mercoledì 14 maggio 2014
martedì 13 maggio 2014
Inequality - writing test
It' s a fact that inequality does exist and that' s a sad reality, a problem that is producing other problems. The scope of my essay is to highlight the real effects of this phenomenon in all its different expressions. Does Obama have the power to solve this problem?
Inequality is the result of a mistaken cultural model that has characterized the last 30 years. It has presented a financial leadership that contributed to the increase in inequality.
In US, where democracy is culturally more representative, inequality has split society between rich and poor destroying the middle class. This gap is remarkable in Silicon Valley, where there is "the Jungle", the largest camp of homeless people in the country, that I consider the perfect exapmle of "inequality facing development".
I believe that the real battle will be played, between the rules of a socio-cultural model based on financial capitalism that has created a crisis of values and social, and the social care, the old values of cooperation and collaboration. This two strenghts have to find a compromise.
I think that the only way to revitalize this system is reform it. We need to change our vision and our consideration of social economy to reform this system and to fight inequality.
In conclusion I believe Inequality as a plague, I think that Obama has the "care" to fight this problem.
Spending on welfare is a great opportunity not only to revitalize the public finances but also to fight unemployment and poverty, he can also use the robin hood taxes to catch up with an equal distribution of the income.
Will the situation ever change? We can only jodge and possibly damn Obama' s reforms.
Inequality is the result of a mistaken cultural model that has characterized the last 30 years. It has presented a financial leadership that contributed to the increase in inequality.
In US, where democracy is culturally more representative, inequality has split society between rich and poor destroying the middle class. This gap is remarkable in Silicon Valley, where there is "the Jungle", the largest camp of homeless people in the country, that I consider the perfect exapmle of "inequality facing development".
I believe that the real battle will be played, between the rules of a socio-cultural model based on financial capitalism that has created a crisis of values and social, and the social care, the old values of cooperation and collaboration. This two strenghts have to find a compromise.
I think that the only way to revitalize this system is reform it. We need to change our vision and our consideration of social economy to reform this system and to fight inequality.
In conclusion I believe Inequality as a plague, I think that Obama has the "care" to fight this problem.
Spending on welfare is a great opportunity not only to revitalize the public finances but also to fight unemployment and poverty, he can also use the robin hood taxes to catch up with an equal distribution of the income.
Will the situation ever change? We can only jodge and possibly damn Obama' s reforms.
mercoledì 23 aprile 2014
Inequality, socio-cultural problems and possible reforms
SOCIO CULTURAL ARMAGEDDON
I
want to start with two questions:
What do you know about Armageddon?
And Why did some italian sociologists say that “Armageddon is closer than it appears”?
What do you know about Armageddon?
And Why did some italian sociologists say that “Armageddon is closer than it appears”?
- · In the first part I’ll introduce the so called socio-culutral armageddon
- · In the second part I’ ll give you some data and information about this phenomenon
- · Finally I’ ll describe the reasons of social inequality, the role of finance in this dangerous social shift and the possible reforms.
A socio-cultural
Armageddon: and the ongoing confrontation between finance and society.
Literally,
Armageddon is the place of the final conflict between good and evil, usually
mentioned during the medieval period.
Today, we have to face this conflict and we have to take part on this conflict. The cultural model that has characterized the last 30 years has presented a financial leadership that has contributed to increase inequality. Inequality, poverty , moral degradation , conflicts , individualism and a high level of social exasperation that is dangerously rising in our country are the results of this cultural model.
"Beware of false prophets, you shall know them by their fruits," reads the Gospel.
Well, the data on inequality and the consequences on the social background are the tragic representation of these "fruits".
The 85 richest people in the world have more wealth than the poorest 3.5 billion people combined, more than half of the population of the planet.
In Anglo-Saxon countries, where democracy is culturally stronger and more representative, inequality has split society.
In the U.S., the earnings of the richest 1% represent the 40% of national incomes and the trend is growing: more than a sixth of Americans needs a food stamp, poverty returns to the levels of 1963.
Moreover, the GDP with the same level of taxation increases inequality, giving unnecessary resources to the rich, taking away the middle class that holds up the system. In Silicon Valley, the spearhead of United States development, there is "The Jungle" , the largest camp of homeless people in the country.
But the gap between rich and poor is also remarkable in Britain. The five richest families have more wealth than the 20% poorest people in the country, and the last reforms were focused on less taxes to the rich and welfare cuts.
In Italy the situation is not different. The society is weakening and is living the same deep contradictions. According to the latest available studies (2012, supplied by the Department of Finance), 5% of higher revenues represent 22.7% of the total , and 10% of families own 46.6% of wealth.
In this sense finance is considered an incontrovertible and academic truth and an exact science, but it is based on a false hypothesis pursued with clear determination: it has accelerated the process of concentration of wealth, becoming a tool of the hegemonic global policies. It creates a world where “all animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others”.
