Enlightenment Rationalism and Romantic Subjectivism

Enlightenment Rationalism and Romantic Subjectivism In the eighteenth century social theories had a huge impact on individuals within a society. Two social theories in particular came to be during radical times. The enlightenment rationalism theory was based on human reason and rational thought. The romantic subjectivism theory was based on the importance of individual freedom with an emphasis on the subjective mind and culture. These two social theories were both highly influential during their time period, but have many differentiating ideologies. Enlightenment rationalism was developed first primarily by Rene Descartes and was later opposed by the Romantics after the French Revolution. The Enlightenment focused on the human†¦show more content†¦The Romantics held women to a higher standard when it came to nature. They did share the thought of women not having any reason, even if reason was important, with the Enlightenment theorists. (p. 79). The Romantics did hold women on a pedestal, however the standards they held them to would be hard to achieve and thus women would only end up being disrespected in the end. The Romantics did see that women had somewhat of a purpose. Many theorists and philosophers had their own ideas of what the Enlightenment meant but for one particular philosopher reason was held to the highest importance. Locke explained that when reason and discourse would come together with some exercise of the mind and then applied to morals, would be when humans would find the absolute truth (p. 37). This was explained as hopeful for the Enlightenment but ultimately not realistic. The ideal Enlightenment thinkers were explained as â€Å"empirical scientists and the model method was the inductive and rationalist scientific method† (p. 37). While the Enlightenment used science as their most important explanation for human society, Romantics were rebellious and searching for exotic ways to explain society. One Romantic that used a very different method was Samuel Taylor Coleridge. He used opium to expand his thoughts on social theory (p. 78). Other Romantics used artistic ways to explain their thoughts through paintings, poems and music. Wordsworth was a poet and theoristShow MoreRelatedAn Ideal Social Policy Of The Rule Of Law And The Way Amendments Essay1841 Words   |  8 Pagesof views in governance. However, for an ideal country, application of philosophy is inevitable since governing deals with social institutions, which include family, friendship, property relations, community, race, and association. Moreover, the rationalism in governance emphasizes the use of reason in different social relations, that is submission to logic. In this way, citizens of a country can unify politically, thus forming a platform to ensure peace. On the other hand, consideration of the possibility

Top Buy Online College Papers Tips!

