Common Money Questions (and Expert Answers!)

Common Money Questions (and Expert Answers!) Common Money Questions (and Expert Answers!) Common Money Questions (and Expert Answers!)For many people, trying to understand the ins and outs of their finances can feel like taking a test that they forgot to study for. The thought of even trying to balance a checkbook can cause shivers.Luckily, personal finance is not a test. There’s no teacher hovering at your shoulder, no clock ticking off the seconds till “pencils down”, and there is nothing stopping you from asking for the right answer. You just need to make sure you’re asking the right person.And who better to ask then real personal finance professionals? Personal finance might not be a test, but it can still help to have a “cheat sheet.”1. Howard Dvorkin, CPA, @HowardDvorkin Chairman of Debt.com @debtcomHands down, the question I’m asked most often is, “Are those credit counseling agencies a scam?”Americans these days are rightly skeptical of offers that sound too good to be true, and many have been burned by them. But credit counseling agencies are n onprofits, they’re regulated, and they’ve been around for decades. The reputable ones charge nothing for a debt analysis by a certified credit counselor, and they work directly with the credit card companies to reduce your interest rates by up to 30 or even 50 percent â€" and they can stop all late fees. Look for one that’s been around at least 20 years and has an A-plus rating from the Better Business Bureau, and you’ll quickly learn it’s a legitimate way to climb out of debt.2. Abby Eisenkraft, EA, ATA, ATP, CRPC â€" Choice Tax Solutions Inc., @AbbyChoiceTaxMany clients are confused about self-employment. They mistakenly believe that if they did not receive a Form 1099-Misc from a customer, that the income received is not reported. There is no such thing as off the books or under the table when it comes to the IRS.  Taxpayers are required to report their worldwide income, regardless of whether or not it is taxable (some cases have allowable exclusions, etc., but it does not escape reporting).The result is under-reporting on your tax return, and there are many ways to get caught. Clients are always shocked when the IRS or State catches it. They try to blame the vendor for not sending the form, but the IRS states that regardless of whether or not it was received, all income must be declared.3. Daniel Vaturi, @BronxMortgage, Mortgage Loan Originator FM Home Loans @FMHomeLoansThe most common, but flawed, question I receive from borrowers on a weekly basis is “what is the highest mortgage that you can get me approved for?”The question really should be, “what is the most that I can afford?” Unfortunately, too often, borrowers over extend on the mortgage because they can get approved for it, without fully looking at the whole picture and expense of a home. The greatest example is utilities such as electric, gas, water, and heat. Borrowers coming into a house from an apartment more often than not, do not take into account the increase in utility bills as it is often an overlooked expense. By not properly taking this into account, a borrower can find themselves with an unrealistic monthly obligation. While these things are not taken into account for the purpose of the debt to income ratios used to determine maximum eligibility, it is imperative the take these factors into account when buying a home to make sure a borrower can actually afford what they are getting into rather than simply being able to be approved for what they are getting into.4. Linda M. Conti, Geoffrey M. Tomes and Bruce Wayne Gaylord Conti Wealth Management Group at Noyes @danoyes19081. Should I look to pay off my mortgage or invest?We get this type of question often, with clients asking if they should pay extra on their mortgage each month, pay it off entirely, or buy another house outright. Our answer to this question has changed in light of interest rates moving further downward. If low rates are locked in for a substantial matter of time, it can be ve ry advantageous to invest rather than pay off the debt faster. It is prudent to measure the pros and cons of a 15-year mortgage versus a 30-year mortgage. Take that a step further and investigate what kind of returns you can expect based on your age and risk tolerance, and you’ll have enough information at your fingertips to make an informed decision. A financial planner can help work through these scenarios with you.We also discuss the fact that debt can be very personal to some people, so if it makes you feel better to pay it off completely or much earlier, do that. We always want their money to work for them, whatever that entails.2. I’m not rich, so why do I need to worry about Estate Planning?Estate Planning is not just for the wealthy. Estate Planning involves making sure all your end-of-life matters have been addressed. Items to consider are making sure your will is up-to-date and accessible, that your IRA/401(k) beneficiaries are current (you likely don’t want your ex- spouse as your primary beneficiary anymore!). Consider a Healthcare Power-of-Attorney should you become completely incapacitated. People often overlook the fact that the person they elect to take care of their children doesn’t have to be the same person that handles the finances upon their death. People in your life have different skills, so be sure to think about that when making sure your affairs are wrapped up.3.Here’s an important thing to consider before retirement:People often have a general idea about where their spending is going, but once they retire, making more money doesn’t happen as freely as before, so consider “living your budget”, from six months to a year before you retire. Overspending won’t necessarily derail the initial years in retirement, but it can have a catastrophic effect in those later years when you get into your late 80s and 90s, as you could be in a situation where your assets have diminished and you can no longer work to increase them.  â€ œLiving your budget” before retirement can help prepare someone before the “fixed-income lifestyle” becomes the norm.4. Is it too late for me to start saving for retirement?It’s never too late to start planning for your future. Work with a financial planner. They can help you establish a program to begin investing in an efficient manner and can help prepare you for retirement. Perhaps you’re in better shape than you thought, or perhaps it means retirement may have to wait a few more years. In either case, it’s better to know than lay awake at night worrying about it.If you want to learn more about the dos and don’ts of personal finance, you can follow all these great professionals on Twitter. You can also check out all the great posts, how-tos and interviews on the OppLoans blog!Remember, personal finance is not a test â€" if you don’t know the answer, it’s okay to ask!Visit OppLoans on YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIN

Classical Music And Its Influence On The Modern World

