A utilitarian approach to poverty Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

A utilitarian approach to poverty - Essay Example Singer further argues that people in rich countries spend their income on things which are effectively useless for them. Singer therefore argues that if people can actually curtail their expenses on unnecessary things and donate them, they can actually contribute towards the improvement in the lives of many. Singer’s thesis is critically more important because it outlines the need to have a broader and compassionate view of the poor of the world and how their lives can be improved with just little bit of effort. Singer therefore suggests that rich should help poor because their help will actually result into greater good for the greatest number of people. He also provides the analogy of Bob Bugati and suggests how people from developed world actually ignore how a small time effort can save lives. Singer than suggests that there may be certain objections as to whether the funds donated or the help provided by the Westerners actually end up being utilized properly. There is a cl ear argument of whether the aid or the donations offered at the personal level can actually be utilized for the purpose for which they are given. This argument however, been discussed from the point of view how a little bit of research can actually help anyone to find out credible organizations which utilize the overall donations in fair manner. Underlying the arguments of Singer is probably the implicit assumption that money can actually buy happiness. Singer argues that financial donations and help from the rich can actually fulfill the basic and smaller needs of the poor. This ultimately translates into better and improved quality of the life for poor and may pave way for them to engage themselves into something meaningful. The argument of Bob Bugati however, also presents an alternative view of how money can actually restrict rich to help poor as people like Bob may value money and their financial belongings more than the lives of poor living thousands miles away. Singer therefo re, appears to be offering both the views that money can actually buy happiness while at the other hand, expensive financial possessions of the individuals can actually deter them to look for helping poor. The overall arguments of Singer are relatively straight forward however, there may be certain point of contention based upon which the overall disagreement can be made. First, the implicit assumption that money can actually buy happiness for the people may not be entirely correct argument. Though, money may be the most essential thing for the survival of the people in poor countries however, there is a need to actually view happiness from multi-dimensional purpose. By associating utility with the consumption of wealth can actually be a flawed argument considering the fact that poor countries have relatively higher level of happiness index value as compared to the countries where wealth is relatively high. Considering this from the perspective of Marxian analysis, one needs to argu e as to how to determine what is actually good for the people. To investigate as to what is essentially good for the people may be relatively difficult task because even providing foreign aid may not result into the creation of greater good for the poor because of corruption and other structural issues. Marxian criticism also suggests that

