Marketing Initiatives of Milo free essay sample

Nestle is one of the biggest multinational companies in the world offering fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) such as Milo. Nestle’s Slogan, â€Å"Good Food, Good Life† reiterates what they stand for in delivering qualitative products to the end-user being their main objective. The fundamental aim of Nestle is to increase profits however at the same time, raise the standing of living and quality of life for everyone by continually providing nutritional products to promote a healthier lifestyle for all of us. In every market, different companies offer products; consumers always want to choose the best and the healthiest product. Nestle is one of the companies which caters for the nutritional needs of consumers. Due to the great competition in the market, Nestle has evolved its product with a passage of time to maintain the market share being our main reasoning for choosing Nestle Milo. The market share of Nestle Milo is so large that their biggest competitors comprise of their own products such as Nesquick. We will write a custom essay sample on Marketing Initiatives of Milo or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Milo markets itself to teenagers by being a beverage that will provide kids with enough energy for sports and a fast lifestyle, whilst still being healthy. Another large part of Nestle Milo’s Marketing is the sponsorship and community programs which consist of Nestle’s ‘MILO in2CRICKET’ program offering children an opportunity to â€Å"have a go† at cricket whilst promoting physical activity at a young age. On top of this Nestle Milo also sponsors various sporting events at a school level to ensure all children have the opportunity to build their sports skills for the future. In the business environment, there are different forces such as economic forces, legal forces and the socio-cultural forces which can have an impact on the product, on the organization and the marketing manoeuvres in which nestle undertakes. This will be further examined in the first section of the report. Marketing Initiatives As we all know that there are several forces that can impact a product and an organization. Companies must take different measures according to their environments to ensure the survival of their products. When we look at Nestle Milo, we will come to know that Nestle has taken many steps to make Milo compatible with the needs and expectations of consumers. According to Ryan (2004), Nestle introduced the phrase â€Å"good food, good life†. When we look at Milo, we can see that Nestle has tried to focus on the health and nutritional benefits of its product. Nestle has also tried to focus on the market of children from 6-13 years of age. Some of the examples of the initiative taken by Milo are the ‘Good Food, Good Life’ Campaign and the ‘Milo in2 Cricket’ Program. The ‘Good Food, Good Life’ campaign is a consumer psychology that they relate the brands with things or feelings. Whenever a brand name comes to their minds, something associated with that brand or their own personal experience comes into their minds as well. In a similar manner, consumers recognize Milo as a symbol of nutrition and Health. Even the packaging and the outlook of Milo symbolises nutrition, health and energy. Another example of the initiative taken by Milo is Milo in2 cricket. It is actually an initiative taken by Milo in its Australian market. This initiative is for the children who are between the age of five and ten. In this program, these children participate in a six to twelve week cricket camp. This marketing move has enabled Nestle to penetrate into the potential market of Milo, that is, children. The program basically focuses on providing children with the skills that they need to have to perform well in cricket. Also, children attending the Cricket camp receive Milo products and merchandise which causes a great promotion for the product. Environmental Forces – Socio-cultural Socio-cultural aspect is one of the most important macro environmental factors that can have an impact on a product. According to Elliott et al. 2010), when a company is trying to maintain and establish its product in a market, it must pay special attention to the socio cultural aspect. The progressive thoughts and the changes in beliefs have impacted the population a lot. According to Bergadaa (2007), as a result, the companies have also been impacted by these changes. The parents also have an impact on the purc hases that their children make. The perspective of parents can cause a decline in the sales of product. According to Preston (2005), a customer decisions can be impacted by a change which the households are undergoing. The catholic social services (2010) have highlighted some of the difficulties which the parents are facing because of increase in petrol prices and the interest rates. Hence, other areas such as social and economic areas get impacted and the pressures build on the parents. This creates a feeling of frustration and guilt in parents. These feelings can also impact purchase decisions of parents thus Nestle must pay special attention to such macro environmental forces. Democracy is another factor which can have a great impact. Democracy is the fundamental basis of our society. It is a human nature that they always resist the imposition of anything on themselves. Galbreath has done a great work to document the importance of customer satisfaction. According to Bergadaa (2007), Nestle still continues to be impacted by the moves which a society makes to protect children against the marketing manoeuvres which companies make. This has also impacted Milo as well. Such factors will always have an impact on marketing manoeuvres of the organizations. Health – Childhood Obesity A society evolves with time into a healthy and a conscious society. They pay special attention to nutrition and health issues. Public views are greatly impacted by the health issues. Childhood obesity is one of the major issues which the modern society is facing. The society has also taken many steps to deal with these issues specially childhood obesity. Nestle Milo is continuously receiving the impacts of the measures that are being taken against childhood obesity because it is one of the most critical health problem in Australia. This socio cultural issue has caused a great impact on the company’s ability to market their product. Companies find it difficult to communicate about their products. Laws and regulations In every country, there is an organization that looks after the activities of companies. In Australia, the ASIC is doing this job. The ASIC makes laws, enforces them and acts as a regulatory authority. It works to protect creditors, investors and consumers. It has made several laws for the above mentioned purpose. The corporations Act 2001 and the ASIC Act 2001 are some of the examples of the legislations done by the ASIC. It