Opportune the future Social Issues

Whether your elbows feel offended if they are asked to leave the table, or your fingernails constantly suffer from being the victims of your mouth, bad habits, will always haunt us. It is not easy to totally eliminate or cease continuance of these habits. However, what we need to do to get rid of our habits, is to maintain the ability to weigh the pros and cons of our dreadful practices. More importantly, we need to keep our nation, and our people away from the horrid habit of marijuana usage. It is not necessary to say yes. It is not necessary to encourage legalization. As of today, the nation stands behind three basic ideas of what to do with marijuana; legalize it, make it legal for medicinal purposes only, or keep it as it is, illegal. Through the development of society and the advancement of technology, humankind has constructed many ways to make bad habits appear good. Many argue that the legalization of marijuana will improve our economy, and aid those suffering from diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis and various cancers. This article is designed to cut through the fog of misinformation and manipulation with cold, hard facts. The proposal of legalization has been approached without carefully considering the negative impingement on a person's psyche, one's societal values, the impact on a person's health, and the detrimental effect on one's basic ethics and morals. When the issue of legalization is debated, the medical aspects are always the first factor that is brought into the light of day, while other imperative portions of the issue are left to lie in the dust. Though when it is looked upon, there are many aspects concerning marijuana that can be considered harmful. When marijuana is consumed, it is taken into the body and affects the brain directly, disabling it to think normally. When someone on a â€Å"high† is spoken to, they seem very relaxed and carefree. This, to some may be a positive effect but in reality has been thought of as a definite negative. Paranoia and panic invade the users mind, giving them an unreal perception of reality. Short-term memory, coordination, learning, and problem solving are all factors that negatively affect the brain. How can all these destructive ideas be good? How can the unpleasant possibly succumb and overtake the â€Å"supposed† positives†? Marijuana is a very potent chemical compared to other psychoactive drugs. All the effects listed previous are long term, damaging effects that an individual will be left with. If a person were to use marijuana for medicinal purposes, it can be proposed that in the short term it may be doing good, but in the long term, with all the side effects being left behind; the arguments in support outweigh the disadvantages. The damaging effects of this drug have short-term effects as well, that disturbs and contorts the minds thinking. Research shows that marijuana is not physically addictive, but it can be psychologically addictive. When a person believes he or she is addicted, the feeling stems into a higher usage causing a cycle of detrimental effects. Some short term effects that may be caused by the dangerous drug are problems with memory and learning, distorted perception, difficulty with thinking and problem solving, loss of coordination, increased heart rate, anxiety, paranoia and panic attacks. All these things clutter the mind causing chaos and can lead to dreadful occurrences. Staring at all the things that are able to happen to the mind psychologically, gives the understanding that just because it may be useful in one case does not mean it will be valuable in senses of the overall case. With this said, the question of legalizing marijuana comes into play. Looking at the facts laid out in front of you thus far, the conclusion of what to decide can be made easy. Ethics are defined as a set of principles concerning correct conduct and moral values. One must realize that every single person has a different interpretation of ethics. However, how can society conclude that legalizing marijuana is ethical? It stands to reason that if this behaviour is currently prohibited by law and follows with a severe punishment, it must be widely and clearly judged to be immoral. Canada is on the verge of facing a drug problem, and this problem extends towards all citizens. The children of today, the future leaders of our society will be open to drug usage because inevitably, marijuana smoking will be just as common as the smoking of cigarettes. And why will the government let children grow up in a legal drug-abusing world? Only for selfish and immoral reasons like money. The most potent question to ask is; if marijuana is legalized, is it really worth it to throw all known morals into the trash, and let children be nurtured in a drug filled society? Marijuana promotion is also unethical. If this drug is legalized it will also be promoted, maybe not directly but just the fact of legalization will affect the decisions of millions worldwide. Rules and regulations are what hold civilizations together. When rules are broken there is a certain shaking of the society in consequence of the broken rule. If marijuana is legalized, there will be no more rules