Prius automatically switches Essay Example for Free

Prius automatically switches Essay There are many reasons why people want a revolutionary car. Some enthusiasts enthuse about scientific and technological advances and want the latest gizmos. Others rebel against fuel price increases, even though fuel is cheaper than it has been for decades. Finally, people are ‘concerned about the environment’. Hoping that all the above was true and looking to grab a technological advantage over other car manufacturers; in 2000 Toyota introduced Prius, their first hybrid car. Prius means ‘to go before’, so is a name that may be very prophetic. The Prius and the Honda Insight are the first in a wave of hybrid family cars coming out ahead of similar vehicles from GM, Ford and Daimler Chrysler. At first glance, the Prius seems to have a lot going for it. It combines a 1. 5 litre, four cylinder petrol engine and a 33-kilowatt electric motor. It comfortably seats five, if the three in the back aren’t too tall or too big and has 0,34 cubic meters of luggage space. The electric motor starts the car and operates at low speeds, using a nickel metal-hydride battery.   Under normal motorway conditions, it should get 28 km per liter. The downside is that the Prius is no muscle car. It also costs about 4,000 euros more than the Toyota Echo, although they are nearly the same car. Of course, getting twice as many kilometers per liter of petrol will help to offset the price differential. Assuming the range and a typical 2002 price of one euro per liter, the Prius owner would have to buy 4,000 liters of petrol, enough fuel for 112,000 km, which could take years. Of course, if prices were to rise drastically, that could change. But even if prices doubled-which is not likely-you’d have to drive more than 50,000 km to make up the initial price difference. The picture gets even gloomier when you realize that no one is going to get the estimated fuel consumption anyway. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has admitted that its testing procedure overstates petrol mileage by as much as 15 per cent. It tests cars on a chassis dynamometer, where the driven wheels turn freely on a set of rotating drums-far from normal driving conditions. In addition, hybrids use regenerative braking to recharge their batteries, with the result that braking during the EPA driving cycle is feeding more energy back into the system, boosting estimated petrol mileage. Although this offers a fuel saving, the overall cost of ownership looks less attractive. Compared with the family ‘Car of the Year 2004’, the conventionally powered Toyota Avensis 1. 8 T3-S, the Prius looks poor value. Although the Prius saves on fuel, its overall running cost comes out higher than that of the equivalent Avensis. The reason is its 25 per cent higher service or contract hire cost. On the brighter side, Toyota and its competitors believe that costs will decrease once production of hybrids begins to yield economies of scale. The benefits of scale would not stop with the producer. For example, a major part of the cost of the car is the nickel metal-hydride batteries. A company such as Panasonic could reduce the cost of producing batteries through research and development, it the market merited such an investment and could further reduce the price of batteries through its own economies of scale. However, realizing that cost reductions are a way off that fuel savings aren’t going to be the key to convincing people to purchase the Prius, car manufacturers have asked for tax incentives to stimulate purchase of clean-fuel and high-mileage cars. Several governments are providing incentives to people to buy hybrid cars. The US government offers $ 2,000 federal income-reduction and the UK government offers reduced car tax on initial purchase. Electric car drivers can also avoid London’s GBP 5 per day Congestion Charge. Are consumers ready for hybrids? Do improved gas mileage and emissions standards affect their buying decision? A glance at car sales in the last 10 years would suggest not. The biggest sales growth was in gas-guzzling 4 x 4s. After all, we rarely saw Range Rovers 10 years ago, now they’re a fairly common sight. People, it seems, think it’s a good idea for their neighbors to drive green machines, not themselves. Actually, when the Prius was introduced, it flew out of dealer’s showrooms. Between July and October 2000, Toyota sold 2,610 Priuses and had difficulty keeping up with demand. By the end of October 2000, the cars were waitlisted until January. Of course, much of that sales success is attributable to Toyota’s clever marketing. Two years before introduction, Toyota began educating consumers about the Prius. The company established a website to distribute information and also sent e-brochures to 40,000 likely buyers just before the introduction. Within two weeks. Toyota sold 1,800 cars based on the