The New Problem of Internet Addiction - 764 Words

With reference to relevant literature, identify and discuss a concern which has become a problem for users of the internet. Miniwatts Marketing Group (2009) stated that more than two billion people use the internet. The internet is a world wide web of computer networks, all linked to one another. The internet enables people to communicate almost instantly, research and access data or information, and is most commonly used for email. The popularity of email has almost seen the demise of postal services (Harris, 2007). This essay will argue that one concern for users of the internet is addiction, as millions of users become consumed in the habit, with severe cases of internet addiction resulting in death and violence. Internet addiction is a habit addiction, rather than a form of substance abuse. According to Kimberley Young it is â€Å"the world’s fastest growing addiction† (2009, p 2). Perhaps the reason for this is due to the many ways in which the internet can be used and how commonly accessible it has become in the home or office. For example, the internet can be used for online shopping, virtual gaming, social networking and aspects of the internet that are addictive. The concern with this is how the use of the internet is impacting on a person’s everyday living. Similarly to other forms of addiction, inappropriate use of the internet can result in lost employment, broken relationships, financial loss and even death. In an extreme case, a teenage addict killed hisShow MoreRelatedInternet Addiction1662 Words   |  7 PagesInternet Addiction Introduction While some media news and reports seem to be truthful in their effort to inform and educate the public regarding internet addiction, it is not surprising to see bad science and misinterpretation presented in others on the same issue. The media coverage of internet addiction is damaging and blowing the issue out of context. The widespread internet concern is reinforced and underpinned by media reporting about internet addiction and young people, characteristicallyRead MoreInternet Addiction1666 Words   |  7 PagesInternet Addiction is a problem more common in society as Internet usage is increasing. The prevalence of Internet use worldwide is increasing. Along with the benefits the Internet brings, problems of excessive Internet use is becoming apparent. As a result, along with drug and alcoholic addictions nowadays, there is one more – Internet addiction, last but not least. The opinions on the methods for the solution vary, because the problem was not studied enough. One of the solutions is to attend supportRead MoreThe Problem Of Internet Addiction1221 Words   |  5 Pagesexample of dependence on a source of technology is the use of the internet. People from all over the world depend on the internet for their everyday needs ranging from grocery shopping to entertainment. Our dependence on this resource increases daily. This dependence has caused side effects not foreshadowed with the internet. Now humanity is faced with reality of internet addiction. Just like any other addiction to drugs, internet addiction can ruin a person and their family. It disconnects people fromRead MoreEssay on Internet addiction1725 Words   |  7 PagesInternet and Video Game Addiction Internet addiction is a worldwide disorder that is oblivious to the technological age we live in. Since its inception in 1991 (Livingstone), the World Wide Web has only improved our quality of life. People don’t perceive online technology as a problem but as a solution to make our lives cheaper and efficient. As a working college student, my whole life is run on the internet. I use Facebook religiously to keep in-touch with my friends, I play Xbox Live to competeRead MoreInternet Addiction And Digital Dependency Among Young New Zealand Adults Essay1519 Words   |  7 Pagesthemselves while using the internet, whether it is for social media, educational or for business use. The internet is a large part of an individual’s daily life, particularly young New Zealand adults from the ages of 18 to 30 years old. Majority of individuals cannot go days or even hours without checking social media or using the some form of digital technology. This is has resulted in multiple clin icians, academics and even journalists claiming that there is a new form of addiction impacting societiesRead MoreThe Internet Addiction Disorder1152 Words   |  5 Pages An increasing problem streaming throughout the global society today is IAD or Internet Addiction Disorder. Our culture along with many others has been consumed with the ease and pleasure of shopping, gaming, and social networking through online portals to the point that it has become an overwhelming problem for some people. What Internet Addiction Disorder is exactly has been the topic of much debate and so has what makes internet addiction so addicting. IAD is a serious problem and is receivingRead MoreThe Influence Of Internet Addiction1053 Words   |  5 Pages The Influence of Internet Addiction Have you been though things such as you open up your laptop to do your work or study but ended up playing video games and surfing on internet? It is believed that a great amount of people feel like this. Nowadays, we live in a world with highly developed internet and electronic devices. Highly advanced internet make our life better, which is non-debatable, but there are also some drawbacks brought up by improper internet usage and one of the most influentialRead MoreIs Internet Addiction Disorder? Essay1483 Words   |  6 Pages Internet addiction disorder, more commonly called problematic Internet use, refers to excessive computer use which interferes with daily life. Internet overuse, problematic computer use, or pathological computer use, problematic Internet use, or Internet addiction disorder. In the most recent version of the DSM-5, Internet Gaming Disorder is the latest term to describe this problem. History IAD was originally proposed as a disorder in a satirical hoax by Ivan Goldberg, M.D., in 1995, althoughRead MoreNegative Effects Of Internet Addiction935 Words   |  4 Pageswork or study but ended up playing video games and surfing the internet? It is believed that a lot of people feel like this. Nowadays, we live in a world with highly developed internet and electronic devices. The highly advanced internet makes our lives better, which is non-debatable, but there are also some drawbacks brought up by improper internet usage and one of the most influential symptoms is Internet addiction. Internet addiction affects people by causing the deterioration of the quality ofRead MoreInternet Addiction And Its Negative Impact1002 Words   |  5 PagesThe Buzz about Internet Addiction and its Negative Impact Meta Description: The internet connects millions of people, providing information, entertainment and communication platform. HealthyHow2 is a leading resource for well-researched medical information. Internet Addiction The internet has become an integral component of our life, and this has greatly transformed the way we access information, communicate and do our work. Added to this fact, the internet is widely available in people’s homes

