Don Bosco essays

Wear Bosco articles John was conceived in 1815 in Recchi, Italy. At the point when John was two, his dad kicked the bucket rashly. As a kid, John lived on a ranch with his family doing the main thing they knew how, cultivating. Destitution and an absence of formal training in the home did not stop the development of John Bosco as an individual. His mom was without a doubt, figuring it out the significance of God throughout everyday life (sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca/rel/cath- Getting conventional instruction was a steady battle for John. The family accounts being what they were, his siblings felt that he was sitting around idly, vitality, also, cash and that it would be better for all on the off chance that he quit going to class and chipped away at the ranch, acquiring cash (sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca/rel/cath- At age nine John had a fantasy in which he saw himself changing youngsters from monsters into sheep. He concluded promptly to turn into a cleric and give his life to youngsters, and started without a moment's delay. He frequented each carnival and reasonable; figured out how to walk tight-ropes, do aerobatic exhibition, and become a sorcerer at the expense of a regularly broken nose (http://users.erols.com/saintpat/ss/0131.htm#john). He should have comprehended physical qualification for as a youth he was referred to and regarded as the town's trapeze artist and performer. Many would amass to observe his stunts. He was at that point ready to furnish intriguing amusement that would end with the rosary and a verbatim reiteration of the past Sunday's message. What was astounding is the reality that before any exhibition he would request that his crowd go along with him in petition. God was his companion This kinship with God turned out to be incredible and gradually John arranged for the brotherhood (sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca/rel/cath- In 1841 at 26 years old, John was appointed cleric. He was presently prepared to make his commitment toward poor people and destitute (sfn.saskatoon.sk.ca/rel/ca ... <!

Child and the Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Kid and the Law - Essay Example (B) Brief Facts In this issue Julie and Keith Morgan got hitched and sired 3 kids, in particular, Carly, Robbie, and George matured 16, 13 and 10 individually, additionally known to the nearby expert in Somerfield. Keith has been detained severally for managing in medications and insignificant robbery. Their youngsters were discovered pondering and standing around in the city on a Saturday evening. Carly was tanked and is supposedly captivating in prostitution. Robbie and George are blending in with more seasoned young men associated with crimes. The neighborhood Authority is concerned and wishes to secure and shield them. Issues 1. Regardless of whether the Social Services Department (nearby power) has any lawful expert in the two situations? 2. On the off chance that issue 1 is replied in the agreed, what are the forces and obligations of the Local position? 3. What is the Forum and method in the conditions? Law relevant a) The Adoption and Children’s Act, 2002 [cap 38] b) T he Children’s Act, 1989 [Cap 41] c) The Child Care Act, 2006 [cap 21] d) The Children’s Act, 2004 [cap 31] e) The Children and Young Persons Act, 2008 [cap 23] f) The Local Services Act, 1970 [cap 72] g) Case law. Goals of issues Issue No1: Yes. The neighborhood authority is vested with lawful forces and obligation to fare thee well and shield any kid from all types of misuse â€Å"(Children’s Act, 2004, s.17 and 18).† A nearby authority is a â€Å"non-metropolitan organization† accused of the obligation of ensuring and protecting kids who have been surrendered by their folks or who are being mishandled and dismissed (Nigel and Douglas, 2007, P.693). In like manner Section 1 and 7 of â€Å"the Local Authority Social Services Act (1970)†empowers Local specialists to ensure and shield defenseless kids. Also, Section 17 and 18 of â€Å"the Children’s Act 2004)† and Section 31(10) and 47 of â€Å"the Children’s Act (1989)â €  enable a position to explore the powerlessness, disregard and maltreatment of youngsters with the point of social affair proof that will help the expert in releasing its obligations. In any case, while examining carelessness and maltreatment of kids, the authority should regard the privileges of guardians towards their youngsters. Premafacie guardians have rights and obligations over their kids and ought not be denied of that essential duty in what had been alluded to as â€Å"family privatization† ( Nigel and Douglas, 2007, P. 477). Therefore, it’s the essential obligation of the nearby power to right off the bat advance the childhood and defending of kids in collaboration with guardians until they are reluctant to participate where upon the authority is engaged by law to assume control over that duty. Consequently, it will be the obligation and intensity of the nearby power to give satisfactory consideration if youngsters have been exposed to mental, physical a nd mental disability in their turn of events. In doing as such, respect ought to be given to â€Å"the child’s government assistance as a foremost thought (Children’s Act (1989, s.1 (1)).† The â€Å"welfare principle† is the litmus paper in shielding and protecting kids from critical damage which the Social Services Department is obliged to satisfy. Government assistance essentially implies the general childhood of kids including the budgetary, good, otherworldly and general cosmetics of kids. At the point when the Local Authority has gauged the necessities, wishes, dangers, decisions and all types of conditions encompassing the youngsters just as those of their folks, adherence to the â€Å"

Fields Of Psychology :: essays research papers

Brain science (Ph.D. Code: PSY) Fields of study: Clinical, psychological, and social brain science; neuroscience and conduct; visual observation. The program offers doctoral examination for understudies who mean to become mental researchers or researcher specialists. Understudies who intend to end their examinations with the graduate degree are not urged to apply. Confirmation isn't constrained to understudies with undergrad foundations in brain research. Hypothesis, strategy, and research involvement with various zones of mental science are stressed. Course necessities are sorted out into the three wide regions of intellectual science, neuroscience, and clinical science. Understudies have serious research preparing with singular personnel in the territories of clinical brain science, cognizance, utilitarian imaging, observation, psychobiology, tactile neurophysiology, and social brain research. Understudies in clinical brain research are likewise given broad preparing in clinical abilities. Major practicum offices in which understudies get managed clinical or potentially applied research preparing are found in the Vanderbilt Medical Center and different establishments in Nashville. The office is in a structure which offers liberal research center space for individual and gathering explores different avenues regarding human subjects, and offices for creature experimentation. It has a modernized study hall and associations with the grounds centralized computer PCs. Modernized gear for neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and