The Things They Carried by Tim OBrien Essay Example For Students

The Things They Carried by Tim OBrien Essay Tim OBriens The Things They Carried is not a novel about the Vietnam War. It is a story about the soldiers and their experiences and emotions that are brought about from the war. OBrien makes several statements about war through these dynamic characters. He shows the violent nature of soldiers under the pressures of war, he makes an effective antiwar statement, and he comments on the reversal of a social deviation into the norm. By skillfully employing the stylistic technique of specific, conscious detail selection and utilizing connotative diction, OBrien thoroughly and convincingly makes each point. The violent nature that the soldiers acquired during their tour in Vietnam is one of OBriens predominant themes in his novel. By consciously selecting very descriptive details that reveal the drastic change in manner within the men, OBrien creates within the reader an understanding of the effects of war on its participants. One of the soldiers, Norman Bowler, otherwise a very gentle person, carried a Thumb. . .The Thumb was dark brown, rubbery to touch. . . It had been cut from a VC corpse, a boy of fifteen or sixteen(13). Bowler had been a very good-natured person in civilian life, yet war makes him into a very hard-mannered, emotionally devoid soldier, carrying about a severed finger as a trophy, proud of his kill. The transformation shown through Bowler is an excellent indicator of the psychological and emotional change that most of the soldiers undergo. To bring an innocent young man from sensitive to apathetic, from caring to hateful, requires a great force; the war provides thi s force. However, frequently are the changes more drastic. A soldier named Ted Lavender adopted an orphaned puppy. . .Azar strapped it to a Claymore antipersonnel mine and squeezed the firing device(39). Azar has become demented; to kill a puppy that someone else has adopted is horrible. However, the infliction of violence has become the norm of behavior for these men; the fleeting moment of compassion shown by one man is instantly erased by another, setting order back within the group. OBrien here shows a hint of sensitivity among the men to set up a startling contrast between the past and the present for these men. The effect produced on the reader by this contrast is one of horror; therefore fulfilling OBriens purpose, to convince the reader of wars severely negative effects. In the buffalo story, We came across a baby water buffalo. . .After supper Rat Kiley went over and stroked its nose. . .He stepped back and shot it through the right front knee. . .He shot it twice in the fl anks. It wasnt to kill, it was to hurt(85). Rat displays a severe emotional problem here; however, it is still the norm. The startling degree of detached emotion brought on by the war is inherent in OBriens detailed accounts of the soldiers actions concerning the lives of other beings. OBriens use of specific and connotative diction enhances the same theme, the loss of sensitivity and increase in violent behavior among the soldiers. The VC from which Bowker took the thumb was just a boy(13), giving the image of a young, innocent person who should not have been subjected to the horrors of war. The connotation associated with boy enhances the fact that killing has no emotional effect on the Americans, that they kill for sport and do not care who or what their game may be. Just as perverse as killing boys, though, is the killing of a baby(85), the connotation being associated with human infants even though it is used to describe a young water buffalo they torture. The idea of a baby is abstract, and the killing of one is frowned upon in modern society, regardless of species. OBrien creates an attitude of disgust in the reader with the word, further fulfilling his purpose in condemning violence. Even more drastic in connotation to be killed is the orphaned puppy(39). A dding to the present idea of killing babies is the idea of killing orphaned babies, which brings out rage within the reader. The whole concept is metaphoric, based on the connotations of key words; nevertheless, it is extremely effective in conveying OBriens theme. .ub4d0c6ff1290a27490badede619d76a8 , .ub4d0c6ff1290a27490badede619d76a8 .postImageUrl , .ub4d0c6ff1290a27490badede619d76a8 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ub4d0c6ff1290a27490badede619d76a8 , .ub4d0c6ff1290a27490badede619d76a8:hover , .ub4d0c6ff1290a27490badede619d76a8:visited , .ub4d0c6ff1290a27490badede619d76a8:active { border:0!important; } .ub4d0c6ff1290a27490badede619d76a8 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ub4d0c6ff1290a27490badede619d76a8 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ub4d0c6ff1290a27490badede619d76a8:active , .ub4d0c6ff1290a27490badede619d76a8:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ub4d0c6ff1290a27490badede619d76a8 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ub4d0c6ff1290a27490badede619d76a8 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ub4d0c6ff1290a27490badede619d76a8 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ub4d0c6ff1290a27490badede619d76a8 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ub4d0c6ff1290a27490badede619d76a8:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ub4d0c6ff1290a27490badede619d76a8 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ub4d0c6ff1290a27490badede619d76a8 .ub4d0c6ff1290a27490badede619d76a8-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ub4d0c6ff1290a27490badede619d76a8:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Business Plan Joe's Vinegar Essay We will write a custom essay on The Things They Carried by Tim OBrien specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now OBrien makes a valid, effective antiwar statement in The Things They Carried. The details he includes give the reader insight into his opinions concerning the Vietnam War and the draft that was used to accumulate soldiers for the war. While thinking of escaping to Canada, he says: I was drafted to fight a war I hated. . .The American war seemed to me wrong(44). OBrien feels that U.S. involvement in Vietnamese affairs was unnecessary and wasteful. He includes an account of his plan to leave the country because he did not want to risk losing his life for a cause he did not believe in. Here OBrien shows the level of contempt felt towards the war; draft dodging is dangerous. He was not a radical antiwar enthusiast, however, for he takes only a modest stand against the war(44). While not condoning the fighting, he does not protest the war except for minimally, peacefully, and privately doing so. His dissatisfaction with the drafting process is included in his statement, I was a liberal, f or Christs sake: if they needed fresh bodies, why not draft some back-to-the-stone-age-hawk?