The American Dream By Dave Eggers - 1992 Words

Dave Eggers, author of A Hologram for the King, Heroes of the Frontier and The Circle, among many other books, often comments on the American dream. Eggers believes that the American dream has changed over time, and is no longer an achievable goal. The American dream was initially the ideal of each man and women being able to reach their full potential and have equal opportunities (Amadeo). Yet this ideal slowly morphed into the necessity of owning a house and having a happy, prosperous family. In order to achieve this, people have tried to force themselves into unhappy marriages, spend money they can t afford to lose and change others actions in order to help their own selves. The American dream was for people during a time of†¦show more content†¦In his old age, he realizes he will never have the organized life he wanted, and while he hopes for the best he know he must expect the worst. This ability to brag is what Eggers argues drives the quest for the American dream, and he argues that it does not bring true content. Another example of Clay’s need to fulfill the dream was his creation of bicycles. As he created bicycles, he believed selling them was what could make him rich. Yet this was not the case, because as the world became more technology based, he was sticking to the old ways of life. A bicycle is often a symbol of freedom, as it provides the freedom to go wherever whenever. As Alan attempts to create a new and improved bicycle, he is trying to enhance the old way of life, and has not yet comprehended that the old way of life has changed, and if he wants to prosper he must change with it. This again is a comment on the evolution of the American dream and how people are trying to control things they no longer can. Clay tries so hard to be a business owner in order to be successful, but has never found what his true passion is. This leads him to a very unhappy life with many health problems, similar as to many others in the world. Anoth er extreme view of the American dream is forcing equality. In The Circle, Mae Holland begins working at the Circle, a company that uses technology to be able to share everything everyoneShow MoreRelatedZeitoun Essay example973 Words   |  4 PagesZeitoun By: Dave Eggers After September 11, 2001 I’ve had trouble finding what makes me more angry; the way the authorities handled the hurricane of Katrina or the way the Arabs were treated. I have herd countless stories related to the 9/11 attack and until today I see the way that has affected the lives of many. Through Eggers story, I was able to comprehend more about the tragedy in New Orleans and even though I thought I already knew about the aftermath that Katrina brought, Eggers grabbed myRead MoreEssay about America: A Class Divided2707 Words   |  11 Pagesnot known, could not even afford to fix her car. Although she worked harder than anyone who I had ever met, almost 60 hours a week, it was she who was struggling to pay the bills. This is not our ancestors’ America. Over the last 100 years American has been beseeched by a seemingly benign transformation that has led us astray from our national values and has led us to ignore our individual senses of right and wrong. The United States was founded upon the idea that if you are willing to workRead MorePostmodernism in Literature5514 Words   |  23 PagesArtists associated with Surrealism, which developed from Dadaism, continued experimentations with chance and parody while celebrating the flow of the subconscious. Andre Breton, the founder of Surrealism, suggested that automatism and the description of dreams should play a greater role in the creation of literature. He used automatism to create his novel Nadja and used photographs to replace description as a parody of the overly-descriptive novelists he often criticized. Surrealist Rene Magrittes experiments