Finance becomes a parasitic system, a kind of locust in real economy, which is destructive, because money does not generate money. It destroyed the social systems and compromise the achievements of society and also the goals of Welfare State. The individualistic research of profits makes the decisions in the "perfect world" of finance: These decisions don’ t take care of their social effects.
Finance continues to lay down the law causing irreparable damages in the so called Common Law countries ( U.S. and Britain ), but the difficulties of the U.S. to maintain a strong position in the world influence (as the Crimean situation showed) are ruining the financial dominant system that now have to face a cultural model based on real economy.
Even the recent investments of American finance in our country (Blackrock fund), made with an unusual rapidity, show the important role that finance try to maintain in the policies of the country. But we must remember that our society is built on a tradition view of real economy, and not on finance. The latter is not in our DNA and so we will always be losers and dominated.
The real battle will be played, in the coming years, the rules of a socio-cultural model based on financial capitalism that has created a crisis of values and social conflicts will be discussed. Can a social model based on inequality and social disintegration be sustainable? Can the economy be superordinate to the society? History tells us that it is not possible, but once again we are here risking to find ourselves in front of the chaos, in a sort of Armageddon. Will we be able to understand it and to replace the "bellum omnium contra omnes" with the old sense of "societas”?
Today, we have to face this conflict and we have to take part on this conflict. The cultural model that has characterized the last 30 years has presented a financial leadership that has contributed to increase inequality. Inequality, poverty , moral degradation , conflicts , individualism and a high level of social exasperation that is dangerously rising in our country are the results of this cultural model.
"Beware of false prophets, you shall know them by their fruits," reads the Gospel.
Well, the data on inequality and the consequences on the social background are the tragic representation of these "fruits".
The 85 richest people in the world have more wealth than the poorest 3.5 billion people combined, more than half of the population of the planet.
In Anglo-Saxon countries, where democracy is culturally stronger and more representative, inequality has split society.
In the U.S., the earnings of the richest 1% represent the 40% of national incomes and the trend is growing: more than a sixth of Americans needs a food stamp, poverty returns to the levels of 1963.
Moreover, the GDP with the same level of taxation increases inequality, giving unnecessary resources to the rich, taking away the middle class that holds up the system. In Silicon Valley, the spearhead of United States development, there is "The Jungle" , the largest camp of homeless people in the country.
But the gap between rich and poor is also remarkable in Britain. The five richest families have more wealth than the 20% poorest people in the country, and the last reforms were focused on less taxes to the rich and welfare cuts.
In Italy the situation is not different. The society is weakening and is living the same deep contradictions. According to the latest available studies (2012, supplied by the Department of Finance), 5% of higher revenues represent 22.7% of the total , and 10% of families own 46.6% of wealth.
In this sense finance is considered an incontrovertible and academic truth and an exact science, but it is based on a false hypothesis pursued with clear determination: it has accelerated the process of concentration of wealth, becoming a tool of the hegemonic global policies. It creates a world where “all animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others”.
Finance becomes a parasitic system, a kind of locust in real economy, which is destructive, because money does not generate money. It destroyed the social systems and compromise the achievements of society and also the goals of Welfare State. The individualistic research of profits makes the decisions in the "perfect world" of finance: These decisions don’ t take care of their social effects.
Finance continues to lay down the law causing irreparable damages in the so called Common Law countries ( U.S. and Britain ), but the difficulties of the U.S. to maintain a strong position in the world influence (as the Crimean situation showed) are ruining the financial dominant system that now have to face a cultural model based on real economy.
Even the recent investments of American finance in our country (Blackrock fund), made with an unusual rapidity, show the important role that finance try to maintain in the policies of the country. But we must remember that our society is built on a tradition view of real economy, and not on finance. The latter is not in our DNA and so we will always be losers and dominated.
The real battle will be played, in the coming years, the rules of a socio-cultural model based on financial capitalism that has created a crisis of values and social conflicts will be discussed. Can a social model based on inequality and social disintegration be sustainable? Can the economy be superordinate to the society? History tells us that it is not possible, but once again we are here risking to find ourselves in front of the chaos, in a sort of Armageddon. Will we be able to understand it and to replace the "bellum omnium contra omnes" with the old sense of "societas”?
I think that the
only way to revitalize this system is reform this system. We need to change our
vision of public spending and our consideration of social economy and we need
to think about benefits we can get from a spending policy.
Academic theory supposes that individualism and "profit motive" will open new horizons and new opportunities, but what everybody can show today is the increase of inequality and of unemployment. And now when we are speaking there are 3.3 millions of italians looking for a job and 600.000 guys unemployed, 4 millions are vulnerable to poverty and the poverty line grows every day of 650 units.
Academic theory supposes that individualism and "profit motive" will open new horizons and new opportunities, but what everybody can show today is the increase of inequality and of unemployment. And now when we are speaking there are 3.3 millions of italians looking for a job and 600.000 guys unemployed, 4 millions are vulnerable to poverty and the poverty line grows every day of 650 units.