is important that the corporate marketing initiative should follow the concerned law. Therefore, Nestle must pay attention to this environmental factor as well and must make the advertisement moves according to the laws. In Australia, the ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) makes the laws for the industries and also regulates the industries. The ACCC sets the laws for trade practices and the industries. One of the important laws passed b the ACCC is the Trade practices Act 1974. According to the Australian Competition Consumer Commission 2005, this law addresses the issues about the quality, nutritional information and the imported ingredients. It is essential that the marketing initiatives which talk about the nutritional benefits of any product, they must comply with this law. According to James (2009), Milo is unable to comply with this law properly because of the caffeine content in their product. Excluding this issue, the Milo has always exhibited fairness in all other issues. Nestle has taken many measures to deal with the macro environmental forces. Nestle has always changed its marketing mix according to the needs of a market. It also shapes its strategies according to the environment. One of the major steps taken by Nestle is the recognition that it has obtained by the Heart foundation. The heart foundation endorses and emphasises the use of healthy products. References: 1. Emerald | Society and Business Review | Children and business: pluralistic ethics of marketers. 2011. Emerald | Society and Business Review | Children and business: pluralistic ethics of marketers. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www. emeraldinsight. com/journals. htm? articleid=1593515. [Accessed 07 October 2011]. 2. elliot, 2009. marketing isbn13 9780470819654. Edition. John Wiley Sons. 3. Nestle Australia: Feeling Good with Nestle . 011. Nestle Australia: Feeling Good with Nestle . [ONLINE] Available at: http://www. nestle. com. au/NutritionAndHealth/FeatureArticles/Pages/FeelingGoodwithNestle. aspx. [Accessed 07 October 2011]. 4. Nestle Australia: MILO Programs . 2011. Nestle Australia: MILO Programs . [ONLINE] Available at: http://www. nestle. com. au/Community/Pages/MiloPrograms. aspx. [Ac cessed 07 October 2011]. 5. Overview of the Trade Practices Act. 2011. Overview of the Trade Practices Act. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www. accc. gov. au/content/index. phtml/itemId/788579. [Accessed 07 October 2011].

Essay Sample on Ancient Athenian Politics and Its Effects on Ancient Greek Civilization

Essay Sample on Ancient Athenian Politics and Its Effects on Ancient Greek Civilization Current essay deals with important and at the same time very problematic issue of ancient Athenian politics and its effect on the stability of Ancient Greek Civilization. There is no denying the importance of the fact that Ancient society produced the dominant patterns of modern politics and democratic rule in the first place. Athenian democracy was one of the main factors that created the patterns of polity, politics, law and society in Ancient World and strongly influenced political traditions of Ancient Greece. Athenian democracy was a historical formation which developed in close link with other existing forms of governance such as tyranny, oligopoly etc. prevailing in Sparta and other Greek city-states (Hasebroek). Besides this as this essay will try to show Athenian democracy and political mechanism existed in difficult conditions of permanent assault of tyranny waves as in the case of 30 tyranny and Pissistratus rule. Furthermore, one should remember that external threats to Athenian society and its intrinsically aristocratic nature were those factors which significantly hindered the development of genuine democracy and made it unstable and non-inclusive. Athens was a leading city-state which formed larger Ancient Greek civilization and engaged in external political relations with other states such as Persia, Sparta, Egypt etc. Hence, deep difference between Athenian internal and external politics were in place and it makes necessary to examine these controversies in detail. Athenian politics are to be analyzed historically by integrating culture, traditions, and main events in the wider fabric of analysis. As a result we hope to produce genuine research addressing the role of Athenian politics and Athenian democracy in shaping the contours of Ancient Greek Civilization and affecting political stability in this particular region. Ancient Greece and the formation of Athenian politics The formation of Athenian political system and the mechanism of internal and external politics were deeply affected by two opposite trends which were characteristic of Ancient Greece civilization: the opposition between democracy and tyranny (Stanton). The social structure of Athenian society was very complex and differentiated which created significant instability affecting Athenian and other city-states politics. Therefore the problems of stability/instability should be discussed through the prism of Athens state formation, its political ties with other city-states and civilizations. But before analyzing these issues it is necessary to outline the basic developments in Athenian political and social realms which resulted in the creation of classic Athenian society. There is no denying the importance of the fact that dominant position of Athenian state in Greek politics affected relatively independent development of Athenian civilization which was characterized by permanent struggle between tyranny and democracy. Opposition between aristocratic clans represented by rich strategists, rich people and statesmen and demos was particularly bitter contributing to the instability not only in Athenian society but also in other Greek city-states (Kaloudis 239). As Plato’s dialogue Euthydem suggests Athenian aristocracy was among the most aggressive elements in Athenian society whose lust for power and wealth pushed them to wage wars and conquer other states and peoples (Plato 123-156). These aristocratic wars were one of the main factors of instability in Ancient Greece but notwithstanding this fact they should be regarded as a crucial element of Ancient Greece stabilization under the reign of Athenian state. Here, as Wood claims we have a dialect ical unity of stability and instability in Ancient Greece which are not to be analyzed separately (Wood 145). The formation of Athenian democracy was not a linear process but it followed several important stages connected with the policies of Solon, Cleisthenes and Ephialtes who one of the greatest Athenian politicians (Hignett). During Solon times before his reforms Athenian state was controlled by tyrannoi (tyrants), the representatives of noble people who fought for power against each other and neglected the interests of ordinary people. Theagenes in Megara for instance usurped power on behalf of Ionian