Obsecompositve College Essay Topics

Obsecompositve College Essay TopicsObsecomposity College Essay Topics is difficult to deal with. Whether you are dealing with a major change at your job or at home, problems or issues in your relationship, or the fact that the economy is not as strong as it used to be, your essay is likely to be different from your classmates'. When writing your college essay, you need to be flexible and present the facts in a way that your audience will understand. Here are some tips for dealing with the challenges of writing an obsecomposity essay topic.Begin your essay with a set of supporting facts. You want to come up with information that is logically linked so that if your reader pulls a chapter out of their book, they will know what they are missing. To help with this, write your essay as if your audience is reading it, instead of your classmates. Make sure your supporting facts are related to the content that you are addressing.The most interesting aspect of writing an obsecomposity is the r esearch that goes into the piece. Take the time to do your research. This may mean going back and reading your book. Remember to read each chapter carefully. A good idea is to write the first part of your essay from the perspective of the person you are writing about.Writing a book review can be a great resource for you. Reviews will give you an insight into your book and give you an opportunity to write from a different angle. Also, make sure that you write a full paragraph explaining your reasons for writing a book review.One of the most important aspects of writing an obsecomposity is to be honest and transparent. A lack of transparency can leave a reader feeling like they are reading a poorly written sales pitch. Be sure to tell your readers what you mean by certain words. Write your topic this way: I'm writing this book in the hopes that it will help people or a cause. By being honest, you create a positive tone for your piece.In order to find your audience, you must be open-mi nded and make your opinion known to others. Even if you don't agree with someone else's opinion, you have the option to be completely unbiased. Allowing yourself to be an artist when creating your essay topic is essential.While you might be passionate about a subject, doing research on the topic is your strong point. For example, if you are writing about the effects of radiation on a particular type of fish, then research into the issue will allow you to put forth a strong argument for your viewpoint. When writing about your own point of view, remember to use a little humor. Humor and sarcasm will help keep your reader's attention.Obsecomposity college essay topics are challenging. However, they can also be extremely rewarding if you take the time to write the best essay possible. Remember to be honest and transparent in your essay and use your writing skills to make your topic unique. You will achieve the goal of your essay by following these steps.

Where to Buy Term Papers Online

Where to Buy Term Papers OnlineWhere to buy term papers online has become a topic of debate lately, and for good reason. There are many ways that you can research the many different places that are available to purchase term papers online.One of the easiest ways to research online is to find several online directories that contain information about different companies that provide this service. You will need to determine if they offer quotes or not. You can search by city, state, or country to find a wide variety of listings. It is important to keep in mind that some of these directories may contain advertisements that do not be reviewed.This means that, although you are able to research online, you will not necessarily find all the same information as you would have if you had visited the company yourself. Another way to research online is to use the search engines. With the exception of some companies that are larger and the ones that offer a more comprehensive product range, there are several search engines that will help you locate various companies that offer terms and baccalaureate services.This method of researching online is very useful, but you must ensure that you visit the company's websites, look at the products and services offered, and then inquire as to their pricing structure and payment methods. The price may vary from state to state, and you must investigate all of the information contained in the website. They may charge a flat rate fee for the entire package or may even charge based on the term of the contract, which may also vary according to the specific quote you choose.The location of the company is another factor that needs to be considered before selecting a provider. You should ensure that you are dealing with a provider that offers the term paper services required by your school. If the school uses a combination of paper-based classwork and also some online learning, then you will want to investigate whether the company can supply a combination of both products.Also, you must ensure that you can get an affordable quote and that you are receiving a term paper service with the quality that you are paying for. Also, you need to determine if the company can provide you with a price that is reasonable.Once you have investigated all of the options that are available, you will have the advantage of being able to choose a term paper company that can provide you with such service. There are also many companies that can offer you the same service without the added cost, so once you have evaluated all of the options, you can then make the right decision regarding where to buy term papers online.

