Evaluating The Future Of Medicine - 1508 Words

Where do you think the future of medicine will be in the next decade? With diseases and illnesses advancing, technology has been improving and advanced innovative ways have been surfacing. Something that has modernized our way of life without even realizing it is a printer. Did you ever foresee that printers could do other than put ink on a piece of paper? Three-dimensional printing is revolutionizing our modern day lives as we speak. Although there are several types of 3D printing, one version that has caught the public’s attention is 3D medical printing, or also known as bio printing. 3D medical printing will revolutionize the medical field and makes lives easier. This emerging technology will enable future 3D printers to produce†¦show more content†¦NASA launched a 3D Printing machine towards the International Space Station to develop parts in zero gravity, which will aid in future innovations in Astronomy. This new technology produced by NASA is one of the best upheavals that have occurred in that field. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory has built a complete car body through 3D Printing. The car took less than twenty hours to print. Although the car model is not permitted for use and its sole purpose is to be a model for upcoming inventions, this will significantly decrease the cost of cars in the future when we will be able to drive 3D printed vehicles. In 2014, the first 3D printed skull as successfully implanted in a woman. Doctors in the Netherlands reported that they have for the first time successfully replaced most of a human skull with a 3D printed plastic one and saved someone’s life in the process. The surgery lasted 23 long hours and took place at the University Medical Center Utrecht. The patient suffered from severe headaches due to a thickening of her skull. Due to this condition, she slowly lost her vision and her motor coordination was suffering. Usually in brain surgery the doctors temporarily remove pa rt of the skull to reduce pressure, but later on put it back or replace by an artificial implant. In this groundbreaking case, doctors inserted an entire plastic skill that was manufactured with the help of an Australian medical device company that

Stumbling on Happiness Essay - 1160 Words

What is Happiness? People travel through life with what seems like a single goal: to be happy. This may seem like a selfish way to live, however this lone objective is the motivation behind nearly all actions. Even seemingly selfless deeds make people feel better about themselves. That warm feeling experienced while doing charitable acts can be described as happiness. But what is authentic happiness? There is an endless possibility of answers to this question, and man seems to be always searching for the solution. Although one may reach his or her goals, there is always still something one strives for in order to be happy. In the book Stumbling on Happiness, Harvard psychologist Daniel Gilbert takes the reader through†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"When people find it easy to imagine an event, they overestimate the likelihood that it will actually occur† (Gilbert, 2006, p.19.) Gilbert explains that this causes us to be overoptimistic about our futures and thus changes what we do in order t o be happy. Young people imagine traveling the world, starting a successful business or becoming a star. Later on in one’s life they may realize that they do not have the funds to travel the world, the talent to become a star, or even the desire to start their own business. Perhaps they come to the conclusion that they would be happier starting a family or writing a book. Humans have an undeniable want to control. The reason somebody imagines the future is so they can do something about it (Gilbert, 2006, p. 21.) We imagine a future better than today so we can take the actions necessary to get to the better tomorrow. I imagined college being a whole lot better than high school. The freedom and the separation from my parents was something I wanted. So in order to get here I studied hard in high school, strove for a good ACT score, and applied to universities. The actions I took in high school were in order to control the future. Gilbert answers the question of â€Å"Why shou ld we want to control our futures?† â€Å"It feels good to do so-period. Impact is rewarding. Mattering makes us happy. The act of steering one’s boat down the river of time is a source of pleasure, regardless of one’s port of call† (Gilbert,Show MoreRelatedThe Nature Of Happiness By Daniel Gilbert1501 Words   |  7 Pagesguessed Stumbling on Happiness by Daniel Gilbert is all about what makes people happy, how to make people happy, and why people feel happy in certain situations. This assumption is correct, but Gilbert digs much deeper than these three simple questions. He discusses the nature of happiness and explains the many, many psychological illusions that alter our perception of happiness. Gilbert focuses on why happiness is so difficult to measure and why many people have bias views regarding happiness. AfterRead MoreLove For The First