5. May 2010 by student.

The study estimates that the average price of 0.5 grams (a unit) of marijuana sold for $8.60 on the street, while its cost of production was only $1.70. In a free market, a $6.90 profit for a unit of marijuana would not last for long. Entrepreneurs noticing the great profits to be made in the marijuana market would start their own grow operations, increasing the supply of marijuana on the street, which would cause the street price of the drug to fall to a level much closer to the cost of production. Of course, this doesn’t happen because the product is illegal; the prospect of jail time deters many entrepreneurs and the occasional drug bust ensures that the supply stays relatively low. We can consider much of this $6.90 per unit of marijuana profit a risk-premium for participating in the underground economy. Unfortunately, this risk premium is making a lot of criminals, many of whom have ties to organized crime, very wealthy. Stephen T. Easton argues that if marijuana was legalized, we could transfer these excess profits caused by the risk-premium from these grow operations to the government:

If we substitute a tax on marijuana cigarettes equal to the difference between the local production cost and the street price people currently pay–that is, transfer the revenue from the current producers and marketers (many of whom work with organized crime) to the government, leaving all other marketing and transportation issues aside we would have revenue of $7 per unit. If you could collect on every cigarette and ignore the transportation, marketing, and advertising costs, this comes to over $2 billion on Canadian sales and substantially more from an export tax, and you forego the costs of enforcement and deploy your policing assets elsewhere.

Posted in Introduction to Sociology, Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

5. May 2010 by student.

Headaches, anxiety, mood swings, back ache, restlessness, crankiness … these are all symptoms of stress. However, stress is not only affecting us physically, mentally and emotionally, but also the way we interact with other people, our relationships and our general livelihood. Do you realize when you’re stressed out? For many people in the American working world it is constant; like a never ending flu, but they don’t know the difference. Sure, stress is a natural reaction and, inevitably, all creatures will experience it, but we have let it go too far. In order to create a more functional society, there must be social change in the way we deal with stress.

Dictionary.com states that stress is defined as, “… a mentally or emotionally disruptive or upsetting condition occurring in response to adverse external influences …” (The Stress). In this ‘dog-eat-dog’ world, these external influences are many and it is important to understand that whatever is affecting us mentally or emotionally, will also affect every other aspect of our lives. Many people seem to be attached to stress because that’s all they know. Think about it. We have been born into a stressful culture. Children have been and are still being domesticated with the notion that stress is absolutely necessary to succeed. They are given hours of homework and continually competing for the best grade on the standardized tests. The harder they work, the more rewards they receive. The more they “lollygag” the more punishment they receive. We can also relate this to our adult lives, especially with our jobs.

It is obvious that stress is detrimental to our health and the health of our society. Stress is a sickness. An online article called How Stress Affects Your Health states that, “High levels of stress hormone cortisol increases your heart rate and your blood pressure. Cortisol can also raise your cholesterol levels. These factors raise your risks for heart attacks and strokes” (How). In addition, “… your immune system responds to infections by releasing chemicals that aid in the healing process. The stress response weakens your immune system, slowing wound healing and making you more likely to get colds and infections” (How). These are only a few physical symptoms of stress. As far as relationships go, it’s not so pretty. For example, when you are stressed out, you may find yourself nagging other people about insignificant things, but because you’re stressed, everything becomes more intense. According to How Stress Effects Your Relationship, an online article, “Stress is one of the unspoken leading causes of relationship failures” (Stress).

How can we attain a healthy society with sick people who have unstable relationships? We can’t. Only when we are able to figure out and own up to our stressors will we be able to develop a functional and successful society. Instead of resisting our stress symptoms and outcomes, we can learn from them, make changes and start to live with less stress.  

[WORKS CITED: Havens, Lila. “How Stress Affects Your Health - MyOptumHealth.” Health Care and Medical Information for Healthy Living - MyOptumHealth. Web. 04 May 2010. <http://www.myoptumhealth.com/portal/Information/item/How+Stress+Affects+Your+Health?archiveChannel=Home/Article&clicked=true>.

