Essay About Business Samples - Why Do You Want to Pursue a Graduate Degree in Business?

Essay About Business Samples - Why Do You Want to Pursue a Graduate Degree in Business?Writing an essay about business samples is very important for those who want to pursue a graduate degree in business. This means that they are going to be analyzing the methods used by other people and then applying these methods in their own business. If you write about business samples without understanding the purpose of writing the paper, you will not be able to write any good essay.A sample is usually taken from an actual business that people have taken advantage of in the past. They may have taken the company's resources and tried to imitate the model in their own business. This is the reason why the student who writes about these samples needs to understand that the business model will not help them in their research. In fact, they can end up losing money because of this.This is why writing an essay about business samples is extremely important. The purpose of the essay is to take what is be ing presented and make a conclusion based on it. Once the conclusion is made, it is time to develop a business plan.The conclusion is very important because it should answer the question that is posed in the introduction. Without an outline, the writer will be lost in his or her own thoughts and may not know what to write about. He or she will need to be organized in order to get the job done.Writing about business samples is quite simple once the student knows what he or she is looking for. All it takes is for the student to put down the business model that is being used in another business and then analyze the assumptions that the model makes. The logic is quite simple because the model can be broken down into logical steps.This is where the student needs to start analyzing the steps and the assumptions that the model is making. The logic is very easy if you know how to use the model that is being used in another business. The model is not broken down into steps and assumptions an d the logic is very similar to the logic of the model that is being used.If the student cannot understand the logic of the model, he or she may not be able to complete the essay about business samples. A student who is not organized enough will never be able to complete this type of essay. If this happens, the student will simply go back to reading the other essays in the class.For this reason, students who want to pursue a graduate degree in business should read the introductory essay of the class. This is because the introduction is one of the first lessons that they will learn during their education. Since this is the beginning of the thesis statement, it should be analyzed carefully and understood by all students.

Television Can Accomplish Education Through TV Essay examples

Television Can Accomplish Education Through TV Problems with kids and television have existed since the invention of this media instrument. For example, parents are concerned with the number of hours children spend in front of the television, as well as the amount of violence represented in different programs. Most important, parents are speculating as to what educational value TV actually has. People have always wondered about effects television could have on individuals. By the late 1980 s, an increasingly deregulated broadcasting industry had achieved some powerful victories over education. Shows with a greater amount of controversial subject matter started to air. Censorship was decreased a great deal. On average, children†¦show more content†¦It is claimed that anti-intellectualism has reached a frightening level as teachers have begun to confront a television culture of slander and aspersion. Television s apparent attachment to everything dumb sparked a complaint from Newsweek that Stupidity, served with knowing intelligence, is now TV s answer to real smarts, implying that sarcasm is the real indication of brilliance (3) Esquire s Jamie Malanowski agrees by concluding, So this is what we ve come to: smart people then matched quotes from Shakespeare; smart people now match quotes from Seinfeld. (3) Many people may find it hard to imagine a world without television. The conservatives who despise and ridicule TV concentrate on cultural literacy while overlooking actual literacy, which means they are only focusing on the popular ideas that are stupid instead of focusing on the intelligent ideas that are popular. The problem of student illiteracy is a constant problem with a long history, not necessarily a crisis. However, critics of TV are ignoring real problems that are more appropriately labeled, crises, than such conservative anxieties like political correctness, radical professors, and the inability of students to quote Shakespeare. Media critics are also concerned with free speech issues, but they will deny academic freedom to scholars who disagree with them. They ridicule humanistic investigation into music, video, and film, denouncing media studies and theShow MoreRelatedDisadvantages Of Mass Media1648 Words   |  7 Pageshuman’s entertainments such as movies, TV show, advertising, and newspaper. The media help human relax and connect to other people. There are many benefits of using media. For example, little baby can learn letters of the alphabet through YouTube channel or some educational computer app like â€Å"teach your monster to read†. In addition, TV show and movie based on a book can encourage children to read and people can watch news and weather forecast through television. The economists are aware that the mediaRead MoreAdvertisements Reflect the Way We Really Are888 Words   |  4 Pagescompetitive, materialistic and demanding. A society that accepts us only if we are beautiful, have a high position in a big company and drive a nice, shiny car. Of course this reality is perfectly illustrated through advertisements. It takes only a couple of minutes and channel changes on your television for you to be showered by advertisements of new car models or anti-aging superpower creams. And here rises the big question: Is this kind of advertising that shapes the stereotypes and the expectationsRead More Postman: Rant or Reason? Essay1694 Words   |  7 PagesDeath, author Neil Postman describes to the reader, in detail, the immediate and future dangers of television. The arguement starts out in a logical manner, explaining first the differences between todays media-driven society, and yesterdays typographic America. Postman goes on to discuss in the second half of his book the effects of todays media, politics on television, religion on television, and finally televised educational programs. All, he says, are making a detrimental imprint on ourRead MoreThe Medias P resentation of Common Stereotypes739 Words   |  3 Pagescharacteristics that are misleading and simplistic about them. They go on to say that when the media commonly accepts stereotypes it contributes the oppression and disempowering of the stereotyped social group. In the next few pages we will discuss how media, through news, sitcoms and movies reinforces stereotypes about people and how that affects society as whole. To do is we will borrow some ideas from feminism and cultivation theory founder, George Gerbner. Stereotypes are constructed socially and culturallyRead MoreTeens and Alcohol Essay1416 Words   |  6 PagesTeens and Alcohol Everyday teenagers are faced with many decisions. One of the most important of these is whether or not to join in with the trend of teenage drinking. The decision teenagers make can be crucial to their future well being and success in