23. October 2008 by admin.

Perhaps the recent economic downturn was caused by our own actions, not just the speculators on Wall Street, but also the common people. I will attribute one such cause as the trade of non-tangible goods - software being the number one in sales revenue. The process work like this. People buy the software, and high-tech companies will hire more programmers, and speculators will invest to make the stock appear higher in value and the interests larger. The dot-com bubble burst is over, but its effects are still felt.

What is software? Nothing more than our intellectual creations. Software takes time and money to develop, but far less than tangible goods. They also last rarely as long. So why are there monopolies, such as Microsoft and Apple, on certain programs (operating systems, music creation software), and many others lacking in quality (just visit any freeware and shareware site)? Uniform standards are one such reason for the discrepancy. However, the cost of important software for productivity is still overly exorbitant. The common people can hardly afford such bundles, packages, and suites of digital information, all of which last a short period of time. Although software should in theory drive our productivity, software at its best only improves our use of computers, which fuels the bubble of IT speculation.

Free trade and the rise of eCommerce has only accelerated the pace at which software is sold and distributed, but we have yet to see its positive effects, since they do take up a significant portion of what the common man pays for with his earned money. What are the ramifications on the US economy as a whole? On the world economy? And is it moral for a country to charge monthly costs and create multi-million dollar industries out of online games?

Intellectual property should be enforced, but it should also be affordable, and the economy must not be sacrificed at its expense.

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1. August 2008 by admin.

The nature of time is endless and deep, just as the vast expanse of space itself. As space expands at an accelerating rate, according to the open curvature of the universe, so does time. The past moves away from us, as the Earth rotates, orbits the Sun, and the Sun orbits the center of the galaxy, every second, every minute, and every year. What we consider to be the past, our precious moments, are so far away, light-years beyond our present location. And we can never return to the exact location we once were, in the ever changing grid of the universe.

The future, being equally as elusive, remains a dim shadow, only to be lighted by our thoughts translated into action. Although we do not know the ultimate fate of universe, whether there will be an end to all things, we should seek to understand the present and what factors brought the present into being.

Time does not flow as we perceive it to be. From a purely physical standpoint, only the present exists. What is considered the past, falls under “does not exist” boundaries and infinite limits. The past then, was designed to be locked into place and irretrievable from a data standpoint; the past does not exist. In a four-dimensional model of the universe, time does not flow but experiences continuous behavior, like a smooth curve on the width and interval of Planck time and space.

As much as we create the future, we create the past. Our power to influence the nature of time itself is analogous to large waves emanating all from the present moment, which is the epicenter. This is because whenever we do something in the present, it becomes the past. So if time is a metal ruler, and we place a thin dark blue sliding marker as the present moment, everything to the left side of the marker is considered irretrievable and called the past of the past, much like the past participle in grammar. As we move the marker, simulating the movement of time, the area that is covered by the movement, which we can imagine as shaded red, to be called the past, since after we finish moving the marker, what was originally known as the present and the future has become the past. So perhaps the future is the past. From a scientific standpoint, we cannot tell the difference. The law of entropy is symmetric for both past and future, so entropy increases for both the past and the future. The increase of entropy in the past is counter-intuitive and does not correpond to our memories, and the arrow of time, arbitrary. Thus, the past can only be created from the present.

Since the human mind is a quantum computer itself, time is subject to even more subjective interpretation, as Einstein noted, depending on the activity of neurons, often passing by more quickly in meditation and more slowly during intensive information processing. No final word exists on the purpose or the nature of time itself, taken from the interpretations of various cultures and religions around the world, and thus time cannot be understood by anyone except oneself.

One has often heard from those who advocate living in the present, but such words ring hollow without the right mindframe. Carpe Diem is not enough; every moment is precious, whether it being seemingly dull routine or one-in-a-lifetime experience. During our pleasant moments, we should appreciate the full experience of the world. When angered, when irritated, we should remember that only the present matters to us, and that we should not let anyone or anything affect us. Old age too, is not a limiting factor towards our experiencing of the world, as age represents our greater spiritual growth as a higher intelligence life form, provided that we have taken care of ourselves during youth.