psychophysics is likewise accessible and is particularly appropriate for chip away at tangible frameworks. Human subjects are accessible through a University examine pool, Vanderbilt centers, and the nearby educational system. Also, the division has a creature office giving a wide assortment of animal categories, including fish, rodents, and primates. Personnel: 22 Graduate enlistment: In living arrangement 37; normal in entering class 5-8 Address: 111 21st Avenue South; 37240 Telephone: (615) 322-2874 Email: patricia.m.burns@vanderbilt.edu [Psychology] Brain science and Human Development (M.S., Ph.D. Code: GPSY) Fields of study: Clinical, subjective investigations, network, formative, and quantitative brain science. The Clinical program centers basically around issues confronting youngsters and families. Employees study the improvement of forceful conduct and sadness in kids and young people; mental components going with formative incapacity and incessant physical infection; the job of networks in psychological wellness; subjective mediation for learning and social issues; and the conveyance of emotional well-being administrations to kids, youth, and families. The objective of the clinical program is to instruct clinicians as researchers and professionals with the goal that they may seek after an assortment of vocation ways. The Cognitive Studies program centers around lab and field-based examination into psychological procedures as they happen in formal and casual learning circumstances. Territories of research accentuation incorporate discernment, guidance, and innovation; intellectual tur n of events;

What Grandparents Need to Know About the New Fafsa Rules

As grandparents watch their own children struggle to pay down student loan debt, many want to help their grandchildren avoid a similar situation. According to Fidelity Investment's 2016 College Savings Indicator Study, 74 percent of high-net-worth individuals surveyed said they would be willing to help save for their grandchildren's future college education, and 39 percent were actively doing so. That number might not seem like a lot, but recent changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) could encourage more grandparents to chip in. Here's how grandparents can take advantage of these changes and utilize some of the unique benefits offered by 529 plans. Prior-prior year as base year income One of the biggest drawbacks to helping a grandchild pay for college is that your generosity could end up hurting the student's financial aid eligibility. Assets held in a grandparent-owned 529 account don't have to be reported on the FASFA, but things change once the funds are withdrawn to help pay for college. Any monetary gift from a grandparent or other relative, including money from a 529 plan, is considered untaxed income and must be added to the student's adjusted gross income on the FASFA. What grandparents may not realize is that up to 50 percent of the student's income (including their gift) will be added to the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) figure that's used to determine financial aid eligibility. Simply put: higher EFC equals less financial aid. Under the old rules, it was suggested that grandparents wait until the calendar year in which their grandchild begins their last year of college to help pay tuition. This way the grandchild would avoid having to report any income since the last FASFA would have already been filed. But beginning with the 2017-18 school year, families will fill out the FAFSA using their income from the calendar year two years prior to the start of their school year. That means if a student were going to be a freshman in the fall of 2017, they would have to report income from 2015 on the FASFA. With this new ï ¿ ½prior-priorï ¿ ½ year requirement, grandparents can now help pay for an additional year of college without impacting the student's financial aid eligibility. RELATED: What the new FAFSA rules mean for you 529 plan gifting A great way to grow a grandchild's college fund is to make contributions to a 529 college savings plan in lieu of gifts for birthdays and holidays. Unlike an UGMA/UTMA custodial account, the account owner, not the beneficiary, retains control of the assets in a 529 plan. That means if you change your mind about the gift or need the money for medical issues or any other reason, you can take the money back. However, distributions from a 529 plan that aren't spent on college expenses for the beneficiary will incur income tax as well as a 10 percent penalty tax on the earnings portion of the withdrawal. Grandparents who are concerned about the possibility of their grandchild deciding not to go to college or getting a scholarship need not worry. 529 plan savings can be withdrawn tax-free to pay for more than just traditional four-year schools. In fact, eligible post-secondary institutions include many community colleges, online programs, international schools and vocational schools. And if the student gets a scholarship non-qualified withdrawals can be taken penalty-free up to the amount of the award. The earnings portion of the withdrawal, however, will still incur income tax. The same applies to students who attend a U.S. Military Academy. State tax deductions or credits for 529 plan contributions are sometimes another perk for grandparents who help save for college. Over thirty states, including the District of Columbia, currently offer a tax benefit, but different plans have different requirements as far as who can receive it. In Iowa, for example, only 529 contributions made by the account owner are deductible in computing state tax income. And while a few states offer a deduction for contributions to any 529 plan, most require that residents use their home state's option. RELATED: How much is your state's 529 state tax benefit really worth? Tax planning Soon after the holiday season comes tax-planning season, and many affluent grandparents will be looking to reduce estate tax exposure. 529 plans can serve double-duty as a college savings vehicle and an estate-planning tool. Contributions are considered gifts for tax purposes, and up to $14,000 per individual will qualify for the annual exclusion in 2016. What's more, 529 plans allow account owners to treat contributions of up to $70,000 ($140,000 if married and filing jointly) per grandchild as if they were made over a five-year period for gift tax purposes. So if grandma and grandpa have 10 grandchildren, they would be able to contribute up to $1.4 million in a single day. These funds would be removed from their estate, but the account owner would retain control of the assets over the life of the account. Grandparents should keep in mind, however, that if they have already exhausted their gift-tax exclusions with life insurance trusts, family limited partnerships or other vehicles, their 529 plan contributions will be considered a taxable gift and will count against their lifetime exclusion ï ¿ ½ currently $5.45 million in 2016. Another option for grandparents who want to avoid the gift tax all together is to pay the tuition bill directly to the school. Direct tuition payments are considered gifts under the Section 2503(e) exclusion. However, this exclusion only applies to tuition and does not include other qualified expenses (e.g. books, supplies, room and board, etc.) RELATED: 8 reasons why grandparents love 529 