Stacy Lunsford
October 31, 2009
Sociology 313-003
Blog Post #3
McPrank: Four Teens Cited in McDonald's Rap
In Salt Lake City, four teens were cited for rapping their order in the McDonald's drive-thru. The American Forks Police cited the teens earlier this week for disorderly conduct after rapping their meal order. The teens said that they were just imitating a popular video on You Tube. One of the teenagers, Spenser Dauwalder, said that employees at the McDonald's told him and his friends that they were holding up the line and needed to order or leave. The 18 year old said that there was nobody else in line and that him and his friends left without buying anything. The manager wrote down their license plate and called police. Spenser and his friends were later cited at a volleyball match by the officers. Spenser told KSL News radio that they were just having fun and didn't think that it would escalate to something this big. Disorderly conduct citations are issued when someone does something to cause annoyance or alarm. The disorderly conduct citation is an infraction that is similar to that of a speeding ticket. The police said that it wasn't that they were rapping, but it was that they were holding things up. The teens were asked several times to speak plainly when the manager came outside. The owner – operator of the McDonald's issued a statement saying that the issue was about the employee's safety. The employees said that they felt their safety was at risk as a result of these actions by the individuals in the drive-thru, so they contacted the authorities. Spenser's mother, Sharon, said that they would fight the citation.
Citation:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/us_new-weird_news
I think that this article relates to social control because this is an example how those in control want to dominate and all that occurred was teens acting out of the norm and then receiving a citation for it. The whole incident seems ridiculous because there were just teens rapping their meal order, nobody was acting in a threatening manner. At most what should've happened was that they were asked to leave, but to call authorities and track them down to issue a citation seems to go too far. I think that it was outrageous that the employees were concerned about their safety when all the teens did was rap their meal order. It seems as though the McDonald's employees made the issue bigger than what it really was, which was teenagers just acting silly.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Banned Book infuriates Father
Stacy Lunsford
October 31, 2009
Sociology 313-003
Blog Post #2
Explicit “Banned Book” Infuriates Virginia Father, Leads to School Review
A father in Virginia became angry when his 16 year old son brought home a book from school that contained references to homosexuality, sexual behavior and drug use. The book the son brought home was the Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. This book has been the subject of much controversy in many other schools across the country. The father, John Davis, told Fox News that when he first saw the book he was angry and infuriated. He felt that the teachers in the school were supposed to teach the kids educational things and other subject matters should be left to the parents. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a story about a young teenagers freshman year in high school in which he struggles with issues concerning that of growing up. The American Library Association says that the book, published ten years ago, was among the top 10 challenged books of 2008. This book was mostly challenged due to the topics concerning drugs, homosexuality, offensive language and suicide and other material considered unsuitable for certain age groups. John Davis was mainly upset with the references to homosexuality, masturbation and drug use. He felt that these topics were too heavy for his son who is in 11th grade. Davis confiscated the book and contacted the principle of his son's school and tried to meet with the teacher, but the principle refused Davis a meeting with the teacher. The book is now being reviewed under the school's system established policy relating to challenged material. In the meantime, all the copies of the book have been removed from the library.
Citation:
http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_story.html
I think this article relates to social control because there is only one person complaining about a book read in school and now because of one complaint the book is under review and all the copies have been taken out of the school library. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a more of a coming of age story similar to that of Catcher in the Rye. I think that the father is trying to control not only what his son reads but what other teens read without even consulting the parents. Perhaps the other parents would want their teenager to read this book to open up a dialogue about these issues. Instead of taking the book off the library shelf the father just should've asked if his son could read something else.
October 31, 2009
Sociology 313-003
Blog Post #2
Explicit “Banned Book” Infuriates Virginia Father, Leads to School Review
A father in Virginia became angry when his 16 year old son brought home a book from school that contained references to homosexuality, sexual behavior and drug use. The book the son brought home was the Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. This book has been the subject of much controversy in many other schools across the country. The father, John Davis, told Fox News that when he first saw the book he was angry and infuriated. He felt that the teachers in the school were supposed to teach the kids educational things and other subject matters should be left to the parents. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a story about a young teenagers freshman year in high school in which he struggles with issues concerning that of growing up. The American Library Association says that the book, published ten years ago, was among the top 10 challenged books of 2008. This book was mostly challenged due to the topics concerning drugs, homosexuality, offensive language and suicide and other material considered unsuitable for certain age groups. John Davis was mainly upset with the references to homosexuality, masturbation and drug use. He felt that these topics were too heavy for his son who is in 11th grade. Davis confiscated the book and contacted the principle of his son's school and tried to meet with the teacher, but the principle refused Davis a meeting with the teacher. The book is now being reviewed under the school's system established policy relating to challenged material. In the meantime, all the copies of the book have been removed from the library.