If evil shall befall oneself, then one’s most important job is to endure. Every challenge should be taken up with eagerness, for without hardship, there is no serenity.

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6. July 2008 by admin.

When we are taking college level math classes such as abstract algebra and calculus, we are often surprised time and time again, that the fundamental core concepts of calculus lie in geometry and spatial arrangements. The other aspect of integration is pure geometry, finding the surface area or volume of irregular shapes and solids. Geometry, then, is just a visual representation of math, or vice-versa, a coherent, mathematical conception of reality.

Most students pore over arcane formula such as sin x, arctan y, and manipulate them with much skill, but few understand them. To quote a friend, to be good at mathematics does not mean being smart, quick, or accurate with numbers. To be truly good at mathematics, means that one can invent his own method of calculating and requires an understanding far deeper than what lies on the surface.

In geometry, it is impossible to ignore the significance of Trigonometry, the study of the relationship between angles and sides in a triangle and their functions, and π, the study of the circle.

A circle then, is actually composed of triangles. Sine and cosine are but ratios, ratios of two lies that form a triangle with respect to the origin. There are only two lines that are significant, either the line opposite and the hypotenuse, or the line adjacent and the hypotenuse. The movement and wavelike alternation of sine and cosine, as they move around the unit circle, come to form the perfect circle we know as presently. Note that, when the ratios of the two lines are at zero (0:1) or infinite (1:0), form the four points on the circle on the top, bottom, left and right, because one line has infinitely no length, and the other has the maximum length, or vice-versa.

The other method of constructing a circle and obtaining the value π, or 3.1416 involves taking the limits of inscribed and circumscribed shapes, which is actually integration. For demonstration, we imagine a shape inside a circle, with the circle being the maximum possible area.

The triangle is the most basic of shapes. Next is the square, pentagon, hexagon, and till we get to a polygon with 96 sides, and then towards infinity.

Archimedes was the first, in ancient times, to approximate π rigorously, using bounds between 3.1429 < π < 3.1408. An improved version arose later, by Liu Hui of Wei Kingdom, who used a 3072-gon to obtain the close estimate of π we know as 3.1416.

So the circle is bigger than the inscribed square both in area and circumference, as well as any shape that comes between. Also, the circle has something to do with the square, because the area of any circle, is π multiplied by the square of the radius of the circle.

Because of π’s transcendental nature, the digits not only never repeat and decimal expansion remains infinite, but also no known formulas exist to obtain the exact value of π. This has puzzeled countless mathemeticians and laymen over the centuries, and the nature of the circle remains all the more mysterious. The truth is, we still don’t fully understand the circle.

The chilling and dismaying reality of π leads some to speculate that other bases than 10 should be tried to test if the repeating of the digits are truly random, such as binary, sexagesimal (base 12), and hexadecimal (base 16). Unfortunately, too little data exists at the moment for study. This has lead certain leading scientists to conjecture that, in the Bailey-Borwein-Plouffe formula, that the normality and standard deviation of π in base 2, can be reduced to an explanation of chaos theory.

After thousands of years of study, we come to the conclusion that the circle is related to every other shape, the most complete of them. The circle is the ultimate expression of fulfillment.

The ancient Chinese were the first formulate a philosophy that showed a mature understanding of the circle and apply it. Taoism as well as similar beliefs that arose under the same time period, all place the circle as being the ultimate. Creation is summed as thus: from nothing came one (visually depicted as a circle), from one became two (light and dark arise in the Yin-Yang), and from two, a myriad of things. A holiday was even created to worship the moon, known as the Moon Festival, which celebrates the completeness of a full moon and the coming of Autumn.

The three dimensional version of the circle, or the sphere, is also derived from integrating the circle using circular disks. From planets to billiard balls, from stars to the universe as a whole, all are based upon this basic shape.

The martial arts of Ba Gua and Tai Ji were developed based on the circle, and represent the ultimate flexibility and invulnerable defense against linear approaches of fighting. Everywhere we go in ancient Chinese culture, we find that completeness and roundness are virtues. Although many a straightforward, linear, accurate, predictable, square aspects of life should be retained, the abilities and natural properties of the circle, those which we can apply in our everyday life, should be understood and never be forgotten.