plans As grandparents watch their own children struggle to pay down student loan debt, many want to help their grandchildren avoid a similar situation. According to Fidelity Investment's 2016 College Savings Indicator Study, 74 percent of high-net-worth individuals surveyed said they would be willing to help save for their grandchildren's future college education, and 39 percent were actively doing so. That number might not seem like a lot, but recent changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) could encourage more grandparents to chip in. Here's how grandparents can take advantage of these changes and utilize some of the unique benefits offered by 529 plans. Prior-prior year as base year income One of the biggest drawbacks to helping a grandchild pay for college is that your generosity could end up hurting the student's financial aid eligibility. Assets held in a grandparent-owned 529 account don't have to be reported on the FASFA, but things change once the funds are withdrawn to help pay for college. Any monetary gift from a grandparent or other relative, including money from a 529 plan, is considered untaxed income and must be added to the student's adjusted gross income on the FASFA. What grandparents may not realize is that up to 50 percent of the student's income (including their gift) will be added to the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) figure that's used to determine financial aid eligibility. Simply put: higher EFC equals less financial aid. Under the old rules, it was suggested that grandparents wait until the calendar year in which their grandchild begins their last year of college to help pay tuition. This way the grandchild would avoid having to report any income since the last FASFA would have already been filed. But beginning with the 2017-18 school year, families will fill out the FAFSA using their income from the calendar year two years prior to the start of their school year. That means if a student were going to be a freshman in the fall of 2017, they would have to report income from 2015 on the FASFA. With this new ï ¿ ½prior-priorï ¿ ½ year requirement, grandparents can now help pay for an additional year of college without impacting the student's financial aid eligibility. RELATED: What the new FAFSA rules mean for you 529 plan gifting A great way to grow a grandchild's college fund is to make contributions to a 529 college savings plan in lieu of gifts for birthdays and holidays. Unlike an UGMA/UTMA custodial account, the account owner, not the beneficiary, retains control of the assets in a 529 plan. That means if you change your mind about the gift or need the money for medical issues or any other reason, you can take the money back. However, distributions from a 529 plan that aren't spent on college expenses for the beneficiary will incur income tax as well as a 10 percent penalty tax on the earnings portion of the withdrawal. Grandparents who are concerned about the possibility of their grandchild deciding not to go to college or getting a scholarship need not worry. 529 plan savings can be withdrawn tax-free to pay for more than just traditional four-year schools. In fact, eligible post-secondary institutions include many community colleges, online programs, international schools and vocational schools. And if the student gets a scholarship non-qualified withdrawals can be taken penalty-free up to the amount of the award. The earnings portion of the withdrawal, however, will still incur income tax. The same applies to students who attend a U.S. Military Academy. State tax deductions or credits for 529 plan contributions are sometimes another perk for grandparents who help save for college. Over thirty states, including the District of Columbia, currently offer a tax benefit, but different plans have different requirements as far as who can receive it. In Iowa, for example, only 529 contributions made by the account owner are deductible in computing state tax income. And while a few states offer a deduction for contributions to any 529 plan, most require that residents use their home state's option. RELATED: How much is your state's 529 state tax benefit really worth? Tax planning Soon after the holiday season comes tax-planning season, and many affluent grandparents will be looking to reduce estate tax exposure. 529 plans can serve double-duty as a college savings vehicle and an estate-planning tool. Contributions are considered gifts for tax purposes, and up to $14,000 per individual will qualify for the annual exclusion in 2016. What's more, 529 plans allow account owners to treat contributions of up to $70,000 ($140,000 if married and filing jointly) per grandchild as if they were made over a five-year period for gift tax purposes. So if grandma and grandpa have 10 grandchildren, they would be able to contribute up to $1.4 million in a single day. These funds would be removed from their estate, but the account owner would retain control of the assets over the life of the account. Grandparents should keep in mind, however, that if they have already exhausted their gift-tax exclusions with life insurance trusts, family limited partnerships or other vehicles, their 529 plan contributions will be considered a taxable gift and will count against their lifetime exclusion ï ¿ ½ currently $5.45 million in 2016. Another option for grandparents who want to avoid the gift tax all together is to pay the tuition bill directly to the school. Direct tuition payments are considered gifts under the Section 2503(e) exclusion. However, this exclusion only applies to tuition and does not include other qualified expenses (e.g. books, supplies, room and board, etc.) RELATED: 8 reasons why grandparents love 529 plans

Redefining Leadership Values Deficit Free Essay Example, 1000 words

It is quite important to note that the article to be considered is entitled Leadership Shortcomings: A Values Deficit and it has been written by Ritch, Eich. According to this article, there exists a wide leadership gap in today s workplace and many workers are discontented with their jobs (Ritch 36). Top-level leadership is devoid of standards of morality and concomitant personal conduct, ethical ideals, employee appraisal mechanisms, trust and commitment; this is an imminent danger to sustainable future economic growth. The article defines a real leader as one who occupies a decision-making position, whether formal or informal; real leaders and their followers jointly achieve the organizational goals and promote institutional performance (Ritch 37). In doing all these, real leaders are fair, honest and compassionate; this way, real leadership goes beyond the basic textbook definition. Real leaders follow eight basic essentials of effective leadership: they do not micromanage, the y have a central compass, they communicate effectively and they have a unique composition. In addition, they offer value and support, they know when to step aside, but are approachable and incisive. From this article, several lessons can be drawn to provide a template for the next generation leaders. We will write a custom essay sample on Redefining Leadership: Values Deficit or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page On top of that, real leaders must embrace the selfless qualities of values-based leadership , be accessible, foster trust and demonstrate an endless commitment to helping others.