Spending on welfare is a great opportunity not only to revitalize the public finances but also to fight unemployment and poverty. We have to invest in crucial and productive areas, and we will take these resources from a more equal redistribution of revenues from taxes.
We will follow the reforms of Giulio Tremonti, taxing the great multinational companies and cutting the gap between rich and poor (Robin Hood reforms), in a new vision of Equality.
Luca Luciani
lunedì 7 aprile 2014
8 of History' s best Investments
8 of history' s best investments
Who dares wins. This could be a good title for this article in which visionary (and also lucky) men were able to make a lot of money with a "simple" investment. I think that the central thread of this article is: Try to combine an intelligent investor with the right investment at the right time and you will give to your audience a great story to tell.
The author try to convince us to value these investments on their "ROI" [return on investments = (gain on investments-costs of investments)/costs of investments] that could be used clearly like an indicator of efficiency and so a good ROI means a good nature investments, but I want to focus my attention on the good nature of the investors.
Can we consider a folly the idea of investing $25 million ($135 million today) on a candy company? That is pointless for some of us. Investing $2.7 million ($20.4 million today) on a fast food company is also irrational. Investing $6.7 million ($9.9 million today) in an intagible "start up" is something crazy. But there are/were people in the world that try to "think differently" and so "act differently" and these people now are billionaire. This is an intelligent investor.
Key Vocabulary
...a man who jumped into the business early and exploited its value like no other.
...a budding business.
...go through the roof.
Who dares wins. This could be a good title for this article in which visionary (and also lucky) men were able to make a lot of money with a "simple" investment. I think that the central thread of this article is: Try to combine an intelligent investor with the right investment at the right time and you will give to your audience a great story to tell.
The author try to convince us to value these investments on their "ROI" [return on investments = (gain on investments-costs of investments)/costs of investments] that could be used clearly like an indicator of efficiency and so a good ROI means a good nature investments, but I want to focus my attention on the good nature of the investors.
Can we consider a folly the idea of investing $25 million ($135 million today) on a candy company? That is pointless for some of us. Investing $2.7 million ($20.4 million today) on a fast food company is also irrational. Investing $6.7 million ($9.9 million today) in an intagible "start up" is something crazy. But there are/were people in the world that try to "think differently" and so "act differently" and these people now are billionaire. This is an intelligent investor.
Key Vocabulary
...a man who jumped into the business early and exploited its value like no other.
...a budding business.
...go through the roof.
Lesson 7 02/04/2014
Negotiation Tips
American negotiation: Direct
British negotiation: Polite, with a sort of sense of humor
Horse Trading: hard bargaining to obtain equal concessions by both sides in a dispute.
Batna or bottom line: A term used by negotiators to describe the best option available to their side if negotiations fail.
Phrasal verbs can be:
Phrasal verbs
Key Vocabulary
We can offer you 35 percent / We can offer you a higher percentage.
American negotiation: Direct
British negotiation: Polite, with a sort of sense of humor
Horse Trading: hard bargaining to obtain equal concessions by both sides in a dispute.
Batna or bottom line: A term used by negotiators to describe the best option available to their side if negotiations fail.
Phrasal verbs can be:
- intransitive (no direct object)
- transitive (direct object)
- Separable: The object can go between the two parts of phrasal verb
To turn down my offer - To turn myoffer down - If the object is a pronouns, it must go between the two parts of transitive phrasal verbs
To turn it down.
Phrasal verbs
- To find out - to discover a fact or piece of information
The police found out who killed Lessie - To give up - To stop doing something that you do regularly
He gives up smoking - To turn down - To not accept an offer or a request
You are turning down a fantastic job - To fit in - To belong to a group
He refused the job because he didn' t fit in with with it. - To set (something) up - To start something such as a business
He decided to set the negotiations up - To bring up - To start discussing something
The other party try to bring up a new issue - To come back - To return to a place
We decided to come back to London for another holiday - To give (yourself) away - To show your feelings/your emotion
His face gives nothing away - To watch out - To be careful
If you don' t watch out, you could have an accident. - To point out - To tell someone something
He pointed out that he had a long trip - To go on - To continue doing something
He goes on talking. - To shut up - To stop talking
- To stand up - To put your body into an upright position.
Key Vocabulary
We can offer you 35 percent / We can offer you a higher percentage.
