Victoria Secret Communication Strategy Essay Example

Victoria Secret Communication Strategy Essay Task: 1) Pick a brand (consumer goods categories including services) and gather all its marketing communication materials, and evaluate how effectively the brand has mixed and matched marketing communications (see Chapter 6). 2) Based on your understanding of the role of social media and other new forms of marketing communications, develop an interative brand-consumer communication program or campaign (refer to Chapter 5, Chapter 6, and Chapter 7) Length of the report (choose either Word or PPT format) 1. For Word format, no more than FIVE pages (1. spaced, 12 font size) 2. For PPT format, no more than 50 slides are expected (35 40 slides range would be better). How well does a proposed ad campaign contribute to brand equity? Introduction Background Communication Objectives Designing Social Media Communication Target Customers Message Strategy Execution Elements Evaluation and Control Marketing Communications: everybody can be sexy; pictures say more than words I. Media advertisi ng 1. Television broadcast of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show The possibly most outstanding, far-reaching marketing move is the annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, being broadcasted on CBS during primetime with almost 10 million viewers in the year of 2012. The show is being used as a place to show-off for varying entertainers, designers and celebrities, having developed into an event with international relevance and recognition. The show and its execution stand for originality, excitement and extravagance, presented by the world’s top models, also known as the Victoria’s Secret Angels. In the center of attention is the strong dominance of the image Victoria’s Secret wants to convey and literally scream out to its audience: the incomparable sexiness, the overbearing powerfulness and the imperturbable supremacy of the brand itself and its wearer. According to CMO Ed Razek of Limited Brands regarding the effect of the show, â€Å"online sales increase substantially both the night the show is taped and the day after its broadcast. We’re talking tens of millions of dollars here, at least† (Raven). 2. We will write a custom essay sample on Victoria Secret Communication Strategy specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Victoria Secret Communication Strategy specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Victoria Secret Communication Strategy specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Television Advertisements with aggressive messages Victoria’s Secret’s marketing strategy features several television advertisements, promoting new product lines or special occasions throughout the year such as Christmas or Valentine’s Day. A high consistency of the advertisements and high familiarity of the ad-structure makes it easily recognizable for consumers to distinguish VS’s commercial from other labels: each commercial features several Victoria’s Secret Angels and a large display of various styles and shapes of their lingerie for different tastes. Further, it always features the brand name and a reminder of other company-linked mediums such as the stores, the catalogue and the online store. The models are always presented in action and wearing only lingerie to grab the viewer’s immediate attention. The rather fast-moving scenery, exactly displays the attributes consistent to VS’s brand image and the hedonic user imagery: especially the â€Å"It’s Showtime† (http://www. youtube. com/watch? v=g8hCGq7oZdsfeature=fvwpNR=1)commercial designed my Michael Bay (Independence Day, etc. gives the advertisement a feeling of adventurousness, mystery, and the lingerie-displaying models a sense of being untouchable, sexy, powerful, desirable, irresistible, playful. This image is consistent throughout the advertisements and commercials â€Å"helps the [consumer] know what to expect and the variety keeps them coming back† (Raven). The verbal message – if present – comprises a very strong invitat ion or almost obligation to buy, conveying VS products to be the perfect choice of present for each occasion, such as stated in the â€Å"Tell me you love me† (http://www. outube. com/watch? NR=1feature=endscreenv=8Ev5TyHYSfY) commercial: Seducing women whisper to the viewer to tell them â€Å"you love me†, reinforcing this wish with the final sentence â€Å"There is nothing like a Christmas present from Victoria’s secret†. As to prove one’s eternal and only love for a women, men as well as women get triggered directly – the one in the double bind of conveying his love especially through VS lingerie, and the other in the expectancy of such a gift as a sign of true affiliation or doubt. . Advertisement and presence in high-gloss magazines Magazines such as Elle and Vogue in the United States are the main print-medium to advertise to VS’s target consumer. The highly recognizable and consistent advertisements mainly introduce product lin e launches, displaying the consistent image of the VS brand with the sensuality and sexiness of the featured models. Besides, there are numerous articles featuring either the VS Angels or brand-related information, keeping the brand present to the consumer. VS has even reached out to reach their male shadow target audience, by featuring articles in the GQ men’s magazine, displaying desirable full-page photographs and even advertisement – making men want to see their women as sexy as the Angels, letting them consider to buy VS lingerie. II. Direct Response Advertising Direct response advertising is viewed as the key component of relationship marketing. VS cleverly applies this communication method via its Facebook group with 21 million members, engaging them in active participation by empowering them to vote for certain products a model should wear for a show, vote for â€Å"either or† questions regarding products as well as respond to questions on their personal opinion about what they want to buy. The analysis of these responses certainly has an immense value for VS as they can easily and at a low cost detect consumer preferences and possible shifts, track responses towards special fields of interest and keep the consumer engaged with the VS brand. III. Place resp. out-of-home advertisement 1. QR code campaign: Sexier than Skin A use of innovative technologies regarding mobile applications has been successfully integrated through the â€Å"Sexier than Skin† campaign. Huge billboards throughout the United States featured each a VS model with a QR (quick response) barcode hiding their presumingly naked intimate body parts. Every passer-by equipped with a mobile phone has been able to directly scan the QR code after having downloaded a gratuitous application, thus being able to â€Å"Reveal [e. . ] Candice’s Secret†. Consistent with the â€Å"Sexier than Skin† campaign, the then on the screen visible advertisement showed the same model wearing VS’s new, sexy product line, convincing the viewer to be literally sexier than only skin. In order to increase the effectiveness of the commercial, the advertisement has been directly connected to Victoria’s Secret’s main website, allowing con sumers to directly browse through products and to shop online. . Mobile billboard campaign In the year of 2009, Citi-Mobile has launched a mobile billboard for VS’s â€Å"Perfect One Bra† campaign, â€Å"which featured a â€Å"stylish, state-of-the-art† 3D mobile billboard with a VS model printed on it wearing the new bra. The mobile passed major shopping areas and hotspots of Los Angeles County, carrying an additional announcement of the live-appearance of Heidi Klum at one of their flagship stores to launch the new line. The buzz has spread among trendsetters, and a large crowd lined up to meet Heidi Klum and take photos with her, as she personally drove the mobile billboard to the store that day and excessively promoted the new product (http://www. prweb. com/releases/2009/03/prweb2214114. htm). 