John Brown an Extreme Abolitionist - 1452 Words

Jason Peterman History 128 12-7-10 Chris Carey John Brown: An Extreme Abolitionist John Brown’s beliefs about slavery and activities to destroy it hardly represented the mainstream of northern society in the years leading up to the Civil War. This rather unique man, however, took a leading role in propelling the nation toward secession and conflict. Many events influenced Brown’s views on slavery from an early age. When he was older, his strong anti-slavery feelings had grown, and he became an extreme abolitionist. His raid on Harpers Ferry was one of the first monumental events leading up to the civil war. When John Brown was young, he witnessed an attack on a young slave boy, who was beaten with a shovel. The boy died, and Brown†¦show more content†¦27). After he was captured, Brown was jailed. In most of his letters from jail, John Brown is attempting to comfort his family and friends and assure them that he has no regrets. He constantly mentions how happy he is, saying he fought for what he believed in. In a letter to E.B. of R.I., he s ays, â€Å"I do not feel conscious of guilt in taking up arms† (John Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry, pg. 91). Then, in a letter to Rev. H L Vaill, he says, â€Å"I am not as yet in the main at all disappointed. I have been a good deal disappointed as it regards myself in not keeping up to my own plans; but I now feel entirely reconciled to that even: for Gods plan, was Infinitely better† (John Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry, pg. 94). It is clear that Brown feels justified in his actions because he believes they were for the good of the country and enslaved people. Brown does not want his family and friends to feel bad for him, which is clear in the tone of his letters. His letters are upbeat, and he mentions how happy he is often. He is protective of his family’s feelings. In letters to others, he mentions his impending hanging, but when he writes to his wife, he calls death â€Å"my great change† (John Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry, pg . 98), as though death is honorable. Brown works hard in his letters to be sure that his family, especially his wife, cannot visit him. This may beShow MoreRelatedThe Battle Against Slavery During The 19th Century1342 Words   |  6 Pagesanti-slavery movement was John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry. John Brown was a white Abolitionist who lived during the time of debate over Kansas’ statehood. Brown had strong beliefs as a Christian and used these to drive his desires, and a movement, of freeing all slaves. In 1851, Brown started an anti-slavery group called the United States League of Gileadites, which consisted of Brown himself, his sons, escaped and free slaves, and other supporting white Abolitionists who chose to join him. (Earle)Read MoreEssay on Abolitionists997 Words   |  4 PagesAbolitionists Strategies of Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, and John Brown Abolitionist Movement was a reform movement during the 18th and 19th centuries. Often called the antislavery movement, it sought to end the enslavement of Africans and people of African descent in Europe, the Americas, and Africa itself. It also aimed to end the Atlantic slave trade carried out in the Atlantic Ocean between Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Many people participated in trying to end slavery. TheseRead MoreJohn Brown : An American Abolitionist Essay1560 Words   |  7 PagesJohn Brown is an American Abolitionist who believed in abolishing slavery across the nation through killing any southern slaveholder or supporter that comes in his path. It is believed that he had a plan to gather all the free slaves and rebel against the southern states, but his rebellion never made it that far. His rebellion started in Kansas in 1855 and ended in December 1858 at Harpers Ferry leading to him being convicted and hung for his crimes. John Brown had one motive that made him do the seRead MoreJohn Brown: A Brief Biography627 Words   |  3 Pagesmovements have succeeded or failed in achieving their objectives. John Brown was an extreme abolitionist who believed in the forceful overthrow of the slave system. Although John Brown’s aim and views on slavery were rational, his approach at stopping slavery was illogical and deranged as his mentality contributed to his raid. John Brown and his sons headed attacks on pro-slavery residents during the Bleeding Kansas conflicts in which Brown became a hero for Northern activists and recruited an army ofRead MoreViolence And Its Effects On The United States Essay1216 Words   |  5 Pagespull between those who were pro-slavery Democrats, and those who were anti-slavery expansion Republicans. Emotions regarding the expansion of slavery yielded barbaric acts across the country including the canning of Charles Sumner, the hanging of John Brown, and the violence that construed in the Kansas territory. Each of the victims were white, were antislavery, and fell victim to the violence of a pro-slavery Democrat outraged by their actions. These acts of violence swayed many Democrats votersRead MoreUncovering the Truth About John Brown865 Words   |  4 PagesThroughout history John Brown has been described as a terrorist, mentally ill, and a failure among other things. Because he stood strongly for what he believed in, and his goal was eventually achieved he can be seen for the most part as a hero. Brown was described as â€Å"an American who gave his life that millions of other Americans be free† (Chowder,6). Brown was a headstrong abolitionist who claimed that he was told by God to end slavery causing him to see himself as â€Å"a latter-day Moses† (ChowderRead MoreAbraham Lincoln And A New Birth Of Freedom851 Words   |  4 Pagesresponse, three days later, an antislavery band led by John Brown retaliated in the Pottawatomie Massacre killing 5 settlers. John blown was a key figure for the north, and created the image of a violent and aggressive north in Southerner’s minds. In 1857, the Supreme Court ruled that slaves were not citizens and that owners could move slaves into the territories, in spite of Congress’s attempt to restrict this action. This enraged abolitionists and â€Å"free-soil† elements who had hoped to stop the expansionRead MoreUnited States Rights Vs. Federal Rights3721 Words   |  15 Pagesslave supports and abolitionists began to fight over their influence on the land. Due to the Kansas-Nebraska act, settlers were allowed to vote on the future of slavery through popular sovereignty. The northern politicians did not want the majority of states to be slave states and the southerners continued to fight for a slave state majority. The view on slavery reached different extremes on both ends of the United States. Northerners tended to sympathize toward the abolitionist movement, againstRead MoreThe Slavery Of The South Essay810 Words   |  4 Pagesand Madison. However, like many others, they were unable to solve the problem. In the early nineteenth century, individuals and groups began a movement for the abolition of slavery. The people behind this movement were called abolitionists. One of the leading abolitionists was William Lloyd Garrison. He began publishing a newspaper against slavery. His paper was called The Liberator because he wanted to free the slaves. In 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, appeared.TheRead MoreThe Manipulation of the Public by a Small Group of Southern Fanatics as the Cause of the Civil War1632 Words   |  7 Pages The American Civil War can be blamed on many reasons, one of which could be the strategy of the Southern extremist group, the ‘fire eaters’ they claimed that the Southern way of life was in danger of an abolitionist attack and was going to happen imminently. There were some very influential politicians from the South in this radical group, such as William Yancey and Louis Wigfall. Yancey sat in the US congress and over the years his belief in the

