No Mo Accidents :: essays research papers

No More Accidents Bike helmet safety is a big problem in our society. People do not realize that a bike helmet to a biker is the same as a seat belt to a motorist. We as bikers need all the protection that we can get since we don’t have the tank-like protection of a ’88 Ford Tempo. So now I am going to tell you a story of a personal experience, the basics to a helmet and some statistics Even though bike helmets are designed to lessen the impact in one particular spot and disperse the force throughout the helmet. The helmet however is not the most safest thing to but in our society. Most manufactures today tend to make helmets that have a lot of holes and are made for fashion instead of for being a good helmet. The plastic coating on most helmets is there to prevent less friction when you are sliding down on your head. The air holes on the helmet provide better air flow and a fresh new style but they lessen the fact of the force upon impact will have less of a space to disperse the force into. Do not get me wrong all the bicycle helmets on the market pass at least the minimum of the standard. In Austrailia the market had to lower the standard of their helmets because they were soo expensive, so that people would buy their helmets. Being in a bike accident is a very tramatizing thing to go through. I went through several accidents, but one accident in particular knocked some sense into me about helmet safety. One summer morning I woke up like every other day. I did all the normal things one would do in the morning like taking a shower, eating breakfast and getting dressed. After I got myself all set up to go out for the day, I called up one of my friends to go do something. It was another one of San Francisco’s beautiful weather days so we decided to go bicycle riding and to play some basketball. So, then I start to head out of my house to get my bicycle ready for departure about 10am. Now I am on my way to my friends’ house. The first half of my ride was pretty basic, all it was just a nice cruise down hill. The second part however was not so much difficult as I just had to keep my eyes on the path. No Mo Accidents :: essays research papers No More Accidents Bike helmet safety is a big problem in our society. People do not realize that a bike helmet to a biker is the same as a seat belt to a motorist. We as bikers need all the protection that we can get since we don’t have the tank-like protection of a ’88 Ford Tempo. So now I am going to tell you a story of a personal experience, the basics to a helmet and some statistics Even though bike helmets are designed to lessen the impact in one particular spot and disperse the force throughout the helmet. The helmet however is not the most safest thing to but in our society. Most manufactures today tend to make helmets that have a lot of holes and are made for fashion instead of for being a good helmet. The plastic coating on most helmets is there to prevent less friction when you are sliding down on your head. The air holes on the helmet provide better air flow and a fresh new style but they lessen the fact of the force upon impact will have less of a space to disperse the force into. Do not get me wrong all the bicycle helmets on the market pass at least the minimum of the standard. In Austrailia the market had to lower the standard of their helmets because they were soo expensive, so that people would buy their helmets. Being in a bike accident is a very tramatizing thing to go through. I went through several accidents, but one accident in particular knocked some sense into me about helmet safety. One summer morning I woke up like every other day. I did all the normal things one would do in the morning like taking a shower, eating breakfast and getting dressed. After I got myself all set up to go out for the day, I called up one of my friends to go do something. It was another one of San Francisco’s beautiful weather days so we decided to go bicycle riding and to play some basketball. So, then I start to head out of my house to get my bicycle ready for departure about 10am. Now I am on my way to my friends’ house. The first half of my ride was pretty basic, all it was just a nice cruise down hill. The second part however was not so much difficult as I just had to keep my eyes on the path.

