Abstract This paper explains that the downfall of the Soviet Union was, in part, due to the labor policies such as the promise of work, the compulsory labor policies and the promise of equal pay to many people regardless of their work. The author points out these labor policies created an apathetic attitude about productivity and success that led to an inability to stir the nation into growth, which was the cause of the ultimate downfall of the Soviet Union. The paper contends that, as the nation rebuilds, it is important that it allows a policy of free market competitiveness.
From the Paper "The Red Army of Workers simulated what Americans know as "Unions". The difference was that the Red Army of Workers was actually controlled by the government and given freedoms that the government felt were allowable. This again wiped out any hope for motivation or drive and those who belonged simply went through the paces. The government allowed the workers to be given the right to participate in the government structure and to practice religion but later years removed such rights. The laboring masses were then nothing but workhorses who went each day, performed their duties, and did not have anything to wish for or hope for."
Abstract In modern society, public perception of the United States president depends largely on television news coverage. Aware of this, presidents and presidential candidates manipulate the media to create favorable impressions of themselves and their policies. Acting in self-interest to entertain a large audience, the press often sensationalizes events and fails to fully inform the public on realities of news and current situations. The American public has grown disillusioned and apathetic and fails to turn to other sources to educate itself. As a result, the public never sees an accurate reflection of a president's performance. This paper traces how the press has gained increased control over the president's actions and largely determines the outcome of presidential elections.
Abstract This three-page undergraduate paper examines how technology invades not only one's privacy but also seeks to destroy the essence of humanity as a whole turning people into apathetic human beings who would resort to almost anything in order to gain the much needed information about the person in question. It will support this claim using one recent publication.
Abstract This paper explains that popular sovereignty, the primary foundation of democracy, has several weaknesses because, although it would be nice to believe that all humans are equally capable and willing to base all political decisions on a careful process of reasoning, this is often the exception to behavior rather than the rule. The author points out that, if apathetic sentiments towards politics begin to run through the population, the results are just as damaging; votes with little thought behind them can create decisions that don't reflect the interests of the majority of the population. The paper relates that, ultimately, the balance of democracy's strengths over its weaknesses in practice is a very precarious one; it is in the hands of the population to safeguard and fortify this structure.
From the Paper "The debate that democracies encourage has the potential to backfire if it serves to further wedge the society apart. Under certain conditions, political parties and factions are evidence of this problem. This struggle for influence and power can accelerate conflict within the society. Thomas Hobbes recognized the inherent tendency of man to separate and struggle against each other in a continuous battle for power. Such a state of war can only be avoided through an unquestioned strength of law. The population must therefore "conferre al their power and strength upon one Man...that may reduce all their wills unto one Will" contribute to the disintegration of society into civil war."
Abstract This paper looks at how Rita Botwinick's "A Holocaust Reader: From Ideology to Annihilation" is a glimpse into the madness of the campaign to exterminate the Jews narrated from a historical and personal viewpoint by those who lived the nightmare. The author states that the Holocaust was not an accident but occurred because individuals, organizations and governments made choices, which not only legalized discrimination but also allowed prejudice, hatred and mass murder to occur, thus exhibiting the outcome of remaining silent and apathetic to the oppression of other human beings.
From the Paper "The intent of the Reich was to strip all identity from the Jews and make survival impossible. Reinhard Heydrich was the mastermind behind the Nazi death camps. On January 20, 1942 at the Wannsee Conference he illustrated his plans to murder Europe's Jews. In fact, Auschwitz was regarded as the most effective concentration camp created by the Reich to carry out the Final Solution. Rudolf Hoss was named the commandant of Auschwitz whose goal it was to eliminate every prisoner that entered the camp. On August 16, 1942 a section of the barracks was designated for women prisoners. The conditions were far worse than the other sections. They had deplorable sanitary conditions that caused the rapid spread of disease."
Abstract This paper examines the short stories in "Jesus' Son" by Denis Johnson, that upon first reading seems mis-titled. The book features a collection of moments in the life of the narrator who is afflicted with multiple drug addictions and has an apathetic view of life. While the author made an attempt at redeeming the character, the book is disjointed and the stories too open-ended and transitory to allow for the much-needed journey from sin to salvation.
From the Paper "Indeed, it seems his prophetic insight and poetic visions of truth might have the ability to turn him into a greater type of being, one capable of being saved from himself. However, he manages to twist the beauty of his feelings, and turn them into grotesque shadows of the potentially beautiful sentiments he has. In this vein, he makes the comment: "That was my idea of sacrifice, tossing yourself away, discarding your body." On the one hand, he has struck upon the Christian ideal of losing the corrupt, sinful body and its pleasures, which can only lead to damnation. In the Christian reckoning, this allows the sacrificed to achieve a moral, spiritual wholeness, which is their reward and redemption. The narrator, however, does not append this colloquy to his statement of sacrifice."