Citation:
http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_story.html
I think this article relates to social control because there is only one person complaining about a book read in school and now because of one complaint the book is under review and all the copies have been taken out of the school library. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a more of a coming of age story similar to that of Catcher in the Rye. I think that the father is trying to control not only what his son reads but what other teens read without even consulting the parents. Perhaps the other parents would want their teenager to read this book to open up a dialogue about these issues. Instead of taking the book off the library shelf the father just should've asked if his son could read something else.
Friday, October 30, 2009
In Rural Africa, a Fertile Market for Mobile Phones
In Rural Africa, a Fertile Market for Mobile Phones
By Sarah Arnquist
Jon Gossier, founder and president of Appfrica, a technology company with headquarters in Uganda stated in the article: "I don’t think the development being done now for mobile phones is going to stop, but I think we’ll see a whole new generation of applications coming out of Africa, including mobile applications that utilize the Web." The technological influence of cellphones is very strong across America and it is becoming strong in Africa. When I used to live in Zambia and from my brief stay in Kenya, I was able to determine that cell phones are significant to daily life and important in the activities of the people there. The dominant company in Africa is Nokia and with more and more people relying on cell phones to carry out business transactions in Africa, the market will continue to grow. This article demonstrates how "the mobile phone has revolutionized scientists’ ability to track this crop disease and communicate the latest scientific advances to remote farmers." What I want to point out here is the social influence of cell phones in Africa has now become a formal form of social control as people become reliant on them to relay information regarding farming practices and health issues. As companies seek to improve internet connections, they have high hopes that this technology will empower Africans.
This article can be found at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/06/science/06uganda.html?_r=1&ref=africa
Arlinda Smith, blog post #3
By Sarah Arnquist
Jon Gossier, founder and president of Appfrica, a technology company with headquarters in Uganda stated in the article: "I don’t think the development being done now for mobile phones is going to stop, but I think we’ll see a whole new generation of applications coming out of Africa, including mobile applications that utilize the Web." The technological influence of cellphones is very strong across America and it is becoming strong in Africa. When I used to live in Zambia and from my brief stay in Kenya, I was able to determine that cell phones are significant to daily life and important in the activities of the people there. The dominant company in Africa is Nokia and with more and more people relying on cell phones to carry out business transactions in Africa, the market will continue to grow. This article demonstrates how "the mobile phone has revolutionized scientists’ ability to track this crop disease and communicate the latest scientific advances to remote farmers." What I want to point out here is the social influence of cell phones in Africa has now become a formal form of social control as people become reliant on them to relay information regarding farming practices and health issues. As companies seek to improve internet connections, they have high hopes that this technology will empower Africans.
This article can be found at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/06/science/06uganda.html?_r=1&ref=africa
Arlinda Smith, blog post #3
Supreme Court refuses Confederate flag T-shirt case
Supreme Court refuses Confederate flag T-shirt case
by Warren Richey
This article is a good example of both informal and formal social control working in conjuction with one another. Formal social control is illustrated through the law and informal is demonstrated through social learning. It is through social learning that most individuals are taught the Confederate flag is a symbol associated with racism. This case was brought before the courts when "a group of high school students from Tennessee...lost a lawsuit aimed at forcing school administors to allow them to wear T-shirts displaying the Confederate flag." The students filed the lawsuit claiming the school's dress code policy was infringing upon their first amendment rights of free speech and their "desire to express their Southern heritage." Upon appeal to the Sixth US Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati and upon rejection from the US Supreme Court, the school's policy of "barring depictions of the Confederate flag on T-shirts and other clothing at school" remains.
