Animation Techniques an Example of the Topic Science and Technology Essays by

Animation Techniques Introduction: All animation started with the mouse in Florida. Walt Disney. Animation is a sequence of drawn pictures, first manually, one by one, now computer enhanced. In Disneys beginning stages, animated programs required 24 images to produce one second duration of television programming. Producing animation was cheaper, but the financial income potential was limited. However in those days, Mr. Disney was doing great financially. Animation filming techniques continues to invent increasingly brilliant ideas for developing these bewitching little creatures to entertain us. Animation uses new technology giving illusions of movement at various speeds, depending on the role amazing little creatures are playing. Modern animated movies play more smoothly and fluidly than classic cartoons. An Even today, A full length animated movie takes a million separate drawings and three years to complete Walt Disney. Animated images are designed in several dimensions, usually, 2-D or 3-D. Animation is very fasci nating, fun to watch, and portray fluffy story lines. After all, children are its target audience. The colorful, vibrant charming multi-dimensional creations mysteriously give false impressions of movement and deceptive appearances of being simple to create. Need essay sample on "Animation Techniques" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed How Animation is Created; Animation is created with the use of several types of cameras and art work allowing the audience to see unrealistic actions. As with all movie making, every segment is broken down, and redone to fractions of seconds. Any timing of movements that are not centered, are caught and corrected much earlier with todays digital technology used for filming animation. Many filming techniques were copied from artists paintings, such as collage or abstract. Techniques used in Filming Animation: Time Lapse; The recording of the production is filmed at a much slower rate than its playback time. High Speed Photography; Opposite of time lapse. The camera photographs at least 128 frames per second. High Resolution; Hi-Tech electronic systems brings out distinguishable details of the images. Used in the facial movements of the animated characters. Collage; Variety of clips, joining one another or overlapping each other. Rotoscope; Animation drawn over pre recorded or existing films to give the production a closer to life like appearance. Cel; A clear background animation cartoons are drawn and painted. Using special cameras, the frames are photographed one by one. This was invented in 1915, and was used for cartoons. StoryBoard; After actors have made the script version of the animated film, the artists starts drawing the sketches that creates the characters. After the actors work is completed, the assignment of story boards are next. Storyboards are a set of drawings that tells actions of the characters. Story boards are used for outstanding actions, such as Spiderman leaping off skyscrapers, or the highlights of the show. Story boards are used for parts of the filming that are unrealistic. Every shot is drawn. Storyboards are tacked onto corkboards so changes can be easily made. Storyboards notes each camera movements, actions and scripts. Audio; Acting for an animated cartoon is much more difficult for an actor or singer, than acting in programs with live people. Two actors sit in two different glass rooms with microphones, and they read the scripts to each other, although they may not see each other. It is much harder to know how to match the emotions to the script, because there is no picture of what the characters look like yet. For the casting, they look for actors who have, or can imitate, voices that children will respond to. In animated films, the scripts and music is recorded before any art work begins. Stop Motion Technique; Stop motion technique means one single image is filmed at a time. Usually 24 images are filmed per one second of showtime. The camera focuses on the object; One frame of film is exposed, then the camera stops; Object is changed; This repeats 24 times, and one second of film is produced. Computer Generated Technique; Combines multiple techniques, 3-D virtual space and wireframe built on a blank slate, and goes from there. 3-D virtual space is the drawing, measured by the X, Y and Z axis graphs. Everyone learned about this in algebra. The wireframe is the computered imitation of the model. 3-D and wireframe methods are capable of producing unrealistic actions. A software version of this method is manufactured by Sven Technologies. A photograph is taken of the real live mortal person the character resembles. After the photographed is scanned, the 3-D virtual space and wireframes are used to create the fictional people, fishes, stars, ocean waves etcThis technique is always used in special effects. Compositing; Without compositing, the car in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang could not fly, smoke or swim. Multiple shots make up one photograph, a composite. Different shots are required to make fantasy actions possible. This can be done in computerized digital or optical, using several different cameras, a printer and high definition lenses. Compositing is broken down into steps. Bottom Plate, where other elements will be placed on the top of the bottom plate. Each individual element is photographed separately-usually against a blue background because the color is visually isolated A black and white silhouette is made; the bluescreen transforms to white and everything is photographed in black. This is called a matte. Traveling matte are objects that move, such as The Little Mermaid swimming. After the matting is completed, on final composite shot is taken. Information for table; Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Oh What A Car! To give fantasy illusions of the flying car, manual or optical compositing, and plenty of it, was used. Not all of the show is animated, that may have been impossible, or would have taken a very long time. This amazing car flies, spreads its wings out to float on water, it talks and sings with detailed facial expressions. Lord of the Rings 1978 animated remake used the rotoscope method. The characters movements and the arched shaped buildings look much more life like, and realistic. The animated artists drew over the details of an existing sketch. Snow White and the Seven dwarfs used different filmings. Snow White was the only character retroscoped so she would stand out in the animated movie. She was the star of the show. It shows up in her movements, where she is more coordinated, moves more easily. The contrast is very visual when comparing her movements to the dwarfs or the witch, the rock sliding etcThe other aspects of the show appears to have been filmed using the cel method. The frames looked like they were photographed one by one, giving the overall picture a choppy look, but very up to date in its time. When the rocks are falling off the cliff, the stop motion technique was applied. The Frog Princess is cel animated. The Princess moves are separated, but the interruptions in her moves are not supposed to be noticed. The birds flying was filmed with high speed photography. The come into the picture, quickly, not interruptions in their moves. The frames were filmed at about 128 frames per second. The Little Mermaid was filmed in 2-Dimensional photography. Her facial features, big eye and mouth movements was state of the art technology in that time. There were many stop motion shots taken; her and her boyfriend laying on the beach, the dawn lit sky, her singing against a mid bright sun. The frames did not move for a while. When she was singing, she was photographed in the time lapse method. A Beautiful Aurora; A time Lapse Animation was filmed, of course using time lapse. The snow falling over the ground was filmed maybe the traditional 24 frames per second. Different motions and different speeds were possible by using computer generated methods. The snow falling slowly, but the waves crashing on the beach was filmed at about 80 frames per second. Another time lapse film was the time lapse animation of the moon going through a full lunar cycle. All of the details of the moon are visible, the light reflections, the dark circles, and the rotations are captured in the filming process. The moon in the video is moving fast. But time lapse films videos at a fraction of the rate of speed it is played back in. Superman, is full of special effects, to amazing to be realistic. Up to date, state of the art techniques were used; for one thing, they know every version of Superman is going to be a success. Each filming has to be better than the last. Composites, computer generated techniques, combined with many photographs and designs wee implicated; The rocket, the fire from the rocket, outer space images and Superman flying were very distinct, clear, easy to be seen and moved freely across the screen. Since the objects and characters were so distinguishable, 3-D techniques were used as well. Digital Media Production: Creating animation looks easy, like the artists just drew a colorful, fantasy car flying through the air, or a lifelike mermaid swimming under the water. But lots of tedious details go into making animation characters. Putting the show together, requires people who are patient, and know what they are doing. The smallest short cut can mess up the entire film. It is not only the creating the animated characters, that makes the show. It does not matter how creative and talented and technically advanced the artists (or the technology) is if the filming process malfunctions. Some animations require only the showing the digital images, the shooting. Many of the more advanced animated shows require filming, very slow filming or photography as a part of the process. Although technology is what we call science fiction, or unbelievable, the creators behind it sill have to have talent and training. Besides excellent drawing, painting and visual imagery skills, they have to be good in math. Media is the way people are reached. Digital is numerical. Digital Media primarily uses numeric systems to create movies, videos and cartoons. Our eyes retain memory of visual images for about one tenth of a second. Creating animation requires attention to the tiniest details, the slightest imperfection is noticed. Many of the animation we see today is a repeat of the past. It looks more advanced, because of the electronics used to create the productions. Using numerical system will result in more accurate measurements than guessing. But almost all animation, as almost everything what we see today, musicals, videos concerts is repeated from the past. Conclusion: Event though artists works is a replicate of the past, amazing breakthrough developments in animation have occurred. Disney did amazing things with using fantasy and imagination resulting in animation or life like cartoon characters. However, the perfection and amazement in animation is beyond belief. This is one of the reasons children are so much smarter today. These animated cartoons gets their attention. Children feel important when they see a life like character they know is made for them. Animations develops childrens imaginations. Because of the continued advancements, more animated shows reach more audiences. Many years ago, there is no possibility of the number of animated shows or videos could have been produced as there are being produced today. For one thing, the production companys did not have a place to show them. Movie theaters had one screen, showed on show. Satellite dishes were unheard of; cable television maybe had 10 stations. They had to hand draw thousands of s lides. Twenty four photos equaled one second of air time. Todays numerical system allows more rapid output of yesterdays productions. Notes Sources are videos can be viewed Fantasia Beautiful Aurora Frog Princess; 9:59 Lord of the Rings; Moon Going Through a Full Lunar cycle; continous Paula Abdul Opposites Attract

1984 comparative Essay

1984 comparative Essay 1984 Comparative EssayIn 1984, the main character is Winston Smith. He lives in Airstrip One also known as England in the states of Oceania. The world has been divided in to three states such as this: Oceania, Eurasia and Eastasia. There is no trust or love in this world, and the government, known as Big Brother is always watching you for signs of thought crime. If you dislike Big Brother even in a few seconds you neighbor, your children, or your wife could turn you in. In Winston world even the telescreens watch you in every second of every day. In Airstrip One and all of Oceania, feelings are seen as evil, distracting and just plain bad. You are not allowed to love one person or over another, but see everyone equally. Everyone is comrade: comrade Syme, comrade parsons and comrade Smith. You are not allowed to enjoy sex, either.Fictitious map, illustrating the political landsca...In fact, in girl's schools, they teach the women that should refer sex as "doing their duty to the Party " and other such drivel. And as for men if enjoy sex or wake up the sexual pleasure in women, they had just committed a crime. In the story, Winston has fall in love with Julia, but they get careless and get caught. In The Giver, Jonas was about to turn 12 years old, each child who turn 12 will be assigned to a different job. Jonas was chosen to be a Receiver of Memory.

