such as body wraps. Increasingly, the medical industry in general, and the plastic surgery sector in particular, are incorporating spa treatments such as acupuncture and naturotherapy into their service structure. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Living at the Spa: Spas are adding residential components and real estate developers are building spas in gated communities and condominiums. For example it is particularly visible in cities like New York City and Las Vegas. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Socialization: Todays spas are offering enhanced opportunities for socialization. Many spas are merging the traditional spa concept with entertainment and networking. Eight percent of U.S. spa-goers say they use their time at the spa as an opportunity to socialize. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Customization: In todays times Spa-goers desire experiences that are customized to their personal needs and desires. Right from booking time, to selecting the background music, room temperature lighting, and massage oils; being a spa-goer is no longer a spectator sport. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Gender-specific experiences: consumers are looking for experiences tailored specifically to their gender. As 45 percent of spa-goers are men, the demand for products and services designed specifically with men in mind is at an all-time high. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Spa Vacations: About 63% of U.S. spa-goers have visited spa while traveling from home. Apart from budgetary considerations, trips to spas are shaped by desires to visit particular places and have specific types of vacations. Women are more likely than men to be spa-goers, though spa traveling reduces the gender gap considerably as 36 percent of spa travelers are male. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Experiential Journeys: Spa-goers are drawn to indigenous treatments and products, especially when traveling. New textures, aromas and sounds with meaningful story-telling help forge connections to people, places and traditions. Additionally, another trend to watch for is skin care evolving from a product-based service to an experience-based service. Industry Background The spa industry has grown significantly from 2005 to 2007. According to the latest Global Spa Research of ISPA (International SPA Association) there are nearly 100 million active spa-goers globally. The need to relax transcends borders. Regardless of where they live, the primary reasons spa-goers visit spas are to relax and relieve/reduce stress. Most spa businesses market a Web site to advertise products or services. It may not be an attractive or professional looking page on the Internet, but businesses are still using these uninviting Web pages. Owners are staying away from potentially helpful management software, because they are caught up in the paperwork. If all businesses used an Internet strategy, sales and new clients would increase significantly. Its a matter of developing an Internet strategy, sticking to a plan, and remembering the big picture. The purpose of this research is to determine whether having an Internet strategy is beneficial in the spa industry. Internet art icles, e-books, personal interviews, and books were used for research purposes. Overall, research suggests that having an Internet strategy proves beneficial for clients, spa technicians, and management. With a willingness to learn about new software and ways of doing business online, revenue will increase as fast as over night. Goal and Objectives of the Business and Milestone Our mission is to run a profitable business by providing high-end therapeutic massage and aesthetician services in a caring, upscale, professional environment. We offer massage in a variety of styles traditional Swedish Massage, Sports Massage, Deep Tissue work, Sports Massage,  Hot Stone Massage, Reflexology, and others.  Our licensed aestheticians offer the latest in skin treatments, body treatments and anti-aging therapies.   Our goal is to tailor the clients experience based on initial interview information, as well as feedback during the treatments, to ensure the clients comfort and satisfaction, and to increase repeat business.  We are mindful of the overall experience using only the finest oils and lotions, beauty treatments and aromatherapies. Special lighting, music, decor, and textiles  are used throughout the spa to  complete the comfortable, plush environment  and enhance the clients overall spa experience. Objectives of the Business Achieve $33,900in sales the third month after opening by performing 16services per day. Achieve $81,600 in sales the 6 month after opening by performing 27 services per day. Have a local client return rate of 90% by the end of the first 6 months. Become an established community Spa destination by the end of the first 12 months. Perform 23 services per day by the end of the first year. Uniqueness of Product or Service Marketing, Marketing, Marketing Owner is a proven, 15-year sales executive.   Marketing will be the first strength to our success and a huge competitive edge. Professionalism: Which are includes everything from maintaining confidentiality, to hiring the very best LMT and Aestheticians. Individual Attention: Each clients experience will be tailored to his or her preference. Repeat business/Recommendations: giving the kind of service that brings people back for regular treatments, and encourages clients to recommend us to friends, and other health professionals to recommend their clients. Unique Treatments: We have the latest in techniques with the best products from around the world. Fantastic Location:  Orchard road A Few More Notable Itemsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Treatments that use two or more therapists are also seen as being on the rise.   Spa-going moms desire products and experiences designed for them. The most reason that customer want go to spa is to reduce and relieve their stress, painfuls and the attractiveness of our spa is stone and fruit massage. Marketing Plan Research and Analysis Knowledge of the target market provides a basis for determining the appropriate marketing action strategy that will effectively meet its needs (Hisrich, Peters Shepherd, 2008, p245). Market Segmentation A basic foundation of relationship marketing is market segmentation (Zeithaml Bitner, 2003, p.164). Through market segmentation, our company can reach target market easily. Market segmentation is variable. For our company, the main segmentations are as follows. Demographic Segmentation Age:The chart above is the result from our survey. That indicates the main customers of our company are aged from 25 to 40. Occupation Our market segment will include officials and housewives. Officials in Singapore are always stressful because of work. Therefore, doing spa will make them be relaxed and comfortable. Housewives always have a lot of leisure time. In that case, spa would be one of their favorite activities. Income group Our market segment would include people with high income. Because of our company not only provides traditional massage, also provides special Day spa, like hot stone treatment and fruit spa, our clients should has high income. Behavior Segmentation This segmentation is based on peoples lifestyle. Our companys market segment would include people who prefer to take massage to relax. In addition, people who like to take massage as a healthcare method also can be seen as our target segment. Geographic Segmentation Our main target segment is tourists who are from other countries. Target Market Firstly, tourists would be our companys major target market. Meanwhile, based on the demographic segmentation, our company would target local people aged from 25 to 40. According to the left graph below, the population of Singapore had a dramatically increase from year 1970 (2,013,600) to year 2009 (3,733,900), which means the number of people we can serve also increased. In addition, the chart on right depicts people at age group from 25 to 40 is a large segment therefore that is a huge market for us. It is also has a growth trends from 1999 to 2009. These are good signals for running Spa Company. Source: Statistics Singapore, 2010 Market Analysis The spa industry in Singapore is prosperous. This country has been positioned as the urban spa hub of Southeast Asia by the tourism board. (Melinda Taschetta-Millane, 2007). Source: Singapore Tourism Board, 2010. The graph above depicts the number of visitor arrivals in Singapore. It is clear that, the number of tourists increased from 2003 to 2007. After that, the number decreased slightly, probably because the economic crisis. However, visitor arrivals to Singapore registered 26.7% growth to reach 950,000 in June 2010, the highest ever recorded visitor arrivals in the month of June (Statistics Singapore, 2010). Thereby the number of tourists is still large. In that case, the market size of spa industry is very big in Singapore. On the other hand, our survey also asks peoples opinion on whether spa is popular. The chart below indicates that the percentage of people who state spa becomes more popular is 94. Figure: Survey result of whether Spa become more popular However, there are many key players in spa industry, such as Spa Esprit, Estheva Spa and Raffles Amrita Spa. Based on many years operation, these spas already have good brand image and many loyalty customers. Therefore, they already got a large number of market share. In that case, our company should use business strategy to gain at least one percent market share at the first year, such as use the latest in techniques with the best products from around the world. Competitor Analysis As the spa business is growing day by day, competition is becoming more challenging than before. The graph above indicates which spa is the most favorite. This is done by survey from our own. It is clear that most people prefer to Spa Esprit. It is one of the key players in spa industry. However, our companys competitors would be a Fond and Esprit Spa which are located in Holland Village. The main competitive advantage for them is their experience from long term operation. In addition, they might have some loyalty customers which would affect us. Our company not only has direct competitors but also has indirect competitors. For instance, OSIM Corporate which has variety kinds of massage tools. People can take massage at home by using their massage chair. That would also impact our company as our potential customers would loss. Marketing Plan Our strategy is to implement the most aggressive marketing and networking in the community, followed by the best services in the business.  Our prices are competitive for the area, and our personnel plan, which includes using a pool of skilled, commissioned therapists and aestheticians, will give us a financial advantage. Competitive Edge Our competitive edge is our ability to market effectively and creatively to bring in the clients and then back that up with the best service and products in the business.   In addition, our  combination of unique services, outstanding location and our interaction with the customers are setting us up for huge success. Market Strategy: Sale Distribution Local Advertising Seasonal Promotions: Local newspaper advertising, local fliers, grand opening party kick-off and promotion for first 30 days.   Continue regular advertising and plan for seasonal events like Christmas, Valentines Day, Mothers Day, Chinese New Years. Local Networking: Charities, womens groups, country clubs, wedding planners, and membership with the  Spa Association Singapore (http://www.spaassociation.org.sg/). Health Care Referrals Prior to opening: Work current contacts and create new contacts with health care providers, especially chiropractors.   Also, become a Provider with health insurance companies that offer Alternative Care to their members.   Most people dont know that massage therapy is usually paid by insurance when billed correctly and when prescribed by a physician.   aFond and Esprit Spa already has practice management software to handle medically billable massage.   When the insurance does not cover the entire amount of a service the client will pay the difference.   For that reason, we will not want to participate with any PPOs that require write-off for amounts over the usual and customary fee (which tends to be too low).   A list of acceptable insurance company plans will be maintained and those clients will be able to handle massage therapy through their insurance.   Any opportunity to convince allopathic physicians MDs to see massage as having long-term healing benefits for their patients will also be  taken, since they  hold to key to having  massage paid for as medically necessary.  Ã‚   The client will also help drive that with the physicians if they are properly educated.   Hotel Referrals: Hotels that do not offer their own spa services will send their guests to our spa or use our out-call spa  services.  Prior to opening, I will make contacts with managers and concierges at local hotels to ensure they are aware of the services available.  Promotions will be offered to professionals in these industries to create buzz and build relationships. Online Website: Our spa will show up on  every  major  search engine  and in the phone directory.  The website will have a full menu of services and eventually have the ability to schedule appointments on-line.  The spa software we are using will allow a user to see the schedule and make an appointment without making a phone call. Location traffic: It is imperative that we  be located in a high-traffic strip road, Tanglin road, which is high-end, modern, and clean.  We prefer locating near a complementary business like a nail or hair salon, shopping centre that does not offer any massage or facial treatments.  Ã‚   Pricing Strategy If, as it has been said, the top three items which determine success in business are location, location, location, then a busy location at Culway Pla in a thriving residential community represents our top marketing strategy.  With the owner focusing on the sales, marketing and management and delegating the massage and aesthetician therapies to employeesbusiness profitability potential is exponentially maximized over a one or  two person operation by a  direct care-giver without any marketing, management or sales background. As the owner, Madame Pamperzhou has done extensive market research and visited some of the best spas in the world Beverly Hills, Paris, Amsterdam, Vegas and Arizona and has taken ideas from the best to offer an upscale, ultra-amenity, spa experience.  