Sensationalism and the Media Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Sensationalism and the Media - Essay Example There are new crimes which people feel they do not understand and which are different from traditional fears. The media is very effective and building these crimes up and making people feel frightened (Ball-Rokeach, 1040). One of these is cybercrime. While some people may feel less frightened of being stabbed on the street, they may be more concerned about identity theft. It seems clear that cybercrime will be a serious problem in the future as more and more of our lives are lived on the Internet. Stories about identity theft appear in the news every day. Part of the problem in todays world is that many people put a great deal of their personal information on the Internet without thinking that it can be accessible to anyone. Others do not take proper precautions with their passwords. Still others fall for internet scams run by Nigerian princes. In the future there will be more identity theft and money stole from online bank accounts and money transfers. People will probably do more i mpersonation than ever on social networking sites. The truth is people must be very careful to protect their passwords and their personal information. It is not a good idea to put your birthday on your Facebook account, for example, as this information may be used in some circumstances to access banking and other private records. Do not talk to strangers online if you are underage, as well, as they may be predators. While these are serious crimes, the media makes it seem as if it is happening all the time and that you will be the next victim (Mappes, 102). Part of the problem with the Internet is its anonymity. It is hard to track down cybercriminals and they know it. The bank robbers of the future will not wear masks and carry guns, they will be the people who sit at their computer and hack into the bank. Some people may not even know they have been victimized. This too may lead to the crime figures and victim