The all-inclusiveness of the circle is what we should all strive to be. Easy it is to act in a linear fashion, by basing our life upon squares and straightness. Difficult, it is to replicate the of creation of all matter, and the curves of the circle. Dissection and analysis is easier than integration and whole understanding. Acting according to fixed rules and laws is easier than adopting a rounded and more flexible approach. In our studies as well as business, we prefer to split disciplines and tasks, but hardly do we know that in the end, in order for everything to work correctly, learning as well as making profit requires the student, or the corporation to work as a whole.

Too often do we offer individual products and packages, but can we do as the Japanese have done, to integrate an entire theme, feel and look, associated with a certain product, whether it be clothing or electronics, to provide customers a complete package and simplicity in their life? Noteworthy companies include Citibank, Sony Corporation, and The Sharper Image, and many top department stores, such as Nordstrom and Macy’s. But even then, the majority of businesses have a long way to go to improve our traditional method of making transactions.

If we can master the circle, then human beings can master everything this God-granted planet and universe has, to offer.

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19. May 2008 by admin.

Computer Science Values

Whenever an equal sign (=) is placed, the machine automatically discards previously stored values. This has monumental significance when the information is made public, because accessing entirely new commands, functions, and classes can be performed, not just changing a constant x from 5 to 6.

Traditional relationships between two objects is a “has a” connection. The new object-oriented design implements a “is a” relationship between two objects through inheritance. This is quite a breakthrough because hierarchical logic can replace linear A to B, AND/OR/NOR logic. An object can be two things simultaneously, on different levels.

A generous number of developments follow from an “is a” relationship. Nested classes become possible, which can be thought of as ideas within ideas. Inheritance can also occur, and combined with metamorphism, classes can become static or dynamic. Static polymorphism can be thought of as templates. Dynamic polymorphism can be thought up as dynamic, per-instance structure and behavior. Similarly, an intelligent being is able to apply inheritance in order to adapt to similar situations of infinite permutation.

Once inheritance is learned, we can re-classify functions as opposed to overloaded functions. Overloaded functions require multiple versions of functions. Redefining, however, can dynamically modify definitions with a single function. Perhaps this is why we are constantly redefining our models and conceptions of reality and the world. And perhaps we should, because a static model would only limit our performance and creativity. For example, “redefining progress” became one of the key themes in the 21^st century environmental movement.

Constructors, like classes, can be inherited. Copy constructors and destructors cannot be, showing the temporal value of these mechanisms. Assignment statements, of course, are also not inherited. The relationship between pointer and linked list is not an inheritance “is a” relationship, but rather a “has a” relationship. The relationship between a stack and list is inherited.

Empty spacetime is the ultimate expression of metamorphism. The empty grid of space has been scientifically discovered to be “not empty.” In empty space alone, elementary particles such as quarks and neutrinos, as well as unknown phenomenon, whiz to and fro. Perhaps, it is impossible to isolate nothing. If the universe is indeed one giant computer, then the values that are set to null or zero can always potentially change. Ancient Chinese philosophy reminds us that “from nothing came a myriad of things.”

Searching

In a traditional search, because the computer is unable to tell whether it has gone too far, in order to find the number 14, for example in a list of 6, 9, 12, 15, 20, after 12 is passed, the computer must backtrack from 15 in order to obtain the number 14. A doubly-linked list, however, is still advantageous because the search can leave the pointer anywhere, and does not have to go back to the beginning each time a search is called.

Innovative new algorithms have been developed by Google, Inc as well as Amazon.com and there are entire commercial industries dedicated to the development of searching. Google’s search engine is a remarkably efficient case because it uses parallel, distributive searching, where millions of users can search for relevant articles at the same time.

Neural Nets

Pointers and linked lists of various forms (linear, bi-directional, tree structure), can combine together to form a neural net. The human brain and all interconnected neurons function this way. The neurons act as individual nodes, and electrical impulses are sent, in both input and output, throughout the brain.

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16. May 2008 by admin.

The height of capitalism has already been reached. We are now in the days of decline for capitalism as we know it. Adam Smith and Karl Marx both foresaw the inevitable effects of accumulating capital.

