Zara Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Zara Business - Essay Example From there it expanded into 79 countries with 1,830 stores all across Asia, Europe, Africa and America (Qureshi, Store Wars: Zara and Mango, 2012).Its main focus has always been creativity, quality of design and rapid response time. Zara’s main target customers have always been young, price-conscious people who are very sensitive to latest fashion trends. According to the article ‘Analyzing Zara’s Business model’ its product line is divided in to 60% for women, 25% for men and 15% fast growing children (Analysing Zara’s business model , 2011). Main customers of Zara are middle class urban women for whom fashion means everything. The customers of this particular brand wants trendy, fashionable and unique outfits at an affordable price and up to date with the new up coming fashion trends. Another unique characteristic of this particular brand is that they take very less time in identifying and bringing their products to shelves that is with in 30 days where as others may take around 3-4 months (Analysing Zara’s business model , 2011). This is possible mainly due to their control on garment supply chain from design to retail unlike many other competitive stores. It is possible as most of the manufacturing is being done in-house. 50% of the products are produced in house where as 46% are framed out into ready to cut pieces (Roux, 2002) Zara’s core mission has always been a blend of creative, quality and rapid response to market demands. To achieve this a business model was framed that depended on two main points. One being quick response to changing fashion and second being involvement of employees at a large scale. For instance a store manager could decide which clothes to put on sale in that particular store according to the response of customers shopping there. The vaiety of clothing also becomes a main selling point of the brand. In the article Reign of Spain the author talks about how a model never stays in the s hop for more than four weeks. This increases the visists of the customers, for Zara’s its 17 times a year where as for other similar competitive stores its only 3 to 4 times a year (Roux, 2002). In around four to five weeks new collections are available. It’s designer team comprises of around 2 thousand designers which produce 12,000 models each year for sale which are designed kept in mind customer preferences, wishes and demands. Since every four weeks the stores are hit by new models the quantity produced of each model is very less making it a unique piece which makes customers rush to stores to grab them before they run out this has made its customers in to serious impulse buyers. Unlike other brands Zara spends very less on advertisement which is around 0.3% of its total revenue unlike other competitors which spend around 3-4%. Instead they spend heavily on their stores which are located in prime locations of cities. The complany is built upon a vertically integra ted demand and supply chain while most textile chains rely on outsourcing and cheap labor in China. Vertically integrated are companies that are linked together by a single owner it gives Zara a greater control over the whole process from manufacture to retail which helps it fulfill its main idea of its business plan which is to respond quickly to demands and fashion trends. The operational cycle of Zara includes three main basic steps ordering, fulfillment and design and manufacturing. Each store places order twice a week to headquarters to replenish items and for new stocks. These orders are sent to stores in two days. The design and manufacturing goes throughout the year. New models are continously hitting stores unlike other competitive firms that lauch collections for just summer, spring, fall and winter. Another competitive

Why Organizations Should Implement Flexible Work Hours Essay Example for Free

Why Organizations Should Implement Flexible Work Hours Essay In today’s fast-paced competitive world, flexible work arrangements are a key component to ensure employee commitment. Flexible work arrangements ensure that employers have a flexible work force i.e. there is availability of sufficient labor to meet the workload at all times. Transforming practices in the work place so that it suits employee needs better, is extremely crucial in ensuring employee satisfaction and commitment. Flexible work hours, telecommuting, compressed work weeks etc. are examples of flexible work arrangements. We would be concentrating on implementing flexible work hours at our work place. Flexible work hours also known as flextime is a work schedule that allows employees a certain degree of freedom with regard to the time that they want to work in the organization. Under a flexible work arrangement there is a core period of the day during which employees are expected to be in the office (for example 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), while the rest of the working day is ‘flextime’. During ‘flextime’ employees can choose the time when they want to work with the primary objective of achieving a certain amount of total daily, weekly or monthly work hours expected by the employer. (Flextime) The most common flexible hours arrangement are flextime, compressed work weeks (which is basically something like having four 10-hour days or having 9 working days in a fortnight), part-time work and job sharing (a form of part time work having two people doing the same job but sharing the work, the hours and the salary) (Workplaces that Work) NTUC Income Insurance Cooperative Limited is one of the companies that have successfully implemented flexible work hours in their organization. 