Minimum wage essay Essay Example for Free

Minimum wage essay Essay Some people may support minimum wage legislation because they believe it will help struggling workers to make ends meet. What do you think about that? Minimum wage, as a kind of price floor, refers to the least amount of money that employers can legally pay labors for per hour of work. Therefore, government sets a price that is under the market equilibrium price in order to reduce the poverty and ensure that young employees and minority will not be treated unequally. However, those aimed goals are not accomplished as expected and minimum wage only makes economy inefficient and worsens some people’s lives. After the minimum wage is imposed above the equilibrium wage rate, this results in the supply of labour being greater than the demand for labour. Therefore, while only E2 amount of labour is demanded in the market, E3 amount of labour is provided and causes excess labour. In theory, the minimum wage results in excess supply of labour because the higher costs of labour motivate companies to cutoff employees and then cause unemployment, ceteris paribus. Meanwhile, the minimum wage reduces the demand from E1 to E2 so this reduces both consumer and producer surplus, and creates a deadweight loss to the society. Furthermore, it is highly possible that because of the increased production costs, the quantity of supply is increased and the average price level is increased overall, so consumers tend to pay higher prices. Therefore, when price floor is imposed, deadweight loss and excess supply of labour are created, and unemployment rates and overall price level will be increased. Subsequently, although there are considerable large amounts of people are benefited from the minimum wage, those poor people without enough professional skills or in the state of unemployment are likely to suffer worser living conditions. While those people in employment are benefited from the minimum wage, they are also affected by minimum wage negatively, like less opportunities to increase income. Since the minimum wage increases production costs of company, except cutting off labour, companies would also decide to reduce times to promote employees. Therefore, in the long run, those employees will be demotivated and then decrease their passion and working efficiency. Besides, even if those employees still get lots of opportunities, their  living standards will not be enhanced so much because the overall price is also increasing. Therefore, although people enjoying minimum wage have higher wages, they need to pay more when consuming goods in daily life. In conclusion, although minimum wage ensures the salary of some people in the short run, minimum wage creates welfare loss and excess labour in the market, so in the relatively long run, unemployment rate and overall price level will be increased due to increased production costs (which are consist of labour, land, technology and capital). Therefore, for people in the state of unemployment, they will suffer by the higher price and they will be poorer. While for those people benefited by the minimum wage, they tend to obtain less promotion chances, receive higher average prices in the market and in the long run even may lose enthusiasm for working hard.

Antigen Presenting Cell (APC): Structure and Function

Antigen Presenting Cell (APC): Structure and Function There are many complex mechanisms employed by the immune system to destroy invading organisms, abnormal cells and contain infections in order to maintain health and life. Antigen presenting cells (APC) are some of the cells that form part of these mechanisms. This essay will look at what APCs are, the different types with examples and their specific roles in the immune response. APCs are cells that take up antigens and present them to lymphocytes during an immune response (Sherwood et al, 2009). The components of APCs that actually do the presenting are Major Histocompatibility complexes (MHCs): Class I and Class II MHC molecules (Sompayrac, 2003). These two complexes provide two different pathways of antigen presentation that stimulates different population of T cells to eliminate the invading pathogen concerned. All nucleated cells of the body express MHC class I molecules and are therefore referred to as non-professional APCs (Kropshofer et al, 2005). MHC class I molecules are like billboards that display on the surface of the cell, peptides of processed endogenous proteins (Sompayrac, 2003).The endogenous proteins could be those encoded by viruses or parasites that have infected the cell. The main focus of MHC class I APCs is on events within the cell. Typically in a viral infection, the virus enters the cell and uses the cells own biosynthetic machinery to produce proteins encoded by viral genes (Wagner et al, 2004). Viral proteins are broken down into peptides by enzymes within the cell (proteasomes) (DeFranco et al, 2007). Following this, the peptides are carried into the endoplasmic reticulum by a TAP transporter (Sompayrac, 2003). After which MHC class I molecules within the cell are loaded with these peptides along with a sample of other normal proteins being made by the cell. This M HC-peptide complex is then transported to the cell surface for presentation. The protein fragments are displayed on MHC class I molecules to cytotoxic T cells (Tc) (Schindler, 1991). Having this mechanism in place allows all body cells to be monitored by CD8+ve Tc cells which inspect the cells. Tc cells detect foreign peptides bound to an MHC so if a cell has been invaded by a virus or parasite, the Tc cells are alerted and respond by destroying the abnormal cell thus preventing the spread of viruses throughout the body (DeFranco et al, 2007). MHC class II molecules are designed to present peptides to helper T cells (Th). Unlike the MHC class I molecules, MHC class II molecules are restricted to certain cell