A Close Reading of Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe Essay Example

A Close Reading of Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe Essay Within this passage, Crusoe rationalizes his blessings from God in a way that shows the depth of his own hypocrisy and selfishness. This is significant because it represents the climax of Crusoes behavior and beliefs before truly turning to God. He shows his selfishness and hypocrisy in many ways, for example, he refers to himself in many titles representing a hierarchal order of his island. He chastises those who are discontented, and he shows his true colors by only seeing his good fortune by others misfortune. These gestures of faith are only seen as whole hearted if taken out of context, but within the realm of the whole novel this passages represents hypocrisy and selfishness, and also signifies the progression of man in the midst of hardship. I was the Lord of the whole Manor; or if I pleasd, I might call my self King or Emperor over the whole Country which I had Possession of (Defoe 94). This quote represents the mentality that Crusoe had on his island. Using these titles, Crusoe sets up the hierarchal order. Here he is stranded on an island and has established an order of which he is in charge. It seems that he has forgotten about the first ruler of the island which is God. He asserts himself in the very beginning and sets up this belief of control. Within the context of the whole novel, this sense of being a ruler of himself is quite ironic, considering the inability to control the situations he seems to fall into. We will write a custom essay sample on A Close Reading of Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on A Close Reading of Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on A Close Reading of Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Defoe creates a Pascals Wager(er) out of Crusoe in this passage. He is wishy-washy in his beliefs. Crusoe believes himself king and Lord of the island and within a few lines he is chastising those who can not admird the Hand of Gods Providence (Defoe,95). It seems that at a last minute, ditch effort in case God is listening, to be on the safe side, Crusoe feels he had better mention the good will of God, in case God might strike him down or another disaster will befall him. The reason it seems so insincere is due to the positioning of the glorification. It is between Crusoes belief of himself as ruler and the reflection on why Crusoe is better off than most. Another reason this criticism is so ironic is, Crusoe was complaining of the uselessness of his excess and That I would have given a Handful of it for a Gross of Tobacco-Pipes or for a Hand-Mill to grind my Corn; (Defoe, 94). Here he is doing exactly what he preaches against. He can not be happy with what God has provided. This i s one reason why his praise to God seems so half-hearted. This is significant because Defoe is showing the fragile belief in God; Crusoe is only basing his thankfulness on the material items he received off the boat and on the island and how these material goods are the bright side, and show Gods love. Defoe emphasizes the hypocrisies and selfishness to show the transformation Crusoe will go through in his faith: I had livd a dreadful Life, perfectly destitute of the Knowledge and Fear of GodI never had once the Word Thank God, so much as on my Mind, or in my Mouth; not in the greatest Distress, had I so much as a Thought to pray to him, or so much as to say Lord have Mercy upon me; no nor to mention the Name of God, unless it was to swear by, and blaspheme it. (96) This excerpt seems to hit the nail on the head. Crusoe finally realizes his belief in God was false. In conclusion, Crusoes rationalization of material gain and Gods love demonstrates the depth of his own hypocrisy and selfishness. This overall belief is the climax of Crusoes behavior and beliefs before truly turning to God. Defoe had to highlight this pathetic belief system to emphasize Crusoes epiphany, which signifies the progression of man in the midst of hardship.

Biography of Marie Curie (Physicist) essays

Biography of Marie Curie (Physicist) essays As one of historys most admirable women, Marie Curie took every challenge she encountered with poise and conquered it with vigor. She was quoted, Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood (qtd. in Glance). She, undoubtedly, followed that until her death in 1934. Suffering more hardships than the average person, Marie was still able to accomplish more than a lifetime of successes. Throughout her journey, Marie had several distinct phases: her strenuous and impressionable path into adulthood; her life as a mother, wife, and physicist; and the lasting impact of her discoveries on todays physical society. The single biggest advantage Marie had as a child was that she grew up in a family of teachers, and education was not hidden from her because she was a female, as was custom in the late 1800s. Her father, Wladyslaw Sklodowska, made it clear that only the very best was just good enough. Its possible that he had the greatest impact on Marie, teaching his children to be curious (Poynter 11). By the age of eleven, Marie had already experienced the tragic losses of her mother and sister. Her strong family ties forced her to take on extra responsibilities, therefore, lessoning her time for study. To make matters worse, during her grade school years, Poland was under Russian control, so Marie was forced to learn in Russian, instead of Polish. As if the language barrier wasnt a big enough challenge, Polish students were discriminated against by the Russian teachers. However, she graduated at the age of 16, ranking number one in her class of over a hundred (Glance). It was not until Marie was twenty-four that she could attend the university of her dreams, the Sorbonne. Once her sister had graduated from medical school and was married, Marie had the opportunity to move to Paris and devote herself to studying at the Sorbonne. But still, life w...

