Hospital Marketing Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Hospital Marketing - Assignment Example For a manufacturer of an infusion pump therapy kit for use in hospitals, personal selling or advertisement would help in informing the hospitals the advantages of using the equipment over other related equipment, the cost at which the kit would be sold at to the hospital allowing the hospital to save more than it could have spent on other related equipment and the advantages that the hospital would receive in terms of supply of the item that would not have been received with other items. In a nutshell, personal selling would convince the hospital to purchase more of the equipment, hence increasing the general sales of the equipment. Considering post-purchase role of promotion, for a busy hospital emergency room, a company can offer to make issue out certain items for free for every patient who will purchase a particular item used in the emergency sector of the hospital. May be if the company is selling bandages, it could issue free dressing cotton to the clients who shall have made their purchases from the company. To make a good advertisement on the physical rehabilitation program, there is need for a larger budget. This is because, to reach the targeted clients, much needs to be done. One would want to target drug addicts, to ensure that the target group is met, there are various programs that are required to be included in the advertisement in order to attract such kind of people. In the advertisement, there would be a step by step explanation of how drug addiction may ruin someone’s life then they will have to learn. Before deciding to use the medium, the program director needs to consider whether the targeted persons also read this newspaper, the coverage space of the program in the newspaper and other more effective means of advertisements that would reach the targeted clients than the newspaper.   The newspaper may be having the best circulation, however, may be the targeted persons might not be able to access and read it.  

Qing China and the consequences of the golden age Essay Example for Free

Qing China and the consequences of the golden age Essay The â€Å"Prosperous Age† was a period where Qing China experienced a drastic increase in population, flourishing trade and commerce, and a remarkable level of social and political stability during the reign of Emperor Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong. However, its brilliance was overshadowed by its subsequent consequences and China was soon at its breaking point in the 19th century. This essay would then evaluate on the implications of the â€Å"Prosperous Age† and how the long-term consequences proved to be more negative in the 19th century due to a string of crisis, and subsequent problems that continued even in modern China of the 20th century. Negative Unanticipated Long Term Consequences Reversal of Trade Fortunes with Britain During the 18th century, there was mounting European demand for Chinese goods (Hung, 2011). Britain in particular, had strong liking and demand for Chinese goods especially tea. Hence, it led to the outflow of British silver into China, but little inflow of silver back into the British economy resulted in China enjoying a trade surplus (City University HK, 2007) while Britain suffered from a trade deficit. To redress this deficit, Britain began to smuggle and sell opium in China (City University HK, 2007). China’s attempt to prohibit opium then resulted in the Opium Wars and suffered a tragic defeat. The defeat in the Opium War led to the signings of unequal treaties . Upon signing of the unequal treaties, much Chinese marked it as the beginning of a century of shame and humiliation. Although China was never formally colonized, the lack of ability to defend its basic sovereign rights and ability to govern its own country made it look like a like semi-colonized state of Britain. Consequently, the Qing government was seen as weak and inefficient to combat against the foreigners and much Chinese lost faith in the Manchurian Qing government. As a result, this gave rise to the Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901) where violent revolts and attacks were targeted against foreigners as a sign to resist their influence. Boxers, supported by China, suffered a yet another defeat and were forced to sign yet another unequal treaty: Boxer Protocol, where the reparations drastically crippled the Chinese economy till the mid 20th century (Zheng, 2009). Thus, we can see that the initial trade surplus, a sign of â€Å"Prosperous Age† resulted in British to redress the situation by selling opium to the Chinese led to the Opium Wars and the unequal treaties which greatly weakened Qing China internally and externally in the 19th century. China’s failure to counter foreign influence led to their continued defeat in the Boxer Rebellion at the end of 19th century, where another unequal treaty continued to cripple her till mid 20th century , thereby demonstrating the long term consequence of the â€Å"Prosperous Age† was indeed negative in the long run, especially since the consequences did not confine just to the 19th century but even stretched to the 20th century. Reforms did not keep up with population boom During the â€Å"Prosperous Age†, China’s population tripled from less than 150 million to over 400 million (Perkins, 1969). Civil Service Exam however continued its strict quota for passing (Bentley Ziegler, 2003) and that meant a lower ratio of scholar to population passes. The frustration of students led to the rise of influential leaders like Hong Xiuquan who sought for reforms which led to the Taiping Rebellion . Coincidentally, the backbone of his rebels were the poor peasants who were forced out of arable lands and were socially upset and frustrated, which was also due to the consequence of the population boom. The consequence of the Taiping Rebellion led to a weakened Qing as they were forced to decentralize power to provincial elites to deal with the crisis and this power was never fully recovered even after the rebellion was suppressed (Sng, 2011). Provincial elites who did not return the power were a growing sign of defiance and could have the possibility of rising up against the imperial court. The unneeded civil unrest caused by Taiping Rebellion also served to exacerbate subsequent crisis like the Northern Chinese Famine (1876-1879) where the government was severely blamed for not providing sufficient aid. The excess unrest and loss of power proved to be detrimental in the 19th century as it crippled China and the country with no official political bloc stepping up to assist with the problems and crisis. In short, China was in a total disarray and chaotic. Lack of technological advancement Qing China favoured political and social stability over technological innovation which they feared would lead to unsettling changes. Furthermore, the vast population available to firms was a cheaper alternative to increase output, rather than investment of new technologies which was costly (Bentley Ziegler, 2003). This proved to be adverse in the 19th century when China engaged in wars. In the Opium Wars, the Qing military was no match against the British who utilized better technology to triumph (Tanner, 2010). The first defeat resulted in Treaty of Nanjing which ceded Hong Kong to Britain. Subsequent wars like the First Sino-Japanese War (1894-1985) had China suffering a crushing defeat against a more superior and modernized Japanese army. China then ceded Taiwan, Penghu and the Liaodong peninsular to the Japanese. It clearly implied that China could not defend its own sovereign ground and indicated how backward the Chinese army. It questions the right of China to even claim rights over those territories if she could not even defend it properly. The problem gets exemplified into the 20th century when China continued to suffer several defeats to the Japanese in the Second Sino-Japanese War . Even with the Self-Strengthening Movement (1861-1895) which was embraced to modernize China was insufficient. The subsequent defeats to Allied forces in the Boxer Rebellion and Japanese in the Sino-Japanese Wars marred the success of the movement. Especially significant was the defeat in First Sino-Japanese war as for the first time in over 2000 years of history, regional dominance in East Asia shifted from China to Japan (Johnson, 2010). Coupled with the defeat, China’s international and regional standings were challenged and staged subsequent revolutions that led to other problems and the eventual demise of Qing. Positive Long Term Unanticipated Consequences Building a new foundation based on common people The end of Taiping Rebellion inspired nationalists (Del Testa Lemoine Strickland, 2001) to fight for the betterment of Chinese. It was because of the consequence of the â€Å"Prosperous Age† that led to the decisive rise of nationalist to seek for reforms. An example would be the decentralizing of power, which meant many parties would be involved in decision-making process, rather than just the monarch government. This would ensure that concerns are taken into deliberation before decision-making that will benefit majority of the Chinese, rather than the imperial court only. The nationalist dream then culminated in the 1911 Revolution in the early 20th century, where the Qing was overthrown and the Republic of China was established. Nevertheless, the dream of the nationalist was short-lived due to a power struggle within. Even though election was scheduled for 1913, but it soon became clear than Yuan Shikai wanted to establish his own power base. Sun Yat Sen was then forced into exile after he stepped down as head of the newly formed Kuomintang (Foster, 2007). The new government was then monopolized by Yuan and led to decades of political division and warlordism, including monarchy restoration (Blecher, 2010). Therefore we can see that the perceived benefits from the consequence of â€Å"Prosperous Age† in the 19th century did not fully materialize in the 20th century. Monarchy restoration was attempted and defeats the purpose of the promised sharing of power with the people initially. Political and social unrest persisted even with the new government which culminated in the May Fourth Movement (1919). Hence, we can see that China did not become better even with the end of Qing. It would be judgmental to argue that the initial rise of nationalists had resulted in a better China. It would be fairer to argue that the initial rise of nationalists led to more power struggle and dissident movements like the Chinese Warlord Era (1916-1928) as there were no strong political forces to enforce stability and order until the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) came in 1949. Conclusion Hence, we can see that the consequences of the â€Å"Prosperous Age† proved to be more negative. The severity of the negative consequences shed light on the crises in the 19th century which crippled China internally and externally. The impact of the consequences was so overwhelming that it even snowballed to the 20th century and further crippled modern China. In contrast, the perceived positive consequences was that it built the foundation but the problem was that the foundation was weak and unstable which in turn led to more problems which culminated in more movements and revolutions. Furthermore, problems like sovereign issues were not solved by reforms or China’s surge in military strength but rather treaties that returned territories to her under imminent conditions . Thus, we can see that the long term consequences were more negative in the 19th century as it continued the crippling of China economically, socially and militarily and as well as set the stage for the movements and revolutions in the 20th century which did not necessary bring about stability and communal power amongst its people until the CCP came into power in 1949. References Hung, H.F. (2011), Protest with Chinese characteristics: demonstrations, riots, and petitions (p24-26). USA: Columbia University Press Qian Long Emperor’s Letter to George III, 1793, retrieved from Sanders Morillo Nelson Elleberger (2005), Encounters in World History: Sources and Themes from the Global Past, Volume 2 (p289). McGraw-Hill Sng, T.H (2011, Oct 4). Size and Dynastic Decline: The Principal-Agent Problem in Late Imperial China 1700-1850. City University of HK Press (2007), China: Five thousand years of history and civilization (p109). Hong Kong: City University of HK Press Perkins, D.H. (1969). Agricultural development in China, 1369-1968. Chicago: Aldine Bentley Ziegler (2003). Traditions and Encounters (p724-740). New York: McGraw-Hill Tanner, H.M. (2010), China: From the Great Qing Empire through the People’s Republic of China 1644-2009 (p77). USA: Hackett Publishing Company, Inc. Del Testa Lemoine Strickland (2001). Government leaders, military rulers and political activist (p86). Greenwood Publishing Group Foster, S (2007). Adventure Guide China (p18-19). Hunter Publishing, Inc. Blecher, M.J. (2010). China against the tides: restructuring through revolution, radicalism, and reform (p205). Continuum International Publishing Group Johnson, R.E. (2010). A Global Introduction to Baptist Churches (p267). Cambridge University Press Zheng, J.G. (2009). Historical dictionary of modern China 1800-1949 (p32). USA: Scarecrow Press

The Heat Death Of The Universe Essay -- essays research papers fc

Little Worlds   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In today's busy world, many people get so caught up in their own ambience that they overlook all the other things out there. Some people seem treat their surroundings as if it were their own 'little world';, creating tunnel vision to the array of the actual real world and all the things that occur in it. Pamela Zoline addresses this and many other issues in the short story, 'The Heat Death of the Universe';. This piece reports the abstract, somewhat crazy thoughts, of the world from an ordinary housewife to the reader. At first, these thoughts appear to be coming from a severely confused and mentally unstable person, with no point what so ever. Contrary to the evidence stated in the text, 'Sarah Boyle is a vivacious and intelligent young wife...proud of her growing family which keeps her busy and happy around the house'; (192), the reader can see that the main character, Sarah Boyle, is quite unsatisfied with her place in life. This unhappiness stems from a wasted education, causing the apathetic housewife to resort to ceaseless contemplation, which shapes the life she has created for herself and the home she is trapped in.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The fact that Sarah Boyle was well-educated is pointed out clearly in the first few paragraphs, 'Sarah Boyle is a vivacious and intelligent young wife and mother, educated at a fine Eastern college'; (192). This fact can be also be easily deduced by the reader after observing the knowledge Sarah presents and the vocabulary she exhibits, such as 'ONTOLOGY: That branch of metaphysics which concerns itself with the problems of the nature of existence or being'; (191) and 'ENTROPY: A quantity introduced in the first place to facilitate the calculations, and to give clear expressions to the results of thermodynamics'; (193). Clearly, such words are not ones that would be regarded as common knowledge or everyday conversation topics. The terms used by Sarah throughout the story lead the reader to regard her as some type of advanced science major. In addition to the vocabulary usage, the manner in which her mind functions and the habits she displays also guides the reader to the same assumption. Sarah demonstrates scientific thinking methods constantly; always making lists, noticing irrelevant and abstract things, counting and lettering objects, constantly pondering ideas... ...es a thermodynamically closed system, and if this were true it would mean that a time just finally come when the Universe 'unwinds'; itself, no energy being available for use'; (200). Sarah applies this theory in her housekeeping techniques, thinking that the more organized she is, the less disorder she creates. Therefore, she is not contributing to entropy in her own Universe, her house. Keeping entropy at a constant therefore would not contribute to the 'heat death of the Universe';. Evidently, this abstract thinking is indicating some mental problems. At the end of the short story, Sarah displays a mental breakdown, combining all the unexplainable ideas that float though her mind in a physical and mental explosion.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Throughout this short story, Pamela Zoline effectively addresses many relevant issues in today's society. Through a common housewife, Sarah Boyle, the reader can observe the daily trauma and feeling of worthlessness that one may experience at what it can result in. WORKS CITED Zoline, Pamela. 'The Heat Death of the Universe';. Writing As Revision. Ed. Beth Alvarado and Barbara Cully. Needham Heights: Simon and Schuster, 1998. 191-200.

