Is deception ever justified

Deception is sometimes justified. People shouldn't be satisfied with themselves sees when they play this card every time they can, but it is true that sometimes it is require red. It shouldn't be used following a mean purpose as human ethic dictates; Actually it dictate s that lies shouldn't even exist in our thoughts. However people deceive, ignoring with t hat action this principle. The best relationships are based in always telling the truth.That can get us star Eng ointment towards friends or causes, so strong that we would be willing to lie to protect them. Lying in order to cover a friend or an important cause is often consider De as a good action depending on the scenario. Jose Marti, the most remarkable character I n Cuban History, once said that there are some things that in order to realize them you have to keep them in the shadows. Moreover, probably he had to lie one or two times to ca err on with the Cuban revolution after all, but no one would dare to say that he was a mean an just because of that.The feeling of guiltiness when you lie must not be lost. If that happen You'll g et used to the shortcuts that a lie can provide, and therefore become ‘addict' to it. Yes, lying deliberately can get those who don't know when it's better to say the truth in a hole eve hard to come out . Like a friend I have that is always customizing his stories making g them so glorious that seem out of this world. At the end we always discover that those stories are lies, ND he is trying to make us think that he is amazing. Ultimately we just stoop De believing what he said; whether it is true or not. Now, it is so hard to trust in whatever came out of his mouth. There is the difference between using deception because it's necessary and f or a major good, or because you like it. I would like to believe that will always tell the true the, unless there is a life or death matter on the table that requires me to lie, of course.

Brain and Social Learning Theory Essay

1. What aspect of behaviorism made it attractive to critics of the psychoanalytic perspective? How did Piaget’s theory respond to a major limitation of behaviorism? Psychoanalytic theory emphasized on the individual’s unique life. However the theory was criticized because many of its ideas were too vague to be measured or tested for. They mainly focused on case studies. Behaviorism studied directly observable behaviors through stimuli and responses, thus allowing researchers to be measure and test behaviors. Piaget’s theory acknowledged the biological aspect of learning in a child’s development, which was a major limitation in behaviorism. He also argued that children take an active part in their learning. 2. Although social learning theory focuses on social development and Piaget’s theory on cognitive development, each has enhanced our understanding of other domains. Mention an additional domain addressed by each theory. Social learning theory is also known as imitation or observable learning, it is a powerful source of development. Bandura made huge contributions to the social learning theory. His experiment explained the reasoning behind why children modeled others. Children imitated others based on their history of reinforcement or punishment for a behavior. He then revised his theory because cognition also played a huge role in this theory. He theory soon to be known as the social-cognitive theory. Social-cognition theory ​is the view that people learn by watching others. In  psychology, it explains personality in terms of how a person thinks about and responds to one’s social environment​. Children gradually become more selective with imitation because through watching others self-praise or self blame and through feedback, a child develops personal standards and self-efficacy. (belief that their own abilities will help them succeed). In Piaget’s cognitive-developmen t, a social aspect can be recognized in his stages. He believed that children’s learning depended on reinforces, for example rewards from adults. Piaget  believed that as the brain develops, a child’s experience expands. He characterized these stages into four broader stages based on distinct ways of thinking (sensorimotor/preoperational/concrete operational/formal operational). Not only did he explore how children understood the physical world, but he also looked into their reasoning of the social world. Through developing the stages, it also sparked the research for how children saw themselves, other people and human relationship. 3. A 4-year-old becomes frightened of the dark and refuses to go to sleep at night. How would a psychoanalyst and a behaviorist differ in their views of how this problem developed? A psychoanalyst believes that fears are from experienced events or the fear is a symbol of something that happened in the past. So if a child was afraid of the dark maybe the child was left at a young age and is afraid of being alone. Freud theorized that all phobias are a direct result of unresolved conflicts between the id and the superego. The id is the part of our brains that acts solely based on emotions, while the superego is our conscience, the part of our brain that acts based on value judgementsÍ ¾ acting contrarily to the judgements of the superego will create a sense of guilt, and  that sense of guilt can lead to unwanted behavior, like phobic behavior. More specifically, Freud theorized that phobias result from the superego repressing the desires of the id, and one of the most common repressions is the desire. A behaviorist believes that a child acts a certain way due to a response that has been rewarded. In other words if the child acts scared of the dark, he or she is expecting to be able to have a light on or be comforted by the adult. That is what happened the previous time. According to a behaviorist the way a child reacts to something can be ultimately affected by conditioning. To explain why the child has now become afraid of the dark, many would look to the parents for an answer. If the child relates an event or occurrence that happened in the dark it may then cause a long lasting fear in that child’s mind. An example could be something as simple as a book that the child’s father read about monster’s under the bed which could then  lead the child to believe that there really are monster’s under their own bed. A behaviorist would suggest for the parent to reassure the child that being in the dark is in fact not scary and reinforce the idea until the child lets go of this fear. Behaviorists will want to diffuse the behavior and then educate the child on how to control that behavior. 4. Explain how each of the following recent theoretical perspective regards children as active contributors to their own development: information-processing, evolutionary developmental psychology, Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, ecological systems theory, and dynamic systems perspective. ââ€"  Information processing – The theory states that at the time information is presented to the senses at input until it emerges as a behavioral response at output. The information we obtain is continuously being coded for, transformed and organized. Therefore children actively engage in thinking processes where they decided what action they should pursue for the task they are accomplishing. ââ€"  Evolutionary development – Focuses on seeking understanding the adaptive values of species-wide cognitive, emotional and social competencies as they change with age. Evolutionary psychologist believes that human’s large brain and extended childhood resulted from the need to master complexities of human group life. Therefore, newborns play an active role as they continue to grow and explore the world around them. The brain continues to be stimulated through experiences that contribute to many other factors such as emotion and social interaction. ââ€"  Vygotsky’s Sociocultural theory – Children actively acquire their ways of thinking and behavior that make up community’s culture through social interaction. In particular through conversation with knowledgeable members of society. Adults and peers help children master culturally meaningful events. Children are active and constructive beings, but in regards to Vygotsky’s theory, cognitive development relies more so on social interaction. ââ€"  Ecological Systems Theory – Focuses on a bidirectional  relationship between the child and aspects in his environment from four levels: the microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and macrosystem. The child is an active contributor to their environment through the bi-directionality of their relationship with their environment. For example, an  easy-going and happy child will receive more positive stimulation from their parents, and other aspects of the environment. ââ€"  dynamic systems perspective- It is a system that combines the child’s mind, body and physical and social worlds form an integrated system that guides mastery of new skills. Stage like transformations occur as children reorganized their behavior so components of the system work as a functioning whole. 5. Why might a researcher choose structured observation over naturalistic observation? How about the reverse? What might lead the researcher to opt for clinical interviewing over systematic observation? Researchers may choose structured observation over naturalistic observation due to their ability to control the experiment. In naturalistic observations, researchers are limited to observe particular behavior in everyday life, due to the limitations of this technique. By setting up a laboratory situation, structured observations allow the researchers are able to evoke the behavior of interest and also allowing participants an equal opportunity for them to display the reaction. One would choose clinical interviewing over systematic observation for several reasons. Clinical interviewing allows participants to think as close as possible to their everyday lives and large amounts of information can be collected in a short period of time. Whereas in systematic observation the accuracy of the study can be reduced by observer influence and observer bias. 6. Explain why, although a research method must be reliable to be valid, reliability ​ does not  guarantee ​  validity.  Reliability is referred to consistency or repeatability of a measures of behavior. In order to be reliable, observations and evaluations cannot be unique to a single observer. Reliability does not guarantee validity, because reliability cannot be measured. For it to be a valid study, the experiment must be able to be measured. Often times, it is difficult to measure clinical and ethnographic studies because it does not yield quantitative scores. In order to guarantee validity researchers must examine the content of the observations and self-reports to make sure all behaviors of interest are included. In regards to research designs, there are two broader types of validity used. Internal validity refers to the participant influencing the result, but not any other unwanted variable. Whereas external validity refers to the extent that research can b e generalized or extended to others. 7. Why are natural experiments less precise than laboratory and field experiments? Often times when researchers cannot randomly assign participants or manipulate conditions in the real world, they use the natural experiment to avoid these limitations. Natural experiment use treatments that already exist, which are compared. The participants are carefully picked for groups in order to get the most similar characteristic. Creating an opportunity for the desired situation can prove problematic in a naturalistic experiment.. There also isn’t a way to have a control in a natural experiment, so the results cannot be compared as easily. Natural experiments are less precise because it is harder to isolate one variable than in a laboratory or field experiment. In field experiments, participants are randomly assigned to treatment condition in a natural setting. However in laboratory experiments, researchers assigned participants equally to two or more treatment conditions. There are two variables being tested for, independent and dependent variables. They are categorized through events and behaviors of interest. 8. Explain how cohort effects can distort the findings of both longitudinal and cross-sectional studies. How does the sequential design reveal cohort effects? The cohort effects both longitudinal and cross-sectional studies because it dismisses their findings because it does not represent the entire population. In longitudinal studies, there are chances of a bias sampling therefore the participants in this particular experiment may only represent  the population who are interested in this experiment. Often times, selective attrition takes place where participants either drop out or withdrawal from the experiment. Longitudinal may study different ages over time, but it does not take into consideration of the participants in different cultures. Whereas in the cross-sectional studies, it doesn’t account for an individual’s development, since people are studied in groups this causes a cohort effect. Through sequential design, cohort effects can be dismissed by comparing multiple experiments which present the same ages at different years. If both longitudinal and cross-sectional studies are similar, comparisons of both experiments can too be compared and further adding confidence to the data. 9. Cite evidence indicating that both heredity and environment contribute to the development of children with PKU and Down syndrome.  PKU is caused by the inheritance of two recessive alleles which causes inhibit individuals from digesting the amino acid, phenylalanine. If left untreated, the child can become mentally retarded by the of age 1. However, in the US, all babies are given a blood test for PKU and if the disease is found, the child is placed on a diet low in phenylalanine. Even the smallest amount of phenylalanine can be damaging. Children with PKU often show deficits in cognitive skills like memory, planning, decision making, and problem solving. If the diet low in phenylalanine is kept persistent than those affected by PKU can show average intelligence and normal development. st​  Down Syndrome is caused by inheriting an extra 21​  chromosome. Brian studies of those affected  by down syndrome shows reduced brain size, along with mental retardation, memory, and speech problems, and slow motor development. Most individuals affected by down syndrome who live over the age of 40 usually contract alzheimer’s, which is linked to the 21st chromosome. Environmental factors that could affect down syndrome are the mother’s age and health. Children with Down syndrome smile less readily, show poor eye contact, and explore less than those without. For this reason, it is very important for caregivers to encourage their child to be more engaged in their  surroundings. This encouragement can help them to develop better. These children also benefit from intervention programs, which helps them develop better socially and emotionally, however not as much intellectually. 10. Referring to ecological systems theory, explain why parents of children with genetic disorders often experience increased stress. What factors, within and beyond the family, can help these parents support their children’s development? In the ecological system, the relationship between the child and and the parents (part of the mesosystem) is seen as bidirectional. The parent’s of child with genetic disorders would feel increased pressure and stress from their child, because the may demand more from their  environment. The parents can benefit from support from third parties outside of their system. However, its also important that parents receive support within their system, their spouse. Children with genetic disorders tend to have behavioral issues that could affect their parent’s marriage. If the parents have an unstable relationship, it can cause problems for the child. If the parents have a stable relationship, than more positive attitudes will be proj ected towards the child. Positive attitudes will positively impact the child’s development. It is also helpful for a family to have a positive neighborhood connections and environment, especially in low income families, for support. 11. Why is the period of the embryo regarded as the most dramatic prenatal period? Why is the period of the fetus called the â€Å"growth and finishing† phase? The period of the embryo is regarded as the most dramatic prenatal period because this is the most rapid prenatal changes. During this stage, the groundwork is laid out for all body structures and internal organs. Since all parts are developing, this would be consider the most vulnerable stage for the embryo and it would be most susceptible to teratogens and serious defects. The period of the fetus is referred to as growth and finishing phase because this is the stage in where the organism is rapidly growing in size. Not only will the organism grow rapidly in size during the fetus period, but towards the end of pregnancy will mark the finishing product after the fetus is fully grown. the muscle and nervous system become more refined. Sex of the fetus can also be detected. 12. How  is brain development related to fetal capacities and behavior? What implications do individual differences in fetal behavior have for the baby’s temperament after birth? The human brain is not fully developed at birthÍ ¾ much human brain development continues after birth. Nevertheless, a baby is not a blank slateÍ ¾ they come equipped with a surprising range of abilities and capacities. Babies have the beginnings of sophisticated sensory capabilitiesÍ ¾ sensitive to range of frequencies of women’s voicesÍ ¾ sensitive sense of smell. Brain development is related to fetal capacities and behavior because babies come into the world with a built-in learning capacities that permits them to only profit from experience immediately. Infants are only capable of two basic forms of learning, classical and operant learning. They also learn through natural preferences for novel stimulation and eventually through observing others. Infants have an impressive statistical learning where they can rapidly analyze speech stream for patterns. The acquire a stock of speech structures for which they will later learn meanings, long before they can start to talk. Immediately after birth, babies demonstrate differences in temperament (inclination to engage in a certain style of behavior) †¢ Approach (react positively to new stimuli) vs. withdrawal (react negatively to new stimuli, i.e.: cry, fuss, etc.) †¢ Easy (don’t cry as often, not as demanding) vs. difficult (fussy, demanding) †¢ Some aspects of temperament tend to remain stable over the course of development, as a result of early nurturing experiences 13. What is epigenesis, and how does it differ from gene–environment interaction and gene–environment correlation? Provide an example of each.  Gene-environment interaction means that because of a person’s genetic-makeup, individuals differ in responses to qualities environment. For example, in an experiment to test intelligence, Ben would score a higher score as the stimulus was enriched, whereas Linda’s would rise and then fall sharply due to the enriched stimulus and Ron would only respond to the environment as it becomes more stimulating. Gene-environment correlation is a concept that states our that our genes  influence our environments. There are three categories to explain this idea. Passive correlation refers to a child having no control over their genes and the environment. Instead, parents play a huge role in passive correlation for they may encourage their to be athletic because they both grew up playing sports, thus assuming their child would too have the same preference. Evocative correlation refers to the responses a child elicit from others are influenced through heredity. Thus this stimulation strengthens the child’s original style. For example an active baby will gain more attention and social stimulation than a child who is passive and quiet. Active correlation refers to children being actively engaged in their experience and environment. This is process that is described as niche-picking. Both of these theories focus on a one direction exchange. Epigenesis sees development as a bidirectional exchange, the environment influencing the genes and the genes influencing the environment. For example, an aggression gene found on the X chromosome in males showed no correlation of them being more aggressive than the ones without the gene, UNLESS, the child with the gene was exposed to child abuse. The combination of both the gene and the environmental factors contribute to the expression of aggression. The more aggressive a child acts, the more maternal anger or criticism they would receive, this shows how the environment can act on a gene and vice versa. External and internal stimulation both affect the expression of a gene. 14. How do the diverse capacities of newborn babies contribute to their first social relationships? Newborns are considered to have plastic brains because they are able to mold into their environment or recover from traumatic experiences due to the plasticity of their brain. Neurons are yet assigned a location in the brain to perform specific functions, therefore their first social interaction is crucial in the first few moments that newborns are brought into the world. Their first social relationship is extremely important to create a bond with whom the child first meets, for example, their mother. 15. Cite evidence that motor development is a joint product of biological, psychological, and environmental factors.  Environmental – Parental encouragement plays a huge role in a child’s  motivation to complete the task they set forth to accomplish. With constant praise and reinforcement, a child will continue to strive to complete more tasks. As new skills are being acquired, there is a joint process occurring  when mastery these motor skills. The central nervous system, body movement capacities, the goal the child has in mind and the environment supports the skill being developed. Biologically – In the early weeks of life brain and body growth are especially important as infants achieve control over the head, shoulders, and upper torso. Psychological – Through curiosity, a baby will be motivated to explore their surroundings, therefore desiring to master new task. A baby’s goal to get a toy or crossing the room will motivate them to accomplish the task. Through multiple attempts and practice, the infant will eventually master that particular motor skill and continue to integrate and redefined their already mastered skill. 16. Explain why either too much stimulation or too little stimulation over an extended time negatively disrupts early development.  Early stimulation and late stimulation can both be harmful to newborns. Early stimulation on newborns can enhance one specific skill, but also hinder many other skills in future development. Stimulation too late in development can also hinder skills because they lag behind other developmenting babies due the lack of stimulation. This refers to the developmental aspect of the brain where pruning occurs. Information that is not stimulated enough that is crucial for further development will be negatively affected. 17. What implications do findings on children from Eastern European orphanages have for the controversy over the lasting impact of early experiences on development? Studies done on children adopted from Romanian orphanages show significant findings in their physical and cognitive development. The majority of the orphans adopted before 6 months that were adopted all catch up in physical and cognitive development. Whereas, babies who were adopted after the 6 months period were unable to catch up physically and cognitively, which subsequently impaired their intellectual  abilities. Thus the findings found indicate that early, prolonged institualization leads to a generalized reduction in activity in the cerebral cortex, especially in the prefrontal cortex which governs complex cognition and impulse control. 18. How does stimulation affect brain development? Cite evidence at the level of neurons and at the level of the cerebral cortex. Stimulation is vital when the brain is growing most rapidly. Stimulation allows the neurons to create synapses within the brain to stored newly learned information. However, information which are continually stimulated will more likely to remain in long term memory rather those that are not, also known as pruning Formation of synapses are most rapid during the first 2 years, especially in auditory, visual and language areas. The cerebral cortex is the largest brain structure and the last structure to stop growing, therefore it is the more sensitive to environmental influences. It also contains the greatest number of neurons and synapses. The prefrontal is responsible for movement and thought, this particular area in the brain undergoes rapid myelination and formation and pruning  of synapses during preschool and school years also followed by another accelerated growth in adolescence, when it reaches an adult level of synaptic connections.