Control Process in Management Free Essays

†¢ Home †¢ About Site †¢ Preserve Your Article †¢ Content Quality Guidelines †¢ Disclaimer †¢ TOS †¢ Contact Us †¢ Skip to content 4 main steps in control process in management 4 main steps in control process in management are: Control as a management function involves the following steps: 1. Establishing standards: Standards are criteria against which results are measured. They are norms to achieve the goals. We will write a custom essay sample on Control Process in Management or any similar topic only for you Order Now Standards are usually measured in terms of output. They can also be measured in non-monetary terms like loyalty, customer attraction, goodwill etc. Some of the standards are as. a. Time standards: The goal will be set on the basis of time lapse in performing a task. b. Cost standards: These indicate the financial expenditures involved per unit, e. g. material cost per unit, cost per person, etc. c. Income standards: These relate to financial rewards received due to a particular activity like sales volume per month, year etc. d. Market share: This relates to the share of the company’s product in the market. e. Productivity: Productivity can be measured on the basis of units produced per man hour etc. f. Profitability: These goals will be set with the consideration of cost per unit, market share, etc. 2. Measuring performance Measurement involves comparison between what is accomplished and what was intended to be accomplished. The measurement of actual performance must be in the units similar to those of predetermined criterion. The unit or the yardstick thus chosen be clear, well-defined and easily identified, and should be uniform and homogenous throughout the measurement process. The performance can be measured by the following steps: (a) Strategic control points: It is not possible to check everything that is being done. Feature article about  Production Management So it is necessary to pick strategic control points for measurement. Some of these points are: (i) Income: It is a significant control point and must be as much per unit of time as was expected. If the income is significantly off form the expectation then the reasons should be investigated and a corrective action taken. (ii) Expenses: Total and operational cost per unit must be computed and must be adhered to. Key expense data must be reviewed periodically. (iii) Inventory: Some minimum inventory of both the finished product as well as raw materials must be kept in stock as a buffer. Any change in inventory level would determine whether the production is to be increased or decreased. (iv) Quality of the product: Standards of established quality must be maintained especially in food processing, drug manufacturing, automobiles, etc. The process should be continuously observed for any deviations. (v) Absenteeism: Excessive absenteeism of personnel is a serious reflection on the environment and working conditions. Absenteeism in excess of chance expectations must be seriously investigated. (b) Meclzanised measuring devices: This involves a wide variant of technical instruments used for measurement of machine operations, product â€Å"quality for size and ingredients and production processes. These instruments may be mechanical, electronic or chemical in nature. (c) Ratio analysis: Ratio analysis is one of the most important management tools. It describes the relationship of one business variable to another. The following are some of the important ratios: i) Net sales to working capital: The working capital must be utilised adequately. If the inventory turnover is rapid then the same working capital can be used again and again. Hence for perishable goods, this ratio is high. Any change in ratio will signal a deviation from the norm. ii) Net sales to inventory: The greater the turnover of inventory, generally, the higher the profit on investment. iii) Current ratio: This is the ratio of current asset (cash, receivables etc. ) to current liabilities, and is used to determine a firm’s ability to pay the short term debts. iv) Net profits to net sale: This ratio measures the short-run profitability of a business. v) Net profits to tangible net worth: Net worth is the difference between tangible assets (not good will, etc) and total liabilities. This ratio of net worth is used to measure profitability over a long period. vi) Net profits to net working capital: The net-working capital is the operating capital at hand. This would determine the ability of the business to finance day-to-day operations. vii) Collection period on credit sales: The collection period should be as short as possible. Any deviation from established collection period should be promptly investigated. viii) Inventory to net working capital: This ratio is to determine the extent of working capital tied up in inventory. Generally, this ratio should be less than 80 per cent, ix) Total debt to tangible net worth: This ratio would determine the financial soundness of the business. This ratio should remain as low as possible. (d) Comparative statistical analysis: The operations of one company can be usefully compared with similar operations of another company or with industry averages. It is a very useful performance measuring device. (e) Personal observation: Personal observation both formal and informal can be used in certain situation as a measuring device for performances, specially, the performance of the personnel. The informal observation is generally a day-to-day routine type. A manager may walk through a store to have a general idea about how people are working. 3. Comparing the actual performance with expected performance This is the active principle of the process. The previous two, setting the goals and the measurement format are the preparatory parts of the process. It is the responsibility of the management to compare the actual performance against the standards established. This comparison is less complicate if the measurement units for the standards et and the performance measured are the same and quantified. The comparison becomes more difficult when these require subjective evaluations Ralph C. Davis identifies four phases in the comparison. 1. Receiving the raw data. 2. Accumulation, classification and recording of this information. 3. Periodic evaluation of completed action to date. 4. Reporting the status of accomplishment to higher line authority. At the third phase, deviations if any are noted between standards and performance. If clear cut deviations are there, then management must study the:- (i) Causes for deviation ii) Effect of deviation (iii) Size of deviation (iv) Positive or negative deviation. 4. Correcting Deviations: The final element in the process is the taking corrective action. Measuring and comparing performance, detecting shortcomings, failures or deviations, from plans will be of no avail if it does point to the needed corrective action. Thus controlling to be effective, should involve not only the detection of lapses but also probe into the failure spots, fixation of responsibility for the failures at the right quarters, recommendation of the best possible teps to correct them. These corrective actions must be applied when the work is in progress. The primary objective should be avoidance of such failures in future. The required corrective action can be determined from the qualified data as per the standards laid out and the performance evaluation already done. This step should be taken promptly, otherwise losses may be cumulative and remedial action will be all the more difficult to take. Corrective action must be well balanced, avoiding over controlling and at the same time letting not things to drift. You May Also Like: †¢ 3 Elements of an Organisation suggested by Allen †¢ 14 principles of management suggested by Fayol Advertisement Free Subscription Top of Form [pic][pic] Do you want some more information on this topic? Enter your email id: [pic][pic] Bottom of Form Do you like this site? If you enjoy reading PreserveArticles. com, please share this site with your friends.? Guidelines †¢ About Site †¢ Content Quality Guidelines †¢ Terms of Service †¢ Privacy Policy †¢ Disclaimer †¢ Copyright †¢ Recent Articles spellingerrors Report Spelling and Grammatical Errors Suggestions †¢ Suggest Us Testimonials †¢ Users Testimonials Preserve Articles is home of thousands of articles published and preserved by users like you. Here you can publish your research papers, essays, letters, stories, poetries, biographies, notes, reviews, advises and allied information with a single vision to liberate knowledge. Before preserving your article s on this site, please read the following pages: 1. Content Guidelines 2. TOS 3. Privacy Policy 4. Disclaimer 5. Copyright Search Articles Top of Form How to cite Control Process in Management, Essay examples