Lessons from Enron for British Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Lessons from Enron for British Business - Essay Example Another accounting gap, which was discovered from the Enron's balance sheet, was the recording of the note receivable as an asset. These were the promises to pay the equity claim in the limited partnerships, which Enron recorded as assets even though GAAP requires subscribed equity to be reported as a contra-stockholders' equity account, rather than as a note receivable. Once it was accused of GAAP violations, Enron announced it would restate the previous 4 As years of financial statements by recording a $1.2 billion reduction in stockholders' equity, adjusting its income statements and balance sheets for the unconsolidated SPEs, and making prior-period proposed audit adjustments and reclassifications that had originally been considered as immaterial. Enron's restatement reduced previously reported net income by $569 million and reduced shareholders' equity by $1.2 billion. Shortly after these announcements, several rating agencies lowered Enron's long-term debt to below-investment grade, and Dynegy terminated its proposed merger agreement with Enron. In December 2001, Enron filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Charles Mulford, co-author of The Financial Numbers Game, says, "the accounting model isn't broken, financial reporting just needs some tweaks." The Enron used the most common off balance sheet financing technique. ... Enron's restatement reduced previously reported net income by $569 million and reduced shareholders' equity by $1.2 billion. Shortly after these announcements, several rating agencies lowered Enron's long-term debt to below-investment grade, and Dynegy terminated its proposed merger agreement with Enron. In December 2001, Enron filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Off Balance Sheet Financing: 2nd aspect: Charles Mulford, co-author of The Financial Numbers Game, says, "the accounting model isn't broken, financial reporting just needs some tweaks." The Enron used the most common off balance sheet financing technique. Enron conducted much of its business in these entities that they controlled. They transacted with themselves. That kind of self-dealing allowed them to report profits when they weren't traditionally making a profit." (Cited in Kelcher, 2002) Definition: Off balance sheet usually means an asset or debt or financing activity not on the company's balance sheet. It could involve a lease or a separate subsidiary or a contingent liability such as a letter of credit. (Wikipedia, 2005) Can be explained as the different methods of acquiring capital by a company, which is not stated, on the financial statement of the company. The most commonly used methods of raising money which does not appear on the balance sheet is in the shape of the research and development partnerships, different kinds of lease, and Joint ventures etc. are the common methods used. Most of the companies obtain funds by using their product idea on intelligence and knowledge about any specific field and acquiring the capital from the partner. Since the partner who is providing

Handling a Virus Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Handling a Virus - Essay Example B cells are also a part of the immune system but are produced in the bone marrow of the subject thus the letter B is used to denote them. Millions of variations of these cells are produced by humans and they circulate the body to produce antibodies once they are activated. A B cell has to come across its respective antigen and on the reception of a chemical signal from a T cell it can change itself to create an immune response. Knowing that HIV enters the body to inject macrophages and CD4+ T cells through glycoproteins on the surface to the receptors on other cells shows us that the Virus is attacking the very cells which could possibly envelop and destroy it (ADARC, 1999). Therefore, we would have to seek out ways in which certain T cells or B cells could be created which recognize what the virus actually is instead of simply attaching themselves to the virus to be destroyed. Since the creation of these T cells requires research on the virus itself, we would require live as well as dead samples of the virus that could be used on various mammals to see how their bodies respond to the virus and to see if any particular cells are generated by the subject which could lead to a cure for the virus in the shape of a vaccine. The surface point which would be a good target for the researchers could be the glycoprotein gp120 that normally connects to healthy cells in order to affect and infect them.

How have Apple's Marketing activities allowed it to become the world's Dissertation

How have Apple's Marketing activities allowed it to become the world's leading technology company - Dissertation Example 12 Steve Jobs †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 12 Research Issue: The structure and the Framework †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 13 Rationale for the research †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 12 Statement of Research aims and objectives †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 13 Chapter 2 - LITERATURE REVIEW †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 14 Introduction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 14 Marketing activities and Business success†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 14 Apple’s marketing activities and Strategies†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 15 Innovative Design and Product Differentiation†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 15 Marketing for Brand Loyalty †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 17 Complete Solution - A Marketing strategy †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 18 Apple’s own-store retailing for effective marketing†¦.. ... 26 Chapter 4 - ANALYSIS †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 27 Introduction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 27 SWOT analysis of Apple †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 27 Strengths †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 28 Weaknesses†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 28 Opportunities†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 29 Threats†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚ ¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 29 PEST-G analysis of Apple Inc †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 29 Political Environment †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 29 Economic Environment †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 30 Social Environment †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 30 Technological Environment †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 31 Green Environment †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 31 Marketing-mix analysis of Apple Inc †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 33 Techn ology and Innovation of Apple Inc †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 33 Ratio Analysis of Apple’s financial data†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 33 Chapter 5 - ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 34 SWOT analysis †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 34 PEST-G analysis †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 35 Marketing Mix †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 36 Technology and Innovation †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 36 Ratio Analysis †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 36 Evaluative Conclusion

Servicescape analysis of a function

Servicescape analysis of a function Executive Summary Purpose: The purpose of this report is to critically analyse an establishment’s different servicescape dimensions and to provide an overall assessment of its servicescape. Analyses: The report aims to find out the different servicescape being utilised by the establishment which makes them successful and what’s need to change. The information in this report is collected through literature reviews mostly journal articles and an actual participation in each experience. Overall Assessment: Discussion will provide a value insight and practical knowledge regarding the topic and will provide more qualitative understanding of the findings to help future researchers improve upon the present study. Conclusion: In conclusion The servicescape plays a major part in shaping customers’ perception of the firm’s image and positioning. A service quality is often difficult to assess as customers frequently use the servicescape as an important quality signal. A well designed servicescape makes customers feel good and boosts their satisfaction and allows the firm to influence their behaviour on enhancing the productivity of the service operation. Numerous tactical decisions must be made when designing the organisation’s environment. Individuals based perceptions of the organisation’s services on sensory cues that exist in the organisation’s environment. Specific tactical decisions must be made about the creation and sometimes the avoidance of scent appeals, sight appeals, sound appeals, touch appeals and taste appeals. The design of management of the organisation’s sensory cues are critical to its long term success. The servicescape must be designed with consideration of the impact on each of the five (5) senses. The Saints Brasserie is located at Edensor Road, serving lunches and dinner, Saints offers Australian and French cuisine with spectacular views. Their staffs provide guests with unsurpassed service, sumptuously prepared dishes served in a warm and friendly atmosphere. It can be a favourite destination spot and a great place to enjoy delightful meals, share a cocktail or glass of wine with friends. Their extensive wine cellar offers a wide selection of vintages and elegant food pairing possibilities. With inside seating, guests can enjoy expertly prepared poultry, fresh seafood, and meats all cook to order. For dessert, enjoy fresh fruits, cappuccino, simple chocolate and deep dark espresso or relax under the stars. Introduction The term â€Å"brasserie† is a French word meaning a French restaurant serving singled dishes with a relaxed seating. This gives Saints a French appeal. Saints Brasserie has a simple servicescape. The restaurant is designed to target the average income class and anyone who is looking for great food at affordable prices. Physical Dimension A.1 Signs, symbols artifacts As soon as patrons arrive at St. John’s RSL, they are given immediate directions on where to go. The plentiful amount of signs throughout the establishment show where things are located and how to get around. One of the highlights at Saints is the use of collaterals highlighting the daily specials hanging high up on the wall outside of the entrance for everyone to clearly see. This will gain the attention of patrons and track those who are interested with the special being offered. Patrons also need to first find a table before ordering. However, the signage is so small and unnoticeable which creates confusion and disorganisation to both the cashier and customers especially during their peak hours, which is from 11PM – 1PM and 5PM-8PM. There is a signage that says â€Å"Order here† which clearly shows where to line up for dining in or taking out. Customers can only make one line, but there are two cash counters that speed up the ordering process. Guests are assisted by friendly staffs who have knowledge both the menu and food. Also, outside the entrance is the monitor with the entire menu of the restaurant with every item Saints has to offer. Though occasional, it is poorly chosen as it is in the middle of the line and those who choose to see the menu without waiting in line are not able to as there is no crowding allowed in that hall. Moreover, the menu of Saints is detailed with few visual aids and variety. Included in the menu is their monthly specials. The menu is not cluttered so customers can easily find the desired items. Here is the sample of what Saints has to offer for dinks and food. Both are presented well and taste great. A.2. Space/ Function Saints does an excellent job of transforming the BINGO area into seating and therefore utilises it for more than one purpose. This is made available when the area is not being used for gaming. However, Saints has no separate room for special events and larger party. There are three different types of atmospheres and tables within the restaurant. There is the regular seating, the boost banquet seating which is located along the windows of the bar near the back as well as the bar seating which are raised tables and taller chairs. In every meal, patrons can get a free drink which you have to claim at the RSL’s main bar. The bar is central to seating which is beneficial as it allows customers to have easy access to the bar without going all the way into the restaurant. It is accessible right by the door so if one wanted to just attend the bar then they could do so. However, the restaurant does not offer seating at the bar. That is why instead of the usual bar set-up where TVs are located just above the bar, the television at Saints are located on the right side of the main bar where customers can wait for their orders and drinks. The televisions in Saints are often displaying sports channels, which is very indicative of the Sports bar appeal the restaurant has. Different TVs often shows different sports so customers can choose what is most important to them to watch and focus on that. A.3 Ambient Conditions During the day, there is a non- direct natural light from the windows while the general view of the interior lights provide a warm bright atmosphere. The entire restaurant is very clean with modern styling. There is a lot of available space and is open in concept. For the dinner atmosphere, the lighting is reduced to a more amber special area lighting approach creating a more comfortable atmosphere for customers can feel that they can stay longer. The restaurant music and noise stays at reasonable levels allowing for table conversations. The creative and vibrant lighting at the bar changes further emphasising the nightlife mode. It is suggestive of a fun, upbeat nightclub and a place to let loose and grab a drink with friends. After dinner is over, the lights are reduced further for the bar crowd. Lighting is changed to spotlighting approach for areas that need vision. Reducing the lighting makes people feel less self-conscious and more inclined to dance and drink. The music and people of the night time bar are all of similar age as expected at a RSL. B. Social Dimension Employees at Saints know the responsibilities and are delegated to specific tasks such as clearing and serving food orders. The main bar is spacious enough where bartenders can easily move behind the bar to efficiently make drinks and take orders. However, Saints has its downfalls and unfortunately there are unnoticeable faults that hindered my experience during atleast one of my visits. The first being, keeping the cleaning supplies out of the eyes of the guests especially not putting the dirty rags right beside the clean cutlery. The initial greeting and wait times can take very long and guests never know how long they actually have to wait. Moreover, food orders also take too long to come out. We have waited for more than an hour before it came out. Socially – symbolic Dimension D. Natural Dimension Overall Assessment First impressions are key to a positive experience. Luckily, a solution to each negative influence to the servicescape can easily be made. Overall, Saints has transformed into a bar with a true identity. One that is connected and integrated with its customers with modern sports bar dà ©cor, functional layout with various seating options and a conveniently located bar among other great features. Staffs are friendly, the aromas are enticing and food are delicious. Knowing this, Saints has a solid foundation but does need some direction to really make it a place to be.