3. Angel Wings Box In 2012, nine boxes with worn vintage VS Fashion Show wings have been put up on Broadway New York, where people were able to have a photo taken with. These photos could be sent to VS via mobile multimedia message in order to get them uploaded on the VS Facebook fanpage. A moment for fans to either enjoy being in the center of attention, taking part in the stunning experience of getting close to the Angel’s wings and sharing this moment online. Hence, people were able to tag themselves and to share it with their friends, spreading and promoting the brand throughout their social network, enabling VS to profit from very low-cost, efficient marketing (http://www. herworldplus. com/fashion/updates/try-on-a-pair-of-victoria-s-secret-angel-wings). 4. Product Placement Easily recognizable Victoria’s Secret items such as the typical pink-striped shopping bag or the store front have been cleverly placed into several movies or TV-series, such as â€Å"Juno† (http://www. brandchannel. com/home/post/2011/12/09/At-the-Movies-A-Product-Placement-Super-Team-In-Young-Adult. aspx), a TV drama called â€Å"The Towns† (http://productplacementwatch. blogspot. hk/) and â€Å"The Office† (http://www. brandspotters. com/brand. aspx? id=48), subliminally confronting the consumer or viewer with the brand’s presence. 5. In-store advertisement mostly only showing a picture, luring the desire to upgrade oneself with such an amazing lingerie product; * 4. Promotions: to encourage first trial or visit of (online) store by lowering price resp. adding value: coupons, rebates, gimmicks, free gifts, bundle pricing, promotions during seasonal sales; better perceived value; seem to have become stable part of VS marketing To Earn Online/Catalogue: * Place an order of in-stock merchandise totaling $10 or more and use offer codeLOVEANGELS  at checkout. Choose the Victoria’s Secret Angel Credit Card* as your method of payment. (You must complete your order with an Angel Credit Card to qualify. ) * Your free Secret Reward Card will be added to your order after offer code is applied and will be included in your merchandise package. One free Secret Reward Card per order. To Earn in Stores: * Use your Victoria’s Secret Angel Credit Card* with any purchase of $10 or more to receive your free Secret Rew ard Card. One free Secret Reward Card per customer, per day. Valid only at US, non-outlet Victoria’s Secret stores. Same for facebook subscribers (digital coupons); or newsletter and catalogue subscribers as well; helps to reach price-sensitive consumers, increase product trial and quick, hedonic, in-store buying decisions; make it look as VS makes a special offer to their consumers, does not lower the perceived quality image; risk that buyers stick to promotional offers instead of buying the brand out of affiliation – but there are constantly promotions if only you follow FB, website, or other media; the brand after all makes profits large enough as the promotions are usually tied to a minimum purchase amount; . Interactive: website: online shopping possibility, consistent in colors and style (pink), very clear, directly uring with rebates and special promotions; VS ALL ACCESS features newest updates about models, shootings, press released, trend reports, interviews and previews of the new collections to keep followers updated, involved, interested; also featuring videos how to get in sha pe as the admired angels, how to put on make-up the way they do – you can adapt their whole look and lifestyle as a passionate follower; store locator, policies, etc. clear and consistent design, easy to navigate through; iPhone and Android Web: Victoria’s Secret â€Å"Get your Wings† application; PLUS normal app to allows online shopping and direct ordering e-mails in the form or newsletters: Stay in touch in style via your inbox, with the latest from Victorias Secret, exclusive online and in-store offers ; sales, new fashion, lingerie ; beauty alerts, in-store events ; store openings in your area, news and offers from Victorias Secret and its sister companies. Social Media: facebook as rather to create a long-term relationship and consumer engagement (FABULOUS; design your own; encouragement to buy things and feel sexy), etc. ; almost 22million likes; 2 million followers on twitter; Welcome to the official Victoria’s Secret page, where Angels, Bombs hells the sexiest fans on Facebook get their fix for everything VS. Company Overview Victorias Secret is inspired by a love for lingerie, and the desire to bring beauty—and fantasy—into every woman’s wardrobe. We believe little luxuries are of grand importance. And what’s closest to your body is always closest to our heart. All under a â€Å"Life is Fabulous† slogan, especially the word fabulous being featured in the majority of posts; created a facebook community; able to fine tune its marketing and yield marketing insights, as consumers get involved by voting for outfit preferences; interactive involvement by directly promoting a new product line with the question whether â€Å"YOU† (spelled in capital letters† already found the perfect fit; easy platform to respond to consumer requests, responses, complaints, etc. irectly, publicly; promoting Model or theme playlists on spotify people can contribute to; online videos via youtube channel: featuring newest online or Tv commercials and extended cuts, product introductions, behind-the-scenes videos on VS’ youtube channel, insights and close-up from the models, workout plans â€Å"train like an angel†, make-up tips â€Å"look like an angel†, vi deos â€Å"on the Art of Living Fabulously†, the Fashion Show, â€Å"you asked – we answered†; Mobile marketing via APP be it get your wings or the online shop, QR code scanning; to increase loyalty; targeted mobile ads in Pandora’s iPhone app – geo-targeting, as the ads show how far away consumers are from VS store – redirection to mobile landing site; increasing trial â€Å"Victoria’s Secret, the  largest American retailer of lingerie, has recently launched the first ever nationwide mobile messaging campaign in the United States using rich media messaging, the next generation of MMS technology,† said Cezar Kolodziej, president/CEO of Iris Mobile, Chicago. (http://www. mobilemarketer. com/cms/news/messaging/14124. tml) â€Å"They are promoting their VSX Sexy Sport brand by sending workout tips through their video series, ‘Train Like An Angel,’† he said. â€Å"These tips are delivered by Victoria Secret m odels themselves, also known as the Angels, to teach women how to stay in shape. † Rich media messaging is the only mobile technology that allows Victoria’s Secret to deliver videos on all mobile handsets and carrier with no data connection required; thus watchable EVERYWHERE; keeping in touch, updating, informing, strengthening the relation; to bolster awareness 7. Event marketing and sponsorship: Fashion show PINK NATION 8. Publicity and public relations: Angels as spokeswomen, social stuff? (but the 2000 show was moved for a year from the usual February event at the Plaza to a May event in concert with the  Cannes Film Festival  in France to raise money for the Cinema Against AIDS charity; it raised $3. 5 million. ) 9. Word-of-mouth Consistency of content in FB stuff – makes people come back as they know there will be something waiting for them; All contribute to brand equity: by creating awareness of the brand, linking pop and pod associations to the brand in consumers’ memory, eliciting positive brand judgments or feelings (socially active? , and facilitating a stronger consumer-brand connection and brand resonance; Intended  goals  of an  advertising  or  promotional  program. Possible communications  objectives  include  (1) creating brand  awareness, (2) imparting  knowledge, (3) projecting an  image, (4) shaping, enhanding  attitudes and influencing int entions, (5) stimulating a  want  or desire, and/or (6) effecting a  sale, facilitate purchase behavior. (7) Building brand image; Read more:  http://www. businessdictionary. com/definition/communications-objectives. html#ixzz2Ny5BtTpR Communication objectives of social media: http://www. chrisbrogan. com/10-communications-objectives-of-social-media/ We observe, young consumers use social media as a push medium (too) they send out messages and are promoting themselves. They get friends with brands, because brands follow back REWARDING LOYAL CUSTOMERS 1. Generate awareness. 2. Drive Trial. 3. Product Launch. 4. Establish Need/Want 5. Product/Service Comparison. 6. Positive Association. 7. Form/Change Opinion. 8. Influence the Influencers. 9. Drive Action/Traffic. 10. Establish/Regain Trust.