Channel Distribution Free Essays

HISTORY OF PROCTER GAMBLE: Procter Gamble Co., also known as PG, is an American multinational consumer goods company headquartered in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. Its products include pet foods, cleaning agents, and personal care products. We will write a custom essay sample on Channel Distribution or any similar topic only for you Order Now Prior to the sale of Pringles to the Kellogg Company, its product line included foods and beverages. In 2012, PG recorded $83.68 billion in sales. Fortune magazine awarded PG a top spot on its list of â€Å"Global Top Companies for Leaders†, and ranked the company at fifteenth place of the â€Å"World’s Most Admired Companies† list.Chief Executive Magazine named PG the best overall company for leadership development in its list of the â€Å"40 Best Companies for Leaders†. THE POWER OF PURPOSE: Companies like PG are a force in the world. Our market capitalization is greater than the GDP of many countries, and we market our products in more than 180 countries. With this stature comes both responsibility and opportunities. Our responsibility is to be an ethical corporate citizen-but our opportunity is something far greater, and is embodied in our PURPOSE. PG’s Purpose Statement articulates a common goal that inspires us daily: â€Å"We will provide branded products and services of superior quality and value that improves the lives of the world’s consumers, now and generations to come. As a result, consumers will reward us with leadership sales, profit, and value creation, allowing our people, our shareholders, and the communities in which we live and work to prosper.† PG PRODUCT: Downy is a brand name of fabric softener produced by Procter Gamble and sold in the United States. It entered the U.S. test market in August 1960 and went nationwide in December 1961. It was also sold in Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Egypt and Latin America. Lenor is a brand name of fabric softener and dryer sheets, also produced by Procter Gamble, sold in Europe, Russia, China and Japan. Plans to rebrand Lenor as Downy in the UK were dropped in 2002. CONCLUSION: My conclusion about my research about the retailers and suppliers of PG is they have so many products manufactured inside and outside the Philippines, that’s why they are one of the best chosen products/company here in our country because of their quality and service they are providing to the customers so the customers can satisfy the needs and wants of their fellow customers. I also want to include that PG will inspire many Filipinos to their products they introduce each and every time they produce a new product to the market. How to cite Channel Distribution, Papers

Evaluation of the Companys Current Marketing Strategy Essay Example

Evaluation of the Companys Current Marketing Strategy Essay Cable TV segments their market by customers interest and need. They provide wide variety of TV plans to customers according to their interests. In short, Cable TV adopts the psychographic segmentation which divides buyers into different groups based on social class, lifestyle or personality characteristics. Variety of TV programs to suit different lifestyle and personality. For example, financial channel broadcasts up-to-date financial news is of investor typical interest. National Geographic and Discovery channels provide natural and geographic news to target on audience who like to acquire knowledge by watching TV. And most people watching Cable TV are on the purpose of entertainment only. So this is the largest and biggest segment. Also, Cable TV divides buyers into active buyer and passive buyer. It segments the market by imposing different price strategy in these two groups. For example, the price is cheaper if the sales are conducted by road show or outbound calls which they are segmented as passive buyers. In contrast, active buyers have to bear the basic price which is slightly higher then special price if it the customers directly contact Cable TV to apply for pay TV service. Targeting Cable TV mainly targets on the customers who are interested in the news, movies and sports. Nowadays, as there are an increasing number of customer demands for the informative programs, and a large number of male customers would acquire cable TV because of the broadcasting of live-sport programs while female customers would like to acquire it due to the 24 hours non-stop broadcasting of more up-dated movies and all these explain why cable would have such targeting. Product Positioning Cable TV positions its service as Pay TV equals to Cable TV. When people think of pay TV service, they would immediately think of Cable TV. To broadcast largest number of TV programs, it maintains as an industry leader in Hong Kong. Moreover, Cable TV positions its service as the best home entertainment to encourage more families to subscribe Cable TV. Marketing Mix Product The main advantage of Cable TV is provide consumer friendly service. It provides 67 24-hours non-stop broadcasting and less advertisement shown. Various channels are provided to suit different needs of users. The channels can be divided into several categories and basic and premium