The article can be found at:
http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/1005/p02s04-usju.html
Arlinda Smith, blog post #2
by Warren Richey
This article is a good example of both informal and formal social control working in conjuction with one another. Formal social control is illustrated through the law and informal is demonstrated through social learning. It is through social learning that most individuals are taught the Confederate flag is a symbol associated with racism. This case was brought before the courts when "a group of high school students from Tennessee...lost a lawsuit aimed at forcing school administors to allow them to wear T-shirts displaying the Confederate flag." The students filed the lawsuit claiming the school's dress code policy was infringing upon their first amendment rights of free speech and their "desire to express their Southern heritage." Upon appeal to the Sixth US Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati and upon rejection from the US Supreme Court, the school's policy of "barring depictions of the Confederate flag on T-shirts and other clothing at school" remains.
The article can be found at:
http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/1005/p02s04-usju.html
Arlinda Smith, blog post #2
The good, bad and ugly hair days...
The good, bad and ugly hair days
By Chikodili Emelumadu
This article is a response to Chris Rock's film Good Hair which "focuses on the United States and the lengths and money African-Americans will go to achieve longer, smoother, shinier, straighter "good" hair - using hot presses, creme relaxers, weaves and wigs." Emelumadu focuses upon African women who are willing to take the risk to burning their scalp to have good hair. Personally, I think this is a really interesting article because when I lived in Zambia, my co-workers would constantly ask me how I got my hair to straight. Any individual can see the influence of what is considered to be beautiful filtering across the vast ocean. Even in Latin America, a fellow student asked women what is beautiful and most replied "gringa". The influence of social control in the media is far reaching and teaches the masses what is considered to be beautiful. I guess the main question is are we going to follow that influence?
The article can be found at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8330482.stm
Arlinda Smith, blog post #1
By Chikodili Emelumadu
This article is a response to Chris Rock's film Good Hair which "focuses on the United States and the lengths and money African-Americans will go to achieve longer, smoother, shinier, straighter "good" hair - using hot presses, creme relaxers, weaves and wigs." Emelumadu focuses upon African women who are willing to take the risk to burning their scalp to have good hair. Personally, I think this is a really interesting article because when I lived in Zambia, my co-workers would constantly ask me how I got my hair to straight. Any individual can see the influence of what is considered to be beautiful filtering across the vast ocean. Even in Latin America, a fellow student asked women what is beautiful and most replied "gringa". The influence of social control in the media is far reaching and teaches the masses what is considered to be beautiful. I guess the main question is are we going to follow that influence?
The article can be found at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8330482.stm
Arlinda Smith, blog post #1
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Flu Fears Curb Life's Rituals
Justin Pierson
Post #6
This article was found at NYTimes.com. From workplace potlucks, beer-pong, to how we greet each other H1N1 has changed how we interact. At the workplace people have been advised not to bring food for co-workers to share in fear that may lead to the spread of H1N1. Schools have encouraged children to wash their hands more frequently. Colleges have advised students to refrain from playing communal drinking games such as beer-pong for the fear of spreading the highly contagious virus. Even Catholic churches have stopped the ritual of sharing the sacrimental glass of wine for this may also lead to the spread of the virus. Workplaces, schools, yes even churches have started to keep sanitizing solutions handy to ensure hands are clean and free of bacteria. We have come to learn how important it is to wash our hands as frequently as possible, some even avoid physical contact, hand shaking and hugging, in order to avoid the contagious virus. With Halloween coming up it is also important that only individually wrapped candy is consumed in order to keep children safe from sickness.
The H1N1 virus has recently changed how we interact with each other. Sometimes spoken other times unspoken we have changed how we interact for fear of becoming sick. This shows that it is not only the police, the government, and each other who influence how we interact; a virus can also be controlling. This brings to mind the idea of tacit coordination, although many warnings about the virus have been clear and spoken the way we deal with one another is unspoken, tacit. From avoiding hand shaking to secretly applying hand sanitizer once we have shaken hands with someone the virus has completely changed how we greet one another and how we interact in general. The virus has changed how we live our lives so next time someone reaches out to shake your hand you may ask yourself, when was the last time they washed their hands or where have their hands been? To view this article visit this website:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/18/health/18flu.html?_r=2&hp
Post #6
This article was found at NYTimes.com. From workplace potlucks, beer-pong, to how we greet each other H1N1 has changed how we interact. At the workplace people have been advised not to bring food for co-workers to share in fear that may lead to the spread of H1N1. Schools have encouraged children to wash their hands more frequently. Colleges have advised students to refrain from playing communal drinking games such as beer-pong for the fear of spreading the highly contagious virus. Even Catholic churches have stopped the ritual of sharing the sacrimental glass of wine for this may also lead to the spread of the virus. Workplaces, schools, yes even churches have started to keep sanitizing solutions handy to ensure hands are clean and free of bacteria. We have come to learn how important it is to wash our hands as frequently as possible, some even avoid physical contact, hand shaking and hugging, in order to avoid the contagious virus. With Halloween coming up it is also important that only individually wrapped candy is consumed in order to keep children safe from sickness.