types termed professional APCs. Their focus is on events unfolding in the outside environment so can present samples of antigens derived from exogenous antigens in various parts of the body. Professional APCs display class I and class II MHCs as well as co-stimulatory signals (Sompayrac, 2003). In order to function, T cells, both Tc and Th cells, require activation. For this to happen, T cells need to recognise its cognate antibody in an MHC complex and they also need a co-stimulatory signal which can only be provided by professional APCs (Wellness.com, 2010). Co-stimulation is provided by a protein (B7) on APCs which interlocks with another protein (CD28) on the surface of T cells. Examples of professional APCs are activated macrophages, activated dendritic cells (DC) and activated B cells. DCs are the most important of the APCs as it capable of initiating an immune response by activating naà ¯ve T cells (Sompayrac, 2003). These cells are strategically located in areas of the body such as the skin, mucosal lining of lung and digestive tract where microbes are likely to enter (Sherwood et al, 2009). In normal tissues DCs are immature, expressing few B7 protein and MHC molecules on their surfaces so are poor antigen presenters. However, when a microbe(s) invade the tissue which DCs reside, they mature. DC are specialised as they have pattern recognition receptors on their surface which recognises common features of invading microbes such as LPS on the surface of gram negative bacteria. DCs takes up pathogens through receptor mediated endocytosis and degrade it in a lysosome (DeFranco et al, 2007). During a invasion, cytokines (TNF ÃŽ ±) released by activated mac rophages are recognised by the DC which informs it that innate immune system is under attack. Cytokines bind to receptors on the DC causing it to cease phagocytosis, leave the tissues (site of infection) and migrate through the lymphatic system. Whilst travelling, the DC equips the class II MHC reserves with the antigen and also produces B7 co-stimulatory protein. During this time also, DC upregulates the expression of class I MHC molecules as a precautionary measure that if the DC was infected by a virus or parasite at the site of infection, the antigen could be processed into protein fragments for presentation if necessary (Male, 2004). By the time the DC reaches the lymph node, it has its co-stimulatory molecules and the MHC class II- peptide complex(es) primed and ready to activate naà ¯ve T cells. Lymph nodes have compartments that have bountiful supplies of B and T cells (Schindler, 1991). Whilst at the lymph node, DCs trigger the adaptive immune response by presenting antigens to CD4+ve Th cells with matching receptors (Sherwood, 2009). After which, the APC secrete interleukin, a chemical which activate Th cells. Activated Th cells then secretes cytokines which stimulates the Th into rapid proliferation and differentiation into effector Th cells and memory Th cells (DeFranco et al, 2007). Memory Th cells are useful in future infections by the same pathogen whilst effector Th cells activate B cells to secrete antibodies enhancing other immune activities (Sherwood, 2009). Additionally effector Th cells and antibody molecules depart from the lymph node and enter the circulation which they then leave at the infection site. Antibodies opsonise the bacteria enhancing their uptakes by phagocytes, stimulate Natural killer cells (NK) to directly lyse the bacteria and also activate th e lethal compliment system (Sherwood, 2009). CD4 +ve T-cell on the other hand activate macrophages to become more cytotoxic. It is important that the magnitude of the immune response be in proportion to the seriousness of the attack (Sompayrac, 2003). As previously mentioned DCs migrate to lymph nodes only when activated by battle cytokines. In a serious infection, many cytokines are released and thus more DCs are activated. Before their migration to lymph nodes, activated DCs release chemokines, a chemical which triggers precursor cells (monocytes) to leave the blood stream and become their replacement as DCs in (Sompayrac, 2003). These new DCs are then able to be activated and make their way to the lymph node which amplifies the response to the invasion. The new recruits of DCs are like photojournalists, the antigenic peptide which they carry to the lymph node being a snapshot of the infection site (Sompayrac, 2003). This is useful so if there are changes in the area, the appropriate T cell can be activated and thus elicit the immune response most suitable. If the infection is mild, there will be fewer c ytokines produced, less DCs activated, fewer chemokines released, fewer replacements of DCs therefore the number of DCs that make their way to the lymph node will also be significantly less. Consequently the number of B and T cells that becomes activated in the lymph nodes relies greatly on the number of DCs present. As detailed above DCs play a role in the activation of macrophages. Macrophages are one of the early defences against invaders that initiate the cell mediated immune response (Schindler, 1991). Macrophages are very weak at presenting antigens as they only possess enough MHC molecules and co-stimulatory proteins when activated by battle cytokines e.g. IFN ÃŽ ³ (DeFranco et al, 2007). Macrophages function in the re-stimulation of experienced T cells so they continue to partake in the fight against the pathogen (Male, 2004). They engulf pathogens that have invaded the tissues, process it using internal enzymes and present the peptides on MHC class II molecules. This continual display of antigens is recognised by Th cells which continue to complete their function. Next the activated macrophage releases cytokines are previously mention that act on the DC i.e. TNF ÃŽ ±. Other cytokines released includes IL-1 and IL-8. IL-1 aids in the activation of B and T cells (Schindler, 1991). B cells are the