Once a client experiences the luxurious, high-end level of personalized care that we offer, we are confident that we will have a return client.   Advertisement and Promotions The business is still in its introductory stages. Therefore, it is necessary for the business to advertise heavily through mass media. There are various ways of doing so: Newspapers and magazines: The Company may choose to advertise with color in the standard newspapers. Leaflets, brochures and pamphlets: These will be prepared for the purpose of informing the customers about the prices, the activities and the general background information concerning the nature of the business. Banners and posters: For the sake of large-scale advertising, the most eye-catching form would be the banners and the posters. These will be used to illustrate the name of the business, its nature, location and the products we offer. They will be located in areas concentrated with the target market. 5. Business cards: They will be distributed in the market since our business comprises of offering services, it is a good form of increasing clientele. 6. Travel agencies: They will be used to market our spa packages. A certain fixed amount will be paid to them annually to issue our brochures and leaflets as they will be the first ones to come in contact with potential customers. 7. Face book: Perhaps, the easiest and most effective form of advertising in the modern days. It will deliver our message to our target market directly. 8. Discount vouchers: Since our business is heavily outsourcing with various companies, to promote our business in return, they may issue discount vouchers for certain activities or packages for our business, in order to promote it and attract more clients. 9. Hotel referrals: we can make contacts with managers and concierge at local hotels that do not offer their own spa services; this will help to create more awareness about our services. Operations Plan 3.1. Company Location and Facilities Location 1 Development Name: 41 Holland Drive Property Type: Shop / Shophouse Price: S$ 8,000/ month Negotiable Size: 731 sqft / 68 sqm PSF (built-in): S$ 10.94 psf Developer: Housing Development Board Tenure: 99-year Leasehold Lease Term: 2 years The convenience location in the bustling Holland Village vincity, walking distance to 2 Mrt: Bouna Vista Mrt upcoming Holland Village Mrt. Ample carpark space just behind the shop and another multi-storey car park across the street. Upmarket neighbourhood with sophiscated consumers, highly suitable for specialised clinics/education centres/niche retail concept shop/etc. Operation Hours Our business is day spa so the operating hours will be from 9 am to 7 pm. We will run the business all 7 days and during holidays the business will increase because many people have plans to spent time in holidays. In public holidays also our spa will be opened, the staffs will be paid incentives during public holidays. Transportation The transportation facilities in Singapore are easy and economical. Holland Village is usually reached from other parts of Singapore either by bus or taxi, and is linked to Orchard Road via Holland Road. Holland village is nearby to Queensway. 3.2. Products and Services The products we use in our Day Spa are body treatments like body scrub and body scrub, facials and fruit massage. Services Body Scrub Body scrub will remove your dead skin and unveil a smoother more rejuvenated skin with these divinely aromatic scrubs. Your skin will feel refreshed and reborn. Body wrap Our body wrap recipe is made up of a fresh daily blend of ingredients that includes special herbs and oils. The more times you perform a body wrap the faster and better the results. You will be amazed at how soft and healthy your skin will feel and look after. Facials This is a fresh and radiant treatment nourishing you skin. In twenty steps including whether it is: cleansing, deep cleansing, Peeling, Massaging and improving your skin by using mask and specific serum depending on skin type. Nourishing Treatment for Normal Combination Skin. Moisturizing Treatment for Dry Skin. Purifying Treatment for Oily Skin Fruit Massage This Moisturizer provides that lock in the skins own moisture to prevent dryness and cracking, this new formula nourishes dry skin and helps retain moisture giving your skin a softer and smoother feeling like never before. Suppliers The products for our spa are mainly brought from Amber Products. The Amber products are one of the favourite brands for the customers. Amber has been a dedicated partner with spas and salons around the world for 30 years. Their goal is to build awareness of the importance of maintaining health and well-being through spa services. Packages In our Spa the package is very open and allowed guest to choose any product they like not more than 2 things. 3.3. Licenses and Permits to Start a Business in Singapore Compulsory Licenses A compulsory copyright license is an exception to copyright law that is usually philosophically justified as an attempt by the government to correct a market failure. As an exception to copyright, another party can exercise one or more of the copyrights exclusive rights without having to obtain the copyright holders permission (hence compulsory) but will have to pay a licensing fee. Some compulsory licenses protect those who wish to use a work for educational or non-commercial purposes. In cases when it is judged too burdensome for scattered or small-scale buyers and sellers to find one another and negotiate a price, governments sometimes issue a compulsory license for the use so that the relative difficulty of obtaining permission for it does not extinguish it. Intellectual Property legislation in Singapore is pepped with regimes for compulsory licensing. Business Activity License And Permits A business license is a permit or registration required by the federal, state, county, or local government to conduct business. Besides the basic operating permits, business owners should investigate other possible licensing requirements based on their location and industry. Conducting business without the proper licenses and permits may result in penalties, notices, and the inability to operate. 3.4. Legislation and Regulation Due to spa business, company also needs certificates or licenses for each employee to show the credibility. In the pre-opening of our spa, if employees do not have licenses, we would like to pay for them to training section and get the certificate or license. This method gives benefit to both employees and employers. In order to work smoothly, our spa needs to get prove from union that our work place is safe, employees have the proper social security, holiday, salary, wages, and other benefits are enough for their living standard. Operating as the company is a must to pay TAX to the government; however, we cannot be sure how much tax will increase or decrease in the specific period. Management 4.1. Management Team Key Personnel Benny: Managing Director and one of the investors holding 40 % of the share in the investment for the business. He comes from a business family having an amazing business skill and is a PR in Singapore, also has a good knowledge about SPA and Massage as he owns some of the popular Massage shop in other parts of the city. He will only be present for the monthly meetings with the management team and would not be looking after the day to day operations. Raja: Finance Manager and holds 30 % of the investment share in the business. He has a good knowledge of finance as he has done his masters in finance from University of Wales. He will be looking after the cash inflow and outflow, would be preparing the balance sheet and profit and loss statements and would help the management team in taking the financial decisions of the business. Becky: Operational Manager having a sound academic background and holding 20 % of the investment share in the business. She has a good work experience as he is in this industry from the last 10 years. She has worked in some of the best restaurants lounge in the city. He will be having the sole authority of the operations in the workplace. Varun: Marketing Manager having a good work experience. His responsibility is to update the management from time to time with the Spa and lounge industry, watching out the competitors, negotiating and finding reliable suppliers. He will also serve the business as a Receptionist during the day time. Nathan: Floor manager and will look after the inventory supplies and will provide assistance to the operational manager. 4.2. Legal Structure Employment Agreement Employment agreement is also known as employment contract. It is an agreement between an employee and employer that specifies the terms and conditions of employment (Janus Corporate Solutions Pte , n.d.). A violation of one or more of the terms in an employment contract by either an employee or employer is considered breach of contract. Employment agreement will include several important clauses such as: Code of Conduct This Code is a concise outline of the Companys standards of business ethics and conduct (A. T. CROSS COMPANY, n.d.). It deals with various laws and Employee should act honestly and always in the best interests of the employer. Employee should follow all the rules lawfully and proper direction of the employer (ipccc, 2004). The employee must not use any item belong to the employer for their personal use. The employee must not smoke and take any drugs on the workplace. Salary/Wages The Salary will be paid according to the appointment position. The salary must be paid at least once a month within 7 days after the end of the salary period. Overtime pay, if applicable, must be paid within 14 days of the stipulated salary period. This will be paid to the employee by electronic fund transfer. The employer is required to make contributions to the CPF fund. Both employee and employer make monthly contributions to the fund. Hours of Work Employees are entitled to work not more than 44 hours per week (focus singapore, n.d.). The employee may be required to work for additional hours depending on requirements. Employee ordinary daily hours of full time work are not more than eight hours per day. Employees are entitled to take a break for 30 min after working not more than 6 hrs. Public Holidays Employee is entitled to paid day off on public holidays. These are the following public holidays in Singapore. New Years Day, Chinese New Year, Good Friday, Labour Day, Vesak Day, National Day, Hari Raya Puasa, Deepavali, Hari Raya Haji, and Christmas Day (8Links, n.d.). Annual Leave Employee must have served at least 3 months with the employer for qualifying the leave for 7 days. An  employee is entitled to 14 days of sick leave per year, and 60 days of hospitalization leave provided the employee has worked for at least 6 months for the company (The Law Society of Singapore, n.d.). Employee Benefits Employer offer medical insurance plans that extend to dependants and typically cover personal accident and hospitalization. Company will provide a per-day allowance, transportation allowance or reimbursement of actual expenses while travelling.  The company will sponsor employee training programs and educational courses (The Law Society of Singapore, n.d.). Stock Agreement This agreement is between the supplier and the customer. This agreement is mandatory for all the business. For the spa there must be an agreement between the spa and the supplier of the materials. Stock agreement will include several important clauses such as: The Engagement The spa has appointed the Supplier to supply the goods and the supplier have agreed to supply the Contract Goods for the Customer. And the supplier will be the sole and exclusive provider of the Contract Goods to the Customer. Prices and Payment The spa has agreed to pay the Supplier the prices for the Contract Goods as negotiated. The Supplier must issue a Tax Invoice for the Contract Goods supplied. If for whatever reason the spa does not pay for any Contract Goods when payment becomes due the Supplier may stop the supply until all the dues will be cleared. Suspend supply of the Contract Goods until all outstanding payments have been made. Retention of Title Until the spa has paid the Supplier for the Contract Goods, title in the Contract Goods will not pass to the spa. The spa must keep the Contract Goods insured noting the Suppliers interest therein. The title remains in the Supplier, the Contract Goods will be at the spas risk until they are paid for. Quality of Contract Goods The Contract Goods must comply with all safety standards, codes and applicable legislation. Ordering, Delivery and Packaging All Contract Goods must be ordered by the spa on the Suppliers standard order form or standard method which order form or method the Supplier may from time to time change. Any damage during the transportation will be the suppliers liability. Financial Plan (Detail Balance Sheet) Critical Risks The risk refers to the probability, and magnitude, of downside loss, which could result in bankruptcy. The risk of downside loss is partly derived from the entrepreneurs uncertainties over market demand, technological development, and the actions of competitors (Hisrich, Peters Shepherd, 2008, p477). There are several potential problems for our company in the tourism industry. Firstly, the natural disasters would be our potential risk. For instance, the erupted of Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland lead to many flights canceled, as a result of Singapore lost a large number of tourists. Our companys potential customers also would decrease. Other natural disasters effects are the same. During that period, our company should focus on local customers to reduce the losses. Secondly, the economical factors also would be our potential risk. During the economic crisis period, people would not prefer to spend money on spa. It would affect our company directly. In that case, our company should do many promotions to attract people, such as distribute gift certificate and lower prices. Thirdly, the increasing number of competitors would be our companys risk. Singapores population is not large therefore if there are many competitors, the number of our companys potential customers will decrease. On the other hand, our company provides the special spa-fruit spa, which is the first company use this kind of treatment. It means that it would be our competitive advantage. However, other company also can imitate tha