20 percent of their workforce is using this arrangement. Another example of a company successfully implementing flexible work hours is Abacus International Private Ltd. (Flexible Work Arrangements) Advantages and disadvantages of implementing flexible work hours Implementing flexible work hour schemes has a lot of benefits: -By choosing a suitable time slot employees can avoid commuting to work during rush hours thus enabling them to save and have a better control over time. -Employees benefit due to better work-life balance and this improves their morale and job satisfaction thereby improving their productivity. -Allows the employer to schedule work out of the conventional 9 to 5 period. -Employee turnover reduces -As the employees are allowed a certain degree of freedom it is less likely for them to leave the job. Such an arrangement allows the employers to keep their valued staff members who may have other commitments in life. -Continuity in work flow is not affected -Employers also may require smaller office spaces and lesser furniture and equipment because all employees are not present in the office at all time, thereby ensuring optimum utilization of resources. -Such a system reduces overload of work and allows people to work during the time when they feel they can accomplish the most (for example: a morning person can work during the day and a night person can work during the late evening). -Improves image of the employer and the organization and increases willingness to work. The employee turnover rate in NTUC Income has reduced by 6% over a period of 7 years from 1992 to 1999 after implementing flexible work hours. Abacus International reported reduction in employee turnover and higher job satisfaction after introducing flexible work hour schemes in 1998. The schemes did not affect deadlines and ensured better work-life balance. (Flexible Work Arrangements) There are few disadvantages of this system also: -The costs of having flexible working hours involve having the cost of administering the scheme. The cost of electricity will be higher when flexible working hours are implemented as the office premises. -It may not be suitable for those organizations where continuous cover for work is required. -It changes the way the management supervises employees. It is extremely important that the management supervises staff according to performance that is measurable. As they are not able to monitor employees when they are not at work, managers need to use different methods to judge their performance. -Team work and social interaction in the organization are affected. Telecommuting means working in different locations and this may affect teamwork. As it may affect the coordination of schedules among team mates. -There also may be resentment among those employees who are not chosen for telecommuting. Research model Now we will take a look at NTUC Income insurance implementing flexible work hours. NTUC Income insurance allows employees to choose their starting time and their finishing time. This enables them to choose a time slot so that they can meet their other commitments. Such arrangements help them to cater to their family needs and have better work life balance. NTUC Income has experienced improved employee motivation, lower employee turnover and they have also witnessed a reduction in sick leave, from approximately 4.7 days in 1998 to 4.2 days in 2001. The NTUC case illustrates the following: -Flexible work hours are offered to employees to enable them to manage work and family responsibilities effectively. -Flexible work hours work well when is trust and accountability from both the employers and the employees side. (Guidelines on Best Work Life Practices) NTUC Income conducted surveys to ask employees about their views on these arrangements. The result of these surveys showed that employees were happy with these schemes. And these schemes resulted in better employee morale and improved employee commitment. (Flexible Work Arrangements) Hypothesis for the research was that that implementing flexible working hours in the Key issues that need to be considered in the implementation One of the main issues that need to be considered is the supervision of such employees. Since the employees are allowed to choose the time that they want to work for, there need to be proper practices in place to monitor that the employees are working the required amount of hours. Another issue that needs to be considered is the communication between different employees. As the employees will be working at different times they will therefore meet less frequently thus communication between them is affected. A major issue that needs to be considered is achieving fairness for all staff and employees. Providing these benefits to only a few employees might cause resentment among the others resulting in problems in the organization. Another thing that needs to be looked into is having clear and effective HR policies to help keep track of the number of hours each employee has worked and to ensure that there is work happening in the organization at all times. For example there may be days when no one would be there in the office because people may have worked at some big event in the office the previous day. Also keeping track of the hours that employees have worked enables employers to judge