Advanced Audio Coding and Walkman Essay

Technology has played an important in part in market and in the society. It has brought positive as well as negative changes. The progression from sheet music to the invention of a phonograph to the walkman, CD player and the iPod has created a modernized society. People tend to move along with these changes creating a market. The idea of transferring digital music to your iPod without purchase of a CD or an audiotape may seem like an extraordinary idea but the idea of digital music has led to the downloading of illegal music. The Walkman may have been the turning point in the music recording industry. It was a chain reaction for later products such as the iPod and the CD player. Long before the iPod made its way into the market making millions; the Walkman was the trendy technology. Sony introduced the Walkman in the 1970s, a new invention that led to be a massive hit. Sony ended up selling around fifty thousand pieces by the end of two months after its release. Eventually, other famous brands such as Toshiba and Panasonic entered the walkman market creating a market in the early 1980s. Surprisingly, the production of the Walkman led to an increase in physical activities. This portable device could be carried anywhere and had a hook to attach to any item of clothing. People started exercising more as one can listen to his or her choice of music while working out especially in gymnasiums. This brought a change in the society as people began to implement physical training more often. This also had a disadvantage since people who had their headphones plugged in tend to be more indifferent to their surroundings. This created an environment, where everyone is tuned in into their little environment being oblivious to what is happening around them. With the creation of walkman, the sale of digital audio tapes also increased. As iPods are the 21st century popular forms of music player technology, the walkman was the latest thing. This generation became more ‘wired’ as teenagers started to grow apart from the notion of young people together singing the songs of the day or the old songs in front of their houses. Sheet music became obsolete, as fewer and fewer people moved to a more modernized technology and era. Comparing to the advances in the 21st century, the walkman is seen as an old portable audio cassette player, where rewinding and forwarding a song would take twenty or thirty seconds. The latest music technology, mp3s or iPod, have put people at an ease with sophisticated technology and its touch screen display has bought a change in this profit-making business. The slick structure and the advanced A Walkman today would cost you merely twenty dollar where as an iPod can cost anywhere from a hundred to a couple hundred dollars. How digital music is illegally downloaded and used today on music players, Walkman on the other hand required the purchase of audiotapes. As Paul Du Gay notes in his book ‘Doing cultural studies: the story of the Sony Walkman’, the walkman accustomed individuals to tune out from the surroundings and caused them to be reclusive. This also led to a cause of a gneration gap between teenagers and their parents or older siblings. The walkman was used by people when in crowded places, such as trains or buses as a means to drown away noises. This seemed as an effective way to creating your own space but this eventually leads to people tuning themselves out even when at home. Teenagers liked to keep their headphones on throughout the day; I believe this led to a distance between them and their peers. Eventually, a type of distance grew among people, sheet music was nearly extinct and the customary ritual of singing together was far disappeared. In conclusion, the Walkman has definitely been a jump from the traditional tape recorder players to portable audio players. Its creation has had its advantages and disadvantages. The increase in the level of physical activity has increased among the owners of Walkman due to the fact that it is portable. Although, on a downside the Walkman has also led to the creation of a secluded attitude.