minority and Cleisthenes the Athenian noblemen tried to seize the power in 632BC but failed (Stanton 67). Before Solon the political relations in Athenian society were controlled by aristocratic organ Areopagus which was formed on the basis of nobility, social status and wealth. It chose nine archons who ruled the country on its behalf. There was no way for archons to be hold accountable for their actions, hence using Aristotle classification this model of governance can be described as oligopoly (Barnes). Solon thus tried to redress situation and pursued constitutional reforms seeking to install stable system of aristocratic democracy (Hignett). Solon created the Council of Four Hundred which significantly enhanced the political representation of lower class people in Athenian society. He divided society in four distinct groups depending on the level of their social status and ascribed different political and social rights to them. Solon released all Athenians citizens who were enslaved and provided them with some civil and political rights. Besides this Solon placed the order on political practices and procedures and introduced economic legislation which provided premises for transformation of Athens into one of the leading city-states and becoming Ancient Greece hegemony along with Sparta and Corinth. It goes without saying that Solon’s reforms were directed by large on combating sectarian rivalries among aristocracy which hindered the effective development of Athenian state. Hence it may be claimed that stabilization though temporal was important in terms of Athens enhancing their political positions visvis other Ancient Greece states (Ober and Hendrick 45). The democratic consolidation continued with Ephialtes weakening of Areopagus powers by putting its influential leaders to trial. His political reforms created preconditions for considerable limitation of Aristocratic power in Athens. For instance, Areopagus before Ephialtes had authorities to process crime trials without jury but new reforms allowed citizens to be represented in jury and influence its decisions through the mechanism of voting and discussion (Stanton). These democratic achievements considerably affected political and social relations within Athenian society and spread far beyond the territory of Athenian states. These reforms became the triggers of mass upheavals and clashes between aristocracy and demos in other city-states such as Sparta (where helots fought against repressive tyranny) and Corinth (Pomeroy, Burstein, Donlan, and Tolbert). All these once again prove the fact that the political situation in Athenian society affected other political units of Ancient Greece and this was even without any significant channels of communication that we have nowadays (Hasebroek). Though these reforms were cancelled by thirty tyrants they resulted in a significant political progress and formation of Athenian political and Ancient Greece political culture. Pericles rule is very important since he introduced some important political innovations which significantly affected the stability of Athenian democracy. Under his rule the aristocratic privileges were sufficiently reduced through the reform of citizen status. He prohibited aristocracy from making marriages outside Athens if they wanted to stay Athenian citizens. This move was designed to equalize the political status of all Athenian citizens. Besides this one of his most important innovations was paying members of jury for the time spent performing civil responsibilities. This also helped encourage more people to engage in the judicial system of Athens. Pericles was a proponent of populist policy by defending political and social rights of poor classes. Pericles started his political career with allowing poor people to watch theatrical performances (Hignett 145-167). Later he abolished discriminative laws prohibiting low-income citizens from taking public office positions and considerably widened the scope of humble people privileges. There is no denying the importance of the fact that these decisions were politically motivated by Athenian external politics. As Samons notes, Pericles connected widening democratic rights of demos with Athenian political dominance in Ancient Greece since he regarded demos as a crucial element of Athens military strength (for instance Athenian fleet was formed from low-class people) (156). Hence, these democratic reforms shouldnt be regarded as a one-folded phenomenon. In contrast political developments in Athenian society were deeply connected with Athens political ambitions of controlling all Ancient Greece and even projecting its dominance to other nations. The motivation of low-class people was one of the main factors contributing to forming well-equipped army which took part in Greece-Persia and Peloponnesian wars. To sum it up, political development of Athens influenced much the development of Ancient Greece and its stabilization under Athens rule. Through political and economic instruments such as trade and commerce Athens projected their political and cultural patterns to other city-states and formed different alliances that served their political interests. Later as the current essay will show the deterioration of Athenian democracy and losing its military strength will result in entire Ancient Greece destabilization and its successive demise as a constellation of independent states. Political system of Athens perished with the invasion of Macedonians in 322 BC. Problems of Athenian democracy as the source of political instability Political developments within Athens were often affected by situation in Ancient Greece. The failures of Athenian democracy such as the rule of 30 tyrants should be regarded as a consequence of Peloponnesian war between Sparta and Athens which increased political weight of Athenian aristocracy using difficult political conditions to neglect democratic rights of ordinary people. The aristocratic group named 400 hundred usurped power in 411 BC and considerably reduced the size of electorate and introduced property census on the franchise (Hasebroek). These representatives of aristocracy claimed that democracy is ruining for Athenian political preeminence in Athenian world since only aristocracy has sufficient knowledge and skills to take necessary and reasonable decisions. The absence of meritocracy was regarded as the main cause of the Athens power decline but in fact this aristocratic discourse was nothing else than the desire to reassert the power of nobility (Ober). Further deter ioration of Athenian democracy continued even after it was reinstalled. Furthermore, there is no denying the importance of the fact that Athenian democracy was aristocratic in essence though some major democratic reforms were made by Solon and Pericles (Pomeroy, Burstein, Donlan, and Tolbert 67). It is connected with Athenian imperial status in Ancient Greece which prohibited low-class citizens