11. April 2010 by student.

According to TechCrunch​.com Formspring “enables users to create online forms such as surveys, contact forms, or event registrations.” When Formspring officially launched in 2009, many teenagers jumped at the chance to be asked questions anonymously by friends and fellow peers. Yet what began as harmless fun soon evolved into unnecessary bashing and exposure.Of all the different abilities Formspring offers, the one used most is the anonymous box. This allows people to ask the person who the Formspring belongs to any question. The website does not censor any questions and only people who have Formsprings have the option to keep themselves anonymous or reveal their names. If a person asking questions does not have a Formspring, their identity is anonymous.Another option the anonymous box offers is a revealed answer option.

 This option allows the person who is being asked questions to show the question and answer on Facebook, MySpace, Tumblr, Twitter and a number of other social networking sites along with a link to the persons Formspring. Sounds pretty innocent right? Not at all. No balls A lot of high school students have used FormSpring to ask their peers questions they would not ask in person. Some even choose to write statements, usually to recall a prior situation or just say whatever is on their mind. A lot of the questions on Formspring are sex-driven. Questions like, “How many people have you slept with?” or “Is it true that you and this person did…?” are two of the more frequently asked questions.Since the answers the owner of the Formspring posts are posted on other social networking sites, they are then able for the whole internet world to see as well. Many students have had their names and reputations slandered and feelings hurt because of Formspring. We cannot solely blame the person asking the questions though; some of the responsibility must come from the Formsprings user.Senior Viche Thomas says, “If the person was asked a question that could possibly ruin their reputation, they should have skipped it, FormSpring gives you the option to answer only the questions you want.”This is true; when a student is asked a question on FormSpring they are allowed to dismiss the question, refuse to answer it, or not have it be shown on their profile.

But since Formspring does not have a filter, vulgar language and profanity are welcome, and before you can deny answering a question, the person still has to read it.When people are given the chance to be anonymous, their true feelings and the things they really want to say come out. Formspring has given students the lane to expose, learn and manipulate our little dark secrets. Formspring does have its good uses, but for the most part, this site should go to the same place MySpace and Black Planet were sent. So should the Internet be blamed for people’s actions when they are not hiding behind a computer screen? People seem to be a lot more confident when there identity can be hidden. 

Posted in Mr. Andoscia, Introduction to Sociology | 2 Comments »

11. April 2010 by student.

     These days, the media is doing a lot more then just broadcasting the news. It is contributing to people thinking twice about the way they eat, breathe, and live, including the way they look at their self body image. Some believe that when you look good, you feel good, and in this case you will reflect what you’re feeling on the outside towards others. Others disagree and argue that the media has put a negative influence on girls today by pressuring them into believing that you need to look good to “fit in” or be someone. Either way, this debate is bound to go on with each side having a strong opinion about their views.

        The media is believed to be a threat to our society and the way we look at our body image. Some believe that the media, celebrities, etc., should be held responsible for the way our young kids today look at their self images, and for the self-esteem they carry. Studies investigating the media’s impact on body image find that comparing oneself to thin models in the media results in body image disturbance (Rochelle 264). “Body image may be one of the western world’s ugliest exports (McClelland 41). Thanks to television, magazines, movies and the Internet, rail-thin girls and steroid-built beef-boys are being shoved in the faces of people all over the world” (41).  

     “Experts say that cultures that used to regard bulk as a sign of wealth and success are now succumbing to a narrow western standard of beauty. There are incidences of eating disorders in regions where anorexia and bulimia had never been seen before” (41).

Women who rely on what the media tells them, have a greater chance of comparing their body shape and size with other women, and may feel worse about their weight and body as a result. The media can have a strong affect on the views of most women, especially those who believe you need a great body image to live a happy life.