- arbitration - when a neutral person or group comes in to settle a disagreement
- commitment - an obligation to do something or deliver something
- compromise - an agreement where you get less than you want but also give less than the other person wants
- facilitation - a process where people, called facilitators, try to make it easier for two people to reach an agreement
- final agreement - the results of the negotation that everyone agrees to put into action
- impasse - when two sides hold different positions that they are unwilling to change
- intermediary - a person who communicates between the two sides of a negotiation
- issue - a topic that needs to be discussed in a negotiation
- mediation - when a neutral person or group comes in to identify the issues, explore options and clarify goals
- offer - one or more options that is sent by one negotiator to the other
- party - either side in a negotiation is called a party, whether one individual or a whole group
- proposal - any suggestion or idea given to one party from the other
lunedì 31 marzo 2014
The end of (french) bipolarism
http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21599830-very-bad-fran-ois-hollande-very-good-marine-le-pen-little-local-difficulty
Reading this article the main point I catch, comes from the words of the "Front National" leader, Marine le Pen. As she declars, the results of the last local elections signed the end of the bipolarism of french politics. I think that this is only a part of a change that is going to interest all the european countries. The political reality in all over Europe has changed some years ago with the introduction of the single european currency and with the loss of national identities. From than the "old" bipolarism (left and right wings) has started a gradual process of convergence, and the old political parties formed a new invisible front that we can consider "the front of the euro-adherents". The targets and the following reforms of the old parties have become the same. This monopolarism is doomed to become a new bipolarism with the constitution of the so called "euro-skeptic movements".
I think that the victory of FN in France is only a step that all the european countries have to faced, in this sense some movements have been born (Alba Dorata, Jobbik, German euroskeptic) and Italy lags behind (I don' t consider M5S a political party, but only a disorganized movement).
I want to send a message to Giorgia Meloni "out of the 'old' right-wing party there are grasslands of new opportunities and agreements".
Luca Luciani
Vocabulary:
To be braced for: Prepare mentally or emotionally for something unpleasant - esser pronti ad affrontare.
To be scalding: Essere bruciati.
To hang on: With the emphasis on the preposition, to keep hold; to hold fast; to stick; to be persistent, as a disease. Restare in attesa
Narrow majority: Stretta maggioranza
To be in an awkard position: Essere in una posizione scomoda
To get into the run-off: andare al ballottaggio.
Reading this article the main point I catch, comes from the words of the "Front National" leader, Marine le Pen. As she declars, the results of the last local elections signed the end of the bipolarism of french politics. I think that this is only a part of a change that is going to interest all the european countries. The political reality in all over Europe has changed some years ago with the introduction of the single european currency and with the loss of national identities. From than the "old" bipolarism (left and right wings) has started a gradual process of convergence, and the old political parties formed a new invisible front that we can consider "the front of the euro-adherents". The targets and the following reforms of the old parties have become the same. This monopolarism is doomed to become a new bipolarism with the constitution of the so called "euro-skeptic movements".
I think that the victory of FN in France is only a step that all the european countries have to faced, in this sense some movements have been born (Alba Dorata, Jobbik, German euroskeptic) and Italy lags behind (I don' t consider M5S a political party, but only a disorganized movement).
I want to send a message to Giorgia Meloni "out of the 'old' right-wing party there are grasslands of new opportunities and agreements".
Luca Luciani
Vocabulary:
To be braced for: Prepare mentally or emotionally for something unpleasant - esser pronti ad affrontare.
To be scalding: Essere bruciati.
To hang on: With the emphasis on the preposition, to keep hold; to hold fast; to stick; to be persistent, as a disease. Restare in attesa
Narrow majority: Stretta maggioranza
To be in an awkard position: Essere in una posizione scomoda
To get into the run-off: andare al ballottaggio.
Self Study "George Osborne's 2014 budget"
The main points of Osborne's budget:
- The budget will make english economy stronger: "This is a Budget for building a resilient economy."
- This budget will satisfy everyone: "If you’re a maker, a doer or a saver: this Budget is for you."
- The debt reduction program will cut the the public spending and it will be a sign of a healty economy: "Debt is lower." " And the biggest single saving of all is a £42 billion reduction in the interest payments we will have to make on that debt."
- The equation is Saving Costs = Saving family money: "Saving every family in the nation the equivalent of almost £2,000."
I don' t know anything about your debt situation and about your vision of the world, but I can recognize a humbug miles away. Italian policy is full of humbugs (last but not least Monti, Letta, Renzi), I think you can be the next. Rome is beautiful and full of wonderful women, pop in periodically!
A student
P.S.
Speak the truth and shame the devil
mercoledì 26 marzo 2014
mercoledì 19 marzo 2014
Sing a Song (Conditionals)
Conditionals
- "...But as long as you are with me, there’s no place I rather be..."
0 conditional [as long as + present tenses ; present tenses] - habitual results
Finchè sei con me non c' è altro posto dove preferirei essere. - "As long as I am with you, my heart continues to beat"
0 conditional [as long as + present tenses ; present tenses] - habitual results
Finchè sono con te,il mio cuore continuerà a battere. - "If you gave me a chance I would take it"
2nd conditional [if + past tenses ; would + infinitive] - unlikely resultsSe mi dessi una possibilità la prenderei.
Grammar
- I would rather + infinitive
Preferirei / Gradirei.
- I would rather go out for a walk, but I have to study.
-I would rather not hear anything about this argument.