third professional APC. At the start of an infection B cells are naà ¯ve so do not play a definitive role. However throughout the course of the infection B cells become activated. Some B-cells are specific to T-independent antigen so only require binding of its receptor (BCR) to a cognate antigen for activation (Sherwood 2009). Other B-cells are specific to T-dependent antigen so after processing the antigen and displaying it on MHC class II molecules, binding of a Th cell is required for their activation. The MHC class II complex interacts with the TCR on the CD4+ Th cell which recognise the specific antigen on the B cell. Next the helpers release a chemical known as interleukin triggering the activation of the B cell. Activated B cells go through rapid proliferation and differentiation into memory cells and antibody producing plasma cells (Sherwood, 2009). B cells have the advantage of presenting the antigen very quickly so makes the immune response more efficient. The development of two different pathways of antigen presentation i.e. via MHC class I and II molecules can be rationalised in that each ultimately helps to elicit the most appropriate immune response through stimulation of the T cell the population most effective in eliminating the pathogen in question. MHC class I APCs allows for the monitoring of all body cells through Tc cells whilst MHC class II APCs seek the help of Th cells and B cells which directs the immune response in a way that corresponds to the seriousness an infection. Through these functions, APCs ultimately helps to maintain health and life. Should Teens Be Allowed Internet Access? Should Teens Be Allowed Internet Access? The internet is a large market with practically everything available in it. It is a massive network of computers worldwide connected by cables and satellites. Most of the time, it is just referred to as The Net or the World Wide Web (www). The internet today is used for multiple tasks such as receiving email, communicating with people from all around the world, receive text, images, video and sound. It is a very helpful tool for getting any information needed. This is because it has people from all around the globe posting information onto the internet for the use of everybody who access the internet which is a public accessible feather for millions of people nationwide. (Young Media Australia 2008, What is the internet?) However, the internet nowadays is too widely used by tweens and is becoming an issue among our society. This is caused by different factors that may be dangerous to them. This study is to investigate whether it is advisable for tweens to be allowed internet access. We may wonder who exactly are tweens? To be exact, they are individuals who are no longer children anymore yet not a teenager. This means they would fall in the age group of between 11 13 years old. People are doubtful about giving them internet access because they may not be mature enough to differentiate what is good or bad and this may cause them to be susceptible to internet danger. Internet danger is generally caused by people who are not taught with moral ethics and try to inflict damage onto tweens. Advantages of the internet for tweens Offers a wide spectrum of information The internet is a virtual treasure chest full of valuable information. It has a huge amount of publications added everyday and is slowly evolving as one of the greatest source of information. Any form of information from A to Z can nowadays be so easily obtained just by a few clicks on the computer and tons of information show on the screen. Also, with the help of search engines on the internet, the work of hunting for information or data is minimized. Since the internet provides so much of information, it is a great source of reference for students who does research work or even just to look for information which cannot be obtained in school. Through the internet, forums can be accessed and through forums, people are able to trade information and share opinions with each other. (The Advantages Disadvantages Of The Internet n.d.) Communication with the world There are plenty of chat rooms that can be used on the internet such as Live Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, Skype and so on. These chat rooms allow worldwide communication to be possible. As long as computers are connected to the internet, anybody from any part of the world can communicate online. It is very convenient for family members who are apart to communicate with each other instantaneously without the need of using email or snail mail. (The Advantages Disadvantages Of The Internet n.d.) Saves times in completing tasks Before internet existed, there were many tasks that took a lot of time to complete. Now with the help of internet in the modern society, the time used to complete these tasks is reduced by an uncanny amount. One example would be students using the internet to communicate with teachers online. Students who are slacking in studies may have extra classes with teachers through communication programs. This greatly reduces students time needed to revise on their own and yet not fully comprehend the subject. Also, assignments done can be sent to teachers via the computer with the use of email. Educational games programs Games nowadays intrigue tweens and play a big role in their lives. Computer games are constantly being played by tweens from all around the world and the internet has a huge load of these games. Specifically, educational games are the games that have positive effect on tweens. These games can provide practice in problem solving and logic and also provide practice in use of fine motor and spatial skills. Furthermore, some of the educational games require two players or more so this allows parents to occasionally play together with the child and have some family bonding. These games being fun activities help to relieve stress and help