Rup vs Scrum free essay sample

We can still make an absolutely perfect product regarding its features, its internal quality and architecture, but if there is no room for it in the market it has no business value. Furthermore, it is pretty clear that Scrum is mainly focused on day-to-day tasks in contrast with RUP which approach the project as a whole from the beginning. Scrum uses a backlog where all the desirable features are gathered after several discussions and brainstorming with the Product Owner. This procedure happens before every Sprint and defines the next Spring backlog. Scrum is mostly concerned with team management and a little bit with requirements. Hence, there is no longterm project scope and estimations for project duration and costs are difficult. Scrum does not say much about releases or a project as a whole. Its main concern are the current and the next Sprints. On the other hand, RUP methodology has a clear formal definition of scope and major project deadlines are associated with specific dates. We will write a custom essay sample on Rup vs Scrum or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In RUP the project lifecycle is divided into 4 main phases. These are the Inception, elaboration, Construction and Transition phase. Requirements are pre-defined in contrast with Scrum, however they are called Vision. Despite the fact that the so called Vision, requests definition of requirements, RUP remains fully aware of their evolving nature and can adjust them anytime. Because all of the above statements, RUP’s documentation is heavy compared to Scrums. One more difference between the two methodologies is that project features are prioritized in Scrum according to Products Owner and Scrums team judgment. Ergo, the planning is mainly based in this prioritization. In contrast, iteration planning in RUP is also based on risk in addition to priority. Lastly, the formal profile of RUP make it suitable for really big projects which are tight on deadlines. On the other hand Scrum is more suitable for small and medium sized projects , although it can be applied on larger projects as well. The formalistic nature of RUP refers to the developers as â€Å"workers† in its manifesto. Scrums manifesto refers to them as team members and promotes a more team oriented environment. We could say that RUP is more bureaucratic and SCRUM is more democratic.