email message. In all, Toyota spent â‚ ¬15 million in 2002 promoting the Prius. There were print ads in magazines, but the bulk of the campaign was in television advertising. Ads running before the actual introduction used the tag line ‘A car that sometimes runs on gas power and sometimes runs on electric power, from a company that always runs on brain power. These ads helped to position Toyota as an ‘environmentally concerned’ company and more subtly stressed the technology aspect of the car. After introduction, the ads appealed more to emotion, with tag lines such as ‘ When it sees red, it charges’ – a reference to the car’s recharging at traffic lights. The headline captured the consumer’s attention through ambiguity. Only through focusing on the ad could the consumer learn why the headline was accurate. Again, the appeal is based on the technology of the car. Finally, Toyota took advantage of Earth Day to send out green seed cards shaped like Toyota’s logo to prospective buyers, wrapped some Priuses in green, and gave away cars at Earth Day events. Of course, â‚ ¬15 million is just a drop in the ocean compared to Toyota’s overall marketing budget of â‚ ¬ 200 million in 2002, but Toyota was satisfied with the effectiveness of the campaign, given the ‘newness’ of the car and the need to explain its technology. Much of this success can also be attributed to the narrow targeting of the ads. The company expected the first hybrid car buyers to be ‘techies’ and early adopters (people who are highly likely to buy something new). They were right. Many Prius owners are immersed in thee technology. They flood chat rooms with discussion of the car. The Priusenvy. com website urges owners to ‘Kick some gas’. Owners immediately began tinkering with the car’s computer system. One owner was able to add cruise control (an option not offered by Toyota) by wiring in a few switches in the car’s computer system. The founder of priusenvy. com worked out how to use the car’s dashboard display screen to show files from his laptop, play video games, and took at rear-view images from a video camera pointed out of the back of the car. One Austrian consumer installed a sniffer – a device on the car’s computer network that monitors messages. With the sniffer, he will be able to hook up add- ons such as a MiniDisc Player, an MP3 player, a laptop computer and a TV tuner. In the past, owners using mechanical skills customized cars with paint, lowered bodies, and souped – up engines. In the future, customization may rely on being computer savvy. Even though the Internet was a major part of the Prius launch, Toyota does not sell the car from its website. Buyers go to prius. toyota. com online to pick a color and decide whether they want a CD player and floor mats- the only options available from Toyota. After that, the dealers get involved, but it takes specially trained salespeople to explain and promote the Prius. Consequently, only 75 per cent of Toyota dealers handle the car. Many of them are not happy about the need to train salespeople. And why should they be? Margins are higher on gas-guzzlers, which are also easier to sell. Given dealer reluctance and consumer resistance, why have Toyota and Honda spent so much on their hybrids? While part of the answer is government regulations, a bigger part of the answer is competition. All car manufacturers concede that they will eventually have to move to hybrids to raise petrol mileage and lower emissions, and all of them have plans to do so. Ford, for example, plans to introduce an Escape SUV that will get 17 km/litre. Daimler Chrysler says that 15 per cent of its sport-utility vehicles will be hybrids that will get 20 per cent better fuel efficiency than conventional vehicles. General Motors is betting on hybrid buses and trucks. Toyota hopes, however, that its early entry will be the basis for a system of hybrids from ultra compact ‘minicars’ to luxury saloons, sport-utility vehicles, and even commercial trucks,. The mass market, however, values space, comfort, and power. Although hybrids may have space and comfort, power would appear to be elusive. Without greater power, it will be interesting to see whether consumers, who like speed on those open autobahns and acceleration on alpine roads, will settle for a hybrid. Questions 1. Outline the major macroenvironmental factors-demographic, economic, natural, technological, political and cultural-that have affected the introduction and sales of the Toyota Prius. How has Toyota dealt with each of these factors? 2. Evaluate Toyota’s marketing strategy so far. What has Toyota done well? How might it improve its strategy? 3. In your opinion, what are the advantages of Toyota’s early entry into the hybrid market? What are the disadvantages? Should Toyota have waited- like Ford, GM and Daimler Chrysler? 4. What needs and reasons would drive someone to purchase a â€Å"green† car?

