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With salmonella-related stories making their way into the news recently, I figured that it was time for me to put together an article on the subject. This essay will summarize and describe the recent news, causes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment of infections related to this species of bacteria. The picture to the left is a magnified electron microscope image of what a single salmonella bacterium looks like. The scaling used is one micrometer, which is one millionth of a meter or one thousandth of a millimeter.

Recent News

The Center for Disease Control says the current outbreak, as of June 27, 2008, is linked to a rare form of bacteria called Salmonella Saintpaul. Thus far, it has spread to include 810 cases in 36 states and the District of Columbia. The specific source of the outbreak has not been found. Cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, homegrown tomatoes, and those sold with the vine still attached are considered safe, but health authorities are advising people to avoid eating raw Roma or red round tomatoes. However, tomatoes cooked to 145 degrees for 15 seconds will kill the bacteria, which generally causes fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramping. The outbreak, which has affected several types of tomatoes, has hit hardest in New Mexico and Texas.

What is Salmonella?

Salmonella is a bacterial infection that lives in the intestinal tracts of humans and other animals. Bacteria are transmitted to humans when they eat foods contaminated with animal feces. Salmonella bacteria are subdivided into serotypes based upon their biochemical properties. Although salmonellosis can occur throughout the year, most cases occur during the summer months.

Several people have asked about the color of the salmonella bacterium itself. This can be somewhat difficult to track down because most images show the specimens only after they have been treated with some type of colored dye or other agent. It turns out that natural salmonella are nearly colorless but are opaque and can be seen on a nutrient plate after sufficiently large colonies have been nurtured. For an image of what plain salmonella looks like, see this picture from MicrobeLibrary.org.

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In the last article about saving gas through safe driving techniques, we looked at ways in which people could save money by reducing their personal consumption of gasoline. However, another possibility for getting around the high gas prices is to develop some type of alternative fuel source. This article by Aaron Turpen suggests that algae-based biofuels may become practical enough come onto the market in the near future.

With all the hype about biofuels and their great potential for replacing our current fossil fuels as alternatives, there is usually very little talk about when exactly this replacement might take place. Or the talk is in vague terms like “the next thirty to fifty years” or “the next few decades.”

The reality is that most biofuels on the market are not very well positioned to replace anything more than a fraction of our current fossil fuel use. Current numbers from the Department of Energy, for instance, show that ethanol only accounts for about 3.5% of our total gasoline usage in the USA. Biodiesel holds a larger market share worldwide, accounting for almost half of Europe’s total diesel fuel usage (according to the European Union).

Given these numbers, the future might look bright. The problem is that both standard biodiesel and ethanol require the use of crops that would otherwise be eaten by humans or animals or of croplands that would otherwise be used to grow them. This takes food off our tables or at least raises the price of it, which limits our economic freedom in other areas.

Alternatives such as hydrogen are becoming more and more viable, but it will still be decades before the fuel cells can be made at a cost low enough to make the vehicles they power marketable. Similarly, electric-only vehicles are plagued by their relatively short range because of limitations in battery storage.

This summer, however, marks a huge stepping stone for algae as a production-level biofuel. Despite setbacks due to funding cuts by the Clinton administration of the 1990s, new funding and a renewed interest by large corporations in the energy industry have rekindled algae’s possibilities.

Two years ago, not even a handful of companies were experimenting with algae as a fuel source. Now, in 2008, there are dozens. Chevron, Shell, and other large energy companies are teaming with smaller algae experimenters to research and begin production on oil-producing algae. An operational plant in Arizona and another in Texas are already producing on a small scale while new plants in Hawaii, Arizona, Colorado, and other locations are being built right now.

All of this means that within the next decade, algae-based biofuels could be readily available for your purchase at the pump. In fact, it may be available at the airport too. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has teamed with Honeywell to come up with a J-8 jet fuel for use in military aircraft.

So expect to see algae-based biofuels on the market sooner rather than later. The high price of gasoline in America has at least one upside: it drives corporations to look for alternatives to polluting fossil fuels!

This article by Shery Russ addresses the issue of excess clutter in the bathroom. The author’s main suggestion is that the use of a bathroom or shower caddy like the one displayed in the image to the left can improve the overall appearance of your bathroom while also optimizing your available space.

The bathroom is the one room in the house that is often overlooked when it comes to both tidying and organizing. This is because the bathroom isn’t specifically any one person’s room. However, it is easy to organize the bathroom in such a way that will make items easy to locate, identify, and assign to each member of the house.

The bathroom is the one area of the house that has items belonging specifically to each family member and also a room that can generate a lot of arguments if items are misplaced or used by the wrong person.

A bathroom caddy is the single most useful item when it comes to organizing the bathroom. More specifically, one bathroom caddy per person is ideal. This useful item can provide you with the room to house all personal items including toothbrushes and other hygienic items that are considered to be personal to each family member.

Bathroom or shower caddies also allow each family member to put in his or her own shampoo and other bathroom essentials. The unauthorized use of these items is probably one of the biggest reasons for family fights, so organizing the bathroom may help to prevent accidental misuse.

Of course, another reason for organizing the bathroom in this way is that it looks neater. The bathroom then becomes a lot easier to manage. When there is mess, items get lost, damaged or broken and the bathroom is no different in this respect.

Clutter in the bathroom can be dangerous, causing people to have accidents or at the very least to injure themselves. By ensuring that everything in your bathroom has its place, and is in its place, you can easily prevent accidents, injuries and arguments from happening.