Essay --

Tragedies occur everyday. Almost everyday people hear about a shooting or a violent event. Violence is prevalent everywhere and it is most prevalent in the media specifically in television. Television has changed how people view the world and also how children view the world. What is fiction and what is real? To an adolescent mind it is very hard to distinguish fact from fiction. Everyday they are exposed to violence, murder, and gore on the television. Television should be censored because it causes children to become desensitized to violence. The television has been around since the 1950’s but it wouldn’t be until the 1960’s that television violence began to become prevalent. Before the 1960’s television programs included shows like â€Å"I Love Lucy† and other comedies. These shows didn’t have violence; the premises of these shows were family values and principals. This changed in the 1960’s. The 1960’s were a time of war and violence. The public was able to witness the gore of war right in their living rooms. They were able to witness soldiers shooting other combatants. They were able to witness bombs exploding killing hundreds. They were able to see death. This captured and mesmerized the public, and as a result television began to become increasingly more violent. Television violence has reached a disturbingly high point, and with an increase in media violence comes an increase in child violence. Children have been gradually desensitized to violence, as violence within our media has increased. There has been such a great increase in media violence that now â€Å"the average child by the age of 18 will have witnessed 200,000 acts of violence and 16,000 murders.† Television programs display an average of 812 violent acts per hour... ...o be desensitized to violence? Don’t we want them to be nurtured in a setting that doesn’t increase aggressive behavior? The answer is yes. Toady violence is glamorized and promoted on the television. Shows are not good or â€Å"cool† unless they have some form of violence in them. As viewers see more violent and obscene things, they expect the next thing to be even more violent and obscene. They expect more and more, and for the new one to top the old. As this happens desensitization to violence grows. Children imitate what they see and hear, and television violence is easy to obtain and see. Television violence shouldn’t be easily obtainable and watchable. Children should have difficulty obtaining these things, but sadly today this is not the case. For these reason television should be censored so that the children of our future do not become desensitized to violence.

Philippine History During the Japanese Occupation Essay

Pre-Spanish Times There are two theories on the origins of the first Filipinos, the inhabitants of what will later be called the Philippine Islands and eventually the Republic of the Philippines. See the Early Inhabitants of the Philippine Islands. In the beginning of the 3rd century, the inhabitants of Luzon island were in contact and trading with East Asian sea-farers and merchants including the Chinese. In the 1400’s the Japanese also established a trading post at Aparri in Northern Luzon. In 1380, Muslim Arabs arrived at the Sulu Archipelago and established settlements which became mini-states ruled by a Datu. They introduced Islam in the southern parts of the archipelago including some parts of Luzon and were under the control of the Muslim sultans of Borneo. They had a significant influence over the region for a couple of hundreds years. The Malay Muslims remained dominant in these parts until the 16th century. Philippine History During the American Era The Spanish-American war which started in Cuba, changed the history of the Philippines. On May 1, 1898, the Americans led by U.S. Navy Admiral George Dewey, in participation of Emilio Aguinaldo, attacked the Spanish Navy in Manila Bay. Faced with defeat, the Philippines was ceded to the United States by Spain in 1898 after a payment of US$ 20 million to Spain in accordance with the â€Å"Treaty of Paris† ending the Spanish-American War. On June 12, 1898, Filipinos led by Emilio Aguinaldo declared independence. This declaration was opposed by the U.S. who had plans of taking over the colony. And this led to a guerrilla war against the Americans. In 1901, Aguinaldo was captured and declared allegiance to the United States. On the same year, William Howard Taft was appointed as the first U.S. governor of the Philippines. The U.S.passed the Jones Law in 1916 establishing an elected Filipino legislature with a House of representatives & Senate. In 1934, the Tydings-McDuffie Act was passed by the U.S. Congress, established the Commonwealth of the Philippines and promised Philippine independence by  1946. The law also provided for the position of President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines. On the May 14, 1935 elections, Manuel L. Quezon won the position of President of the Philippine Commonwealth. In accordance with the Tydings-McDuffie Act of 1934, The Philippines was given independence on July 4, 1946 and the Republic of the Philippines was born. Philippine History During the Japanese Occupation On December 8, 1941, the Japanese invades the Philippines hours after bombing Pear Harbor in Hawaii. While the forces of Gen. Douglas MacArthur retreated to Bataan, the Commonwealth government of President Quezon moved to Corregidor Island. Manila was declared an open city to prevent further destruction. After the fall of Bataan on April 9, 1942 and Corregidor, In March 1942, MacArthur & Quezon fled the country and by invitation of President Roosevelt, the Commonwealth government went into exile to Washington D.C. American and Filipino forces surrendered in May 6, 1942. Soon a guerrilla war against the Japanese was fought by the Philippine & American Armies while Filipinos were enduring the cruelty of the Japanese military against civilians. Prior to Quezon’s exile, he advised Dr. Jose P. Laurel to head and cooperate with the Japanese civilian government in the hope that the collaboration will lead to a less brutality of the Japanese towards the Filipinos. Rightly or wrongly, President Laurel and his war time government was largely detested by the Filipinos. In October 1944, Gen. MacArthur with President Sergio Osmeà ±a (who assumed the presidency after Quezon died on August 1, 1944 in exile in Saranac Lake, New York) returned and liberated the Philippines from the Japanese.

Free Essays on Other Peoples Children

Philosophy of Education The term philosophy can be defined in many ways. I like to define philosophy to mean â€Å"truth.† When evaluating my philosophy of education, my views are clear and concise. Education should be provided to everyone, free of charge, and free of discriminations. Education today is provided to everyone publicly at no expense. Although free, it does not come without distractions. For instance, public schooling has turned into more of a daycare type setting for teachers and students. With emphasis based on violence, and rightfully so, I feel the learning environment has deteriorated to an extreme extent. Administrators focus more on dress codes and violence prevention, than they do on test scores and how we compare to other countries. According to "A Nation at Risk", the American education system has declined due to a " rising tide of mediocrity" in our schools. States such as New York have responded to the findings and recommendations of the report by implementing such strategies as the "Regents Action Plan" and the "New Compact for Learning". In the early 1980's, President Regan ordered a national commission to study our education system. The findings of this commission were that, compared with other industrialized nations, our education system is grossly inadequate in meeting the standards of education that many other countries have developed. At one time, America was the world leader in technology, service, and industry, but overconfidence based on a historical belief in our superiority has caused our nation to fall behind the rapidly growing competitive market in the world with regard to education. The report in some respects is an unfair comparison of our education system, which does not have a national standard for goals, curriculum, or regulations, with other countries that do, but the findings nevertheless reflect the need for change. Our education system at this time is regulated by states which implement ... Free Essays on Other People's Children Free Essays on Other People's Children Philosophy of Education The term philosophy can be defined in many ways. I like to define philosophy to mean â€Å"truth.† When evaluating my philosophy of education, my views are clear and concise. Education should be provided to everyone, free of charge, and free of discriminations. Education today is provided to everyone publicly at no expense. Although free, it does not come without distractions. For instance, public schooling has turned into more of a daycare type setting for teachers and students. With emphasis based on violence, and rightfully so, I feel the learning environment has deteriorated to an extreme extent. Administrators focus more on dress codes and violence prevention, than they do on test scores and how we compare to other countries. According to "A Nation at Risk", the American education system has declined due to a " rising tide of mediocrity" in our schools. States such as New York have responded to the findings and recommendations of the report by implementing such strategies as the "Regents Action Plan" and the "New Compact for Learning". In the early 1980's, President Regan ordered a national commission to study our education system. The findings of this commission were that, compared with other industrialized nations, our education system is grossly inadequate in meeting the standards of education that many other countries have developed. At one time, America was the world leader in technology, service, and industry, but overconfidence based on a historical belief in our superiority has caused our nation to fall behind the rapidly growing competitive market in the world with regard to education. The report in some respects is an unfair comparison of our education system, which does not have a national standard for goals, curriculum, or regulations, with other countries that do, but the findings nevertheless reflect the need for change. Our education system at this time is regulated by states which implement ...

Environmental and Cultural Impact of Bottled Water

Environmental and Cultural Impact of Bottled Water Abstract An entrenched belief in people’s minds that bottled water is superior to tap water has triggered a chain of environmental and cultural challenges to policy makers and environmentalists in conserving the environment and while ensuring quality water for consumers.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Environmental and Cultural Impact of Bottled Water specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The problem of disposing water bottles by enforcing policies for responsible waste bottle disposal, alternative forms of producing water bottles that are environmentally friendly and economically viable alternatives to justify the existence of water bottling industries in the society defines the problem statement. Specifically, the approach to solving the problem will span a careful investigation into the effects of bottled water and waste bottles in the environment, through the collection and analysis of primary data, interview ing company executives that bottle water, and analyze methods used to curb environmental pollutions. Inn conclusion, these could result in efficient approaches to waste bottle disposal, provision of clean water in harmony with environmental and cultural environment and effective policy formulation and enforcement. Introduction Many and divergent views have been held over time by consumers of bottled water. Specifically, bottled water consumers have regarded this water as safe and of good quality for consumption. This belief has generated a chain of environmental and cultural concerns for policy makers and enforcers over the production and ineffective disposal methods. The research will focus on the impact and enforcement of disposal policies and environmental pollution, conduct an investigation into various areas, analyze different research methods, analyze research methods and draw conclusions from the study for effective approaches to environmental conservation in harmony with the cultural environment. The research will come up with strategic approaches to enforcing policies for environmental conservation, excellent and alternative methods of bottled water manufacture and better and viable alternatives for fuel saving in the production process. Body Thesis statement: Bottled water has had diverse environmental and cultural impacts spanning policy formulation and enforcement strategies. According to Hall (2007, p. 7), bottled water is a widely consumed product. This is an industry that many companies have strategically invested in. The wide usages of these products have environmental and cultural consequences that need to be addressed.Advertising Looking for report on environmental studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More According to Goodman (2009, p.3), waste bottles when ineffectively disposed of litter and lead to environmental pollution that in the end become both culturally and environme ntally destructive. This concern and the approaches used to manufacture these bottles is a course for concern to the researcher. In addition to that, the quest to provide quality water and efficient manufacturing processes and policy enforcement strategies will be the basis of the research. The specific audience will span policy makers and law enforcement agencies, environmental conservation groups and agencies, manufacturing and recycling companies, water bottling companies and individual consumers. To effectively formulate and implement policies for environmental conservation, the research will analyze the impact of those policies, analyze the quality of water in these bottles, the extent to which current bottle disposal approaches have polluted the environment, analyze consumer behavior and attitudes, company manufacturing and packaging methods, and critically look at available literature spanning all aspects of culture, the environment, and water consumption (Sharfstein,  2010 , p. 1). Conclusion According to the research proposal, an analysis of the environmental impact of disposing waste water bottles, disposal methods, manufacturing methods, policy formulation and enforcement in the manufacturing methods and use of these bottles, and the quality of water sold out to the consumer formed the backbone of the research. In addition to that, various cultural attachments and consumer attitudes besides the recycling strategies and possible alternatives or efficient recycling methods and efficient fuel usage in the whole process was a vital consideration in the research. Reference List Goodman, S. (2009). Fewer regulations for bottled water than tap, GAO says. Web. Hall, N. (2007). Federal and State Laws Regarding Bottled Water An Overview and Recommendations for Reform. Web.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Environmental and Cultural Impact of Bottled Water specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Sh arfstein. J.M. (2010). â€Å"Regulations of bottled water†. Web.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Accounting information systems (AIS) The WritePass Journal

