Water Cost Problem in United States: Expansion and Solution

Water Cost Problem in United States: Expansion and Solution Introduction Over the past one decade, there has been an immense increase in water usage in United States of America. This is as a result of increasing population, as well as advanced development in industries and settlements, among many other reasons. The steady rise of water usage has conversely increased the cost of water in a number of states, which is now being considered as a looming problem. According to latest research, there is an increased outcry from the public domain, regarding the ever-escalating prices of acquiring water. In respect to this, there should be quick solutions into the matter, or else the nation will be burden with outrageous costs of water. Moreover, it must be understood that increased costs of providing water, leads to adverse water shortage, since few people can only afford it. However, a closer look into this situation increases the puzzle on what is the main reason behind water shortages and pollution. (Grimm, et al, 2008) Causes of water shortage and pollution There are a number of causes behind increased water shortage and pollutions; however below are some of the most substantial causes. Increase production of farming and agriculture industry Environmental experts claim that the lack of sustainable agriculture is the biggest challenge or threat to the environment. The increased farming production to counter the inefficient food production, consequentially leads to pollution, deforestation and water shortages. It is believed that agricultural industry wastes around 65% or 1450 trillion liters, of the 2500 trillion liters of water is uses per year. The poor agricultural practice is very harmful to the environment where it drains up rivers, lakes, as well as underground water sources. In return it increases soli salinity, hence degrading its quality. On the other hand, by washing pesticides and pollutants into rivers, the sources of water get polluted at the end of the day. A lot of fingers have been pointed towards leaky irrigation systems, which causes water shortages. Other processes which causes water shortage includes; the cultivation of thirsty crops; pollution by agro-chemicals, and lastly wasteful field application m ethods. However, it must be understood that the waste and pollution of water, is worsened by; poor public awareness of the crisis, misdirected subsidies, and irrational environmental legislation. (Grimm, et al, 2008) Increase in regional heavy industry Over the last decade, there has been an increase in manufacturing and production industries, in various states. This is in line with industrialization vision of America. However, these industries require a lot of water, in order to successfully operate. For instance, large volumes of water are required to cool off huge industrial machines, wash all sorts of raw materials, used as an industrial solvent, among many other uses. The sudden water demand in these industries, has conversely led to water shortage, since there was no enough water reserves to counter such challenges. Consequently, these industries are forced to scramble for the little available water, hence increasing the costs of water in return. Expansion of major cities such as Los Angeles Over the last five decades, the human population America has increased dramatically. This development has been coupled up with urbanizations, where people exploit virgin regions to build towns and settlements. Unfortunately, urbanization of places has negatively affected water ecosystems, resulting to a great loss of biodiversity. For instance, a lot of people are now living near river basins, which are subjected to water stress. With such scenarios, the concerns about water availability increases, while the use of freshwater carries on at unsustainable amounts. The increase in towns and cities, mean that there is an increase in clothing, shelter, and food which results to additional pressure on existing water sources, through the production of the products. Moreover, business and residential developments in these cities and towns puts a lot of pressure on water ecosystems, which in return does nothing but escalates water shortage levels. (Grimm, et al, 2008) Effects Increased water prices in most cities When water becomes scarce due to the aforementioned causes, the public will be forced to brace themselves for tough water prices. For instance, a region like California is experiencing excruciating water prices, due to the drought it is facing. (Seager, 2009) Since it will be costly to supply and fetch for more water due to the shortages, prices will conversely have to go up to cater for extra expenditures. Consequentially, water usage will decrease with the increase in water prices, hence being a serious challenge for America as a nation. Unequal distribution of water resources Water shortages can also be intensified by the unequal distribution of available water over time and space. On the other hand, putting more pressure on the reliable and safe water supply will lead to the government providing water resources unequally. In this case, water resources will have to be distributed in respect to priorities, in order to ensure water reaches more important sectors than others. Major cities facing problem of adapting more urban residents Urbanization normally requires increased water supply so that it can cater for residential purposes. However, the ever growing population in cities implies an increased demand for water, which puts an additional pressure on available fresh water. Since it is the responsibility of city authorities, to provide clean, safe and reliable water, it will be very strenuous to meet all these needs. This will imply that the cities will have trouble accommodating the ever-increasing city population. (Glennon, 2010) Potential biohazard situation may happen in population condensed area There is a possibility of a large population of people to be affected by biohazards, due to this whole situation. For instance, owing to the increasing urbanization and industrialization processes, most important sources of water, such as wetlands have been destroyed. Destruction of wetlands increases the possibilities of serious biohazards to occur and affect condensed populations. This is because wetlands, which are often known to offer a range of ecosystem services that benefit people, from storms, floods, will have been otherwise destroyed, hence putting lives of many in jeopardy. In addition, water shortages will lead to a serious food shortage, which will lead to