keep the mind fresh. (Effects Of Video Game Playing On Children 2009) Risks disadvantages tweens might face However good the internet might appear to be and have many advantages upon tweens, the ugly side of internet should also be reviewed carefully to actually determine whether the internet is more harmful than helpful to tweens. Access to inappropriate content or information The internet being the treasure chest to all information, it also contains negative contents such as pornography and violence. Tweens who accidentally access to pornography may see images that would scar them for life and may potentially cause problems in their future life as these images may surface without warning. It is always internet pornography that is the first exposure to tweens of these sexual images and the images they see causes their brain to play mind tricks on them. This causes human intimacy to be planted into them as something twisted and perverted and this implantation is irreversible. Ultimately, this may lead to sexual deviancy and crime, which in turn affects their future relationships and marriages. (Children as Victims n.d.) Violence also can make a huge impact on tweens. Tweens who are exposed to violence would generally be more hot-tempered and are very likely to have antisocial behavior such as threatening aggression and assault. This is because they are brainwashed into the world of violence and cannot distinguish between fantasy and reality. They may think that violence is the only way to settle problems and that being violent shows charisma and looks macho-like. (Children And Media Violence 2009) Chance to come across internet predators An internet predator is usually an adult who exploits vulnerable children or tweens for sexual or abusive purposes, or also known as paedophiles. These people try to do these out of the norm things to satisfy their personal fetish. They would try to use the internet as a way of getting in contact with tweens and try to coax them to meet up. At this point, these tweens who are not under adult supervision may not be mature enough to think that this is potential danger and would simply just agree to meeting with this anonymous person. This would allow tweens to be vulnerable to these internet predators to carry out their dirty activities. In some reported cases, these paedophiles have raped and killed innocent children. (What are the risks involved with my child using the internet n.d.) Become victims of cyber bullying Cyber bullying is quite common nowadays in the virtual world. What exactly does cyber bullying mean? It basically is any form of harassment that occurs via the internet. Posting fake videos on web sites, leaving mean and evil emails towards somebody are forms of cyber bullying. Tweens who are cyber bullied would feel very depressed and overwhelmed as they do not know who these people are who cyber bully them. These helpless victims would usually suffer quietly and be mentally imbalanced because they usually dont tell an adult about this issue and just keep it to themselves. (What is Cyberbullying? n.d.) Be subjected to invasion of privacy, unsolicited advertising financial risks There are plenty of commercial websites on the internet that may invade privacy by requesting for personal information. Tweens may be encouraged to complete questionnaires and enter competitions that lead to the divulgence of personal information or incur unforeseen costs. Also, some sites have advertisements that encourage tweens to acquire products which are costly and unnecessary for them. (What are the risks involved with my child using the internet n.d.) Addiction to the internet It is very easy for tweens to get addicted to the internet because it is so interactive. With all the contents available on the internet, tweens would opt to sit in front of a computer all day and this would cause them not to have time to finish assignments or work and decrease the time for socializing with people in person. This usually also causes tweens to be less healthy as they would lack the exercise needed for their body. (What are the risks involved with my child using the internet n.d.) Conclusion To look at the whole argument in an unbiased way, a comparison has to be made between the advantages and disadvantages of the internet. It may appear that it is not advisable for tweens to be allowed internet access because of all the negative effects it may cause. However, from a survey carried out, majority of the people agree that tweens should be given internet access and that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages of the internet. These negative effects are avoidable and it basically comes down to the way tweens use the internet and how much they understand about the internet. These problems may be avoided if they are guided along the way by an adult because an adult is able to differentiate whats good and whats not on the internet and teach tweens how to avoid these sites on the internet. Most of the tweens who suffer from internet disadvantages are those who are ignorant and are not taught well on how to utilize internet as a powerful tool. (1615 words)

The Obscurities of the Individual :: Essays Papers