“How Stress Affects Your Relationship.” Fun Discoveries. Web. 04 May 2010. <http://www.fundiscoveries.com/relationship-advice-articles/for-men-women-or-couples/how-stress-affects-your-relationship.htm>.

McCoy, Erin. “The Stress Culture - Why Society Thrives on Anxiety, Page 2 of 2.” Associated Content - Associatedcontent.com. 25 Aug. 2006. Web. 04 May 2010. <http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/53230/the_stress_culture_why_society_thrives_pg2.html?cat=9>.]

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

5. May 2010 by student.

As I sink into my couch with my tub of ice cream, I stare into the glowing box of never ending adventures and dramas. All of the sudden, I find myself stuck! Can’t move! I have already been sucked in … it’s too late. As I slowly come out of this ‘coma,’ I think to myself, “What just happened?” Television use to be my best friend for a long time, but ever since I’ve stopped watching it, I’ve noticed that I’m more productive, motivated, wittier, more creative, less fearful and more adventurous. Television impacts our lives in significant ways. However, it not only impacts our personal lives, but our relationships and society as a whole. Ever since the 1950’s, watching television seems to have grown into a social norm in our society. If you don’t watch television, you are an outcast. Or at least that’s the impression I get. Our society values television so much that you can’t escape it! Almost everywhere I go, it’s there. Even in restaurants! To many of my friends and family, it is a ritual. Even the children I babysit worship the television like it’s some kind of toy heaven. Unfortunately, many studies have shown that watching excessive amounts of television is detrimental to our well being.  A study by sociologists at the University of Maryland states, “… unhappy people watch more TV, while people who describe themselves as “very happy” spend more time reading and socializing ... Analyzing 30-years worth of national data from time use studies and a continuing series of social attitude surveys, the Maryland researchers report that spending time watching television may contribute to viewers’ happiness in the moment, with less positive effects in the long run” (Unhappy). Hmm, this sounds like an addictive drug to me. An online article called Television and Family suggests that the images shown on T.V. can have a long lasting impact on our perceptions. “… Those who watch more television than average, particularly children, tend to hold more traditional notions of gender roles. Television cultivates beliefs in children such as “women are happiest at home raising children” and “men are born with more ambition than women”" (Signorielli 1990). That’s right; these old-fashioned, social ideologies are still depicted everyday through the television shows that our children watch. This article also reports that, “Images of family life itself may also be influenced. Heavy viewers tend to perceive being single as negative, express profamily sentiments, and believe that families in real life show support and concern for each other. On the other hand, heavy soap opera viewers tend to overestimate the number of illegitimate children, happy marriages, divorces, and extramarital affairs (Signorielli 1990). In all, these studies suggest that media portrayals reflect and reinforce views about the nature of the family in society. Changing social norms and television portrayals mean that assessing the impact of portrayals must be an ongoing effort” (Television). It’s easy to center our perceptions and beliefs around the fake lives of actors when television is so prevalent nowadays, but it obviously is not improving our own lives, both personal and social. What we need is time to think and cultivate creativity and originality so that we can live our lives to the fullest. I believe this, in turn, will positively impact our society as a whole. An article called The Negative Affects of Television, states, “The average American spends 4 1/2 hours a day watching TV. That’s 1,642 hours a year, or over two months … The average 65-year-old has wasted nine years of their life glued to a television” (Negative). Imagine what our personal lives and our society would be like if we took full advantage of this extra time. The opportunity is still there. Why not take it?

[WORKS CITED: Oak, Manali. “Negative Effects of Television.” Buzzle Web Portal: Intelligent Life on the Web. Web. 03 May 2010. <http://www.buzzle.com/articles/negative-effects-of-television.html>.

Perlot, Andrew. “The Negative Effects of Television.” Raw Food Health. Web. 03 May 2010. <http://www.raw-food-health.net/NegativeEffectsOfTelevision.html>.

“Television and Family - The Social Uses and Influence of Television on Families.” Family.Jrank. Web. 3 May 2010. <Television and Family - The Social Uses And Influence Of Television On Families>.