Time1513 Words   |  7 Pagesourselves it does with the people around us. You can’t predict how ot hers will feel or how to make them feel because every single person is different. Which make Stumbling On Happiness by Daniel Gilbert an extremely valuable book because it shows the errors our brains made and because of it, we are always going to stumble to the way of happiness. Most of us spend so much time of our lives thinking about the future just to realize what we wanted isn’t what we thought it would be. Sometimes we ask ourselvesRead MoreEssay on Use of Symbolism in Chopin’s The Awakening740 Words   |  3 PagesUse of Symbolism in Chopin’s The Awakening --Passage from Chapter X, pgs. 49-50 â€Å"But that night she was like the little tottering, stumbling, clutching child, who all of a sudden realizes its powers, and walks for the first time alone, boldly and with over-confidence. She could have shouted for joy. She did shout for joy, as with a sweeping stroke or two she lifted her body to the surface of the water. A feeling of exultation overtook her, as if some power of significant import had been givenRead MoreAn Analysis of The Pursuit of Happiness752 Words   |  3 Pagesclear; an executive from Dean Witter living in a luxurious house while Gardner and the other homeless people are waiting for a chance to have a bed to sleep in for one night. This film accurately depicts Chis struggle for the better only to meet a stumbling block which sets him back. The film also illustrates the structural conditions that continue to make it more likely that certain groups in the society will struggle for a living wage. Despite the problems faced, Gardner strives to be a goal-orientedRead MoreMarriage and Happiness1299 Words   |  6 Pages Humans are in search of two things: love and happiness. Whether it is from kids or significant others, people strive to reach feelings of connection in fear of being alone. In Gilbert’s, â€Å"Does Fatherhood Make You Happy?† and Crittenden’s, â€Å"About Love,† the authors question the roots of personal happiness. By comparing and contrasting Daniel Gilbert and Danielle Crittenden, it can be concluded that oneself does not solely determine happiness. The presence of children and significant others serveRead MoreVoluntaryly Childless Couples889 Words   |  4 Pagesfeel like whenever they feel like. Their life becomes centered on their child. They feel constricted and eventually become unhappy and regretful. When comparing married couples with and without children, happiness plays a significant role. For example, various studies showed that marital happiness drastically decrease when there is a child in the picture and does not come back until the child has left the house. Satisfaction in a marriage can plummet after a child is born. In Nomaguchi Milkie (2003)Read MoreThe Meaning Of My Life Essay1019 Words   |  5 Pagesthe movie Into The Wild, Chris said, â€Å"Happiness is only real when shared.† I feel that the true meaning to this is that when the people around you are truly happy then this is when your happiness becomes real, so will continue to share my happiness with those around me. Robyn Davidson said in the move Tracks ,â€Å"To be free is to learn, to test yourself constantly, to gamble. It is not safe. I had learnt to use my fears as stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks.† People are so afraid of takingRead MoreMoney: Power or Happiness?879 Words   |  4 Pagesmost powerful. Poor people were not considered very significant simply because they were unlike the rich. While wealth was desirable it wasn’t always worth having because money cannot buy happiness. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby reflexes this idea that money, although seen as power, cannot resemble happiness. In the book, many of the characters think their lives are more significant because they are wealthy. Daisy Buchanan is in a marriage money instead of for love. Although she did not haveRead MoreLove After Love : Love After Love By Derek Wallcott789 Words   |  4 Pagesyourself† (Walcott). I was convinced that no words have ever struck the heart of a ny person with more gravity, than those words did to me in that moment. It seemed as if I had found the holy grail, the gift of life, and my own personal key to happiness. Happiness, which I had not felt in a very long time. A slow, but necessary discovery of self-love began to take place from that day forward, and I began to learn that because I had not been accepting of who I was, impacted the people around me as wellRead MoreCanadas Current Economic Situation1285 Words   |  6 Pageseconomics, measures of life, liberty, and happiness are described by analyzing the macro economy. In the study of human happiness, three factors are known to contribute the happiness of people which includes demographic traits, economic factors, and political factors.(p. 18) Certain governments have separate policies regarding inflation and unemployment. These political factors are related to economic factors which can ultimately determine the happiness of the general population.(p. 20) Chapter 3

I Too by Langston Hughes vs One Song America Before I Go...