Car Accident Essay Example for Free (#3)

Car Accident Essay Peter is nice man and a hard worker, but he is careless about his wife and family, his wife Carteria take care all the housework, he has been two month did not go home , he was on a business trip, when he arrived at home, Carteria is not at home , he look at his watch , it is already seven pm, Carteria should be at home with diner really. He makes a phone call to his wife, but no one pick up. He grap a buttle of water sit on sofa turn on the TV wait his wife to come home. he is tired from the work. Eventually he fall in sleep on sofa. When he wake up it already ten am at morning and he realize Carteria has not come home. He start to worry about her, keep calling her but no one pick up the phone. It was never happen befor, he try to find any number relate to Carteria,except her number he can not find anything, all the number are about his work, what is happen to her, he start nerves. He never care about her like that. He just tell himself she is going to be ok, she may just hang out with some friend, and forget about time, because Peter is not with her all the time, maybe she just feel longly sometime. All he has to do just be patience wait. He decide to sit on sofa to release his nerves, at same time he turn on the TV, he peer at photo just on the TV stander, he never know there is a photo. The picture is he and Carteria with lovely smile on the park. A news attract his attention, it is a car accident happen on a few block a way from his home yesterday. â€Å"Oh no no no, not her† Peter say . â€Å"A 42 years old man die in the accident† he shut off the TV and say â€Å"thanks god it is not happen her† he feels so release, he take out photo album and look at it. It remind his good memory with Carteria. He has been long time did not go out with his wife. Now he think about when she come back, he going to have a trip with her. Suddenly the door is open Carteria come back, Peter stand up from sofa and walk to the door, look at her with a happy face, he wants to say happy to see you again, but he does not finish what he say, because Carteria s face looks so sad something bad happen to her and the face can tell she has been cry, the tear still on her eyes. Then Peter just say â€Å"Hi what is happen to you† he does not answer it. She just take off her shoes, â€Å"where have you been ? † Peter say, she does not even look at him and walk straight to the room lock the door. Peter can hear Carteria is crying so hard in the room. Peter has no idear what is going on. He knock the door â€Å"what is happen to you† Peter ask, she does not answer it. Peter sits beside the door, wait when she gets better come out and ask her what happen about her. How long has she cry, peter can not remember Carterian come out ,she still does not talk to peter. She gets in to the car, peter sit beside her. Carteria drive the car. Finally they arrived at a funeral, â€Å"whom funeral is that† say peter. The most of member are his family and friends. When they walk close, Peter shock by the funeral. That is his own funeral, his name on the tombstone. Carteria cry again. Flash back Peter suddenly remember the car accident happen a few blocks a way from his home. It is he on his way go home hit by a car, and Carteria spend all night with him. He does not know she love him so much, but right now he has no chance to love her back. Car Accident. (2016, Dec 14).