There are many types of music in the world, with many different artists, backgrounds, and stories to tell. Every genre holds within itself a message, and this message shows a glimpse of the past as well as the possibilities of the future. People everywhere love music for these reasons and more, and I love one style of music in particular: a style that brings me comfort, makes me question the world, and gives me insight as to who I am. Classical music describes a genre that, for me, means more than just notes on the page or in the air; the music speaks to a deep and wonder-seeking part of me that cannot quite be described using words. The true evolution of primitive music began around 1750 during the Classical Era in Europe, with the pioneering works of Mozart and Haydn, as well as many others. Deriving from these great composers, the genre further evolved during the Romantic and Modern Eras by encompassing a deeply emotional and expressive side unlike anything heard before. Indeed, t hese periods of music entail a vast and rich history of pieces written to please royalty, soft and haunting works of lost love, and vast orchestral suites that try to capture the majesty of the natural world. Such vast detail and eloquent composition allows the listener of classical music to immediately be transported to another time, another world, and especially another mindset. Other genres of music may contain hints of these same elements, but none can fully compare to the true qualitiesShow MoreRelatedCharacteristics Of Classical Music1277 Words   |  6 PagesA very big misconception with classical music is that it is one big group. There are four main musical periods of classical music. They are the baroque, classical, romantic, and the modern eras. The first major era of classical music is the baroque era. It started around 1600 and ended around 1750. The baroque time period was very important as it was a foundation for classical music to grow and develop. Many musical form s were made and developed as well. Some examples are the sonata, concerto, andRead MoreClassical and Rap Music1364 Words   |  6 PagesEssay: Classical and Rap Music Kristin Conway COM/155 - UNIVERSITY COMPOSITION AND COMMUNICATION I March 15, 2014 Instructor: Kathleen Case In contrary to common thought, classical and rap music have as many similarities as they do differences. The sound may be completely different, but there is a way to show emotion that will affect the listeners. For example, they both have ways to bring emotion and feeling into both performance and their audience’s effectiveness. Classical has anRead More The Influence of The Impressionist Era Essay1015 Words   |  5 PagesThe Influence of The Impressionist Era Impressionism, one of the later eras in classical music composition. An era where emotions are expressed vividly while still following musical structure, where music caused much political controversy, and where France became known for its musical talent. In this essay you will read of how impressionism set a lasting mark in musical and national histories, and how it influenced modern music as we know it. The Impressionist Era all started with ClaudeRead MoreBritain s Musical Influences Around The World1193 Words   |  5 PagesStephen Thomas Mrs. Rodriguez British Literature 2 March 2016 Britain’s Musical Influences Around the World Britain’s social and global development through shifts in the monarchy and many wars can be paralleled with its development of music as well. The influence of both classical, Baroque, and modern music, the Beatles, is seen around the world as many great shifts in the music world began in Great Britain. Read MoreWhy Study Pop Music Essay1354 Words   |  6 PagesWhy Study Pop Music â€Å"Pop culture used to be all the stuff you had to wait for after school to enjoy. But these days, pop culture is just as likely to be the stuff you study in school† . In 1986 Michael Hannan establish a contemporary Popular Music program at Southern Cross University a trained classical pianist and musicologist he had previously worked in rock bands and for AC/DC’s publisher. Hannan recounts how in 2000 â€Å"at least 8 of the 37 universities in Australia are now offering degreesRead MoreThe Romantic And Classic Ages Of European Music1015 Words   |  5 PagesMusic is widely considered to be the least rational of the arts, and thus the one least openly associated with fundamentals of the outside world; all the same, musicians of considerable significance have been both consciously and subconsciously molded by the environment in which they reside and as such they may interpret and bring the world to life in the language of music. The Romantic and Classic ages of European music can be simply put as the period of time between the deaths of Ludwig Van BeethovenRead MoreIslams Influences on the Modern World1422 Words   |  6 Pages The modern world is a mixing pot of different cultures and influences intertwining and overlapping. The impact of one culture on another can be seen clearly in contemporary Europe, which lays adjacent to Asia. Over time, European culture has evolved and assimilated with the incorporation of surrounding influences. Western civilisation has taken inspiration in the innovations and discoveries of great eastern empires such as the Greek, Roman and Byzantine. Arguably one of the most influential andRead MoreThe Van Beethoven s Musical Style And Innovations1263 Words   |  6 PagesLuwig Van Beethoven Ludwig Van Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany and spent his musical career in Vienna. Beethoven is â€Å"widely considered to be one of the pre-eminent classical music figures of the Western world† (Beethoven 5). Beethoven was taught music by his father, but by the age of nine he had already outstripped his father’s musical knowledge and was taken under the wing of Gottlob Neefe. Neefe â€Å"schooled Beethoven in both piano playing and basic composition, introducing him to the works ofRead MoreThe Origins Of The Percussion Family1310 Words   |  6 Pagesaddition, the Ottoman Expansionism throughout the 1600’s gave the Western world a large amount of exposure to the Turkish military band music and instruments. Many of the militarily effective instruments were carried into Western armies, such as the Cavalry Kettledrums, or Timpani. Figure 1: Mounted Trumpeters and a Kettledrummer (Persian, 1237 CE) Timpani were the first majorly used percussion instrument in Western music. It evolved from of the Medieval instrument the Nakers, which were smallerRead MoreEssay on Renaisssance versus Baroque Periods967 Words   |  4 Pagesperiod. Differences in style accumulated along with views of art and music. Baroque era covers the period between 1600 and 1750 beginning with Monte Verdi (birth of opera) and ended with deaths of Bach and Handel. The term baroque music is borrowed from the art history. It follows the Renaissance era (1400-1600). It was initially considered to be a corrupt way of Renaissance by conservatives. The dominant trends in Baroque music correspond to those in Baroque art and literature. Some features of

Capitalism for The Better, Socialism for The Worse...