-I would rather enjoy this song, but I don' t have enough time.
domenica 16 marzo 2014
Lesson 4 12/03/2014 + Self Study
Conditionals
Reading
- It is possible to return an item for any reason within 28 days. The item must remain in a saleable condition.
If the item remain in a saleable condition, it is possible to return it for any reason within 28 days. [0 conditional] - The vendor must refund or repair faulty items every time.
If the items are faulty, the vendor will/must refund or repair them. [0 conditional]
- You can return goods bought on the internet to a high street outlet.
Goods bought on internet can be returned to a High street outlet. [1st conditional] - You will probably pay for the cost of returning unwanted goods . The retailer might specify otherwise.You might pay for the cost of returning unwanted goods, unless the retailer specified otherwise. [2nd conditional]
- ARGOS will refund you because you might not be happy with your purchase.Supposing you were not happy with your purchase, ARGOS would refund you. [2nd conditional]
- I didn’t know about the fault. I bought the goods. Now I’m disappointed.
I wouldn' t be disappointed if I had not bought the faulty goods. [3rd conditional] - I’m really busy at the moment. I missed the party last night because I am so busy.If I wasn' t so busy I wouldn' t have missed the party. [Mix 2/3]
- I’m glad I didn’t go to the party last night because I don’t feel tired today.If I had gone to the party last night, I would feel tired today. [Mix 3/2]
Reading
- What two kinds of problematic presents are mentioned?Nell Boase explains some useful tips for consumers. He focuses his attention on the two most common situations in which a consumer can run into: Unwanted and faulty items.
- Which, according to the article, is easier to resolve with the shop?According to the article the "faulty item (situation)" is easier to resolve not only for the evidence that is simplier to prove, but also for the law that in this sense protect almost completely the consumer.
- What's the policy for gifts bought mail order or from the internet?If you bought the gift online, you should send it back without a reason within the return deadlines.
- What are the three instances for faulty goods refunds?
The law forces the vendor to refund the not satisfied consumer in three case in particular:
- If the items are not as described you are allowed to require a refund.
- If the item presents any kind of defect you can require a refund.
-If the goods are not fit for their purposes, the vendor is forced to refund you. - Why might it be useful to be polite?
Being polite can certainly help you.
If you are polite, you will be allowe to speak to a manager and not only to a sales assistant who has few powers.
mercoledì 12 marzo 2014
Lesson 3 05/03/2014
Listening
Shadow Minister Robb on Australian Budget, Economy
What does the Shadow Finance Minister do?
-He tries to show the economic situation in a polemic way. He talks about the "meaningless plans" of the government focuses his attention on the reaction of market and foreign investors.
What are his criticisms about the government’s budget?
What areas are the government investing in?
-He considers meaningless the spending policy of the goverment, in particular he focuses his attention, and also he spends some hard words, on the budget presented by the goverment. Spending on roads raylways and in general on some not-profitable projects it' s not a wise choice also considering the increase of the public debt and the reduction of the market confidence.
What areas would the opposition invest in?
-If the opposition took the control of the government, it would spend on more revenue areas, restoring the confidence of rating agencies and market. Reducing the cuts in these areas and also reducing regulation are considering the right choices to restore opportunities for foreign investors.
What does the phrases “to live within your means” “ a sea of red ink” mean?
"a sea of red ink" = Financial Deficit/The condition of showing a business lost.
"a sea of black ink" = Good financial situation.
Vocabulary
Balance of trade=The difference between a country's imports and its exports. The balance of trade is one of the most misunderstood indicators of the U.S. economy. For example, many people believe that a trade deficit is a bad thing. However, whether a trade deficit is bad thing is relative to the business cycle and economy. In a recession, countries like to export more, creating jobs and demand. In a strong expansion, countries like to import more, providing price competition, which limits inflation and, without increasing prices, provides goods beyond the economy's ability to meet supply. Thus, a trade deficit is not a good thing during a recession but may help during an expansion.
Slump = A slang term denoting a period of poor performance or inactivity in an economy, market or industry. In economic terms, a slump specifically refers to a recession.
Body Metaphors:
- To watch your back [To be careful/ To pay attention]
- To be all ears [To be very interestedin what someone is going to say]
- To shrug your shoulders [to not care or feel unable to do anything]
- To rub
... shoulders: To mix or socialize closely
... hands:To experience or display pleased anticipation
... nose: To bring forcefully to another's attention
- To get cold feet [to suddenly become too frightened to do something you had planned to do, especially something important like getting married]
- To turn a blind eye [to ignore something]
Rise / Arise / Raise:
Rise: ...I rise early ; ...the sun rises ; ...inflation/salary rise
Arise: ...Opportunity/Problem arises [abstract]
Raise: ... Raise your hand/voice ; ...Raise the alarm
CONDITIONALS
Shadow Minister Robb on Australian Budget, Economy
What does the Shadow Finance Minister do?
-He tries to show the economic situation in a polemic way. He talks about the "meaningless plans" of the government focuses his attention on the reaction of market and foreign investors.