How Will Technology Influence Our Lives in Future Essay

Since times immemorial, scientists have invented thousands of technologies. Among them, television, wheel, mobile phone and computer have been of utmost benefit to us and have left a considerable impact on us. These have entirely revolutionized communication techniques, travelling ways and other aspects of human life. Today, our lives are much more cozier and technical compared to those in primitive times. Before speaking about the future, let us recount the various innovative technological wonders of the past which has made our lives today so comfortable. As mentioned above, the wheel is considered to be the greatest invention till date. Why? Can it even be considered as technology? The answer is definitely yes. Simply defined, technology is a man’s creation which can be implemented to make tasks easier. Imagine a world today without wheels! No cars and bikes to zap us around places, no conveyer belts in factories(resulting in heavy manual labour). Even to draw water out of the wells in some of our houses (we use pulleys which is derived from the wheel) would be a herculean task. Hard to imagine right? Communication technology is another major technological boon (bane in a very few ways). Remember the time of our ancestors where delivery of letters would take weeks, months even! Or before that, where messengers would travel on foot to convey messages. And now, where at the press of a button, any person in this whole wide world can be contacted. In a jiffy! Ok moving on. The world is so much advanced in technology as it is. Is there scope for more advancement in future? Of course there is! There is virtually no limit to advancement. So, what does the future hold for us in the technological aspect? I dare say anything because as I said, there is virtually no bounds within which technology can constrict itself. Already we have so many technological contraptions that are a blessing to people. The bionic limbs which make the handicapped as able as normal people. The time is not far where artificial life can be created. Robots helping the blind see, helping the lame to walk is not going to be just fiction in a few decades from now. Internet will find even larger application in future. I see advancement in our economical & social life. It’s reasonable to assume that as technology continues to accelerate, we can expect dramatic changes in the years and decades ahead. Most of us have come to take rapid technological improvement in the products and services we use for granted. But when technology has a broader impact on society and on the economy. In next 5-10 year there will be a big change in our earning style; where e-business will be a major part of our jobs. People will be earning 30-100% of their income from internet. These are not my statistics but from trusted sources from the economists from leading institutes. Saying this, it is apparent that technological advancement has become a boon to us. Or, HAS IT Is there a flip side to this that can affect us in an undesirable way? If you ask me, technology is a teo-edged sword to a certain extent. It has its cons. There are so many crimes happening these days. Some on such a large scale which is difficult to imagine. Technology has played a role in this aspect too. Internet crimes are increasing at an alarming rate. Burglars are making use of high-tech tools to break in, bank accounts are being hacked, people are being deceived online and the list goes on. This precisely is where the line should be drawn when it comes to technology. We should use it properly and with good intentions. For the good of the people. The â€Å"virtually no end† phrase holds good here also. When, at present times there is such misuse of technology, imagine what would happen in the future if not used properly? So there are no limits for the cons of technology also. Coming to â€Å"what should India do to stay ahead†. India has a low GDP and is not a world leader in terms of technology (though it is certainly up there). To get decent degrees, its students abroad where the degrees are reputable and valuable. To get to the top, I think there is a valuable lesson which can be learned from a region within our own country; Kerala. The GDP of Kerala is six times the national average, so they’re clearly doing something right. In Kerala, they encourage the education of women and offer better free healthcare and family planning. To improve their situation, India should probably reproduce this model across the country. Of course, there are other ways in which they could increase their GDP/capita, but this is probably the most appropriate. You’re probably wondering what that has to do with technology. I believe that if the GDP/capita increases sufficiently, there will be more interest in high-tech industry and consequently there will be more technological progress in India. This will inspire few of the players in the technology field from India to strive to be better than the other. The direct result of this will be India climbing two more rungs of the tech ladder. India should also improve the standards of the technical education being imparted in ALL INSTITUTES. Not only the IIT’s, NIT’s and IISc’s. The base for technical should be standardised. The students should be convinced that the education they will get in india is on par with foreign universities wth a high reputation. The budding engineers should be lured to work in india for the betterment of the country rather than loosing them to foreign lands. These are only few ways in which india can try and be ahead in the game. Much more simpler things like appreciation for the innovative minds that are working on technolgy can work wonders. Not only the government, but every citizen of india has a fair portion to contribute in helping india to be the world leader in technology. So lets do our bit.

Essay about The Positive and Negative Effects of Dna...