Media Literacy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Media Literacy - Essay Example The article under study is a news article taken from the Daily Star February 12, 2007 issue which is entitled â€Å"The Jet Seat that Spots Terrorists.† There are different points that can be considered essential in the analysis of the article such as the motive of the writer, the credibility of the story and the target audience from whom a reaction and empathy is expected. One of the main points that can be considered evident in the story is the importance given to the effects of the issue related to terrorism. In the title, the word â€Å"terrorists† can obviously be viewed and catch attention. Due to the use of the issue against terrorism, the article can be perceived to present propaganda on the capability of the technology being introduced and presented which is either related to the jet seat feature, the airline company or the cooperation of the airline industry in the fight for terrorism. The latter reason being related to the fact that airlines are commonly the main tool of the terrorists in posing threat to the safety of the population. Another feature of the story is the attractive description of the capabilities of the technology being applied. This can catch the interest and attention of the population since high level technology with prototype features can almost be considered as a fiction and fantasy turned reality for the members of the public. If an ordinary citizen or even a person with a high level of interest in technology would read the news, the first reaction would probably be an expression of excitement due to the continuous development of technology and even a sense of satisfaction since safety can be improved if a need for air travel is undertaken. The features of the said technology is stressed including the sensitivity to movement and sound with less limitation in terms of sensitivity in capturing possible hints of terrorism and other crimes. The exploration of the importance

Effects of Facebook Usage on the Egyptian Revolution Research Paper

Effects of Facebook Usage on the Egyptian Revolution - Research Paper Example In fact, social networking sites have been the most visited websites in the internet and a lot of news from current events have traversed the connections in these social networking sites. Among the currently existing social networking sites, perhaps the most popular is Facebook. Because of the great advantages and convenience that it offers, Facebook has been part of the ways for people to communicate with each other, from simple personal messages to updates about what is going on with both the local and international communities. As such, this research paper will look into exactly how instrumental Facebook has been in affecting one of the most controversial events of recent times, and that is the Egyptian revolution. This research study and the applied hypotheses are rooted on the Theory of Planned Behavior by Icek Ajzen (1987). The goal of the Theory of Planned Behavior is to provide an explanation as to why people do what they do (Ajzen, 1987). Theorists explain that people do so because they form an INTENTION to carry out the action. Intentions are influenced by the person’s beliefs, the social pressure to conform to the wishes of others, and their perceived ability to carry out the action. These are known as ATTITUDE, SUBJECTIVE NORM and PERCEIVED BEHAVIORAL CONTROL. Thus, the Theory of Planned Behavior is a theory which predicts deliberate behavior, because behavior can be deliberative and planned. According to the theory, the best predictor of behavior is intention. Intention is the cognitive representation of a person's readiness to perform a given behavior, and it is considered to be the immediate antecedent of behavior (Ajzen, 2005). This intention is determined by three things: their attitude toward the specific behavior, their subjective norms and their perceived behavioral control. The theory of planned behavior holds that only specific attitudes toward the behavior in question can be expected to predict that behavior (Manstead & Parker 1995 ; Terry, Hogg and White 1999; Parker, et al 1992). In addition to measuring attitudes toward the behavior, it is necessary to measure people’s subjective norms – their beliefs about how people they care about will view the behavior in question. To predict someone’s intentions, knowing these beliefs can be as important as knowing the person’s attitudes. Finally, perceived behavioral control influences intentions. Perceived behavioral control refers to people's perceptions of their ability to perform a given behavior. These predictors lead to intention. A general rule, the more favorable the attitude and the subjective norm, and the greater the perceived control the stronger should the person’s intention to perform the behavior in question (Aronson, Wilson and Akert 2003). This study is interested in knowing how the actions of people pertaining to using Facebook affected the revolution and partly, the study is also interested in knowing why people re acted as they did and what were the effects after such actions.

Strong vs Weak Matrix Structure Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Strong vs Weak Matrix Structure - Essay Example The study indicates that weak matrix organizations are no less than a nightmare for project managers. This is true because although, they have the authority and power to make plans, divide the project strategy and even closely monitor the execution as well, project managers do not have any real authority over the project team members, most of whom remain reliant on their functional managers for provision and use of resources. Therefore, in these organizations, technically the project managers do not remain â€Å"managers† in the truest sense but their role is reduced to that of project â€Å"facilitators†. Project managers within a weak matrix organization often fail to motivate their employees to the utmost degree because of the fact that they have little loyalty to the project managers and little motivation to work on the project. They are well aware of the fact that they the chain of command indicates that they report to their functional managers who decide their pro motions, achievements and write their annual reviews. Project managers might have to report and discuss the issue of non-performing employees with the functional managers and then hope that the functional managers will help. Some project managers, despite all difficulties, successfully complete their projects in weak matrix organizations but it becomes nearly impossible to attain any kind of success for the project manager when the functional managers decide to obstruct the work and oppose the approaches of project managers. In this case, they might not allow project managers to use resources and prevent their employees from working with full productivity on projects, thus making the life of the project managers miserable. Figure 1 Weak Matrix Structure with project team members scattered in many functional departments and working under primary authority of their respective functional managers Strong matrix organizations provide a better framework and structure for project managers to operate. In fact, it appears that strong matrix organizations emerged on to the scene primarily in order to satisfy the needs of project managers. Rather than leaving the project managers at the mercy of different functional managers, the organization empowers the project managers so that they could exercise their authority over budgets, resources, expenses and even employee appraisals (Lewis, p. 106). Employees are more likely to report to two bosses at the same time, one their functional managers and the second their project manager but they see the incentive in being equally loyal to both of them. Project managers remain concerned with the project related issues of the employees whereas all the human resource and operational issues and responsibilities remain with the functional managers who overlook them. In these types of organizations, there is even a different department of project managers, which reports to a head project manager holding tremendous authority within the au thority (Daft & Willmott, p. 36). In strong matrix organisations, project managers would usually draw up plans about the projects and then contact the functional managers about their needs and demands in terms of employees. Important here to note is that when functional managers and project manager negotiate, it is highly likely that project manager would have an upper hand (Cameron & Quinn, p. 309). A potential pitfall in these types of organizations is that with extreme power of project managers, functional managers might find it troublesome to perform the necessary functions for keeping the organization afloat and running. Furthermore, a great deal of training is required to ensure that employees do not confuse the dual chain of command where they have to report to two bosses and maintain between their functional and project duties. In addition, constantly and quickly changing projects and new team members may also