A Short History Of Singapore History Essay

A Short History Of Singapore History Essay Numerous evidences had been uncovered, and reports and archaeological findings especially, certainly suggest that Singapore was largely strategic between the period of Temasek, in 14th century, and late 17th century. However, to conclude that Singapore was hence always strategic would probably be too much of an overstatement. This essay will discuss Singapores strategic significance, with the support of these evidences, during the different time periods. During the 14th century, trade was already ongoing between the West, South Asia and East Asia. The Melaka Straits was crucial for traders to sail to and fro the Indian Ocean to the South China Sea. Sailing in the past depended on wind direction, thus ships had to stop in Southeast Asia (SEA) to wait for a change in wind direction to bring them towards either China or India  [1]  . Singapore was hence a strategic port because she was located in SEA and along Melaka Straits, making it a convenient stopover hence the central of international trade  [2]  . Bits of celadon (from China), Chinese coins  [3]  , fragments of stoneware (mainly from Guangdong and South Fujian) and earthernware (from Sumatra, Java and Borneo)  [4]  and under-glazed blue and white stem cup (more expensive of porcelains from Jingdezhen during Yuan Dynasty)  [5]  recovered support the above claim as they suggest extensive trade links Temasek had with China and SEA, and that its inhabitants, espe cially the wealthier ones inhabiting Fort Canning, were able to afford the more exquisite products of Jingdezhen  [6]  . Temasek then, was able to attract maritime trade by providing unique products that rival ports were unable to supply. Recorded by Wang Da Yuan in Daoyi zhilue  [7]  , Temasek supplied indigenous products like hornbills casques of excellent quality. Found only between north of Malay Peninsula and South of Borneo, traders can only lay their hands on it at Temasek or Palembang  [8]  . Though Lakawood was in abundance, Temasek was one of the five ports that offer those of middle-quality  [9]  . Celadon, white wares and stonewares uncovered at Riau Archipelago, dating back to the period of Temasek, had patterns and craft similar to those imported from Temasek  [10]  . Furthermore, the origin of glassbeads of Riau Archipelago and Temasek should be identical given similar compositions  [11]  . Hence, Temasek probably served as a collection centre and an entry to export for Riau Archipelago  [12]  . In this case, evidences do suggest that Singapore was prospering and had an influence on regional economy and was thus strategic. During the 15th to 17th centuries, though Singapore declined slightly when Temasek was relocated to Melaka, fragments of under-glazed blue porcelains found at Kallang River  [13]  , and Portuguese maps which indicate the presence of a shahbandars office  [14]  , as elaborated in (b), suggest that she retained some of its strategic significance as a port by maintaining some trade with China. As mentioned, being one of the strategically situated along the Melaka Straits, the power that was able to erect a strategic dominance around the waters around Singapore would be advantaged in terms of security and economically. The Dutch had wanted to destroy Luso (Portuguese-Spanish) monopolies in SEA when they first started attacking Portuguese trading ships around Singapore waters and declared war with the Portuguese when they raided Santa Catarina and auctioned off its products  [15]  . This saw the naval battles between the Dutch and Johor Sultanate, and Portuguese and Acehnese in the early 17th century and gave rise to the considerations of fortifying Singapore by both powers  [16]  . Jacques De Coutre proposed to build forts at the east coast of Singapore and Muar River estuary and station a naval fleet at Sentosa to protect Portuguese trading ships from the Dutch  [17]  . Dutch had the same places in mind for their fortification plans  [18]  . Till this point , the Dutch and Portuguese reports do suggest that Singapore was strategic. However, the plans never realised, which made us rethink if Singapore was really that strategic after all. Singapores strategic significance took a turn in the 18th century. There was not much evidence to prove this period of time, but by referencing to my contextual knowledge, we know that the Dutch shifted their focus from the Melaka Straits to the Sunda Straits, Portuguese diverted their trade to Japan having difficulties trading in the Melaka Straits and Johor Sultanate relocated their capital to the Lingga Archipelago, shifting the maritime silk road southwards  [19]  . Singapore lost its value with the declination of Melaka Straits and was abandoned. She no longer held any strategic significance to participants of the maritime trade. Perhaps it is precisely that not much evidence was found that dates back to this period of time that it suggests that trading activities in Singapore was kept to its minimum. Moreover, no coins or porcelains were uncovered that dates beyond the Song and Yuan Dynasty, and the Ming Dynasty respectively  [20]  , further supporting my contextual kno wledge. It is evident that Singapores strategic significance changes with time, depending on human-related factors such as politics and economics, and hence is relative. The evidences may seem to imply that Singapore was always strategic, but when viewed from another angle, they can also suggest otherwise as stated in the previous paragraph. Therefore to say that they suggest that Singapore is always strategic may be a little too extreme. b. In light of this evidence, should Singapores history from 1511 to 1819 be written as (1) little more than a sleepy fishing village? (2) a declining but still thriving emporium astride hotly contested strategic waters (3) part of the Johor Sultanate?  Ã‚  Please explain your preference. From the 15th century to 17th century, Singapore was a (3) part of the Johor Sultanate, but she was (2) a declining yet thriving emporium astride hotly contested strategic waters between the 16th and 17th century. It was only during the early 18th century that trade in Singapore started dipping, and she was perceived by the British as a sleepy fishing village when they stepped ashore in 1819. Hence, (1) little more than a sleepy fishing village suitably describes Singapores history between this period as it is a broader title and thus encompasses both (2) and (3), and the reduction of importance of Singapores port resulting from the declination of the Melaka Straits during the 18th century accounts for Singapore being a sleepy fishing village. When Singapore was (3), trade was still ongoing though insignificant compared to its Temasek period. Excavations on the north bank of Singapore River, where a settlement was once present, and Kallang River revealed fragments of ceramics and under-glazed blue porcelains with designs dating back to the rule of Ming Emperor Wanli (1573 to 1620)  [21]  . Similar findings in Johor Lama and Johor Shoal imply that the findings in Singapore belonged to the Johor River trade controlled by the Johor Sultans  [22]  . Some may suggest that these pieces might have been disposed into the Kallang River when ships stopover for supplies because they broke during the voyage, and not because of trade present in Singapore  [23]  . This may be true, however, according to two Portuguese maps, a shahbandar of the Johor Sultans office was featured on the southern coast of Singapore  [24]  , proving the above conjecture wrong and showing that trade at the Kallang River was flourishing to the extent it needed a shahbandar to run it. This also indicates that Singapore then, was continuing some degree of trade with China, showing that she was (1). As mentioned, trade was also falling, compared to its Temasek period, as during this time, Melaka was the main port for international trade  [25]  . Singapore then, supported Melaka by providing goods from herself for Melaka to export. An example being blackwood, which was brought from Singapore to Melaka, and then bought in bulk by Chinese traders  [26]  . (2) may now seem to be plausible at this point in the essay since Singapore was a declining yet thriving emporium, and evidence show that its waters are hotly contested for between the Dutch and Johor Sultanate, and the Portuguese and Acehnese, and Singapore was seen by both as strategic to build a fort to achieve their individual aims as mentioned in (a). However, one may wish to note that Singapores waters may not be that strategic after all. In 1613, Aceh successfully attacked Batu Sawar as she was upset about the signing of the peace treaty between Johor Sultanate and Portuguese, uncovering the vulnerable position of Singapore waters, rendering it no longer strategic  [27]  . Moreover, when Melaka Straits lost its importance to Sunda Straits in the late 17th century, Singapore was neglected and declined over the 18th century  [28]  . Its waters were no longer contested and the issue on it being strategic or not became irrelevant. A village of Orang Lauts and Malays, not being much of a deal, were all that were left in Singapore. Melaka Straits was filled with pirates and Singapore, lying on the Straits, was hence seen as a sleepy fishing village by the British when they landed in the 19th century  [29]  . (2) does not take into account these happenings, thus it is flawed in describing Singapores history. In conclusion, (1) best describes Singapore history as it accommodates the period when Singapore was (3), when trade was active though declining, the period when it was considered strategic and its waters contested by the Dutch and Portuguese, up to the period when British founded Singapore as a sleepy fishing village due to the decline of Melaka Straits. (2) was unsuitable as mentioned above, and (3) seems to be an understatement as Singapore was more than just part of the Johor Sultanate.