life. Teenage drinking has many causes, namely peer pressure, the attitudes of society, parental influence, and addiction. Changes need to be made in each of these areas for teenagers to be protected from alcohol related problems. Peer pressureRead MoreReflection Essay1152 Words   |  5 Pagesincreasingly difficult. Additionally, being involved in online education adds a layer that requires time, that can be hard to find. Personally, through the use of a planner, eliminating distractions and studying at a coffee shop, has helped me find a way to balance my life. Between my responsibilities with family and work and still doing school, it is necessary for me to organize myself. What I have found helps me organize myself to accomplish everything I want to in a day is using a planner. I likeRead MoreHow Does Play Affect Our Children Active Nationwide?890 Words   |  4 Pagesplay is a campaign to get our kids to play and be more active. This campaign is important because kids need to be motivated to go out and play, it keeps them moving and healthy. Playing can lead to all kind of outcomes, from fun to learning. For many years this theory of play was not fully accepted in the education world, but now with the help of different campaign’s; play has become a more useful tool in child development. Who ever knew that playing with your child would be beneficial in the overallRead MoreCrime Is Only Committed By People From A Low Socioeconomic Upbringing1681 Words   |  7 Pageshypothesis. Average Americans see television shows and movies po rtraying people from lower socioeconomic areas as criminal, specifically young men who are minorities. The idea of this is based on a reflection of our Justice system here in the United States. The United Stated justice system has been twisted throughout the years by favoritism shown towards people of the Middle and Upper class. I myself came from a family where just feeding the kids was hard to accomplish. No matter what or income orRead MoreThe Process of Criminal Investigation and Evidence Essay1321 Words   |  6 Pagessuch as TV shows of Law and Order, CSI and Criminal Minds. The realities of an investigation though differ from these TV shows immensely. In reality, there are certain responsibilities an investigator must go through to achieve the evidence needed to prosecute the offender and close the case successfully. It is important to understand that an investigation ultimately contributes the resolution of crimes, which also leads to the crucial process and effort in g athering evidence to accomplish the prosecutionRead MoreHaiti Surviving after the Earthquake677 Words   |  3 PagesThe effects caused by the earthquakes are devastating. It causes losses of human life and has effects on the infrastructure and economy. Earthquakes can happen at any time anywhere. In January 12, 2010 an earthquake of a magnitude of 7.0 hit the nation of Haiti. An estimation of 316,000 people was killed and more than 1.3 million of Haitians were left homeless (Earthquake Information for 2010). Haiti was lead in a terrified chaos. After the earthquake, families were separated because many of the

Swot Analysis Rockwell Hardness Testing Machine

Before this project, our lab was only equipped with â€Å"Rockwell Hardness Testing Machine† which was quite insufficient, consequently our company had to outsource the product for testing. To develop the facility for verification of materials’ physical, mechanical and chemical properties and to bring down the product cost and increase savings, the development of fully equipped Material Testing Lab was the demand of the time and indirectly our client requirement. Reviewing my qualification, knowledge and study subjects, my immediate manager proposed my name for this project and I was fortunate enough that I was selected to make feasibility report for the up gradation and development of Lab and started execution within a period of 6 months. As†¦show more content†¦f) I studied the â€Å"Environmental effect and behavior† of required machines/equipments which I received as a feedback from suppliers to ensure the health and safety requirements throughout the lab. g) I coordinated with the procurement department to resolve legal affairs and statutory requirements related to imports. h) I supervised the installation of equipments. i) I conducted mockup tests of equipments with demonstrator. j) I prepared testing and safety procedures to conform the engineering standard requirements. k) I provided training to my juniors to encourage them and to teach the standard requirements and to perform the test under my absence. As the first stage of my project, I planned to meet my professors and lab assistants, where I gathered and noted down some valuable information. I searched various websites and engineering journals on internet and collected data from mechanical testing standards to be informed about the more advanced and accurate testing methods. I also studied various spare parts’ drawings, manufacturing standards and technical data for the test. I consulted with production department and my senior manager to know regarding all the tests which we presently outsource. With the help of this collected data I finalized the list of tests and their machines/equipments. The second stage of the project was looking for the renowned manufacturer and estimation of testing equipments. I personally visited various companies/labs whoShow MoreRelatedProject Managment Case Studies214937 Words   |  860 PagesStates of America Contents Preface xi 1 PROJECT MANAGEMENT METHODOLOGIES 1 Lakes Automotive 3 Fems Healthcare, Inc. Clark Faucet Company 2 5 7 11 IMPLEMENTATION OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT Kombs Engineering 13 Williams Machine Tool Company 15 Wynn Computer Equipment (WCE) 17 The Reluctant Workers 20 Hyten Corporation 22 Macon, Inc. 35 Continental Computer Corporation 37 Goshe Corporation 43 Acorn Industries 49 MIS Project Management at First National Bank Cordova Research

Essay on The Recognition of Israel World War II - 1483 Words

Recognition of Israel World War II left Europe in ruins and devastated those who lived there, but nobody was more affected than the Jews. When the war ended, the U.S. and other countries revealed to the world the amount of torture and mistreatment the Jews suffered under Nazi control. Many wanted to help these suffering outcasts, so Jewish Zionists suggested the Jews be relocated to Palestine, where they could live in peace away from others(Devine, 1). Britain and President Truman felt sympathetic for the Jews, and decided to help them establish a new Jewish homeland in the Middle East. During the formation of Israel, the U.S. played a big role by establishing a committee, supporting U.N. and Jewish intentions, and recognizing Israel as a†¦show more content†¦He felt compunctious for the Jews, since the United States had denied many desperate Jews citizenship to escape Nazi brutality(Citation, 1). In his efforts to help the Jews, he often got advice from Jewish advisors on the issue. Important Zi onists of the time period such as David Niles, a member of the Jewish Agency, and Max Lowenthal influenced Truman’s decisions, making him push through plans to give the Jews back the Promise Land. When Israel became a country, he thanked both, referring to Max as a â€Å"benefactor to State of Israel† and wrote to David â€Å"You have been such a tower of strength for me during the past six years, and I can’t tell you how very much I appreciate it†(Devine, 1). Truman’s power as president and support for plans would be crucial to the Jews regaining the Promise Land. Another big supporter of the Jews was Great Britain. In the early 1920’s, the hatred of Jews was horrific, so the League of Nations decided to intervene and help. In response to the issue, the League put Great Britain in charge of the Mandate for Palestine, which â€Å"was called upon to facilitate the establishment of a Jewish national home in Palestine-Eretz Israel, or the Land of Israel†(Citation, 1). Great Britain felt sympathetic for the Jews like the United States, and also supported the idea of giving the Jews back the promise land in return for years of mistreatment. Nonetheless, Arabian citizens of the area complained about the Jewish immigration, and riotsShow MoreRelatedU.S In the Middle East1243 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"The United States recognizes the provisional Government as the de facto authority of the new State of Israel.