The Positive And Negative Effects of DNA Profiling Justin Broyles Apr. 12, 1995 Justice Theory Lance Miller Genetic engineering has developed and blossomed at a frightening rate in the last decade. Originating as merely an area of interest for scientists, genetic engineering has now become an area of which all people should be somewhat knowledgeable. DNA profiling has many uses, both positive and negative, in our society. Aside from its usefulness in many legal investigations, DNA profiling can be used in the workplace to discriminate against employees whose profiles could pose a financial risk. For example, genetic technology can and has been used to determine the capacity of a person to contract certain diseases, such as†¦show more content†¦Supposedly, the use of numerical codes will allow huge databases to search for a match of a individual DNA band. However, these matches are not 100 percent. This inconclusive correlation between DNA patterns has led to a heated debate which has culminated in federal court with Daubert vs. Merrel Dow Pharmaceuticals Inc. The ruling in the Daubert case said that the acceptance by the scientific community is not enough by itself to allow certain scientific techniques into court as evidence, especially given the reality that a suspects entire future could hang in the balance of a scientific finding. Many people have argued that the use of a national DNA database infringes on the individuals constitutional rights to privacy. However, law officials have claimed that the advantages this database presents for society supercede the individuals rights. This dilemma can easily be associated to the social contract presented by Thomas Hobbes. In this contract, Hobbes believed that each individual should give up certain individual rights in order to achieve protection from the whole. The forfeit of the right to privacy of ones DNA can thus be considered one of these forfeited rights. A person must weigh the advantages of having a past, present, or future criminals DNA profile on database with the disadvantages of having ones own. But the disadvantages will outweigh the advantages when private institutions developShow MoreRelatedEffects Of Temperature On The Quality Of Dna Extracted From Manila Envelopes1526 Words   |  7 PagesEffects of temperature on the quality of DNA extracted from Manila envelopes Research Proposal Janet Boateng November 15,2014 First draft Forensic Biology 5410 Abstract/summary: In the case of mail threat to an individual, it is possible that DNA evidence could be left by the perpetrator on the adhesive strip of a manila envelope. The process of delivery mail via U.S. Postal Services may take from 3-7 business days, with temperature factoring into the qualityRead MoreEthical and Legal Issues with DNA Profiling2693 Words   |  11 Pagesacidity (DNA) fingerprint scanning service is really a fundamental technique which is used all through the global communities every day. The procedure associated with DNA fingerprint scanning service was initially produced by the geneticist, Alec Jefferys, in the University of Leicester situated in England, in the year 1984 (as cited in Lampton, 1991). Both primary kinds of DNA utilized in the actual profiling procedure consist of mitochondrial as well as nuclear DNA (Adams, 2005). DNA fingerprintRead MoreShould Federal Agents Be Allowed For Collect Dna From Anyone Arrested?1228 Words   |  5 Pagesto collect DNA from anyon e arrested? This is a controversial issue. In my opinion, DNA is a very powerful and useful tool because many sex crimes go unsolved because of lack of evidence, but if federal agents can look in a database where DNA samples are stored and compare it to anyone who was arrested especially those who committed sex crimes more crimes would be solved. Many say DNA testing violates suspects rights under the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. DNA testing hasRead MorePCR Gel Electrophoresis Introduction Sickle cell anaemia is caused by a Single Nucleotide1200 Words   |  5 Pagesnormally throughout a person’s DNA. Most commonly, they are usually found in non-coding regions and have no effect on health. When a SNP occurs in a coding region, it may play a direct role in disease by affecting the gene’s function. This SNP for sickle cell anaemia produces the recognition sequence for a restriction enzyme, HindIII. Samples without the SNP (not carrying the disease) do not contain the recognition sequence, and are not cut. This allows the digested DNA fragments to be analysed byRead MoreEssay about Biotechnology: Definition of Genetic Transfer867 Words   |  4 Pagesinduce synthesis of the genes product: the desired gene may be microinjected directly into the cell or it may be inserted into the core of a virus by gene splicing and the virus allowed to infect the cell for replication of the gene in the cells DNA. What is selective breeding- 10. The intentional breeding of organisms with desirable trait in an attempt to produce offspring with similar desirable characteristics or with improved traits. What is cloning- 11Cloning is the process of creating geneticallyRead MoreThe Pros and Cons of DNA Profiling Essay2582 Words   |  11 PagesThe Positive And Negative Effects of DNA Profiling nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Genetic engineering has developed and blossomed at a frightening rate in the last decade. Originating as merely an area of interest for scientists, genetic engineering has now become an area of which all people should be somewhat knowledgeable. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;DNA profiling has many uses, both positive and negative, in our society. Aside from its usefulness in many legal investigations, DNA profilingRead MoreDna Mutations And Its Effects On Humans Essay1341 Words   |  6 PagesDNA Mutations Over a lifetime our DNA can undergo changes or ‘mutations’ in the sequence of bases; A, C, G and T. A mutation is a change that occurs in your DNA sequence, either due to mistakes when the DNA is being copied or as the result of environmental factors.Mutations are essential for evolution to occur because they increase genetic variation. Mutations can occur during DNA replication if errors are made and not corrected in time. The mutation can have a positive or negative affect on humansRead More The Implications of DNA Profiling Essay3166 Words   |  13 PagesThe Implications of DNA Profiling Former attorney General Janet Reno described our system of justice as a search for the truth.(1) Increasingly, the forensic use of DNA technology is an important ally in that search. DNA fingerprinting, better known in the scientific realm as DNA profiling, has given police and the courts a means of identifying the perpetrators of rapes and murders with a very high degree of confidence. However, nine years after its introduction, forensic DNA typing is still usedRead MoreThe Is The Uncontrolled Growth Of Blood Cancer New Zealand1609 Words   |  7 Pagesas blast cells. Immature blood cells have large nuclei and their DNA is loosely arranged. The cells start to mature and get smaller in size. At the same time, the nucleus in that cell also gets smaller. The nucleus occupies less space in the cell than before. DNA somehow becomes more organized than before. The cell passes through a couple of stages and reaches its final stage, reducing the size of the cell and nucleus as well. DNA is compacted and the cells are now called mature blood cells, whichRead MoreThe For The Advancement Of Human Reproduction Essay2567 Words   |  11 Pagesmanipulations as well as how evolution of humans will be affected through the manipulations. The two manipulations are: 1. Whole Organism Cloning using Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer, (SCNT.) 2. Embryo selection using Pre-implantation Genetic Profiling, (PGP.) SCNT Cloning by definition is the process of producing genetically identical individuals this can occur through many different artificial methods. However naturally it does occur during the formation of twins within humans and other animals