Alexander Tharpe English 1102 Dr. Wurz 29 September 2013 Originality and Nationality One of the most disturbing things in today’s culture is a loss of originality and nationality. People are no longer proud to be Americans and instead of pushing for new heights people follow in the footsteps of others. People today need heir sense of self back and need to start taking pride in what they do and where they’re from. In â€Å"One Song, America, Before I Go† by Walt Whitman and â€Å"I Too† by Langston Hughes, the speakers celebrated the concepts of individuality, originality, and nationality. People of all kinds are influenced by their everyday life and it shows in their work. Walt Whitman is no exception to this rule. Whitman was born in 1819†¦show more content†¦I think he is saying that not only will there always be the Grand Canyon and the crystal clear beaches but the fertile land will last seemingly forever and bring great things to America for centuries to come. He backs up this idea when he sings, à ¢â‚¬Å"I’d sing o’er all the rest, with trumpet sounds / For thee- the Future† (Whitman Lines 2-3). I believe he is saying he wants to get up and sing for the future because he knows what wonderful things it should hold. Finally Whitman backs up everything he’s stated by saying â€Å"Belief I sing† which shows that he actually does believe in what he is saying. Just as Walt Whitman’s literature was influenced by what he experienced in life, Langston Hughes’ literature shows direct relationships with what he was going through in his everyday life. While racism may have shaped Hughes’ everyday life, Walt Whitman shaped Hughes as we know him today. Walt Whitman and Langston Hughes have a connection that not many people come to realize. It is obvious that Langston Hughes stood for equal rights but it’s commonly overlooked that Whitman stood his ground for equal rights as well. Whitman commonly voiced his strong opinions on abo lishing slavery and promoting equal rights for all men. I believe this played at least a small role in some of Hughes’ poems and stories in his lifetime. Even though Langston Hughes was born during troubling times in

Analysis Of The Movie The Leprechaun - 858 Words

Mark Jones’ â€Å"The Leprechaun† movie features a well-dressed Leprechaun with a gold buckled top hat, velvet green suit, and polished black shoes, also adorned with gold buckles. Underneath this ensemble is a beast with grimy skin, sharp, dirty nails, and rotten teeth. Jones portrays the Leprechaun to be a greedy and conniving little monster who will seek and destroy anyone who gets in the way between him and his precious gold. This is much like George W. Bush and his so-called war on Iraq. This is a man who to the normal eye appears to be well groomed and trust-worthy but in all actuality instilled fear in the American people and was driven by greed. The war on Iraq was in response to the imminent threat of Saddam Hussein’s weapons of mass destruction and ties to terrorism as reported by the United States government, or that’s what the citizens of the United States were told by George W. Bush. He told the world that the Iraq war was a war on terrorism f ollowing the September 11 attack of the World Trade Center in New York City. At some point during the war, Bush thought he could make a deal with Hussein that included allowing Hussein to stay in power in exchange for oil drilling rights for the United States. This was because Bush knew that if Saddam Hussein were to sign with members of the United Nations on oil drilling rights, the United States would lose all power to Iraq’s oil. â€Å"If those sanctions were removed while Saddam Hussein was still in power, companies from all of

Reread Prayer Before Birth by Louis Macneice Essay Example For Students

Reread Prayer Before Birth by Louis Macneice Essay The title itself, using the word prayer shows that the baby is trying to get help for something which troubles him- which raises a question; why would a soon-to-be born fetus that has its whole life strewn in front of it be despairing? Shouldnt it be preparing to enjoy that experience? The first line reveals what the fetus is afraid of: O hear me. Let not the bloodsucking bat or the rat of the stoat or the club-footed ghoul come near me The use of O hear me. and Let not seem to be a demand, emphasizing the fetus erasers- it is pleading to be protected from the threats of the bat, rat, stoat and ghoul. These creatures dont seem to be meant in literal form- creatures such as these do not pose a major threat to todays children. Rather, they seem to be used figuratively, as these creatures are associated with disease. They are also frequently the subject of childrens nightmares. The use of club-footed ghoul especially is a strong use of imagery, as the word ghoul implies a diseased, flesh-eating and dismembered monster. Also, the internal rhyme used by rat, bat and