Kids and the Coffee Craze :: Health Children Papers

Kids and the Coffee Craze Chellie Normand’s 11-year-old daughter started drinking coffee when she could first pick up a cup. â€Å"We used to put spoonfuls in the empty creamer containers at Denny's for her to sip a little when she was about a year old,† the 34-year-old mom from Lawton, Oklahoma said. †By the time she was 6, she'd use $1 of her allowance each month to buy one specialty coffee that she liked ... She doesn't go through a pot a day, like [me], but she has it now and then when she wants it,† Normand said. Normand’s daughter’s coffee habits are not that uncommon. Children, as young as 11 or 12, and teenagers are drinking coffee at a higher rate and this trend is causing alarm among members of the medical field. â€Å"It’s not just an adult beverage anymore,† said Linda Antinoro, a nutritionist with Brigham & Women’s Hospital. â€Å"Twelve and 13-year-olds are consuming it regularly. It’s eye-opening.† During the past year, the number of 13-17 year-olds drinking coffee increased 12 percent, according to a 2004 press release by the NPD Group, a market research firm in New York The amount of teenagers consuming coffee while dining in restaurants and cafes rose 22 percent last year, the study showed. Becca*, 17, started drinking coffee three years ago. The teen drinks three medium coffees a week from either Dunkin’ Donuts or Starbucks. â€Å"I get an iced coffee with milk and two sugars from Dunkin’s or an iced caramel macchiato from Starbucks,† she said. The high school senior from Burlington said she started drinking the beverage simply because â€Å"it looked good.† Her friend, Komal*, 16, doesn’t remember why she began drinking coffee when she was 13. A fan of Starbucks java chip frappuccinos and the Dunkin’ Donuts Coffee Coolattas, the high school junior admits she is addicted to the beverage. This trend of young coffee lovers is not just confined to the teenage crowd. It includes younger adolescents. â€Å"I had one mother who would stop and get a Coffee Coolatta and a bagel [from Dunkin’ Donuts] for breakfast [for her son] every day on the way to school,† said Debbie Donovan, a pediatric dietitian at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. â€Å"That was his breakfast and he wouldn’t have anything else. She couldn’t stop it. He was in the 8-10 age group.† Marissa*, 16, from Burlington also began drinking coffee when she was 10. She feels she is now addicted and couldn’t stop drinking it if she had to.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease Essay