Top 10 Love Quotes from Shakespeare

As this  list of top 10 Shakespearean love quotes suggests, William  Shakespeare remains the world’s most romantic dramatist and poet. He is responsible for Romeo and Juliet and Sonnet 18, the greatest love story and poem ever written. Here are the top Shakespeare love quotes, from his plays and his memorable sonnet: Helena, A Midsummer Nights Dream   Act 1, Scene 1: Helena ponders how Demetrius, instead of falling for her, is becoming enamored of  Hermia: Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind,And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind. Romeo, Romeo and Juliet Act 1, Scene 4:  Romeo tells his friend Mercutio that he is sinking under loves heavy burden with Juliet: Is love a tender thing? it is too rough,Too rude, too boisterous, and it pricks like thorn. The Duke, Twelfth Night Act 1, Scene 1: The Duke addresses the court in his palace, comparing love to a beautiful tune being played by the court musicians: If music be the food of love, play on. Sonnet 18 This is the opening couplet of Bards famous poem in which he compares his lover to a beautiful spring day—and finds her superior: Shall I compare thee to a summers day?Thou art more lovely and more temperate. Olivia, Twelfth Night   Act 3, Scene 1: Olivia, a countess, is talking to Viola, who has disguised herself as a man and inadvertently attracted Olivias love: Love sought is good, but given unsought is better. Ferdinand, The Tempest Act 3, Scene 1: Ferdinand, whose party has crashed on an enchanted island,  is speaking with Miranda, who was marooned on the island 12 years before, as they fall in love amid magical trickery: Hear my soul speak:The very instant that I saw you, didMy heart fly to your service; there resides,to make me slave to it. Beatrice, Much Ado About Nothing   Act 4, Scene 1:  Beatrice addresses Benedick as they banter  while friends conspire to make them fall in love—and succeed: I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest. Portia, ​The Merchant of Venice   Act 3, Scene 2:  This is Portias convoluted way of saying Im all yours! to Bassanio, one of her suitors: One half of me is yours, the other half yours—Mine own, I would say; but if mine, then yours,And so all yours! Romeo, Romeo and Juliet Act 1, Scene 1: Romeo tells his cousin Benvolio about his love for an unnamed woman (Juliet) and how she has so far resisted his advances: Love is a smoke raised with the fume of sighs. Phebe, As You Like It   Act 3, Scene 5:  Phebe tries to tell Silvius that she doesnt love him, having instead fallen for Rosalind, who is disguised as a man named Ganymede. (Phebe is quoting from a poem by Christopher Marlowe; Shakespeare borrowed the line from Marlowes Hero and Leander.): Who ever loved that loved not at first sight?