channels. We will write a custom essay sample on Evaluation of the Companys Current Marketing Strategy specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Evaluation of the Companys Current Marketing Strategy specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Evaluation of the Companys Current Marketing Strategy specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer (Exhibit 2)The main categories are sports, news and movies. Other fields include entertainment program, documentary, adventure program, adult program, and composite program for different countries. The variety programs can initiate people to acquire Cable TV service. Cable TV offers different plans for users. They are Cable TV Basic Package, Super Family Pack, Super Movie Pack, Super News Pack, We-Wet Entertainment Pack, Discovery Mega Pack, International Pack, Zee Pack and CAT6 pack. (Exhibit 3)However, these plans are not flexible and consumers cannot their favorite programs only. News channels are popular and can retain many current users due to its continuous updating and broadcasting. These news channels provide latest news and financial information in many countries. The updated information provided is extremely useful in nowadays world because of the increasing importance of service and information industry. Movies channels broadcast local and international movies. These movies are comparability new and they can satisfy many people who like watching movie. Cable TV wants to target on people who are interested in sports. It has many sports channels showing different sports events all over the world. The most attractive part of the sports channels is live and exclusive football matches of the four biggest soccer leagues in the world to satisfy users interests. Besides these three aspects, Cable TV notices people tend to know more about other countries, it introduces many international channels in recent years. There are 2 types of converters, analogue and digital converters. The rental fee is for both is the same but some of the channels can only be watched with the use of the digital converter. The variety of channels can satisfy consumer but the inefficient hotline dissatisfies consumers as it is very difficult to have direct connection to the customer service representative. Price Cable-TV offers a special monthly price for users if they prepaid one-year fee. And it offers discount to the Basic Package users to acquire other packages and premium channels. Larger discount is offered for first time users to attract them to try. For example, new users only pay $198 instead of $298 for the Basic Package in the first year of service. For different packages, they are with different prices. (Exhibit 3)However, the price of the packages is too high and this will discourage lower income group to install Cable TV. Besides the package fee, new customers need to pay rental fee of $30 for the converter. Customers can pay extra to watch the premium channels. If customers want to have one more Cable TV in their home, they need to pay extra fee for this additional outlet. The amounts of charges paid depend on the package used by customers. They need to pay extra half of the original price if they are using Basic Pack, Zee Pack, International Pack and all premium channels. They need to pay double if they use other packages. If customers want to terminate the service, Cable TV will offer a discount to attract them not to do so. This is useful as many consumers are concern with price. Promotion Booths Cable TV sets up a lot of temporary booths on new residential area to attract new customers. Very often, plans promoted from the booths are with a promotional discount, as an attraction. Owing to the large promotion coverage of the booths in Hong Kong, this promotion channel could impress consumer most. Unlike promotions on media, booths could actively reach consumers and wont be bound by media constraints. The performance of booths is fair. Although some consumers are attracted to the promotion or discount provided by these booths and initiate them to acquire Cable TV, some consumers have negative feelings toward them. Sometimes consumer may think that salesperson is annoying, as there are too much salespersons approach them in a short distance. Some say that the salespersons are immoral, they boost sales by providing untrue information induce consumer to purchase which in turn avoid consumers from renewing the contract. Door to door Promotion It is an active promotion launched occasionally in residential area, especially before big events like World Cup and Olympics. Each successful visit last around 15 to 30 minutes. It allows salesperson to have a better communication and contact with consumers, enable them to understand consumer better and take appropriate promotion words. It also enables cable TV to target those families who are not using cable TV according to the customer record. This is more cost and time effective, as only people who are interested would let salesperson to have a further conversation with them. Door to door promotion also allows information approach and stimulates consumers need at the right time. Before World Cup and Olympic, many consumers have the short-term