Advantages and Disadvantages of Accounting information systems (AIS) Introduction Advantages and Disadvantages of Accounting information systems (AIS) IntroductionType and nature of both the risks and the security threatsNature of riskType of RiskType of Security ThreatsSecurity Strategies/Measures  Control ProcedureConclusionRelated Introduction Accounting information systems (AIS) have experienced vast changes in several decades, improving from paper-based journals and ledgers to completely automated, paperless systems. However, the migration from paper to computer has its risks to the company. It contains the confidential information which becomes compromised if it is unprotected. The unauthorized use of the accounting system can be misused and involved in risking loss of the information, disastrous and bad data input. Security of accounting systems is a priority in many companies. In recent decades, the changing environment has posed a threat to the company. As a system accountant of a large established UK based Retail Company specialising in the sale of household electrical appliances, it is necessary to consider the risks and the security threats that the company would face in today’s business environment. According to Tony Boczko, risk is related to the likelihood of loss, the probability of mischance and the possibility of hazard or harm. Moreover, risk can be defined in several ways such as the chance of bad consequences, the exposure to mischance and the probability of loss. These risks and threats can lead an undesirable impact on both the present and future of the company’s financial activities and stability. Type and nature of both the risks and the security threats Nature of risk The nature and source of the risks can be distinguished into two primary sources of risk which can be categorized as the event/activity-based risk and resource/asset-based risk. By referring to Tony Boczko 2007 (pp. 681), he mentioned that event/activity-based risk is defined as the risk which is associated with the particular event/ activity or the group of activities/ events. The resource/ asset- based risk is the subsidiary primary source which can be defined as the risk which is associated with the possession and use of the resource/ asset or the group of recources/ assets. In addition, Tony Boczko 2007(pp. 681) mentioned that the source of risk can be categorized into four associated secondary sources of risks such as authorized internal employee and external agent-based risk, unauthorized persons-based risk and nature-based risk. The case of the authorized internal employee/ external agent-based risk is the possible loss which can be resulted from the unintentional or deliberate errors. Unauthorized persons-based risk is most likely involved in the risk of possible loss which can be resulted in the possible breaches of security and misappropriation of assets and information. The nature based risk is involved in the risk of possible loss which is resulted from the geographical disaster or meteorological conditions. Type of Risk What are the different types of risks? There a number of differing types of risk that can affect the household electrical appliances company in today’s business environment. One of the risks is unintentional error. Unintentional error is the error which is related to the inadvertent mistake and erroneous actions attributable to the bad judgement in decision making, ignorance and inattention. The unintentional errors that happened through computerized systems are always at of risk power failure of the computer, viruses attack and end up with losing the important information of the company such as financial documents. Furthermore, problems with computerized system could lead to a standstill in usage of the database. When the household electrical appliances company is focus and reliant on the accounting information system, the unintentional error due to the power and computer outage could lead to a work disruption. Work disruption can disable the input of the information of the c ompany can access to the stored information. Additionally, if the data is not backed up properly, the company will end up lost its important data. Risk such as deliberate errors can cause the company with the bad and serious implications. According to Tony Boczko 2007(pp. 682), deliberate errors can be explained as the conscious erroneousness and incorrectness whose occurrences are designed to damage, destroy and defraud a person, group of persons and organization. Such errors are intentional and premeditated. What if there is ‘someone’ else hosting its precious and valuable data? ‘Someone’ refers to the hacker. Hacking is the illegal action which involved in gaining unauthorized access to the company accounting information system to steal and get the data illegally. The big news of the hacking system is NASA’s system. ‘In 2002, Gary McKinnon was arrested by the UKs national high-tech crime unit, after being accused of hacking into NASA and the US military computer networks.’ (BBC NEWS, 2006) Besides that, the hacker ‘The hacker has also denied that he had made Washingtons com puter system inoperable, although he did admit he may have deleted some government files by accidentally pressing the wrong key’. (Jo Best, 2005). Deliberate errors brought a serious implication to the company. Besides that, natural disaster is also counted as the serious type of risk in today’s business environment. ‘A natural disaster is the effect of a natural hazard (e.g., flood, tornado, hurricane, volcanic eruption, earthquake, or landslide). It leads to financial, environmental or human losses. The resulting loss depends on the vulnerability of the affected population to resist the hazard, also called their resilience’. (Wikipedia, 2011) As a household electrical appliances company, if it is suffered from the natural disaster such as floods. Floods can destroy drainage computer system and cause the raw sewage to spill with water. Besides that, building and company’s equipments can be also damaged due to the floods. It will lead to the catastrophic effects on the environment as the toxic such as gasoline will be released and caused pollution. Floods can cause a huge amount of money losses to the business. Type of Security Threats In today’s business environment, there are many computer frauds and computer crimes through computerized accounting information systems. Fraud can be defined as ‘deceit, trickery, sharp practice, or breach of confidence, perpetrated for profit or to gain some unfair or dishonest advantage. In the broadest sense, a fraud is an intentional deception made for personal gain or to damage another individual’. (Wikipedia, 2011) As a household electrical appliances company, the internal employees or managers as well as the shareholders can be also fraud through the computerized accounting information system. The information stored electronically can be manipulated and accessed if proper controls and security measures are not taken place. This will affect the operation of the business. Fraud such as account takeover is a serious activity which always happens in today’s business environment. ‘An account takeover can happen when a fraudster poses as a genuine cu stomer, gains control of an account and then makes unauthorized transactions’. (Action fraud) The information of account holders such as credit card can be taken over by those fraudsters. Los Angeles attorney Christopher Painter said: If you have an explosive growth on the Internet, youre going to have this great huge growth in fraudulent conduct and crime committed over the internet. (BBC NEWS, 1999) From this evidence, we can see that there is a security threat on today’s business through the computerized accounting information system. Fraudster can be sued if they found out by people. For example, ‘Bank of America and two of its former bosses have been charged with fraud for allegedly misleading shareholders during the takeover of Merrill Lynch’. (guardian.co.uk, 2010) There are few types of fraud, such as false billing, financial fraud, advanced fee frauds, identity theft and phishing. In false billing scam, the fraudster will send out a so-called invoice for a particular product or service that are never be ordered, fraudster hope that it will be paid for sure from the victim without any investigation. This activity usually happened in large business organization, it is because large business organization has a billing or payments system which used to pay the invoice of the company, fraudster sends out those fake invoices and hope that this will be unnoticed by the large business organizations. ‘Phishing is a way of attempting to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication’. (Wikipedia, 2011) It is dangerous for today’s business operation, it is because instead of stealing the personal and business information, ‘phishers’ can affect the computer with the viruses and convince the victim in order to participate in money laundering. Another security threat is computer crime, according to Tony Boczko 2007 (pp. 691), he mentioned that computer crime can be defined as the deliberate action to gain access to, or steal, damage or destroy the computer data without authorization. Computer crime involves in the activity of dishonest manipulation of computer programs or computer-based data. It also involves in the fraudulent use/abuse of computer access and resources for personal gain. The types of computer crime such as the inappropriate use of corporate information systems, theft of computer and hardware, unauthorized access and information theft or the fraudulent modification of data and programs, system failure and premeditated virus infection and disruptive software. It is hard to define a computer crime; it is because computer crime is always and easily be happened in the business organization. People might think that fraud is also kind of computer crime. It is a wide context in security threats. As a household electrical appliances company, premeditated virus infection such as spyware, it gathers the users and client’s information and relays it to the third party such as advertisers. Spyware can monitor operation of the computer, scan the important information and files, snoop on the private applications such as chat programs. By reading the cookies and change the default web browser, spyware can consistently relaying the information from the database. It is dangerous for the business organization, because if their competitors spy into their programs and get the costs and type of materials of the electrical appliances as well as the client’s contact number, the business organization will be easily defeated by competitors. There is a latest issue about the Sony PlayStation Network which involved in the identity theft. ‘Up to 3 million Britons are believed to be among the 77 million users of Sonys PlayStation Network, which has been hacked into by criminals who have stolen users personal information, possibly including credit card details’. (Charles Arthur and Keith Stuart, 2011) ‘Sony, which shut down the online games, movies and music delivery system last week after it was attacked by hackers, has said that although names, birthdates, e-mail addresses and log-in information were compromised for certain players, it has seen no evidence that credit data was taken, but cannot rule out the possibility’. (Richard Newman, 2011) Security Strategies/Measures Due to the vulnerability of the computerized accounting information system, it is easy to be attacked by internal and external people of the business organization. It is necessary to implement some methods to solve the serious issues. According to American Institute of CPAs In order to protect the business organization from the attack of risk and security threats, , TOP Technology Initiatives Task Force, which is a group of the technologically astute members of the CPA profession and other technology professionals, collaborated in the AICPAs Top Technology Initiatives project, seeking to identify the most important technology initiatives. The first method is enhancing the information security such as upgrade the hardware and software in order to protect the information systems from the security threats. Company should implement and upgrade the level of firewall which blocks the intrusion from the internet. Update the anti-virus programs with the logins of password and username to limit access. Besides that, company should hire the experienced network integrator to check whether it is work properly with the security patches. Additionally, company can have a security audit for the independent confirmation on the company’s financial data and client’s information. Through this process, business organization can be protected. The other method is disaster and business continuity planning. It is an activity which involves in the developing, monitoring and updating of the climate change, accident and other malicious destruction. It can prevent the business organization to loss their important information. It is because having the computerized accounting information system down for few hours or few days due to the natural disaster; could lead a bad impact to the profitability and liquidity of the business organization. So, business organization should plan and design a process to keep the system stable to prevent any losses.   Control Procedure According to Tony Boczko 2007(pp. 729), he mentioned that the internal control which comprises the processes or procedures within a business organization designed to provide a reasonable assurance that business objective- primarily the maximization of shareholder wealth which can be achieved and those undesired events can be prevented or corrected. The internal control related to the management control. It can be defined as a diverse range of activities designed to conduct, direct and control business activities and ensure the consistency with corporate business objective. For example auditors, their role is to audit the business organization’s internal control policies, to assure that the control within the departments is under controls and adequate, it can help in control the financial statement to prevent the financial loss in order to achieve the mission of business organization. Furthermore, internal control such as risk assessment is also needed to be taken place in every business organization. It is an effective control procedure helps in protecting company. According to health and safety executive, the risk assessment, instead of creating the huge amounts of paperwork, but rather about identifying sensible measures to control the risks in the business organization. Risk assessment is help to protect people by putting in place measures to control those risks.   As a household of electrical appliances company, risk assessment is a good starting point; manager can actually investigate and look for the hazard which may cause harm to the business organization. Furthermore, a critical thinking about how the accident could happen and who will be influenced could help in noticing and monitoring the risk. Once the managers identify the risk, it will be easily to control and put a suitable measure on it. Conclusion As a conclusion, accounting information system brings a lot of disadvantages to the organization in today’s business environment, but accounting information system combines the study and practice of the accounting with the concept of designing, implementing, controlling and monitoring the information systems. It also combines the modern information technology and the traditional accounting system to provide a better financial system to manage and improve the financial performance of the organization.

Global Business Cultural Analysis, China Annotated Bibliography

Global Business Cultural Analysis, China - Annotated Bibliography Example As above, this book was useful in providing a broad overview of contemporary Chinese culture, including those aspects which are immediately unfamiliar to visitors from the West. However, given its form as an encyclopedia, it was most useful for looking up specific references found elsewhere in the course of reading around this topic. The passages on business culture were full of concise information, and provided a succinct overview before more detail was sought from more focused texts. As with the above two texts, this work includes a great deal of valuable and particularly up-to-date information about the development of modern Chinese culture, and picks up on those aspects which may be new to the Western reader. The editor, Kam Louie, provides a helpful introductory chapter which seeks to define modern Chinese culture, and various expert contributors from international universities built on this. Chapters which were most useful in researching this paper were those on social and political developments in China over the course of the 20th century, and on the place on Confucianism in modern Chinese society. Of the texts which most closely relate to the first research question, this book was the most useful found, given its comprehensiveness, and its function as a concise overview.. Of all of the sources consulted in the course of researching this paper, Chen and Pan’s practical guide to business in China contained the best information about how traditional Chinese religions and philosophies, and especially Confucianism and Daoism, affect business practice in contemporary China. It was sometimes surprising not only how far these philosophies still permeate every aspect of Chinese society, including the life of the individual, the relation of that individual to his or her family, and the relationship between the family and the state, but also the unexpected ways in which traditional concepts, such as face and a strict belief in hierarchy, have

Policy analysis Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Policy analysis - Case Study Example Essentially, the reduction in the surgery unit from 30 infections per 1000 patients to 20 infections per 1000 patients is indicative of a 1 percent drop; albeit, this one percent represents a 33% overall reduction in the infection rate as the initial infection rate was 3% and the indicate result was only 2%. Simiarly, the reduction rate in the medical unit was equally as stark; going from 10 patients per 1000 patients all the way down to 5 patients per 1000 patients. This is representative of a 0.5% reduction as the initial rate of infectino was 1% and it went down to 0.05%. This represents an even starker reduction of infection rate of 50%; as compared to the 33% reduction that was indicated above in the surgery unit that has been previously discussed. State A started with a smoking reduction rate of 20% higher than that of State B. Yet, as the states diverged, an even starker level of difference is noted. For instance, State A illustrates increased rates of smoking cessation over time; likely as a direct result of the program that it initiated. On the other hand, State B illustrates no such trends; in fact marking a higher rate of smokers year after year; beginning in 2000 and continuing up until 2010. The initial divergence of 20% at the beginning of the data period (in the year 2000) was compounded over time; up until the point at which State B represented a 68% greater chance of an individual starting smoking and becoming hooked as compared to State A that had succesfully implemented the stop smoking program at the beginning of the

Computer Network Security Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Computer Network Security - Essay Example It is now considered as a fundamental fact that if an application is connected and operates on the network, it can be exploited and compromised. Organizations are keen to build a layered defense of protection to counter cyber threats from internal and external entities. Likewise, there is a requirement to constantly monitor live traffic from and to the World Wide Web, remote connections, the real-time interaction of users to applications, Internet gateways and client interactions with the applications. Code reviews are essential, as patches from vendors must be tested first before implementation into the live environment. However, for effective implementation of patches, patch management practices must be documented and standardized. Likewise, there are effective tools available for performing effective patch management. Secondly, configuration management also plays an essential role in ensuring security for mission-critical aviation applications. For instance, if a faulty hardware c omponent is replaced with the new one, it is important to address issues with hardware compatibility, as any malfunctioned device may introduce the vulnerability. Thirdly, change management procedures must also be documented and approved by the respective application owners prior to any changes to the application. For instance, change request form requiring any changes within the application can be approved and documented for ensuring no vulnerable spots in the architecture and infrastructure. All the identified attack interfaces must be addressed by taking the following factors into consideration (Mitigating security threats by minimizing software attack surfaces.2008): Uninstall and prevent unnecessary features Default utilities and programs that are installed within the operating systems must be utilized (If required) Strong access management by user authentication Remove all default passwords on the application server

Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 63

Marketing - Essay Example AICPA is an organization that deals with the harmonization of the accounting industry through the promotion of competence, integrity, and professionalism. I will also be interested in linking the activities of trade association with a job board that is concerned with promotion of professionalism among US job seekers. My main interest will be Career Builder, which is a job board that links employers with job seekers. The choice for career builder.com is based on the policy of professional development that the job boar promotes. Unlike other job boards, career builder believes in the development of people throughout their career. The board’s policies also illustrate value for development of skills through education and on job training. In addition, the issues of standardization remain a major cause of unemployment in the country. To contain the problem, I will need to work with an association that promotes standardization of employees through quality or standard education. Setting of standards in the work force will enhance professionalism and integrity among our Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 55 Marketing - Essay Example Indian Motorcycle banked on its legendary image â€Å"hitting the road in 1901, Indian was not only the first American motorcycle, it was the worlds best-selling bike and, having introduced the first V-twin motorcycle to the world in 1907, the most technologically advanced† (Indian Motorcycle 1). Its strategies include showcasing vintage and classic motorcycles, complete with motorcycle accessories. Its global sites include stores in North America, Mexico, Carribean, Central and South America, Europe, Asia and the Pacific, among others. For Harley-Davidson USA, the appeals that they use include appealing to the emotions through the use of visual images that cater to diverse customers and using options such as customization, even test riding and renting a bike, with other appeals that provide facts and opportunities to meet and share this interest to other bikers through events and community endeavors. Indian Motorcycle uses comparative details, historical timeline of achievements, rider stories, and motorcycle events where participants get to know more about experiences and the journey of other motorcycle riders. Likewise, their various motorcycles are showcased in vivid and colorful details that assist potential customers in deciding to purchase or to attend in the companies diverse motorcycle

The Positive and Negative Ideas of the Culture Research Paper

The Positive and Negative Ideas of the Culture - Research Paper Example The behaviour, reverence and respect which Bahrain youth tends to give the older/elder people lack in Britain youth. The culture and religion form the basis of this difference. Bahrain’s culture is abundant with values which encourage good attitude, respect and care for older people. Whereas, the UK culture is more independent and the youth does not want any restrictions imposed on them from older people. They lack an understanding of the value of older people and their advice in their lives. Bahrain youth is abundant with information on how to treat older people and trained to follow their advice most of the times. The cultural difference, as well as the difference in the social structure, allows such a difference between youth perceptions about older people and behaviours towards them. The fashion differs greatly from one state to the other. The fashion and clothing of every society differ as per the liking, priority and beliefs of the people residing in the social boundarie s of a region. Since Bahrain is a country with a Muslim population in the majority, youth clothing and fashion is affected by Islamic foundations. However, there are certain youth groups who are modern and like to stay up to date. The girls in Bahrain’s normal culture wear abaya with scarves to cover their heads and boys wear long sleeved shirts with jeans/trousers (World cultures 2004, p. 21-25). On the other hand, the UK adopts a more independent approach when it comes to outfits. They wear almost everything that suits them. Most popular outfits, however, include jeans and T-shirts for both genders, skirts for the female population and so on.

Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 63

Marketing - Essay Example AICPA is an organization that deals with the harmonization of the accounting industry through the promotion of competence, integrity, and professionalism. I will also be interested in linking the activities of trade association with a job board that is concerned with promotion of professionalism among US job seekers. My main interest will be Career Builder, which is a job board that links employers with job seekers. The choice for career builder.com is based on the policy of professional development that the job boar promotes. Unlike other job boards, career builder believes in the development of people throughout their career. The board’s policies also illustrate value for development of skills through education and on job training. In addition, the issues of standardization remain a major cause of unemployment in the country. To contain the problem, I will need to work with an association that promotes standardization of employees through quality or standard education. Setting of standards in the work force will enhance professionalism and integrity among our Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 55 Marketing - Essay Example Indian Motorcycle banked on its legendary image â€Å"hitting the road in 1901, Indian was not only the first American motorcycle, it was the worlds best-selling bike and, having introduced the first V-twin motorcycle to the world in 1907, the most technologically advanced† (Indian Motorcycle 1). Its strategies include showcasing vintage and classic motorcycles, complete with motorcycle accessories. Its global sites include stores in North America, Mexico, Carribean, Central and South America, Europe, Asia and the Pacific, among others. For Harley-Davidson USA, the appeals that they use include appealing to the emotions through the use of visual images that cater to diverse customers and using options such as customization, even test riding and renting a bike, with other appeals that provide facts and opportunities to meet and share this interest to other bikers through events and community endeavors. Indian Motorcycle uses comparative details, historical timeline of achievements, rider stories, and motorcycle events where participants get to know more about experiences and the journey of other motorcycle riders. Likewise, their various motorcycles are showcased in vivid and colorful details that assist potential customers in deciding to purchase or to attend in the companies diverse motorcycle

Jury Selection Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Jury Selection - Essay Example Written by Neil Kressel, a social psychologist at New Jersey's William Paterson University, and his wife Dorit, a practicing attorney, this book provides an even-handed accounting of the methods and ethical issues of the phenomenon called jury consultancy and its possible implications for American justice. It provides a discussion regarding the use of jury consultants in sensitive matters such as race and answers the questions: What do jury consultants do Are their elaborate efforts to assist lawyers in the jury selection process by identifying attitudes, values, and would-be demographic predictors merely benign efforts to screen for biases that could jeopardize fair trials, as practitioners like to claim Scientific Jury Selection is a well-written volume that reviews the research and issues surrounding scientific jury selection. The authors examine the many factors and methods involved in this process and provide a balanced and comprehensive review of the literature as well as raise important scientific and ethical questions. Chapters review such factors as methods of acquiring information and applying those methods to the actual process of jury selection. The volume raises substantial issues about the accuracy and efficacy of the selection process, as well as its ethical and legal implications. In addition, it provides the basis for the psychological methods used. 4. A. Austin (1984). Complex Litigation Confronts the Jury System, 103-104. Greenwod Press, US. Austin provides a case study in which one could gain valuable insight into the workings of jury consultancy and provides an analysis and possible implications of the methods used thru the case study presented. 5. Leci, L., Snowden, J. and Morris, D (2004). "Using Social Science Research to Inform and Evaluate the Contributions of Trial Consultants in the Voir Dire." Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice 4.2 (2004) 67-78 The authors argue that the jury selection methods commonly employed by trial consultants and lawyers in the voir dire process are fraught with problems because they do not employ standardized assessments. This commentary provides and advocates the advantages of employing standardized, reliable, and validated measures of pretrial juror bias to more effectively conduct the voir dire, and we delineate some of the methods by which this can be accomplished. 6. Lieberman, Joel D., and Bruce D. Sales (2007). "Overall Effectiveness of Scientific Jury Selection" in PsycINFO. Washington DC, US: American Psychological Association, 2007. Lieberman and Sales provides a discussion on matters of jury consultancy such as the Purpose and effectiveness of the Voir Dire, influence of demographic factors, influence of Personality and Attitudes, in-court questioning of prospective jurors and ethical and professional issues in Scientific Jury Selection. 7. Van Wallendael, Lori, and Brian Cutler (2004).

Shakespeares Othello Essay Example for Free

Shakespeares Othello Essay Shakespeares Othello, as a tragedy, offers a plot and theme which are so closely connected that one can only be interpreted in regard to the other. For example, Othellos pride is explored through the use of irony while, during the course of the play, Iago manipulates Othello (along with the other characters) into progressively more damaging and violent acts of self-destruction. Iago realizes, as the audience realizes, that Othellos prideful nature along with his professional and temperamental propensity for violence will probably end in blood-shed. This realization which the audience enjoys is not known to Othello himself and that is where Shakespeares use of irony is both brilliantly executed and highly expressive of the plays deepest theme: that of self-knowledge. Although it may be somewhat of an oversimplification to suggest that the entirety of Othello is based around the idea of self-knowledge, such a suggestion is, in fact, born out by the play itself due to the aforementioned tight link between the plays plot and theme, which can be taken together as the expression of Othellos character development. In other words, Othellos internal state is mirrored thorough the action of the play and both the plot nd dialogue give the alert audience member or reader many clues as to exactly how Othellos character development has contributed to the outward manifestation of action in the play. For example, Othello’s famous monologue in Act 5, Scene 2, where he addresses Gratiano, after murdering Desdemona demonstrates his (and by extension, a universally human) self-reflective capacity. The passage is both introspective and ironic. The impact of Othello’s predominantly militaristic orientation to the world; hence, a primarily masculine perception of the world, has collided tragically with the more delicate, ambiguous and feminine domestic sphere of love and sexual monogamy. For Othello, force is the most applicable tool for confronting crisis, or had always been; but through the rising tension of his monologue in Act 5, Scene 2, the once-great general realizes his current enemy is himself: and that enemy must be dispatched by force. So, the monologue is, in effect, a self-eulogy. By looking deeply into the construction of this pivotal scene, including the prosody, imagery, and diction of the lines, a sort of microcosm of the plays them can be extracted. Othellos monologue opens: Behold, I have a weapon; (256). in a smooth iambic pentameter and later â€Å"broken† by anapests, spondees, and dactyls, is a powerful blank verse, with admirable modulation in both meter and imagery. Behold, I have a weapon; A better never did itself sustain Upon a soldiers thigh (256-58) A basic iambic meter is established with a markedly powerful use of alliteration: the â€Å"s† sound of â€Å"itself sustain/ Upon a soldier’s thigh† creates a sense of onomatopoeia with the sword be drawn from its scabbard. Or slicing to the â€Å"heart. † The next phrase â€Å"I have seen the day (V, ii, 258) begins Othello’s descent into self-realization, lines 258-260 follows through with several technical elements, notably a rhyme between â€Å"day† (258) and â€Å"way† (260) which implies a particular fatalism and also the continuation of the anthropomorphization of the sword, begun in the use of the word â€Å"sustain† (257). This is an extension of irony, suggesting that Othello’s former glory as a soldier has passed to his sword alone, or that his noble characteristics have devolved there. I have made my way through more impediments Than twenty times your stop: but, O vain boast! (260-261). These lines are anchored powerfully by the â€Å"O vain boast! † spondee, a tremendous precursor to the dominant â€Å"O† vowel-assonance that carries the breadth of the thematic and aesthetic weight of the monologue in its latter half. The sense of fatalism is extended in the following lines: â€Å"Who can control his fate? / ‘Tis not so now. Be not afraid, though you do see me weapon’d;/ Here is my journey’s end, here is my butt,/ And the very sea-mark of my utmost sail† (262-265). Interestingly, the rhyme on â€Å"here is my butt† and â€Å"of my utmost† lend a sense of grim finality, although the monologue here reaches its midpoint. The extension â€Å"beyond doom† now creates dynamism in the use of extensive alliteration, built on the â€Å"O† vowel. â€Å"Where should Othello go? / Now, how dost thou look now? O ill-starred wench! / Pale as thy smock! When we shall meet at compt,† (268-270). The continuation of this motif is hypnotic and rings as though the speaker and audience are being simultaneously initiated into the deepest, most dire expression of human despair, essentially that of self-confrontation, or self-realization. One might readily observe the letter â€Å"O† itself as not only a sight-rhyme, but an almost concrete expression of this self-confrontation ro realization, as a symbol of wholeness, unity and perfection. This unity is applied in ironically – in tragic consequence – reflecting not only Desdemona’s essential purity, but now longed for wholeness of Othello’s former self: â€Å"Cold, cold, my girl! / Even like thy chastity. O cursed slave! † (272-273). The invocation to â€Å"ye devils† to â€Å"blow me about in winds! / roast me in sulphur! / Wash me in steep-down gulfs of liquid fire! † (275-277) crescendos into the despairing refrain of â€Å"O Desdemona! Desdemona! dead! / O! O! O! † (278-279). Othello’s monologue, based thematically on the two central tensions of irony and self-realization, is carried forward technically by an iambic meter which is out through torturous variations featuring the use of pyrotechnical spondees, dactyls, as well as the use of the refrain, the use of onomatopoeia, internal rhyme, sight rhyme, and controlled imagery. This is basically an illustration in poetic form of the inner-chaos which has taken over Othellos mind and for all intents and purposes his body. The utter irony and self-destruction which has been building throughout the play is at last released through Othellos murder of the innocent Desdemona. The mood of the monologue is despairing, building from a level iambic rhythm to the broken spondees of the closing lines. The jarring, indelible alliteration of â€Å"O Desdemona! Desdemona! dead! † demonstrates the essentially nihilistic or tragic essence of Othello’s monologue. The central irony of the passage is that Othello discovers his tenderness in his despair of Desdemona’s death, but he realizes this too late. This ironic realization, along with the rising crescendo of the poem’s meter and diction creates a powerful aesthetic tension, framing a bridge to Othello’s death later in the play. The idea that Othello could have recognized what was actually going on earlier in the play and in doing so prevented both his own and Desdemonas death is an interesting idea, but it is specious because the whole point of the play Othello is to demonstrate that character is destiny. In other words, Othello was destined to self-destruction so long as he retained the magnificent fault of pride, coupled with violence, which was, in fact, the center of his personality. Asking whether or not the tragedy could have been prevented involves not merely the capacity for Othello to enact self-realization earlier in the play, but for his entire personhood to be reconfigured in order that he not possess the destructive pride and violence which brought about the tragedy depicted in the play.

