Forward the Foundation Chapter 5

12 For days thereafter Hari Seldon neglected his departmental duties to use his computer in its news-gathering mode. There were not many computers capable of handling the daily news from twenty-five million worlds. There were a number of them at Imperial headquarters, where they were absolutely necessary. Some of the larger Outer World capitals had them as well, though most were satisfied with hyperconnection to the Central Newspost on Trantor. A computer at an important Mathematics Department could, if it were sufficiently advanced, be modified as an independent news source and Seldon had been careful to do that with his computer. It was, after all, necessary for his work on psychohistory, though the computer's capabilities were carefully ascribed to other, exceedingly plausible reasons. Ideally the computer would report anything that was out of the ordinary on any world of the Empire. A coded and unobtrusive warning light would make itself evident and Seldon could track it down easily. Such a light rarely showed, for the definition of â€Å"out of the ordinary† was tight and intense and dealt with large-scale and rare upheavals. What one did in its absence was to ring in various worlds at random-not all twenty-five million, of course, but some dozens. It was a depressing and even debilitating task, for there were no worlds that didn't have their daily relatively minor catastrophes. A volcanic eruption here, a flood there, an economic collapse of one sort or another yonder, and, of course, riots. There had not been a day in the last thousand years that there had not been riots over something or other on each of a hundred or more different worlds. Naturally such things had to be discounted. One could scarcely worry about riots any more than one could about volcanic eruptions when both were constants on inhabited worlds. Rather, if a day should come in which not one riot was reported anywhere, that might be a sign of something so unusual as to warrant the gravest concern. Concern was what Seldon could not make himself feel. The Outer Worlds, with all their disorders and misfortunes, were like a great ocean on a peaceful day, with a gentle swell and minor heavings-but no more. He found no evidence of any overall situation that clearly showed a decline in the last eight years or even in the last eighty. Yet Demerzel (in Demerzel's absence, Seldon could no longer think of him as Daneel) said the decline was continuing and he had his finger on the Empire's pulse from day to day in ways that Seldon could not duplicate-until such time as he would have the guiding power of psychohistory at his disposal. It could be that the decline was so small that it was unnoticeable till some crucial point was reached-like a domicile that slowly wears out and deteriorates, showing no signs of that deterioration until one night when the roof collapses. When would the roof collapse? That was the problem and Seldon had no answer. And on occasion, Seldon would check on Trantor itself. There, the news was always considerably more substantial. For one thing, Trantor was the most highly populated of all the worlds, with its forty billion people. For another, its eight hundred sectors formed a mini-Empire all its own. For a third, there were the tedious rounds of governmental functions and the doings of the Imperial family to follow. What struck Seldon's eyes, however, was in the Dahl Sector. The elections for the Dahl Sector Council had placed five Joranumites into office. This was the first time, according to the commentary, that Joranumites had achieved sector office. It was not surprising. Dahl was a Joranumite stronghold if any sector was, but Seldon found it a disturbing indication of the progress being made by the demagogue. He ordered a microchip of the item and took it home with him that evening. Raych looked up from his computer as Seldon entered and apparently felt the need to explain himself. â€Å"I'm helping Mom on some reference material she needs,† he said. â€Å"What about your own work?† â€Å"Done, Dad. All done.† â€Å"Good. Look at this.† He showed Raych the chip in his hand before slipping it into the microprojector. Raych glanced at the news item hanging in the air before his eyes and said, â€Å"Yes, I know.† â€Å"You do?† â€Å"Sure. I usually keep track of Dahl. You know, home sector and all.† â€Å"And what do you think about it?† â€Å"I'm not surprised. Are you? The rest of Trantor treats Dahl like dirt. Why shouldn't they go for Joranum's views?† â€Å"Do you go for them also?† â€Å"Well-† Raych twisted his face thoughtfully. â€Å"I got to admit some things he says appeal to me. He says he wants equality for all people. What's wrong with that?† â€Å"Nothing at all-if he means it. If he's sincere. If he isn't just using it as a ploy to get votes.† â€Å"True enough, Dad, but most Dahlites probably figure: What's there to lose? We don't have equality now, though the laws say we do.† â€Å"It's a hard thing to legislate.† â€Å"That's not something to cool you off when you're sweating to death.† Seldon was thinking rapidly. He had been thinking since he had come across this item. He said, â€Å"Raych, you haven't been in Dahl since your mother and I took you out of the sector, have you?† â€Å"Sure I was, when I went with you to Dahl five years ago on your visit there.