Saturday, March 3, 2007
A recent article on MSNBC is based on the new information reveals a disturbing trend among our United States soldiers. Many of the soldiers are learning interrogation and torture tactics from shows like “24” and others. This relates back to an already established set of concerns about the influence of television violence and themes. Upon further reading, I have realized that it is more the lack of training by the military’s soldiers that is the root cause. Because of this deficiency, military people have to use outside sources for motivation and instruction. Television is a convenient media and available to many people across the world. This curious statistic and trend brings up a huge debate among military people and political people. What role does and should torture play in today’s military? Many civilians in the United States would like the all out violence in Iraq to subside. So can torture deter or stop would-be car bombers from detonating outside a crowded shopping plaza? Torturing is about getting answers and people will ultimately tell you whatever you want to know if you torture them long enough. The United States military has met with Fox and the producers of “24” to try to persuade them to be responsible about what they broadcast. At the same time, Fox has to maintain ratings and portray a message, good or bad. All peoples on both sides know that torture is wrong and that everyone should be responsible for their actions. The military cannot also be primarily responsible for a small population of its soldiers who act out on unrealistic scenarios dealing with terrorism and war
Being internet addicted in China
http://www.mediachannel.org/wordpress/2007/02/22/china-stern-treatment-for-young-internet-addicts/
China doesn't mess around with people whose "souls are gone to the online world". As part of a nation wide campaign, people, mainly young between the ages of 12 and 24, are being forced into hospital treatment for internet addictions. These relatively new clinics use "a tough love approach that includes counseling, military discipline, drugs, hypnosis, and mild electric shocks."
This is, by our standards, over the top (at least the electric shocks). But this does reflect a world wide phenomenon, which is my main interest in the story, of declaring any undesirable behavior as a mental disorder that can be treated with drugs as if it is diagnosable disease. Is personal responsibility, as a social imperative, going to be a thing of the past? It can’t be our fault if it is disease. Is drugging ourselves to perfection going to be the new world order? I find this trend to be very disturbing. We may criticize China for its harsh approach (on many levels and issues) in an attempt to achieve some sort of social and moral greatness. But no country compares to America in the levels of medicating our youth and adults in the same attempt.
Other approaches China is taking to tackle this “grave social problem” is banning kids from internet cafes and electronically booting them off online gaming after a 5 hour time limit. These seem like more reasonable approaches. But whatever happened to the parent’s ability to just pull the plug, and taking charge and responsibility for their child’s use of time. OK, maybe economic forces have changed the family structure disallowing quality time with our children. I’m looking forward for the new drug that will allow us to get away with only one hour of sleep per day. That should solve everything.
China doesn't mess around with people whose "souls are gone to the online world". As part of a nation wide campaign, people, mainly young between the ages of 12 and 24, are being forced into hospital treatment for internet addictions. These relatively new clinics use "a tough love approach that includes counseling, military discipline, drugs, hypnosis, and mild electric shocks."
This is, by our standards, over the top (at least the electric shocks). But this does reflect a world wide phenomenon, which is my main interest in the story, of declaring any undesirable behavior as a mental disorder that can be treated with drugs as if it is diagnosable disease. Is personal responsibility, as a social imperative, going to be a thing of the past? It can’t be our fault if it is disease. Is drugging ourselves to perfection going to be the new world order? I find this trend to be very disturbing. We may criticize China for its harsh approach (on many levels and issues) in an attempt to achieve some sort of social and moral greatness. But no country compares to America in the levels of medicating our youth and adults in the same attempt.
Other approaches China is taking to tackle this “grave social problem” is banning kids from internet cafes and electronically booting them off online gaming after a 5 hour time limit. These seem like more reasonable approaches. But whatever happened to the parent’s ability to just pull the plug, and taking charge and responsibility for their child’s use of time. OK, maybe economic forces have changed the family structure disallowing quality time with our children. I’m looking forward for the new drug that will allow us to get away with only one hour of sleep per day. That should solve everything.
