Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Predictive Technology
Predictive technologies focus on using more computing power and technology to develop systems that predict routes, behavior, inventory, patterns, etc. Computer technology has improved over time. When we consider that the average SmartPhone has more computing power than all of NASA's first Apollo missions, we get the idea of access. If we look at Moore's law, every 18 months, the industry changes drastically (unexpected and planned changes). This allows for the development of predictive technologies to roll out in all sorts of products: coffee makers, the home (lighting, music, heating predicted when you are almost home), transportation, etc.
Strategic Analysis: Fire & Emergency Services Collinsville
Development in and around the township of Collinsville is inevitable and, in fact, is currently underway on the eastside of the county. As currently configured, fire and emergency services are inadequate to meet the needs of the additional people who are expected to move into the area. Current and future implementation of fire and emergency services must provide an affordable and balanced configuration of services, which ultimately must be measured in terms of response times and coverage. Several variables in the community point to the construction of a substation in the area of new development. The availability of funding for construction, equipment, and staffing is being explored, and a feasibility study is an anticipated next step. The mayor, the city council, and the residents of Collinsville must receive assurance of sufficient staff, equipment, and stations to meet the recommended NFPA 1720 staffing standards and the ISO standards of coverage for the population density, road conditions, climate, and terrain. To that end, the following presenting problems, areas of study, and recommendations are proposed.
Negligent Tort Analysis: Sportspower Trampoline Recall
Negligent Tort
On November 28, 2012, the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall of 23,400 trampolines manufactured by Sportspower of Hong Kong because the metal legs of the trampoline can move out of their correct positions, poke through the trampoline's jumping area and present the risk of injuring the user by possibly "deep, penetrating puncture wounds, cuts and bruises." There is insufficient information to determine whether Sportspower would have been liable in negligence if the trampolines had not been recalled and had caused harm to a consumer. It appears that Plaintiff would be able to prove the duty of care, its breach, standard of care and falling below that standard; however, the facts of this case do not tell us enough to determine whether there was actual injury as a result of the Defendant's negligence, whether the Defendant's negligence was the actual cause of the Plaintiff's injury or whether the Defendant's negligence was the proximate cause of the Plaintiff's injury. In addition, the defenses of intervening cause, contributory negligence, comparative negligence and assumption of risk could be used by the Defendant to defeat the Plaintiff's case. At this point, we do not have sufficient information to determine whether those defenses would be successful.
Fortunately for the Plaintiff, the "Substantial Product Hazards" provision of the Consumer Protection Act (15 U.S.C. § 2064) would cover this case. By manufacturing 23,400 trampolines with metal legs that could move out of position, puncture the jumping surface and cause deep and penetrating cuts, wounds and bruises to the person jumping on the trampoline, Sportspower has created a substantial risk of injury to the public. This would allow Plaintiff to use the "Substantial Product Hazards" provision of the Consumer Protection Act and the assistance of the Consumer Product Safety Commission to obtain relief from Sportspower.
Music and Politics: The Argentine Tango's Cultural Roots
The tango is a form of dancing that originates in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is a popular dance form that has spread internationally since its inception in the early nineteenth century. As with all cultural forms, there is a distinctive history and style that accompanies this form of expression. The very creation and performance of tango are political acts. The tango flourishes in South America and in Europe. The tango culture is also quite popular in North American and Asia. There are, for example, multiple tango festivals that occur in Turkey, a country that is both in Asia and in Europe. The paper will discuss the cultural expression of tango, a form of music and dance, as well as the political circumstances under which it was created and the ones it expresses.