increased infant mortality, as well as decreased life expectancy for population-condensed areas. Conclusion In many cases, it is always challenging to pin point the main cause of water shortage. Normally, various factors collectively cause this problem. Nonetheless, one fact America is sure of, its economy cannot stand the increasing water shortages. (Glennon, 2010) Subsequently, in order to meet the supply and demand of water, there should be a greater focus on the causes and the solutions of water supply shortages. For instance, the available water resources should be well redistributed in various states. This will ensure that water shortage is cut down, by some extent, since unequal distribution of water normally leads to this menace. For example, regions which have large water demands should be allocated with, a relatively larger water resources, so that it would curb the whole problem. As for heavy industry, a new technology should be embraced, where it will greatly cut down the usage of water. For example, cooling down of industrial machines can be replaced by use of effective fans a nd other coolant systems, instead of using excessive water. This will immensely save water, which can be used to do other equally important activities. (Bouwer, 2002) Then again, the country should also embrace sustainable agricultural practices, which will reduce the usage of water in America. For example, excessive wastage of water, through leaking irrigation systems, can be corrected by using a more cost-effective and water-conserving systems. Those states that are still planting thirsty plants should transfer these farming practices to other alternative places, which will have no effect on the country’s water volume. References Bouwer, H. (2002). Integrated water management for the 21st century: problems and solutions.Journal of Irrigation Drainage Engineering,128(4), 193-202. Glennon, R. J. (2010).Unquenchable: Americas water crisis and what to do about it. Island Press. Grimm, N. B., Faeth, S. H., Golubiewski, N. E., Redman, C. L., Wu, J., Bai, X., Briggs, J. M. (2008). Global change and the ecology of cities.science,319(5864), 756-760. Seager, R., Tzanova, A., Nakamura, J. (2009). Drought in the Southern United States: causes, variability over the last years, and the potential for future hydroclimate change.Journal of Climate,22(19), 5021-5045.

lost Essay -- essays research papers

Peer Pressure   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The hard part of being a teenager is learning to make the right decisions. One of the things that affects decision making is pressure we encounter from friends. Peers influence life. At this stage in life, which is our teen years, we will always try to fit in. Everyone has or will face peer pressure sooner or later. Peer pressure can be broken down into two areas; good peer pressure and bad peer pressure. From being a teenager myself, I have been placed in situations where I was pressured into drugs and alcohol. It‘s hard to say no, but to avoid peer pressure, you just have to stand up for yourself and walk away from it.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Whether we know it or not, peers influence our life just by spending time with us. We learn from them, and they learn from us. It’s only human nature to listen and learn from other people in our age group. As people grow into adulthood, peer pressure rarely occurs because they are older, so they can do a lot to take care of their self, be more independent, and make more choices on their own. They are old enough to accept responsibility for them, along with their positive or negative consequences.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Some kids give in to peer pressure because they want to be liked, to fit in, or because they worry that other kids may make fun of them if they don't go along with the group. Others may go along because they are curious to try something new that others a...

Thoreau and Transcendentalism Essay -- Civil Disobedience, Transcenden

Followers of the Transcendentalist movement stressed the religious, philosophical and ideological importance of life. Henry David Thoreau was a staunch supporter of the movement. Thoreau felt that a person lived a good life by following his conscience and instincts. He also felt that materialism was a sure way to distract a person from leading a good and moral life. Thoreau proposed for the government to be involved in as little of a citizen's life as possible; he felt too much government control just complicated a person's life. Like most Transcendentalists, Thoreau believed there was a direct connection to God through nature. If a person appreciated nature he would gain a higher understanding of God. Finally, Thoreau encouraged individuality versus conformity to the status quo. Thoreau challenged his readers to experience nature first hand; he felt to truly experience nature was a way of experiencing God and marveled at the happiness it can bring. In his novel Walden he writes of the happiness and contentment he feels while listening to the birds in the chapter titled "Sounds." His happiness is short-lived when it is interrupted by the sound of a train driving through the countryside. The reader gathers that, like many Transcendentalists, Thoreau is against the Industrial Revolution taking place in America. He felt this industrialization would poison nature and complicate life even more than it already was. The poisoning of nature would effect the connection a person could have with God as well. Thoreau wrote about living a simple and uncomplicated life in Walden. He argues against the things that mark status in American society, owning land, dressing in fashion, and earning a high pay. Thoreau reasoned th... ...be content with just being average. He states that each person who explores themselves will be individual from one another. Each person should be concerned with only his business and motivations. Individuality was important to Thoreau. He had no concerns of what other people thought about his actions or ways of living and felt this made his life less complicated and simpler to concentrate on more important things. Thoreau was truly a Transcendentalist. He focused on the individual and the relationship he has with himself, nature, and God. He felt living simply and plainly would free him to gain a greater understanding of the world around him. Understanding of the world around you could only come after gaining a greater understanding of yourself. Once a person let get of the constraints of society were they free to begin to explore themselves and the world.