the hourly rate for each employee and also helps to see if some jobs are too big for the employee and some are too small. It also helps to understand and reduce employee stress. Other issues that need to be considered are that is there enough labor at all times in the organization. The time, effort and resources required to implement these schemes also need to be considered. Another issue is maintaining a high level of contact between the employees and the management ensuring that there is proper communication and that the management is updated with what’s happening. Conclusion Flexible work hours have many benefits which outweigh its disadvantages. It improves employee morale and provides numerous benefits to employers also. Many companies have successfully implemented these schemes and have derived benefits from these schemes. In order to implement these schemes effectively the following steps need to be performed. -The scheme should first be implemented for a period of three to four months and then the impact must be assessed. -It should be made voluntary and should be implemented in the whole organization. -Setting up a team or a task force having representatives from all the parties that have a stake in this scheme i.e. people from human resource, management and employees would be helpful this would allow the company to assess individual needs so that difficulties can be anticipated. -After assessing the needs the next step is positioning it in the minds of the employees and to communicate the implementation of these schemes to the employees. -Convincing the employees about the benefits of these schemes addressing all relevant issues is the next step. -Evaluation of the scheme needs to be done and then necessary changes need to be made. -The staff needs to be informed of these changes and continued evaluation of the programme should be done. If these steps are performed then flexible work hours can easily be implemented in the organization. Bibliography Breaugh, J. A., Frye, N. K. (2008). Work–Family Conflict: The Importance of Family-Friendly Employment Practices and Family-Supportive supervisors. Journal of Business and Psychology, 345-353. Collins, M. (n.d.). Problems of Flexible Working Research and Theory in the New Economy. Retrieved from Cheshire Henbury: http://www.cheshirehenbury.com/ebew/virtulahtml/collins.html Flexible Work Arrangements. (n.d.). Retrieved from Ministry of Manpower: http://www.mom.gov.sg/Documents/employment-practices/flexible-work-arrangements-mom-mcds.pdf Flextime. (n.d.). Retrieved from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flexible_working_hours Guidelines on Best Work Life Practices. (n.d.). Retrieved from Ministry of Manpower: http://www.mom.gov.sg/Documents/employment-practices/Guidelines/2672_GuidelinesonBestWLPractices.pdf Kossek, E., Michel, J. (n.d.). Flexible Work Schedules. In APA Handbook of Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Washington: American Psychological Association. sample memos. (n.d.). Retrieved from .docstoc: http://www.google.com.sg/imgres?imgurl=http://img.docstoccdn.com/thumb/orig/1969158.pngimgrefurl=http://www.docstoc.com/docs/1969158/sample-memosh=1650w=1275sz=135tbnid=wSI-6HhCUCLWqM:tbnh=102tbnw=79prev=/search%3Fq%3Dexamples%2Bof%2Bmemos%26tbm%3 Study Notes: People Manageme nt. (n.d.). Retrieved from tutor2u: http://www.tutor2u.net/business/people/workforce_flexible_hours.asp Successful Flexible Work Arrangements An Employers Guide. (n.d.). Retrieved from Ministry of Manpower Singapore: http://www.mom.gov.sg/Documents/employment-practices/Successful-Flexible-Work-Arrangements.pdf Workplaces that Work. (n.d.). Retrieved from HR Council for the Non-profit Sector: http://hrcouncil.ca/hr-toolkit/workplaces-flexible.cfm

VitraHaus Construction Analysis

VitraHaus Construction Analysis The home of Vitra Home Collection, VitraHaus (2006-2010), is located on Vitra Campus in Weil am Rhein, Germany.1 It was designed by Basel-based architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron and opened in 2010.2 The purpose of the VitraHaus was to provide a space to present Vitra Home Collection furniture arrangements in different style genres and also provide inspirational ideas for visitors home and their own taste in design.3 In Charles Ray Eames Showroom, this was overcome by use of precedents which includes minimalism and the architects previous projects in Munich, Basel, and Paris.4 A) Historical Introduction: The VitraHaus(fig.1) was initiated as the home of the Vitra Home Collection that launched in January 2004.5 The company Vitra is a manufacturer and retailer of many leading furniture designers works.6 Vitra is also known for the Vitra Campus(fig.2) that make up its premises in Wil am Rhein.7 It is where company s widely acclaimed architecture of museum, atelier, showrooms, warehouse and manufacturing buildings are situated which make up its premises.8 These buildings are known for its internationally recognized architects such as like Frank Gehry, Tadao Ando, Zaha Hadid, Nicholas Grimshaw, Alvaro Siza and Antonio Citterio as well as structures by Jean Prouv? and Richard Buckminster Fuller.9 Since its foundation in 1950, the company focused mainly on office furnishings and has targeted business clients until they launched its Home Collection in January 2004 with a new target group in mind: individual customers with an interest in design.10 It features collection of unique home product s including design classics, re-editions, as well as works by contemporary