need of getting cable TV. In addition, in home, consumer would have a better sense of security and would be more open and comfortable which constitutes a good environment for them to listen and talk to the salespersons. However, the coverage of this method is rather small, and the time cost is very high. Advertisement on Media Advertisement on media is a passive promotion. Consumers could select what they want to pay attention to and what they want to avoid. Several creative TV ads could successfully impress consumers. One interviewee could memorize the TV ads with a man singing Free Super Offer which is one year ago. Distribution Channel The distribute procedure is the consumer register first. Then salespersons will help consumer to call for installation and delivery of necessary devices. There are four ways of acquiring the service: Phone More than half of the interviewees acquire Cable TV actively by phone. Consumers reflect that the procedure is generally smooth, except they could not be directed to customer service officer when they make the call. Online download of form In Cable TV website, application form is in PDF form. Consumers could only print out the form and sent or fax back to Cable TV. This is not a user-friendly channel. Booths Except promotion, booths on street are also act as a distribution channel. As mentioned in the promotion, quality and quantity of booths should be controlled and adjusted. Door-to-door promotion Like booths on street, if the salesperson could successfully initiate consumer to acquire service through visiting their homes, they distribute the product. Recommendations Immediate actions: To increase its market shares in the industry, some strategies are applied in order to attract potential customers. Potential customers: Online Application This kind of application is very convenient and easy for the customers to use which would increase the sale by attracting more customers to apply for the services. In addition, the cost of this kind of distribution channel is also very low. But the problem is that, some strategies should be used to motivate the customers to apply Cable TV online. Promotions which can initiate consumption decision According to the survey, most of the users consider the variety of programs offered and price are the most important factors for their buying decision. As a result, it can stress on these aspects when launching promotions. Moreover, special discount period should be provided to an extent that above Just Noticeable Difference so that potential customers intention to acquire Cable TV will be increased. However, providing discounts will lead to decrease in profits and so it cannot be used as long-term strategies. Upgrade to digital converter This can help Cable TV prevent unauthorized user to free ride the pay TV service. There are some unlicensed TV converters that enable to watch Cable TV illegally. It is because the use of unlicensed TV converter will decrease current user or decrease customer intention to acquire Cable TV service. Current customers It is far more easy and profitable to retain current customers than attracting new customers. As a result, achieving customer satisfaction is very important. To achieve this, react to customer needs and so following recommendations are advised. Improve customer service As the majority of the customers dissatisfy with the customer service according to the findings. It is suggested that the number of staffs answering for phones should be increased and more training should be provided to staff to fasten the serving time and be consumer friendly. Introduce paid local film channel The findings show that the local movie channels are criticized as out-dated and repeated too frequently. However, providing latest film is costly, so it is suggested to introduce paid channel to satisfy consumer need and balance the costs. However, it has the direct competitors such as cinemas, which can give the audience better atmosphere. In addition, VCD is also anther competitor and it is very cheap and the latest films are also available. Yet, by introducing local film channel, it has the competitive advantages of convenience as the audience can just stay at home and enjoy the movie. The time and cost of searching information of customers reduces. Change to digital converter Analogue converters cannot watch some of the programs in basic plan nowadays which will dissatisfy current customers. Nevertheless, changing all converters is quite expensive and not all the users are willing to pay for the charge. Quantity of advertisements From the survey, most of the users thought that one of the advantages of Cable TV less advertisements. However, the amount of advertisements about Cable TV is increasing within the channels. It should pay attention to the quantity of advertisements to retain the customers. Launch female-favored channel Cable TV should launch a new channel targeting on the female. Programs that suit female include local shopping discount guidelines, or beauty news should be broadcasted. Long term Directions: In long run, Cable TV should improve its overall service include: Provide video-on-demand (VOD) service Video-on-demand service is a system based service that