stoat emphasizes these dangers- they become more apparent. This first stanza shows that the fetus believes the world to be full of disease and suffering. The poem then proceeds in a much similar technique- each stanza devotes itself to a particular danger the fetus wishes itself to be protected against in the world. Stanza two talks about the how humans themselves can use torture, imprisonment and manipulation. Stanza three, the only positive paragraph in the poem talks about freedom and conscience, and that in these times. Four discusses the sin that the fetus will eventually make as he grows up which the world forces him to, and five amperes life to a tragic play. All of these together, ask for forgiveness and protection against the eventual crimes that will be committed against and by the fetus in its life, in the brutal and corrupting world. The sixth stanza is particularly strong, though short: Let not the man who is beast or who thinks he is God come near me The importance of the stanza is shown by its length. It is obvious Immanence wishes us to focus on this particular section- he may consider this the most dangerous and threatening force against the fetus. The use of beast is very strong, considering that Immanence is talking about a human being here- the suggestion of a human combined with a beast brings up an image of the devil. Thus, Immanence warns us of human beings with evil intent The second part, who thinks he is God may have double meaning- Firstly, this may have meant genetic engineering, how scientist who play god with genetics could possibly euthanize people- however, considering that Immanence lived in the early twentieth century this was probably not his intention. More likely he would have meant tyrants, dictators such as Hitler or Stalin who ruled like gods over their respective populations. Immanence reinforces the image by using God as a religious notion- especially to tell us how corrupt this world is, as shown by how these dictators were worshipped instead of proper religion such as Christianity. The final stanza offers another chilling introspective at the fetus fears: Let them not make a stone and let them not spill me. Otherwise kill me Immanence tries to convince the audience to protect the baby, and concludes so in a plea to protect the baby against the two main dangers posed in the poem. stone is used as a image for monotony, describing the fear of not becoming a unique person ND forced to become Just another cog in a machine. The use of spill me is used metaphorically as a image for the destruction of the mind, and how it is a fragile thing that can easily be damaged or wasted by the brutality of the world. .u5399b8190ca7e0ccf58ff1b634a04c1c , .u5399b8190ca7e0ccf58ff1b634a04c1c .postImageUrl , .u5399b8190ca7e0ccf58ff1b634a04c1c .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u5399b8190ca7e0ccf58ff1b634a04c1c , .u5399b8190ca7e0ccf58ff1b634a04c1c:hover , .u5399b8190ca7e0ccf58ff1b634a04c1c:visited , .u5399b8190ca7e0ccf58ff1b634a04c1c:active { border:0!important; } .u5399b8190ca7e0ccf58ff1b634a04c1c .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u5399b8190ca7e0ccf58ff1b634a04c1c { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u5399b8190ca7e0ccf58ff1b634a04c1c:active , .u5399b8190ca7e0ccf58ff1b634a04c1c:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u5399b8190ca7e0ccf58ff1b634a04c1c .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u5399b8190ca7e0ccf58ff1b634a04c1c .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u5399b8190ca7e0ccf58ff1b634a04c1c .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u5399b8190ca7e0ccf58ff1b634a04c1c .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u5399b8190ca7e0ccf58ff1b634a04c1c:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u5399b8190ca7e0ccf58ff1b634a04c1c .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u5399b8190ca7e0ccf58ff1b634a04c1c .u5399b8190ca7e0ccf58ff1b634a04c1c-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u5399b8190ca7e0ccf58ff1b634a04c1c:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Poetry connected to moments in life EssayThe last line is the most resounding in the poem. Kill by itself is a very strong word to use, and its consonance adds to its harshness. But whats especially significant is that the fetus itself is asking to be killed if it is not protected from harms way. Immanence wants us to think how brutal and corrupt the world is by showing that an unborn baby is willing to be killed if it is not protected from outside forces. What can be noticed clearly is the structure of the poem. Stanzas are irregular, generally increasing in length but sometimes suddenly shortened. These shorter stanzas are made to be more empathetic and focused, and thus Immanence has made them to be the most important factors which the fetus needs to be protected against. However, the structure may run deeper than that. The poem seemingly resembles the fetus speech: His prayer of protection gradually increases in confidence as the Tanana become longer, but stumbles somewhat during those shorter lines. It shows how the fetus is devoted to his cause and quest against the brutality of the world. Thus we can see that Immanence conveys the brutality and corruption of the world through several methods, but most importantly through an unborn baby. Immanence wants us to think about the world- he has systematically listed some of the events and things that are bad with the world. Immanence wants us to ask ourselves this striking question: If we cannot guarantee the safety and well-being of our next generation, should we kill them?