The Overuse Of Internet Surfing Media Essay

The Overuse Of Internet Surfing Media Essay We use the internet for our own favor and interest. It depends what we enjoy the internet surfing for; some like using instant messaging and face book. Now they are the most excessively used internet programs. Sometimes people do that in order to solve some mental disorders. Such as feeling isolated, or having lake of self-confidence. Meeting people over the internet and not having to meet them in person, solves their feeling of insecurity. Others are addicted to gaming on the internet, such as playing poker and chess. They are real life addictive games and having the opportunity to have them online, causes the same effect on them as they are in real life. There are many of internet addiction types like mental disorders cause people to reflect their sickness to their desired object of addiction. Some people are addictive to shopping, games, or drugs. In our case, the people addicted to the internet and computers have a lack of self-confidence and a tendency to feel shy in public. They are not capable to make a circle of friends as normal people do in their lives. So they choose making friends online, which is a much easier way for them to pursue their need. Also they use the internet as an escape from life troubles; whether its problems they face at home or outside in their daily life routines. Maybe playing some games or shopping online gives them the feeling of security within them. And helps them overcome their mental struggles. Basically, it makes them forget about their outside world and focus their attention to the inside wide world of the internet and computer use. This type of internet addiction, when people tend to gain their self-confidence through its usage is the most dangerous type of all. It could harm people, who are tending to get to know strangers through the internet chatting, It could lead to crimes such as theft and sexual harassment. It also causes them to neglect their outside world of communication and only feel secure while using the internet. Meaning they will tend to be more sociable and feel lively only while being on their computer; when this is the negative way of pursuing their careers and social life. The more time they spend online, the more they gain their self-esteem. Its like standing in front of a mirror before leaving their homes to go out, this way they make sure they look good and confident enough before they leave. Its the same for the internet use, after they get the security feeling within themselves. They feel completely relieved. The general causes of internet addiction are divided to certain categories; which lets us understand where the overuse of internet comes from. First thing we face generally is curiosity. Usually some of us are eager to know a lot about the technology which grows every day now. And most of these people are in their 40s and 50s. The ones who doesnt have enough information and practice with the internet use; so their curiosity drives them to start surfing the internet and learning the different ways of the computer use. Such as googgling (Google), chatting online or even gaming for the elders. The next category is the development and renewal of self. Exploring the internet is actually a self-development step; learning about it makes you in hold of everything in the world now. Connected is how you feel when you go through the internet. Its everything we use around the world now; nothing can go on without it. You can find anything concerning the subject of your interest easily and with full information about it. You need to update your look, you surf the internet. Or if there is a piece of information youd to like expand your understanding about. Certain types of food youd like to cook. Everything you need youll find through the internet, and especially if its a self-development and renewal situation. Surfing the internet made it easier for people who make researches and always in need of books to help them fulfill their search. Your desired book of interest can easily be found on the internet now. You no longer need to go to a library and search through the books to find your desired information to complete a research. Now you can go online, search the name of the book, and easily find quotations for it and a full biography about it and its author. You can even find the whole book to read instead of buying from a book store. The same goes to magazines and newspapers; if you have missed a weeks newspaper edition or a magazines issue. You can simply find it online, read it all and maybe save the needed pages for your record. The internet has made it so easy for people around the world to pursue their lives and careers outside or even from inside their homes. It has made everything easily accessible and far simpler. But that doesnt mean that it is the most trusted source of informat ion of all. Technology is definitely the reason why our lives are growing rapidly, and its why the world is connected to one another. Its the only way we get better at what we do, renew ourselves and explore what is around us. But we must still be wary of the Internet as it can be addictive and that is unhealthy. Its the reason why we ignore our lives, routines, and activities. Moving away from causes, this paper will now discuss the effects of Internet addiction The first effect of the internet addiction is obviously the amount of time wasted on it. Its usually more than the normal time that should be spent online. It used excessively, and sometimes out of control. Usually its used a lot when not needed at all; like when using face book more than 8 hours a day isnt necessary but you always feel the urge of needing to use it. When its nothing beneficial in the end; same for chatting online; some people have got a purpose of using it. Maybe to stay connected to their families overseas. But some others just go online all day long for the fun of it. They make new friends, or maybe just stay online because they feel like they need to be. Our second effect would be lack of sleep; since they use the internet excessively this way they are losing the feeling of sleep. The need of it isnt as important to them