audiences can select watching any programs in any time. The new service can allow customers to enjoy a variety of programs on the interactive platform by offering more interactive application channels. The advantage of this service is that it can eliminate the restriction on the time schedule of different programs, thus it can satisfy audience instant gratification of specific TV program and they need not to wait for any time slot. In Hong Kong, people have an instant- need noodle culture which means that they demand instant food fulfillment with minimum cooking time. As the rhythm of their lifestyle is very fast, they are impatient to wait for a TV program on schedule. The disadvantage of this action is that it requires a higher cost to develop and apply this technology and Cable TV also need the technical support by other countries such as Japan and US. Channel based selection plan Consumers can acquire particular channels instead of paying a lump sum fee for a basic plan which included many channels. Base on the research, as many current basic plan users only watch a few channels and hence they would like to complain for pay the lump-sum fee. If Cable TV charges their price by the number of channels watched, people from lower income group would also apply for pay TV service due to the lower fee charged. As there are more combinations of customer to choose, Cable TV consumption plan become more flexible and consequently their market share in the pay TV service would be enlarged. However, as Cable TV provide many channels with different TV programs; consumer may not have a better understand of the nature content of that channel. So it requires more promotion effort to introduce to customer. For example, they can adopt a trail one time policy to let the potential consumer to try Cable TV service. Develop High Definition TV (HDTV) High Definition TV (HDTV) provides high quality TV picture. Now, the picture of Cable TV is restricted to 480I resolution. They can increase to 1080I resolution which is just the standard of TV resolution in Japan. Include more exclusive programs Cable TV should buy more patent from foreign TV channels and productions. To remain their high competitiveness and uniqueness, they need to provide more exclusive channels and productions which can not be broadcasted by their other direct competitors. Conclusion Cable TV, having the largest market share of pay TV service in Hong Kong, is facing increasingly keen competition since the introduction of Now Broadband TV. The main competitors changed from free TV service in the past to the broadband and other pay-TV services now. By our in-depth interview and literature review, pay TV users has an interesting characteristics and behaviours which enable us to base on the findings to suggest recommendations to help Cable TV fight against other pay TV service companies. Many competitors build up their marketing strategies from the aspects that Cable TV underperformed. Therefore, Cable TV has to revise its current marketing strategies and implements short term and long term actions that are recommended in order to maintain the market share and to the industry leader.

Ancient China - Periods and Dynasties

Ancient China - Periods and Dynasties Chinese recorded history goes back more than 3000 years and if you add archaeological evidence (including Chinese pottery), another millennium and a half, to roughly 2500 B.C. The center of Chinese government moved repeatedly throughout this period, as China absorbed more of eastern Asia. This article looks at the conventional divisions of the history of China into eras and dynasties, starting with the earliest about which we have any information and continuing through to Communist China. Events of the past, if not forgotten, are teachings about the future. - Sima Qian, Chinese historian of the late second century B.C. The focus here is on the period of ancient Chinese history that begins with the advent of writing (as also for the Ancient Near East, Mesoamerica, and the Indus Valley) and ends with the period that corresponds best with a conventional date for the end of antiquity. Unfortunately, this date makes sense only in Europe: A.D. 476. That year is in the middle of the relevant Chinese period, the Southern Song and Northern Wei Dynasties, and is of no special significance for Chinese history. Neolithic First, according to historian Sima Qian, who chose to begin his Shiji (Records of the Historian) with the Yellow Emperor tale, Huang Di unified tribes along the Yellow River valley nearly 5,000 years ago. For these achievements, he is considered the founder of the Chinese nation and culture. Ever since 200BC, Chinese rulers, imperial and otherwise, have considered it politically convenient to sponsor an annual memorial ceremony in his honor. [URL www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2006/05/04/2003306109] Taipei Times - Dumping the Yellow Emperor Myth The Neolithic (neonew lithicstone) Period of Ancient China lasted from about 12,000 until about 2000 B.C. Hunting, gathering, and agriculture were practiced during this period. Silk was also produced from mulberry leaf-fed silkworms. The pottery forms of the Neolithic period were