Capitalism for The Better, Socialism for The Worse Failing or profitable government? There are various types of economies in the the world, of the various types they can be narrowed down to the two most common which are capitalist and socialist economies. Capitalism is â€Å"a way of organizing an economy so that the things that are used to make and transport products are owned by individual people and companies rather than by the government† (Merriam Webster). Socialism is â€Å"a way of organizing a society in which major industries are owned and controlled by the government rather than by individual people and companies† (Merriam Webster). Every economic systems has pros and cons. Type of organization, individual or public benefit, and societal†¦show more content†¦In the state lead economy, the government owns the means of production, but the organization is ran by capitalists methods. Capitalism promotes competition in the economy which has positive outcomes. Competition generates higher quality products a nd more effective techniques in businesses. Competition is the only reason the government plays a role in capitalism, and that role is protection from fraud and force. â€Å"The only purpose of government would be to protect its citizens from force or fraud† (Reisman, George). Socialism is considered the weak; less effective form of economy. â€Å"By failing to emphasize incentives, socialism is a theory inconsistent with human nature and is therefore doomed to fail† (Mark Perry, 1995). It is the type of organization that involves the government owning and controlling the major industries and prosperous companies in the country. The fact that socialism disregards private property rights in establishing incentives for economic development and growth is another reason why socialism fails. Socialism robs citizens of their human rights to private property, but it does grant the right to an education, to work, and free health care and transportation. Unlike capitalism that is based on supply and demand, in a socialist economy, the government regulates the quantity of products produced and distributed. The government alsoShow MoreRelatedBusiness Ethics6288 Words   |  26 PagesBakan wrote the book, The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit an d Power, during the filming of the documentary. The documentary shows the development of the contemporary business corporation, from a legal entity that originated as a government-chartered institution meant to effect specific public functions, to the rise of the modern commercial institution entitled to most of the legal rights of a person. One theme is its assessment as a personality, as a result of an 1886 case in theRead MoreThe Rise of China and Future of the West17670 Words   |  71 PagesEast. Realists go on to note that as China gets more powerful and the United States position erodes, two things are likely to happen: China will try to use its growing influence to reshape the rules and institutions of the international system to better serve its interests, and other states in the system -- especially the declining hegemon -- will start to see China as a growing security threat. The result of these developments, they predict, will be tension, distrust, and conflict, the typical featuresRead MoreInstitution as the Fundamen tal Cause of Long Tern Growth39832 Words   |  160 Pagesinstitutions more broadly, are endogenous; they are, at least in part, determined by society, or a segment of it. Consequently, the question of why some societies are much poorer than others is closely related to the question of why some societies have much â€Å"worse economic institutions† than others. Even though many scholars including John Locke, Adam Smith, John Stuart Mill, Douglass North and Robert Thomas have emphasized the importance of economic institutions, we are far from a useful framework for thinkingRead MoreInside the Meltdown49737 Words   |  199 Pagesdepositors never take losses. But there s a process in place for doing this. We have a receivership and resolution staff that are expert in how to close institutions, how to do that in an orderly way so people don t get scared or upset, and it s always better to try to sell it off to another institution to keep it running, as opposed to putting it into some type of a bridge bank [temporary] situation, which is what we had to do with Freddie Mac, or we re selling it off in pieces. We try to avoid thatRead MoreCase Studies: Sas Airline Ryanair80169 Words   |  321 PagesLFV’S MARKETING DIRECTOR .......................................................... 138 APPENDIX 3 - INTERVIEW WITH MATS VALINGER, VICE PRESIDENT CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SAS GROUP .. 151 APPENDIX 4 - INTERVIEW WITH KJELL WILSBERG, DIRECTOR GOVERNMENT RELATIONS OF SAS BRAATHENS............. 153 Chapter 1 Introduction 1 1 Introduction n chapter one, we will present the background of the study. We start by introducing the airline industry, and then we continue by giving our research problem

Peace Journalism Is Incompatible with Achieving the Journalistic Ideal of Objectivity Free Essays

