Abstract Hazing has been described as a humiliating act or initiation one must take part in in order to be accepted into a sports group or team. This paper shows how hazing is increasingly becoming problematic for society. Its supporters extol the virtues of the practice by focusing on its ability to build character and a strong bond between team veterans and rookies and opponents of the practice justifiably proclaim the practice's elements of barbarism and sadism. The paper compares the two perspectives regarding the merits of hazing. It discusses, too, the literature which has been written about this practice and examines the different points of view proffered by the many analysts on this particular subject. The author of the paper surmises that only in investigating the pros and cons of these initiation rites can we understand how entrenched this problem has become in the minds of the people who continue to conduct this barbaric practice.
From the Paper "There has been a lot of literature in the past that has addressed the problem of hazing in athletics. Most of the research agrees that there is a consistency in the arguments for hazing. One popular opinion is that older team members haze younger team member potentials in order to assert their leadership. However, hazing does not have to be the vehicle to assert this authority. In fact, the most obvious method of displaying leadership is on the playing field as opposed to shaving a member's hair off. Another common argument for hazing is that it instils fear and respect in the hearts of younger members when interacting with their more esteemed and older teammates. However, isn't it more important to create a bond between teammates and instil that fear and awe in the opposing team? Also, respect should be earned, not demanded."
Abstract Hazing is defined as any humiliating or dangerous activity expected of a student in order to join a group, regardless of the willingness of the student to participate. This paper examines research that shows the negative effects of hazing on high school pupils. It also examines some of the research that claims positive effects and provides a closing argument against this initiation process.
From the Paper "Pledging and hazing are an ingrained part of the teenage subculture and the underlying reason is that students want a process with rites of passage (Ruffins Pp). Sociology professor Richard Sigal writes, ?In a world that changes so rapidly ? on every front ? people need anchors? (Nuwer pp. 5). The need to belong is a basic human desire. Forming a sense of identity and belonging is a major developmental task for young people and initiation rites are activities that are expected in order to become a member of a group (Hoover, Pollard Pp). The need to initiate new members exist from tribal societies to executive boards and typically involves learning the history of the group and overcoming physical challenges (Hoover, Pollard Pp). However, modern culture affords few opportunities for young people to participate in adult-guided initiations or rites of passages, therefore teenagers create their own which unfortunately often lead to dangerous or illegal behavior (Hoover, Pollard Pp)."
Abstract This research paper examines at length a huge cloud of industrial air pollution and dust that now covers over 10 million square kilometers of the Southeast Asian region, which is called the Asian brown cloud. The paper discusses the global relevance of the cloud that scientists know affects air quality as far away as the United States, with potentially damaging environmental and health effects. The paper describes the UN-backed international environmental study performed in the late1990s called the Indian Ocean Experiment and a recent report indicates that the cloud is linked to negative impacts on human health, regional temperatures, precipitation, and agricultural productivity. The paper calls on the international community to take greater responsibility for climate change and related remedial efforts.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Background
Problem Statement and Contributing Factors
Facts and Figures
Problem Assessment and Analysis
Confounding Factors
Current Remedial Actions
Future Implications: Regulatory, Economic and Social
Managing the Problem
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "International leaders face an imposing new environmental challenge in the new millennium's discovery of a huge, hazy cloud of industrial air pollution and haze spread out like a blanket over most of Asia. United Nations scientists recently issued a report detailing the preliminary findings of an environmental risk assessment study on this cloud, and initial indications about the cloud's effects on human health and the environment are discouraging. The global implications of this study, known as Project Asian Brown Cloud, or Project ABC, have attracted the attention of environmental specialists, lawmakers, and citizens worldwide."
A team of scientists is researching a huge cloud of industrial air pollution and dust that now covers over 10 million square kilometers of the Southeast Asian region. The cloud is known to travel long distances from its source region, affecting air quality as far away as the United States, with potentially serious environmental and health effects. The research currently being done on this cloud is based on data first revealed during a UN-backed international environmental study performed in the late 1990s called the Indian Ocean Experiment. A recent report indicates that the cloud is linked to negative impacts on human health, regional temperatures, precipitation, and agricultural productivity. However, these findings are being challenged by top regional scientists, presumably out of fears that in the wake of the issuance of this report, Asian nations will be pressured by the international community to take greater responsibility for climate change and related remedial efforts. The debate continues, but in the meantime, remedial action may still be necessary. Given the considerable effects of the cloud and its ability to travel to other regions, this issue has significant international regulatory, economic, and social implications for the future."
Tags: asia, china, fossil, fuel, haze, health, india, industrial, nations, ocean, un, united
Abstract This paper discusses that the character Rinehart represents chaos in the novel, "The Invisible Man," by Ralph Ellison, because of what he represents and how he influences the Invisible Man. This paper author states that the first chapter sets the stage for the entire novel, and intensifies the narrator's experience of Rinehart, a strong black man who manipulates people just the way the white people did. This paper author believes that Ellison's graphic portrayal of prejudice and evil is extremely disturbing because, while intellectually the reader might know things like this occurred in the South, it is difficult emotionally to see the reaction of the boys.