The Obscurities of the Individual In James Joyce’s Dubliners many themes arise in regards to the human basis of character. The author focuses on a critique of the situation in Ireland and on its society. This is adequately represented in the stories â€Å"A Little Cloud† and â€Å"The Dead† as well. With characters that suffuse themselves into the far back regimes of their minds, Joyce allows the reader to ‘feel’ the darkness that surrounds their lives. With efficient descriptions and simple storylines, every moment within the stories make the eventual understanding of the character' place in society that much more blatantly condemning. Each narration has its own identity, yet as the reader strings them along, one can construct a quaint picture of Dublin life at that time. There are many catalysts within every work that lead its main character to just theories, one of them is their lifestyles as a whole. The solitude that the characters dim their existence with makes their integration into social circles less complete. Whether this segregation is psychological, physical, or emotional, is irrelevant in the end. For the effects of this disparity is what eventually causes the rifts the characters create to consume their whole reality into the shadows of their perceptions. In â€Å"A Little Cloud†, Little Chandler allows his emotional insecurities to separate him from every circle he attends. He feels that he isn’t really a part of society and therefore, upon his friend’s arrival, the tie he acquires allows him to reconnect himself to a life that he had long since hadn’t felt a part of. His many dreams have never been succeeded and he realizes that he isn’t living the life he wants. He has always played it safe within his every decision, thus the clarity that flows into his meager existence when expecting his friend is what saves him from total obscurity. This is highlighted when he enters the luminosity of the bar feeling important and is faced with its many colors which lead him to believe that â€Å"the people were observing him curiously† (69). However, this point was already clear as he â€Å"felt himself superior to the people he passed† (68) while on his way to meet his friend. Chandler appoi nts Gallaher as his gateway to the dreams he still has. In â€Å"The Dead†, Gabriel finds that he has no real place within his relations because of his way of being.

Louis XIV and Peter The Great Essay example -- essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Research Essay   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Absolute rulers like Louis xiv and Peter the Great strengthened there countries butweakened them economically. They made great improvements to the armies and social aspects of the kingdom. But when they were improving all of these things it ended up costing them a great deal of money. Was it good to have a great army and government if everyone had no money? Absolutism is a political theory holding that all power should bevested in one ruler or other authority. Both Louis xiv and Peter the Great considered themselves to be absolute rulers and they had divine right.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Louis xiv changed France in many ways. He helped and hurt the growing nation. In order to become a true absolute ruler Louis xiv needed to make sure that ll the power was contained in himself. So he did a very clever thing, he took the nobles power out of the government. And to make sure they didnt realize that their power was being taken away slowly he gave them positions in the army (doc.7). This now made france a true absolute monarchy. All the power was now in louis xiv. He made all the decisions and no one could stop or disagree with him. Unlike the middle ages where the system of government was the feudal system and the nobles contained a great deal of power t...

Comparing the Feminine Quest in Surfacing and Song of Solomon Essay

The Feminine Quest in Surfacing and Song of Solomon      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Margaret Atwood in her novel Surfacing and Toni Morrison in her novel Song of Solomon require their heroines to pass through a stage of self-interpretation as a prerequisite for re-inventing the self.   This stage in the feminine journey manifests a critical act typically absent in the traditional male journey, and one that places Atwood and Morrison's heroines at odds with the patriarchal community.   If authors of feminine journeys meet the requirements set out by feminist critics like Dana Heller, then we must also provide a method for interpreting the texts that will be palatable for critics from the patriarchy.   Otherwise we perpetuate an hostility between the camps that debilitates everyone.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The typical male hero's task has been to return to his community and share the boon of his journey.   That boon may be treasure badly needed for the culture's economics, it may be new wisdom needed for the proper dispensation of justice and national confidence, it may be the return to fecundity through the defeat of a monster who has been imposing an impotence on the land. Whether the boon is economic or spiritual, under the monomythic model, the stories credit the male's efforts and de-emphasize the heroine's roles in the boon's attainment.      Ã‚   The typical heroine's journey, however, existed at best as a sub-plot to the male's effort. Her role in the quest "is not meant for her active heroism," as Dana Heller says,   "but for her passive submission to a hero" (10).   Thus, if she didn't die along the quest, she married the hero.   As his spouse, she helped him dispense his boon in the typical feminine manner of caregiver, lover or innocent.   Often, the... ... New York:   Ballantine Books, 1972. Brenner, Gerry.   "Song of Solomon:   Rejecting Rank's Monomyth and Feminism," Critical Essays on Toni Morrison.   Reserve Shelf, University of Montana, 1993. Fabre, Genevieve.   "Genealogical Archeology or the Quest for Legacy in Song of   Solomon," Critical Essays on Toni Morrison.   Reserve Shelf, University of Montana, 1993. Heller, Dana.   "The Feminization of Quest Romance."   Reserve Shelf, University of  Ã‚   Montana, 1993. Hoy, David Cousens.   The Critical Circle: Literature, History and Philosophical  Ã‚  Ã‚   Hermeneutics.   Berkeley:   University of California Press, 1978. Morrison, Toni.   Song of Solomon.   New York: Penguin Books, USA, 1978. O'Shaughnessy, Kathleen.   "Life, life, life, life:   the Community of Chorus in Song of  Ã‚   Solomon," Critical Essays on Toni Morrison.   Reserve Shelf, University of Montana, 1993.