Free Essay on Whartons Ethan Frome: Symbols and Symbolism :: Ethan Frome Essays

Symbolism in Ethan Frome Ethan Frome, the classic novel written by Edith Wharton contains a great amount of symbolism.   The symbolism allows the characters to express themselves more clearly to the reader.   It brings incidents and personalities together in meaning.   The story’s symbolic events is what pulls characters together in time of need.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Starkfield Massachusetts is a boring cold farm town.   People become very ill there from the terribly harsh winters.   Winter greatly affects the actions and behaviors of the characters.   No quote better describes the harsh winters of Starkfield, and the effect that it had on the townspeople, than the following: When I had been there a little longer, and had seen this phase of crystal clearness followed buy long stretches of sunless cold; when the storms of February had pitched their white tents about the devoted village and the wild cavalry of March winds had charged down o their support; I began to understand why Starkfield emerged from its six months’ siege like a starved garrison capitulating without quarter (7).   Another truly symbolic point of the story is the Elm tree.   The Elm tree symbolizes the end and the escape of two lives.   Even though Mattie an Ethan were not killed by the sled crash, that was their purpose.   The Elm tree also symbolizes strength and courage.   After the crash, the Elm tree was still standing, while Ethan and Mattie were terribly injured.   If Ethan was a stronger person he would not have crashed into the tree with Mattie.   He would have had the strength to say â€Å"no† in the first place.   Zeena who was once a hypochondriac, recovered, and now she takes care of Mattie and Ethan. â€Å"It was a miracle, considering how sick she was-but she seemed to be raised right up just when the call came to her.† (131)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The incident with the red dish is the most symbolic event in the story.   The red dish was a wedding present given to Zeena by one of her relatives.   When the red dish broke, it symbolized the breaking of Ethan’s heart when he found out that Zeena wanted Mattie to leave.   Zeena never used the dish, she kept it in the closet.   One day when Zeena went to get her medicine, she discovered that dish was broken, and that someone attempted to glue it back together.

Mytaxi (Intelligent Apps Gmbh) Extension from Germany to the Philippines Essay

Original paper is full of Appendices. You may get in touch with me if you would like to have a copy of the FULL VERSION – with external links, charts, images, etc. PROJECT PROPOSAL: myTaxi HOME COUNTRY: Germany TARGET COUNTRY: Philippines OBJECTIVE: To expand the usage of the myTaxi (Intelligent Apps GmbH) application to Filipino Smartphone Users-Taxi Drivers PRODUCT INFORMATION Developed by Niclaus Mewes and Sven Kuelper in 2009, myTaxi is a Smartphone application that directly connects Taxi driver and passenger, enabling more efficient pick-up and drop-off transportation services. CATEGORY: Travel / Transportation TARGET USERS: Taxi Drivers, Taxi Passengers, Taxi Corporations CURRENT MARKETS: (Domestic) Germany: Berlin, Bonn, Cologne, Dortmund, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hannover, Leipzig, Munich, Nuremburg, Stuttgart, Sylt (Regiocentric) Vienna: Austria Spain: Barcelona, Madrid Poland: Warsaw (Geocentric) Washington D. C. , United States of America Currently Under Development In: (Germany) Augsburg, Braunschweig, Bremen, Darmstadt, Essen, Heilbronn, Gera, Kaiserslautern, Karlsruhe, Kassel, Leverkusen, Mainz, Offenbach, Potsdam, Salzburg, Wiesbaden, Wurzburg Domestic Market Conditions (2012): Number of Taxi Passengers Per Year: 260 million est. Total Revenue in Taxi Fares: 2. 6 billion Euros – – – Number of Mobile Subscriptions: 114. 2 million Smartphone Market Penetration: 53% Number of 3G/4G Subscriptions: 53. 2 million 3G Market Penetration: 65% REQUIREMENTS: Smartphone (Android or iOS), Internet (at least 500 MB) AVAILABILITY: iTunes (Apple Store) for Apple ; Google Play for Android PRICE: For Passengers: FREE DOWNLOAD (Application) Standard Taxi fares apply with no additional costs for using myTaxi (Transportation Service) For Drivers: 2,75% (net) for every service mediated via myTaxi HOW IT WORKS: For Passengers : Immediately upon opening the application, myTaxi uses GPS to pin point the user’s location. The app will then locate all of the available myTaxis in the area. The user can then send a pick-up request, as well as specify a destination (optional). Once a pick-up is confirmed, the user can see the driver’s information: name, vehicle registration, as well as his rating from other myTaxi users. The user can then track the progress of the Taxi until it picks him up. For Drivers: Taxi drivers need to register with myTaxi in order to be part of the system. This can be done via the myTaxi application, at a myTaxi office, or on the mytaxi. net website . Upon acceptance of a pick-up request, the driver receives the application user’s mobile number in case of extenuating circumstances, such as a traffic jam. FEATURES : †¢Favorite Drivers: Drivers can not only be rated, but also be saved and prioritized for future trips. Fare Calculator : Cost transparency via the integrated fare calculator that may be used before booking a trip. †¢Flexible Payment Options: Users can pay with cash or use credit, debit, or even PayPal. myTaxi has pioneered the cashless and even cardless payment of Taxi trips through the application . †¢Advanced Booking: Bookings can be made up to four days in advance of the user’s desired pick-up date, time, and place. †¢Personalize d Booking Options: Eco-taxis, 5-star Taxis, Airport trips, Luggage, Pet-friendly Taxis, Number of expected passengers TERMS AND CONDITIONS: For Passengers : I. Performance of myTaxi II. Second amendment and termination of service III. Availability IV. Liability V. General Obligations of the user VI. Responsibility for Content VII. Final Provisions For Taxi Driver : I. Gratuitous services of myTaxi II. Settlement of mediation services III. Payment IV. Amendment and termination of service V. Availability VI. General obligations of the user VII. Obligation to accept transfer order VIII. Termination of contract / disqualification of use IX. Rating system X. Responsibility for content XI. Final provisions For Business Accounts : I. Contract II. Contractual obligations of the contractor III. Invoicing by myTaxi IV. Employee Training V. Liability VI. Term and Termination VII. External representation of cooperation VIII. Of assignment, final provisions EXISTING PARTNERSHIPS: Car2Go HRS Ds Hotelportal Miles & More Lufthansa Samsung T Mobile AirPlus International myTaxi is an innovative application that combined two different industries: The first is the relatively stable Transportation Industry, wherein passengers are given the option to commute semi-privately via Taxi. The second is the new and booming Smartphone + Internet Industry. The combination of both industries created a product (the application) AND service (the features) that covers both the daily transportation needs of commuters with their want of efficiency, reliability, and personalization in tune with the lifestyle of Today. With all this in mind, it is no surprise that myTaxi first focused on its domestic market to establish its name and create awareness of what they have to offer. Following their domestic success, myTaxi marketed itself to its immediate neighboring countries, a strategic move on their part, since their popularity would logically trickle itself to those right next to them, and not those far away – being involved in Travel and Transportation, this was clearly a logical step. The real trick however, to marketing myTaxi was through partnerships – with individual Taxi drivers and Taxi dispatch companies, and with complementary product brands, such as Samsung wherein the application is pre-installed in all their Smartphone units. Its strength lies mostly in its reputation. In its attempt to expand to the U. S. market, myTaxi had to compete with a few competitors, as the U. S. already had a few Taxi applications to choose from, depending on which city you were in. However, because of its popularity, its brand strength boasting to already have 2. 3 million users, it was able to secure a partnership with the D. C. Taxicab Commission. With their endorsement, myTaxi managed to escalate itself as more legitimate in the eyes of the market than its competitors. Lastly, one must consider that being a pioneer, myTaxi has been and is still reaping the benefits of the First Mover Advantage. It has already created its niche in the Transportation Industry and is transforming the preexisting Taxi market as well. myTaxi was already hailed as one of the top applications of 2012. TARGET MARKET INFORMATION TARGET MARKET: Metro Manila [NCR], Philippines (Lower-Middle Income) (Market Capitalism: constitutional democratic republic) GENERAL DEMOGRAPHICS: Population: 103,775,002 (Philippines, July 2012); 21,050,000 (Metro Manila, 2010) Size: 638. 55 km2 (Total Area) with a density of 18,567/km2 Rate of Urbanization: 2. 3% (2010-2015 estimated) annual rate of change Currency: Philippine Pesos (? Currency Inflation Rate: 2. 6% (March 2012) VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC: Number of Motor Vehicles Registered : 1,740,812 (2012) > approx. 30% of total: 6,316,522 Number of Motor Vehicles Registered by Classification : for the entire PH Private: 5,410,783 (2012) > approx. 86% of total: 6,316,522 For Hire: 840,974 (2012) > approx. 13% of total: 6,316,522 Number of Taxis : 40,000 (2009) for the entire PH Annual Average Daily Traffic: approx. 10,927,245 (2011) vehicles > approx. 4,049,314 caused by Passenger Cars (37%) > approx. 2,195,860 caused by Utility Passengers (20%) Number of Apprehended Drivers : 14,439 (2012) > approx. 2% of total: 761,743 Committed Traffic Violations: 1. RA 8750 Seatbelt Use Act 2. No CR/OR On Hand 3. Obstruction 4. Student Driver Operating an MV w/o Accompanying Licensed Driver 5. Driving w/o License 6. Unregistered/Invalid MV Registration 7. Reckless Driving 8. Driving w/ Delinquent/Invalid, Suspended, Ineffectual or Revoked License 9. No Brake Light 10. No EWD Carried MOBILE PHONES AND INTERNET : Number of Internet Users: 33. 6 million (2012) Internet Usage Growth Rate: 11% (2012) Smartphone Sales Value: $606. 