The H1N1 virus has recently changed how we interact with each other. Sometimes spoken other times unspoken we have changed how we interact for fear of becoming sick. This shows that it is not only the police, the government, and each other who influence how we interact; a virus can also be controlling. This brings to mind the idea of tacit coordination, although many warnings about the virus have been clear and spoken the way we deal with one another is unspoken, tacit. From avoiding hand shaking to secretly applying hand sanitizer once we have shaken hands with someone the virus has completely changed how we greet one another and how we interact in general. The virus has changed how we live our lives so next time someone reaches out to shake your hand you may ask yourself, when was the last time they washed their hands or where have their hands been? To view this article visit this website:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/18/health/18flu.html?_r=2&hp
Interracial Couple Denied Marriage License
Justin Pierson
Post #5
This article was found at MSNBC.com. In Louisiana a Justice of the Peace, who is authorized to issue marriage licenses, refused to issue an interracial couple a marriage license because he expressed concerns about any children the couple might choose to have. The Justice of the Peace claims not to be racist and concluded that African-American society as well as Caucasian society is less likely to accept an interracial child and this will make it difficult for the child growing up, thus he refused to allow the interracial couple to receive a marraige license. The Justice of the Peace said that it was not just this couple that has been denied a marraige license the Justice said that he refuses to issue any interracial couple a marriage license. The couple has stated that they will file a discrimination complaint with the U.S. Justice Department against the Justice. The article includes a quote from a member of the ACLU, of course, and this individual sites a Supreme Court decision in 1963 that found that the government cannot tell people who they can and cannot marry. The couple, through their appeal, will most certainly receive a marraige license, the question is whether or not the Justice of the Peace will be disciplined for his blantant display of discrimination.
This shows how individuals in positions of power can and will abuse their power. This is why it is extremely important to elect the right officials and report such discriminatory acts to the proper authorities. It is clear to me anyway that this Justice of the Peace overstepped his authority. It is also clear to me that this Justice ought to be punished if not stripped of his position for such discrimination. This also shows that in certain parts of the country racial intolerance and ignorance still exists. The Supreme Court, the highest court in the land, found that people cannot be told who they can and cannot marry, of course this is still a controvertial issue when it comes to same sex marriage but this is neither the time nor the place to discuss that, this Louisiana Justice of the Peace clearly ignored past precedent and allowed for his own personal view to guide his decision. Louisiana, a part of the country where racism still exists, seems a likely place for this to occur. I could not imagine a decision like this being made in a state like California. Within a large country cultures may vary from state to state and it seems as if the racial ignorance that still exists in Louisiana has influenced this Justice. Some individuals in positions of power have control over such important aspects of others lives, those individuals in such positions of power should make unbiased decisions and I'm sure that this Justice will be held accountable for his blantantly discriminatory decision. This article can be found through this link:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33332436/ns/us_news-race_and_ethnicity/
Post #5
This article was found at MSNBC.com. In Louisiana a Justice of the Peace, who is authorized to issue marriage licenses, refused to issue an interracial couple a marriage license because he expressed concerns about any children the couple might choose to have. The Justice of the Peace claims not to be racist and concluded that African-American society as well as Caucasian society is less likely to accept an interracial child and this will make it difficult for the child growing up, thus he refused to allow the interracial couple to receive a marraige license. The Justice of the Peace said that it was not just this couple that has been denied a marraige license the Justice said that he refuses to issue any interracial couple a marriage license. The couple has stated that they will file a discrimination complaint with the U.S. Justice Department against the Justice. The article includes a quote from a member of the ACLU, of course, and this individual sites a Supreme Court decision in 1963 that found that the government cannot tell people who they can and cannot marry. The couple, through their appeal, will most certainly receive a marraige license, the question is whether or not the Justice of the Peace will be disciplined for his blantant display of discrimination.