Every Tourist Is A Voyeuring Gourmand Tourism Essay

Every Tourist Is A Voyeuring Gourmand Tourism Essay This chapter will continue on from chapter two and aims to discuss in detail the culinary tourist. The researcher will define the term culinary tourist and explain how these types of tourists can be categorised. This chapter will also outline the issues facing sustainable tourism and authenticity in relation to food tourism and the culinary tourist. Furthermore, the researcher will highlight the Travel Activities and Motivation Survey (TAMS) which is considered to be the most comprehensive profiles available of culinary tourists. Finally, the researcher will investigate the culinary tourist in Ireland. Although data is scarce in relation to the Irish culinary tourism industry, a Mintel report which was published in 2009 provides some knowledge into both the international and Irish tourists who holiday in Ireland. Eating is one of our most basic physiological needs even when outside our usual environment (Tikkanen 2007). Yet, information on food tourism and the culinary tourist appears rare. Chapter two outlined the fact that food is a very much overlooked element of tourism literature (Selwood 2003). As a result of this lack of direct research into food tourism, there are few insights into the demographic and psychographic characteristics of food tourists (Wolf 2006), and those insights that do exist are considered by Hall et al (2003) to be largely superficial. Murray (2008) agrees and states that terms such as food tourism or the culinary tourist could be used in ways which are misleading and, as a result, may cause inappropriate decisions to be made by tourism planners and operators. Murray (2008) suggests that once culinary tourism has been identified as a potential avenue to pursue, the natural tendency is to identify the market, and that leads immediately to segmentation. However, some tourists may be culinary enthusiasts rather than culinary tourists, and although interested in food, culinary activities are not the main purpose of travel for these types of tourists (Murray 2008). In spite of the recognition that little is still known about either the food buying-behaviour of tourists or of the role it plays in the overall travel decision, destinations are increasingly using food as a means to differentiate themselves and broaden their market base (Hall et al 2003; McKercher, Okumus, and Okumus 2008). As previously discussed, food is an important tourist attraction and enhances or is central to the visitor experience (Henderson 2009). For many, food becomes highly experiential (i.e. much more than functional) when it is part of a travel experience, it can become sensuous and sensual, symbolic and ritualistic, and can take on new significance and meaning (Hall et al 2003, p.61). Long suggests that the culinary tourist anticipates a change in the foodways experience for the sake of experiencing that change, not merely to satisfy hunger (Long 2004, p.21). Longs definition implies that intentionality is required whereas Wolf (2006, p.2) proposes a more lenient def inition; the true culinary tourist is not a snob, but rather an explorer who also happens to be an impassioned aficionado of food and drink. Therefore, the culinary tourist could be defined as loosely as someone who appreciates local food or someone who spends time in a grocery store in a foreign country. Due to broad definitions such as this, one could acknowledge why research on culinary tourists is rare. The Culinary Tourism in Ontario (2005-2015) Strategy and Action Plan makes a very noble attempt to differentiate between tourists with intentionality and those who are better described as enthusiasts. The Action Plan illustrates culinary tourism markets being broken down by an understanding of what motivates the traveller: Primary Travellers whose main focus and intent is for a culinary tourism experience. Secondary Travellers whose focus on culinary tourism is shared with another tourism motivator such as golf, shopping, visiting family and friends. However, culinary tourism is part of their itinerary. Tertiary Travellers whose itinerary or motivators does not include culinary tourism. Culinary tourism experience is impromptu or ad hoc to their original intent (Culinary Tourism in Ontario (2005-2015) Strategy and Action Plan, p.21). 3.3 Location, Sustainable Tourism and Authenticity Sims (2009) remarks on the growing body of research which is beginning to prove that sensations of taste, touch, sound and smell can play an important role within the holiday experience, adding that holiday food is becoming of particular importance to researchers (Sims 2009, p.321). Crotts and Kivela (2006, p.355) agree and cite that our sensory perceptions play a major psychological and physiological role in our appraisal and appreciation of food, as they do for other experiences at a destination. Dining out is a pleasurable sensory experience, hence, the feel good factor which tourists experience as a result of food consumption at a destination is a pull factor and a marketing and merchandising tool that cannot be underestimated (Crotts and Kivela 2006, p.355). For this reason, one can argue that tourists often place considerable emphasis on how they feel at a destination, and how they experience what the destination offers, by carefully selecting that special restaurant and/or foo d that might fulfil a particular personal desire (Crotts and Kivela 2006). Although many studies identify and address factors that affect destination choice and image, very few empirical studies address the role that food plays in the way tourists experience the destination. Dining habits can also provide an insight into ways of life, helping tourists understand the differences between their own culture and those with which they come into contact with (Hegarty and OMahoney 2001). However, it must be acknowledged that the variety of foods on offer at a destination can have major implications for the economic, cultural and environmental sustainability of that tourism location, with researchers arguing that a focus on locally sourced products can result in benefits for both the hosts and the culinary tourists (Clark and Chabrel 2007; Sims 2009). Sims (2009, p.322) argues that local food and drink products can improve the economic and environmental sustainability of both tourism and the rural host community through encouraging sustainable agricultural practices, supporting local businesses and building a brand that can benefit the region by attracting more visitors and investment. Furthermore, Sims (2009) explains that local food can play an important role in the sustainable tourism experience because it appeals to the visitors desire for authenticity within the holiday experience. At present, there is a trend towards universal standardisation and homogenisation, which is demonstrated by the spread of fast food chains (Henderson 2009; Keel 2010). Concurrently, tourists are becoming more adventurous and are open to new food experiences (Daniele and Scarpato 2003; Henderson 2009). Many culinary tourists are also seeking genuine and authentic which can be found in local foods and eating-places (Henderson 2009). Therefore, one can conclude that