5 million (2011) Number of Smartphone Subscribers: 15 million (2012) Smartphone Subscribers Growth: 38% (2012) Mobile Internet Users: 24% of all Filipino Internet users on a daily basis > 56% intend to access the Internet via mobile phone in the next 12 months (2011) Leading Telecommunication Operators : (Q1 2012) †¢Smart Communications, Inc. > Market Share: 68% > Mobile Connections: 66. 1 million > Prepaid Subscribers: 97% of total subscribers > 3G Subscribers: 24% of total subscribers †¢Globe Telecom, Inc. > Market Share: 32% Mobile Connections: 31 million > Prepaid Subscribers: 95% of total subscribers > 3G Subscribers: 27% of total subscribers OTHER STATISTICS: Fuel Prices : (as of 11 April 2013) Diesel: ? 40. 00 per liter Unleaded: ? 50. 72 per liter EXPANSION PLAN TO THE PHILIPPINES IMPETUS: Statistics are not needed to see that there are too many cars in Metro Manila, more than what the roads can actually accommodate. Traffic is a serious problem in the city, and though much can be s aid about the many reasons behind it, the reality remains that â€Å"for every bus there are 50 cars on the road† (Murphy, 2010). That is how congested the city roads are. There is definitely a need to limit the number of vehicles, or one day all movements on the streets will come to a stop. A more efficient and trustworthy Taxi-riding environment may encourage people to commute more, instead of driving out in their own cars for the simplest errands, or from even buying their own. A more centralized and systematized Taxi system may also encourage more discipline in drivers AND passengers, for example lessening the number of pick-ups and drop-offs in the middle of the road. ADVANTAGES: †¢EASE: Streets in the Philippines can be tricky . A lot of roads are not frequented by Taxis; Taxis are usually already occupied when spotted on the main roads; There are usually just certain places where Taxis are most available i. e. malls, markets – Getting back from those places may be easy enough, but getting there from wherever is the hard part. Hailing a Taxi is tedious and time-consuming in a busy city like Metro Manila. †¢TRUST: Both for foreigners and locals alike, there is always a chance of hailing a cab that has a fixed Taxi Meter, and you only find out until it is too late. myTaxi’s Fare Calculator works against that. You may also experience a driver bent on swindling you for extra money just because you have luggage or are with someone in need of assistance. With myTaxi’s Personalized Booking Options, you can already pre-bargain with your Taxi driver and let him know what to expect from you. Any additional costs need not be a surprise. †¢SAFETY: If you’re in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night, order a cab via myTaxi instead of walking around looking for one. †¢FEEDBACK: Taxi drivers usually have no fear because they answer to no one, or at least no one bothers to go through the trouble of reporting them to their supervisors if they have one. yTaxi lets you provide feedback of your trip and your driver, removing them from the service if they have done you any wrong, or warning future passengers. PRICE: For Passengers: Application remains free. For Drivers: Following the 2,75% (net) for every service mediated by myTaxi†¦ Taxi Fare Flag Down Rate: ? 20. 00 > ? 1. 50 per 500 meters *There is a possibility however, of lowering the rate to 2% due to Taxi drivers generating a below-average income in the Philippines. Average Income of Taxi Drivers: ? ,500. 00 per week MARKET ENTRY: (Product Extension-Communication Adaptation) Product itself remains relatively unchanged, aside from the necessary calibrations for the myTaxi application to work in Metro Manila. Communication approach will have to be different however, as the Philippines is a completely new market to this type of peer-to-peer service . Communication approach to potential passengers will also differ from potential drivers. Pre-Installed Application in Smartphones Units deployed to the Philippines will already have myTaxi pre-installed like in Germany -Pre-Installation leads to awareness that product is available > Constantly seeing application will peak customer’s interest > Trying out what this application and how it works leads to its evaluation and trial > Upon first successful order of Taxi, customer adopts to the usage of the application whenever a Taxi is needed, as well as becoming more confident in exploring its other features > Product loyalty is established, as well as recommendation of it to peers -myTaxi avatar/widget to be included in the list of Product Features, both online and in print Personalized Proposals to Taxi Corporations Direct contact between myTaxi Sales Representative/s and owner/manager of Taxi corporation through a meeting -Email point of contact of Taxi corporation a myTaxi business plan and proposal -eAdvertisements Personalized Proposals to Individual Taxi Drivers -Group Learning and Information Sessions managed by myTaxi Sales Representative/s -Free trial period -Flyers distributed in strategic areas -eAdvertisements Partnerships with Transportation-Related Government Offices to Aid in Endorsement of Service -Department of Transportation and