The Enlightenment :: European Europe History

The Enlightenment The Enlightenment is a name given by historians to an intellectual movement that was predominant in the Western world during the 18th century. Strongly influenced by the rise of modern science and by the aftermath of the long religious conflict that followed the Reformation, the thinkers of the Enlightenment (called philosophes in France) were committed to secular views based on reason or human understanding only, which they hoped would provide a basis for beneficial changes affecting every area of life and thought. The more extreme and radical philosophes-Denis Diderot, Claude Adrien Helvetius, Baron d'Holbach, the Marquis de Condorcet, and Julien Offroy de La Mettrie (1709-51)--advocated a philosophical rationalism deriving its methods from science and natural philosophy that would replace religion as the means of knowing nature and destiny of humanity; these men were materialists, pantheists, or atheists. Other enlightened thinkers, such as Pierre Bayle, Voltaire, David Hume, Jean Le Rond D'alembert, and Immanuel Kant, opposed fanaticism, but were either agnostic or left room for some kind of religious faith. All of the philosophes saw themselves as continuing the work of the great 17th century pioneers-Francis Bacon, Galileo, Descartes, Leibnitz, Isaac Newton, and John Locke-who had developed fruitful methods of rational and empirical inquiry and had demonstrated the possibility of a world remade by the application of knowledge for human benefit. The philosophes believed that science could reveal nature as it truly is and show how it could be controlled and manipulated. This belief provided an incentive to extend scientific methods into every field of inquiry, thus laying the groundwork for the development of the modern social sciences. The enlightened understanding of human nature was one that emphasized the right to self-expression and human fulfillment, the right to think freely and express one's views publicly without censorship or fear of repression. Voltaire admired the freedom he found in England and fostered the spread of English ideas on the Continent. He and his followers opposed the intolerance of the established Christian churches of their day, as well as the European governments that controlled and suppressed dissenting opinions. For example, the social disease which Pangloss caught from Paquette was traced to a "very learned Franciscan" and later to a Jesuit. Also, Candide reminisces that his passion for Cunegonde first developed at a Mass. More conservative enlightened thinkers, concerned primarily with efficiency and administrative order, favored the "enlightened despotism" of such monarchs as Emperor Joseph II, Frederick II of Prussia, and Catherine II of Russia.