Essay on Bipolar Disorder

Essay on Bipolar Disorder According to the National Institution of Mental Habits, bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme mood changes, from manic episodes of intense energy, followed by extreme lows of depression. Quite a few of the history’s best artists, entertainers and athletes and the like have or have had Bipolar Disorder – whether diagnosed or not. This includes crooner Frank Sinatra, 1960s icon Jimi Hendrix, ’90s rocker Curt Kobain, painter Vincent Van Gogh, tons of writers, and even actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, among too many others. Sometimes called â€Å"Manic Depression,† Bipolar Disorder affects 2.5 percent of the U.S. population. It is characterized by extreme mood changes, from manic episodes of intense energy, followed by extreme lows of depression, according to the National Institution of Mental Habits. Bipolar Disorder is difficult to diagnose, even to experts, because there are so many different varieties of Bipolar Disorder and Depression. Reasons of Bipolar Disorder Many factors can be attributed to the reason a person experiences Bipolar Disorder. It can be due to their genetics, as in how they may have inherited from their parents the gene for Bipolar Disorder. It could be brought on by drug and alcohol abuse and addiction; it is a much-known fact that substance abuse is very common among people with Bipolar Disorder, the reasons for which are unclear. However, it is speculated that people with Bipolar Disorder may treat their symptoms with alcohol or drugs. It is also known that substance abuse can trigger, or even prolong, mental illness, including mood disorders. Naturally, medications exist for Bipolar Disorder, and they have been known to help alter a person’s brain chemistry so that their mood is balanced and steady. After a person is diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, they are most always given medication to combat the intense symptoms. RELIEVING STUDENTS SCHOOL-RELATED STRESS However, lifestyle choices can also potentially help a person manage their mental illness or mood disorder. This extends to drinking habits and drug-taking habits, as said before, but stress, diet, exercise habits and overall health play a crucial role, too. Moderation and self-discipline are always key. Exercise has a way of balancing the firing of neurotransmitters in the brain, which play a crucial role in mood, behavior and cognition and happiness. It is a proven fact that exercise and physical health are fundamental to good mental health, as well, in part because it helps relieve stress and tension and it also encourages the body to work properly and effectively. How to Deal with Mood  Disorder? One of the scariest things about any mood disorder is the way it becomes insurmountable to deal with and tackle. In other words, some people experience horrific Bipolar episodes and fear they will have to deal with the uncertainty and unpredictability of it for the rest of their lives. It affects every single aspect of one’s life. Unfortunately, this all too often tricks people into thinking they are better off committing suicide, ending their life, the pain, the depression. This is because the person with Bipolar Disorder experiences a high so high that they feel they can do anything, become a better person, be successful and happy and productive and wealthy. They get ideas and missions, create objectives, and they get powerfully motivated to do something. However, this high, the manic state, can directly follow a Depression so crippling that they feel the Manic state they just experienced was mostly just to tease them – that they could never be happy or at least not h appy for too long. To conclude, Bipolar Disorder exists and it’s an issue worth paying attention to. It is something that affects people from all walks of life, cultures, professions, philosophies – and it affects various – if not all – aspects of their life, as well, almost always in a detrimental way. It can keep a person from sleeping well at night, from eating and interacting with people, from doing things they enjoy, even things they have to do – like going to work and other responsibilities. Even simple things like doing laundry can be a struggle for people with Bipolar Disorder or with any variation of Depression. What is most tragic about Bipolar Disorder is the fact that it can occur suddenly and without any warning – it just happens. Nothing, in particular, may trigger it. Bipolar Disorder doesn’t discriminate by wealth, ethnicity, and religious creed. But it is a problem all over the world – and it is just as serious as cancer is.

Point of View 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Point of View 2 - Essay Example On the few days he wasn’t busy, there had always been something else to do or to think about. It was just as any other day when Dad introduced Heidi, she looked so young next to my Nana. Shortly thereafter I heard Dad and Nana argue. He informed me that I would be living with Heidi from now on and Heidi would be my new mother. I got so excited and sad at the same time, not wanting to leave my dear old nana. â€Å"But nana who would take care of you?† I cried. â€Å"Don’t worry, I’ll be all right. I’m sure you’ll come to visit me often.† And just like that I was off to a new life. Heidi is not at all like her nana. I knew that she resents having me around. I often asked when I was going to have a little sister or a little brother to play with and Heidi always answers with a swift look with searing eyes. Everyday I have to make sure I don’t get in her way especially when she has her friends around. My only solace is my room or the garden in the backyard where I play with my dolls and run along with butterflies and other insects. I like animals too. My father once bought me a goldfish but it died. I wanted to give it a proper burial in the garden but when my stepmom found Goldie, she just flushed it in the toilet. I never got mad at her, I figured, she’s the closest I could have for a family now that Dad’s always away. School days are the best. It was a way for me to get out of the house.

Exam Reviewer Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Exam Reviewer - Essay Example The mission and vision is important to the stakeholders, especially customers and suppliers (Etzon & Struben, 2011). Analysis of stakeholders’ Importance Government. The Israeli government’s importance includes creating laws ensuring a level electric car selling field. The laws include environmental laws and labor laws within the production and sale of electric cars. Without government intervention, chaos arises to unfavorably affecting the free market. The Israeli government implements ISO standards. Investors. The investors’ importance is placing funds into Better Place’s coffers. The funds are used to hire employees, buy production and sales equipments, and pay other operating expenses (selling and marketing expenses). The funds fill the needs of the current and future global electric car customers. Further, the investments will include setting up battery charging stations in strategic locations. The locations include malls, sidewalks, train stations an d offices. Customers. The importance of the current and future customers of Better Place is purchasing the Better Place electric car products. The initial 20,000 Israeli customer’s payments are used to compensate for the marketing, production, and administration expenses of Better Place. The electric car users may purchase a home charging equipment for less than $301(Etzon & Struben, 2011). ... Further, the above stakeholders’ will judge Better Place’s performance. The performance includes the timely delivery of quality electric car products, accessories and services. The customers will discouragingly complain for lackluster performing electric car products. The lack of electric car battery charging stations will discourage Better Place customers. The stakeholders may be hindrances to Better Place’s performance. The Israeli government may institute laws that hinder Better Place’s attaining higher revenue targets. Specifically, governments instrumentally required manufacturers to reduce hydrocarbons, nitrogen and carbon monoxide exhausts. These exhausts contributed to air pollution. Some electric utilities use fossil fuel to generate the electric car batteries’ electricity charges. Line of business. The firm, Better Place, is established to fill the electric car and other related needs of the current and future customers. The related needs include adequate electricity supply (Etzon & Struben, 2011). Adequate supply entails abundance of electric car battery supplies. Adequate supply includes the current and future customers’ easily access to the company’s electric car models. Further, the firm exists to generate profits (Soosay et al., 2012). Specifically, Better Place offers several electric car plans. The customers purchase Electric Recharge Grid Operators (ERGOs). The car drivers buy the batteries from the battery suppliers. Better Place sets up electric car battery charging stations. The drivers pay for the required vehicle repairs and maintenance expenses, specifically the electric car’s power train maintenance expenses. Lastly, Better Place helps its customers avail of tailored

