ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Book Overview The book, “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking” by Susan Cain is a product of more than five years of research. Therefore, it is an essential tool for personal development. Besides, the author says that she is an introvert. She has experienced the pain that introverts are subjected to in environments where they have to relate with extroverts. Hence, the book is a product of both research and the author’s personal experience. The author defines two personal characters, an introvert and an extrovert, as the main characters linking a person to the society. However, the book focuses mainly on introverts, which the author considers as the forgotten characters who once helped in the foundation of the American society. A normal person is either an introvert or an extrovert. According to the author, the majority of the successful people in the world are introverts. However, it is ironic that the conditions set in churches, schools, and workplaces among others favor the extroverts (Cain, 2012). She says that the total population of introverts is approximately one-third of the whole humanity, and thus they should be valued by presenting them in environments and conditions which are best suited for their human character. Cain says that introverts are the best leaders in the human population. She argues they are charismatic, and they can influence large groups of people towards their desired cause of actions and liking their opinions. She claims that introverts are liked because they are quiet in nature even when subjected to chaotic situations. Their character enables them to think creatively about the best solutions to problems. And they often give the best ideas. Additionally, in a workplace introverts produce the best results when given the opportunity to think and work on their own. Apparently, they are not antisocial, as they are normally perceived as being quiet and often shy. On the contrary, they prefer doing things on their own since they believe in their capabilities. Since an idea is developed, introverts build loyal alliances using their ability to cooperate with other people while working together for a common goal. The author is sure that the Western society evolved from a culture of character whereby introverts were respected in addition to being given opportunities to do their best. This argument expresses the author’s pain coming from a cultural change. She argues that the American society valued human character as a person was glorified for the good result of work done b
As much as several scholars argue that there has been a marked improvement in sharing intelligence information since the 9/11 attacks, the claim may not be practical on the ground. For instance, we have witnessed numerous cases whereby gross disharmony exists between the law enforcement agency and the rest of the Intelligence Community (IC) team. A case in point is the sour working relationship between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and police officers. It appears that the FBI often attempts to overrule the mandate of police officers. Duplication of roles and responsibilities is rampant among members of the IC team. This explains why there is an urgent need to streamline the operations of the IC to improve both the integration and effectiveness of intelligence information. Why should the Intelligence Community be risk-averse when it comes to sharing intelligence information among its officials? The moment some agencies are excluded from the system of sharing information, it might lead to the poor collection, analysis, interpretation, and utilization of intelligence data. No agency does not add value to the community. For instance, “local agencies are more adept at seeing local factors of terrorism than are federal agencies” (Jones 2011, 178). It is agreeable that sharing intelligence information bears several risks. Even though a multiagency approach is desirable when sharing intelligence data, it is crucial to weigh all the possible risks before adopting the method. Also, both cultural and technological impediments are inevitable whenever an Intelligence Community seeks to integrate itself. On the other hand, technology is merely a subset of human input (Bellaby 2012, 98). Therefore, it is unwarranted to blame technology for the lack of full integration and adequate sharing of intelligence information. If an agency like the Department of Homeland Security Law Enforcement Information Sharing Service (LEISS) can develop a harmonious working relationship with both CIA and FBI, then it can be possible to realize the benefits of integration. Indeed, effective sharing of intelligence information requires articulate consideration of all aspects of the IC team. The National Strategy for Information Sharing (NSIS) should not just provide guidelines on how intelligence information should be shared among parties. Perhaps, the strategy team should go beyond and make follow-ups on whether the International Community is adhering to the set guidelines. However, the initiatives of NSIS demonstrate the much-needed commitment in the integration of the Intelligence Committee (Pfaff and Tiel 2006, 5). When it comes to the nature of the information to be shared, it is crucial to mention that the whole Intelligence Community should exercise due caution when releasing sensitive information to the public. Not every piece of information may be suitable or appropriate for everybody. If intelligence agencies can be classified in terms of their similarities at work, then it
The internet has diversified the conventional way of doing business. Many companies can now run without having a physical or geographical presence due to technological advancement. The government has attempted to enact legislation on online sales tax to raise extra revenue. Taxation is undeniably important in the functioning of every nation. However, the decision has negatively impacted e-commerce startups in different states. Hence, I am afraid I have to disagree with the supreme court decision to overturn Quill v. North Dakota and argue that startups should be exempted from paying tax even if they exceed transaction levels until they have a competitive advantage. Small businesses face tax burdens, making it hard for them to establish and compete aggressively with well-established online companies. Exposing big corporations such as Amazon to internet sales tax does not affect their operations because they have a competitive advantage. According to Berengian (2018), e-commerce startups often face difficulties, including oligarchy competition and high risks of making losses. While trying to fit into the market, taxing these businesses is unfair because they need more time to adapt to the conditions. The legislation also puts more burden on startups to determine how to levy taxes on their commodities in various jurisdictions. For instance, if internet sales surpass a certain threshold or number of transactions, the business must collect miscellaneous taxes in different states. When making online purchases, companies must now recognize both their online and physical presence. The decision would directly impact small firms because it necessitates the allocation of additional capital. The added input leads to an increase in products’ prices, making it hard for e-commerce startups to compete with other large-scale retailers and wholesalers. I believe that the decision is responsible for creating the big corporations’ status quo while undermining small enterprises. Reference Berengian, A. (2018). Why the Supreme Court’s internet sales tax decision will hurt e-commerce startups. Forbes. Web.