Prelude to Foundation Chapter 12 Aerie

ROBOT-†¦ A term used in the ancient legends of several worlds for what are more usually called â€Å"automata.† Robots are described as generally human in shape and made of metal, although some are supposed to have been pseudo-organic in nature. Hari Seldon, in the course of The Flight, is popularly supposed to have seen an actual robot, but that story is of dubious origin. Nowhere in Seldon's voluminous writings does he mention robots at all, although†¦ Encyclopedia Galactica 56. They were not noticed. Hari Seldon and Dors Venabili repeated the trip of the day before and this time no one gave them a second look. Hardly anyone even gave them a first look. On several occasions, they had to tuck their knees to one side to allow someone sitting on an inner seat to get past them and out. When someone got in, they quickly realized they had to move over if there was an inner empty seat. This time they quickly grew tired of the smell of kirtles that were not freshly laundered because they were not so easily diverted by what went on outside. But eventually they were there. â€Å"That's the library,† said Seldon in a low voice. â€Å"I suppose so,† said Dors. â€Å"At least that's the building that Mycelium Seventy-Two pointed out yesterday.† They sauntered toward it leisurely. â€Å"Take a deep breath,† said Seldon. â€Å"This is the first hurdle.† The door ahead was open, the light within subdued. There were five broad stone steps leading upward. They stepped onto the lowermost one and waited several moments before they realized that their weight did not cause the steps to move upward. Dors grimaced very slightly and gestured Seldon upward. Together they walked up the stairs, feeling embarrassed on behalf of Mycogen for its backwardness. Then, through a door, where, at a desk immediately inside was a man bent over the simplest and clumsiest computer Seldon had ever seen. The man did not look up at them. No need, Seldon supposed. White kirtle, bald head-all Mycogenians looked so nearly the same that one's eyes slid off them and that was to the tribespeople's advantage at the moment. The man, who still seemed to be studying something on the desk, said, â€Å"Scholars?† â€Å"Scholars,† said Seldon. The man jerked his head toward a door. â€Å"Go in. Enjoy.† They moved inward and, as nearly as they could see, they were the only ones in this section of the library. Either the library was not a popular resort or the scholars were few or-most likely-both. Seldon whispered, â€Å"I thought surely we would have to present some sort of license or permission form and I would have to plead having forgotten it.† â€Å"He probably welcomes our presence under any terms. Did you ever see a place like this? If a place, like a person, could be dead, we would be inside a corpse.† Most of the books in this section were print-books like the Book in Seldon's inner pocket. Dors drifted along the shelves, studying them. She said, â€Å"Old books, for the most part. Part classic. Part worthless.† â€Å"Outside books? Non-Mycogen, I mean?† â€Å"Oh yes. If they have their own books, they must be kept in another section. This one is for outside research for poor little self-styled scholars like yesterday's.-This is the reference department and here's an Imperial Encyclopedia†¦ must be fifty years old if a day†¦ and a computer.† She reached for the keys and Seldon stopped her. â€Å"Wait. Something could go wrong and we'll be delayed.† He pointed to a discreet sign above a free-standing set of shelves that glowed with the letters TO THE SACR TORIUM. The second A in SACRATORIUM was dead, possibly recently or possibly because no one cared. (The Empire, thought Seldon, was in decay. All parts of it. Mycogen too.) He looked about. The poor library, so necessary to Mycogenian pride, perhaps so useful to the Elders who could use it to find crumbs to shore up their own beliefs and present them as being those of sophisticated tribespeople, seemed to be completely empty. No one had entered after them. Seldon said, â€Å"Let's step in here, out of eyeshot of the man at the door, and put on our sashes.† And then, at the door, aware suddenly there would be no turning back if they passed this second hurdle, he said, â€Å"Dors, don't come in with me.† She frowned. â€Å"Why not?† â€Å"It's not safe and I don't want you to be at risk.† â€Å"I am here to protect you,† she said with soft firmness. â€Å"What kind of protection can you be? I can protect myself, though you may not think it. And I'd be handicapped by having to protect you. Don't you see that?† â€Å"You mustn't be concerned about me, Hari,† said Dors. â€Å"Concern is my part.† She tapped her sash where it crossed in the space between her obscured breasts. â€Å"Because Hummin asked you to?† â€Å"Because those are my orders.† She seized Seldon's arms just above his elbow and, as always, he was surprised by her firm grip. She said, â€Å"I'm against this, Hari, but if you feel you must go in, then I must go in too.† â€Å"All right, then. But if anything happens and you can wriggle out of it, run. Don't worry about me.† â€Å"You're wasting your breath, Hari. And you're insulting me.† Seldon touched the entrance panel and the portal slid open. Together, almost in unison, they walked through. 57. A large room, all the larger because it was empty of anything resembling furniture. No chairs, no benches, no seats of any kind. No stage, no drapery, no decorations. No lights, merely a uniform illumination of mild, unfocused light. The walls were not entirely blank. Periodically, arranged in spaced fashion at various heights and in no easy repetitive order, there were small, primitive, two-dimensional television screens, all of which were operating. From where Dors and Seldon stood, there was not even the illusion of a third dimension, not a breath of true holovision. There were people present. Not many and nowhere together. They stood singly and, like the television monitors, in no easy repetitive order. All were white-kirtled, all sashed. For the most part, there was silence. No one talked in the usual sense. Some moved their lips, murmuring softly. Those who walked did so stealthily, eyes downcast. The atmosphere was absolutely funereal. Seldon leaned toward Dors, who instantly put a finger to her lips, then pointed to one of the television monitors. The screen showed an idyllic garden bursting with blooms, the camera panning over it slowly. They walked toward the monitor in a fashion that imitated the others-slow steps, putting each foot down softly. When they were within half a meter of the screen, a soft insinuating voice made itself heard: â€Å"The garden of Antennin, as reproduced from ancient guidebooks and photographs, located in the outskirts of Eos. Note the-â€Å" Dors said in a whisper Seldon had trouble catching over the sound of the set, â€Å"It turns on when someone is close and it will turn off if we step away. If we're close enough, we can talk under cover, but don't look at me and stop speaking if anyone approaches.† Seldon, his head bent, his hands clasped before him (he had noted that this was a preferred posture), said, â€Å"Any moment I expect someone to start wailing.† â€Å"Someone might. They're mourning their Lost World,† said Dors. â€Å"I hope they change the films every once in a while. It would be deadly to always see the same ones.† â€Å"They're all different,† said Dors, her eyes sliding this way and that. â€Å"They may change periodically. I don't know.† â€Å"Wait!† said Seldon just a hair's breadth too loud. He lowered his voice and said, â€Å"Come this way.† Dors frowned, failing to make out the words, but Seldon gestured slightly with his head. Again the stealthy walk, but Seldon's footsteps increased in length as he felt the need for greater speed and Dors, catching up, pulled sharply-if very briefly-at his kirtle. He slowed. â€Å"Robots here,† he said under the cover of the sound as it came on. The picture showed the corner of a dwelling place with a rolling lawn and a line of hedges in the foreground and three of what could only be described as robots. They were metallic, apparently, and vaguely human in shape. The recording said, â€Å"This is a view, recently constructed, of the establishment of the famous Wendome estate of the third century. The robot you see near the center was, according to tradition, named Bendar and served twenty-two years, according to the ancient records, before being replaced.† Dors said, † ‘Recently constructed,' so they must change views.† â€Å"Unless they've been saying ‘recently constructed' for the last thousand years.† Another Mycogenian stepped into the sound pattern of the scene and said in a low voice, though not as low as the whisperings of Seldon and Dors, â€Å"Greetings, Brothers.† He did not look at Seldon and Dors as he spoke and after one involuntary and startled glance, Seldon kept his head averted. Dors had ignored it all. Seldon hesitated. Mycelium Seventy-Two had said that there was no talking in the Sacratorium. Perhaps he had exaggerated. Then too he had not been in the Sacratorium since he was a child. Desperately, Seldon decided he must speak. He said in a whisper, â€Å"And to you, Brother, greetings.† He had no idea whether that was the correct formula of reply or if there was a formula, but the Mycogenian seemed to find nothing amiss in it. â€Å"To you in Aurora,† he said. â€Å"And to you,† said Seldon and because it seemed to him that the other expected more, he added, â€Å"in Aurora,† and there was an impalpable release of tension. Seldon felt his forehead growing moist. The Mycogenian said, â€Å"Beautiful! I haven't seen this before.† â€Å"Skillfully done,† said Seldon. Then, in a burst of daring, he added, â€Å"A loss never to be forgotten.† The other seemed startled, then said, â€Å"Indeed, indeed,† and moved away. Dors hissed, â€Å"Take no chances. Don't say what you don't have to.† â€Å"It seemed natural. Anyway, this it recent. But those are disappointing robots. They are what I would expect automata to be. I want to see the organic ones-the humanoids.† â€Å"If they existed,† said Dors with some hesitation, â€Å"it seems to me they wouldn't be used for gardening jobs.† â€Å"True,† said Seldon. â€Å"We must find the Elders' aerie.† â€Å"If that exists. It seems to me there is nothing in this hollow cave but a hollow cave.† â€Å"Let's look.† They paced along the wall, passing from screen to screen, trying to wait at each for irregular intervals until Dors clutched Seldon's arms. Between two screens were lines marking out a faint rectangle. â€Å"A door,† Dors said. Then she weakened the assertion by adding, â€Å"Do you think?† Seldon looked about surreptitiously. It was in the highest degree convenient that, in keeping with the mourning atmosphere, every face, when not fixed on a television monitor, was bent in sad concentration on the floor. Seldon said, â€Å"How do you suppose it would open?† â€Å"An entrance patch.† â€Å"I can't make out any.† â€Å"It's just not marked out, but there's a slight discoloration there. Do you see it? How many palms? How many times?† â€Å"I'll try. Keep an eye out and kick me if anyone looks in this direction.† He held his breath casually, touched the discolored spot to no avail, and then placed his palm full upon it and pressed. The door opened silently-not a creak, not a scrape. Seldon stepped through as rapidly as he could and Dors followed him. The door closed behind them. â€Å"The question is,† said Dors, â€Å"did anyone see us?† Seldon said, â€Å"Elders must go through this door frequently.† â€Å"Yes, but will anyone think we are Elders?† Seldon waited, then said, â€Å"If we were observed and if anyone thought something was wrong, this door would have been flung open again within fifteen seconds of our entering.† â€Å"Possibly,† said Dors dryly, â€Å"or possibly there is nothing to be seen or done on this side of the door and no one cares if we enter.† â€Å"That remains to be seen,† muttered Seldon. The rather narrow room they had entered was somewhat dark, but as they stepped farther into it, the light brightened. There were chairs, wide and comfortable, small tables, several davenports, a deep and tall refrigerator, cupboards. â€Å"If this is the Elders' aerie,† said Seldon, â€Å"the Elders seem to do themselves comfortably, despite the austerity of the Sacratorium itself.† â€Å"As would be expected,† said Dors. â€Å"Asceticism among a ruling class-except for public show-is very rare. Put that down in your notebook for psychohistorical aphorisms.† She looked about. â€Å"And there is no robot.† Seldon said, â€Å"An aerie is a high position, remember, and this ceiling is not. There must be upper storeys and that must be the way.† He pointed to a well-carpeted stairway. He did not advance toward it, however, but looked about vaguely. Dors guessed what he was seeking. She said, â€Å"Forget about elevators. There's a cult of primitivism in Mycogen. Surely, you haven't forgotten that, have you? There would be no elevators and, what's more, if we place our weight at the foot of the stairs, I am quite certain it will not begin moving upward. We're going to have to climb it. Several flights, perhaps.† â€Å"Climb it?† â€Å"It must, in the nature of things, lead to the aerie-if it leads anywhere. Do you want to see the aerie or don't you?† Together they stepped toward the staircase and began the climb. They went up three flights and, as they did, the light level decreased perceptibly and in steady increments. Seldon took a deep breath and whispered, â€Å"I consider myself to be in pretty good shape, but I hate this.† â€Å"You're not used to this precise type of physical exertion.† She showed no signs of physical distress whatever. At the top of the third flight the stairs ended and before them was another door. â€Å"And if it's locked?† said Seldon, more to himself than to Dors. â€Å"Do we try to break it down?† But Dors said, â€Å"Why should it be locked when the lower door was not? If this is the Elders' aerie, I imagine there's a taboo on anyone but Elders coming here and a taboo is much stronger than any lock.† â€Å"As far as those who accept the taboo are concerned,† said Seldon, but he made no move toward the door. â€Å"There's still time to turn back, since you hesitate,† said Dors. â€Å"In fact, I would advise you to rum back.† â€Å"I only hesitate because I don't know what we'll find inside. If it's empty-† And then he added in a rather louder voice, â€Å"Then it's empty,† and he strode forward and pushed against the entry panel. The door retracted with silent speed and Seldon took a step back at the surprising flood of light from within. And there, facing him, eyes alive with light, arms half-upraised, one foot slightly advanced before the other, gleaming with a faintly yellow metallic shine, was a human figure. For a few moments, it seemed to be wearing a tight-fitting tunic, but on closer inspection it became apparent that the tunic was part of the structure of the object. â€Å"It's the robot,† said Seldon in awe, â€Å"but it's metallic.