A Management System For Shopping Malls Computer Science Essay

A Management System For Shopping Malls Computer Science Essay 1.1 Introduction: Therough this system to design system to orgnize the work of Shoppiing Mall contain many shops belong to the same company of this mall. Through this system we can manage the work of all shops in this mall and monitor all activities in all shops. In this system we have tow sections, the first is Management, and the second is Shops,Each section hase different features. we have in this system tow level of privilleges, administrator or manager , and the employee of shops. The manager or administrator can add new administrator for this system, add new employee dor shops, add new shop, and see report of all shops in this mall. The normal user of employee of shop has the privillege to perform sale operation,add new goods to the store of this shope, update the balance of exicting goods in the store of this shope,monitore the daily sales operation done, onitore the monthly sales operations done, and monitore the balance of goods in the sotre of this shope. 1.2 Aims Of The Project Through this system we work to achive the following objectives: Organize the Registration of new shope: in this objective we orgnize the registeration of new shope and enter the relative information about this shope. Organize the registration of sales operation: in this objective we orgnize the registeration of sale operations informtion and try to do it in less time with less effort. Orgnize the registeration of new goods information: in this objective we allow the normal user to enter the information of new good in the store of his shope. Allow the user to add extra quantity of an excting food in his shopes store. Enable the user to get information about sales operations done through this system (daily and monthly) printable format. Enable the user to get information about goodss balance in his shope in printable format. Enable the administratore to get information about all shopes in the mall. 1.3 System Tools To design this system we use Visual Basic 6.0 as programming language to design the GUI (Graphical User Interface), and we used Microsoft Access to build the database of this system. We selected Visual Basic because it is easyto use. We can create forms (interfaces) using drag-and-drop techniques. A tool is used to place controls on the form (window). We can enter the default value for the attribute of any control we add to the form (interface). Many attribute values can be modified during run time based on user actions or changes in the environmentFor examplewe can cange the date of sale always to the current date even if we run it after 2 years after finish design Microsoft Access database management system was also used in designing the database of the system. It is used to create simple database solutions. Access tables support a variety of standard field types, indices, and referential integrity. The system also includes a query interface, forms to display and enter data, and reports for printing. The underlying Jet database, which contains these objects, is multiuser-aware and handles record-locking and referential integrity including cascading, updates and deletes. Microsoft Access also offers the ability for programmers to create solutions using the programming language Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), which is similar to Visual Basic 6.0 (VB6) and used throughout the Microsoft Office programs such as Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint. Most VB6 code including the use of Windows API calls, can be used in VBA. Power users and developers can extend basic end-user solutions to a professional solution with advanced automation, data validation, error trapping, and multi-user support. Applications that simply view data or have simple data entry can support considerably more users. 2.1 Structure of the system: In this system we have tow main sections first for managemetn and second for shopes. 2.1.1 management section: In management section we have four featurs Add new administrator: in this feature we allow the administrator to add anothor administrator (administrator = manager), in this feature the asministrator enter the user name and password for new administrator. Add new user: in this feature the admin can add new use (we mention here in user to the employee of the shope), to add new user the admin need to enter the user name and password and the shope which this user will belong (or works for), here we mention that we cannot add new user to a shope not there in the mall. Add new shope: in this feature we allow the admin to add new shope to the mall, to add new shope to the mall the admin need to enter the name of this new shope and the type of it (e.g optics). Report of all shopes in this mal: in this feature we allow the admin to get information about all shopes in this mall in printable formate. 2.1.2 shope section: This section available to the emmployee of shopes in the mall, we have to mention that the administrator of this system must add this user then he can login to this section.in this section we have six features New sale : in this feature the user can enter the information of new sale operation, these information includes the customer name, customer mobile number, saled good,ordered auantity,unit price, and discount if there is any discount. Add new goods: in this feature we allow the user to add new goods to the store of this shope, the information needed to do this task includes Good name, Purchae price,sale price,Quantity,andmeasure. Update goods : in this feature the user can update the quantity of any exeicting goods in the store of his shope, the relative information requested here is good name, added quantity,purchase price, sale price. Goods report: in this feature the user can get report of all goods and its balance in his shope. Daily sale : in this feature the user can get report of all sale operation done through this system in current day. Monthly sale: in this feature the user can get report of all sale operation done through this system in selected month. 2.2 Systems Tables: In the previous section we explained the main structure of this system, now we have to show the building of the systems database (the database of this system was designed using Microsoft Office Access as mentioned before) The following tables are designed in the database of this system: ADMIN : this table created to save the information of administrator login data (Table 2.2.1) USERS: this table is for saving the information of users of this system. (Table 2.2.2) SHOPS: this table is for saving the information for shops in this mall. (Table2.2.3). GOODS: this table designed to save the information of goods. Table(2.3) 5-SALE_INFO: this table desgined to save the inormation of sale opertation. Table(2.2.5) 2.3 Connecting between systems database and users Interface: There are many ways to connect between visual basic and MS Access but in our system we depend on the connection by the code and connecting the object directly to database not by adding object on the form at design time. It depends on the connection string for ADO library, at first a new ADO Connection and ADO recordset items is created then define the connection path (path of database in this system) as connection string After that the recordset is opened by sending a query for specified table name. Dim rs As ADODB.Recordset Dim con As ADODB.ConnectionThe following shows an example about the connection way in this system Then write the following code where connection to database is wanted to retrieve, send or view data Set rs = New ADODB.Recordset Set con = New ADODB.Connection rs.CursorLocation = adUseClient Constring = Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;Data Source= App.Path MMS.mdb con.Open (Constring) Chapter 3 Implimntation of the system 3.1 Main Features Of The System: The aim of this system is to achieve a number of objectives. These objectives are: Registration of new shops: in this feature, the administrator need to register the iformation of new shop, this information include the name of shop and the type of this shop (shops activity). Orgnize the operation of create new user: this feature allowed for administrator only, in this feature the administrator can create new user, this new user works in selected shop while the administrator create this user. Orgnizing the registeration of sale operation: in this feature the user must register the information of sale operation, this information include the shop name,goods name,order quantity, the discount, customer name, customer mobile, and some information will be automatically loaded when the user select the good name like available qantity, and unit price. Orgnizeing the registeration of new goods: This feature allow the user to add new goods to the shop where he is working, this information include the name of goods,purchase price, sale price , and the purchased quantity. Orgnize the operation of updating the quantity of goods: in this feture the user can add quantity of any goods in his shop. Preparation of detailed reports : theadministrator and user can get these types of Reports: All shops: this report shows the information of all shops in the Mall. Daily sales: this report displays the information of all sales operation done in selected date. monthly sales: this report displays the information of all sales operation done in selected month. Goods report: this report show the information of all goods in the shop. We have to mention that the first report allowed for the administrator only, while the other reports allowed to the normal user 3.2 Implementation Of The System: In presvious section of this report we explaineed the structure of this system and talk about the objectives of this system, now we will talk about how t use this system, or how this system works. First there is introduction window, in this window the user select the section heshe wants to use Management or Shops as shown in figure 3.1 Figure 3.1 Introduction window 3.2.1 Management Section : If the user select Management from the introduction window heshe will get the login window where heshe must write the user name and password of administrator in this system, as shown in figure 3.2 Figure 3.2 Administrator Login window After fill the sorrcet username and passowrd of administrator, heshe will get the main window of adminstrators task, as shown in figure 3.3 Figure 3.3 Administrators task windw If heshe wants to achieve th feature of New administrator, heshe must click on New Administrator button, then heshe will get the following windw, as shown in figure 3.4 Figure 3.4 New Administrator window After fill the requested fields , the system will connect to the databse and go into the table Admin and save new record with the information of new administrator. If the administrator wants to achieve the feature New User, heshe must click on New User button on the Administrators task windw, then will get the following window, as shown in figure 3.5 Figure 3.5 New User window In this window will need the username and apssword for new user , also we need to select the shop where this new user will work, the list of shops will automatically loaded to the window by going through the database and go to Shops table and bring the name of all shops in this mall. When the user fill all rewuested fields heshe must click on Save button to save the data of new user, in this operation the system will connect to the database and go to USERS table and create new record conatin the information of the new user and give him an autonumber as ID, the administrator can cancel the operation or close this window by click on Close button. In case the administratore wants to achieve the feature Add New Shop, hezshe must click on New shop button on Administrators task windw to get the following window, as shown in figure 3.6 Figure 3.6 New Shop Window In this window we can see that we have only tow fields about new shop, these fields are shop name and shop type, after the administrator fill thee fields, heshe must click on Save button to go through the database and create new record in table Shops and give this shop an autonumber as ShopID. The administrator can cancel the operation or close this window by click on Close button. Finally, if the administrtor wants to get report about all shops in this mall, hese can click on All Shops button on Administrators task windw, the get the report as shown in figure 3.7 Figure 3.7 All Shops report window 3.2.1 Shop Section : This section specified for the normal user (the employee of the shop), the user can go into this section by clicking on Shop button in Introduction window, then heshe get the folloing window, figure 3.8 Figure 3.8 user Main window As we see, in this window there are six buttons, each one for different feature. If the user want to perform sale operation, heshe must click on New Sale button, then will get the following window, as shown in figure 3.9 Figure 3.9 Sale window In this window the user will find list of all goods available in this shop and the balance of this goodsand the unist price also, ths information brought by the system when load this window, the system will go to the database and go to goods table and bring the name of all goods which belong to that shop, after that when the user select the goods name and its balance nd the unit price. After the user fill the requested fields then click on calculate button to cacuate the total price, then the user clicks on Save button to save the information of sale then he can click on Bill button to get the bill of this sale. If the user wants to add new goods heshe must clicks on New Goods button then heshe get the following window, as shown in figure 3.10 Conclusion Using this system we organize the work in the Hall, also we reduce the time and effort spend to achieve the following task : Register customers information in this system. Register the relative information of reservation in this system . Organize the operation of updating the information of reservation. Organize the confirming and caneling reservation in this system. Getting the reports of all reservation done through this system. Getting the reports of all reservation done through this system accoring to selected month. Getting the reports of all reservation done through this system accoring to selected month and year. After using the system we can say that work of Hall reservation can be organized through this system. As we explain in the body of this report the use of this system is easily and any one with simple knowledge of computer usage can use this system and finish the task without any mistake. there is no perfect system and each system contain some notices either the analyzing or the scenario of work, but in this system we try to cover the most important task or features of store department work. Before we build the system we have to analyze the system and detect the work flow of working and see what are the rules that control work in Hall reservation operation to start building the tables and see what windows we need and how any windows we must have in our system after that we search for tools enable us to program the system in best way, we find that the easiest tools to do that is VISUAL BASIC (VB) for program the user interface and Microsoft Office Access (MSACCESS) as database management system, these tools are easy to use and easy to be used in developing the system in future. When start to build new system the designer face tow types of problem technical and official. The technical problems was to find the suitable and useful tools (programming and database management system) enable the designer to build efficient system and enable the user to store many records in database able to be retrieved in few seconds without any problems. After we choose the programming language and database management system and connect them together and start build the database and table and start writing the code that will be executed while system running in order to achieve the tasks of this system.

Renaissance Period and the Start of Humanism :: European Europe History

The Renaissance Period and the Start of Humanism The Renaissance was an incredibly important turning point in Western Intellectual and Cultural Tradition. All of these changes centered around the idea of Humanism -- in which, people became less "God Centered" and more "Human-centered". I have narrowed down these changes, and will discuss in detail, these changes in three major categories: Political, Education, and the Humanism of Arts. The major pollical changes of the Renaissance were from the old Feudal System of the Middle Ages into a more flexible and liberal class system. This was most noticeable in Italy (particularly in Florence), where the divisions consisted of the old rich, the new rich nobles, the middle class, and the lower middle class(The poor didn't count). This created great conflict between these social divisions. The new rich consisted of successful merchants, capitalists, and bankers innovators of new systems of making money. The Humanism philosophy was also a very popular with the people and many political leaders rose to high positions with support of these ideals. Three humanists even became chancellors of Florence -- they used their rhetorical skills to strongly rally the people of Florence against their enemies. The great changes in Education of the Renaissance were inspired at first, by the desire of Humanists to be wise and to speak eloquently. The idea of useful education for the people, and very "well rounded" schooling in many different fields of learning were the new defined goals of Renaissance education. People all over (Especially in Florence) revived the Ancient Greek studies of Plato, Aristotle, and many others. People began seriously questioning what these people said and re-developed the "Scientific Theory" in which you didn't just accept whatever was said to you, but you tested the truth of it. In the area of Humanism and the Arts, Renaissance Artists no longer were subordinate to the interests and the values of the Clergy, and were able to create anything of their "artistic will". Both men and women were now able to appreciated arts beyond just religious themes. Artists could also now take advantage of new techniques, such as oil painting and linear perspective to enhance the quality of their works. All of the great artists of the time used became who they were solely because of this new artistic freedom that the Renaissance brought them. These artists also created works that were more complex than before.

The Dominican Republic Stock Exchange :: Spanish Essays

The Dominican Republic Stock Exchange La Bolsa de Valores: Conceptos En nuestro idioma y en nuestros medios, existen palabras que son sencillamente eso, la expresià ³n de una idea precisa, y existen otros tipos de palabras que nos hacen pensar en una implicacià ³n mà ¡s allà ¡ de lo que realmente expresa esa palabra. Asà ­ en el mundo actual cuando decimos invertir en algo pensamos en un resultado final, que es el lucro, o para ponerlo mà ¡s claro sacar el mayor rendimiento de nuestro dinero a travà ©s de esa inversià ³n. Ahora bien, si se nos ocurre decir vamos a especular con tal o cual cosa inmediatamente hay una connotacià ³n que implica que vamos a tomar un riesgo, y en la mayorà ­a de los casos se toma esta palabra con un sentido totalmente negativo. Si buscamos estas palabras en un diccionario encontraremos que tienen algo de similitud. La definicià ³n de Invertir es: comerciar, traficar, procurar provecho o ganancia. Especular se define como: operacià ³n comercial que se practica con mercaderà ­as, valores, o efectos pà ºblicos con la idea de obtener lucro. El inversionista que acude a la Bolsa de Valores, se puede catalogar como un especulador, la gran diferencia es que es un especulador racional, porque tiene el poder de estudiar y decidir cuà ¡l serà ­a su mejor inversià ³n y para eso hay muchas opciones. En la Bolsa de Valores las inversiones se hacen a travà ©s de muchos tipos diferentes de instrumentos, que el ingenio, y la inteligencia del hombro ha ideado, y los cuales dependiendo de las culturas de los diferentes paà ­ses en donde operan las Bolsas de Valores, se adecuan a las leyes y normas regulativas de cada nacià ³n. Asà ­ se puede encontrar instrumentos de alto riesgo, mediano riesgo y bajo riesgo. El especulador racional que invierte en la Bolsa tiene la oportunidad de analizar estos riesgos y decidir quà © tipo de inversià ³n desea realizar.  ¿Quà © es una Bolsa de Valores? La forma mà ¡s simple posible en que se puede definir la Bolsa de Valores es la siguiente: lugar donde se reà ºnen ofertantes y demandantes de los tà ­tulos de valores para poner en venta y/o comprar tà ­tulos de valores. Los tà ­tulos de valores son las acciones que representan el capital de una empresa; las obligaciones que representan instrumentos de deuda a largo plazo de una empresa; y cualquier otro tipo de instrumento o tà ­tulos que se emiten para ser comercializados en la Bolsa de Valores. En nuestro paà ­s la Bolsa de Valores de Santo Domingo Inc.

