The internet has changed the way we access information, bringing the Essay

The internet has changed the way we access information, bringing the world to our desks. What are some of the strengths and weak - Essay Example This new platform has been aiding learning and education for several years now, and it is recognized to be one of the most valuable tools, which the world can use for advancement. The internet has become a very popular tool for academic research, due to its highly useful and user-friendly nature (McCuen, pp. 104). Scholars and students alike can access academic journals and books related to science, medicine, technology, business, and hundreds of other disciplines online, from any corner of the world, which has internet access. This gives them a wide bank of resources to work with, which often eliminates the need for more lengthy procedures such as locating and going through printed versions of books and journals. Another reason why this latter procedure is less desirable is because it is highly time consuming, as a researcher who is looking for a specific topic will have to leaf through the whole journal to locate a relevant article (McCuen, pp. 104). Whereas, in an online journal, technology assists this research and the researcher only has to type in the key words of their search and the computer presents them with relevant journal articles from several different journals, books and magazines. It is thus a highly efficient procedure to conduct research online, saving large costs in terms of time and money (McCuen, pp. 104).

The Underlying Theme of the Movie-The Rear Window Essay

The Underlying Theme of the Movie-The Rear Window - Essay Example Rear window is one of the American movies directed by Alfred Hitchcock based on his usual theme. The story of this movie was written by John Michael Hayes. Rear window was based on a short’ It had to be murder’’ written by Cornell Woolrich. The movie was released by Paramount Pictures. The film stars James Stewart as L.B. Jeffries, who is a news photographer, became helpless and isolated in his apartment at Greenvich Village due to his broken leg. During his days of misery and loneliness, his only activity was to observe and keep an eye on the activities of his neighbors around his apartment out of his rear window which has become his escape from the dull and boring moments of his life on a wheelchair. His fiancà ©e Lisa Fremont (Grace Kelly) and nurse (Thelma Ritter) being his only visitors and perhaps the only connection with the world outside his rear window. It is a well-scripted and a very well-directed movie which keeps the audience spell bound with a blen d of suspense and romance in it for their entertainment. However, a point comes where the story takes a new turn when suddenly Jeff’s observation leads him to a shocking discovery as he watched his neighbor’s suspicious activities, who lived right opposite his apartment’s building. ... To observe and to act as a â€Å"Peeping Tom† is a natural human trait that has been followed by all of us. The concept of voyeurism or in other words the act of being a â€Å"mute speculator† is also similar like watching movies and enjoying every moment that one can without being suspected for peeping into the lives of others. This led Jeff to discover the crime that was taken place right opposite his apartment. No matter, how much his fiancee and nurse blamed him for turning into â€Å"an immoral voyeur† joined him later in his act of speculation. Jeff’s silent speculation helped him to develop his curiosity like a child who observes everything keenly with lots of questions rising in his mind and he is determined to find all the unanswered questions. Rear window is all about normal humans, their attitudes and behaviors towards other people and how much people value relationships in their life. This movie also highlights the personality conflict between the couple (Jeff and Lisa). Despite the fact that they have been showed madly in love with each other but each one of them tries to dominate the other person. We cannot ignore the Jeff’s cynical attitude towards marriage on Lisa’s demand for tying the knot. This raised the common thought a person’s freedom and his life ends with the marriage. Jeff’s silent observation made him believed that a marriage can turn down his life and freedom just as in case of Mr. and Mrs. Thorwald, a happily married couple but ended in a murder of Mrs. Thorwald by the hands of her husband due to her nagging habits. It is not a new idea that Hitchcock has come up with. This philosophy can also be seen in his other movies too like Vertigo and The Trouble with Harry. Our lives revolve around our relationships, moods and

Peak Oil Essay Example for Free