The Life Of Anne Frank :: essays research papers

The Life of Anne Frank On the Deportations "Our many Jewish friends and acquaintances are being taken away in droves. The Gestapo is treatiang them very roughly and transporting them in cattle cars to Westerbork, the big camp in Drenthe to which they're sending all the Jews....If it's that bad in Holland, what must it be like in those faraway and uncivilized places where the Germans are sending them? We assume that most of them are being murdered. The English radio says they're being gassed."-- October 9, 1942 On Her Old Country, Germany "Fine specimens of humanity, those Germanns, and to think I'm actually one of them! No, that's not true, Hitler took away our nationality long ago. And besides, there are no greater enemies on earth than the Germans and Jews."-- October 9, 1942 On Nazi Punishment of Resisters "Have you ever heard the term 'hostages'? That's the latest punishment for saboteurs. It's the most horrible thing you can imagine. Leading citizens-- innocent people—are taken prisoner to await their execution. If the Gestapo can't find the saboteur, they simply grab five hostages and line them up against the wall. You read the announcements of their death in the paper, where they're referred to as 'fatal accidents.'"--October 9, 1942 "All college students are being asked to sign an official statement to the effect that they 'sympathize with the Germans and approve of the New Order." Eighty percent have decided to obay the dictates of their conscience, but the penalty will be severe. Any student refusing to sign will be sent to a German labor camp."--May 18, 1943 Here is were the story begins ... On June 12, 1942, Anne Frank's parents gave her a small red-and-white plaid diary for her thirteenth birthday. Anne recorded her innermost feelings in her diary, which she named "Kitty." Less than a month after receiving her diary, on July 6, 1942, Anne and her family were forced to go into hiding. Though they could bring very few things with them to the hiding place, Anne brought her diary. During the months Anne lived in hiding, her diary became her best friend and confidant. In hiding, Anne continued to write in her diary nearly every day. She wrote about her life with the seven other people in hiding--her parents, her sister, the van Pels family (called the van Daan family by Anne), and Fritz Pfeffer (called Alfred Dussel by Anne), as well as the war going on around her, and her hopes for the future. When she filled up her original diary, Miep Gies and Bep Voskuijl, two of the family's helpers,brought her ledgers and loose sheets of paper to continue

Are Women Better Parents Than Men Essay

Bringing up the children has been the mother’s duty since time immemorial. However, things are changing fast as there are single persons opting for adoption and couples unwilling to tide it through together who are opting to take up the job single handed. There is much to support the mother’s role as the primary caregiver of the family and the young ones, especially through reasons embedded in tradition as well as convenience. However, there have been many examples of single men coming forward, with the nurturing spirit surfacing strongly. Would they fare equally well as any woman or would they be at sea, if confronted by the daunting task of caring for a real child 24/7? The external responsibilities that a male usually carries out in a family—set up as the breadwinner and the protector—give him a tough aura that comes in the way of visualising him performing the mother’s role. However, this cannot be used as a benchmark to determine whether the man is capable of providing children with equal, if not more, tenderness, love and care. The perception that precedes any male when it comes to parenting may well have become redundant now, or is it still the same? Are men likely to fare badly at parenting, or have they become more sensitive to the needs of children in a changed environment? In fact some would rather believe that they better than the mothers as well. So do men actually make better parents than women? All individuals are different from one another and may respond or perform at different levels as per their individual capabilities. However, if a generalist idea has to be formed it would be so that women generally make the better parents as they have the innate maternal instincts that allow them to take the best care of their children. Women would have subconsciously built a bond with the child even before it is born. Carrying a child in the womb for nine month is sufficient for strong emotional ties to be formed that are beyond understanding of average human relationships. Nature has implanted the nurture and care automatically in women. Bringing up life in its first few years is extremely important and to ensure safety and survival the women are attuned intrinsically to this need. For the men this part might be the difficult bit. They are seen largely making valuable contributions in a child’s development after he/she has achieved control over bodily functions and has reached a certain level of comprehension. However, there are certain ways in which a father or a male can contribute in the upbringing of children that women cannot do complete justice to. Men are generally rational and logic driven and decisions/choices and actions are based on sound reason. The way a father can allow a child to go all out and grow up would not be possible with mothers, who are more protective and would be daunted by the slightest crunch in the heart. Of course, the exceptions are always there but the go getting spirit, courage and fierce determination can be imparted very well by the male only. It is important as it makes the child more worldly wise and equipped with a skill that will not be taught in any school as a part of the curriculum. An initial advantage that lies with the woman is that she is the one who is physically and mentally programmed naturally to do a better job of parenting. Women generally are more sensitive and attentive to even the smallest needs exhibited by the children. They are inherently good listeners, blessed with more patience to deal with hours of bawling. It can be very challenging to keep comforting little children as they are not able to express or communicate at times about what bothers, pains or frightens them. Mothers are usually patient at such time and are willing to put aside hours to calm and reassure them. The important part worth taking notice of is that the young years are really crucial in the formation of a self-confident and a secure individual. If the children are neglected and ignored, they are likely to shape up as insecure somewhere and no matter how much of inputs and care are given after they grow up, that deficit cannot be made up for. I personally think that women are more capable of adding this tremendous value to a child’s life. However, in the light of recent developments I would like to differ and cite the alternative point of view. The equations in today’s world are changing and the women are actively seeking employment and pursuing very challenging careers. Though the idea of motherhood is very fascinating, the actual process of bringing up a child can be very demanding. And here is where the male’s rational, organised and practical outlook counts. They can make it tick even in such a very demanding situation and hence men are capable of being better parents. I would still say that there is no doubting the fact that mothers make better parents as they are known to be more balanced, especially in crunch situations. If we were to take a neutral scenario where the financial pressure and the emotional mess of a broken household are absent, women are capable of dealing superbly with the task. Usually, the women are projected as emotional wrecks, poor decision makers and incapable of providing a secure future only in situations where they are not educated enough to go out and earn. Other than that, there are ample examples where independent single women have done a splendid job of parenting. I feel that the women are capable of a healthy left brain- right brain activity balance and create and nurture life adeptly. I do agree that there are some very valuable skill sets that may be the exclusive domain of women, but there is much that men may be capable of doing. Men are usually not known to be very expressive about their ideas or their feelings. They are more of the doers. The fact that I really appreciate about fathers is that they are capable of imparting many critical life lessons to their children without actually making them look like lessons. Children emulate their elders. A practical parent would teach the child to evaluate situations without really reacting at the drop of a hat. Men are good at controlling their emotions and by exhibiting more of the controlled reactions in crisis situations teach them calm, analytical approach. Then, there is the general conduct adopted toward the various people that instils etiquette, politeness and fist lessons in people skills. The other issue with the females is that even when the child has grown up, they may still be clinging on somewhere. Men will not be so edgy about letting go. I really feel that men are better parents as they are capable of a more hands off approach. TIt comes across as a logical conclusion of this debate that the role of both man and woman is equally significant as parents and it is not necessarily so that women make better parents. Most women make good parents as they are better listeners and tend to be more attentive to one’s needs. Being more sensitive than males, women can forge a closer relationship with their children. Father is commonly seen as the rationalist, but this is not always true. Some fathers can make better parents than mothers; and this could be largely attributed to an individual’s personal upbringing, the childhood he or she experienced and the values that they believe in. If one has had a loving family unit and an environment that made him/her feel loved, it inspires a quite confidence and self-assurance which further gets translated into further parenting. Therefore, it is really immaterial as to whether men or women make better parents. Anyone, with a more mature and balanced outlook is likely to do a better job of parenting—being hands off when required and involved when desired.