Procopius secret history Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Procopius secret history - Essay Example Justinian is presumed to be of average height, he is not tall or short. He is also described as moderately flabby and not thin. The author continues to describe Justinian as healthy looking. His physical appearance is not affected even when he fasts for two days. In contrast, Justinian has a different character from his attractive appearance (Halsall 1). This makes it difficult to describe Justinian. Justinian is illustrated as amenable and villainous. People may refer to him as a moron. Justinian is never honest with any individual, but all the time crafty in his actions and words. Nonetheless, he is tricked by any person who wants to delude him. In addition, Justinian’s personality is an unusual mixture of wickedness and foolishness. His contradictory characteristics combine in his makeup. Justinian’s Administration Justinian changes the country’s laws and regulations as soon as he takes charge. He reintroduces into the administration whatever elements of the s ociety that are forbidden. In contrast, Justinian repeals all customs or practices that were previously set up. Moreover, Justinian abolishes existing agencies and creates different ones to manage the public issues of the state. He also alters the structures of the army. He changes the regulations and laws of the military. He makes all these changes, not for any advantage or improvement of justice, but to make everything recent and named after him (Halsall 1). His foolishness is further highlighted when he renames institutions and structures he is unable to alter. Justinian also does everything to acquire property, including looting and killing. He accumulates property through looting. He grabs the houses of the wealthy and searches for more property. He shares a part of his loot with barbarians. Justinian’s Laws He has a thought of killing more people in the state and gaining more property. He promotes frontier warfare, and civil strife to conquer the Romans. He creates a ne w way of eliminating his people. He sets up new laws that abolish previous religious beliefs, for example, he calls for the abolishment of heresies, used by the Christian faithful in the Roman Empire. He replaces the religious beliefs with the orthodox dogma, theeatening. For example, he proposes loss of the heretic’s entitlement to give possessions to his household or further relatives. These laws make the heretic churches extra wealthy. These depict a vast wealth disparity between the heretic churches and the entire Roman Empire administration (Halsall 1). He also enforces a law that prosecutes offences regardless of the time they occur. Period of Existence The writer lived in a period of dictatorship and inadequate freedom. This is because this period had a lot of restraints. There are a number of suggestions that the administration of Justinian has not been efficient as perceived. People were forced to move from the state to other areas (Halsall 1). The people spread to d ifferent cities and countries. This is because they were escaping prosecution from the administration. Conclusion From the beginning, the resource characterizes Justinian as an individual with different characters from his appearance. This is because he never practices honesty with any person and is always crafty in his actions and words. He is also depicted as evil and foolish because he get whatever he wants through any means and can be easily tricked by anyone. The work

Study Of Sound In Citizen Kane Film Studies Essay

Study Of Sound In Citizen Kane Film Studies Essay Shooting a film is one of the technological ways of storytelling; in terms of oral story, it is essential to have understandable conversations and powerful sound effects to attract the viewers attention. If we take the human body as a basis, then, literally speaking, to show means to make visible to the eye and to tell means to convey by words (Jackson, 2009). Orson Welless Citizen Kane (1941) is probably the most famous masterpiece in film world with its amazing photography, acting, editing, writing, and sound. After watching the film, one can be impressed by any of these features, however, to me, the sound was the most effective feature because I can still hear the voice of Susan Alexander calling Kane Charlie, Charlie. Therefore, in this paper, I will attempt to analyze, explain, and criticize the sound and its effects in Citizen Kane film; moreover, how sound designed to create an illusion, to add power, and to convey the viewer about actors emotional situation in the scenes. The Citizen Kane film is a biopic of William Randolph Hearst showing how a millionaire journalist, who was the role model and champion of the underprivileged, becomes also dishonored to desire for power, and wealth. In film, it is expressed that even though his second wife and his best friend describe Kanes character in materialistic terms, Kane only wants love and emotional loyalty, his innocent boyhood as symbolized by Rosebud. However, one can see throughout the movie that no one is able to give his childhood back even himself. Orson Welles is from one of the directors of the gap separating 1920s and 1930s. It is the transition period from silent to the enriched sound film (Gray, 2005). Welles, his cinematographer Gregg Toland, and his composer Bernard Herrmann developed and used so many techniques to show the dramatic actions expanding on multiple planes of vision and sound. According to Orson Welles, the viewer did not follow the use of soundtrack. He thinks that they cannot follow because it is a particular trick to capture them as they watch an orchestra playing magnificent music without showing them musical tricks (Bogdanovich, 1998). Welles and Herrmann created a complex soundtrack which is combination of various dialogues, sometimes spoken simultaneously, or only a music into a comprehensible conversation. Sound is just as innovative as the charming photography in Citizen Kane. Welles started his career in radio; therefore, there cannot be anyone else but only him to describe the importance of the sound in his film. In general, soundtracks significantly precede the visual image to prepare the viewers for what they are about to see (Nelmes, 2003). There are many signs that one can easily notice from just listening the sound in this film. Even though the sound can be sometimes nonsensical and confounding to the viewer, it is to convey the feeling of sound transitions that inextricably bind one sequence to another. In film, the viewer can observe that the sound was used to create an illusion of people who are not actually on screen. For example, the public meeting scene is one of these scenes which is created an illusion. Kane gives a speech as candidate for presidency in a huge and crowded convention center. In reality, there is no huge center or crowded people but the viewers can hear the sounds of clapping just as after the meeting, when Kane goes out, they can also hear the sound of marching band without seeing any of them. Rather than paying extra for expensive special effects of crowded people, or street band, Welles filled the scene paying less with sound effects to create these illusions. Even though most of the dialogue was recorded live, Welles familiarized himself with post-synchronization techniques, which allowed him to create a soundscape by adding elements in post-production (Berthome Thomas, 2008). He sometimes used a single sound to add color to a scene, or he would graft a number of different sounds on to the dialogue or music simply to punctuate a line or fill the pause between two sentences. Throughout the entire film, all the sounds are in perfect harmony. Another original usage of sound was to add power and depth to a scene. This power and depth is most obvious in the scenes of Xanadu palace. When there is a dialogue between Kane and his wife Susan, as if exploded, their voices fill the palace. While the viewer feels the echo of characters voices, actually, there is no echo. However, if the viewer thinks the size of the space in these scenes which are gigantic, there should be echo, but Welles expand the sound to give imaginative and powerful quality. F or instance, when the journalist Thompson speaks to the servant after Kanes death, the viewer can feel the voices as if the characters speak in the grave. Moreover, sound is also used to express the emotional situations of a character in the actions. For example, after Susan Alexander leaves Kane, he destroys her room, and the viewer can see a parrot flapping its wings and screeching as if the voice of screaming Kane with wounded heart. Also, the other example is in during the Kane picnic. When both character are arguing in the tent, Kane suddenly slaps Susan. At the same time, the viewer can hear the screaming voice of a women from background as if substitute of Susans inner voice. It is sometimes possible to hear a whispering soundtrack to explain or to express the emotion or the inner voices of characters. Like, when Susan attempts suicide because of suffering as humiliated opera singer, the viewer can hear a pale soundtrack that indicates the humiliated feelings of Susan Alexander. The music usage and the original sounds make Citizen Kane more realistic. Orson Welles uses a lot of juxtaposed dialogues throughout the film that make it hard to follow and to understand the scenes at the same time. For instance, when everyone in a comical scene talks at once, one can feel the reality of the scene with these close-up sounds. When a scene change from one location or period to other, one can feel a sudden shocking sound transition that makes him or her to follow the scenes easily. For example, in a low angle shot, when Kane is in Susan house at first time, Susan plays piano and sings. Suddenly the mise en scene change and the viewer see Susan sings the same song in the same place but with different clothes. Because the film is black-white, first it is hard to observe these sound montages however, the characters, the sounds, and the changed mise en scene make it easier to follow up the scenes. Sound montage in Citizen Kane emphasizes the abnormal and stressful lives of the characters with realistic soundtracks. In several major scenes, one can hear the musical tunes that enrich both the object or the character and the whole scene. For example, when Rosebud which is the symbol of Charles Fosters missing childhood is screened in the opening scene, different types of musical tunes are played to underscore the different emotions of characters while they talk. The Rosebud object takes place its most melodic form with Kane last dramatic word just before his death. While narrating the shots of the sledge, Kane emphasizes its importance with an emotional soundtrack. Also, the sledges hidden label by snow and the various appearances of snowballs or glass balls linked to the memories of Kanes mother. During these scenes, the viewer can hear the same soundtrack that is like a symbol of Kanes hidden side (Berthome Thomas, 2008). Orson Welles was specifically interested in musical scenes, because he was concern about defining the sequences differently like it has never done before. Therefore, Welles, and Hermann arranged every detailed instruction to show the music arising from the scenes. For example, during the opera scene, the curtain rises and Susan Alexander sings a soprano, the Salammbos Aria, and she continues over the entire action. However, the trick part is at the end that she ends her singing after the curtain falls. Whatever music or sound Welles chose for Citizen Kane, he wanted them to be as visible as original, rare, and identifiable. In conclusion, because the most of the dialogues recorded live, one can notice how the composer Herrmann did a magnificent work in Citizen Kane. After editing and shortening the scenes, they require revision of music or voices to be harmonized with the actions. Because almost every cues were edited, and some scenes were cut to their basic form, Herrmann had to ensure that the music is compatible with the actions and make sense to the viewer. However, I think, the form of telling the story as in the Citizen Kane film is not the desired one which is showing the death of a person at the beginning and setting up the story depend on this. This type of story telling should take place in novels but not in a screened story. Nevertheless, Citizen Kane film proves that in dramatic or mysterious films, one can observe the magnificent mise en scene assisting with rhythmic sound effects or soundtracks.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Essay -- Psychology, Mental Health

