Americas Roadside Architecture of the 1950s

Googie and Tiki are examples of a Roadside Architecture, a type of structure that evolved as American business and the middle class expanded. Particularly after World War II, travel by car became part of the American culture, and a reactive, playful architecture developed that captured Americas imagination. Googie describes a futuristic, often flashy, Space Age building style in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s. Often used for restaurants, motels, bowling alleys, and assorted roadside businesses, Googie architecture was designed to attract customers. Well-known Googie examples include the 1961 LAX Theme Building at the Los Angeles International Airport and the Space Needle in Seattle, Washington, which was built for the 1962 Worlds Fair. Tiki architecture is a fanciful design that incorporates Polynesian themes. The word tiki refers to large wood and stone sculptures and carvings found in the Polynesian islands. Tiki buildings are often decorated with imitation tiki and other romanticized details borrowed from the South Seas. One example of Tiki architecture is the Royal Hawaiin Estates in Palm Springs, California. Googie Features and Characteristics Reflecting high-tech space-age ideas, the Googie style grew out of the Streamline Moderne, or Art Moderne, the architecture of the 1930s. As in Streamline Moderne architecture, Googie buildings are made with glass and steel. However, Googie buildings are deliberately flashy, often with lights that would blink and point. Typical Googie details include: Flashing lights and neon signsBoomerang and palette shapesStarburst shapesAtom motifsFlying saucer shapesSharp angles and trapezoid shapesZig-zag roof lines Tiki Architecture Has Many of These Features Tikis and carved beamsLava rockImitation bamboo detailsShells and coconuts used as ornamentsReal and imitation palm treesImitation thatch roofsA-frame shapes and extremely steep peaked roofsWaterfallsFlashy signs and other Googie details Why Googie? Googie should not be confused with the Internet search engine Google. Googie has its roots in the mid-century modern architecture of southern California, an area rich with technology companies.  The Malin Residence or Chemosphere House designed by architect John Lautner in 1960 is a Los Angeles residence that bends mid-century modern stylings into Googie. This spaceship-centirc architecture was a reaction to the nuclear arms and space races after World War II. The word Googie comes from Googies, a Los Angeles coffee shop also designed by Lautner. However, Googie ideas can be found on commercial buildings in other parts of the country, most noticeably in the Doo Wop architecture of Wildwood, New Jersey. Other names for Googie include Coffee House ModernDoo WopPopuluxeSpace AgeLeisure Architecture Why Tiki? The word tiki should not be confused with tacky, although some have said that tiki is tacky! When soldiers returned to the United States after World War II, they brought home stories about life in the South Seas. The best-selling books Kon-Tiki by Thor Heyerdahl and Tales of the South Pacific by James A. Michener heightened interest in all things tropical. Hotels and restaurants incorporated Polynesian themes to suggest an aura of romance. Polynesian-themed, or tiki, buildings proliferated in California and then throughout the United States. The Polynesia fad, also known as Polynesian Pop, reached its height in about 1959 when Hawaii became part of the United States. By then, commercial tiki architecture had taken on a variety of flashy Googie details. Also, some mainstream architects were incorporating abstract tiki shapes into the streamlined modernist design. Roadside Architecture After President Eisenhower signed the Federal Highway Act in 1956, the building of the Interstate Highway System encouraged more and more Americans to spend time in their cars, traveling from state to state. The 20th century is filled with examples of roadside eye candy created to attract the mobile American to stop and buy. The Coffee Pot Restaurant from 1927 is an example of mimetic architecture. The Muffler Man seen in the opening credits is an iconic representation of roadside marketing still seen today. Googie and Tiki architecture is well-known in southern California and associated with these architects: Paul Williams, designer of thousands of mid-century modern homes in southern California, may be best known for the LAX Theme Building, shown on this page bathed in Walt Disney colored lightingJohn LautnerDonald Wexler, designer of many mid-century modern homes in Palm Springs, California, is known for designing the Royal Hawaiin Estates in the early 1960sEldon DavisMartin Stern, Jr.Wayne McAllister Sources LAX Theme Building designed by Paul Williams, Los Angeles airport photo by Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images (cropped)The Royal Hawaiian Estates, Palm Springs, California, photo  © Daniel Chavkin, courtesy Royal Hawaiian EstatesThe Malin Residence or Chemosphere House Designed by John Lautner, 1960, photo by ANDREW HOLBROOKE / Corbis Entertainment / Getty Images

The Theory of Evolution Essay - 1353 Words

The ongoing scientific investigation of how exactly evolution occurred and continues to occur has been an argumentative idea amongst society since Darwin first articulated it over a century ago. The scientific basis of evolution accounts for happenings that are also essential concerns of religion; both religion and science focus on the origins of humans and of biological diversity. For instance, in the reading â€Å"Truth Cannot Contradict Truth,† Pope John Paul II, addressing the Pontifical Academy of Science, discussed the matter of God as creator of man. The Pope explains that men cannot relate to animals because men are superior. The reasoning for that is because God created humans under his likeness. What the church is saying about mankind†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"If no such variations exist, the population rapidly goes extinct because it cannot adapt to a changing environment† (O’Neil, 1998-2013). Scientists call this reproductive success.  "Within a specific environment context, one genotype will be better than another genotype in survival or reproduction for certain reasons having to do with the way its particular features relate to the environment or relate to other organisms within the population† (Futuyma, 2000-2014). The theory of evolution is explicable through various kinds of scientific research. In the science of paleontology, the history of life is studied. Paleontologists study fossils to learn the past ecologies, evolution, and the origins of humans. In order to understand the processes that have led to both the origination and destruction of organisms since life began, paleontologists incorporate both scientific knowledge and studies. Fossil findings are critically important for confirming predictions of evolution theory. Of the many discoveries that are made yearly to add depth to the understanding of evolution, an example is a recent discovery of a creature they named Tiktaalik. The Tiktaalik was uncovered to be a transitional animal between shallow-water fishes and limbed animals. The creature supports the idea that it emerged from both mammals and reptiles, suggesting that the two are related. These findings support prediction of evolution, contradicting the belief that GodShow MoreRelatedThe Theory Of Evolution And Evolution1685 Words   |  7 Pages â€Æ' Since Charles Darwin suggested the theory of evolution by natural selection in this best-known work, On the Origin of Species, controversy has followed. As a (computer) scientist, this student has no personal problem with the theory of evolution. However, since the debate of whether or not evolution actually exists is still alive and well today, a brief exploration of the arguments against is not only interesting, but also increasingly necessary. Why is there such disparity over this topic overRead MoreEvolution And Theory Of Evolution2859 Words   |  12 Pages come up with a variety of theories to answer the age old question, â€Å"Where do we come from?† The theory of evolution is just one of the many theories written over the centuries that attempts to answer this question; however, it holds the distinction of being the only theory accepted as scientifically true in today’s world. This paper will discuss the theory of evolution in detail; topics addressed include defining the theory of evolution and explaining how the theory has evolved over time, as wellRead MoreThe Theory of Evolution754 Words   |  4 PagesRunning Head: EVOLUTION The Theory of Evolution By Student’s Name Name of University Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution has been a topic of controversy since it was promulgated in the late 1800s. Nonetheless, its tenets remain strong, with many modern day scientists making discoveries that support Darwin’s theories of evolution, natural selection, and survival of the fittest. In The Origin of Species, Darwin calls the process of natural selection or survival of the fittest, the preservationRead MoreThe Theories Of The And Evolution756 Words   |  4 Pagesexplained the concept of growth and evolution, Freud theorized explanations for our suppressed cognition, Archimedes ran out of a bathtub yelling Eureka once he established the concept of density, and many other renowned scientists provided substantial theories to explain common associations within everyday life. These brilliant researchers gave reason to the term â€Å"why†. They provoked curiosity, established ideologies, and generated scientific laws that define logic. Evolution, adaptation, and developmentRead MoreThe Theories Of The Theory Of Evolution1802 Words   |  8 Pagesproduced mankind. However, the philosophical theory of evolution has no solid evidence, whereas creation can be proven. Science is supposed to be based on observation, right? The best theories satisfy the test of expe rimentation. No one can test if evolution happened. Non one can prove that evolution actually happened. But what evidence can we place against evolution? In 1859, Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species, introducing the theory of evolution. One hundred and fifty-six years laterRead MoreEvolution Versus Creation And The Theory Of Evolution1714 Words   |  7 PagesEvolution versus creation is one of the most controversial topics that have ever been exposed to the world. Scientist and creationist both argue that their perspective is more right than the other. In reality both sides don’t know the exact truth behind the creation of the world. Evolution is the process in which something changes into something different and typically resulting in it becoming more complex and better formed. Charles Darwin, an English naturalist and geologist, suggested a theoryRead MoreTheory of Evolution Essay1359 Words   |  6 Pagesso there was no need for evolution; hence, there was no sign of evolution from the beginning. Since sin came into the world, man has been deceived into thinking there is evolution. We are not talking abou t the theory of evolution that says man started from an amoeba or as an ape and eventually began to walk upright; not that evolution, but evolution in the sense of development. There are developments in the earth and therefore it can be considered as a form of evolution, but truly would it be classifiedRead MoreEvolution Of A Evolutionary Theory1500 Words   |  6 PagesEvolution is descent with modification, a phrase Darwin used in proposing the at Earth’s many species are descendants of ancestral species that were different The power of evolution as a unifying theory is its ability to explain and connect a vast array of observations about the living world. Aristotle believed that life forms could be arranged on a scale of increasing complexity. Each form of life, perfect and permanent, had its allotted space. Darwin argued that classification should be based onRead MoreThe Theory of Evolution Essay553 Words   |  3 PagesBiological evolution is the name for the changes in gene frequency in a population of a species from generation to generation. Evolution offers explanation to why species genetically change over years and the diversity of life on Earth. Although it is generally accepted by the scientific community, Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution has been studied and debated for several decades. In 1859, Darwin published On The Origin of Species, which introduced the idea of evolutionary thought which he supportedRead MoreThe Theory Of Biological Evolution1192 Words   |  5 PagesSocial Darwinism is defined as the application of the theory of biological evolution to human affairs. It was used to justify and clarify many notions of nationalism and imperialism. Science played a huge role in the coming about of this new discovery but in reality, the society shaped the science of what it was about. Charles Darwin was the root of new era and was profound to come up with the theory of evolution. His theory had become one the fundamental unifying principles of modern biology and The Theory of Evolution Essay - 1353 Words There is no debate that the worlds first power of surviving relies on evolution, to a point where one does not have to look outside the box to witness it ... theyre sitting on it. Many have mistaken the term Evolution with a state of randomness, an improvement or even a biogenesis. Others have related it to the origins of the universe, a social Darwinism that resulted in a massive diversity regarding theory and ideology. While people choose to rest their bodies on a chair in attempt to find an answer to its definition, some have rested their minds and accepted the fact that it only means change over time. Its no question that life on earth is related through common descent and has been changing for a long time, yet the real conflict†¦show more content†¦history. It is now