Tickner, Neil. “Unhappy People Watch TV, Happy People Read/Socialize.” University Communications Newsdesk, University of Maryland. Web. 03 May 2010. <http://www.newsdesk.umd.edu/sociss/release.cfm?ArticleID=1789>.]

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

5. May 2010 by student.

What are the benefits of a native and natural landscape? Which plants are native and which plants are invasive to south Florida? Most us wood have a difficult time answering these questions, since we have lost touch with the basic, yet vital knowledge of what a healthy landscape is. This knowledge has been fading ever since the industrial revolution when the ‘perfect’ lawn became a socially expected aspect of a home. I believe we have jeopardized the health of the ecosystem as well as our selves for mere beauty through the use of lawns, even though many of us are not even aware. The look of a plain, green grass lawn has been valued greatly among Americans for quite some time. The ‘greener’ and ‘cleaner’ it is, the wealthier you are. This is how it all got started and this social ideology still exists today. However, what real benefits does a lawn have? Yes, lawns are aesthetically pleasing and it’s nice having a space to sun bathe, play soccer, frisbee, etc. , but let’s look at the big picture. Lawns are notorious for using massive amounts of synthetic chemicals like fertilizers and pesticides. In fact, “Studies from Yale University indicate that the average suburban lawn is deluged with 10 times as much chemical pesticide per acre as farmland” (Plant). Since lawns do not absorb moisture like native plants do, these chemicals run off into the waterways every time it rains. Unfortunately, they don’t just disappear into the deep, vast ocean. Instead, they end up in our drinking water and in the plants and fish that we eat! Yuk! According to a website called Plant Native, “Municipal water treatment systems may add chlorine to kill bacteria, but they do not test for nor treat synthetic pesticides – some of which are suspected carcinogens and/or mutagens (a “mutagen” is a chemical that causes mutation, for example, a birth defect)” (Plant). Along with a healthy, chemical-free environment, a natural plant community also provides health and balance for all creatures of nature. “Populations of all of our migratory song birds are declining at a rapid rate and there is no end in sight. Planting a naturescape will help bring some populations back up by providing a native habitat for food, nesting and shelter” (Gardening). Any harmful influence on a natural plant community not only negatively impacts the environment, but also our quality of life.Peter Macinnis, author of The Lawn expresses, “Lawn, in a few generations has become a class indicator and a cause of official bullying, court cases and terrible waste pollution” (The Lawn). Obviously, the ‘perfect’ lawn is valued within our society as it symbolizes wealth and beauty. I find this to be ironic, since a natural and wild landscape saves money and time. Also, you can make it as colorful and vibrant as you would like. Personally, I believe there is no practicality in wiping out native plants and natural ecosystems just to satisfy the social ideology of wealth and beauty through useless lawns.Works Cited:”Gardening with Native Plants.” Squidoo : Welcome to Squidoo. Web. 02 May 2010.<http://www.squidoo.com/naturally_native_wildflower_gardens>.Macinnis, Peter. “The Lawn: a Social History of an Obsession, by Peter Macinnis.” InternetServices – Broadband - Phone Services - IiNet Australia. Web. 02 May 2010.<http://members.ozemail.com.au/~macinnis@ozemail.com.au/writing/lawn.htm>.”PlantNative - How To - Benefits of Native Plants, Native Plant Landscaping andNaturescaping.”PlantNative - Native Plants, Lawn Alternatives, Landscape Design and Landscaping. Web. 02 May 2010. <http://www.plantnative.org/how_benefits.htm>.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

5. May 2010 by student.

Activity anorexia is when a person favors exercising more than eating.  A person decreases their food intake and increases their physical activity.  When a person is compulsive about weight or diets, steals time from work or school to exercise, avoids multiple foods and claims that they are allergic, when they have gastrointestinal problems, when they start defining self worth in terms of physical performance, this person is showing signs of having activity anorexia.Binge eating is another disorder when a person consumes a lot of food within a short amount time. People who have this disorder are usually preoccupied with weight and food. It is usual for binge eaters have a high personal standards. It is most common in older, overweight women. Most people who do suffer from this disorder are overweight which means that they are more than 20% above a healthy body weight.Bulimia is characterized by episodes of binge-eating followed by inappropriate methods of weight control (purging). Inappropriate methods of weight control include vomiting, fasting, enemas, excessive use of laxatives and diuretics, or compulsive exercising. Excessive shape and weight concerns are also characteristics of bulimia.People with eating disorders need to get help. It is very dangerous and can be very harmful to the person’s body.  Eating disorders can not only lead to severe internal damage, but it can also lead to death.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