In the media world we observe that the framing of narratives in conflicts plays a crucial role in politics and in lives of regular people. There is a certain manipulation on the presentation of war and peace in the media. Main question is what media ought to do and what they can do. We will write a custom essay sample on Peace Journalism Is Incompatible with Achieving the Journalistic Ideal of Objectivity or any similar topic only for you Order Now One of the alternatives is Peace Journalism. This paper will analyse it in the light of the journalistic ideal of objectivity. George Orwell wrote that â€Å"history is written by the winners†, and that there is no universally accepted answer just because it is true – in each case there is a great number of incompatible answers and they struggle to be adopted (Orwell, 1944). This statement can be understood that there is no objective truth. Maybe especially when it comes to conflicts there is no objectivity. None the less, this essay will look at the objectivity as a possible practice, mentioning some scholars that oppose this view. On one hand arguments showing that Peace Journalism is objective will be shown, and on the other hand arguments opposing this statement will be presented. As the propaganda model is essential for understanding objectivity in the journalistic practice, one section will be devoted to short analysis of Herman and Chomsky’s theory. But first definition of Peace and War Journalism will be introduced, and a notion of objectivity examined. Peace journalism vs. War Journalism Peace Journalists claim that conflicts can be exacerbated or ameliorated with the use of media. Lynch and McGoldrick argue that a typical practice of contemporary journalists is War Journalism. According to them such way of reporting exacerbates conflicts, for that reason, they propose a revolutionary alternative to War Journalism. In order to stop violence journalists need to make innovations in the way they report conflicts. One can ask if such approach is objective, but they believe that their approach is an answer to how to be a humane observer-participant in un-humane context (McGoldrick Lynch, 2000). War Journalism is a practice of most journalists who focus on two sides of conflict. Usually in such reporting one side wins and the other loses, there is no space for complex relations with many parties involved. War Journalists are occupied with violence. They choose one side of the conflict to be a victim and the other to be a villain (dualism). What is more, the reports are based on official sources, and that makes them highly biased – their alternative is on the other hand not dependent on official sources, hence, it is objective. Media according to some scholars are relying on both political and economic elites (see the Propaganda Model), however, also social and cultural factors contribute to the way conflicts are reported. Especially to the domination of war journalism have those factors contributed a lot. Universal practice is, however, non-critical reporting of official versions of events. In the eyes of public media generally seem to be more reliable than politicians. For this reason, they are often used by elites to broadcast the official messages, which are not necessarily objective. According to the critics of War Journalism, media’s reporting is more about military leaders than the people involved in conflict. This is the main point made by Annabel McGoldrick and Jake Lynch, who argue that non-critical reporting of official sources is often rewarded by military sources. Peace Journalism on the other hand analyses conflict including balance, impartiality and truth in reporting. Again, it is therefore more objective than War Journalism. War Journalism is the dominant discourse and it tries to be an objective form of reporting conflicts. It focuses on violent responses to conflict and undervalues non-violent ones. McGoldrick and Lynch recognise three conventions within War Journalism. Two of them have already been mentioned earlier. Those thre conventions are: a bias in favour of official sources, a bias in favour of event over process and a bias in favour of â€Å"dualism† in reporting conflicts. Because of objectivity in War Journalism, we hear little about change agents and peace-building initiatives, at least compared with official sources who take most part of conflict coverage. How we understand conflicts is depending on choices made in newsroom. In War Journalism it is safer to stick to events and report what has taken place. That is why most common practice is to report on events and not on processes. Dualism may seem to appear to the public as common sense, it is a key part of objectivity, however, it is a key element of War Journalism as well, and therefore, Peace Journalists oppose it. Hearing both sides is in fact bad practice and can be a proof of lack of journalistic skills. In this short introduction, it is visible that at the first sight War Journalism is raditionally said to be more objective than Peace Journalism, however, Peace Journalists claim that their practice is more objective. Their new way of reporting has an important influence on the audience and their understanding of conflicts. Peace Journalists’ approach to the coverage of conflict means showing compassion and understanding. It sets people’s sights on suffering, howev er, emphasizes peace initiatives at the same time. It is not glorifying one side while castigating the other; it shows falsehood on both sides. In this sense it is objective. War Journalism on the other hand, presents conflict as a battle between the good and the bad, where the result is either victory or defeat. Using non-violent perspective, explaining the background of the conflict, giving a voice to all parties should be a new practice according to the peace researchers. The link between media and military has undergone some changes, and it seems that journalists have only two choices. One is to report official statements and be part of military propaganda, for example embedded journalism, or the second choice is to become doubtful observer who struggles to explain the events that influence lives of nations. Objectivity Objectivity is â€Å"a cornerstone of the professional ideology of journalists in liberal democracies† (Lichtenberg, 1996). What is problematic with objectivity is that in fact it only gives a resemblance to the real course of events. It makes an audience passive; they are being served the news without a profound analysis or explanation. Giving just both sides of the story may be a sign that a journalist has not done a proper work with the case. When defining notion of objectivity in this way, Peace