“A capitals increase in any country, the profits which can be made by employing them necessarily diminish. It becomes gradually more and more difficult to find within the country a profitable method of employing any new capital.”

Adam Smith: Wealth of Nations, Volume I

A natural law is present, as the corporation accumulates capital, less capital is available to accumulate from the market. Although technically business is not a zero-sum game, and if anything, a two-way exchange, there is a tendency for profits to level off and diminish. Check the stocks of any major corporation and one will see this to effect. In order to increase profits, corporations must find “new spheres of production and channels of trade.” [1] A top electronics company can increase their production through research and development and their sales by broadening their product selections (moving into new fields of innovation such as GPS Units, Digital Photo Frames, Business Cell Phones), but even that in itself runs into natural barriers.

Competition also increases as time passes, given that the company does not have a monopoly over a certain industry. A double-bladed axe is present: If the company stays a monopoly, profits will decrease over time due to decreased effectiveness and competitiveness. If the company experiences competition, then part of the market profits will go to its competitors.

Nature truly takes away from the full and gives it to the empty, saws down the tall and mighty trees and gives chance for new saplings to grow, breaks down the hardest and the most rigid, and spares the soft and flexible, and smooths the sharp edges of massive canyons and mountains, while carving new crevices into the smooth.

The other alternative to capitalism seems to be government control of certain industries. Government control is different from a monopoly because there are subject to social approval. Sometimes government control is more flexible when dealing with consumers rather than a hard-pressed capitalist CEO. Also, the changing demands of the people and legislation subjects government industries to change. Thus it seems at this point, a mixed market is most desirable, compared to the robber-barons of the late 19th century or the large dot-com giants of the early 21st century. Privatized sectors of most industries, and government ownership of certain industries.

[1] Giovanni Arrighi: Adam Smith in Beijing

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14. May 2008 by admin.

“What type of government is best?” is perhaps a flawed statement. Considering the different forms of government, including constitutional monarchy, federalist republic, unitary republic, confederacy, Marxist socialism, and anarcho-socialism, what comes to mind is not the form, but the needs of the people. Some government will favor certain groups of individuals over other groups. Whether it be inborn traits (talent) or political dispositions (bias, opinions, worldviews), an isolated group of people will perform very differently under different governments. For example, if the person or group has a strong sense of individualism, or a strong sense of collectivism, he or they will certainly fit in differently in various forms of government. Depending on what traits the government values, such as intelligence, physical strength, rational ability, moral conduct, or respect of law, some individuals will prefer certain types of governments over others. Thus, good government should be tailored to the needs of the people, and the effective ruler can design a system where each group feels they have their own place in society.

Furthermore, the programme of the government is also important. Regardless of government structure or arrangement of people, the goals and agenda of the government is what ultimately gets political, economic, and social progress done; it is not a question of the type of regime, but rather the effectiveness which means most in the end. Political stability must come first, because even if the people are starving in a war, the unity must come first or else the country is no longer a country. A politically strong, not necessarily aggressive position, has the people in its best interest. A ruler of such a country will make a minimum of political enemies and a maximum of allies through diplomatic relations. Next, economic stability and growth must be created. Ideally a laissez-faire libertarian type of management, varying degrees of state control can be performed, depending on the situation, and still make conducive situations for growth. Finally, when all things are settled under the heavenly blue sky, social progress can be considered. The rights of the people, economic prosperity, universal education, and beautification of the cities can be worked towards.

The proper question, then, is “what type of government and goals is best for all parties involved?”

Similarly, this question applies also to the corporate structure of the 21st century. Many forms of corporations exist, including top-down hierarchical, pyramid-shaped, flat-end shaped, shareholding, non-shareholding, horizontally integrated, or vertically integrated. Regardless of organization type, the corporation must effectively put into use the different talents, contributions, and needs of the executives, employees, and customers. Notsomuch that employees or customers should fit the mold of the corporation or be fired or cease to transact business with, but the corporation must also actively fit the needs of its own people. In order to achieve this, corporation must find was to find people with exceptional talents it can use, as well as actively find the right market rather than attempting to have the customers fit the products and services of the corporation in a monopoly (e.g. Apple Inc.).

