Summary of (How and Why) Athletes go Broke Essay

Summary of (How and Why) Athletes go Broke - Essay Example Ismail Rocket admits that he has lost millions of dollars out of total ignorance. Athletes tend to invest in highest-caliber private deals no more than 1 in 30 of which every works out as advertised. Conservative spending seems like a boring idea to the athletes. Instead, they prefer investing money in inventions, nightclubs, and other innovative ideas with a thrill of tangibility. The inflatable raft invention that Hunter invested $70,000 about five years ago was one such trap. The investment partner asked Hunter to invest up to $500,000 more. Upon Hunter’s refusal, the investment partner vanished along with the original money. Much money is lost when athletes attempt to sell their possessions at a much lower than justified price in urgency to make up for other losses they are incurring. An example is provided by Muhammad who after having his music company sued offers his 8,200 sq. foot lakeside estate with unique features for a price that is $800,000 lesser than his original demand. Athletes get into sports at such an early age that they miss out on colleges and are not formerly equipped with the knowledge of finance and accounting. Neither have they much sense nor much time to get into the intricate details of their financial matters. Saving and growing money requires very critical decisions that cannot be made without careful assessment of the pros and cons of each option. Lack of awareness about the industry standards robs athletes. Athletes give their financial matters in the hands of novice and often unfaithful friends and family members in their attempt to assist their friends and family members financially. They are careless and irresponsible in distribution of authority to others regarding their own financial matters. In 2001, Strickland asked his dad who was a retired lieutenant colonel in the Air Force to look over a real-estate deal in Georgia that was on sale for $1.8 million but whose price had been appraised by $3 million. His father clea rly wasn’t capable of making the right decision and consequently, Strickland had to far overpay for the piece of land than what it was worth. Most players don’t know how well they are doing because their financial matters are entirely in the hands of others. Many of the people they trust are actually frauds. Kirk Wright, the fund manager of Atlanta hedge was convicted on 47 fraud and money laundering counts and he had more than eight NFL players in his client list. Overpaying is common among athletes. A former major Dominian Republic leaguer who got his financial matters taken care of by an adviser he had trusted for 18 years paid $5,000 on two cars’ insurance monthly while Hunter could get away with paying only $250 a month for three cars. Divorce is the worst thing that can happen to an athlete financially. Pro athletes have a high divorce rate. Half of their net worth is routinely lost in divorce proceedings. The fact that most divorces happen in retirement a fter termination of the peak earnings period complicates the matters further. Athletes have a much lower prenups percentage compared to nonathletes that are at the same economic level. Calling off nuptials cost Dikembe Mutombo $250,000 when just a day before marriage, Michelle Roberts refused to sign a premarital contract. Children and aversion to family planning are additional family related causes. Athletes are

Schools of Strategic Management Thought Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Schools of Strategic Management Thought - Essay Example The key characteristic of the Environmental School of Strategic Management Thought is that business is considered as closely depended on its environment – being unable, in a way, to take initiatives that would support its various activities. In accordance with Sadler (2003) the specific School of Strategic Management Thought is based on the contingency theory. In this context, it is noted that businesses that are influenced by the Environmental School of Strategic Management Thought have the following characteristics: a) their strategic decisions are likely to be influenced by the organizational environment, b) all organization’s decisions and activities need to be aligned with the environment, c) the leaders of these organizations do not have power to act independently; rather they should focus on identifying the conditions of the organizational environment and ensure the alignment of the business decisions with these conditions, d) businesses that follow the rules of the specific School of Strategic Management Thought are finally become unable to keep their identity and to realize their goals; this result to the gradual loss of the power of the organization to face the environmental conditions – which are likely to become hostile; in the long term, this phenomenon could lead the organization to stop its operations. In accordance with Matthews (2005) the Environmental School of Strategic Management Thought is based on ‘strategy formation as a reactive process’ (Matthews, 2005, p.29).