Peak Oil Essay In recent years various scientists, among them petroleum engineer Jean Laherrere and petrogeologists Colin Campbell, have argued that global oil production would peak in the early 2000s. This is known as peak oil, the tipping point in which oil production begins to decline, and is based primarily upon the work of M. King Hubbert, a petrogeologist who worked for Shell Oil Company from the 40s to 60s. (Deffeyes, 2001) Hubbert’s predictions of a dire future for oil were not unprecedented, and many individuals before him had raised alarm over the future of oil, but ultimately turned out to be Cassandras. As such, it is not entirely surprising that any succeeding warnings about oil have been dismissed by both the American public and oil companies themselves. However, controversy over the veracity of his claims ended when U. S. oil production began to decline, ultimately proving him correct. (Deffeyes, 2001) The model used in Hubbert’s peak oil theory has come to be known as the Hubbert curve or Hubbert’s peak. This is because his theory, as he presented it to the American Petroleum Institute, rests on the position that petroleum production in any given territory tends to follow a bell curve. Hubbert based this theory on the observation that the oil reserves in any production site are finite, and that when half of the reserves are gone, extraction rate begins to decline. (Hubbert, 1956) Any given curve has a point of maximum production where the initial pre-peak points on it are where production increases rapidly due to the combination of discovery rate and infrastructural developments, but after the peak, production declines due to the depletion of reserves. In effect, the cost of oil extraction decreases as production approaches peak, but after peak, the cost of oil extraction begins to increase as less oil can be extracted from the reserves. (Campbell Laherrere, 1998) Hubbert’s theory came into widespread currency not only after oil peaked in U. S, but when it was found that the curve fit production models in foreign oil states as well.

Operation Management in Hard Rock Cafe

Operation Management in Hard Rock Cafe 39 years has passed, which creates a fascinating history for one of 100 greatest brand in the world Hard Rock Cafe. Since its establishment in 1971, Hard Rock Cafe has expanded in over 51 countries with 133 Hard Rock Cafes and 15 Hotels / Casinos. The great success relies on many many factors but the core one we can not deny is its changing strategy. Hard Rock Cafe took a shift of serving, from serving food with entertainment to serving food with experience. Based on its direction, its operation strategy is defined to providing experience. Regarding to 10 operation management strategy decisions like Design of Goods and Services, Managing Quality, Process strategy, Location Strategies, Human Resources, Supply Chain Management, Inventory Management, Scheduling and Maintenance, in the long road of development, Hard Rock Cafe has obtained respected achievements in all fields. The world recoginses its reputation and most of us heartly admize it. I myself can not ignore the stories of Hard Rock Cafe eventhough it has not opened in HaNoi where I am living. The story of its changing strategy from times, the story: of its living museum, of its greatest brands, of its employees.step by step take me to the places of Hard Rock Cafe. Sometimes the place is too far and sometimes the place is too near me. It is that those places and stories there help me get different views of Hard Rock Cafe. Based on my knowledge, understanding and research that I am having now, I take some good points and some not good points to give my own views of Hard Rock Cafe. There will be opposite points that is viewed in the concept of analyzing one operation management decision not only in theory but also in reality. The following operation management decisions take my interests and my thoughts. The design of Goods and Services. The outstanding point of designing goods and services in Hard Rock Cafe is DIFFERENTATION. According to Anthony Henry (Understanding Strategic Management 2008), A differentiation strategy is based on an organization producing products or services which are perceived by customers as unique or different, Hard Rock Cafe has built Living museums of Rock experienced by its customers who are in love of Rock. One cafe with its differentiation mainly is that Rocks collection including customes, instruments, piece of music, CDs, souvernirs of the greatest artists like Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen The E Street Band, Pearl Jam, Neil Young, John Lennon, Jimi Hendrixà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.That living museums are always updated and becoming more and more fascinating to customers with its memorabilia (more than 70, 000 pieces) from the hottest musical artists of the last 50 years. Besides its differentiation, it is recognized that Hard Rock Cafe is a