The Short Story ATM - The Writers For Hire

THE SHORT STORY ATM Gone are the days when it was common for Americans to sit around and read for pleasure. Whether it can be attributed to our busier lifestyles or our lack of attention spans, it is estimated that Americans only read for pleasure an average of 17 minutes each day. In fact, the percentage of Americans who read for pleasure on any given day continues to decline, bringing us to an all-time low. In an effort to improve these statistics and to promote literacy, public libraries throughout the country (and the world) are coming to the rescue with ATM-like machines that dispense short stories. According to this great story from CBS News,   with just the press of a button, users can receive a free short story that takes either one, three, or five minutes to read. The stories, which vary in genre and style, are printed on environmentally friendly paper, using biodegradable ink. And although there are currently only 35 short-story dispensers in North America, and 180 worldwide, those numbers are starting to grow. This is great news for writers, too!

Gun Control Fallacy essays

Gun Control Fallacy essays Effectiveness of gun control laws is a misnomer. Gun control laws are ineffective. In fact, they are considered to be counter productive to their purpose. The socioeconomic variables have more of an impact on gun related deaths than do gun control laws. Guns are not the root of crime; the problems of society are the root cause of crime. When there are family problems, no opportunities for jobs, and inadequate education, society will experience a rise in crime levels. Guns are not the problem. People are the problem. People will find a way to commit their crimes even if guns did not exist at all. Gun control laws will not benefit the law-abiding citizen and they will not deter the criminal. Most people are not aware of the gun laws so they are rather useless. The low number of gun related crimes in areas where gun control was not in effect proves that gun control laws are ineffective as does the fact that when gun laws are created there are more gun related crimes. Criminals do not know if citizens are armed, but if all citizens were allowed to be armed the criminal would be wary of committing a crime against that person. Some countries such as Mexico and South Africa have gun control. Their murder rates are considerably higher than those in the United States are. The bottom line is that gun control laws have recently been shown to be ineffective. Gun control is not a deterrent of crime or violence. A study was done in order to evaluate the effectiveness of gun control laws. The purpose was to gain statistical and empirical evidence. The results verify that gun control laws "have a very mild effect on the number of gun related deaths while socioeconomic variables such as a state's poverty level, unemployment rate and alcohol consumption have significant impact on firearm related deaths. These findings suggest that any reduction in resources spent on social programs tied to the Crime Bill may be coun...

Marketing Management Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4750 words

Marketing Management - Research Paper Example Hennes & Mauritz AB (operating as H&M) is a Swedish clothing company, known for their inexpensive and fashionable clothing offerings mainly for men and women 18 to 45, children's apparel, and its own brands of cosmetics. The company designs cheap but chic clothing It was established in Vsters, Sweden, in 1947 by Erling Persson, though at the time it only sold women's clothing and was called Hennes, Swedish for "hers." In 1968, Persson acquired the premises and inventory of a Stockholm hunting equipment store named Mauritz Widforss. Included in the inventory was a supply of men's clothing, prompting Persson to expand into menswear. Accordingly, he renamed the store Hennes & Mauritz, later abbreviated to H&M. H&M has more than 1300 stores in 29 different countries with direct sales operations in selected areas and has more than 50,000 employees According the traditional views, marketing is the process by which goods are made available to the consumers by the manufacturers. Thus the traditional concept of marketing focuses merely on the physical process of distributing goods and services. According to modern view, marketing consists of sensing, stimulating, servicing and satisfying the needs and wants of present and potential customers in more effective and efficient manner than its competitors. The modern concept of marketing holds that the key task of organization is to determine the needs, wants and values of the customers and to adopt the organization to delivering the desired satisfaction more effectively and efficiently than its competitors. There are two key elements in this concept. Customer orientation and Integrated marketing planning and control with those of other departments like manufacturing, finance, inventory control and so on. 2.3 Elements of modern concept of marketing The modern concept of marketing of marketing has the following two elements as under: Customer Orientation - identifying and determining the wants and requirements of customers through marketing surveys, forecasting and researches (a) Integrating the marking planning and control with those of other departments (like manufacturing, finance purchase, inventory control, personnel research and development) keeping in view the ultimate goal of customers' satisfaction. It may be noted that the customers expect satisfaction not only in terms of genuine and wholesome products and services but also several other considerations such as prompt and regular supply of production/services reasonable price, availability of efficient after sales service and so on. 3. Marketing Management Marketing management consists of planning, organizing, directing and controlling the activities related to the marketing of goods and services to satisfy the customer's wants. According to Philip Kotle, "Marketing manageme