† â€Å"Yes yes†-Seldon waved a hand in dismissal-â€Å"but that doesn't count. We stayed at an intersector hotel, which was not Dahlite in the least, and, as I recall, Dors never once let you out on the streets alone. After all, you were only fifteen. How would you like to visit Dahl now, alone, in charge of yourself-now that you're fully twenty?† Raych chuckled. â€Å"Mom would never allow that.† â€Å"I don't say that I enjoy the prospect of facing her with it, but I don't intend to ask her permission. The question is: Would you be willing to do this for me?† â€Å"Out of curiosity? Sure. I'd like to see what's happened to the old place.† â€Å"Can you spare the time from your studies?† â€Å"Sure. I'll never miss a week or so. Besides, you can tape the lectures and I'll catch up when I get back. I can get permission. After all, my old man's on the faculty-unless you've been fired, Dad.† â€Å"Not yet. But I'm not thinking of this as a fun vacation.† â€Å"I'd be surprised if you did. I don't think you know what a fun vacation is, Dad. I'm surprised you know the phrase.† â€Å"Don't be impertinent. When you go there, I want you to meet with Laskin Joranum.† Raych looked startled. â€Å"How do I do that? I don't know where he's gonna be.† â€Å"He's going to be in Dahl. He's been asked to speak to the Dahl Sector Council with its new Joranumite members. We'll find out the exact day and you can go a few days earlier.† â€Å"And how do I get to see him, Dad? I don't figure he keeps open house.† â€Å"I don't, either, but I'll leave that up to you. You would have known how to do it when you were twelve. I hope your keen edge hasn't blunted too badly in the intervening years.† Raych smiled. â€Å"I hope not. But suppose I do see him. What then?† â€Å"Well, find out what you can. What's he's really planning. What he's really thinking.† â€Å"Do you really think he's gonna tell me?† â€Å"I wouldn't be surprised if he does. You have the trick of inspiring confidence, you miserable youngster. Let's talk about it.† And so they did. Several times. Seldon's thoughts were painful. He was not sure where all this was leading to, but he dared not consult Yugo Amaryl or Demerzel or (most of all) Dors. They might stop him. They might prove to him that his idea was a poor one and he didn't want that proof. What he planned seemed the only gateway to salvation and he didn't want it blocked. But did the gateway exist at all? Raych was the only one, it seemed to Seldon, who could possibly manage to worm himself into Joranum's confidence, but was Raych the proper tool for the purpose? He was a Dahlite and sympathetic to Joranum. How far could Seldon trust him? Horrible? Raych was his son-and Seldon had never had occasion to mistrust Raych before. 13 If Seldon doubted the efficacy of his notion, if he feared that it might explode matters prematurely or move them desperately in the wrong direction, if he was filled with an agonizing doubt as to whether Raych could be entirely trusted to fulfill his part suitably, he nevertheless had no doubt-no doubt whatever-as to what Dors's reaction would be when presented with the fait accompli. And he was not disappointed-if that was quite the word to express his emotion. Yet, in a manner, he was disappointed, for Dors did not raise her voice in horror as he had somehow thought she would, as he had prepared himself to withstand. But how was he to know? She was not as other women were and he had never seen her truly angry. Perhaps it was not in her to be truly angry-or what he would consider to be truly angry. She was merely cold-eyed and spoke with low-voiced bitter disapproval. â€Å"You sent him to Dahl? Alone?† Very softly. Questioningly. For a moment Seldon quailed at the quiet voice. Then he said firmly, â€Å"I had to. It was necessary.† â€Å"Let me understand. You sent him to that den of thieves, that haunt of assassins, that conglomeration of all that is criminal?† â€Å"Dors! You anger me when you speak like that. I would expect only a bigot to use those stereotypes.† â€Å"You deny that Dahl is as I have described?† â€Å"Of course. There are criminals and slums in Dahl. I know that very well. We both know that. But not all of Dahl is like that. And there are criminals and slums in every sector, even in the Imperial Sector and in Streeling.† â€Å"There are degrees, are there not? One is not ten. If all the worlds are crime-ridden, if all the sectors are crime-ridden, Dahl is among the worst, is it not? You have the computer. Check the statistics.† â€Å"I don't have to. Dahl is the poorest sector on Trantor and there is a positive correlation between poverty, misery, and crime. I grant you that.† â€Å"You grant me that! And you sent him alone? You might have gone with him, or asked me to go with him, or sent half a dozen of his schoolmates with him. They would have welcomed a respite from their work, I'm sure.† â€Å"What I need him for requires that he be alone.† â€Å"And what do you need him for?† But Seldon was stubbornly silent about that. Dors said, â€Å"Has it come to this? You don't trust me?† â€Å"It's a gamble. I alone dare take the risk. I can't involve you or anyone else.† â€Å"But it's not you taking the risk. It's poor Raych.† â€Å"He's not taking any risk,† said Seldon impatiently. â€Å"He's twenty years old, young and vigorous and as sturdy as a tree-and I don't mean the saplings we have here under glass on Trantor. I'm talking about a good solid tree in the Heliconian forests. And he's a twister, which the Dahlites aren't.