The following appeared as part of the business plan of an investment and financial consulting firm.
Studies suggest that an average coffee drinkers consumption of coffee increases with age, from age 10 through age 60. Even after age 60, coffee consumption remains high. The average cola drinkers consumption of cola, however, declines with increasing age. Both of these trends have remained stable for the past 40 years. Given that the number of older adults will significantly increase as the population ages over the next 20 years, it follows that the demand for coffee will increase and the demand for cola will decrease during this period. We should, therefore, consider transferring our investments from Cola Loca to Early Bird Coffee.
Discuss how well reasoned... etc.
In this argument a consulting firm recommends the transfer of investments from Cola Loca to Early Bird Coffee because, during the next 20 years, coffee demand will increase while cola demand will decrease. This prediction is based on the expectation that the number of older adults will significantly increase over the next 20 years, together with statistics, reportedly stable for the past 40 years, indicating that coffee consumption increases with age while cola consumption declines with increasing age. For three reasons, this financial advice may not be sound.
First, the argument assumes that relative supply conditions will remain unchanged over the next twenty years. However, the supply and cost of cola and coffee beans, as well as other costs of doing business as a producer of coffee or cola, may fluctuate greatly over a long time period. These factors may affect comparative prices of coffee and cola, which in turn may affect comparative demand and the value of investments in coffee and cola companies. Without considering other factors that contribute to the value of a coffee or cola company, the firm cannot justify its recommendation.
Secondly, the argument fails to account for the timing of the increase in coffee consumption. Perhaps the population will age dramatically during the next five years, then remain relatively flat over the following 15 years. Or perhaps most of the increase in average age will occur toward the end of the 20-year period. An investor has more opportunity to profit over the short and long term in the first scenario than in the second, assuming the investor can switch investments along the way. If the second scenario reflects the facts, the firms recommendation would be ill-founded.
Finally, the firm unjustifiably relies on the studies that correlate coffee and cola consumption with age. The firm does not provide evidence to confirm the reliability of the studies. Moreover, while the phrase studies suggest may appear to lend credibility to these claims, the phrase is vague enough to actually render the claims worthless, in the absence of any information about them.
In conclusion, the firm should not transfer investments from Cola Loca to Early Bird Coffee on the basis of this argument. To better evaluate the recommendation, we would need more information about the study upon which it relies. We would also need more detailed projections of population trends during the next 20 years.
心灵鸡汤:爱父母就聊聊这些吧!
战士的最后一封情书 ,感人肺腑
心灵鸡汤:心远地自偏守望内心深处的宁静
心灵鸡汤:英文情书 ,拿破仑致约瑟芬
余光中:《尺素寸心》(节选)
我喜欢这种淡淡的感觉!
关于生活态度的英语谚语名言
30岁来临时悟出的人生30个道理下
活在当下:每一天都是全新的开始
心灵鸡汤:走出舒适区让自己成长的六部曲
我是个无名小卒,你呢?
双语美文欣赏:牵着时光的手
如何在十分钟内吃掉一头大象
希腊神话:爱神丘比特的故事
爱情创口贴:走出失恋的阴霾
唐诗三百首:杳杳寒山道
母亲的含义Not Just a Mom
心灵鸡汤:人在弥留之际的五大憾事
美文欣赏:DestinyPlays缘分天注定
心灵鸡汤:在故事之外寻找真爱
脚下的草地才是最绿
错过的祝福The Missed Blessings
永远都不要再对自己做这十件事
老爸寄语:给青春期女儿的7个建议
独自去散步:让心和世界一齐脉动
爱情美文:鱼和水的故事
对那些嫉恨你的人心怀感激!
情感天地:你的心事我永远不懂
心灵鸡汤:妈妈脸上的伤疤
美丽在我心Trying to Be
| 不限 |
| 英语教案 |
| 英语课件 |
| 英语试题 |
| 不限 |
| 不限 |
| 上册 |
| 下册 |
| 不限 |