Marketing Environment and Marketing Mix of Walt Disney Essays

Marketing Environment and Marketing Mix of Walt Disney Essays Marketing Environment and Marketing Mix of Walt Disney Paper Marketing Environment and Marketing Mix of Walt Disney Paper the gates of the park were French farmers tractor knocked down. After that there are problems in the operation process, Disney has a policy of not Irving alcohol in the park and it surprised the people of the country that each meal with a glass of wine of course. Disney thought that: Monday is the day away, while Friday was crowded day and arrange staff to think that, but in fact quite the opposite. Disney heard that: the French do not eat breakfast should build small restaurant when in fact everyone has had breakfast. So put in the right situation for 2500 dining in a 350 seat restaurant. But the biggest problem of the Euro Disneyland as Europeans seem to consider the park is the place to go during the day, not resting place so they are usually in 2 days. Meanwhile Disney plans to stay long should have invested billions of dollars to build the luxury hotels near park and most of the time about half of the rooms are empty, the number of visitors and the French do not East as Disney plans: in 1 994 only 40% of the total. Many tourists are Americans living in Europe and Japan on vacation in Europe! As a result , by the end of 1 994, Euro-Disneyland losses totaling $ 2 billion. Disney was forced to change strategy. First of all, the name was changed to Disneyland Paris park ; design, food and style of service is changed. The items sold in the gift shop also carry features of Disney rather than bring French style. Finally, admission and discount hotel rooms are down 1/3. The result is the number of visitors has increased from 8. 8 million in 1994 to 11. Million in 1996. The Natural Environment Geographical location: United States is located in North America, eastern is North Atlantic, western is North Pacific, the northern border with Canada, and the southern border with Mexico. US is the economic center of the world so it should be favorable for the development of industries, especially the entertainment industry. 4th Demographic Environment Demographic segments in the macro environment related to population, age structure, geographic distribution, ethnic and income distribution. The first force must monitor is the population, because people make up markets. Marketing people do deeply concerned about the scale and rate of population growth in cities, regions and different countries, the distribution of age and ethnic structure, education level, household patterns families, as well as the characteristics and movements of the region. Ethnicity: The racial ND ethnic structure is very different. Japan is one extreme, because there everyone is Japanese, and the United States, located at the other extreme, because people originating from almost all countries. Each population group has certain expectations and certain shopping habits. Depending on your age, sex and physiological changes, the animated character be the children loved transformed from the prince, princess, superhero or Barbie dolls, from the heroes in fiction to sports athletes, from the famous singer to the circus clown, from cartoon characters to the real example. Capture those heartsickness Walt Disney Company, the owner of numerous childrens favorite characters on a global scale. After recognition Of the dominant role in the market for girls of village entertainment industry, Walt Disney recently launched Disney CD, a brand aimed at 6-14 year-old boy, audience but the researchers believe that global profits of up to $ 50 million. MARKETING MIX Target Market Potential market: children need to see animation Available market a collection of families with children, income, interest in the field of animation -The qualified available market: a collection of people n the market and have the desire to see the cartoons of Walt Disney. D Standard segment of the market: market segments by age ; Children under 6 years of age: the cartoon picture simple, colorful, witty humor (Tom and Jerry, Donald Duck). ; From 6 to 20 years: richer video content, the film revolves around the issue of ethics, formed in the subconscious good cultural values, discoveries, life experience, fun things of the outside world (Spenserian, Snow White and the seven dwarfs, the Little Mermaid) ; Over 20 years old: film about big emotions, the higher moral ales that people need to look to as environmental protection, against war ( Tarzan, Chicken Run ) Price Superior quality allows Walt Disney demanding higher prices , improvements can lead to higher prices and lower unit costs. These three factors together help to Walt Disney to create higher value by lowering costs or make a difference in the product compared to its competitors, allowing Disney to do better than its competitors. Product Children are always a concern and must be special educate seriously. Understand that Disney has introduced a form of entertainment that is animated in order to satisfy the needs of the children Trademark Walt Disney brand stands for: imagination, healthy, fun and quality of American entertainment. In addition, the logo is a stylized version of signature of the founder, which gives it that is owned by Walt Disney Brothers Walt Disney Company logo is a symbol of quality and it makes the customers have a loyalty to our brand. O Keep people always Mackey minded Support Services enriched prod cuts: Customer service is a key element in the product strategy . When customers see the Walt Disney movie in the theater, they may receive preferential reveries from companies such as discount movie tickets, programs attractive gifts for lucky audience. The companys service aims to make cartoons become attractive. Distribution Distribution channels include: ; Indirect channels: Walt Disney Pictures Television, a subsidiary of the Group, specialized in the production and acquisition of the plastic film and television for redistribution under the brand Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, Hold)wood Pictures. In addition, Walt Disney film distribution and marketing through marketing companies and their distribution in the U. S. And key foreign markets ; Direct channels: direct distribution Walt Disney tapes, video discs under its various brands for the U. S. Domestic market. On the international market, company use both indirectly and directly distribution through the foreign issuer. Walt Disney development, production and distribution of animated films for various stations around the world, including the main channels, Disney Channel and cable broadcasters under two brands Walt Disney Television and Buena Vista Television. 5. Promotion C] The form of advertising: ; Ads on TV ; Outdoor Advertising Advertising through internet ; Public Relations ; Promotion IV) LESSON Disney successful brand with famous animated character and loved throughout the world, such as Mackey Mouse or Donald Duck. And behind these success is a commercial art. Whenever referring to the American entertainment industry, people always mention Walt Disney ; one of the worlds leading entertainment corporations with annual revenues of more than $ 2. 2 billion. But perhaps few people know that the mighty Walt Disney Corporation today started out with just two mouse and 2 cartoon duck. Until owe, when in the hands of thousands of vivid character animation, funny animal world still play an important role in creating attractive and great appeal of Disney. The marketing strategies has bring success to Disney are Disneyland, park simulates the animal world in Florida, USA and palatable park Mackey. We can say, thanks to the unique marketing strategies that Walt Disney had reversed the decrease in sales of the company began in 1980 and moved to strong growth and increased market share continuously in the following years. The index measuring perceptions and feelings Disney brand increased significantly, especially among younger customers. Of course, not all companies have the financial resources to build the amusement parks such as Walt Disney, but the lessons from the Walt Disney very clear: The moment of relaxation and entertainment pleasure, if the connection with the brand, will contribute to building a successful strategy to attract customers in the business. In my opinion, Sets out a strategy for the company is not an easy thing, it is a process of research of administrators. When show a strategy for company, manager must to find out the external factors affecting he company and the possibility that the company may offer for that strategy to achieve the goal.