Although real estate prices have declined somewhat in many areas, even in a bear market there is still money to be made by fixing up homes and selling them for profit. This article by Ariana Thompson discusses how to improve a home’s “curb appeal” so that it can appear more attractive to potential buyers and therefore retain a more favorable selling price.

The secret to great curb appeal is making a home look loved, cared for, and ready for a new owner. Whether you are selling your family home or an investment property, the key is ensuring buyers know the home has been looked after. A house that has earned its owner’s affection is universally appealing. A house that appears to have been neglected raises fears of unaddressed maintenance issues, which often scares off buyers.

The first thing thing to do in your quest for curb appeal is to freshen your perspective. Go for a drive and take note of the houses and yards that are appealing and inviting. This is a great way to get ideas for the general mood and feel you want to create. Return from your drive using a route that is different from your usual one, approaching your house from a new direction. Try to see your home through fresh eyes. What strikes you about the front yard or the facade?

Decluttering and cleaning are the best way to start; then a few extra touches are all you need to polish off your look. The yard needs to be clear of equipment or toys. Make sure the driveway, porch and facade of the house are all clean. Rent a pressure washer if necessary. Make certain everything works, from the front porch light, to the doorbell, to the garage door opener. The lawn must be kept mowed and trimmed, and shrubs and flower beds should be watered and groomed. This is especially important for investment properties. A house that has not been lived in can appear forlorn, so create a welcoming yard by giving it the love and attention a family would. Trim or remove shrubs that have become overgrown and are obscuring the house and address any tree branches that extend over the house or block the view. Garden and lawn edging is a great way to add a finishing touch to your well-groomed presentation. Also consider giving the door or trim a fresh coat of paint. Choose a color that is eye-catching without being over the top.

Finally, don’t forget the back view and the night view! Extend your curb appeal efforts to any side or back yards that could be visible. Pack up garden implements as well as lifestyle items like wading pools or trampolines. They take up valuable visual space, making the yard appear smaller. They also create the impression the house is still yours, making potential buyers feel awkward. The evening or night view of your home is important for buyers who may be house hunting after work. The porch lights and driveway lights should be left on all night. If you don’t have any yard lighting, look into low-wattage or solar-powered lights to highlight paths and landscape features. Remember also that the inside of your home is visible at night, so your window treatments and room presentation influence your evening curb appeal. Again, this is especially important for properties that are not occupied. Consider leaving the drapes or blinds of an empty house partially open and putting lamps on timers to give the house more life. Choose bulbs that cast a warm, golden light that looks inviting.

Remember that you are starting a new life and your home needs to be a blank slate for another family. Your personal tastes will be traveling with you to be expressed in your next house. The house you are selling must be redressed to look less like it belongs to you and more like it is ready to fulfill someone else’s dreams.

This article by Francis Leary describes some of her ideas for ways in which parents who have successfully implemented the work-at-home lifestyle can spend some “quality time” with their kids. Interestingly, the last time I published an article that had anything to do with kids turned into an unexpected controversy in the comment section when someone submitted the article to StumbleUpon under the “Parenting” category. Apparently some of the Stumblers disagreed with the author’s suggestions for relatively healthy snack foods that parents could get their children to eat without too much fuss. If you want to read the article and register your opinions on this topic, it can be found here at Healthy Snacks Your Kids Will Love.

As work-at-home parents, we’re due some time to reflect on how we can thrive in our businesses and continue to be good parents too. Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the work. It’s easy to tell our children “wait a minute” or “as soon as I finish this”, and then before we know it the day is gone.

The reason we’re working at home in the first place is so we can be with our children, so it’s absolutely necessary that we not only make time for them but that we enjoy them each and every day. Independent play is an important skill to learn, and our children can develop that during the parts of the day when we’re working. But…this CANNOT be the entire day. They need direct interaction and affection from their parents.

So…how do we fit it all in? Well, preparing a schedule is essential. What else can we do to make sure we spend enough time with our children?

Here are some fun and easy ways:

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This article by Kristie Leong provides four tips for killing, eliminating, or otherwise getting rid of dust mites. These little critters are only half a millimeter long and have a pretty short life span (up to 75 for females and 30 days for males), but they also reproduce quickly, so they can be very difficult to completely get rid of if you wind up with a major infestation. A highly magnified picture of a dust mite can be found in the upper left corner of this paragraph. Meanwhile, reading through this article has reminded me that it is definitely time to change my bed sheets and wash the old ones.

If you have a history of allergy symptoms, you may be suffering from the effects of pesky, indoor dust mites. These tiny bugs are members of the spider family and have the ability to wreck havoc with your allergy symptoms if you’re unfortunate enough to be sensitive to them. They tend to thrive in areas that are warm and moist and are a common resident in most homes in America.

Whether you like it or not, these little bugs may have taken up residence in your bedding, clothing, furniture, or other areas of your home where conditions are ripe for their survival. Once they’ve established themselves in your house, you need to take immediate measures to eliminate them. This can help to reduce your allergy symptoms if you’re sensitive to them. Here are some effective ways to get rid of dust mites:

1. Wash bedding at least every two weeks

Since bedding is one of the most frequent places for dust mites to hide out, it’s important to wash it at least once every two weeks. Use hot water to make sure you kill all of the mites. Generally, water should be at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit to destroy mites.

2. Reduce indoor humidity

Since dust mites thrive in warm, high humidity environments, it’s important to keep the humidity of your home less than 50 percent. To measure indoor humidity, purchase a hygrometer, available at most hardware stores. If it’s above fifty percent, consider purchasing a dehumidifier to help bring it down.