personal finances Essays - Economy, Finance, Money, Personal Finance

1 - Financial Position: this area is concerned with understanding the personal resources available by examining net worth and household cash flow. Net worth is a person's balance sheet, calculated by adding up all assets under that person's control, minus all liabilities of the household, at one point in time. Household cash flow totals up all the expected sources of income within a year, minus all expected expenses within the same year. From this analysis, the financial planner can determine to what degree and in what time the personal goals can be accomplished. 2 - Adequate Protection: the analysis of how to protect a household from unforeseen risks. These risks can be divided into liability, property, death, disability, health and long term care. Some of these risks may be self-insurable, while most will require the purchase of an insurance contract. Determining how much insurance to get, at the most cost effective terms requires knowledge of the market for personal insurance. Business owners, professionals, athletes and entertainers require specialized insurance professionals to adequately protect themselves. Since insurance also enjoys some tax benefits, utilizing insurance investment products may be a critical piece of the overall investment planning. 3 - Tax Planning: typically the income tax is the single largest expense in a household. Managing taxes is not a question of if you will pay taxes, but when and how much. Government gives many incentives in the form of tax deductions and credits, which can be used to reduce the lifetime tax burden. Most modern governments use a progressive tax. Typically, as your income grows, you pay a higher marginal rate of tax. Understanding how to take advantage of the myriad tax breaks when planning your personal finances can make a significant impact upon your success. 4 - Investment and Accumulation Goals: planning how to accumulate enough money to acquire items with a high price is what most people consider to be financial planning. The major reasons to accumulate assets is for the following: a - purchasing a house b - purchasing a car c - starting a business d - paying for education expenses e - accumulating money for retirement, to generate a stream of income to cover lifestyle expenses. Achieving these goals requires projecting what they will cost, and when you need to withdraw funds. A major risk to the household in achieving their accumulation goal is the rate of price increases over time, or inflation. Using net present value calculators, the financial planner will suggest a combination of asset earmarking and regular savings to be invested in a variety of investments. In order to overcome the rate of inflation, the investment portfolio has to get a higher rate of return, which typically will subject the portfolio to a number of risks. Managing these portfolio risks is most often accomplished using asset allocation, which seeks to diversify investment risk and opportunity. This asset allocation will prescribe a percentage allocation to be invested in stocks, bonds, cash and alternative investments. The allocation should also take into consideration the personal risk profile of every investor, since risk attitudes vary from person to person. 5 - Retirement Planning: retirement planning is the process of understanding how much it costs to live at retirement, and coming up with a plan to distribute assets to meet any income shortfall. can leave your assets to family, friends or charitable groups.

Pleonasm Definition and Examples in English

Pleonasm Definition and Examples in English Pleonasm is the use of more words than are necessary to make a point. Pleonasm may serve as a rhetorical strategy to emphasize an idea or image. Used unintentionally, it may also be viewed as a stylistic fault. Etymology: From the Greek, excessive, abundant Examples and Observations: The most unkindest cut of all.(William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar)In the farmhouse I saw, with my own eyes, this sight: there was a man, of young age and graceful proportion, whose body had been torn limb from limb. The torso was here, an arm there, a leg there. . . .All this I saw with my own eyes, and it was the most fearsome sight I ever witnessed. (Michael Chrichton, Eaters of the Dead. Random House, 1976)These terrible things I have seen with my own eyes, and I have heard with my own ears, and touched with my own hands.(Isabel Allende, City of the Beasts. Rayo, 2002)As a rhetorical figure, [a pleonasm] gives an utterance an additional semantic dimension, as in Hamlets dictum about his father: He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again (Shakespeare. Hamlet, I.2.186-187), where man contains the semantic markers ( human) and ( male) contained in father and he, but according to the context it has the specific meaning ideal man.(Heinrich F. Plett, Ple onasm, in Encyclopedia of Rhetoric. Oxford Univ. Press, 2001) pleonasm. Term in rhetoric for repetition or superfluous expression. Hence, in grammar, a category is sometimes said to be represented pleonastically if it is realized by more than one affix, word, etc.(P.H. Matthews, Oxford Concise Dictionary of Linguistics. Oxford Univ. Press, 1997)Ears pierced while you wait.I forgot my PIN number for the ATM machine.Many tautological (or tautologous) expressions occur in everyday usage. The tautology in some is immediately apparent: all well and good; to all intents and purposes; cool, calm, and collected . . .. In others, it is less obvious, because they contain archaic elements: by hook or by crook.(Tom McArthur, The Oxford Companion to the English Language. Oxford Univ. Press, 1992)George Carlins Department of Pleonasms and RedundanciesI needed a new beginning, so I decided to pay a social visit to a personal friend with whom I share the same mutual objectives and who is one of the most unique individuals I have ever personally met. The end re sult was an un ­expected surprise. When I reiterated again to her the fact that I needed a fresh start, she said I was exactly right; and, as an added plus, she came up with a fi ­nal solution that was absolutely perfect.Based on her past experience, she felt we needed to join together in a com ­mon bond for a combined total of twenty-four hours a day, in order to find some new initiatives. What a novel innovation! And, as an extra bonus, she presented me with the free gift of a tuna fish. Right away I noticed an immedi ­ate positive improvement. And although my recovery is not totally complete, the sum total is I feel much better now knowing I am not uniquely alone.(George Carlin, Count the Superfluous Redundant Pleonastic Tautologies. When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops? Hyperion, 2004) Dougan uses many words where few would do, as if pleonasm were a way of wringing every possibility out of the material he has, and stretching sentences a form of spreading the word.(Paula Cocozza, review of How Dynamo Kiev Beat the Luftwaffe, in The Independent, March 2, 2001)Its dà ©j vu all over again.(attributed to Yogi Berra) See also: BattologyCommon RedundanciesGeorge Carlins Essential DrivelRedundancyRepetitionTautology

