The Debate Over Video Game Violence Essay -- Violent Video Games

Controversy surrounds almost every topic and has been around for centuries. Controversial topics usually involve different types of people that have two opposite points of view about a certain topic or idea. The widespread expansion of technology has allowed people all over the world to debate certain topics that they deem to have a correct understanding of. Unsurprisingly, the effect of video games on the human brain has been a controversy since video games were first released decades ago. Video games involve the use of body and mind, which causes the player to be "inside" of the game, and they can see the world through the eyes of the character of which they play. Some psychologists and other scientists suggest that violent video games can cause psychological disorders which can cause players to engage in violent behavior in real life. On the other hand, there have also been studies conducted that suggest violence in video games does not affect the brain in that kind of way. Peop le from both sides of the viewpoint bring up good arguments that support their claim and really brings into question our understanding of video games and the impact they have on our brains. These scientists have conducted experiments over the last couple decades but still don't have an answer to what the underlying cause of children and young adults to be violent in real life as a result of playing violent video games, or if it does at all. Unfortunately, many of the people viewing this subject point the finger at others to see who is responsible for getting the children into violent video games. Some may blame the manufacturers for targetting children with their advertising of violent video games, and others may blame the parents for purchasing the... ...mes+influence+aggressive+behaviour+kids+expert+warns/9812114/story.html>. Lejacq, Yannick. "'Call of Duty' maker gears up against 'violent video games' bill." NBCnews. NBC, 11 Sept. 2013. Web. 11 May 2014.. Rettner, Rachael. "Do Video Games Boost Aggression? Study adds fire to debate." Fox News. Fox, 25 Mar. 2014. Web. 11 May 2014. . "S. 134: Violent Content Research Act of 2013." 113th Congress. N.p.: n.p., 2013. GovTrack. Web. 11 May 2014.. Tobias, Greitemeyer, and Mugger Dirk. "Video Games Do Affect Social Outcomes." Sage Journals: n. pag. Sagepub. Web. 11 May 2014. .

Adam Smith`s American Dream: Of desire and debt by Peter C. Whybrow

The American dream is a complex notion that embodies traditions, social and personal values of people. This concept is closely connected with historical and economic development of America, its liberation movement and economic changes. Explaining the American dream it is possible to single out social, personal and economic dimensions that determine this concept. In the book â€Å"American Mania: When More Is Not Enough†, P. C. Whybrow tries to explain outcomes and consequences of the American dream for the entire population and a burden of debt faced by many Americans.Taking into account economic perspectives, American dream means opportunities for everyone to become rich and prosperous in spite of his background and origin. From the very beginning of American colonization period people see the continent as a special place where there is plenty of opportunity for someone to become wealthy. Today, it is possible to define the American dream from different perspectives, but in g eneral: the American dream is the idea that through persistence, hard work and self-determination people can achieve prosperity and high social status.This notion has created workaholic cults based on principles of the American dream. Following Whybrow (2005); â€Å"A polyglot nation of prodigious energy, we are held together by dreams of material progress† (p. 22). Consumerism has a great impact on the notion the American Dream. After the period of the Depression the reforms in the marketplace not only produced double-digit growth but also enabled ordinary citizens to nurture dreams and social networks that challenged official discourse and conventions through millions of daily commercial transactions.People received a chance to earn more and buy expensive goods. Their buying habits were transformed and became necessities. The workaholic cult makes the realization of American Dream simpler because new consumers created great demand for goods. A new version of capitalism bega n evolving in which creativity was not just perennial but constant, in which rapid-fire innovation and continuous improvement were the norm. Cultural changes had a great impact on the workaholic cult and customer wants.This process which took place in 1960s resulted in the development of the creative sector as an integral part of the American dream. Educational establishments were places where human creativity was cultivated and could flourish. Millions of Americans rather quickly acquired a steady job, a car, and a big house, and debts. Most of them had tried to achieve social mobility but failed limited by gender and racial prejudices, lack of education and financial support. Free-market capitalism supported (supports) a financial burden of struggling propositions.On the one hand, economic development led to increased possibilities of education and the opening up of a greater variety of life chances, but these chances were minor in contrast to high class opportunities. Also, rapid population growth of poor classes increased burden on the financial resources and social provisions reducing buying potential of a particular individual from poor regions. The ideas of prosperity enslaved many Americans who tried to test the American dream and achieve higher social status. Also, these ideas are heated by inequalities between the rich minority and the poor majority.Stressing the need to meet basic needs as the primary driving force towards development, sometimes imaginatively termed the basic needs approach, emphasizes that health and education are motors for productivity and that the basic needs of all sectors must be met. Today, the differences between middle class families and poor are inevitable supported by social and economic constraints and self consciousness of people. Following Whybrow â€Å"The scramble for â€Å"the dream† demands a lengthened workday, diminished sleep, continuous learning, unusual energy, and a high tolerance for financial insecu rity.To be â€Å"successful† is to be a multi-tasking dynamo† (Whybrow, 2005 p. 23). An American without a car and big house is an outsider, who is unable to settle his life. For this reason, millions of Americans take loans in order to meet the established criteria of prosperity. The main problem of Americans is that they spend more than they earn. This problem leads to large debts and psychological problems caused by hard working and financial pressure. The author explains that the debts and financial burden is a direct result of heavy advertising and fashion popularizing luxurious life style and prosperity.The author gives the following example of ‘modern’ advertisements: â€Å"t he photographs highlight the vehicle’s interior, a rich brown leather interior. â€Å"Think of it as chocolate, as another sweet spot in your life,† is the drift of the spin-doctor's advice† (Whybrow, 2005 p. 21). There is a false need fabricated by media an d advertisers popularizing luxurious life style and fashion. Most people become enslaved to the workplace prisoners, because they have to meet the highest possible standards established by media and society.The other problem is that people's occu ¬pations or market positions have abso ¬lutely no bearing on their self-understanding or interpretation of their social world and neither has any relation to their individual or collective actions, which are quite unpredictable on the basis of either. Social pressure is the main cause of financial debts and ‘free-will slavery’. â€Å"Many Fortune 500 companies, once considered havens of lifetime employment, have transformed themselves into profit-driven workaholic cults’(Whybrow, 2005 p. 22).If anything explains the goals people pursue it is the social conditioning they receive, high social classes are proud and seek power, the ordinary man is timid and seeks security. Most people do not understand that upward mobil ity is practically impossible for working class children and immigrants, because they cannot enter Universities and pay for their education. Also, â€Å"manic† is caused by racism and feminism organized via institutional frameworks especially within the state as part of the disciplinary power of state agencies like the police, but which is subject to ongoing contestations.Whybrow cites the example of a working mother who is enslaved and has no time for her daughter and family. The author comments that â€Å"It is the promise of special gifts and a magical holiday that finally proves convincing and, finishing the call, the mother sighs to herself and turns to reading† (Whybrow, 2005 p. 21). Most female employees are viewed as mothers and wives which create a glass ceiling for most of them, and force them to work hard for years to prove their professionalism and high level of responsibility.Also, the author underlines the role of technology and innovations in life of Ame ricans and their dreams. The great layer of information and varieties of technology become available now, but the present day situation is marked by such phenomenon as â€Å"technology stress†, which means that all technological advantages society is craving for are nothing more than ephemerally. In sum, the American dream and false social values resulted in the workaholic cult and financial burden for many Americans. Social and economic uncertainty creates new tensions while reinforcing existing ones.The basic principle of this process is that in social process systems, prosperity are interrelated with the human or social aspects. The basic social and economic processes such as competition, conflict, accommodation and assimilation lead to debts and financial pressure. However a consistent pattern is the great gulf that separates the rich from the poor, and the central role of the state in articulating the relationship between them. References 1. Whybrow, P. C. (2005).  "Adam Smith`s American Dream: Of Desire and Debt† American Mania: When More Is Not Enough. W. Norton & Company. pp. 21-48.