5. May 2010 by student.

Net Neutrality is a guideline that prevents corporations from discriminating between different kinds of content and applications online. This guarantees an equal opportunity for all Web sites and other Internet applications, but the nation’s largest telephone and cable companies, such as AT&T, Verizon, Comcast and Time Warner Cable want to be “Internet Gatekeepers”; throttling bandwidth and deciding which sites will load fast and which won’t and if you want the sites to load fast, you must pay a premium or tax. This also leads to a discriminating nature in favor of their favorite search engines, phone services and streaming video services, while slowing down or completely blocking services by their competitors. Network Neutrality gained ground when Columbia Law Professor, Tim Wu, published an article called Network Neutrality, Broadband Discrimination which deals with the idea of neutrality with applications and as well as between Quality of Service. It also recommends legislation to deal with these issues.

In the USA, high-speed carriers are seeking legislative support for a two-tiered service model. In such a model, carriers like AT&T, Comcast and etc would be able to charge owners of Web sites a premium fee for priority placement and faster speed on their behalf.

Net Neutrality protects Free Speech. The founders of the Internet built it with the intention that everyone with a basic connection could communicate with everyone online, but if the internet service providers (ISP’s) get their way, they can decide whose voices get heard and those who don’t. The World Wide Web isn’t a private commodity that should be controlled by private corporations, but rather a major hub for social, and economic activity. Net Neutrality ensures this and without it the Internet becomes nothing more than Cable TV.

There is nothing good about the end of Net Neutrality, other than the fact that it makes sense to Internet providers to charge a tier service for Internet usage because they do for Cable services. Different providers would offer different packages for different types of access. Comcast users can only use certain engines, like Yahoo and Ask.com while Centurylink only lets you use Google and not Yahoo’s search engine. The consumer will have to pay more for what is already free. It’s absurd. Comcast has already started to “throttle” users who download a huge amount of data via file sharing networks like

BitTorrent and other ISP’s (Internet Service Providers) will soon follow suit. The FCC has already went in the right direction with the National Broadband Plan and with it the FCC plans to bring broadband to over 100 million homes and ensure an affordable way to access the Internet and not allow ISP’s to jack-up the prices as they see fit. Only if the FCC outlined Net Neutrality in this plan, I wouldn’t be arguing this subject

Net Neutrality should not only stay, but the FCC should push to make it a law. The end of Network Neutrality will mean the end of innovation on the Internet as we know it. Innovations like Facebook and Twitter will cease to exist and anything new that comes out will be from the ISP’s and they will mandate how we see the information. Don’t let them take away our Internet!

Posted in Introduction to Sociology | 1 Comment »