to enforce the usage of the drug, thus slowly leading to a deterioration of society. To legalize or not to legalize? That is the question. A question that is running through many peoples' thoughts. The legalization of marijuana is a controversial debate that may never satisfy those in favour of it and against, in the end. Although the final decision is one made by the Ontario Government the impact the new law will have on society is heavily taken into consideration because of the influential role Marijuana has on our modern day society. The legalization of marijuana will have a negative impact on our society mainly because it becomes an invitation for children and adults to use the drug regularly. Children are not one to argue with what is legal, giving them an incentive to smoke marijuana as they do cigarettes negatively effecting their education and future. Although there are many children using marijuana, as it remains illegal, the difficulty of getting a hold of the drug and using it continues to be high. Some people argue that the legalization of this drug will increase the economic conditions of our nation not taking into account the increase in the number of people dependent on the drug. Thereby increasing the amount of money needed to run drug addiction programs, welfare for those who spend away their lifesavings on the drug and an increase for hospital beds and emergency rooms for those who get themselves overdosed or in a medical bind because of the drug. Where would the government find the time and money to support the needs and uses of marijuana? Through a social perspective the legalization of marijuana is detrimental to our society as it corrupts the lives of our children who are our future. When marijuana enters the bloodstream it acts significantly on the brain and the nervous system. Many physical effects take place such as; the heart rate is elevated from an average of 70 beats per minute to 130 or more due to the marijuana smoke containing carbon monoxide. This smoke impairs the oxygen carrying ability of the blood resulting in extra stress placed on the heart because it must work harder to move the blood throughout the body. Marijuana smoke also contains high amounts of tars and irritating chemicals, which damage the throat, windpipe, and lungs. Fungus infections have been found in 50% of marijuana smokers in a study at the University of Wisconsin. These infections (caused by aspergillis fungus) may lead to allergies or serious lung infections from inhaling the fungal spores into the lungs. In addition, marijuana also affects the body's system of fighting infection and its production of hormones, which control important body activities. You begin to have trouble with motor skills, walking, talking, and coordination. It is clear that there are many powerful and complicated immediate effects, which take place when marijuana is absorbed into the bloodstream. This leaves an individual unaware of his/her surroundings and actions, thus making them unfit to make decisions on their own. In addition, smoked marijuana contains more than four hundred different chemicals, including most of the hazardous chemicals found in tobacco smoke. However, a substance called Marinol has been developed for patients who suffer from diseases marijuana can ease. This substance has been studied and approved by the medical community and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the nation's watchdog over unsafe and harmful food and drug products. There are no FDA-approved medications that are smoked. Though many persistently argue that medicinal marijuana will relieve the pain of those who suffer from various diseases, it is clearly proven that they are wrong. In essence, marijuana does not need to be legalized for medicinal purposes. There is already an FDA approved drug being administered to those who need it. Legalization for even medicinal purposes will not drastically ease pain. Ironically, the smoking of this drug threatens to increase the health issues of these patients. Marijuana has often been touted as one of the safest recreational substances available. This is perhaps true. Nonetheless, It would be fallacious to conclude that because the chemicals in marijuana have been found to present fewer dangers than some very harmful substances, the medical or recreational use of marijuana is perfectly safe. In fact, it is simply ridiculous. These arguments and presumptions concerning the legalization of marijuana are more fictitious than a fairy tale. In fact, legalizing marijuana will cause a deterioration of one's health rather than restoring it. There is still a great deal of research to be done concerning the effects of marijuana on humans. This is due to the fact that widespread marijuana use has only become prevalent in this country within the last two or three decades. Therefore, the effects of long-term use are just beginning to become apparent. Should Marijuana be legalized? It is evident that many people who support this bill generally try to construct this horrid habit into something good. Psychologically, ethically, socially and medically, studies and debates are continually pointing a thumbs-down sign for the plan of marijuana legalization to be executed.