† â€Å"Worse than that,† said Dors, who had stepped quickly to one side and then to the other. â€Å"Its eyes don't follow me. Its arms don't as much as tremble. It's not alive-if one can speak of robots as being alive.† And a man-unmistakably a man-stepped out from behind the robot and said, â€Å"Perhaps not. But I am alive.† And almost automatically, Dors stepped forward and took her place between Seldon and the man who had suddenly appeared. 58. Seldon pushed Dors to one side, perhaps a shade more roughly than he intended. â€Å"I don't need protection. This is our old friend Sunmaster Fourteen.† The man who faced them, wearing a double sash that was perhaps his right as High Elder, said, â€Å"And you are Tribesman Seldon.† â€Å"Of course,† said Seldon. â€Å"And this, despite her masculine dress, is Tribeswoman Venabili.† Dors said nothing. Sunmaster Fourteen said, â€Å"You are right, of course, tribesman. You are in no danger of physical harm from me. Please sit down. Both of you. Since you are not a Sister, tribeswoman, you need not retire. There is a seat for you which, if you value such a distinction, you will be the first woman ever to have used.† â€Å"I do not value such a distinction,† said Dors, spacing her words for emphasis. Sunmaster Fourteen nodded. â€Å"That is as you wish. I too will sit down, for I must ask you questions and I do not care to do it standing.† They were sitting now in a corner of the room. Seldon's eyes wandered to the metal robot. Sunmaster Fourteen said, â€Å"It is a robot.† â€Å"I know,† said Seldon briefly. â€Å"I know you do,† said Sunmaster Fourteen with similar curtness. â€Å"But now that we have settled that matter, why are you here?† Seldon gazed steadily at Sunmaster Fourteen and said, â€Å"To see the robot.† â€Å"Do you know that no one but an Elder is allowed in the aerie?† â€Å"I did not know that, but I suspected it.† â€Å"Do you know that no tribesperson is allowed in the Sacratorium?† â€Å"I was told that.† â€Å"And you ignored the fact, is that it?† â€Å"As I said, we wanted to see the robot.† â€Å"Do you know that no woman, even a Sister, is allowed in the Sacratorium except at certain stated-and rare-occasions?† â€Å"I was told that.† â€Å"And do you know that no woman is at any time-or for any reason-allowed to dress in masculine garb? That holds, within the borders of Mycogen, for tribeswomen as well as for Sisters.† â€Å"I was not told that, but I am not surprised.† â€Å"Good. I want you to understand all this. Now, why did you want to see the robot?† Seldon said with a shrug, â€Å"Curiosity. I had never seen a robot or even known that such a thing existed.† â€Å"And how did you come to know that it did exist and, specifically, that it existed here?† Seldon was silent, then said, â€Å"I do not wish to answer that question.† â€Å"Is that why you were brought to Mycogen by Tribesman Hummin? To investigate robots?† â€Å"No. Tribesman Hummin brought us here that we might be secure. However, we are scholars, Dr. Venabili and I. Knowledge is our province and to gain knowledge is our purpose. Mycogen is little understood outside its borders and we wish to know more about your ways and your methods of thought. It is a natural desire and, it seems to us, a harmless-even praiseworthy-one.† â€Å"Ah, but we do not wish the outer tribes and worlds to know about us. That is our natural desire and we are the judge of what is harmless to us and what harmful. So I ask you again, tribesman: How did you know that a robot existed in Mycogen and that it existed in this room?† â€Å"General rumor,† said Seldon at length. â€Å"Do you insist on that?† â€Å"General rumor. I insist on it.† Sunmaster Fourteen's keen blue eyes seemed to sharpen and he said without raising his voice, â€Å"Tribesman Seldon, we have long cooperated with Tribesman Hummin. For a tribesman, he has seemed a decent and trustworthy individual. For a tribesman! When he brought you two to us and commended you to our protection, we granted it. But Tribesman Hummin, whatever his virtues, is still a tribesman and we had misgivings. We were not at all sure what your-or his-real purpose might be.† â€Å"Our purpose was knowledge,† said Seldon. â€Å"Academic knowledge. Tribeswoman Venabili is a historian and I too have an interest in history. Why should we not be interested in Mycogenian history?† â€Å"For one thing, because we do not wish you to be.-In any case, two of our trusted Sisters were sent to you. They were to cooperate with you, try to find out what it was you wanted, and-what is the expression you tribesmen use?-play along with you. Yet not in such a way that you would be too aware as to what was happening.† Sunmaster Fourteen smiled, but it was a grim smile. â€Å"Raindrop Forty-Five,† Sunmaster Fourteen went on, â€Å"went shopping with Tribeswoman Venabili, but there seemed nothing out of the way in what happened on those trips. Naturally, we had a full report. Raindrop Forty-Three showed you, Tribesman Seldon, our microfarms. You might have been suspicious of her willingness to accompany you alone, something that is utterly out of the question for us, but you reasoned that what applied to Brothers did not apply to tribesmen and you flattered yourself that that flimsy bit of reasoning won her over. She complied with your desire, though at considerable cost to her peace of mind. And, eventually, you asked for the Book. To have handed it over too easily might have roused your suspicion, so she pretended to a perverse desire only you could satisfy. Her self-sacrifice will not be forgotten.-I take it, tribesman, you still have the Book and I suspect you have it with you now. May I have it?† Seldon sat in bitter silence. Sunmaster Fourteen's wrinkled hand remained obtrusively outstretched and he said, â€Å"How much better it would be than to wrest it from you by force.† And Seldon handed it over. Sunmaster Fourteen leafed through its pages briefly, as though to reassure himself it was unharmed. He said with a small sigh, â€Å"It will have to be carefully destroyed in the approved manner. Sad.-But once you had this Book, we were, of course, not surprised when you made your way out to the Sacratorium. You were watched at all times, for you cannot think that any Brother or Sister, not totally absorbed, would not recognize you for tribespeople at a glance. We know a skincap when we see one and there are less than seventy of them in Mycogen†¦ almost all belonging to tribesmen on official business who remain entirely in secular governmental buildings during the time they are here. So you were not only seen but unmistakably identified, over and over. â€Å"The elderly Brother who met you was careful to tell you about the library as well as about the Sacratorium, but he was also careful to tell you what you were forbidden to do, for we did not wish to entrap you. Skystrip Two also warned you†¦ and quite forcibly. Nevertheless, you did not turn away. â€Å"The shop at which you bought the white kirtle and the two sashes informed us at once and from that we knew well what you intended. The library was kept empty, the librarian was warned to keep his eyes to himself, the Sacratorium was kept under-utilized. The one Brother who inadvertently spoke to you almost gave it away, but hastened off when he realized with whom he was dealing. And then you came up here. â€Å"You see, then, that it was your intention to come up here and that we in no way lured you here. You came as a result of your own action, your own desire, and what I want to ask you-yet once again-is: Why?† It was Dors who answered this time, her voice firm, her eyes hard. â€Å"We will tell you yet once again, Mycogenian. We are scholars, who consider knowledge sacred and it is only knowledge that we seek. You did not lure us here, but you did not stop us either, as you might have done before ever we approached this building. You smoothed our way and made it easy for us and even that might be considered a lure. And what harm have we done? We have in no way disturbed the building, or this room, or you, or that.† She pointed to the robot. â€Å"It is a dead lump of metal that you hide here and we now know that it is dead and that is all the knowledge we sought. We thought it would be more significant and we are disappointed, but now that we know it is merely what it is, we will leave-and, if you wish, we will leave Mycogen as well.† Sunmaster Fourteen listened with no trace of expression on his face, but when she was done, he addressed Seldon, saying, â€Å"This robot, as you see it, is a symbol, a symbol of all we have lost and of all we no longer have, of all that, through thousands of years, we have not forgotten and what we intend someday to return to. Because it is all that remains to us that is both material and authentic, it is dear to us-yet to your woman it is only ‘a dead lump of metal.' Do you associate yourself with that judgment, Tribesman Seldon?† Seldon said, â€Å"We are members of societies that do not tie ourselves to a past that is thousands of years old, making no contact at all with what has existed between that past and ourselves. We live in the present, which we recognize as the product of all the past and not of one long-gone moment of time that we hug to our chests. We realize, intellectually, what the robot may mean to you and we are willing to let it continue to mean that to you. But we can only see it with our own eyes, as you can only see it with yours. To us, it is a dead lump of metal.† â€Å"And now,† said Dors, â€Å"we will leave.† â€Å"You will not,† said Sunmaster Fourteen. â€Å"By coming here, you have committed a crime. It is a crime only in our eyes, as you will hasten to point out†-his lips curved in a wintry smile-â€Å"but this is our territory and, within it, we make the definitions. And this crime, as we define it, is punishable by death.† â€Å"And you are going to shoot us down?† said Dors haughtily. Sunmaster Fourteen's expression was one of contempt and he continued to speak only to Seldon. â€Å"What do you think we are, Tribesman Seldon? Our culture is as old as yours, as complex, as civilized, as humane. I am not armed. You will be tried and, since you are manifestly guilty, executed according to law, quickly and painlessly. â€Å"If you were to try to leave now, I would not stop you, but there are many Brothers below, many more than there appeared to be when you entered the Sacratorium and, in their rage at your action, they may lay rough and forceful hands on you. It has happened in our history that tribespeople have even died so and it is not a pleasant death-certainly not a painless one.† â€Å"We were warned of this,† said Dors, â€Å"by Skystrip Two. So much for your complex, civilized, and humane culture.† â€Å"People can be moved to violence at moments of emotion, Tribesman Seldon,† said Sunmaster Fourteen calmly, â€Å"whatever their humanity in moments of calm. This is true in every culture, as your woman, who is said to be a historian, must surely know.† Seldon said, â€Å"Let us remain reasonable, Sunmaster Fourteen. You may be the law in Mycogen over local affairs, but you are not the law over us and you know it. We are both non-Mycogenian citizens of the Empire and it is the Emperor and his designated legal officers who must remain in charge of any capital offense.† Sunmaster Fourteen said, â€Å"That may be so in statutes and on papers and on holovision screens, but we are not talking theory now. The High Elder has long had the power to punish crimes of sacrilege without interference from the Imperial throne.† â€Å"If the criminals are your own people,† said Seldon. â€Å"It would be quite different if they were outsiders.† â€Å"I doubt it in this case. Tribesman Hummin brought you here as fugitives and we are not so yeast-headed in Mycogen that we don't strongly suspect that you are fugitives from the Emperor's laws. Why should he object if we do his work for him?† â€Å"Because,† said Seldon, â€Å"he would. Even if we were fugitives from the Imperial authorities and even if he wanted us only to punish us, he would still want us. To allow you to kill, by whatever means and for whatever reason, non-Mycogenians without due Imperial process would be to defy his authority and no Emperor could allow such a precedent. No matter how eager he might be to see that the microfood trade not be interrupted, he would still feel it necessary to re-establish the Imperial prerogative. Do you wish, in your eagerness to kill us, to have a division of Imperial soldiery loot your farms and your dwellings, desecrate your Sacratorium, and take liberties with the Sisters: Consider.† Sunmaster Fourteen smiled once again, but displayed no softness. â€Å"Actually, I have considered and there is an alternative. After we condemn you, we could delay your execution to allow you to appeal to the Emperor for a review of your case. The Emperor might be grateful at this evidence of our ready submission to his authority and grateful too to lay his hands on you two-for some reason of his own-and Mycogen might profit. Is that what you want, then? To appeal to the Emperor in due course and to be delivered to him?† Seldon and Dors looked at each other briefly and were silent. Sunmaster Fourteen said, â€Å"I feel you would rather be delivered to the Emperor than die, but why do I get the impression that the preference is only by a slight margin?† â€Å"Actually,† said a new voice, â€Å"I think neither alternative is acceptable and that we must search for a third.† 59. It was Dors who identified the newcomer first, perhaps because it was she who expected him. â€Å"Hummin,† she said, â€Å"thank goodness you found us. I got in touch with you the moment I realized I was not going to deflect Hari from†-she held up her hands in a wide gesture â€Å"this.† Hummin's smile was a small one that did not alter the natural gravity of his face. There was a subtle weariness about him. â€Å"My dear,† he said, â€Å"I was engaged in other things. I cannot always pull away at a moment's notice. And when I got here, I had, like you two, to supply myself with a kirtle and sash, to say nothing of a skincap, and make my way out here. Had I been here earlier, I might have stopped this, but I believe I'm not too late.† Sunmaster Fourteen had recovered from what had seemed to be a painful shock. He said in a voice that lacked its customary severe depth, â€Å"How did you get in here, Tribesman Hummin?