What are his criticisms about the government’s budget?
What areas are the government investing in?
-He considers meaningless the spending policy of the goverment, in particular he focuses his attention, and also he spends some hard words, on the budget presented by the goverment. Spending on roads raylways and in general on some not-profitable projects it' s not a wise choice also considering the increase of the public debt and the reduction of the market confidence.
What areas would the opposition invest in?
-If the opposition took the control of the government, it would spend on more revenue areas, restoring the confidence of rating agencies and market. Reducing the cuts in these areas and also reducing regulation are considering the right choices to restore opportunities for foreign investors.
What does the phrases “to live within your means” “ a sea of red ink” mean?
"a sea of red ink" = Financial Deficit/The condition of showing a business lost.
"a sea of black ink" = Good financial situation.
Vocabulary
Balance of trade=The difference between a country's imports and its exports. The balance of trade is one of the most misunderstood indicators of the U.S. economy. For example, many people believe that a trade deficit is a bad thing. However, whether a trade deficit is bad thing is relative to the business cycle and economy. In a recession, countries like to export more, creating jobs and demand. In a strong expansion, countries like to import more, providing price competition, which limits inflation and, without increasing prices, provides goods beyond the economy's ability to meet supply. Thus, a trade deficit is not a good thing during a recession but may help during an expansion.
Slump = A slang term denoting a period of poor performance or inactivity in an economy, market or industry. In economic terms, a slump specifically refers to a recession.
Body Metaphors:
- To watch your back [To be careful/ To pay attention]
- To be all ears [To be very interestedin what someone is going to say]
- To shrug your shoulders [to not care or feel unable to do anything]
- To rub
... shoulders: To mix or socialize closely
... hands:To experience or display pleased anticipation
... nose: To bring forcefully to another's attention
- To get cold feet [to suddenly become too frightened to do something you had planned to do, especially something important like getting married]
- To turn a blind eye [to ignore something]
Rise / Arise / Raise:
Rise: ...I rise early ; ...the sun rises ; ...inflation/salary rise
Arise: ...Opportunity/Problem arises [abstract]
Raise: ... Raise your hand/voice ; ...Raise the alarm
CONDITIONALS
EXERCISES:
Turn the following sentences into conditionals
- It is possible to return an item for any reason within 28 days. The item must remain in a saleable condition.
If the item remain in a saleable condition, it will be possible to return it for any reason within 28 days. - The vendor must refund or repair faulty items every time.
If the items are faulty, the vendor must refund or repair them. - You can return goods bought on the internet to a high street outlet.If you' re not satisfaied, you can return boyght goods on the internet to a high street outlet.
- You will probably pay for the cost of returning unwanted goods . The retailer might specify otherwise.
If you paid for the cost of returning unwanted goods, the retailer might specify otherwise. - ARGOS will refund you because you might not be happy with your purchase.If you were not happy with your purchase, ARGOS might refund you.
- I didn’t know about the fault. I bought the goods. Now I’m disappointed.If I had known about the fault, I would not have bought the goods.
- I’m really busy at the moment. I missed the party last night because I am so busy.If I was not so busy, I would have not missed the party last night.
- I’m glad I didn’t go to the party last night because I don’t feel tired today.If I had gone to the party last night, I would feel tired today.
sabato 1 marzo 2014
Homework/Self Study
Course Outline
I hope it will be as useful as challenging.
REM listening
You might have laughed if I had told you
You might have (???) [hidden your frown]
You might have succeded in changing me
I might have been turned around
(x3)
The song is pervaded by a sense of melancholy and sadness. The singer knows that things might have been different if he had found the courage to say something to someone. He would have probably made a different decision.
LIMITLESS
I hope it will be as useful as challenging.
REM listening
You might have laughed if I had told you
You might have (???) [hidden your frown]
You might have succeded in changing me
I might have been turned around
(x3)
The song is pervaded by a sense of melancholy and sadness. The singer knows that things might have been different if he had found the courage to say something to someone. He would have probably made a different decision.
LIMITLESS
- Watch it first without subtitles – what can you understand? Is there anything you don’t understand?
Eddie tries for the first time the "magic" pill. He doesn' t know what the effects would be or what that pills would caused to himself, but "in the end how much worst can it get?". The pills allow him to see everything better, "he was blind but now he see". Everything happened in the past is in his own memory and that "drug" permits him to remember everything he did, saw. In a sense everything was clear. This drug was so powerful that he could do everything without any efforts.
The context is clears and also dialogues. But there are some words/fast connected speech I don' t understand without subtitles/scripts. - Watch it again with the subtitles. Was the
problem due to vocabulary or fast connected speech? If you find a
new word, look it up in your dictionary. If the problem was fast
connected speech, listen to the phrase again and repeat it.
Fast connected speech / vocabulary:
-landlord's nasty young wife
-bullshit
-thoughtlessly ingested
-listening to her rag(beffe)
-springing into sharper focus
-sucking defeated sack of shit sponging off your husband. You're hoping I'll blow my brains out. But my existence shouldn't make you this upset. What is it?