Journalism would not be compatible with achieving it. Defining objectivity is not an easy task, though. Understanding objectivity as neutrality is wrong as it is utopian ideal. For example, newspapers always need to take a standpoint when they decide what stories to feature in their editions, the same when broadcasters choose what stories to cover, whom they interview etc. Objectivity is not impartiality or fairness or balance. Objectivity is based on facts or evidence, not feelings or opinions. It requires evidence and verification more than attempt to being neutral (Sambrook, 2004). Hence, we may say that Peace Journalism can be objective. Fundamental question one needs to ask is, if there is any such thing as â€Å"truth†. Do facts in truth prove anything? Lichtenberg writes that â€Å"our most fundamental interest in objectivity is an interest in truth† (1996, p. 227). Journalists have their biases, hence, it seems that in fact ideal of objectivity is not possible to achieve. It is impossible to include all perspectives, as well as it is impossible to reject one’s bias (Bell, 1997; Lichtenberg, 1996). Journalists need to acknowledge their unfairness, so that they can fight it and realize what the accepted narratives are. However, if there is possible bias, it means that there should be unbias possible as well. To deny that objectivity is possible would mean that there is any way of getting at the truth (Lichtenberg, 1996). Propaganda model Problem with objectivity is that a notion of objectivity favours official statements and viewpoints of governments and powerful players, like corporations. Before further analysing of Peace Journalism in terms of objectivity, it is crucial to introduce the conceptual framework, which shows how media institutions work nowadays. Christiane Amanpour claims that media are getting too close to show business (1996). This claim finds confirmation in the theory of Herman and Chomsky. Herman and Chomsky’s Propaganda Model of the media consists of a system where the government and dominant players are able to broadcast their message to the public and control what is becoming a news. This is possible in an American media landscape, because of money and power, according to the two scholars. The factors of money and power filter the news – depending if the news is appropriate for the media they can get to the public; one that is opposing is left aside. In Herman and Chomsky’s model there is no space for possibility of objectivity, though. In Manufacturing Consent they mention â€Å"worthy† and â€Å"unworthy† victims. With â€Å"worthy victims† they mean casualties that are harmed in enemy state, there is much coverage of â€Å"worthy victims†, because their suffering is crucial for US case. Those that are abused, but not mentioned in media coverage are â€Å"unworthy victims†. Criterion of worthy/unworthy victims is one of the examples how media report conflicts. Media are subordinated to political as well as economic powers, according to the Propaganda Model. Herman and Chomsky’s theory assumes that there are five filters that make link between governing powers and media. First one is the nature of media ownership, second, advertising and its influence on media, third is the fact that media rely on the governmental, business and involved partial sources (for example, so called â€Å"experts†), fourth factor is what they call fear of flak – a constant pressure from media institutions that you as a broadcaster may be criticised, and last factor is national religion or anti-communism, later re-phrased into ideological convergence – war on terror (Herman Chomsky, 1988). This theory is confirmed by many practitioners. Martin Bell claims that screens are the filters. The programme editors seem to know how it is being a war correspondent, and they think that they have been there (Bell, 1997). Conflict coverage is shaped according to their view or perception of reality. It is therefore not objective. Peace Journalism vs. Objectivity Peace Journalism in a way can be called journalism of attachment; it disregards objectivity to some extent. In journalism of attachment media are embedded in international affairs. They play a part in reproducing inequalities between nations. But maybe journalism does not have to be objective? The statement that the news holds a mirror up to nature is untrue, because mirror does not affect the image, it does not change what it reflects, while television image does (Bell, 1997). This means that the media are powerful and have a direct effect, this effect can be called CNN effect, BBC effect or Al-Jazeera effect. Irrespectively of name, this effect assumes that new types of broadcasting are capable of changing policies. News is not only global/international, but also immediate or live, and most importantly continuous. US ambassador for UN said that CNN should become the 16th member of the UN Security Council (Amanpour, 1996). Seeing the sea of blood on the front pages and in TV news reports increases the pressure on political elites to do something about the conflict, as seen in case of for example Bosnia or Rwanda. Amanpour compares the role and influence of media on the society to a brain surgery – it is about feeding the brains. However, such statement does not take into account that media are controlled by professional values and organizational instructions that do not give journalists so much freedom to influence the masses to full extent. Interestingly, it is mostly politicians that claim that CNN effect has a huge influence of policy-making. They believe there is a strong CNN effect, therefore, they act as if it did. Journalists on the other hand have mixed opinions. The issue of objectivity is complex. According to Sambrook objective approach is facts, evidence, verification, independence and transparency (2004), hence, peace journalism is incompatible with achieving objectivity, because it is