typical symbol of Product concept method a new tool of marketing. Hard Rock Cafe is a combination of experiences, styles, entertainment, awareness of sharing and memories. All products mentioned above are defined in specific, which creates unforgettable experience for its customers. Hard Rock Cafes customers, in fact it is so hard to call them customers as they are members in Hard Rock family, create the style for Hard Rock. Once they come to Hard Rock, a truly deep impression would leave on them. Love all Serve all A guilding service philosophy creates a special place where you or anyone would be respected, regardless of age, sex or class. The place where all express their love for music one international language. The language which gives us more understanding and narrows the gap among strangers. Not only love for music but also love for humans, love for serving humans. In service industry, Hard Rock Cafe created the high connection point between its employees and its customers. Lay out strategy Before discussing Lay out strategy of Hard Rock Cafe, we should look at some pictures of Hard Rock Shop in Ho Chi Minh City. About 48% of a typical cafes sales are from merchandise quoted in Page 83 Principles of Operations Management 2008 by Jay Heizer and Barry Render, this number has shown the success of Hard Rock shops. It has changed its strategy from times, which adapts to the movements of the global. The world has witnessed great achievement of Wal Mart, McDonalds, HSBCà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.in retail field. Here it gained 48% of revenue through merchandise, which reveals the growth of retail in Hard Rock. What creates the success? One part of the answer you will find in Layout Strategy of Hard Rock Cafe. Each Hard Rock Cafe has its own Rock shop designed in Retail layout an approach that addresses flow, allocates space and responds to customer behavior quoted in Page 83 Principles of Operations Management 2008 by Jay Heizer and Barry Render. Looking at some pictures above, you can see that one small space display numerous of items like hats, T-shirts, shoes, gifts, picturesthat attract customers. Customers not only are fascinated by items in the shop but also are impressed by the light, the color Black and Red. The combination between Black and Red or the symbol of luxury and attraction calls for purchasing action of customers. Quality Management Hard Rock Cafe establishes its quality standards and takes controls to meet these standards. We will look at some points of quality management in Hard Rock Cafe. Responding to customers needs, taste and expectations, Hard Rock Cafe menus are continuously upgraded and service has been changed. To assess the quality of food and service, it regularly conducts surveys. In the survey, scoring method is used to classify the quality. If the evaluating score of food and service is not up to 7, it will fails. In my opinion, quality management following the method shows strictness, clearness and fair. Hard Rock Cafe also takes advantages of technology to ensure the quality of products and services. Chris Tomasso Vice President of Hard Rock updates monthly Microsoft Project. In a real case, to ensure the performance of the rock concert on time, Chris Tomasso gave customers anticipated surprise. The helicopter was used to take the band in, which overcome an unexpected traffic jam. It was the back-up plan that Microsoft Project had put Chris Tomassos ideas into reality. Moreover, techniques and software support Hard Rock s managers to maintain efficient schedule, to estimate budget performance, to estimate time service, to daily forecast sales, to allocate workforce and to give bonusà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.All the things have been done in professional way to meet the standard of the quality management. Regarding to quality management, whenever and wherever, Hard Rock Cafe opens a new cafe, all of us take opportunity to enjoy live musical performances. In opening celebrations in Las Vegas and in Ho Chi Minh City, the shows of Chris Cornell and DMC respectively created a high energy atmosphere and overspread the excitement not only for rock lovers but also for the youth, for the people working in entertainment industry. Through it, we deeply understand how great and strong Hard Rock is. Human Resources In a company, especially in a big corporate like Hard Rock Cafe, there is a lot of tasks for Human Resources Department. Besides the job of recruitment, maintaining, training, creating career development and personal growth, the challenging task Human Resources takes is to providing a nice working environment for employees. According to Hard Rock careers, This place is revolutionaryà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Why? Because you can be who you are because who you are defines you, the