(44). OBriens point of drafting only those who approve involvement in the war is clearly made while his political standpoint is simultaneously revealed. The liberal attitude OBrien owns is very much a part of his antiwar theme; it is the axis around which his values concerning the war revolve. The antiwar statement is enhanced by OBriens use of connotative and informal diction to describe the war, its belligerent advocates, and its participants. The connotation in the adjective American in describing the war seems as though OBrien believes the Americans are making the war revolve around themselves, instead of the Vietnamese. While also criticizing Americans, he manages to once again question the necessity of United States involvement in the war. Also connotatively enhancing the antiwar theme is the word bodies to describe draftees; while an accurate evaluation scientifically, it gives the reader the impression that the young men that are being brought into the war to become statistics, part of a body count. OBrien shows very effectively the massive destruction of innocent human life brought on by Vietnam. In contrast with his sympathy toward draftees, OBrien utilizes informal, derogatory diction to describe the wars advocates. He labels his stereotype belligerent a dumb ji ngo(44), or moronic national pride enthusiast. By phrasing his views in such a manner, OBrien is able to convey the idea that there is enough opposition to the war that a negative slang has been implemented frequently, hence the term dumb jingo. The skill with which OBrien illustrates his views is very convincing throughout their development in the novel; his antibelligerence focus is very effective. The social deviance that has become the accepted norm in The Things They Carried is brought out by OBrien in the form of the soldiers drug usage. OBrien wants to convey the idea of negative transitions brought about by the war with a statement about marijuanas public, widespread, carefree use in Vietnam. He includes several anecdotes that illustrate to which degree the substance is abused. A friend of OBriens, Ted Lavender, carried six or seven ounces of premium dope(4), which indicates not only the soldiers familiarity with the drug, but their acquired knowledge of the quality of the drug. The discouragement of marijuana, as well as other drugs, was previously the accepted view of Americans; however, according to OBrien, is has become the norm for Americans in Vietnam. The war has completely reversed their morals. Once they carried a corpse out to a dry paddy. . .and sat smoking the dead mans dope until the chopper came. Lieutenant Cross kept to himself(8). Even the squads superviso r, the platoon leader Lieutenant Cross, is unaffected by the soldiers blatant use of an illegal substance; he has become so used to the occurrence that he no longer condemns its use. For even a leader of men to be morally warped by the war is an effective idea in OBriens discouragement of war. .u74998dbe377561f7bf36e31b629c168b , .u74998dbe377561f7bf36e31b629c168b .postImageUrl , .u74998dbe377561f7bf36e31b629c168b .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u74998dbe377561f7bf36e31b629c168b , .u74998dbe377561f7bf36e31b629c168b:hover , .u74998dbe377561f7bf36e31b629c168b:visited , .u74998dbe377561f7bf36e31b629c168b:active { border:0!important; } .u74998dbe377561f7bf36e31b629c168b .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u74998dbe377561f7bf36e31b629c168b { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u74998dbe377561f7bf36e31b629c168b:active , .u74998dbe377561f7bf36e31b629c168b:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u74998dbe377561f7bf36e31b629c168b .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u74998dbe377561f7bf36e31b629c168b .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u74998dbe377561f7bf36e31b629c168b .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u74998dbe377561f7bf36e31b629c168b .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u74998dbe377561f7bf36e31b629c168b:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u74998dbe377561f7bf36e31b629c168b .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u74998dbe377561f7bf36e31b629c168b .u74998dbe377561f7bf36e31b629c168b-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u74998dbe377561f7bf36e31b629c168b:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Microbiology EssayAs George Carlin once said to a New York audience, We love war. We are a warlike people, and therefore we love war(Carlin 1992). This view is common today among Americans since the advent of long-distance warfare and bright, colorful explosions; however, in the guerrilla warfare of Vietnam, the grudging participants loathed the idea. Tim OBrien very effectively portrays their hatred and the severe negative effects the war had on American soldiers in his excellent, convincing novel The Things They Carried. The skillful choice of details and several types of diction that reveal his theme of induced violence, his anti-war statement, and his view of the rever sal of morals among GIs are effective in presenting OBriens views in this, The Last War Novel(McClung 96).

