5. December 2009 by student.

According to merriam-webster, global warming is defined as an increase in the earth’s atmospheric and oceanic temperatures widely predicted to occur due to an increase in the greenhouse effect resulting especially from pollution. Not until recently has global warming been an issue debated at any great length. Peoples’ opinions on this topic vary from catastrophic problem to complete nonsense. In my opinion, global warming is influenced by humans but also would occur naturally without us. We’re all aware that industrialization, deforestation and pollution have increased the greenhouse gases that trap heat near the earths surface. However, some experts believe that natural cycles in the Earths orbit can alter the planets exposure to sunlight, which can explain the current trend in rising temperatures. These cycles have been occurring every hundred thousand years or so but have sped up over the last few centuries. So based off these facts, you can reason that humans are not the sole cause of global warming, but are certainly contributing to it.According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), there are many consequences due to this warming.  Glaciers will melt raising the world’s ocean levels, leaving places like Florida especially at risk. Also natural disasters such as hurricanes, droughts and wildfires will become more common. So what can or should be done to deal with global warming? Transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy like solar and wind should be a priority. By doing so not only slows global warming but takes the country off its dependance of oil. So although I believe global warming to be part nature and part human, we need to take action to stop it before its too late.

Posted in Social Problems | 1 Comment »

5. December 2009 by student.

On the first or second day of Mr. Andoscia’s class, he presented a powerpoint slide that we had to answer true or false on. I found it interesting that one of the questions referred to if it was a woman’s fault if she stayed in an abusive relationship. My roommate was sitting next to me during this assignment and I looked over on her paper, she had put true down. It blows my mind that anyone would think that an individual would ask for anything that severe of a situation. Yes, she might be dumb for staying in the situation but lets look at what would make her stay.

Financially, the woman probably has no control over any money, let alone, her own. These type of men are master manipulators and are able to control anything she has because he “loves” her. The trick is, if she tries to leave, he has an advantage because she as no money to leave with therefore no escape. Another reason is fear. All that relationship is based on is power control and if he feels like he is loosing it, the abuse comes. If that woman is not completely subservient to her partner, the fear of being hurt or disappointing the significant other comes into play. Some women will not make dinner right and get a fist to the face, imagine what he could do if she leaves his power. The third reason that I can think of is a personality disorder in the women. We obviously know the men have some chemical brain issue but they have to attract something out of these women. Usually the passive, timid type of women are the ones who are taken advantage of. The women who think that this man is Prince Charming and are hopeless romantics are the women who deal with this life threatening situation. In fact, it is thought that these women are so vulnerable and delusional to the fact they are in danger because they have been brainwashed by what they feel is “true love”. The survivors and the women who do come out of the relationship have slim/close to none self esteem and feel that they need the man back or are fearful they will return with the upmost consequence.

Society has recently founded a woman’s place in the world as an upgrade. They are no longer expected to be passive and subservient but this problem is still occurring just as much and is still just as hidden as it was in the days of the housewife. No one wants to admit that they screwed up and no one wants to believe that just one person is to blame. No one deserves to be treated like a dog, not even a dog deserves it. Why are women almost blamed for being in a situation that they did not ask for?

Posted in Introduction to Sociology | 5 Comments »

5. December 2009 by student.

Why do we like to watch people being tortured, murdered, and being just plain mean? There is something that makes people want to watch or read about terrible acts done by others to others. People like to watch their evil side on the big screen or read about them in books since they cannot do it in society. Since society makes people act like the care for others and forces people to not do crime or else they will be punished. If someone does something that is not normal in society then they are either crazy or a criminal, so to keep from being an outcast people act the way society wants them to. People are not supposed to eat each other, kill one another, or torture or beat up someone else. When actually in the old days violence was very common, throughout history resources were a lot harder to come by. People fought for food and other resources, many innocent people were killed for their resources. Back then killing others was just another way to survive. Also in some cultures (very few actually) do practice cannibalism. Another example is that violence and death was used as entertainment, when someone broke the law they were met with violence as punishment. So why do we complain so much about violence in movies when in the past it was a lot worse? It is in our history.

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments »

5. December 2009 by student.

Soap Operas

 Over the past few years soap operas have become less and less popular. Soap operas were very popular when women had spent less time than they had in the early and later years of the twentieth century. Before television these daytime dramas were known as soap operas because manufactures of cleaning products advertised mainly to the female audience.

 The various soap operas offered an escape to bizarre plots and would help women deal with doing the boring housework.  In soap operas, the characters usually commit adultery, plot harm against one another, come back from the dead, marry and divorce like crazy, and do other outrageous things.