The Power of Power by James March

He explored factors that Influenced decision making, such as risk orientation, leadership and the ambiguity of the present and the past. March Is also known for the concept of ‘The Power of power. † March wrote â€Å"The Power of Power back in 1966. I believe that the point March is trying to make is quoted at the end of his article stating that â€Å"Power is a disappointing concept. It gives us surprisingly little purchase In reasonable models of complex systems of social choice. † (Classics Text by Sheriffs 2011, pig 318). March requires and can make effective use of such a concept.What March is trying to say is that power is too broad a concept for our empirical understanding at this point and until we can define every variable involved in the exercise of power, power cannot be empirically defined. The Oxford dictionary defines ‘power' as: The ability to make people (or things) do what they would not otherwise have done. Power is often classified into fi ve principal forms: force, persuasion, authority, coercion, and manipulation. March focused on a specific concept of power; which are used in theories that have the following general assumptions: 1.The choice mechanism involves certain basic components (individuals, groups, roles, behaviors, labels, etc. ). 2. Some amount of power is associated with each of these components. . The responsiveness (as measured by some direct empirical observation) of the mechanism to each individual component is monotone increasing with the power associated with the individual component. In the article, March starts out with the question: To what extent is one specific concept of power useful in the empirical analysis of mechanisms for social choice?March proposes the reader to take note of three variations of power to give a better idea of the uses of power that are being focused on. March then goes on to examine six different classes of models of social choice that are generally linked with hat at l east one substantial group of students means by ‘social power. ‘ March begins talking about three approaches by discussing the advantages and limitations of each approach when compared to the study of power used in . Recent efforts.The recent efforts were sought to illustrate the range of possible uses of the concept of power and its empirical capabilities: The three approaches are: experimental studies, community studies, and institutional studies. Experimental Conceptual Basis: The experimental studies of power are generally Newtonian. The studies are ultimately concerned with the power of one individual over another. Generally speaking, the greater the power of the individual, the greater the changes are induced, and the more successful the resistance to change.Procedures: Determine power by some a priori measure or experimental manipulation, use a relatively simple force model to generate hypotheses concerning differences in outcomes from different treatments, and co mpare the observed results with predicted results. Results: 1) This permits us to reject certain kinds of social choice models for certain kinds of situations because it allows us to vary power systematically or arbitrarily in an experimental setting (within limits). ) The effectiveness of a priori measurement is highly variable in producing behavior change. Community Conceptual basis: Typical community studies. Newtonian, two laws that define community study: 1 . Social choice will be a predictable extension of past choices unless power is exerted on the choice†¦ And 2. When power is exerted, the assumes that decisions made by the community are a function of the power exerted on the community by various power holders. The studies are analytical by observing the net effects of decision making by the individual.It's meaningful to aggregate resource power, position power, and skill power into a single variable. Procedures: Ask individuals in the community to rate the power of oth ers in the community or define a model relating power to decisions, observe, and estimate the power of the individual compared to the model. 1) Most people in most communities are essentially powerless. Latent control is rarely exercised. 2) Different individuals are powerful with respect to different things, but there are also general leaders.Institutional Conceptual basis: Systematic attempts to derive quantitative indices of power from n analysis of the structure of the institution to determine the power structure within them. Procedures: Construct an empirical index of power, make assumptions about the relation between the empirical and a priori measures, and test the consistency of the empirical results with the priori measures. Results: Riskier attempted to apply the basic Shapely-Suburb measure to the French assembly but was unsuccessful.The data didn't support the thesis and the approach was abandoned almost entirely. As noted earlier, March moves on to the six types of mode ls to evaluate the insistence of the models with available data and to consider the problem of power associated with them. Chance Models: Choice is random and independent of power. It fails because it relies on stability of power over time and subject matter. It cannot account for power derived from personal attributes. Models can have power manipulated resulting in systematic variations.The models are naive yet hard to completely reject. Basic Force Models: Empirical knowledge is easier to find here but they also assume stability of power and that power exerted equals total power, leaving no room for stored or unused power. Force Activation Models: Assumes that power is a potential for determinative action and that the exercise of power involves some method of activation. Empirical results for these models take you in circles when trying to make predictions. Force Conditioning Models: Assumes that apparent power leads to actual power. Success improves reputation, reputation improve s success. † People have power because they have been observed to have power. Models can't empirically account for connections to power. Force Depletion Models: Assumes that power is a resource, and when exercised, it is depleted. These models are the least useful of the three models. Process Models: Class of social choice systems in which power measurement will be unstable and useless. These models are too simple and an empirical understanding requires more variables.These models are sets of statements about the way in which individual choices are transformed into social choices and are used in hopes of deriving some empirically meaningful predictions. March refers to power as being a major explanatory concept in the study of social choice. He then goes on to say that power is used in studies of relations among nations, community decision making, business behavior, and small roof discussion; partly because it conveys overtones of cynicism of â€Å"Realistic† Realistic is defined as political realism, which refers to politics based on power and practical and material factors.March concludes his article by saying that the power of power depends on the extent to which a predictive model requires and can make effective use of such a concept. This depends on the type of system that is being confronted. March adds that power is probably a useful concept for many short term situations and that power is probably not a useful concept for long run situations involving problems of component overload and under comprehension. In summary, the concept of power has not filled the central role in the study of politics which many pioneers hoped it would.It has proved much easier to believe generally that politics is about power. I read on how March worked with frequently collaborated with Johan P. Olsen. One question I would like to ask is how was the experience of working alongside Olsen? Did you two often bump heads or were you always able to see eye to eye? Was it difficult teaming up against the strong individualism that underlies much political ND sociological theory; especially the view that institutions merely embody existing patterns of interest or group power?Youthfulness:http://www. Youth. Com/watch? Youth Overview: Speech given on September 7, 2011 at Stanford University. Dry. March highlights one of the most dangerous areas of institutional/personal bias drawing only from â€Å"Western constructs† in information-gathering and problem- definition. In an increasingly global and strategically dynamic world, this is suicide for many businesses. Wisped (Classics of Organizational Theory Text by Sheriffs, Tot, Gang 2011). Youthfulness:http://www. Youth. Com/watch?