designers.11 The Vitra Home Collection was displayed in a former factory building on the main Vitra production site until the company decided to have a space solely serve for the Home Collection.12 To construct an additional space on the Vitra Campus, the company commissioned two Basel based architects Herzog and de Meuron in 2006 to design the home of Vitra Home Collection the VitraHause.13 The design development took place from 2006 to 2007 and the construction continued from 2007 to 2009 where the VitraHaus opened in Feburary 22nd 2010.14 The construction of VitraHaus was also a starting of a new chapter in the history of Vitra Campus since it was the newest addition in sixteen years since the last building the Vitra Design Museum by Frank Gehry in1994.15 B) Spatial Organization and Planning: The VitraHaus is a five storey structure with twelve houses within the building.16 (fig.3) The Charles and Ray Eames showroom (fig.4) is located in the third floor of VitraHaus with dimension of approximately 90sq.meter.17 The visitors discovery on the path through the VitraHaus starts from fourth floor of the building towards the lower floors.18 As one starts their tour in fourth floor loft, they are introduced to a spectacular view of the Tullinger Hill and the history of Vitra and the VitraHaus.19 After one has been introduced to a brief knowledge of the Vitra and its history of furniture, The Vitra Classic awaits in the third floor (fig.5) where Charles and Ray Eames showroom is located.20 The Vitra Classic floor can be reached by three different paths throughout the building.21 First is to take the main stair which connects all the floors in the building.22 This main stair will introduce you directly to Charles and Ray Eames showroom which is located in the North East side of the floor.23 The second method is to take a lift which also connects all the floors in the building.24 However, the lift will lead you to the other collection of Vitra Classics which is located in the South West side of the floor.25 But one can easily walk to the other side of the floor.26 The third is a spiral stair which is accessible from the second floor.27 On the arrival of this spiral stair, one can choose to walk straight forward to the South West part of the floor or turn around to visit the Charles and Ray Eames collection.28 As you enter the showroom (fig.6), the front facade with glazed gable ends opens up the room to the view of landscape and the Vitra Campus.29 The daylight from the window also makes the room feel more spacious. On the East of the room is the display wall with wall mounted shelving and colour coded signage to categorize Charles and Ray Eames designs.30 To the West side of the space, chairs are displayed on the floor along the wall with different flooring that separates between the display area and circulation floor.31 The West side of the space also has the spiral stairs which opened up upper part of the wall which gives view of second floor which presents the Living, Eating, and Working at Home collections.32 C) Materials and Construction Method(s): The VitraHaus is a five storey structure of stacked volumes of the archetypal house which comprised of twelve houses.33 Five houses are set at the ground floor with seven more houses are stacked up, intersected and in support of one another.34 Stacked into a total of five storeys and breathtakingly cantilevered up to fifteen metres in some places, the twelve houses, whose floor slabs intersect the underlying gables, create a three-dimensional assemblage ? a pile of houses that, at first glance, has an almost chaotic appearance.35 The VitraHaus rises above the other buildings on the Vitra Campus with maximum dimensions of 57 metres in length, 54 metres in width and 21.3 metres in height.36(fig.7) The deliberate intention was to grant an overview of the surrounding landscape, the campus as well as an overview of the Home Collection by constructing a vertically oriented structure with a small footprint.37 The charcoal coloured stucco on the exterior of the building unifies the structure, and connects it to the surrounding landscape.38 (fig.8) A wooden plank floors made from the local larch wood defines an open central area, where five ground floor buildings are grouped.39 (fig.9) It performs as a conference area, Vitra Design Museum Shop, business lounge and a Vitrine exhibition space, the lobby with a reception area and a caf? with an outdoor terrace for summer use.40 As interior and exterior spaces interpenetrate, so do two types of forms: the orthogonal-polygonal, as perceived from the exterior, and the organic, which produces a series of spatial surprises in the interior. 41(fig.10) It is a secret world that is intended by Herzog de Meuron with a suggestive, almost labyrinthine character. 