Narcissism
Today’s youth are becoming more narcissistic; this is good and bad. A report has come out stating that college students are more narcissistic then ever before (they began the report in 1982). This might be due to how parents began really trying to improve their children’s self esteem in the 80s. Our society is in a pattern of repeatedly telling our children how special they are and how nothing can stop them if they put their mind to it. This article spoke of a song commonly sung to the tune of “Frere Jacques” in preschool: “I am special, I am special. Look at me.” I personally have never heard a child sing this song, but I can imagine what an impact it would be on a young child who repeatedly sung this tune.
“Narcissism can have benefits, said study co-author W. Keith Campbell of the University of Georgia, suggesting it could be useful in meeting new people "or auditioning on 'American Idol. Unfortunately, narcissism can also have very negative consequences for society, including the breakdown of close relationships with others," he said.” The article states that narcissists are more likely to not have extended romantic relationships, lack of emotional warmth and have over-controlling violent behaviors. They also take criticism poorly, which does not play any kind of positive role in bettering our society.
The younger generation does seem to be more confident in them-selves and assertive, which are good qualities to have, but when taken too far it can become a negative. We are being encouraged to act this way though, threw new technologies such as Myspace and YouTube. Both encourage people to seek attention and do what ever it takes to stand out.
http://www.kirotv.com/education/11119883/detail.html
“Narcissism can have benefits, said study co-author W. Keith Campbell of the University of Georgia, suggesting it could be useful in meeting new people "or auditioning on 'American Idol. Unfortunately, narcissism can also have very negative consequences for society, including the breakdown of close relationships with others," he said.” The article states that narcissists are more likely to not have extended romantic relationships, lack of emotional warmth and have over-controlling violent behaviors. They also take criticism poorly, which does not play any kind of positive role in bettering our society.
The younger generation does seem to be more confident in them-selves and assertive, which are good qualities to have, but when taken too far it can become a negative. We are being encouraged to act this way though, threw new technologies such as Myspace and YouTube. Both encourage people to seek attention and do what ever it takes to stand out.
http://www.kirotv.com/education/11119883/detail.html
Friday, March 2, 2007
Antioxidant Study
Just recently there has been a comprehensive study done of if popular antioxidant really help you live longer. The answer so far is they do not. That Americans should be very careful when taking supplements. There has been several studies and one declared that people taking antioxidant were 5% more likely to die than those who were not. Another test was that consuming garlic does not lower cholesterol. That beta-carotene increased instead of decreased the risk of lung cancer for people who smoke. And vitamin E does push the overall risk of death. All of these were stated in the article that I read.
What caught my attention about this article was that people thought that taking antioxidant could help them live longer. You can read this statement two ways at least I did. First that they want to life as long as they can and by taking a certain supplement they could do so. The second way of looking at this is that people thought they could live to be very old at least older then the average. When I think about this it sounds crazy to me that the only thing I have to do is to remember to take my special vitamin every day and I will live longer. It is what I consider to good to be true. There are many other things you have to do to stay healthy and to live as long as you can then just a vitamin. You have to exercise to keep your blood pressure and heart going. You have to sustain a certain weight for it is very unhealthy to go back in forth in weight by big amounts. You have to eat healthy or at least in this part take your vitamin. You have to have annual check ups with your doctor and dentist. All of these things play a huge part in living longer. Also if you smoke or not or if you drink a lot. Then of course you have to think about your family history as well.
I think people need to be more involved if they are truly trying to live long. That there is more to being able to live longer then just by taking a vitamin.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/health/2003592944_vitamins280.html
What caught my attention about this article was that people thought that taking antioxidant could help them live longer. You can read this statement two ways at least I did. First that they want to life as long as they can and by taking a certain supplement they could do so. The second way of looking at this is that people thought they could live to be very old at least older then the average. When I think about this it sounds crazy to me that the only thing I have to do is to remember to take my special vitamin every day and I will live longer. It is what I consider to good to be true. There are many other things you have to do to stay healthy and to live as long as you can then just a vitamin. You have to exercise to keep your blood pressure and heart going. You have to sustain a certain weight for it is very unhealthy to go back in forth in weight by big amounts. You have to eat healthy or at least in this part take your vitamin. You have to have annual check ups with your doctor and dentist. All of these things play a huge part in living longer. Also if you smoke or not or if you drink a lot. Then of course you have to think about your family history as well.
