Television Is harming children Essay Example for Free

Television Is harming children Essay It is my belief that television has overstepped its boundaries. It is my belief that children are becoming desensitised towards violence. It is my belief that this is to stop. What if I was to tell you that there are, today, half as many art programmes as there were in 1992? What if I was to tell you that current affairs programmes have fallen by more than a third? The truth is that all television executives want to do is make money, they do not want to provide a service, and they do not want to make the world a better place. And the reason that these programmes do not make money is the change of our childrens cultures. They no longer want to watch a programme that is educational; they would rather watch meaningless rubbish that caters for the intellectually challenged. I know this because I am guilty of it. I would much rather watch the ninth series of friends than watch the news, and I would much rather watch the Simpsons than watch an art programme. Let me describe to you a period. In this time period television is useful; shows provide a public service whilst still maintaining good ratings. In this time television has a purpose, which it lacks in this modern time. This time was when television was first produced. Its maker intended it to inform the masses about day-to-day events and problems, but this ideal has spiralled out of control. Your children are becoming desensitised, not only to sex, regularly displayed before the watershed, but to violence as well. Children growing up will become young men, and these young men will copy what theyve seen on television. You all know what impressionable young children are capable of. It has happened recently; a trio of gangsters, barely twenty, gunned down two innocent girls at a New Year party as a result of gang warfare. These people have to get their ideals somewhere, and if they are not in a strong family they will look to other mediums for guidance, like television, like videogames, and they will think the things are idols do are alright. Let me tell you this is not the case! Just recently there has been a story running in Coronation Street of a murderer and a drug dealer, and in the final episode two people were graphically murdered with a crowbar! And this was at seven thirty, well before the watershed. We are in the year of the couch potato. 78 % of people under sixty in the United Kingdom watch more television than read books. And if this television is of the aforementioned quality then this disturbs me. What about the literary skills that will be wasted? TV Quiz shows such as the weakest link and Who wants to be a millionaire, which value, random factual knowledge over, deeper understanding are creating a generation of vacuous teenagers, according to a leading Headmaster. Dr Giles Mercer, head of Prior park College in Bath believes that unless teenagers are fed a more demanding diet by the media they will become cynical about politics and apathetic about voting. So television is actually harming your children. So think of the children brought up to watch soaps rather than read a good book, which provides entertainment whilst also benefiting the child involved. But as long as we are entertained, right? Wrong! Television has pushed its limits; certainly there have been some events worthy of recognition, but in the main the programmes shown are demolishing our morals, they are making us complacent about the world around us. Not many people could argue Jerry Springer has a positive impact on our nations youth. If we were to believe everything television told us then we would all be certain that bombing Iraq is the right thing to do. The remaining factual programmes are often biased and do not show the big picture, e.g. what about the refugees, what about the children, are they part of Saddams regime? There are people who believe, as I do, that television could be beneficial for us; Tess Alps, deputy chairman of the media agency writes, I believe that the recent dumbing down of programmes and relaxation of censorship is wrong. Television could be successful, and informative but Television chiefs just dont want to see it.

the meaning of life Essay example -- essays research papers

The Meaning of life What is the meaning of life. The meaning of our lives, the purpose, and the dreams both dashed and realized, and the expectations forced upon us by others. In other words how do you "translate" what life is? "Translation" means to explain in simple terms. What is it supposed to be about? There are different answers for different people at different times in their lives. A person's lifetime is filled with self-examination. Why am I here? What am I doing? Is this as good as it gets? You have a beginning. You're in the middle, and your story hasn't ended yet. If one would recognize the greatest things we have in life, they would not be asking this question. These great things are faith, hope, and love. Faith is the one that can keep one from asking questions. If God wanted us to know something, then we would know it. In most religions, Christian ones in particular, the question of meaning in life is inextricably wrapped up in a relationship with God. Living in, for, with, and through him. Therefore, how one answers the meaning of life question bears directly the existence of God. Soren Kierkegaard said to be the "father" of existentialism maintains that there are three basic answers to the question of the meaning of life. He called these "stages" of life, because he believed that people "progressed" from one stage to the next. Whether or not that is true, there do seem to be at least three fundamental outlooks on life. One is a life devoted to pleasure. This value perspective can be shown by a person whose only concern is for what they are doing now. They would rather gain from pleasures in life without any regards to how they might affect their future. Another stage is those choosing ethical and moral paths. People who are honest and loyal demonstrate this in their everyday lives. Finally, there is a live religiously. This has been the popular way of life for many of us. It is going to church and practicing your faith Stace argues, the present age has begun to weaken faith in God. The concept of a supernatural person has begun to seem unlikely to many people. The Bible no longer seems as respected for many Catholics. While many peopl... ...ve the opportunity to choose either Him or evil, thereby proving our love for Him. If His were the only game in town, then there would not be a free will conscious choice for Him. It is evident that the meaning of life has to far to complex for any one to fully understand or agree on the same answer. All these ideas of these different philosophers are not necessarily inaccurate, just incomplete. All pieces to a puzzle that one has no way of fully figuring out. No one has seemed to accomplish this yet in life. There are so many obstacles that we face as we try to achieve a higher good. Many of these are based in the fact that we are human beings, and because of that are flawed by the ways of our culture. Things such as self-doubt, worry, ignorance, and the values put into our heads since the day we were born all are roadblocks on our way to a higher level. Also being human beings makes vulnerable to the ways of the world around us, so it is not easy to block these things out of our lives. This life is a stage in which we are to develop our minds, bodies, and souls to their highest potential in preparation for the afterlife. Only God could ever really show anyon e true meaning.