from participating in ‘big politics’. Elites controlled political agenda being dominant in decision-making on economy, strategic matters and distribution of imperial wealth. Besides this they dominated numerically in legislative organs and judicial system. Athenian democracy was considerably flawed in terms of peoples representation. Only adult Athenian men were eligible in participating in political matters and had a right to vote (Pomeroy, Burstein, Donlan, and Tolbert 57). Thereby the majority of Athenian population was excluded from the political process. Those excluded were children, metics (resident foreigners), slaves, and those who didnâ€⠄¢t possess enough money to pay debts to the Athenian state. To sum it up it should be said that Athenian democracy was considerably flawed from the start and its further deterioration was connected with reducing regional stability as a result of wars between Greek cities and other states. Athens political positions in Ancient Greece and its implications for stability The dominance of Athens and other influential city states such as Sparta, Thebes and Corinth were important consolidation and stabilization factor in the development of Ancient Greece civilization and was destabilizing at the same time. Athens united many small tribes, cities and villages under its rule making them more safe visvis Persian and other invaders. This dominance resulted in a creation of strong, centralized state which projected military strength to defend the borders of other allied Ancient Greek city-states which in its turn rose the influence of Athens among them and alien cultures. Besides this the political dominance of Athens was one of the main reasons for the flourishing economy and trade in Ancient Greece since Athens required various goods for the development which in its turn stimulated the economic development of other Greek city-states (Powell 56-78). Among the basic sources of instability in Ancient Greece connected with Athens were their permanent rivalry with Sparta which was a dual militaristic monarchy controlled by landed aristocracy. It dominated other cities of Peloponnesus. In 510 Spartan troops took active part in overthrowing Athenian king and installing their own oligarchs which became one of the triggers of further Ancient Greece instability resulting in Peloponnesian wars between Sparta and Greece (Powell). Political influence of Athens was exerted through the Delian League which in fact constituted Athenian empire (a number of satellite states serving Athenians interests). The growth of domination in this League after the end of Greco-Persian war resulted in worsening political relations with Sparta and entire Peloponnesian League which finally led to Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC). This war resulted in greater instability and the growth of authoritarian trends in Athenian society. Its naval supremacy was challenged by Sparta and it faced up with the threat of bankruptcy as its trade relations with the outside world were halted. As a result of Sparta’s ultimatum Athens have lost all their overseas territories and fleet. The decline of Athenian power led to the invasion of Macedonians which installed there rule in Balkans. The dispossessions of Athens resulted in recession of its economy, agriculture and state infrastructure. Moreover, Athens lost all their overseas possessions which was particularly destructive if we remember that Athens were an imperial state. Finally, with the decline of Athens came the end of Ancient Greece political status as it was invaded by Romans in 145BC. Conclusion Current essay showed that Athens political system was an important factor in its longstanding preeminence in Ancient Greece. It transformed this region into the centre of military, cultural and economic development. But the relations among city-states were very difficult which caused permanent wars and instability used by alien states as a precondition for conquering Ancient Greece. Hence, it may be said that historical logic of this period shows that Athens were an important factor in Greek politics and their decline resulted in the demise of Ancient Greece civilization.

Three organisations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Three organisations - Essay Example The hotel has has different tariff rates for different rooms. However currently, a standard double room is priced at â‚ ¤115, superior double at â‚ ¤125, garden double at â‚ ¤155 are and suites are given away for â‚ ¤225 per night. The hotel experiences a mix of customers ranging from travelers and adventurists to businessmen and people who just want to try out different places to live in. The hotel serves its customers really well and it can be clearly from customers reviews on the Trip Advisor website. The name Harts Hotel is a brand in itself. People who come to Nottingham city often prefer living here due to the reputations this hotel has earned over the years. The Harts Restaurant is located about twenty minutes away from the hotel and is one of the most high class dining places in the city since 1997. Other then that, Harts Upstairs is also a favorite spot for private parties and other personal meet ups. These three names carry a strong brand image with themselves. Katinka Rieger is the General Manager at the Harts Hotel since 2009. Hailing from Germany and having a lot of experience in event management and hotel operations, she makes sure the interests of the clients are given top priority. She makes sure that the employees are trained in a manner so that their top priority becomes the service and well being of the customers. The World Service Restaurant is an elegant place for dining out in Nottingham. It is perfectly located in the serene surroundings of the Newsdigate House, and offers its visitors to experience the customs and culture that the city has to offer. The World Service restaurant features three dining areas namely the Marshall Room, Blenheim Room and Tallard Room. Other then it also offers private rooms for small parties, a garden restaurant and the famous lounge bar. According to customer reviews the hotel offers really tasty food and the standard of service is part excellence. The waiters

The Renaissance Art, Literature and History Essay