Macroeconomics and Microeconomics difference Essay

Macroeconomics and Microeconomics difference - Essay Example Microeconomics deals with individual demand and supply of individual goods and services in the market. The law of demand states that as price increases, the quantity of goods demanded decreases other things held constant hence quantity demanded and price are inversely related. The law of supply on the other hand, states that as price increases the quantity of goods supplied increases other things held constant hence a positive relationship between quantities supplied and price. The magnitude of change in quantity demanded depends on price elasticity of demand and supply (Mankiw & Taylor, 2006). However, there are many factors besides price that affects the quantity of goods demanded and supplied leading to a change in demand or change in supply. A change in price causes movements along the demand and supply curve other factors held constant. Wessels (2006) argues that there are bound to be changes which affect demand or supply such us level of income and weather changes. The demand for a good or service is affected by the price of the good, income of household and the firm, wealth, tastes and preferences, price of other products, number of households demanding a good or service (Anderton, 2000). If the income increases, households have more purchasing power hence demand more goods and services thereby shifting the demand curve to the right and if income decreases, households reduce the demand for goods thus shifting the curve downwards. Same case applies to increase or decrease in the wealth of firms and households. However, it depends on the type of good or service. For an inferior good, an increase in income or wealth leads to decrease in quantity demanded of the good but for normal goods, an increase in income or wealth leads to more demand for the good (Beggs, 2011). Mankiw (2011) notes that a change in demand as a result of change in taste and preference or price of related products depends on the type of goods affected. For example, if a consu mer changes his/her preference from Pepsi to coke which are substitute goods, the demand for coke increases while demand for Pepsi decreases. For substitute goods, an increase in price of one good leads to an increase in quantity demanded of the other good. For example, if price of coke increases relative to the price of Pepsi, consumers shift demand from coke to Pepsi which serves the same purpose. For complimentary goods, an increase in price of one good leads to decrease in quantity demanded of the other good. Macroeconomics Macroeconomics deals with aggregate demand and aggregate supply in the economy. Aggregate demand comprises of; consumption, investment, government expenditure, exports and imports or the real national output (GDP). As Kyer and Maggs (1994) puts it, macroeconomics is not concerned with price elasticity, marginal costs and revenues as well as individual choices but rather government policies and the behaviour of the economy as a whole. The aggregate demand in t he economy is not affected by price but rather other factors such as; expectations of households, income, wealth, interest rates,

C.S Lewis The Screwtape Letters Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

C.S Lewis The Screwtape Letters - Research Paper Example The character of Screwtape in the book is one from the lower rungs of the bureaucracy of Hell, as he acts as a sort of mentor and tries to guide Wormwood towards adopting the path of temptation and sin which would eventually lead him to Hell. The book is made up of thrity one letters in which Screwtape delivers his expert advice to Wormwood, on how to engage in the most sinful of conducts, while trampling on his personal Christian faith and beliefs about humanity. (Green, Jordan) The book also takes place within the confines of a parallel universe in which both Wormwood and Screwtape survive because of the devil’s existence; in their world, doing wrong is seen is doing right – emotions like jealousy and greed are given importance over any kind of good anyone would do, and both the inner demons of Wormwood and Screwtapes’ minds do not conform to any kind of good done for the benefit of humanity. They are not even able to comprehend what doing such good pertains or consists of. According to C S Lewis, â€Å"There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.† (Lewis, C.S) Thus with the help of the Screwtape Letters, he is able to grasp the attention and minds of almost all kinds of believers of human faith and religion out there. With the help of this quote, Lewis tries to explain how man should not shut his mind to the kind of wrong that is being done in the world, or the kind of devils that exist in the form of sin, that eventually puts a person into trouble. However, at the same time, a man should also not believe in the existence of these devils to the extent of formulating a lifelong bond or relationship with them, in a manner that would eventually lead to the degradation of the person. This powerful satire written by the author is a take on the devils that persist in society, and how