Influence of video games on youth Essay

What is not normally thought about when buying a new game console or game is: Do video games influence a child’s psychological development and make them more aggressive and violent? Do video games affect a child’s grades? These will be some of the topics we will be discussing. Some parents have the concern that video games, among other outlets, affect their children and cause them to be more aggressive and violent with other children their age and elders, also. Parents have the right to limit the time spent playing video games and partaking in the other outlets available such as media. According to Anderson and Gentile, [Parents have an important role to play. Psychologists have found that when parents limit the amount of time as well as the types of games their children play, children are less likely to show aggressive behaviors (Anderson et al. , under review; Gentile et al. , 2004). Other research suggests that active parental involvement in children’s media usage-including discussing the inappropriateness of violent solutions to real life conflicts, reducing time spent on violent media, and generating alternative nonviolent solutions to problems-all can reduce the impact of media violence on children and youth (Anderson et al. , 2003). ] On the contrary, as according to Anderson and Gentile, [Dr. Anderson and colleagues have shown that playing a lot of violent video games is related to having more aggressive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors (Anderson & Bushman, 2001). Furthermore, playing violent games is also related to children being less willing to be caring and helpful towards their peers. Importantly, research has shown that these effects happen just as much for non-aggressive children as they do for children who already have aggressive tendencies. ] Some studies have been done about the habits of children. Some of the studies showed that although children love to play video games alone, they prefer to play them more within groups. Parents, as well as teachers, have found that with some games, where reading, doing mathematical problems, and following instructions are needed, that their children’s grades have improved. The BBC (2002) stated, â€Å"Computer games could become part of the school curriculum after researchers found they had significant educational value. The UK study concluded that simulation and adventure games – such as Sim City and RollerCoaster Tycoon, where players create societies or build theme parks, developed children’s strategic thinking and planning skills. Parents and teachers also thought their children’s mathematics, reading and spelling improved. The investigation into the habits of 700 children aged seven to 16 also found that, far from being a solitary activity, children preferred to play games in pairs or small groups. † (para. 1-4) Video games can help develop the brain’s response time when the games used are dealing with with variables, teaching a specific skill or problem solving. Games have been used by several websites by politicians teaching politics and by the Nobel Prize Foundation to teach history. The Wikipedia () stated, â€Å"Video games can aid the development of proficiency by allowing users to interact with objects and manipulate variables. They are said to be particularly effective when designed to address a specific problem or teach a certain skill in curriculum subjects, where specific objectives can be stated and when deployed selectively within a context relevant to the learning activity and goal. Simple types of games can be designed to address specific learning outcomes such as recall of factual content. For instance, the Nobel Prize Foundation website uses on-line games to aid children in understanding the discoveries made by its laureates by embedding the scientific knowledge as part of the game environment. Video games have historically received more criticism than other forms of recreational learning because they are often perceived as or associated with issues such as mindless entertainment, enhanced social recluse, sexism and consumerism. However, a shift from pure entertainment to educational tool has emerged in recent times. Children growing up today can benefit from educational video games because they are already exposed to a society that is increasingly dependent on digital technology. The medium of educational games provides an opportunity for teachers to introduce educational and playful elements into the learning environment. With computer-aided learning programs, teachers may assist students on social aspects such as critical learning, knowledge based communication and effective interpersonal skills that traditional methods of teaching cannot offer. † (para. 2, 5-6). Many people are under the conclusion that by letting children play video games, they will spend less time outside. Even though children play video games, most children still partake in old fashion activities such