The Renaissance Art, Literature and History - Essay Example This style of art was widely used in the most respected premises like the palaces and empires where the princes, kings, queens and other leaders had important occasions or even ceremonies performed and held (Pedro p. 33) In this particular renaissance art and literature, everything about the history, leadership or certain countries are brought out. The artist could use their works to illustrate realities that had passed and also the imaginary events expected to be faced by the leaders and their countries in the future. Most works done in literature by playwrights like Pedro Calderon whose hero is the Ruler of Madrid Prince Segismundo? Pedro stressing the fact that Madrid is central entertainment point of the world and prince Segismundo is the ruler (Pedro p. 99). Pedro also seemed to be influential in the sense that he is able to bring inspiration into bringing the possibility of the Plaza being rebuilt. We also have the verses being used by other artist such as Pedro Rosete who uses a collection of verses to praise the palace of Buen Retiro. He names the Poem after the ruler of the Palace with very unique composition. So many decorations of the palace were put in a way that conveyed very strong messages with some of them giving beautiful pictures of memorable events and great leaders. Some art portrayed good works of leaders and mostly victories of wars and some were showing battles. In Retiro there was the most important room which was meant to be occupied by the royals at the time of celebrations and ceremonies. The hall which was a place where the king spent time sometime to enjoy himself and to work during other moments had to be made very attractive with arts which had different strong meanings (Levin p. 56). The rooms also according to the artist had to be the most comfortable place for the king or a leader to spend most of his time. As seen from the Hall or Reams the artists did a crucial job to ensure the best outcome for the look of the palaces, all s ignificant historic portrays were used to decorate the inside of the palace, starting from the floor, the walls, and even the roof. The most beautiful paintings, showed the four kingdoms of the Monarchy of Spain. Other art painting which decorated the room were those of victories won by Phillip IV armies (Pedro p. 105) The paintings were done all over the room including on the doors. They gave a richly oriented decoration. Mostly the works done by two artist Velazquez and Maino were the best and the most unique. These were artist known for their excellent artwork hence being chosen to do the work for the most important places where royal’s ceremonies were carried out. The palace was full of arts of different beautiful illustrations from those of war, to victories such as Elizabeth in procession to black friars 1600 by Robert Peak, to images of young Prince Baltasar Carlos on horseback 1634. The artist works shows how the arts and the palace are very friendly in the sense that the kings are comfortable with the works as the decorations portray old tradition which matches the kingship old history. The arts of decorations from the great artists were done in parables, similarity and recitations. They illustrated, huge family occasions, victories made by the armies, triumphal entries, dynastic marriages, diplomatic coups through narrative way. Others like wisdom, justice among others were shown through representation or referred to

Bypass the Story of a Road Analysis Essay Example for Free

Bypass the Story of a Road Analysis Essay McGirr takes virtually every detour possible and in doing so seems to suggest that life’s journey is at its most interesting when one strays from the central path. It is in the towns and rest stations that McGirr encounters individuals with interesting stories to tell – stories that give McGirr’s narrative its essential variety and ‘life’. McGirr’s interest is not only in what lies off to the side of the ‘main road’ in a literal sense. He is attracted by the lives of ‘ordinary’ people who are not famous or even particularly successful. Even when relating incidents from his life as a priest he enjoys telling stories that would otherwise never appear in print: attending the wrong wedding reception; seeing a bride answer a mobile phone. He does occasionally refer to famous or powerful people; even here, though, his preference is for the little known incident over the important, nation-shaping decision – such as John Curtin’s midnight pot of tea in a Gundagai cafà ©. In short, McGirr suggests that, although the highway itself is valuable, we must not forget or neglect places and lives that the highway bypasses, for these too constitute the ‘life-blood’ of the nation. And similarly, although the nation’s central story or history is important – that of, say, the Anzacs, the explorers, the two world wars – the stories that lie off to the side of the historical mainstream are equally worth knowing, are equally valuable. As narrator and author of this narrative, McGirr has a lot of control over how he depicts himself. Indeed, ‘the power of the person who gets to tell the story’ (p.19) is considerable, as he notes when discussing Hovell’s power over Hume in that regard. McGirr is depicted as a fairly affable, if occasionally bumbling figure whose decision to leave the Jesuit order after twenty-one years is a life-changing one. The decision prompts him to experience a number of ‘firsts’: he buys property in Gunning; embarks on an intimate relationship with Jenny whom he subsequently marries and has children with; and decides to travel on a bike down the Hume Highway and document his progress. McGirr might come across as something of an ‘everyman’ figure but his life-experiences mark him as someone rather eclectic (unusual). McGirr displays a capacity for droll humour throughout the narrative, and also a willingness to reflect deeply on his experiences and those of others. His reflective tendencies see him discuss his struggle to sincerely uphold the vow of obedience when he was a member of the Jesuit order (p.173), and also his feeling of being alone when he first joined the order (p.229). It might be argued that McGirr is depicted as someone who thinks a little too much: the discussion of his dilemma about buying orange juice with the money allocated to new Jesuits for ‘emergencies’ (p.228) is an example. Fortunately, his capacity for reflection does not make the text too ponderous. McGirr’s accounts of his developing relationship with Jenny and his self-deprecatory asides about his weight (p.31, p.98), snoring (p.227), age (p.32) and tendency to lecture others (p.142) depict him as a jovial, likeable bloke. Bypass, a hybrid work of creative non-fiction is a memoir, travel story, social history, romance and road story. The literary devices used in Bypass enliven and enrich the writing with sparkling wit. For example: ‘Hovell had been a naval captain. On land, however, he was all at sea.’(p 19) ‘They were like fishermen who were prepared to dam their own river rather than let it starve them.’(p 48) ‘A roadhouse is a place where everything that can’t be eaten has been laminated, and not all the food can be eaten.’(p 66) ‘Guerrilla warfare is the opposite of God who, for some unknown reason, makes his or her absence felt even when present.’(p 81) ‘I came to Gunning to hide, but people kept finding me.’(p 97) ‘Sturt went blind trying to see what none had seen before.’(p 170) McGirr’s anger at some social problems is often expressed in blunt metaphors, for example, when discussing gaming machines in Goulburn he writes: ‘They are abattoirs of the human spirit.’