Young Goodman Brown Quotes

Young Goodman Brown Quotes Young Goodman Brown is a short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne (author of The Scarlet Letter) that centers around a young Puritan in New England and his deal with the Devil. Young Goodman Brown is famous for being a representation of American Romantic literature and is often studied in American literature classrooms as an important short work involving the Puritans and other essential themes. Read the story and check out some of the most iconic quotes from the story, then compare Young Goodman Brown with another famous American story about a mans Faustian deal with the Devil, The Devil and Tom Walker by Washington Irving. Quotes Prithee put off your journey until sunrise and sleep in your own bed to-night. A lone woman is troubled with such dreams and such thoughts that shes afeard of herself sometimes. Pray tarry with me this night, dear husband, of all nights in the year. The traveler knows not who may be concealed by the innumerable trunks and the thick boughs overhead; so that with lonely footsteps he may yet be passing through an unseen multitude. On he flew among the black pines, brandishing his staff with frenzied gestures, now giving vent to an inspiration of horrid blasphemy, and now shouting forth such laughter as set all the echoes of the forest laughing like demons around him. The fiend in his own shape is less hideous than when he rages in the breast of man. The young man sat a few moments by the roadside, applauding himself greatly, and thinking with how clear a conscience he should meet the minister in his morning walk, nor shrink from the eye of good old Deacon Gookin. With this excellent resolve for the future, goodman Brown felt himself justified in making more haste on his present evil purpose. He beheld the figure of a man, in grave and decent attire. But, irreverently consorting with these grave, reputable, and pious people, these elders of the church, these chaste dames and dewy virgins, there were men of dissolute lives and women of spotted fame, wretches given over to all mean and filthy vice, and suspected even of horrid crimes. It was strange to see that the good shrank not from the wicked, nor were the sinners abashed by the saints. By the sympathy of your human hearts for sin ye shall scent out all the places-whether in church, bedchamber, street, field, or forest-where crime has been committed, and shall exult to behold the whole earth one stain of guilt, one mighty blood spot. The fiend in his own shape is less hideous than when he rages in the breast of man. Now are ye undeceived. Evil is the nature of mankind. Evil must be your only happiness. Welcome again, my children, to the communion of your race.

Free Essays on Personality Paper

As you sit down to watch your favorite television show at night do you notice that each actor or actress has a different personality? I watch many different shows and it seems to me that each person has their own personality. Personality is a unique set of stable, ordering characteristics and patterns of behavior that influence the way a person adjusts to the environment (Moist, 2003). I feel that each person in the world each has his or her own unique personality with different characteristics. Some of the characteristics that vary from person to person are things such as motives, thoughts and emotions (Moist, 2003). Another thing that varies from person to person is his or her behavioral patterns. Some traits of different behavioral patterns are readiness to think, perceive, or act in a particular way across a variety of different situations (Moist, 2003). These are the aspects that make up the personalities of each person throughout the world. Throughout this paper I am going to be discussing three theoretical perspectives on personality, which are Freud’s Structural theory, Kagan’s biological theory, and Humanistic theories. Freud’s structural theory consists of the id, ego, and the superego. The id seeks pleasure immediate impulse gratification and tension reduction and provides energy for uncontrollable biological drives; this is an unconscious process. The id also deals with the libido, which is the motive for survival and destruction (Freud, Early 1900’s). The ego seeks reality and its role is to express and gratify desires of id in accordance with the reality requirements, this can be either a conscious or unconscious process. The ego includes rational planning and reasoning to delay gratification and is socially acceptable (Freud, Early 1900’s). The superego seeks morality as instilled in us by parents; role is to internalize society’s idea of right and wrong expressio n of id. This also includes rati... Free Essays on Personality Paper Free Essays on Personality Paper As you sit down to watch your favorite television show at night do you notice that each actor or actress has a different personality? I watch many different shows and it seems to me that each person has their own personality. Personality is a unique set of stable, ordering characteristics and patterns of behavior that influence the way a person adjusts to the environment (Moist, 2003). I feel that each person in the world each has his or her own unique personality with different characteristics. Some of the characteristics that vary from person to person are things such as motives, thoughts and emotions (Moist, 2003). Another thing that varies from person to person is his or her behavioral patterns. Some traits of different behavioral patterns are readiness to think, perceive, or act in a particular way across a variety of different situations (Moist, 2003). These are the aspects that make up the personalities of each person throughout the world. Throughout this paper I am going to be discussing three theoretical perspectives on personality, which are Freud’s Structural theory, Kagan’s biological theory, and Humanistic theories. Freud’s structural theory consists of the id, ego, and the superego. The id seeks pleasure immediate impulse gratification and tension reduction and provides energy for uncontrollable biological drives; this is an unconscious process. The id also deals with the libido, which is the motive for survival and destruction (Freud, Early 1900’s). The ego seeks reality and its role is to express and gratify desires of id in accordance with the reality requirements, this can be either a conscious or unconscious process. The ego includes rational planning and reasoning to delay gratification and is socially acceptable (Freud, Early 1900’s). The superego seeks morality as instilled in us by parents; role is to internalize society’s idea of right and wrong expressio n of id. This also includes rati...

A 3 page good reasons to explain or suggest to the men Duffy Cut why Essay

A 3 page good reasons to explain or suggest to the men Duffy Cut why it is not a good idea for them to come to the United States - Essay Example f other reasons, economic and social should have prevented the journey of fifty-seven Irish laborers to the United States of America to assist in the construction of a railroad by an American contractor named Philip Duffy. All of them succumbed to death by cholera; recent evidence indicates that many of them may have been murdered (O’ Carroll). Most of them were not granted proper funerals, an event which highlighted the low esteem in which people of Ireland and catholic nations in general were held, in the early nineteenth century. the subsequent decades, was reason enough for the laborers to not have gone to the United States of America. A lasting cure for this was found out later on (Thomas), but the condition of cheap labor in America would have been reason for anybody to be cautious. Proper medical facilities were not provided to these man and their lives were often at the risk of being taken by cholera. The condition of the Irish laborers in America was often worse than that of the slaves in America since their wages hardly sufficed for them to afford decent lodgings and good food (Watson, 32). This, along with the threat of disease, meant that the journey to the United States of America was fraught with danger for the Irishmen who worked for Duffy and they undertook it with great peril to their health and eventually, their lives. This alone, should have deterred them from their journey to America. The journey that was undertaken by these people should not have materialized, if they had considered the imm ense risks that it involved, to their lives. The socio-political concerns of the American state were not humanitarian enough to provide safety to these laborers. During this phase, the United States of America, along with other states in Europe, were engaged in improving the state of infrastructure in their countries. Therefore, the safety and well-being of their workers, poor catholic immigrants at that, was not of primary importance to the American

Why Geometry has played a central part in Painting Essay

Why Geometry has played a central part in Painting - Essay Example My main aim in this text, however, is to explore the relationships and importance of geometry in painting. In order to better understand these relationships we need to look back in time into the â€Å"science of space†. I will aim to include three chapters in this text, the first dealing with the study of geometry, symmetry and their basic, most important properties and its uses in earlier movements of art in order to present the most relevant examples of works into the second chapter which will deal with analysis of works of art (mainly paintings). The third and final chapter will deal with answering the question; â€Å"Why geometry has played a central part in painting?† â€Å"It was then that all these kinds of things thus established receive the shapes of the ordering one, through the action of ideas and numbers†- Plato. Plato’s philosophy of the universe was centered on the Deity. He believed that the universe is built out of four elements; earth, fire, water and air (as Empedocles before him), which takes a form of geometrical solids (earth- cube, fire- tetrahedron, water- icosahedron, air- octahedron) which then can brake further into triangles.As mentioned above geometry means earth measure. As we shall see the journey is from the single point into the line, out to the plane, to the third dimension and beyond eventually returning to the point again. Like the elements of its sister subject music, it is an aspect of revelation in a creation myth in itself. Number, music, geometry and cosmology are the four art.