† â€Å"You and your twisting,† said Dors, her coldness not thawing one whit. â€Å"You think that's the answer to everything. The Dahlites carry knives. Every one of them. Blasters, too, I'm sure.† â€Å"I don't know about blasters. The laws are pretty strict when it comes to blasters. As for knives, I'm positive Raych carries one. He even carries a knife on campus here, where it's strictly against the law. Do you think he won't have one in Dahl?† Dors remained silent. Seldon was also silent for a few minutes, then decided it might be time to placate her. He said, â€Å"Look, I'll tell you this much. I'm hoping he'll see Joranum, who will be visiting Dahl.† â€Å"Oh? And what do you expect Raych to do? Fill him with bitter regrets over his wicked politics and send him back to Mycogen?† â€Å"Come. Really. If you're going to take this sardonic attitude, there's no use discussing it.† He looked away from her, out the window at the blue-gray sky under the dome. â€Å"What I expect him to do†-and his voice faltered for a moment â€Å"is save the Empire.† â€Å"To be sure. That would be much easier.† Seldon's voice firmed. â€Å"It's what I expect. You have no solution. Demerzel himself has no solution. He as much as said that the solution rests with me. That's what I'm striving for and that's what I need Raych for in Dahl. After all, you know that ability of his to inspire affection. It worked with us and I'm convinced it will work with Joranum. If I am right, all may be well.† Dors's eyes widened a trifle. â€Å"Are you now going to tell me that you are being guided by psychohistory?† â€Å"No. I'm not going to lie to you. I have not reached the point where I can be guided in any way by psychohistory, but Yugo is constantly talking about intuition-and I have mine.† â€Å"Intuition! What's that? Define it!† â€Å"Easily. Intuition is the art, peculiar to the human mind, of working out the correct answer from data that is, in itself, incomplete or even, perhaps, misleading.† â€Å"And you've done it.† And Seldon said with firm conviction, â€Å"Yes, I have.† But to himself, he thought what he dared not share with Dors. What if Raych's charm were gone? Or, worse, what if the consciousness of being a Dahlite became too strong for him? 14 Billibotton was Billibotton-dirty, sprawling, dark, sinuous Billibotton-exuding decay and yet full of a vitality that Raych was convinced was to be found nowhere else on Trantor. Perhaps it was to be found nowhere else in the Empire, though Raych knew nothing, firsthand, of any world but Trantor. He had last seen Billibotton when he was not much more than twelve, but even the people seemed to be the same; still a mixture of the hangdog and the irreverent; filled with a synthetic pride and a grumbling resentment; the men marked by their dark rich mustaches and the women by their sacklike dresses that now looked tremendously slatternly to Raych's older and more worldly wise eyes. How could women with dresses like that attract men? But it was a foolish question. Even when he was twelve, he had had a pretty clear idea of how easily and quickly they could be removed. So he stood there, lost in thought and memory, passing along a street of store windows and trying to convince himself that he remembered this particular place or that and wondering if, among them all, there were people he did remember who were now eight years older. Those, perhaps, who had been his boyhood friends-and he thought uneasily of the fact that, while he remembered some of the nicknames they had pinned on each other, he could not remember any real names. In fact, the gaps in his memory were enormous. It was not that eight years was such a long time, but it was two fifths of the lifetime of a twenty-year-old and his life since leaving Billibotton had been so different that all before it had faded like a misty dream. But the smells were there. He stopped outside a bakery, low and dingy, and smelled the coconut icing that reeked through the air-that he had never quite smelled elsewhere. Even when he had stopped to buy tarts with coconut icing, even when they were advertised as â€Å"Dahl-style,† they had been faint imitations-no more. He felt strongly tempted. Well, why not? He had the credits and Dors was not there to wrinkle her nose and wonder aloud how clean-or, more likely, not clean-the place might be. Who worried about clean in the old days? The shop was dim and it took a while for Raych's eyes to acclimate. There were a few low tables in the place, with a couple of rather insubstantial chairs at each, undoubtedly where people might have a light repast, the equivalent of moka and tarts. A young man sat at one of the tables, an empty cup before him, wearing a once-white T-shirt that probably would have looked even dirtier in a better light. The baker or, in any case, a server stepped out from a room in the rear and said in a rather surly fashion, â€Å"What'll ya have?† â€Å"A coke-icer,† said Raych in just as surly a fashion (he would not be a Billibottoner if he displayed courtesy), using the slang term he remembered well from the old days. The term was still current, for the server handed him the correct item, using his bare fingers. The boy, Raych, would have taken that for granted, but now the man, Raych, felt taken slightly aback. â€Å"You want a bag?† â€Å"No,† said Raych, â€Å"I'll eat it here.