tourist destinations could successfully differentiate from other locations through local authentic food. As explained above, authentic food consumption at a destination creates a pull factor for the consumer (Crotts and Kivela 2006, p.355). Furthermore, increasing tourist consumption of local foods can generate a multiplier effect that will benefit the local economy and provide a boost to rural destinations looking to develop a sustainable tourism industry (Sims 2009; Torres, 2002). In addition, concerns about the environmental consequences of transporting food across the globe have led researchers to argue that buying local food products is vital if the tourism industry is to reduce its carbon footprint (Mitchell and Hall 2003; Sims 2009). In Rebecca Sims (2009) article titled Food, place and authenticity, she studied ho w local food has the potential to enhance the visitor experience by connecting consumers to the region and its perceived culture and heritage. She focused on two UK regions for her report, the Lake District and Exmoor. Her results illustrated that over 60% of the tourists interviewed said that they had deliberately chosen to consume foods or drinks that they considered local while on holiday which suggests that, tourists are seeking products that they feel will give them an insight into the nature of a place and its people Sims (2009, p.329). However, this demand for local food could also be viewed as a search for authenticity. Over 50% of the tourists interviewed in this study said that they had bought, or were definitely planning to buy, food and drink as souvenirs of their holiday, with less than 10% saying that they were not interested in doing so (Sims 2009, p.328). The souvenir purchasers varied in their levels of enthusiasm, from reluctant buyers who felt compelled to buy sma ll gifts for family or colleagues, to one enthusiastic couple who, while visiting Exmoor, had spent  £60 on specialist tea and coffee by a renowned local tea merchant in addition to the usual stuff like fudge (Sims 2009, p.328). Tikkanen (2007) concurs with Sims (2009) and relates food tourism to Maslows hierarchy. Tikkanen (2007, p.725) identifies five approaches to food with respect to motivation for a visit. These five approaches are food as a tourist attraction, foodstuffs as a tourist product component, food experience in tourism, the role of food in culture and linkages between tourism and food production. This approach to the theory surrounding the culinary tourist demonstrates that food consumption is regarded as one of the most important factors in the marketing of a destination (Tikkanen 2007). Hence, food and tourism are increasingly combined. Food can draw a person towards or back to a holiday destination, plus more and more food products are now bought as souvenirs, which, if managed correctly could result in benefits for both the hosts and the culinary tourists. 3.4 Travel Activities and Motivation Survey While few demographic and psychographic data exist to draw a comprehensive picture of the typical culinary tourist, one major study conducted in Canada can provide some insight. In April 2001, the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) released the Travel Activities and Motivation Survey (TAMS), Wine and Cuisine Profile Report which is considered to be one of the most comprehensive profiles available of culinary tourists. This survey offers a comprehensive assessment of travel behaviour and motivators and provides a rich and authoritative database by which to develop future marketing strategies. According to this report, both young and mature singles along with young and mature couples were most likely to exhibit an interest in holiday activities associated with food and wine (TAMS 2001). Interest in such activities also increased as the level of education and household income increased (TAMS 2001). While this information represented Canadian travellers, the results for US travellers were extremely similar. The report did not break down travellers by specific age groups but rather categorises travellers as young or mature. The report found a high correlation between culinary tourists and exploration (TAMS 2001). This concurs with Wolfs (2006) definition above and suggests that culinary tourists are explorers. Those who exhibit an interest in vacation activities associated with wine and cuisine were considerably more likely to have sought out vacation experiences associated with exploration (e.g., visiting historical sites, natural wonders), personal indulgence (e.g., to experience the good life, visiting a casino, experiencing city life such as night life) and romance and relaxation (e.g., experience intimacy and romance, relax and recuperate) (TAMS 2001, p.19). A more recent TAMS, based again on the Canadian and US markets was published in 2007. The survey revealed that 37% (or 7.7 million) of Canadian travellers and 33% (or 58.6 million) of American travellers wer e wine and cuisine enthusiasts, exhibiting either a moderate or high interest in wine and cuisine-related activities while on trips during the years 2005-2007 (TAMS 2007a; TAMS 2007b). Similar to the 2001 survey mature (35-64 years old) couples and families (those with kids) were more likely to be interested in wine and cuisine-related activities. Young couples (less than 35 years old) and senior couples (over 64 years old), though to a lesser extent, were also actively engaged in activities associated with wine and cuisine (TAMS 2007a). Once again the 2007 report shows a strong association between tourists with an interest in wine and cuisine with increasing levels of education and household income (TAMS 2007a; TAMS 2007b). Also interesting to note is the fact that wine and cuisine enthusiasts were frequent travellers, taking an average of 4.1 trips between 2004 and 2005 versus 3.2 trips for other travellers (TAMS 2007a; TAMS 2007b). Relative to other travellers, wine and culinary tourists had a higher tendency to consult a large number of information sources when they were planning trips. Using the internet (86%), considering their own past experiences (63%) and taking advice from friends and relatives (55%) were the most popular information sources (TAMS 2007a). They were also more likely to read the travel section of daily and weekend newspapers and to surf travel-related websites than other travellers (TAMS 2007a; TAMS 2007b). It must be noted that this report evaluated the demographic behaviour of Canadian and American culinary tourists; therefore, an opportunity exists to investigate whether culinary tourists from other countries share similar demographic and psychographic traits. 