† â€Å"It was not easy, High Elder, but as Tribeswoman Venabili likes to say, I am a very persuasive person. Some of the citizens here remember who I was and what I have done for Mycogen in the past, that I am even an honorary Brother. Have you forgotten, Sunmaster Fourteen?† The Elder replied, â€Å"I have not forgotten, but even the most favorable memory can not survive certain actions. A tribesman here and a tribeswoman. There is no greater crime. All you have done is not great enough to balance that. My people are not unmindful. We will make it up to you some other way. But these two must die or be handed over to the Emperor.† â€Å"I am also here,† said Hummin calmly. â€Å"Is that not a crime as well?† â€Å"For you,† said Sunmaster Fourteen, â€Å"for you personally, as a kind of honorary Brother, I can†¦ overlook it†¦ once. Not these two.† â€Å"Because you expect a reward from the Emperor? Some favor? Some concession? Have you already been in touch with him or with his Chief of Staff, Eto Demerzel, more likely?† â€Å"That is not a subject for discussion.† â€Å"Which is itself an admission. Come on, I don't ask what the Emperor promised, but it cannot be much. He does not have much to give in these degenerate days. Let me make you an offer. Have these two told you they are scholars?† â€Å"They have.† â€Å"And they are. They are not lying. The tribeswoman is a historian and the tribesman is a mathematician. The two together are trying to combine their talents to make a mathematics of history and they call the combined subject ‘psychohistory.' â€Å" Sunmaster Fourteen said, â€Å"I know nothing about this psychohistory, nor do I care to know. Neither it nor any other facet of your tribal learning interests me.† â€Å"Nevertheless,† said Hummin, â€Å"I suggest that you listen to me.† It took Hummin some fifteen minutes, speaking concisely, to describe the possibility of organizing the natural laws of society (something he always mentioned with audible quotation marks in the tone of his voice) in such a way as to make it possible to anticipate the future with a substantial degree of probability. And when he was done, Sunmaster Fourteen, who had listened expressionlessly, said, â€Å"A highly unlikely piece of speculation, I should say.† Seldon, with a rueful expression, seemed about to speak, undoubtedly to agree, but Hummin's hand, resting lightly on the other's knee, tightened unmistakably. Hummin said, â€Å"Possibly, High Elder, but the Emperor doesn't think so. And by the Emperor, who is himself an amiable enough personage, I really mean Demerzel, concerning whose ambitions you need no instruction. They would like very much to have these two scholars, which is why I've brought them here for safekeeping. I had little expectation that you would do Demerzel's work for him by delivering the scholars to him.† â€Å"They have committed a crime that-â€Å" â€Å"Yes, we know, High Elder, but it is only a crime because you choose to call it so. No real harm has been done.† â€Å"It has been done to our belief, to our deepest felt-â€Å" â€Å"But imagine what harm will be done if psychohistory falls into the hands of Demerzel. Yes, I grant that nothing may come of it, but suppose for a moment that something does and that the Imperial government has the use of it-can foretell what is to come-can take measures with that foreknowledge which no one else would have-can take measures, in fact, designed to bring about an alternate future more to the Imperial liking.† â€Å"Well?† â€Å"Is there any doubt, High Elder, that the alternate future more to the Imperial liking would be one of tightened centralization? For centuries now, as you very well know, the Empire has been undergoing a steady decentralization. Many worlds now acknowledge only lip service to the Emperor and virtually rule themselves. Even here on Trantor, there is decentralization. Mycogen, as only one example, is free of Imperial interference for the most part. You rule its High Elder and there is no Imperial officer at your side overseeing your actions and decisions. How long do you think that will last with men like Demerzel adjusting the future to their liking?† â€Å"Still the flimsiest of speculation,† said Sunmaster Fourteen, â€Å"but a disturbing one, I admit.† â€Å"On the other hand, if these scholars can complete their task, an unlikely if, you might say, but an if-then they are sure to remember that you spared them when you might have chosen not to. And it would then be conceivable that they would learn to arrange a future, for instance, that would allow Mycogen to be given a world of its own, a world that could be terraformed into a close replica of the Lost World. And even if these two forget your kindness, I will be here to remind them.† â€Å"Well-† said Sunmaster Fourteen. â€Å"Come on,† said Hummin, â€Å"it is not hard to decide what must be going through your mind. Of all tribespeople, you must trust Demerzel the least. And though the chance of psychohistory might be small (if I was not being honest with you, I would not admit that) it is not zero; and if it will bring about a restoration of the Lost World, what can you want more than that? What would you not risk for even a tiny chance of that? Come now-I promise you and my promises are not lightly given. Release these two and choose a tiny chance of your heart's desire over no chance at all.† There was silence and then Sunmaster Fourteen sighed. â€Å"I don't know how it is, Tribesman Hummin, but on every occasion that we meet, you persuade me into something I do not really want to do.† â€Å"Have I ever misled you, High Elder?† â€Å"You have never offered me so small a chance?† â€Å"And so high a possible reward. The one balances the other.† And Sunmaster Fourteen nodded his head. â€Å"You are right. Take these two and take them out of Mycogen and never let me see them again unless there comes a time when-But surely it will not be in my lifetime.† â€Å"Perhaps not, High Elder. But your people have been waiting patiently for nearly twenty thousand years. Would you then object to waiting another-perhaps-two hundred?† â€Å"I would not willingly wait one moment, but my people will wait as long as they must.† And standing up, he said, â€Å"I will clear the path. Take them and go.† 60. They were finally back in a tunnel. Hummin and Seldon had traveled through one when they went from the Imperial Sector to Streeling University in the air-taxi. Now they were in another tunnel, going from Mycogen to†¦ Seldon did not know where. He hesitated to ask. Hummin's face seemed as if it was carved out of granite and it didn't welcome conversation. Hummin sat in the front of the four-seater, with no one to his right. Seldon and Dors shared the backseat. Seldon chanced a smile at Dors, who looked glum. â€Å"It's nice to be in real clothes again, isn't it?† â€Å"I will never,† said Dors with enormous sincerity, â€Å"wear or look at anything that resembles a kirtle. And I will never, under any circumstances, wear a skincap. In fact, I'm going to feel odd if I ever see a normally bald man.† And it was Dors who finally asked the question that Seldon had been reluctant to advance. â€Å"Chetter,† she said rather petulantly, â€Å"why won't you tell us where we're going?† Hummin hitched himself into a sideways position and he looked back at Dors and Seldon gravely. â€Å"Somewhere,† he said, â€Å"where it may be difficult for you to get into trouble-although I'm not sure such a place exists.† Dors was at once crestfallen. â€Å"Actually, Chetter, it's my fault. At Streeling, I let Hari go Upperside without accompanying him. In Mycogen, I at least accompanied him, but I suppose I ought not to have let him enter the Sacratorium at all.† â€Å"I was determined,† said Seldon warmly. â€Å"It was in no way Dors's fault.† Hummin made no effort to apportion blame. He simply said, â€Å"I gather you wanted to see the robot. Was there a reason for that? Can you tell me?† Seldon could feel himself redden. â€Å"I was wrong in that respect, Hummin. I did not see what I expected to see or what I hoped to see. If I had known the content of the aerie, I would never have bothered going there. Call it a complete fiasco.† â€Å"But then, Seldon, what was it you hoped to see? Please tell me. Take your time if you wish. This is a long trip and I am willing to listen.† â€Å"The thing is, Hummin, that I had the idea that there were humaniform robots, that they were long-lived, that at least one might still be alive, and that it might be in the aerie. There was a robot there, but it was metallic, it was dead, and it was merely a symbol. Had I but known-â€Å" â€Å"Yes. Did we all but know, there would be no need for questions or for research of any kind. Where did you get your information about humaniform robots? Since no Mycogenian would have discussed that with you, I can think of only one source. The Mycogenian Book-a powered print-book in ancient Auroran and modern Galactic. Am I right?† â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"And how did you get a copy?† Seldon paused, then muttered, â€Å"Its somewhat embarrassing.† â€Å"I am not easily embarrassed, Seldon.† Seldon told him and Hummin allowed a very small smile to twitch across his face. Hummin said, â€Å"Didn't it occur to you that what occurred had to be a charade? No Sister would do a thing like that-except under instruction and with a great deal of persuading.† Seldon frowned and said with asperity, â€Å"That was not at all obvious. People are perverted now and then. And its easy for you to grin. I didn't have the information you had and neither did Dors. If you did not wish me to fall into traps, you might have warned me of those that existed.† â€Å"I agree. I withdraw my remark. In any case, you don't have the Book any longer, I'm sure.† â€Å"No. Sunmaster Fourteen took it from me.† â€Å"How much of it did you read?† â€Å"Only a small fraction. I didn't have time. It's a huge book and I must tell you, Hummin, it is dreadfully dull.† â€Å"Yes, I know that, for I think I have read more of it than you have. It is not only dull, it is totally unreliable. It is a one-sided, official Mycogenian view of history that is more intent on presenting that view than a reasoned objectivity. It is even deliberately unclear in spots so that outsiders-even if they were to read the Book-would never know entirely what they read. What was it, for instance, that you thought you read about robots that interested you?† â€Å"I've already told you. They speak of humaniform robots, robots that could not be distinguished from human beings in outward appearance.† â€Å"How many of these would exist?† asked Hummin. â€Å"They don't say.-At least, I didn't come across a passage in which they gave numbers. There may have been only a handful, but one of them, the Book refers to as ‘Renegade.' It seems to have an unpleasant significance, but I couldn't make out what.† â€Å"You didn't tell me anything about that,† interposed Dors. â€Å"If you had, I would have told you that it's not a proper name. It's another archaic word and it means, roughly, what ‘traitor' would mean in Galactic. The older word has a greater aura of fear about it. A traitor, somehow, sneaks to his treason, but a renegade flaunts it.† Hummin said, â€Å"I'll leave the fine points of archaic language to you, Dors, but, in any case, if the Renegade actually existed and if it was a humaniform robot, then, clearly, as a traitor and enemy, it would not be preserved and venerated in the Elders' aerie.† Seldon said, â€Å"I didn't know the meaning of ‘Renegade,' but, as I said, I did get the impression that it was an enemy. I thought it might have been defeated and preserved as a reminder of the Mycogenian triumph.† â€Å"Was there any indication in the Book that the Renegade was defeated?† â€Å"No, but I might have missed that portion-â€Å" â€Å"Not likely. Any Mycogenian victory would be announced in the Book unmistakably and referred to over and over again.† â€Å"There was another point the Book made about the Renegade,† said Seldon, hesitating, â€Å"but I can't be at all sure I understood it.† Hummin said, â€Å"As I told you†¦ They are deliberately obscure at times.† â€Å"Nevertheless, they seemed to say that the Renegade could somehow tap human emotions†¦ influence them-â€Å" â€Å"Any politician can,† said Hummin with a shrug. â€Å"It's called charisma-when it works.† Seldon sighed. â€Å"Well, I wanted to believe. That was it. I would have given a great deal to find an ancient humaniform robot that was still alive and that I could question.† â€Å"For what purpose?† asked Hummin. â€Å"To learn the details of the primordial Galactic society when it still consisted of only a handful of worlds. From so small a Galaxy psychohistory could be deduced more easily.† Hummin said, â€Å"Are you sure you could trust what you heard? After many thousands of years, would you be willing to rely on the robot's early memories? How much distortion would have entered into them?† â€Å"That's right,† said Dors suddenly. â€Å"It would be like the computerized records I told you of, Hari. Slowly, those robot memories would be discarded, lost, erased, distorted. You can only go back so far and the farther you go back, the less reliable the information becomes-no matter what you do.† Hummin nodded. â€Å"I've heard it referred to as a kind of uncertainty principle in information.† â€Å"But wouldn't it be possible,† said Seldon thoughtfully, â€Å"that some information, for special reasons, would be preserved? Parts of the Mycogenian Book may well refer to events of twenty thousand years ago and yet be very largely as it had been originally. The more valued and the more carefully preserved particular information is, the more long-lasting and accurate it may be.† â€Å"The key word is ‘particular.' What the Book may care to preserve may not be what you wish to have preserved and what a robot may remember best may be what you wish him to remember least.† Seldon said in despair, â€Å"In whatever direction I turn to seek a way of working out psychohistory, matters so arrange themselves as to make it impossible. Why bother trying?† â€Å"It might seem hopeless now,† said Hummin unemotionally, â€Å"but given the necessary genius, a route to psychohistory may be found that none of us would at this moment expect. Give yourself more time.-But we're coming to a rest area. Let us pull off and have dinner.† Over the lamb patties on rather tasteless bread (most unpalatable after the fare at Mycogen), Seldon said, â€Å"You seem to assume, Hummin, that I am the possessor of ‘the necessary genius.' I may not be, you know.† Hummin said, â€Å"That's true. You may not be. However, I know of no alternate candidate for the post, so I must cling to you.† And Seldon sighed and said, â€Å"Well, I'll try, but I'm out of any spark of hope. Possible but not practical, I said to begin with, and I'm more convinced of that now than I ever was before.†