Arts in Education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Arts in Education - Essay Example These experiences evolve from the partnership between teachers, artists, educationists and students. This results in a lively and intense educational process of learning through doing. Arts-integrated schools are highly productive and very suitable to low-income struggling students as well. Their results are better. Their students are more attentive, creative and self-critical. Hence, it would be better if the current budgetary allocation for arts-integrated schools is increased according to requirement. This is an abstract of a summary of an article "Arts in Education" written by Nick Rabkin and Robin Redmond in 2006 in the journal Educational Leadership. This article states that arts is proving to be a very effective instrument of education and shaping up of human mind in modern arts-integrated schools. Recent developments in science have shown this through standardized tests, observation and generalization based on objective data. The standardized test scores of low-income struggling students in 23 arts integrated schools in Chicago rose as much as two times faster than scores of youth in traditional schools (Rabkin and Redmond, 2006). It seems, paring of subjects and syllabi with arts such as writing with sketching and painting while reading with looking at arts is working its wonders. Interestingly, pairing between music and maths is also there. It involves listening to a melody, following the notes on a musical staff, counting the number of times each musical note occurs and then putting the results in a graph. Students in arts integrated schools are, therefore, generally focused, attentive and full of excitement for their studies. Their classrooms buzz with intensity. Scientists have found that this is happening because human mind and body form one single cognitive and fully integrated system. Human mind and body represent the abstract thought through metaphors that human beings associate with experience and emotions. Thoughts, as such, occur well below the level of conscious control and awareness. Even logical thinking emerges quietly from this thought process. This is the power of arts - moving from conscious experiments to inner depths of human mind. The scientifically proven power of arts is generally missing in traditional schools. There is little evidence of learning intensity when these schools are observed. Their hallways are replete with posters and notices anent rules of the school. Dominant education policy is evident in the corridors and classrooms. These schools assume that high standards and grades are possible through strict academic regimentation only. Students in traditional schools also appear persistently drooping in their seats with utter boredom towards their studies. They always feel like running away from the school premises. Arts integrated schools are also drawing their strength from involving wider participation of civil society and artists, especially, since the launching of such institutions in United States in 1990. Significant relationship is developed between teachers, artists in different areas of arts,

Financial Crisis in Asia Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Financial Crisis in Asia - Term Paper Example   South Korea had a very strong economy but a high level of debt which existed in the economy was given very little attention. The borrowed funds by the South Korean economy were invested very wisely in assets so it made perfect sense and reassured the economic stability, but when the funds were invested in assets it also gave rise to various risks pertaining to the same. The short debts touched alarmingly high levels in the South Korean economy, â€Å"In 1992 short term debt constituted about one-third of its total borrowing, but by 1996 short term debt had risen to two-thirds of its total of $158 billion of foreign debt. South Korean firms were operating at a high degree of leverage. The typical leverage ratio for South Korean firms was in the neighborhood of six to one and some South Korean firms had leverage ratios of 600 to one.† The crisis in South Korea was triggered by the collapse of Thai Baht (currency of Thailand) in 1997. The currency had devalued due to stemming of reserve outflows by the central bank in order to ensure growth for money supply in the crisis period. The strategies adopted by the South Korean economies always left them prone to many dangers, a classic example of the same follows: The Korean First Bank got itself in a vulnerable position because of the hefty amount of loan issued to Hanbo group, with in no time the Hanbo group went bankrupt and its inability to pay the loan back to the Korean first bank resulted in the bankruptcy of Korean Bank.  

Systems Analysis & Design Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Systems Analysis & Design Assignment - Essay Example Moreover, this report will also outline business needs, new technology specifications, potential transformations, feasibility study, system requirements and design (UML). This project engages the development of e-commerce system for Greener E-Bikes and is named as Greener Web. This project will demonstrate the Greener’s new web based business platform that will offer ecommerce capabilities to the business. The present business of the Greener E-Bikes is running through shops and supermarkets. Greener E-Bikes has been working through the traditional business practice that only offers restricted business practice to a specific business market. However, the new business idea is to enhance the business practice by implementing the web based practice. In this scenario the business has decided to implement a completely new business model that would be able to potentially enhance the traditional business practice. In this way the new business will offer facility to have an online transaction that can be done through web based money transfer. In this way business is expecting to increase the business sales growth approximately to 30%. Currently, the business has a simple web based information system. Additionally, the present information system offers simply business information regarding the business that is enough to manage the overall business. In this scenario the web based platform will be upgraded to the ecommerce system. The main business needs and requirement are given below: By implementing web based business platform the business of Greener E-Bikes will be able to gain a lot of tangible advantages. The main advantage that business will attain is about establishing the better data communication and enhanced business data sharing. In this way the business will be able to effectively manage the operations. In addition, this swill offer them better and secure operating environment for business sales. This platform will also offer rapid user response and

Assignment 2-Exploring Ethnographies Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

2-Exploring Ethnographies - Assignment Example This is observed meticulously and scrupulously. The men of any age, meeting by chance on the road or any place one or more women, not only will keep from being stopped, they will not look at them, [Page 20] 134 cont. will even turn away to look toward the opposite side, as though to indicate that they want even to escape the danger and occasion of their eyes meeting. Failure in this traditional precept is considered very grave, and the culprit would fall into the general indignation, into the censure of all, since any look or smile between persons of different sex and diverse dynasty is generally considered bad and immoral. Never will the women of one dynasty let themselves be seen eating or drinking in the presence of men of another dynasty, and vice versa. There is not, however, any prohibition of these relations between individuals of the same dynasty, be they men or women. Therefore, when one sees, a man talking to a woman, one is to understand immediately that they are from the same dynastic branch, because, even between husband and wife, the same rules are observed in public, even though not so scrupuleusly; it will, however, be difficult for the man to talk or to offer anything to his own wife in public, to place her by his side or for them to be together, except when they leave the house and both go to gather fruits, small tubers, or other things in the ferest; this is considered a private act.† 6. What aspect of the culture subject of your group differs from a practice (or aspect of a practice) in modern-day American culture? Write at least three sentences explaining how it differs, providing at least one example. America is rich in cultural diversity; one can find people belonging to different backgrounds, ethnicity, and race sharing the same space. American constitution allows full freedom to its residents to enjoy life of their own choice. A Negro can marry an Irish born, or a Latin can

Financial Crisis in Asia Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Financial Crisis in Asia - Term Paper Example   South Korea had a very strong economy but a high level of debt which existed in the economy was given very little attention. The borrowed funds by the South Korean economy were invested very wisely in assets so it made perfect sense and reassured the economic stability, but when the funds were invested in assets it also gave rise to various risks pertaining to the same. The short debts touched alarmingly high levels in the South Korean economy, â€Å"In 1992 short term debt constituted about one-third of its total borrowing, but by 1996 short term debt had risen to two-thirds of its total of $158 billion of foreign debt. South Korean firms were operating at a high degree of leverage. The typical leverage ratio for South Korean firms was in the neighborhood of six to one and some South Korean firms had leverage ratios of 600 to one.† The crisis in South Korea was triggered by the collapse of Thai Baht (currency of Thailand) in 1997. The currency had devalued due to stemming of reserve outflows by the central bank in order to ensure growth for money supply in the crisis period. The strategies adopted by the South Korean economies always left them prone to many dangers, a classic example of the same follows: The Korean First Bank got itself in a vulnerable position because of the hefty amount of loan issued to Hanbo group, with in no time the Hanbo group went bankrupt and its inability to pay the loan back to the Korean first bank resulted in the bankruptcy of Korean Bank.  

Assignment 2-Exploring Ethnographies Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

2-Exploring Ethnographies - Assignment Example This is observed meticulously and scrupulously. The men of any age, meeting by chance on the road or any place one or more women, not only will keep from being stopped, they will not look at them, [Page 20] 134 cont. will even turn away to look toward the opposite side, as though to indicate that they want even to escape the danger and occasion of their eyes meeting. Failure in this traditional precept is considered very grave, and the culprit would fall into the general indignation, into the censure of all, since any look or smile between persons of different sex and diverse dynasty is generally considered bad and immoral. Never will the women of one dynasty let themselves be seen eating or drinking in the presence of men of another dynasty, and vice versa. There is not, however, any prohibition of these relations between individuals of the same dynasty, be they men or women. Therefore, when one sees, a man talking to a woman, one is to understand immediately that they are from the same dynastic branch, because, even between husband and wife, the same rules are observed in public, even though not so scrupuleusly; it will, however, be difficult for the man to talk or to offer anything to his own wife in public, to place her by his side or for them to be together, except when they leave the house and both go to gather fruits, small tubers, or other things in the ferest; this is considered a private act.† 6. What aspect of the culture subject of your group differs from a practice (or aspect of a practice) in modern-day American culture? Write at least three sentences explaining how it differs, providing at least one example. America is rich in cultural diversity; one can find people belonging to different backgrounds, ethnicity, and race sharing the same space. American constitution allows full freedom to its residents to enjoy life of their own choice. A Negro can marry an Irish born, or a Latin can

To What Extent Was There a Moral Crisis in America in the 1920s Essay Example for Free