This shows how individuals in positions of power can and will abuse their power. This is why it is extremely important to elect the right officials and report such discriminatory acts to the proper authorities. It is clear to me anyway that this Justice of the Peace overstepped his authority. It is also clear to me that this Justice ought to be punished if not stripped of his position for such discrimination. This also shows that in certain parts of the country racial intolerance and ignorance still exists. The Supreme Court, the highest court in the land, found that people cannot be told who they can and cannot marry, of course this is still a controvertial issue when it comes to same sex marriage but this is neither the time nor the place to discuss that, this Louisiana Justice of the Peace clearly ignored past precedent and allowed for his own personal view to guide his decision. Louisiana, a part of the country where racism still exists, seems a likely place for this to occur. I could not imagine a decision like this being made in a state like California. Within a large country cultures may vary from state to state and it seems as if the racial ignorance that still exists in Louisiana has influenced this Justice. Some individuals in positions of power have control over such important aspects of others lives, those individuals in such positions of power should make unbiased decisions and I'm sure that this Justice will be held accountable for his blantantly discriminatory decision. This article can be found through this link:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33332436/ns/us_news-race_and_ethnicity/
The Young and the Neuro
Justin Pierson
Post #4
This article was found in the New York Times and takes a look at the Social and Affective Neuroscience Society's conference. The article looks to explain why many of the leading figures attending the conference are so young. Most of the research being explored at the conference was done and discussed by professors and intellectuals in their twenties and early thirties. The focus of the conference was the study of how a person's biology influences behavior and how one's socioeconomic status changes their biology. One of the experiments discussed was where people from various social standing, and cultures react to pictures of faces displaying different emotions, happy faces, sad faces, etc. The study showed that people from low social status exhibit greater brain activity when showed the menacing faces than those from high social standing. The article concludes that young intellectuals are showing more interest in "social cognitive neuroscience" because there is greater interest in explaining social interactions and how one's biology as well as their social positions influence those interactions.
This article illustrates how the sciences are looking to bring the inside out and internalize society's influence on the individual and their interactions. The article looks to explain how one's biology influences their behavior, bringing the inside out, and how one's social standing effects brain activity, bringing the outside in. This also shows how not only the 'psy' disciplines are interested in explaining how social interaction can be influenced by one's brain chemistry as well as one's social standing. This also implies that deviance may be explained by brain chemistry as well as one's social standing. This article may be found throug this link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/13/opinion/13brooks.html?_r=2&sq=young%20and%20neuro&st=cse&adxnnl=1&scp=1&adxnnlx=1255536009-naBS3nfFT7t0Fd2ZQ+pMaQ
Post #4
This article was found in the New York Times and takes a look at the Social and Affective Neuroscience Society's conference. The article looks to explain why many of the leading figures attending the conference are so young. Most of the research being explored at the conference was done and discussed by professors and intellectuals in their twenties and early thirties. The focus of the conference was the study of how a person's biology influences behavior and how one's socioeconomic status changes their biology. One of the experiments discussed was where people from various social standing, and cultures react to pictures of faces displaying different emotions, happy faces, sad faces, etc. The study showed that people from low social status exhibit greater brain activity when showed the menacing faces than those from high social standing. The article concludes that young intellectuals are showing more interest in "social cognitive neuroscience" because there is greater interest in explaining social interactions and how one's biology as well as their social positions influence those interactions.
This article illustrates how the sciences are looking to bring the inside out and internalize society's influence on the individual and their interactions. The article looks to explain how one's biology influences their behavior, bringing the inside out, and how one's social standing effects brain activity, bringing the outside in. This also shows how not only the 'psy' disciplines are interested in explaining how social interaction can be influenced by one's brain chemistry as well as one's social standing. This also implies that deviance may be explained by brain chemistry as well as one's social standing. This article may be found throug this link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/13/opinion/13brooks.html?_r=2&sq=young%20and%20neuro&st=cse&adxnnl=1&scp=1&adxnnlx=1255536009-naBS3nfFT7t0Fd2ZQ+pMaQ
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Sniper Under Death Sentence
Mariel Graeber
#6
John Allen Muhammad Shot 13 people in 2006 and killed 10 of those. He is now on death row, he will be executed on November 10th by Lethal Injection. His attorneys wish him to be forgiven on a charge of mental illness but the charge was denied.