employees are highly respected. Beyond on my understanding, Hard Rock Cafe is creating a working environment in which each of us takes opportunity to prove ourselves and to promote our career path. It is so wise to do that, to attract job-seekers and to create a competitive advantage for Hard Rock Cafe. In October 2010, according to BBC News dated on 13 October 2010 50 jobs at risk as Cardiff Hard Rock Cafe closes. If I were one employee of Hard Rock Cafe Cardiff, clearly, I would be in an unexpected situation as it has closed suddenly as staff prepared to celebrate its seventh birthday. One question here is that whether Hard Rock Cafes employees in Cardiff location are trully informed timely or not? Some employees may find another jobs, some employees may transfer to other Hard Rock cafe in London, Dublin, Edinburgh, Manchester, some employees may be unemployeed. I myself wonder the real case would get any support from Human Resources of Hard Rock Cafe. Furthermore, in Human Resource strategy of Hard Rock, outstanding pay and benefits are a start quoted in Principles of Operations Management 2008 of Jay Heizer and Barry Render Page 445, is an attracting invitation to employees. Honestly, you and I try our best to work for high income, and it is the same for the others or for the employees of Hard Rock. However, in one article posted on BBC News Hard Rock wages below minimum by Martin Shankleman Business correspondent dated on 18 July, 2008, we should seriously consider Human Resources Strategy and its implementation. In this article, the unnamed waiter of Hard Rock said Its an abuse of customers they are being misled in that they believe they are giving a tip when they are subsiding the actual wage. One question raises in my mind, in fact, there is a big gap between outstanding pay and the wage? In the article mentioned above, Its almost insulting, no wonder people leave said the waiter. In my understanding, people leave it means the employees of Hard Rock had given up their jobs. The reason for them to leave is unreasonable pay? I wonder where the point of outstanding pay is. If I read one article in one book, If I saw only things written on Hard Rock website, I would take only one side of the coin or I would see one thing in one direction without arguments, without feedback, without consideration. In general, regarding to 4 operation management decisions (Product and Services Design, Lay out Strategy, Quality Management and Human Resources) I am taking in consideration, the different views are discussed and analyzed in some aspects. Some give us a perfect model of Hard Rock Cafe in operation management. That we highly respect and admire the achievement, the improvement and the innovation of the world leading Corporate. In the other side, we still see some not good points of Hard Rock. In fact, those points may be in argument, may be unresolved, which leads us researching and discovering in reality through our own experience. Only taking a real experience gives us the whole picture with light and shade, with color of black and white, with ideas and the real life. HARD ROCK CAFE HANOI 16 Dec 2009 was one day marking the step of Hard Rock Cafe in VietNam, particularly in Ho Chi Minh City. Hard Rock Cafe Ho Chi Minh is run by Viet Thai International (VTI) the owner of Highland Cafe. Based on its statement The Best of Both Worlds, VTI develops Hard Rock brand following VietNamese tradition. Based on the information I have got throung internet (www.toursvietnam.net), articles, Hard Rock Cafe is not populated. There are so many people asking for raising Hard Rock Cafe Ho Chi Minhs quality standard. Customers there concern too much its price. The problems may face Hard Rock Cafe Ho Chi Minh in developing its business. Those are some views of Hard Rock Cafe Ho Chi Minh. And what about the future of Hard Rock Cafe coming to HaNoi? The youth and rock lovers in HaNoi keep their ears to the ground as it is coming in HaNoi in 2011? What are waiting for Hard Rock Cafe HaNoi? What are the opportunities and challenges for it? OPPORTUNITIES are regarded as an attractive call for Hard Rock Cafe expanding in HaNoi. Hard Rock Cafe will take opportunity to meet the demand of the young population in HaNoi. In 2010, according to General Statistic Office of VietNam, the population in HaNoi is 6.5 million and the number will increase to 7.7 million in 2015. Moreover, most of the population is in the age of working and average personal income is estimated up to USD 4,300 / year. All the numbers creates the great demand for entertainment in HaNoi today and tomorrow. Another point we shoud not miss is that from times, HaNoi youth changes their lifestyle and consumer behavior. The night of 12th November witnessed the youth HaNoi burn themselves with rock. At the night, Tiger Translate Metropolis 2010 gave an