Argument research paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Argument research paper - Essay Example They also have a window through which they can counter the effects of the junk food; going for the workout and no one is pursuing either of these options. In deed junk food from the fast food restaurants have contributed to the spread of obesity that is now reaching the level of public health threat, many people are obese, especially in the US where billions of dollars is set aside in every financial year to fight the effect of obesity in the country. Most of the adults and the youths are obese and this does not only pose a health threat to the nation, it also means that they will be spending billions of dollars to curb the health problem as well as loosing most of the man hours. Most of the people who are obese are not able to completely work, they are sluggish, slow and not quick to act, this would interpret that substantial man-hours are likely to be lost if obesity is not put on a stringent check. Obesity results into about 100,000 deaths in the US and is consuming about $117 bil lion for preventive, diagnosis, and controls. About 30% of the population is obese; this situation that needs urgent measures to address (Schlosser, 2012). Despite the contribution of fast food restaurant in the spread of obesity, still they cannot bear the responsibility of menace because of several factors; firstly, there is no condition that the company applies that one must consume junk food; it is out of the customer’s free will and choice that they indulge in eating the junk food. This alone shifts the problem and the responsibility to the consumers, in fact, the best way to control the obesity is from the consumers end, if they can control the level of their consumption, then all can be right. Fast food restaurants like McDonald are only responding to the customers demand, every businessperson always wants to satisfy the demand of the customers and would do all that is necessary to see this happens. If there will be a drop on the demand of the junk food because healthy eating habits, restaurant like McDonald will have no choice but to reduce their production level (Schlosser, 2012). Secondly, the government is aware of the threat that comes with uncontrolled eating of the junk food, if they have noticed that fast food restaurant is posing a dangerous precedent in supplying too much unhealthy food to the people, they have the right to control the production or close all the restaurants that provides such foodstuffs. This will be in efforts to control the effect of obesity that is becoming a health problem in most of the nation’s today, this has not happened why? There is no connection in responsibility whatsoever with the fast food restaurant. If anything, then companies that make cigarettes and other tobacco products do pose acute health problems than the fast food restaurants. There should be a comparative analysis before any kind of responsibility is apportioned to the fast food restaurants, if in other companies, there is a warning sign to the consumers informing them of dangers associated with the product, but still there are a number of people who consumes too much of the product that results into their deteriorating health. This means that when one is obsessed with something it is difficult to convince them to opt otherwise, this is the case with junk food, they are

Mrs. Fields Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Mrs. Fields - Case Study Example Mrs. Field’s cookies can be characterized as a quite successful organization. The growth of the organization in the US market should be related to the capabilities and the characteristics of its founders, Debbi Sivyer and Randy Fields. At the first instance, meaning the time when they met, the resumes of Debbi and Randy were different; Debbi was trying to explore her skills in cooking while Randy had graduated from a first class university, Stanford, aiming to develop his future in economics. From this point of view, the future of Debbi and Randy would be expected, then, to be different. There would be no expectations, then, that the above persons, with different background and skills, would cooperate in a business, such as Mrs. Field’s cookies. Instead, Randy would be expected to become a successful economist, while Debbi would be expected to continue working in different roles, possibly increasing her skills in baking. However, the marriage of Debbi and Randy can be c onsidered as having an important role in the opening of their business. In accordance with the information provided through the case study, Debbi and Randy had different goals in regard to their business. Debbi aimed ‘to bake great cookies’ (case study, p.2) while Randy thought the specific initiative as a profitable investment, taking into consideration the market needs for products of the particular characteristics. Under these terms, it is assumed that Debbi and Randy supported the opening of the first store for promoting their own aims, as described above. The potential existence of common interest, referring to the family income that would be generated through the particular project, was also a critical reason that led to the support of this initiative both by Debbi and Randy. The opening of the second store resulted to an important dilemma for Debbi: Debbi

Is it safe to keep wild animals as pets Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Is it safe to keep wild animals as pets - Essay Example Definition of pets, broad and can include wild animals (Steiger, 2006). Difference between wild animals and domestic pets: wild animals not suitable for human companionship, domestic animals are (Caesar, 2009). Statistics of injuries and mauling and the spread of disease by wild animals indicate that keeping wild animals as pets is intrinsically dangerous (Animal Legal & Historical Center, 2004; Define pets and wild animals. Wild animals cannot be domesticated and turned in to human companions, pets can be domesticated and converted to human companions (Caesar, 2009). Capture stats from Captive Wild Animal Protection Coalition and Euro Group for Animals. Extreme utilitarianism argue that it is ethical to keep wild animals as pets: animals are inferior to human beings, we already exploit them for food and for education. Moreover, keeping wild animals as pets improves the quality of their lives (Kreger & Hutchins, 2010). Rudy (2011) makes a compelling case for keeping wild animals as pets: the exploitation of the wild, animals are better off learning to live with human beings. Some wild animals have demonstrated adaptability (Rudy 2011). Perkins (2003) argues that keeping wild animals as pets can be a good thing: looks at the definition of pets and how keeping wild animals as pets can turn them into traditional concepts of pets as human companions. Mankind has a history of wanting to own and cultivate wild animals and this may be a trait inherited from our ancestors who were hunters (Bell, 2001). History informs that mankind has a tendency to rescue and rehabilitate wild animals. Amid much debate and controversy over the ethics and dangers of keeping wild animals as pets, people are known to keep wild animals in their homes as pets (Bell, 2001). The debate over the dangers and ethics of keeping wild animals as pets is represented by two philosophical perspectives. On the one hand, abolitionists take the position that cite