3. Remove unnecessary carpeting

Dust mites thrive within the fibers of carpeting. If possible, remove the rugs in your home and replace them with hard flooring. This step can go far towards reducing the number of dust mites in your home. Vacuuming is generally not effective at eliminating dust mites, although it may reduce the population. Never vacuum without a mask if you suffer from allergies.

4. Encase your pillows and mattresses in vinyl

Covering your mattress and pillows in vinyl can significantly reduce the dust mite population in your bedroom. This step is generally not cost prohibitive and can have a positive impact on allergy symptoms.

Taking these four steps to eliminate dust mites can be quite effective and may allow you some relief from your allergy or asthma symptoms. Why not give them a try?

Related article: How to Get Rid of Ants in Your House

This article by Kristie Leong provides some interesting ideas for using natural remedies to treat the painful symptoms of arthritis. It should serve as a good companion for the articles that I have already written on scurvy and tuberculosis. If I can manage to tackle a few more disease-related issues, I may eventually make a separate category for them.

Arthritis can be a painful and debilitating condition that can interfere with the ability to carry out normal, everyday activities that many of us take for granted. The pain, stiffness, and joint swelling can take its toll on even the most stoic of patients. Traditionally, prescription anti-inflammatory medications have been used to treat the symptoms of arthritis but with recent studies showing the potentially serious side effects of these drugs, many people are seeking natural remedies for arthritis pain. Fortunately, there are a variety of natural ways to reduce the pain and discomfort of arthritis. Here are some of the most promising:

Lifestyle modifications

This is probably the most important way to naturally relieve the pain and discomfort of arthritis. The two main lifestyle changes that can have a major impact on arthritis symptoms are daily exercise and weight reduction. Daily exercise such as a brisk walk or a daily swim can help to increase joint mobility and reduce stiffness. Swimming is an ideal form of exercise for the arthritis sufferer as it doesn’t place additional stress on the joints. If you choose to walk, be sure to select a quality walking shoe with good support to lower the impact of your foot against the pavement. Weight loss also helps to reduce stress on the joints which can help relieve arthritis symptoms. Make a commitment to a healthy diet and exercise plan and you’ll go a long way towards soothing your aching joints.

Fish oils

The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties similar to prescription anti-inflammatory medications without the negative side effects. If you’re unable to add more fatty fish to your diet, consider supplementing with three 1,000 milligram omega-3 fatty acid capsules on a daily basis. These can be found at your local health food store.

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In our third and final article review of this series, Eliot Erfurt examines the cultural aspects that affect any successful marketing campaign. The review includes some rather humorous examples of what can happen when marketers fail to educate themselves about the cultural differences between the people of their own region and those of their target markets.

Article Reviewed:

Reese, S. (1998). Culture shock. Marketing Tools, 5 (4), 44-48.

Purpose of the article: Culture affects the buying behavior of consumers. If a business does not familiarize itself with the culture of a specific marketing group, advertising dollars and product sales may suffer. The article lists numerous examples of the adverse effects that may result if the culture of specific groups are ignored and also gives suggestions on how to avoid the pitfalls of ethnic marketing.

Summary: Culture is the system of shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviors, and artifacts that the members of society use to cope with their world and with one another, and that are transmitted from generation to generation through learning. The author, Shelly Reese, begins the article with numerous and often humorous examples of what can happen if cultures clash in the marketplace. The author cites relevant facts to back up the assertion that culture cannot be ignored in today’s marketplace. Finally, a list of helpful suggestions on what and how to incorporate cultural differences into product design and advertising is given.

Excellent examples of cultural ignorance are listed in the article. Some of these include:

• The Coors slogan, “Turn it loose”, was unfortunately translated into Spanish as, “Suffer from diarrhea”.
• Pepsi’s slogan, “Come alive with the Pepsi Generation” translated into Chinese as, “Pepsi brings your ancestors back from the grave”.
• A horrible implication was made in Africa when Gerber sold its baby food with a picture of a beautiful baby on the jar. Since most Africans cannot read English, the usual practice for companies, unknown or ignored by Gerber, was that the contents (not the consumers) were shown on the front of the product.
• The brand name of the facial tissue “Puffs” means brothels in colloquial German! The product had been marketed before the mistake was discovered.
• The people at Parker pen assumed the Spanish word “embarazar” means “to embarrass”. Unfortunately, part of their pen ad, “It won’t leak in your pocket and embarrass you” became “It won’t leak in your pocket and make you pregnant.” The word “embarazar” means “to impregnate”.

As the world leans toward more free trade and accommodates an expansive global market, the necessity of incorporating culture into product decision making becomes clear. Even within the United States, the white population is becoming more fragmented. Reese explains, “…immigration from Europe has been on the rise. Between 1985 and 1995, more than 1.2 million European migrants settled in the U.S. That represents 14 percent of total immigration.” New immigrants offer a distinctly different target market as they acculturate into the mainstream American society. The minority populations in the United States will make up 50% of the total by the year 2050. Certainly, all Americans will continue to have many things in common, but the future points toward increasing growth from immigration and therefore more specific and numerous target markets.

Reese suggests some common sense, yet often overlooked, factors to consider before marketing a product. These timely ideas include:

• Never assume you know a population different from your own. Many times your assumption many be based on erroneous stereotyping.
• What works in one area of the market will not necessarily work in all places.
• Advertising in an ethnic market means more than simply translating your brochure or ad. The words, although translated correctly, may not connect with the cultural norms of the group. As the author explains, “Real target marketing demands the creation of messages that appeal to the specific sensitivities of an audience.”
• Even the colors used in an advertisement may carry significance. Koreans or Japanese would recognize the color red or gold as targeted for Chinese consumers – not for them.
• Cultural relevance, explains Reese, means understanding a group’s values and customs and is very different from cultural opportunism.
• Take the time to understand and learn what is important to a particular market. Brand names are not always enough.