Conservatives vs liberalists essays

Conservatives vs liberalists essays There are two mainstream ideologies that have dominated American politics since the existence of our government. These two political ideologies are conservatism and liberalism. Political ideologies refer to a consistent patter of ideas or beliefs about our political values and how we view the role of the government. Conservatives want to enhance the liberties of individuals by keeping the national government small, except in the area of national defense. Liberals wish to bring about justice and equality of opportunity through positive uses of government. They want to preserve the rights of the individual and the right to own private property, but they are willing to allow the government to intervene in the economy to fix the inequalities caused by capitalism. In Government by the People, there is a people debate between Pete DuPont and Mitchell Cohen. DuPont defends the position of conservatism while Cohen takes the position of liberalism. Each provides strong arguments for which vie w is more beneficial to us as a society, but DuPont makes it clear that conservatism leads to a stronger society consisting of hard-working and dependable individuals. Liberals, in general, have a tendency to favor change, faith in human reason, willingness to use government to improve the human condition, and are optimistic about human nature. Cohen says that there are three basic entwined ideas for liberals: liberty, equality, and solidarity. He believes that we should all have an equal opportunity to pursue our goals in society, but this is not the case because there is not a level playing field. According to Cohen, people are born into a world in which some people have a considerable advantage with resources while many others are at a disadvantage. This makes it much more difficult for the people born without equal resources to succeed. Liberals believe that humans are rational self-interested individuals who seek to improve their li...

Crisis Communication in oil & gas Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words - 1

Crisis Communication in oil & gas - Essay Example 3.The main focus of the company at this stage needs to be to incorporate a crisis communication department into their system. The Director General will head the department. It will include a Manager of communication, with supporting junior staff. There will be a spokesperson, who will directly report to the Director General but will work in collaboration with Manager of communication. The other directorates will access the communication department through the Manager. 20 Crises are inevitable realities in business organisations for which the organisation management must learn to prepare. This research paper discusses the role of public relations units, with a specific focus on the oil and gas industry which plays a crucial role in the economic development of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Traditionally, most organisations use public relations at the forefront to control, manage and minimise the damage of crises to their business operations. Previous crises such as the BP Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill in 2010 and the Exxon oil spill of 1989 have demonstrated that Oil and Gas companies are not always transparent and they often experience great communication difficulties when crises occur. This study examines the significance of public relations activities in crisis management in the Oil & Gas industry in general and in the UAE in particular. It reviews four major Oil & Gas operators in the UAE that have faced crises recently. Those companies engage over 3000 employees, excluding contractors, and operate in more than 20 fields across the country. Using structured interviews and data analysis this study research discusses their crisis management philosophy, their systems and procedures, and how these are communicated and makes recommendations for improvements. According to the Webster New Collegiate Dictionary, a crisis is defined as ‘an unstable or crucial state or state of affairs whose outcome will make a decisive