To blow out: Respingere, spingere fuori, allontanare
-into a sparkling cocktail
-polished gem.
Lesson 2 26/02/2014
Two common mistakes:
1. Hewas has been very ill lately
2. He mustof have been very rich, he left a lot of money to charity.
Ex. Warren Buffet is very rich, even if he left a lot of money to charity
Grammar: 3rd conditional
- We can use the third conditional to talk about something happened in the past.
- Talk about something that is already happened means that we are talking about something we cannot change.
- We are supposing an unrealizable situation
(1)If + past participle + obj , (2)Subj + Perfect infinitive + obj
(1) Conditional clause (2) Result clause
Speaking: stressed words
-The main verbs (and not the auxiliary)
-Nouns
-Adverbs
-All the words that carry a lot of information.
Vocabulary
To make redundant: Licenziare
Assets & liabilities: The property and claims against debtors that a business enterprise may apply to discharge its liabilities. Assets may be fixed, current, liquid, or intangible and are shown balanced against liabilities [Attività e passività, Stato patrimoniale]
Creditors and debitors: [creditori e debitori]
Takeovers/Mergers:
1. He
2. He must
Ex. Warren Buffet is very rich, even if he left a lot of money to charity
Grammar: 3rd conditional
- We can use the third conditional to talk about something happened in the past.
- Talk about something that is already happened means that we are talking about something we cannot change.
- We are supposing an unrealizable situation
- Unrealizable
- Past
- Hypothetical
(1)If + past participle + obj , (2)Subj + Perfect infinitive + obj
(1) Conditional clause (2) Result clause
- If I had been the Wolf of Wall Street, I would have spent much money in cars and less in drug. (But I wasn' t him (and I' m not him) so I didn' t)
- He would have chosen a different mobile phone, if he had known that the camera didn' t work. (But he didn' t know, so he didn' t)
- I could have scored a goal, If I had played the match.
- If I had won the lottery, I would have bought a car.
- She might have accepted the invitation, if he hadn' t been so rude.
Speaking: stressed words
-The main verbs (and not the auxiliary)
-Nouns
-Adverbs
-All the words that carry a lot of information.
- If I had been the Wolf of Wall Street, I would have spent much money in cars and less in drug.
- He would have chosen a different mobile phone, if he had known that the camera didn' t work.
- I could have scored a goal, If I had played the match.
- If I had won the lottery, I would have bought a car.
- She might have accepted the invitation, if he hadn' t been so rude.
Vocabulary
To make redundant: Licenziare
- He might not have been arrested, if he hadn' t made employees redundant.
- The chief executive has to make the profit and loss account at the end of a financial year to show the economic performance.
- According to the market principles, the balance between supply and demands is an important requisite for a healthy economy
Assets & liabilities: The property and claims against debtors that a business enterprise may apply to discharge its liabilities. Assets may be fixed, current, liquid, or intangible and are shown balanced against liabilities [Attività e passività, Stato patrimoniale]
- His enterprise was immersed in debts, so assets and liabilities weren' t balanced.
Creditors and debitors: [creditori e debitori]
Takeovers/Mergers:
- Merger: A merger involves the mutual decision of two companies to combine and become one entity; it can be seen as a decision made by two "equals".
-If KPMG and Ernst&Young would eventually decide to do a merger, they would have the power to control the market of their products. - Takeover: A takeover, or acquisition, is characterized by the purchase of a smaller company by a much larger one. This is a combination of "unequals".
- We need the Chief Executive' s agreement to conclude the takeover.
- A reform of income and expenditure policy is needed.
- Boom: A period of economic growth.
- Slump: A period of recession.
mercoledì 26 febbraio 2014
Whatsapp: message understood?!
Does the price paid for whatsapp really worth?! Is it insane?! How could this investment be profitable?!
These questions are the heart of the interwiev.
First of all the interwieved focuses his attention on the 'dark side' of the operation, he said in fact that the first way in which everybody can evaluate this operation is taking the price and dividing by the number of users. '40$ for user' is an exorbitant amount and this kind of investment, that doesn't produce a prospering cash flow, seems like a flop. But how could whatsapp produce cash flow?!
There are three ways:
First of all increasing price of the mobile messaging startup could energize the cash flow. This is an impratical way because the high level of competitiveness would cut off whatsapp from the business. The introduction of advertaisments would produce the same results. The only way that could justify this kind of investments is: use whatsapp to support Facebook.
The old isolated Facebook will be replaced with a new one, and this will protect the cash flow that facebook alternatively would lose.
Keep calm Social Network, united you stand, divided you fall.
Luca Luciani
Lesson 1 19/02/2014
Correction
I want to learn asmuch phrasal verbs as possible. many
Much
-UNcountable nouns and singular nouns
We don' t have much time left.
We have to preserve as much petrol as possible.
In the room there was too much smoke.