† These are the words of President Harry Truman from a speech he gave shortly after Israel became a recognized nation in 1 948. Consequently, the political leaders of the United States have brought America on a rough journey to the current state of foreign policy and relationship with Israel. Since 1948, the United States’ active position in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has seen very littleRead MoreSix Day War Research Paper1457 Words   |  6 PagesAlliance The United States and Israel developed a strong bond following the latter’s independence and war against the Arabs. Israel became one of the major American allies in the Middle East, and the United States government readily provided extensive economic and military support. The first instance of this support was in 1962, when the Kennedy administration sold Hawk missiles to Israel. Since then, â€Å"over $100 billion†¦ of military aid and technology transfers to Israel†¦ over the past half century†Read MoreThe Historical Area Of Israel And Palestine1493 Words   |  6 PagesThe history of the geographical area substituting Israel and Palestine is one of war and bloodshed. For nearly three millennia people have been fighting over the ‘Holy Land’ in wars that were religious in their essence. An understanding of the historic background of the area is important to comprehend the present-day reasons for the complexity of the task of conflict resolutio n. The simplified timeline provided below is an attempt to summarise the most important events. Since the Israelites’ conquestRead MoreHow Canada Remained Independent of Foreign Control but Also Managed to Be a Part of International Decision Making.711 Words   |  3 Pagesworth. Some of the ways Canada remained independent of foreign control are: When president Reagan’s administration had a project they were trying to get Canada involved in called the Strategic Defence Initiative (SDI, but also referred to as Star Wars). This was a plan to arm satellites that could destroy soviet missiles from space. Not many people believed the plan would work and even if it did there would no longer be balance between the two superpowers, ergo in 1985, Prime Minister Brian MulroneyRead MoreThe Conflict Between Israel And Palestine968 Words   |  4 PagesAlthough the conflict between Israel and Palestine has been going on for decades and decades, tensions appear to be growing once again due to Israel’s plan of building at least 1,000 housing units in East Jerusalem. Since East Jerusalem has been chosen to be the capital of Palestine, housing Israelis in the eastern part would certainly threaten the viability of the future Palestinian State (Fox News). Seeing that this new conflict has the potential for escalation, Jordan immediately called for anRead MoreIsrael Is A Small Democracy At The Eastern End Of The Mediterranean1349 Words   |  6 PagesIsrael is a small democracy at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea, with a 2016 population of 8.17 million, of which, 74.8 percent is Jewish; most of the rest of Israel s population is Arab. The term Arab denotes persons descended from tribes inhabiting the Arabian Peninsula or persons speaking the Arabic language. By this definition, there are about 250 million Arabs worldwide, most found in the group of countries occupying North Africa and the western part of the Middle East. Most ArabsRead MoreThe Aftermath Of World War II1562 Words   |  7 PagesWhile the aftermath of World War II is often referred to as one of the primary creators of deep rooted turmoil in the Middle East region, the effects of the Cold War and the United States often over-zealous battle against communism is just a s much a contributor if not more. The Arab world and the Middle East region were clearly going through quite an extraordinary period throughout World War II and its conclusion, primarily with the creation of most of the states we recognize today and strugglingRead MoreThe United States And The Middle East1245 Words   |  5 Pagesbe in the best interest of the United States. The importance of Middle Eastern affairs to the United States during the 1960s through the 1980s is apparent with President Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger’s diplomacy tactics to prevent Arab-Israeli war and lift the Arab oil embargo, President Jimmy Carter’s peace negotiations during the Camp David Accords, and President Ronald Reagan’s administration’s role in the Iran-Contra Affair. During the early 1970s, President Richard Nixon’s Secretary ofRead More Happy Essay1201 Words   |  5 PagesHappy Middle East History Jerusalem The conflict in Jerusalem is rooted in religious, political, and historical aspects. As a center for the worlds three major religions, with a history of political divisions and borders, as well as historical claims to the territory, it calls for a peaceful coexistence and sensitive diplomacy which will enable an accepted agreement. Jerusalem is a prize which, for thousands of years, has been fought over. Israeli’s and Palestinians live side-by-side inRead MoreThe Persistence of Imperialism Essay1315 Words   |  6 PagesImperialism Following World War II, the concrete nature of imperialism, or the subjection of people or groups based on a social, economical, or racial hierarchy, was seemingly in decline. For instance, India and Pakistan had both gained their independence from Britain in 1947 (p.761), and the French, though unwillingly, gave up their colonies in Vietnam (p.754), but with the development of the Cold War there became a need to ideologically separate the free â€Å"First World†, which was made up of western

Transatlantic Slave Trade and the Effects free essay sample