Punishment Philosophies free essay sample

The processes by which justice is applied are determined largely by proposed punishment philosophies. These express various concerns and arguments regarding appropriate sentencing and treatment. The philosophy of rehabilitation dominates the proceedings of juvenile courts, and is heavily scrutinized at an adult level, or when the criminal behavior of juveniles continues to accelerate, but when successful is most beneficial for society. The appeals process advances the fair practice of law, helps ensure the rights of due process, and continues to clarify and define justice and the law.Punishment Philosophies The universality of justice is a predominant concern of any nation that strives for true democracy, and in the U. S. , this pursuit is largely undertaken in the court system. If the general basis for an action to constitute a crime lies in the willful and unsanctioned dispossession of anothers life, liberty, or property, then the punitive power of the state to deprive the transgressor of these same rights, in the name of justice, must be exacted with a similar degree of concern. To this end, a variety of punishment philosophies, giving differing weight to the interests of victims, criminals, and society, have developed to clarify the notion, and to influence the practice of justice. While the philosophies of deterrence, rehabilitation, incapacitation, retribution, and restoration can be perceived to prioritize the considerations of victims and society, the handling of youth offenders in juvenile courts, as well as the appellate process, are expressions of consideration for the accused. It is largely agreed upon that punishment for the sole purpose of vengeance is detrimental to the ideals of justice and civility.Sentencing Considerations Sentencing for a crime is contingent upon numerous factors, which involve societal values, precedents, and individual judicial discretion; criminal statutes that vary by state and at a federal level set standard punishments for specific offenses, predominantly based on seriousness and criminal history. Sentencing guidelines, which are a reflection of political climate, social concerns, and punishment philosophies, have been criticized as a factor in prison overpopulation, and for being incompatible with a restorative punishment philosophy.The benefit of these guidelines, however, is that they encourage uniformity in the application of punishment, eliminating discrepancies that could arise as a result of judicial discretion, provide increased predictability for better resource management, and allow communities to focus punitive efforts on the areas of crime that most concern them, ideally reducing the sociological impacts of specific types of crime.For some offense, compulsory sentencing establishes a mandatory minimum incarceration period, which, if supplemented by the policy of truth-in-sentencing, ensures that an offender serve no less than this nondiscretionary requirement. Aside from these, most sentencing is determined through judicial discretion, derived from subscribed precedents, considerations of mitigating factors, and community standards. Overlying all sentencing are the ideological concerns expressed through influential punishment philosophies (Lubitz ; Ross, 2001). PhilosophiesPunishment philosophies represent opinions as to what degree and form of punishment is appropriate, how and to whom it is beneficial, and what is represented in terms of societal values. Because the courts have the power to deprive an offender of property, through fines, seizures, and restitution, liberty, through incarceration, mandatory treatment facilities, and court-ordered service programs, and even life, through the most severe form of punishment, the death penalty, it is imperative that some justification be provided to a society whose sophistication and dignity are thereby judged.While ideology of retribution remains a significant philosophical view in the assessments of applied justice, many would agree that its antiquated eye for an eye approach has little place in civilized discussions of progressive ethics, despite the apparent, i mmediate restoration