Improving Attendance in Statutory Education Essay

Under the Education Act 1996, the Council has a statutory duty to ensure children and young people receive fulltime, efficient education, which is suitable to the age, and ability and any special needs they may have. This is usually through attendance at school. The Education Welfare Service (EWS) is one agency which takes the lead role for the Council in supporting school attendance. It will do this through working with children and families, supporting schools and linking with other agencies including the legal system. The EWS will look at a whole range of ideas for why the children aren’t attending school and will look at solutions for this whether it be legal action or just working closely with all involved for example parents, teachers and the school. On the whole this is an extremely important agency which aims to get children into education and helps work out why they are not in education, however there are negative aspects to the agency as they may have to work closely with social services if the parents aren’t fulfilling there role and legal action may be taken again the parents aren’t fulfilling the responsibility although this is a negative aspect of the agency it is all in place for the overall well being of the child. Police can work with local schools and EWC, by undertaking local patrols to detect truancy and going to local areas where children may hide out. By having the police involved children and parents will be able to understand the severity of truancy and poor school attendance which is a positive outcome. This can then lead on to the Youth Offending Team (YOT) whose staff identifies school attendance issues and work actively to resolve them. The Council will work with agencies such as housing companies, Police, Connexions, YOT and voluntary organisations to develop protocols to identify children without school places. Overall these agencies are all there to help improve attendance in schools and all have the same aims, by working together with the school, agencies and organisiations the schools will be able to have the correct support in place for the children in and out of schools, parents and the teachers. The agencies are able to work out reasons for poor attendance and make sure issues are resolved. These organizations are here for a positive reason and to help children get the best education possible and cutting down on reasons for poor attendance. Explain the role of key individuals in improving whole school attendance. Educational Welfare officers- Once a child is registered at a school, it is the parents legal duty to make sure that the child attends school regularly. The role of Education Welfare Officers is to work closely with schools, children and their parents, and with agencies to make sure this happens. The educational welfare officers will work closely with these people to find out why children arent attending regularly and figure out soloutions to ensure this changes. If the parents fail to cooperate and the child does not return to regular attendance at school, the Education Welfare Service may issue a Fixed Penalty Notice or take legal action. Educational welfare officers can refer cases to other agencies such as social services, educational psychologists and health professionals. Ultimately their main responsibilities is to provide support to the children, the families and the school in all areas whether it to be advice on legal responsibilities, or building relationships between the school and the parents and making sure school attendance is at a maximum, if school attendance is not consistant then the educational welfare officers will look into reasons and solutions for this. Teaching Support Workers- Support teachers are in classrooms to support teachers in what they are trying to achieve, they are also there to help individuals who are in need of support when learning, Support teachers are able to give the individuals in need of help more time and focus to help them through areas of difficulties. Having Teaching supports workers available will therefore mean children will feel supported in weak areas and therefore more progress will be made by children which will also boost confidence. Children who are falling behind or children who do not understand specific areas of what they are being taught can become embarassed and withdrawn whilst lacking confidence this could lead to poor behaviour meaning suspension,exclusion,detention or missing school to avoid feeling embarrassed around peers. Having teaching support workers available will mean weak areas can be taregeted and help provided much quicker than just having one teacher in a classroom. Teaching support workers will be able to have the relevant training and guidance to help identify children who are struggling. These are people who are their to support children with any behaviour or learning needs. Headteachers- Most of the duties of a headteacher is managerial and to make sure the school is running properly whilst also making sure everything necessary is provided for staff and pupils. Head teachers will need to make sure specific training is given to identify children who are struggling, making sure there are policies and procedures in place and followed by staff to prevent bullying and equal opportunities. By making sure the children have the mose valuable expreience possible at school and working with children, parents and other agenicies to make sure everything is in place to keep attendace high, if children are struggling the support teacher are in place, if bullying is happening then this needs to be resolved quickly before the child becomes withdrawnand lacks confidence leading to poor attendance. The head teacher will be able to use educational welfare officers and other agencies to help find ways of improving the school and making sure all areas of a childrens welfare are covered and the child is offered the support needed to enjoy school and attend school attaining the best qualifications possible. Special Educational Coordinators- The Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO), in collaboration with the head teacher and governing body, plays a key role in determining the strategic development of the Special Educational Needs (SEN) policy and provision in the school to raise the achievement of children with special educational needs. The SENCO takes day-to-day responsibility for the operation of the policy and co-ordination of the provision made for individual children with special educational needs, working closely with staff, parents and carers and other agencies. By having the special education needs co-ordinator this will mean that full support will be given to children in school meaning the chilldren can work to the maximum and achieve the most out of school with the full support and help from the teachers. This will also mean that children wont be embarrassed because they cannot keep up or understand the work and should hopefully stop the children turning to negative behaviour like missing school. This will enable the school to give the children the best experience possible with the best possible outcomes and increased attendance therefore increasing grades attained by children. Explain strategies that can be used to improve the attendance of individual children and young people and whole school attendance Have an attendance policy in place make sure the children are fully aware of the steps that will be taken in cases of non attendance. Whilst making sure that parents follow the procedure for days that children are of sick. Keep parents involved and build relationships with the parents using head teachers and teachers so that they are aware of any problems that maybe underlying at school at the present time which my result in non-attendance. It is also vital to make parents aware of any positive achievements that their son or daughter has achieved. Support available, makes sure that any children struggling in specific educational areas are identified as quickly as possible so that all relevant support and help can be put in place to help the child in the specified area. The school can work in partnership with the educational welfare officer and the local authority to help target specific areas of need. Use rewards and incentives to encourage attendance and punctuality such as certificates for high attendance and increased incentive for the higher attendance and punctuality as the year progresses. Once a child has been absent from school make sure they reintegrate into the school positively. Making sure teachers check they are ok, provide any missed work and provide a support group making sure this is available to the children if they need to talk-for example counselors. Use attendance checks to keep on top of and monitor all attendance for children this will help to discover any patterns in non attendance and help the school find a solution to this quicker therefore benefiting the children. Raising the profile of attendance so if a child fails to attend sending a letter out to parents straight away to make sure they are aware of this or asking for a reason why there was no attendance if the attendance falls below a certain level. Schools can use newsletters and parents evenings to bring this to parents and children’s attention.