      This being said, the media can have an affect on the way our society lives today as well. The way we look in the mirror now, has a whole new different meaning of the term “reflection”, whether it is positive or not. Several studies have concluded that the relationship between viewing thin media images and body image caused a disturbance among female college students. “In these studies, it was proposed that women engage in upward social comparisons with self-evaluative motives, and when they find that they do not “measure up” to the thin models depicted in the media, they feel more negatively about their own weight and body” (  

       On the other hand, others disagree. The common views of those who believe that when you dress good, or have a good outside appearance, also deem you will reflect and generate that same feeling on the inside as well. Self-esteem is all about how much people value themselves, the pride they feel in themselves, and how worthwhile they feel. Having a good self-esteem can be important because feeling good about yourself an affect actions. A person who has high self-esteem will make friends easily, is more in control of his or her behavior, and will enjoy life more (Lyness, 2009).

     According to Van Kiekebelt, there are factors that can help us develop a healthy body image, but that is all up to us (cite here). It is okay to confidently accept our bodies and ourselves. If you like what you see and have a positive outlook, you will feel great about yourself and it will show.

     Some may believe that having a good body image and looking great, will make you feel great. It will make you a better person all together. Having a positive feeling about your outward appearance will reflect your inward appearance as well, and how you treat/act towards others. As a member of someone from society, it is apparent that the media influences body image. Without looking good, you are a no body, and non-existent. Instead of this debate becoming restless and going no where, there should be a different approach, where a combination of the two can lead to a healthy lifestyle, or make that person became a healthier individual.

Bergstrom, R., C. Neighbors, and J. Malheim. ”MEDIA COMPARISONS AND

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11. April 2010 by student.

By law, a person is stated innocent until proven guilty. Once they are admitted into a court of law and a judge has made a decision what their sentence will be, there are no second chances or re-dos. However, I have to disagree; I believe in a second chance. I believe that innocent people who are put in jail should be freed, as well as guilty people who are roaming free among the streets that should really be in jail. Since technology has improved so much within time, crime scene investigators have now figured out newer ways of being able to solve crimes and gather data to help solve cases. Well, what if someone 15 years or so ago was sentenced to life in prison based on the fact that the court found them guilty of committing a crime that they never actually committed? Yet down the line 15 years later, investigators have come up with new ways to find evidence that wasn’t known which could potentially prove new data showing that persons innocence once and for all. That innocent person would have to sit in a jail cell rotting away for the rest of their life, knowing that they shouldn’t even be there.

Proponents of keeping the double jeopardy rule, protects everyone from the danger of constant harassment from the state, and would rather see a guilty man occasionally go free than see the resources of the state used on individuals again (Deane, 2003). Also, if the double jeopardy rule were to become abolished, police work wouldn’t be 100% accurate and effortful due to the fact that they will know that the assurance of a second trial exists (Deane, 2003). Juries would also know that the case is a retrial which will completely change everything, because they would already know what the case would be about. They would also know all the evidence involved and would already have their presumptions and judgment on if the accused is guilty or not.Despite the fact that my opponent makes some very convincing points, I still must considerately disagree with the reasons why they believe that the Fifth Amendment should stay. In addition, DNA testing, voice identification technology, facial mapping techniques that reveals faces beneath mask, and much more are just a few reasons why double jeopardy should be terminated once and for all (Deane, 2003). With the use of these new technologies, we will be able to prove the innocence of some who were wrongly put in jail, as well proving the guilty that are walking the streets.

            In 2007, an innocent man, Anthony Capozzi, was released from jail after being held under false imprisonment for 22 years. In 1986, Capozzi was arrested after being picked out by two victims during a police lineup, for being claimed to have raped two women (Radley, 2007).  It was also later determined that his blood type matched the rapists’. However many years later, recent glass slides which contained DNA were found which proved without uncertainty that Capozzi was indeed not the rapist after all, and had been telling the truth of his innocence for 22 years (Radley, 2007). In addition, the actual rapist was also found by being linked to three murders and numerous rapes which occurred during the 1980’s as well. This is a prime example of the innocent put in jail, and why double jeopardy should become abolished once and for all.

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