safe to say that Le Corbusier is to modern architecture what Christopher Columbus is to the world: the hero of the heroic period. Around that time, Le Corbusier was the dominant force in not only architectu ral schools, but all over the world. His name was pronounced by all tongues and people learned, studied and analyzed his innovations to a point where he became the obsession of everyone whose mind and heart connect to architecture. His name was the first letter of the architectural alphabet. Now what our parents have taught us all in our early childhood is not to believe everything we are told... I know, you too believed everything you were told. According to Wikipedia, modernism is: - The notion that Form follows function, meaning that the result of design should derive directly from its purpose - Simplicity and clarity of forms and elimination of unnecessary detail. - Materials at 90 degrees to each other. - Visual expression of structure (as opposed to the hiding of structural elements) - The related concept of Truth to materials, meaning that the true nature or natural appearance of a material ought to be seen rather than concealed or altered to represent something else. - Use ofShow MoreRelatedThe Theory Of Evolution And Evolution1685 Words   |  7 Pages â€Æ' Since Charles Darwin suggested the theory of evolution by natural selection in this best-known work, On the Origin of Species, controversy has followed. As a (computer) scientist, this student has no personal problem with the theory of evolution. However, since the debate of whether or not evolution actually exists is still alive and well today, a brief exploration of the arguments against is not only interesting, but also increasingly necessary. Why is there such disparity over this topic overRead MoreEvolution And Theory Of Evolution2859 Words   |  12 Pages come up with a variety of theories to answer the age old question, â€Å"Where do we come from?† The theory of evolution is just one of the many theories written over the centuries that attempts to answer this question; however, it holds the distinction of being the only theory accepted as scientifically true in today’s world. This paper will discuss the theory of evolution in detail; topics addressed include defining the theory of evolution and explaining how the theory has evolved over time, as wellRead MoreThe Theory of Evolution754 Words   |  4 PagesRunning Head: EVOLUTION The Theory of Evolution By Student’s Name Name of University Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution has been a topic of controversy since it was promulgated in the late 1800s. Nonetheless, its tenets remain strong, with many modern day scientists making discoveries that support Darwin’s theories of evolution, natural selection, and survival of the fittest. In The Origin of Species, Darwin calls the process of natural selection or survival of the fittest, the preservationRead MoreThe Theories Of The And Evolution756 Words   |  4 Pagesexplained the concept of growth and evolution, Freud theorized explanations for our suppressed cognition, Archimedes ran out of a bathtub yelling Eureka once he established the concept of density, and many other renowned scientists provided substantial theories to explain common associations within everyday life. These brilliant researchers gave reason to the term â€Å"why†. They provoked curiosity, established ideologies, and generated scientific laws that define logic. Evolution, adaptation, and developmentRead MoreThe Theories Of The Theory Of Evolution1802 Words   |  8 Pagesproduced mankind. However, the philosophical theory of evolution has no solid evidence, whereas creation can be proven. Science is supposed to be based on observation, right? The best theories satisfy the test of expe rimentation. No one can test if evolution happened. Non one can prove that evolution actually happened. But what evidence can we place against evolution? In 1859, Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species, introducing the theory of evolution. One hundred and fifty-six years laterRead MoreEvolution Versus Creation And The Theory Of Evolution1714 Words   |  7 PagesEvolution versus creation is one of the most controversial topics that have ever been exposed to the world. Scientist and creationist both argue that their perspective is more right than the other. In reality both sides don’t know the exact truth behind the creation of the world. Evolution is the process in which something changes into something different and typically resulting in it becoming more complex and better formed. Charles Darwin, an English naturalist and geologist, suggested a theoryRead MoreTheory of Evolution Essay1359 Words   |  6 Pagesso there was no need for evolution; hence, there was no sign of evolution from the beginning. Since sin came into the world, man has been deceived into thinking there is evolution. We are not talking abou t the theory of evolution that says man started from an amoeba or as an ape and eventually began to walk upright; not that evolution, but evolution in the sense of development. There are developments in the earth and therefore it can be considered as a form of evolution, but truly would it be classifiedRead MoreEvolution Of A Evolutionary Theory1500 Words   |  6 PagesEvolution is descent with modification, a phrase Darwin used in proposing the at Earth’s many species are descendants of ancestral species that were different The power of evolution as a unifying theory is its ability to explain and connect a vast array of observations about the living world. Aristotle believed that life forms could be arranged on a scale of increasing complexity. Each form of life, perfect and permanent, had its allotted space. Darwin argued that classification should be based onRead MoreThe Theory of Evolution Essay553 Words   |  3 PagesBiological evolution is the name for the changes in gene frequency in a population of a species from generation to generation. Evolution offers explanation to why species genetically change over years and the diversity of life on Earth. Although it is generally accepted by the scientific community, Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution has been studied and debated for several decades. In 1859, Darwin published On The Origin of Species, which introduced the idea of evolutionary thought which he supportedRead MoreThe Theory Of Biological Evolution1192 Words   |  5 PagesSocial Darwinism is defined as the application of the theory of biological evolution to human affairs. It was used to justify and clarify many notions of nationalism and imperialism. Science played a huge role in the coming about of this new discovery but in reality, the society shaped the science of what it was about. Charles Darwin was the root of new era and was profound to come up with the theory of evolution. His theory had become one the fundamental unifying principles of modern biology and

Positive Psychology †a Well Lived Life Free Essays