people-oriented, truth-oriented and solution-oriented, it may be therefore selective in the coverage. War Journalism is biased in that way that it favours violence, Peace Journalism on the other hand avoids bias, because it does not give so much importance to violence or violent parties in conflicts. Then, to some extent it is possible to say that Peace Journalism is compatible with achieving the journalistic ideal of objectivity. As of appealing to its audience, Peace Journalism promotes peace and social justice, elements that are values in the modern society. Interesting change in the reporting that has happened last decades is the fact that the cycle of news is 24 hour long, and the speed is crucial when it comes to breaking stories. Because of that it is impossible to devote time to report events objectively. Would that mean that no journalism can be in fact objective? In general Peace Journalism is more objective than War Journalism. It focuses on positive developments in peace-making and peace-building initiatives. It includes both elites and non-elites. Peace Journalism is objective, because it is focused on exposing untruths on all sides. Amanpour says that objectivity in war is important. The practice should give all sides a fair hearing, but it does not mean that journalists should treat all sides equally. Objectivity must go together with morality. Conclusions George Orwell in his essay â€Å"Historical truth† from 1944 makes an interesting point that Encyclopaedia Britannica could collect information on the campaigns during The First World War also from German sources, because data like casualty figures was neutral and unbiased. At the time when the essay was published Orwell claims that, such practice would not be possible, because Nazi and non-Nazi versions of World War II were so different from one another (Orwell, 1944). However, how Orwell puts it â€Å"[t]here is some hope (†¦) that the liberal habit of mind, which thinks of truth as something outside yourself, something to be discovered, and not as something you can make up as you go along, will survive†. Martin Bell in TV news: How far should we go? wished to be called a Peace Correspondent, however, according to the reporter unfortunately there is no such thing, like Peace Correspondent. Bell writes that sometimes it seemed to him that as a humankind we learned nothing and forgotten everything (Bell, 1997). He claims that although there is a new element – television – we are not learning much from conflicts and still are revisiting history. Yet, the way of reporting wars has changed. First of all, there are TV and satellite dishes, a technological factor. Second change is a shift of approach. Just like communication technology, people’s attitudes also have changed. Before it was objective and necessary for journalists to stay distanced and detached, nowadays the practice common in media is what Bell calls bystanders’ journalism. It is concerned with circumstances of conflict more than with people. But for Bell objectivity is a slogan, an illusion impossible to achieve. He says: â€Å"[w]hen I report from the war zones, or anywhere else, I do so with all the fairness and impartiality I can muster, and a scrupulous attention to the facts, but using my eyes and ears and mind and accumulated experience, which are surely the very essence of the subjective. † Journalism of attachments is a journalism that cares and knows, as Bell puts it. It assumes that journalists are part of the world, so they can be involved in the events they report. The journalist being a neutral observer and witness is a myth (Bell, 1997). Does it mean that Peace Journalists are not objective then? Even screens are the filters. The programme editors seem to know how it was being war correspondent, and they think that they have been there. It is a time to be passionate and a time to be dispassionate. It is simply a matter of common sense (Bell, 1997). Then, it can be said that Peace Journalism does not necessarily mean subjective reporting. Peace Journalists are not selective in their reporting, so although it is questionable if it can be called objectivity, Peace Journalism to high extent is compatible with achieving the journalistic ideal of objectivity. How to cite Peace Journalism Is Incompatible with Achieving the Journalistic Ideal of Objectivity, Papers

Strategic Management Essays (2473 words) - Strategic Management

Strategic Management ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONStrategic Management Choose your company or any MNC company that you are familiar with and: 1)Explain the nature of the firm business 2)Undertake a SWOT analysis of the firms business to identify areas of strategic importance and the corresponding strategic drivers/ Critical Factors (CF) the firms has to focus on to provide the company a competitive advantage. Table of Contents AcknowledgementPage 2 Background of Malaysia Airlines SystemPage 3 - 4 Business StrategyPage 5 - 6 SWOT AnalysisPage 7 - 12 ?Competitive Analysis ?Value Chain Analysis ?Core Competencies Critical Success FactorsPage 13 - 15 ConclusionPage 16 ReferencesPage 17 - Acknowledgement First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Mr. Ravinthiran, our tutor for Strategic Management module. He is a jovial and a very knowledgeable person as he shared his experiences in the business and organizations. He had also given us ample information on the subject matter and enhanced my interest in Strategic Management. I would also like to thank my friends and family who had given me support and guidance throughout the completion of this assignment. Thank you. Background of MAS The glory days of the tourism world has opened a new path for the local transportation system to bloom especially the air transportation. In the year 1937, Malayan Airway Limited (MAL) was established. As years passed, on 13th September 1972, MAS Airlines was officially launched