A History of World in Six Glasses Essay Example for Free

A History of World in Six Glasses Essay A History of World in Six Glasses by Tom Standage: An Analysis In his book, Standage presents the readers not just an evolution of time and unraveling of history but also the embodiment of people and their culture in the image portrayed by the six types of drink. In this paper, we shall deal with the ramification a certain drink can contribute to the evolution of society. In particular, we shall discuss the role played by these drinks in the economic, political and social aspects of human life. Tom Standage reveals how the six drinks have played certain roles in history. First, he mentions beer as the drink that symbolizes the dawn of civilization. According to him, the farmers in the ancient times planted barley and made beer out of it. Also, â€Å"the guys who built the pyramids were paid in beer and bread. It was the defining drink of Egypt and Mesopotamia. Everybody drank it. Today its the drink of the working man, and it was then as well. This denotes that from the beginning, beer had been part of history and commerce as people used it everyday in their meals, and to celebrate occasions. From this, we can also infer that people used the drink to establish connections or build good relationships. The concept of beer being used as a medium for celebration is similar to the way other prodigious drinks are being served today including the wine. â€Å"Wines may be as old as beer or even older† (Standage 2003). Unlike beer, though, wines are more difficult to produce and preserve. The earlier people used it on special occasions such as weddings and other religious rites. In the Bible, we see different kinds of wine befitting occasions or the people who drank them . Wines also served seemingly as the demarcation line between the rich and the poor, with the first able to afford the more precious and older wines. The history of wine suggests its value in commerce as it was used to trade with other countries for metals, leather and even slaves. Today, wine still marks its place in the important events in society from the simplest family gatherings to grand celebrations of the most important people in the society. Spirits such as brandy and rum were mentioned as drinks associated mostly with sailors and pirates. Although they were consumed limitedly due to their effect, these drinks have also evolved with time as they marked history during the 17th Century in the Caribbean islands with sailors tasked to protect planters from pirates and European enemies. Rum was given as a reward to sailors for the sacrifice they endured aboard, but essentially these drinks helped the crew shake off their hardships and nostalgia, and continue with days ahead. To this day, spirits are still very popular among younger generations as they are mixed with juice and other flavors. Another famous drink that originated centuries ago was coffee. From the Arab Peninsula where it first originated, the aroma and taste of brewed beans have traveled across the world, in every house or establishment that appreciates the warmth coffee can bring. Its popularity can be attributed to the concept of alcohol-free drinks during the Age of Reason in the 18th Century. Today, coffee is loved and enjoyed by billions of people not only for its taste and aroma but also for its anti-oxidant effects. Its caffeine content is said to increase the speed of rapid information processing by ten percent, and a cup of regular (caffeine-containing) coffee after lunch helps to counteract the normal post-lunch dip inability to sustain concentration, aiding alertness. Tea, a drink widely associated with China dates back to as early as the third century A. D. According to Standage, it played a leading role in the expansion of imperial and industrial power of Great Britain for many centuries later. Similar to coffee, it helps workers and those who need to stay alert with its caffeine content, which is why tea or coffee breaks have been part of every business establishment. Remarkable of the 19th Century, the Coca-Cola began was introduced to the market by its inventor, the pharmacist John Stith Pemberton. It has become a symbol of the United States due to its unprecedented sales all over the world among popular drinks today. Notes in history ascertain â€Å"East Germans quickly reaching for Cokes when the Berlin Wall fell, while Thai Muslims poured it out into the streets to show disdain for the U. S. in the days leading up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq† (Standage 2003). The popularity of Coca-Cola also represents the rise of consumer capitalism and instigates the emergence of America as a superpower. Overall, Standage believes that it is globalization in a bottle. Seeing the history of the world in these six types of drink, Standage is able to show us the role that each drink played in economy and society in general. It impresses upon us how each stage in history can be changed or affected by what people drink and how each drink reflects the market it represents. In particular, market technologists and economists can make a good sense out of the pattern rooted out by Standage for every drink. They can take note of the marketability of their product based on the points offered inductively by Standage. As established, these drinks have helped change the economic situations of the countries of their origin. In particular, we see these drinks being used for trade as export products and as factors or images responsible for commercialism and achieving niche in the economic scene. We also see how these drinks have become part of the political systems of the world in the form of symbols of unity or disparity among nations. Furthermore, the six drinks have served as images to represent social status, conventions, and individuality of the people who drink them. While it is commendable of Standage to use these drinks as portals to what developed in history, it may also be wise to look at other drinks that similarly mirror our evolution. In this regard, we may suggest the inclusion of other drinks such as juice, chocolate drinks, and other liquids sold today which are very popular among the youth in the present generation, and which do not necessarily explain political or economic status but simply elucidate on the options people take in response to stimuli in their environment. To give an account of these drinks would complete the details of history of his book, not just centering on the antiquities but also explicating on the modern times. Works Cited Ancient Greece. All About Greek Wine. 2003. 24 November 2007. http://www. allaboutgreekwine. com/history. htm. Coffee and Your Health. Heine Brothers’ Coffee. 24 November 2007. http://www. heinebroscoffee. com/. Handwerk, Brian. â€Å"The World in a Glass: Six Drinks That Changed History†. National Geographic News. 3 October 2003. 24 November 2007. http://news. nationalgeographic. com/news/2005/10/1003_051003_six_drinks. html. Jesus Changes Water to Wine. Biblegateway. com. 1995. 26 November 2007. http://www. biblegateway. com/passage/? book_id=50chapter=2version=31. Standage, Tom. A History of World in Six Glasses. Canada: Doubleday Canada, 2005. The Tradition of Rum and the Sea. The Ministry of Rum. 2003. 25 November 2007. http://www. ministryofrum. com/articles. php.