(p 90) His love for language is reflected, for example, where the text is an extended reverie on arcane words and their meanings eg panier (p 98), or in his jovial attempt to find a word to describe a group of prime ministers (pp 153-4). Humour is one of the most appealing features Bypass, for example the discussion of caravans with a fellow traveller (pp 110-1). Michael McGirr is masterly in creating punch lines to end his stories. eg ‘I don’t believe in washing your dirty laundry in public.’(p 263) The Hume Highway: The Hume Highway runs for over eight hundred kilometres inland, between Sydney and Melbourne. Early settlers, such as Charles Throsby and Hume and Hovell, made journeys overland that eventuated in the Hume Highway being developed. The road, initially sometimes called the Great South Road in New South Wales and Sydney Road in what became Victoria, has been re-routed, extended and improved over time. In 1928, it became officially known as the Hume Highway. A number of towns originally on the Hume Highway have now been bypassed to reduce both travel times and the amount of traffic (especially trucks) passing through town centres. The meaning of bypass: The term bypass means to go around something; a road bypass normally goes around a town or the centre of a town. There are many such bypasses on the Hume Highway, allowing the traveller to avoid built up areas and suburban streets. However, although Bypass is the story of a journey along the Hume Highway, the title makes it clear that McGirr’s main interest is in how the road goes around places and people, and what the effects of this might be – both positive and negative. For more about McGirr’s engagement with the notion of a bypass, see the section on Themes, Ideas and Values. The main idea in the novel Bypass is the idea of a journey. In literal terms, Bypass: the story of a road tells the story of a physical journey from one point to another: in this case, from Sydney to Melbourne. However, McGirr makes clear that a journey can have qualities that are more metaphorical. The literary references to Don Quixote and Anna Karenina, in particular, suggest very different types of journeys. The quotation from Don Quixote, ‘there’s no road so smooth that it ain’t got a few potholes’, implicitly signals Sancho’s philosophical take on the nature of relationships and life more generally. This attitude towards the vicissitudes of life clearly informs the text as a whole. For instance, McGirr comments about the degree to which his ‘silly adventure’ might impact negatively on his relationship with Jenny (p.137). Likewise, the comments he makes about the truckies whose marriages can suffer from their long hours on the road (p.52), suggest that physical journeys and emotional journeys are closely intertwined. The frequent references to Anna Karenina also signal McGirr’s interest in the romantic and tragic dimensions of life. The flirtatious comments about McGirr’s relationship with Anna Karenina, his predilection for relinquishing (and then recovering) the text from time to time and the inevitable decision to place her in close proximity to a railway (p.260) work symbolically as a comment on life more generally, as well as on the plot of Tolstoy’s novel. After all, Tolstoy’s Anna throws herself in front of a train. McGirr is all too aware of the fragility of life – both on the road and beyond it. In this novel, death and memorial are also an important theme. The ultimate destination in life’s journey is death. McGirr does not shy away from discussing the fragility of life and makes much of the memorials on the Hume Highway. Death is something that cannot be bypassed and, like ‘the road [which] has no respect for persons or status’ (p.158), it comes to us all. As McGirr notes when reflecting on the cemetery in Gunning, ‘even a long life is short’ (p.7). For McGirr the Hume Highway is ‘sacred space’ (p.15); it is ‘lined with countless reminders of death’ (p.178) and memorialises both those who have died on it and those who have died at war. While McGirr is respectful and interested in the memorials dedicated to the war dead, his main priority is to acknowledge that death comes to all and that the lives of all ordinary Australians – including soldiers – are worth acknowledging and commemorating. Indeed, this is clearly conveyed by his juxtaposition of the near-death experience of Kerry Packer (p.40) and the funerals of the Queen Mother (p.255) and the Princess of Wales (p.256) with the experiences of less well-known individuals. Packer’s blunt assertion that there is no life beyond the grave is contrasted with the more positive reflection of a woman who believed that her husband had ‘gone to the great swap-meet in the sky’ (p.41). Similarly, the vast amount of coverage and ceremony afforded the funerals of the Queen Mother and the Princess of Wales is diametrically opposed to the more poignant account of the interment of Anton, a lonely old man whose funeral was attended by three people: the undertaker, Anton’s neighbour and McGirr in his role as priest (p.256). McGirr says of those like Anton, ‘At least God knew this person †¦ even if nobody else did’ (p.256). McGirr’s accounts of death or near-death experiences are most chilling when he considers those who have endured harrowing experiences on the road. His discussion of the murders committed by Ivan Milat (pp.70–4) and by bushrangers (pp.77–83) brings home the fact that ‘the Hume has a dark side’ (p.70). Not wanting to sensationalise – or justify – the actions of these men, McGirr nonetheless provides some background details to depict them in ways that are complex, non-judgemental and at times unnerving. ENTRY SEVEN: PHILOSOPHY IN BYPASS Given McGirr’s work as a priest for much of his life, it is not surprising that this text is largely preoccupied with issues of faith and philosophical ponderings about life more generally. McGirr makes clear his continued belief in God (p.174) but is not heavy-handed in his discussion of faith. The gently humorous and respectful way in which he recounts Jenny’s aphorisms (wise sayings) about life is a case in point. His recollection of Jenny’s remark that he should ‘just accept [the Hume Highway] for what it is †¦ you’ll enjoy it more’ (p.155) is exemplary. His discussion of Jenny’s view that there is a concave (negative and convex (optimistic) way of looking at the world (p.170) – and that he ‘might be right’ (p.170) in thinking that he has a concave approach to the world is similarly light-hearted in tone but relevant to the book’s overall interest in forms of belief. The light-hearted banter continues when McGirr discusses his acquisition of the Chinese philosophical text, Tao Te Ching. Its pithy words of wisdom are for McGirr redolent of the bumper sticker sayings that he has liberally peppered throughout his narrative. At times, McGirr’s