Everyone has experienced emotions such as anxiety, fear, and worry; they are a part of everyday life. These reactions are normal and healthy; they typically don't come too often, and when they do, they don't last very long. However, the United States Health and Human Services Department (1998) estimates there is about 3.2 million Americans that suffer from a psychological anxiety disorder called obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Those who suffer from this condition have frequent upsetting and unreasonable thoughts, worries, or fears. The Harvard Mental Health Letter (1998) notes that: â€Å"The most common obsessional theme is cleanliness (dirt and germs), followed by aggression and sex, safety, and order or symmetry. Obsessions may take the form of doubts (has something happened to my child?); fears (something might happen to the child); images (I see the child drowning); or impulses (I fear that I am going to harm the child)† (para. 13). In an attempt to control these obsessional themes, they perform one or more ritualistic behaviors or mental acts called compulsions. Unfortunately, these behaviors only relieve the intrusive thoughts and feelings for a short time, before coming back and ultimately, trapping those with this condition in a pattern of repetitive obsessions and senseless compulsions. Symptoms of OCD are numerous, they include: Repeated touching, checking or counting; avoidance or adherence to certain numbers; excessive washing or cleaning; and hoarding. Karno (1998) found that â€Å"At some time during their lives, often during their late teens or twenties, 2 to 3 percent of people cross [the] line from normal preoccupations and fussiness to debilitating disorder† (as cited in Myers, 2011, p. 463-464). Many individuals ... ... their thoughts to a point where they can tolerate behavioral therapy and live somewhat of a normal life'† (Kato, 1992). Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a difficult condition to overcome. â€Å"A 40-year follow-up study of 144 Swedish people diagnosed with the disorder found that, for most, the obsessions and compulsions had gradually lessened, though only 1 in 5 had completely recovered (Skoog & Skoog, 1999)† (as cited in Myers). It can take months or years, to get OCD under control and in fact, it may never go away. However, celebrities such as Howard Hughes, Howie Mandel, and David Beckham all suffer from this disorder, and are able to keep it under control and happen to maintain successful careers and live a relatively normal life. They are proof to the millions of OCD stricken Americans that the counting, the cleaning, the hoarding, can eventually be controlled.

What is it to be Homeless?