42 On the path through the five storeys, the complexity of the interior space arises not only from the angular intersection of the individual houses but also from the integration of a second geo metrical concept.43 All of the staircases are integrated into expansive, winding organic volumes that figuratively eat their way through the various levels of the building like a worm, sometimes revealing fascinating visual relationships between the various houses, at other times blocking the view.44 The individual houses, which have the general characteristics of a display space, are conceived as abstract elements.45 With just a few exceptions, only the gable ends are glazed, and the structural volumes seem to have been shaped with an extrusion press.46 An important feature of the VitraHaus is the glassed end gables(fig.11); a feature which gives the house two personalities.47 By day the surrounding countryside appears to be drawn into the interior and to become almost a part of the decoration; in contrast, however, when darkness falls, the illuminated interior of the building glows from within, while its physical structure seems to dissipate.48 The rooms open up; the glazed gable ends turn into display cases that shine across the Vitra Campus and into the surrounding countryside.49 D) Furnishings and Ornamentation: The philosophy of Vitra Home Collection is to provide inspirational ideas for individuals home and their own taste in design rather than an interior design system or a homogeneous product line.50 Vitra Home Collection wishes to inspire customers to furnish their home as a process of collage of products and objects according to one s individual preferences and circumstances.51 To allow one to be inspired, and encourage to explore and heighten their sense of design, the interior of the overall space is very simple and furnishings are used as minimal as possible.52 The interior walls are finished in white which gives priority to the furniture displays and allow the characteristics of furniture presents its fullest .53 Since the space is used to showcase the retail furniture, series of wall shelving and signage are used to display.54 The white shelves are mounted in different levels with colourful signage to categorize the types of Charles and Ray Eames chairs into plastic, wire, aluminu m, and ply wood groups.55 The rugs or different variety of floor furnishings are used to give the boundary to the additional furniture displayed on the floor.56 The spot lightings are mounted in the ceiling as ambient light as well as to emphasize the products.57 Since there are minimal use of ornamentations, the abstract structural volumes interacting through the space and the glazed gable ends adds rhythm to the space.58 The high ceiling, white finishes, light wood floors, and large windows give spacious feeling to the space.59 Each house has a touch screen catalogue(fig.12) where each visitor can insert their VitraHause keycard and browse through Vitra s catalogue, purchase a product on a spot or learn about particular design or designer.60 The Vitra Classic Collection also features the Photo me La Chaise Armchair which is set of a La Caise Armchair by Charles and Ray Eames with a camera that allows visitors to have memorable photo time upon their visit to the VitraHaus.61 The photo can be stored in a personal VitraHause keycard and can be emailed later.62 E) Functions and Signification: Since the company Vitra is a manufacturer and retailer company that acquired licenses for the designs of Charles and Ray Eames in 1951, it is not a surprise to see that one of the showrooms in VitraHaus was dedicated to the designs of Eames.63 The Charles and Ray Eames showroom functions as a space that showcases the works of Charles and Ray Eames in different range of groups.64 The groups are categorized by the materials used in the making of the chairs which includes but not limited to; plastic, wire, aluminum, and ply wood.65 As mentioned earlier, the deliberate intention of the building was to grant an overview of the surrounding landscape, the campus as well as an overview of the Home Collection by constructing a vertically oriented structure with a small footprint.66 This has been illustrated in the Charles and Ray Eames showroom with large window that has an overview of the campus and the opening for the spiral stair case allows an overview of the Home Collection on lower floors.67 The philosophy of the Vitra Home Collection also has been demonstrated successfully in the space.68 The Vitra Home Collection s intention was to provide inspirational ideas for individuals own taste in design so one can furnish their home as a process of collage of products and objects according to one s individual preferences and circumstances.69 This philosophy is successfully delivered through minimal interior design of the space.70 It allowed the unique characteristics of each chairs to be presented in its fullest with the contrast of the white wall.71 This contrast and display almost creates an imagery of pallets of colourfull paints on a white canvas which inspires visitors to explore and imagine their own design of space.72 The special photograph set and digital catalogue also adds excitement and convenience to the visit.73 The space that is solely dedicated in respect of the design classic, with the company s philosophy of provide a space that can inspire one to build and develop their own design world.74 This suggests that the space not only functions as a showroom, but it also functions as a space for an education, preservation of stories, personal knowledge and to be one s muse.75 F) Designer s Sources/Inspirations/Influences/Precedents: The concept of the VitraHaus contains two direct quotations of the themes that appear repeatedly in the oeuvre of Herzog de Meuron: the theme of the archetypal house and the theme of stacked volumes.76 Herzog de Meuron has aimed not for virtuosity but innovation, looking always to the broader culture and art for inspiration.77 Referring to Andy Warhol, Jacques Herzog has said, He used common Pop images to say something new. That is exactly what we are interested in: to use well known forms and materials in a new way so that they become alive again. 