impressive show to fan rock in HaNoi. It was a sleepless night of HaNoi youth. We can imagine how expectable and excited the youth welcome Hard Rock Cafe in HaNoi. Due to young population of VietNam and particularly in HaNoi, Hard Rock Cafe may take the advantage of labor cost. The average personal income in HaNoi is around USD 2,000 2,500 / year, which is a big gap comparing to personal income in London or other cities. The income shows how cheap the labor is in HaNoi. Simply, Hard Rock Cafe can balance the cost the benefit. Locally, in comparison with labor in Ho Chi Minh, labor cost in HaNoi is lower than in Ho Chi Minh. Regarding labor cost, HaNoi offers Hard Rock Cafe a very favorable condition. According to Smart Travel Aisa A travel magazine, HaNoi is voted one of 10 attractive tourist destinations in Asia. In 2010, HaNoi has welcomed 1.4 million tourists and the number will go up more, especially in the hope of the worlds economy recovery. During 39 years, Hard Rock Cafes winning strategy is to expand to destination cities. Hard Rock Cafe would not miss the chance of doing business in HaNoi one destination cities in Aisa. In fact, HaNoi residents expect more new kinds of entertainment to attract domestic tourists from other provinces in the North of VietNam. Hard Rock Cafe will gain much benefit with new one in HaNoi from its foreign and domestic toursists. In 2013, according to the report of PriceWaterhouseCoopers about the Prospect for Entertainment and Communications Industry, VietNam will achieve USD 2.3 billion of market value. The report estimate the growth of Entertainment and Communication Industry: 16.7% the highest level. The growth create chances for Hard Rock Cafe and service industry in VietNam. Based on its software and computered programs, it is not difficult for Hard Rock Cafe to estimate potential earnings.Both entertainment industry in VietNam and service of Hard Rock Cafe take benefits of each other and support themselves for development and growth. VietNam has strengths of exporting cafe, textile and agriculture foods. All the things create a strong supply chain for Hard Rock Cafe to choose. One of supply chain strategies Hard Rock Cafe may define is negotiating with many suppliers quoted in Page 457 of Principles of Operations Management by Jay Heizer and Barry Render. Opening a new one in HaNoi, Hard Rock Cafe has in hand numerous of ingredient suppliers. It is so clear that Hard Rock Cafe takes a lot of advantages from them. Cheap and diversified ingredient is one advantage. Another is the long-term commitment of those suppliers because of fierce competition among them. One another is updating menus that satisfy customerstastes and local culture. Opportunities and challenges play as two sides of the coin. One side we should look at to take chances just in time for creating advantage of doing business. In business, we try to search for opportunities of increasing profit, opportunities of expanding market share, opportuinities of remaining our power, our positionComplying with them, challenges continuously occur and force us to be awared of and to overcome. What CHALLENGES are for Hard Rock Cafe with a new one in HaNoi? There is a clear difference between culture of the North and the South, between personality of the Northerners and the Southerners, between life style in HaNoi and lifestyle in Ho Chi Minh. People in HaNoi is more conservative than those in Ho Chi Minh. For a new one, it takes a little longer time to accept, experience and like it. It can be said that conservativeness typifies personality of the Northerners. Because of conservativeness, the life style of HaNoi is not so exciting as it in Ho Chi Minh. Most of people enjoy their lives with family or in a small cafes without much noises. They lead a life in a less quiet and less exciting way than those in the South. From times, they have changed but the tradition have much influence on their changes. The people in the North prefer saving money to spending it. Whenever earning money, their habit of putting money in savings becomes too popular. Unlike the people in the South, overspending is usually avoided. Due to low personally income, when taking any service, they put too much concern on the price. The price may limit their spending on entertainment. This challenge Hard Rock Cafe should take in consideration. The price of real estate in HaNoi is evaluated too high eventhough comparing to Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo, LondonLocation plays as vital factor of determining the success of one business, especially the business of Hard Rock Cafe in which location is on the top of concern, research and investment. It is estimated that about 50% operating expenses belongs to location investment. The price of location in destination cities like HaNoi causes headache for investors. This