Foundation’s Edge CHAPTER TEN TABLE

TABLE Two days had passed and Gendibal found himself not so much heavyhearted as enraged. There was no reason why there could not have been an immediate hearing. Had he been unprepared – had he needed time – they would have forced an immediate hearing on him, he was sure. But since there was nothing more facing the Second Foundation than the greatest crisis since the Mule, they wasted time – and to no purpose but to irritate him. They did irritate him and, by Seldon, that would make his counterstroke the heavier. He was determined on that. He looked about him. The anteroom was empty. It had been like that for two days now. He was a marked man, a Speaker whom all knew would – by means of an action unprecedented in the five-century history of the Second Foundation – soon lose his position. He would be demoted to the ranks, demoted to the position of a Second Foundationer, plain and simple. It was one thing, however – and a very honored thing – to be a Second Foundationer of the ranks, particularly if one held a respectable title, as Gendibal might even after the impeachment. It would be quite another thing to have once been a Speaker and to have been demoted. It won't happen though, thought Gendibal savagely, even though for two days he had been avoided. Only Sura Novi treated him as before, but she was too nave to understand the situation. To her, Gendibal was still â€Å"Master.† It irritated Gendibal that he found a certain comfort in this. He felt ashamed when he began to notice that his spirits rose when he noticed her gazing at him worshipfully. Was he becoming grateful for gifts that small? A clerk emerged from the Chamber to tell him that the Table was ready for him and Gendibal stalked in. The clerk was one GendibaI knew well; he was one who knew – to the tiniest fraction – the precise gradation of civility that each Speaker deserved. At the moment, that accorded Gendibal was appallingly low. Even the clerk thought him as good as convicted. They were all sitting about the Table gravely, wearing the black robes of judgment. First Speaker Shandess looked a bit uncomfortable, but he did not allow his face to crease into the smallest touch of friendliness. Delarmi – one of the three Speakers who were women – did not even look at him. The First Speaker said, â€Å"Speaker Stor Gendibal, you have been impeached for behaving in a manner unbecoming a Speaker. You have, before us all, accused the Table – vaguely and without evidence – of treason and attempted murder. You have implied that all Second Foundationers – including the Speakers and the First Speaker – require a thorough mental analysis to ascertain who among them are no longer to be trusted. Such behavior breaks the bonds of community, without which the Second Foundation cannot control an intricate and potentially hostile Galaxy and without which they cannot build, with surety, a viable Second Empire. â€Å"Since we have all witnessed those offenses, we will forego the presentation of a formal case for the prosecution. We will therefore move directly to the next stage. Speaker Stor Gendibal, do you have a defense?† Now Delarmi – still not looking at him – allowed herself a small catlike smile. Gendibal said, â€Å"If truth be considered a defense, I have one. There are grounds for suspecting a breach of security. That breach may involve the mental control of one or more Second Foundationers – not excluding members here present – and this has created a deadly crisis for the Second Foundation. If, indeed, you hasten this trial because you cannot waste time, you may all perhaps dimly recognize the seriousness of the crisis, but in that case, why have you wasted two days after I had formally requested an immediate trial? I submit that it is this deadly crisis that has forced me to say what I have said. I would have behaved in a manner unbecoming a Speaker – had I not done so.† â€Å"He but repeats the offense, First Speaker,† said Delarmi softly. Gendibal's seat was further removed from the Table than that of the others – a clear demotion already. He pushed it farther back, as though he cared nothing for that, and rose. He said, â€Å"Will you convict me now, out of hand, in defiance of law – or may I present my defense in detail?† The First Speaker said, â€Å"This is not a lawless assemblage, Speaker. Without much in fine way of precedent to guide us, we will lean in your direction, recognizing that if our too-human abilities should cause us to deviate from absolute justice, it is better to allow the guilty to go free than to convict the innocent. Therefore, although the case before us is so grave that we may not lightly allow the guilty to go free, we will permit you to present your case in such manner as you wish and for as long as you require, until it is decided by unanimous vote, including my own† (and he raised his voice at that phrase) â€Å"that enough has been heard.† Gendibal said, â€Å"Let me begin, then, by saying that Golan Trevize – the First Foundationer who has been driven from Terminus and whom the First Speaker and I believe to be the knife-edge of the gathering crisis has moved off in an unexpected direction.† â€Å"Point of information,† said Delarmi softly. â€Å"How does the speaker† (the intonation clearly indicated that the word was not capitalized) â€Å"know this?† â€Å"I was informed of this by the First Speaker,† said Gendibal, â€Å"but I confirm it of my own knowledge. Under the circumstances, however, considering my suspicions concerning the level of the security of the Chamber, I must be allowed to keep my sources of information secret.† The First Speaker said, â€Å"I will suspend judgment on that. Let us proceed without that item of information but if, in the judgment of the Table, the information must be obtained, Speaker Gendibal will have to yield it.† Delarmi said, â€Å"If the speaker does not yield the information now, it is only fair to say that I assume he has an agent serving him – an agent who is privately employed by him and who is not responsible to the Table generally. We cannot be sure that such an agent is obeying the rules of behavior governing Second Foundation personnel. The First Speaker said with some displeasure, â€Å"I see all the implications, Speaker Delarmi. There is no need to spell them out for me.† â€Å"I merely mention it for the record, First Speaker, since this aggravates the offense and it is not an item mentioned in the bill of impeachment, which, I would like to say, has not been read in full and to which I move this item be added.† â€Å"The clerk is directed to add the item,† said the First Speaker, â€Å"and the precise wording will be adjusted at the appropriate time. – Speaker Gendibal† (he, at least, capitalized) â€Å"your defense is indeed a step backward. Continue.† Gendibal said, â€Å"Not only has this Trevize moved in an unexpected direction, but at an unprecedented speed. My information, which the First Speaker does not yet have, is that he has traveled nearly ten thousand parsecs in well under an hour.† â€Å"In a single jump?† said one of the Speakers incredulously. â€Å"In over two dozen jumps, one after the other, with virtually no time intervening,† said Gendibal, â€Å"something that is even more difficult to imagine than a single jump. Even if he is now located, it will take time to follow him and, if he detects us and really means to flee us, we will not be able to overtake him. – And you spend your time in games of impeachment and allow two days to pass so that you might savor them the more.† The First Speaker managed to mask his anguish. â€Å"Please tell us, Speaker Gendibal, what you think the significance of this might be.† â€Å"It is an indication, First Speaker, of the technological advances that are being made by the First Foundation, who are far more powerful now than they were in the time of Preem Palver. We could not stand up against them if they found us and were free to act.† Speaker Delarmi rose to her feet. She said, â€Å"First Speaker, our time is being wasted with irrelevancies. We are not children to be frightened with tales by Grandmother Spacewarp. It does not matter how impressive the machinery of the First Foundation is when, in any crisis, their minds will be in our control.† â€Å"What do you have to say to that, Speaker Gendibal?† asked the First Speaker. † Merely that we will come to the matter of minds in due course. For the moment, I merely wish to stress the superior – and increasing technological might of the First Foundation.† The First Speaker said, â€Å"Pass on to the next point, Speaker Gendibal. Your first point, I must tell you, does not impress me as very pertinent to the matter contained in the bill of impeachment.† There was a clear gesture of agreement from the Table generally. Gendibal said, â€Å"I pass on. Trevize has a companion in his present journey† (he paused momentarily to consider pronunciation) â€Å"one Janov Pelorat, a rather ineffectual scholar who has devoted his life to tracking down myths and legends concerning Earth.† â€Å"You know all this about him? Your hidden source, I presume?† said Delarmi, who had settled into her role of prosecutor with a clear feeling of comfort. â€Å"Yes, I know all this about him,† said Gendibal stolidly. â€Å"A few months ago, the Mayor of Terminus, an energetic and capable woman, grew interested in this scholar for no clear reason, and so I grew interested, too, as a matter of course. Nor have I kept this to myself. All the information I have gained has been made available to the First Speaker.† â€Å"I bear witness to that,† said the First Speaker in a low voice. An elderly Speaker said, â€Å"What is this Earth? Is it the world of origin we keep coming across in fables? The one they made a fuss about in old Imperial times?† Gendibal nodded. â€Å"In the tales of Grandmother Spacewarp, as Speaker Delarmi would say. – I suspect it was Pelorat's dream to come to Trantor to consult the Galactic Library, in order to find information concerning Earth that he could not obtain in the interstellar library service available on Terminus. â€Å"When he left Terminus with Trevize, he must have been under the impression that that dream was to be fulfilled. Certainly we were expecting the two and counted on having the opportunity to examine them – to our own profit. As it turns out – and as you all know by now – they are not coming. They have turned off to some destination that is not yet clear and for some reason that is not yet known.† Delarmi's round face looked positively cherubic as she said, â€Å"And why is this disturbing? We are no worse off for their absence, surely. Indeed, since they dismiss us so easily, we can deduce that the First Foundation does not know the true nature of Trantor and we can applaud the handiwork of Preem Palver.† Gendibal said, â€Å"If we thought no further, we might indeed come to such a comforting solution. Could if be, though, that the turnoff was not the result of any failure to see the importance of Trantor? Could it be that the turnoff resulted from anxiety lest Trantor, by examining these two men, see the importance of Earth?† There was a stir about the Table. â€Å"Anyone,† said Delarmi coldly, â€Å"can invent formidable-sounding propositions and couch them in balanced sentences. But do they make sense when you do invent them? Why should anyone care what we of the Second Foundation think of Earth? Whether it is the true planet of origin, or whether it is a myth, or whether there is no one place of origin to begin with, is surely something that should interest only historians, anthropologists, and folk-tale collectors, such as this Pelorat of yours. Why us?† â€Å"Why indeed?† said Gendibal. â€Å"How is it, then, that there are no references to Earth in the Library?† For the first time, something in the atmosphere that was other than hostility made itself felt about the Table. Delarmi said, â€Å"Aren't there?† Gendibal said quite calmly, â€Å"When word first reached me that Trevize and Pelorat might be coming here in search of information concerning Earth, I, as a matter of course, had our Library computer make a listing of documents containing such information. I was mildly interested when it turned up nothing. Not minor quantities. Not very little. – Nothing? â€Å"But then you insisted I wait for two days before this hearing could take place, and at the same time, my curiosity was further piqued by the news that the First Foundationers were not coming here after all. I had to amuse myself somehow. While the rest of you therefore were, as the saying goes, sipping wine while the house was falling, I went through some history books in my own possession. I came across passages that specifically mentioned some of the investigations on the ‘Origin Question' in late-Imperial times. Particular documents – both printed and filmed – were referred to and quoted from. I returned to the Library and made a personal check for those documents. I assure you there was nothing.† Delarmi said, â€Å"Even if this is so, it need not be surprising. If Earth is indeed a myth†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Then I would find it in mythological references. If it were a story of Grandmother Spacewarp, I would find it in the collected tales of Grandmother Spacewarp. If it were a figment of the diseased mind, I would find it under psychopathology. The fact is that something about Earth exists or you would not all have heard of it and, indeed, immediately recognized it as the name of the putative planet of origin of the human species. Why, then, is there no reference to it in the Library, anywhere?† Delarmi was silent for a moment and another Speaker interposed. He was Leonis Cheng, a rather small man with an encyclopedic knowledge of the minutiae of the Seldon Plan and a rather myopic attitude toward the actual Galaxy. His eyes tended to blink rapidly when he spoke. He said, â€Å"It is well known that the Empire in its final days attempted to create an Imperial mystique by soft-pedaling all interest in pre-Imperial times.† Gendibal nodded. â€Å"Soft-pedaled is the precise term, Speaker Cheng. That is not equivalent to destroying evidence. As you should know better than anyone, another characteristic of Imperial decay was a sudden interest in earlier – and presumably better – times. I have just referred to the interest in the ‘Origin Question' in Hari Seldon's time.† Cheng interrupted with a formidable clearing of the throat. â€Å"I know this very well, young man, and know far more of these social problems of Imperial decay than you seem to think I do. The process of ‘Imperialization' overtook these dilettantish games concerning Earth. Under Cleon II, during the Empire's last resurgence, two centuries after Seldon, Imperialization reached its peak and all speculation on the question of Earth came to an end. There was even a directive in Cleon's time concerning this, referring to the interest in such things as (and I think I quote it correctly) ‘stale and unproductive speculation that tends to undermine the people's love of the Imperial throne.'† Gendibal smiled. â€Å"Then it was in the time of Cleon II, Speaker Cheng, that you would place the destruction of all reference to Earth?† â€Å"I draw no conclusions. I have simply stated what I have stated.† â€Å"It is shrewd of you to draw no conclusions. By Cleon's time, the Empire may have been resurgent, but the University and Library, at least, were in our hands or, at any rate, in those of our predecessors. It would have been impossible for any material to be removed from the Library without the Speakers of the Second Foundation knowing it. In fact, it would have been the Speakers to whom the task would have had to be entrusted, though the dying Empire would not have known that.† Gendibal paused, but Cheng, saying nothing, looked over the other's head. Gendibal said, â€Å"It follows that the Library could not have been emptied of material on Earth during Seldon's time, since the ‘Origin Question' was then an active preoccupation. It could not have been emptied afterward because the Second Foundation was in charge. Yet the Library is empty of it now. How can this be?† Delarmi broke in impatiently, â€Å"You may stop weaving the dilemma, Gendibal. We see it. What is it that you suggest as a solution? That you have removed the documents yourself?† â€Å"As usual, Delarmi, you penetrate to the heart.† And Gendibal bent his head to her in sardonic respect (at which she allowed herself a slight lifting of the lip). â€Å"One solution is that the cleansing was done by a Speaker of the Second Foundation, someone who would know how to use curators without leaving a memory behind – and computers without leaving a record behind:† First Speaker Shandess turned red. â€Å"Ridiculous, Speaker Gendibal. I cannot imagine a Speaker doing this. What would the motivation be? Even if, for some reason, the material on Earth were removed, why keep it from the rest of the Table? Why risk a complete destruction of one's career by tampering with the Library when the chances of its being discovered are so great? Besides, I don't think that even the most skillful Speaker could perform the task without leaving a trace.† â€Å"Then it must be, First Speaker, that you disagree with Speaker Delarmi in her suggestion that I did it† â€Å"I certainly do,† said the First Speaker. â€Å"Sometimes I doubt your judgment, but I have yet to consider you downright insane.† â€Å"Then it must never have happened, First Speaker. The material on Earth must still be in the Library, for we now seem to have eliminated all the possible ways in which it could have been removed – and yet the material is not there.