The Negative Effects of TV Violence on Society

           The 21^st century has seen one of the most intellectually, rapid increases in human technology since the beginning of history. New advances in technology seem to spread faster than diseases these days. One of the most important advances in the recent decades has been that of television. Television has literally opened the eyes of people around the world visually to the problems and successes of faraway lands, previously unheard of. However, this technological success has come at a cost. As humans begin to watch more and more TV, the actual and fictional death and violence has exposed people to previously unheard amounts. The immense amount of gore has altered our viewpoint of violence and some believe that it has actually made us insensitive to violence.

            As television and its uncensored images are spread, younger and younger children are exposed to its horrific violence. Children are reported to see an average of 8,000 murders on TV by the time they finish elementary school, and that number rises to 200,000 by age eighteen (Norman, 1). When children are exposed to this immense violence at such a young age, they lose their ability to understand how bad violence truly is. Left unattended, a child will start to become insensitive to violence and become more likely to commit these acts because they don’t know how bad the consequences truly are. These children are increasing watching TV unsupervised. In fact 81% of TV time spend by children 2-7 is unsupervised, so these children are not learning that the violence is harmful (Kaiser Family Foundation, 1).

A new poll shows 79% of Americans believe that TV violence leads to real life chaos and mayhem (Norman, 1). The correlation between violence and TV isn’t a coincidence either. In a recent study by the American Medical Association, 2,888 out of 3,000 studies showed that violence is a casual factor in real life mayhem. This shows that TV violence has a direct correlation to desensitizing violence in everyday life.

Nowadays television shows are practically glamorizing murder and serious crimes because it accounts for thrilling television that brings the audiences back for more. As television has spread to almost every part of the world, it now affects world atrocities and warfare. People around the world are now being exposed to the graphic and horrific images of warfare and human rights violations, previously unseen before the last half century. An example of this occurred during the Vietnam War. During the Vietnam War, Americans saw the live horrific images of war from their living rooms for the first time in history. Terrified at the sight of what our young men were doing overseas, people began to lose support for the war. While these clips of war and chaos initially generated shock, it no longer holds true. The perception of the continued bloodshed over the past decades, and wars, has now been altered. Nowadays the public has become so use to seeing the systematic violence in the world that they have become insensitive to it.

As previously stated, television has opened the eyes to millions of people around the world. As its image has spread, so has the violence portrayed through it. Studies now show that younger and younger viewers tune into the chaos of violence and murder shown on TV. This violence, as shown by studies, alters the young and undeveloped minds of adolescents to become immune to showing sympathy, fear, shock and other emotions towards violence. Contrary to these emotions, people are now growing up desensitized to violence and death and even echoing its usage in real life. This has shown that TV actually alters the mind into becoming use to violence, which in turn allows for the creation of violence in real life with limited pity or opposition. 

  

 Works Cited

-Norman, Herr. "Television & Health." The Sourcebook For Teaching Science. California State

University, n.d. Web. 27 Nov. 2011.

- "Violence in the Media." National Center for Children Exposed to Violence. Kaiser Family

Foundation, 16 Dec. 2005. Web. 27 Nov. 2011.

The Use of Animal Imagery in Dante’s Inferno

At the beginning of the Inferno, Dante already experiences the symbolic nature of animals. He is blocked on his path by three beasts; the lion, the she-wolf, and the leopard. These three animals represent the primitive temptations that block our path to God through sin. Throughout the Inferno, Dante repeatedly eludes to primitivity. Primitivity is the act of a human who follows animal instinct or characteristics. Dante constantly proclaims the sinners, as well as the punishers, to be animals. Therefore, Dante uses animal imagery to describe the primitive desires we have to sin and to show how, if left uncontrolled, they turn our souls into damnation and turn us away from our path towards God.

The first, and most forgivable, type of sin is that of incontinence. Incontinence is the lack of self-control over ones actions. Dante describes incontinence as falling into primitive desires like animals often do. These sins of lust, hunger, and wrath are considered animalistic in nature because they display a failure by humans to use their God-given minds to judge their actions. For this reason Dante feels pity for the sinners but ultimately still places them in Hell for failing to use the strength God gave them.  

In Canto VI the punisher, as well as the punished, are described as dog-like. Cerberus who oversees this level of Hell is seen as a dog-like monster because of his voice. The Gluttons who also reside in this level are said to howl in pain like a dog. This is symbolic of the fact that these sinners and Cerberus, who both consumed excessively, resemble the characteristics of dogs and their restless craving for food.