challenge is facing Hard Rock Cafe for a long period as real estate market in HaNoi will be hotter and hotter when the economy recovers, when the finance activities flow strongly and smoothly. From 2010, VietNam Food Administration focuses on the Safety goods. VietNam Food Administration gives Regulations for evaluating the quality of food. Firstly, the main product of Hard Rock Cafe is food and the food quality needs to meet international standards and vietnamese standards. The problem may arise if those standards are defined in different ways and evaluated based on different criteria. Secondly, for suppliers of Hard Rock Cafe in Viet Nam and in the world, what adjustment can be made not to violate the Regulations of VietNam Food Administration. Some suppliers may meet the requirements and adapt to the changes. Some may not meet the requirements and change their own kind of business or stop doing business. There will be a shortage of suppliers, which results in price increase. This challenge sometimes cause problems in quality management. Doing business means searching and capturing opportunities timely. Besides it, facing challenges and overcoming them plays as motivating factor for growth and success. It is so important for us to take business opportunities in developing markets. HaNoi attracts investment due to its development, its undiscovered potential, especially in service and entertainment industry. If I were one of marketing managers taking the task of opening a new Hard Rock Cafe HaNoi, I would recommend one idea as follows. Based on the theory of Differing Marketing Tasks. Even if globally sold product varities are similar, the marketing task can vary geographically quoted in Page 285 Competitive Strategy 1998 by Michael E.Porter, I would carry out one promotional campaign called Love Rock Shop Rock. Why do not I build a connection music network of High schools, Universities and Rock lover clubs in HaNoi? A greeting card valued one souvernir or one small gift of Rock Shop should be presented to the youth in HaNoi before the coming of Hard Rock Cafe. By this way, I would send one message to the youth, encourage them to change their consumer behaviors and excite themselves with Rock, shopping and gift. HaNoi is looking forward to welcoming a high energy of Hard Rock Cafe for tourists, the youth, rock lovers and for the people who have not know Hard Rock yet.

U.S. Grant :: essays research papers

Ulysses S. Grant Ulysses S. Grant rose to command all the Federal armies in the Civil War. Ulysses Hiram Grant was born April 27, 1822, in a two room frame house at Point Pleasant, Ohio. His father, Jesse Root Grant, was foreman in a tannery. When Grant was one his parents moved to Georgetown where they had five more children there, two boys and three girls. At seventeen Grant was harvesting, and hauling wood. his father got him an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point that year. In spite of grants real middle name they used Grants', mothers' maiden name, Simpson. He made few friends at West Point due to being shy and quiet. Grant was in almost every battle of the Mexican War. This experience, he said, was of great value to him, because he became acquainted with nearly all the officers of the regular army. Some of them including the great soldier Robert E. Lee were to be on the Confederate side in the Civil War. Grant came back from Mexico a captain, with favorable mention. In the Mexican War Grant formed the habit of drinking. Grant spent two years on the Pacific coast and missed his second childs birth. His colonel asked for his resignation due to him drinking and wearing sloppy uniforms, and Grant borrowed money from him to return home. Julias father gave Grant 80 acres to farm, near St. Louis. Grant called the place Hardscrabble. Two more children were born and Grant couldnt support his growing family so Grant worked as a clerk, selling hides to saddle makers and cobbles. After Fort Sumter was fired on April 12, 1861, President Lincoln issued a call to arms. Within two weeks Grant was drilling volunteers in Galena, because, as he said, there was no one else to do the job, the gathering was completed and Grant left. A few weeks later the governor telegraphed him to come back and accept the rank of colonel because the men he had recruited had asked for him. Grant reached his headquarters at Cairo, Illinois, September 4, 1861. Grant then set to work t o prepare his men for a long, hard struggle. In February 1862 Grant advanced into Tennessee. While he was invading this fort, the Confederate general, Simon B. Buckner asked for a truce. This was the same officer who in had loaned Grant money to rejoin his family in 1858. U.S. Grant :: essays research papers Ulysses S. Grant Ulysses S. Grant rose to command all the Federal armies in the Civil War. Ulysses Hiram Grant was