The goals of the corporation must be clear. Unity and harmonious work between executive and employees must be reached. Allies and rivals must be seen keenly. True long-term allies as well as true long-term rivals, both of which help the growth of the company, must be recognized from the crowd. Strong customer relations should be built, both in the community and elsewhere. Even when the industry is losing money in a depression, the strong bond between every person in the corporation and every person that the corporation interacts with must hold it together.

Once unity is reached, economic stability should be the next goal. Profits are still profits, and still essential for the survival of the corporation. If the company is making no net profits and losing all the money to consumers and customer service, it might as well close down, because it is, as they say, “mixing in the mud.” Such a scenario can occur if the business spends half its operations servicing customers and accepting returns. The corporation is virtually giving away money to customers. That is not only unethical, but also poor businessmanship. A true executive, then, will create proper conditions for growth that the lives of the employees will be improved over time.

Finally, once the corporation has achieved stability, other priorities can be considered, such as the social impact of the corporation, excellent customer service, setting up the workers for life (Japanese model of economics), building new company buildings by world-renowned architects, and sponsoring other organizations such as the Olympics.

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6. May 2008 by admin.

Deriving from the insight in Adam Smith in Beijing: Lineages of the Twenty-First Century by Giovanni Arrighi, I have formulated a general set of ideas for economic development.

The Western economic model for development is resource and capital intensive, whereas the Eastern model is labor intensive. However, if an emphasis on labor is going to be used, then generalization, not specialization, of labor should be employed. Thus, an alternate form of industrialization will completely develop in the distant future. Division of labor, then, is harmful towards growth of human potential.

“The man whose entire life is spent in performing a few simple operations, generally becomes as stupid and ignorant as it is possible for a human creature to become … [loses] the extensive interests of his country … incapable of vigor and perseverance”

It is a myth that Adam Smith encouraged the notion of division of labor, taking from the example he gave of the pin factory; Smith also indicated the negative effects of specialization. Coincidentally, American society as well as most international societies are geared towards a specialized focus in education. The competitiveness of the global economy demands the knowledge and skills required to make advances in biotechnology, microprocessor design, material science, and artificial intelligence. These are cutting-edge fields and skills, but they are difficult to use out-of-context. Thus, a comprehensive education is required.

An effective CEO is able to oversee production on all stages and participate with many talents and abilities. Likewise, the role of top advisors to the chief executive. On a smaller scale, family heads and members are expected to perform many tasks and require an all-encompassing knowledge of the industry. Generalization, not specialization, creates the flexibility needed to survive and adapt to changing conditions in the 21st century economy.

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6. May 2008 by admin.

“If time is money, space is also money.”

Interestingly enough, warehouse and storage buildings also cost a monthly rent or a fee per square foot of storage, just like any other enterprise in business. Even land and sustainable development can be worth money, and we exchange our wage, which stores a market value, so that we may gain time and space, and vice versa, that we put into strategic use time and space so that money is gained, as in business, or even created out of thin air, as in finance. Thus, perhaps a new definition of money is needed in the context of economic gain in a particular ecosystem.

Everything in spacetime can potentially be worth money. A single dimension, a line in the form of a road, can be a profitable enterprise. Extend that to a two dimensions, and a rectangular surface is created, in the form of land, which can be converted into a farm, with pastures and livestock. Add a third dimension, height, and buildings sprout from land, and trees shoot up from the ground. A business is born. Integrate a fourth dimension, time, and movement and life is born. The farm is alive, and the workers plowing, managers working on the Internet with customer service. Such a business can be profitable for ten years, which represents the flow of money into and out of this farm over time.

“Complexity cannot be avoided, but it can be managed.”

-S. Barkeshli

Complexity is the largest barrier to entry in a free market. Thus, an effective merchant is not only able to deal with the complexity, she is also able to simplify challenges for consumers. Simpleness in itself is a form of customer service, because simplicity used in a genuine fashion helps people get by.

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27. April 2008 by admin.

“Wealth does not exist, only money management”

“Freedom does not exist, only time management”

In our current economy, an efficient method of distribution is required to stay afloat. Gas and oil prices are increasing. Maximizing efficiency, not profit, should be pursued as the highest priority. Long-term profitability will come as a result.