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The merchant of venice

The merchant of venice-From what has Portias father tried to protect her, and how do her suitors arrive at their choices in the casket test? Essay Portia is a rich and beautiful heiress of her deceased fathers possessions. When he dies he devised a test for any suitor for Portia and asked her to keep to this plan to find the one she would marry. Her father wished to protect her against any gold diggers after her money, he wished for the man to love her for who she is and not what she has. So keeping his promise Portia did as she was told, and three caskets were set out for her suitors, each man must choose one of these three caskets, and the one who chose the casket containing Portias portrait would be the one she would spend her life with. If they chose wrongly they must promise to never marry, they must be alone until their death. The first suitor to visit was the Prince of Morocco, he is immediately ushered into the room containing the caskets and the curtain is drawn back to reveal them. She instructs him to make his choice. He begins by reading through the inscriptions on the outside of each, and continues to study the meaning of each one in great detail. First he turns to the lead casket, which reads, Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath. Straight away he says that the lead is not the right one, This casket threatens He has no optimism for this casket and quickly moves on to the silver. Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves. He talks to himself out loud saying that he does not deserve Portia, but then again due to his rank then maybe he does. He is rich and is aware of etiquette and manner. Then he stops, what if I strayd no further, but chose here. But his mind is soon changed and he continues to the gold. This seems to be the casket he will chose, he is rich and proud of only this. It seems that, to him, money is everything. The gold casket reads, Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire. He immediately sends out positive remarks, why thats the lady and he goes on to say that everyone desires her, from all over the world many, many men adore her. Gold is the only casket worthy to contain her picture. The prince soon demands the key for the gold casket. He unlocks it revealing a skull with a scroll in the eyehole, the casket tells him what he is, gold is not everything. He reads the last line Fare you well, your suit is cold He turns to leave, alone for the remainder of his life. After he has left, Portia exclaims A gentle riddance. Draw the curtains: go. Let all of his complexion choose me so. She basically states that she does not  like the colour of his skin, this is the reason for her not taking much interest in the Prince, Portia is in love with another. The next to enter is the Prince of Arragon. Again, he is presented with the three caskets as soon as he can be. She states the rules and leaves him to continue. He promises three things to Portia, he will never again speak of which casket he will chose; he will never again ask a woman to marry him and if he chooses wrongly he will leave immediately so she may continue with her life. He moves on to view the caskets laid out in front of him. The gold is reached first and after a brief statement about this he moves on to the gold chest; he realises the fact that the gold represents moneys worth and only this, gold is just for show, he is not like other men. .uef7f1d90e8c731bc39a02560445bacd0 , .uef7f1d90e8c731bc39a02560445bacd0 .postImageUrl , .uef7f1d90e8c731bc39a02560445bacd0 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uef7f1d90e8c731bc39a02560445bacd0 , .uef7f1d90e8c731bc39a02560445bacd0:hover , .uef7f1d90e8c731bc39a02560445bacd0:visited , .uef7f1d90e8c731bc39a02560445bacd0:active { border:0!important; } .uef7f1d90e8c731bc39a02560445bacd0 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uef7f1d90e8c731bc39a02560445bacd0 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .uef7f1d90e8c731bc39a02560445bacd0:active , .uef7f1d90e8c731bc39a02560445bacd0:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uef7f1d90e8c731bc39a02560445bacd0 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uef7f1d90e8c731bc39a02560445bacd0 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uef7f1d90e8c731bc39a02560445bacd0 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uef7f1d90e8c731bc39a02560445bacd0 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .uef7f1d90e8c731bc39a02560445bacd0:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uef7f1d90e8c731bc39a02560445bacd0 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uef7f1d90e8c731bc39a02560445bacd0 .uef7f1d90e8c731bc39a02560445bacd0-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uef7f1d90e8c731bc39a02560445bacd0:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Author's View of Human Behaviour EssayHe looks at the silver casket; positive words fall from his mouth about this, the Prince goes on to state many good things that men deserve and that Portia is one of these. He asks for the key and unlocks the chest. In the casket he finds a picture of a jester, a blinking idiot for that is what he is. He does not deserve Portia, his thoughts about this are only an illusion, and he will be alone for the remainder of his life. Due to his promise he leaves in shame, he is a fool with one fools head I came to woo, but I go away with two. He, again, promises to keep his oath and exits. Portia talks to Nerissa, he servant and comments on how their reasoning gives them enough intelligence to make the wrong choice and lose what they think they will win. Suddenly Bassanio appears at the gate of her house, with his false riches, he comes to woo Portia; this is the man she loves and she is overjoyed. Portia immediately offers to tutor Bassanio so he may chose the correct casket, but with strong will, he refuses and asks to be shown the caskets. If he chooses the wrong chest then it was meant to be that way, he must take the test fairly. Portia still tries all she can to convince him to take her advice and makes speeches on her plans for them to be together, she gives in, but instructs her servants to play music whilst he makes his choices, it will be best either way, things will run smoothly. He continues, and studies the caskets, and prays that the outside is not a clue to what is held on the inside. He states that in legal matters, the most rotten case can be presented so well that the presentation conceals the evil, just like bad meat can be covered in spice to hide the real taste. Bassanio says that the Golden locks of hair that hang  around a womens face could be no more than a wig, and thus, fake. Midas is also mentioned, he was a Greek mythological character, wished for everything he touched to become Gold, this wish soon fell to pieces when he could not eat and his family turned to gold also. Eventually he decides on the lead casket, and asks for the key, he opens the casket and he sees her portrait. Bassanio tells Portia the portrait is so beautiful, but none could ever be as beautiful as the real Portia, which he now has, he has won the test. He mesmerises her with his words of her beauty, her lips so perfect, her hair so entrapping and her eyes so amazing. He reads the scroll; You that choose not by the view, chance is fair and choose as true! Since this fortune fall to you, be content and seek no new. If you be well pleasd with this and hold your fortune for your bliss, turn you where your lady is and claim her with a loving kiss. So he does as the scroll commands, he turns to Portia and kisses her; he is so dazed at his amazing gift of Portia. He cannot believe what he thinks is true. They are stunned by their fortune and pass loving words to one another. The test of the caskets is very predictable but all the statements that are made by each suitor have great sense and meaning, any of it could have be true, but Portia received what she had been waiting for, for an age.