born April 27, 1822, in a two room frame house at Point Pleasant, Ohio. His father, Jesse Root Grant, was foreman in a tannery. When Grant was one his parents moved to Georgetown where they had five more children there, two boys and three girls. At seventeen Grant was harvesting, and hauling wood. his father got him an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point that year. In spite of grants real middle name they used Grants', mothers' maiden name, Simpson. He made few friends at West Point due to being shy and quiet. Grant was in almost every battle of the Mexican War. This experience, he said, was of great value to him, because he became acquainted with nearly all the officers of the regular army. Some of them including the great soldier Robert E. Lee were to be on the Confederate side in the Civil War. Grant came back from Mexico a captain, with favorable mention. In the Mexican War Grant formed the habit of drinking. Grant spent two years on the Pacific coast and missed his second childs birth. His colonel asked for his resignation due to him drinking and wearing sloppy uniforms, and Grant borrowed money from him to return home. Julias father gave Grant 80 acres to farm, near St. Louis. Grant called the place Hardscrabble. Two more children were born and Grant couldnt support his growing family so Grant worked as a clerk, selling hides to saddle makers and cobbles. After Fort Sumter was fired on April 12, 1861, President Lincoln issued a call to arms. Within two weeks Grant was drilling volunteers in Galena, because, as he said, there was no one else to do the job, the gathering was completed and Grant left. A few weeks later the governor telegraphed him to come back and accept the rank of colonel because the men he had recruited had asked for him. Grant reached his headquarters at Cairo, Illinois, September 4, 1861. Grant then set to work t o prepare his men for a long, hard struggle. In February 1862 Grant advanced into Tennessee. While he was invading this fort, the Confederate general, Simon B. Buckner asked for a truce. This was the same officer who in had loaned Grant money to rejoin his family in 1858.

Dr. Richard P. Feynman Essay -- Physics Biography Biographies

The Early Life of Dr. Richard P. Feynman Richard Feynman was a modern Renaissance man. Hailed as a scientist, musician, Nobel Laureate, and teacher. He played in a street band in Rio de Janerio, deciphered Mayan hieroglyphics, a fundamental contributor to quantum electrodynamics, and one of two learned men of his time on Tanna Tuva, his experience and skill were of a broad range and applications. Born in 1918 in Far Rockaway, New York, Richard Feynman started working with and studying electronics at a young age. At eleven, he began to repair radio systems as a hobby, for hotels and homes alike. Because it was the Depression, and he worked for free, he received a good deal of demand. He wasn't trying to make a profit; he wanted to learn more about them, by repairing. His spare time was usually spent experimenting with various different electronics. He once crafted a radio that could pick up signals from Texas, and used it to "predict" radio shows, by listening to them a few hours before the local stations broadcast them. At seventeen, he attended MIT, studying physics and graduating after four years as a physics major. During this time he met Arlene, whom he married in 1941. She shared a vigor for life with Feynman, and served as a point of constancy in his life. He went on to study at Princeton after graduating from MIT in 1943. Here he had another experiment; if you take a S-shaped sprinkler, submerge it in water, and vacuum water into it, which direction does it turn, the same as if it were spraying water into air, or the opposite? The debate for this question went on long enough, that Feynman decided to go out and DO it. By placing such a sprinkler into a large water bottle, and pressurizing the water to push water int... ... light also brought about the discovery of Tuvan throat-singers, singers of a particular style that they can harmonize with themselves, something previously thought to be impossible. In 1985, Feynman published his book, Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman, an autobiography which relates his life and personal anecdotes, which was a national bestseller for 14 weeks. Posthumously, the sequel, What Do You Care What Other People Think?, was also published. In 1987, Feynman was discovered to have another cancerous tumor. Although this one was also remover, it left him greatly weakened. He was admitted to a hospital again in February 1988 for a gastrointestinal ulcer, which destroyed his other kidney. Although he could have extended his lifespan by using a dialysis machine, he declined that to accept a natural death. Dr. Richard P. Feynman died on February 15, 1988.