Canto IX contains one of many references to frogs. As the messenger from Heaven comes to the gates of Dis the sinners and demons are said to scatter like frogs. This shows how compared to the holy and heavenly messenger, the sinners are like worthless frogs who live in fear of the great enemy. Dante continues with his frog metaphor in Canto XXII when he compares the Barterers to sluggish frogs. Dante calls the Barterers frogs because they live in a boiling pitch and constantly try to poke their heads out like the snouts of a frog in a pond. These barterers are also compared to dolphins and otters because they constantly dip in and out of the pitch like that of these animals. The demons who guide Dante and Virgil through this level of Hell are also compared to an animal, this time it’s a hawk. The demons hover like hawks over a pond waiting for the frogs, or sinners, to surface and tear them apart. Dante uses the imagery of the hawks and frogs to show that the demons hover over the sinners who are degraded to nothing more than prey for the enjoyment of the demons.

In conclusion we see that Dante understood what it meant to sin. His philosophy suggests that God gave us a brain to be superior to animals in making rational decisions and use our free will to become closer to him and salvation. By using the sinners as metaphor to animals, Dante is stating that if we ignore our logic and free will and succumb to our animalistic temptation, we are failing God and wasting the gifts that he gave us. Therefore, Dante argues that if we continue to be like animals and not use our gifts, we will become like the condemned souls of Hell and be forced to live an eternity of torture and separation from God.

Guide Through Hell

If I had to choose an individual to guide me through Hell it would be Moses. Being a biblical character who has according to Dante, already been in Hell, and rescued after Christ's death, Moses would know his way around. Being a very holy person he would know a lot of information on how to live a better life and avoid ending up in Hell, while providing me with the knowledge of what the sinners have done. In addition we could save time by having Moses split the rivers of Hell, like in the old testament, and not have to wait for the ferrymen.

Casting Call

The Knight- Mel Gibson

-In movies like Braveheart and the Patriot Mel Gibson follows the codes of chivalry like the Knight. He has truth, honor, generosity and courtesy with his fellow people. In both Braveheart and the Patriot, Mel Gibson put his countrymen before his self and decided to go to war to help save their freedom. Like the knight, Mel Gibson is a noble, yet fierce warrior who leads his Christain people against the heathens. “he had done nobly in his sovereign’s war and ridden into battle, no man more, as well in Christian as in heathen places,” (Chaucer, 74).  In his movies he is loved by all his people and seen as a savior, like the Knight after the Crusades. In Braveheart and the Patriot, Mel Gibson is a common man who rises to stardom. He wears commoner clothing but is still considered a hero much like the Knight who doesn’t dress gaily. “Fine horses but he was not gaily dressed,” (Chaucer, 75).

The Nun- Maggie Smith

-Maggie Smith seems to possess a lot of characteristics that the Nun has. In movies like Harry Potter she acts very proper and loves everyone and everything. The nun is “Pleasant and friendly in her ways,” (Chaucer, 76).  Maggie Smith who plays the Professor McGonagall has similar characteristics to the nun including, “her nose was elegant, her eyes glass-grey; her mouth was very small, but soft and red,” (Chaucer, 76). Maggie Smith seems to be the essence of the Nun. Her acting style in movies like Harry Potter shows how she can play the part of a very proper and elegant woman. “As for her sympathies and tender feelings,” (Chaucer, 76) fits the part for Maggie Smith because in her movies like Harry Potter she is very sympathetic when other characters are hurt or die. The nun also, “Spoke daintily,” much like Maggie Smith showing that she would fit the role very well.

The Merchant- John Rhys-Davies

-The “Merchant with a forking beard,” (Chaucer, 78). In the Lord of the Rings John Rhys-Davies plays Gimli who also possesses a forking beard. “Motley dress; high on his horse he sat,” these characteristics can also be well played by John Rhys-Davies as seen in the Lord of the Rings. “He told of his opinions and pursuits,” which John Rhys-Davies also does in Lord of the Rings because the characters he plays are always very opinionated. “He was so stately in administration, in loans and bargains and negotiation,” all characteristics of a merchant that John Rhys-Davies could fulfill from his roles like Gimli. In his role of Gimili John Rhys-Davies dresses, acts and thinks much like the merchant character. 

Prologue Story

America is the country he rules

He makes us look like a bunch of fools

The world will end before his reelection

Thank the Mayans for that prediction

His name is Barack Hussein Obama

He sent our troops to kill that Osama

Terrorist fear his army of drones

His people only care about iphones

 With the economy in a recession

Obama may not reach reelection 

Creative Writing Prompt: Plane Crash

        A sudden drop, a rude awakening, my plane began to nosedive quicker than the US economy. Out pilot came on telling us that we were going to make an emergency water landing in the Pacific. The crash was the most violent and terrifying thing I had ever experienced, at least from what I remembered. When I came to, I was face down in the sand, sunburnt and a throbbing pain began to consume my entire left arm. As I arose and looked around I realized that I was washed ashore onto an island. 

