The Last Wave :: essays research papers

The Last Wave SOC 118 "The Last Wave"-Peter Weir dir.(1977) In the film, The Last Wave, the director is trying to communicate the idea of a culture within a culture or sub culture. The dominant culture in the film is the white members of society living in Australia. The subculture in the film is the Aborigines who were natives to the land before the white people settled in Australia. The natives sustained their cultural beliefs and ideologies while living in largely populated cities. The dominant white culture imposes their laws , ideas of societal values and moral beliefs on the native Aborigines. Forcing them to abide by a different law system and way of life than what their peoples have practiced for hundreds of years. In the movie the lawyer, David, represents the dominant culture to the Aborigines because he represents the law that is controlling their fate in the white culture. The director is also giving us many symbols or visual communication such as the consistency of water in the film as well as, the overbearing control of darkness. The film is shot in shadows and overall is very dark , almost forcing us to look beyond the obvious plot and storyline and into the meaning or what the film/director is trying to tell us. The darkness in the film can be seen as unconsciousness. It can also be seen as a prediction of the darkness that will occur in the world when the last wave comes. The last wave meaning a giant tidal wave that will cover the earth , killing humanity. This idea is similar to the Christian belief in the flood that was sent down centuries ago to destroy all the evil in the world. Also, all the modern aspects of the movie (courtroom, David's office..etc) are filmed in light. While, all of the Aborigines' scenes are filmed in darkness or shadows. Giving me the impression of something mysterious or not understood by the whites concerning the Aborigines. The fact that all the modern scenes are filmed in light can also support the idea of the white culture being the predominate culture in the film but yet not dominant enough to take away the shadows(mysterious , mystical)aspect of the Aborigines. The lawyer, David, Also goes through a series of dreams and premonitions. This is stressing the idea of mind power and mystical strength that the Aborigines have. In that way they can be seen as the dominant culture. David is stuck between two worlds. The world he knows and understands and the other world that he is definitely a part of but does not understand.