An Inspector Calls - Write fully about one of the characters in the play. :: English Literature:

An Inspector Calls - Write fully about one of the characters in the play. Write fully about one of the characters in the play. Take into account what they have done before the play begins as well as their actions, words and attitudes during the course of the play. Write about the way attitudes, moods and opinions change and develop during the course of the action on the stage. An Inspector Calls is a play with many social and political messages. J. B. Priestley believed a great deal in socialism and he used several of his plays to try and influence people to his way of thinking. It was written in a time when Britain was ruled by a Labour government and socialist policies were seen as the way forward. It was a popular way of thinking at that time so Priestley's aim for the play was probably to teach the unconvinced. The play is set in the house of the Birling family. As soon as the curtains open, it is clear that the family is wealthy because there is high quality furniture and decoration in the house in which the play is set. The family use their house as a status symbol and have decorated it in a way so as to reflect their wealth. We learn this from the "few imposing but tasteless pictures" which will probably have been chosen because they were expensive, not because they were liked. These pictures also tell us that the Birlings are proud of their wealth and think themselves to be very important but lack the good taste which is present in those who are socially superior to them. The house is described as being "substantial and comfortable and old-fashioned, but not cosy and homelike." This setting suggests that the family are uncomfortable with each other and therefore suggests problems. We gather from the Birling family they are of an upper-middle social class, who think themselves to be of a very high status. Eric Birling the character I am going to focus on does not seem to be understood by the rest of the characters. His sister Sheila and he are still treated as if they were still children "What an expression, Sheila! Really the things you girls pick up these days!" Mr and Mrs Birling have a lack of understanding of the younger generation, particularly their offspring. They try to control their lives as this was the norm with generations prior to theirs, "Just let me finish, Eric. You've a lot to learn yet." Here we can see that the elders in the family have the first and last say in many matters.