Abstract This paper examines how the Dude from the film "The Big Lebowski" betrays the traditional image of the hero with his less-than-perfect physique and substandard ambition. It explores the Dude's role as mediator between the oppressive, zealous Walter and the passive, naive Donnie as well as his heroic role as he blunders through his misinformed attempt to rescue Bunny on behalf of the Big Lebowski from the apathetic German nihilists. The paper also delves into the buffering role the Dude plays between the aggressive Jackie Treehorn and the ostensible victim Bunny. Finally, the paper explores the Dude's fulfillment of Maude's odd wishes in spite of the Big Lebowski's oppositions, who adopts the role of the aggressor in this situation.
From the Paper "In what may appear to be a common friendship between three men, the Dude actually plays a critical role in mediating the conflicting natures of his two closest friends. Walter, an eccentric, outspoken, Vietnam veteran relentlessly chides Donnie, whose absentmindedness is a ready fuel source for Walter's self-righteous anger. Essentially, Walter and Donnie respectively personify an opposition between defilement and naivety, which casts Walter as the strong and Donnie as the weak. Though the Dude forgoes active intervention between the two in most circumstances, his mere presence reconciles Walter's hostility with Donnie's passiveness, a presence that prevents, and even rescues Donnie from becoming entirely subjugated by Walter's dominating personality. "
This in-depth paper examines the British film industry during the 1980s while also focusing on the political climate in England during this same period in which the country was led by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
Abstract This well-researched paper delves into the history of Britain's film industry which, according to the writer of this paper, was considered second rate in comparison to other countries including Germany, France and the U.S. This paper discusses the film industry's apparent lack of focus primarily during the 1980s, which was a direct result due to the political climate during this particular era. The writer reviews and analyzes British author John Hill's book "British Cinema in the 1980s" which provides in-depth insight to this specific topic. The writer contends and explains why British filmmakers were essentially apathetic and uncaring about Thatcherism and went on to challenge many of the country's values. This paper examines the impact of various films made in England during the 1980s including "Gandhi," "Room With a View" and "Chariots of Fire." This paper also focuses on the cultural conflicts between the older and younger generations in England which greatly impacted the types of films that were produced during at that time. The writer stresses that during the 1980s the older generation stuck by the traditional and old fashioned Victorian morality system which still exists today while the younger generation chose to adhere to a more free-flowing Edwardian type value system.
From the Paper "There were several opportunistic policies that had been passed, and there was also a growing lack of satisfaction in manual labor. Therefore, it was very evident that in Britain, even at the end of the 1960's and the beginning of the 1970's, there was indeed a large amount of class differences in English society, and society in general was divided into there major classes, which were the upper classes, the middle classes, and the working classes. The divisions were in fact brought about by the differences in wealth, power, and the types of work, the ideologies, the status, and the opportunities that were available. At the same time, this period saw a vast change in the people's attitudes towards traditions, old values, taboos, customs, and the all-pervasive parochialism, and this was the very attitude that was reflected in all the New Age films that were made during that time."
Abstract The paper discusses the development of Bailey in Flannery O'Connor's short story, "A Good Man Is Hard to Find." The paper analyzes the character of Bailey as an apathetic man who cannot prevent the massacre of his family.
From the Paper "In "A Good Man Is Hard to Find" Flannery O'Connor introduces a number of characters among whom an elderly grandmother and an escaped convict known as the Misfit are generally predominate. While these two characters occupy center stage in much of the narrative and dialogue, other characters such as the grandmother's son Bailey are also vital actors inthe drama that unfolds and culminates with a mass murder."
Tags: Flannery O'Connor, A Good Man Is Hard to Find, character development
This paper provides an examination of Radiohead's song, "Subterranean Homesick Alien", placing it in perspective within its musical and historical context.
Abstract In this article the writer discusses the alternative rock song "Subterranean Homesick Alien" by Radiohead. The writer looks at other music of the 1990s. In this essay the writer reflects on the disaffection and marginalization of Generation X. The writer also discusses how Radiohead's song mirrors Bob Dylan's "Subterranean Homesick Blues". Further, the writer explores the irony present within the song, especially "They're uptight!" versus "I'm uptight". The writer concludes that "Subterranean Homesick Alien" is a picture of an apathetic generation unsure of its direction and too nervous to find that direction on its own.
From the Paper "In the early 1990s, popular music began to abandon the bombastic heavy metal that had so dominated the 1980s. With the economies of Britain and the United States waning, the excess celebrated by '80s hair metal no longer seemed relevant or plausible for young rock fans. Bands such as Nirvana and the Smashing Pumpkins experienced unparalleled popularity despite their fascination with pessimistic themes of solitude and cynicism. "Subterranean Homesick Alien," the third song on Radiohead's 1997 album Ok Computer, deals very specifically with these themes as well. Though unmistakably alternative rock, the song combines a number of influences and ideas that make it wholly unique within the genre. The song is, however, representative lyrically and musically of the disaffected Generation X ethos that was so prominent during the early to 1990s."