To What Extent Was There a Moral Crisis in America in the 1920s Essay To what extent was there a moral crisis in America in the 1920’s. During the 1920’s, there most certainly was moral revolutions in America and traditional values were most certainly being challenged by the newer generation. Of course, for example, with the introduction of Hollywood, reforming attitudes that were towards and adopted to women and the economic boom of the 1920’s this was most certainly going to have an effect of the general American public’s moral values. Whilst these changing attitudes may be perceived by traditionalists to be shaping a moral crisis at the time, this essay looks to explore on whether or not there was actually a moral crisis in America in the 1920’s or whether the USA marked society in moral change rather than in entering into a moral crisis, which is defined as a crisis in which you are torn between what you know to be the wrong thing and the right thing, which it is often criticised of by the older generations at the time. The first issue in America which arguably sparked off a moral crisis in America was prohibition as this had illegalised alcohol in the United States and due to the nature of the market which the government was illegalising which had such a high demand for consumers, it meant that consumers were torn between obeying the law and their increasing desires for alcohol. In fact, prohibition had made people drink more alcohol by buying it illegally where it was available in the black market. The prohibition act had, therefore, really challenged American moral values as arguably most consumers in the US drank alcohol as part of normality in their daily lives and so by the government illegalising it, it had only meant that consumers had to fulfil their habits by other means. However, although most Americans were forced to resort to other measures in terms of fulfilling their alcoholic desires, this was not a moral crisis but rather it challenged their moral values whilst the introduction of organised crime as a result of prohibition is what arguably led America into a moral crisis. This is because prohibition acted as a major catalyst of organised crime as it had meant that individuals such as Alcapone were arguably encouraged to start selling alcohol to the American public as they were not being sold openly in the American market. This obviously marked a moral crisis in terms of the American economy as it meant that Alcohol was illegally having to be imported into the US without any taxes being paid to the government to fulfil the demands of consumers which is why Al Capone said he was not a riminal but â€Å"supplying a public demand† and that â€Å"he was a businessmen. † However, Al Capone’s desires to have a monopoly over the illegal American alcohol market led to an increasing moral crisis in America as Capone had stated to kill his competition such as with the killing of Dion O’Bannon in 1926. This had led to gang warfare or gangsterism in America and therefore a corrupt society in moral crisis in this respect. So, the effects of the introduction of the prohibition act such as gang warfare and, consumers who were in many cases very respectable, being left torn on their morals to resort to buying alcohol from illegal sources such as Alcapone available in the black market is what caused a moral crisis. And so in this respect, it is definitely arguable that it wasn’t just a small part of society that was in moral crisis such as Alcapone and gang warfare’s that came about as a result of prohibition but that the majority of American society must have been part of Alcapone and other dealers illegal activity as they were buying his imported goods. The fact that Alcapone had generated revenue which approximated to $60,000,000 is evidence that the whole of American society was part of his illegal activity and thus indicating a moral crisis by going against the law rather than a small segment of it. However, as the prohibition act had eventually failed, there is no certainty to say that consumers who were buying alcohol illegally was an indication of America in a moral crisis in the 1920’s. After all, consumers were simply carrying on to fulfil what they previously were allowed to do illegally and as the act eventually failed, the act can be seen as more of a battle between society and the government whereby society was demonstrating to the government that they just couldn’t prevent alcohol consumption in the USA even if they did illegalise it. Many historians agree that the role of Hollywood in the 1920’s played a major part in changing moral values in the USA, particularly as it had become a major mass entertainment industry. The cinema was perceived as a sense of immorality and quite rightfully it was in advertising gambling and alcohol which were all the things which the government was hoping American society would not be part of, in its attempts through the Hayes code to try and boost efficiency levels amongst the workers by keeping them more active and away from what the traditionalists felt was the devilish attributes which many Americans were moving towards such as gambling and excessive alcohol drinking. How the characters in Hollywood reacted is arguably what sparked off the 1920’s to be an era of liberation rather than a moral crisis as it was these values which many Americans adopted into their daily lives, arguably as part of liberation in the right direction. Dorothy Parker is one of the women who was brave enough to be a role model to other women and encourage them to escape from their current suppressions at home in her attempts to reform American society by making it more liberal rather than arguably remaining in a moral crisis where women were being devalued for what their true capabilities are if they were given the option to express themselves. In fact, the liberating behaviour of the young women in the 1920’s is what enabled more equality to form between the sexes. For example, more women were given higher paid jobs and although they did not earn as much as men during this time, the equality gap had significantly decreased. This is a significant indication that the roaring twenties was quite the contrary to being in moral decline as it had arguably increased the mutual understanding and values for women who, were previously valued to be housewives maintaining the household, to later on play an equal part in the economic world. In fact, the 1920’s had abolished the previous superiority that men used to think they had over women whilst it allowed women on the whole to have confidence in themselves and the freedom to not be dictated by their fathers or husbands. These traditional values marked history during the 1920’s and changed the perception of women in America who had liberated to fashionable hairstyles and the enjoyment with attending clubs such as the Cotton Clubs at night time. The roaring 20’s freed women, therefore, from their previous values and dictatorship of the male species which arguably had brought America out of a moral crisis where women were free from their previous suppression and devaluation. In conclusion, overall, there probably wasn’t a moral crisis in the U. S. but rather change and reformation in the way that society operates away from a traditionalist outlook to society to progressives. The 1920’s in America was arguably a time of exaggeration on behalf of the fundamentalists and marked the difference in generational thinking between the old and the young. The economic boom in that came with the increasingly growing country during this time was what forcibly changed the role of women as they were used in advertisements to promote products to consumers such as cigarettes being renowned as ‘ torches of freedom’ to the women. More importantly, from a rogressives prospective, the changing values of the role of women was actually bringing society out of a moral crisis where women were generally perceived to not have any input in the economic World purely on the basis of their gender. Whilst the 1920’s marked the changing attitudes of society towards women, sex and drinking. The main aspect of society which is, perhaps, evidential of America entering into a moral crisis was the amount of gang warfare that came about due to the amount of immigrat ion into America and the effects of the prohibition act. The amount of racial tension in America in the 1920s which was marked in the Sacco and Vanzetti case is, therefore, one of the key components of the 1920’s which points to America stepping into a racial crisis and therefore a moral crisis, but apart from this on the whole America can be seen to be reforming and passing through a cycle of reformation rather than what it is perceived to be of the older generations of ignorance and that the older generations and fundamentalists were left behind in their ignorance to accept change.