This is a form of social control because the death sentence is a punishment for committing certain crimes in the state of Virginia. Muhammad killed 10 people who were assassinated which is a word used when a public figure is shot and killed. The word in it's self holds great meaning and it would be interesting to see if the man killed 10 people if his sentence would have turned out differently. The man is pleading for mental illness which would place him under the medical model as a person who is sick but the jury is denying the claim and in doing so is marking him as bad and not sick. For the past 7 years this man has been in prison which is where criminals used to be held before they endured their actual punishment but now prison time is usually the actual punishment and not just a holding cell. This man may be better off with a death sentence rather than suffering in prison for life. But it is truly hard to say that it is justified to take a persons life away for murdering others. This type of punishment has been extremely controversial in almost every state because of these questions.
From: http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/10/27/virginia.sniper.execution/index.html
#6
John Allen Muhammad Shot 13 people in 2006 and killed 10 of those. He is now on death row, he will be executed on November 10th by Lethal Injection. His attorneys wish him to be forgiven on a charge of mental illness but the charge was denied.
This is a form of social control because the death sentence is a punishment for committing certain crimes in the state of Virginia. Muhammad killed 10 people who were assassinated which is a word used when a public figure is shot and killed. The word in it's self holds great meaning and it would be interesting to see if the man killed 10 people if his sentence would have turned out differently. The man is pleading for mental illness which would place him under the medical model as a person who is sick but the jury is denying the claim and in doing so is marking him as bad and not sick. For the past 7 years this man has been in prison which is where criminals used to be held before they endured their actual punishment but now prison time is usually the actual punishment and not just a holding cell. This man may be better off with a death sentence rather than suffering in prison for life. But it is truly hard to say that it is justified to take a persons life away for murdering others. This type of punishment has been extremely controversial in almost every state because of these questions.
From: http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/10/27/virginia.sniper.execution/index.html
Monday, October 26, 2009
Fighting for the Right to Drink Soda
Social Control
Sasha Mora
New York Times:
In this article the author, Richard Bernstein discusses how involved the government should be involved in what we eat or drink. The question began when somewhat insulting signs were posted around the subways in New York. These ads increase the knowledge of how unhealthy sodas are for individuals. It also makes individuals very aware that they should not be consuming them. One of the ads states, "Are you pouring on the pounds." With the recent increase in concern with obiesity this ad really strikes home with many individuals and grabs their attention.
This article goes on to give quotes from President Obama addressing the issue stating that children drink more soda then they should. It also goes on to ask if a tax should be implemented to lead people away from sodas. However, others are arguing that people should have the freedom to choose what they drink and are fighting to make sure the tax doesn't pass. Soda drinking was compared to the use of tabacco in the article. Obiesity and health is the major argument given by those against sodas. I think this article was appropriate because it shows how the government, media or other social groups can control what society consumes through advertisement where this battle first began.
Sasha Mora
New York Times:
In this article the author, Richard Bernstein discusses how involved the government should be involved in what we eat or drink. The question began when somewhat insulting signs were posted around the subways in New York. These ads increase the knowledge of how unhealthy sodas are for individuals. It also makes individuals very aware that they should not be consuming them. One of the ads states, "Are you pouring on the pounds." With the recent increase in concern with obiesity this ad really strikes home with many individuals and grabs their attention.
This article goes on to give quotes from President Obama addressing the issue stating that children drink more soda then they should. It also goes on to ask if a tax should be implemented to lead people away from sodas. However, others are arguing that people should have the freedom to choose what they drink and are fighting to make sure the tax doesn't pass. Soda drinking was compared to the use of tabacco in the article. Obiesity and health is the major argument given by those against sodas. I think this article was appropriate because it shows how the government, media or other social groups can control what society consumes through advertisement where this battle first began.