† He paid the server and took the coke-icer from the other's hand and bit into its richness, his eyes half closing as he did so. It had been a rare treat in his boyhood-sometimes when he had scrounged the necessary credit to buy one with, sometimes when he had received a bite from a temporarily wealthy friend, most often when he had lifted one when nobody was watching. Now he could buy as many as he wished. â€Å"Hey,† said a voice. Raych opened his eyes. It was the man at the table, scowling at him. Raych said gently, â€Å"Are you speaking to me, bub?† â€Å"Yeah. What'chuh Join'?† â€Å"Eatin' a coke-icer. What's it to ya?† Automatically he had assumed the Billibotton way of talking. It was no strain at all. â€Å"What'chuh doin' in Billibotton?† â€Å"Born here. Raised here. In a bed. Not in a street, like you.† The insult came easily, as though he had never left home. â€Å"That so? You dress pretty good for a Billibottoner. Pretty fancy-dancy. Got a perfume stink about ya.† And he held up a little finger to imply effeminacy. â€Å"I won't talk about your stink. I went up in the world.† â€Å"Up in the world? La-dee-da. † Two other men stepped into the bakery. Raych frowned slightly, for he wasn't sure whether they had been summoned or not. The man at the table said to the newcomers, â€Å"This guy's gone up in the world. Says he's a Billibottoner.† One of the two newcomers shambled a mock salute and grinned with no appearance of amiability. His teeth were discolored. â€Å"Ain't that nice? It's always good to see a Billibottoner go up in the world. Gives 'em a chance to help their poor unfor'chnit sector people. Like, credits. You can always spare a credit or two for the poor, hey?† â€Å"How many you got, mister?† said the other, the grin disappearing. â€Å"Hey,† said the man behind the counter. â€Å"All you guys get out of my store. I don't want no trouble in here.† â€Å"There'll be no trouble,† said Raych. â€Å"I'm leaving.† He made to go, but the seated man put a leg in his way. â€Å"Don't go, pal. We'd miss yer company.† (The man behind the counter, clearly fearing the worst, disappeared into the rear.) Raych smiled. He said, â€Å"One time when I was in Billibotton, guys, I was with my old man and old lady and there were ten guys who stopped us. Ten. I counted them. We had to take care of them.† â€Å"Yeah?† said the one who had been speaking. â€Å"Yer old man took care of ten?† â€Å"My old man? Nah. He wouldn't waste his time. My old lady did. And I can do it better than she can. And there are only three of you. So, if you don't mind, out of the way.† â€Å"Sure. Just leave all your credits. Some of your clothes, too.† The man at the table rose to his feet. There was a knife in his hand. â€Å"There you are,† said Raych. â€Å"Now you're going to waste my time.† He had finished his coke-icer and he half-turned. Then, as quickly as thought, he anchored himself to the table, while his right leg shot out and the point of his toe landed unerringly in the groin of the man with the knife. Down he went with a loud cry. Up went the table, driving the second man toward the wall and keeping him there, while Raych's right arm flashed out, with the edge of the palm striking hard against the larynx of the third, who coughed and went down. It had taken two seconds and Raych now stood there with a knife in each hand and said, â€Å"Now which one of you wants to move?† They glared at him but remained frozen in place and Raych said, â€Å"In that case, I will now leave.† But the server, who had retreated to the back room, must have summoned help, for three more men had now entered the store, while the server screeched, â€Å"Troublemakers! Nothing but troublemakers!† The newcomers were dressed alike in what was obviously a uniform-but one that Raych had never seen. Trousers were tucked into boots, loose green T-shirts were belted, and odd semispherical hats that looked vaguely comic were perched on top of their heads. On the front of the left shoulder of each T-shirt were the letters Jo.** They had the Dahlite look about them but not quite the Dahlite mustache. The mustaches were black and thick, but they were carefully trimmed at lip level and were kept from luxuriating too widely. Raych allowed himself an internal sneer. They lacked the vigor of his own wild mustache, but he had to admit they looked neat and clean. The leader of these three men said, â€Å"I'm Corporal Quinber. What's been going on here?† The defeated Billibottoners were scrambling to their feet, clearly the worse for wear. One was still doubled over, one was rubbing his throat, and the third acted as though one of his shoulders had been wrenched. The corporal stared at them with a philosophic eye, while his two men blocked the door. He turned to Raych-the one man who seemed untouched. â€Å"Are you a Billibottoner, boy?† â€Å"Born and bred, but I've lived elsewhere for eight years.† He let the Billibotton accent recede, but it was still there, at least to the extent that it existed in the corporal's speech as well. There were other parts of Dahl aside from Billibotton and some parts with considerable aspirations to gentility. Raych said, â€Å"Are you security officers? I don't seem to recall the uniform you're-â€Å" â€Å"We're not security officers. You won't find security officers in Billibotton much. We're the Joranum Guard and we keep the peace here. We know these three and they've been warned. We'll take care of them. You're our problem, buster. Name. Reference number.