Watching tv makes you smarter free essay sample

In this excerpt, Steven Johnson takes a look at the development of television narratives over the past few decades. In this, he argues that many of the shows that our population deems bad TV, are relatively healthy for our brains to watch. Johnson compares hit TV shows like Dragnet and Starsky and Hutch to that of more recent shows like The Sopranos. He explains how early television like Dragnet and Starsky and Hutch follow a strict linear narrative with little variation of the plot while The Sopranos â€Å"will often connect to three different threads at the same time, layering one plot atop another† (283). Therefore, shows like The Sopranos demand a lot more attention from their audience, engaging them with complex characterization and intertwining multiple episodes. This is what Johnson defines as the Sleeper Curve. Johnson goes on to compare reality television over the decades. He takes a look at earlier shows like The Love Boat and The Newlywed Game and compares them with newer shows like The Apprentice and Survivor. We will write a custom essay sample on Watching tv makes you smarter or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page He explains how the earlier reality TV is more structured, and how the rules are mapped out beforehand, therefore requiring less focus to pay attention. However, Johnson compares the structural similarities in today’s reality TV to that of a video game. â€Å"†¦the rules aren’t fully established at the outset. You learn as you play† (290). By this video game structural method, shows like Survivor and The Apprentice keep the audience more engaged and develop more critical thinking. Johnson concludes the excerpt by finally establishing his argument. â€Å"What I am arguing for is a change in the criteria we use to determine what really is cognitive junk food and what is genuinely nourishing† (293). This argument poses a change in how we rate television. Johnson is saying that even though shows like The Sopranos and 24 display acts of obscenity and violence, they are subsequently more valuable in brain development than shows that are more linear in plot less obscene. â€Å"You have to focus to follow the plot, and in focusing you’re exercising the parts of your brain that map social networks, that fill in the missing information, that connect multiple narrative threads† (292). What Johnson is posing is instead of monitoring what children watch or we watch based on obscenity and violence, we should take a look at a program’s narrative development. â€Å"In the end, the Sleeper Curve tells us something about the human mind. It may be drawn toward the sensational where the content is concerned – sex does sell, after all. But the mind also likes to be challenged; there’s real pleasure to be found in solving puzzles, detecting patterns or unpacking a complex narrative system† (292-293).

Pleurisy essays

Pleurisy essays Pleurisy, also called pleuritis, is an inflammation of the pleura the moist, double-layered membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the rib cage. The condition can make breathing extremely painful and, sometimes, is associated with the development of pleural effusion, in which the area between the membrane's layers, called the pleural space, fills with excess fluid. Viral infection is probably the most common cause of pleurisy. Other diseases that can cause pleurisy are lung infections, such as pneumonia and tuberculosis, and other diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and pulmonary embolisms. Congestive heart failure is a common cause of pleural effusion. Other causes include chest injuries and cancer. Pleurisy and pleural effusion are generally only as serious as the underlying disease. If you have either of these conditions, you may already be undergoing treatment for the underlying disease; if not, seek medical attention immediately. Severe, fleeting, sharp pain in your chest, often on one side only, when breathing deeply, coughing, moving or sneezing. Severe chest pain that goes away when you hold your breath. The double-layered pleura protects and lubricates the surface of the lungs as they inflate and deflate within the rib cage. Normally, a thin, fluid-filled gap the pleural space allows the two layers of the pleural membrane to slide gently past each other. But when these layers become inflamed by the conditions listed above, their roughened surfaces rub painfully together like two pieces of sandpaper with every breath, sneeze and cough. This condition is known as pleurisy. In some cases of pleurisy, excess fluid seeps into the pleural space, resulting in pleural effusion. This fluid buildup usually has a lubricating effect, relieving the pain associated with pleurisy ...