Pilots Who Missed Airport Were Using Their Laptops
Social Control
Sasha Mora
This article is about two pilots who missed their landing in minneapolis from san diego. The discussions inside of the cockpit are still being investigated to confirm the reason for why they were distracted. The pilots claim that they were paying attenting to a new computer program on their labtops explaing the new schedulel. One pilot who was more experienced with the program was showing and explaining it to the other pilot. They both claimed to simply have lost track of time. It wasn't until one of the flight attendents asked for the time of departure that the pilots realized they were too high to complete their landing as scheduled.
I found this article interesting due to the recent increase in social control issues involving technology. The laws involving cell phone use and other forms of technology have increased for other forms of transportation. There was a train accident involving text message that enforced the new law to prohibit the use of cell phones while oporating a train. A law against the use of cell phones while driving a car has also been declared. Due to the accidents and increase in laws prohibitting the use of technology while driving I wonder how far the laws will go to ensure safety.
This article was found in the new york times.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/27/us/27plane.html?_r=1&hp
Sasha Mora
This article is about two pilots who missed their landing in minneapolis from san diego. The discussions inside of the cockpit are still being investigated to confirm the reason for why they were distracted. The pilots claim that they were paying attenting to a new computer program on their labtops explaing the new schedulel. One pilot who was more experienced with the program was showing and explaining it to the other pilot. They both claimed to simply have lost track of time. It wasn't until one of the flight attendents asked for the time of departure that the pilots realized they were too high to complete their landing as scheduled.
I found this article interesting due to the recent increase in social control issues involving technology. The laws involving cell phone use and other forms of technology have increased for other forms of transportation. There was a train accident involving text message that enforced the new law to prohibit the use of cell phones while oporating a train. A law against the use of cell phones while driving a car has also been declared. Due to the accidents and increase in laws prohibitting the use of technology while driving I wonder how far the laws will go to ensure safety.
This article was found in the new york times.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/27/us/27plane.html?_r=1&hp
Officer resigns after alleged beating of student caught on tape.
Ashley Villanueva
Blog Post #4
This article was taken from cnn.com. A police officer in Illinois was assigned to a high school in Illinois called the Academy for Learning for children with special needs. He was caught on tape allegedly assaulting a special needs student Marshawn Pitts, 15. Pitts had brain injuries when he was hit by a car at young age. Pitts did not tuck his shirt in which violated the dress code so the police reprimanded him. Pitts walked away and when he did, the police officer slammed him to the lockers and then pinned him to the floor. He broke Pitts’ nose and the officer was treated for a scratched eye. The officer was put on administrative leave and then later resigned. A lawsuit may be filed later.
This is a type of formal control shown here. I wasn’t there so I can’t say what was the right move but from what I get out of this article it seems like this could have been dealt with in a better way. These children have special needs and I don’t think force is going to teach them what is right or wrong. If Pitts’ was acting in a harmful or dangerous way I could understand using force but it seems extreme to use force for not having his shirt tucked in. I think the police officer abused his power. He was not able to control Pitts so he found a way in which he could. This is a good example of control used in schools.
Blog Post #4
This article was taken from cnn.com. A police officer in Illinois was assigned to a high school in Illinois called the Academy for Learning for children with special needs. He was caught on tape allegedly assaulting a special needs student Marshawn Pitts, 15. Pitts had brain injuries when he was hit by a car at young age. Pitts did not tuck his shirt in which violated the dress code so the police reprimanded him. Pitts walked away and when he did, the police officer slammed him to the lockers and then pinned him to the floor. He broke Pitts’ nose and the officer was treated for a scratched eye. The officer was put on administrative leave and then later resigned. A lawsuit may be filed later.
This is a type of formal control shown here. I wasn’t there so I can’t say what was the right move but from what I get out of this article it seems like this could have been dealt with in a better way. These children have special needs and I don’t think force is going to teach them what is right or wrong. If Pitts’ was acting in a harmful or dangerous way I could understand using force but it seems extreme to use force for not having his shirt tucked in. I think the police officer abused his power. He was not able to control Pitts so he found a way in which he could. This is a good example of control used in schools.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Boy arrested for a replay of Columbine
Mariel Graeber
#5
A boy as arrested on suspicion to police that he was planning an attack on his school outside of New York City on the anniversary of the Columbine School Massacre. The boy admitted to police in tears his plan and is now residing in a Psychiatric hospital. He said the reason he wanted to attack the school was because he was upset about being bullied.