Homelessness, it carries strong connotations of poverty, abandonment, and despair, yet it is still a major problem in American society with no end in sight for the people who find themselves in its midst. In 2004, over 7% of Americans found were defined as homeless, a number which continues to grow in connection with job losses and housing unavailability (Donohoe, 2004). Growing up in an upper middle class family, homelessness is something I’ve never had to experience firsthand but have witnessed time and again in people pandering for money in parking lots and on street corners. I have seen men, women, and children huddled together as they brace themselves for a night on the streets but until this point had largely kept myself separate. Through my field work and research for this project, I have come to a better understanding of the causes and effects of homelessness not only on the individual but on the family and society as a whole. Defined as sleeping in shelters, on the street, in cars, abandoned buildings, train or bus stations, homelessness is a constant reminder of the inequalities of society (Donohoe, 2004). In Kentucky, where the homeless rate has climbed steadily, it is a growing problem. In 2005, the number of homeless persons seeking assistance in Kentucky was 19,908 – a noticeable jump from the previous year when the number was 15,226 (Kentucky Statistics). The question is posed in viewing these statistics, as to what happened to cause such a high increase in individuals and families finding themselves without a home during a time when the economy was in an upturn. Now, in recent light of the recession and overall jobless problem in the United States, the outlook does not seem promising. The primary causes of homelessness range from domestic abuse, lack of housing, poverty, low wages, post-traumatic stress disorders, etc (â€Å"Factors Contributing to Homelessness†). The causes are as varied as the people who find themselves in this situation. Annually there are anywhere from 2. 3 million to 3. 5 million people nationwide who are homeless, 39% of which are children (â€Å"How Many are Homeless,† 2006). Their day to day lives center around finding food and shelter for themselves, of which are becoming scarcer as public assistance continues to decrease. As part of my research I conducted several interrelated field studies, each meant to give me a better understanding of the homeless in Kentucky and to better ascertain the reasons behind their homelessness. The best way to understand this, I reasoned, was to place myself in their shoes. My experiments involved viewing the public’s response to homelessness. Dressing down in jeans, a t-shirt/sweatshirt combination, and a pair of old gym shoes with an old baseball cap borrowed from a friend, I set out to downtown Lexington to try and pander for loose change. As this had been my most common experience with the homeless, I sought to dispel my own stereotypes as well as experience through action what it means to be reduced to these circumstances. Standing on the corner of S. Broadway and Main streets, I scanned the area and saw a man farther down the street dressed in rags and holding a cardboard sign. I momentarily regretted my decision to forego the sign myself as it would be helpful in drawing people to me. However, I reasoned that as this was meant as a means of interacting with the public as a homeless person I had a better chance at verbal communication without the sign. Having chosen both a high traffic area and a busy afternoon, I was soon watching people pass me without so much as a backward glance. Unsure of myself, I tried to remember my own experiences with being asked for money. It had seemed almost an effortless endeavor, lending to the stereotype I have heard most commonly thrown about that people begged no out of necessity but laziness. I soon discovered that pandering was no easy task. Seeing an elderly woman, who reminded me of my grandmother, I called to her, asking the standard question, â€Å"can you spare some change? Maybe I called it too loud in my nervousness or possibly the dirt I had purposely smeared and worked into the fabric of my clothes and my general appearance of disarray but she moved away from me seeming to hold her breath. I smiled, trying to dispel her unease but it was too late. Surprising me with her speed and agility, she quickly made her way past darting between other ongoing pedestrians. Trying not to lose my ner ve, I quickly turned my attention to the other people crossing in front of me. A man in a business suit, out of place himself on a Saturday afternoon, stopped in front of me as I called to him trying this time to temper my voice and not appear over enthused or worse disingenuous. â€Å"Why don’t you get a job? † he asked. â€Å"I work 50 hours a week to support my family, and you can’t go to McDonald’s and flip burgers for some cash? No! You expect me and all of these other hardworking people to give you theirs! † and with that he dug in his pocket, tossing a handful of pennies and pocket lint on the sidewalk in front of me. This was not easy. Pandering required that you have not only a tough skin but also that you set aside your pride. I found myself struggling with tears, wanting to call out to the man as he plowed his way down the street that I wasn’t really homeless. I wanted to call, but I’m a college student, I have a job, I have a home but this would only stunt any further work I wished to accomplish in this area. I needed to blend. A young woman, not much older than myself, stopped in front of me as I struggled with my own ego trying to reconcile the humiliation of the research with understanding I knew I would gain. I looked up and she appeared the very opposite of the man in the business suit. Dressed similarly to me, though clean with freshly washed hair and fashionably distressed jeans and a bright green sweater, she held a cup of coffee in one hand and a few dollar bills in the other and on her face was a sympathetic smile. â€Å"Don’t let him bother you,† she said handing me the coffee and forcing the bills into my hand. â€Å"I know where you are coming from. I lost my job two years ago and was in the exact same spot as you. I was evicted from my apartment and lived in my car and the shelter for 2 months before I was able to get back on my feet. Just be happy you don’t have kids, I still feel guilty that my daughter had to go through all of that with me. † With this, she smiled and waved to me before crossing to the other side of the S. Broadway. Within minutes of each other, I had experienced the two extremes of the human interaction side of pandering. Though the man in the business suit had almost discouraged me to the point of blowing my cover, the kind young woman’s kindness made me feel a new kind of guilt. She did not seem a financially well off woman but she had still tried to help. Even more than the embarrassment and loss of pride at the man in the business suit judging me all from a simple request, â€Å"can you spare some change† I felt guilt at having taken money from this woman and her daughter. I made a mental note to try and ask the homeless people I encountered how they felt at asking for money from strangers. First, I had the day to worry about. I had purposely set off on my research without money or other means of procuring food and drink. For the moment, if I wanted to eat, I would have to continue to pander for a little more cash. As it went from morning to afternoon, I had no repeat encounters with the anger of the businessman but also did not experience any more of the kindness of the young woman. Many people either ignored my call for spare change or reach into their pockets without looking in my direction. One man asked why I needed the money. I tried to reply that I just needed enough to get a meal or two, at which he laughed before tossing some loose change my way, â€Å"Sure. Last time I checked, crack wasn’t a meal. The audacity of the man completely surprised me. Did I look like a drug addict? Did he think people only became homeless because of personal mistakes? I realized I was taken aback because he had asked a question aloud that I had only thought in my own head as I gave spare change to people in the past. Though drug addiction is a major problem for the homeless community, it is not the root o f the problem. Given the discrepancies in statistics though it is understandable that this would be associated with and even blamed for the continually growing rate of homelessness. In information published by the National Coalition for the Homeless in 2005, it is noted that early statistics for substance abuse and addiction among the homeless were incorrectly calculated leading to an assumption that over 60% of the homeless suffer from one form of substance addiction of another. However, recent statistics from US Conference of Mayors in 2005 puts the number as being closer to 30% (â€Å"Who is Homeless† 2005). The question is though, did their drug addiction lead to their homelessness or is it a result? After collecting almost $15 dollars, I set off to find a homeless person or people who would talk to me about the circumstances that led to their current state. Walking toward the man with the cardboard sign, I thought at first to speak with him as I had grown to feel a certain kinship with the man having worked the same street this morning. As I approached him, I saw a group of teenage boys stopped in front of him. They were laughing as one of them tore the man’s sign from his hands and proceeded to tear it in half. The man, obviously angered, kept his head down to the verbal abuse that rained from the teens mouths. No one it seemed was in the least concern. Pedestrians kept a wide breadth of the scene and kept their eyes to the ground. Finished with their fun, the boys threw the sign at the man’s feet and continued walking, still laughing at the humiliation of the man. Seeing the anger of the man, I decided that now would not be a good time to speak with him. Instead, I continued walking past him knowing that while his pride may be hurt, he had been spared any actual physical violence. I knew that this man had been one of the lucky ones. From 1999-2005 there were 472 acts of violence committed against homeless individuals (â€Å"Hate Crimes. † 2006), targeted specifically because of their homeless status. Of that number, 169 were murders. Shelter workers and advocates have heard increasing stories of harassment, beatings, being set on fire, and even decapitation (National Coalition for the Homeless. â€Å"Hate Crimes. † 2006) as the years have gone by. After walking for several blocks, I stopped in a corner store to buy myself some water. Walking to the back of the store where the refrigerators were, I could feel the clerk’s eyes follow me. I guess, making sure I was not shoplifting. With this, I understood yet one more stereotype and misconception of homelessness – namely the role of criminal. Though I had the money to buy the water, though I had spent a day being verbally abused and ignored in order to scrounge together the change for this very water, the clerk assumed I would steal it. I walked to the counter, feeling his eyes on me, I assume checking my body’s silhouette for bulges of pilfered food. 1. 