as soccer, baseball, and many others. Most children still prefer to play in groups than to play alone. According to Cauchon (), [The fundamental nature of American childhood has changed in a single generation. The unstructured outdoor childhood – days of pick-up baseball games, treehouses and â€Å"be home for dinner† – has all but vanished. Today, childhood is spent mostly indoors, watching television, playing video games and working the Internet. When children do go outside, it tends to be for scheduled events – soccer camp or a fishing derby – held under the watch of adults. In a typical week, 27% of kids ages 9 to 13 play organized baseball, but only 6% play on their own, a survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found. ] On the contrary, according to Anderson and Gentile, [Drs. Anderson and Gentile’s research shows that children are spending increasing amounts of time playing video games – 13 hours per week for boys, on average, and 5 hours per week for girls (Anderson, Gentile, & Buckley, under review; Gentile, Lynch, Linder, & Walsh, 2004). ] In conclusion to all of the information above, we have concluded that video games are not the only effect on children that could cause them to be violent or aggressive in their childhood and when they are older. Children learn from the programs they see on TV, Music Videos, Video Games, and especially from what they see going on in their home. It is unfair for us to exclusively blame the video game creators and the stores that sell the products for the aggressiveness in children. Parents should also be held accountable, especially if they are the ones buying the games for their children. We both came to this agreement, thanks to the information we have gathered in reference to our topic of the influence of video games on the youth. It is irrelevant to believe that video games are a main factor or the most important factor of a negative development in children. References Pros: BBC. (2002). Video Games Stimulate Learning. Retrieved July 3, 2008, from http://news. bbc. co. uk/1/hi/education/1879019. stm Cauchon Dennis, (2006). Kids are Living Under House Arrest. White Dot. Retrieved July 3, 2008, from http://www. whitedot. org/issue/iss_story. asp? slug=sedentary%20kids Wikipedia. (). Video Games. Retrieved July 3, 2008, from http://en. wikipedia.org/wiki/Educational_game Cons: Anderson, Craig A. , Gentile, Douglas A. , & Buckley, Katherine E. (2007). Violent Video Game Effects on Children and Adolescents. Oxford, Connecticut. Cauchon Dennis, (2006). Kids are Living Under House Arrest. White Dot. Retrieved July 3, 2008, from http://www. whitedot. org/issue/iss_story. asp? slug=sedentary%20kids Kent Steven, (2006). Anti-video Games to Me Misses Its Target Widely. Tegenwicht. Retrieved July 3, 2008, from http://www. tegenwicht. org/03_littleton/anti_video_games. htm.

Heart of Darkness / Apocalypse Now: An Analysis Essay

The novel Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, published in 1902, is about the story of a man named Marlow, a steamship captain whose character is based on Conrad’s own experience. The story is told from Marlow’s perspective in a narrative. Marlow describes describes one particular journey he took on an African river as part of an assignment by his company to take charge of a barge stuck in the interior. In addition to his regular task of transporting ivory, Marlow has orders to bring back Kurtz, a man considered a legend in his company. Along the journey, Marlow makes his way through the jungle, witnessing the how whites exploit the natives even to the point of oppressing them in their quest for power and profit (Conrad 155; Galloway; Grant 215). Upon reaching Kurtz’s compound in a remote outpost, he is appalled to see a row of human heads mounted on poles. Marlow later realized that Kurtz has freed himself from the bounds of civilization, trading his soul for power resulting in him running his own fiefdom in the interior. But he paid a price for it in losing his humanity as he led the natives under him in raids along the surrounding areas to collect ivory and these raids are brutal as evidenced by the displayed heads (Conrad 160). It is also discovered that Kurtz is dying of an illness as Marlow took him back to civilization. On the way back, the dying Kurtz gives to Marlow a bold declamation of his deeds as a quest driven by visions he sees, at some point, the life in Kurtz slowly ebbed and his dying words were, â€Å"The horror! The horror! † which underscores the despair at the encounter with human depravity–the heart of darkness (Conrad 192; Galloway). Seguing more than 70 years later, Francis Ford Coppola wrote, produced and directed the film Apocalypse Now in 1979. The story of the film is loosely based on Conrad’s novel. Using artistic license, Coppola set the story in Vietnam at the height of the conflict there instead of the Congo. Coincidentally, the main antagonist of the film is also named Kurtz (played by