What constitutes a well-lived life? Defining the meaning of life and the conditions, traits and features of a well-lived life is a question that throughout history engrossed theologians, philosophers, artists and, more recently, positive psychologists. This essay outlines findings from a selection of the literature and research to answer this question with the aim of identifying whether happiness is the true sign and the ultimate goal and marker of a well-lived life. This review of the literature has yielded findings that possessing a disposition towards gratitude is not only indicated to be present in a well-lived life, but can enhance and improve mental, physical and spiritual life outcomes. We will write a custom essay sample on Positive Psychology – a Well Lived Life or any similar topic only for you Order Now The different research models used to explain, measure and identify the markers of a well-lived life are briefly outlined, and finally further research directions are indicated to expand understanding about how gratitude affects life satisfaction outcomes in specific populations. A challenge in researching this topic is that the literature describes happiness and well-lived in terms that are used by different researchers interchangeably and inconsistently. In this essay and in accordance with the literature reviewed, the terms happiness and the well-lived life are used synonymously. Definitions A problem with defining a well-lived life is that the terms well-being and happiness (Frey, 2011; Kristjansson, 2010), and the good life and happiness (Dunn Brody, 2008) are used by researchers interchangeably. Indeed Diener (2000) notes that the very term well-being has come to be known in common usage as happiness. Seligman (2011, pp 420) notes that sometimes the terms happiness and well-being define emotions whilst at other times refer to activities. This ambiguous terminology has caused some to criticize Positive Psychology but, as both Lazarus (2003) and Kristjansson (2010) point out, precise definitions to describe a well-lived life have also eluded philosophers and other academics for over 2,000 years. Imprecision of terminology aside, many have attempted to describe the conditions required to nurture a good or well-lived life. Some researchers have described the good life as one full of the hedonistic pursuit of frequent positive experiences (Lyubomirsky, Sheldon, Schkade, 2005). Others have described it in terms of the result of employing unique talents to achieve abundance (Seligman, 2002), whilst still others have argued that the good life involves personal growth (Bauer, McAdams, Sakaeda, 2005). Seligman (2002) argues that these descriptions are all valid because there are different pathways to happiness, although it is by combining them that one lives a full or well-lived life. He describes these pathways as the pleasant life, concerned with hedonistic pursuits, the good life, concerned with gratification of desire and the meaningful life, using ones talent to serve a higher purpose (Seligman Royzman, 2003). Research Findings And Challenges Early studies involved in identifying precisely what elements contribute to life satisfaction involved field research with participant self-reported satisfaction ratings recorded against a range of factors (Diener, 2000; Lazarus, 2003; Lyubomirsky et al. , 2005). Self reported satisfaction ratings are problematic because they are, as noted by Kristjansson (2010), by their very nature subjective. People in difficult situations can report themselves as living a good life, whereas people who are in happier circumstances can report themselves as having low life satisfaction. Additionally the factors used to measure life satisfaction are problematic because what some would consider critical to a well-lived life may be anathema to another (Bauer et al. , 2005) or not supported by the participants culture (Diener, 2000; Peterson, Ruch, Beermann, Park Seligman, 2007). Further research is indicated to firstly identify what factors are actually desired in a good life, rather than simply measuring and reporting happiness levels (Kristjansson, 2010). Diener’s (2000) and Peterson et al. 2007) findings appear to support Kristjansson’s suggestion (2010). Both research studies identified significant cross country differences not only in the rates of life satisfaction but also the factors rated as important to life satisfaction. The findings appear to indicate that individualistic cultures, or those that place high value on individual choice and desires, and collectivist cultures, where the needs of group are paramount, prioritise factors contributing to life satisfaction differently (Diener, 2000). By way of example, Diener (2000) notes that participants from collectivist cultures may sacrifice personal desires for the common good, and this is not a normative feature of individualistic cultures. Diener further notes that sacrifice in collectivist cultures may, in fact, benefit the individual by providing them with the knowledge they are performing their duty. The concept of personal sacrifice as a factor affecting life satisfaction does not appear to be studied in the literature reviewed for this essay. Despite the significance of the findings in both studies, the researchers note a limitation of their design is that is that they relied upon self-selected participants who were motivated enough to complete the survey (Diener, 2000; Peterson et al. , 2007). This may have resulted in bias. Conclusions concerning differences in cross cultural impacts upon life satisfaction levels and factors are not unanimous. A study conducted by Linley, Joseph, Harrington and Wood (2006) found no significant difference in life satisfaction ratings or factors amongst participants from different cultures, ages or gender. A limitation of this research however, as noted by the authors, is that the study only included a small number of countries with participants who could speak and respond in English (Linley et al. , 2006). It may well be that the participants who responded to the survey were Westernised. Linley et al. (2006) indicate that the study should be repeated using a multi-lingual questionnaire so that participants are drawn from a wider sample. The Social Component of a Well Lived Life Examining the literature outlining models related to a well-lived life yields important clues towards determining the ultimate signs of a well lived life. The three pathways model of a full life which includes the pleasant life of hedonistic pursuits, the good life full of desire gratification and the meaningful life (Seligman Royzman, 2003), has been criticized because the model could be applied to the non ethical, such as drug dealers, as well as those engaged in more ethical activities alike (Kristjansson, 2010). Seligman (2000) noted this as a possibility but argues this is not problematic because science is not concerned with morality. Morality aside, anti-social activities do not necessarily promote