47† he said, simply, still not taking his eyes off of me, his nose curling at the smell he assumed must be wafting off of me. Counting the change onto the counter, I saw my hands with the fingernails lightly ingrained with dirt and the grime of the street. Reaching forward to hand him the change, I saw him recoil slightly and I instead placed the change on the counter where it was carefull y counted. Expecting the â€Å"have a nice day† I had come to rely on as part of the retail experience, I was surprised when after processing my order, I received no more than a nod. Later that afternoon, I found myself sitting on a park bench beside a young homeless man, trying to find his life story in the sometimes incoherent ramblings. John was an Iraq War veteran who after returning from his stint in the Army, found himself increasingly anxious and unable to forget the bloodshed. Now a methamphetamine addict, he is thin to the point of starvation. Under his beard, I could see sores where the meth was surfacing and his front teeth were rotted to nothing. John is just one of many veterans who make up the homeless population. With approximately 11% of the total homeless population veterans, comprising 40% of the total male population of homeless persons (National Coalition for the Homeless, â€Å"Who is Homeless,† 2005), John is the embodiment of the what happens to veterans when resources become limited and their problems too big to be handled effectively by the system. â€Å"A lot of the guys you see out here who are veterans were in ‘nam, they’ve been back and forth between the veterans hospital, group homes, and the street. When I first came back, I went back to working in my uncle’s garage fixing engines and changing oil. I hadn’t really had many plans before I signed up following 9/11. When I came back, my mom and girlfriend were pushing me to go back to school. Use the G. I. bill, you know. But I just couldn’t concentrate. I couldn’t sleep at night. When I did sleep, I had bad nightmares, bodies piled to the ceiling, blood everywhere. I started drinking, so I could sleep but it just made things worse. I slept but when I was awake nobody wanted to be around me. I went to the V. A. and they diagnosed me with post traumatic stress, gave me a couple prescriptions and a list of counselors and sent me on my way. For a little while the pills helped, but I was still drinking and had started to smoke meth. It kept me awake a lot but I thought I was getting things done. But then I lost my job, my girlfriend left me and I was stuck living in my parents’ basement. I started snorting meth and then shooting up,† with this, John pulls up his sleeves to show me the track marks running along his forearms. â€Å"Eventually, even my parents had enough. I wrecked their car, stole $4,000 worth of jewelry and computer equipment that I pawned for half that to buy more meth and booze. This is where I ended up. I told John about my earlier experience pandering and asked him if he ever felt bad for asking strangers for money. To this he shrugged and smiled, showing blackened gums above where his two front teeth once were, â€Å"You must be new. When I first started asking, sure I felt bad. I never thought I’d be asking for handouts. I wasn’t raised that way. Shit, if my dad saw me o n a street corner begging he’d probably kick my ass. But you gotta do what you gotta do. I mean, come on, who is going to hire me? I stink, I’m paranoid, I have a meth addiction and no teeth. If I want to eat or get more drugs, I have to beg or steal. I’d rather beg than steal any day. I still have some scruples,† he laughingly explained. Had he ever tried rehab or contacting on the programs that helps the homeless? â€Å"Sure. I’ve gone down to the shelter and filled out the paperwork but they don’t have a whole lot of money either so I couldn’t stay forever and the rehab program they tried to get me into was full. I tell myself everyday that this will be the last. Once I’ve shot up the last of my bag, I just won’t buy anymore but it never works out that way. I start jonesing and the nightmares come back. I sat over in there one night,† he said, pointing to a pavilion on the other side of the park, â€Å"and cried because I thought I was back in Iraq. I could hear the mortars exploding around my head and the screams of children in my ears. My friend found me after a couple of hours and offered me his needle and it all melted away. Of course, I found out a couple months later that he had hepatitis and had passed it onto me but he was just trying to help, I guess I can’t blame him too much. I’ll die sooner than later anyway. † When I asked him what he meant, he shrugged again. â€Å"Look at how I live. I’m lucky to eat every other day. I’ve shot up so much meth that it’s coming out my pores and am lucky to find a vein anymore. I’ve been beaten up, pushed in front of cars, spit on. I had pneumonia last winter, almost died from that. And I want to die. I should have died in Iraq, I think of that every day. If I knew then what my life would become, I would have shot myself when I still had a gun. The day I don’t wake up, will be the best day of my life. † Shaken, I thanked John for talking to me and tried to make sense of what he had told me. Before talking, he had taken a quick dose of meth to loosen his tongue but what he let loose was more than just his own story. Between John’s veteran status, gender, drug addiction, and mental illness he is unfortunately a prime example of homelessness in America. Approximately 22% of the homeless population suffers from one form of mental illness or another (â€Å"Why Are People Homeless,† 2006). Though it has been said that the increase in mentally ill homeless people is due to the deinstitutionalization of the mentally ill, this is false. Most of this was done between the 1950s and 1960s but homeless rates did not begin to reach their current rates until the 1980s. According to a 2003 report from the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, many of the mentally ill homeless could and can live within the community and receive treatment from outpatient facilities. Many however, are unable to receive treatment or housing because of the lack of availability (â€Å"Why Are People Homeless,† 2006). As John noted, with waiting lists and the unpredictability of street life, finding ones next meal is hard enough. Finding help with housing and medicine is even more of a challenge. Having been shaken by my experiences at pandering, moving through regular daily activities like making a small purchase at a convenience store, and John’s own tales I knew I was neither prepared nor willing to spend my night as a homeless person. Before going home, I ventured to the bus station, where I had originally planned to spend the night. Walking towards the entrance, I saw a man holding a cardboard sign. Thinking he was the man from earlier, I hurried forward to try and see how he had fared after his run in with the teenagers. I was wrong. Though similar in dress and situation, this was a new man. Much older, appearing to be in his sixties or seventies. I braced myself for a request for spare change, forgetting my own appearance, but he ignored me. I knelt down to ask him some questions, figuring that this would be my last chance as I was now determined after my brief experience before returning to my normal life. No one, I now knew would knowingly choose homelessness. Asking his name, he eyed me warily, â€Å"you ain’t a cop are you? † Deciding to blow my cover, such as it was, I explained that I was a college student trying to understand what it means to be homeless. â€Å"Why would you do that? You think this is a game? Just go home, at least you have one. I been sleeping on park benches and in bus stations for 5 years, count your blessings. † With this he turned away from me, his eyes fixed on a couple walking along the sidewalk. Speechless, I left him to his pandering. Regardless of my experiments, I had still only had an outsider’s experience of his daily life. I could, as he put so bluntly, go home. I had a home. Even as I begged on the street, I knew that I had a bank account across town with more money in it than this man would see in a week. I would finish my education and get a job, buy a home and build a family. For this man, that kind of life must seem a dream. I now knew, however, that the future I have so long imagined and planned for can just as easily be taken from me. It can start with something as seemingly changeable as losing a job and spiral into a hopelessness that left some dead, others wishing for death. For John the tipping point had been a combination of factors: mainly his drug use and trying to cope with post-traumatic stress. The causes, I now realized were encompassing of us all in one form or another. I now was able to understand through my experience that just like the woman from that morning find myself living in a car one day and begging on a street corner for real next time.