† Delarmi said with an affectation of weariness, â€Å"Well well, let us finish. Again, what is it you suggest as a solution? I am sure you think you have one.† â€Å"If you are sure, Speaker, we may all be sure as well. My suggestion is that the Library was cleansed by someone of the Second Foundation who was under the control of a subtle force from outside the Second Foundation. The cleansing went unnoticed because that same force saw to it that it was not noticed.† Delarmi laughed. â€Å"Until you found out. You – the uncontrolled and uncontrollable. If this mysterious force existed, how did you find out about the absence of material from the Library? Why weren't you controlled?† Gendibal said may feel, as we gravely, â€Å"It's not a laughing matter, Speaker. They feel, that all tampering should be held to a minimum. When my life was in danger a few days ago, I was more concerned with refraining from fiddling with a Hamish mind than with protecting myself. So it might be with these others – as soon as they felt it was safe they ceased tampering. That is the danger, the deadly danger. The fact that I could find out what has happened may mean they no longer care that I do. The fact that they no longer care may mean that they feel they have already won. And we continue to play our games here!† â€Å"But what aim do they have in all this? What conceivable aim?† demanded Delarmi, shuffling her feet and biting her lips. She felt her power fading as the Table grew more interested – concerned Gendibal said, â€Å"Consider – The First Foundation, with its enormous arsenal of physical power, is searching for Earth. They pretend to send out two exiles, hoping we will think that is all they are, but would they equip them with ships of unbelievable power-ships that can move ten thousand parsecs in less than an hour – if that was all that they were? â€Å"As for the Second Foundation, we have not been searching for Earth and, clearly, steps have been taken without our knowledge to keep any information of Earth away from us. The First Foundation is now so close to finding Earth and we are so far from doing so, that†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Gendibal paused and Delarmi said, â€Å"That what? Finish your childish tale. Do you know anything or don't you?† â€Å"I don't know everything, Speaker. I have not penetrated the total depth of the web that is encircling us, but I know the web is there. I don't know what the significance of finding Earth might be, but I am certain the Second Foundation is in enormous danger and, with it, the Seldon Plan and the future of all humanity.† Delarmi rose to her feet. She was not smiling and she spoke in a tense but tightly controlled voice. â€Å"Trash? First Speaker, put an end to this! What is at issue is the accused's behavior. What he tells us is not only childish but irrelevant. He cannot extenuate his behavior by building a cobwebbery of theories that makes sense only in his own mind. I call for a vote on the matter now – a unanimous vote for conviction.† â€Å"Wait,† said Gendibal sharply. â€Å"I have been told I would have an opportunity to defend myself, and there remains one more item – one more. Let me present that, and you may proceed to a vote with no further objection from me.† The First Speaker rubbed his eyes wearily. â€Å"You may continue, Speaker Gendibal. Let me point out to the Table that the conviction of an impeached Speaker is so weighty and, indeed, unprecedented an action that we dare not give the appearance of not allowing a full defense. Remember, too, that even if the verdict satisfies us, it may not satisfy those who come after us, and I cannot believe that a Second Foundationer of any level – let alone the Speakers of the Table – would not have a full appreciation of the importance of historical perspective. Let us so act that we can be certain of the approval of the Speakers who will follow us in the coming centuries.† Delarmi said bitterly, â€Å"We run the risk, First Speaker, of having posterity laugh at us for belaboring the obvious. To continue the defense is your decision.† Gendibal drew a deep breath. â€Å"In line with your decision, then, First Speaker, I wish to call a witness – a young woman I met three days ago and without whom I might not have reached the Table meeting at all, instead of merely being late.† â€Å"Is the woman you speak of known to the Table?† asked the First Speaker. â€Å"No, First Speaker. She is native to this planet.† Delarmi's eyes opened wide. â€Å"A Hamishwoman?† â€Å"Indeed! Just so!† Delarmi said, â€Å"What have we to do with one of those? Nothing they say can be of any importance. They don't exist!† Gendibal's lips drew back tightly over his teeth in something that could not possibly have been mistaken for a smile. He said sharply, â€Å"Physically all the Hamish exist. They are human beings and play their part in Seldon's Plan. In their indirect protection of the Second Foundation, they play a crucial part. I wish to dissociate myself from Speaker Delarmi's inhumanity and hope that her remark will be retained in the record and be considered hereafter as evidence for her possible unfitness for the position of Speaker. – Will the rest of the Table agree with the Speaker's incredible remark and deprive me of my witness?† The First Speaker said, â€Å"Call your witness, Speaker.† Gendibal's lips relaxed into the normal expressionless features of a Speaker under pressure. His mind was guarded and fenced in, but behind this protective barrier, he felt that the danger point had passed and that he had won. Sura Novi looked strained. Her eyes were wide and her lower lip was faintly trembling. Her hands were slowly clenching and unclenching and her chest was heaving slightly. Her hair had been pulled back and braided into a bun; her sun-darkened face twitched now and then. Her hands fumbled at the pleats of her long skirt. She looked hastily around the Table – from Speaker to Speaker – her wide eyes filled with awe. They glanced back at her with varying degrees of contempt and discomfort. Delarmi kept her eyes well above the top of Novi's head, oblivious to her presence. Carefully Gendibal touched the skin of her mind, soothing and relaxing it. He might have done the same by patting her hand or stroking her cheek, but here, under these circumstances, that was impossible, of course. He said, â€Å"First Speaker, I am numbing this woman's conscious awareness so that her testimony wilt not be distorted by fear. Will you please observe – will the rest of you, if you wish, join me and observe that I will, in no way, modify her mind?† Novi had started back in terror at Gendibal's voice, and Gendibal was not surprised at that. He realized that she had never heard Second Foundationers of high rank speak among themselves. She had never experienced that odd swift combination of sound, tone, expression and thought. The terror, however, faded as quickly as it came, as he gentled her mind. A look of placidity crossed her face. â€Å"There is a chair behind you, Novi,† Gendibal said. â€Å"Please sit down.† Novi curtsied in a small and clumsy manner and sat down, holding herself stiffly. She talked quite clearly, but Gendibal made her repeat when her Hamish accent became too thick. And because he kept his own speech formal in deference to the Table, he occasionally had to repeat his own questions to her. The tale of the fight between himself and Rufirant was described quietly and well. Gendibal said, â€Å"Did you see all this yourself, Novi?† â€Å"Nay, Master, or I would have sooner-stopped it. Rufirant be good fellow, but not quick in head.† â€Å"But you described it all. How is that possible if you did not see it all? â€Å"Rufirant be telling me thereof, on questioning. He be ashamed.† â€Å"Ashamed? Have you ever known him to behave in this manner in earlier times?† â€Å"Rufirant? Nay, Master. He be gentle, though he be large. He be no fighter and he be afeared of scowlers. He say often they are mighty and possessed of power.† † Why didn't he feel this way when he met me?† â€Å"It be strange. It be not understood.† She shook her head. â€Å"He be not his ain self. I said to him, ‘Thou blubber-head. Be it your place to assault scowler?' And he said, ‘I know not how it happened. It be like I am to one side, standing and watching not-I.'† Speaker Cheng interrupted. â€Å"First Speaker, of what value is it to have this woman report what a man has told her? Is not the man available for questioning?† Gendibal said, â€Å"He is. If, on completion of this woman's testimony, the Table wishes to hear more evidence, I will be ready to call Karoll Rufirant – my recent antagonist – to the stand. If not, the Table can move directly to judgment when I am done with this witness.† â€Å"Very well,† said the First Speaker. â€Å"Proceed with your witness.† Gendibal said, â€Å"And you, Novi? Was it like you to interfere in a fight in this manner?† Novi did not say anything for a moment. A small frown appeared between her thick eyebrows and then disappeared. She said, â€Å"I know not. I wish no harm to scowlers. I be, driven, and without thought I inmiddled myself.† A pause, then., â€Å"I be do it over if need arise.† Gendibal said, â€Å"Novi, you will sleep now. You will think of nothing. You will rest and you will not even dream.† Novi mumbled for a moment. Her eyes closed and her head fell back against the headrest of her chair. Gendibal waited a moment, then said, â€Å"First Speaker, with respect, follow me into this woman's mind. You will find it remarkably simple and symmetrical, which is fortunate, for what you will see might not have been visible otherwise. – Here – here! Do you observe? – If the rest of you will enter – it will be easier if it is done one at a time.† There was a rising buzz about the Table. Gendibal said, â€Å"Is there any doubt among you?† Delarmi said, â€Å"I doubt it, for†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She paused on the brink of what was – even for her – unsayable. Gendibal said it for her. â€Å"You think I deliberately tampered with this mind in order to present false evidence? You think, therefore, that I am capable of bringing about so delicate an adjustment – one mental fiber clearly out of shape with nothing about it or its surroundings that is in the least disturbed? If I could do that, what need would I have to deal with any of you in this manner? Why subject myself to the indignity of a trial? Why labor to convince you? If I could do what is visible in this woman's mind, you would all be helpless before me unless you were well prepared. – The blunt fact is that none of you could manipulate a mind as this woman's has been manipulated. Neither can I. Yet it has been done.† He paused, looking at all the Speakers in turn, then fixing his gaze on Delarmi. He spoke slowly. â€Å"Now, if anything more is required, I will call in the Hamish farmer, Karoll Rufirant, whom I have examined and whose mind has also been tampered with in this manner.† â€Å"That will not be necessary,† said the First Speaker, who was wearing an appalled expression. â€Å"What we have seen is mindshaking.† â€Å"In that case,† said Gendibal, â€Å"may I rouse this Hamishwoman and dismiss her? I have arranged for there to be those outside who will see to her recovery.† When Novi had left, directed by Gendibal's gentle hold on her elbow, be said, â€Å"Let me quickly summarize. Minds can be – and have been altered in ways that are beyond our power. In this way, the curators themselves could have been influenced to remove Earth material from the Library – without our knowledge or their own. We see how it was arranged that I should be delayed in arriving at a meeting of the Table. I was threatened; I was rescued. The result was that I was impeached. The result of this apparently natural concatenation of events is that I may be removed from a position of power – and the course of action which I champion and which threatens these people, whoever they are, may be negated.† Delarmi leaned forward. She was clearly shaken. â€Å"If this secret organization is so clever, how were you able to discover all this?† GendibaI felt free to smile, now. â€Å"No credit to me,† he said. â€Å"I lay no claim to expertise superior to that of other Speakers; certainly not to the First Speaker. However, neither are these Anti-Mules – as the First Speaker has rather engagingly called them – infinitely wise or infinitely immune to circumstance. Perhaps they chose this particular Hamishwoman as their instrument precisely because she needed very little adjustment. She was, of her own character, sympathetic to what she calls ‘scholars,' and admired them intensely. â€Å"But then, once this was over, her momentary contact with me strengthened her fantasy of becoming a ‘scholar' herself. She came to me the next day with that purpose in mind. Curious at this peculiar ambition of hers, I studied her mind – which I certainly would not otherwise have done – and, more by accident than anything else, stumbled upon the adjustment and noted its significance. Had another woman been chosen – one with a less natural pro-scholar bias – the Anti-Mules might have had to labor more at the adjustment, but the consequences might well not have followed and I would have remained ignorant of all this. The Anti-Mules miscalculated – or could not sufficiently allow for the unforseen. That they can stumble so is heartening.† Delarmi said, â€Å"The First Speaker and you call this – organization – the ‘Anti-Mules,' I presume, because they seem to labor to keep tile Galaxy in the ,path of the. Seldon Plan, rather than to disrupt it as the Male himself did. If the Anti-Mines do this, why are they dangerous?† â€Å"Why should then labor, if not for some purpose? We don't know what that purpose as. A cynic might say that they intend to step in at some future time and thin the current in another direction, one tat mar please them far more than it would please ifs. That is my own feeling, even though I do riot major in cynicism. Is Speaker Delarmi prepared to maintain, out of the love and trust that we all know form so great a part of her character, that these are cosmic altruists, doing our work for us, without dream of reward?† There was a gentle susurration of laughter about the Table at this and Gendibal knew that he had won. And Delarmi knew that she had lost, for there was a wash of rage that showed through her harsh mentalic control like a momentary ray of ruddy sunlight through a thick canopy of leaves. Gendibal said, â€Å"When I first experienced the incident with the Hamish farmer, I leaped to the conclusion that another Speaker was behind it. When I noted the adjustment of the Hamishwoman's mind, I knew that I was right as to the plot but wrong as to the plotter. I apologize for the misinterpretation and I plead the circumstances as an extenuation.† The First Speaker said, â€Å"I believe this may be construed as an apology† Delarmi interrupted. She was quite placid again – her face was friendly, her voice downright saccharine. â€Å"With total respect, First Speaker, if I may interrupt. – Let us drop this matter of impeachment. At this moment, I would not vote for conviction and I imagine no one will. I would even suggest the impeachment be stricken from the Speaker's unblemished record. Speaker Gendibal has exonerated himself ably. I congratulate him on that – and for uncovering a crisis that the rest of us might well have allowed to smolder on indefinitely, with incalculable results. I offer the Speaker my wholehearted apologies for my earlier hostility.† She virtually beamed at Gendibal, who felt a reluctant admiration for the manner in which she shifted direction instantly in order to cut her losses. He also felt that all this was but preliminary to an attack from a new direction. He was certain that what was coming would not be pleasant. When she exerted herself to be charming, Speaker Delora Delarmi had a way of dominating the Speaker's Table. Her voice grew soft, her smile indulgent, her eyes sparkling, all of her sweet. No one cared to interrupt her and everyone waited for the blow to fall. She said, â€Å"Thanks to Speaker Gendibal, I think we all now understand what we must do. We do not see the Anti-Mules; we know nothing about them, except for their fugitive touches on the minds of people right here in the stronghold of the Second Foundation itself. We do not know what the power center of the First Foundation is planning. We may face an alliance of the Anti-Mules and the First Foundation. We don't know. â€Å"We do know that this Golan Trevize and his companion, whose name escapes me at the moment, are going we know not where – and that the First Speaker and Gendibal feel that Trevize holds the key to the outcome of this great crisis. What, then, are we to do? Clearly we must find out everything we can about Trevize; where he is going, what he is thinking, what his purpose may be; or, indeed, whether he has any destination, any thought, any purpose; whether he might not, in fact, be a mere tool of a force greater than he.† Gendibal said, â€Å"He is under observation.