Gambling casino Essay

Companies in the gambling industry include those that offer gambling or gaming activities. These may be casinos, casino resorts and hotels, betting and lottery companies. Though legally restricted by many governments all over the world, gambling industries are a major source of revenue to the government. The gambling industry has also helped in eradicating unemployment as it has created new job opportunities and often with higher wages. Major gambling companies in this industry globally are MGM Resorts, William Hill, Caesars Entertainment and Las Vegas Sands among others. The gambling industry is one of the most competitive and risky industries all over the globe. The demand for gambling is influenced by consumer income growth and state spending (â€Å"Hoovers†, n. d). Effective operations and marketing strategies of individual companies in this industry determines the profit rates and levels of the companies. Large gambling operators in this industry can be able to make large investments in gambling facilities and efficient computer operations, and are also exposed to cross-marketing opportunities (â€Å"Hoovers†, n. d). Small gambling operators, on the other hand, are not well exposed like the large gambling operators. They operate in their local areas and centers where the locals may not afford travel to major gambling facilities. SWOT Analysis Strengths The gambling industry has distribution and sales network that enable them to reach everybody. These networks allow the firms to distribute their products and services effectively. The management in the gambling industry is growing as the employees are receiving training. Lower costs in products lead to higher profits to the gambling industry. Technology acts in favor of the gambling industry as they enable them meet the needs of their customers (Jueves, 2013). THE GAMBLING INDUSTRY 3 Unique products of the gambling industries enable them to differentiate themselves for their competitors. High tax and fee to start gambling companies enables the strong to survive in this industry and kills unnecessary competition. Bigger companies tend to have more resources than their minorities making them to pursue new markets and secure themselves against rivals. Weakness The industry is marked by inefficiencies in work as the goods and services are not being utilized properly. Online presence by these companies is important displaying their information and products to customers. Most of the gambling companies are not present online and those that are present do not have proper websites. Supply chains that are weak tend to delay arrival of consumer’s products in gambling spots. Opportunities The gambling companies can take a step and manipulate the online market where most of the customer base is found nowadays. This enables the companies to expand. New products and services can enable the companies to increase their customer base. Gambling companies can tap the untouched markets available in other countries that do not have or have fewer gambling facilities. Threats A strike by workers and the government’s requirements of the industry’s participants to increase the income of their employees tends to act as a threat to the industry. Increased income leads to reduced profits by the firms. Government regulations against the industry is also a big threat to the companies. Rising companies within the industry act as threat as they pose stiff competition. A shift of customers’ taste from one company to another lead to losses. THE GAMBLING INDUSTRY 4 STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES ?Distribution and sales network that exist. ?Potential strong management. ?Monetary assistance is guaranteed. ?Cost advantages. ?Technology. ?Unique products. ?Barriers to entry of market. ?Domestic market. ?Size advantages. ?Work inefficiencies. ?Online presence ?Supply chains that are weak ?Lack of scale as cost per unit of output is quite high. ?Structure of cost that are high compared to competitors. OPPORTUNITIES THREATS ?Online market. ?New products ?New services ?Increasing income levels ?International expansion. ?Venture capital ?Increment in labor costs ? Currency tends to make gambling investment complicated. ?Regulations from the government ?Fast rising competition and lower profitability. ?Tax charges. ?Business risks from external environment. Every customer and guest that goes to gambling spots or facilities always looks to have an exceptional experience. An experience that keeps them coming to this facilities even if they will always leave with little money than they came in with. This therefore calls for good customer service and innovativeness in the way the customers are treated. Change in the gambling industry is difficult. Customers do not want to play new games or gamble on new things that they have no knowledge of. This aspect is the same to everybody as no person is open to change unless it is a major or there is some good reason to change (Baird, 2002). Due to this, when managers in gambling facilities try to develop a new customer service culture among employees, it fails or does not happen quickly. Change in gambling facilities takes THE GAMBLING INDUSTRY 5 a high repetition level and people need to be interested in it. Therefore for customers to adapt to new changes and like them, the gambling facilities owners should make the change to be very interesting to both the employees and consumers. Trained employees in gambling facilities are an important asset. Most gambling facilities choose the best candidates to fill in their empty job positions but fail to train them on how to handle customers and heighten their experience in the gambling facilities. Gambling facilities should invest in training programs for their employees so that customers get to experience good customer service. Hiring and firing of employees’ wastes a lot of time and funds, and many gambling facilities do this (Baird, 2002). The training programs should be involving and fun for the employees being trained for them to grasp every aspect of the program. Good training program translates to good customer service and great customer satisfaction which is good for business. Improving retention strategies for consumers in gambling is one area that needs improvement. If these strategies are improved, the gamblers’ lifetime value and loyalty is increased and guaranteed. Improving the efficiency of customer service is one such strategy. The gamblers can also be motivated by boosting their confidence. Customer experience can also be advanced by introducing mobile applications and social media platforms that allow the gamblers and the gambling joint owners to interact. This boosts the confidence of the customers and encourages them to visit the gambling joints whether physically or through online services. The gambling industry has its own strategic evaluation marked with its own goals and objectives. The industry has recommendations on gambling research methods, ways to educate and prevent harm to gamblers and treatment. Within the gambling industry, research is being THE GAMBLING INDUSTRY 6 done to identify and minimize the risks and harms associated with high stake, high prize gaming machines and support for harm prevention strategies and projects (â€Å"Responsible Gambling†, 2012). The following are the goals for gambling industries via their strategic evaluation: creating public awareness to the general public mass of the potential and associated risks with gambling. This is by informing the mass about the problem of gambling issues and helping them know responsible gambling and making them aware of ways to make healthy choices. This is through education and training. Another goal is to deliver gambling in a manner that promotes responsible gambling and informed choices among gamblers and potential gamblers. This is can be backed up by developing policies that encourage responsible gambling and improving the skills and knowledge about responsible gambling among gamblers. Finally, the industry tries to provide treatment and support to those gamblers impacted by the problem of gambling (â€Å"Ministry of Public Safety†, 2011). Barriers to effective strategic evaluation in the gambling industry include; high taxes that gambling companies are charged by the government, intense competition and the rising labor costs. High taxes levied against the industries tend to make it hard for the companies to make their evaluations effective as most of the money assembled is charged by the government in form of tax. Intense competition amongst the gambling companies also acts as a barrier to evaluation as some companies are facing reduced profits from losing customers. The high cost of labor tends to reduce the profit levels of the companies too. With increased labor requirement for growth and the increase in labor costs, gambling firms are facing a loss of some funds. With the free and global access to the internet, the gambling industry can use this medium as a way to make their strategies effective. Some industries have built platforms on the THE GAMBLING INDUSTRY 7 internet such as websites where they can reach their customers from anywhere in the world. Online gambling games can also be created. Applications that can be installed on mobile phones and computers are being developed to enable gamblers to play their favorite games on their accessories. References Hoovers. (n. d). Gambling Report Summary. Retrieved from http://www. hoovers. com/industry- facts. gambling. 1431. html Martin Baird. (2002). Seven Keys to Improving Casino Guest Service. Retrieved from http://www. urbino. net/articles. cfm? specificArticle=Seven%20Keys%20to%20Improving %20Casino%20Guest%20Service Jueves.(2013). Casinos in the World: SWOT Analysis. Retrieved from http://casinosintheworld. blogspot. com/2013/02/swot-analysis. html THE GAMBLING INDUSTRY 8 Responsible Gambling Strategy Board. (2012). Responsible gambling strategy prioritises its focus for the next three years. Retrieved from http://www. rgsb. org. uk/press- releases/responsible-gambling-strategy-prioritises-its-focus-for-the-next-three-years. html Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. (2011). B. C. ’s Responsible Gambling Strategy and Three Year Plan (2011/12 – 2013/14). Retrieved from https://www. gaming. gov. bc. ca/reports/docs/plan-rg-three-yr-2011-2014. pdf.

