...Story Of Stuff, Referenced and Annotated Script By Annie Leonard Do you have one of these? I got a little obsessed with mine, in fact I got a little obsessed with all my stuff. Have you ever wondered where all the stuff we buy comes from and where it goes when we throw it out.? I couldn’t stop wondering about that. So I looked it up. And what the text books said is that our stuff simply moves along these stages: extraction to production to distribution to consumption to disposal. All together, it’s called the materials economy. Well, I looked into it a little bit more. In fact, I spent 10 years traveling the world tracking where our stuff comes from and where it goes.1 And you know what I found out? That is not the whole story. There’s a lot missing from this explanation. For one thing, this system looks like it’s fine. No problem. But the truth is it’s a system in crisis. And the reason it is in crisis is that it is a linear system and we live on a finite planet and you can not run a linear system on a finite planet indefinitely.2 Every step along the way, this system is interacting with the real world. In real life it’s not happening on a blank white page. It’s interacting with societies, cultures, economies, the environment. And all along the way, it’s bumping up against limits. Limits we don’t see here because the diagram is incomplete. So let’s go back through, let’s fill in some of the blanks and see what’s missing. Well, one of the most important things that is missing...
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...are driving the advance of the release of healthcare. The diffusion of medical material through electronic transmission, aid to enhance quality, efficiency of patient comfort, and care. With the use of interaction equipment to connect healthcare practitioners and patients in different locations, will likely help to achieve many of the healthcare reform goals including: growing cost efficiency; rising patient access to specialists and, enhancing interaction among providers. What will you do to guard against rapid obsolescence? Current’s office technologies can modify quickly; you can improvement your equipment anytime by changing your lease. The benefits of lease and financing are support to protect product obsolescence, and gives ability to take benefit of the newest product technology. Organization need to plan for technological modification and have tactics in place for relocation, alteration or reformatting. To can deal with the threat of technological obsolescence, the firm should try to join new capabilities and functions. Not so much substitute but to pursue the combination of new features that the previous system did not provides. The technology...
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...you ever bought a household appliance and it breaks after a few months of usage? Then you take it to the shop and the repair is more than you paid for the item so you have to buy a new one. This is called Planned obsolescence; some companies use this legal method to make to more money from their customers. Companies put a death time on their products so that the consumer will have to purchase more of their products at a faster rate. Companies are using people for their own wealth and it is wrong. The term planned obsolescence goes back to 1932 with the writing of Bernard London's pamphlet Ending the Depression Through Planned Obsolescence. He wanted to make Planned obsolescence legal to stimulate the economy (Gerber). The topic was made popular in the late 1950’s by Brook Stevens at the conference in Minneapolis. His definition for Planned obsolescence is “Instilling in the buyer the desire to own something a little newer, a little better, a little sooner than is necessary”(Gerber). The term was commonly used for items that would fail easily or go out of style. In 1959, Volkswagen used the term in a different way in their ads “We don't change a car for the sake of change”(Gerber). There are different types of planned obsolescence; one type of it is technical obsolescence, these products have a suggested lifetime that the manufactory dates before the product is even made. These products are made like this so that newer models are bought in the future, like records to tape or...
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...Reporter: Anna Camille C. Fabila Topic: Zoning and Appraising the Value of an Industrial Property Learning Objectives: * To know about zoning an industrial property and its types * To be familiar with appraising an industrial property ZONING As we all know, zoning is the division of the city into districts or zones and prescribing regulations for the use of each district or zone. Zoning is intended to regulate the use of private land for the common good. It establishes that the interests of private property owners must be balanced against the interests of the public. A major purpose of zoning is to put land to the use for which it is best suited. Of course, determining the best use for land is not always easy. Some land is best left to be cultivated because of its unique soil characteristics. Other land may be ideally suited for commercial development because it is located near a major highway. Other land, located near a railroad or airport, for example, may be prime land for an industrial park. Agricultural or open space uses may be the best for lands located in a flood plain. Zoning can be important in attracting business and industry to an area. Sufficient good land should be zoned for business and industry that is uniquely suited for business and industry and has adequate access and public facilities. INDUSTRIAL ZONING There are three types of Industrial-zoned properties: CI, LI AND GI. A simple comparison of these three zonings is impossible...