Many of Today’s Drivers Have Dangerous Habits

The cars today have such far-advanced automotive technology that the motorized transport vehicle seems to drive itself. The problem is that because driving cars today require less concentration than the cars of yesteryear, inventors seem to have come up with new and varied ways to keep the driver busy behind the wheel. This would not be such a bad thing if it did not pose such a threat to the life and limb of the driver and the pedestrians and other cars in his path. I am not kidding, all you have to do is look at every single person behind the wheel these days to know that they should not be driving and performing whatever activity it is that is preoccupying their minds, hands, and mouths, all at the same time. So, what kinds of driving activities pose as bad driving habits or hazards on the road? How do the activities alter the driver's state of mind and concentration? The usual culprit that creates a dangerous driving habit is technology. It is not uncommon to see people driving with one hand on the wheel and the other holding a cellphone up to his ear while navigating dangerous turns and traffic lights. Women rushing out the door with curlers in their hair also try to put on make up while driving to work. Needless to say, the rearview mirror is not for applying mascara to the face. Speaking of rushing out the door, today's fast paced life style also insures that most people do not have time to have a decent breakfast before flying out the door. A quick trip through a drive through gives you the most common dangerous driving habit ever to be performed by man. Instead of keeping an eye on the road, the driver ends up with his eye on the sandwich and trying to balance the drink that he so does not need spilling unto his lap. Aside from these everyday-driving hazards that drivers do not seem to realize they are performing, there are also the bad driving habits that are caused by speeding. This is the tendency of a hurried driver to run down a pedestrian is greater and the possibility of loosing control of the wheel is a seriously dangerous reality. Not to forget, some drivers forget to use their turn signals and this often times causes accidents between other cars or pedestrians. By simply using these simple warning devices, accidents can be avoided. I would also like to mention that people who do not use their signal lights usually end up engaged in a violent game of road rage. Other drivers tend to get irritated and worked up into frenzy when the driver in front of them fails to use their signal lights and almost runs the driver behind him into an accident. Another example of a bad driving habit is an over confident and cocky driver behind the wheel. This is usually a bad habit attributed to experienced drivers because their driving route they traverse has become such a routine that they think they can navigate it with their eyes closed. So when an activity that poses a threat to the life and limb of the driver and those around him jogs the driver to reality, they are usually unprepared to respond to the situation. Basically, dangerous driving habits are not something permanent. If you remain conscious of your driving habits and remember to always stick to the rules of the road, there is no reason for one to become one of the many drivers on the road these days with terrible driving habits. Safe driving is practically just common sense and is not hard to follow. Just remember, bad driving habits means that you are just lucky that the grim reaper hasn't decided to take you yet. It never hurts to err on the side of caution and drive safely for a happy long life. Outline: I.Introduction to dangerous driving habits II.Technological advancements that cause bad driving habits III.Bad driving habits brought about by a fast paced lifestyle IV. Bad driving habits caused by speeding V. Bad driving habits caused by complacency of the driver in his driving skills VI.Suggestions to alter bad driving habits VII. Conclusion Work Cited â€Å"Dangerous Driving Habits†. Ezine Articles. 2006.May 8, 2007.

Strong Quotes to Discover Your Inner Strength

Everyone deals with low self-esteem or a lack of self-confidence from time to time. Its not easy to face hardships with a smile, nor should you try to; unresolved stress or anxiety can manifest itself in many negative ways (including physical illness).   But sometimes we just need a little nudge to try to get out of a rut or to keep going on a path that seems long and arduous. Hope can help us emerge from difficult situations feeling stronger and wiser.   Here are some quotes about finding that inner strength, from people who have faced hardship, to inspire you to keep going.   Inner Strength Quotes from Politicians Solitary trees, if they grow at all, grow strong.Too often the strong, silent man is silent only because he does not know what to say, and is reputed strong only because he has remained silent. —    Winston Churchill.  The legendary British Prime Minister, who was shot at during the Boer War and guided his country through World War II, was never at a loss for words.   A woman is like a tea bag - you cant tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water. — Eleanor Roosevelt.  Although Roosevelt changed forever the office of First Lady, acting as an advocate for women, minorities, and the poor, she had much hardship in her life, including being orphaned at age 10.   The strong man is the one who is able to intercept at will the communication between the senses and the mind. —   Napoleon Bonaparte Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. —   John F. Kennedy It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. —   Frederick Douglass You are never strong enough that you dont need help. —   Cesar Chavez Inner Strength Quotes from Writers Character is higher than intellect. A great soul will be strong to live as well as think. —    Ralph Waldo Emerson. He rose to become one of the elder statesmen of literary circles in early America, but Emerson suffered both the loss of his wife not long after their wedding  and the early loss of his father, both of which affected him profoundly.   The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places. —   Ernest Hemingway. Although he was a highly influential journalist and novelist, Hemingway struggled with alcoholism and depression his entire life.   Nothing can dim the light which shines from within. ― Maya Angelou. The author had a difficult childhood which included being raped by her mothers boyfriend, but she went on to win numerous critical accolades and awards for her writing.   Inner Strength Quotes from Philosophers To keep the body in good health is a duty,   otherwise, we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear. ―Buddha That which does not kill us makes us stronger. ―Friedrich Nietzsche Look well into thyself; there is a source of strength which will always spring up if thou wilt always look. ― Marcus Aurelius