General Background for business plan Thesis Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

General Background for business plan - Thesis Example She considered the idea that construction litigation is in need of forensic experts in terms of mitigating claims for damages and other construction management services, and from there she founded CSI. The Owner & Management Team: Lily Iftner CSI is currently owned by Lily Iftner, a licensed civil engineer. She is also the brainchild of the business whose background includes a four-year experience in a construction site wherein she served as an insurance investigator. With motivation, she started her own business wherein she becomes one of the expert witnesses in terms of structure damages, and legal disputes in construction methods and materials. Because of the growing demand and changes in the industry, she needs to hire diverse construction professionals in order to deliver quality research, inspection, analysis, and report. The management team is composed of professionally licensed forensic engineers, particularly civil engineers with hands-on experience about scientific and prof essional structural issues. CSI Seattle Services CSI services are all about research, inspection, analysis, and report of construction and structural deficiencies in compliance with the standards and laws applicable. They serve in order to mitigate claims for damages in a quality and cost-effective way. ... CSI also presents sets of solutions so that clients can select the best possible solutions with corresponding evidences. They are also a â€Å"strong advocate of continuing education and community involvement, and maintain active participation in local construction industry organizations† particularly in Seattle (â€Å"Who We Are†). THE BUSINESS: Business Description According to Winkler and Chiumento â€Å"construction litigation can arise from any number of sources including delay claims, construction defects, professional liability allegations (errors and omissions), mechanics’ liens, personal injury, property damage, and insurance, subrogation, or professional bond claims† (179). Based on industry expert, construction litigation is growing and in demand considering that it now takes $5 billion USD in conflicts resolution and these costs are increasing 10% each year (Michel). This quantitative data is such an advantage for CSI considering that their cli ents would settle on larger amounts just for this dispute prevention and resolution. Definitely, the groundwork of this business is trust. The more the clients trust the business the better, for they will continue to seek the services the business offered. Value Proposition (s) Competition is always present in almost all business industries nowadays. And in order to survive, the business must develop value propositions which will create a strong gap between the company and the competitors. Value Proposition 1: CSI employed construction professionals who are highly equipped with experience and academic credentials - To have skillful employees suitable for the business, CSI developed specialized training and professional development which is