relationships and research indicates that a well lived life does indeed involve actions that promote positive social relationships (Bauer et al. , 2005; McCullough, Kimeldorf Cohen, 2008; Peterson et al. , 2007). One way that Kristjansson (2010) suggests that the thorny issue of morality and psychology could be overcome is by applying values to define those behaviours that fall outside of societal norms, although this may result in other issues if these norms are restrictive. Although Kristjansson is not a psychologist, the idea that a well-lived life should involve societal norms does seem to be supported by Diener (2000) who suggests that societal pressures do have some bearing upon individual life satisfaction reporting. Building on the concept that a life satisfaction includes a social component, Bauer et al. (2005) argue that a well lived life includes social experiences and the ability to ascribe those experiences to a positive meaning. They go on to explain that in psychological terms this translates to having a balance between social interactions and having positive feelings about them (Bauer et al. 2005). These findings imply that there is indeed a social element to a life well lived which is supported by further research. Peterson et al. (2007) found that the sociable character traits such as gratitude have strong effects upon life satisfaction. Indeed Peterson et al. (2007) note that social character traits such as gratitude are more strongly c orrelated with life satisfaction than the three pathways to happiness (Seligman Royzman, 2003, pp 153). Gratitude As with a well-lived life, gratitude is not easily defined (Wood, Froh Geraghty, 2010). Although gratitude is variously described as an emotion, a trait and an action, nevertheless the literature indicates that a grateful disposition tends to be positively associated with happiness and a well-lived life (McCullough, Emmons Tsang, 2002; McCullough et al. , 2008; Wood, Joseph Maltby, 2008). Typically, gratitude is described as a response that occurs after the receipt of something perceived as positive due to the prosocial actions of another (Emmons McCullough, 2003). Aware of the limitations of previous field research, Emmons and McCullough (2003) attempted to apply a study design that randomly assigned participants to different treatment conditions. They found a difference in mean well being scores across gratitude treatment groups from the comparison group, although less than expected, concluding that gratitude tended to increase psychological, social and spiritual well-being. One of the limitations noted in the study design (Emmons McCullough, 2003), however, was that the study period was only three weeks long which ay not have been long enough to identify changes in responses. This limitation has been commented upon by others (Lazarus, 2003). Indeed, Lazarus (2003) notes in particular that the lack of longitudinal studies in Positive Psychology studies concerning life satisfaction makes it difficult to identify causation and track precisely how different circumstances affect individuals, whatever the factors that contribute to a well lived l ife. Kristjansson (2010) notes that this is not a problem unique to studies of well-lived lives. Wood et al. 2010) noted that the definition of gratitude used in the Emmons and McCullough (2003) study did not include all of the things participants reported gratitude for that did not include a benefactor. He proposed that gratitude includes an eight level hierarchical life orientation including in ascending order; noticing and appreciating life could be worse, life is short, the present moment, engaging in ritual acts of thankfulness, admiring beauty, focusing on what one has, appreciating other people and reflecting upon what one has to be thankful for (Wood, et al. 2010). Using this expanded definition, Wood, linked gratitude to the Big Five traits, used to broadly describe human personality (Watson, Clark, Harkness, 1994) and that people who are grateful tend to be more agreeable, sociable, less neurotic, conscientious and extroverted. Commenting upon the benefits of gratitude, L yubomirsky et al. (2005) note that an attitude of gratitude appears to be incompatible with negative life feelings such as greed and envy. They note that appears to encourage individuals to reflect on experiences and social relationships in a positive way. It has also been suggested that gratitude appears to protect individuals from depression (Wood et al. , 2010) and support recovery from injury (Dunn Brody, 2008). Possible Future Research Directions The literature indicates several interesting areas for future research. The first, based on observations by Wood et al. (2010) is that there have been only a few studies studying the direct relationship between gratitude and happiness. Given the lack of longitudinal research to date as noted by Lazarus (2003) and alluded to by Emmons and McCullough (2003), it may well be promising to conduct intra-individual longitudinal research of the impact of gratitude on an individual’s perception of happiness when experiencing the normal stressors of daily living (Lazarus, 2003). It may also be useful to apply a longitudinal study to examine if the things that make one grateful change across cultures, ages and genders (Diener, 2000; Linley et al. , 2006; Peterson et al. 2007) although it would be highly recommended to avoid using self-selected participants in the study. Conclusion Defining a life well-lived and the factors associated with it is a problem that has defied easy explanation for philosophers and other academics across the ages. Much of the previous research has involved recording self-reporting by participants. Given this and the fact that the very nature of happiness and a life well lived is a subjective e xperience, it has been argued that a propensity for gratitude impacts on an individual’s ability to view their lives in a positive way, despite individual circumstances. It has also been argued that an attitude of gratefulness has several physical and mental benefits for the individual, although these studies have not yet examined precisely if the factors that make an individual grateful change across cultures and genders. Further research is indicated in this fascinating area, possibly using longitudinal studies to explore how gratitude enables individuals to view adverse circumstances differently over time. References Bauer, J. J. , McAdams, D. P. , Sakaeda, A. R. (2005). Interpreting the Good Life: Growth Memories in the Lives of Mature, Happy People. Journal Of Personality And Social Psychology, 88, 203-217. doi:10. 1037/0022-3514. 88. 1. 203 Diener, E. (2000). Subjective well-being: The science of happiness and a proposal for a national index. American Psychologist, 55(1), 34-43. Dunn, D. S. , Brody, C. (2008). Defining the good life following acquired physical disability. Rehabilitation Psychology, 53(4), 413-425. doi:10. 