Urban and Rural Life (Collection) free essay sample

There has always been a sharp distinction between urban and rural living, with each having its particular advantages and disadvantages. From a personal perspective, I am more inclined to live in a small town rather than a big city. To me, it boils down to more peace and quiet; a better environment to live in; and family safety. To begin with, small towns are usually quiet and relatively calm. The pace of life is relaxed and the low number of cars and people makes for a peaceful setting without too much noise. Of course, not all small towns are idyllic in this fashion, and a slow and quiet lifestyle isnt every persons piece of cake. However, I personally enjoy it. As a child I lived in both a small country town and then later a large busy city. I vividly recall how much calmer the small hamlet was, and how relaxed and easy-going it made me and others there feel. We will write a custom essay sample on Urban and Rural Life (Collection) or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Conversely, the city with its traffic and crowds of people seemed constantly busy and noisy. In addition to peace and calm, small town living can usually be associated with a better environment. Apart from the fact that there is less traffic and associated pollution, small towns are mostly located in the countryside and have easy access to rural settings. By way of example, it is usually relatively easy to walk out into fields, forests, valleys or even to rivers and lakes (in their natural settings) when you live in a small rural town. The same cant be said of city living which of course has other appeals like entertainment, nightlife and a broader scope of amenities. If, however, like me you prefer the natural environment close to your doorstep, then small town living will be a more attractive option. Besides tranquility and environmental appeal, I also have to say that small hamlets are better for families and family safety in particular. Small towns have closer-knit communities where everyone knows and generally looks out for each other. I personally live in a very small coastal town these days, and I deliberately moved here because of my wife and two young children. I know they can go to and from school without being in danger from traffic or some of the nastier elements of society that tend to congregate more in big city locations. This is not to say that close-knit safe communities cant be forged in cities, but I think anyone who has lived in both settings knows the safety factor for families is more reliable in smaller community-based townships. To sum up, then, I think I have shown with some conviction that factors like peace and quiet; clean and natural environment; and family safety all amount to better living in small towns. And while I concede that big cities have their own special advantages that cant be matched in a lot of small rural settings, these are the factors that matter most to me.