Individual Behavior and Communication Paper Essay - 1

Individual Behavior and Communication Paper - Essay Example Additionally, they also look into aspects such as personality and awareness, mind-set and job satisfaction of individuals, group potential, politics in the organization, influence of leadership, stress, decision-making processes, the communications chain, and company cultures and climates. Scientists have tried to study all these elements and its impact on individuals, groups, and organizational efficiency and effectiveness (Encyclopedia of Small Business, 2007). An organization can succeed if the individuals working in have a good focus and have mutual understanding. However, different individual represent different personalities and individual differences play an important role in behavior. While some of these characteristic may be hereditary such as gender, ethnicity, and the way a person looks, other characters are acquired from the environment like religious affiliation and value or attitude differences. All these factors work in various combinations to have an influence on human behavior. Most of them have suggested that all these difference can be effectively managed through good communication. When we communicate effectively with another person we have an opportunity to move that relationship to the second step, which is real understanding. This can lead to the third step in the relationship of mutual respect. A respecting relationship demands each person to contribute enough respect that it can be reciprocated back from the other person. Unilateral respect in relationships is temporary and superficial. Mutual respect that can lead to trust is much deeper and must come from communicated understanding. Once a relationship has experienced mutual respect it is possible for the participants to experience enduring relational trust. This is a feeling that binds people together over time and through trials. The absence of trust causes confusion, worry, inaction and fear (Buzzle.com, 2006). Management plays an important

Spying on Americans by government Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Spying on Americans by government - Essay Example The answer lies in one word, control (Boghosian, 34). Dictatorial governments have always sought to have a comprehensive level of surveillance. As a result, they want to be acquainted with what is going on, who is getting-together with whom, what the conversation is about, and what they are planning. With all this, they acquire control over their people. They can discover traitors and insurgents, they can gain access to those who fight or plot against them, and they can put out the strategies of their opponents before they gather adequate momentum to cause a real effect to the country. These reasons have been central to pretty much every domineering regime all through history. It is worth noting that the competences of the Internet, in specific of Internet scrutiny, offer promises beyond the visions of the dictators of yesteryear. Nevertheless, it is not only despots who like surveillance, or reasonably, it is not just those whom we tag as ‘despots’ who like it. It is any person who necessitates more control. These are peo ple who think that things are spinning out of control. It is those apprehensive with ‘public order’. It is those alarmed by ‘protest’. That, dejectedly, points towards all governments currently, even that in the UK (Raban 55). John Yoo defends the NSA actions of surveillance of domestic communication by stating that the 4th amendment ought not to apply to military coupled with intelligence agencies. Furthermore, he tries to claim that the "mistakes" are healthy in any society. Therefore, law enforcements are allowed to make mistakes. This is seen when he states that local law enforcement makes these faults too. Police seek licenses for the wrong guy, implement a hunt in the wrong house, capture the wrong suspect, and even shoot defenseless suspects. We consent these mistakes because we comprehend that no law-enforcement organizations can successfully defend our communities from

Criminal court process in United Kingdom Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Criminal court process in United Kingdom - Essay Example After being arrested, you are charged with a crime hence you will be booked for appearance in a court of law. The charge sheet will contain the offence that one is charged with. I f the charge has different counts; this will also be reflected therein.   Being booked in usually involves being photographed, fingerprints taken, and disclosure of personal information. The officials will then add your name and the crime committed into the official police record. Personal belongings will be taken from you and kept safely until you come out of custody. You will be asked to sign an inventory after this. Court/ TrialLargest percentages of criminal cases get adjudicated in the magistrate’s court.   A children’s court exists as a type of a magistrate’s court (Banks, 2013.p7.). In the magistrate courts, there are exists three magistrates although at times the case is adjudicated by a single magistrate (Criminal Prosecution Service).   Then there are crown courts that a djudicate fewer cases and the cases referred to this court involve;†¢Ã‚  Instances where the accused has intimated that their case be adjudicated by that court†¢Ã‚  Cases referred by magistrates because of the gravity of their sentence, which cannot be passed in the lower court.The other set of courts involve the Court of appeal that may adjudicate appeals emanating from the crown’s court. The other set of court is the House of Lords. Judges in these courts have to ensure that they take up their tasks expeditiously to ensure that they bestow justice to every person.

Launching new product Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Launching new product - Essay Example Items like Sandwiches are very much into the ordering list of the customers. These sandwiches, burgers were found to be major source of excess calories and fat which elevates the normal physic to obese. Recently these alarming issues has spurred up many fast food retail chain to gear up for new food products which are low calories and low fat content. Keeping in view the changes in the food choice it is essential for any food outlet to introduce a new and innovated product to retain and enhance the performance of the food chain. Panera has conceptualized a new sandwich with new features to entice the health conscious customers. The Panera management basically concentrated on reducing the fat and calories contents of the Sandwiches. The sandwiches needs to served with thin slices of meat loafs with more vegetables with fibre contents and less fat. The vegetables will certainly increase the weight of the sandwich and regulate the fat and calorie content thus making it more health conscious food. The sandwiches components can be encouraged for big catering places like schools and college. As providing healthy food can be an added feature for any institution we need to oblige the managements to include our product. When we are catering our products to youth we need to concentrate more on garnish to make it look as a trendy dish. Garnishing with vegetables like carrots, leafy vegetables makes it more colorful and provides health food.

Terms good and bad Death Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Terms good and bad Death - Essay Example Green agrees with the classification of good and bad death. He further points out that both types of death are accompanied by varied degrees of grief. So what constitutes a good or bad death? According to Green a good death occurs when one is at peace with himself/herself and has accepted the inevitable occurrence. Think of an old person in a nursing home who has lived his/her life to the fullest and has even written a will. Such a person most probably has children and grand children and has achieved success in this world. The death of such a person can be classified as a good death. The death is predictable and is accompanied by less grief and emotion. Sociologists point out that one of the key characteristics of a â€Å"good death† is that it is predictable. There is also a feeling that death in this case will lessen the pain on the dying and those left behind. Terminal illnesses such as Cancer and AIDS present circumstances where it is felt that death would be a better way out rather than the suffering a patient goes through. It is in these circumstances that doctors recommend euthanasia as a way of ending the suffering of the affected person. In some circumstances, even family members have recommended mercy killing for their loved ones. A case in point was witnessed in California where a man asked doctors to switch off a life machine supporting his wife who had lost consciousness after a tragic accident. To those left behind, this was considered a good death since it had put to an end the suffering of the woman and paved the way for those left behind to move on with the business of life. "Bad death" Young and Cullen (1996) argue that there are some circumstances that result to a bad death both to the affected and those left behind. For instance, the death of a youth in the prime of his/her life is always considered a bad death particularly if it is sudden and unexpected. It takes time for family members to accept the sad situation and the death is accompanied by more emotion and

Timbuk2 Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Timbuk2 - Case Study Example al and a custom made, internet based â€Å"Build Your Own Bag† product.   Timbuk2s concept is rugged and stylish. The timbuk2 website describes Rob’s goal, â€Å"to make a messenger bag rugged enough for real bicycle messengers, yet stylish enough to appeal to a broader market of young, hip urbanites as an alternative to the traditional two-strap day pack. Our catchy name, three-panel design, distinctive ‘swirl’ logo, and the fact that we’re ‘Made in San Francisco’ added to our cachet.† I believe that Timbuk2 got their â€Å"foot in the door† with the messenger bag and captured an exploding market trend. San Francisco being the birthplace of the messenger trend and supposedly the most hard core riding environment gives the company credibility and edge. In my opinion, the key competitive dimensions driving sales for the messenger bags are quality, delivery speed, ability to cope with changes in demand, flexibility and new product introduction speed. The Quality Guarantee Timbuk2 offers is extremely generous and screams confidence. The company encourages customers that these bags â€Å"wear like hell†(paper on timbuk2). The â€Å"2-3 shipping days† policy for a custom made bag is evidence of the company’s delivery speed competitive dimension. This is extremely fast turnaround time for a fairly big corporation and proves this company has a fine tuned operation with close management, further solidifying the quality of its products. Timbuk2’s Brennan Mulligan focused on â€Å"Lean manufacturing† and â€Å"Mass customization† (paper). He determined that emphasizing on waste elimination and improving quality, he was able to accomplish smaller batch sizes. Once batch sizes as small as one bag, were achieved, Timbuk2 would be able to meet and cope with changes in demand. With lots of hard work and the acquisition of more machines, Timbuk2 accomplished this. We can ac credit Timbuk2s final competitive dimensions, flexibility and new product introduction speed, to small batch sizes as well. Timbuk2 found cells of 5 workers, each one seeing a bag from start to completion, to be most efficient. This system ensured detailed attention to each bag, and whether or not a bag was a new design, the process would remain nearly the same. In my opinion, the competitive priorities for the bags manufactured in China, appear the same, however in reality the manufacturing process is pretty different. I feel that Timbuk2 has already captured a reputation with the concepts they emphasize, â€Å"Rugged and Stylish†, â€Å"hardcore†, â€Å"designed by messengers and made in San Francisco†. People already see this image when they hear Timbuk2. Some dye

Julian Assange and his impact on the communication processes and Essay

Julian Assange and his impact on the communication processes and politics - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that Julian Assange was known only as an â€Å"Australian moderator of the Legal Aspects of Computer Crime mailing list and a researcher who has written extensively about hackers† in the beginning of this century, that is, before he became a controversial celebrity who all know of. This is why calling Julian Assange, a â€Å"cypherpunk revolutionary†, Robert Manne has said, â€Å"Less than twenty years ago Julian Assange was sleeping rough. Even a year ago hardly anyone knew his name. Today he is one of the best-known and most-respected human beings on earth†. The seemingly sudden rise to the fame of this Australian individual has a socio-political context and a corresponding history. The way his actions have impacted the communication processes and the politics in the globalized world is a topic that has international implications. The geopolitics of his physical location to the ideological underpinnings of his intelle ctual landscape that he has extended to others through the internet represents a whole new world of possibilities- in communication, freedom, and democracy. Julian Assange has been a hacker since when the first generation of computer hackers started rewriting the laws of internet communication. In the book, Underground, written by Suelette Dreyfus, and for which Assange worked as a researcher, a hacker named Mendax was featured and this hacker really was none other than Assange himself. (Manne, 2011a, p.197). It was in 1988, that Assange became a hacker (Manne, 2011a, p.197). He formed a group called International Subversives along with two other hackers (Manne, 2011a, p.197). Dreyfus (2006-07) had described the politics of this group as â€Å"fiercely anti-establishment; their motive adventure and intellectual curiosity; their strict ethic not to profit by their hacking or to harm the computers they entered† (as cited in Manne, 2011a, p.197). Assange was a member of the free software movement, he participated in the creation of NetBSD, an open source computer operating system, and got involved with a movement called cypherpunks in 1993 (Manne, 2011a, p.203-204). The idea of WikiLeaks had been borne out of this movement (Manne, 2011a, p.203). Among the cypherpunk group of hackers to which he belonged, Assange was somewhat an exception to others (who were anarcho-capitalists) by keeping a left leaning though he is an â€Å"anti-communist† (Manne, 2011a, p.211). The basic philosophy of cypherpunks was again the issue whether: The state would strangle individual freedom and privacy through its capacity of electronic surveillance or whether autonomous individuals would eventually undermine and even destroy the state through their deployment of electronic weapons newly at hand (Manne, 2011a, p.204). It was rumored that a 1989 attack that was carried out â€Å"from Australia on the NASA computer system via the introduction of what was called the WANK worm in an attempt to sabotage the Jupiter launch of the Galileo rocket as part of an action of anti-nuclear activists† was the work of Assange (Manne, 2011a, p.197). A programme written by Assange was named sycophant and it allowed his hacking group to hack into the US military systems (Manne, 2011a, p.197). It was when his group hacked into the Canadian telecommunications corporation NORTEL, that his hacking was found out for the first time (Manne, 2011a, p.197). In the police action that followed, Assange was arrested in a totally devastated state of mind and admitted to a hospital (Manne, 2011a, p.198). Manne (2011a) has observed that this arrest and the time spent in jail was what shaped his politics (p.198). Suburbia Public Access Network was the next war front that Assange opened (Manne, 2011a, p.200). It was a convergi ng point for many email lists and activist groups (manne, 2011a, p.200