3.5 The Culinary Tourist in Ireland As explained above, studies into the demographic and psychographic characteristics of food tourists are in the minority. While the TAMS provide an insight into American and Canadian tourists, a Mintel report which was published in 2009 provides some knowledge into both international and Irish tourists who holiday in Ireland. Among Irish tourists, quality is the most important factor for food. Availability of local produce is also significant, it is however recognised that these factors result is a premium price for food and so are most appealing among the older and more affluent consumers (Mintel 2009). Mintel (2009) reported that younger adults and those from lower socio-economic groups were more price sensitive while holidaying in Ireland, therefore, low cost fast-food appeals to this segment, making them less important for the food tourism market. This study stated that the most likely consumers to visit fine dining and local independent restaurants, and those most likely to show a keen interest in food while holidaying in Ireland are those aged 35 to 64, and those that fall under the upper middle class, middle class, lower middle class (ABC1) age bracket. These age groups are fortunately the fastest growing in Irish society and forecasted to make up the largest segment of the Irish population for the next decade. In terms of broader tourism trends, it is consumers from these age and socio-economic categories that are most likely to visit Ireland from abroad, and are the most likely to stay in Ireland from the Irish population. Irish culinary tourists have become of particular importance during the current economic climate as many Irish consumers are now considering holidaying at home rather than going abroad. Furthermore, this report stated that the internet is the most widely used source by tourists for both bookings and see king information prior to taking a holiday or short break within Ireland. This presents a strong portal for the promotion of the Irish food tourism industry through tourist authority websites such as Failte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. At present, these websites provide little or no information about food in Ireland. However, it should be noted that many older consumers have been slow to adopt to the internet, and given that these consumers form the key groups for food tourism, traditional channels should not be abandoned. Also mentioned in the report was Irelands à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬200 million festival sector, another key channel for the food tourism industry, which has a large portion dedicated to food and drink. Guides such as the Michelin guide, the Michelin Pub Guide, and the Bridgestone Guide are seen as exceptionally influential on consumers choices. Positive online reviews also have an influence as more consumers than ever use the internet. Mintel (2009) acknowledge a the trend that Irish and UK consumers have a growing affinity with food, with broadening tastes and a renewed appreciation for local ingredients and modern takes on traditional dishes, as seen with the growth of farmers markets and artisan food producers. Much of this revival and new interest in food has been driven by the media with channels like Channel 4, the BBC and RTÉ using primetime slots for cooking and food interest programmes. Ratings figures from the Broadcasters Audience Research Board for the first quarter of 2009 show that some of the more popular cooking programmes are among the top five highest viewed shows, particularly Masterchef on BBC and programmes featuring celebrity chefs like Heston Blumenthal and Gordon Ramsay on Channel 4. However, due to the current economic crisis, a growing number of people are eating and entertaining at home, and television has become a highly influential forum for promoting good quality food. Although this may have taken somewhat from the restaurant industry, this is in turn creating potential for cookery schools. With the growing interest in food, and the growing number of people entertaining at home there are positive signals for cooking schools, particularly within the domestic tourism arena. However, the cooking courses at these centres are relatively expensive compared to other holiday activities and in recessionary times, luxuries such as these may be less accessible if pricing strategies are not reviewed. Although this report portrayed a positive perspective for the Irish food tourism market, value for money remains a major factor hindering the development of culinary tourism in Ireland. As discussed in Chapter 2, there are issues regarding the perception that Irish food is expensive, service related issues, Irish food cost issues and the lack of innovation among food producers (Coughlan 2009). The report suggests that the government has dedicated a significant amount of funding toward promoting tourism; however, high taxes are affecting competitiveness. Failte Ireland found that although nearly 98% of tourists would recommend visiting Ireland, 19% of these had some reservations. Of this 19%, 26% stated that their main reservation was the high prices in Ireland (Failte Ireland 2010). In addition to this is the concern that not enough emphasis is being placed on promoting Ireland as a food tourism destination (Mintel 2009). These issues must be addressed if Ireland is to be perceived as a desired destination for the culinary tourist. 3.6 Summary The literature reveals that there are few insights into the demographic and psychographic characteristics of food tourists. Yet, eating is one of our most basic physiological needs even when outside our usual environment. Hence, everyone needs to eat. Therefore, it is difficult to define and describe the culinary tourist. Moreover, some tourists may be culinary enthusiasts rather than culinary tourists, and although interested in food, culinary activities are not the main purpose of travel for these categories of tourists. However, for some tourists, food becomes highly experiential and consumers are increasingly aware of the benefits (economic, environmental and health related) of local produce, and there is an increased desire to sample local dishes, foodstuffs and drink. Although, there is little known about either the food buying-behaviour of tourists or of the role it plays in the overall travel decision, destinations are increasingly using food as a means to differentiate themselves and broaden their market base. From this discussion of the literature, it can be seen that local food has the potential to play a central role within the tourism experience. There is a renewed interest in local food and drinks festivals, as well as an increased interest in local markets as tourists seek out authentic food experiences. These local food and drink products can improve the economic and environmental sustainability of both tourism and the rural host community. This chapter also discussed TAMS which is considered to be one of the most comprehensive profiles available of culinary tourists. This survey offers a comprehensive assessment of travel behaviour and motivators and provides a rich and authoritative database by which to develop future marketing strateg ies. Furthermore, an insight into the both the international and Irish tourists who holiday in Ireland was provided using a a Mintel report which was published in 2009. As suggested in the above section, food tourism is a possible competitive advantage and it can be a core element in the branding of a country or destination by marketers. Domestic and international visitors are becoming more adventurous and open to new experiences overall and with specific reference to food. Many are also looking for the genuine and authentic, which, it is believed, can be found in local foods and eating-places (Reynolds, 1993).

