Abstract This paper provides an examination of Michael Moore's documentary film, "Bowling For Columbine" as a work of propaganda. It looks at Moore's exposure of the roots of violence, his techniques and how they support his thesis. The paper also looks at Moore's desire to provoke as well as to inform.
From the Paper "When Michael Moore's film Bowling for Columbine was released it was certainly a controversial film. Closely following the tragic incidents at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado Moore's film set out to expose the root of the problems behind such acts of violence. In doing so he learns that the conventional answers of easy availability of guns, violent national history, violent entertainment and even poverty are inadequate to explain this violence when other cultures share those same factors without the equivalent ..."
Tags: bowling for columbine, michael moore, propaganda
Abstract This paper discusses the issue of conflict when several people share a small living space. According to the paper, the longer the period that people live in such a situation, the more likely it is that conflict will occur, as personalities, cultures, genders, and communication difficulties come into play. All of these factors played a part in an experiment conducted by the Moscow Institute for Biomedical Problems (IMBP). The paper further discusses how in this experiment, three international researchers and four Russian cosmonauts were isolated in two chambers that simulated living conditions on the space station Mir. Of the seven participants, only one was a woman.
Abstract During the past six decades, television advertising has changed considerably. Today, there are television commercials for a myriad of products, including drugs for virtually every health complaint, from headaches to erectile dysfunction. This paper shows that over the years, some television commercials have created concerns and stirred controversy. The paper looks at false advertising, commercials directed at children and teens, sex and medical advertisements.
From the Paper "In 2005,it was reported that automakers are now developing marketing strategies to reach gay consumers, a large, often affluent and trend-setting demographic (LaReau 2005). According to General Motors market research data, gay Americans each have an average household income of nearly $65,000, compared to $45,000 of all U.S. households (LaReau 2005). In fact, during the past decade, gay television commercials have been popping up more and more on the airwaves (Is 2000). For example the Volkswagen ad that portrayed two trendy young males stopping curbside to pick up a discarded "kitschy old armchair," or the John Hancock Insurance commercial that featured a female couple adopting a baby (Is 2000)."
Abstract Cult Formation
Defining the Paradigm of Unfalsifiability
Authority: Exclusivity, Overbearing or Essential
Revelation of the Leadership
Hierarchy of Leadership
Solidarity
Social Structure
Community
Social Stratification
Identity
Punishment and Discipline
Cult Growth and the Convert
The Target: weakness and vulnerability
Conversion: unfreeze, change and refreeze
False Memories: unfreezing through psychotherapy
Environments
Enlightenment Engines
Cult Case Studies
The Branch Divisions, David Koresh
Heaven's Gate, Do
"The Recipe"
Troubleshooting
An analysis of how, with careful consideration of the wall drawings and of the culture that created them, and their physical journey, we can justly determine much about the life and society of the stone age.
3,568 words (approx. 14.3 pages), 6 sources, 2000, $ 99.95
From the Paper "It is hard to comprehend a culture without technology. What would we do without these necessities and pleasures of life? To determine the answer, let's take a look at a totally unfamiliar society- the cave dwellers. They lived without technology, existing upon nature alone.The cave dwellers haven"t left us a lot to go on, but what they did leave us is rich in knowledge. What we have found are their cave paintings. What we can learn from these is debated. Some argue that these cave drawings only teach of location and a bit about the society. Others argue that we can learn not only that, but we can learn why they were drawn; and what the message becomes to us. The question is, then, can Paleolithic art be interpreted accurately enough to give a adequate depiction of Cro-Magnon life" I believe that with careful consideration of the wall drawings and of the culture that created them, and their physical journey, we can justly determine much about society and the stone age."
Abstract This is a discussion paper on the distribution of water in the southwestern part of the United States. There is an emphasis on how the limited amount of water makes it a commodity thereby a cause of increasing social and political tension over water distribution. There is also an emphasis on the environmental consequences of changing naturally-occurring water patterns.
From the Paper "Psychology is a science dealing with behavior and mental processes. It concerns the hows and whys of individual human behavior. Psychological research employs the scientific method, which utilizes the techniques and procedures of naturalistic observation and experimentation to deal with facts, data, and their interpretation according to certain principles. In a given study, the dependent variable under study is considered to be a function of the 'independent variables. Typically, one independent variable is manipulated - the experi-mental variable, while the other independent variables are controlled. Statistical methods are then employed to anal, the research data to ascertain if the findings support or refute the experimental hypothesis......."
A look at how the Amish have adopted alternatives in order to keep their traditional lifestyle with respect to power, agriculture, transportation, and communications.
2,280 words (approx. 9.1 pages), 3 sources, 1999, $ 70.95
From the Paper "The Amish of Pennsylvania have riddled American society since the dawn of the modern era. While rapid new technological changes have greatly altered the shape of modern society, the Amish still cling to their antiquated ways and strong traditions. However, as the Amish continue to remain outside the technological loop that dominates modern earth, they risk the chance of eventually becoming obsolete. As a way to keep their faith, the Amish have slowly began to negotiate the use of electricity, the telephone, automobiles, and farming equipment. In their quest to keep their traditional lifestyle, the Amish have adopted alternatives with respect to power, agriculture, transportation, and communications."