Reading Response to Ali and Nino Essay Example for Free

Reading Response to Ali and Nino Essay The most evident and reoccurring theme that I noticed in Kurban Said’s, Ali and Nino was the importance of religion and cultural backgrounds. In many different places in the story it is evident that Ali and Nino have been taught some completely different things about the world in general. The first major example that I found is when Ali speaks with his father and Nino’s father about marrying Nino. Although they are both somewhat supportive of the marriage, they both send completely opposite messages. Ali’s father tells him that the love for Nino is not necessary and that if he wants Ali can still marry up to three more wives. Contrary to Ali’s fathers belief, Nino’s father feels very differently. He feels that he must show unconditional love and treat her with the dignity and respect that she deserves. He also feels that he should focus all her energy and love on her rather than having any other wives. If Nino’s father doubts Ali’s for his daughter, maybe that is part of the reason why he tried to postpone the wedding. The second example I found is when Nino tells Ali he absolutely can not have a harem because it is considered a disgraceful tradition of Ali’s background to Nino and her family. Ali agrees that he will not have a Harem and then the question of whether or not Nino will have to wear a veil. After a bit of deliberation between Ali and Nino, they were still unable to reach a conclusion to whether or not Nino would have to wear a veil. Nino does not understand why a women must wear a veil whereas Ali feels that it is very important that the women does so that Nino will be protected from strangers looks. Although Ali and Nino are very much in love there are very many cultural differences and misunderstandings that make this inter religion/faith marriage a bit more complicated. This idea of religious differences and cultural misunderstandings really hits home for me. As a Jewish adult, it has always been very important to me to marry someone of the same faith and belief system. As I have grown up I do believe that the most important thing is being happy and that being accepting of all peoples values and morals is very much important. Out of personal experience, I have two relatives that both decided to marry out of the Jewish faith. Neither of these marriages have worked out very well in regards to my family. The first relative of mine ended up getting divorced and is now going through a custody battle for his children. The other relative is still married to his wife but does not talk to anyone on our side of the family due to many reasons but mostly because she was not willing to support his Jewish identity and background. It is ignorant in my opinion to think that inter faith marriages can never work out, because a lot of them do. But in my experiences with my family they have not. Regardless if people can make them work, it is definitely harder than marrying someone with the same faith as you. With religion comes a system of ideals, morals and beliefs and if someone has those same values as you do, there will be less cultural misunderstandings and cleavages than if you married someone with different values than you. So the whole idea of cultural differences through religion complicating thing relates both very closely to my life in terms of my family and Kurban Said’s Ali and Nino.

Biomedical and Biopsychosocial Models of Healthcare

Biomedical and Biopsychosocial Models of Healthcare Critical Evaluation on the Future of Healthcare: The Biomedical or the Biopsychosocial Model The Biomedical Model This model has been in existence since the mid-19th century and was predominant for physicians in the diagnosis of diseases. It comprises of four elements. It argues that, that health constitutes the freedom of pain, disease or defect which implies the normal human is healthy. In this model, the focus on the physical processes such as biochemistry, physiology and pathology of a disease do not take into consideration the role played by individual subjectivity or social factors. Unlike the biopsychosocial model, the biomedical model fails to consider negotiation between a doctor and patient in determining diagnosis. The main focus in this model is purely biological factors. It excludes social influences, environment and the psychological ones. Western countries have adopted it as a leading modern way for which health professionals treat and diagnose conditions. Regardless of the limitations that this model expresses, it has been critical in the development of programs to control infect ious diseases. In addition, it feeds more information to the biopsychosocial approach (White, 2009). The Biopsychosocial Model This is an approach that states that psychological, social and biological factors all play a key role in the human functioning in relation to illness and disease. Health is thus understood by concentrating on biological, social and psychological factors rather than entirely focusing on biological terms. It contrasts to biomedical model. Biomedical model takes the position that every disease process can be explained in accordance to deviations in normal functions such as injury, developmental abnormality in genes or virus (White, 2009). This model is used in the fields of medicine, health sociology and psychology and nursing. The acceptance, novelty and prevalence of the biopsychosocial model demonstrates variation across cultures. The model has been developing over time and will only mature further with health psychology designs and research. The Future of Healthcare The biopsychosocial model is at the heart of the future of healthcare. Specialization in healthcare has advanced to fields of health psychology, psychiatry, chiropractic, clinical psychology, family therapy and clinical social work. Majority of clinicians will engage the elements of biopsychosocial and biomedical models in the practices they engage in. However, it is arguable that all illnesses whether functional or organic can be managed best going by the biopsychosocial framework rather than the biomedical in practice. The two models seem to share the same goal which is improving the improvement of the patient’s well-being. What differs is the scope on which the physician considers impairment including its origin and the possible remedies. The biopsychosocial framework expands the meaning of this goal and applies it in clinical processes. Illness is approached as the subjective sense of suffering by the patient. The goal of managing the disease thus needs to identify the spe cific exposures of the patient which are biological, social and psychological. Potential Disabilities of the Biomedical Model The biomedical model will lose its position in the future of healthcare as it assumes that social and psychological processes are irrelevant to the disease’s process. The potential disabilities it exposes are massive. It mainly has three liabilities. First, the model is reductionist in nature. It reduces illness to lower level processes. These include chemical imbalances and disordered cells. It thus fails to recognize the general role of psychological and social determinants. Secondly, the model is a single-factor model. The explanation for illness is in terms of biological malfunctions rather that recognition of a variety of factors with only a few being biological in the causation of illness. The third liability is that the model assumes a mind-body dualism. It maintains that the body and mind are two separate entities. The final but not least liability is that the model puts more emphasis on illness over health. The focus is aberrations that cause illness instead of the co nditions that would promote health. Advantages and Clinical Implications of the Biopsychosocial Model Medical care, illness and disease are interrelated processes. They involve interaction of changes both within the individual and other levels. Researchers are thus impelled by this framework toward an interdisciplinary collaboration and thinking. The model maintains that the diagnosis process should consider the interacting roles of social, psychosocial and biological factors. This calls for interdisciplinary team approach in making a diagnosis. Health psychology should adopt this model and involve all the three factors. Therapy is thus uniquely targeted to a particular individual considering their health’s totality and ensuring treatment recommendations capable of dealing with more than one problem systematically. Therefore, a team approach is encouraged as the best approach. The relationship between a doctor and a practitioner is emphasized by the biopsychosocial model. The efficacy of treatment, the rapidity of solving an illness and the patient’s service usage can be improved by an effective practitioner-patient relationship. The biopsychosocial model makes the implication that the physician must have a clear understanding of the psychological and social factors that make contributions to an illness in order to come up with ample treatment (Kim,2014). For a healthy individual, the model is of the opinion that their health habits can only be understood in social and psychosocial contexts. When an individual is ill, recovery can be influenced by psychological, biological and social factors. These factors may maintain poor health habits but when there is appropriate modifications, they facilitate healthy ones. Biopsychosocial Perspectives Psychosomatics, Behavior and Health Depression, social isolation, conscientiousness and chronic stress are all understood by medical colleagues and health psychologists alike in the impacting of the vulnerability and the protection of various diseases. There is a consistent correlation of clinical depression with pathogenesis and occurrence of cardiovascular diseases. In a study in 2009, Salomon examined the existing differences in reactivity of cardiovascular to and recovery from two lab stressors between healthy controls with no self-reported history of CVD samples and naturalistic samples of clinically depression (Nezu, 2013). With previous research demonstrating significant behavioral associations and psychosomatic among illness, health and disease, the BPS model should focus on bringing into play analytic complexity fighting individualistic. Review of neuroplasticity, socio-somatic and psychosocial genomics will assist in balancing individualistic bias for health psychology, provision of sophisticated and adequate understanding of the cultural and social contours underlying illness and health thus fostering a greater integration among domains of bio-psycho-social. Psychosocial Genomics and Neuroplasticity Advances in genetics and molecular biology have given way to the map out of human genome. There have been spectral and technological imaging advances such as allowing of examining complex neurological processes and functional magnetic resonance. These movements in science have resulted to empirical investigations, psychosocial genomics and neuroplasticity which thus offers important evidence in relation to the interdependence nature of socio-cultural, biological and psychological processes. Research on neuroplasticity goes further to justify the biopsychosocial framework. This is because, the study indicates that the brain neurons are more dynamic than had previously been considered. They develop novel synaptic connections in response to learning and experience across age and mainly the entire life (Kim, 2014). Biopsychosocial further elaborates on the impact of social support. Within many studies, more satisfying social relationships or confidants result to an individual recovering more quickly from illnesses and diseases as compared to those with minimal social support. Culture in the Biopsychosocial Model Culture evolves over the years. It carries with it vagueness and contention. Culture is informatory. It influences every founding block of the BPS model. Failure to demonstrate adequate to the key role of culture in health psychology and related medical fields would result to the discrimination in health service delivery. For a more holistic approach therefore in heath psychology, culture should be considered seriously in attempts to integrate the BPS model. Biopsychosocial Model Transformations and the Future: Health Psychology Health psychology’s emergence together with behavioral medicine in primary care settings and general practitioners training on various health paradigms have resulted to an awareness for which patients now understand that the medical providers view them as a person and not merely by the disease. For the past two decades, the research of health psychologists and the behavioral interventions have matured greatly together with high criticism. Patient quality of life and wellness has been observationally been improved by the humanistic view by the psychologists. To fully solidify the role of combinatory treatments and psychologists, it is necessary to conduct long-term empirical studies. Doctors however question the motive of the alteration of medicine for the incorporation of behavioral interventions which tend to increase the workload of the physicians who are already strained. Research, vast knowledge on behavior education skills are applied by psychology practitioners should be used in the promotion of a medical care that is more hospital co-managed. Health care and societal transformations constrain psychology from change. Psychology seeks to deliver expansion on the special skills of health and clinical psychology. Psychopharmacology is the latest intervention in the creation of a psychologist practitioner who is independent. Psychologists must look for and maintain an inter-professional collaboration with physicians in order to ensure prescription authority and psychology. The psychosocial aspects of medical problems are then addressed. Quality of treatment may be affected by poor relationships between physicians and psychologists. Collaborations and partnerships in the management and diagnosis of all health will be observed in the decades to come. Training programs in health psychology will increase in terms of quantity. There will be specialization for students who have interest in the practice of research, clinical and education settings (Kim, 2014). The policy makers and the professionals such as teachers require training and education on the biopsychosocial model. The impact of this on healthcare would be the reduction of health costs, improved occupational control, promotion of self-empowerment, provocation of behavioral change and an increment in adherence to plans of treatment. Integrated healthcare will eventually address the complete spectrum of the mind and the human body as one and the same. A Holistic Approach in the Application of the Biopsychosocial model in the future of Health Psychology The biomedical model of disease and health is dominant in the existing medical practices. The approach is effective mainly in the control of infectious maladies. Chronic non-infectious diseases require the BPS approach. The approach takes into account other health determinants. That thus takes the BPS model a step further into the better approach than the biomedical model. However, a more holistic approach in the biopsychosocial approach is one that integrates culture into the focus of biological, psychological and biological aspects. Taking culture into the picture for the future will result to a more holistic approach. The future health research programs and intervention strategies should endure at considering all the domains and that will be a holistic approach. The BPS model will keep on maturing with time. To this regard therefore, there should be an examination of the effectiveness of cultural, social, biological and physiological claims. It should be conducted in clinical practice exploring the health concepts from perspectives and questioning perspectives could influence the current and future trends in health interventions and health promotion. Conclusion The future of health care lies more on the biopsychosocial approach more than the biomedical one. However, as demonstrated in the research and advancements in the health psychology, there are still aspects of the BPS model that could be involved in the future. One of them could be an increased collaboration and participation amongst psychologists and physicians. They should collaborate to ensure that wellbeing is attained by effective application of the model. The aspect of culture should also be included in the framework to ensure that the health services are acceptable in various communities. Clinical implications are at the heart of the improvement of the biopsychosocial approach. Health psychology and biomedical research will act as key building blocks in the future role of the model. References Kim, P. (2014, March 22). Report Summarizes Health Psychology Study Findings from Northeastern University. Psychology Psychiatry Journal, 456, 33-67. Nezu, A. M. (2013). Health psychology. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley Sons. Piotrowski, C. (2012, September 1). Occupational Health Psychology: Neglected Areas of Research. Journal of Instructional Psychology, 675, 44-65. Sheridan, C. L., Radmacher, S. A. (1992). Health psychology: challenging the biomedical model. New York: Wiley. White, P. (2009). Biopsychosocial medicine: an integrated approach to understanding illness. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