of moral equilibrium (Grant ; Meyer, 2003). One of the most widely applicable philosophies is deterrence, which is the concept that the threat of punishment should prevent criminal activity.Deterrence can be experienced in one of two ways; the first is specific deterrence, which occurs when an offender becomes less likely to reoffend as a result of punishment that he or she has undergone, while the second, more preferable form is through general deterrence, by which individuals abstain from criminal activity due to the recognition that others have been correspondingly punished. The psychological effectiveness of deterrence largely depends upon three factors: Celerity, severity, and certainty. The celerity, or swiftness with which punishment is imposed, is critical in the sense that individuals are inherently less likely to be concerned with negative consequences that will be experienced at a more distant time. Essentially, the immediate benefit of a crime is perceived to be more real than those future consequences. Related to this is the certainty or likelihood of punishment; if types of crimes are perceived to go largely undetected or unpunished, the potential deterrence is diminished.Severity, or degree of punishment, can have a negative impact at either extreme; a penalty that is not severe enough would fail to outweigh the benefit of the transgression while a penalty that is excessively harsh might prevent a jury from convicting an offender. Because the death penalty is such an extreme form of punishment, prosecutors must carefully consider a jurys potential reluctance to convict if it is a probable outcome (Grant Meyer, 2003).A more successful argument, with regard to capital- and other severe crimes, is incapacitation, which promotes the safety of society through incarceration of offenders. Proponents of the death penalty would maintain that it is the only version of incapacitation that ensures protection from the most dangerous offenders. Prisons and jails also serve to incapacitate criminals, thus insulating the public during periods of incarceration, while intensive supervision and treatment facilities also serve this function to a lesser degree.Perhaps more progressive are the philosophies of restoration, which focuses on the victim and society by allowing an offender to restore balance through compensation to the victim or society by paying fees, restitution, serving jail time, or performing community service, and rehabilitation, which focuses on the offender and his/her relationship to society.The idea that sentencing and incarceration should be rehabilitative has stimulated early release programs, usually through parole boards, for imprisoned offenders who exhibit positive behavior, participate in treatment programs, inside and outside of prison, and pursue higher levels of education while incarcerated (Grant Meyer, 2003). Juvenile Justice The rehabilitation philosophy may have its most significant impact on t he proceedings of juvenile courts, which can handle cases involving youth offenders under the age of eighteen.It is a tenet of the juvenile justice system that young offenders are often malleable enough to be rehabilitated before the momentum of criminal behavior leads them to increasingly severe crimes and adult institutions. Offenders younger than eighteen may be tried as adults, however, based on statutory exclusion, in which specific legislation allows for this based on age and/or degree of violation, judicial waiver, during which certain due process protections must be granted, including the right to a jury trial, or concurrent jurisdiction, in which the prosecutor has the option of trying an offender as an adult.If it is concluded that the case should be heard in a juvenile court, ideally the focus should be less on accountability and more on behavioral causes and reformation (Henning, 2009). Appellate Process Another aspect of the criminal justice system that can significantly address the concerns of the accused is the appeals process. Appeals, which are granted by statutory provision, are petitions for review of the legality of a lower courts judgment by an appellate court that must be petitioned for by a party with a legally-recognizable interest in the case.The appeals process is a safeguard against violations of due process, which must relate to substantive or procedural issues in which the law has been improperly applied or legal procedures have been improperly followed. Generally, an issue must have been raised during the trial and apply to the final decision for an appellate court to hear the case, for which the appellant bears the burden of proof. Appeals must be made to the appropriate court, in ascending hierarchy, of which the U. S.Supreme Court is supreme in federal cases, or state cases that concern a constitutional issue, but only after all state level ave nues have been exhausted. The right of