Psoriasis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4750 words

Psoriasis - Research Paper Example Thus, acceptance of the situation is an indispensable ingredient to maximize the clients’ adherence to any therapy. In this paper, the efficacy of the available treatment options for psoriasis will be comprehensively examined including the social issues affixed and outlook of the situation. In doing this, an overview of the disorder comprising the causes, risks, and pathophysiology will be briefly discussed. The cure for psoriasis has been a lifetime dream for dermatologists and affected clients. The quality of life of clients afflicted with psoriasis suffers greatly within 5 to 10 years after onset. Although it is not transmissible to other people, the appearance of the lesions affects the clients' social functioning (Winterfield et al, 2005). Traditional therapeutic regimens are continuously challenged by more recent discoveries in biochemistry and immunologic medicine. Some forms of treatment, like phototherapy and topical therapy, are used as a combination therapy rather t han used alone. In any case, minor and major adverse effects manifest themselves that limit the clients’ adherence to the prescribed therapy. Presently, medical practitioners continue to discover potential treatment options that would precipitate fewer side- effects. As the genetic correlation and immunologic alteration of the disorder are being studied, the use of biologic agents and gene therapy may become one of the treatment options in the future. Several scientists are becoming more and more aggressive in the treatment by using monoclonal antibodies purposely altered to suppress cell division of target cells (Winterfield et al, 2005). Pathophysiology The exact triggering mechanism involved in psoriasis consists of the dynamic interplay of individual factors and environment (Kumar et al, 2010). Although genetic predisposition to the condition has been recognized in some cases, the incidence of psoriasis remains relatively similar even in clients without a traceable family history. Moreover, the role of the environment as a risk factor can be seen in some clients when psoriatic lesions occur at areas with a history of skin injury, sunburn, and excoriation. Warm climates also appear to improve the condition (Ignatavicius and Workman, 2010). In addition, the immunologic causation of the condition can be observed in some clients who also developed debilitating arthritis. Because of this, psoriasis can be viewed as a systemic connective tissue disorder rather than a simple skin condition (McPhee et al, 2006). While it has been generally established that the onset of the condition occurs by 20 years of age, the condition may also manifest in older people at 57 to 60 years of age. Psoriasis is very common and affects nearly 1% to 2% of the population (Huether and McCance, 2006). The pathophysiologic basis of psoriasis highlights the involvement of an abnormality in the immune reaction in the skin which results from the overstimulation of the immune system (Kumar et al, 2010). Langerhans cells in the skin react with an unknown antigen, leading to T- lymphocyte activation which then attacks the keratinocytes. The resulting dermal inflammation causes scaling (McPhee et al, 2006). Normally, the cells in the basement membrane of the epidermis reach the outermost layer for about 27 days, while it only takes 4 to 5 days in the case of psoriasis. Cell maturation and keratinization are bypassed, thus the epidermis thickens and plaques form. Loosely cohesive keratin

Ebay e business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Ebay e business - Essay Example usiness technology plays an imperative part by which organisation can customise its broad assortment of products or services, enhance productivity, raise customer satisfaction and attain superior competitive position among others. With the emergence of internet and different forms of web-based technologies, huge differences can be observed between traditional and international electronic marketplace. Through this technique i.e. e-business, majority of the companies are capable to determine their potential opportunities and comprehend the necessary skills and human capital that are required to grab those opportunities in an efficient manner (Thomson Reuters, 2013). The primary purpose of this research study is to reveal the role of technological advancements in the modern e-business environment. Moreover, the rationale of this study is also to identify the scope of e-business for the modern organisations. With regard to the present business context, the modern organisations tend to conduct their business operations with the help of internet or executing e-business technologies. It has been apparently observed that majority of the organisations perform their respective business or operational functions under dynamic, rapid changing and highly competitive environment. With the help of e-business technology, these organisations are capable to understand their overall marketing scenario and indentify opportunities towards attaining long-term sustainable growth. Therefore, it is quite essential to understand how e-business technology supports today’s business organisations in efficiently conducting their respective operational activities (SAGE Publications, n. d.). Through this study, it would be quite easy to understand about which way companies utilize e-business techniques while developing business models, implementing strategies and making effective delivery of products or serv ices. This study also shows how international companies operate its overall business