discussion of philosophical matters takes on a more earnest tone. His discussion of how, as a priest, he subscribed to the vow of obedience in an effort to ‘make up a sense of purpose which I otherwise lacked’ (p.173) and his related anxiety that he would reach the ‘point at which you can no longer recognise yourself in the things you are starting to say or do’ (p.173) signal his need to be honest with himself as well as with others. His comment that ‘the secret of being human is learning how to enjoy our limitations’ (p.301) suggests that honesty and humility are part and parcel of a reflective existence, McGirr is also interested in the ways in which others concern themselves with spiritual matters. His discussion of the House of Prayer in Goulburn shows how prayer provides respite from the manic nature of everyday life and celebrates those like Catherine who dedicate their lives to helping others in need find peace (pp.85–6). In a very different and secular vein, McGirr recounts the belief Liz Vincent has in ghosts – of people and of the road. Although Vincent does not believe in God, McGirr seems fascinated by her stories and sensitively recounts her belief that ‘the people we love can scarcely bear to leave us and sometimes hang around as ghosts’ (p.59). Perhaps more interesting is Vincent’s claim that the old Hume Highway near Picton has a ‘ghostly presence of its own’ (p.59), appearing before unwary drivers’ eyes and beguiling them into believing that the phantom road they are following is the real thing (p.59). ENTRY EIGHT: THE POLITICS IN BYPASS In some ways Bypass is a book about power – about who has it and who does not. As McGirr writes, ‘Roads are political. Building them is a sign that somebody is the boss’ (p.14). McGirr’s discussion of the impact on Merri Creek of the F2 freeway into Melbourne (p.284), the ensuing court case and the verdict that ultimately endorsed the freeway project, exemplifies the political nature of road-making. The very essence of a bypass, for instance, is a political act and McGirr makes this clear when discussing the difficulties surrounding the decision to create an internal or an external bypass for Albury in the late 1990s (pp.203–6). Concerns about the economic effect of a route directing traffic away from town are weighed up with concerns about the impact of noise and pollution that a new road near or through a town invariably brings. Tussles between federal and state governments, as was the case with the Albury bypass, certainly highlight the political nature of road-making, as do arguments between different interest groups. The issue of the Albury bypass, along with the 1979 truck blockade staged between Camden and Picton on a notorious stretch of road known as razorback (pp.47–51), illustrate power struggles of very different sorts. McGirr also points out that the amount of money spent on roads as opposed to public transport is a political act. He writes that ‘in the last ten years, for every dollar spent on laying rail in Australia, eight dollars have been spent on highways’ (p.92). This pattern of spending is, he continues, ‘a symptom of something deeper because government spending decisions simply mirror the interests of voters’ (p.92). Bypass: the story of a road is particularly concerned with the way the highway has been the backdrop for various well-known and not so well-known aspects of Australia’s history. From Hume and Hovell’s early markings of the Hume Highway, to the increased tea ration bargained for by Jack Castrisson when John Curtin visited the Niagara Cafà © in Gundagai, to Ned Kelly’s exploits, to the antics of the humble, ordinary Australians who travel on the Hume year by year, McGirr celebrates the way aspects of Australia’s history are part and parcel of the Hume Highway’s rich narrative. McGirr’s interest in Australian history is, however, not indicative of a desire to celebrate or endorse conventional representations of Australia’s past. In a number of instances, McGirr wants to query the legitimacy of idealistic views of the nation’s evolution. McGirr challenges the idea that Australia is an egalitarian nation, for example, and claims tha t this view is a ‘myth’ (p.200). He also reminds readers of the fraught relationship between colonisers and Indigenous Australians when he discusses the life and death of an Aboriginal man named Bill Punch who survived a massacre as a baby and went on to fight for the Allies on the Western Front in World War I (pp.246–7). McGirr’s willingness to temper some representations of Australia’s past is underpinned by an appreciation of the power of language. He notes that those who are in a position to write about the past can have more agencies in their lives and also more control of history than those who don’t (p.19). This awareness allows him to ponder on the way bushrangers and explorers have been depicted over time, and how being literate can impact on the type of individual one becomes (pp.77–8). McGirr is attentive to the idea that some histories are not told and that those that are relayed are not always definitive. Bypass: the story of a road offers a quirky exploration of the Hume Highway and the personalities of the people whose lives have been touched by the road in one way or another. At the age of 40, former Jesuit priest, Michael McGirr armed with not much more than a copy of Anna Karenina, some spare clothes and a less than state-of-the-art Chinese built bicycle set out to ride the 880 kilometres (547 miles) of the Hume Highway which links Sydney and Melbourne. While the ride forms the backdrop to McGirrs book Bypass: The Story of a Road, like all good travelogues the ride itself is really just a frame to hang the real story around, which as the title suggests, is the story of the Hume Highway. From its humble beginnings as a rough track across the Great Dividing Range, to its current state as a modern dual carriageway, the Highway continues to serve as the major thoroughfare linking Australias two largest cities. Bypass took me on a wonderful journey covering the history of the Hume, and the politics that helped shape it. Along the way you meet some great and not so great Australian characters that have helped imprint the name of the highway into the Australian psyche. People like the 61 year old Cliff Young (great), who in 1983 won the inaugural Sydney to Melbourne foot race against competitors half his age. And men like Ivan Milat (not so great) who was convicted of the murder of seven young backpackers and hitch-hikers, all of whom he buried in the Belanglo State Forest. Then there are the explorers Hamilton Hume (after whom the Highway was eventually named) and William Hovell, who in 1824 along with at least six others, set of from Appin (near the present day Sydney suburb of Campbelltown) for the first successful quest to reach Melbourne. Through the novel, I also met truckies; the bushrangers Ben Hall and Ned Kelly; and the