Conclusion: The best ethnic marketing results from an understanding of what carries values within a culture. The business must make a commitment to the community and culture to establish a lasting relationship between themselves and the consumers.

Implications: The study of consumer behavior is a basic tenet of marketing strategy. It is used to promote the marketing approach and enhance the effectiveness of marketing strategy. Culture plays a vital role in consumer behavior particularly because of the increasing trend toward a global marketplace. The culture of specific consumer groups, therefore, has implications in brand image and branding, product positioning, marketing segmentation, new product development, pricing, choosing distributing channels, advertising, and promotion.

This second article in our series about consumer behavioral trends and marketing was written by Angela Cantu along with some much-needed copyediting by me in order to make it suitable for publication. It is a summary and analysis of some important statistical information on consumer behavior and marketing trends.

Articles Reviewed:

Gunter, M. & Smith, J. W. (2001, December 24). What Shoppers Want. Fortune Magazine. Retrieved March 1, 2002, from http://www.business2.com/articles/ mag/0,1640,36161,00.html

Princeton Survey Research Associates. (1999, March). Consumer Behaviors, Experiences, and Attitudes: A Comparison by Age Groups. Retrieved February 14, 2002, from http://research. aarp.org/consumer/d16907_ behavior_1.html.

Wirthlin Report. (1999 March). Buying Influences: Consider the Source. Retrieved February 14, 2002, from http://209.204.197.52/publicns/report/wr9903.htm.

Summary and Analysis:

What do consumers want when they are looking to purchase products? That is a question many executives ask themselves when trying produce advertisements for the public. While many marketers depend on research and economic studies, others turn to surveys by using information sources from within their company such as questionnaires or customer feedback information.

J. Walker Smith, president of Yankelovich Partners, one of America’s leading analysts in consumer trends, believes that many “came out of the nineties feeling prosperous, self-confident, and in control.” However, consumers now are at a point where especially the baby boomers need to feel a sense of satisfaction with products that are “nonmaterial and intangible”.

In order for consumers to feel a level of satisfaction when it comes to purchasing products, many Americans turn to five different forms of media. They are television news sources, newspapers, radio, Internet, and news magazines. In the Wirthlin Report, 58 percent of consumers turn to the television, 23 percent to the newspaper, 13 percent to the Internet, and only one percent to magazine articles. According to research done by the Wirthlin Report, they know that Americans are conscientious shoppers who like to comparison shop before spending their money.

Research done by their associates has found that when consumers are looking to purchase certain items, they turn to certain kinds of media. The television seems to have a major impact on consumers who are looking to purchase less expensive items such as medications or household items. The newspaper has an influence among consumers looking to purchase appliances or investment items such as stocks. In addition, magazine articles tend to influence larger purchases like computers or vehicles.

Along with the decision to purchase also comes the need for a certain level of education. In this regard, researchers say that television is a medium used by many who have little or no education while those who are “highly” educated turn to print media like magazine articles and newspaper advertisements. The Internet also seems to have an impact on large numbers of consumers who are turning to the web for customized items. Internet research allows consumers the flexibility to virtually create their items as they would like them. For instance with vehicles, the consumer can choose the color they want for the vehicle, decide on what options they want, and even have the choice of having it delivered to their homes. Similar options are available for computers.

When consumers are deciding to purchase items, the question of how credible the companies are comes into play. Consumers turn to a variety of sources when it comes to determining how credible the product’s brand is. Some of those sources are consumer reports, friends, radio news, network television, news articles, and the Internet. Everyone is different and depending on your level of education, one has the right to determine what sources are believable, somewhat believable, or not believable at all.

Another study done by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) closely relates to the information sources chosen by consumers, and that is also their level of vulnerability. Their research found that a large number of consumers are vulnerable to advertisements that are fraudulent or deceptive.

Many reasons contribute to consumers who are taken advantage of by deceptive advertising or fraudulent claims. These include factors such as what level they conduct their business, what behavioral patterns they have, their attitudes, and their level of education. The AARP study was conducted with participants from the older group aged 65 years or more and the group of younger consumers aged 18 to 64. They analyzed the group with the vulnerability index, the lowest score being zero for low vulnerability and the highest score being 29 for a high vulnerability, and they found that the older consumers were more affected by deceptive advertisements.

In one survey, the AARP found 21 percent of those aged 75 or older and 11 percent of those aged 65 to 74 had a high vulnerability index. In addition, those with a low vulnerability index were only 5 percent of those aged 75 or older and almost zero with those who were 65 and under.

As marketers begin trying to appeal to their audience, they also have to take into consideration whether or not consumers will be satisfied with their products. The AARP found that 82 percent of consumers in their survey were not satisfied with their purchases in at least one instance. Meanwhile, researchers found that the younger consumers had more complaints and were more adamant in doing something about the problem versus those over 65.

Advertisers have found it nearly impossible to appeal to everyone since Americans are very diverse in their expectations of brands and products. Most advertisers now turn to a variety of information sources to determine whether their products are successful. Once marketers have received feedback on their products, they begin to market them to the appropriate audience.