† Raych told them. â€Å"And what happened here?† Raych told them. â€Å"And your business here?† Raych said, â€Å"Look here. Do you have the right to question me? If you're not security officers-â€Å" â€Å"Listen,† said the corporal in a hard voice, â€Å"don't you question rights. We're all there is in Billibotton and we have the right because we take the right. You say you beat up these three men and I believe you. But you won't beat us up. We're not allowed to carry blasters-† And with that, the corporal slowly pulled out a blaster. â€Å"Now tell me your business here.† Raych sighed. If he had gone directly to a sector hall, as he should have done-if he had not stopped to drown himself in nostalgia for Billibotton and coke-icers- He said, â€Å"I have come on important business to see Mr. Joranum, and since you seem to be part of his organi-â€Å" â€Å"To see the leader?† â€Å"Yes, Corporal.† â€Å"With two knives on you?† â€Å"For self-defense. I wasn't going to have them on me when I saw Mr. Joranum.† â€Å"So you say. We're taking you into custody, mister. We'll get to the bottom of this. It may take time, but we will.† â€Å"But you don't have the right. You're not the legally const-â€Å" â€Å"Well, find someone to complain to. Till then, you're ours.† And the knives were confiscated and Raych was taken into custody.

Gattaca Film Essay

Gattaca 2. 10 Gattaca by Andrew Niccol Robbie Bentley In the film Gattaca by Andrew Niccol, an important scene that conveys meaning in the film is the night club/alley scene. It shows us Vincent’s feelings towards Irene and how desperate he is to not getting caught. I chose this scene to write about because it uses multiple aspects of film to convey meaning in the text. The aspects I’ve chosen to analyse are Mise En-Scene, Camera, Sound and Editing. In the night club/alley scene, an important aspect used to get across meaning is music and sound effects.When Jerome and Irene are sitting in the night club there is relaxed, low-tempo music playing which gets progressively louder whilst they dance, until it builds up to the kiss which is interrupted by the detective. This is a good use of music as it fits the elegancy of the scene. Nice easy going, almost dreamlike as it builds up, drawing in the audience audience into the moment. The music cuts out, snapping everything bac k to reality as the detective walks in. Another important example of sound is when Jerome and Irene are escaping through the alley.The use of both music and amplified sound in this part of the scene helps build tension. When they start running, a sort of low aching strings music comes in which sounds almost tortured and off-note. This gradually gets louder the longer they run to help the audience understand the tension in this part. Also their footsteps are amplified to emphasise the desperateness in their escape. After Irene slips and they hide in the alley, the music cuts out and Anton yells â€Å"Vincent! † The cut out of music shows the seriousness of this part due to the very sudden cuts of music.Another important aspect of film in the alley scene is camera work. An example of this is when Jerome and Irene are escaping through the alley. When they start running, the camera starts tracking their feet. This is to show the audience directly they’re running away. The camera slowly pans up to an almost point of view shot, trailing behind them. This is a good film technique because it makes the audience feel as if they’re being chased by the camera, which in this shot symbolises not only the detectives but Jerome’s fear of being caught.It then moves into a shot from the front of them, still running they pass the camera into another follow shot. I think this is a good shot because them passing the camera shows the speed at which they are going. A third effective film aspect use in the night club/alley scene is editing. In the night club scene, the length of each shot is very stretched out. This a good use of editing because the slow transitions of shots and the relaxed music makes the scene seem very relaxed.It also lets the audience stop and take in the environment of the night club. This contrasts well when the scene changes in the alley. In the alley everything picks up pace, with the shots transitioning much faster as Vincent knoc ks out the bodyguard and they escape. This sudden speed up from the previous scene draws the audience into the moment as the tension lifts dramatically. After Irene trips over and they go to hide in the alley, the shots start to drag out again. This helps show that they’re safe.A serene sort of music comes in which supports the slow transitions, taking the feel of the scene back to that slow sort of romantic feeling. A useful film technique used in conjunction with sound, editing and camera work is mise en-scene. The set in the night club is made to look very elegant, with chandeliers hanging from the high-arched beautifully decorated ceiling. The lighting fits into the look as well with a dim low yellow light. The night clubs seat really compliments Irene’s dress.This is done on purpose to show the audience Vincent’s feelings that he has towards Irene and to highlight her significance to him in the film. The contrast moving from the elegant night club to the da rk, gloomy alley is quite a significant one. This transition helps change the mood of the audience from being