Economics of Best Buy

One of the fortune 500 companies in our society is Best Buy. Best Buy is one of the largest consumer electronics retailer company in the United States and Canada. There are many products Best Buy distributes, such as; computers, computer equipment, video and audio products, refrigerators, coffeemakers, compact discs, video games, DVD and VHS movies and players, CD’s, computer software, cameras, cell phones, and satellite systems and so on. In addition, their customer service is very helpful and has improved throughout the years.The Geek Squad is one of their forms of customer service they provide and they offer various computer-related services and accessories for residential and commercial clients. Best Buy didn’t always have these products and services available. They are an industry that changes with the times. They supply products that are in high demand by the consumers. Best Buy was started in 1996 by Richard R. Schulze and his business partner James Wheeler. It w as originally known as Sound of Music and the first store was located in St. Paul, Minnesota.In 1983, the company’s name was changed to Best Buy and the first store named Best Buy was located in Burnsville, Minnesota. By 1984, there were only 8 Best Buy’s in the Midwest, but by 1987 the number tripled and their sales and earnings were at a high $239 million and $7. 7 million respectively. And since they have money to spend, they increased their warehouse size and products. In 1985, Best Buy went public and then two years later they were listed on the New York Stock Exchange. By 1988, sales had doubled to $439 million, but net earning declined 64%.Despite the net earnings declining, revenues were still increasing well into 1989. Also, in 1989, Best Buy launched its Concept II stores with bigger show rooms, fewer sales people and more self help product information. From 1992-1993 Best Buy had the best financial performance in the company’s 27 year history with an increase in revenues and earnings. Following this, 38 new stores were opened up. By 1997, Best Buy became the industry leader. This caused net profits to jump to $94. 5 million and revenues to jump to $8. 36 billion and for their stock to increase to $36 per share.In 1998, Best Buy created an online music store and in 2000 they expanded it and it offered more then music, it offers DVDs, consumer electronics, computers, software’s and games. Having a website made Best Buy’s income grow even more. By 2001, profits increased 14%, revenues rose to $15. 33 billion. Despite the recession in 2001, Best Buy bounced back the following year with $570 million in profits and $19. 6 billion in revenue. And by 2004, revenue reached $25 billion and net income rose to $705 million. Best Buy is a publicly traded corporation.A publicly traded corporation is the style of many companies in the United States, Europe and India. They are liable, taxable, have legal rights that an individual citizen would have, they can sue and be sued and must establish a paperwork identity with state and/or federal governments as required by local laws. When it comes to liability, public corporations have limited liability which means a partner or investor cannot lose more than the amount invested and the investor or partner is not personally responsible for the debts and obligations of the company in the event of bankruptcy.For taxes public corporations are taxed twice; once for revenue for the corporation and once for personal income for the shareholders. Best Buy is the type of company that always stays up to date with the latest technologies which keeps the consumers coming back and interested. They also have every product on the floor when you walk in so the choices of products are endless and you never have to wonder if there is more. In addition, they base their stores on low pricing and efficiency in operation; this explains why Best Buy’s industry has grown so much sin ce 1966.Mostly every corporation deals with competitors. The biggest competition Best Buy faced was Circuit City. They were competitors because they were the top two retail chains for electronics. Eventually Best Buy took over and put Circuit City out of business. Why? The answer is because Best Buy does a better job of utilizing marketing through brand recognition, incentives and customer service. Best Buy has gotten a lot better at putting the customers first and helping them in any way they can and Circuit City has had many problems with keeping their customers satisfied.Also, Circuit City’s problem is they aren’t competitive; they keep losing money quarter after quarter. Even their stock dropped from $22 to $3. 83. Why is Circuit City losing money? It’s because they aren’t updated enough with the latest technologies like Best Buy is. Also, whatever Circuit City has Best Buy already has and better so people want to go to Best Buy for that reason. In ad dition, Best Buy offers services such as computer service and support and home theater installation, which makes Best Buy different from Circuit City and other fortune 500 companies.Before Circuit City went out of business, there have been reports about how Best Buy would benefit from reduced competition. There was an estimation of a $12 million increase in revenue if Circuit City wasn’t in business. In addition, more suppliers will be forced to sell their products to them whether they want to or not. For example, if Best Buy demands for better terms on Sony’s big screen LCD TV’s and if Sony doesn’t like the terms they have nowhere to turn to. Every company uses and must use adverting in order to gain popularity and people’s interest.Both Best Buy and Circuit City use advertising, but they both advertise in different ways. Best Buy’s strategy is aggressive advertising and competitive pricing and pursuit of cost saving strategy. There are thr ee messages they portray in their TV advertisements, they are; â€Å"you can trust us to always have your best interests in mind, we have a unique take on how technology and entertainment can make your life better and you can always expect to find great prices†. For example, their commercial titled â€Å"True Stories† focused on Best Buy employees telling their true stories on how they helped customers.As the years go on advertising becomes ignored because people don’t trust the misleading ads so, to fix this problem Best Buy recently featured their customer’s comments from online product reviews and product ratings in their nationwide Sunday newspaper circular. This helps because potential customers will most likely trust people who have already bought something from Best Buy then the Best Buy salesmen. This practice of advertising is called â€Å"Bazaarvoice† and it is very affective and it is the future of advertising.In addition, Best Buy has a dvertisements that highlight key entertainment groups like MGM Studios, Activision, Sega and Rock Band which showcase the enjoyment people are acquiring from these products and this makes people want to have these items because everyone likes to have fun and enjoy themselves. The problem with Circuit City is they never did anything like Best Buy. Circuit City never changed its ways and products so they never adapted new advertising methods like the â€Å"Bazaarvoice†. In addition, since they never update their inventory onsumers were probably never interested in their ads because Circuit City’s products were outdated. Circuit City never got into selling video games and they never sold any thriving companies’ products like Apple Computers. Also, Circuit City never improved their website and the internet is used a lot now to sell products so if they are not up to speed with everyone else people will loose interest in their store. In addition, Circuit City stopped selling appliances which can stop a lot of people from buying from you.My prediction is that Best Buy will continue to prosper in the future for many reasons. One reason I think this is because their Revenue is $20. 9 Billion. Also, their price per stock is $54. 15 (a 138% change in stock price) which is very high compared to their competitor Circuit City which is $3. 83 per stock. Best Buy’s market cap is also $18. 6 billion. In addition, there are 750 Best Buy stores throughout the United States and in Canada. As you can see, Best Buy makes a lot of money and the more money a company has the more successful they are.So, if Best Buy keeps satisfying the customers, updates their products and basically just changes with the times then I don’t see a reason for how they will ever go out of business. Work Cited Best Buy Co. , Inc.. 2010  funding universe. 5/7/10  . â€Å"Best Buy. †Ã‚  Company Profiles for Students. 1999  ed. Best Buy Launches New Holiday Adve rtising Campaign; Alliance with Major Entertainment Groups Highlight Customer Experience. 2002  Business Wire. 5/7/10  . Best Buy Using Reviews in Advertising. 2010  Bazaarvoice Inc. 5/13/10  . Best Buy. 2010  Mahalo. com inc. 5/7/10  .Coleman,  Quentin. Public Corporation Information. 2010  eHow. 5/11/10  . Hamilton,  Anita. Why Circuit City Busted, While Best Buy Boomed . 2010  Times Inc. 5/13/10  . January and February Best Buy Advertising. 2010  Barry Judge CMO of Best Buy. 5/11/10  . Muller,  Turley. Best Buy Will Benefit from Reduced Competition. 2008  Seeking Alpha. 5/7/10  . Peterson,  Matthew. Circuit City Vs Best Buy Marketing – Why Circuit City Failed and Best Buy Won 2010  EzineArticles. com. 5/13/10  . Watson,  Julie. Best Buy vs Circuit City. 2006  Forbes. com inc. 5/13/10  .