Declining Record Sales Who Is to Blame free essay sample

For several years now, sales of new and popular music have steadily declined and show no sign of changing. The record companies are quick to blame the growing popularity of the Internet; music is being traded in a digital form online, often anonymously, with the use of file-sharing programs such as Morpheme, Aziza, and Mimes, to name a few. The ARIA (Recording Industry Association of America) succeeded In disbanding the pioneer Internet file- sharing program, Anapest, but is facing confrontation with similar programs that are escaping American copyright laws.While there is an obvious connection between declining popular music sales and increasing file sharing, there is more going on than the ARIA wants to admit. I will show that the recording companies are overpricing their products, and not sufficiently using the Internet as an opportunity to market and sell their products. I shall begin by describing in greater detail the problem that the recording companies are facing, as well as the growing epidemic of online music trading. From there, I will show the correlation between the two and describe the other factors affecting record sales, and how these trends could be earned around to help the industry. The Record Industry is in trouble, says Jan S. Winner in an editorial appearing in a recent Issue of Rolling Stone Magazine. Album sales are now down almost 20% from two years ago, and the record business Is facing the biggest retail slide since the Great Depression (Winner). People are buying less and less products released by the recording companies. Nobody doubts that the music business is in trouble.Last year, global sales of CDC were down by 5% from 2000, the first fall since the format was launched (ANAPEST R. I. P). The Nielsen Sounds, used to report final sales to consumers, revealed some of Its figures In a September 2002 Issue of Billboard Magazine. Nielsen Sounds reports that overall music sales compared with the year before were off by 12. 6%;while album sales were off by 9. 8%. Total first-half units sold fell to 317. 7 million units from 363. 4 million; the number of albums sold slipped to 311. 1 million units from 344. 8 million [l an 8. 1% drop (Gritty).Even the number of albums that become hits is decreasing. At mid- year 2001, 37 titles had sold more than 1 million units each; halfway through this ear, only 21 titles had sold that many, according to Nielsen Sounds (Gritty). Even sales figures for singles are down. Sales are off by 63. 9à CO7 million units were sold in the first six months of 2002 vsvs.18. 6 million unites in the same period in 2001 (GaGritty Not only are the companies themselves facing hard times, but the retail stores that sell music are also suffering their own losses. MuMusicianstores, the largest music retailer in the U.S. coContinueso report losses and declining sasalesroomhe third quarter, the Minnetonka, MiMin-based company reports a new loss of $16. miMillioncompared with a loss last year of $144. 6 million (Jeffrey). The company was even forced to close some of Its stores. At quarters end, MuMusiciansperated 1476 ststoresuring the quarter, the company closed the following: Nine Sam Goody/MuMusicianstwo Media plays, one On Cud, and on U. K. stStore(Jeffrey). This problem hits home in entertainment products like CDCDCnd audissociateswas forced to close because of insufficient revenues.Inhabitants of VeVermilionre now forced to travel anywhere from 30 to 60 miles away to purchase music offline. While this town obviously reflects ereremall percentage of consumers, the lack of immediately available music products certainly will not help the declining record sales. The stocks of music retailing companies are also falling. Publicly owned music- retail chains have lost about $800 million in share-holder value over the past few {ears, as continuing price ward have caused investors to flee these stocks and drive down their value GeJeffreyThis has had a much larger impact on retails than one may think. Big discount chains like WaWallart and K-Mart have seen their stocks tumble or remain stagnant in recent years, while others, like BrBeardlessave filed for aninerrancyrotection GeJeffrey A recent article in Rolling Stone reviews the year 2002 in terms of the music business. At the close of a dismal year for the music industry, sales were down thirteen percent, layoffs and roster cuts were imminent at many labels, and major record-store chains were struggling to survive (ElLilies20sa sssusic, 11).The following graph from that article illustrates the difference in top selling albums of recent years. 2000 Top Selling Albums 2002 Top Selling Albums 0 No Strings Attached 3. 9 million EmMine The EmMinehow 7. 4 million EmMine The Marshall MaMattersPALP 9 million NeNewly NeMelville. 8 million 3rrewrittenpears 0 Oops! 01 Did it Again 7. 9 million AvAprilaLeaving Let Go 3. 9 million Creed 0 Human Clay 5. 6 million Dixie Chicks 0 Home 3. 4 million rhereifference is evident. At the number one spot, EmMineold 2 million less copies n 2002 than ONOnionsid in the same slot only two years earlier.EmAminesop selling album in 2002 was outsold by the top three selling albums of 2000, and the difference between the number one and the number two selling albums in 2002 is nearly 3 million, compared to 20assessop two spread of two million. This chart also xhexhibitsn artists staying power. EmMines the only artist within the top four for both years shown. This illustrates how inconsistent the market is at creating good Why is the recording industry facing such hardships? The RIARIAs quick to point its finger at the growing popularity of Internet file sharing. What kind of music would people share online?Music enthusiasts would typically share CDCDChat were recently recorded and released in the more popular genres. The highest offender of online music sharing is the 18-to-24-year-old cacatastrophescomputer savvy user (Thompson, c-336). Because of this audience, other genres of music such as classical and Jazz were much less affected. In the beginning, there was NaAnapestNaAnapestas the premiere source of illegal music downloading in the Internet. Anyone in the world with an Internet connection can download NaAnapestor free. From there, the user would designate which files he or she is willing to OsShareWhen running NaAnapestall the user had to do was type in what song or artist they were looking for, much like an online search engine works for web pages. NaAnapestould then search through the OsSharedfolders of other users hat were currently using the program. In this manner, without any formal communication or consent (outside of the license agreement stated during installation), users had access to the OsSharedfolders of other users and could transfer any files in the OsSharedfolders back and forth with extreme ease. People would typically take their new CDCDCnd convert them in to mpMPHormat. From there they could be downloaded from any other computer using NaAnapestPeople suddenly had free access to virtually any popular music desired, without any formal consent from the music recording industry or the artists having their files shared. As one could predict, the RIARIAas quick to accuse NaAnapestf violating this countrys copyright laws. NaAnapestas taken to court and eventually ordered to shut down. When an appeals court issued an order last July forcing NaAnapesto shut down, there was a sigh of relief throughout the recording industry. It was the day free music died (Warner).The death of NaAnapestas not the death of Internet file sharing. Whats taken its place is a lot scarier for the music inindustryserhaps unstoppable. Theyre called file-sharing services, or P2POPpeer-to-peer) nenetworkedhe three most popular nenewsaAzizaGrGrosserand MoAmorphousness combined 70 million active users, compared with only 20 million for NaAnapestn its heyday (Warner). In America, the number of unique users of KaAzizaa NaAnapestlone, shot up by 1,491% in the 12 months to JuJunctureumber of users in America of KaAzizaMoMorphemend AuAdditionallyall file-sharing services, reached 14. 