Assignment 4-1

Organic Food

The article I decided to review this week is on the decision to eat organic or not. I wanted to know what the definition of organic was and what makes this food so much better for us.

In recenct times there has been news stories on mad cow disease, problems with bacteria on tomatoes, onions,in salads, and other items that we may eat.

First, the definition of organic food items includes growing food without the use of synthetic pesticides, growing livestock without the use of antibiotics or hormones, allowing them to have free range, and using biodiversity to promot and protect humans, animals, and the environment.

According to this article, organic foods are safer for us to eat. They have fewer contaminants and pesticides. They have no genetic modifiers. They actually have more nutrients in them. Finally, by choosing to eat organic, the animals are exposed to less chemicals.

I must admit, I try to eat organic items as much as possible. It has been said that they cost more, but I really haven't noticed it that much. When you consider the side effects of the chemicals you may ingest, the price of eating organic is not that significant.

I don't like the idea that someone may be giving the animal I am going to eat some type of hormone or antibiotic. I think they should be able to raise the animals with out this. I also believe the animals should be able to graze openly on the land, not restricted to a small fenced in area.

In parts of Australlia the government requires strict monitoring on the use of pesticides and other chemicals. They also monitor the chemical modifications of food items.

Perhaps the United States should be more strict on their testing and use more organic foods.

References

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/598763

http://www.organicnutrition.co.uk/whyorganic

Assignment 3-1

Layaway Instead of Credit Card

This week I decided to review an article on layaway. The economy is going through a rough time right now, so consumers and retailers are looking at a common practice of the 1960-1980’s. Layaway recently was thought to be erased by the use of credit cards. However, it is making a comeback in some retail stores, such as Sears, Kmart, and TJMaxx. It is also available online at some web sites. The problem with the use of layaway is that stores benefit more from the use of credit cards because customers tend to spend more. Customers like the idea of purchasing an item and having instant gratification versus working overtime to pay for a purchase.
I am a fan of the credit card. I like to know I can have something right now. I don’t like to wait for something I want. However, I also pay my credit card off each month (thanks to my husband’s nagging) so there aren’t high interest rates to worry about. However, I think with the way our economy is heading, the come back of layaway is a great idea. There will be less consumer debt, and they can still buy the products they want, it’s just over time.

References
http://www.creditcards.com/

A 2-1

This week I decided to review an article by CBS news on the use of corn to produce ethanol. I have often wondered why our country has made it so difficult to economically support itself. I recently took a trip to Iowa and Nebraska and was amazed at the number of corn fields there are. Also, at every gas station E85, (the gas alternative) is offered. However, at my home in Maryland you will be lucky to find it at all. Perhaps the only way to find it would be as a filler in the gasoline. According to this article, Brazil was in a similar situation, faced with increasing costs of importing oils and becoming more dependent on areas overseas to provide them with the oils it needed. This in turn proved quite costly. Brazil fought back though, and completely changed over to the use of ethanol, made from sugar cane (something they have a lot of). They still offer gasoline but it is quite expensive so everyone chooses to use the ethanol.
I think the United States should do the same. This will provide the great people of the U.S. with employment and strengthen our economy. It will give the farmers an advantage, finally! The more we use what is right at our finger tips, the less we will have to rely on overseas areas to import oil. Our economy would grow and eventually there could be financial stability.
The other great thing about using ethanol is that is much cleaner than gasoline. Our nation could worry less about the pollution we are creating.


References
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/main/1588659

Icon Analysis

The three icons I chose are House, AC/DC, and NCIS.

House

House is a narcissistic, self-centered, rude doctor, who speaks his mind to everyone, including his patients. He has three med interns who work with him to diagnose patients with very rare medical conditions.
I chose House because I am in the healthcare profession. I love how he makes the interns think, and runs ideas past them. He makes them think outside the normal box. I also like that he speaks his mind. I tend to do the same. Sometimes what he says is not the nicest thing to say, but it is true, I do this also.

AC/DC

AC/DC is a rock group from the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. They have a reputation of great hard rock, but a bad reputation in the past, of partying and drugs.
I chose this group because as a child I loved their music. I listened to it all of the time. My friends and I would get together, listen to them, party to them, and attend their concerts. I also chose them because I am glad that they have come back around and are playing their music for the kids of today.

NCIS

NCIS is a television show that is about a group that investigates naval murders. The group includes Tony, Ziva, McGee, Abby, and Gibbs.
I chose this particular icon because I love how they get along with each other. Gibbs, the boss, is very in tune to his team, knows their every move. Tony, Ziva, and McGee are always at each other bickering, a lot like me and my co- workers. This group is a lot like my work group. There are 6 of us and we get along just like family, we bicker, argue, get mad at each other, but are always there for each other. Each has their own personality, but willing to protect the other. This is my favorite TV show. My husband and I are home every Tuesday to watch it. It is nice to have a show that is not reality based.

A 1-4 written analysis 1

To the tech savvy crowds, the new blackberry storm is bound to be the next best thing to the Apple Iphone. This new cell phone provides wireless email, internet, and camera. It has lots of extras, such as GPS navigation, Bluetooth, and weighs only 5 ounces. Best of all, it has a touch screen keyboard.

“In an attempt to compete with Apples iphone and TMobile the new storm will wow consumers with a jazzy new design and an application center filled with games and other add-ons like face book.”

In a hectic world such as ours, this new phone provides users with a cell phone that has wireless internet and email. This is great! I have always wanted to be on the internet or sending an email while I am driving down the road or at dinner.

The best feature of the phone is that it has a touch screen keyboard with 3 types of screens to choose from. It allows you to view the screens in either landscape or portrait styles. It also has cut and paste functions, which is a huge selling point for email junkies.

The down fall of this new phone is that unless you are tech savvy it will take a while to figure out how to use your new phone.

While I really like the idea of this new phone with a touch screen keyboard, I think we could find something else to spend our money on.

What is Popular Culture?

Popular culture is transitory. It is the artifacts and institutions shared by a society, it represents the elements of everyday life.It influences peoples way of life. Popular culture is shared knowledge and practices of a specific group at a specific time. It is subject to change and often initiates change. It tells us who we are, what we are, and why.

Why is an understanding of popular culture relevant to you in a business environment and in your present and future career?

Popular culture is important to business and to my future career because it is trendy, it appeals to mass audiences, the elite, critics, children, and parents. It is what we base our societies wants and needs against. In business, if I know what is the current pop culture, for example the Ipod, then I can have my company focus on promoting and designing similar items or perhaps I may need to purchase this item to stay technologically advanced.

My present job is as a nurse. I believe the most current piece of pop culture I use is the PDA. This item stores everything I need to look up medications and diagnosis.

I have chosen Disney World, Mickey, and Minnie Mouse as my pop culture artifact.

I chose these items as my artifacts because they represent artifact from past and present. Disney World is diverse. It represents the young, the old, and all countries. It is the symbol of freedom for most high school graduates and college students out for spring break. It is the perfect place to vacation if you are a parent, a retired couple, or out for your honey moon. It has accomodations for the social elite and for the average person. It is where every child wants to go and every superbowl winner does go.

Mickey and Minnie are also perfect past and present pop culture artifacts. Every child has at least one mickey or minnie item. They adapt to the times. Mickey and Minnie are available as teacher, doctor, scientist, or even graduating dolls. Mickey and Minnie are appealing to all ages, whether you are 3 or 63, everyone loves this duo. We enjoyed them as cartoons, way back when, and we still enjoy them now.

Pictures retrieved from http://www.mickey-mouse.com/mickeyclipartmain.htm