anymore. The computer symbolizes a huge importance in their lives now that taking care of their health is totally ignored. Also the location of the computer is a huge aspect of why you feel the urge to use it frequently. For example if you place it in the bedroom, it causes a big percentage of lack of sleep. Since its always there in front of you and it gets to be irresistible to use. The third effect would be a low job performance and having poor grades in school. People tend to be online more frequently at work, since they are always in access with their computers. Also some of them arent as busy so they use the computer as a way of entertainment. But the majority loses their focus on doing their jobs at work because of chatting too much online while attempting to do their required assignments. Teenagers tend to ignore their studies and prefer to stay online; therefore they get poor grades in school. Neglecting social relationships and activities is our fourth effect. While were staying online, there could be an important event or gathering going on and were not even paying attention to attend it. It could be a family gathering or even a friends birthday. Those things are important for us to participate in as they create our social relationships and shape our personalities. It also shows us the quality of life in some way or another. While gathering with people and sharing activities with them you tend to build your qualities and know your strengths and weaknesses within yourself. You start to recognize the outside world and its nature. Anger is a main symptom and effect of the internet addiction. Its usually obvious when someone starts to question your time spent online and then you start getting angry. Also it appears when youre offline and tense for not being online during the day. It shows on all of your actions during the day and effects your family and friends interactions. The feeling of the need to be online all the time gets you frustrated and it applies to all your daily activities. Giving away details to strangers is the most dangerous and common problem we face through internet addiction. The more you stay online and intend to make new friends and enter new networks; the more you stop thinking of the consequences which will occur later on. Strangers you get to know online could be criminals of any kind; such as sexual harassers, thieves or even drug dealers. The last symptom and effect of internet addiction is changes in your diet and eating speed. Being online too much makes you lose your appetite to food. Sometimes its the complete opposite; the more they stay online the more eat faster and with more quantities. Its like when youre watching television; you get caught in the movie or anything youre watching and keep eating. Thats how most overweight people get fatter. They are not conscious of their action while being caught in their addictive act. Internet addiction seems as uncontrollable and hard to get over. But there are several steps we should follow as our solutions to fixing the addictive act .They are very simple and easy steps to control all our previous symptoms and effects stated above. First of all we need to admit the problem were facing and our excessive use to the internet and the computer. Knowing that you have a problem and you need to work on it gives you an inner peace. It also gives you the push to be able to pass this phase of addiction and think of ways to work it all out. Or at least keep doing what you love most but still in a healthy way. The change of the location of your computer is a must. Its one of the main solutions for the addiction; as we stated before having it in your bedroom makes it feel irresistible to using the computer. You need to locate in a place which is uncomfortable for you. This will make you only use it for the needed purpose and for a short period of time and then go to your favorite place at home. For example, the living room to watch a movie or read a book in your small library. A password for your computer is very important to be able to decrease your use of the internet. Let you spouse or a family member change the password to only something they know. And only sign you in when you need to and for a specific calculated period of time. This way you will be able to control your usage wisely. Also you could have a Timer; which will control your time of usage. So if you use the internet for more than five hours a day, then decrease it to three hours for instance by using your timer. The last solution we should actively do is getting involved in several activities such as social clubs or fitness exercises. This way youre substituting your addiction with a healthier aspect which will involve you in a more sociable environment. And this will make you gain more confidence by time and make a circle of friends the right way. To conclude, there are no obvious reasons for way people are getting addicted to the internet but there are a lot of things drives us to use the internet .internet just a tool some people use it as skipping from life struggles and the things that made some people getting addicted to the internet could be general causes as use the internet for more knowledge, searching for anything that they need and also for making friends from all over the world, and there are some things considered as mental disorder like feeling lonely, depressed or feeling stress. But there are many effects caused by the internet addiction, lose the family sense, lack of sleep and caused back pains and headache also decreasing the social relationships. but there are some solutions the person who are addicted to the internet have to admit that he is addicted and know that very well (admitting that he have a problem) and start change computer location and put it in place that you dislike it ,never put it in sleepin g rooms because you will prefer playing or chatting then sleeping . And finally the person should make a specific hour for using the internet. Human have to know that they are the creditors of the technology so they shouldnt let the machines control them because machines doesnt have brains like human.so just if you use it smartly it wont ever effect you negatively.