Calculate Sales Tax - Questions and Answers

Calculate Sales Tax - Questions and Answers One of the most common types of percent problems youll encounter in daily life is calculating sales tax. Its not hard to do. Heres an example of how a student worked through percent and sales tax problems and tips on how you can learn to master the technique, too. Student With Sales Tax Problems I was tutoring Jason (not his real name), to prepare him for Algebra. He attended tutoring on the Internet with the help of his high-speed internet connection, web camera, computer, and graphing calculator. Thankfully, all of the technology was functioning properly and we were on our way to higher grades.  Today, I began, we are going to review percents and sales tax.Ok, Ms. Jennifer, I got this. I know all about sales tax. Jason confidently announced as he pulled out a pen.Oh no, Jason. Where is your pencil?Pencil? Jason was puzzled about a ten cent pencil, yet he sat in a maze of hundreds of dollars of gadgets.Yes, Jason, a pencil. You know that we do not do math in pen.Yes maam.  Jason hunted down a pencil and sharpened it with a butter knife. A hand sanitizer gel spill had ruined his pencil sharpener but rendered it 99.9% germ-free. Calculating Sales Tax After Jason put away his primitive sharpening tool, we talked about a printer that he was planning to buy. At $125, the printer was a bargain, but I emphasized that he needed to know the true amount to stay within his budget. If the sales tax rate was 8%, then how much would he pay in sales tax for the printer? What do you know?The sales tax rate is 8% or 8 percent. Realize that 8 percent means 8 per 100.8% 8/100The printer cost $125.00With percents, think part/whole.8 (part)/100 whole x (the part, or the sales tax amount is unknown) /125 (the whole)8/100 x/125Cross multiply. Hint: Write these fractions vertically to get the full understanding of cross multiplying. To cross multiply, take the first fractions numerator and multiply it by the second fractions denominator. Then take the second fractions numerator and multiply it by the first fractions denominator.8 * 125 x * 1001000 100xDivide both sides of the equation by 100 to solve for x.1000/100 100x/10010 xVerify the answer.Does 8/100 10/1258/100 .0810/125 .08 So, he would spend $135 ($125 $10) on a $125 printer. Note: Add $125 and $8 to get the total amount. Remember, the sales tax is 8% of the price, not $8. Answers and Explanations Original Worksheet Sales Tax Percent Example Calculations 1. Laptop Bag Price: $18Sales tax rate: 9%Sales tax amount:$1.62Final cost: $19.62 What do you know?9/100 x/18 Cross Multiply and Solve.9 * 18 x * 100162 100x162/100 100x/100$1.62 xVerify the Answer. Does 9/100 1.62/18?9/100 .091.62/18 .09$1.62 $18 $19.622. Anti-Virus SoftwarePrice: $50Sales tax rate:   8.25%Sales tax amount: $4.125Final cost: $54.13 What do you know?8.25/100 x/50 Cross Multiply and Solve.8.25 * 50   x * 100412.50 100x412.50/100 100x/100$4.125 xVerify the Answer. Does 8.25/100 4.125/50?8.25/100 .08254.125/50 .0825$4.125 $50  Ã¢â€°Ë† $54.13 3. USB DrivePrice: $12.50Sales tax rate: 8.5%   Sales tax amount: $1.0625Final cost: $13.56 What do you know?8.5/100 x/12.50 Cross Multiply and Solve.8.5 * 12.50   x * 100106.25 100x106.25/100 100x/100$1.0625 xVerify the Answer. Does 8.5/100 1.0625/12.50?8.5/100 .0851.0625/12.50 .085$12.50 $1.0625 ≈ $13.56 4. Graphing CalculatorPrice: $95Sales tax rate:   6%Sales tax amount: $5.70Final cost: $100.70 What do you know?6/100 x/95 Cross Multiply and Solve.6 * 95   x * 100570 100x570/100 100x/100$5.70 xVerify the Answer. Does 6/100 5.70/95?6/100 .065.70/95 .06$95 $5.70 100.70 5. MP3 Player Price $76Sales tax rate:   10%Sales tax amount: $7.60Final cost: $83.60 What do you know?10/100 x/76 Cross Multiply and Solve.10 * 76   x * 100760 100x760/100 100x/100$7.60 xVerify the Answer. Does 10/100 7.60/76?10/100 .107.60/76 .10$76 $7.60 $83.60 6. Laptop ComputerPrice: $640Sales tax rate:   8.5%Sales tax amount: $54.40Final cost: $694.40 What do you know?8.5/100 x/640 Cross Multiply and Solve.8.5 * 640   x * 1005440 100x5440/100 100x/100$54.40 xVerify the Answer. Does 8.5/100 54.40/640?8.5/100 .08554.40/640 .085$640 $54.40 $694.40