painted and black, representing the two cultural groups, Yangshao (in the mountains of the north and west of China) and Lungshan (in the plains in eastern China), as well as utilitarian forms for daily use. Xia It had been thought that the Xia were a myth, but radiocarbon evidence for this Bronze Age people suggests that the period ran from 2100 to 1800 B.C. Bronze vessels found at Erlitou along the Yellow River, in northern central China, also attest to the reality of the Xia. The agrarian Xia were ancestors of the Shang. More on the Xia Reference: [URL www.nga.gov/exhibitions/chbro_bron.shtm] The Golden Age of Classical Archaeology Beginning of the Historical Era: Shang The truth about the Shang (c. 1700-1027 B.C.), who, like the Xia, had been considered mythical, came as a result of the discovery of the writing on oracle bones. It is traditionally believed that there were 30 kings and 7 capitals of the Shang. The ruler lived at the center of his capital. The Shang had bronze weapons and vessels, as well as earthenware. The Shang are credited with inventing Chinese writing because there are written records, notably the oracle bones. More on the Shang Dynasty Zhou The Zhou were originally semi-nomadic and had co-existed with the Shang. The dynasty began with Kings Wen (Ji Chang) and Zhou Wuwang (Ji Fa) who were considered ideal rulers, patrons of the arts, and descendants of the Yellow Emperor. The great philosophers flourished in the Zhou period. They banned human sacrifice. The Zhou developed a feudal-like system of allegiance and government that lasted as long as any other dynasty in the world, from about 1040-221 B.C. It was adaptable enough that it survived when barbarian invaders forced the Zhou to move their capital to the East. The Zhou period is sub-divided into: Western Zhou 1027-771 B.C.Eastern Zhou 770-221 B.C.770-476 B.C. Spring and Autumn period475-221 B.C. Warring States period During this period, iron tools were developed and population exploded. During the Warring States Period, only the Qin defeated their enemies. More on the Zhou Dynasty Qin The Qin Dynasty, which lasted from 221-206 B.C., was begun by the architect of the Great Wall of China, the first emperor, Qin Shihuangdi (aka Shi Huangdi or Shih Huang-ti) (r. 246/221 [start of the empire] -210 B.C.). The wall was built to repel nomadic invaders, the Xiongnu. Highways were also built. When he died, the emperor was buried in an enormous tomb with a terra cotta army for protection (alternatively, servants). During this period the feudal system was replaced by a strong central bureaucracy. The second emperor of the Qin was Qin Ershi Huangdi (Ying Huhai) who ruled from 209-207 B.C. The third emperor was the King of Qin (Ying Ziying) who ruled in 207 B.C. More on the Qin Dynasty Han The Han Dynasty, which was founded by Liu Bang (Han Gaozu), lasted for four centuries (206 B.C.- A.D. 8, 25-220). During this period, Confucianism became state doctrine. China had contact with the west via the Silk Road during this period. Under Emperor Han Wudi, the empire expanded into Asia. The dynasty is to divided into a Western Han and an Eastern Han because there was a split following the unsuccessful attempt by Wang Mang to reform the government. At the end of the Eastern Han, the empire was divided into three kingdoms by powerful warlords. More on the Han Dynasty Political disunity followed the collapse of the Han Dynasty. This was when the Chinese developed gunpowder for fireworks. Next: Three Kingdoms and Chin (Jin) Dynasty Source of Quote Archaeology and Chinese Historiography, by K. C. Chang. World Archaeology, Vol. 13, No. 2, Regional Traditions of Archaeological Research I (Oct., 1981), pp. 156-169. Ancient Chinese Pages From Kris Hirst: Archaeology at About.com Longshan CultureA Neolithic culture of the Yellow River Valley.Beixin CultureAnother Neolithic Chinese culture.DawenkouLate Neolithic period of Shandong Province.Shandong Excavations Six Dynasties Three Kingdoms After the Han Dynasty of ancient China there was a period of constant civil war. The period from 220 to 589 is often called the period of 6 dynasties, which covers the Three Kingdoms, Chin Dynasty, and Southern and Northern Dynasties. At the start, the three leading economic centers of the Han Dynasty (the Three  kingdoms) tried to unify the land: The Cao-Wei Empire (220-265) from northern ChinaThe Shu-Han Empire (221-263) from the west, andThe Wu Empire (222-280) from the east, the most powerful of the three, based on a system of confederation of powerful families, which conquered the Shu in A.D. 263. During the period of the three kingdoms, tea was discovered, Buddhism spread, Buddhist pagodas were built, and porcelain was created. Chin Dynasty Also known as the  Jin Dynasty  (A.D. 265-420), the dynasty was started by Ssu-ma Yen (Sima Yan), who ruled as Emperor Wu Ti from A.D. 265-289. He reunified China in 280 by conquering the Wu kingdom. After reuniting, he ordered the disbanding of the armies, but this order was not uniformly obeyed. The Huns eventually defeated the  Chin,  but were never very strong. The Chin fled their capital, in Luoyang, ruling from 317-420, in  Jiankan  (modern Nanking), as the Eastern Chin (Dongjin). The