The Odyssey And The Epic Of Gilgamesh Essay - 1193 Words

When it comes to the realm of epic poetry, and hero-like characters in literature, the two works The Odyssey and the Epic of Gilgamesh can be compared and contrasted in different ways. The Odyssey and the Epic of Gilgamesh can be compared as expressions of searches for the meaning of life through knowledge. The two stories are somewhat mirrors in this manner. Throughout each story, the characters Odysseus and Gilgamesh show growth and change. The Odyssey can be summed up by stating how the great warrior, Odysseus, is trying to return home to his wife and son after fighting an epic war. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, a partial god, by the name of Gilgamesh, faced retribution for poor leadership, but manages to redeem himself. In both the Odyssey and the Epic of Gilgamesh, both heroes are in search for the meaning of life. Both heroes want glory and everlasting fame. They want their name to last for eternity. It is important to notice the role that both characters play in these two lit eratures. They both heroes serve as connects between the gods and the mortals. Although both Odysseus and Gilgamesh are both mortals, they both were granted strengths. Odysseus has great mental strength and Gilgamesh has great physical strength. Both characters change throughout the story. As they gain more knowledge about life along the way, they eventually begin to discover their own meaning of life. In doing so, each Gilgamesh and Odysseus both change throughout their journey. ThereShow MoreRelatedThe Epic Of Gilgamesh And The Odyssey1636 Words   |  7 PagesThe Epic of Gilgamesh and the Odysseus both are poems that have since early times been viewed as stories that teach the reader valuable life lessons, almost like a self-help book in today’s society. They both teach a lot of the same general lessons but there are some key similarities and differences throughout both works. Such as perseverance, and the inevitability of death are both lessons that are taught in each poem but they are presented to the reader through different interpretations. In theRead MoreThe Epic Of Gilgamesh And The Odyssey Essay790 Words   |  4 Pagestaken by characters as a tool to exhibit the alteration of the character’s nature. Examples of such can be found in The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Odyssey. The journeys undertaken in The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Odyssey were transformative experiences for the characters in each and provided valuable cultural insights t o the audience. At the start of The Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh is the arrogant ruler of the city Uruk. He is obsessed with immortality, which can be seen in the description of himRead MoreThe Epic Of Gilgamesh And The Odyssey1765 Words   |  8 Pagesand how their values have been passed down and evolved over time. The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Odyssey are both considerable representations of not only their unique cultures that set the very foundation of both civilization and storytelling, but also for their similar and different aspects of what they considered to be a hero. The most familiar structure to mythological stories such as the Epic of Gilgamesh and The Odyssey is that of a â€Å"tragic plot†. A tragic plot is a perfect plot that is connectedRead MoreThe Epic Of Gilgamesh And The Odyssey888 Words   |  4 Pagesdifferent, it makes a comparison of Gilgamesh and Odysseus an interesting subject. Both stories, â€Å"The Epic of Gilgamesh† and â€Å"The Odyssey† identify the characters as successful warriors with many adventures to be told. Gilgamesh and Odysseus are human with many god-like qualities. Their perception of immortality, as well as regard for death and the influences of the gods in their lives and adventures, are similar; however, the characters are quite different. Gilgamesh was two-thirds God and one-thirdRead MoreThe Epic Of Gilgamesh And The Odyssey1487 Words   |  6 Pagesliterary pieces. In both the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Odyssey, water is used as a symbol that represents complex ideas, and it plays a significant role throughout both literary pieces. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, water is mainly used to symbolize life and death as well as rebirth or baptism. In several of Gilgamesh’s dreams water is used as a symbol that represents life. An example of this is when Gilgamesh and Enkidu journey into the forest to kill Humbaba. In one dream Gilgamesh dreams that Enkidu andRead MoreAnalysis Of The Epic Of Gilgamesh And Odyssey Essay1548 Words   |  7 Pagesmisogyny into stone. There are some exceptional cases in the famous epic poems, the Epic of Gilgamesh of the Sumerians and Akkadians and the Odyssey from Homer of the Greeks. We all can agree that these epic poems or at most the authors did not view women with our modern perspective – equality among gender. However, we cannot deny that female characters helped set the path of the epic heroes’ journey to their goals. In these epic poems, women are portrayed as figures and themes of knowledge, motherhoodRead MoreEssay on The Odyssey and the Epic of Gilgamesh84 7 Words   |  4 PagesThe Odyssey and The Epic of Gilgamesh (Similarities and Differences) Both The Odyssey and the Epic of Gilgamesh are two incredible stories written long ago everyone knows this but what a lot of people dont is that these two epics share many of the same concepts. Such as the nostro (the Greek term for homecoming), xenis (guest/host relationship), oikos (household), and aganoriss (recognition). In both epics these themes are illustrated. In The Odyssey the theme of nostro is very prevalentRead MoreThe Iliad, Odyssey, And Epic Of Gilgamesh1466 Words   |  6 PagesThe Iliad, Odyssey, and Epic of Gilgamesh all demonstrate the transformational process of their respective epic heroes through their strengths and weaknesses. Epic heroes such as Achilles, Odysseus, and Gilgamesh all possessed superior qualities that separated them from other individuals. Although their incredible abilities may support the societal perception of strong leadership, their weaknesses caused these characters to hold vices that went against the cultural expectations of what a strong leaderRead MoreThe Epic Of Gilgamesh, The Odyssey, And Beowulf854 Words   |  4 Pages Throughout the â€Å"Epic of Gilgamesh†, â€Å"Oedipus the King†, â€Å"The Odyssey†, and â€Å"Beowulf†, the readers notice how society defines each main character by their heroic characteristics, the relationship between the humans and the divine, a nd the differences of how each hero’s journey ends. Gilgamesh, Oedipus, Odysseus, and Beowulf display several characteristics classifying themselves as heroes. In the story of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh is â€Å"two-thirds divine and one-third human† (Gilgamesh, par 2). He displaysRead MoreSymbolism : The Epic Of Gilgamesh, And The Odyssey870 Words   |  4 PagesWhen it comes to texts such as The Epic of Gilgamesh, the Hebrew Bible, and The Odyssey, symbolism plays a major role in understanding a piece of literature’s true intentions. This would explain the abundance of distinct character features, exaggerated scenarios, and countless approaches to new, bigger problems in these tales. But one of the most favored approaches to symbolism and interpretations seems to be through the way of dreams. Due to their unpredictable nature, dreams allow authors to take