Type of play Essay Example for Free

Type of play Essay The importance of play is reflected by the role it plays in development. Children are encouraged to play with gender appropriate toys but I have to ask myself why parents would rather have their son play with a gun rather than a doll.  Some studies have linked gunplay with aggressive behaviour and it is interesting to see (the table below) that boys are more aggressive than girls at a young age  Some child health professionals encourage parents to limit this type of play. Concern about guns also include potential confusion with real ones, which could lead to someone getting seriously injured. The media is also seen to be a major influence on behaviour. The way television affects a child depends on the childs age and what stage of cognitive development they are at. As a child watches television they absorb the program and then they interpret it to how they saw it. Some cartoons that are violent such as itchy scratchy, which is shown on The Simpsons shows a cat and mouse attack each other and put each others body parts in food blenders etc. Its a bit disturbing to some people but children find it hilarious. I think this is because it is unlikely in real life and depending on the age of the child, they will know that this sort of behaviour is not rewarded. Boys need to be parented in a different way from girls. Home, society and education have failed boys badly- these failures lead to unhappy men who cannot fully become happy, responsible emotionally confident adults.  There is a lot of research comparing the abilities and behaviours of males and females. As we consider the behaviour of boys and girls we have to consider how they differ in their behaviour. Albert Bandura believed aggression reinforced by family members was the most prominent source of behaviour modelling. He reports that children use the same aggressive tactics that their parents illustrate when dealing with others. Children learn to act aggressive when they model their behaviour after witnessing violent acts of adults, especially family members. Bandura is most famous for his Bobo doll experiment, in this experiment; he had children witness a model aggressively attacking a plastic clown called the Bobo doll. Bandura found that the children imitated the aggressive behaviour. There are many sex differences between boys and girls and one of the most comprehensive studies was conducted by, Maccoby and Jacklin (1974). They discover there were only four significant differences between the sexes. Although the differences were small they showed there is an overlap in the behaviour of boys and girls.  Although the study by Maccoby and Jacklin was in depth Shaffer (1993) pointed out, First, girls show more emotional sensitivity. Second, girls are less venerable developmentally than boys, and are less likely to suffer from learning disabilities, various language disorder, or hyperactivity. Third, boys tend to be more physically active than girls. Fourth, girls tend to be more timid than boys (PSYCHOLOGY FOR A2 LEVEL, M.W. ESYWICK, page 698)  In conclusion I would like to say, that I believe that behaviour is learned from society through the process of reinforcement and modelling. Behaviours such as, Sex-role behaviour can be learned by vicarious reinforcement. When you think about it makes sense for a person to keep doing things they are rewarded for and to stop doing things we are not. I found these quotes below and I agree with both of them on this subject.  In the theory of gender I began from zero. There is no masculine power or privilege I did not covet. But slowly, step-by-step, decade-by-decade, I was forced to acknowledge that even a woman of abnormal would cannot escape her hormonal identity.  (Paglia, Camille, 1947 American Author Critic Educator)  (Taken from: www.borntomotivate.com)  Except for their genitals, I dont know what immutable differences exist between men and women. Perhaps there are some other unchangeable differences; probably there are a number of irrelevant differences. But it is clear that until social expectations for men and women are equal, until we provide equal respect for both sexes, answers to this question will simply reflect our prejudices.

General Electric (GE) Appliances Case Study :: Business Management Analysis

Abstract The newly appointed district sales manager, Larry Barr, faces the problem of allocating sales quotas among his various sales representatives. This decision will affect everyone's earnings including his own. This problem is compounded by the fact that different territories have, for a variety of reasons, different potentials. In addition, the territory that is known to be the toughest will soon require a new sales rep. Company History/Background Canadian Appliance Manufacturing Co. Ltd (CAMCO) was created in 1998 under the joint ownership of Canadian General Electric Ltd. and General Steel Wares Ltd. (G.S.W.). CAMCO purchased the production facilities of Westinghouse Canada Ltd. under which the brand name White-Westinghouse was created. Appliances manufactured by CAMCO in the former Westinghouse plant were branded Hotpoint. G.E., G.S.W., and Hotpoint major appliance plants became divisions of CAMCO. These divisions were operated independently, had their own separate management staff and competed for sales although they were all ultimately accountable to CAMCO. Larry Barr has recently been promoted to the district sales manager position for G.E. Appliances. One of his more important duties was the allocation of his district sales quota among his five salesmen. He received his 2002 quota in October 2001 at which time his immediate task was to determine an equitable allocation of that quota. This was important because the company’s incentive pay plan was based on the salesmen’s attainment of quota and a portion of his remuneration was based on the degree to which his sales force met their quotas. The five territories were: Territory Destination/Sales Person Description 9961 Greater Vancouver Hudson's Bay, Firestone, Kmart, McDonald Garth Rizzuto Supply, plus seven independent dealers 9962 Interior All customers from Quesnel to Nelson, Dan Seguin including contract sales (50 Customers) 9963 Coastal Eatons, Woodwards, plus Vancouver Island Ken Block north of Duncan and upper Fraser Valley (east of Clearbrook) (20 customers) 9964 Independent and Northern All independents in lower mainland and Fred Speck South Vancouver Island, plus northern B.C. and Yujon (30 customers) 9967 Contract Contract sales Vancouver, Victoria All contract Jim Wiste sales outside 9962 (50-60 customers) The sales incentive plan was a critical part of G.E.’s sales force plan. Each salesman had a portion of his earnings dependent on his performance with respect to quota as well as Barr being awarded a bonus based on the sales performance of his district.