Many
-Plural nouns
There were too many people in the bus.
There are not many dishes left to clean.
We had many good ideas.
Stage = apprenticeship, training period, internship, work experience
Renzi Listening
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDgjwTbVCBg
- To be out of recession: Uscire dalla recessione
- Slump (of business activity) to decline suddenly; collapse
synonyms: depreciation, declination, economic stagnation, depression
- The market will take it well: Il mercato apprezzerà
- To cutback: to reduce or make a reduction
- In a row: consecutivamente
For the third time in a row, Usain Bolt wins the 100 metres sprint.
- To press ahead with something: Accelerare, procedere, promuovere.
The new government must press ahead with reform.
- To make headway: (To make progress, to improve)
We need to do some economic reforms if we want to make headway in this crisis.
- To bide your time: (to wait patiently)
He has to bide his time, then his efforts will be recompensed.
- To oust a rival
They want to oust the regime.
I want to learn as
Much
-UNcountable nouns and singular nouns
We don' t have much time left.
We have to preserve as much petrol as possible.
In the room there was too much smoke.
Many
-Plural nouns
There were too many people in the bus.
There are not many dishes left to clean.
We had many good ideas.
Stage = apprenticeship, training period, internship, work experience
Renzi Listening
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDgjwTbVCBg
- To be out of recession: Uscire dalla recessione
- Slump (of business activity) to decline suddenly; collapse
synonyms: depreciation, declination, economic stagnation, depression
- The market will take it well: Il mercato apprezzerà
- To cutback: to reduce or make a reduction
- In a row: consecutivamente
For the third time in a row, Usain Bolt wins the 100 metres sprint.
- To press ahead with something: Accelerare, procedere, promuovere.
The new government must press ahead with reform.
- To make headway: (To make progress, to improve)
We need to do some economic reforms if we want to make headway in this crisis.
- To bide your time: (to wait patiently)
He has to bide his time, then his efforts will be recompensed.
- To oust a rival
They want to oust the regime.
The most connected man in the world
As everybody knows, Mark Zuckerberg bought whatsapp last week.
During last days the name of Facebook CEO is on everyone' s lips and this is the direct evidence of how is this trading important.
Some consider a folly the amount of money paid for the most widespread and popular mobile messaging startup, and I guess many of you here were astonished reading the "price" paid for the startup. The purchase price is insanely high for a startup with only 55 employees, the $19 billion valutation means Facebook believes WhatsApp is worth over $42 per user.
Thus the question arises: Is whatsapp worth $19 billion?
Gordon Kelly on Forbes shows us some reasons why Whatsapp' s valuation is really worth:
First of all the author underlines how is important both for social networks both for
mobile messaging startups the growth potential: the deal Facebook CEO stressed "There are countries [such as] Korea or Japan where another messaging service is bigger, but if you look across the world, WhatsApp – across Europe, Latin America, India, a lot of places in Asia – is the clear leader.". There are places in the world in which Whatsapp is not (for a little while yet) the market leader, and I mean contries like Japan, China, North Korea where Whatsapp has plenty of competitors like Line, WeChat or Kakao Talk. In this sense the amount paid for Whatsapp seems tiny. If we consider the importance and the support that Facebook could give to the spread of WhatsApp across the world (in particular across the developing countries) and the growth factor, the purchase is a very good deal.
Now Mark takes over control of the social connection, but he has to pay attention, not all that glitters is gold.
Luca Luciani
Source:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2014/02/20/5-key-reasons-whatsapp-is-worth-19bn-to-facebook/
During last days the name of Facebook CEO is on everyone' s lips and this is the direct evidence of how is this trading important.
Some consider a folly the amount of money paid for the most widespread and popular mobile messaging startup, and I guess many of you here were astonished reading the "price" paid for the startup. The purchase price is insanely high for a startup with only 55 employees, the $19 billion valutation means Facebook believes WhatsApp is worth over $42 per user.
Thus the question arises: Is whatsapp worth $19 billion?
Gordon Kelly on Forbes shows us some reasons why Whatsapp' s valuation is really worth:
mobile messaging startups the growth potential: the deal Facebook CEO stressed "There are countries [such as] Korea or Japan where another messaging service is bigger, but if you look across the world, WhatsApp – across Europe, Latin America, India, a lot of places in Asia – is the clear leader.". There are places in the world in which Whatsapp is not (for a little while yet) the market leader, and I mean contries like Japan, China, North Korea where Whatsapp has plenty of competitors like Line, WeChat or Kakao Talk. In this sense the amount paid for Whatsapp seems tiny. If we consider the importance and the support that Facebook could give to the spread of WhatsApp across the world (in particular across the developing countries) and the growth factor, the purchase is a very good deal.
Now Mark takes over control of the social connection, but he has to pay attention, not all that glitters is gold.
Luca Luciani
Source:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2014/02/20/5-key-reasons-whatsapp-is-worth-19bn-to-facebook/
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