The Metaphysics of Morals by Emmanual Kant Essay

The Metaphysics of Morals by Emmanual Kant - Essay Example Kant has spent most of his life in a German town, Konigsberg, which was located near East Prussia. He had also taught in the Konigsberg University and had maintained a descent reputation in all these years, thus by the age of fifty, much of his work on natural sciences as well as philosophy had been published and gained much momentum in the German literary community. Later in his life, Kant had attained such high regard in this context that his works stood out in comparison to Plato`s and Socrates` philosophies which was definitely an achievement for him. Moreover, Kant had the privilege to contribute for the literary community of Europe during the age characterized as the Enlightenment Era, which was an age of modernization and prosperity especially for the fields of academia, philosophy, literature etc. Thus, reasoning and logic were the dominant concepts being discussed and focused upon during the era, which is also reflected in the works of Kant. Kant`s inspiration or rather his mentor who drove him towards logic and rationality is believed to be the Scottish philosopher David Hume, who Kant himself has quoted at different points. Hume is the pioneer for incorporating causation behind everything, which implies that he believed that there is a reason behind everything.... For instance, philosophers before Kant were of the view that the â€Å"cause† behind the universe is God as He was the one who created everything. However, Kant countered this proposition by the logic that this implies just a series of events and not the cause or rather logic behind it, since logic is formed by virtue of rational connections sought by our minds. Moreover, the critical analysis posed over Kant by other philosophers is also important to understand the context of the study. Many different philosophers argue that Kant went too forward and ignorant when describing morals, and giving moral theories when using logic to develop a cause and effect relationship. These philosophers are of the view that morals should not always be defined and described with logic and rationality as it is not always fair for ethics to be believed to be rooted in rational logics. Different philosophers use logic to rather distort ethics and the scope of the field. For example, the enlighten ment era marks many such instances when the philosophers have justified imperialism in the light of moral explanations. In other words, they are of the view that it is fair enough to rule and empower the colonies as they are less intellectual and civilized than the imperialists, thus it is morally fair to civilize them morally as well as intellectually. This is a far fetching debate which will be addressed at various instances during the course of the paper. Starting off with the Metaphysics of Morals, it is first important to define the main concepts involved. Firstly, it is important to understand that there are three tenets of philosophy i.e. physics which is the physical study of beings and existence, the ethics which deals with morals and ethical norms,

Marketing Simulation Essay Example for Free

Marketing Simulation Essay The rest of the sales force time would be equally divided between the segments B, C and D. Change in Strategy: During simulation, we studied the effects of percentage increase of sales force time for each market segment individually along with decrease in list price. As we proceeded with the simulation, we found that * A decrease in list price and an increase in percentage sales force time for segment D would be more fruitful in the short run as it will increase the overall sales volume and overall profit much more than in the case where sales force concentrates more on segment A. This is because the overall market share of highly price sensitive customers in segment D and â€Å"small volume customers† is almost three times of segment A’s market share. * So, even though the profit margin in segment D and â€Å"small volume customers† is lesser than that for segment A, the overall profit was greater because of the scope of much higher sales volume. * Hence, we decided to increase the sales force percentage time for segment D to 40% and for segment A to 30%. We decreased the sales force time percentage for segments B and C to 15% each. Also, we reduced the list price from $142 to $136. Challenges during simulation: During simulation, the primary challenge we faced was to decide on the key parameters that should be changed and the level of change in each of these parameters to get optimum profit and higher market share. Key decisions: Since our initial strategy was to increase the sales volume of segment A, we decided to concentrate on sales force time percentage parameter for each segment and the list price of the motors. We studied the effects of percentage increase of sales force time for each market segment individually along with decrease in list price on the overall profit of the company. Solution Analysis Decrease in list price from $142 to $136 and increase in sales force time percentage to 40% for segment D and to 30% for segment A. As we proceeded with the simulation, we found that * A decrease in list price and an increase in percentage sales force time for segment D would be more fruitful in the short run as it will increase the overall sales volume and overall profit much more than in the case where sales force concentrates more on segment A. This is because the overall market share of highly price sensitive customers in segment D and â€Å"small volume customers† is almost three times of segment A’s market share. * So, even though the profit margin in segment D and â€Å"small volume customers† is lesser than that for segment A, the overall profit was greater because of the scope of much higher sales volume. * Segments B and C sales force time was reduced because of the high competition that MM faces in these categories on the basis of the rmal resistance parameter. Hence, in the long run, MM can target for higher profit margins than for higher sales volume if it concentrates the sales and market research resources to segments A, B and C. The main challenge with this approach is that it would difficult to attract customers from these segments who are already loyal to competitors and would require much more effort from the sales team and the product development team to come up with a product that caters the needs of these segments especially segments B and C where MM has yet to prove its overall competitiveness. Learning and experience This simulation exercise helped us to validate whether our suggested solution was an optimal one and also helped us to arrive at new solutions through experimentation which finally led to change in our overall decisions and strategy. It also showed us how varying a single parameter can change the overall market share and overall profits of the company. Finally, it reinforced the theory behind segmentation of customers according to their buying behavior to achieve optimal marketing strategies.