Columbus the Villain Essay Example For Students

Columbus the Villain Essay In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue. And, when he reached his destination he killed, raped and enslaved innocent natives. Was Columbus a villain? The answer to that question, in my opinion, would be yes. Christopher Columbus was a cruel, self-centered, delusional man who does not deserve to be praised for the discovery of America. First, Columbus was a cruel man who enslaved, raped, and murdered the natives of the countries he sailed to. According to an article by John Margolis entitled Goodbye Columbus, Columbus oversaw the killings of some (Indians) and ordered the enslavement of others. Margolis goes on to say that Columbus did not prevent his crewmen from raping the innocent natives, and even that he himself raped an Indian women after beating her with a piece of rope. If these actions do not constitute villainy, I dont know what does. Also, Columbus could be described as a self-centered and delusional man. His critics have described him as not a genius, but a stubborn ego maniac who convinced himself that the world was about 25 percent smaller than it actually is. Columbus believed that he was saving the souls of his captives and granting them eternal life by taking the natives out of their environment and shipping them back to Spain. He even went so far as to believe that he was getting personal messages from above. Columbus does not deserve to be praised for the discovery of America. In short, if he didnt do it, someone else would have within 10 years. He was not the only one who believed that the earth was round, and the ideas of similar voyages had been previously proposed. Christopher Columbus was a cruel, delusional, and self-centered man who does not deserve high praises for the discovery of America. He allowed the killing, rape, and enslavement of innocent natives. Columbus was an ego-maniac who believed that he was doing the natives favors by killing them. If he had not discovered America, it is believed that some other Europeans would have. As one can plainly see, Columbus was a true villain.