Human Freedom Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Human Freedom - Essay Example From this stance, freedom and responsibility becomes two sides of the same coin that are simply inalienable. Three of the most astounding quotations of Sartre with direct bearings to my thesis will be discussed in detail with the aim of setting a clear pattern that will not impede the coherence of my discourse as the paper advances. They are as follows: A quick analysis of any of the above quotations individually reveals the exclusive attributes of the message being portrayed by Sartre in one breadth and a striking presence of complementary interconnectivity as they converge to give credence to the core values underpinning the existentialist ideology. In the first quote for instance, like Plato he asserts to the principle of the object in man1. Sartre argues that any essence in life will primarily take root from a fore existence. Contingent with the above idea about man's absolute freedom, it can be said that this "freedom" is packaged in a complex paradoxical guise. He proves that freedom without determinism is terribly misplaced. It further does not exonerate the individual from being accountable for his actions and inactions, mindful of the fact that this freedom is highly pervasive because it is able to generate multiplier effects. Its effects are lumped in the various sub-categories of anguish, forlornness, bad faith, despair and authenticity. The third quote illuminates the challenges man is confronted with in his quest to exercise the discretionary power bestowed on him to make choices. His main difficulty has to do with the fact that his free choice also places a burden of responsibility towards other people directly unto his hands. For this reason man's individual choices as contained in his freedom is of universal significance. Global terrorism a twenty first century political and security challenge to the American people can be used as a sufficient illustration to drive home this point. The scale of the problem has left America in a position that makes it impossible for her to claim ownership of the war to overcome all forms of extremism and Semitism. It is for this reason that America is leading the global war against terrorism with the support of her allies as well as international security establishments like NATO. Viewed from another angle, it is a war that the terror organizations and their sponsors are determined not be vanquished, which makes the war a collective all encompassing war. On the question of responsibility, Sartre makes it known that being responsible towards oneself transcends individuality to include an extension into the wider community of the human family. Indeed, America's responsibility in the war is explained by her security and foreign policies and the extent to which these policies have affected other nations positively or negatively prompting extremism. Implicitly or explicitly, the war has had its fair share of criticism which includes among other things the US government mistakenly

Effects of Cocaine Abuse, its Prevention and Treatment Research Paper

Effects of Cocaine Abuse, its Prevention and Treatment - Research Paper Example A recent survey of 17 countries revealed that United States has the highest level of illegal cocaine use with nearly 16.2% of people in the United States having used cocaine in their lifetime (Science Daily, 2008). Cocaine is available in two chemical forms – hydrochloride salt which is taken intravenously (by vein) or intra-nasally (through the nose) and freebase which is smoked (Psychology Today, 2008). Issues Related to Cocaine Abuse Cocaine addicts are usually introduced to the drug after they have abused ‘gateway substances’ like alcohol, tobacco and marijuana. According to the national center on addiction and substance abuse (1994), 90 % of the people who tried cocaine had used all three gateway substances before moving on to cocaine. Impact on physical functioning Cocaine use can lead to some immediate physical consequences such as restlessness, euphoria and alertness (WebMD, 2008). These effects are felt within minutes of taking the drug and continue for a bout 20 to 120 minutes. Other physical effects include insomnia, vomiting, pupil dilation, nosebleeds, increased temperature and pulse rate and rapid breathing (WebMD, 2008). These effects are temporary and mostly disappear after a couple of hours. Studies reveal that prolonged use of cocaine can have an overwhelming effect on the ‘pleasure centers’ in the brain (Chen, et. al., 1996). The drug interferes, alters, damages and takes control of specialized cells that regulate pleasure, well-being and mood. Therefore, regular use can destroy the brain’s ability to feel normal without cocaine. Long term use can even cause permanent biological drug addiction. Since cocaine increases blood pleasure, heart rate, breathing and body temperature, long term use of the drug can cause cardiac and respiratory failures, strokes, coma, convulsions and death. The drug can damage the liver’s ability to detoxify blood and can reduce the production of critical enzymes needed for normal body functioning (WebMD, 2008). It can also cause liver cirrhosis or liver cancer. Cocaine use results in the constriction of the blood vessels of the heart resulting in increased blood pressure. This can trigger heart attack, heart failure, irregular heart beat and sudden death. Use of non-sterile needles among cocaine users can result in contracting Hepatitis – a highly contagious disease resulting in serious liver damage and AIDS. Users may also pass these diseases to their sexual partners, unborn babies and others. Regular users of cocaine experience loss of interest in sex, decreased sexual performance and risk of impotence and infertility (WebMD, 2008) . In women, the drug use can result in miscarriages, developmental disorders and complications during birth. It can also cause premature separation of placenta from uterus leading to premature births or stillbirths. Smoking cocaine damages the ability of the cells in the lung to process gases. This results in the user experiencing constant cough and shortness of breath. Regular use can result in respiratory failure because the brain stops sending signals to the lung muscles that control breathing and they stop working (WebMD, 2008). Impact on psychological functioning Cocaine has been found to be