The Internet and Plagiarism Essay -- Internet Plagiarism Essays Cheati

The Internet and Plagiarism The World Wide Web is larger than any one person can imagine. There are an infinite amount of links to libraries and other sources of information. There are numerous search engines, such as Yahoo, which make researching really easy. We can find anything that we want on line, because there are no boundaries to our explorations, and there are no laws to stop us. You can find anything from socks to guns. People can even find completed research papers online; they simply copy and paste it to a new document, make a few adjustments, and it is ready to turn in. Un-honest people do this every day, and it has become a common problem among high schools and colleges. This is a serious problem known as plagiarism, which has become easier through Internet access. The Internet has negative and positive effects on plagiarism in today’s society. What makes a person steal another person’s work? What makes a person copy lines from an article, essay, book or an encyclopedia? Plagiarism, what is Plagiarism? How do people know if they have plagiarized? We live in a fast pace world, and a little boost now and then to help us get our job done faster won’t hurt. Truthfully, it can hurt you more than you know! Plagiarism is defined as using someone’s words and ideas without giving proper credit to the author1. It is actually taking credit for a research and thought process that you never attempted. It is pretending to have knowledge of a subject that you don’t have a clue about. Did you know that you could get in trouble for plagiarizing from yourself? It is possible. That old paper that you revised for a new assignment can get you in some deep trouble. Plagiarism has been a problem among high schools and colle... ...s can be caught on the web. The Internet also has great web sites that teach you how to paraphrase a paragraph and, how to avoid plagiarism: http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/wts/plagiarism.html, and, http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_plagiar.html. Not every person that plagiarizes will be caught, but hopefully people will become more aware of the consequences they may face. In our present society, people are effected daily by plagiarism from online sources. It is an unjust way to get a task completed, and is unfair to the author. Sites that offer easy way outs plague the Internet, and they are infecting students of all ages. Luckily, sites are being formed to help professors and teachers to stop such acts. There will never be a way to totally control plagiarism but we can only hope that the consequences for plagiarism will keep honest people honest.