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...ESSAY: IMPROVING FIRE SERVICES IMAGE IN THE THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES: THE NEED FOR CHANGE (By VIRGILUS. AKAMA.ONYEKA) There has always been something peculiar about the Fire Services in the so called third worls countries. Those of us who are older in the profession know about developments which have taken place in the past 10 years in these countries. It is very clear that generally, the image is far from good. Clichés abound. After troubling era underdevelopment of the fire service and the accompanying years of change that hurled the professional cultural furniture around and turned much of it to junk, we today are apt to think longingly of continuous changes. The purpose of this essay is not to run down the fire service of these countries. But I intend to advocate the type of commitment to change that saw the civilised world through its journey to (if you like) “professional paradise”. The consistency of the unfanciful image of the fire service today raises two related questions. Why is the situation so reminiscent in these countries? How accurate is it, that the image is at the lowest ebb? And if so, how could this be redeemed? It is my intension in this essay to try and answer some of these questions. Before answering these questions, it is pertinent to enunciate some of the reasons for prolonged underdevelopment of the fire services of the third world. This is not to undermine the changes that are taking place today in some brigades, notably in India...
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...Assignment # 2 1. Why is information security a management problem? What can management do that technology cannot? Both general management and IT management are responsible for implementing information security to protect the ability of the organization to function. Decision-makers in organizations must set policy and operate their organization in a manner that complies with the complex, shifting political legislation on the use of technology. Management is responsible for informed policy choices and the enforcement of decisions that affect applications and the IT infrastructures that support them. Management can also implement an effective information security program to protect the integrity and value of the organization’s data. 2. Why is data the most important asset an organization possesses? What other assets in the organization require protection? Data is important in the organization because without it an organization will lose its record of transactions and/or its ability to deliver value to its customers. Since any business, educational institution, or government agency that functions within the modern social context of connected and responsive service relies on information systems to support these services, protecting data in motion and data at rest are both critical. Other assets that require protection include the ability of the organization to function, the safe operation of applications, and technology assets. 3. Which management groups are responsible for...
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...Operational Level Paper E1 ENTERPRISE OPERATIONS (REVISION SUMMARIES) Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Topic Organisations Corporate Responsibility and Ethics The International Economy Information Systems Managing Information Systems Operations Management Quality Management Marketing Buyer Behaviour Human Resource Management Management Theory and Motivation The Legal Environment Page Number 3 13 17 27 35 45 55 61 73 79 93 101 E1 revision summaries 1 E1 revision summaries 2 Chapter 1 Organisations E1 revision summaries 3 Key summary of chapter Private sector organisations Sub-sectors of the economy not directly controlled by the government or state private business and households. Examples • • • • Private businesses e.g. self employed sole traders or partnerships. Companies (corporations) e.g. separate legal identity with limited liability for shareholders (owners). Private banks and building societies. Non-governmental organisations e.g. trade unions, charities, clubs etc. e.g. Public organisations Sub-sectors of an economy, or organisations, owned and directly controlled by the state or government. Examples • • • Local authorities. State owned industries e.g. the UK post office. Public corporations e.g. the British Broadcasting Company (BBC). Characteristics of public organisations • • • • Ultimately accountable to government. Goals and guidelines determined by government. Not-for-profit motive (NPO). Funded by the general public...