Eco-city

Eco-city The concept of eco-city is sometimes regarded as a utopian concept that is not possible to achieve in totality in the real world. Write an essay to present your understanding and evaluation of the concept, using appropriate examples for illustration. The next new wave in city planning is Eco-City in response to global climate changes crisis. It is a relatively new concept, combining together ideas from several disciplines such as urban design, urban planning, transportation, health, housing, energy, economic development, natural habitats, public participation, and social justice (Register 1994). In simple word, Eco-city is settlement where it allows the citizen to live and work using minimum resources. In the past, most of the cities are small and within walk able distance till 1800. But the advent of industrial revolution changed all that, along with the many changes it bought about. The harnessing of steam engine make it possible for people and thing to move fast, that city which once was capable of handling itself could no longer sustain. The cities become crowded and that the living conditions become deplorable. So, the people moved to the suburbs. But along with the growth of suburban town and cities, the roads need to rebuild, housing needs increases along with consumptions of natural resources. Although the Industrial Revolution is extremely beneficial for the human and it had other consequences which are detrimental to the environment in the longer term. In physical terms, the revolution included a dramatic switch from the reliance on organic materials and energy sources to inorganic sources-that is, from wood and thatch for construction to bricks and iron; from human, water, wind, and animal power to fossil fuels(White, R.R.,2001, Sustainable Development in Urban Areas: An Overview). At the same time, Industrial revolution brought about population growth as people live longer. People become wealthier and they required more throughput and created more waste. Economist Herman Daly describes this transformation as increasing throughput of the materials, energy, and water that people now required for their daily needs (Daly and Cobb 1990). This caused accumulation of waste in the water, on the land, and in the air at very alarming rate. The natures of waste stream from human activities become complex and problematical due to chemical industry. Human and animals waste which are once broken down naturally by river became sewers. Everywhere rubbish dumps soon grew into vast nondegradable materials that soon fill many areas becoming a major feature of city in many parts of the world. The challenges from urbanization are becoming nightmare as more people are expected to move into city putting pressure on resources. Ecocity originated in 1975 when Richard register and few friends founded Urban Ecology in Berkeley, California, as Non-profit organisation to make built our cities in balance with nature. According to Register (1994), the purpose of urban ecology was to build in Berkeley a slow street which is to have many trees along road, solar green houses, energy ordinance, establish good and efficient public transport, promoting pedestrainization as alternative to automobile, holding regular conference meeting with different stake holder. But it was until the publications of Registers visionary new book called Eco-city Berkeley in 1987, that the urban ecology gained momentum (Roseland, 2001). And the organisations new journal called The Urban Ecologist. The organisation held First International Eco-City Conference, in Berkeley in 1990 and ever since it held conference every year inviting people from around the world to discuss urban problems and to submit proposal for designing our cities based on ecological principles.[1] In 1992, David Engwicht, an Australian community activist, published Towards an Eco-City, in which he talks about how city planners and engineers have virtually eliminated effective human interaction by buildings more roads, shopping malls, gutting communities and increasing dense traffic. For Engwicht, a city is a place for inventions of maximizing exchanging and having minimized travel distance. The book was later reissued in North America as Reclaiming Our Cities and Towns (1993). Engwicht talks about how city planners and engineers have eliminated effective human exchange by building more roads, taking commerce out of the cities into strip malls, gutting communities, and increasing traffic fatalities. A city is an invention for maximizing exchange and minimizing travel (Engwicht, 1993). He advocates eco-city where there is transaction of all sorts of goods, money, ideas, emotions, genetic material, etc and where people move freely via foot, bicycles, and mass transit and interact freely without fear of traffic and pollutions. But it was until the 1960s, the use of fossil fuels, chemically controlled agriculture, deforestation and depletion of marine resources was thought to be not in dangers. In 1987, the World Commission on Environment and Development (the Brundtland Commission), released a summary report called our Common Future which cause widespread concerns on world deepening environmental degradation(WCED 1987). And this pushed sustainable development on the forefront. Various industries and sector are also going for sustainable development. The issue of sustainable planning is also a concern for planner, urban designer, construction industries, development authority and the population at large. Register, Engwicht and Urban Ecology certainly deserve credit for popularizing the term eco-city in the last decade, but the eco-city concept is strongly influenced by other movements as well(Roseland, 2001). The mission of Urban Ecology is to create ecological cities based on the following 10 principles (Urban Ecology 1996b): 1. Revise land-use priorities to create compact, diverse, green, safe, pleasant, and vital mixed-use communities near transit nodes and other transportation facilities. 2. Revise transportation priorities to favor foot, bicycle, cart, and transit over autos, and to emphasize access by proximity. 3. Restore damaged urban environments, especially creeks, shore lines, ridgelines, and wetlands. 4. Create decent, affordable, safe, convenient, and racially and economically mixed housing. 5. Nurture social justice and create improved opportunities for women, people of color, and the disabled. 6. Support local agriculture, urban greening projects, and community gardening. 7. Promote recycling, innovative appropriate technology, and resource conservation while reducing pollution and hazardous wastes. 8. Work with businesses to support ecologically sound economic activity while discouraging pollution, waste, and the use and production of hazardous materials. 9. Promote voluntary simplicity and discourage excessive consumption of material goods. 10. Increase awareness of the local environment and bioregion through activist and educational projects that increase public awareness of ecological sustainability issues. The practical application of these principles has not been really encouraging for many years until literature that promotes the ideas began to appear. It appears in different terminology as per the oreintations of the authors. The Authors include Designers, Practitioners, Visionaries and Activists, and the terminology includes everything from neotraditional town planning, pedestrian pockets, reurbanization, post-industrial suburbs, sustainable cities, green cities and eco-communities. The Designers category includes architects, planners, consultants, and related professionals whose main focus in on the costs of sprawl and sustainability by design. The activists are most parts, writers, community activists and environmentalists who placed emphasis on community change within the context of society toward a more sustainable way from anti-ecological ways. The practitioners and visionaries are between the above two. The Practitioners represent politicians, local government professionals (staff from development authority, environmental management, etc) whose emphasis is more public sectors decision-makers. The Visionaries category includes agriculturists, economists, architects, planning theorists, and appropriate technologists. Visionaries literature is often directed toward professionals, academics, and other citizens concerned with issues such as energy conservation, appropriate technology, and community economic development. Although, the authors orientation has discernible differences in analysis, emphasis, and strategy between the variations as shown in table-1, the eco-city theme is can encompass any and all of them. Orientation Focus Means Designers Architects, plan- New develop- Reducing sprawl; design to ners, consultants, ments encourage the revival of and related profes- public life (e.g., townscapes, sionals streetscapes, malls and squares) Practitioners Politicians, local Existing settle- Local initiatives to create government profes- ments, munici- local sustainable develop- sionals, citizens and community organizations palities ment action strategies Visionaries Agriculturists, Communities of Reducing resource waste; economists, archi- association and energy efficiency, stressing tects, planning the- of interest, as passive solar heating and orists, and well as of place cooling; encouraging local appropriate tech- food production and reli- nologists ance on local resources; fostering creation of on-site jobs and neighborhood stores to revitalize communities and eliminate wasteful commuting Activists Writers and com- Human-scale, Decentralized, grass roots, munity activists sustainable set- cooperative development who consider them- tlements based selves bioregional- on ecological bal- ists, social ance, commu- ecologists, and vari- nity self-reliance, ous other kinds of and participa- environmentalists tory democracy TABLE 1 Comparisons of the Literature Catagories Citizen organizations and municipal officials in cities and towns around the world have recently started experimenting on this eco-city concept to meet the social and environmental challenges (Roseland 1997, 1998). Chattanooga and the San Francisco Bay Area in the U.S., Ottawa, Hamilton-Wentworth, and Greater Toronto in Canada, and Curitiba in Brazil are some of the earliest cities where this concept has been successfully applied. Curitiba, a small Brazilian city, is one of the most sustainable cities in the world. It has received international recognition for its integrated transportation and land-use planning, and for its waste management programs. The citys success is due to strong leadership-city officials who focused on simple, flexible, and affordable solutions that can be done at the local level and adapted to changing conditions. Throughout the project, the government promoted a strong sense of public participation by looking at city problems, talk to the people, discuss the main issues, and only then reach for the pen (Rabinovitch 1996). Jonas Rabinovitch, adviser to Curitiba Mayor Jaime Lerner, believes the lesson to be learned from Curitiba is that creativity can substitute for financial resources (Rabinovitch 1996). Emboldened by the success of the above projects, Designer and local government are planning for massive overhaul of traditional way of city planning. They are looking at a way to plan new cities incorporating the entire above concept. China, one of the world most populous countries in the world, faced massive environmental problem. It has emerged as major industrial power but at a great cost. The environment degradation are so severe that it is a cause for concern in china and could have international repercussions. Since pollution know no boundaries. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides produce by Chinas coal-fired power plants fall as acid rain on Seoul, South Korea, and Tokyo. Suspended particulate over Los Angeles city originates in China, according to the Journal of Geophysical Research ( The New York Times.) The Shanghai Industrial Investment Corporation (SIIC) hired Arup in 2005, to design a city which would exclusively use sustainable energy (solar panels, wind turbines and bio-fuels), self-sufficient and reduce energy consumption by 66% in comparision to Shanghai. The eco-city of Dongtan, which is be located on the island of Chongming, not far from Shanghai will be one of the world largest eco-city to provide housing for 500,000 people from rural areas. The Dongtan city will cover about 8,800 hectares which is roughly equal to the size of Manhattan Island. Dongtan will have ecological footprint of 2.2 ha per person by means of a combination of behaviour change and energy efficiency which is very close to limit of sustainability of 1.9 ha set forth by World Wide Fund for Nature. China is also partnering with Singapore to build eco-city in Tianjin based on three harmonies principles which are people-people, people-environment and people-economy. The 30-square-kilometer site is a wasted land and water scarcity area which will be built over a period of 15 years at a cost of around 50 billion yuan (S$10 billion). The criteria for selection of site are that it should be wasted land and water scarce area. First, restoring the jiyun river will be top priority for propose new city of 350,000. Renewable energy like solar and wind power, rainwater harvesting, wastewater treatment and desalination of sea water are some of the proposal. United Arab Emirates has planned to build the worlds most sustainable city, called Masdar City, initiatives of Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company. It is an ambitious project which will cost $22 billion to build a new, zero-emissions city for 50,000 residents in Abu Dhabi. The project is launched in 2007 and is designed by world renowned British firm Foster + Partners, and received widespread coverage in the mainstream press. The propose new city will have new university, the Headquarters for Abu Dhabis Future Energy Company, special economic zones and an Innovation Center. According to the designer, Masdar eco-city is to be constructed in an energy efficient two-stage phase that depend on large photovoltaic power plant to meet energy needs, which later becomes the site for the citys second phas.. The city is a car free, with a maximum walking distance of 200m to the nearest transport link and amenities. The streets are compact to encourage walking and are complemented by a personalised rapid transport system. Due to it compactness, the walkway and streets are shaded creating a pedestrian-friendly environment. The city will have wind, photovoltaic farms, research fields and plantations, so that it is entirely self-sustaining. Masdar City will be built in seven phases, the first of which is the Masdar Institute, which is set to be completed in 2010. The citys phases will be progressively built over the next decade with the first phase reaching completion in 2013(Foster and Partner). The idea of a city without any waste, landfill, car, self contained or without any carbon emission seem very desirable for a city but for some sceptic it a utopian dream which will never materialise. Sceptics are questioning whether totally designing a new city is possible incorporating all the eco-city concepts due to time and cost involved. They are concern that it might just be a strategy used to shield from environmental criticism while countries like China and UAE continue to grow along the same unsustainable path. Countries like China and UAE are in a position to fund such kind of projects and if it is successful it will create a precedent for other parts of the world as well. Unfortunately, Dongtan eco-city never materialise. Although, Chinese President Hu Juntao and shanghai major has shown keen interest in the project, the first phase of construction which is to be ready for Shanghai expo 2010 has not even started. The Dongtan eco-city in spite of being a government endeavour has failed to materialise. The mayor of shanghai is caught in corruption charges too. As for Masdar eco-city, work has already started for phase 1 as seen from fig 2 below. However, sceptics are concern that it might be just an isolated green in the desert where the rest of UAE proceed in the same line of big ecological footprint which is even bigger than United State. They are also apprehensive about the embodied energy used in buildings and infrastructure which are very high. The heavy dependent on technology for personal rapid transport and infrastructure is another issues. Since the technology for personal rapid transport is not fully developed and co-ordinating infrastructure with different agencies is difficult.