Risk Factors of Energy Industry

RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED 1) Existing electric utility industry regulations, and changes to regulations, may present technical, regulatory and economic barriers to the purchase and use of solar energy systems that may significantly reduce demand for your solar energy systems. 2) The expiration, elimination or reduction of these rebates, credits and incentives would adversely impact your business. ) If the Internal Revenue Service or the Treasury Department makes additional determinations that the fair market value of your solar energy systems is materially low your than what you have claimed, you may have to pay significant amounts to your investment funds or to your fund investors and such determinations could have a material adverse effect on your business, financial condition and prospects. 4) Your ability to provide solar energy systems to customers on an economically viable basis depends on your ability to finance these systems with fund investors who require particular tax and ot her benefits. ) You need to enter into additional substantial financing arrangements to facilitate your customers’ access to your solar energy systems, and if this financing is not available to you on acceptable terms, if and when needed, your ability to continue to grow your business would be materially adversely impacted. 6) A material drop in the retail price of utility-generated electricity or electricity from other sources would harm your business, financial condition and results of operations. 7) A material drop in the retail price of utility-generated electricity would particularly adversely impact your ability to attract commercial customers. ) Rising interest rates could adversely impact your business. 9) You must have guaranteed a minimum return to be received by an investor in certain of your investment funds and could be adversely affected if you are required to make any payments under those guarantees. 10) In your lease pass-through investment funds, there is a o ne-time reset of the lease payments, and you may be obligated, in connection with the resetting of the lease payments at true up, to refund lease prepayments or to contribute additional assets to the extent the system sizes, costs, and timing are not consistent with the initial lease payment model. 1) You are not currently regulated as a utility under applicable law, but you may be subject to regulation as a utility in the future. 12) A failure to hire and retain a sufficient number of employees in key functions would constrain your growth and your ability to timely complete your customers’ projects. 13) It is difficult to evaluate your business and prospects due to your limited operating history. 14) If you incur losses then it will be difficult for you to achieve or sustain profitability in the future. 5) You face competition from both traditional energy companies and renewable energy companies. 16) If you fail to remediate deficiencies in your control environment or are un able to implement and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in the future, the accuracy and timeliness of your financial reporting may be adversely affected. 17) Projects for your significant commercial or government customers involve concentrated project risks that may cause significant changes in your financial results. 8) You depend on a limited number of suppliers of solar panels and other system components to adequately meet anticipated demand for your solar energy systems. Any shortage, delay or component price change from these suppliers could result in sales and installation delays, cancellations and loss of market share. 19) Your business benefits from the declining cost of solar panels, and your financial results would be harmed if this trend reversed or did not continue. 0) You act as the licensed general contractor for your customers and are subject to risks associated with construction, cost overruns, delays, regulatory compliance and other contin gencies, any of which could have a material adverse effect on your business and results of operations. 21) Compliance with occupational safety and health requirements and best practices can be costly, and noncompliance with such requirements may result in potentially significant monetary penalties, operational delays and adverse publicity. 2) Problems with product quality or performance may cause you to incur warranty expenses and performance guarantee expenses, may lower the residual value of your solar energy systems and may damage your market reputation and cause your financial results to decline. 23) Product liability claims against you could result in adverse publicity and potentially significant monetary damages. 24) Damage to your brand and reputation would harm your business and results of operations. 25) If you fail to manage your recent and future growth effectively, you may be unable to execute your business plan, aintain high levels of customer service or adequately addr ess competitive challenges. 26) You may not be successful in leveraging your customer base to grow your business through sales of other energy products and services. 27) Your growth depends in part on the success of your strategic relationships with third parties. 28) The loss of one or more members of your senior management or key employees may adversely affect your ability to implement your strategy. 29) Your business may be harmed if you fail to properly protect your intellectual property. 0) The production and installation of solar energy systems depends heavily on suitable meteorological conditions. If meteorological conditions are unexpectedly unfavorable, the electricity production from your solar energy systems may be substantially below your expectations and your ability to timely deploy new systems may be adversely impacted. 31) You typically bear the risk of loss and the cost of maintenance and repair on solar systems that are owned or leased by your fund investors. 2) An y unauthorized disclosure or theft of personal information you gather, store and use could harm your reputation and subject you to claims or litigation. 33) In the long term if you intend to expand your international activities, which will subject you to a number of risks. Your long-term strategic plans include international expansion, and you intend to sell your solar energy products and services in international markets. Risks inherent to international operations include the following: | ? | Â  | inability to work successfully with third parties with local expertise to co-develop international projects; | ? | Â  | multiple, conflicting and changing laws and regulations, including export and import restrictions, tax laws and regulations, environmental regulations, labor laws and other government requirements, approvals, permits and licenses; | | ? | Â  | changes in general economic and political conditions in the countries where you operate, including changes in government ince ntives relating to power generation and solar electricity; | | ? | Â  | political and economic instability, including wars, acts of terrorism, political unrest, boycotts, curtailments of trade and other business restrictions; | ? | Â  | difficulties and costs in recruiting and retaining individuals skilled in international business operations; | | ? | Â  | international business practices that may conflict with Indian customs or legal requirements; | | ? | Â  | financial risks, such as longer sales and payment cycles and greater difficulty collecting accounts receivable; | | ? | Â  | fluctuations in currency exchange rates relative to the Indian Rupee; and | | ? | Â  | inability to obtain, maintain or enforce intellectual property rights, including inability to apply for or register material trademarks in foreign countries. |