by Tun Dr. Ismail Abdul Rahman in Kuala Lumpur International Airport. As a flag carrying national airlines, three colors form the flag are chosen which are red, white and blue. The majoring color is red because it reflects the vibrancy and excitement that is the essence of Malaysia. The MAS symbol is the Kelantan kite called the ?Wau Bulan'. Indigenous to Malaysia, the Kelantan kites dates back to many centuries and its represents a fire expression of the mythologies that enriched the nation's tradition. Furthermore, it represents controlled flight in an exclusive Malaysian manner, giving feeling of movement and modernity. On October 15, 1987, MAS launched its new corporate image with a restyled logo and emphasis on the country's name. The new red and blue logo (previously all red), while retaining the essence of the Kelantan kite, was given a more swept back look to project "movement and dynamism." The company was also to be identified as "Malaysia Airlines" in all its communications although its registered name, Malaysian Airline System, was not changed. MAS Airlines vision is to be an airlines uniquely renowned for its personal touch, warmth and efficiency. As for the mission, the airlines system strives to provide air travel transport services that ranks among the best in terms of safety, comfort and punctuality. The MAS Airlines motto is ?Go Beyond Expectation?. The sole objective of the company was to provide the people of Malaysia with an efficient and profitable air transport system which would enhance the standing of the country. As the national flag carrier of Malaysia, MAS Airlines had played an important role in contributing to the economic and social incorporation of the country. The company subsidized loss-making services in certain domestic routes which we redeemed essential for social and economic development. For example, some rural settlements in Sabah and Sarawak were only accessible by MAS Airlines rural air services. These services were operated from the year MAS Airlines started operations and fell within the account of non-economic but socially desirable services. Business Strategy INTERNALEXTERNAL Apply, sustainDiscover OvercomeAvert No one has ever developed a formula for "making strategy." Making strategy is a matter of generating ideas about how a business is going to compete. Then, those ideas are analyzed to determine which the best are. The SWOT analysis - Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats - is probably the most respected of all strategic analysis tools. Strengths and Weaknesses are, of course, factors reflecting the internal state of the business, while Opportunities and Threats reflect the external environment. Customers are usually considered somewhere among those Opportunities and Threats, but they aren't the highest priority in the SWOT model. Michael Porter's "Five Forces" for industry analysis, now nearly 25 years old, was an elegant and powerful tool for predicting the profitability of a business based on the relationship of competitors, substitutes, buyers, and sellers. The primary purpose of this model, however, was to identify where the power among these players

Make a Glow in the Dark Pumpkin

Make a Glow in the Dark Pumpkin You can make a glow in the dark pumpkin with a jack-o-lantern face using a common non-toxic chemical. The jack-o-lantern doesnt require carving or fire, shines in rain or wind, and lasts as long as your pumpkin. Plus, the glowing pumpkin looks really spooky! Glow in the Dark Pumpkin Materials Its very easy to make a glow in the dark pumpkin and it doesnt require many materials: Pumpkin (real, carved, or artificial)Glow in the dark paintPaintbrush (optional)Masking tape to form a jack-o-lantern face (optional) Make the Pumpkin Glow Basically, ​all you need to do is coat a pumpkin with glow in the dark paint. The glow in the dark paint can be obtained from any arts and crafts store. You can use glow in the dark acrylic paint for making models, glowing tempera paint, or glow in the dark fabric paint. I used glowing fabric paint, which dries clear and is waterproof. Paint your pumpkin.Shine a bright light on the pumpkin, then turn out the lights. If the pumpkin does not glow as brightly as you would like, apply one or more coats of glow in the dark paint. Creating a Jack-o-Lantern Face For this project, the jack-o-lantern face is the part that does not glow. If you are using a carved jack-o-lantern, youve already got a face. If you just want a glowing pumpkin, you simply coat the pumpkin with glow in the dark paint, and youre finished. If you want a face on an intact pumpkin you have a few different options for creating it: Trace a face on the pumpkin and paint around the face.Tape a face on the pumpkin, paint the entire pumpkin  and remove the tape when the paint is dry. How Long Will the Glowing Pumpkin Glow? How long your pumpkin glows depends on the chemical used to make it glow and the light you used to charge your pumpkin. Zinc sulfide is a phosphorescent non-toxic chemical used in most glow in the dark paints. If you shine a bright light on it, you can expect it to glow for several minutes up to an hour. If you shine an ultraviolet lamp or black light onto the pumpkin, it will glow more brightly, but probably not any longer. Newer phosphorescent paints are based on rare earth elements. These pigments glow very brightly, usually in green or blue, and can last a full day. If you use tritium-based paint, you will not need to apply light in order to make your pumpkin glow, plus the pumpkin will glow pretty much until the end of time (at least 20 years). How Long Will the Glowing Pumpkin Last? The type of pumpkin you use will determine how long your glowing pumpkin will last. If you paint a carved jack-o-lantern, expect the pumpkin to last a few days to a week. An uncarved pumpkin may last a few months. An artificial pumpkin can be used year after year.