Influences Affecting Consumers - Evaluating Basic Marketing Techniques Essay

Influences Affecting Consumers - Evaluating Basic Marketing Techniques - Essay Example The marketers use the trade mark James bond theme so that the people can actually identify the ads from the theme music itself. Stimulus generalization refers to the ability of the individuals to generalize the stimuli. This is mainly used by the smaller brands that mainly deal with â€Å"me too† products. This helps the marketers of the smaller brands to create association with the major brands leading to brand recall and awareness (Brown, 2009). Co-branding is being used by the marketers increasingly now days to develop awareness and stimulate sales. At the most basic level the businesses used this approach to suggest enhancement of the present product lines and on a more complex and sophisticated level co-branding also used to create and position a launch a new product. One of the prime examples could be Adidas and Polar Electro. Both Adidas and Polar Electro created project fusion that integrates heart rate, distance and speed monitoring product into the sports apparel. Apple and Nike developed Sports kit which is a wireless system that allows shows to talk to an iPod. One of the most important changes in the world of marketing has been the proliferation of the brand extensions. Managers mainly use brand extension under the assumption that the brand association such as the quality, ability, status and reliability would affect the extension. One of the major advantages of brand extension is the reduction of new product launch. By launching a new product under the brand name of an established brand helps the marketers as the product due to the established brand name would already have high degree of association. One of the major examples of brand extension is of Bisleri. Originally Bisleri used to be delivered in one little bottle, but recently Bisleri has shown a wave of innovations through extensions. The example above shows how Bisleri was able to add new product by using the concept of product line variation and brand extension. In this

Sociolinguistic case study on the linguistic rights of Serbs in Essay

Sociolinguistic case study on the linguistic rights of Serbs in Croatia - Essay Example It is the ability to speak in more than one language and to fully understand the communication patterns. Such occurrences have been enhanced by different factors such as; love for literature, geographical diversity and historical causes. Also, politics and psychological factors like seeking identity have contributed to linguistic diversity (International journal of the sociology of language 1974, 12). The homogeneity caused by languages influences genocide of other communities. This is the systematic destruction of a particular group of individuals based on their opinions or differences in either their religion race, or language. The study is to review the situation of the ethnic minorities by exploring the history of the area, the developments of languages and the current issues facing minorities in Croatia. Croatian, Hungarian and Serbian are the commonly used languages by the people of Croatia (Hogan and Wolff 2003, 122). Serbian and Croatian were sufficiently similar to be identi fied as Serbo-Croatian. However, during the war outbreak in 1991, Croatian was identified as the main language. In the census conducted in 2001 the minority groups were Serbs, Bosniaks, Italians, Hungarians, Albanians, Roma, Slovenes and Czechs just to name a few whose percentage ranged between 0.2 and 4.5 percent. Historically, the communities gathered in the same region through migration and there was a continuous ethnic tension among the Serbian and Croatian groups mostly being political. (Varennes 1996, 78).

Applied Econometrics Statistics Project Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Applied Econometrics - Statistics Project Example Q.3. (10) What does the sign of the estimate on ln area in model (2) tell you about the sign of the correlation between slave exports and the size of the country? Hint: think about omitted variable bias. Due to omitted variable bias, there will be a bias as the coefficient of In exports picks up the part of the influence of ln area that was correlated with In exports. The sign of the estimate on ln area in model (2) is positive telling us that the expected sign of the correlation between slave exports and the size of the country is also positive. In model 1, the value of R2 is given as 0.25 similarly in model 3, the value of R2 is given as 0.25 this shows no change in the value of R2 implying that the included variable (population) has no effect on the model; the variable is irrelevant. Q.6. (10) Note that the standard error on ln exports in model (2) is higher than the standard error on ln exports in model (1). Comment (in detail) on what information this provides you regarding the specification of Model (2). Q.7. (15) While the idea of Nunn is interesting, it is unlikely that slave exports alone can explain why economic output is so low amongst African countries. Consider population density in 1400 AD as an additional explanatory variable. Acemoglu, Johnson and Robinson (2002) have shown that population density has a positive impact on economic prosperity. Comment (in detail) on the impact of the omission of this variable from Nunn’s empirical model. Â  Each observation (variable) affects the fitted regression equation differently and has a different influence on each variable; this may result to what we term as omitted variable bias (OVB). OVB occurs when a model is created which incorrectly leaves out one or more important causal factors. The "bias" is created when the model compensates for the missing factor by over- or underestimating the effect