poets Banjo Paterson and Henry Lawson. I attended a Catholic Mass in Tarcutta officially the halfway point between Sydney and Melbourne where apart from the priest and two parishioners, the only other people in attendance are the author of Bypass and his companion Jenny, who has by this time joined him on his ride to Mel bourne. Reading this book, it seemed like I visited almost every country town along the route of the Hume Highway, and learn something about each of them. Towns like Goulburn, famous for the Big Merino and Goulburn Jail (where Ivan Milat is currently serving seven life sentences). I visited Holbrook and learn why the outer shell of the Oberon Class submarine HMAS Otway now sits in a public park in the middle of town. In Chiltern we pass by the childhood home of the Australian writer Henry Handel Richardson, and learn that Henrys real name was Ethel Florence. I learned too, that like other female writers have done throughout history, Ethel wrote under a male nom de plume because at the time it was felt that women didnt have what it took to be great writers. And I also visited the town of Yass, and drop by the Liberty Cafà © for a meal before continuing on the journey, and turning page after page. Across its many short chapters, Bypass also introduced me to some of the thousands of bumper stickers that adorn the rear ends of many Australian vehicles. In fact, McGirr uses stickers as chapter headings to introduce the readers to every aspect of his journey. Thus, the bumper sticker THE OLDER I GET THE BETTER I WAS, allows him to explain some of his own personal story and the reasons for his decision to ride the Hume Highway. In the chapter THE GODDESS IS DANCING, McGirr introduces us to his riding partner Jenny, and in DEATH IS THE MANUFACTURERS RECALL NOTICE, we pause to learn about some of the many roadside memorials that mark the sites of fatal road accidents that line the Highway. To conclude, the book is immensely readable, always entertaining and informative, often surprising, and constantly filled with odd facts and humorous anecdotes. These keep the story moving along smoothly and effortlessly which cannot always be said of Michael McGirrs monumental bike ride.

Teaching Philosophy Essay example -- Education Teachers Careers Essays

Teaching Philosophy Ralph W. Tyler, an influential figure in early twentieth century educational reform believed that â€Å"the purpose of life was learning.† He said, â€Å"When one ceases to learn, one ceases to live life to the fullest. The biological basis of man has changed little since the cave days. However, each generation creates new ideas and elaborates on those ideas which have previously existed.† With education, ideals set forth from a society or culture can be preserved and create a powerful generativity of knowledge, linking the past with the present while ensuring future posterity. One must not only understand the knowledge of the past and see the events of the present, but must also seek a common link between themselves and the future. Knowledge will provide the connection, as each idea is a part of another and therefore a part of another time. The ideas of the past with generate the ideas of the future and through this knowledge man will live forever. The culture of American society is based on democratic principles that embrace individuality and personal freedom. To be part of this, one must first understand their place within that society and see themselves as an integral part of it. Therefore, the American educational systems should provide youthful minds with a base of knowledge from which beliefs, opinions, and orientations can be formed. The development of students who value themselves as a not only a part of their society but see themselves as a part of a larger cause will aid in the promotion democracy and preserve the integrity of its ideals. Instruction should be designed in a manner that promotes the fundamentals of education emphasizing an eclectic methodology that embraces the individual... ... thought, elevates interest, and therefore creates a desire to learn will eliminate possible disciplinary problems. With desire discipline becomes unnecessary. A mutual bond of respect and utility will naturally form between teacher and student. The instructor will provide wanted knowledge to an eager and respectful student. As a teacher one can only hope to merit the respect of their students and in consequence further their unquenchable desire for knowledge. Instructors must provide a secure learning environment that fosters the development or reinforcement of positive self-concepts and intellectual development. The acquisition of skills and knowledge transmitted from teacher to student will aid in the formation of individuals capable of making valuable contributions to their present society while furthering the progression of knowledge for the future.

Ancient China Summary Essay

Ancient China Essay By: Zach Ellwood Summary There were four great dynasties in Ancient China; the Han, Shang, Qin, and Zhou. Some of the Shang accomplishments were set up an empire, and started the â€Å"Mandate of Heaven. †The Zhou Dynasty set up a Feudal System and started the Great Wall. The Qin Dynasty extended the Great Wall and standardized coins, weights and measures. The Han Dynasty accomplished more things than the other dynasties, they invented paper, the seismograph, set up the Silk Road, started exams for civil service and finished the Great Wall.Thesis Statement; Although the other dynasties were great, the Han Dynasty was the greatest. Support Paragraph Although the other dynasties were great, the Han Dynasty was the greatest. The Han Dynasty was the greatest because they accomplished more things than the other dynasties, they invented paper, the seismograph, set up the Silk Road, started exams for civil service and finished the Great Wall. The Qin and Zhou Dyna sties failed to complete the Great Wall.The Han Dynasty’s philosophy was a mixture of Confucianism and Legalism making ruler Wu Di and Gau Zu really respected and powerful leaders. Ruler Qin Shi-Huang Di only used Legalism so he was more powerful than respected and Confucias only used Confucianism so he was more respected than powerful. The Han Dynasty also improved Chinese writing. The Shang Dynasty made a simpler not as good writing system called pictographs. Conclusion Paragraph There were four great dynasties in Ancient China; the Han, Shang, Qin, and Zhou.Some of the Shang accomplishments were set up an empire, and started the â€Å"Mandate of Heaven. †The Zhou Dynasty set up a Feudal System and started the Great Wall. The Qin Dynasty extended the Great Wall and standardized coins, weights and measures. The Han Dynasty accomplished more things than the other dynasties, they invented paper, the seismograph, set up the Silk Road, started exams for civil service and finished the Great Wall. That is why the Han Dynasty is the greatest.