Use of drugs among teenagers in the United States

Interesting trends regarding the use of drugs among teenagers in the United States have begun to be revealed through the work of various researchers. While in some key areas, the use of drugs has declined, in other areas increases have been found to exist in teenagers’ use of drugs. Such areas in which such trends have been detected include use of particular types of drugs, the availability of these to the students, and the demographic that is exposed to the drugs. Such substances as methamphetamine, marijuana, and prescription medication are drugs that have seen either increases or decreases in their general trends, and differences are being studied and detected in the genders’ response to these substances. This essay will define such trends and attempt to give gender-based reasons why these have occurred.The use of methamphetamine among students has demonstrated a decrease between 2005 and 2006. Usage by tenth grade students has decreased over the year I. The decline rate among females has been from 3 to 2 percentII. The decline rate among males has been from 2.6 percent to 1.7 percentUsage by twelfth grade students has decreased over the year I. The decline rate among females is unsure but is suspected to be roughly the same as for malesII.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The decline rate among males has been from 9 percent to 7.4 percentThe use of marijuana among students has demonstrated a decrease between the years 2005 and 2006. Usage by tenth grade students has decreased over the year I. The decline rate for lifetime users was 2.3%II. The decline rate in the availability of the drug is 1.9%Usage by twelfth grade students has decreased over the year I. It has been the trend for females to use less marijuana than malesII.The decline rate among females is unsure, but is suspected to be greater than that of malesIII.The decline rate among males has been from 9% to 7.4%The use of other drugs among students has demonstrated an increase between 2002 and 2006 . Usage of MDMA (ecstasy) by females students has increased over the year I.         Use has gone up from 2.7 percent to 4.0 percent.II.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This represents an increase of 1.3 percentUsage of all illicit drugs (apart from marijuana) by males is shown to be above that of females Usage of all illicit drugs (apart from marijuana) by males is shown to be on the decline. The use of drugs among males and females is influenced by different gender-based situations. Men are more likely to have opportunities to use drugs than women Men are more likely than women to abuse drugs such as marijuana and alcohol Women are more likely to become addicted to sedatives I. Women take more time to report drug dependenceII. Women often use drugs in response to depression or eating disorders.Men and women differ in the effect that drug use has on their life choices I.  Men are less likely to be drop out of high school as a result of drug use.II.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Women are more li kely to drop out of high school as a result of drug use.III.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Drug use in both sexes affects future regarding job qualifications and outcomes.Works CitedBustos, Jennifer. â€Å"Gender Differences in Drug Use.† St. Martin’s University. Lacey, WA.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://homepages.stmartin.edu/students/jennifer.bustos/256,1,Gender Differences in Drug   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   UseLattimer, W. W., L. J. Floyd, M. Vasquez, M. O’Brien, A, Arzola and N. Rivera. â€Å"Substance Use   Ã‚   Among School-based Youths in Puerto Rico: Difference between Gender and Grade   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Levels.† Addictive Behavior. Vol. 29. No. 8. 2004. pp.1689-64.Lynch, Wendy J., Megan E. Roth and Marilyn E. Carroll. â€Å"Biological Basis of Sex Difference in   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Drug Abuse: Pre-Clinical and Clinical Studies.† Psychopharmacology. Vol. 164: 121-   137, 2002.Naylor, Adam., Doug Ga rdner and Len Zaichowsky. â€Å"Drug Use Patterns Among High School   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Athletes and Nonathletes – Statistical Data Included.† Adolescence. Winter, 2001.NIDA. â€Å"Gender Differences in Drug Abuse Risks and Treatments.† The National Institute on   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Drug Abuse. Vol. 15. 4, 2000.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.nida.nih.gov/NIDA_Notes/NNVol15N4/tearoff.htmlNIDA. â€Å"High School and Youth Trends: NIDA Infofacts.† The National Institute on Drug    Abuse.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2006.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.nida.nih.gov/pdf/infofacts/HSYouthTrends07.pdfRassino, Brian E., Sheila C. Ribordy, Kathryn Grant, Joseph R. Ferrari, Blake S. Bowden, and   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Jennifer Zeisz. â€Å"Gender-Related Processes and Drug Use: Self-Expression with Parents,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Peer Group S election, and Achievement Motivation.† Adolescence. Spring, 2004.Ringel, J., R. L. Collins and P. L. Ellickson. â€Å"High School Drug Use Predicts Job-Related   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Outcomes at Age 29.† Addictive Behaviors. Vol. 32. No. 3, 2006. pp. 576-589.