 I feel as though reality shows have taken the place of soap operas. In reality shows it seems like we are getting a glimpse into a persons private life that is usually full of drama. Most of us know that these reality shows are somewhat scripted yet we are still interested.

 Sociologist Jean Baudrillard says that the real and stimulated are now unable to be distinguished. He says that in our media age, images of reality and reality itself interact so much that they have become interchangeable, which emphasizes ideas of the postmodern theory. This theory can help us to better understand why viewers of these traditional soap operas are dwindling down.

Posted in Introduction to Sociology | No Comments »

5. December 2009 by student.

There are few things that I am passionate about, one of them being the equal rights that everyone deserves.  These rights should be extended to gay men and women.  It is heartbreaking to know that they are being forbidden over one hundreds rights when you take away their freedom of being married.  It is also outrageous the way gays and lesbians are treated by the general public.  When discussing a topic I have never witnessed so much hate.  It infuriates me that many Christians and Catholics who are supposed to be loving people are the ones that generate much of the hatred towards these absolutely normal people.   

Once again ignorance is what  drives most to say the hurtful things that they say.  Many resort to Bible as to why they have so much contempt for gays.  This is a horrible explanation for passing on cruelty.  A book that was written so long ago is the only real reason they can come up with to why they loathe gays and lesbians.I don’t see the point of stopping them from getting married when their marriage affects no one else but themselves.  I really do believe that people should start minding their own business more and let the gays be.   Many straight people believe that if they allow gays to be married then they will ruin the institution of marriage.  Well the idea of marriage has long ago been  tarnished having people divorcing at the almost the same rate they are marrying.   

Instead of shooting out so much hate one should manage their time more wisely by spreading love and doing more good in the world. 

Posted in Introduction to Sociology | 3 Comments »

5. December 2009 by student.

Aliens have been a debatable topic since the first known crashing of an UFO in 1947 Roswell, New Mexico.  This crash sparked arguments across the world about life existing other than what we know of on Earth.  My opinion about Aliens is that with a universe that is possibly endless how can it be that we are the only living beings in it.  There are billions of galaxies that we know absolutely nothing about and anything could be going on in them.  People who don’t believe always claim that they need proof and that there is no evidence when in actuality the evidence is all around us.  Ancient civilizations that built extravagant things such as The Pyramids of Giza is a primary example.  It took them over 100 years to build the pyramids, architects today say that it would be extremely hard for us with modern technology to replicate the Pyramids of Giza.  For ancient Egyptians to do it alone with their very ancient tools I find this very hard to believe.  Also the fact that the Pyramids of Giza are lined up perfectly with the 3 stars on the Orion belt size and distance.  Not to mention that the sides of the pyramids are precisely aligned with the four points on the compass.  Each block ways over a two ton, men did not have the knowledge and technology to lift such heavy objects at such a high distance no matter what anyone says.  The precision of the pyramids are impeccable.  There are also many other creations around the world.  Caves with ancient drawings that look very similar to spacemen and spaceships, the evidence really is everywhere.   

Many who don’t believe in aliens use religion as an excuse.  They say “God made humans so why would others exist?”  This is a very egotistical statement and extremely close minded.  But in their minds if aliens exist then that challenges everything that they believe in. Now with years and years of rereading the Bible it is said that there verses that refer to aliens.  Some just refuse to accept the fact that it is impossible for us to be the alones in the entire universe just because, they have no real reason as to why they think that extraterrestrials don’t exist except for they don’t want to. When a person truly grasp the concept of how enormous the universe is maybe that’s when they start to realize how it is very unlikely that we are alone. 

Posted in Introduction to Sociology | 3 Comments »

5. December 2009 by student.

I don’t understand how people still take Sarah Palin seriously.  I am all for a women being president but not one who knows nothing about running a country properly and what the job actually entails.  What baffles me the most is that she still has plenty of supporters.  My view point is not because I am an extreme liberal, it’s because I have common sense.  To me its as clear as day that nothing she does or says makes sense or has true meaning.   

Her supporters are what confuse me the most. Many of them were interviewed while waiting for her to sign their books, which she left before signing a little more than half.  Her supporters claimed that she is a women who can be trusted and has great morals.  When asked about her policies they had no idea what they were.  When asked about her take on health care they again drew a blank.  Many of them were however filled with fear of a socialist Obama and that the country will be ruined.  They also said that this is America and only Americans should be helped.  One man went as far as saying “ Winners do not compromise only losers”.  Perhaps I should not be so judgmental towards her supporters about not knowing what her policies are because I am almost convinced that she doesn’t know them either. The absurdity that follows this woman is appalling. Her interview alone with Katie Couric should have been enough evidence as to the air head she truly is.  I was nearly certain that after that debacle people would understand where many others were coming from.  I of course was wrong and still have to hear about her ridiculous idea of running in 2012. 