B-25 Mitchell in World War II

B-25 Mitchell in World War II The evolution of the North American B-25 Mitchell began in 1936 when the company began work on its first twin-engine military design. Dubbed the NA-21 (later NA-39), this project produced an aircraft that was of all-metal construction and powered by a pair of Pratt Whitney R-2180-A Twin Hornet engines. A mid-wing monoplane, the the NA-21 was intended to carry a payload of 2,20o lbs. of bombs with range of around 1,900 miles. Following its first flight in December 1936, North American modified the aircraft to correct several minor issues. Re-designated the NA-39, it was accepted by the US Army Air Corps as the XB-21 and entered into competition the following year against an improved version of the Douglas B-18 Bolo. Further altered during the trials, the North American design proved to have consistently superior performance to its competitor, but cost significantly more per aircraft ($122,000 vs. $64,000). This led to the USAAC passing on the XB-21 in favor of what became the B-18B. Development Utilizing the lessons learned from the project, North American moved forward with a new design for a medium bomber which was dubbed the NA-40. This was spurred on in March 1938 by USAAC circular 38-385 which called for a medium bomber capable of carrying a payload of 1,200 lbs. a distance of 1,200 miles while maintaining a speed of 200 mph. First flying in January 1939, it proved under-powered. This issue was soon remedied through the use of two Wright R-2600 Twin Cyclone engines. The improved version of the aircraft, the NA-40B, was placed into competition with entries from Douglas, Stearman, and Martin, where it performed well but failed to secure an USAAC contract. Seeking to take advantage of Britain and Frances need for a medium bomber during the early days of World War II, North American intended to build the NA-40B for export. These attempts failed when both countries elected to move forward with a different aircraft. In March 1939, as the NA-40B was competing, the USAAC issued another specification for a medium bomber requiring a payload of 2,400 lbs., range of 1,200 miles, and a speed of 300 mph. Further revising their NA-40B design, North American submitted the NA-62 for evaluation. Due to a pressing need for medium bombers, the USAAC approved the design, as well as the Martin B-26 Marauder, without conducting the usual prototype service tests. A prototype of the NA-62 first flew on August 19, 1940. Design Production Designated B-25 Mitchell, the aircraft was named for Major General Billy Mitchell. Featuring a distinctive twin tail, early variants of the B-25 also incorporated a greenhouse-style nose which contained the bombardiers position. They also possessed a tail gunner position at the rear of the aircraft. This was eliminated in the B-25B while a manned dorsal turret was added along with a remotely operated ventral turret. Around 120 B-25Bs were built with some going to the Royal Air Force as the Mitchell Mk.I. Improvements continued and the first type to be mass-produced was the B-25C/D. This variant increased the aircrafts nose armament and saw the addition of improved Wright Cyclone engines. Over 3,800 B-25C/Ds were produced and many saw service with other Allied nations. As the need for effective ground support/attack aircraft increased, the B-25 frequently received field modifications to fulfill this role. Acting on this, North American devised the B-25G which increased the number of guns on the aircraft and included the mounting of a 75 mm cannon in a new solid nose section. These alterations were refined in the B-25H. In addition to a lighter 75 mm cannon, the B-25H mounted four .50-cal. machine guns below the cockpit as well as four more in cheek blisters. The aircraft saw the return of the tail gunner position and the addition of two waist guns. Capable of carrying 3,000 lbs. of bombs, the B-25H also possessed hard points for eight rockets. The final variant of the aircraft, the B-25J, was a cross between the B-25C/D and the G/H. It saw the removal of the 75 mm gun and the return of the open nose, but the retention of the machine gun armament. Some were built with a solid nose and an increased armament of 18 machine guns. B-25J Mitchell Specifications: General Length: 52 ft. 11 in.Wingspan: 67 ft. 6 in.Height: 17 ft. 7 in.Wing Area: 610 sq. ft.Empty Weight: 21,120 lbs.Loaded Weight: 33,510 lbs.Crew: 6 Performance Power Plant: 2 Ãâ€" Wright R-2600 Cyclone radials, 1,850 hpCombat Radius: 1,350 milesMax Speed: 275 mphCeiling: 25,000 ft. Armament Guns: 12-18 Ãâ€" .50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine gunsBombs: 6,000 lbs. max. or 8 x 5 rockets 3,000 lbs. bombs Operational History The aircraft first came to prominence in April 1942 when Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle used modified B-25Bs in his raid on Japan. Flying from the carrier USS Hornet (CV-8) on April 18, Doolittles 16 B-25s struck targets in Tokyo, Yokohama, Kobe, Osaka, Nagoya, and Yokosuka before flying on to China. Deployed to most theaters of the war, the B-25 saw service in the Pacific, North Africa, China-India-Burma, Alaska, and the Mediterranean. Though effective as a level medium bomber, the B-25 proved particularly devastating in Southwest Pacific as a ground attack aircraft. Modified B-25s routinely conducted skip bombing and strafing attacks against Japanese ships and ground positions. Serving with distinction, the B-25 played key roles in Allied victories such as the Battle of the Bismarck Sea. Employed throughout the war, the B-25 was largely retired from frontline service at its conclusion. Though known as a forgiving aircraft to fly, the type did cause some hearing loss problems among crews due to engine noise issues. In the years after the war, the B-25 was used by a number of foreign nations.