judicial review is granted to supreme courts, allowing them to rule on the constitutionality of legislative, executive, and lower judicial decisions that have been challenged, also the precedents set by appellate courts are binding to the lower courts within their jurisdictions, and the decisions of federal courts, with regard to constitutional issues, are usually binding on state courts.Not only is the appeals process important to convicted individuals who may have their judgments remanded or reversed based on new technologies, legal issues, or shifts in societal values, but it is also responsible for shaping and clarifying points of law, which then becomes part of the legal landscape (Grant ; Meyer, 2003). Conclusion The pursuit of justice is the pursuit of greater equality through the elimination of victimization at all levels.The punishment of those who victimize others is an agenda whose moral implications are confronted through a variety of applicable philosophies that should take into account the greater good of society, the concerns of the victim, and the rights of the accused. Though preference is traditionally given to the victim and society, the implications of stripping the accused of unalienable rights must be given due consideration.The strength of utilitarian and qualitative arguments must be considered alongside those of individual rights and the potential for rehabilitation. Though the appeals process may sometimes result in suspensions of justice, it helps to guarantee protection against victimization at the hands of the justice system. The severity of sentencing demands continued examination however, as new DNA evidence and writs of habeas corpus are of little comfort to exonerated corpses.

Rape Simulator Video Games and Democracy Essay Example

Rape Simulator Video Games and Democracy Paper Is the rape simulator video game good or bad for democracy? Throughout human history violent forms of entertainment have existed alongside refined ones. In Ancient Rome, for example, when modern mediums of entertainment such as Television, video games, etc did not exist, gladiator fights were a popular pass-time. This prompted Saint Augustine to note that not only did people liked violence as passive spectators, but it has also induced in them a ‘fascination for blood’. Today, such violence-ridden games like gladiator fights are forbidden by law and social norms. But the ‘fascination for blood’, apparently inherent to human nature, is exploited by movie makers and video-game manufacturers. The movie titled Gladiator, starring Russell Crowe, is one example of this phenomenon; the controversial rape simulator video game produced in Japan is another key example. While the former is legally permitted and is accepted by mainstream audiences and commentators, the latter has not gained approval on both legal and ethi cal grounds. The game has been banned in the United States due to its perverse and obscene nature. For instance, players earn points for acts of sexual violence, including following girls (mostlty wearing highschool outfit), raping virgins and their mothers, and then forcing them to have abortions. (Moses, 2010) The public debate that the game has spurred has expanded beyond its utility, value, etc, to broader considerations such as its effect on the health of democracy. The rest of this essay will support the view that videogames such a Rape Simulator are not only hazardous for the players and the societies they inhabit, but their negative effects pervade to undermine democratic processes and institutions of a country. According to Aristotle’s theory of Catharsis, people release their violent pulsation by seeing them portrayed by other agents/actors. This way the pent up frustration is released, which could otherwise lead to violent behavior. Applying this theory to the video-game in question, one could deduce that playing the game will reduce the actual number of incidents of rape in society, for the real is substituted by the simulated. (End Violence Against Women, 2010) But actual facts are not consistent with the theory, as proved by scholar S.Feshback. He took 625 junior high school boys and asked half of them to watch a violent television program for 6 weeks. The other half was as to watch non-violent programming. At the end of 6 weeks, when teachers evaluated the students, no difference in aggressive behavior was observed. However, there was a decline in aggression among students who were previously assessed by personality tests to be more inclined toward aggressive behavior. Co nsidering that such students formed only a small minority, the Catharsis theory does not hold true for this case. Countering the validity of the Catharsis theory is the Aggressive Simulation theory, which states that people are inspired by what they see. Meaning that if they see violence they will reproduce it. In other words, what these video