Editing Practices of Robert Loomis and Strauss-Gabel Essay

Editing Practices of Robert Loomis and Strauss-Gabel - Essay Example The editing practices and approaches between the two editors cum publishers are inconsistent. It is because they practiced editing at different generations and times. Loomis practiced editing earlier than Strauss-Gabel, who is to date actively involved in editing. Loomis approached the practice of editing in a classic and old-fashioned. His approach was understated as well as uncanny, polite as well as persistent and fierce/tough as well as tender. His approach in the practice of editing was thus diametrically opposed to that employed by Strauss-Gabel, which was less old-fashioned but instead more modern. She approached editing in a manner that was strictly tough, intimidating and offered stinging critiques. She believed it was the only way to get the best result from editing. Loomis, on the other hand, had a look warm approach of neither tough nor soft (Norton 67).In my view, the two editors shared a common strategy of getting the best results by actively collaborating with the writ er. Their editing practices, approaches, and techniques were aimed at working collaboratively with authors in the development phases of the books. It was to make sure that the editing and design of the book were best suited to for its marketing. It led to them becoming highly sought after by many authors. Their editing practices stood out from the rest and were highly successful. Their strategies and approach to the practice of editing has enabled them nurture writers and be a mentor for fellow editors in the general industry of publishing.

Reflections on Transformations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Reflections on Transformations - Essay Example Through fully expressing my thoughts on my experiences, I began to see the individuality that was connected through my way of seeing the artwork within the museums. I realized that this experience, though undoubtedly somewhat universal, was not universally shared with everyone. Not everyone has the opportunity to see the things I have had the privilege to see. In writing about it, expressing how it impacted my life, I began to feel a deeper connection to my own identity. Not every attempt at writing was fully successful. I feel that some of the work I created could have been enriched by a better understanding of what I was trying to say. I realized that in writing comes a new sense of a topic, that it becomes something alive that grows from the discussion. However, sometimes the discussion goes beyond one’s control and bringing it back is not always an easy task. Being a part of the experience of writing sometimes reminds one how much one has not learned, rather than expressin g how bright and wonderful are the thoughts that are begging to be set to paper. I have been grateful to find the humility within the act of writing as well as the exhilaration when the words form just the right impression of what I am trying to say. Even when the work is difficult or when the words do not give the right intent, the satisfaction of being able to express yourself makes writing an experience that helps to transform and define the individual, just the same as seeing a piece of artwork.