Communications: Land Transportation Office [LTO] http://lto. gov. ph/ -Metr opolitan Manila Development Authority [MMDA] http://www. mmda. gov. ph/ Others -myTaxi stickers (on Taxis) to increase awareness and curiosity -myTaxi application to be featured in a local newspaper article LEGALITY AND REGULATIONS : No known regulation for the usage of Smartphone applications in the Philippines. Application is an add-on to an already registered business – whether by the individual Taxi driver or a Taxi Corporation thus, no taxes, licenses, permits, etc. involved. Political, legal, and regulatory environment poses no known risk. See also myTaxi Term and Conditions. CHALLENGES: †¢Limited Features (cabs in the Philippines are not equipped for payments via debit, credit, or PayPal) †¢Training on how to use the application (more for the drivers than the passengers) †¢Investment on Smartphone and Mobile Internet Plan (many options are offered however by Smart and Globe) Hofstede’s Cultural Typologies : Power Distance: Acceptance and willingness to try application by the â€Å"head/leading Taxi driver† or owner/manager of a Taxi corporation is a must. Other drivers will easily follow once connection with the â€Å"boss† is established. Collectivistic: Word-of-mouth will be the strongest marketing tool both for passengers and potential myTaxi drivers. Masculine: Most if not all Taxi drivers in Metro Manila are male. This must be taken into consideration when marketing myTaxi to them. Expect assertive, challenging and highly skeptical questions. Uncertainty Avoidance: Hypothetically no problems in getting Filipinos to accept myTaxi, especially once German origins are made known. Innovation especially American and European ones, are not seen as threatening. Use this as an advantage. Short-Term Orientation: Acceptance of myTaxi â€Å"now† may be achieved, but users, both driver and passenger, may grow bored and/or negligent of the application in the future. Ensure that its long-term advantages are very appealing and well communicated to drivers. Create a dependence on myTaxi for passengers. Sources: AJTP Information Center. (n. d. ). Road Transport Philippines [Data file]. Retrieved May 11, 2013, from http://www. ajtpweb. org/statistics/Philippines/road-transport-philippines Alternat1ve. (n. d. ). 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The Canidate

In the 1972 movie The Candidate Crocker Jarmin is the current Senator for the United States and he seems to be unbeatable. Marvin Lukas has an idea to get Bill (William) McKay to run against Jarmin in the next race though Mckay was not thought out to be able to beat him. At first McKay is not convinced with the idea of running for senator. It is not ideal for him to follow in his fathers foot steps. McKay finally decides he is going to run after his wife and Lucas convince him he has what it takes. He also only agrees to run with the conditions that he can do and say what he wants to through out his campaign. He know he is not supposed to win. In the beginning of McKay’s campaign he does not know exactly how to approach the public and go about getting people to listen to him. He fails to fully obtain the interest of voters and can’t capture the words to make people believe he has good points to make. His campaign manager Marvin Lucas tries to give him advice as to how to handle questions from the media and from the public, but McKay still wants to speak for himself. When both Jarmin and McKay are speaking to the public, Jarmin constantly has the advantage over McKay. The People believe in what Jarmin says because he has more power and is able to make more promises. Also, McKay comes off as a young and naive candidate well on the other side Jarmin is an older, wiser, and more experienced candidate. McKay’s Campaign strategy of saying what he wanted, not listing to his team, ignoring his platform, and not having a stance on many political issues did not work in his favor. After appearing unaware to the public McKay decided to change his campaign strategies and become more personable. He chose to speak to more groups that felt that they were unheard. His campaign staff made his commercials to represent change and hope. His slogan became â€Å"For a better way vote Bill McKay. † His strategy to identify with the public seemed to be more affective rather then his previous strategy of being blunt and indecisive. Well McKay was trying to appear as a working class man Jarmin would try to appear as a true American. His campaign strategies focused on really showing that Americans had to work together and be united. Jarmin continually made his speeches and commercials focus on keeping the American dream. After McKay changed his campaign strategy his following started to grow immensely. He was receiving more media coverage along with Jarmin then ever before. McKay started being aired on news casts, political hearings, and his speeches started being filmed. Since McKay was receiving more coverage he was also coming up in the polls, and won in the primary elections. After McKay’s victory Jarmin realized McKay was real competition. Jarmin started to release commercials speaking out that letting McKay win senator was like letting a kid win senator. After