Mass Communication Essays - Communication, Journalistic Objectivity

Mass Communication Mass communications is one of the most popular college majors in the country, which perhaps reflects a belief in the importance of communications systems in society. The communications system, consisting of radio, television, film, newspapers and magazines, effects how we think, how we feel, and how we live. Therefore, we must ask ourselves, "Is media 'mere entertainment,' or are there serious side effects of the national preoccupation with the media?" Long-term exposure to the media has a tendency to influence the way we think about the world around us, but how? Since the printing of the first newspaper to the introduction of the Information Superhighway, society has been able to view itself objectively. The men and women who present media to us: radio personalities, news anchors, and actors included, are given the responsibility of showing us society as it is. Sometimes, it is argued, this task is not done adequately. And so, arises an issue: can objectivity and subjectivity in the media affect how we approach issues? And, more importantly, can the information presented affect the value system of a society? The media is so pervasive it is hard to believe they do not have important effects on society. Yet, many people do not believe that the media have personally influenced them or have harmed them. However, to attempt to understand how the media may shape the attitudes of individuals, and how they may shape culture itself, requires that we stand back from our personal experiences in order to analyze the arguments presented on each side of the debate. For example, some believe that it is very important to report serious, society-threatening news with total objectivity. If it is not reported in such a manner, an indirect inciting of the more radical audience can occur. In the September 1996 issue of the "American Journalism Review," Sherry Ricchiardi responded to powerful reporting by Christian Amanpour on Serb atrocities in Bosnia. Some observers questioned the decency of the reporter's approach of support in coverage of these war-torn regions. Ricchiardi explained that correspondents must walk a fine line between subjectivity and objectivity in the quest to depict situations as neutrally, yet as meaningfully, as possible. Another example of subjectivity in the media and its effect on society is easily viewed in a recent incident in Rochester, New York. When a controversial biographer visited the University of Rochester to discuss his book on Mother Teresa and present his negative views on her compassionate legacy, a local newspaper responded with counteracting religious reactions and by "furnishing nothing of substance to an inevitably hostile audience." This, in turn, created a community outrage that might not have, otherwise, occurred. In an article entitled Journalists or Defenders of Faith? John H. Summers argued that the newspaper's biased approach to the speaker's visit was not representative of a healthy democracy which "demands journalistic integrity and intellegence." Some may argue that the newspaper's behavior was, in effect, a perpetration of libel. The Sullivan Rule, decided upon by the Supreme Court in New York Times v. Sullivan (1964), protects common man from libel and slander. The court held that the First Amendment protects the publication of all statements, even false ones, about the conduct of public officials except when statements are made with actual malevolence. As mentioned above, the First Amendment is the support system of the media. It simply states that "congress shall pass no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech." Equally important is its statement concerning freedom of the press, stating that "the liberty of the press . . . consists in laying no previous restraints upon publications, and not in freedom from censure for criminal matter when published." However, these statements cannot prevent the media from allowing entertainment to take precedence over "vital" news information. Choices such as these are said to have an effect on society's view of the world and its events. For instance, tabloids work hard to convince society that celebrity lifestyles, private information, and outrageous tales are important in today's culture. Because headlines such as "Monica's Own Story - Affair started after I flashed my sexy underwear," have boosted sales, more traditional newspapers have turned their attention to similar events. Many believe that it is ethically wrong to ignore real news in favor of celebrity gossip. It can be detrimental to the intelligence of the public to "dumb down" the news for the sake of ratings. And it seems, day by day, that ratings take total precedence in the media. Television programming is a significant example of rating precedence. Much of the population