happy/lovey dovey to a more serious, tense mood. The use of the alley being lit by the green light from the cop car is a good example of effective lighting because as Irene and Vincent are running it looks like a fog light almost, chasing for them.The walls of the alley almost look wet, this gives it a gloomy, cave like look. I think this is used to symbolise Vincent running into a big dark cave in which he can’t turn back in. The night club/alley scene is an important scene in Gattaca because it shows the audience how Vincent feels towards Irene but also how desperate he is to not get caught. I think Andrew Niccols purpose of this scene is to show the passion between Vincent and Irene to the audience by using several film techniques used to pull the two parts of the scene together and convey meaning.

Project Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Project - Assignment Example Net income for J.C. Penny Company has been decreasing over the past three financial years and the decrease identifies losses in the company’s last two financial years. The trend is further consistent and suggests that the company is likely to suffer worse degree of losses in its future financial years. Macy’s Inc. however offers good indicators in its net income. The income has been increasing in the past three financial years and the consistent trend suggests that the net income is likely to increase in future financial years. Macy’s Inc. was therefore better in profitability because it was profitable while J.C. Penny Company suffered losses. Profitability in Macy’s Inc. was also better because it improved from the previous financial period while that of J.C. Penny Company decreased from the previous financial period. The same trend is observed in the companies’ comprehensive incomes (Georgia State University, n.d.). The following table compares th e companies’ current and total arrest for the years ending 2011, and 2012. Table 2: Comparison of current assets Company 2011 2012 J.C. Penny Company 5081 3683 Macy’s Inc 8777 7876 The following is the graph of the companies’ current assets for the the years ended 2011 and 2012. ... Table 3: Total assets Company 2011 2012 J.C. Penny Company 11424 9781 Macy’s Inc 22095 20991 The following graph shows distribution of total assets Graph 3: Total assets Like in current assets, the two companies’ total assets decreased across the two financial years. The percentage decrease was however greater in J.C. Company, 14.38 percent, compared to Macy’s 5 percent and shows higher threat to long term sustainability of J.C. Company. Further, lower value of current assets in J.C. Company shows weaker leverage potential that in Macy Inc. (Georgia State University, n.d.). Trend in current liabilities within the two companies, together with trends in assets also offer a basis for comparing them. The following table shows the trends. Table 4: Current liabilities Company 2011 2012 J.C. Penny Company 2756 2583 Macy’s Inc 6263 5075 The following graph shows the companies’ current liabilities for the years ended 2011 and 2012. Graph 4: Current liabiliti es The companies’ current liabilities decreased from the year ended 2011 to the year ended 2012 with greater decrement in Macy’s Inc., 19 percent, than J.C. Company’s 6.3 percent. The trend also indicates improved liquidity at Macy’s inc. even though Macy’s Inc. has higher amount of current liabilities, it also has higher amount of current assets and this establishes its short-term liquidity over J.C. Company (Georgia State University, n.d.; J.C. Company, 2013; Macy’s Inc., 2013). Analysis of major rations for the two companies also offers a basis for comparing the companies’ financial positions and performance. The table below shows some of the comparative analyses for the companies’ financial statements. Table 5: Financial ratios

The Female Entrepreneurship in Comparison to Its Male Counterparts in Essay

The Female Entrepreneurship in Comparison to Its Male Counterparts in UK - Essay Example The involvement of women in entrepreneurship is crucial for the growth of every nation's economy. In the UK, women gained the right to vote only in 1918 (Peele, 2004 p251). This shows that women were marginalized in the past and were prevented from taking a full and active part of the economy. However, ninety years after women gained the right to vote in Britain, the lot of women has increased significantly. In the 1970s, women became more proactive in matters relating to entrepreneurship. This paper examines the trends in the increase in the numbers of women involved in entrepreneurship in the UK since the 1970s. It identifies the core concepts of and theories of female entrepreneurship in relationship to changes in trends and improvement the bridging of gaps between UK female entrepreneurs and their male counterparts. It also evaluates the elements of female entrepreneurship in Britain in relation to female entrepreneurship in other nations around the world. Theories of Female Entr epreneurship Female entrepreneurship is a combination of structured and chaotic methods which lead to women establishing and running businesses (Ho Chu, 2004 p111). This means that there are two main ways that female entrepreneurship comes up. In the first route, female entrepreneurship is a conscious effort made by females to set up businesses by learning the art and science of entrepreneurship. This