Role of Education - 1845 Words

INTRODUCTION IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION Generally, at the start of a very young age, children learn to develop and use their mental, moral and physical powers, which they acquire through various types of education. Education is commonly referred to as the process of learning and obtaining knowledge at school, in a form of formal education. However, the process of education does not only start when a child first attends school. Education begins at home. One does not only acquire knowledge from a teacher; one can learn and receive knowledge from a parent, family member and even an acquaintance. In almost all societies, attending school and receiving an education is extremely vital and necessary if one wants to achieve success. However,†¦show more content†¦TAPPING INNER FORCES But moral values are not the only constructive elements of social processes, rather, they are expressions of the inner forces that operate in the spiritual reality of every human being, and education must concern itself with these forces, if it is to tap the roots of motivation and produce meaningful and lasting change. THE PURPOSE OF EDUCATION The purpose of education for individuals both male and female --- is to develop the powers and capacities latent within them, so that they may contribute their share to an ever advancing civilization. THE RELEVANCE OF EDUCATION Universal education must be relevant to the true needs of a community and contribute to the unification of mankind. It must enable people both to move in the direction of their own choosing and help them appreciate those universal qualities that distinguish the entire human race. WOMEN EDUCATION Women must be educated not only for the service they render to humanity as the first educators of children, but ultimately, for the special contribution women must make to the creation of a just world order, an order characterized by such compassion, vigour and scope which has never been seen in human history. EDUCATION SHOULD HELP SELF DISCOVERY Education should lead to the discovery and perfection of ones capabilities and instil a commitment to serve the best interests of the community and the world as a whole. MORAL EDUCATION COMMUNITYShow MoreRelatedRole of Education2767 Words   |  12 PagesThe role of Assessment in Education System Education is the most important aspect in people’s lives. In today’s society, education is essential in order to be successful economically and socially. ‘Durkheim believes that education enables children to internalize the social rules that contribute to the functioning of the society’ (Giddens, A., 2006, p.686). 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