A Review Of Valentino Marketing Essay

A Review Of Valentino Marketing Essay In a time when enterprises are fighting to survive and the market is uncertainty and instability for any company, we see the exponential interest towards luxury products and services, but this interest is not only about profitability and brand awareness; it is about structuring â€Å"Valentino† products and services offered within the spectrum of luxury. Today companies rely on traditional marketing models such as the 7Ps model but, as will be seen, these are argued to be insufficient for luxury products and especially inaccessible luxury products and services. Hence I propose other marketing models which take into account the identity and position of luxury products in general and the hypothetic position of Valentino in the Indian market. This includes an exposition of ideas, tangibles or intangibles and a complete understanding where the luxury product is offering and the important role Valentino SpA plays in the status of luxury. The intent of this document is to promote Valentino as a classical example of luxury fashion rather than explain the fashion industry specific. 2. BACKGROUND For over forty years Valentino Garavani, known to all simply as Valentino, has been one of the most prominent names in fashion, creating some of the worlds most elegant eveningwear and classic designs. Since Valentino released his first line in 1959, Garavani Valentino has made a significant impact on the fashion industry. In the 60s Valentino open his first boutique in Paris, introduced his signature ‘Red Valentino and launched its now famous ‘V label. In 1970 he launched his first ready-to-wear line, with boutiques following in Rome and N.Y. In 1986 he won the highest decoration possible in Italy, the Calvaliere di Gran Croce. In 1991, Valentino celebrated his â€Å"Thirty years of fashion† accompanied by famous celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor. In 1998, Valentino and his business partner Giancarlo Giammeti sold their fashion empire for  £211 million. In summer of 2008 Valentino shown his last collection and celebrated his 45th anniversary. He is a true fashion icon of the 20th century and has helped shape the image of men and women of the 21st century. Currently Valentinos new creative directors are Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli. Valentino also is one of the most popular brands in the Valentino Fashion Group S.p.A (VFG). The VFG S.p.A plays a vital role in the world of fashion and luxury, with a rich and well-diversified portfolio of products which includes clothing, accessories, and footwear for men and women. In the world of fashion and luxury, few players have gained the international fame the VFG S.p.A has achieved. It offers an array of complementary brands characterized by a consolidated global presence, excellent brand awareness, and strong product recognition as: * Valentino, featuring the prestigious brands Valentino (Couture and ready-to-wear) which products rates are between 24.180 Rs. and 558.000 Rs. , Valentino Garavani (Bags, shoes and accessories) which products rates are between 9.920 Rs. and 347.200 Rs. , Valentino Roma (ready-to-wear) which products rates are between and Red Valentino (ready-to-wear) which products rates are between 6.076Rs and 40.920 Rs . * Licensed brands MCS Marlboro Classics and M Missoni, in addition to its own brands Lebole, Oxon, and Portrait. Until 23 December 2009 there was three business units, which even included Hugo Boss which was relinquished on that date and therefore no longer a part of the consolidated group. Moreover VFG S.p.A owns 45% of US brand Proenza Schouler . The VFG S.p.A operates in over 110 countries, with more than 1,600 single-brand boutiques and 433 directly-managed shops. The Groups consolidated revenue for the 2008 financial year is approximately 2.206,9 million. More than 13.081 employees work in directly controlled companies and branches spread across 28 countries. Over the years, VFG focus has changed. The group now approaches the industry with a fashion-driven focus. It is more interested in offering proposals charged with irresistible value and original designs unlike any other company in the industry to integrate an extensive variety of products and trademarks by converging consumer unique and satisfaction. VFG serves steadily focusing on demands of an unwaveringly evolving cosmopolite consumer. VFG pretends to be the fashion worlds protagonist in the fashion and luxury sectors ensuring the highest quality standards in all market segments its serve pursuing excellence and innovation. 3. PESTLE: ANALYSIS STANDS FOR VALENTINO. OLITICAL: With the end of quota regime on January 1 of 2005, the prospects for Indian fashion industry look upbeat. Terror acts may affect trade negatively. CONOMICAL: Due to the India economy growth, consumer confidence is high and people like to spend on luxury items. Higher increased of mortgages may affect consumers disposable incomes. India has among lowest labor costs in the world. OCIAL: Indian older women (35+) tend to wear more conservative than younger. Indian women may see Valentino as something to be worn on special occasion. Valentino will offer distinction and exclusivity. ECHNOLOGICAL: The growth who lives younger lifestyles presents a further opportunity to manufacturers technological. Growing popularity of social networking encourages companies advertise and sale on line. The strength of India fashion industry rests on strong raw material availability and on the large number of skilled human resources. NVIRONMENTAL: The EPA, considers many textile (polyester) manufacturing facilities to be hazardous waste generators. USDA considers cotton has a significant environment footprint because the use of pesticides. EGAL: Inspectors have found clothes manufactured from some countries (included India) which widespread health risks and fraud from luxury brands. Possible changes in the marketing strategies. Manufactured process and product quality law could affect. 4. SWOT ANALYSIS: VALENTINO STRATEGIC PLANING METHOD. TRENGTHS: VFG S.p.A. has strong luxury brand recognition worldwide. Celebrities endorse Valentino on the Red carpet events and weddings. Product price is competing with its competitors. Existing consumers target group. Products available on-line (www.store.valentino.com) EAKNESS: No strong/massive campaigns. Prices are higher than other brands present already in India. Prices follow the same rates worldwide. PPOTUNITIES: Introduce a limited edition line for clothing perfumes. Raise Brand awareness across the Indian consumer market. Get collaboration with celebrities for limited edition collections. Serve as a sponsor in prestigious events (Miss Universe). HREATS: Indian population is not so aware about Valentino. Competitors as Dior or Louis Vuitton are already positioned in India. Indian luxury fashion designers are getting international recognition. Global economic downturn. 5. ANSOFF S MATRIX: VALENTINO GROWTH STRATEGY. 6. MARKETING MIX PRODUCT: Valentino offers to consumers unique, original designs unlike any other company in the industry (because of the brand history) which includes luxury brands as Valentino Garavani (womens foot wear, bags, small fur items, accessories) and Red Valentino (luxury womens wear), in addition perfumes and eyewear. PRICE: Valentino Garavani: 9.920 Rs. 86.800 Rs. Red Valentino: 6.076 Rs. 40.920 Rs. Perfumes: 2.480 Rs. 5.490 Rs. Eyewear: 11.780 Rs. 18.290 Rs. Valentino is target to exclusive women; prices are high but are value for quality, luxury, and exclusivity. PLACE: Valentino as a luxury fashion brand must be located in Indias luxury shopping destination DLF Emporio Mall in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi. PROMOTION: Valentino must be placed its ads in renamed fashion magazines like Vogue. In coordination with Valentinos press director organize fashion shows and events to create awareness. PROCESS: Valentino is focus on the demands of an unwaveringly evolving cosmopolite consumer hence Valentino should come up with customer service centre, Valentino Boutique, Valentino VIP list. All these facts made with excellence and innovation will develop a loyal relation between the customer and the brand. PHYSICAL EVIDENCE: Having Valentino Boutique at the strategic location and associating itself with Bollywood actors and movies and sponsoring high class events will insurance the top publicity possible. PEOPLE: From assistants to directors constitute the image of the brand. Hence establish an on-going dialogue between passion, experience, and knowledge will be a must to develop loyal relations. 7. PORTERS 5 FORCES: VALENTINO INDUSTRY ANALYSIS AND BUSINESS STRATEGY. 8. CONCLUSION This Marketing Audit is about how Valentino as brand has the potential to lead the luxury industry in India. The analytical tools used in this document have been developed to ensure that Valentino stays ‘in front of the pack in case that it has to battle with the areas of mass and intermediate luxury. This document is hoped that the reader will now have a clearer picture of what Valentino and luxury is and how difficult and important it is to manage a luxury enterprise and its brand.