earlier Chin period (265-316) is known as the Western Chin (Xijin). The culture of the Eastern Chin, remote from the Yellow River plains, developed a different culture from that of northern China. The Eastern Chin  were  the first of the Southern dynasties. Northern and Southern Dynasties Another period of disunity, the period of the Northern and Southern dynasties lasted from 317-589. The Northern Dynasties were The Northern Wei (386-533)The Eastern Wei (534-540)The Western Wei (535-557)The Northern Qi (550-577)The Northern Zhou (557-588) The Southern Dynasties were The Song (420-478)The Qi (479-501)The Liang (502-556)The Chen (557-588) The remaining dynasties are clearly medieval or modern and so are beyond the scope of this site: Classical Imperial ChinaSui 580-618 A.D. This short dynasty had two emperors Yang Chien (Emperor Wen Ti), an official of the northern Zhou, and his son Emperor Yang. They built canals and fortified the Great Wall on the northern frontier and began expensive military campaigns.Tang 618-907 A.D. The Tang composed a penal code and started a land distribution project to help the peasants, and expanded the empire into Iran, Manchuria, and Korea. White, true porcelain was developed.Five Dynasties 907-960 A.D.907-923 Later Liang923-936 Later Tang936-946 Later Jin947-950 Later Han951-960 Later ZhouTen Kingdoms A.D. 907-979Song A.D. 960-1279 Gunpowder was used in siege warfare. Foreign trade expanded. Neo-Confucianism developed.960-1125 Northern Song1127-1279 Southern SongLiao A.D. 916-1125Western Xia A.D. 1038-1227Jin A.D. 1115-1234Later Imperial ChinaYuan A.D. 1279-1368 China was ruled by MongolsMing A.D. 1368-1644 A peasant, Hongwu, led the revolt against the Mongolians to form this dynasty, which improved conditions for peasants. Most of the  Great Wall  known today was built or repaired during the Ming Dynasty.Qing A.D. 1644-1911 The Manchu (from Manchuria) ruled China. They instituted dress and hair policies for Chinese men. They unsuccessfully outlawed footbinding.

Sugar Produces Bitter Results for the Environment

Sugar Produces Bitter Results for the Environment Sugar is present in products we consume every day, yet we rarely give a second thought to how and where it is produced and what toll it may take on the environment. Sugar Production Damages the Environment According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), roughly 145 million tons of sugars are produced in 121 countries each year. And sugar production does indeed take its toll on surrounding soil, water and air, especially in threatened tropical ecosystems near the equator. A 2004 report by WWF, titled â€Å"Sugar and the Environment,† shows that sugar may be responsible for more biodiversity loss than any other crop, due to its destruction of habitat to make way for plantations, its intensive use of water for irrigation, its heavy use of agricultural chemicals, and the polluted wastewater that is routinely discharged in the sugar production process. Environmental Damage from Sugar Production Is Widespread One extreme example of environmental destruction by the sugar industry is the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia. Waters around the reef suffer from large quantities of effluents, pesticides, and sediment from sugar farms, and the reef itself is threatened by the clearing of land, which has destroyed the wetlands that are an integral part of the reef’s ecology. Meanwhile, in Papua New Guinea, soil fertility has declined by about 40 percent over the last three decades in heavy sugar cane cultivation regions. And some of the world’s mightiest rivers- including the Niger in West Africa, the Zambezi in Southern Africa, the Indus River in Pakistan, and the Mekong River in Southeast Asia- have nearly dried up as a result of thirsty, water-intensive sugar production. Do Europe and the U.S. Produce Too Much Sugar? WWF blames Europe and, to a lesser extent, the United States, for over-producing sugar because of its profitability and therefore large contribution to the economy. WWF and other environmental groups are working on public education and legal campaigns to try to reform the international sugar trade. â€Å"The world has a growing appetite for sugar,† says Elizabeth Guttenstein of the World Wildlife Fund. â€Å"Industry, consumers and policy makers must work together to make sure that in the future sugar is produced in ways that least harm the environment.† Can Everglades Damage From Sugar Cane Farming be Reversed? Here in the United States the health of one of the country’s most unique ecosystems, Florida’s Everglades, is seriously compromised after decades of sugar cane farming. Tens of thousands of acres of the Everglades have been converted from teeming sub-tropical forest to lifeless marshland due to excessive fertilizer run-off and drainage for irrigation. A tenuous agreement between environmentalists and sugar producers under a â€Å"Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan† has ceded some sugar cane land back to nature and reduced water usage and fertilizer run-off. Only time will tell if these and other restoration efforts will help bring back Florida’s once teeming â€Å"river of grass.† Edited by Frederic Beaudry