Trade and the effects on the American economy Transatlantic Slave Trade The Transatlantic slave trade is a Wrenching aspect of the history of Africa and America (Colon Palmer). The transatlantic slave trade transported African people to the New World. It lasted from the 16th to the 1 9th century. Slavery has had a big impact on African culture. The Africans were forced to migrate away from everything they knew, culture, heritage and lifestyles (Captive Passage). Coupled with they were faced with racism and overcame life- threaten situations everyday.Nevertheless the Africans preserved and arrived tremendous conditions. Even though the slave trade was horrible it still contributed to the economy of the Americas-New World and Africa. The journey to the economy can be discussed through Africa before and after the slave trade, slavery within Africa, products produced, and many more. Slavery is a form of forced labor in which people are considered to be the property of others. Slavery was prominent all over the world before the transatlantic slave trader but the Atlantic slave trade is remembered as an account of horrible history in the African culture and even America.In the 15th century the Atlantic slave trade began. The journey to the Americas is another act of perseverance of the Africans, for who survived. The journey started in Africa where slaves were cram into very small boats. Usually the ships were divided into three platforms decks, which were only five feet apart. One each of these decks slaves were assembled similar to how books are arranged on a shelf. Needless to say the ships were very cramped and confined. In addition the slaves were shackled together by their feet and hands.Only those women who did not pose a threat could go without shackles, and children nearly never wore shackles. In such terrible conditions t is estimated that 1 00 million slaves survived the journey, and 40 percent of slaves who boarded the slave ship died before reaching the Americas (Captive Passage). After a long journey to the Americas the slaves who survived were usually sent to the southern colonies for labor. Most of which had no idea of the life they would have in America. The slave trade was a forced journey from the African coast to the Americas. It is the taking of freedom, suffering- extreme basically survival of the fitness. It symbolizes loss of African descent homeland, familiar places and identity (Captive Passage 53). The Atlantic slave trade was the largest forced migration. It began in the 15th century and was the staple of human interaction. It was launched specifically to provide labor to the European colonies, North America, South America and the Caribbean. In the 1 5th century Europeans were creating colonies all over the world, as they expanded colonies in the New World they realized their was more labor needed to supply needed goods.In the beginning the Europeans brought over indigenous people to provide a work force. But, the indigenous people were unreliable, most of them died from disease brought over from Europe and they lacked experience. As a result the Europeans resorted in Africans. Africans were excellent workers; they often had experience of agriculture and keeping cattle. Also they were used to the hot climates and resisted diseases. All characteristics making them better than the indigenous people. The Europeans now having a source of work force had the first Africans to arrive in North America during 1526 in Cape Fear, North Carolina (Captive Passage).The purpose of the slaves coming to America was purely economic. There was a constant problem on early America, shortage of labor. Between 1526 and 1793, about 5 million slaves reinserted into America (Google Books). In 1793 the demand for slaves increased as the creation of the Cotton Gin by Eli Whitney became prominent in American economy. The slaves were very useful in providing labor, but they also were a good source of trade. The slaves were sold for various items, such as gold, ivory, pepper, beeswax and many more. The Africans were the source of labor in the Americas from the 15th to 19th century.The Europeans starting the Atlantic slave trade affected both America and Africa. In term of how Africa was affected it affected their society greatly. The big lose that the Africans faced was population, it is estimated that about 50 million Africans were lost, and the majority of Africans lost were strong, fit individuals. Population was also lost through those who fled the country to escape being capture. Africans relied a lot on contact with the outside world to get needed goods but that ended. Not only did they lose many people but those who were in Africa were looked upon as inferior.Africans were seen as a source for cheap labor, and blacks soon got the title of being less intelligent than others. Overall society had the biggest impact, tribal wars became frequent sighting for each others slaves, and laws were changed, making slavery punishable. But people usually did not follow those rules because they were attracted by the economic advantages that came with it. Africans felt very insecure in their own dwellings. On the other hand the Atlantic slave trade did not have that much of a negative impact in the Americas. The slavery help contribute to the development of economy to diversity in the New World.The bringing of Africans to the Americas provided the country with more blacks. But unfortunately life was harsh for the Africans, but they did provide n increased amount of labor that helped the economy. Section 2 Before the Europeans arrived in Africa, Africa had a very highly develop society. They had many different religions, language, complex institutions, cities, and advanced technology. They were growing basic plants and breeding animals. Also throughout Africa there were industrial advancements such as mining and agriculture, herding. Gold was a big economic item for Africa.Camel Caravans revolutionized trading. They could carry more and heavier items over a long distance. Clearly Africa had developed a complex society, which was soon all taken away. Slavery had an extreme impact on the African- American culture. This treatment is not solely just because of their treatment in the New World. There was also destruction of their culture, removal from heritage, and their inability to communicate as slaves, all plagued the African- American culture in the New World. They were separated from their families, and cultural items such as drums. Which were used to communicate.Also the Africans had a lost of identity, their real names were ignored by slave masters, in result the masters gave the slaves created names. Not only was everything taken away he Africans, were not allowed to perform their homeland rituals or practice their own religion. Everything was part of their life was no longer a part of their life. Section 3 In the 15th century the Atlantic slave trade rise in the country of, Africa. Europeans at first went to Africa to trade for gold but, as they expanded there colonies into the New World they needed more people in the work force.Spaniards had introduced slaves to the Europeans, Europeans took the opportunity and saw that slavery Was Very helpful, to provide for them. The slave trade changed the Africans perspective of economy. The Africans used o fight for gold but now, they compete to see who got the most slaves to produce to the slave trade. Even though those who dealt the slaves were greatly helped by it, the slaves them selves they became knowledgeable about what was happening and started to run trying to escape. The slaves were just another source of money, contributing to the economy.The Atlantic slave trade changed the idea of all Africans. The citizens became less interested in gold but instead human commerce, capturing and exporting slaves. The Africans stopped trading goods other than slaves which resulted in people focusing all there attention to the European commerce. The Atlantic slave trade commercialese Africans economy, prevented them from creating a system of capitalism and industrialization. The African slave traders became obsessed with goods the Europeans give them in exchange for slaves.Most common goods exchanged for slaves were, gunpowder, brandy, cloth, glassware, salt and iron. The Africans were obsessed with the goods but the slaves they were trading for them were mostly men. The demographics were affected greatly, concept of family changed and family roles changed due to the lose of men. The women were forced to do male task in business and economy. The gained amount of women in the economy was a bad thing because they were very inexperience and they mostly focused on how to improve their home economic conditions instead of the whole countries economic condition.