Abstract This paper presents an overview of the causes of AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa and the difficulties faced by the population fighting the disease.
From the Paper ?Only 10 percent of the world's population lives south of the Sahara, but the region is home to two-thirds of the world's HIV-positive people, and it has suffered more than 80 percent of all AIDS deaths."
Abstract This paper takes a look at the practice of affirmative action, with reference to America's history of discrimination and the Civil Rights movement, from America's beginnings to the present day.
From the Paper "Affirmative action is not a cure at all. It will not eliminate racial discrimination, nor will it eliminate competition the good jobs. Affirmative action programs can only ensure that everyone has a fair chance at what is available. I believe, the larger question to ask is: why are there not enough decent paying, challenging, and safe jobs for everyone? Why are there not enough seats in the universities for everyone who wants an education?"
Abstract This paper discusses puritan concepts that are still inherent in American society today. On one side, there are the Pilgrims and Plymouth Rock, the blunderbuss and the turkey, and on the other there is also the commonly-held 'dark side,' the Massachusetts Bay Colony Puritans: witch-hunts, elitism, intolerance, narrow-minded zealotry. The former is seen to be more influential today.
From the Paper ""I do not believe in the creed professed by the Jewish church, by the Roman church, by the Greek church, by the Turkish church, by the Protestant church, nor by any church that I know of. My own mind is my own church." (Thomas Paine) History is primarily the history of ideas. The ideas, concepts and constructions which emerged from Europe in the late seventeenth and eighteenth centuries had an impact on the whole of the Western world from Europe to its colonies and beyond. The faith in reason, science, technology, progress, human rights, commerce, the nation, and humanity in general, would eventually find its way into a global context. While various Puritan concepts are under fire today, the world has yet to replace them."
Abstract This paper takes a look at the phenomenon of gifted children. The paper includes definitions of "gifted" and the different types of gifted children, as well as a discussion of the problems such children face, the inadequacy of schools to deal with such children, and what parents of such children can do.
From the Paper "Although these outstanding abilities may sound as if they are desirable and appreciated assets, many parents of gifted students report that their children's abilities are as much a handicap as those experienced by learning disabled or mentally challenged students. They see the problems the students experience in both academic and social environments and are faced with tough challenges and questions: How can I help my child integrate into society? Is our school fully capable of developing his/her talents? Do their talents in some way fit into society? How do I encourage my child to achieve their intellectual potential? WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I JUST DID NOTHING?"
Abstract The ideology of Jeans in the United States has been changing for decades due to the shift in pop culture. Because of the diversity of American culture, the idea behind the jeans has evolved from hard-working to self identification. The author examines the changing symbolic significance of jeans for American society over time and the symbol they serve for popular culture.
From the Paper "Jeans, or to be exact, blue jeans, have been carrying its very symbolic significance for America over the last 150 years. For the past century and a half, the culture of jeans has changed the ideological symbolism from initial proletarian wardrobes (toughness, independence, and hardworking) in the mid-nineteenth century to modern twenty-first century representation of selfness (uniqueness, individuality, and personal styles). Not only has the ideology changed over time, but the jeans per se, its design, style, embellishment, or even marketing strategy also change from "western-era" plain style emphasizing durability, through "rebellious-period" creative style stressing anti-tradition, to "post-war epoch" advocating casualness, following neck-and-neck along the societal pulsation. Jeans therefore can serve as an accurate barometer of trends in contemporary, now and then, popular cultures."
Abstract A paper about the problems with the MPAA, The Motion Picture Association of America and their rating system. The author describes what the MPAA is, their role, and strategies for rating, revealing their inconsistencies and inherent biasness in certain aspects.
From the Paper "We finally reach a point where we have to ask if the MPAA is doing a "good" job. I have found that the MPAA often has the right idea, but seems to continuously fall short when rating movies. By falling short, I mean that there are constant inconsistencies in film ratings dealing with moral aspects (homosexual content, violence, etc.) These problems need to be further addressed and solutions,such as the ones mentioned above, need to be considered. The effectiveness of ratings also needs to be addressed. As is, ratings are not as effective as one might hope they would be. Evidence has proven this by showing lack of consistency, bias, confusion, etc. Rating films is not a "bad" idea, but their current state is not really working. The MPAA needs to focus more on just explaining what is in the films instead of over-rating them to the point of forcing film makers to edit their creativity."
Abstract The appearance of new technologies can often dramatically change the face of a culture such as the emergence of the Internet. This paper looks at how culture and technology are intimately linked and how changes in the technology effects culture. Includes projections into the future.
From the Paper "Technology has a profound effect on, and may even destroy the culture in which it appears. If we accept that technology profoundly changes the cultures it is immersed in, an investigation of current technologies may provide useful in prediction cultural change. The Internet is a recently emerging technology that may have powerful cultural ramifications, including increased global cultural homogenization."