Texas City Disaster :: Industry Economy History Essays

During the war Texas City became a big industrial center. It had seven petrochemical refineries, two oil pipeline companies and the only tin smelter in the US. The city was growing and expanding. Schools operated in two shifts, just like the chemical plants. The demand for industry was high, but safety standards were still low and inexperienced. the year of 1947 became a crucial event in the memories of the city. On April 16 and 17 a major disaster befallen on the whole population that for many years after could not be forgotten. It all started on a bright and clear morning when the ship in the Texas City Harbor, The Grand camp, full of ammonium nitrate fertilizers, destined for war torn Europe, was on fire. Ammonium nitrate is a highly dangerous and explosive material if it is unsafely used, the same material was used in Oklahoma bombing. Since the fires in the port weren't rare, unfortunately people weren't as alarmed as they should have been. On the contrary those who have noticed the reddish-orange and brown smoke were particularly attracted by the colorful fumes. Kids after school and neighboring pedestrians, rushed to the harbor to watch the fireman use their techniques to put out the fire. Even though that policeman blocked the road with two cars it didn't stop a crowd of more that 400 people assembling. In addition two airplanes with spectators circled in the sky. Previously, shortly after Grand camp docked at the port of Texas City there was smoke detected in No.4 hold where 880 tons of ammonium nitrate fertilizers was stocked. Crew members attempted to put out the fire with half filled jug of drinking water and hand-held fire extinguishers. The first call to the fire department was only made half an hour later. The whole situation wasn't taken very seriously in the beginning. One of the officers from the ship that was docked about 200 yards away was even taking pictures of the whole scenario. The fire of Grand camp spread very rapidly and soon it was out of control. Soon 27 out of 50 volunteer fire fighters along with four engines of the Texas City Fire Department arrived at the scene. But there wasn't much they could do, by that time. As soon as the water from the fire hoses hit the hot deck it immediately evaporated. The vice president of the Texas City Terminal Railway phoned a close by chemical plant and asked one of the engineers if it was dangerous to burn ammonium nitrate.

Microsoft Canada Executive Summary Essay examples -- Business Manageme

Microsoft Canada Executive Summary Microsoft Canada is preparing its marketing plan for the Xbox over the coming year. The Xbox was launched the previous year and positioned as the complete home entertainment solution combining video gaming, the Internet and DVD playback. The Xbox is the most robust gaming console on the market, but faces stiff competition in its product category. The Sony Playstation 2 is the market leader with over 50% of the console market. Microsoft also faces competition from Nintendo and their GameCube. Microsoft’s goal is to become the market leader in the category by dethroning Sony. In order to accomplish this goal Microsoft Canada must develop its marketing plan for 2002. Specifically, Microsoft must decide which target market to focus their efforts on. Specifically, they need to decide whether or not to continue focussing their attention on the male 16-24 year old â€Å"heavy gamer† which is also the target segment of Sony. Or, do they shift their focus to the lighter user and try to develop a niche strategy. The backdrop of the targeting decision is how to position the Xbox. Microsoft could choose to position the system simply as the most powerful gaming console available, or they could also choose to focus on the complete functionality of the product including online gaming and DVD playback. Considering the various opportunities and challenges, Microsoft should continue to focus its campaign on the heavy male user since this demographic are typically the trendsetters when it comes to the industry and are best equipped to appreciate the gaming advantages of the system. By targeting this segment while focussing marketing efforts on the superior technology of the product along with the online gaming functionality, Microsoft should be able to differentiate itself from the Playstation by offering gamers a more technologically advanced gaming system with an online gaming feature not available from Sony. Problem Statement Microsoft is faced with a key decision on how to market the Xbox product in the second year of its launch in Canada. Specifically, Microsoft needs to determine how to position the Xbox and which market segment they should target. The goal is to gain market share versus their competitors and most specifically Sony. Once positioning and target market are determined, Microsoft Canada must then decide ... ... The backdrop of all the marketing efforts must be the positioning of Xbox as the most robust gaming system along with the online gaming functionality. Advertisements showing males of the target age playing online from different locations with each would be a key message. In store demos at the various retailers, especially over the holidays should be a priority. Since purchase after trial is highest, this needs to be a core tenet of the marketing plan. The holiday season, as mentioned, is key. So during September to December, advertising spending and frequency in all aspects should be at its highest level. Double the advertisements at the very least should be considered. Furthermore, continued bundling with other retailers is another key strategy. Microsoft could also consider bundling services closer to the holiday season such as free membership to the Xbox.ca â€Å"Gamers Zone† for a year with the purchase of an Xbox to drive sales, and further promote the online abilities of the system. The end result, if the campaign is successful is that consumers will see the key benefits/differentiators of the Xbox versus Playstation and will choose to purchase the superior product . Microsoft Canada Executive Summary Essay examples -- Business Manageme Microsoft Canada Executive Summary Microsoft Canada is preparing its marketing plan for the Xbox over the coming year. The Xbox was launched the previous year and positioned as the complete home entertainment solution combining video gaming, the Internet and DVD playback. The Xbox is the most robust gaming console on the market, but faces stiff competition in its product category. The Sony Playstation 2 is the market leader with over 50% of the console market. Microsoft also faces competition from Nintendo and their GameCube. Microsoft’s goal is to become the market leader in the category by dethroning Sony. In order to accomplish this goal Microsoft Canada must develop its marketing plan for 2002. Specifically, Microsoft must decide which target market to focus their efforts on. Specifically, they need to decide whether or not to continue focussing their attention on the male 16-24 year old â€Å"heavy gamer† which is also the target segment of Sony. Or, do they shift their focus to the lighter user and try to develop a niche strategy. The backdrop of the targeting decision is how to position the Xbox. Microsoft could choose to position the system simply as the most powerful gaming console available, or they could also choose to focus on the complete functionality of the product including online gaming and DVD playback. Considering the various opportunities and challenges, Microsoft should continue to focus its campaign on the heavy male user since this demographic are typically the trendsetters when it comes to the industry and are best equipped to appreciate the gaming advantages of the system. By targeting this segment while focussing marketing efforts on the superior technology of the product along with the online gaming functionality, Microsoft should be able to differentiate itself from the Playstation by offering gamers a more technologically advanced gaming system with an online gaming feature not available from Sony. Problem Statement Microsoft is faced with a key decision on how to market the Xbox product in the second year of its launch in Canada. Specifically, Microsoft needs to determine how to position the Xbox and which market segment they should target. The goal is to gain market share versus their competitors and most specifically Sony. Once positioning and target market are determined, Microsoft Canada must then decide ... ... The backdrop of all the marketing efforts must be the positioning of Xbox as the most robust gaming system along with the online gaming functionality. Advertisements showing males of the target age playing online from different locations with each would be a key message. In store demos at the various retailers, especially over the holidays should be a priority. Since purchase after trial is highest, this needs to be a core tenet of the marketing plan. The holiday season, as mentioned, is key. So during September to December, advertising spending and frequency in all aspects should be at its highest level. Double the advertisements at the very least should be considered. Furthermore, continued bundling with other retailers is another key strategy. Microsoft could also consider bundling services closer to the holiday season such as free membership to the Xbox.ca â€Å"Gamers Zone† for a year with the purchase of an Xbox to drive sales, and further promote the online abilities of the system. The end result, if the campaign is successful is that consumers will see the key benefits/differentiators of the Xbox versus Playstation and will choose to purchase the superior product .

The Creation of the Berlin Wall Essays -- Berlin Wall European History

The Creation of the Berlin Wall The end of World War II triggered the start of the Cold War. The victors of WWII, The United States, Great Britain, France and the Soviet Union divided Germany and Berlin into four. The United States, Great Britain, and France were all capitalist and democratic, and the Soviet Union was communist. The United States, Great Britain, and France all were part of the same â€Å"team.† The Soviet Union, however, wanted nothing to do with the others, so they decided to build a wall around their sector to keep the others out and their people in. (Divided In Unity 87). The Berlin Wall went up in the middle of the night, 2 a.m. on August 13, 1961. It was, at first a low barbed wire fence, and then workers used cement to construct a permanent structure that was 96 feet long, and about 12 feet high. (Kelly 1). Travel between east and west was nearly impossible due to the restrictions. There were 14,000 guards, 600 dogs, and approximately 302 watchtowers were placed to make sure that no one from the East escaped to the West. (The Wall). The Soviet Union had complete control over what went on in the Eastern sector. They had taken control of the only radio tower, and they decided what was broadcasted over it. It was a crime to listen to broadcasts from the West. (Kelly 2). And the newspapers that were produced in the East, the government had complete control over what was published in them: â€Å"Newspapers are the written voice of the state. Reporters do not launch independent investigation or expose government corruption. Journalists are more like secretaries, reporting what they are told, and nothing more.† (Kelly 4). People that were prisoners in the East yearned for the freedom that people had in the West. About 10,000 people tried escaping, around 5,000 made it, roughly 3,200 were jailed, and approximately 200 were killed and 200 injured from shootings at the Wall. One man, Peter Fechter who was an 18-year-old bricklayer, was shot while he was trying to escape, the guards wouldn’t let anyone help him, so he bleed to death. (Kelly 2). He ended up becoming a symbol of everyone killed at the Wall. People risked everything to get to the West, escaping over, through, and under the Berlin Wall. There were some pretty amazing ways that people found to escape. Kelly at The Freedom Forum, writes that, the Wetzel’s and St... ... was a huge separation. Not only between parts of the city and the government, but between families and what they believed in. People’s rights in the East were stripped from them. The government was the supreme voice of the city. People’s yearn to be free led them to do all sorts of ingenious, courageous, and deadly acts. The cost of their life outweighed the benefit of freedom. Works Cited â€Å"Escape Stories.† Associated Press. New York, N.Y.  © 2000 â€Å"Escaping Under the Berlin Wall.† Newsweek. March 8, 1999: 54. Online InfoTrac Web: General Reference Center Gold. Accessed: February 2002 Glaeser, Andreas. Divided in Unity. Chicago: University of Chicago Press,  © 2000. Kelly, Susan Brooks. â€Å"Two Sides, One Story.† The Freedom Forum. Arlington, VA. 1999. 8-85 Phillips, Martin. â€Å"Berlin Escape Ordeal 10 years Ago Today†¦The Wall Came Down.† The Sun. London, England. Nov 9, 1999. Online: News Group Newspapers Ltd. 6 Olsen, A J. â€Å"Breaching ‘The Wall’: The Odds Grow.† The New York Times. New York, N.Y. August 9, 1964. 11+ Colin, Armand. URL: â€Å"A Concrete Curtain: The Life and Death of The Berlin Wall† creation: September 20, 1999. URL: www.wall-berlin.org/ Accessed: January 2002.