This is the first of a series of three article reviews related to various aspects of marketing and consumer behavior. In our first installment, Marilyn Knox presents an analysis of older consumers from the “baby boomer” generation and gives reasons why this market cannot be ignored.

Article Reviewed:

Abdel-Ghany, M. & Sharpe, D. L. (1997). Consumption patterns among young-old and old-old. Journal of Consumer Affairs, 31 (1), 90+

Purpose of article: On January 1, 1996 the first of the babies born during the Baby Boom turned 50. Maturing consumers are the biggest spenders. They are the wealthiest, best educated and most sophisticated purchasers. Baby Boomers are forming the most extraordinary middle-aged generation of all time – one that presents the most complex set of challenges to product and service providers and marketers in the history of modern marketing.

Summary of article: For several decades, the study of advertising and marketing has taken a historical approach. We have studied what has worked in the past. Unfortunately, this past does not resemble the immediate future. The youth-dominated markets of the past 30 years are slowly but surely being replaced by an America that has never been old before. To plan for tomorrow’s maturing marketplace using standards developed and tested in yesterday’s objective, youth oriented markets is as dangerous as driving using only the rear view mirror.

Conclusion: Marketers will be required to develop relationships with consumers that allow a marketer to “go with the flow” of consumers’ free will choices. This converts the often-heard slogan “customer driven” into today’s reality. New science has caused scientists to adopt new assumptions about the behavior of matter and energy as well as new investigative techniques. New marketing will likewise cause researchers and marketers to make equivalent changes to their thinking regarding consumer behavior.

Implications: The message for marketers is that the tidal wave of Boomers turning 50 will only intensify the trend toward youthfulness among the mature population. Boomers have changed every stage of life they have lived through so far, so they are likely to create a second middle-aged market, thus altering the very nature of maturing consumer markets. Understanding what distinguishes baby boomers as a group from the present mature population will be the key to planning for successful marketing to the maturing consumers’ population in the coming decades.

This essay is a review of an article written by B. Zorina Khan in Journal of Economic History (55:1), 58-97. The title of the original article is “Property Rights and Patent Litigation in Early Nineteenth-Century America”.

For as long as I can remember, I have been interested in inventions. I have thought about many things, from designing a hat for babies to wear when they first begin walking to how to make a computer think using something other than the binary system. In the textbook, America by Tindall and Shi, the authors describe the last quarter of the 19th century as one of great inventions, big business, and industrial growth (675-706). Certainly, the whole question of what caused the industrial revolution is very fascinating, especially since current events describe Afghanistan as a place where there is no electricity, food, water, roads, or industrial development – why here and not there? In Chapter 19 of America, as evidence of growth, the authors point out that the U.S. Patent Office registered 234,956 inventions in the 1890’s, compared to only 276 in the 1790’s (Tindall and Shi 652). I have limited my topic to the question of whether the patent office encouraged the growth of technology in the last quarter of the 19th century as described in the article by B. Zorina Khan entitled, “Property Rights and Patent Litigation in Early Nineteenth-Century America” (58-97).

The argument made by Khan in her article is that the existence of the patent office, patent law, and the judicial system encouraged technological change and stimulated growth in the late 1800’s. In order to prove her assumption, the author examined all of the 795 patent cases from 1790 to 1860 (61). Khan attempts to answer other researchers who contend that patents were of little use during the beginning of the industrialization period because: 1) patents were unenforceable and easily copied, 2) some inventions did not qualify for a patent, and 3) the legal system of the times was “anti-patent”. These scholars question whether the patent office encouraged growth. They also doubt whether money or market forces have a substantial effect on the level of inventiveness (59).

Khan makes several good points. If patents were of little value, as others have suggested, people would have relied on other methods to protect their property rights. Yet, the majority of all of the important inventions of the time were patented. In addition, many investors of the 19th century bought into the creative ideas of others in the hopes of making a profit (Khan 60). The investments of early venture capitalists demonstrate the relationship between inventions and profit.

A major contention made by the author to counter the argument that the courts were not responsive to inventors involved the examination of all 795 patent cases from 1790 to 1860. Few cases (of any kind) were brought before the federal courts during this time period and, of all the patent cases, most were settled out of court (Khan 61, 63, 80, 88-89). Many of the cases that did make it to court, were argued because of market strategy, not enforcement of property rights (67). Most court cases reflected an attempt to extend an existing patent, rather than a question of enforcement. Most surprising of all, only 76 patents accounted for 585 of the 795 total cases (70). These facts bolster the author’s claims because if dissatisfaction with the court actually did exist and enforcement problems were an issue, more and different types of claims would have been filed with the courts.

In examining the patent cases, the author also notes that the outcomes of the cases were consistent across the country (Khan 86). This, too, argues in the author’s favor. Other researchers contend that judges were anti-patent prior to 1836, then, later, became more liberal and patent friendly. Khan, however, counters this claim by explaining the 1836 changes in patent law as the reason for a change in both the number and results of patent cases after that date (62-63). The Commissioner of Patent became responsible for infringement disputes so the type of cases heard by the court system changed. The consistency and non-arbitrariness of the courts also is evident because judges relied on earlier cases to help in later decisions (64).

As evidence for her claim that patent law encouraged technological growth, Khan also uses the number of patent cases filed per capita, the sales of patent rights, and the practice of inventors advertising pending patents (93). Clearly, these would not occur unless patents were enforceable and encouraged growth. As the population grew in urban areas and markets expanded, patent filings increased. Inventors and investors profited from the sale of inventions.
The fact the inventors advertised that their patents were pending is evidence that patents were, indeed, valuable (93).