78 Their influences of the archetypal house and theme of stacked volumes can be seen in many of their work from precedents to future projects that are in progress.79 The Goetz Collection, in Munich 1989-1992 (fig.13), St. Jakob Turm in Basel 2005-2008 (fig.14), and Rue des Suisses in Paris 1996-2000 (fig.15) are one of the precedents that has been designed by Herzog and de Meuron.80 Another form of their precedents study can be found at the Herzog and de Meuron Exhibition at the Walker Art Centre in November 2000 to February 2001.81 The exhibition included from material studies to technical drawings and from initial models to full-scale prototypes(fig.16).82 Here, many prototypes of stack up of geometrical shapes can be found.83 In VitraHaus, it was especially appropriate since the primary purpose of the five-storey building is to present furnishings and objects for the home.84 Due to the proportions and dimensions of the interior spaces ? the architects use the term domestic scale ? the showrooms are reminiscent of familiar residential settings.85 Architect Jacques Herzog, naturally, sees the situation somewhat differently.86 For Herzog, the project was a chance to get away from development driven architecture and a rare opportunity to complete an author driven project.87 Through the stacking and interlacing you not only create a multitude of new forms and architectural spaces but achieve a wonderful paradox: a simple, familiar house design which appears complex on account of the numerous intersections.88 This perceived complexity is further enhanced by the combination of the external orthogonal-polygonal form and the more organic internal form which results, principally, from the spiral staircases and occa sional open spaces and small side windows.89 Principally the black exterior allows the effect of floating houses by allowing the structure to merge with the darkness.90 In addition the anthracite of the VitraHaus contrasts with the brilliant white of Frank Gehrys neighbouring Vitra Design Museum.91

Comparing and Contrasting Fruits and Junk Food Essay -- comparison com

Comparing and Contrasting Fruits and Junk Food To many people, especially children, the word snack implies thoughts of chocolate and sugar; however, in the early twentieth century, people relied on fruits to fulfill their desire for a between-meal snack. It was even a privilege to some children to receive an apple or a banana from their parents as an after-school snack. Unfortunately, children today prefer junk foods like candy bars. However, popular preference is not always the best way to go. Fruits, such as apples and grapes, are better snacks than candy bars because they are healthier, better tasting, and more satisfying. Fruits are much healthier than candy bars. First of all, fruits have fewer calories and less fat than any candy bar. For example, a medium size apple has eig...

Racial Equality and the Abolition of Slavery in France :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

Racial Equality and the Abolition of Slavery in France When Abbà © Sià ¨yes wondered, "What is the Third Estate [or are slaves]? Nothing. What has it [have they] been until now in the political order? Nothing. What does it [do they] want? To be become something†¦" (65), he could have just as easily spoken of slave's misery rather than the Third Estate's plight. While, his scope was limited, his pains were not. Following their first revolution, the French National Assembly helped to change the world. Enlightened, they saw, they defined, they tried to ease all of mankind's suffering. Finally, the term man began to transcend color. If man has rights, they must apply to all men. And thus, the concept of racial equality is born. I will argue in order to achieve this end, and to prove the necessity of racial equality, Enlightened thinkers exposed flaws in current social philosophy, demonstrated the logical conclusions of their progress, and finally addressed the implications of abolition. Marquis de Condorcet was an outspoken advocate for all forms of human rights-religious, gender, political and especially racial. In his "Dedicatory Epistle to the Negro Slaves" he writes: My Friends, Although I am not the same color as you, I have always regarded you as my brothers. Nature formed us with the same spirit, the same reason, the same virtues as whites†¦Your tyrants will reproach me†¦indeed, nothing is more common than the maxims of humanity and justice†¦ Reducing a man to slavery†¦[takes] from the slave not only all forms of property but also the ability to acquire it†¦ (56). Condorcet employs the technique of de/humanizing his subjects to display the arbitrary nature of slavery. Moderates, slaves, and whites-anyone could achieve slave status under these random means. Society needs to prevent subordination. The white Condorcet speaks almost in apostrophe; the style of his introduction greatly resembles an ode. Addressing the slaves in this manner gives even more deference to the lowly slaves. Similarly, the slaves have been elevated to "My Friends," further humanizing their cause. Although Condorcet was a well-respected member of the National Assembly, he relates to the slaves how "he is not one of the them." The ordered diction again serves to equate a white man to a slave. This segment's tone lacks both condescension and sarcasm. He nearly supplicates to the slaves for their quintessence. His friends-the blacks-are his brethren. If he shares spirit, virtues, and reasons with slaves, what is to distinguish them?