The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening Chapter Fourteen

Elena felt her flesh creep at the words. â€Å"You don't mean that,† she said shakily. She remembered what she had seen on the roof, the blood smeared on Stefan's lips, and she forced herself not to recoil from him. â€Å"Stefan, I know you. You couldn't have done that†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He ignored her protestations, just went on staring with eyes that burned like the green ice at the bottom of a glacier. He was looking through her, into some incomprehensible distance. â€Å"As I lay in bed that night, I hoped against hope that she would come. Already I was noticing some of the changes in myself. I could see better in the dark; it seemed I could hear better. I felt stronger than ever before, full of some elemental energy. And I was hungry. â€Å"It was a hunger I had never imagined. At dinner I found that ordinary food and drink did nothing to satisfy it. I couldn't understand that. And then I saw the white neck of one of the serving girls, and I knew why.† He drew a long breath, his eyes dark and tortured. â€Å"That night, I resisted the need, though it took all my will. I was thinking of Katherine, and praying she would come to me. Praying!† He gave a short laugh. â€Å"If a creature like me can pray.† Elena's fingers were numb within his grasp, but she tried to tighten them, to send him reassurance. â€Å"Go on, Stefan.† He had no trouble speaking now. He seemed almost to have forgotten her presence, as if he were telling this story to himself. â€Å"The next morning the need was stronger. It was as if my own veins were dry and cracked, desperate for moisture. I knew that I couldn't stand it for long. â€Å"I went to Katherine's chambers. I meant to ask her, to plead with her-† His voice cracked. He paused and then went on. â€Å"But Damon was there already, waiting outside her rooms. I could see thathe hadn't resisted the need. The glow of his skin, the spring in his step, told me that. He looked as smug as the cat who's had the cream. â€Å"But he hadn't had Katherine. ‘Knock all you like,' he said to me, ‘but the female dragon inside won't let you past. I've tried already. Shall we overpower her, you and I?' â€Å"I wouldn't answer him. The look on his face, that sly, self-satisfied look, repelled me. I pounded on that door to wake†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He faltered, and then gave another humorless laugh. â€Å"I was going to say, ‘to wake the dead.' But the dead aren't so hard to wake after all, are they?† After a moment, he went on. â€Å"The maid, Gudren, opened the door. She had a face like a flat white plate, and eyes like black glass. I asked her if I could see her mistress. I expected to be told that Katherine was asleep, but instead Gudren just looked at me, then at Damon over my shoulder. † ‘I would not tellhim ,' she said at last, ‘but I will tell you. My lady Katerina is not within. She went out early this morning, to walk in the gardens. She said she had much need of thought.' â€Å"I was surprised. ‘Early this morning?' I said. † ‘Yes,' she replied. She looked at both Damon and me without liking. ‘My mistress was very unhappy last night,' she said meaningfully. ‘All night long, she wept.' â€Å"When she said that, a strange feeling came over me. It wasn't just shame and grief that Katherine should be so unhappy. It was fear. I forgot my hunger and weakness. I even forgot my enmity for Damon. I was filled with haste and a great driving urgency. I turned to Damon and told him that we had to find Katherine, and to my surprise he just nodded. â€Å"We began to search the gardens, calling Katherine's name. I remember just what everything looked like that day. The sun was shining on the high cypress trees and the pines in the garden. Damon and I hurried between them, moving more and more quickly, and calling. We kept calling her†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Elena could feel the tremors in Stefan's body, communicated to her through his tightly gripping fingers. He was breathing rapidly but shallowly. â€Å"We had almost reached the end of the gardens when I remembered a place that Katherine had loved. It was a little way out onto the grounds, a low wall beside a lemon tree. I started there, shouting for her. But as I got closer, I stopped shouting. I felt†¦ a fear-a terrible premonition. And I knew I mustn't-mustn't go-† â€Å"Stefan!† said Elena. He was hurting her, his fingers biting into her own, crushing them. The tremors racing through his body were growing, becoming shudders. â€Å"Stefan, please!† But he gave no sign that he heard her. â€Å"It was like-a nightmare-everything happening so slowly. I couldn't move-and yet I had to. I had to keep walking. With each step, the fear grew stronger. I could smell it. A smell like burned fat. I mustn't go there-I don't want to see it-† His voice had become high and urgent, his breath coming in gasps. His eyes were wide and dilated, like a terrified child's. Elena gripped his viselike fingers with her other hand, enfolding them completely. â€Å"Stefan, it's all right. You're not there. You're here with me.† â€Å"I don't want to see it-but I can't help it. There's something white. Something white under the tree. Don't make me look at it!† â€Å"Stefan, Stefan, look at me!† He was beyond hearing. His words came in heaving spasms, as if he could not control them, could not get them out fast enough. â€Å"I can't go any closer-but I do. I see the tree, the wall. And that white. Behind the tree. White with gold underneath. And then I know, I know, and I'm moving toward it because it's her dress. Katherine's white dress. And I get around the tree and I see it on the ground and it's true. It's Katherine's dress,†-his voice rose and broke in unimaginable horror-â€Å"but Katherine isn't in it.† Elena felt a chill, as if her body had been plunged into ice water. Her skin rose in goose-flesh, and she tried to speak to him but couldn't. He was rattling on as if he could keep the terror away if he kept on talking. â€Å"Katherine isn't there, so maybe it's all a joke, but her dress is on the ground and it's full of ashes. Like the ashes in the hearth, just like that, only these smell of burned flesh. They stink. The smell is making me sick and faint. Beside the sleeve of the dress is a piece of parchment. And on a rock, on a rock a little way away is a ring. A ring with a blue stone, Katherine's ring. Katherine's ring†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Suddenly, he called out in a terrible voice, â€Å"Katherine, what have youdone ?† Then he fell to his knees, releasing Elena's fingers at last, to bury his face in his hands. Elena held him as he was gripped by wracking sobs. She held his shoulders, pulling him to her lap. â€Å"Katherine took the ring off,† she whispered. It was not a question. â€Å"She exposed herself to the sun.† His harsh sobs went on and on, as she held him to the full skirts of the blue gown, stroking his quivering shoulders. She murmured nonsense meant to soothe him, pushing away her own horror. And, presently, he quieted and lifted his head. He spoke thickly, but he seemed to have returned to the present, to have come back. â€Å"The parchment was a note, for me and for Damon. It said she had been selfish, wanting to have both of us. It said-she couldn't bear to be the cause of strife between us. She hoped that once she was gone we would no longer hate each other. She did it to bring us together.† â€Å"Oh, Stefan,† whispered Elena. She felt burning tears fill her own eyes in sympathy. â€Å"Oh, Stefan, I'm so sorry. But don't you see, after all this time, that what Katherine did was wrong? It was selfish, even, and it washer choice. In a way, it had nothing to do with you, or with Damon.† Stefan shook his head as if to shake off the truth of the words. â€Å"She gave her life†¦ for that. We killed her.† He was sitting up now. But his eyes were still dilated, great disks of black, and he had the look of a small bewildered boy. â€Å"Damon came up behind me. He took the note and read it. And then-I think he went mad. We were both mad. I had picked up Katherine's ring, and he tried to take it. He shouldn't have. We struggled. We said terrible things to each other. We each blamed the other for what had happened. I don't remember how we got back to the house, but suddenly I had my sword. We were fighting. I wanted to destroy that arrogant face forever, to kill him. I remember my father shouting from the house. We fought harder, to finish it before he reached us. â€Å"And we were well matched. But Damon had always been stronger, and that day he seemed faster, too, as if he had changed more than I had. And so while my father was still shouting from the window I felt Damon's blade get past my guard. Then I felt it enter my heart.† Elena stared, aghast, but he went on without pause. â€Å"I felt the pain of the steel, I felt it stab through me, deep, deep inside. All the way through, a hard thrust. And then the strength poured out of me and I fell. I lay there on the paved ground.† He looked up at Elena and finished simply, â€Å"And that is how†¦ I died.† Elena sat frozen, as if the ice she'd felt in her chest earlier tonight had flooded out and trapped her. â€Å"Damon came and stood over me and bent down. I could hear my father's cries from far away, and screams from the household, but all I could see was Damon's face. Those black eyes that were like a moonless night. I wanted to hurt him for what he had done to me. For everything he had done to me, and to Katherine.† Stefan was quiet a moment, and then he said, almost dreamily, â€Å"And so I lifted my sword and I killed him. With the last of my strength, I stabbed my brother through the heart.† The storm had moved on, and through the broken window Elena could hear soft night noises, the chirp of crickets, the wind sifting through trees. In Stefan's room, it was very still. â€Å"I knew nothing more until I woke up in my tomb,† said Stefan. He leaned back, away from her, and shut his eyes. His face was pinched and weary, but that awful childlike dreaminess was gone. â€Å"Both Damon and I had had just enough of Katherine's blood to keep us from truly dying. Instead we changed. We woke together in our tomb, dressed in our best clothing, laid on slabs side by side. We were too weak to hurt each other anymore; the blood had been just barely enough. And we were confused. I called to Damon, but he ran outside into the night. â€Å"Fortunately, we had been buried with the rings Katherine had given us. And I found her ring in my pocket.† As if unconsciously, Stefan reached up to stroke the golden circlet. â€Å"I suppose they thought she had given it to me. â€Å"I tried to go home. That was stupid. The servants screamed at the sight of me and ran to fetch a priest. I ran, too. Into the only place where I was safe, into the dark. â€Å"And that is where I've stayed ever since. It's where I belong, Elena. I killed Katherine with my pride and my jealousy, and I killed Damon with my hatred. But I did worse than kill my brother. I damned him. â€Å"If he hadn't died then, with Katherine's blood so strong in his veins, he would have had a chance. In time the blood would have grown weaker, and then passed away. He would have become a normal human again. By killing him then, I condemned him to live in the night. I took away his only chance of salvation.† Stefan laughed bitterly. â€Å"Do you know what the name Salvatore means in Italian, Elena? It means salvation, savior. I'm named that, and for St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. And I damned my brother to hell.† â€Å"No,† said Elena. And then, in a stronger voice, she said, â€Å"No, Stefan. He damned himself. He killedyou . But what happened to him after that?† â€Å"For a while he joined one of the Free Companies, ruthless mercenaries whose business was to rob and plunder. He wandered across the country with them, fighting and drinking the blood of his victims. â€Å"I was living beyond the city gates by then, half starved, preying on animals, an animal myself. For a long time, I heard nothing about Damon. Then one day I heard his voice in my mind. â€Å"He was stronger than I, because he was drinking human blood. And killing. Humans have the strongest life essence, and their blood gives power. And when they're killed, somehow the life essence they give is strongest of all. It's as if in those last moments of terror and struggle the soul is the most vibrant. Because Damon killed humans, he was able to draw on the Powers more than I was.