Odysseus as an Epic Hero Essay

What is an epic hero? Homers’ â€Å"Odyssey† is about an epic hero named Odysseus and his quest home. â€Å"The Odyssey† begins after the Trojan war had left Odysseus trapped, pointlessly seafaring for 10 years after angering Poseidon, the god of the sea. He tries desperately to return home to Ithaka and his wife, Penelope, and newborn son, Telemachus. Odysseus then has many hardships upon which he overcomes through his intelligence and wit. Odysseus is an epic hero because he is intelligent, he listens to the god’s advice, and he is witty; able to think on his feet. With the help of the gods he can survive things most men couldn’t. First, nearing the end of the Epic, Odysseus continues to use his intelligence to overcome obstacles and hardships. Upon one attempt to return home, Odysseus must pass the island of the Sirens. He has his men plug their ears with beeswax but not before he tells them his place in the plan: â€Å"Take me and bind me to the crosspiece half way up the mast; bind me as I stand upright, with a bond so fast that I cannot possibly break away, and lash the rope’s ends to the mast itself. If I beg and pray you to set me free, then bind me more tightly still. Even though Odysseus gives into the weakness of the sirens’ song, he is unable to escape from the bonds of the rope and his previous intelligence saves him. Once he arrives in Ithaca, Odysseus once again uses his intelligence to overcome his suitors and reclaim his estate. When he first encounters the people of his land, he wisely chooses to remain anonymous, avoiding an unplanned struggle or fight. Odysseus then reveals himself to his son and few servants to plan an attack on the suitors. At a contest to see if anyone can string Odysseus’s bow, the hero plans his attack after stringing the bow and firing on the suitors. His son and servants have the other arms and they massacre the entire group of suitors. This was one of Odysseus’s final acts of brilliance to conclude the epic. Furthermore, there are many instances throughout the epic where Odysseus takes the advice of the gods to overcome the obstacles he is faced with. One of the first events is when Odysseus encounters Aeolus, the god of winds. Many men would not trust this god and not accept his secret bag of wind, believing it would be a plague of some sort. But, Odysseus accepts Aeolus’ bag of winds and treats him with hospitality. Another instance where Odysseus accepts the gods’ guidance is when the hero listens to Hermes on how to overcome Circe: â€Å"But Hermes met me, with his golden wand, barring the way-a boy whose lip was downy in the first bloom of mankind, so he seemed. He took my hand and spoke as though he knew me. † By Hermes insight, Odysseus eats the food that is given to him and patiently waits for the right time to strike. Odysseus subdues Circe and forces her to free his men from the bondage of swine. After living in luxury with Circe for a year, he listens to her advice on how to return to his homeland of Ithaca. Finally, one of the first obstacles Odysseus conquers is the defeat of the Cyclops. Once trapped in the cave of the one-eyed monster, Odysseus must devise a plan and fast, the giant had taken to consuming his men. This is where Odysseus’ wit comes into play. Cunningly, Odysseus gets the Cyclops drunk and allows him to fall into slumber. He then blinds the Cyclops with a red-hot spear, knowing intelligently enough that if he kills the Cyclops they will be trapped forever. Searching for help, the giant opens the cave. Earlier, Odysseus says: â€Å"My name is Nobody: mother, father, and friends, everybody calls me Nobody. When the blinded giant is seeking help from his brothers, he proclaims that, â€Å"Nobody† blinded him. Therefore, Odysseus and his men escape with their lives by the means of this hero’s wit.? In conclusion, through this intelligence and wit with advice from the gods, Odysseus overcomes all of his obstacles against all odds. Being a true hero, the Achaeans look up to Odysseus as a role model with his intelligence, wit, and godly insight. It is because of these three traits that Odysseus is considered an epic hero and is never to be forgotten.