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...annually (According to International Monetary Fund). This uncommon economics performance compels economists all around the world to ask them selves is a democracy an only system of government which guarantee sustainable growth and development of an economy? Though some economists believe that democracy, as the most common type of capitalism, is the most “healthful” and useful economics and government system, China is a socialist country. Socialism – “Compare capitalism an economic theory or system in which the means of production, distribution, and exchange are owned by the community collectively, usually through the state.” . From the definition it may be concluded that free market economy is more common for democracy (Capitalism), whereas planned economy is more typical to socialism. In a free market 3 basic production decisions: what to produce, how to do this and for whom these products should be produced; are made by the price mechanism without or very limited government intervention. Price mechanism assure that that there will be high competition in the market which will lead to high level of quality and innovations, low prices and quick respond to consumer’s wants as producers have to compete for consumers. However, as these decisions are made only by market forces some of them may be wrong, market failure, due to lack of information of the consumer and/or due to a free ride problem. Free ride – consumer will wait until someone buy a good, instead of buying it by himself....
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...1a) Descriptions of governments can be based on: Economy - what provides the goods and services that are bought, sold, and used? Capitalism-(Russia)--In a capitalist or free-market economy, people own their own businesses and property and must buy services for private use, such as healthcare Socialism (Norway)-- Socialist governments own many of the larger industries and provide education, health and welfare services while allowing citizens some economic choices Communism (Cuba)-- In a communist country, the government owns all businesses and farms and provides its people's healthcare, education and welfare. Politics - how is the government run? Dictatorship (Iraq)-- Rule by a single leader who has not been elected and may use force to keep control. In a military dictatorship, the army is in control. Usually, there is little or no attention to public opinion or individual rights. Totalitarian (China)-- Rule by a single political party. People are forced to do what the government tells them and may also be prevented from leaving the country. Theocracy (Iran)-- A form of government where the rulers claim to be ruling on behalf of a set of religious ideas, or as direct agents of a deity. Monarchy (Jordan)-- A monarchy has a king or queen, who sometimes has absolute power. Power is passed along through the family Parliamentary (Israel)-- A parliamentary system is led by representatives of the people. Each is chosen as a member of a political party and remains in power...
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...PART 2 The Global Marketing Environment CHAPTER 2 The Global Economic Environment Case 2-1 The Global Economic Crisis I n his 1997 book One World, Ready or Not, William Greider described the United States as “the buyer of last resort.” Greider explained that, for many years, the United States was the only nation that was willing to absorb production surpluses exported by companies in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Greider asked: “Who will buy the surpluses when the United States cannot?” The conventional wisdom has long held that strong spending by consumers in other nations would keep the world economy humming. However, by 2008, Greider’s question was taking on a new urgency and the conventional wisdom was being tested. An economic crisis that had its roots in lax subprime mortgage lending practices began to spread around the globe. In the United States, where the crisis began, economic misery was widespread: The housing market collapsed, real estate values plummeted, credit tightened, and job growth slowed (see Exhibit 2-1). As the price of oil passed the $100 per barrel benchmark, the average price of a gallon of gasoline rose to $4. American consumers were, indeed, less willing and less able to buy. However, the crisis was not confined to the United States alone. Consumer-goods exporters in Asia, which Exhibit 2-1: The bursting of the global real estate bubble was only one aspect of the worst recession in decades. The ripple effects from the economic...
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...manufacture, and/or market products in foreign countries, they encounter fascinating and often challenging economic environments. Chapter Four first explores the economic environments of countries in which an MNE might want to operate by discussing the importance of economic analysis and identifying the major dimensions of that process. It then compares and contrasts key macroeconomic indicators, such as economic growth, inflation, and the surpluses and deficits reflected in the balance of payments. Finally, it reviews the characteristics of the major types of economic systems, explores the principles of economic freedom, and concludes by examining the idea, the drivers, and the constraints associated with the transition from a centrally-planned to a market-based economy. CHAPTER OUTLINE OPENING CASE: MCDONALD’S AND RUSSIA’S ECONOMIC TRANSITION [See Map 4.1.] This case exemplifies the extraordinary challenges of operating in a transition economy. In fascinating detail it explains how, despite enormous start-up costs and difficulties, McDonald’s has managed to succeed in Russia since finally opening its first Moscow restaurant in 1991. Currently McDonald’s employs 17,000 people at 127 restaurants located in 37 Russian cities. In fact, Russia has become its fifth most profitable market in Europe. Along the way, various transition crises in the...