4mMmmore than 13. usUsingaAnapestt its peak (NAANAPEST. I. P. ). Hundreds of thousands of new users Join the P2POParty every weweeklieshose networks somehow get shut down, others will pop up in their place. 0TTheseetworks are Just tools to get what I want, a KaAzizaser named ErErikiidolshe record industry breaks these tools, you go out and find another' (Warner). The industry will have trouble shutting down these NaAnapestlones. The creators of these P2POPetworks have little control over what they created and cant tell whos downloading what file, whether its an EmMineong or Grandmas recipe for blueberry pie (Warner).The creators use this as an excuse to escape liability charges, simply because they cannot see or control the illegal activity. In a recent court ruling, it was proved that there was no evidence that GrGrossernd amnameuling concluded overall that companies behind internet services for sharing music and movies are not to blame for any illegal copying conducted by the services users (VeVega The new P2Pepsre also completely decentralized . One of the two creators of KaAzizaNiNikolaseCementerssays, the only way the system can be shut down is if every user elected to disable his program (Warner). ShShermanthe company formed by the creators of KaAzizaescapes copyright laws by locating itself on a group of islands in the South Pacific called VaVauntwhile GrGrossers located in a 26-square-mile tourist paradise in the West Indies called Nevis. Because of the decentralization of these programs, as well as their overseas headquarters, the RIARIAs forced to admit that their claims against KaAzizaGrGrosserand MoMorphemeare not as strong as those against NaAnapest (Warner). What is available on these P2POPetworks? The answer is simple: virtually everything in visual and audio entertainment.MeMetallicirst started filing suit against NaAnapesthen drummer Lars UlLarchesis bands track 01 Disappear pop up on NaAnapestFor one thing, the sosingsonget to be released. For another, it wawasntven finished (ElLilies21). Examples like this are not hard to find on present day P2PepsIf one searches long enough, hidden tracks, unreleased songs, unfinished tracks and rare live recordings may be found. Its not Just music being zapped across the Internet anymore. The new NaAnapestsouse vivideotapessoftware programs, and movies, including ones not playing in theaters (Warner).Any type of computer software, whether it is an expensive program, the latest movie releases, or the number one song in the country, can be and is being shared on P2PepsThe Recording Industry Association of America filed suit against NaAnapestn 2000 ndNDventually won. NaAnapestried selling its assets to Bertelsmann in an attempt to rerelianceaAnapests a legitimate business, but the courts would not allow it. The deal, ruled the Judge, was not in the best interests of NaAnapestsreditors (NaAnapest. I. p.P). Of course, letting NaAnapestnd other P2Pepsurvive certainly is not in the best interests of the recording industry. To the big record labels, NaAnapestasnt Just a nuisance; it was their worst ninightmaresnline equivalent to everyone storming into record stores and making off with armfuls of CDCDC(Warner). The industry claims hat instead of buying music, people are downloading the music for free. The RIARIAtates, in an instructional booklet handed out to companies cited for using office computers to share mpampsthat downloading copyrighted files OiOSIot OsSharing110ths theft (Cohen, 21). The industry has a point. Consumers are downloading more music and purchasing less at a rate of two to one (wire services), says the RIARIA/p>P2Pepsre downloaded for free, and people can make available and download files (or songs, as is relevant) with no purchase necessary. All it takes is one person to record an album n mpMPHormat onto their computer and make display it on KaAzizaFrom there, the so ng is up for the taking; and the more users that download any particular song, the easier it is to find and download. In some cases, entire albums are downloaded, then copied onto a blank CD and sold on the streets for a price significantly less than the price offered by the recording industry. For the first time blank CD sales could certainly be linked to an increased amount of bootlegging. Peter D. Hart Research Associates conducted a survey in conjunction with the RIARIAhat revealed lots of interesting information concerning how some music fans cqacquireheir music. 860 music consumers ages 12 to 54 were surveyed. The study showed that 63% of consumers with an Internet connection acquired at least one burned CD. The study also concluded that 35% of young music consumers with Internet connections say the first thing they do after hearing a song they like by an unfamiliar artist is download it for free form a file-sharing service. By contrast, only 10% of the same group say the first thing they do after they hear a song they like by an unfamiliar artist is buy the album (GaGritty The RIARIAs doing anything possible to stop internet file sharing. If you dont bring awsuitsthen thousands more of these networks will develop rather than the handful that pop up periodically (Warner) claims RIARIAeneral counsel Cary Sherman. They have already filed suit against NiNikolaseCementersnd JaJanisrits, the two creators of KaAzizaas well as the companies that own KaAzizaGrGrosserand MoMorpheme/p>However, because of reasons formerly stated (offshore incorporation, little control over online traffic), the RIAriasclaims against KaAzizaGrGrosserand MoMorehouseot as strong as those against NaAnapest (Warner). The RIARIAs even considering less conservative means of halting Internet file haring: The RIARIAs cocountersigningndividuals who share large numbers of files on KaAzizaGrGrosseror MoAmorphousnessss a time of crisis for the m usic industry, and the RIARIAs trying to fight a battle on multiple fronts,' (Warner).In its desperation, the music industry is using any means possible to catch people exploiting P2PepsVerizon Communications, an Internet service provider, must supply the identity of a consumer responsible for downloading 600 songs from the file-sharing network KaAzizao the Recording Industry Association of America (wire services). The RIARIAas tadartedissuing letters of warning pertaining to copyright infringement to universities and with the pursuit of individual pirates, as in the Verizon case (wire services).The industry has confronted the P2POPompanies, Internet Service Providers 11asps and is now setting their sights on the individual P2POPsers with threats of anywhere from $750 to $1 50,000 per song for unlicensed swsuperintendencesould also serve up to five years of Jail time (Cohen, 21). Confronting individual P2POPsers, however, is quite unlikely, as well as fruitless. Short of suing 70 million-plus people r encrypting every CD and DVD sold (an unlikely scenario), its hard to imagine how to stop it (Warner).The industry also has the United States Congress discussing possible means of punishment for individual users. More than a dozen members of Congress