Who ever came up with the quote “ ignorance is bliss” was horribly wrong.  Ignorance can lead to devastating outcomes and I believe this is where most of Sarah Palins supporters come from. Ignorance and hate.

I don’t want you to think that I hate Palin because that is not true.  I find her extremely entertaining.  I just hope for the next election people look into the candidates and learn about their policies and what they really stand for.  Whether it be a Republican or Democrat.  I beg of you learn more.

Posted in Introduction to Sociology | 2 Comments »

5. December 2009 by student.

Darfur, Africa is a nation in turmoil.  The people who were once being systematically killed are still displaced and dying from starvation and disease.  During the genocide over 300,000 lost their lives by government troops.  More than 1.5 million were displaced due to an injustice committed by their government.   Once again help has been very little, watching what has happened in Darfur I know one thing for sure and that is history continues to repeat itself.  After Rwanda you think that people would learn from that and move on with a goal in mind to make things better but that doesn’t seem to be the case.  

Finally the Sudan government signed an article declaring peace.  Now the actual killing is over but there are still millions suffering.   Overflowing refugee camps and starving children have not come to a stop.  Plenty videos have been made putting on display what is happening over there and it is almost unbearable to watch.   

Helping the people in Darfur has been something that I am extremely passionate about.  I started a small club in high school and we raised a substantial amount of money and sent it to UNICEF so it could be sent to Darfur.  There really is nothing more gratifying knowing that you are the cause of children getting meals and being vaccinated.  It is remarkably simple all the things you can do to help.  I understand that times are tough for a lot of people but the way they are leaving over there makes our situations seem like a piece of cake. 

Posted in Introduction to Sociology | 3 Comments »

5. December 2009 by student.

It is clear as day that Global Warming is happening there is proof in all the melting glaciers and ice sheets that were once enormous, and yet people still try to deny it.  I also don’t understand that knowing global warming exists  you are considered a raging liberal.  It is quite obvious that times are getting warmer.  Pictures have been taken to show the depletion of Greenland and many other places that was once littered with sheets of ice.  With all the gas, oil, and coal that we put into the atmosphere it makes perfect sense that are planet is in such a fragile condition.    

Some try to say that the Earth goes in cycles of cooling down and heating up, which is true but the mess that people have created is speeding up the warming process immensely.  Many scientist predict that most of the glaciers that we know today will be almost completely gone by the end of the century or possibly before.  The worst thing about global warming is that it can be prevented and this is not something we would have to be dealing with if it weren’t for the lack of concern by most people.  Its surprising how long people we have known about global warming and how little has been done.  What is being done only started in recent years when global warming has been a known problem since the at least the 80’s.  While production of fossil fuels go up deforestation also rising rapidly, cutting down our best source of slowing global warming down, our trees.  There is no longer an argument between scientist to whether global warming is occurring or not.   

We are not the only ones being affected by global warming.  Polar bears are loosing their life because of rapidly melting ice that they used to be able to walk on.  Now they have to swim further distances, which they are not meant to do.  Then they die from hyperthermia or they become exhausted from swimming such long distances, which leads to drowning and death when they try to hunt for food.   

There is a need for a drastic change to help slow down this formidable foe.

Posted in Introduction to Sociology | 1 Comment »

5. December 2009 by student.

There are few things that I am passionate about, one of them being the equal rights that everyone deserves.  These rights should be extended to gay men and women.  It is heartbreaking to know that they are being forbidden over one hundreds rights when you take away their freedom of being married.  It is also outrageous the way gays and lesbians are treated by the general public.  When discussing a topic I have never witnessed so much hate.  It infuriates me that many Christians and Catholics who are supposed to be loving people are the ones that generate much of the hatred towards these absolutely normal people.   

Once again ignorance is what  drives most to say the hurtful things that they say.  Many resort to Bible as to why they have so much contempt for gays.  This is a horrible explanation for passing on cruelty.  A book that was written so long ago is the only real reason they can come up with to why they loathe gays and lesbians.I don’t see the point of stopping them from getting married when their marriage affects no one else but themselves.  I really do believe that people should start minding their own business more and let the gays be.   Many straight people believe that if they allow gays to be married then they will ruin the institution of marriage.  Well the idea of marriage has long ago been  tarnished having people divorcing at the almost the same rate they are marrying.   

Instead of shooting out so much hate one should manage their time more wisely by spreading love and doing more good in the world. 

Posted in Introduction to Sociology, Uncategorized | No Comments »