way, there are structured methods and means that enable women to set up businesses. On the other hand, Casson et al (2008) identify that most women find themselves in entrepreneurial positions by circumstances which lead them to take up business ownership positions around the world. Thus, in this context, female entrepreneurship is simply seen as a phenomenon whereby women establish or gain ownership of businesses in a given nation. This conception, therefore, views the process through which females get to rise to this level. Another view put forward by Carter (2005 p11) is that female entrepreneurship can best be evaluated and understood if it is viewed in direct contrast to male entrepreneurship. In this vein, Carter begins her thesis by stating that entrepreneurship has been traditionally viewed as a man's thing. As such, the involvement of females is a study that is meant to bridge the gap that has been created by the stereotypes that have existed in society for generations. Whereas the first view examines the procedure through which a woman acquires the position of entrepreneurship, the second view tries to view the whole concept of female entrepreneurship as a method of reducing the injustices of the male-dominated society. Thus, the second view diagnoses the reasons why women are not often seen in business ownership roles and try to find ways of addressing the issue. This has been seen as a feminist position because it adopts a conflicting position to the status quo and demands some degree of recognition of women through positive discriminatory measures wh ere necessary (Greer & Greene, 2004). Either way, the fundamental view of female entrepreneurship is to identify the characteristics, training and innovation systems that are necessary to keep females in business ownership roles (Ho Chu, 2004). It involves amongst other things, the motivation, expertise, and expectations that female entrepreneurship adds up to society (Carter & William, 2003).

Managing Communications, Knowledge and Information Essay - 2

Managing Communications, Knowledge and Information - Essay Example With regard to operational decisions, the businesses have to consider the effective utilisation of the tactical decisions such as delivering the products to the customers (McGowan, n.d.). Along with the above discussed decisions, the businesses also have to consider certain important decisions that include short-term operational plans along with long-term strategic decisions. From the perspective of short-term operational plans, the businesses have to focus upon certain decisions regarding the production of goods and services and market planning, which covers both financial and production plans. Additionally, in relation to short-term operational plans, the businesses also have to consider the decisions that include gathering necessary business related information, evaluating the alternatives, and selecting the most effective action courses (Kansal and Rao, 2006). From the perspective of long-term strategic decisions, the businesses need to think about certain significant decisions t hat include strategic as well as corporate planning. ... Q. B2 Right flow of knowledge and information are indispensable for every business organisation. The possessing of effective and superior knowledge and information can ultimately enhance the aspect of decision-making, improve the level of competence, and assist the business organisations to attain noteworthy competitive position. The business sectors also need to acquire knowledge and manage valuable information for the purpose of evaluating their probable weaknesses and strengths. In recent times, the aspect of information and knowledge management has become a chief contributory part towards making the business operations of the different organisations quite successful by a considerable level (Rad, et al., 2009). The diverse information and knowledge that are required to take effective decisions fundamentally include ensuring the collection, analysis, and execution of evidences that greatly support and complement the overall functioning of the business and facilitate in organising t he relevant information in such a way that it can provide benefits for successful planning. Additionally, the other crucial knowledge and information aspects include the procedure of reviewing along with considering evidences in order to make effective strategic decisions regarding the execution of the business plans and managing the differing desires and requirements of the users along with the suppliers (National Occupational Standards, 2011). In order to ensure successful decision taking, the business organisations should possess certain significant knowledge and information that generally include the analysis of internal data or reports, understanding the characteristics of the customers and other chief stakeholders, business trends, analysis of the available products along

Will Nintendo Survive the Vastly Developing Video Game Industry in Research Paper