Khan’s article presents evidence that the patent office encouraged industrial growth and effectively counters those that question the effectiveness of the early patent office. However, as she admits, only one piece of the picture was examined. A more persuasive argument might include a comparison of growth versus patents in other countries with that in the United States. Additionally, an examination of this period of growth might be compared with other periods in the history of the United States. She also did not mention the possible effects of rural to urban transition, transportation advances, western settlement, and increased immigration on the surge of inventions.

Khan’s article and the question of patents in general are very relevant to our history course. The text should have said more about this topic and the lecture should question the role of the patent office during the time of the industrial revolution. If, as Khan suggests, the patent office had some responsibility for the unparalleled growth of the late 19th century, the topic deserves some mention in order to receive a fuller picture of the times.

Works Cited

Khan, B. Zorina. “Property Rights and Patent Litigation in Early Nineteenth-Century America.” Journal of Economic History 55:1 (1995): 58-97.

Tindall, George Brown, and David E. Shi. America: A Narrative History. Brief 5th ed., New York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2000.

Daniel Goleman brought wide popular recognition to the concept of emotional intelligence in his best-selling book of the same name. This book is divided into five parts: the emotional brain, the nature of emotional intelligence, emotional intelligence applied, windows of opportunity, and emotional literacy. Goleman states that humans have two minds, one that is an emotional mind and the other a rational mind. According to the author, “All emotions, in essence, are impulses to act, the instant plans for handling life that evolution has instilled in us” (Goleman 1995).

In one section of his book, Goleman tells of a sophomore in high school who was a straight-A student fixated on getting into Harvard Medical School. His physics teacher gave him an 80 on a quiz and the student feared that this grade would put his dream in jeopardy. The student brought a butcher knife to school and stabbed his teacher after an emotional confrontation. The court found him innocent, ruling that he was mentally insane at during the accident (Goleman 1995). “The question is, how could someone of such obvious intelligence do something so irrational — so downright dumb? The answer: Academic intelligence has little to do with emotional life” (Goleman 1995). A high IQ can contribute about 20 percent to the factors that determine success.

Emotional Intelligence is defined by five main abilities: Knowing one’s emotions (self-awareness), managing emotions, motivating oneself, recognizing emotions of others (empathy), and handling relationships. Goleman states, “People who excel in these skills do well at anything that relies on interacting smoothly with others; they are social stars” (43-44). All these skills can be developed. Emotional wisdom and maturity can be acquired and enhanced. Goleman’s book summarizes and analyzes the research on how a person’s emotional “intelligence” contributes to functioning well in our society. The theory of emotional intelligence has spread into schools and the business community. Practical application of this popular theory has become the basis for many training and counseling sessions.

So, what are some practical applications of emotional intelligence in the workplace? On some of the findings, emotional intelligence (EI) is utilized in the success of meeting planning in the industries. A small research study was conducted by a Dr. J.P. Pawliw-Fry (Canada-based expert in EI and co-director of the Institute for Health and Human Potential) with meeting planners in the first quarter of 2000. He quotes that, “emotional quotient, or EQ, is responsible for 68% of the success of high-performing planners” [and] tech skills 22%, and IQ only 8%.

Emotional Intelligence can be further defined into five major categories: self-awareness, self-management, self-motivation, empathy, and social skills (Goleman, 1995). “What’s your problem?” Athena Miller, president of Gilbert, Arizona-based Human Dimensions, works with managers and their teams in recognizing their self-awareness. Apparently, these teams spend most of their time fighting, distrusting, and “back-stabbing” each other. People need to express their emotions and feelings with each other and be aware of how they interact with others.

Another example of self-awareness, a personal competency, was found at the Center for Organizational Excellence in Fairfax Station, Virginia. The president, Dr. Joseph Mancusi, says that “planners with such aptitude are able to cope with the tremendous chaos and change inherent to conventions and meetings” and that to assure us that EI, unlike IQ, can be learned and developed (Meany, 2000).

Self-management and self-motivation, sometimes referred to as “Get them under control” is being able to manage your emotions and impulses – to delay your gratification, as well as to persevere in the face of setbacks and failures (Goleman, 1995). After self-awareness you can begin self-management and create walls or “blocks” that will prevent your usual or natural reaction. Once you can take control of your own emotions and get past the obstacles, you can then “orchestrate the actions of others.”

This seems to hold true in San Francisco-based Q-Metrics, where Esther Orioli, president and CEO, says, “your first reaction is fear or inadequacy.” A vice president of sales force performance at PlanSoft Corporation in Ohio, Mike Kunkle, stresses the importance of controlling one’s emotions. In one particular instance Kunkle and his colleagues were barraged by a team member who kept making sarcastic remarks. Kunkle didn’t waste time in arguing or responding to each remark and in the end the meeting actually was pretty productive because he didn’t let the “comments derail the conversation.” (Meany, 2000).

Empathy and social skills, “Skills that matter” are your two social competencies that sense how others are feeling and being able to handle those emotions of others. In one particular case, Jeannie Coyle, who is now a special educations teacher, was formerly with Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association in Washington D.C., where she was an exhibit manager. On one rather already rough day, she and her exhibitors were prepping for a meeting hall. They had to first wait out twelve hours for another group to finish and because they waited that long Coyle and her team were in there all night. To ward off irritated and exhausted exhibitors she ordered lots of room service and committed herself to stay with them all night until 5:00 a.m. (Meany, 2000). I think this demonstrates a high emotional intelligence in the field of empathy and social skills; she demonstrated that she understood, cared, and most importantly did something about it.