Journal 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Journal 2 - Essay Example Such privacy is protected by law and through electronic means. For example, electronic financial information can be protected through Personal Identification Numbers (PIN). It is a process through which a mortgage lender repossess the property used as collateral for a loan. The lender usually auctions that property or retains ownership rights due to a default by the loaned. The main objective of a foreclosure is to obtain the principle amount and also the accrued interest. The process of foreclosure is legal and sanctioned by court. The borrower is given a specific grace period in which he or she can make payment and avoid foreclosure. An example of a foreclosure is when a person uses a house as collateral for a loan and defaults in payments. The lender then seeks foreclosure by selling the house to obtain the balance and other payments. A franchise is a legal right or privilege that is officially accorded to an individual or entity to offer certain goods or services at a specific place and time. The franchise is strictly governed by guidelines that are defined under the agreement. An example to illustrate the terms can be sourced from the MacDonalds fast food franchise. The firm (franchisor) offers licenses or enters into trade agreements (franchises) with various entities (franchisees) around the world to offer products and services under its own name. The board of directors is a group of people who are elected to establish corporate management policies and practices in regard to the activities of the company. The board jointly runs the affairs of a company and is tasked with making decisions on major issues such as hiring terms, assessing the work of executives and shareholder dividends. The board of directors is formed by the organizations bylaws and regulated by a higher authority that has no interest in the firm to ensure the rationality of decisions. The activities of the board of directors are guided by the type,