Effects Of Global Warming In Lebanon

Effects Of Global Warming In Lebanon Throughout the ages, the earth has lived happily and peacefully from any damages concerning the Ozone layer. Not so long ago, the earth experienced a dangerous/huge change not only in weather, but also in health risks concerning human beings and animal alike. Pollution, coil burning, cars causing too much smoke and many other things caused a change in our CO2 level that made a hole in our ozone layer. The ozone layer somehow controls a bit of our weather and makes planet Earth safer. This whole caused climate change which led to many changed in our life as we know it. This whole problem and change in life is called Global Warming. The cause of global warming is somewhat like a series of events; You can also call it a chain. The first stage of the causes of global warming is the reduction of the earths ozone layer. Then, there are all the carbon dioxide that is being produced on earth. Not so long ago, 8 billion tons of CO2 entered the air as stated by the main reference for global warming. Following our long road of causes, there is the Methane Gas. Methane gas can be produced by man, or from the earth itself; both contributing factors to global warming. And of course, The greenhouse effect. Global Warming has primary effects and secondary effects. Both of which are very harmful to the earth. One of the primary effects is the rise in sea level. Over the years, if global warming continues at its rate, sea level will increase by 1 inch every several years. This might not sound like a very dangerous number, but it will cause destruction and people will be forced to relocate. Most of our potable water will be converted to salt water due to rise in sea level; not to mention beach erosions, extreme weather, rain will be dangerous and cause floods, destabilization of local climate, acidic ocean and of course more fires. Secondary effects include change in crop production (decrease), many animals being extinct and a radical change in human condition. Humankind should act now. Humanity only acts when they are on the edge; something should be done right now because when we reach the edge, it will be too late for us. Many things can be done on society level and government level. Humanity should act now. Causes of Global Warming Global Warming is an existence of something on this planet that is a primary factor to the change in behavior of weather and many environmental aspects. The first and major cause of global warming began some time ago, with the discussion of a decrease in the Earths ozone layer. The decreasing of the ozone layer leads to ultra violet rays entering our planet and not going back out. The ultra violet rays do not directly cause global warming. The entrapment of ultra violet rays cause cooling of the stratosphere and troposphere. So by doing that, there is no balance in cooling and heating. Another Primary cause is Carbon Dioxide production. Carbon Dioxide or CO2 can be produced by man or by nature itself. CO2 is being produced at high and dangerous rates. Some of the CO2 produced is made by volcanic eruptions and of course humans breathing. The earth is somehow made to handle this amount only. The other CO2 productions, like the burning of fuels and coal, are very dangerous and are not being absorbed by the earth. Power plants are responsible for more than 35% of all CO2 emissions. More than 30% are produced by cars and trucks. And more than 3% are caused by aircrafts; the number might not seem high but aircraft emit CO2 directly to the troposphere. Buildings can cause almost 11% of CO2 that is being emitted. The point of all this is that almost 95% of these gases being emitted are manmade; 80% of these gases are now stuck in our atmosphere as greenhouse gases. Let us continue our journey of causes of global warming by introducing the Methane Gas. Like CO2, methane gas is produces in our planet by man and by natural happenings. The ocean, hydrates and agriculture are the primary causes of natural happenings that cause methane gas. Biomass burning, waste treatment and landfills are some of the man made things that cause the emission of Methane Gas. Methane gas is an obvious harmful gas. But what about H2O? Yes, water is a contributing factor to global warming. Excess in warm weather causes a lot of vapor. Excess in vapor in the air is harmful and can turn into a dangerous gas. After a while, it is transformed into a greenhouse gas and locked inside the atmosphere and increasing global warming. Primary effects of global warming Rising in sea levels is the primary effect of global warming. In the Polar Regions, there is a lot of ice. As global warming occurs, ice starts to melt down; as ice melts down, the sea levels must rise. Many people think that the polar melt down is the overall sea rising in the whole planet. Thats wrong. Salty water, if heated, it expands; as the planet heats up, the ocean waters will expand and the melted ice will join the ocean; all this water must go somewhere. So the waters first get to the countries that are close to sea level. People living near sea level areas will get affected primarily. Salt water intrusion is another effect of global warming. Potable water is a necessary aspect for human kind to proceed. Our planet has rivers that contain water for drinking, but with global warming, salty water will increase and expand destroying a huge percentage of potable water in our planet. Crops, like human being, also need water to live and to divide; they will reach a time where crops will decrease drastically. Fruits and vegetables need certain environmental conditions; one of which is water. With low amount of potable water, they wont be able to produce their goods. Increased rainfall is due to the increase in the weather in our climate caused by global warming. Due to increase in temperature, there is an increase in water vapor. Vapor, if heated, goes up to the sky; then it is cooled and goes down on earth in form of rain (water). Increase in water causes more erosions leading to damaged in cities and villages and destroying peoples home The Greenhouse Effect If u have ever been in a glasshouse for plants for sat in a car for about 5 minutes in a hot day then you have experienced the Greenhouse effect. The concept of the greenhouse effect is easy. Its anywhere in a box/round shaped object that is closed. Heat gets in and it cant get out. So it basically keeps hitting back and forth around it self until it is kept inside; so if the temperature outside is 25C, inside the object (car, house, etcà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦) would be around 42C. When we talk about the greenhouse effect regarding our planet, we refer to our planet as the car of the example in the previous paragraph. Our entire planet becomes heated; and this heat is locked inside and atmosphere and cant seem to get out. So the weather increases dramatically. When the greenhouse effect occurs in our planet when the heat is gets in and bounces on the ground and then bounces off to the atmosphere and absorbs all the gasses that out in the environment causing an increase in global warming. And of course there are the secondary effects of global warming, which are as important as the primary effects and may lead to a change in humankinds life. One of the effects is a huge decrease in crop yield. A certain environmental condition must be applied to crops so that they can grow and produce more crops. But as global warming occurs, there cant be certain weather or a stabilized seasonal year so that the farmer can know or regulate their crops. Species (animal) will start to migrate from their normal habitat and even get extinct. Certain animals need certain weather for them to live. For ex. Camels live in the dessert, elephants in Africaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Global warming will change the weather forcing them to migrate. Some animal will not be able to migrate so they die where they are. Humans and animals alike have to adjust to weather. Humans will try t migrate to settle in a better ground. Disease spreads easier in a hot environment. The cool weather kills germs. The body tends to work harder to cool off. Heart problems will start to occur. To sum up, Global warming is here and is happening and is increasing by the minute. Humankind always acts on the edge of things. Well, if we reach the edge of global warming, its going to be too late to save our beloved planet. Everyone should do their part and stop the causes of global warming. Governments should also act because Global Warming is not a joke. The effect are harsh and unmerciful.