Desciptive New York

New York is one of the United States most known cites. It is also known for it's sights and attractions. New York has always been my second home since my first home (New Orleans) was struck by a natural disaster. Before I moved back to New Orleans I gained friendships and built on them. Ever since 2008 I've been vacationing in New York for at least one month in each summer. It's something about that 2009 vacation I will never forget. It was overall fun and I had a blast. My 2009 vacation to New York was my best vacation because of the relationships I built on, the parties, and the fashion. When I landed in New York in the summer of 2009 the atmoshpere just felt different. I seen so many people in the airport that I will probably never see again in my lifetime. I traveled to Brooklyn via train to check in to the place I would be staying the three weeks in New York. Where I was staying was my friend's apartment that I stayed in the previous year I was there. He asked me to come stay with him for three weeks before he left for school. He wanted me record for his YouTube channel he called â€Å"HBTV† (Half-Breeds Televison). I made an apperance in multiple episodes and directed some episodes. I relived my NYC hooping moments as well. My friend took me to some off our old hangout spots like the YMCA Gym. In there we use to play ball until the sun came up. We were so happy when we saw old faces that still worked at the gym. In there we went to adult night and had a loads of fun. I ended some nights with a nice home cooked meal from my friend's mother. We were already best friends, but our bond grew tighter over the three weeks. We were so close, we started finishing each other sentences. i told him if he was ever in New Orleans he would always have a place to stay . New York is also known as the city that never sleeps meaning the lights are always on throught out the city and the party never stops. The parties I went too were outstanding; I don't think no party in my lifetime will over top those. The difference between New York parties and New Orleans parties is you don't have to watch your back after the party is over. What I mean by that is in New Orleans there is always violence during or after the party. i got expose to so many different cultures and I was expose to different music. I danced with so many different people, I also learned how to salsa dance. I met new people and I came out with a few numbers. I came to every party dry and ended up drinched in sweat by the end of the night. Every morning after parties we always discussed what happen that night, how much fun we had, and who did the funniest thing through out the party. Fashion is a big part of New York City for years. Manhattan is a â€Å"fashion burough† in my own words because of a lot of big clothing companys have offices through out the burough. There are also a lot of clothing stores in New York City. When I travel to NYC I always visit Soho. Soho is a spot in Manhattan with some nice clothing spots. Before every party I had to get a new outfit from Soho. Seeing how the culture was in New York it changed my life. I saw everything from Nikes to Reeboks. I loved the fashion so much I adapted into my everyday living. New York is one of the most known cities and is one of the best in my opinon. New York has the best everything from fashion to food. This trip to New York changed my life comepletly and gave me inspration. It's the reason I decided to go to college to live my dream and one day live in New York again. Just breathing New York's air felt good. Visiting New York City was my best vaction because of the parties, fashion, and the relationships I built on. If I could do it all over again I would.

The Lost Symbol Epilogue

Robert Langdon awoke slowly. Faces gazed down at him. Where am I? A moment later, he recalled where he was. He sat up slowly beneath the Apotheosis. His back felt stiff from lying on the hard catwalk. Where's Katherine? Langdon checked his Mickey Mouse watch. It's almost time. He pulled himself to his feet, peering cautiously over the banister into the gaping space below. â€Å"Katherine?† he called out. The word echoed back in the silence of the deserted Rotunda. Retrieving his tweed jacket from the floor, he brushed it off and put it back on. He checked his pockets. The iron key the Architect had given him was gone. Making his way back around the walkway, Langdon headed for the opening the Architect had shown them . . . steep metal stairs ascending into cramped darkness. He began to climb. Higher and higher he ascended. Gradually the stairway became more narrow and more inclined. Still Langdon pushed on. Just a little farther. The steps had become almost ladderlike now, the passage frighteningly constricted. Finally, the stairs ended, and Langdon stepped up onto a small landing. Before him was a heavy metal door. The iron key was in the lock, and the door hung slightly ajar. He pushed, and the door creaked open. The air beyond felt cold. As Langdon stepped across the threshold into murky darkness, he realized he was now outside. â€Å"I was just coming to get you,† Katherine said, smiling at him. â€Å"It's almost time.