I think people need to be more involved if they are truly trying to live long. That there is more to being able to live longer then just by taking a vitamin.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/health/2003592944_vitamins280.html
Rats!
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2915161
I'm sure most have heard about the rat problem in NY restaurants KFC and Taco Bell.
The video of this is so disgusting, but worth watching if you like that sort of stuff :)
The restaurant from the video had been inspected the day before the filming, and was given the ok by the health board to operate. THANK GOD for journalists!
"An ADF-owned KFC/Taco Bell was closed by New York health inspectors last week after TV news crews peering through the windows recorded about a dozen rats skittering across the floors and climbing on tables and countertops."
This is where I applaud journalists for going the extra mile and revealing public safety issues. I cannot believe that a restaurant owner would feel it ok to continue serving food (and preparing) when disgusting vermin have been all over the place, contaminating everything!
From the exposure, it has brought out the failing in public health inspectors, and the need to start seriously penalizing restaurants that do not follow health and safety guidelines. There have been numerous programs that show food workers smoking in the facility, dropping food on the floor and still serving it to customers, spitting, shooting boogers (so disgusting), in food, not washing hands after using the restroom, and so on. Usually these types of places have been warned and warned that the establishment will be shut down if changes don’t occur, but rarely does that happen. The reason?? The city is not going to shut down a source of income for government. Period. I think public health officials really need to crack down on repeat offenders. I get so grossed out by stories like this, and know that it happens all the time – even in up-scale restaurants. I think journalists, when they find something like this, should continue to go back to these places and record, as they’ve done, to make sure owners are following health codes.
I'm sure most have heard about the rat problem in NY restaurants KFC and Taco Bell.
The video of this is so disgusting, but worth watching if you like that sort of stuff :)
The restaurant from the video had been inspected the day before the filming, and was given the ok by the health board to operate. THANK GOD for journalists!
"An ADF-owned KFC/Taco Bell was closed by New York health inspectors last week after TV news crews peering through the windows recorded about a dozen rats skittering across the floors and climbing on tables and countertops."
This is where I applaud journalists for going the extra mile and revealing public safety issues. I cannot believe that a restaurant owner would feel it ok to continue serving food (and preparing) when disgusting vermin have been all over the place, contaminating everything!
From the exposure, it has brought out the failing in public health inspectors, and the need to start seriously penalizing restaurants that do not follow health and safety guidelines. There have been numerous programs that show food workers smoking in the facility, dropping food on the floor and still serving it to customers, spitting, shooting boogers (so disgusting), in food, not washing hands after using the restroom, and so on. Usually these types of places have been warned and warned that the establishment will be shut down if changes don’t occur, but rarely does that happen. The reason?? The city is not going to shut down a source of income for government. Period. I think public health officials really need to crack down on repeat offenders. I get so grossed out by stories like this, and know that it happens all the time – even in up-scale restaurants. I think journalists, when they find something like this, should continue to go back to these places and record, as they’ve done, to make sure owners are following health codes.
Flu Shots
Is it just me or does it seem that the media has created some sort of flu-shot epidemic. With the recent reports of school aged children dying from the common flu, it seems like the public is in a mad panic to find flu shots.
Everywhere I turn I'm seeing reports of kids dying from the flu. Channel 4, 5, 7, 13, and even the Seattle Times are reporting cases of children passing away from flu like symptons. When I watching the news the reporter ended his piece with a quick admittance that they couldn't be for sure if the child died from the flu or something else. One would think that they would really think about how they want to communicate these types of stories with the public. In my opinion I think the media has caused some scare for families. Last weekend at a public clinic in Bellevue, 2500 people showed up for free flu shots. The workers said they've never seen a crowd that comes close in comparison show up for flu shots and they've offered free flu shots for the past 5 years.