games do is to break down social barriers for those who are predisposed to such behavior. Since the maintenance of law and order is essential for the smooth functioning of democratic societies, it follows that perpetration of violent behavior (as a mirror effect of watching and simulating violent acts) will undermine democracy. (Alexander, 2009) We will write a custom essay sample on Rape Simulator Video Games and Democracy specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Rape Simulator Video Games and Democracy specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Rape Simulator Video Games and Democracy specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We live in a world were we are constantly bombarded with information, most of which encourage us to buy this or that product. The power of marketing has already been demonstrated through the century long history of our Public Relations industry. Indeed, the PR industry and the media together wield huge power over the thoughts of citizens. In such a scenario, a person with a fragile mind, meaning someone who cannot make the distinction between what is right or wrong, receives massive exposure to violence through advertisements and other marketing campaigns, it can lead to disastrous consequences. These include acts of brutality, anger, savageness, torture, sadism, etc (all of these qualities are encouraged by Rape Simulator). Hence it is imperative that such games are censored or banned from public consumption. (Haydon, 2009) The fact that Rape Simulator encourages sexual acts with schoolgirls is a cause for concern, as it implies pedophilia. Although the game is meant for adults only, the objects of sexual desire depicted within it qualify as adolescents. The same criticism can be applied toward the sale of schoolgirl outfits in sex shops. Both of them are encouraging pedophilia and rape and inducing perversity and abuse, which are inconsistent with democratic concepts. We can no longer argue that it is it is not so bad for society, for it is just a game and it doesn’t harm anybody. In fact, based on the dangers to democracy we discussed so far, one can further argue that any video game that includes murder, war, robbery, gun shot should be therefore forbidden. (The Free Library, 2010) At least in these latter examples, one could come up with justifications. For example, one can justify robbery (to feed oneself or pay the rent to give a home to his/her children), one can justify shooting wi th a gun (to kill a murderer, saving lives), and one can justify war (which our government does it everyday). The rape simulator video game, on the other hand, is undermining the very integrity and foundations of democratic civil society. We should also keep in mind that censorship and freedom of speech are counteracting principles. But virulent forms of free expression such as the Rape Simulator game should be banned in the larger interests of democratic societies. This conflict is identified by sexual assault victims’ rights advocates as well. But they say that civil rights should not be abused in order to promote a culture of tolerance for rape and violence against women. (Haydon, 2009) On the other hand, banning or censoring any thing puts it on the spotlight, giving it free publicity that marketers are happy to see happen. In my own case, my first reaction when I heard about this game was to go â€Å"check it out†; and am sure such is the reaction of many players. Even if the game is made illegal, there are many ways for getting hold of it and playing it. Censuring it is not going to stop people to play it as it only adds publicity and attention to the game . However making it legal would also not serve the democratic purpose, as it would mean that society has lost its ethical compass and the sense of right and wrong. Hence, in conclusion, a tactful and nuanced dealing of the problem is required. Otherwise, democratic societies will steadily march toward decadence and anarchy. Bibliography Race Simulator game goes Viral amid calls for Censorship, retrieved from on 5th November, 2010 Leigh Alexander, And You Thought Grand Theft Auto Was Bad : Should the United States ban a Japanese â€Å"rape simulator† game?, Monday, March 9, 2009, Rape Simulator games and the Normalization of Sexual Violence, The Free Library retrieved on 5th November, 2010 from Harry Haydon, Rape Simulator sold in Amazon, 13th Feb, 2009, retrieved from Video game featuring rape pulled from Amazon, retrieved on 5th November, 2010 from Japan: Rape simulator games and the normalization of sexual violence, Say No- End Violence Against Women, retrieved on 5th Novemeber 2010 from Asher Moses, Rape Simulator game goes Viral amid calls for Censorship, March 31, 2010, retrieved on 5th November, from http://www.youtube.com/verify_age?next_url=http%3A//www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3Da54Pu9dTJfQ