Dementia is a set of conditions, medically diagnosed, and leading to recognized and measurable behavioral changes in an individual. Dementia of the Alzheimer’s type is a chronic cognitive disorder that is manifested in impairment of either short-term or long-term memory or even both. It has a slow onset and its etiology is unknown, although many speculate that genetics may play a role as well as the decrease in acetylcholine which is a neurotransmitter that is used to carry electrical impulses from the axon of one cell to the dendrite of another. The number of neurotransmitters have been found in the brain tissue of patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for about 70% of dementia cases. Over 4 million people are currently diagnosed as having Alzheimer’s disease. There is not a specific age of onset although it usually occurs in late adulthood. People are living longer now and for this reason, the number of Alzheimer’s cases is on the rise. It is a neurological disorder of the brain that can cause overwhelming anxiety for both those affected and family members of those affected. In Alzheimer’s disease, normal brain tissue is replaced by neuritic plaques which basically just take up space. These brain lesions will inevitably cause death. Various bodily functions begin to be altered depending on the part of the brain affected. Usually as the disease progresses, bladder control will be lost as well as the ability to swallow. The brain lesions will often times trigger the onset of seizures. Cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include alteration in language, ability to solve problems, and even the inability to make appropriate decisions. This may often times be the most difficult symptom for nurses and care providers to deal with legally. In the long run, patients will experience complete memory loss and aphasia. Non-cognitive changes include unexplained movements, urinary and fecal incontinence, aggression, and/or agitation. There is currently no known therapeutic treatment that can stop the progression of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. In caring for the Alzheimer’s patient, the staff must remember to refer to the patient by name and not by calling them â€Å"sweetie† or â€Å"honey†. A patient has a right to maintain dignity. If dementia is diagnosed early enough, it is advisable for the patient to designate a decision-maker which will help designate that patient’s assets. Quality of life in patients with dementia  is a big ethical topic that becomes very important in the late stages of dementia. During late stage dementia, ability to express pain or discomfort may be altered. In these patients verbal references to pain are absent, not because they’re not experiencing any pain but because they may not know how to express the degree of pain that they are experiencing. Because of this, regular administration of pain medications are often prescribed (Refer to article #1: discomfort protocol). Oftentimes, family members find themselves in a bind between providing care until the very end of life or requesting the cessation of life-sustaining measures (Refer to article #2: euthanasia and assisted suicide). Assessment should include family history, social history, memory (long-term and short-term),behavioral responses such as wandering, suicide risks, appearance, speech, and hallucinations. Oftentimes, a family member is needed to assist with subjective data as the patient may not remember some things. Sometimes, out of frustration, a person with Alzheimer’s will fabricate stories or details. This is believed to be a defense mechanism. They are in denial about having loss of memory. Nursing diagnoses include: -altered thought processes related to dementia. -impaired physical mobility. -alteration in nutrition related to neurological deficits in swallowing. -self care deficit. Goals should include ability to comply with treatment plan and ability to satisfy self-care requirements. Interventions for the Alzheimer’s patient focus on keeping the patient comfortable, nourished, and hydrated. Oftentimes, a patient will request a priest, rabbi, or minister to visit and offer religious support. In late stage Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, comfort is usually one of the primary goals of the care team, since death is  inevitable (refer to article #3: music and dementia). It is important to speak to these patients slowly and clearly. Many times they are able understand what is being said when spoken to at a slower pace. In summary, Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia are often secondary diagnoses and because of this, they are often overlooked in the management of care and proper treatment of patients with other diagnoses. Alzheimer’s Disease does not discriminate. Nobody asks to have Alzheimer’s so it is important to remember that patients do not always act out the way they want to. Sometimes they just can’t help it.

Different Worlds, Same Stories Essay

Cultural Diversity: Different Worlds; Same Stories America is a vast, multicultural land, with many different people and many different ways. But still, we tend to categorize whether something is abnormal or not based on certain cultural standards, i. e. , â€Å"ethnocentrism†. This makes for a large gap in understanding cultures such as that of the Trobrian, a unique tribe living on the island of Kiriwiai. One might be surprised to find that while our two cultures have differences, we also share similarities. We both enjoy our own language, celebrations, religion, politics, etc.. We do, however, go about these customs and social observances in a very different manner. A trait that exists in all cultures in sociology is referred to as a â€Å"cultural universal†. There are many examples of cultural universals throughout the world. For example, all cultures have some form of government. However, while Americans are ruled via a democratic republic based on 3 branches of their government, the Trobrian people are governed based on a paramount chief system. The two cultures both have a system of politics, but they also have a different way of going about it. This difference illustrates what is known as â€Å"cultural particulars†. Cultural relativism is the principle that an individual human’s beliefs and activities should be understood in terms of his or her own culture. The reason for cultural relativism is because of the lack of understanding of cultural particulars. The people of Trobrian are very different from Americans. Their money is in skirts and banana leaves. They roam around half-naked. Their inheritance goes through their mother, and they celebrate things such as harvests and funerals (This celebration is called a â€Å"sigalli†). But the most interesting thing about the Trobrian people is that their power is based on what they can give, not what they can take. Americans would think upon hearing this, that they are an extremely un-advanced, savage people. But that is far from the truth. They recently have adapted fundamentalism and are beginning to question their money source, showing possibilities for advancement. As an American, I feel that it would be unsatisfactory to live with a people such as with the Trobrians, but that is only because of the way I grew up and my own culture. In some ways it makes them stronger; in some ways it makes them weaker. But we should never look down on another people because of the way their culture molded them. We should all have open minds and respect for diversity. People can judge very quickly, but it takes time to understand how a culture truly operates. Ethnocentrism, cultural universals, cultural particulars, and cultural relativism are all basically just fancy ways of saying we are alike in some ways, we are not alike in others, and that we should not judge others based on our own cultural norms.