10 Geography Facts About Florida

10 Geography Facts About Florida Capital: Tallahassee Population: 18,537,969 (July 2009 estimate) Largest Cities: Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Hialeah, and Orlando Area: 53,927 square miles (139,671 sq km) Highest Point: Britton Hill at 345 feet (105 m) Florida  is a state located in the southeastern United States. It is bordered by Alabama and Georgia to the north, while the rest of the state is a peninsula that is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico to the west, the Strait of Florida to the south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Because of its warm subtropical climate, Florida is known as the sunshine state. Florida Geography Facts Florida is a popular tourist destination for its many beaches, wildlife in areas like the Everglades, large cities such as Miami, and theme parks like Walt Disney World. Discover 10 more geography facts about Florida. 1. Many Native Americans Lived Here Florida was first inhabited by a number of different Native American tribes thousands of years prior to any European exploration of the region. The largest known tribes in Florida were the Seminole, Apalachee, Ais, Calusa, Timucua, and Tocabago. 2. It Was Discovered in 1513 On April 2, 1513, Juan Ponce de Leà ³n was one of the first Europeans to discover Florida. He named it as the Spanish term for flowered land. Following Ponce de Leà ³ns discovery of Florida, both the Spanish and the French began to build settlements in the region. In 1559, Spanish Pensacola was established as the first permanent European settlement in what would become the United States. 3. Its the 27th State Florida officially entered the U.S. on March 3, 1845, as the 27th state. As the state grew, settlers began to force out the Seminole tribe. This resulted in the Third Seminole War, which lasted from 1855 to 1858 and resulted in most of the tribe being moved to other states (such as Oklahoma and Mississippi). 4. Tourism Drives the Economy Floridas economy is based mainly on services related to tourism, financial services, trade, transportation, public utilities, manufacturing, and construction. Tourism is the largest sector of Floridas economy. 5. The State Relies on Fishing Fishing is also a large industry in Florida. In 2009, the state made $6 billion and employed 60,000 Floridians. A large oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2010 threatened both the fishing and tourism industries in the state. 6. Its Low-Lying Most of Floridas land area is built on a large peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Because Florida is surrounded by water, much of it is low-lying and flat. Its highest point, Britton Hill, is only 345 feet (105 m) above sea level. This makes it the lowest high point of any U.S. state. Northern Florida has a more varied topography, with gently rolling hills. However, it also has relatively low elevations. 7. It Rains Year-Round Floridas climate is highly affected by its maritime location as well as its southern U.S. latitude. The northern parts of the state have a climate thats considered humid subtropical, while the southern portions (including the Florida Keys) are tropical. Jacksonville, in northern Florida, has an average January low temperature of 45.6 degrees F (7.5 degrees C) and a July high of 89.3 degrees F (32 degrees C). Miami, on the other hand, has a January low of 59 degrees F (15 degrees C) and a July high of 76 degrees F (24 degrees C). Rain is common year-round in Florida. The state is also prone to hurricanes. 8. It Has Rich Biodiversity Wetlands like the Everglades are common throughout Florida and as a result, the state is rich in biodiversity. It is home to many endangered species and marine mammals like the bottlenose dolphin and the manatee, reptiles like the alligator and sea turtles, large land mammals like the Florida panther, as well as a  plethora of birds, plants, and insects. Many species also breed in Florida due to its mild climate and warm waters. 9. The People Are Diverse, Too Florida has the fourth highest population of any state in the U.S. and it is one of the countrys fastest growing. A large portion of Floridas population is considered Hispanic, but the majority of the state is Caucasian. South Florida also has significant populations of people from Cuba, Haiti, and Jamaica. Additionally, Florida is known for its large retirement communities. 10. It Has Many Higher Education Options In addition to its biodiversity, large cities, and famous theme parks, Florida is also known for its well-developed university system. There are a number of large public universities in the state, such as Florida State University and the University of Florida, as well as many large private universities and community colleges. Source: Unknown. Florida. Infoplease, 2018.

Disability Attorneys of Michigan Help a Local Vietnam Veteran Get Disability Benefits

Disability Attorneys of Michigan Help a Local Vietnam Veteran Get Disability Benefits Disability Attorneys of Michigan Help a Local Vietnam Veteran Get Disability Benefits Tom is a Navy veteran who served in Vietnam, and was diagnosed with an illness related to his time in the service, but he was repeatedly denied benefits from the VA. Tom heard about Disability Attorneys of Michigan and called us for help.We fought and proved Tom’s illness was related to his military service and were able to win a large settlement along with the monthly Veterans Disability Benefits our client Tom deserved.If you are a veteran who is unable to hold gainful employment due to a physical or mental impairment call Disability Attorneys of Michigan at 800-949-2900. We will work hard to protect your rights and we will fight to get you the disability benefits you need. Disability Attorneys of Michigan have helped thousands of people win the  disability benefits they need. Living with a disability is hard enough, but without income life is a real struggle.Call Disability Attorneys of Michigan for a free  confidential consultation. We’ll let you know if we can help you get a monthly check. If we do not win your disability case, you owe us nothing. We only get paid if we win your disability benefits claim.Disability Attorneys of Michigan work hard every day helping the disabled of Michigan seek the disability benefits they need. If you are unable to work, contact Disability Attorneys of Michigan now for a free consultation at 800-949- 2900.Let Michigan’s Leading Social Security Disability Law Firm Help You Get The Benefits You Deserve.Disability Attorneys of Michigan. Compassionate Excellence. Disability Attorneys, Disability Attorneys of Michigan, TV Commercial, Veterans Disability, Veterans Disability Attorneys, Veterans Disability lawyer, Veterans Disability Lawyers

Critically discuss the similarities and differences between the Great Essay

Critically discuss the similarities and differences between the Great Irish Famine and recent famines of Africa and Asia - Essay Example This definition focuses on the failure of that particular region to deal with the symptoms of famine. It also focuses on the role played by the market; accounting for changes in market demands which hence impacts what happens in the local markets. Many of these regions hit by famines are particularly sensitive to world prices, mostly because they themselves are very small and so cannot influence prices. What is lacking in this definition however is that it does not explain clearly that famine is the end product of a long process whereby people slowly lose access to food. Another aspect lacking in this definition is that it does not explain the breakdown of social support systems, where reciprocity and goodwill slowly start to disappear under the increasingly stressful system. While high death rates are what mark a famine, the increased disunity and societal collapse are inevitable end results of this phenomenon. Atkins (2009) discusses how difficult it is to define the term famine. I n order to measure this phenomenon, he argues that the intensity of it would be looked at. Devereux (1998) looks at two other perspectives on what famine is. One view sees famine as a natural disaster; the result is a lack of food and the cause is failed policy measures by the state or market interventions that were unable to achieve the purpose it had intended. The other definition does not include famine as a natural occurrence. Rather, it sees famine as resulting from successful policy measures by the state – it views the state as essentially repressive and as wanting to keep a tight control over its population. Also, this view on famine blames the international community as being opportunistic and apathetic, helping only when an internal benefit to itself is seen. The former definition is an outsider perspective, arguing that the cause of famine lies in the food distribution system and has nothing to do with repressive political regimes

No End in Sight Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

No End in Sight - Essay Example Bodine’s view of the reconstruction was to reach out to the Iraqis and identify government technocrats, as well as civil leaders who can effectively run the state (Shaikh 1). For a short period of time, she achieved a lot. What fascinated me about her was that, in such a demanding atmosphere, she managed to identify the best steps to be taken and how they would go about evaluating the steps. Richard Lee Armitage was an ex-deputy secretary of State Department. According to Armitage, the Iraq reconstruction was all about promoting world peace. He considered Iraq to be a threat to world peace (Shaikh 1). Armitage was also quite congenial during the interview, and that is fascinated me about him. The film covered the Iraq occupation mainly through interviews. The interviewees were mainly significant figures who were charged with managing the restriction. It dwelled on the mistakes that the Bush Administration during its occupation of Iraq (Shaikh 1). What shocked me was that the lack of security, rise of insurgency, lack of basic services and also, at one instance, the risk of a civil war, was caused by the mistakes made by Americans. If an outside power occupied my country and allowed widespread looting to take place and did not protect my country’s historical monuments, then I would consider them as taking us for granted. I would also think that their purpose for occupying our nation was for their own benefit. This will make me think of ways to remove them from my country. I will also make me despise the outside power. As depicted in the film, the daily lives of Iraqis were looting, fighting each other, killing each other and widespread demonstrations. Homes were burnt down, so people became homeless. Also, the country came to a standstill (Shaikh 1). In fact, during this period, Iraq could not be considered a country because even its leaders had exiled the nation and some killed. If I was in