5. May 2010 by student.

Hemp has proven to be a versatile and durable substance and therein lies the contradiction. For nearly a century now, Hemp has been overlooked and under-appreciated as a viable alternative to cotton, possibly as a result of its connotative association with marijuana. To clarify, hemp has no psychoactive properties. The pros - Hemp fibre is surprisingly useful as a cotton, paper, cellulosic or polymer substitute when it is treated correctly. As a crop, it is low-maintenance and resilient, and requires none of the weeding and heavy use of pesticides usually required in farming.  Hemp is particularly effective as a source for textiles. The fibres drawn from the hemp plant are the strongest and longest in nature. Fabrics, twines, yarns and cords made from hemp are durable and versatile. As a substitute for such diverse substances as cotton, trees, or petroleum, hemp proves to be more environmentally sound than all of its alternatives (requiring about 10% of the water needed to produce cotton) and its versatility and resilience make it economically sound as well. The cons-Hemp fibre is characterised by undesirable susceptibility to moisture and rot due to moulds and mildews and the like. It is also characterized by a strong, naturally-occurring odour which makes it unacceptable as a substitute for other odourless fibres. Moreover, hemp fibre in its natural spun state is susceptible to fraying and has a rough hand and feel. A need therefore remains for a hemp product which is suitably strong, soft, flexible, moisture-resistant and rot-resistant and generally suitable for substitution in applications previously focused on the cotton, paper and petroleum-fibre industries. Can hemp help alleviate Global Warming?
Hemp is a renewable, sustainable plant that’s very versatile. It’s fiber for clothing and home products, nutritious food for good health, pulp for paper, cellulose for energy, oil for paint, fiber for insulation and industrial applications, and so much more. Hemp has the potential to end our reliance on fossil fuels once and for all. Hemp clothing keeps you cool in summer and warm in winter. Hemp grows quickly and enriches the soil as it grows. Hemp doesn’t need fertilizers or much water to grow.

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

5. May 2010 by student.

As you can see from this graph, the prices of gas have gone up a ridiculous amount within just the past few years.  Imagine going to the gas station and paying $0.26 a gallon to fill up your car. That’s how it was in the 50’s.

In the 1970s the price of gas was between $0.36 to a little under $1. It never exceeded $1 even during the infamous 1970s oil crisis, the Vietnam war and the Watergate scandal. Though it was difficult to find gas during that time, the price was almost always constant. This was mainly due to government price control.In the 1980s things changed for the better. The price of gas was increased though only nominally. You could get a gallon of gas for just a little above $1 and you could also fill up your car anywhere. For a few years after 1980, the prices have remained stable except during the time of Iran-Iraq war, where the prices skyrocketed, but then slowly settled down. The price of gas in 1980s was actually cheaper than getting a burger or watching a movie. Until 2005, the prices actually remained stable. The prices in 2005 increased due to a number of reasons like hurricane Katrina and increase in the price of crude oils. On 5th September 2005, the prices were as high as $3.07 per gallon. But by December 2005 it settled down. The highest ever price recorded was in July 2008, when the price hit the $4.06 mark. This affected everyone to a great extent and people actually started driving less and using public transport. But in December 2008, the prices dropped to $1.65 a gallon. This year the price of gas is comparatively stable in the range of $2.45 to $2.70. However, there are debates of whether the prices will remain low. Some experts believe that gas prices will increase drastically in 2010. 

As all of us who drive have noticed, the experts which they talk about in this article were right. The gas prices have increased drastically during this year alone. Usually the reasons for gas prices increasing are shared with the public; such as if it is summer the gas prices tend to be higher because more people travel, and in the winter they tend to go up as well because of the fact that people are using a lot of gas to heat their houses. However, with this recent increase in gas prices, there has been no reasoning.

 http://www.buzzle.com/articles/gas-prices-history.html

http://zfacts.com/p/35.html

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

5. May 2010 by student.

Teen suicide is an issue that we need to be more concerned about. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention suicide is the third-leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-olds, surpassed only by accidents and homicide. The risk of suicide increases dramatically when kids and teens have access to firearms at home, and nearly 60% of all suicides in the United States are committed with a gun. According to an article published by the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, suicide rates differ between boys and girls. Girls think about and attempt suicide about twice as often as boys, and tend to attempt suicide by overdosing on drugs or cutting themselves. Yet boys die by suicide about four times as often girls, perhaps because they tend to use more lethal methods, such as firearms, hanging, or jumping from heights.It can be hard to remember how it felt to be a teen, caught in that gray area between childhood and adulthood. Sure, it’s a time of tremendous possibility but it can also be a period of great confusion and anxiety. There’s pressure to fit in socially, to perform academically, and to act responsibly. There’s the awakening of sexual feelings, a growing self-identity, and a need for autonomy that often conflicts with the rules and expectations set by others.A teen with an adequate support network of friends, family, religious affiliations, peer groups, or extracurricular activities may have an outlet to deal with everyday frustrations. But many teens don’t believe they have that, and feel disconnected and isolated from family and friends. These teens are at increased risk for suicide.Factors that increase the risk of suicide among teens include:      