All corporations should compile a list of shipping locations, supplier locations, retail stores, warehouses, and office spaces. Integration should be done horizontally (owning a larger market share of retail stores, for example) and vertically (managing the flow of products from factory down to retail store).

Once a list has been completed, route planning or mapping should be done through GPS units, Google Maps, or other enterprise software. The shortest route distance between A to B should be mapped out. Alternate routes must be considered. Factors such as traffic, the weather, and shipment weight must be calculated. Since the weather is becoming increasingly erratic, hot weather or unusually rainy weather can be extremely harmful to business. Executives must now plan new hours of operation as well as other times for delivery, such as during the night, in order to balance work load.

Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and cell phones will be the medium of communication used to update other members of the team one’s physical location as well as update route information. If there are any business calls during the day, a new route can be calculated in order to maximize convenience. UPS and FedEx already have an efficient method of route planning; businessmen need to do something like that as well.

The efficient use of transportation, not necessarily efficient transportation, is also crucial towards success. Hybrid vehicles should be used for the mainstream means of transportation of the company. Chief executives should drive luxury sedans instead of sport utility vehicles. Delivery will still be done by large trucks, but whenever possible, small loads can be done on compact sport wagons such as the Toyota Matrix, or sport utility vehicles.

The same applies for corporate technology. Companies should opt for energy efficient computers as well as smart, user-independent technology. Currently, the collaboration between Intel and Windows Vista has produced computers that can sense how much power is needed, and automatically reduces energy consumption when performing basic tasks, or shuts off when the user is not present.

The combination of all these techniques will lead to long term profitability as well as longer equipment lifespan, shorter hours of work, and better adaptability towards market conditions.

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27. April 2008 by admin.

“Business is Life”

Modeling the business under Green and environmental policies, like Ralphs, Pavilions (Vons), and countless other business models have done, is an excellent initiative, but it may not be enough. The proper way to model a corporation (as well as government) is on nature and universal law. The Green and environmentalist movement are only a small part of the whole nature; they only draw on what the most cutting-edge modern day science tells us - but knowledge is limited by technological progress. Relying on the rate of progress is not enough; we need to go back to nature.

How is it possible to understand nature without science? Through intuition, through experience. There is no sure fire way for businessmen to learn from nature. Each person must take his or her own journey through nature, and debrief and analyze what they learned in the end. People cannot learn about nature just merely from business books that gives tips on how to maximize profit by applying environmental principles; they must experience nature firsthand, think about nature, and discuss nature with other businessmen.

More specifically, men should model their business on the movement of the heavens. Thus, another source of inspirations are the laws of physics. The inverse square law of how half the profits should be derived from local source, a fourth from state, an eight nationally, and a sixteenth internationally, is one great method to earn a profit. There are also basic astronomical themes of arranging the business structure. A business works annually, because of the solar cycle. The best type of business report is quarterly and also once per four years. Company goals as well as debriefing should be set at certain intervals of the year.

Indeed, when solar and lunar eclipses occur, deep meaning towards human life is present. Also, when certain planets line up, or when the solar system aligns with the galactic center, it is an excellent time to consider business ideals. Not because, a magical force is present, but rather, because a certain cycle has been completed. Fulfillment, was always the theme in ancient Chinese astronomy. When the moon is full, it is considered especially auspicious, or lucky. The Chinese even have a holiday dedicated towards the moon. In addition, life as we know would certainly not exist without the moon. The moon causes tides, the tilt of the earth, the four seasons, as well as the stability of earth’s rotation. Also, the moon offers a source of light at night, and businesses can maximize this source of light, instead of building more lamps, by aligning their enterprises to the position and intensity of moonlight.

Empirically, we still do not know why floods and earthquakes occur. Too often, natural disasters occur is because humans disrespect the environment. Not just polluting, but being unprepared for events is also disrespecting nature, because being acting impervious to natural disaster is a form of of shallow pride. Businessmen must be prepared for hard events, and lead the people in the vanguard when trouble arises. For example, warehouses, offices, and stores must be earthquake-resistant. Also, when fire or earthquake occurs, there should be emergency plans prepared.

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