1037/a0013749 Emmons, R. A. , McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal Of Personality And Social Psychology, 84, 377-389. oi:10. 1037/0022-3514. 84. 2. 377 Kristjansson, K. (2010). Positive psychology, happiness, and virtue: The troublesome conceptual issues. Review Of General Psychology, 14(4), 296-310. doi:10. 1037/a0020781 Lazarus, R S. (2003). The Lazarus Manifesto For Positive Psychology And Psychology In General. Psychological inquiry, 14(2), 173-189. Linley, P. , Joseph, S. , Harrington, S. , Wood, A. M. (2006). Positive psychology: Past, present, and (possible) future. Journal Of Positive Psychology, 1(1), 3-16. doi:10. 1080/17439760500372796 Lyubomirsky, S. , Sheldon, K. M. , Schkade, D. 2005). Pursuing happiness: The architecture of sustainable change. Review Of General Psychology, 9(2), 111-131. doi:10. 1037/1089-2680. 9. 2. 111 McCullough, M. E. , Emmons, R. A. , Tsang, J. (2002). The grateful disposition: A conceptual and empirical topography. Journal Of Personality And Social Psychology, 82(1), 112-127. doi:10. 1037/0022-3514. 82. 1. 112 McCullough, M. E. , Kimeldorf, M. B. , Cohen, A. D. (2008). An Adaptation for Altruism The Social Causes, Social Effects, and Social Evolution of Gratitude. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 17(4), 281-286. Peterson, C. , Ruch, W. , Beermann, U. , Park, N. , Seligman, M. P. (2007). Strengths of character, orientations to happiness, and life satisfaction. Journal Of Positive Psychology, 2(3), 149-156. doi:10. 1080/17439760701228938 Seligman, M. E. P. , Royzman, E. (2003). Happiness: The three traditional theories. Adapted and edited by Paul Quek. Retrieved from http://pq. 2004. tripod. com/happiness_three_traditional_theories. pdf Seligman, M. E. P. (2011). Authentic Happiness. Nicholas Brealey Publishing. Retrieved July 27, 2012, from Ebook Library. Watson, D. , Clark, L. A. Harkness, A. R. (1994). Structures of personality and their relevance to psychopathology. Journal Of Abnormal Psychology, 103(1). 18-31. doi:10. 1037/0021-843X. 103. 1. 18 Wood. A. M. , Joseph, S, Maltby, J. (2008) Gratitude uniquely predicts satisfaction with life: Incremental validity above the domains and facets of the five factor model. Personality and Individual Differences, 45(1), pp 49–54 Wood, A. M. , Froh, J. J. , Geraghty, A. W. A. (2010) Gratitude and well-being: A review and theoretical integration. Clinical Psychology Review, 2010, Vol. 30(7), pp. 890-905. How to cite Positive Psychology – a Well Lived Life, Essay examples

Biggest Challenges Facing Cisco Systems

Question: Discuss about the Biggest Challenges Facing Cisco Systems. Answer: Introduction: Cisco Systems was founded in 1984 in California by a husband and wife team from Stanford University. The husband came up with a way of connecting two local area networks in the departments where he and his wife worked, which were 500 yards across campus. The company has acquired a number of companies and made several strategic partnerships that have catapulted it to one of the most successful companies in the world. Its first product was shipped in 1986 and was an AGS router. The company went public in 1990. It made its first acquisition in 1993. The company also launched Ethernet switch, which has over 25000 customers and 700000 installed all over the world (Cisco, 2017). Cisco is a multinational company as it produces different goods and services and supplies them to many companies. It has patents in different countries. However, the ownership remains in the host country, which is the USA. Cisco has fully-owned subsidiaries operating in other countries. Cisco has been able to do this in Asia and has made Singapore the headquarters and transferred advanced technology to them (Cisco, 2017). Cisco also has marketing superiority as a multinational and they have been able to be the world's best to network solutions provider. Cisco operates under high efficiency. They use high technology like cloud computing. Globalization of Business-Liberalism Theory The theory of liberalism sees globalization as the market-led expansion of modernization. Liberals emphasize why it is necessary to construct infrastructure in institutions to support globalization. This has led to technical standardization. Cisco Systems has standardized technology in all its Singapore branches. It has also enabled administrative harmonization. Cisco Systems has a very solid organization structure that has enabled this to happen (Pooja, 2014). There are also translation arrangements and the companys website can be translated to suit language needs. The supporters of this theory neglect the social forces that lie behind the creation of technological and institutional foundations. It is not a satisfaction to say that these developments are natural human drives that lead to economic growth and political liberalization (Pooja, 2014). There are structural authority disproportions in the promotion of globalization and shaping its course. Singapore is a strategic location for Cisco Systems in Asia as it has even located its Asian headquarters there. Economic factors in Singapore affect Ciscos Internationalization process. Singapores Strategic Location makes it convenient for Cisco Systems to access a very large market (Hawksford, 2017). The airport at Changi serves over 15 million passengers yearly. It has been classified as the best airport in the world for over 20 years. This provides businesses like Cisco Systems with easy access to all the major Asian markets. Singapore has a good business environment hence attracting a lot of companies and businesspersons. Cisco systems have therefore been able to set up business easily in Singapore and gain from the good business environment (Hawksford, 2017). Singapore has an outstanding tax system. The corporate and personal rates are low. The country follows a single tier tax policy (Ambashi, 2017). Due to this Cisco Systems is able to maximize profits, as taxes charged are reasonable. The country is a one-stop center for companies that seek to manage their Intellectual Property Assets. Singapore is a party to major intellectual property treaties like the world intellectual property organization and the Madrid protocol (Hawksford, 2017). Cisco Systems have been able to take advantage of this by registering their trademark and being able to protect their Intellectual Property. Singapore has ensured that its labor force is highly attractive and productive; Businesses are therefore able to get efficiency as they get excellent workers. This has enabled Cisco Systems to acquire a highly motivated and productive workforce (Hawksford, 2017). This has greatly contributed to the performance of the company, as the workforce is highly skilled hence, processes run smoothly and effectively Porters Diamond Theory applied to Cisco Systems The Porter Diamond Theory is designed to help us get an understanding of competitive advantage that nations possess because of the factors that are available to them. It also explains how governments are able to act