Netspeak Is Something Completely New English Language Essay

Netspeak Is Something Completely New English Language Essay In this essay, I will briefly identify the key features of Netspeak outlined by Crystal and subsequently attempt to evaluate his assertion that Netspeak can be classed as a fourth medium. In his book, Language and the Internet, Crystal states, Netspeak relies on characteristic belonging to both sides of the speech/writing divide I aim to decide whether this is the case or whether it is simply an aggregate of written and spoken characteristics. To begin his analysis, Crystal first establishes the key differences between written and spoken language and the criteria for each; he then applied each to Netspeak with reference to different areas of the internet. Table 1 illustrates the application of spoken language, with Table 2 doing the same for written. Table 1: Spoken language criteria applied to Netspeak (Crystal, 2006, p. 45) Web Blogging e-mail Chatgroups Virtual worlds Instant messaging Time-bound No No Yes, but differently Yes, but differently Yes, but differently Yes Spontaneous No Yes, but restricted Variable Yes, but restricted Yes, but restricted Yes Face-to-face No No No No No No, unless camera used Loosely structured Variable Yes Variable Yes Yes Yes Socially interactive No, with increasing options No, with increasing options Variable Yes, but restricted Yes, but restricted yes Immediately revisable No No No No No No Prosodically rich No No No No No No A key point in favour of Crystals argument is the lack of likeness to spoken language, however some features of spoken language is present for example, short constructions, phrasal repetition and looser sentence construction (Crystal, 2006). Nevertheless, there are crucial differences, including the absence of kinesics and proxemics that are essential for expressing personal opinions and attitudes in spoken language, as well as moderating social relationships to avoid disambiguation. Smileys or emoticons are used, particularly on social media sites, chat groups and in online messaging, in an attempt to replace these language features as without the common courtesies of spoken language, online messages may well be construed as impolite or offensive. However, the semantic role of emoticons are limited and can lead to misunderstanding themselves (Crystal, 2006), especially as they often appear in different formats. Further attempts have been made to replace paralinguistic features in instant messaging or on social media sites like Twitter and Facebook. Exaggerated use of spelling and punctuation, capitals and repeated letters and/or punctuation marks such as, NOOOOO!!!!, aaaaaah and woooooo are all common. Nevertheless, although capable of expressiveness, the range of meaning from these exaggerations is limited to emphasis, surprise and puzzlement. (Crystal, 2006) Spontaneity is probably the most obvious distinction between spoken language and Netspeak. A web page is never spontaneous as it is written, published, and then can be viewed years later. If an article from an online newspaper, or a blog, were viewed, it would not be unusual for said article to be a couple of years old. In terms of written language also, it could have been edited, with its content updated, layout altered or, if it is one of the larger newspapers, its advertising sponsor may have changed. An article on the Guardian website for example could have been written in 2007, yet been updated in 2011 to be relevant to current affairs. During these 4 years, the Guardian may have changed their sponsor from 02 to Hilton Hotels and so the adverts down the side will have changed too, and so on. Whilst these changes will have been made online, the same article printed in the Guardian newspaper in 2007 will remain un-edited in print form. Even instant messaging lacks the spontaneity of speech; a face-to-face conversation normally runs at 5 to 6 syllables a second, instant messaging however, must include time for the recipient to read and type their reply. An email could take even longer to respond months, although unusual , is not impossible. Table 2: Written language criteria applied to Netspeak (Crystal, 2006, p. 47) Web Blogging e-mail Chatgroups Virtual worlds Instant messaging Space-bound Yes, with options Yes Yes, but routinely deleted Yes, but restricted Yes, but restricted Yes, but moves off-screen rapidly Contrived Yes Variable Variable No, but with some adaption No, but with some adaption No Visually decontextuali-sed Yes, but with considerable adaption Yes Yes Yes Yes, but with some adaption Yes, unless camera used Elaborately structured Yes Variable Variable No No No Factually communicative Yes Yes Yes Variable Yes, but with some adaption Variable Repeatedly revisable Yes Variable Variable No No No Prosodically rich Yes, but differently No, with increasing options No No Yes, but differently No We must also consider that a large proportion of the language on the internet is written with the intention an audience of more than one will read it. Emails, along with other messages, are normally, but not always revised before sent, and web pages or articles from online magazines for example are edited before publishing. It is clear from Table 2 that there are a greater number of similarities between Netspeak and written language than Netspeak and Spoken. Equally, there is still a large number of further dissimilarities not yet discussed, for example, a user can interfere with a text from a web page through copy and paste, downloading or other methods not possible using traditional written texts. Thus, it is clear that Netspeak is closer to written language than spoken although there are still dissimilarities; this is where Netspeak has been described as written language pulled towards spoken. Whilst I am prepared to agree with this, I feel that Crystals assertion that Netspeak is a new medium is more accurate. Yes, Netspeak displays characteristics of both written and spoken forms of language, there are too many dissimilarities, at the moment, to enable us to categorically state to which category Netspeak belongs. The internet is constantly growing, likewise language evolving, so this may change. However with language as it currently stands, I feel Crystals assertion that Netspeak is a fourth medium is accurate.