From Angus to Erlenmeyer Media Coverage of Lab Manufactured Meat

Abstract/Summary The following paper analyzes the coverage of lab manufactured meat in eleven different articles from a selection of online and traditional media as well as academic journals.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on From Angus to Erlenmeyer: Media Coverage of Lab Manufactured Meat specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The articles range in date from 2005 through to 2011 and cover various elements of the issues surrounding lab manufactured or in vitro meat, including the ethical concerns, the economic ramifications, the scientific viability of lab manufactured meat and the perceived environmental benefits of this technology. The report found that the portrayal of lab manufactured meat in the media spent the balance of coverage on the so-called ‘yuck’ factor, namely, that lab manufactured meat does not come from a real animal, but from a laboratory; this coverage skewed the reader unfavourably towa rd the environmental and ethical benefits of lab manufactured meat. Introduction/Background The purpose of this research is threefold: one, the research seeks to ascertain how lab manufactured meat is portrayed in the media, specifically in regard to its environmental benefits, and how these perceived benefits measure up against the palatability of in vitro meat to the current meat eating consumer. Two, the research seeks to uncover the facts about lab manufactured meat – what is it, how is it made and what are the pros and cons associated with this burgeoning food industry. Thirdly, this report aims to identify the viability of lab manufactured meat as a replacement for mass meat or factory farming, with an eye to cost effectiveness, ethical elements, the impact to labour worldwide and effective management of the finite resources associated with the mass meat farming techniques, particularly water, grazing areas and reduction of green house gas production. The technology ass ociated with lab manufactured meat has been around since the 1980s. Essentially lab manufactured meat takes ‘stem cells from a biopsy of a live animal, or a piece of flesh from a slaughtered animal, and [places] them in a three-dimensional growth medium – a sort of scaffolding made of proteins. Bathed in a nutritional mix of glucose, amino acids and minerals, the stem cells multiply and differentiate into muscle cells, which eventually form muscle fibres. Those fibres are then harvested for a minced-meat product’ (Raizel, 2005, p.76).Advertising Looking for report on communications media? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Lab manufactured meat is created within a piece of equipment called a ‘bioreactor, a fancy name for something as small as a Petri dish or as large as an industrial 10,000 litre vessel. Producing the tissue takes between four and five weeks, whether or not you are making one kilogram o r one tonne’ (Lee, 2010, p.6). The science around lab manufactured meat is still in its infancy; lab manufactured is expensive to produce and currently a means to mass produce lab manufactured meat does not exist. ‘One kilogram (2.2 pounds) of in vitro meat costs thousands of dollars to grow, with much of that money spent on the broth’s ingredients. [Scientists] †¦predict that the expenses will come down in about 10 years and that in vitro meat could sell for as little as $1 per kilogram’ (Jozefowicz, 2007, p. 7). Lab manufactured meat offers a real alternative to factory farming, and herein lies the issue at the heart of the research. According to Specter (2009) ‘part of the motivation for growing meat in laboratories is animal welfare: billions of cows, chickens and pigs would no longer spend their lives force-fed grain and antibiotics or cooped up in factory farms’ (Specter, 2009, n.p.). The mass meat farming industry generates billion s of dollars per year and employs millions of individuals all over the globe. According to Steinfeld et al (2006) ‘the livestock sector†¦accounts for 40 per cent of agricultural gross domestic product†¦it employs 1.3 billion people and creates livelihoods for one billion of the world’s poor. Livestock products [also] provide one third of humanity’s protein intake’ (Steinfeld et al, 2006, p. 22). Globally, the mass meat or factory farming industries utilize vast amounts of natural resources. According to Steinfeld et al (2006), the aggregate area of land allotted to grazing is ‘equivalent to 26 per cent of the ice free terrestrial surface of the planet. In addition, the total area dedicated to feed crop production amounts to 33 per cent of total arable land. In all, livestock production accounts for 70 per cent of all agricultural land’ (Steinfeld et al, 2006, p. 23). As the human population increases, the vast usage of resources will only continue to climb, causing more environmental damage in its wake. Steinfeld et al (2006) state that ‘70 per cent of previous forested land in the Amazon is occupied by pastures and feed crops [cover] a large part of the remainder’ (Steinfeld et al, 2006, p. 23). All of this points to the fact that meat consumption has become problematic. According to Specter (2011) ‘the global livestock industry is responsible for nearly twenty per cent of humanity’s greenhouse-gas emissions.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on From Angus to Erlenmeyer: Media Coverage of Lab Manufactured Meat specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Cattle consume nearly ten per cent of the world’s freshwater resources, and eighty per cent of all farmland is devoted to the production of meat. The consequences of eating meat, and our increasing reliance on factory farms, are almost as disturbing for human healthâ€℠¢ (Specter, 2011, p. 32). As an organization, the mass meat farming lobby gives voice to the millions of people who depend on this way of farming for their livelihoods – the farmers themselves, the grocery stores that sell the meat to the consumer, the people that manufacture the farming equipment – the list goes on (Miller, 2008, p.8). Taken in global context the mass meat farming industry affects billions the world over; the mass meat farming industry is a ‘structure based on collective and communal relationships†¦complex team structures†¦that eschew hierarchy in favour of flat organizational forms and structures that cross boundaries of time and space’ (Miller, 2008, p.10). In this sense, the mass meat farming lobby can be thought of a more complex organization; the traditional way of mass meat farming that the meat industry supports has a social and political presence that lab manufactured meat would have a significant destabilizing effect up on. While it is true that lab manufactured meat can be produced ‘by placing a few cells in a nutrient mixture that helps them proliferate†¦which could, in theory, be sold, cooked, and consumed like any processed meat,’ there are many other cultural, social and economic factors that this technology touches upon (Specter, 2011, p. 32). Lab manufactured meat offers an opportunity for many of the more harmful elements of meats such as saturated fat to be chemically altered so that they are reduced or do not exist at all, which offers real benefit to the millions of people worldwide who suffer from obesity, heart disease and high blood pressure. International patents have been issued for the development of this technology, and stakeholders from Europe and the U.S., ‘propelled by an unlikely combination of stem-cell biologists, tissue engineers, animal-rights activists, and environmentalists, [have] emerged in support of scientific teams working at universities all over the globe’ (Specter, 2011, p. 32). Lab manufactured meat triggers powerful discussions that reach far beyond the confines of the food industry, and affect ‘what most people see as the boundaries of nature and the basic definitions of life’ (Specter, 2011, p. 32). The goal of lab manufactured meat, according to biologist Mark Post, is ‘to create the volume previously provided by a million animals’ (Specter, 2011, p. 32).Advertising Looking for report on communications media? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Scientific goals aside, the moral and ethical debate growing around the implementation of lab manufactured meat may ‘ultimately prove†¦intractable’ (Specter, 2011, p. 32). Lab manufactured meat therefore is an issue with far reaching tentacles; the mass meat industry is truly a global organization. A change in the current factory farming practices would reverberate around the world and would affect labour and economic markets around the world (Miller, 2008, p.260) Literature Review Postdoctoral research fellow Jennifer Jacquet of the University of British Columbia states that ‘eating less meat would relieve a bit of pressure on our sullied atmosphere by lightening the methane load†¦by roughly 10 kilowatt hours per day—more than double what you’d save by changing lights to fluorescents’ (Jacquet 2009, n.p.). However, environmental benefits aside, Jacquet (2009) finds that in vitro meat misses the point that eating meat itself is not o nly bad for the planet but bad for the human species. In Jacquet’s (2009) words, ‘in-vitro meat does nothing to address the deeper, systemic issues of food production—we should be getting more intimate with our food by growing gardens, eating locally, and getting healthy. The Frankenmeat solution is one-dimensional. It addresses a symptom, but not the problem: We eat too much meat’ (Jacquet 2009, n.p.). A number of articles in the review see lab manufactured meat as a way to end the cruelty associated with current modes of factory farming which are inherently harmful and destructive to animals, and encourage a view of animals that is exploitative, inhumane and dismissive of their sentient status. According to NPR.org (2011), ‘there is something inherently creepy about†¦growing meat in labs†¦but there is something more inherently creepy about the way we deal with the animals that we eat†¦. They live a horrible life, and they often die q uite cruelly. So the idea of being able to eliminate some of that is extremely exciting for a lot of people’ (NPR.org, 2011, n.p.). Similarly, Lee (2010) points out that ‘in vitro meat would†¦be free from hormones and antibiotics as well as contaminates such as salmonella and campylobacter. Its fat content could be tightly controlled and, because you could have a bioreactor anywhere in the world, meat production could become more dispersed’ (Lee, 2010, p.7). Several of the articles observed in this report go beyond the scientific and socio economic ramifications lab manufactured meat to draw attention to the wide spread cultural changes that this technology would exact if and when it is implemented fully. Of particular concern for several publications is the whole scale change that lab manufactured meat would render between the fate of the farm, the farmer and the domestic animal. According to the New York Times (2008), ‘there is every reason to change the way meat is produced, to make it more ethical, more humane. But the result of the technology that PETA hopes to reward could be the end of domesticated farm animals. This has often seemed as if it were the logical conclusion of some radical animal-rights activists: better for animals not to exist at all if there is a chance that they would suffer’ (New York Times, 2008, p. 20). Aside from this rather extreme editorial stance, the New York Times (2008) goes on to advocate ‘a more measured approach. Ensure the least possible cruelty to animals†¦raise them in ways that are both ethical and environmentally sound. But also treasure the cultural and historical bond between humans and domesticated animals. Historically speaking, they exist only because of the uses we have found for them, and preserving their existence means†¦preserving the uses we have made for them. It will be a barren world if the herds and flocks disappear in favour of meat grown in a laborat ory tank’ (New York Times, 2008, p. 20). Similarly, other articles broach the topic of the revolutionary changes that lab manufactured meat would engender in the food industry as whole. Culturally, the meat industry represents an ancient organization that holds ancient ‘attitudes, beliefs, behaviours†¦and cultural consciousness’ about the nature of civilization itself (Miller, 2008, p. 261). According to Lee (2010): ‘In vitro meat bears no resemblance to food production as we know it – it doesn’t involve a farmer, land, or even a real animal. At the same time, when considered next to the factory farms exposed in films like Food Inc. or Pig Business – it is cruelty-free, low carbon and potentially environmentally-friendly. What we would stand to lose with cultured meat is the whole idea of provenance the local, well-reared, skilfully butchered cut of meat. And with it, the kinds of small, family farms and communities that support it ’ (Lee, 2010, p. 7). There are of course economic and labour ramifications for workers who rely on the traditional forms of farming: these include small to medium sized farms that rear meat, workers the world over involved in managing and herding grazing herds and the meat industry itself. According to Lee (2010), the lab manufactured meat lobby group is not popular with the farmers, and the ‘supporters of small farms are sceptical. Soil Association spokesperson Clio Turton says, we haven’t seen any evidence that [lab manufactured meat] this is safe for human consumption. There may be unforeseen consequences of growing meat this way. Growing meat in a Petri dish is odd. We can’t imagine it would replace meat production in the UK’ (Lee, 2010, p. 7). Researchers appear divided not only on the viability of this technology, but also on its overall purpose. According to Jacquet (2009), ‘laboratory-made meat†¦might relieve the guilt of the scie ntifically minded and environmentally aware, but beyond that, its advantages are as-yet unclear: because let’s face it, a centralized, high-tech model of food production is not likely to solve wholesale hunger issues, nor is it likely to appeal to the â€Å"down home cookin’† contingent. In-vitro meat won’t cure obesity. And it won’t change people’s nutritional needs’ (Jacquet 2009, n.p.). Research Questions Once the eleven articles had been chosen and assembled, the research questions were organized as follows: How do the online, traditional and academic media portray lab manufactured or in vitro meat? How do the online, traditional and academic media portray science? How do the online, traditional and academic media portray the meat industry? What are the implications of these media’s portrayal of lab manufactured meat on public perception of this burgeoning food technology? What are the possible cultural and socioeconomic r amifications of lab manufactured meat? Methods When conducting the research around in vitro meat, the researcher gave each article two close readings. The first reading sought to discover and detail the psychological and emotional impact that the articles had upon the researcher, and by extension, the media consumer, using the research questions as a guide. In order to achieve this, the researcher had to act from an uninformed place, having no prior knowledge of the topic. The researcher also needed to relate to the subject matter emotionally and psychologically open and neutral, with no stake in the information being purveyed by the articles and lacking an agenda to confront the subject matter, i.e. not as a scientist, animal rights activist or meat farmer. The second close reading undertaken by the researcher looked at the cultural and social biases implicit in the articles themselves. The articles on the whole share a point of view toward the science around in vitro meat or lab manufactured meat, and this point of view heavily favours the continuation of â€Å"natural† – i.e.: farmed livestock – which speaks to a larger cultural bias that will be covered later on in the paper (Miller, 2008, p.81). It is unclear from the readings whether or not the authors of the articles are aware of this bias, however the articles on the whole create contentiousness between science and consumers on the basis of taste – how lab manufactured meat will taste specifically, when compared to â€Å"real† meat. The media largely portray the scientific