There are many other examples of emotional intelligence in practice not only in industries, but now perhaps in curriculums in college for college students. One case reveals EI being taught to future leaders for business graduates. At some business schools EI is taught through stages or phases as Cherniss and Goleman (1995) put it. “There would be four stages:

1. Stage 1: Students deny that they have any need for change.
2. Stage 2: Students see the need to improve but are not sure that anything can be done or they delay action.
3. Stage 3: Students recognize the problem and understand that there are alternative ways of dealing with it, but have not worked out a plan.
4. Stage 4: Students have a plan and put it into action.”

Through these stages tailored to college students, professors can map the EI structure and lead students from stage one to stage four increasing the students morale, motivation, and perseverance (Tucker, Sojka, Barone, & McCarthy, 2000).

Evaluation

I thought the articles were very interesting and closely related to the text, however, the text contains only a paragraph on emotional intelligence. After reading these articles and doing my own extended research, I find that I wish we spent more time on emotional intelligence. I feel that this particular topic would be 90% of OB – organizational behavior and how to be successful managers.

I agreed with most of the comments and summaries in the articles, with the exception of a few. To name one example of disagreement, with my “working knowledge” of EI, the article on You’re Smarter Than You Think, under “Get Them Under Control” Meany expounds Mike Kunkle’s experience with warding off “snide remarks”, continuing with his speech, and being able to maintain a productive meeting, she says is not the works of EI. However, I say otherwise. Kunkle clearly demonstrated self-management and self-motivation. To reiterate, he controlled his emotions by not letting the “passive-aggressive” member to get to him and utilized self-motivation in terms of his perseverance to continue the meeting and, in turn, had a productive meeting. These two values are a part of personal competencies outlined by Goleman and Kunkle demonstrated a high emotional intelligence.

References

Goleman, Daniel (1995). Emotional intelligence. NewYork: Bantam Books.

Meany, R. (2000). You’re smarter than you think. Successful Meetings, 49 (12), 52-56.

Tucker, M. L., Sojka, J. Z., Barone, F. J., & McCarthy, A. M. (2000). Training tomorrow’s leaders: Enhancing the emotional intelligence of business. Journal of Education for Business, 75 (6), 331-338.

Although I had always suspected that the bottled water craze was mostly marketing hype, John Stossel’s study of bottled water vs. tap back in 2005 revealed that many Americans are even more clueless on this issue than I had previously thought. Meanwhile, this article by Jan Harper approaches the issue from a different angle. In this piece, the author raises concerns that the bottled water companies, in their attempts to satisfy the rampant consumerism of the clueless masses, may be contributing to water shortages or other environmental problems in underdeveloped countries. Admittedly, I haven’t fully researched this particular aspect of the bottled water issue, so if any of you have additional information that is relevant to this particular topic, please add this to the comment section below.

Sales of bottled water are steadily rising and have been for the past five years, according to Washington based NGO (Non-Governmental Organizations). This is good news for business, but not so helpful for third world countries where safe drinking water is less than plentiful and drought is a constant threat.

Just one third of the money spent on bottled water in Western countries with adequate drinking water supplies would double the availability of clean, safe, drinking water in these countries.

The problem is further compounded by all the energy needed to bottle, extract and transport this water to the end user. Water bottled in some developing countries is being extracted at such a rate that it is affecting the water supply locally. There has recently been discussion on this in the Southern Indian state of Kerala where the water in the underlying rock is being extracted faster than it can replenish itself.

The problem with the aquifer in Kerala has been exacerbated by the Coca-Cola company which takes large amounts of water for the manufacture of Coke and bottled water. Local farmers reported a problem with brackish spring water which was affecting their crops. It is thought that cracks in the bedrock have allowed fertilizers to seep through and contaminate the water. A compromise has been reached on this but similar problems exist in other areas of the world.

Worries have been voiced over the depletion of underground water reserves in the Great Lakes region of the United States and the growing bottled water industry has been blamed for this.

Nestle, the world’s largest seller of bottled water, announced last year that it had designs on the underground water supply around Orwell, Oswego County. The region’s deep springs are a very lucrative and valuable resource so Nestle is not without competition. Environmentalists are battling against the project, but even their warning that bottled water uses up fossil fuels and adds to global warming seems to make no difference.

Bottled water is a luxury in parts of the world where there is a readily available supply of safe drinking water, but it is not a solution in areas with inadequate supplies. The only effective solution in the latter case is to provide renewable sources of supply and cut down on the environmental pollution factors that accentuate global warming and affect climate in these areas.

In addition to the more obvious benefits like not having to commute to classes, with good professors and management online college courses can help prospective students in other ways that may not be readily apparent. In this article titled “Dream A Little Dream”, Heather Long recounts her experiences with a particularly helpful instructor who not only assisted with the coursework, but motivated the author to rediscover her passion for writing and eventually turn it into a rewarding career.

I returned to college at the age of 28. I was ready to get my degree finally, eight years after having to leave school to care for my ailing grandmother. I attended part time at a local community college and following the birth of my daughter, discovered this brilliant feature the college offered: I could take classes online.

The situation was ideal, especially with an infant daughter to care for and no readily handy babysitters to cover for me should I need to attend physical, on-site classes. I’ve always been willing to try something, even when I was filled with trepidation, so I signed up for my first class which was a Humanities study on the History of the Trojan War and its metamorphosis through literature and film.

To my absolute delight I found an instructor who not only understood the needs of students learning in an online atmosphere, but promoted communication as her number one method of teaching. She responded to emails promptly with explanations for any questions I had and in depth analysis of work submitted.