Effective Rhetorical Strategies of Repetition

Effective Rhetorical Strategies of Repetition Care to know how to bore your readers to tears? Repeat yourself. Carelessly, excessively, needlessly, endlessly, repeat yourself. (That tedious strategy is called battology.) Would you like to know how to keep your readers interested? Repeat yourself. Imaginatively, forcefully, thoughtfully, amusingly, repeat yourself. Needless repetition is deadly- no two ways about it. Its the kind of clutter that can put to sleep a circus full of hyperactive children. But not all repetition is bad. Used strategically, repetition can wake our readers up and help them to focus on a key idea- or, at times, even raise a smile. When it came to practicing effective strategies of repetition, rhetoricians in ancient Greece and Rome had a big bag full of tricks, each with a fancy name. Many of these devices appear in our Grammar Rhetoric Glossary. Here are seven common strategies- with some fairly up-to-date examples. Anaphora (pronounced ah-NAF-oh-rah)Repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or verses.This memorable device appears most famously throughout Dr. Kings I Have a Dream speech. Early in World War II, Winston Churchill relied on anaphora to inspire the British people: We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender. Commoratio (pronounced ko mo RAHT see oh)Repetition of an idea several times in different words.If youre a fan of Monty Pythons Flying Circus, you probably recall how John Cleese used commoratio beyond the point of absurdity in the Dead Parrot Sketch: Hes passed on! This parrot is no more! He has ceased to be! Hes expired and gone to meet his maker! Hes a stiff! Bereft of life, he rests in peace! If you hadnt nailed him to the perch hed be pushing up the daisies! His metabolic processes are now history! Hes off the twig! Hes kicked the bucket, hes shuffled off his mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin choir invisible! THIS IS AN EX-PARROT! Diacope (pronounced dee-AK-o-pee)Repetition that is broken up by one or more intervening words.Shel Silverstein used diacope in a delightfully dreadful childrens poem called, naturally, Dreadful: Someone ate the baby,Its rather sad to say.Someone ate the babySo she wont be out to play.Well never hear her whiny cryOr have to feel if she is dry.Well never hear her asking, Why?Someone ate the baby. Epimone (pronounced eh-PIM-o-nee)Frequent repetition of a phrase or question; dwelling on a point.One of the best-known examples of epimone is Travis Bickles self-interrogation in the film Taxi Driver (1976): You talkin to me? You talkin to me? You talkin to me? Then who the hell else are you talking . . . you talking to me? Well, Im the only one here. Who . . . do you think youre talking to? Oh yeah? Okay. Epiphora (pronounced ep-i-FOR-ah)Repetition of a word or phrase at the end of several clauses.A week after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast late in the summer of 2005, the president of Jefferson Parish, Aaron Broussard, employed epiphora in an emotional interview with CBS News: Take whatever idiot they have at the top of whatever agency and give me a better idiot. Give me a caring idiot. Give me a sensitive idiot. Just don’t give me the same idiot. Epizeuxis (pronounced ep-uh-ZOOX-sis)Repetition of a word for emphasis (usually with no words in between).This device appears often in song lyrics, as in these opening lines from Ani DiFrancos Back, Back, Back: Back back back in the back of your mindare you learning an angry language,tell me boy boy boy are you tending to your joyor are you just letting it vanquish?Back back back in the dark of your mindwhere the eyes of your demons are gleamingare you mad mad madabout the life you never hadeven when you are dreaming?( from the album To the Teeth , 1999) Polyptoton (pronounced, po-LIP-ti-tun)Repetition of words derived from the same root but with different endings. The poet Robert Frost employed polyptoton in a memorable definition. Love, he wrote, is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired. So, if you simply want to bore your readers, go right ahead and repeat yourself needlessly. But if, instead, you want to write something memorable, to inspire your readers or perhaps entertain them, well then, repeat yourself- imaginatively, forcefully, thoughtfully, and strategically.

Definition and management of service quality Essay

Definition and management of service quality - Essay Example According to the manager of the Chesthunt Hotel, service quality is based on the quality, customer satisfaction and identification of customer value as either important or very important or very important. Those companies that have high quality of services as well as goods had higher market share, higher return on investment and asset turnover than companies with perceived low quality.If consumers somehow become better customers -- that is, more knowledgeable, participative, or productive -- the quality of the service experience will likely be enhanced for the customer and the organization. Because it affects those factors, then it certainly affects customer satisfaction, the link of service quality with customer satisfaction, which is, the degree of fit between customer's expectations and perceptions of service.Based on the perception of the manager, customer criteria determine the definition of quality and the variables that affect perceptions of quality. They explained that variab les may change with circumstance, experience, and time. In addition, service providers may influence the variables that drive customer perception to service quality. The perception of the customers may also vary by circumstances, time, and experiences. He also explained that the total perceived value of a service comes from two sources. First, customers perceive value that originates from the service act itself; second, customers perceive value that originates from the quality of the service act. ... On the other hand, quality is much difficult to define as it depends on the perception of the consumer. Basically it is defined in terms of being transcendent, customer led, or value led. The provision of quality customer service is a multi-faceted concept as a number of factors must be met by the hotel in order to achieve it. To integrate quality in service provision, it is important that the hotel has the right skills, resources and values. As quality customer service is influenced by various factors, the involvement of both hotel management and the employees must be present; in the case of Chesthunt it has been made clear that training alone is not sufficient for service quality (Ghobadian,Speller and Jones, 1994,p. 43). The commitment, leadership and adaptability of the management towards change are also important for quality service. The values and skills of the employees on the other hand, must be prioritized as well. They must be given enough empowerment to contribute effectively towards customer satisfaction. The importance of quality in customer service has been recognized by Chesthunt hotel. The management of Chesthunt hotel have applied prioritized quality in customer services, resulting to positive business outcome. Customer satisfaction, loyalty, employee satisfaction and profit growth are some of the main advantages of this business practice. In order to cope with the present business challenges, Chesthunt hotel have implemented different strategies that will enhance their respective customer services. Consumer studies, trainings and application of information technology are some examples of the most commonly used strategies for customer services. Service delivery

Cultural Anthropology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Cultural Anthropology - Essay Example Primarily, this entails how diverse people having varied cultures and know how can effectively work together and make an effective Corporation. Additionally, it may also involve acknowledgement, appreciating and integrating diverse cultural facets in delivering the intended services, for instance in schools or other service industries. Consequently, make an individual possess high cultural competence skills and practices that will guarantee one to deliver even excellently beyond the set expectations (IFTF). Normally, this relies on varied skills, which a person ought to adopt while in a working environment besides intermingling with other individuals having diverse cultures. Some of the competence skills encompass: A person should have the capacity to adapt and deliver as required in diverse working settings. Mainly, this calls for an individual to respond appropriately to changing circumstances and possess the ability to sense new contexts besides overcoming linguistic challenges. Studies they contend that, an intelligent and innovative group encompasses a combination of diverse ages, skills, and disciplines emanating from varied people (IFTF). Therefore, this will enable in operating effectively regardless of the new cultures that constitute the working environment. It is the ability of an employee to assess and understand the emotions of fellow workmates within their working environment. This is evident with individuals looking for cultivate trust among the people whom they are collaborating with especially in place of work as they undertake diverse projects (IFTF). Owing to the present challenges that are complex, they do require multifaceted solutions to attain the intended targets. Hence, an individual needs to have expansive knowledge that comprises one’s fields. This shuns involvements of numerous personnel, which forces the firm to hire external expertise to solve certain cases that none of their employees