From the Paper "The main character of "The Invisible Man" is a young black man, who in the first chapter, undergoes violent "hazing" to win a scholarship to a Black university. He must fight other boys blindfolded in a ring, and then, the drunken "upstanding men of the community" give the boys their reward, useless golden tokens spread out on an electrified rug. "A hot, violent force tore through my body, shaking me like a wet rat. The rug was electrified. The hair bristled up on my head as I shook myself free". Not only is it humiliating, it is stark hatred and prejudice in the form of "philanthropy"."
Abstract This paper examines the running theme of Humbert's sexuality and lust in Nabokov's "Lolita". It looks at how, for Humbert, love can only be seen in the context of his powerful desire to sexually possess the object of his attention and how, thus, he is unable to express any love for the teenage Lolita, filial or romantic, without turning her into an object of his lust. It analyzes how Humbert treats the other women in his life, from Annabel Leigh, Valeria, and Charlotte Haze to the insane Rita. It also discusses how, for Humbert, the level of sexual attraction determines whether or not a woman would be treated with love. It then contrasts Humbert's relations with these other women with his defining relationship with the nymphet, Lolita. It evaluates arguments that Humbert Humbert's attentions were akin to pedophilia or rape or that his lust was brought on by its forbidden nature versus other theories that state how Humbert's sexual desire is also an expression of his love for the adolescent Lolita. It argues that Humbert's willingness to commit murder on her behalf is proof that he not only lusted, but also loved the nymphet, Lolita.
From the Paper "Instead of a simple psychological motivation, however, critic Daniel Thomieres observes that a careful reader could see how Humbert can easily interpret these events as he wishes, to make himself sympathetic before launching into the details of his adult relationship with Lolita. As proof, Thomieres rightly points out that Humbert could not even recall Annabel's physical traits. Humbert has lost her photograph and admits that the way he sees Annabel in his mind is also "the way I see Lolita" (11). Through the first person narration, Thomieres also discerns that Humbert does not let Annabel speak for herself. In a sense, Annabel provides "(her) bod(y) and den(ies) her mind so as to incarnate that fantasy for Humbert Humbert" (Thomieres 168). Humbert states that she wanted him as much as he desired her, but nowhere in the account does he give Annabel a voice."
Abstract This paper explains that over the past century, authors, artists and musicians have experimented, abused and overdosed on drugs: Artists such as Andy Warhol experimented with drugs because it gave them a different perspective on life with every trip, which leads to a new unique piece of art work every time. The author points out that contribution of drugs to the artistic world can be found in the form of novels, poems and short stories by their experimenting authors such as authors Allen Ginsberg and William Burrough. The paper relates that the influence of drugs on artistic creativity is found especially during the psychedelic 1960s era with the lyrics and riffs of Jimi Hendrix in "Purple Haze", The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd; many popular songs drug references are disguised, in order to sneak lyrics past censors such as The Beatles song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds".
From the Paper "Rap moguls where brought up on the streets whose economy revolves around the drug distribution. Many of these individuals were at one time or another directly involved with cannabis, and or cocaine, which is vividly expressed in their artistic creations. This type of music is also highly censored, just as the rock and roll world's fore-fathers where censored 40 years ago. The explicit use of drugs by the lyricists is one of the driving forces for censorship of this type of music. Yet, more subtle music makes it way easily to main stream pop-culture despite its drug influence. Lead singer of the Dave Mathews Band, Dave Mathews embeds his music with his experiences and success over cocaine and marijuana."
Abstract This paper looks at how in the debate of home school versus public school, there are many factors to consider. It contends that the adverse aspects of public school far outweigh the benefits and that the home-schooled child generally tests higher than a public school student in every subject. It also looks at how studies show that most home-schooled individuals exist as exemplary citizens in today's society.
From the Paper "America's school system today is lacking in the core fundamentals that this nation was founded on. On every piece of currency printed in America are the words 'In God We Trust'. Our pledge of allegiance includes the words 'One nation under God'. Isn't it strange then that our children will not be taught anything about God in the American education system? Instead, they will be taught the 'Big Bang' theory or evolution and yes, while everything does evolve, it had to start somewhere. Not everyone in America believes in God, or evolution, or the Big Bang, but a child should be brought up knowing enough about all of the possibilities to make their own informed decision."
Abstract This paper looks at how Vladimir Nabokov's Humbert Humbert is a prime example of a character that forces the general public to reconsider what they view as acceptable behavior in literature and society and how throughout the book Nabokov demands of his readers a very personal analysis not only into his writing but into the reader's own sense of decency. It contends that while Nabokov's story is hardly pornographic, it deals heavily with the idea of child molestation though it is never expressly called that in the book and how, while it is now considered one of the greatest books ever written, it is still a testament to the fact that the idea of exploring the sexual misdeeds of a grown man with a child will always result in strong emotions from the reader.
From the Paper "This depraved sense of normalcy lends itself to many uncomfortable moments throughout the book. Humbert is a man destined to be his own undoing. An emotionally clumsy man, he sees himself as very subtle and stealthy yet to the reader his agenda is very transparent. This becomes clear from the first day Humbert meets Lolita. After moving from Europe to the United States he ends up boarding with a woman named Charlotte Haze. From the moment he walks in the door of her home the reader is acutely aware of his desire to flee. He is immediately turned off by the state of her home and we see that it is quite obvious to the Haze woman. His attitude changes immediately however as soon as he sets eyes on Lolita. "
