Internet usage Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Internet usage - Essay Example Today, the negative impacts of increasing internet use reduce the scope of internet to a notable extent. This paper will perform a cause and effect analysis of the internet usage. Effects of internet usage According to Wilder, one of the most noticeable effects of increased internet usage is that it promotes socialization, which is a dynamic learning process whereby individuals and organizations change over time (204). Since internet influences cultural transitions, this global network significantly contributes to the pace of socialization. Since internet allows users to interact with people from various cultures, individuals obtain the opportunity to learn more about different cultural practices, norms, and beliefs. However, it is often observed that people use internet to abuse other cultures emotionally rather than to adopt from the good aspects of those cultures. Hence, sometimes internet promotes a negative socialization process due to its unfair usage. Evidently, high rate of i nternet usage has greatly benefited people to be independent as it helps people to attain knowledge without any external assistance. Today, professors do not need to provide teaching notes to students since there is a bundle of relevant information available in the internet. Although this condition may improve students’ academic efficiency, overdependence on internet would sometimes result in adverse academic results. For instance, every piece of information provided in the internet may not be correct or accurate as every person is free to post his writings or personal views on the internet. Hence, wrong or misleading information would often cause troubles to an individual’s academic career. Another positive benefit of internet is that it provides employment to millions of people. Due to the increased internet usage, the scope of internet based jobs is still increasing and this situation gives hope to a global economy struggling from the recent global recession. At som e particular levels, the negative effects of internet outweigh the internet’s positive effects. To illustrate, cyber-terrorism significantly diminishes the scope of internet. The internet based terrorist activities such as deliberate disruption of computer networks cause serious consequences in the cyber world. Professional hacker teams use computer viruses to obtain unauthorized access to an organization’s or a country’s confidential data. Under such circumstances, the victim may sustain serious damages or losses which in turn would outweigh the anticipated benefits from those data. In addition, studies point out that porn websites and other violence promoting factors in internet result in social as well as cultural disintegration. Finally, the growing popularity of social networking websites like Facebook causes time wastage, and hence the overall productivity declines. As Lukoff points out, â€Å"exposing children and youth to video games and the internet of ten does not engage their major learning style that is through their sensorimotor system, and thus have negative effects on their cognitive development† Lukoff, 104). Causes of internet usage While discussing the dramatically increasing internet browsing data, it can be undoubtedly stated that need of information is the most important factor boosting worldwide internet usage. It is clear that internet is a potential source for every kind of information under the sun. The internet meets the information needs of each and every category of people,

Setting up a new refinery in Panama Research Paper

Setting up a new refinery in Panama - Research Paper Example A production plant processes the feedstock of a refinery. A depot, tank farm, is usually located near or at a petroleum refinery and it stores bulk of liquid products. A refinery is considered as a vital part of the downstream end of the petroleum industry. There are very important and major roles played by refineries in development of countries, regions and the world as a whole. Professionals in this field are cognizant of the reality that natural resources are scarce, the importance and desire for practices that are sustainable. They also reckon the need for social fairness in the use of these limited resources. They are therefore tasked with the leading role in designing, planning, building and securing a sustainable future. Refineries act as link between natural resources and the consumer. In their capacity, oil planners must continuously take part in multidisciplinary teams often with other professionals, such as economists, sociologists, and ecologists to address the issues and challenges of sustainable natural resource development. They should therefore advocate economic principles that recognize our environment and natural resources as capital assets. The largest chunk of Panama’s trade transactions take place in the Colon Free Trade zone, the biggest free trade zoned in the world. From the estimates of the Colon Zone Management, this trade region has accounted for 92% of Panama’s exports and 64% imports in during 2007. In 1982, Panama entered into a Bilateral Investment Treaty with the United States. This agreement has been put in place to protect the United States private investment in Panama and also help it in developing its economy. In addition, Panama and the US signed an FTA agreement in 2007 and are under implementation. The United States is by far the principal trade partner of Panama. It accounts for about a third of Panama’s imports and exports. Panama’s major trade partners according to CIA reports for 2009 are as follows: Exports Imports United States 39.2% United States 29.6% Netherlands 10.7% Costa Rica 5% Costa Rica 5.8% China 5% Sweden 5.4% Japan 4.2% The main exports from Panama are; B ananas, Coffee, Shrimp, Sugar and Clothing. The nation is highly dependent of consumer and capital goods. The trade situation has improved significantly owing to the endeavor to expand the Panama Canal that has been under construction since 2007. The project is estimated to be $5.3 billion and is expected to continue the revamping on the trade sector. The number one agricultural export- predominantly controlled by foreigners is bananas. It is followed by shrimp. Panama experienced a decline in exports of about 11% from 1997 to 1998. This was caused by quotas imposed by the EU on banana exports and that banana exports contribute a fifth of all exports. The Free Trade Zone has increased the light industry exports, manufacturing and clothing textiles. On the other hand, Panama has experienced competition from Mexico starting 1996 and has experienced stunted growth since 1998 due to protective tariffs imposed on the country. COUNTRY EXPORTS IMPORTS BALANCE United States 354 1,117 -763 S weden 62 25 37 Costa Rica 41 119 -78 Mexico 24 133 -109 Guatemala 21 62 -41 Spain 13 61 -48 Japan 12 186 -174 Colombia 9 116 -107 Ecuador 4 243 -239 Venezuela 4 222 -218 Foreign firm investment in Panama A foreign firm seeking investment in a large firm would be at an advantage