To not be sure why someone died, and to make a report that hits home with everyone that has kids, is potentially dangerous. You scare the heck out of everyone not knowing if you're assumptions are even accurate. I personally got my daughter a flu shot, but that's because she was a preemie and the doctor said she has too.
Everywhere I turn I'm seeing reports of kids dying from the flu. Channel 4, 5, 7, 13, and even the Seattle Times are reporting cases of children passing away from flu like symptons. When I watching the news the reporter ended his piece with a quick admittance that they couldn't be for sure if the child died from the flu or something else. One would think that they would really think about how they want to communicate these types of stories with the public. In my opinion I think the media has caused some scare for families. Last weekend at a public clinic in Bellevue, 2500 people showed up for free flu shots. The workers said they've never seen a crowd that comes close in comparison show up for flu shots and they've offered free flu shots for the past 5 years.
To not be sure why someone died, and to make a report that hits home with everyone that has kids, is potentially dangerous. You scare the heck out of everyone not knowing if you're assumptions are even accurate. I personally got my daughter a flu shot, but that's because she was a preemie and the doctor said she has too.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Crackdown on Students Illegally Sharing Music Online
Hundreds of college students are being accused of illegally sharing music online. The Recording Industry Association of America plans to sue the students for copyright infringement but are giving them the opportunity to reach settlements before going to court. Letters with discounted settlements are being sent to 400 computers at 13 different universities. The universities who will receive the letters include Arizona State, Marshall, North Carolina State, North Dakota State, Northern Illinois, Ohio, Syracuse, U. of Massachusetts Amherst, U. of Nebraska Lincoln, U. of South Florida, USC, U. of Tennessee Knoxville, and U. of Texas Austin.
The association began its crackdown on sharing copyright files in September 2003 and has successful sued 18,000 computers nationwide, about 1,000 of those were university students. The association claims the "theft of music remains unacceptably high" and is targeting universities because "it is especially the case on college campuses". They say that illegal sharing "undermines the industry's ability to invest in new music".
The Recording Industry Association of America is targeting students who use university Internet services to download music. They have already sent universities three times more copyright complaints this academic year than the previous year. The association hopes the schools will act by removing unauthorized content being shared on their network.
This article is especially interesting because it affects people just like us, students. No one at South or even in Washington State will receive a settlement letter and we're lucky but we could be next. The Recording Industry Association of America was smart to turn to universities because most students know how to download music (in this case illegally) and do download music.
The question I can't make up my mind about is what should universities do? Should they step up and create their own policy on illegal sharing? Do they block students from accessing the information? Or should they let the students learn a lesson the hard way and turn their head?
http://www.komotv.com/news/tech/6166946.html
The association began its crackdown on sharing copyright files in September 2003 and has successful sued 18,000 computers nationwide, about 1,000 of those were university students. The association claims the "theft of music remains unacceptably high" and is targeting universities because "it is especially the case on college campuses". They say that illegal sharing "undermines the industry's ability to invest in new music".
The Recording Industry Association of America is targeting students who use university Internet services to download music. They have already sent universities three times more copyright complaints this academic year than the previous year. The association hopes the schools will act by removing unauthorized content being shared on their network.
This article is especially interesting because it affects people just like us, students. No one at South or even in Washington State will receive a settlement letter and we're lucky but we could be next. The Recording Industry Association of America was smart to turn to universities because most students know how to download music (in this case illegally) and do download music.
The question I can't make up my mind about is what should universities do? Should they step up and create their own policy on illegal sharing? Do they block students from accessing the information? Or should they let the students learn a lesson the hard way and turn their head?
http://www.komotv.com/news/tech/6166946.html
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