as catalysts to improve the position of a country in a globally competitive environment. The theory gives suggestions that a country can create factor advantages for itself such as having skilled labour, having strong technology industry and ensuring support of the government in the economy (Macklon, 2015). The theory is represented by a figure that resembles four diamond points. These points are related determinants, which are theorized as deciding factors of a countrys comparative economic benefits (Macklin, 2015). These factors include; the strategy of a firm, structure and rivalry, supporting industries, demand and factor conditions. The strategy of the firm, its structure and rivalry refer to the aspect that competition results in companies that strive in getting ways to add production and to come up with technological innovations. Competition has made Cisco come up with great technological innovations that have given it a technological advantage (Macklon, 2015). The company has come up with cloud solutions, Internet of things and software defined networking. Related supporting industries in the model give reference to companies that facilitate innovation through exchanging ideas with companies in the same industry Cisco Systems has been able to innovate through exchanging ideas with companies like UBS (Macklon, 2015). In March 2017, UBS and Cisco to hosted a tech talk on Internet of Things and applications. The company also formed a partnership with The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore. Demand conditions refer to the characteristics of the customer base in terms of products and this enables innovation and improvement on products (Macklon, 2015). Cisco Systems has been able to achieve this by coming up with products that fit into customer needs and trends. Foreign companies can use various strategies to enter into foreign markets. Firms can export indirectly by using domestic agents in those countries who will be paid commissions to sell products or services (Chand, 2014). They can also employ the distribution services of companies that already exist in the respective markets and have established distribution systems. The company can do direct exportation of products or services. The company will have to do marketing analysis, establish contracts, handles supply-chain issues and documentation (CaligiuriBonache, 2016). The company assigns distributors based in the country as they have the necessary resources. In Licensing, a foreign licensor gives a local licensee with access to the entire infrastructure that the company needs in exchange for compensation. The firm licensed is given exclusive rights for producing and marketing a product or service for a certain period. The licensor gets a royalty on the product or service sale (Jain Singal, 2014). This method is advantageous as the firm is able to enter a new market without too many investments. Franchising can occur via product/ trade name or business format. It involves a licensing agreement where services offered by the franchise are replicated in the foreign country through a franchise (Zhao, ParkZhou, 2014).A joint venture is when the multi-national enters into an agreement with a local company in the target country. It can either be contractual or equity. In a contractual agreement, the two companies get into a partnership to share the cost of investment, any risk factors and profits. An equity venture involves the formation of a very separate entity and the local and multinational company share ownership and control. This may happen due to complex legal procedures in the foreign country and it greatly reduces the risk for the multi-national company (MarinorMarinora, 2014). The advantage of this is that the local company knows the market well and regulations. Direct investment involves a firm entering the foreign market through investing in a manufacturing facility. The company has to commit capital and management and can acquire an already existing foreign facility or build a completely new one (Chand, 2014). Direct investment is the best option but very risky as in case the venture does not succeed the company loses many funds. How Cisco Entered Singapore Market Cisco entered the Singapore market through direct investment in 1994 through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Cisco Systems International B.V. and Cisco International Limited that distribute its products. They have introduced leading technologies over the years and have transformed how the citizens work and learn. It created Singapores first internet home in the year 2000.The company also developed strategic partnerships. They collaborated with 15 schools through Cisco networking Academy and trained over 46000 students (Cisco, 2013). The company also opened new regional headquarters in Singapore in 2014.The office is located in the vibrant Changi Business Park and houses over 1000 employees. The second one is through joint ventures. Cisco formed an alliance with Singtel in 2001 to market and develop advanced technological services for the region. This was the first strategic partnership between a local carrier and an equipment vendor. The companies marketed products and services together to key customer accounts. This brought several telecommunications services to Singapore, for example, the companies developed IP and Virtual Private Networks together, DSL technology was introduced and new networks that integrated voice, data and video (Cisco,2013). The companies also carried out an exchange program where they briefed each other on product and technological directions. The Engineers working for SingTel were also able to gain work experience in Ciscos technical assistance centers. This venture was key to Cisco as SingTel had a large presence in more than 19 countries in the Asian region. (Singapore business review, 2013). International Business Challenges Faced by Cisco Systems Cisco Systems faces various challenges when doing International Business. The first risk faced by Cisco Systems is a political risk. This can include challenges in regulatory programs. Governments keep changing laws and this can greatly affect business (Verbeke, KanoYuan, 2016). Another business challenge is financial limitations. The economic environment keeps changing hence affecting revenues (Delventhal, 2017). Already there is a prediction in falls on revenues for 2017.The orders from service providers have slumped and there is a decline in the traditional switching market. Another challenge being faced by Cisco is competitive concerns. It faces the competition of switches and routers. The company has however been losing customers to rivals like Huawei Technologies. Their market for switching has gone down from 58% to 56.8% and the router market went down from 48.8% to 44.8%.This is a great concern as in previous years routers and switchers have accounted for half of its revenue (Sun,2016). The company also faces technological challenges. There is a rise in cloud