Will Nintendo Survive the Vastly Developing Video Game Industry in North America - Research Paper Example This research will begin with the statement that in this age, the demands of the individual are changing just as the alterations within the economy. This is mainly due to the introduction of varied types of inventive technologies, techniques, and models. Due to which, the demand and preferences of the customers are also changing at a rapid pace that enhances the rate of switchovers. However, in order to retain the customers within the brands, varied types of value-added games are introduced by the game console organizations at a quite competitive price. Therefore, due to the presence of numerous rival players, the rate of competitiveness is increasing at a rapid speed thereby enhancing its image and position to a significant extent among others. Nintendo is one of the reputed and largest, Japanese multinational organization attaining a profit margin of  ¥7.2 billion and total assets of  ¥1.4 trillion in the financial year of 2013. Within a very small time span, it expanded its wi ngs in the entire globe that amplified its sustainability. Bargaining power of the buyers: the bargaining power of the buyers is extremely high. This is mainly due to the presence of numerous rival payers in the market of North America. As a result of which, the customers always desire to attain most advanced and modernized games at a quite low cost. However, in order to fulfill the inner desire of the customers, the organizations operating in the segment of video games or game console tries to offer value-added games at a competitive cost. So, the customers stick to the segment of video games in-spite of economic recession. Bargaining power of the suppliers: the bargaining power of the suppliers is moderate. This is mainly because; Nintendo sorted or selected its suppliers by itself and so the suppliers desired to retain its value within this strong brand as compared to others. Therefore, in order to maintain the competitiveness, the suppliers always tried to offer varied types of modern and advanced software’s and technologies at a quite low cost to these reputed brands such Nintendo, Sony etc. Competitive rivalry: due to the presence of numerous rival players in the market of North America such as Sony, Microsoft etc, the rate of competition is extremely high. As the customers of the game console or video game market always prefer modern technologies to the maximum extent of the organizations, such as Sony, Microsoft etc try to introduce varied types of products at a quite low cost.

A Humorous Experience Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

A Humorous Experience - Essay Example The place was essentially a ghost town, which made this the perfect setting for the following story, which is a little bit scary for someone who is in a foreign country by oneself, off on her own, doing her own thing-and unfortunately not being smart enough to stay with the group. Let me preface this by saying that originally, what happened was not a very humorous experience. Getting lost in a foreign country is not fun. I had a terrible feeling in the pit of my stomach for most of the experience because I was terrified of being left behind by my group in France. Running around not knowing where you're going is not fun. Knowing that you've made mistakes is not fun. Having that 'lost' feeling is not fun. Having to ask strangers for directions is not fun. Looking back, however, it seems very funny. First, I will tell it how the story happened. There were a group of about thirty of us-about half of us were American high school students, and the other half were Spanish high school host students. We were eating lunch on the beach that we had brought from home, and I told the group (I'm paraphrasing here), "Yeah, well, I'm going to head off now by myself." I told them this in no uncertain terms. No one seemed to think this odd. After all, Biarritz was a little town; it wasn't very large; how could I get lost I must preface this story... Seven Streets is basically is a shopping district of seven streets horizontally lined up next to each other. I had run out of money, which was back then the Spanish peseta and not yet the Euro. I had to ask the people at the store to hold the postcards for me while I ran to the local bank on Siete Calles. When I got to the bank, somehow I was able to jump the line. I don't know if it was because they were feeling sorry for my plight of being in a terrible hurry or what it was, but I asked some elderly Spanish ladies to translate for me so I could get some Spanish pesetas quickly, in order to get back to the store in order to pay for the postcards faster. Meanwhile, I was late in getting back to our meeting place at the church in the center of town and everyone feared the worst for me since I had not gotten back on time-when in reality I was just buying about 100 or so postcards that were on sale! I promised not to be late again and that was that. Well, little did I know that I would again find myself in another pickle. This time was really not much different. After I had told the Spanish students "So long" at lunch and had gone along on my merry way, I found myself going to various stores in Biarritz, because really this place was quite interesting. They had all sorts of different knick-knacks that were fun to look at, and it really was quite a charming little town. It was the kind of place you could get lost in. That was the key word. The kind of town you could get lost in. Unfortunately, I was going to be one of those people in a few minutes. I found myself finally at a French confectionary and candy store investigating all the different kinds of sweets that this particular place