the commercial was released McKay spun the statement a different way and stated that the country needed a new out look and needed changes, and in order for it to become better they needed new and fresh ideas. When Jarmin realized that McKay was giving him a run for his money he finally agreed to have a debate with him. Through this debate they were asked various questions, but neither one of them gave straight answers. They both talked about the questions but never expressed their stance on it. You did not get to learn much about the candidates because both were trying to please the public rather then speak strongly on and issue. After the debate McKay’s closing statement raised some chaos. He stated that the real issues were being ignored and that the questions that were being asked were not the questions that the public was concerned about. He believed that the people cared more about policy issues and those were not being handled or addressed properly. After the debate McKay’s following became so large that is team was astonished. McKay finally had a strong following and really had the people’s attention. He was giving speech after speech and was gaining more and more support for the democratic party. He was also giaing support from other politicians and more important people that could really help him out. Towards the end of the race they were only separated by three points. This is when people started to truly believe he had a chance. When November finally hit and they were waiting for the ending results to come in his father said to him â€Å" You’re a Politician, Son. † This statement eant that McKay did become what he had not originally planned. He never thought he would get involved in politics and follow his dad, but he was. With out being aware of it he had became everything opposite of his original plan. At the very end of the movie McKay and his campaign Manager had one last private conversation. It was in that moment that Lucas revealed that McKay had one. McKay’s final q uestion was â€Å" What do we do now? † This victory came as a great surprise to McKay and he did not know what to make of it, but he knew he now had to make life changing decisions not only for him self, but for America.

Meaning of Life and Australian Cultural Identity Essay

â€Å"From separate catastrophes, two rural families flee to the city and find themselves sharing a great, breathing, shuddering joint called Cloudstreet, where they begin their lives again from scratch. For twenty years they roister and rankle, laugh and curse until the roof over their heads becomes a home for their hearts. † (Winton, 1991) Tim Winton’s critically acclaimed novel, Cloudstreet is a masterful tale of love, meaning and heartbreaking tragedy that speaks strongly of a post war Australian society that was essentially rebuilding itself after years of political upheaval and financial struggle. Good Morning/Afternoon Ladies and Gentleman. I am a representative of the National English Curriculum board and today I am here to demonstrate to you how Cloudstreet is authentic and believable, and as Marieke Hardy suggests: â€Å"It is Australian. Reading it felt like coming home. † Throughout Cloudstreet, there are numerous concepts that portray the Australian cultural identity; and the theme of religion and spirituality is especially prominent and appealing. The concept of luck, Aboriginal spirituality, and the search for the meaning of life, are all Australian ideas that Winton expertly portrays. Spirituality can be defined as â€Å"a concern for that which is unseen or intangible; as opposed to physical or mundane. † (Greenberg, 2008) It encourages a sense of peace and purpose within an individual and promotes a feeling of belonging. Additionally, religion can be defined as â€Å"the belief in, and worship of a superhuman controlling power. † (Religion) Both concepts are widely integrated into the core of the novel and are depicted through the Australian notion of luck. Luck, which some would argue has long been etched into the Australian consciousness as a common working class superstition, is, whether they are conscious of it or not, a form of religion for both families. The Pickles family, most notably Sam, rely on the â€Å"shifty shadow of God† (p 12) to warn them about future events, while the Lamb’s simple game of â€Å"spinning the knife† (p 53) acts as their metaphorical life compass. â€Å"The Lucky Country† (Horne, 1964) is a phrase that originated from a book of the same name written in the 1960’s, and since then, has gained widespread popularity and thus, been attached to the Australian culture for a long time. Winton has cleverly examined this historical background to incorporate an accurate facet of the Australian identity into the novel and its characters. Also related to the concept of luck, is the fact that after Fish drowns, Oriel, once a devoted and â€Å"god fearing† Christian, begins to question her faith and the reliability of believing in God. When Fish is resuscitated, but only â€Å"some of him comes back†, (p 32) both she and Lester are emotionally forced to abandon God and Christianity and instead, turn to luck, hard work and the idea that â€Å"life and death, was all there was,† (p 65) in order to endure