Introduction The use of different pathways to deliver products to customers is a tactic prevalent in marketing and business, which makes accessing a more varied client base possible. This has become a normalized practice not only due to companies producing a wider array of products but also because of changing buyer trends, with Internet use being simply one of the most apparent changes. The rise in the adoption of hybrid distribution strategies and, thus, an increase in channel conflicts, makes acute the reevaluation of the benefits and challenges such tactics present. What is Hybrid Distribution Strategy? To adequately appraise the advantages and setbacks of hybrid distribution, one must first understand the process and meaning behind it. The article by Webb and Hogan defines the process as “a multi-channel arrangement in which distribution tasks are performed by a combination of distinct channels” (339). The essence behind the system is thus presented as an effort to revamp the way the target customer gains access to the product or knowledge of it. Therefore, one can define the hybrid distribution strategy as a method that allows the allocation of company resources with the goal of achieving diversified access of product to the buyer through different mediums in place. Hybrid Distribution as Used by Modern Firms Contemporary firms are more often faced with the undeniable need to provide multi-channel access to their goods and services, primarily due to the widespread use of the Internet. A mélange of online and offline methods of marketing helps not only to enlarge the already existing customer base but also access a wider range of clients of different ages and social backgrounds (Webb and Hogan 2002). Billboards and in-print advertisements, as opposed to the online contextual commercials, which base themselves on recent searches, help contact different groups of customers with different needs. Apart from the Internet, companies also benefit from specializing in the marketing of different types of products. An example of this would be the use of telemarketing, which is a channel that is less suited to selling products that the customer would prefer to buy in person, as opposed to substitutable services. Customizing the presentation of each type of commodity helps demonstrate not only an attentive customer service approach but also a more profound knowledge of the merchandise. Thus, businesses are brought before a plethora of channels of distribution that differ only in the number of steps it takes for the product to travel along the chain from the company to the consumer. The three types of channels are thus ones where the product goes through either the wholesaler, the retailer, both of them or neither, on its way to the consumer. Hence, hybrid distribution permits companies to customize not only their product advertisement and discern the t
Introduction Apple Incorporated is a leading firm in the computer industry with computers and software as its main products. The company was started by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak in 1976, and later on incorporated in the same year. Currently, the company’s main products include the iPad, iPhone, the iPod music store, and the iMac. Over the years, Apple has painstakingly embraced innovation and technology in the manufacture of high-end products that have given it a niche in the market. Consequently, Apple has gained global repute as a leading brand. Today, Apple is the most valuable brand in the technology industry having surpassed Microsoft (Miguel and Vance para. 2). This is indicative of one of the most stunning turnarounds in the business world in recent years, bearing in mind that the company had almost hit rock bottom a decade ago. Investors also value the Apple brand highly, and this is indicative of a significant cultural shift (Miguel and Vance para. 2). This means that consumer taste now shapes technology, as opposed to the needs of a business. The current research paper endeavors to examine the social phenomenon cause by Apple and its products. The paper begins by tracing the historical background of Apple and what caused the emergence of this social phenomenon. The influential players behind the success of Apple at its inception will also be assessed, along with tracing some of the historical events of Apple. Under the theoretical analysis section, the conflict, functionalist and interactionalist theories shall all be defined. In addition, the writer shall also attempt to link the three theories with the social phenomenon cause by Apple and its products. History Apple Incorporated is a global company that manufactures software, computers, and consumer electronics. The company’s main product lines include the iPhone, personal computers, and the iPod music store. Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak started the company in 1976 (Wozniak para. 2). Although it was faced with marketing problems in the 1990s, over the years, Apple has embraced innovation in the manufacture of its various products to emerge a leading global brand. Apple Inc. identified a lack of creativity and innovation among its competitors in the market and sought to manufacture products that fulfilled this unmet need. For example, Apple II was different from similar products by key competitors such as the Commodore PET and TRS-80, in that it had an open architecture, in addition to its color graphics based on character cells (Wingfield para. 5). On the other hand, the Visicalc spreadsheet program installed on Apple II appealed to the business world, thereby making it the desktop platform of choice. In addition, Apple II was also compatible with both the office and home, thereby appealing to many consumers. Steve Jobs is one of the individuals who have greatly influenced the history of Apple. During the 1970s and 1980s, Steve Jobs, former CEO and co-founder of Apple helped to change the direction of the computer industry. For example, he helped to introduce the PC era. Under his tutelage, Apple Inc launched graphical user in
Traffic is a common problem. However, despite the availability of solutions to traffic congestion, economic viability is a significant barrier. Additionally, any construction may face additional risks according to the area’s weather patterns. Wilmot and Cheng (2003) write that- after the hurricane damage has been accounted for- Louisiana will pay 75% more than the state had projected for the years 1998 to 2015. These situations create a productivity dilemma as a lack of funding halts construction and create a bigger negative response from the public. Initially, the impact of construction is great. However, the shifting of city centers and the deterioration of the highway system demand extensive changes. At face value, highway construction may not seem to be worth the initial and residual (maintenance) costs, but, according to the Texas Transportation Institute, traffic congestion cost American motorists approximately 7.2 billion dollars in 1997, and 11% of wage hours were spent in the commute to-and-from- their place of work (Chasey, de la Garza, & Drew, 2002). Drezner & Wesolowsky (1997) created an algorithm which demonstrates the optimal ratio of one-way to two-way streets, and the authors’ results fell in the middle range of their liberal goal set. This represents an average of 0.25 seconds at every street light. For a cross-town commute, especially in particularly congested cities, a worker will save minutes or even hours. While the potential gain of building highways may seem small if taken purely as an investment in materials, then the cost-benefit ratio is drastically skewed. This same dilemma faces preventive technologies which seek to avoid accidents altogether. However, fewer accidents would cut the costs of insurance, or motor vehicle repair, and emergency response teams, i.e., the police, emergency medical technicians, etc. Since these positions would remain necessary, employment would not be lost- merely mainstreamed for greater productivity. This may also decrease the need for accident-related damages and reduce construction costs(Papic, Aronov, & Panetlic, 2009). For states and countries already facing an uphill economic battle, a simpler, cost-effective solution is to implement stricter regulations for motor vehicles to pass inspection and to provide state tax incentives for maintenance and repair shops to decrease the standard rates which they charge customers (Papic, Aronov, & Panetlic, 2009). We submit that- at the very least- these lower rates should be available to city buses and handicapped permit-possessing vehicles. As discussed, one of the largest drawbacks to these investments is the reality of the unpredictable nature of the weather, of technology, and of the frequency of pursuing eco-friendly alternatives, such as buses, trains, rails, and high-occupancy vehicles, but the costs of not moving forward are greater than the initial investment. One-way streets can be very effective for both traffic reduction and accident prevention but must be carefully planned to realiz
What do Kurland and Pelled tell us about office contexts in relation to gossip? The prevalence of gossiping in everyday life is a common phenomenon previously examined by psychologists and anthropologists. The study conducted by Kurland & Pelled (2000) is a valuable contribution to analyzing definition, theoretical, and conceptual models of workplace gossip, as well as its impact on the employees. Based on prior research, the general concept of communication is classified into work-related and non-work-related communication. As such, the same approach is adopted to the conceptual framework of gossiping. With that said, gossip is considered as the one focused on a subject’s professional life in terms of work-relatedness, including work performance, career development, relationships with work colleagues, and general behavior in the office environment. Furthermore, the work-relatedness of the gossip might play a mediating role concerning the employee’s position at the workplace. The professional initiative and bonuses, such as rewards and promotions, as well as punishments in the company, are highly dependent on the work-related attitude of the worker. Despite the fact that it is illogical to consider personal circumstances within assigning such rewards and penalties, some managers keep relying on personal factors when providing resources and responsibilities. Such an occurrence in the office environment indicates that being involved in work-related gossip provides the increased capacity to influence rewards and punishments in the workplace. According to Kurland & Pelled (2000), work-related gossip has the potential to “shape the expert power” (p. 433). Therefore, the employee, who spreads gossips con