        My adrenaline was rushing through my veins quicker than a nascar at the final lap of the Daytona 500. I was so focused on finding other survivors that I had become totally oblivious to the pain in my arm. After fifteen minutes of searching, I began to feel light headed again and passed out once more.

        The next time I awoke I began to hear the crackling of a fire and the low hum of a human voice. The pain in my left arm had ceased as I noticed it had been wrapped in gauze and treated with medicine. I attempted to get up, only to snap a twig. This caught the attention of the unfamiliar woman who began to approach me. 

        She handed me a meal of lobster and peanuts, which I assumed were washed up from the plane's first class section. The strange, yet attractive, figure began to explain how the plane experienced an engine failure and had to bail into the ocean. She went on to tell me that she was a doctor on board the flight and how she found me on the shore. Apparently in the crash I had experienced a concussion and a fragment from the plane had lodged into my left arm. If she had not found me and treated my wounds I would have bleed to death. 

        We began to discuss our lives and backgrounds as we enjoyed our meal. She must have seen the perplexity on my face, because she began to show me the supplies. They were limited and had to be rationed to ensure our safety and survival, at least until we found the other survivors. We only had an ipod with Eminem's Recovery album on it, a suitcase with medical supplies, dehydrated food, a knife, and a water purifier. The fire that I had heard earlier was fueled by a book the doctor had burned. 

        The supplies were our starting base and we worked for what seemed like weeks surveying and construction a habitable future. Eventually we began to accept the fact that we were the only survivors with no way off the island. We decided to make a new life for ourselves on this strange island, cut off from all of society. Our future together, would be what we made it.       

Space Ship Riddle

Loved by creatures, envied by humans,

For most of history,

Dreams, I only illumined,

After centuries of attempts at my existence became bigger,

Someone finally had the Wright start to my figure,

Eventually mans ancestor was the first of me to enter,

Followed soon after by the strong arm man,

Pioneer of the last frontier I began,

Finally I have defied the limits of man an’

Experiencing my true companion,

Now at last I’ve seen my days,

In the land of human haze,

Humans have battled over being the first,

In my days I’ve shown them the best and the worst,

Now they have fought in the land of my creation,

And the land of the best can’t meet my expectation

So I’ve been retired for now in hopes of a swift return

To the land I’ve always desired and will continue to yearn

What am I?

College Application Essay to FSU

“Actions Speak Louder than Words”

As the President of my Speech and Debate Team, as well as an extemporaneous speaker, I have discovered how to lead. Having just turned seventeen, I have not experienced the daily challenges of working, running a family, balancing a budget or paying taxes. As an extemporaneous speaker, however, the questions I receive ask me to solve complex domestic and world issues in thirty minutes. Since I only have seven minutes to present a solution, I am forced to find the most effective strategy. I have promoted compromises, ended partisanship, curbed violence, ended strife, and even ended war. Speaking about these issues has given me the opportunity to understand world problems and I feel like I have the knowledge to change the world. I know that only so much can be accomplished through words. Thus, what the world really needs is action.

I have always had an insatiable desire to help others in need and to overcome adversity. This is why I believe I have been elected to so many leadership positions, including Class Representative, Vice President of the student body, Captain of both the track and cross country

teams, and Vice President of my church youth group. I have even been elected as the President

of the Speech and Debate Team for three years. Through all of these experiences, I have learned

the best way to lead my peers is through action. I have been told by peers, teachers and adults

alike that I am a hard worker who strives to do well and lead through quiet leadership. In my

leadership roles I help others with their problems in a way that preservers their dignity as well as

set the right example through my actions.

I try to stay away from the spotlight and become a nervous wreck when speaking. I hate

being recognized in front of large groups of people. I don’t like to be praised for doing the right

thing, because the true reward is seeing happiness in the eyes of others or achieving the

feeling of personal accomplishment. This is why I lead through small actions. Small actions and gestures, such as a simple smile, can change a person’s life. When people see that you are happy, they aspire to be like you. If you use this happiness to help others through small actions it can make a big difference. Not only will the people you help be grateful, but also those who see this action will desire to live the same way. Good deeds go a long way and spread like wildfire. This is why I believe actions coupled with humility represent true leadership.

Introduction

My name is Peter Milios and this is my first blog. I am 17 years old and a senior in high school. This is a project for my English IV class. Hi Coach Morrell!! Something interesting about me is that I enjoy reading the news constantly and debating about the moral grounds, needs and solutions to the problems