have urged Attorney General John Ashcroft to prosecute those who distribute entertainment files on peer-to-peer seserviceberryJohn CaGrotesquenesshat OiItde good idea to go out and actually bust a couple of these college kids' (Cohen, 21). Finding the individuals responsible for egregious file sharing is proving to be more and more difficult.Revamps of file-trading systems such as FrEfferentan potentially hide users unique Internet addresses (Cohen, 22). While the RIARIAon in their case against Verizon, obtaining information on individuals using a program such as the control what people are doing on the Internet, yo u have to either break the Internet or create a system where everyone is monitored all the time (Cohen, 22). The court battles between the RIARIAnd various companies and individuals responsible for Internet file sharing have been going on for a few years now, and show no sign of stopping.The RIARIAs losing money fast and is determined to take onnonusersway from their computers and back into the record stores. But this situation is more than Just a quarrel between the RIARIAnd their nemesis P2POPrograms. Music consumers believe that they are being charged too much for the products produced by the recording industry. Because of this, consumers are flocking to their personal computers to avoid being overcharged for music that they feel is hardly worth buying in the first place. In an August 2001 issue of Electronic Musician, article writer Michael A.AcCanononducted an interview with three recording industry executives to discuss the different views of record distribution. Of those interviewed was KoGoofyrown, co-owner of an inIndiesabel SiSambausic Records as well as a musician and songwriter in Oakland, California. When asked about the death of retail sales due to increased use of the Internet to acquire music, she replied l think that retail sales have slowed down a bit due to the Internet, but I think its mostly because of the outrageous prices that CDCDCell for now-$17 to $18!I know plenty of people who Just wont go out and buy music the way they used to because it costs so much (AcCanon116). This fact is truer than ever in VeVermilionSouth Dakota, where On Cue used to omnominatehe music and entertainment sales. While in business, On Cue would sell CDCDCor upwards of $18. Just recently, a locally owned music and entertainment store called Last Stop CD Shop opened in downtown VeVermilionEverything for sale is second hand, and no individual CD costs more than $8.The selection may not be stellar, but the price is right. An almost mint condition CD c ells at the Last Stop CD Shop for $10 less than a new CD at On Cue or any other franchise music retailer. $18 is 4 hours or work at minimum wage for the average college student in VeVermilionoften an entire shift. Now, a minimum wage paid student at the University of South Dakota can buy two CDCDCor that same amount of work. This fact does not make big retail stores with their even bigger prices seem desirable.What about other formats of music? Also under scrutiny is why CDCDCost so much more than cassettes-most of which carry a $10. 98 list price-even though there isnt much difference in manufacturing costs between the two formats (BoBolter16). The recording costs certainly should not differ from CD to tape, and distribution costs (as Nell as packaging) should also be relatively similar. Given these observations, one egeggingo wonder why a CD costs $7-$8 more than a cassette. This much is certain: Labels have made handsome profits from the pricey compact-disc format and have been reluctant to translate those profits into savings for consumers states Eric BoBoltern a February 1997 issue of Rolling Stone, years before online music trading became a significant problem for the recording industry. Often there are explanations for price inincoherencesone seems to be missing (BoBolter16). His article tells the story of DiDiscordecords, an inIndiesabel that carries a suggested retail price of only $11 per CD.Were not a profit-oriented president of distribution at DiDiscordecords. Most retailers buy CDCDCrom record company distributors for $10. 70 to $1 1. 30, when those same CDCDCave a suggested retail price of $16. 98 to $17. 98. Thats a profit of $6 to the retailers, or 35%. Some retailers, like Best Buy and LeLecherwill sell hit albums for $10 or $11 to attract consumers to the more expensive items like computers and stereos (BoBolter17). CD prices appear so outrageous that in 1997, a class action lawsuit was filed against the six major recording companies.The record labels were being accused of ixaxingrices of CDCDCand that the consumers who were possibly overcharged should be reimbursed. Of course, the recording companies are reluctant to divulge information detailing their profits. The industry has done a terrible Job explaining [high costs] to coconsumersusiness wants to open themselves up and explain line by line how they make money (BoBolter16). To understand how these companies make their money, one must understand NhNatoney the companies spend on their products. Labels claim that the majority of their expenses lies in marketing and promotion.According to Michael Powers, VPUPf atcantonalromotion at Mercury Records, labels spend about $1 ,500-$1 ,700 on a single per ststationedotal cost is $300,000-$340-000 Just to get [the single] into the hands of the [radio] industry and let them know we have something (Stark, 84). Powers claims that the costs include about $500 to physically make and reproduce the record, $12,000 to $36,000 for independent promotion, $25,000 for trade- publication advertising, and several other factors that bring the total cost for each project to $1 (Stark, 84).The cost of making an album is so high that some record companies are oneng enderingutting singles deals; this is where a new artist is signed on to produce only a single instead of an entire album. This technique saves money and serves as a means of testing out new acts to see how they will sell. Many labels are considering making more singles deals. Its understandable given the cost of business and the current slowing down of the format (Stark, The Return, 79) says CEO of Atlantic Records Nashville operation, Berry CoCobber/p>When a label spends money on recording, wardrobe, a music video, launching a radio act and a tour, its really easy o spend half a million dollars, and the problem is now the sales arent what they used to be adds CoCobberStark, The Return, 79). The traditional business model of the recording industry follows a value chain. rhereirst step is the Artists and Repertoire development. This stage includes developing the music and the musicians, as well as establishing concerts, tours, and merchandising. The second step is the actual recording process, where most expenses revolve around equipment and mixing.After recording is manufacturing, NhInchakes up approximately 10% of the entire production cost. The fourth step is marketing, which constitutes around 30% of the entire cost. This 30% comes from television and print advertising, as well as music videos and public relations tours. Distribution makes up the most expensive step in the value chain, taking up 40% of the expenses. This includes packaging and transport of CDCDCwhich costs so much because of the sparse locality of the manufacturing facilities and the large density of retailers.The sixth and final step in the value chain is retailing, where the album The value chain has some inherent problems, however, that quite possibly onnutriento the seemingly extreme cost of making a record in todays market. Less than $1, on average, of a $16 CD made it back to the artist (Thompson, 333). Where does the rest of the money go? Why does the artist receive less than 6% of the profits? First off, the recording cost is often inflated. Nirvana, one of the top selling artists of the early 90assrecorded their album Bleach for only $600 (Online, VHVHFGreen Days album DoDioxide which has sold over 9 million copies to day, was recorded for $10,000, which is said to be a conservative budget for recording. If the album cost so ittitleo record, why are they sold for upwards of $20? According to the value chain, manufacturing takes up around 10% of the overall costs. Yet, according to BoBlottersrticle concerning CD overpricing, the basic materials of a CD cost roughly $. 