Marlon Brando). Instead of Marlow, the other protagonist is Captain Willard (played by Martin Sheen), a special operations officer who has been having difficulty adjusting to a tranquil atmosphere as his body craves for action as shown in the scene where he is having â€Å"withdrawal symptoms† from being away in combat for quite some time. Likle Marlow, Willard is the one who narrates the story (Coppola; Galloway; Kinder 14). A new mission galvanized him into action as he is ordered by his superiors to kill Kurtz who is believed to have gone insane and like Conraad’s Kurtz, has created his private fiefdom in the heart of the Vietnamese jungle where he has apparently gone rogue, all the more reason why Willard is ordered to kill him (Coppola). Instead of commanding a steamship, Willard traveled on a riverine gunboat run by an eccentric crew and instead of seeing ivory traders attacking villages, his eyes feasted on the sight of an Air Cavalry regiment run by a Colonel Kilgore (played by Robert Duvall) whose disposition resembled that of General George S. Patton with a passion for combat when he uttered, â€Å"I love the smell of napalm in the morning (Coppola)! † as well as a passion for surfing. Like Conrad’s Marlow, Willard came upon Kurtz’s fiefdom and sees why the brass in Saigon wanted Kurtz dead. Willard is captured but has managed to escape and complete the mission by killing Kurtz at his vulnerable moment making a recording. As Kurtz lay dying, his dying words are similar to Conrad’s Kurtz as he uttered, â€Å"the horror†¦ the horror†¦ † as well (Coppola; Galloway; Kinder 15, 18). In analyzing both stories, there is a parallelism that exists in terms of theme. Looking at it from the political perspective, both stories underscore the evil of imperialism. In The Heart of Darkness, Africa is responsible for mental disintegration as well as for physical illness of Mr. Kurtz while Vietnam does the same thing for Colonel Kurtz in Apocalypse Now. It would appear that both Kurtzes have been in the service of their masters. Both men have been its servants and at the same time, its victims (Galloway). Mr. Kurtz has been conisdered a legendary man of the company for his ability to deliver the goods – ivory, a very valuable commodity among white traders in Africa. But in the course of carrying out his duties, it requires him to conduct raids on surrounding villages which entails killing people in the name of profit. As for Col. Kurtz, his mission as a Special Forces officer is to organize the indigenous tribes of Vietnam, the Montagnards into a paramilitary force intended to act as a deterent against marauding Vietcong guerillas but like Conrad’s Mr. Kurtz, his ragtag army also committed atrocities, only it is in the name of fighting communism and upholding democracy as his superiors would tell him (Coppola; Kinder 13, 15). It is in the service of their masters that drove these two men into madness. It is a madness not necessarily bordering on insanity or craziness, but it is the kind that caused them to detach themselves from this cruel and maddening reality and create their own world to escape it with their own norms to follow to the point of megalomania. Both Conrad and Coppola used this device to elicit sympathy on the part of the audience as well as reflect on the human nature and experience they have gone through which could happen to anyone (Grant 215; Kinder 13, 18; Galloway). By way of clarification, Conrad and Coppola’s Kurtz are not inherently evil. Both men have started out as the ideal of the company they serve. What drove them to the proverbial dark side is that â€Å"obsession† (for lack of a better word) in carrying out their mission. Their duties have somehow made them jaded and desensitized as they realized that what they are doing appear to violate morality when their duty entails killing people for profit and politics respectively. Thus it has become clear for both Marlow and Willard why their Kurtz need to be taken care of. Both men have been corrupted to the point of madness that they are â€Å"out of control† and they have to be dealt with lest they cause more damage and turn against their own masters (Galloway, Kinder 19). In conclusion, both William Conrad and Francis Coppola showed through their works the dark side of the individual when pushed to the limit. While one may be appalled by the horrors depicted in both stories, both Conrad and Coppola has managed to somehow make the audience sympathetic towards the two Kurtzes rather than loathe them entirely for they used to be â€Å"human† and it is not their own fault why they have gone off the deep end. What Conrad and Coppola are doing is that they helped guide the audience on who is responsible for the madness that has befallen the two Kurtzes who could have been destined for greater things instead of the tragic fate that befell them. The bottom line is man is not inherently evil but they can be seduced into it by the circumstances surrounding them.