Five Factor Model of Costa and McCrae Essay -- Psychology

In psychology, the Big Five personality traits are five broad dimensions of an individual’s personality. The personality traits include openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. The two psychologists who discovered this theory are Costa and McCrae. In this paper I will discuss the history of the five-factor model, each of the five different personality traits, and how this is significant in my own life and my behavior. In 1992, two psychologists by the name of Costa and McCrae made a brilliant discovery of various dimensions of personality traits and put them in five separate personality traits. The five dimensions are usually described in the subsequent order of decreasing vigor based on previous personality scales: neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness and conscientiousness. â€Å"Costa and McCrae’s discovery has also influenced other ways of measuring personality including the NEO Personality Inventory (NEO PI-R), which is based on the five-factor model of personality† (Hart, Stasson, Mahoney, Story, 2007). The method of discovering which of the five personality traits you display most is in the form of a test. Twelve items, making a total of sixty items, measure each of the five personality traits. The items are statements measured by five-point scales that are formed by two poles from strongly disagree to strongly agree. â€Å"The scores of the twelve items, which measure each trait, are summarized and each person obtains a raw score of each of the personality traits† (Hart et al., 2007). The personality trait that your score is highest indicates the trait you lean towards most. It is also important to note that each of the five dimensions is bipolar, describi... ...b and career and what I want to accomplish in my life. I need to have a job where I am able to travel and not be stuck at a mundane desk job, somewhere where I am constantly learning and expressing myself with others. Personality develops around the age of seven and is definitely one of the most important parts of a person. Personality is your own set of qualities that makes you unique from other people. It includes all of the thought and emotions that cause us to do and say things in particular ways. Personality is an incredible captivating and enthralling concept in understanding how a certain person acts the way they do. The Five-Factor Model is an amazing discovery of five main dimensions of a human’s persona and even though not everyone fits exactly into only one personality it is still an undeniable way of helping us to better understand ourselves. Five Factor Model of Costa and McCrae Essay -- Psychology In psychology, the Big Five personality traits are five broad dimensions of an individual’s personality. The personality traits include openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. The two psychologists who discovered this theory are Costa and McCrae. In this paper I will discuss the history of the five-factor model, each of the five different personality traits, and how this is significant in my own life and my behavior. In 1992, two psychologists by the name of Costa and McCrae made a brilliant discovery of various dimensions of personality traits and put them in five separate personality traits. The five dimensions are usually described in the subsequent order of decreasing vigor based on previous personality scales: neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness and conscientiousness. â€Å"Costa and McCrae’s discovery has also influenced other ways of measuring personality including the NEO Personality Inventory (NEO PI-R), which is based on the five-factor model of personality† (Hart, Stasson, Mahoney, Story, 2007). The method of discovering which of the five personality traits you display most is in the form of a test. Twelve items, making a total of sixty items, measure each of the five personality traits. The items are statements measured by five-point scales that are formed by two poles from strongly disagree to strongly agree. â€Å"The scores of the twelve items, which measure each trait, are summarized and each person obtains a raw score of each of the personality traits† (Hart et al., 2007). The personality trait that your score is highest indicates the trait you lean towards most. It is also important to note that each of the five dimensions is bipolar, describi... ...b and career and what I want to accomplish in my life. I need to have a job where I am able to travel and not be stuck at a mundane desk job, somewhere where I am constantly learning and expressing myself with others. Personality develops around the age of seven and is definitely one of the most important parts of a person. Personality is your own set of qualities that makes you unique from other people. It includes all of the thought and emotions that cause us to do and say things in particular ways. Personality is an incredible captivating and enthralling concept in understanding how a certain person acts the way they do. The Five-Factor Model is an amazing discovery of five main dimensions of a human’s persona and even though not everyone fits exactly into only one personality it is still an undeniable way of helping us to better understand ourselves.