Visual Perception Essay -- Biology Essays Research Papers

Visual Perception Any one given experience an organism perceives must incorporate several sensory systems, that involves numerous number of organs , that further more are comprised of millions upon millions of firing cells. Perception is not a direct mirroring of stimulus, but a complex chaotic patterns dependent on the simultaneously activity of neurons. This essay deals primarily with neurons from the optical sensory system. The outer ridge of the brain, known as the cerebral cortex begins the analysis of sensory messages. (1) Nevertheless, visual perception is possibly more widespread than one area of the cerebral cortex and like ly over various subcortical structures and number of different systems as well. (2) One of the many ways for the "perception process" to begin, is vision. Vision is dependent on the interaction between light input and the eye. The visual input is seen through lens that takes different light outside, refract and bend into points of light that focus on specific places on the retina. This light-sensitive tissue that lines the back of the eye consists of interconnected neurons. The three diff erent types are receptor cells, bipolar cells and ganglian cells. When photoreceptors are stimulated, they change in structure of photopigments in the receptors and transduce light input into neural activity. (2) Electrical stimulus trave ls down the axon of bipolar cells to the ganglian cells. The ganglian cells are activated through nerve impulses or action potentials and travel down the optic nerve. This activity conducts along the optic nerve to the geniculate nucleus that then travels to the mid- brain. (2) Finally the firing neurons activity travels to the cortex at the back of the brain, known as the stria... ...ic methods are more reasonable than linear, straightforward procedures. Is it reasonable that all of what one perceives is dependent exclusively on a specific set of procedures, rather than the interaction of cells, organs and systems? The former process seems to be improbable, while the latter process proves to be a chaotic, massive and cooperative. It was alluded to in class that one does not need the formulized "picture" or the visual perception. Nonetheless, I think that this added perplexity is a necessity. The visual perception of the "picture" encourages our understanding of ourselves as we ll as our surroundings. Internet Sources: http://sulcus.berkeley.edu/FLM/MS/Physio.Percept.html Ratlif f, Floyd. "Contour and Contrast," Scientific American, June 1972, pp. 91-101 Crutchfield, James. "Chaos," Scientific American, December 1986, pp. 46-57