The ‘Nature vs. Nurture’ debate holds in several areas of psychology and refers to the question of whether our genes (‘nature’) determine attributes such as intelligence or language aptitude or whether such attributes can be acquired and improved through experience (‘nurture’). The outcome is of great importance for educators since education – together with parental influence – is the main source of experiential learning (Bulmer 2003). In this essay, the concept will be explained based on my own experience and academic research. Historically, the nature vs. nurture debate began with the publication of Galton’s (1869) study in which he promoted inherited ability in the faculties of thinking and learning. On the same side of the argument, the more recent work by Herrnstein and Murray (1994) was significant in arguing that intelligence is, at least to some extent, inherited. The theory is based on the assumption that aptitude is dominant in learning and that it is mainly hereditary. Therefore, the aim of education is to separate the naturally able from the less able and to provide each group of students with programs adapted to their talents. In other words, schools should function as if the ‘Bell Curve’ is a natural phenomenon that must be obtained in all learning results and that effort makes little difference (Resnick 1995: 55-62). IQ tests are there to spread students out on a scale rather than to define what each one should actually work at learning. Teachers assign grades believing that – if everyone were to get an A or B – standards must be too low (and not that uniformly high grades mean everyone worked hard and managed to learn what was taught). In my high school years, I certainly witnessed how belief in inherited aptitude was self-fulfilling. Students who were held to low expectations did not try to break through that barrier but often accepted the idea that aptitude is what matters and that they have not inherited enough of it – and their performance stayed low. On the ‘nurture’ side of the argument is the theory of learning behind most educational practices today, based on the work of Thorndike (Faulkner 1998). Thorndike developed practical learning tools (textbooks, tests, curricula, and teacher training) in the belief that knowledge consists of a collection of bonds i.e. links between pairs of mental entities or between an external stimulus and an internal mental response. Learning is just trying to change the strengths of the bonds i.e. increasing the strength of ‘correct’ bonds and decreasing the strength of ‘incorrect’ ones. In practice, correct bonds are strengthened by rewards, and incorrect ones are
Introduction MTBE plant was established to advance the petrochemical industry in the country. The town in which this plant is constructed is ideal because it offers various industrial advantages like good infrastructure access and reliable feedstock and accessibility to an industrial seaport. MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether) is a chemical that oxygenates gasoline. This means that it contains oxygen and is used to enhance fuel. It is actually the most commonly used Oxygenate for fuel since it can be blended easily with petrol hence it serves as the best alternate gasoline component (Heilprin,200) MTBE has a very high octane rating that makes it an ideal alternative to other octane components such as lead. Another advantage is that it is used in cleaner-burning gasoline formulation (Cater et al 36). This is what has led to the replacement of leaded fuel as it highly reduces emissions of pollutants emanating from exhaust MTBE 1is based in an industrial area. The products from this plant are sold locally and internationally. With its ever-growing use, MTBE has come to be associated with some environmental concerns. Its potential hazards have also been documented. Environmental Policy There is an adequate environmental policy for the project area. According to information gathered an environmental policy administration was set up in this to govern all the industries in the country. That is why every plant that is established is required to conform and clearly subscribe to the dictates of the clean environmental administration of the agency in charge. In this plant, the environmental policy is posted on the notice board. It clearly states that aims at protecting the heritage of future generations. Before the establishment of the plant, there was a feasibility study carried out to ascertain its possible environmental impact. This has been in conformation with the national industrial strategy. In this strategy, the country has decided to concentrate industrial plants in areas that are conducive to environmental concerns. This national industrialization strategy has greatly led to many plants including MTBE 1 to be well located in areas that are conducive to the overall clean