 1. A psychological disorder, especially depression, bipolar disorder, and alcohol/drug use (in fact, approximately 95% of people who die by suicide have a psychological disorder at the time of death) 

2. Feelings of distress, irritability, or agitation

3. Feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness that often accompany depression (a teen, for example, who experiences repeated failures at school, who is overwhelmed by violence at home, or who is isolated from peers is likely to experience such feelings)

4. A previous suicide attempt

5. A family history of depression or suicide (depressive illnesses may have a genetic component, so some teens may be predisposed to suffer major depression)

6. Physical or sexual abuse

7. Lack of a support network, poor relationships with parents or peers, and feelings of social isolation

8. Dealing with homosexuality in an unsupportive family or community or hostile school environment

There are several warning signs that you can be aware of to help prevent a teen from taking their life.

A teen who is thinking about suicide might:

1. Talk about suicide or death in general

2. Talk about “going away”

3. Talk about feeling hopeless or feeling guilty

4. Pull away from friends or family

5. Lose the desire to take part in favorite things or activities

6. Have trouble concentrating or thinking clearly

7. Experience changes in eating or sleeping habits

8. Self-destructive behavior (drinking alcohol, taking drugs, or driving too fast, for example)

Being a little more knowledgeable on the facts of teen suicide can possibly help prevent another teen from taking their own life.

Posted in Introduction to Sociology | 1 Comment »

5. May 2010 by student.

If you are 18 years old, the legal adult age, then you can get married. At 18 years old, how are you mature enough to make that decision? Not too many of us can say that we are mature enough for that kind of a decison, along with the decisions that come with being married. At that young age we are graduating from school and transitioning over-night from being called children to being called an adult.

I have an experience that is rare, but it is something that could happen to anyone. I got married to my sweetheart at 18 years old. I was In-Love. I still love this man with all of my heart, however, he is no longer with me. Not because of us being young, but because a Drunk Driver took him from me when I was 20 years old. I was too young to get married, but I did it for the right reasons, so I don’t think that you are too young to be in-love at that age, but so much can happen that we don’t think about at that age. So much responsibility. My husband did not die in the accident, but was in a coma and breathing because of a machine. At 20 years old I was not prepared to deal with a decision of pulling a plug on someone, especially someone I love. You have to deal with both sides of the family in that kind of a decision, but ultimately you are the one that makes the decision, if you are married. You are judged for the outcome because ultimately, you made the decision.

My decision was to pull the plug after 2 weeks. I was injured in the accident also, so I was not able to make the decision immediately like he wanted, which was not to live like that, so his body was already healing through the machine breathing for him and I made the decision to keep him on until the doctors said it would be okay. Jose stayed in a deep coma, no reponse, for 11 weeks. He woke up, but never regained his life back. He was in a bed at a nursing home for 8 years, 6 months, and 3 days. That was a long time to watch the man I love, the father of my son, lay in a bed. I was legally tied to him, and had to make all of the decisions. I don’t regret it a bit, but I wonder how it would have been for me if I was not allowed to get married so young. Would I have had to experience that? I don’t know. I did learn alot from it, but it took away the experiences I would have experienced in my youth. I was too busy being all grown up by making really grown up decisions.

My thought is this, the legal age for getting married is 18 years old, but I feel that just like the drinking age was moved up, then why not the marriage age? At 18 years old we are not mature enough to handle being married, and making all of the decisions that come with that legal agreement between two people. You never know what life is going to throw your way. Back in our grandparents days I can understand the benefits of marrying young, but these days, there isn’t any. These days our children are being exposed to things that are meant for adults to see and hear, so our children are feeling more grown, faster. I feel that with all of the researches that are done that we could come to an agreement of an older age for our children to get married, so they can have more time to grow through experiences in their life. Keep the legal voting age at 18 years old, but move up the marriage age with the drinking age. Children need to have time for transition to become an adult.

Posted in Introduction to Sociology | 3 Comments »