Blooms Taxonomy Lesson Plans in the Classroom

Blooms Taxonomy Lesson Plans in the Classroom Have you ever heard a student complain, This question is so hard!? While this may be a common complaint, there are reasons that some questions are harder than others. The difficulty of a question or an assignment can be measured by the level of the critical thinking skill required. Simple skills such as identifying a state capital can be measured quickly. More sophisticated skills such as the construction of a hypothesis take much longer to be assessed.   Introduction to Bloom's Taxonomy: To help determine the level of critical thinking for a task, Benjamin Bloom, an American educational psychologist, developed a way to categorize the different levels of critical reasoning skills required in classroom situations. In the 1950s, his Blooms Taxonomy gave all educators a common vocabulary for thinking about learning goals. There are six levels in the taxonomy, each requiring a higher level of abstraction from the students. As a teacher, you should attempt to move students up the taxonomy as they progress in their knowledge. Tests that are written solely to assess knowledge are unfortunately very common. However, to create thinkers as opposed to students who simply recall information, we must incorporate the higher levels into lesson plans and tests. Knowledge In the knowledge level of Blooms Taxonomy, questions are asked solely to test whether a student has gained specific information from the lesson. For example, have they memorized the dates for a particular war or do they know the presidents that served during specific eras in American History. It also includes knowledge of the main ideas that are being taught. You are probably writing knowledge questions when you use keywords such as: who, what, why, when, omit, where, which, choose, find, how, define, label, show, spell, list, match, name, relate, tell, recall, select. Comprehension The comprehension level of Blooms Taxonomy has students go past simply recalling facts and instead has them understanding the information. With this level, they will be able to interpret the facts. Instead of simply being able to name the various types of clouds, for example, the students would be able to understand why each cloud has formed in that manner. You are probably writing comprehension questions when you use the following keywords:  compare, contrast, demonstrate, interpret, explain, extend, illustrate, infer, outline, relate, rephrase, translate, summarize, show, or classify. Application Application questions are those where students have to actually apply, or use, the knowledge they have learned. They might be asked to solve a problem with the information they have gained in class being necessary to create a viable solution. For example, a student might be asked to solve a legal question in an American Government class using the Constitution and its amendments. You are probably writing application questions when you use the following keywords:  apply, build, choose, construct, develop, interview, make use of, organize, experiment with, plan, select, solve, utilize, or model. Analysis In the analysis level, students will be required to go beyond knowledge and application and actually see patterns that they can use to analyze a problem. For example, an English teacher might ask what the motives were behind the protagonists actions during a novel. This requires students to analyze the character and come to a conclusion based on this analysis. You are probably writing analysis questions when you use keywords:  analyze, categorize, classify, compare, contrast, discover, dissect, divide, examine, inspect, simplify, survey, test for, distinguish, list, distinction, theme, relationships, function, motive, inference, assumption, conclusion, or take part in. Synthesis With synthesis, students are required to use the given facts to create new theories or make predictions. They might have to pull in knowledge from multiple subjects and synthesize this information before coming to a conclusion. For example, if a student is asked to invent a new product or game they are being asked to synthesize. You are probably writing synthesis questions when you use keywords:  build, choose, combine, compile, compose, construct, create, design, develop, estimate, formulate, imagine, invent, make up, originate, plan, predict, propose, solve, solution, suppose, discuss, modify, change, original, improve, adapt, minimize, maximize, theorize, elaborate, test, happen, delete words like select, judge, debate, or recommend. Evaluation The top level of Blooms Taxonomy is evaluation. Here students are expected to assess information and come to a conclusion such as its value or the bias that an author may present.  For example, if the students are completing a DBQ (Document Based Question) for an AP US History course, they are expected to evaluate the bias behind any primary or secondary sources in order to see the influence that the speaker is making on a topic. You are probably writing evaluation questions when you use the keywords:  award, choose, conclude, criticize, decide, defend, determine, dispute, evaluate, judge, justify, measure, compare, mark, rate, recommend, rule on, select, agree, appraise, prioritize, opinion, interpret, explain, support importance, criteria, prove, disprove, assess, influence, perceive, value, estimate, or deduct. Things to Consider While Implementing Bloom's Taxonomy There are many reasons teachers keep a copy of Blooms Taxonomy levels handy. For example, a teacher may design a task by checking the Blooms Taxonomy to make sure that different levels of skill sets are required for different students. Using Blooms Taxonomy during lesson preparation can help a teacher make sure that all levels of critical thinking have been required over the length of a unit. Many tasks designed with  Blooms taxonomy can be more authentic, the kinds of tasks that challenge all students to develop the critical thinking skills needed for real life. Of course, teachers recognize that it is much easier to grade assignments designed on the lower levels (knowledge, application) of Blooms Taxonomy than on the higher levels. In fact, the higher the level of Blooms Taxonomy, the more complex the grading. For the more sophisticated assignments based on higher levels,  Ã¢â‚¬â€¹rubrics become more important to ensure fair and accurate grading with tasks based on analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. In the end, it is supremely important that we as educators help our students become critical thinkers. Building on knowledge and helping kids begin to apply, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate is the key to helping them grow and prosper in school and beyond. Source Bloom, B. S. (ed.). Taxonomy of Educational Objectives. Vol. 1: Cognitive Domain. New York: McKay, 1956.