† â€Å"What†¦ powers?† said Elena. A thought was growing in her mind. â€Å"Strength, as you said, and quickness. A sharpening of all the senses, especially at night. Those are the basics. We can also†¦ feel minds. We can sense their presence, and sometimes the nature of their thoughts. We can cast confusion about weaker minds, either to overwhelm them or to bend them to our will. There are others. With enough human blood we can change our shapes, become animals. And the more you kill, the stronger all the Powers become.† â€Å"Damon's voice in my mind was very strong. He said he was now the condottieri of his own ‘ company and he was coming back to Florence. He said that if I was there when he arrived he would kill me. I believed him, and I left. I've seen him once or twice since then. The threat is always the same, and he's always more powerful. Damon's made the most of his nature, and he seems to glory in its darkest side.† â€Å"But it's my nature, too. The same darkness is inside me. I thought that I could conquer it, but I was wrong. That's why I came here, to Fell's Church. I thought if I settled in some small town, far away from the old memories, I might escape the darkness. And instead, tonight, I killed a man.† † No,† said Elena forcefully. â€Å"I don't believe that, Stefan.† His story had filled her with horror and pity†¦ and fear, too. She admitted that. But her disgust had vanished, and there was one thing she was sure about. Stefan wasn't a murderer. â€Å"What happened tonight, Stefan? Did you argue with Tanner?† â€Å"I†¦ don't remember,† he said bleakly. â€Å"I used the Power to persuade him to do what you wanted. Then I left. But later I felt the dizziness and the weakness come over me. Asit has before.† He looked up at her directly. â€Å"The last time it happened was in the cemetery, right by the church, the night Vickie Bennett was attacked.† â€Å"But you didn't do that. Youcouldn't have done that†¦ Stefan?† â€Å"I don't know,† he said harshly. â€Å"What other explanation is there? And I did take blood from the old man under the bridge, that night you girls ran away from the graveyard. I would have sworn I didn't take enough to harm him, but he almost died. And I was there when both Vickie and Tanner were attacked.† â€Å"But you don't remember attacking them,† said Elena, relieved. The idea that had been growing in her mind was now almost a certainty. â€Å"What difference does it make? Who else could have done it, if not me?† â€Å"Damon,† said Elena. He flinched, and she saw his shoulders tighten again. â€Å"It's a nice thought. I hoped at first that there might be some explanation like that. That it might be someone else, someone like my brother. But I've searched with my mind and found nothing, no other presence. The simplest explanation is that I'm the killer.† â€Å"No,† said Elena, â€Å"you don't understand. I don't just mean that someone like Damon might do the things we've seen. I mean Damon is here, in Fell's Church. I've seen him.† Stefan just stared at her. â€Å"It must be him,† Elena said, taking a deep breath. â€Å"I've seen him twice now, maybe three times. Stefan, you just told me a long story, and now I've got one to tell you.† As quickly and simply as she could, she told him about what had happened in the gym, and at Bonnie's house. His lips tightened into a white line as she told him how Damon had tried to kiss her. Her cheeks grew hot as she remembered her own response, how she had almost given in to him. But she told Stefan everything. About the crow, too, and all the other strange things that had happened since she had come home from France. â€Å"And, Stefan, I think Damon was at the Haunted House tonight,† she finished. â€Å"Just after you felt dizzy in the front room, someone passed me. He was dressed up like-like Death, in black robes and a hood, and I couldn't see his face. But something about the way he moved was familiar. It was him, Stefan. Damon was there.† â€Å"But that still wouldn't explain the other times. Vickie and the old man. Idid take blood from the old man.† Stefan's face was taut, as if he were almost afraid to hope. â€Å"But you said yourself you didn't take enough to harm him. Stefan, who knows what happened to that man after you left? Wouldn't it be the easiest thing in the world for Damon to attack him then? Especially if Damon's been spying on you all along, maybe in some other form†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Like a crow,† murmured Stefan. â€Å"Like a crow. And as for Vickie†¦ Stefan, you said that you can cast confusion over weaker minds, overpower them. Couldn't that be what Damon was doing to you? Overpowering your mind as you can overpower a human's?† â€Å"Yes, and shielding his presence from me.† There was mounting excitement in Stefan's voice. â€Å"That's why he hasn't answered my calls. He wanted-† â€Å"He wanted just what's happened to happen. He wanted you to doubt yourself, to think you were a killer.But it isn't true, Stefan . Oh, Stefan, you know that now, and you don't have to be afraid anymore.† She stood up, feeling joy and relief course through her. Out of this hideous night, something wonderful had come. â€Å"That's why you've been so distant with me, isn't it?† she said, holding out her hands to him. â€Å"Because you're afraid of what you might do. But there's no need for that any longer.† â€Å"Isn't there ?† He was breathing quickly again, and he eyed her outstretched hands as if they were two snakes. â€Å"You think there's no reason to be afraid? Damon may have attacked those people, but he doesn't control my thoughts. And you don't know what I've thought about you.† Elena kept her voice level. â€Å"You don't want to hurt me,† she said positively. â€Å"No? There have been times, watching you in public, when I could scarcely bear not to touch you. When I was so tempted by your white throat, your little white throat with the faint blue veins beneath the skin†¦Ã¢â‚¬  His eyes were fixed on her neck in a way that reminded her of Damon's eyes, and she felt her heartbeat step up. â€Å"Times when I thought I would grab you and force you right there in the school.† â€Å"There's no need to force me,† said Elena. She could feel her pulse everywhere now; in her wrists and the inside of her elbows-and in her throat. â€Å"I've made my decision, Stefan,† she said softly, holding his eyes. â€Å"I want to.† He swallowed thickly. â€Å"You don't know what you're asking for.† â€Å"I think Ido . You told me how it was with Katherine, Stefan. I want it to be like that with us. I don't mean I want you to change me. But we can share a little without that happening, can't we? I know,† she added, even more softly, â€Å"how much you loved Katherine. But she's gone now, and I'm here. And I love you, Stefan. I want to be with you.† â€Å"You don't know what you're talking about!† He was standing rigid, his face furious, his eyes anguished. â€Å"If I once let go, what's tokeep me from changing you, or killing you? The passion is stronger than you can imagine. Don't you understand yet what I am, what I can do?† She stood there and looked at him quietly, her chin raised slightly. It seemed to enrage him. â€Å"Haven't you seen enough yet? Or do I have to show you more? Can't you picture what I might do to you?† He strode over to the cold fireplace and snatched out a long piece of wood, thicker than both Elena's wrists together. With one motion, he snapped it in two like a match stick. â€Å"Yourfragile bones,† he said. Across the room was a pillow from the bed; he caught it up and with a slash of his nails left the silk cover in ribbons. â€Å"Yoursoft skin.† Then he moved toward Elena with preternatural quickness; he was there and had hold of her shoulders before she knew what was happening. He scared into her face a moment, then, with a savage hiss that raised the hairs at the nape of her neck, drew his lips back. It was the same snarl she'd seen on the roof, those white teeth bared, the canines grown to unbelievable length and sharpness. They were the fangs of a predator, a hunter. â€Å"Your white neck,† he said in a distorted voice. Elena stood paralyzed another instant, gazing as if compelled into that chilling visage, and then something deep in her unconscious took over. She reached up within the restraining circle of his arms and caught his face between her two hands. His cheeks were cool against her palms. She held him that way, softly, so softly, as if to reprove his hard grip on her bare shoulders. And she saw the confusion slowly come to his face, as he realized she was not doing it to fight him or to shove him away. Elena waited until that confusion reached his eyes, shattering his gaze, becoming almost a look of pleading. She knew that her own face was fearless, soft yet intense, her lips slightly parted. They were both breathing quickly now, together, in rhythm. Elena could feel it when he started to shake, trembling as he had when the memories of Katherine had become too much to bear. Then, very gently and deliberately, she drew that snarling mouth down to her own. He tried to oppose her. But her gentleness was stronger than all his inhuman strength. She shut her eyes and thought only of Stefan, not of the dreadful things she had learned tonight but of Stefan, who had stroked her hair as lightly as if she might break in his hands. She thought of that, and she kissed the predatory mouth that had threatened her a few minutes ago. She felt the change, the transformation in his mouth as he yielded, responding helplessly to her, meeting her soft kisses with equal softness. She felt the shudder go through Stefan's body as the hard grip on her shoulders softened, too, becoming an embrace. And she knew she'd won. â€Å"You will never hurt me,† she whispered. It was as if they were kissing away all the fear and desolation and loneliness inside them. Elena felt passion surge through her like summer lightning, and she could sense the answering passion in Stefan. But infusing everything else was a gentleness almost frightening in its intensity. There was no need for haste or roughness, Elena thought as Stefan gently guided her to sit down. Gradually, the kisses grew more urgent, and Elena felt the summer lightning flicker all through her body, charging it, making her heart pound and her breath catch. It made her feel strangely soft and dizzy, made her shut her eyes and let her head fall back in abandon. It's time, Stefan, she thought. And, very gently, she drew his mouth down again, this time to her throat. She felt his lips graze her skin, felt his breath warm and cool at once. Then she felt the sharp sting. But the pain faded almost instantly. It was replaced by a feeling of pleasure that made her tremble. A great rushing sweetness filled her, flowing through her to Stefan. At last she found herself gazing into his face, into a face that at last had no barriers against her, no walls. And the look she saw there made her feel weak. â€Å"Do you trust me?† he whispered. And when she simply nodded, he held her eyes and reached for something beside the bed. It was the dagger. She regarded it without fear, and then fixed her eyes again on his face. He never looked away from her as he unsheathed it and made a small cut at the base of his throat. Elena looked at it wide-eyed, at the blood as bright as holly berries, but when he urged her forward she did not try to resist him. Afterward he just held her a long time, while the crickets outside made their music. Finally, he stirred. â€Å"I wish you could stay here,† he whispered. â€Å"I wish you could stay forever. But you can't.† â€Å"I know,† she said, equally quiet. Their eyes met again in silent communion. There was so much to say, so many reasons to be together. â€Å"Tomorrow,† she said. Then, leaning against his shoulder, she whispered, â€Å"Whatever happens, Stefan, I'll be with you. Tell me you believe that.† His voice was hushed, muffled in her hair. â€Å"Oh, Elena, I believe it. Whatever happens, we'll be together.†