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...| | |Comparing and Contrasting Economic Systems | | | | | |Introduction to Sociology | | | | | |The Industrial Revolution changed |How it changed the economy |1900 and Today | |The number of people employed in industrial |The use of machines began to spread throughout |Implementation of the production line | |manufacturing (textiles, iron goods, metal, |the world | | |pottery, etc.) ...
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...Maima D. Beer English 24 Prof. Thompson Date: 7/26/12 Final Research Paper Birth Control and Its importance for Women Rights Women for centuries have been subjugated to men, and it’s hard to believe but there was a time in history in this country when women didn’t have any rights. Women couldn’t speak in public without the permission of men and were only looked to for bearing children, while taking care of the home. Throughout history women have fought for their rights with movements like the suffrage and birth control movements. The birth control unlike the suffrage movement is still an ongoing battle, even though women have the right to contraception, but many women don’t have access to because of certain state’s government have laws limiting that access to birth control. By the government controlling women’s access to birth control they are controlling the liberty for women. Birth control has been a very controversial topic and taboo since the classical period. Before one can grasp why and how birth control and the use of birth control can be controversial, one will need to understand what birth control is and the history. First, birth control should be viewed as a woman’s basic right that goes hand in hand with her first amendment right, and without any interference from the government. The all encompassing question is what is birth control? Birth control is a practice, material, or device by which sexual intercourse can be rendered...
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...| | | Foreign Direct Investment | | | | | | Marking its second investment in India, Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway will induce investment in a chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) industrial unit in Gujarat, through its wholly owned subsidiary Lubrizol Corporation. Lubrizol will initially invest Rs 1,177 crore (US$ 242 million) in the project and its construction work is expected to commence by January 2013.In order to tap more foreign funds, Cox and Kings has got the nod from Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) to increase its foreign equity by 10 per cent to 53.94 per cent, from the previous 43.81 per cent. Currently, foreign promoters have a stake of 19.87 per cent and FIIs hold 22.72 per cent. FIPB has granted its approval to the travel company to raise Rs 750 crore (US$ 154 million) from foreign markets.Meanwhile, Singapore-based Global Schools Foundation plans to invest Rs 300 crore (US$ 61.6 million) and start 25 schools in India over 2011-16. The foundation owns and operates Global Indian International Schools (GIIS) and Global School of Silicon Valley (GSSV) across eight countries all over the world.Policy InitiativesRecently, the government has further liberalised the FDI mechanism for allowing overseas investment in bee-keeping and share-pledging for raising external debt.Moreover, it has eased FDI norms for construction of old-age homes and educational institutions. The modification endorses removal of issues pertaining to the minimum...
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...Write a 3-4 page paper in which you: 1.Describe the role of business in the economy. 2.Compare and contrast the roles of for-profit and nonprofit organizations in the economy. 3.Discuss the impact of current fiscal and monetary policy on the economy. 4. Select a product or service with which you are familiar and outline a strategy for accessing global markets. 5.Select an organization with which you are familiar and discuss the impact of that organization ’s level of social responsibility on a stakeholder group of your choice. My assignment must: •Be typed, double-spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions. The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are: •Distinguish between the major forms of business ownership and compare the advantages and disadvantages of each. •Define entrepreneurship and the nature and importance in the U.S. economy of small businesses. •Describe the basic accounting process and the financial statements used in business. •Explain the role of financial management, human resource management, and information management in a business. •Identify the basic components of the marketing process (product, promotion, pricing, and distribution). •Use technology and information resources to research issues in business. •Write clearly and concisely about business issues using proper writing...
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