Double Canopy, And Decision Making At My Level - 993 Words

My or my past organizations are generally the same as Triple Canopy, and decision making at my level is left to the discretion of the force protection specialist, the personal security officer, and DOD guard. â€Å"If† you cannot make a decision at the individual level with the appropriate judgement, analytical skills or sound reasoning then you don’t belong in the business. Decisions are based on personal experiences, policies, procedures, protocol, operation instructions, individual training or warning orders. At the organization level, this is the type of organization that exemplifies my profession: â€Å"Triple Canopy is a Constellis Group company. Constellis Group is a family of companies providing complementary advisory, security, training†¦show more content†¦Executive leadership is based and balanced on a wide-range of professional experience in both the non-military and military sectors (prior military, former Special Forces Operators and so forth). At my level or the level of an operator, the decisions are based on your experience, skills, training and the ability to apply sound reasoning when analyzing the information provided. We don’t sit around and excuse the phrase, as desk jockeys and come together for a brain storming session. Applicable information is addressed at guard mount, we are armed at all times (M4 rifles and M9 pistols), and prior to moving to assigned positions we have a general meeting where threat information is passed out. Details on non-military matters may be addressed, but that is basically all that may be forthcoming from the Shift Supervisor. Decisions are then based on what you know and how you apply the information provided, with your personal experience and background. Even though the majority of the security force is prior military, some members may have more combat experience then the next. Then you also have individuals from different military services, but the bottom line is â€Å"we trust you to make the right choices†. There are times when information may be up-channeled to the TOC (tactical operations center), or a call made to the Sector Chief for clarification on an issue, but the company is placing their trust in