† Delarmi pursed her lips in an indulgent smile. â€Å"By whom? By one of our outworld agents? Are such agents to be expected to stand against those with the powers we have seen demonstrated here? Surely not. In the Mule's time, and later on, too, the Second Foundation did not hesitate to send out – and even to sacrifice – volunteers from among the best we had, since nothing less would do. When it was necessary to restore the Seldon Plan, Preem Palver himself scoured the Galaxy as a Trantorian trader in order to bring back that girl, Arkady. We cannot sit here and wait, now, when the crisis may be greater than in either previous case. We cannot rely on minor functionaries – watchers and messenger boys.† Gendibal said, â€Å"Surely you are not suggesting that the First Speaker leave Trantor at this time?† Delarmi said, â€Å"Certainly not. We need him badly here. On the other hand, there is you, Speaker Gendibal. It is you who have correctly sensed and weighed the crisis. It is you who detected the subtle outside interference with the Library and with Hamish minds. It is you who have maintained your views against the united opposition of the Table – and won. No one here has seen as clearly as you have and no one can be trusted, as you can, to continue to see clearly. It is you who must, in my opinion, go out to confront the enemy. May I have the sense of the Table?† There was no formal vote needed to reveal that sense. Each Speaker felt the minds of the others and it was clear to a suddenly appalled Gendibal that, at the moment of his victory and Delarmi's defeat, this formidable woman was managing to send him irrevocably into exile on a task that might occupy him for some indefinite period, while she remained behind to control the Table and, therefore, the Second Foundation and, therefore, the Galaxy – sending all alike, perhaps, to their doom. And if Gendibal-in-exile should, somehow, manage to gather the information that would enable the Second Foundation to avert the gathering crisis, it would be Delarmi who would have the credit for having arranged it, and his success would but confirm her power. The quicker Gendibal would be, the more efficiently he succeeded, the more surely he would confirm her power. It was a beautiful maneuver, an unbelievable recovery. And so clearly was she dominating the Table even now that she was virtually usurping the First Speaker's role. Gendibal's thought to that effect was overtaken by the rage he sensed from the First Speaker. He turned. The First Speaker was making no effort to hide his anger – and it soon was clear that another internal crisis was building to replace the one that had been resolved. Quindor Shandess, the twenty-fifth First Speaker, had no extraordinary illusions about himself. He knew he was not one of those few dynamic First Speakers who had illuminated the five-century-long history of the Second Foundation – but then, he didn't have to be. He controlled the Table in a quiet period of Galactic prosperity and it was not a time for dynamism. It had seemed to be a time to play a holding game and he had been the man for this role. His predecessor had chosen him for that reason. â€Å"You are not an adventurer, you are a scholar,† the twenty-fourth First Speaker had said. â€Å"You will preserve the Plan, where an adventurer might ruin it. Preserve! Let that be the key word for your Table.† He had tried, but it had meant a passive First Speakership and this had been, on occasion, interpreted as weakness. There had been recurrent rumors that he meant to resign and there had been open intrigue to assure the succession in one direction or another. There was no doubt in Shandess's mind that Delarmi had been a leader in the fight. She was the strongest personality at the Table and even Gendibal, with all the fire and folly of youth, retreated before her, as he was doing right now. But, by Seldon, passive he might be, or even weak, but there was one prerogative of the First Speaker that not one in the line had ever given up, and neither would he do so. He rose to speak and at once there was a hush about the Table. ‘When the First Speaker rose to speak, there could be no interruptions. Even Delarmi or Gendibal would not dare to interrupt. He said, â€Å"Speakers! I agree that we face a dangerous crisis and that we must take strong measures. It is I who should go out to meet the enemy. Speaker Delarmi, with the gentleness that characterizes her, excuses me from the task by stating that I am needed here. The truth, however, is that I am needed neither here nor there. I grow old; I grow weary. There has long been expectation I would someday resign and perhaps I ought to. When this crisis is successfully surmounted, I shall resign. â€Å"But, of course, it is the privilege of the First Speaker to choose his successor. I am going to do so now. There is one Speaker who has long dominated the proceedings of the Table; one Speaker who, by force of personality, has often supplied the leadership that I could not. You all know I am speaking of Speaker Delarmi.† He paused, then said, â€Å"You alone, Speaker Gendibal, are registering disapproval. May I ask why?† He sat down, so that Gendibal might have the right to answer. â€Å"I do not disapprove, First Speaker,† said Gendibal in a low voice. â€Å"It is your prerogative to choose your successor.† â€Å"And so I will. When you return – having succeeded in initiating the process that will put an end to this crisis – it will be time for my resignation. My successor will then be directly in charge of conducting whatever policies may be required to carry on and complete that process. – Do you have anything to say, Speaker Gendibal?† Gendibal said quietly, â€Å"When you make Speaker Delarmi your successor, First Speaker, I hope you will see fit to advise her to†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The First Speaker interrupted him roughly. â€Å"I have spoken of Speaker Delarmi, but I have not named her as my successor. Now what do you have to say?† â€Å"My apologies, First Speaker. I should have said, assuming you make Speaker Delarmi your successor upon my return from this mission, would you see fit to advise her to†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Nor will I make her my successor in the future, under any conditions. Now what do you have to say?† The First Speaker was unable to make this announcement without a stab of satisfaction at the blow he was delivering to Delarmi. He could not have done it in a more humiliating fashion. â€Å"Well, Speaker Gendibal,† he said, â€Å"what do you have to say?† â€Å"That I am confused.† The First Speaker rose again. He said, â€Å"Speaker Delarmi has dominated and led, but that is not all that is needed for the post of First Speaker. Speaker Gendibal has seen what we have not seen. He has faced the united hostility of the Table, and forced it to rethink matters, and has dragged it into agreement with him. I have my suspicions as to the motivation of Speaker Delarmi in placing the responsibility of the pursuit of Golan Trevize on the shoulders of Speaker Gendibal, but that is where the burden belongs. I know he will succeed – I trust my intuition in this – and when he returns, Speaker Gendibal will become the twenty-sixth First Speaker.† He sat down abruptly and each Speaker began to make clear his opinion in a bedlam of sound, tone, thought, and expression. The First Speaker paid no attention to the cacophony, but stared indifferently before him. Now that it was done, he realized – with some surprise – the great comfort there was in laying down the mantle of responsibility. He should have done it before this – but he couldn't have. It was not till now that he had found his obvious successor. And then, somehow, his mind caught that of Delarmi and he looked up at her. By Seldon! She was calm and smiling. Her desperate disappointment did not show – she had not given up. He wondered if he had played into her hands. ‘What was there left for her to do? Debra Delarmi would freely have shown her desperation and disappointment, if that would have proven of any use whatever. It would have given her a great deal of satisfaction to strike out at that senile fool who controlled the Table or at that juvenile idiot with whom Fortune had conspired – but satisfaction wasn't what she wanted. She wanted something more. She wanted to be First Speaker. And while there was a card left to play, she would play it. She smiled gently, and managed to lift her hand as though she were about to speak, and then held the pose just long enough to insure that when she did speak, all would be not merely normal, but radiantly quiet. She said, â€Å"First Speaker, as Speaker Gendibal said earlier, I do not disapprove. It is your prerogative to choose your successor. If I speak now, it is in order that I may contribute – I hope – to the success of what has now become Speaker Gendibal's mission. May I explain my thoughts, First Speaker?† â€Å"Do so,† said the First Speaker curtly. She was entirely too smooth, too pliant, it seemed to him. Delarmi bent her head gravely. She no longer smiled. She said, â€Å"We have ships. They are not as technologically magnificent as those of the First Foundation, but they will carry Speaker Gendibal He knows how to pilot one, I believe, as do we all. We have our representatives on every major planet in the Galaxy, and he will be welcomed everywhere. Moreover, he can defend himself against even these Anti-Mules, now that he is thoroughly aware of the danger. Even when we were unaware, I suspect they have preferred to work through the lower classes and even the Hamish farmers. We will, of course, thoroughly inspect the minds of all the Second Foundationers, including the Speakers, but I am sure they have remained inviolate. The Anti-Mules did not dare interfere with us. â€Å"Nevertheless, there is no reason why Speaker Gendibal should risk more than he must. He is not intending to engage in derring – do and it will be best if his mission is to some extent disguised – if he takes them unaware. It will be useful if he goes in the role of a Hamish trader. Preem Palver, we all know, went off into the Galaxy as a supposed trader.† The First Speaker said, â€Å"Preem Palver had a specific purpose in doing so; Speaker Gendibal has not. If it appears a disguise of some sort is necessary, I am sure he will be ingenious enough to adopt one.† â€Å"With respect, First Speaker, I wish to point out a subtle disguise. Preem Palver, you will remember, took with him his wife and companion of many years. Nothing so thoroughly established the rustic nature of his character as the fact that he was traveling with his wife. It allayed all suspicion.† Gendibal said, â€Å"I have no wife. I have had companions, but none who would now volunteer to assume the marital role.† â€Å"This is well known, Speaker Gendibal,† said Delarmi, â€Å"but then people will take the role for granted if any woman is with you. Surely some volunteer can be found. And if you feel the need to be able to present documentary evidence, that can be provided. I think a woman should come with you.† For a moment, Gendibal was breathless. Surely she did not mean. Could it be a ploy to achieve a share in the success? Could she be playing for a joint – or rotating – occupation of the First Speakership? Gendibal said grimly, â€Å"I am flattered that Speaker Delarmi should feel that she†¦Ã¢â‚¬  And Delarmi broke into an open laugh and looked at Gendibal with what was almost true affection. He had fallen into the trap and looked foolish for having done so. The Table would not forget that. She said, â€Å"Speaker Gendibal, I would not have the impertinence to attempt to share in this task. it is yours and yours alone, as the post of First Speaker will be yours and yours alone. I would not have thought you wanted me with you. Really, Speaker, at my age, I no longer think of myself as a charmer†¦Ã¢â‚¬  There were smiles around the Table and even the First Speaker tried to hide one. Gendibal felt the stroke and labored not to compound the loss by failing to match her lightness. It was labor lost. He said, as unsavagely as he could, â€Å"Then what is it you would suggest? It was not in my thoughts, I assure you, that you would wish to accompany me. You are at your best at the Table and not in the hurly-burly of Galactic affairs, I know.† â€Å"I agree, Speaker Gendibal, I agree,† said Delarmi. â€Å"My suggestion, however, refers back to your role as Hamish trader. To make it indisputably authentic, what better companion need you ask but a Hamishwoman?† â€Å"A Hamishwoman?† For a second time in rapid succession, Gendibal was caught by surprise and the Table enjoyed it. â€Å"The Hamishwoman,† Delarmi went on. â€Å"The one who saved you from a beating. The one who gazes at you worshipfully. The one whose mind you probed and who then, quite unwittingly, saved you a second time from considerably more than a beating. I suggest you take her.† Gendibal's impulse was to refuse, but he knew that she expected that. It would mean more enjoyment for the Table. It was clear now that the First Speaker, anxious to strike out at Delarmi, had made a mistake by naming Gendibal his successor – or, at the very least, that Delarmi had quickly converted it into one. Gendibal was the youngest of the Speakers. He had angered the Table and had then avoided conviction by them. In a very real way, he had humiliated them. None could see him as the heir apparent without resentment. That would have been hard enough to overcome, but now they would remember how easily Delarmi had twitched him into ridicule and how much they had enjoyed it. She would use that to convince them, all too easily, that he lacked the age and experience for the role of First Speaker. Their united pressure would force the First Speaker into changing his decision while Gendibal was off on his mission. Or, if the First Speaker held fast, Gendibal would eventually find himself with an office that would be forever helpless in the face of united opposition. He saw it all in an instant and was able to answer as though with out hesitation. – He said, â€Å"Speaker Delarmi, I admire your insight. I had thought to surprise you all. It was indeed my intention to take the Hamishwoman, though not quite for the very good reason you suggest. It was for her mind that I wished to take her with me. You have all examined that mind. You saw it for what it was: surprisingly intelligent but, more than that, clear, simple, utterly without guile. No touch upon it by others would go unnoticed, as I'm sure you all concluded. â€Å"I wonder if it occurred to you, then, Speaker Delarmi, that she would serve as an excellent early-warning system. I would detect the first symptomatic presence of mentalism by way of her mind, earlier, I think, than by way of mine.† There was a kind of astonished silence at that, and he said, lightly. â€Å"Ah, none of you saw that. Well well, not important! And I will take my leave now. There's no time to lose.† â€Å"Wait,† said Delarmi, her initiative lost a third time. â€Å"What do you intend to do?† Gendibal said with a small shrug. â€Å"Why go into details? The less the Table knows, the less the Anti-Mules are likely to attempt to disturb it.† He said it as though the safety of the Table was his prime concern. He filled his mind with that, and let it show. It would flatter them. More than that, the satisfaction it would bring might keep them from wondering whether, in fact, Gendibal knew exactly what it was he intended to do. The First Speaker spoke to Gendibal alone that evening. â€Å"You were right,† he said. â€Å"I could not help brushing below the surface of your mind. I saw you considered the announcement a mistake and it was. It was my eagerness to wipe that eternal smile off her face and to strike back at the casual way in which she so frequently usurps my role.† Gendibal said gently, â€Å"It might have been better if you had told me privately and had then waited for my return to go further.† â€Å"That would not have allowed me to strike out at her. – Poor motivation for a First Speaker, I know.† â€Å"This won't stop her, First Speaker. She will still intrigue for the post and perhaps with good reason. I'm sure there are some who would argue that I should have refused your nomination. It would not be hard to argue that Speaker Delarmi has the best mind at the Table and would make the best First Speaker.† â€Å"The best mind at the Table, not away from it,† grumbled Shandess. â€Å"She recognizes no real enemies, except for other Speakers. She ought never to have been made a Speaker in the first place. – See here, shall I forbid you to take the Hamishwoman? She maneuvered you into that, I know.† â€Å"No no, the reason I advanced for taking her is a true one. She will be an early-warning system and I am grateful to Speaker Delarmi for pushing me into realizing that. The woman will prove very useful, I'm convinced.† â€Å"Good, then. By the way, I wasn't lying, either. I am truly certain that you will accomplish whatever is needed to end this crisis – if you can trust my intuition.† â€Å"I think I can trust it, for I agree with you. I promise you that whatever happens, I will return better than I receive. I will come back to be First Speaker, whatever the Anti-Mules – or Speaker Delarmi – can do.† Gendibal studied his own satisfaction even as he spoke. Why was he so pleased, so insistent, on this one-ship venture into space? Ambition, of course. Preem Palver had once done just this sort of thing and he was going to show that Stor Gendibal could do it, too. No one could withhold the First Speakership from him after that. And yet was there more than ambition? The lure of combat? The generalized desire for excitement in one who had been confined to a hidden patch on a backward planet all his adult life? – He didn't entirely know, but he knew he was desperately intent on going.