90 per disc 0 approximately 60 cents for the actual CD, 20 cents for the Jewel box and 10 cents for the paper.Consumers even question the validity of the initial stage, the artists and repertoire development. Avid music listeners were disappointed with the material that was released in 2002. There was a definite lack of quality releases and imaginative arracketingast year says senior vice president of product and marketing for Virgin MeMegastarsDave Adler (ElLilies20sasssusic, 12). After considering all of these factors, I will return to the case concerning fixed- prices for CDCDC/p>The lawsuit was brought by 41 state attorneys general and was settled out of court by the defendants in September of 2002 to avoid a lengthy battle. The recording labels were found guilty of fixing CD prices and were forced to pay $143 million in punitive damages. The music was returned to the average consumer, granted that they met a three part criteria (basically determining whether or not the onnonuserought a CD in the last 7 years) and filed for this reimbursement before March 3, 2003. Even dead people were entitled to their share, which consisted of $20 :Gordon).The record companies were obviously reluctant to hand over this cash, given the date requirement for the reimbursement, as well as the extreme difficulty of reading the information on the website concerning the lawsuit. Given the cost issues, the RIARIAas a lot more to worry about than Just Internet file sharing progra ms. How can the industry turn around and get out of its sales slump? Firstly, the industry needs to stop seeing their consumers as enemies. The industry isnt putting up much of a fgfightn perhaps the most important front: creating Internet services that people actually like for legitimately licensed music (Warner).Theyre more willing to bust individuals using file sharing programs than embrace the Internet as a means of advertising and selling their products. They hastily accuse their consumers of taking advantage of the Internet and not buying albums all together. It is no secret that the music industry had been diligently fighting music piracy in the United States and around the world, but its slow pace in mbembracingew technologies and streamlining its own industry was the reason why the problem became so prevalent (Thompson, c-340).Market Data, the RIAriaslectronic music market research newsletter contains a survey targeting P2POPsers NiIntroit word mentioning the potential for a new online market: Of all the specific used these services, having access to a large selection and variety of artists and titles ranked hi ghest (87%), followed by the capability to download files easily and quickly 184%), the ability to download individual songs (83%), a convenient search feature 181 %) and the ability to get music for free (79%) (Market Data). These fgfiguresay be factual, but they fail to question the consumers willingness to take part in an online music market.In a similar survey issued by the digital music distribution industry, 80% of those surveyed said that they would buy more music if they had immediate information about the artist and title of the song; over 60% NoMouldurchase more music if they could buy a song as soon as they hear it; greater than 80% wanted to buy songs individually, and of those who usually listened to music on the Internet, one-third were more likely to purchase CDCDCn stores after hearing the music online (Thompson, c-324 0 c-325). In another study done by the lulupinesommunications Inc. roRovedhat users of NaAnapestoftware were actually more likely to buy more records than non-NaAnapestsers. Their studies showed that NaAnapestsage is one of the strongest determinants of increased music buying (Thompson, c-336). Secondly, the RIARIAeeds to embrace the latest trend in entertainment shopping NiNinthhe use of dot cocomesIn 1999, the global music market was worth $38. 5 billion. Amazon. coComeported overall sales of $1. 3 billion in the same year. The projected music sales in 2001 for Amazon. coComas $3 billion (Thompson, c-330).This means of selling entertainment products online can serve as a significant advantage for the recording industry. Online marketing eliminates the high distribution cost presented by the value chain, which accounts for 40% of the production expenses. A CD that Nas once listed for $17 now has no reason to sell for any more than $10. 20. Mike Robertson, CEO of MPMPHcoComddressed the topic of online music selling at the New fork Music and Internet Expo: When you look at record labels, they were dropping artists that were selling 200,000 CDCDCr less.To the RIAriasredit, they are slowly emerging with online alternatives to illegal downloading. Presently, music retailers are working on a program to supplement ooorales called Echo, a service formed to sell downloads through stores and official plan on licensing music from the big record labels. No prices have yet been set :ElLiliesPay for Play). The recording industry is also in talks with Apple to develop a new music downloading program that would allow Apple iPpodsers to buy songs from all five of the major labels.This program would sell songs for approximately $1 each and help lure people away from P2Pepsy offering more comprehensive, reliable selections of music. The songs would be able to be recorded to CDCDCbut the files would be roretortedrom wholesale copying tha nks to digital coding (ElLiliesPay for Play). This program is now available as an online shop that Just recently premiered called the iTtunesusic Store. Entire albums can be downloaded for $10, and individual songs are sold for $. 99.Over 200,000 titles are available for purchase, and many more are on the way (CrScroll The recording industry certainly has some problems to deal with in the coming [ears. Internet file sharing programs show no sign of becoming less popular, although the RIARIAas yet to release a legitimate program displaying the same election and convenience of P2PepsBecause of consumers tendency to download single songs by many varying artists, many may wonder if increased Internet use will eventually exterminate the record album from existence.Personally, I do not foresee the death of CDCDCnd albums as a product. The MPMPHormat is not quite CD quality, and the singles that are typically downloaded by consumers do not always reflect the talent or best product of a certain performer. Singles are what will make money, but 3-sides, the songs that people do not buy the CD for, are also a culmination of an artists hard work. B-sides make an album good or bad, and consumers simply do not download B-sides.I fear that buying an entire album will become more rare as these new programs emerge that allow consumers to buy one song at a time, but the album will prevail. Newspapers and Magazines are now available online, but they still appear for retail in stores and by offline subscriptions. Online music purchasing shows no signs of dropping, and the consumers show no sign of listening to less music. The industry Just has to take the initiative to make the music more accessible to music listeners at a fairer price.