A Modern Macbeth :: essays research papers

A Modern Macbeth   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When looking back on the recent decades or even last week, it is not difficult to find a Macbeth-like figure in mainstream American culture. In this it is meant that these individuals experience a downfall in an attempt to gain power. One such figure was former President Richard Nixon.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Nixon was long associated with American politics before his fall from grace. He was along time senator before finally being elected president in 1968. During his first term, his United States went through the Vietnam War and a period of economic inflation. In 1972 he was easily re-elected over Democrat nominee George McGovern. Almost unnoticed during his campaign was the arrest of five men connected with Nixon’s re-election committee. They had broken into the Democrats national head quarters in the Watergate apartment complex, in Washington D.C. They attempted to steal documents and place wire taps on the telephones. By March of 1973, through a federal inquiry, it had been brought to light that the burglars had connections with high government officials and Nixon’s closest aids. Despite Nixon and his lawyers best efforts, it was shown that the president had participated in the Watergate cover-up. On August 8, 1974 Nixon announced, without admitting g uilt, that he would resign. He left the Oval Office the next day: an obvious fall from grace.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  So how does this former leader of the free world compare to Macbeth? Before they achieved their positions of power to govern or rule all, both Nixon and Macbeth spent many years being heavily respected amongst their peers. Nixon spent many years as a respected congressman and Macbeth as a soldier and Thane of Glamis. They used the way people viewed them to their advantage to gain a position of power. Nixon used his experience to get him elected president. Macbeth was made Thane of Cawdor and eventually king. Once they both ascended to their respected roles they did whatever it took to protect themselves from any possible threats. Nixon cheated by trying to steal opponents campaign secrets thus giving him an unfair advantage.

A Memorable Family Occasion Essay

The return of my eldest brother from overseas after completing his medical studies in England was a memorable family occasion.  Every member of our family turned up at the airport with joy and expectations to await his arrival. As the plane taxied in, we wondered how he would look after his long absence, for he had returned only once for a holiday and that was four years back. At last, he appeared, taller and bulkier than ever, looking very different in his trendy clothes and a new hairdo. He had grown shades fairer. After we had exchanged hugs and greetings, he introduced to us his long-time girl friend who had also qualified as a doctor at the same university. We were thrilledbeyond words when he announced that the two of them had just been engaged. We went home to celebrate the double joy with a re-union dinner. Some of his old classmates, friends and our relatives, too, had been invited that night. A sumptuous dinner of various courses and delicacies was served with desserts and fruits to round off the meal. Throughout dinner, my brother entertained us with interesting tales of life in England and of his university experiences. That memorable day ended with great joy. We, his family, were especially proud of his achievements and his choice of a lovely girl. taxi To move slowly on the ground or on the surface of the water before takeoff or after landing thrilled extremely pleased sumptuous luxurious, lavish

Analysis Poem ‘No Coward Soul Is Mine’

No Coward Soul Is Mine by Emily Bronte No coward soul is mine, No trembler in the worlds storm-troubled sphere: I see Heavens glories shine, And faith shines equal, arming me from fear. O God within my breast. Almighty, ever-present Deity! Life — that in me has rest, As I — Undying Life — have power in Thee! Vain are the thousand creeds That move mens hearts: unutterably vain; Worthless as withered weeds, Or idlest froth amid the boundless main, To waken doubt in one Holding so fast by Thine infinity; So surely anchored on The steadfast Rock of immortality. With wide-embracing love Thy Spirit animates eternal years,Pervades and broods above, Changes, sustains, dissolves, creates, and rears. Though earth and man were gone, And suns and universes ceased to be, And Thou wert left alone, Every existence would exist in Thee. There is not room for Death, Nor atom that his might could render void: Thou — Thou art Being and Breath, And what Thou art may never be d estroyed. Analysis Connotative words:First stanzaIn the second line, storm-troubled has negative connotative meaning. Denotative meaning from storm is an extreme weather condition with very strong wind, heavy rain, and lighting; and the denotative meaning of trouble s to cause someone to have a problems or difficulties. The word storm-troubled is a compound verb that has connotative meaning an activity of destroying something with the powerful energy or an activity that can cause a dangerous effect. In the fourth line, shines has positive connotative meaning. The denotative meaning from shines as verb is to send out or reflect light; the connotative meaning is to show something or looks like. Also in fourth line, the word arming has positive connotative meaning. The word arming comes from word arm and affix  ¬Ã¢â‚¬â€œing. Arming then has meaning as verb.The denotative meaning from arm is part of body which consist of two long parts of the upper body that fixed to the shoulders and have hands at the end. The connotative meaning from arming is to embrace or to hug someone, also to save or to make safety from something.Second stanzaIn the first line, the word breast has positive connotative meaning. The denotative meaning from breast is part of body, especially has relation with women. The connotative meaning from this word is deep inside of heart. In this line the poet wants to show that she really believes in God, so that she says that God in her breast or in her deep inside of her heart. Fourth Stanza In the fourth line, Rock has positive connotative meaning. The denotation meaning of rock is the dry solid part of the Earth’s surface; stone. The connotative meaning of Rock here is the faith, beliefs, or religion that people have to have.Seventh StanzaIn the third line, Being and Breath has positive connotative meanings. The denotative meaning of being is a person or thing that exists or the state of existing; and breath is the air that goes into and o ut of lungs. The connotative meaning of those words is the One who only has the being forever or the One who can give a life or soul for the creature.