† When Langdon recognized his surroundings, he drew a startled breath. He was standing on a tiny skywalk that encircled the pinnacle of the U.S. Capitol Dome. Directly above him, the bronze Statue of Freedom gazed out over the sleeping capital city. She faced the east, where the first crimson splashes of dawn had begun to paint the horizon. Katherine guided Langdon around the balcony until they were facing west, perfectly aligned with the National Mall. In the distance, the silhouette of the Washington Monument stood in the early-morning light. From this vantage point, the towering obelisk looked even more impressive than it had before. â€Å"When it was built,† Katherine whispered, â€Å"it was the tallest structure on the entire planet.† Langdon pictured the old sepia photographs of stonemasons on scaffolding, more than five hundred feet in the air, laying each block by hand, one by one. We are builders, he thought. We are creators. Since the beginning of time, man had sensed there was something special about himself . . . something more. He had longed for powers he did not possess. He had dreamed of flying, of healing, and of transforming his world in every way imaginable. And he had done just that. Today, the shrines to man's accomplishments adorned the National Mall. The Smithsonian museums burgeoned with our inventions, our art, our science, and the ideas of our great thinkers. They told the history of man as creator–from the stone tools in the Native American History Museum to the jets and rockets in the National Air and Space Museum. If our ancestors could see us today, surely they would think us gods. As Langdon peered through the predawn mist at the sprawling geometry of museums and monuments before him, his eyes returned to the Washington Monument. He pictured the lone Bible in the buried cornerstone and thought of how the Word of God was really the word of man. He thought about the great circumpunct, and how it had been embedded in the circular plaza beneath the monument at the crossroads of America. Langdon thought suddenly of the little stone box Peter had entrusted to him. The cube, he now realized, had unhinged and opened to form the same exact geometrical form–a cross with a circumpunct at its center. Langdon had to laugh. Even that little box was hinting at this crossroads. â€Å"Robert, look!† Katherine pointed to the top of the monument. Langdon lifted his gaze but saw nothing. Then, staring more intently, he glimpsed it. Across the Mall, a tiny speck of golden sunlight was glinting off the highest tip of the towering obelisk. The shining pinpoint grew quickly brighter, more radiant, gleaming on the capstone's aluminum peak. Langdon watched in wonder as the light transformed into a beacon that hovered above the shadowed city. He pictured the tiny engraving on the east-facing side of the aluminum tip and realized to his amazement that the first ray of sunlight to hit the nation's capital, every single day, did so by illuminating two words: Laus Deo. â€Å"Robert,† Katherine whispered. â€Å"Nobody ever gets to come up here at sunrise. This is what Peter wanted us to witness.† Langdon could feel his pulse quickening as the glow atop the monument intensified. â€Å"He said he believes this is why the forefathers built the monument so tall. I don't know if that's true, but I do know this–there's a very old law decreeing that nothing taller can be built in our capital city. Ever.† The light inched farther down the capstone as the sun crept over the horizon behind them. As Langdon watched, he could almost sense, all around him, the celestial spheres tracing their eternal orbits through the void of space. He thought of the Great Architect of the Universe and how Peter had said specifically that the treasure he wanted to show Langdon could be unveiled only by the Architect. Langdon had assumed this meant Warren Bellamy. Wrong Architect. As the rays of sunlight strengthened, the golden glow engulfed the entirety of the thirty-three- hundred-pound capstone. The mind of man . . . receiving enlightenment. The light then began inching down the monument, commencing the same descent it performed every morning. Heaven moving toward earth . . . God connecting to man. This process, Langdon realized, would reverse come evening. The sun would dip in the west, and the light would climb again from earth back to heaven . . . preparing for a new day. Beside him, Katherine shivered and inched closer. Langdon put his arm around her. As the two of them stood side by side in silence, Langdon thought about all he had learned tonight. He thought of Katherine's belief that everything was about to change. He thought of Peter's faith that an age of enlightenment was imminent. And he thought of the words of a great prophet who had boldly declared: Nothing is hidden that will not be made known; nothing is secret that will not come to light. As the sun rose over Washington, Langdon looked to the heavens, where the last of the nighttime stars were fading out. He thought about science, about faith, about man. He thought about how every culture, in every country, in every time, had always shared one thing. We all had the Creator. We used different names, different faces, and different prayers, but God was the universal constant for man. God was the symbol we all shared . . . the symbol of all the mysteries of life that we could not understand. The ancients had praised God as a symbol of our limitless human potential, but that ancient symbol had been lost over time. Until now. In that moment, standing atop the Capitol, with the warmth of the sun streaming down all around him, Robert Langdon felt a powerful upwelling deep within himself. It was an emotion he had never felt this profoundly in his entire life. Hope.