networking that relies mostly on software. These are cost-efficient than the ones that were based on hardware. Cisco still sells traditional equipment and this has hurt demand. The company has been overtaken by Arista Networks who achieved a double-digit growth due to the sale of software cloud networking (Sun, 2016). Cisco then placed a lawsuit on Arista to slow them down and resulting in them being banned from importing some products. Cisco Systems need to incorporate the global compact principle and sustainable development goals into their strategies so that they uphold their responsibility to people and the environment to enable long-term success. The first principle states that companies must support and respect human rights protection. Cisco Systems must ensure that it respects the human rights of its employees and the society as a whole. The second Principle is making sure that the company does not take part in human rights abuses (Unglobalcompact, 2015). Cisco must ensure that all employees have rights and they should not also partner with any company that abuses human rights as this will lead to reputational risk and affects business negatively. The third principle advice companies to uphold freedom of association and recognize the right to collective bargaining. Cisco Systems must ensure that it allows its staff to join unions and that they representation by unions. The fourth principle speaks about the elimination of any forced labor (Unglobalcompact, 2015). Cisco Systems must not engage in any forced Labour. The fifth principle talks about child labor being abolished. The company should not engage in any form of child labor. The sixth principle advocates for eliminating discrimination in respect to employment or occupation. Cisco systems must ensure that it develops a corporate culture that brings all stakeholders together and does not discriminate in any way. The seventh principle speaks about companies taking a precautionary approach to any challenges faced in the environment (Unglobalcompact, 2015). Cisco Systems must approach such challenges in a professional manner and should ensure that its business does not harm the environment and they should have responsible recycling or disposal methods. Principle number eight speaks about companies undertaking initiatives to improve greater environmental responsibility. Employees at Cisco should, therefore, be educated on this and the company should generally be responsible towards the environment. The ninth principle encourages environmental friendly technologies. When expanding and applying technology to its business, they have to ensure that, they are not harming the environment (Unglobalcompact, 2015). The tenth principle advocates for companies to work against corruption. Cisco systems must ensure integrity among employees and when dealing with customers. The company must maintain a high integrity. Under the sustainable development goals, Cisco Systems will also have to apply some principles to its business. Under the Poverty goal, it states that companies should respect the rights of its workers and apply innovation to provide solutions to eradicate poverty (Unglobalcompact, 2015). Cisco Systems can implement this by ensuring they serve communities affected by poverty well through coming up with products and services that serve them. Another sustainability goal is Gender Equality. Companies are encouraged to empower women. Cisco Systems gives equal opportunities to both men and women. Affordable and clean energy should also be a key priority for businesses. Cisco System should be responsible in terms of any remittances (Unglobalcompact, 2015). Decent work and economic growth is another goal. Cisco Systems should provide its employees with decent work and ensure Singapores economic growth through its business activities. The company also has various green initiatives. Responsible Production and consumption by companies are key (Unglobalcompact, 2015). Cisco Systems has a power down system and phones are switched off after working hours and over the weekends. There is minimal paper wastage. Another SDG is Climate Action. Companies must ensure responsibility in greenhouse emissions as it greatly affects the climate. Cisco Systems must strive to ensure that it implements solutions so climate change (Unglobalcompact, 2015). Life below water and Life on Land should also be cared for. Cisco systems must ensure that nothing is done to harm these lives. References Ambashi, M. (2017). ASEAN as an FDI Attractor: How Do Multinationals Look at ASEAN? Caligiuri, P., Bonache, J. (2016). Evolving and enduring challenges in global mobility. Journal of World Business, 51(1), 127-141. Chand, S. (2014).How Multinational Corporations enter Into a Foreign Market. Retrieved 22 February 2014 from https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/business/how-multinational-corporations-enter-to-a-foreign-market-6-different-modes-of-entry/13168/ Cisco (2013). Cisco Celebrates 20 years in Singapore and Opens New Regional Headquarters. Retrieved 18 April 2013 from https://newsroom.cisco.com/press-release-content?articleId=1174422 Delventhal, S. (2017). The Challenge Facing Cisco in 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2017 from https://www.investopedia.com/news/challenge-facing-cisco-2017/ Hawksford (2017).Why Chose Singapore? Retrieved 2017, N.d. from, https://www.guidemesingapore.com/incorporation/introduction/singapore-incorporation-advantages Jain, A. K., Singal, A. K. (2014). Mapping vulnerability: how emerging markets respond to multinationals. Journal of Business Strategy, 35(6), 41-48. Macklon, M. (2015). Porter Diamond. Retrieved 29 July 2015 from, https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/porter-diamond.asp Marinov, M., Marinova, S. (2013). Emerging Economy Multinationals: Successes and Challenges (p. 1). Palgrave Macmillan. Pooja (2014). Eight Theories of Globalization. Retrieved 17th November 2014, from https://www.politicalsciencenotes.com/articles/8-theories-of-globalization-explained/642 Singapore business review (2013).Cisco opens New Regional Headquarters in Singapore. Retrieved 17 April 2013 from, https://sbr.com.sg/information-technology/more-news/cisco-opens-new-regional-headquarters-in-singapore Sun, L (2016).The Three Biggest Challenges Facing Cisco Systems. Retrieved 18 October 2016 from, https://www.fool.com/investing/2016/10/18/the-3-biggest-challenges-facing-cisco-systems.aspx Unglobalcompact (2015). Partnerships: A Key Way to Implement the Sustainable Development Goals. Retrieved 6 June 2015 from, https://www.unglobalcompact.org/take-action/partnerships/how-to-partner Verbeke, A., Kano, L., Yuan, W. (2016). Inside the regional multinationals: A new value chain perspective on subsidiary capabilities. International Business Review, 25(3), 785-793. Zhao, M., Park, S. H., Zhou, N. (2014). MNC strategy and social adaptation in emerging markets. Journal of International Business Studies, 45(7), 842-861.