their circumstances. This draws on the common â€Å"Aussie battler† tradition, of which a working class person overcame challenging situations through perseverance, faith and steadfast determination. In terms of the Australian cultural identity, Winton has again taken an important and recognized historical Australian idea and shaped it to evoke feelings of familiarity and intimacy between the readers and the characters of Cloudstreet. The frequent appearance of the â€Å"Blackfella† is yet another example of how the Australian cultural identity is portrayed through examination of Aboriginal Spirituality. However, in many scenes throughout the novel, the blackfella signifies both Christian and Aboriginal spirituality through allusion and comparison. For example, he is likened to Jesus by walking on water and again when he produces a never ending supply of wine and bread in Quick’s car. This comparison is particularly effective as it symbolises the â€Å"coming together† of Christianity and Aboriginality, which was a particularly delicate Australian issue during the time period of the novel, due to Aboriginal marginalisation and the rise of Christian ideals. Essentially, the Blackfella acts as a reminder of the original religion inherent to Australia and its development, during a time when social and political change was overtaking that of its native beliefs. The â€Å"Blackfella† also acts as the conscience of the characters when they have lost their way or their family unit is threatened. This can ultimately be seen when he leads Quick back to Cloudstreet after he runs away to the country, knowing that Quick feels secretly lost without his family, and needs them to feel fully alive. He also persuades Sam not the sell the house and states that â€Å"you shouldn’t break a place. Places are strong and important,† (p 406) referring to not only the house and its tragic Aboriginal history, but also to the fragile families who live inside it. In doing so, he ensures that the families stay whole and together, which is an important and dominating religious value for Aboriginality and Christianity, both during the time period of the novel and in our modern Australian society. Consequently, the â€Å"Blackfella’s† role in Cloudstreet is a significant contribution to the novel’s relevancy to the Australian cultural identity. The Australian cultural identity is also illustrated in Cloudstreet through the spiritual symbolism and personification of the river, and its connection to the character’s search for the meaning of life. This is particularly significant for Quick Lamb, who, is spiritually linked to the river in a number of ways. The river acts as a place of peace, purpose and belonging for Quick. Connecting with his mother when they go prawning, glowing after fishing in the country, and most importantly, falling in love with Rose Pickles, are the most significant spiritually defining events that Quick experiences while on the river. Through realising just how symbolically important the river is to him, Quick finally understands the true meaning of his life, and gains a feeling of belonging that allows him to finally shed his self-degrading title of â€Å"the lost lamb. † (p 310) Australia is a country that values the water. Geographically, we are surrounded by it, with most of our population residing close to the shores. As a result of this, the water is seen as a common gathering place, from which one cannot easily escape nor regard as irrelevant to the Australian way of life. Winton has taken this idea and incorporated it into Cloudstreet, to emphasise and promote a relevant part of Australian culture. Finally, the river’s spiritual and religious connection to Fish Lamb is perhaps the most important concept of the novel. After Fish drowns and has his soul ripped into two separate pieces (spiritual fish and physical fish), the river that he so desperately longs for, essentially becomes his gateway to the spiritual world; to the place where he belongs. It is not until the end of the novel when Fish is finally free to reunite with the water that he is truly whole again. â€Å"I burst into the moon, sun and stars of who I really am. Being Fish Lamb. Perfectly. Always. Everyplace. Me. †(p 424) For many, water in Australia is culturally considered to be the blood of the country; a place of cleansing and rejuvenation. Likewise, for Fish, the river embodies the epitome of the spirit of Australia in the form of life giving water. Although his life was initially taken by the water, it is eventually returned to him when his physical self re-joins his spiritual self. In conclusion, Winton flawlessly encapsulates the cultural identity and spirit of Australia in Cloudstreet through symbolic representations of luck, Aboriginal spirituality and the search for the meaning of life. The characters’ connection with religion and spirituality resonates strongly with the reader and successfully evokes feelings of belonging and familiarity that confirms Cloudstreet is indeed a classic Australian novel. Bibliography Associates, R. Q. (2008, September 16). Ideology in Cloudstreet . Retrieved 2013, from www. englishcurriculum. com. au Cloudstreet Notes. (n. d. ). 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