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Review Sheets for Chapter 20. 1 1. Assuming the following reaction proceeds in the forward direction, 3 Sn4+(aq) + 2 Cr(s) ? 3 Sn2+(aq) + 2 Cr3+(aq) 4+ a. Sn (aq) is the reducing agent and Cr(s) is the oxidizing agent. b. Cr(s) is the reducing agent and Sn2+(aq) is the oxidizing agent. c. Sn4+(aq) is the reducing agent and Sn2+(aq) is the oxidizing agent. d. Cr(s) is the reducing agent and Cr3+(aq) is the oxidizing agent. e. Cr(s) is the reducing agent and Sn4+(aq) is the oxidizing agent. 2. The following reaction occurs spontaneously. H+(aq) + Ca(s) ? Ca2+(aq) + H2(g) Write the balanced oxidation half-reaction. a. 2 H+(aq) + 2 e– ? H2(g) b. 2 H+(aq) ? H2(g) + 2 e– c. H2(g) ? 2 H+(aq) + 2 e– d. Ca(s) + 2 e– ? Ca2+(aq) e. Ca(s) ? Ca2+(aq) + 2 e– 3. Write a balanced half-reaction for the reduction of CrO42–(aq) to Cr(OH)3(s) in a basic solution. a. CrO42–(aq) + 3 OH–(aq) + 3 e– ? Cr(OH)3(s) + 2 O2(g) b. CrO42–(aq) + 3 H+(aq) + 3 e– ? Cr(OH)3(s) c. CrO42–(aq) + 3 H+(aq) ? Cr(OH)3(s) + 2 e– d. CrO42–(aq) + 4 H2O( ) + 3 e– ? Cr(OH)3(s) + 5 OH–(aq) e.CrO42–(aq) + 3 OH–(aq) ? Cr(OH)3(s) + 2 O2(g) 4. Write a balanced chemical equation for the oxidation of Cd(s) by concentrated nitric acid, producing NO2(g) and Cd2+(aq). a. HNO3(aq) + Cd(s) ? Cd2+(aq) + NO2(g) + OH–(aq) b. 2 HNO3(aq) + Cd(s) ? Cd2+(aq) + 2 NO2(g) + 2 OH–(aq) c. HNO3(aq) + Cd(s) + H+(aq) ? Cd2+(aq) + NO2(g) + H2O( ) d. 4 HNO3(aq) + Cd(s) ? Cd2+(aq) + 2 NO2(g) + 2H2O( ) + 2 NO3–(aq) e. HNO3(aq) + Cd(s) ? Cd2+(aq) + NO2(g) Answer Section MULTIPLE CHOICE 1. 2. 3. 4. ANS: ANS: ANS: ANS: E E D D

Antebellum Steamboats

The steamboat craze happened during the turnpike craze. It was started by an engineer named Robert Fulton who installed a steam engine in a vessel that became known as the Clermont but was nicknamed Fulton’s Folly. One day in 1807, the little ship churned steadily from New York City up the Hudson River toward Albany which was 150 miles in 32 hours. The success was amazing. People could now defy wind, waves, tides, and downstream currents. Carrying capacity doubled.Keelboats went up the Mississippi at about 1 mph which was very expensive. The steamboats traveled over 10 mph against the current. By 1820 there were 60 steamboats on the Mississippi. By 1860 there were over 1000. Rivalries developed and led to racing. The steamboats led to an opening of the West and South which were filled with rivers. Until 1830 the products of the western region went southward and very little finished products made their way back west.The steamboat helped to send the finished products upriver and helped bind West and South together. This binding inspired the transportation revolution. In 1787, John Fitch built the first recorded steam powered boat in the United States. It was propelled by a row of oars on each side of the boat. He experimented with side-mounted paddle wheels, but in 1790 he used stern mounted oars instead. Fitch was the first to operate a steamboat commercially. It had scheduled transport of passengers and freight on the Delaware River in 1790.The first successful use of steam power to navigate a paddle wheel boat in America was in 1793. Samuel Morey used his steamboat on the Connecticut River. Robert Fulton became interested in steamboats at the age of 12 when he visited William Henry in 1777. He built and tested an experimental steamboat on the Seine River in 1803. Before returning to the United States, Fulton ordered a steam engine from Boulton and Watt, and built what the North River Steamboat. In 1807, the ship began passenger service between New York City and Albany.