Biography of Marco Polo, Famous Explorer

Biography of Marco Polo, Famous Explorer Marco Polo was an inmate in the Genoese prison at the Palazzo di San Giorgio from 1296 to 1299, arrested for commanding a Venetian galley in a war against Genoa. While there, he told tales of his travels through Asia to his fellow prisoners and the guards alike, and his cellmate Rustichello da Pisa wrote them down. Once the two were released from prison, copies of the manuscript, titled The Travels of Marco Polo, captivated Europe. Polo told tales of fabulous Asian courts, black stones that would catch on fire (coal), and Chinese money made out of paper. Ever since people have debated the question: Did Marco Polo really go to China, and see all of the things he claims to have seen? Early Life Marco Polo was probably born in Venice, although there is no proof of his place of birth, around 1254 CE. His father Niccolo and uncle Maffeo were Venetian merchants who traded on the Silk Road; little Marcos father left for Asia before the child was born, and would return when the boy was a teenager. He may not have even realized that his wife was pregnant when he left. Thanks to enterprising merchants such as the Polo brothers, Venice flourished at this time as the major trading hub for imports from the fabulous oasis cities of Central Asia, India, and far-off, wondrous Cathay (China). With the exception of India, the whole expanse of Silk Road Asia was under the control of the Mongol Empire at this time. Genghis Khan had died, but his grandson Kublai Khan was Great Khan of the Mongols as well as the founder of the Yuan Dynasty in China. Pope Alexander IV announced to Christian Europe in a 1260 papal bull that they faced wars of universal destruction wherewith the scourge of Heavens wrath in the hands of the inhuman Tartars [Europes name for the Mongols], erupting as it were from the secret confines of Hell, oppresses and crushes the earth. For men such as the Polos, however, the now stable and peaceful Mongol Empire was a source of wealth, rather than of hell-fire. Young Marco Goes to Asia When the elder Polos returned to Venice in 1269, they found that Niccolos wife had died and left behind a 15-year-old son named Marco. The boy must have been surprised to learn that he was not an orphan, as well. Two years later, the teenager, his father, and his uncle would embark eastward on another great journey. The Polos made their way to Acre, now in Israel, and then rode camels north to Hormuz, Persia. On their first visit to Kublai Khans court, the Khan had asked the Polo brothers to bring him oil from the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, which Armenian Orthodox priests sold in that city, so the Polos went to the Holy City to buy the consecrated oil. Marcos travel account mentions various other interesting peoples along the way, including Kurds and Marsh Arabs in Iraq. Young Marco was put off by the Armenians, considering their Orthodox Christianity a heresy, puzzled by Nestorian Christianity, and even more alarmed by the Muslim Turks (or Saracens). He admired the beautiful Turkish carpets with the instincts of a merchant, however. The naive young traveler would have to learn to be open-minded about new peoples and their beliefs. On to China The Polos crossed into Persia, through Savah and the carpet-weaving center of Kerman. They had planned to sail to China via India but found that the ships available in Persia were too rickety to be trusted. Instead, they would join a trade caravan of two-humped Bactrian camels. Before they departed from Persia, however, the Polos passed by the Eagles Nest, scene of Hulagu Khans 1256 siege against the Assassins or Hashshashin. Marco Polos account, taken from local tales, may have vastly exaggerated the fanaticism of the Assassins. Nevertheless, he was very happy to descend the mountains and take the road toward Balkh, in northern Afghanistan, famed as the ancient home of Zoroaster or Zarathustra. One of the oldest cities on earth, Balkh did not live up to Marcos expectations, primarily because Genghis Khans army had done its best to erase the intransigent city from the face of the Earth. Nonetheless, Marco Polo came to admire Mongol culture, and to develop his own obsession with Central Asian horses (all of them descended from Alexander the Greats mount Bucephalus, as Marco tells it) and with falconry - two mainstays of Mongol life. He also began to pick up the Mongol language, which his father and uncle already could speak well. In order to get to the Mongolian heartlands and Kublai Khans court, however, the Polos had to cross the high Pamir Mountains. Marco encountered Buddhist monks with their saffron robes and shaved heads, which he found fascinating. Next, the Venetians traveled toward the great Silk Road oases of Kashgar and Khotan, entering the fearsome Taklamakan Desert of western China. For forty days, the Polos trudged across the burning landscape whose very name means you go in, but you dont come out. Finally, after three and a half years of hard travel and adventure, the Polos made it to the Mongol court in China. In Kublai Khans Court When he met Kublai Khan, the founder of the Yuan Dynasty, Marco Polo was just 20 years old. By this time he had become an enthusiastic admirer of the Mongol people, quite at odds with the opinion in most of the 13th century Europe. His Travels notes that They are those people who most in the world bear work and great hardship and are content with little food, and who are for this reason suited best to conquer cities, lands, and kingdoms. The Polos arrived in Kublai Khans summer capital, called Shangdu or Xanadu. Marco was overcome by the beauty of the place: The halls and rooms... are all gilded and wonderfully painted within with pictures and images of beasts and birds and trees and flowers... It is fortified like a castle in which are fountains and rivers of running water and very beautiful lawns and groves. All three of the Polo men went to Kublai Khans court and performed a kowtow, after which the Khan welcomed his old Venetian acquaintances. Niccolo Polo presented the Khan with the oil from Jerusalem. He also offered his son Marco to the Mongol lord as a servant. In the Khans Service Little did the Polos know that they would be forced to remain in Yuan China for seventeen years. They could not leave without Kublai Khans permission, and he enjoyed conversing with his pet Venetians. Marco, in particular, became a favorite of the Khans  and incurred a lot of jealousy from the Mongol courtiers. Kublai Khan was extremely curious about Catholicism, and the Polos believed at times that he might convert. The Khans mother had been a Nestorian Christian, so it was not so great a leap as it might have appeared. However, conversion to a western faith might have alienated many of the emperors subjects, so he toyed with the idea but never committed to it. Marco Polos descriptions of the wealth and splendor of the Yuan court, and of the size and organization of Chinese cities, struck his European audience as impossible to believe. For example, he loved the southern Chinese city of Hangzhou, which at that time had a population of about 1.5 million people. That is about 15 times the contemporary population of Venice, then one of Europes largest cities and European readers simply refused to give credence to this fact. Return by Sea By the time Kublai Khan reached the age of 75 in 1291, the Polos probably had just about given up hope that he would ever allow them to return home to Europe. He also seemed determined to live forever. Marco, his father, and his uncle finally got permission to leave the Great Khans court that year, so that they could serve as escorts of a 17-year-old Mongol princess who was being sent to Persia as a bride. The Polos took the sea route back, first boarding a ship to Sumatra, now in Indonesia, where they were marooned by changing monsoons for 5 months. Once the winds shifted, they went on to Ceylon (Sri Lanka), and then to India, where Marco was fascinated by Hindu cow-worship and mystical yogis, along with Jainism and its prohibition on harming even a single insect. From there, they voyaged on to the Arabian Peninsula, arriving back at Hormuz, where they delivered the princess to her waiting bridegroom. It took two years for them to make the trip from China back to Venice; thus, Marco Polo likely was just about to turn 40 when he returned to his home city. Life in Italy As imperial emissaries and savvy traders, the Polos returned to Venice in 1295 laden with exquisite goods. However, Venice was embroiled in a feud with Genoa over control of the very trade routes that had enriched the Polos. Thus it was that Marco found himself in command of a Venetian war galley, and then a prisoner of the Genoese. After his release from prison in 1299, Marco Polo returned to Venice and continued his work as a merchant. He never went traveling again, however, hiring others to make expeditions instead of taking on that task himself. Marco Polo also married the daughter of another successful trading family and had three daughters. In January of 1324, Marco Polo died at the age of about 69. In his will, he freed a Tartar slave who had served him since his return from China. Although the man had died, his story lived on, inspiring the imaginations and adventures of other Europeans. Christopher Columbus, for example, had a copy of Marco Polos Travels, which he notated heavily in the margins. Whether or not they believed his stories, the people of Europe certainly loved to hear about the fabulous Kublai Khan and his wondrous courts at Xanadu and Dadu (Beijing). Sources Bergreen, Laurence. Marco Polo: From Venice to Xanadu, New York: Random House Digital, 2007. â€Å"Marco Polo.† Biography.com, AE Networks Television, 15 Jan. 2019, www.biography.com/people/marco-polo-9443861. Polo, Marco. The Travels of Marco Polo, trans. William Marsden, Charleston, SC: Forgotten Books, 2010. Wood, Frances. Did Marco Polo Go to China?, Boulder, CO: Westview Books, 1998.

Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 200

Assignment Example A significant portion of the consumers in North America are Millennials who are dependent on their electronic gadgets in their daily lives. This trend has a negative impact to Bic because it undermines one of its primary products which are stationery, notebooks and pens. The trend says that the more the millennial market spends on electronics and gadget, the less they will spend to stationeries and pen which are Bic’s products. In addition, the pervasive use of gadgets also provided an alternative to Bic’s other traditional products which are coloring, drawing pencils, crayons and felt pens. They can now also be done in softwares such as photoshop, Corel Draw or other apps and this means reduction in demand and consequently, market share. Other traditional products however such as sticky notes and writing pens (white board) will not be affected by the trend of increased use of gadgets. Their demand could even increase as their use are becoming popular in presentations and group meetings. Another trend that could run counter to Bic’s profitability interest in the long run is its lighter market. At present, 40% of Millennials and 21% of adults may be smoker but this trend is going down. The increasing awareness for health and the ill effects of smoking will have negative impact on the demand for cigarettes and along with it is the decreasing demand for lighters which is Bic’s product. Various interests groups and advertising campaigns are increasingly becoming aggressive in convincing people to quit smoking. At present, many people are already trying to quit smoking or are resorting to e-cigarettes as an alternative. The figures are discouraging because 44% of men and women are already using e-cigarettes which have no use of Bic’s lighters. Either way, this does not spell good for Bic because it undermines its lighter products.