Philosophy of Man Essay

Death is a typically human event, not just a biological occurrence. It is a separating of body and soul, but it is not just the body that dies, it is the whole man. It is difficult to talk of the very moment of death, since some people who had been there, did not talk of their experience. There are some written accounts of such experiences and from these we get glimpses of the next life. [Corazon Cruz] Philosophy of man is the study of man and its philosophy in life that is subdivided into many branches such us ethics, metaphysics natural philosophy etc. PHILOSOPHY came from the Greek word PHILO meaning Love and SOPHIA meaning wisdom, French believe that PHILO means friendship rather than Love cause they believe that Love is a state of confusion, mallicious intentions mixed up w/ pure intention (attraction/physical aspect). Why does people who answers his/her superior called PILOSOPO? Before, when the Spaniards holds the Europe, some philosophers fight back by the used of printing adds, they fight w/ the used of there mind (APOCALYPS). In Philippines. Before, DR. Jose Rizal fight the Spaniards by writing things that is against to the Spaniards. Before the only people who are smart and brave enough to fight and write against the Spaniards are the Philosophers. Dr. Jose Rizal is a graduate of PHILOSOPHY in the Ateneo university Phil. and the only batch that has the same GGP or same grades which is 1. 0 or a perfect average. Rizal study Philosophy because its a good start in grasping his wants, that is to be a Lawyer, but something happened, her mother suffer from an illness and needs to be cured. So Dr. Rizal then give up being a Lawyer and he began to study Medicine for him to cure his Mother’s illness.

Free Essays on Effective Policing

â€Å"Effective Policing† As times change, so do the methods of criminals. Police are always looking for the quickest and most efficient way to catch the criminals. After studying three different forms of policing which include foot patrol police and motor vehicle police I found that bicycle police are not only quick to apprehend criminals, but they also help prevent crime because of their visual presence and their ability to maneuver quickly also aids them. One growing trend in law enforcement today is the utilization of mountain bicycles for patrol duty. Mountain bikes are quiet, cost efficient, extremely effective and are able to bridge the gap between the police cruiser and foot patrol. Studies have shown that citizens are more likely to approach a bike patrol officer over an officer in a car. This optimizes the department’s philosophy of community policing. Bicycle officers are better able to use all their senses, including sight, smell and hearing, to detect and address criminal activity. For one thing, bicycles are quiet and can be deployed very quickly. Bikes can be operated on streets, sidewalks, alleys, trails, and in areas that are hard to reach in cars. Many times bicycle officers ride up on top of criminal activity in progress. Then escaping from the police becomes unlikely. The San Antonio Police Department implemented a bicycle patrol unit in 1990. The Downtown area of San Antonio is a high-populated area and has many activities and small business operating daily. The SAPD bicycle unit’s mission is to be a visible deterrent to crime and an approachable source of assistance and information within the downtown area of San Antonio. The bike unit patrols the heavily populated downtown area both night and day assisting tourists, conventioneers, and local office workers and shoppers. San Antonio host many big events in the downtown area. Bicycle officers are able to mingle easily with big crowds, and can see over the... Free Essays on Effective Policing Free Essays on Effective Policing â€Å"Effective Policing† As times change, so do the methods of criminals. Police are always looking for the quickest and most efficient way to catch the criminals. After studying three different forms of policing which include foot patrol police and motor vehicle police I found that bicycle police are not only quick to apprehend criminals, but they also help prevent crime because of their visual presence and their ability to maneuver quickly also aids them. One growing trend in law enforcement today is the utilization of mountain bicycles for patrol duty. Mountain bikes are quiet, cost efficient, extremely effective and are able to bridge the gap between the police cruiser and foot patrol. Studies have shown that citizens are more likely to approach a bike patrol officer over an officer in a car. This optimizes the department’s philosophy of community policing. Bicycle officers are better able to use all their senses, including sight, smell and hearing, to detect and address criminal activity. For one thing, bicycles are quiet and can be deployed very quickly. Bikes can be operated on streets, sidewalks, alleys, trails, and in areas that are hard to reach in cars. Many times bicycle officers ride up on top of criminal activity in progress. Then escaping from the police becomes unlikely. The San Antonio Police Department implemented a bicycle patrol unit in 1990. The Downtown area of San Antonio is a high-populated area and has many activities and small business operating daily. The SAPD bicycle unit’s mission is to be a visible deterrent to crime and an approachable source of assistance and information within the downtown area of San Antonio. The bike unit patrols the heavily populated downtown area both night and day assisting tourists, conventioneers, and local office workers and shoppers. San Antonio host many big events in the downtown area. Bicycle officers are able to mingle easily with big crowds, and can see over the...