community as being unconcerned about how the lab manufactured meat will taste and focused instead on its environmental benefits. An example of this occurs in Fox (2009): ‘enthusiasts are persuaded by [lab manufactured meat’s] ‘green’ credentials. My main concern is environmental, says Stig Omholt of the Norwegian University of Life Sciences in As. If meat consumption doubl es by 2050, many forests will go and the calculations are very grim’ (Fox, 2009, p. 873). In the second close reading the researcher also looked at the impetus behind in vitro meat, specifically, why does this technology warrant coverage? Why are scientists pursuing this line of research? The answer lies in a host of problems facing the human species which centre largely on population control and the realization that the current food production paradigm remains unsustainable; there is simply not enough land and water to support it. The large network of people and livelihoods involved in the current food production paradigm, i.e. food grown in international destinations and shipped globally, will need to find ways to adapt to this reality. Findings The observations gleaned from the close reading given these eleven sources can be grouped into four headings: headlines, tone, treatment of science and article layout. Each of these findings generated a specific psychological impact upon the researcher which encouraged a feeling of revulsion toward lab manufactured or in vitro meat, regardless of the numerous benefits that this technology would bring to the environment, not to mention the ethical treatment of animals that this technology would support. Headlines Seven out of the eleven articles reviewed for this report contained a headline which evoked a negative response to the science as well as the concept of lab manufactured meat itself. The placement of these headlines, at the article’s outset, effectively swayed the researcher’s point of view toward the negative and effectively coloured the experience of reading the article. Examples of this phenomenon from each article are as follows: ‘Test tube meat on the menu’ (Fox, 2009, p. 873); ‘Test-Tube Meat: Coming Soon to a Plate Near You’ (Huffington Post, 2011, n.p.); ‘Pass the In Vitro Loaf’(Institute of Industrial Engineers, 2005, p. 66); ‘Mystery Meat’ (Jozefowicz, 2007, p. 6); ‘Burgers from a Lab’ (NPR.org, 2011, n.p.); ‘Test Tube Burgers’ (Specter, 2011, p. 32), and ‘Would you Eat Lab Engineered Meat?’ (Zimmer, 2011, n.p.). Seven out of the eleven articles researched began with a negative connotation that sustained itself throughout the article. Tone Of the eleven articles profiled in this report, each contained an acerbic tone in its coverage of the both the concept of lab manufactured meat and the science behind it, and actively promoted dividedness between the scientific community and consumers. Fox (2009) states that ‘the mere mention of lab-grown meat – an assortment of projects to produce beef, pork or chicken proteins in industrial-scale cell cultures – evokes enthusiasm at one end of the spectrum and caustic criticism at the other. I wonder if you can get people to eat that stuff, says Michael Hansen of Consumers Union in Yonkers, New York. There are safety questions, technical problems and a very huge yuck factor to deal with, he says’ (Fox, 2009, p. 873). In an article with the headline Test-Tube Meat: Coming Soon To A Plate Near You, the lead states ‘it sounds improbable – and more than a little creepy – to eat meat produced in a lab’ (Huffington Post, 2011, n.p.). Similarly, in an article published by the Institute of Industrial Engineers (2009), lab manufactured meat ‘experiments with fish tissue have created small amounts of in vitro meat in NASA experiments researching potential food products for long-term space travel, where storage is a problem. To grow meat on a large scale, cells from several different kinds of tissue, including muscle and fat, would be needed to give meat the texture to appeal to the human palate, say scientists’ (Institute of Industrial Engineers, 2009, p. 66). Treatment of Science Within the literature surveyed, the science behind lab manufactured mea t often receives a slightly biased approach, specifically in linking scientists with so called special interest groups such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Nylander, 2011, n.p.). Since special interest groups by definition are invested in the outcome of the research, these media create a certain lack of objectivity in the science surrounding lab manufactured meat by association. Also, a certain quack science feel infiltrated some of the articles through their depiction of scientists. An example of this exists in Nylander (2011), who profiled biologist Vladimir Mironov: ‘About 10 years ago, Mironov’s research dream to grow â€Å"cultured meat† became reality when he was awarded a grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for cardiovascular tissue engineering. He landed the grant with the help of Dr. Helen Lane, a top NASA food expert that Mironov invited to a workshop he hosted. But the research is no longer funded by NASA , and Mironov said he was told that NASA was moving towards researching transgenic plants as a source of protein. Now Mironov, along with Genovese, are funded by a three-year grant from the animal rights activists People of Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)’ (Nylander, 2011, n.p.). The fact that the biologist’s work was dropped by NASA effectively erodes some of the credibility from Mironov’s work; whether or not this is conscious on the part of the author remains unclear, however the effect distanced the researcher from the content, and would likely have the same effect on the reader. Furthermore, in a latter part of the article utilizes the heading â€Å"Yuck factor† and goes on to delineate (Nylander, 2011, n.p.): ‘A tissue engineer by trade, [Mironov] has taken embryonic muscle cells called myoblasts, which turn into muscle, from turkey, bathed them in a bovine serum and then grown animal muscle tissue. We are working on very small scale using NASA synthecon bioreactor and porous edible chitosan spheres seeded with myoblasts from edible animals. The cultured meat choice confronting tomorrow’s shoppers will be similar to today’s options in the meat department’ (Nylander, 2011, n.p.). Although the information shared in this section is useful and vital to an understanding of lab manufactured meat, the section heading – yuck factor – potentially undercuts the value of the information to the reader. Similarly, when the article uses other opinions to react to Mironov’s work, they are written in a forceful style that sticks with the reader, through the effective use of quotes. For example, Nylander (2011) quotes a certain Mr. Sam Bowen, a bar manager in Columbia, South Carolina, as saying that ‘one of the biggest things that people enjoy as a comfort thing is food†¦and until people grow up with the idea of artificial meat, it’s going to be hard to convince people other wise’ (Nylander, 2011, n.p.). Mironov does not receive a similarly effective or forceful quote within the article; instead, he is largely paraphrased, appearing in a direct quote in the following example, ‘[Mironov] says cultured meat will be functional, natural, designed food, arguing that modified food is already common practice, and not harmful’ (Nylander, 2011, n.p.). The weakness of the quotes used to introduce the biologist to the reader in effect further undercuts the viability of his research. According to Nylander (2011), the biologist Mironov is part of ‘a team of researchers who have been invited to a European Science Foundation workshop on in-vitro meat in Gothenburg, Sweden in August to discuss the obstacles they all share. Funding is one of the biggest hurdles. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture, among other organizations like NASA, won’t fund the research’ (Nylander, 2011, n.p.). Again, the proximity of Mironovâ€⠄¢s work being refused by funding bodies renders the message of his work diminished. Article Layout A number of the articles researched chose a specific location within the text to imbed the negative portrayal of lab manufactured or in vitro meat – the end of the text. This so called â€Å"last word† placement of the negative portrayal of lab manufactured meat successfully lingered in the mind of the researcher, as it was the last word, and by definition the strongest and most readily recalled element of the articles. For example, in the article published by the Institute of Industrial Engineers (2009), the last line of the article states that scientists ‘also concede that it might take some work to convince consumers to eat cultured muscle meat,’ effectively nullifying the information shared in the earlier parts of the article (Institute of Industrial Engineers, 2009, p. 66). Only one of the eleven articles reviewed ended with a relatively positive view o f the technology and the scientists who champion it: ‘We are ready but venture capitalists and federal agencies are not†¦but the time will come’ (Nylander, 2011, n.p.) Discussion and Conclusion In vitro or lab manufactured meat technology does not offer a viable alternative to factory farmed meat at present; estimates as to how long it will before in vitro meat is available in conventional grocery stores hover at around twenty years. That said, the technology does effectively highlight the unsustainable nature of the current food production model, particularly in the domain of meat. Much of the literature touts the advantage of lab manufactured meat to parts of the world where shortages in arable land and water would render traditional modes of meat farming impossible. For example in countries in Asia such as India and Singapore where the consumption of meat is on the rise, scientists have remarked that there is ‘significant interest’ in the technology behind lab manufactured meat (Lee, 2010, p. 7). However, many of these countries depend on the current factory farming model, especially the grazing of herds, and the loss of that revenue would render these countries less able to invest in the technology required to produce in vitro meat. Other articles draw attention to the fact that should the production of lab manufactured meat supplant so-called natural meat, the fate of domestic animals remains to be seen. Domestic animals that were not raised for meat consumption would presumable still be used for other purposes; however, the care and feeding of these large numbers of animals left superfluous by in vitro meat would require a comprehensive and qualitatively new farming strategy. Overall more than 50 per cent of the literature reviewed raised scepticism as to the viability of lab manufactured meat, and offered a less than flattering assessment of the science behind it, choosing to emphasize the cost involved in lab manufactured while often not equally balancing the cost of the factory farm within the article. Also, overwhelming emphasis placed on the perceived reluctance of the consumer to eat in vitro or lab manufactured meat pervaded most of the articles researched. The fact is, factory farming exacts huge costs on the environment, including air quality, land usage, water, deforestation and pollution. It also exacts costs on the animals that are slaughtered, as well as the people who ingest harmful fats, growth hormone, pesticides, veterinary drugs, and heavy metals when they eat the animals. Above all, the factory faming model cannot be sustain the human species; all this points to the needs for a radical shift in food production. Though essentially a new form of food technology, lab manufactured meat represents a complex cultural issue with global ramifications. According to Miller (2008), ‘globalization leads to disembedded organizations and people. In a global society, behaviour and interactio n are often lifted from their local context and restructured across time and space†¦cultural consciousness and self reflexivity is a requirement for organizational and individual well being’ (Miller, 2008, p. 261). The more lab manufactured meat enters into the mainstream of cultural consciousness, the greater the rate of change felt across traditional lines of farming, civilization, the relationship between humans and animals and the fate of domestic animals will be experienced. Effective environmental stewardship dictates that the unsustainable nature of the current mass meat industry method of factory farming must evolve if the planet’s resources are to be preserved for future generations. Whether or not in vitro or lab manufactured meat will provide a viable alternative for meat eaters remains to be determined. References Fox, J. L. (2009) Test tube meat on the menu? Nature Biotechnology, 27(10), 873. Huffington Post (2011, May 26), ‘Test-Tube Meat: Comi ng Soon To A Plate Near You? HuffPost Food. Available from:  https://www.huffpost.com/entry/test-tube-meat_n_864217 . Institute of Industrial Engineers (2005). Pass the in vitro loaf, Industrial Engineer 37 (9), 66. Jacquet, J. (2009, August 31) Even if meat isn’t murder, that doesn’t mean it’s good for you. Available from web. Jozefowicz, C. (2007), Mystery Meat. Current Science, 92 (14), 6-7. Lee, M. (2010), Lab Grown Meat: A Low-Fat, Low-Carbon, Cruelty-Free Future? Ecologist, 40 (11), p. 6-7. Miller, K. (2008), Organizational Communication – Approaches and Processes. 5th edition. Stamford, CT, Cengage Learning. New York Times (2008, April 23), Million-Dollar Meat. New York Times, p. 20, NPR.org (2011, May 18) Burgers from a Lab: The World of In Vitro Meat. Fresh Air [online]. Available from:  https://www.npr.org/2011/05/18/136402034/burgers-from-a-lab-the-world-of-in-vitro-meat . Nylander, J. (2011), Meat-Lovers get Food for Thought in Futuristic Lab. Swedish Wire (Katthammarsvik) [online]. Available from web. Raizel, R. (2005, December 11), In Vitro Meat. New York Times Magazine, 76. Specter, M. (2011, May 23) Test Tube Burgers, The New Yorker, 32. Available from:  https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2011/05/23/test-tube-burgers . Steinfeld, H. et al (2006), Livestock’s Long Shadow: Environmental Issues and Options. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 1-26. Available from web. This report on From Angus to Erlenmeyer: Media Coverage of Lab Manufactured Meat was written and submitted by user Izaiah H. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Life in Ancient Rome essays

Life in Ancient Rome essays Romans of the Classical era built what was perhaps the greatest empire of all time. Roman civilization has served as a model or basis for much of Western culture. Roman engineers pioneered the use of concrete, glass windows, the dome, central heating, and apartment buildings. Roman roads, aqueducts, and buildings still survive. We still use the Roman alphabet, numerals, their system of months, religion, and marriage customs. Latin, the official language of the Roman Empire, is the basis of many modern languages, including Italian, Spanish, French, and English. As an Ancient civilization, Roman way of life formed a solid base for the ways of our present-day living. One can see the reflected, though improved, similarities first shaped hundreds of years ago that have remained essential concepts over time and still retain the original ideas created by the powerful Romans. From marriage customs to feminism, education, and the urban life, one can compare and contrast the ancient pa st with the present. Roman family was based on the unlimited power of the pater familias, or the male head of the family. By the second century of this era, this idea had disappeared completely along with the fathers absolute authority over his children and wife. While mans power weakened, the laws of marriage were modernized into what we believe our present day system is derived from. This new form of marriage consisted of a reciprocal engagement entered into by a young couple with the consent of their fathers and in the presence of a certain number of relatives and friends. Is seems that this newly founded procedure has not changed since it first originated in the second century AD. As is custom today, the concrete symbol of the betrothal was the gift to the girl from her fianc of a number of presents, more or less costly, and a ring. In the presence of the guests the girl ...