Essay on Social Conventions in Jane Eyre and Hedda Gabler

Social Conventions in Jane Eyre and Hedda Gabler Charlotte Brontes novel Jane Eyre and Henrik Ibsens play Hedda Gabler were written within fifty years of each other in the late 1800s. Both Jane and Hedda exist within the same social contexts. They are women of the middle class in European cultures. The fact Jane is penniless through much of the novel does not exclude her from the middle class. Jane and Heddas experiences, education and values all belong to the middle class. Therefore it should be no surprise their words echo. In detail and outcome their stories are different. However, it is the constraints of the same social conventions which drive their different destinies. It is the same confusion of social convention with†¦show more content†¦From this experience Jane learns a lack social status and funds can make you unlovable. Banished to Lowood, a charity school, Jane befriends Helen Burns. Pious and self- disciplined, Helen becomes Janes spiritual mentor. Helens fundamentalist faith answers every question if not eve ry prayer. From Helen, Jane learns not think too much of human love. Helen also advises If all the world hated you, and believed you wicked, while your own conscience approved you, and absolved you from guilt, you would not be without friends (Jane Eyre p. 72). At Lowood Jane also learns she can be judged by her own merits. Mr. Brocklehurst, the administrator, announced to the entire school that by her Aunt Reeds assessment, Jane is a liar. The superintendent, Miss Temple, as well as Helen Burns, rally to Janes support. They declare Jane, by the conduct they have observed, to be of good character. This opinion is collaborated and Jane is publicly cleared of any wrong doing. There are codes of conduct determined by legal, moral or spiritual considerations and those determined by social convention. Janes experiences in her Aunt Reeds house introduced her to social conventions. Helen Burns introduced her to religious and spiritual guidance. The Mr. Brocklehurst incident introduces her to the concept of an individual morality and integrity. For most, these codes of conduct become enmeshed. Jane Eyre andShow MoreRelatedEssay Prompts4057 Words   |  17 PagesAP ENGLISH LIT AND COMP FREE RESPONSE QUESTIONS 2004 (Form A): Critic Roland Barthes has said, â€Å"Literature is the question minus the answer.† Choose a novel or play and, considering Barthes’ Observation, write an essay in which you analyze a central question the work raises and the extent to which it offers any answers. Explain how the author’s treatment of this question affects your understanding of the work as a whole. Avoid mere plot summary. You may select a work from the list below or another