Perceptual Biases (Business Administration)

1. Despite the difficulties of making predictions, many people confidently make assertions about what will happen in the future because of various types of biases, constraints, perceptions, and expectations. Each person has their own experiences, influences, tastes, personalities, attitudes, and much more, creating unique perspectives that influence perception, objectivity, and rationality. As such, perceptions are controlled by three factors: the perceiver, the object being perceived, and the context in which people perceive.People align these factors to their own standards and consequentially, they always think they are â€Å"right. † This results in an above-average affect, where people almost always believe they are above average. This affect causes people to confidently make assertions despite the level of objective difficulty. 2. There are various perceptual and decision-making errors that cloud the judgments of many intelligent and powerful people. For example, when Ric k Wagoner predicted that bankruptcy would result in the â€Å"†¦liquidation of the company† (195), he may have used general impressions of bankruptcy to contaminate factual information.As such, he was a victim of the Halo Effect. His negative perceptions of bankruptcy clouded any positive indicators of its factual effectiveness. When investment analyst Marc Farber incorrectly predicted a slowdown in the Chinese market, he was perhaps affected by a hindsight bias. Having experienced so many market slowdowns in the past, such as the various recessions in the United States in addition to international examples like Japan, he likely thought he was a better analyst than he actually was.The hindsight bias prevented him from learning from the past; he was likely less skeptical about his own predictive skills than he should have been. When Vice President Joe Biden incorrectly predicted, â€Å"More people are going to be put to work this summer† (195), he was possibly a vi ctim of an overconfidence bias. This confidence may have prevented him from understanding the facts on employment, jumping to an optimistic conclusion prematurely. In addition, he may have been under substantial pressure to inspire the American public in light of the ongoing recession.When Robert Prechter incorrectly predicted, â€Å"†¦stock prices will go a lot lower† (195), he may have looked at initial market conditions without considering the macro perspective of market durability. As such, he was a victim of an anchoring bias, where he used only an initial assessment for his prediction without considering long-term data. Other types of biases include selective perception, contrast effects, stereotyping, and risk aversion, amongst others. 3.It is difficult to make accurate predictions because the only way we view the world is through our perceptions; what is to one person may not be to another. The key in many situations is to objectively understand how and why peopl e have certain perceptions. This understanding will allow for more accurate assessments, leading to better choices in life. It is also difficult to make predictions because of the complexity of communication. This complexity can sometimes cause people to overthink, such as when two people are dating, always second guessing their actions and their thoughts.It is often unadvisable to â€Å"overthink† situations where there may not be a clear explanation. Further, overthinking in one direction can harbor unwarranted negativity or inaccurate optimism. Lastly, there are many factors that people have no control over, such as plane crashes, sudden sickness, and forces of nature. These factors can cause even the most well thought out predictions to be inaccurate. As a result, people must always be prudent about what they assert. There must be evidence coupled with intrapersonal skills that can assure its objectivity.