Electric Typewriter vs. Freewrite Typewriter - Freewrite Store

Electric Typewriter vs. Freewrite Typewriter - Freewrite Store Do you know what writers Ernest Hemingway and Danielle Steel have in common? They couldn't be more different in subject and style. But when it came to choosing a writing instrument, both chose a typewriter. Of course, home computers weren't around when Hemingway crafted his masterpieces. But a surprising number of modern writers avoid working on computers. Humorist P.J. O'Rourke prefers an IBM Selectric electric typewriter instead of a computer because it "doesn't get in the way" of the writing process. In other words, O'Rourke doesn't like the distractions of using a computer. A lot of modern writers stay away from computers and opt for a basic "words on paper" approach. Some write first drafts in longhand. Some use typewriters. Along with the "no-distraction back-to-basics" feeling, writers like Steel find that typing on a mechanical keyboard to be more conducive to creativity. If you're a writer struggling to work on a computer, you have better options. One is an electronic typewriter. Another is the Freewrite. The Freewrite is a tool designed from the ground up for writers. How do the two compare? Here's a rundown. Electric Typewriter Features The best electric typewriter models provide writers with a host of options. Typical features include line drawing, correction memory, word and character erase, underlining, automatic carriage returns, programmable tabulation memory and bidirectional printing functions. Many also include removable storage capabilities. The Freewrite Writing Tool The Freewrite combines the simplicity of a typewriter with the benefits of modern digital documents. It retains the tactile feel of a typewriter with a mechanical keyboard. But instead of having to retype paper documents to get them into the computer, the Freewrite’s documents are already digital. Documents save on the device and automatically sync to Dropbox, Evernote, or Google Drive so you don't have to worry about computer crashes or power outages. Files upload with 256-bit SSL encryption. Every Freewrite element works to get the creative juices flowing. It's lightweight with a stow-able handle. Take it to the park, find inspiration and hit the keys on the full-size mechanical keyboard. What's the Verdict? If you're looking for a way to put an end to distractions, amplify creativity and boost productivity, the Freewrite is your best option. With the Freewrite, it won't take long to find your writing groove. And once you're there, you'll stay there.

Opinion about any FORTUNE 500 company and examine its CSR strategy Essay

Opinion about any FORTUNE 500 company and examine its CSR strategy - Essay Example Based on the contribution of all the stakeholders towards the success of their organization, managers should ensure that they adopt CSR that are beneficial to all parties (Bhattacharya et al, 2008). This paper seeks to examine CSR strategies adopted by Walmart, the US largest supermarket. Walmart is a multinational firm operating more than 10,750 stores. With annual revenue of approximately $469 billion, the company has been recognized as a fortune 500 firm. Due to the large number of branches that the company has established in the international market, it is clear that it has a significant impact on the world natural resources as well as global environment. To address major issues as far as corporate social responsibilities for the company is concerned; Walmart has divided its activities into four key areas. These include environmental responsibilities, social responsibilities, local responsibilities and company responsibilities. Environmental responsibilities Being headquartered i n Bentonville US, Walmart competitive position has not been attained just based on its wide product portfolio and quality brands but also its objective of promoting energy conservation. One of the notable CSR programs that the company adopted in 2005 in its effort to reduce its impact on the global climate was the sustainability program. This entailed making all its stores eco-friendly by ensuring that it reduced the greenhouse gasses emitted by the stores (Charles, 2006). Other strategies that the company initiated within its stores included installation of solar panels, purchasing of wind energy and adoption of fuel saving technologies in its transport system. As a result of these strategies, the company has significantly reduced the cases of illnesses due to pollution especially in its neighborhoods. Thus sustainability program is an effective initiative that the Walmart Company should continue to uphold. Another aspect that has been initiated by the company is the use of recycla ble bags that its consumers can use regularly. In this way, land fill wastes have been effectively reduced. Social responsibilities Based on the need to improve the financial position of its customers, Walmart is focused at empowering women by providing them with investment skills. For example, the company has established Walmart foundation, an initiative that trains more than 1 million women on career opportunities and how to create self employment (Nelson, 2009). In my opinion, this is an effective CSR strategy. This is based on the fact that women are major consumers of Walmart products. Thus by making them earn higher income, they will have significant purchasing power thus making them purchase more from the store. Local responsibility Walmart Company has adopted various programs that include school nutrition as well as offering disaster relief. With the current changes in the style of consumption globally, consumers have been affected by various illnesses that have attracted th e attention of health care providers. As a major initiative, Walmart has recently established a five year plan that is focused at reducing unhealthy levels of sugars and fats in its brands by 25% while salts will reduce by 10%. Additionally, the plan is focused at reducing the prices of vegetables and fruits in order to make them affordable. Being a major customer of local and global food suppliers including Kraft

UNIT 1 science Individual project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

UNIT 1 science Individual project - Essay Example This revolution meant replacing the economy, which was built on manual labor, to one which is dominated by industry and by manufacturing machinery. This, in turn, led scientists to build more and more machines, tools and buildings with new function, which decreased the workload of workers but also had a negative affect on nature (HighBeam Encyclopedia, 2004). This led to the latter of the revolutions- the Environmental Revolution. The environmental revolution is something which has been taking place and occurring more lately. Since the quantity of research and data proving how detrimental some technologies and machines are is abundant, more and more people are opting to fight for the noble cause of trying to heal our planet and to uproot and stop those responsible for the ecological degradation and increasingly more imminent destruction of our world. These people are called environmentalists, and their purposes include minimizing pollutions, preserving and protecting nature from detrimental people, machines and buildings and fighting to add more ecologic-friendly laws to the constitution and by doing so, legitimizing and reinforcing their claims by legislation. This revolution is closely and tightly bound to the term environmentalism, which is "a concern for the preservation, restoration and improvement of the natural environment, such as the preservation of natural resources, prevention of pollution, and cer tain land use actions". This activism for nature and ecology was first recorded in India 400 years ago, when Indian men embraced death in order to protest and try to stop the cutting of trees in their forest by the kings men of that region. Modern environmentalism started in the mid to late 19th century in the United States with two preservationists starting to fight for the environment. One of them was a writer who writings were read by millions, and therefore became more known to