Her name is Diane Thompson and she was more than willing to work with me when I got behind because my daughter got sick and was always ready with a kind word and encouragement. I completed the Troy class, having thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience. I was still working towards my degree and I was delighted to find out that Diane taught another class that I would need to take.

I signed up for the course immediately. The same generosity of spirit and encouragement existed in this course as it did in the last. Not only did she critique the work I submitted, but pointed me towards sources that could help me improve it. One of the first assignments I was required to write for the class was an essay about overcoming a personal problem. Her guidelines required that the student feel comfortable sharing this information because the essay would be posted for other students to read as well.

I thought about the assignment long and hard, finally deciding to write about an addiction I developed to online games. I discussed the history of the problem, when I became aware of the problem and how I worked to relieve myself of the problem. It was a difficult essay to write because it exposed a flaw I felt very badly about within myself.

Diane’s comments were a profound relief after I turned in the essay. She found it thought provoking and completely understandable from the viewpoints I presented. She felt that I addressed the issue as best I could without overtly feeling sorry for myself or trying to paint a false picture. We’d exchanged a couple of emails over the content and where it might be improved stylistically when Diane dropped a bombshell on me.

She suggested that I try to sell the essay to a magazine or online publication. She felt it spoke a great deal to the common person and put a growing problem in a light where it might be better understood. I was flabbergasted. I freely admit to staring at her email and while deeply pleased by her faith in me, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do.

All my life, I have been a writer. I love to write. I’ve written reams of information on countless subjects and dozens of short stories. I’d always put the idea of being a professional “Writer” off in the category of someday, a someday when I might have more time to “devote” to my art. I wrote as much back to Diane and she wrote back and encouraged me to try anyway. It might not sell, but then again it might. No one said I needed to make fifty thousand dollars on a first sale.

What could it hurt?

I can honestly say that because of this wonderful encouragement this teacher took the time to devote to me, I’ve begun to firmly establish myself as a freelance writer. I’m more than halfway through a novel. I’ve taken writing courses and found online writing groups. I’ve found support and friends who are experiencing similar problems while they tackle a challenging new career and I’ve never been happier about a choice than I am about the one to take the risk and try to submit that piece.

The piece itself, to this date, has never sold, but it has led me into a bright and beautiful new world. For helping me to realize that my dream, I have to thank Diane Thompson. Diane is a brilliant instructor who shares her encouragement, understanding and intelligence with her students at the Northern Virginia Community Colleges.

This book review by Philip Spires describes a notably well-written and humorous first novel called The Debt to Pleasure and authored by John Lanchester. Upon further researching the book, I noticed that if you go to Google book search and perform a standard query on the book’s title and author, you can access a revealing preview of this novel and actually read most of its text.

Presumably in the interest of not giving away the whole thing, not all pages are included, but there is certainly enough readable content for you to get a good idea of the book’s subject and writing style. I read through the first seven pages, which comprised a very descriptive account of the main character’s experience with being served the infamous dish of shepherd’s pie at an English boarding school. Overall, it looks like a book that I could recommend, especially if you share my interest in cooking and food-related topics.

One of my greatest pleasures is eating, so I must cook. I savour, therefore I cook. I like tasty food made with fresh ingredients that address all four of our tastes – salt, sour, sweet and bitter – to create a complementary whole. Of course, there is now the fifth taste, unami, the expanding universe within soy sauce, that can amplify other inputs. I have just made an English pie, with chicken, mushrooms, a little diced bacon, seasoning and fresh herbs. It was moistened with stock and an egg before being baked in my own short-crust. Fresh gravy and vegetables alongside is all it will need. It thus has sweet, salt and bitter, but lacks sourness. A squeeze of lemon on the vegetables will compensate.

For the expansion, take one novel closely related to cooking and read. Do try the recipes, but proceed with care. Cook things right through before committing to taste. John Lanchester’s The Debt to Pleasure is my recommendation. It’s a highly original, highly informative cookbook written by one Tarquin Winot, an expert in the field.

In one of the most original books I have ever read, John Lanchester creates a real anti-hero. Too often the concept is ironed onto a character who is just a naughty boy doing naughty, often repulsive things, the concept of “hero” being often ignored. Tarquin Winot, the anti-hero of The Debt to Pleasure, is a brilliant and learned cook. He is also highly creative, using ingredients that only those who might cook with a purpose would choose to use. He is also something of a psychopath, perhaps. That is for you to judge. But he has survived to write his cookbook and apparently savours his retirement, courtesy of those he has fed.

The Debt to Pleasure is a superb novel. Tarquin’s narrative draws the reader, perhaps unsuspecting, into his world, evoking an empathy with and for the character. That we have as yet only partially got to know this brilliant cook only becomes apparent as we proceed through his life, a life he has peppered with his personal peccadilloes. But above all, Tarquin Winot is both a planner and a perfectionist. His culinary creations are thought through, drafted like dramas to provoke particular responses, to achieve pre-meditated ends. They are also successful, appreciated by those who consume his concoctions, and eventually they succeed in precisely the way that he plans and executes.

Throughout, John Lanchester’s prose is a delight, as stimulating to the mind as his character’s creations might be to the palate. Florid and extravagant it might be at times, perhaps too much butter and cream for some diets. But The Debt to Pleasure is a satisfying, surprising and eventually fulfilling read. Tarquin fulfils both aspects of the anti-hero and ultimately we are left to grapple with the nature of self-obsession and selfishness.