Comparing Nothings Changed and Half-Caste Essay -- Tatamkhulu Afrika

Comparing Nothing's Changed and Half-Caste Half-Caste and Nothing's Changed are two poems that, despite having different subjects, are full of similarities. Both Half-Caste and Nothing's Changed express anger. Although, the object of their anger is different. The anger in Half-Caste is directed at language, or more specifically the use of one phrase while the anger in Nothing's Changed is towards a culture. In Half-Caste Caribbean dialect is used. Nothing's Changed is written in standard English. However, both writers chose to use free verse meaning that neither poem follows specific rules or patterns. In Half-Caste the poem is written from the writer's viewpoint. Which means the reader is able to see the writer's personal feelings about the term half-caste. The opening line, "Excuse me" shows that the poem is written from the writer's point of view as excuse me is a phrase used by someone when they want to start a conversation. I feel that if the poem was written from another person's viewpoint it would lose some of it's effect. The emotion in the poem would come across less strongly and seem less real, as it wouldn't be certain whether the writer actually feels the anger expressed in the poem or just thinks that people might feel that way. Half-Caste is written as a conversation and therefore is in first person. You can see that the poem is a conversation in lines such as line 33 where it says, "Ah listening to yu..." and line 47, "...yu must come back tomorrow." Both of these lines show that the poet is talking to another person. I think this is good as it is original. I also think it makes the poem more personal to you as you read it and so, perhaps, makes you think more about what Agard is saying... ...runch" demonstrate the hostility of the environment and the cans means there is litter, often places affected by litter are run down areas, areas that are not taken care of or unlived in. In the second stanza, he uses repetition of the word and to emphasize that every part of his body has been affected. Contrast comes through in his description of the inn and the surrounding area. Line 20, "...... the grass and weeds." points out the difference between the posh new inn and it's location. Afrika uses contrast later on in the poem too. In fact, stanza five, entirely contrasts stanza four, and is there to demonstrate the huge differences between the lives of whites and blacks. Agard uses simple and direct language in Half-Caste. This allows him to get his point across to the reader more easily than if he were to use lots of unnecessary words and phrases.