Throughout history there has been bulling in school and the way the law deals with it is by using medicalization of those who are going to attack a school for being bullied. This young kids have no way of dealing with the bulling. When they go to get help from the teachers the bulling only gets worse, teachers can hardly say they do not know who is bullied and who are the bullies. Instead we let it slid because it is harmless. Until one day a kid decides to ignite gasoline to end all of his problems as this young boy was planning to do. Instead of going to the source of the problem and dealing with the issue of bulling the police deal with it as if it is an isolated case which history shows is hardly true.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091021/ap_on_re_us/us_teen_school_attack_plot
#5
A boy as arrested on suspicion to police that he was planning an attack on his school outside of New York City on the anniversary of the Columbine School Massacre. The boy admitted to police in tears his plan and is now residing in a Psychiatric hospital. He said the reason he wanted to attack the school was because he was upset about being bullied.
Throughout history there has been bulling in school and the way the law deals with it is by using medicalization of those who are going to attack a school for being bullied. This young kids have no way of dealing with the bulling. When they go to get help from the teachers the bulling only gets worse, teachers can hardly say they do not know who is bullied and who are the bullies. Instead we let it slid because it is harmless. Until one day a kid decides to ignite gasoline to end all of his problems as this young boy was planning to do. Instead of going to the source of the problem and dealing with the issue of bulling the police deal with it as if it is an isolated case which history shows is hardly true.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091021/ap_on_re_us/us_teen_school_attack_plot
Sex Offenders Suspected in Unknown Killing
Mariel Graeber
# 4
Young 7 year old Somer Thomson was missing in a town in Florida. Before her body was found all 161 sex offenders in a five mile radius of the girls home were questioned. Thomson was last seen by school mate outside of an abandoned house when walking home from school Monday.
This is a very interesting case because police believe none of the sex offenders have anything to do with the young girls disapperance. After her body was found sex offenders were no longer suspects. It seems to me that the case of Jaycee Dugard of the girl found after a number of years to be kidnapped by a sex offender that has been infliltraiting the news is affecting the judgement of the police. No evidence was found that the girl would be with a sex offender. The only evidence was that she was missing. This is important for social control because we can see that Thomson was about the same age at Dugard and their kidnapping situations were simalar but for the police to first suspect that a sex offender was to blame it upsurd. To use a pervious case that had nothing to do with Thomson's kidnapping only goes to show that the police are trying to please the public that such a mistake as Dugards will never happen again when in actuality if the police would have used the evidence from the site of Thomson's kidnapping to search for a lead then the girls life may have been saved!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091023/ap_on_re_us/us_girl_in_landfill
# 4
Young 7 year old Somer Thomson was missing in a town in Florida. Before her body was found all 161 sex offenders in a five mile radius of the girls home were questioned. Thomson was last seen by school mate outside of an abandoned house when walking home from school Monday.
This is a very interesting case because police believe none of the sex offenders have anything to do with the young girls disapperance. After her body was found sex offenders were no longer suspects. It seems to me that the case of Jaycee Dugard of the girl found after a number of years to be kidnapped by a sex offender that has been infliltraiting the news is affecting the judgement of the police. No evidence was found that the girl would be with a sex offender. The only evidence was that she was missing. This is important for social control because we can see that Thomson was about the same age at Dugard and their kidnapping situations were simalar but for the police to first suspect that a sex offender was to blame it upsurd. To use a pervious case that had nothing to do with Thomson's kidnapping only goes to show that the police are trying to please the public that such a mistake as Dugards will never happen again when in actuality if the police would have used the evidence from the site of Thomson's kidnapping to search for a lead then the girls life may have been saved!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091023/ap_on_re_us/us_girl_in_landfill
Rich Germans demand higher taxes
Julie Parker
SOC 313
Olson
10.23.09
SOC 313
Olson
10.23.09
Rich Germans demand higher taxes
A group of very well-to-do Germans is demanding that the wealthiest population in Germany pay a 5% increase in taxes for two years. They believe that the money will be enough to boost, “ecological programmes, education and social projects”. Recently Germany has been undergoing a financial crisis similar to the US’s. However, Germany is more socially structured than the US and German citizens are entitled to free health care and public/secondary education. When people lose jobs in Germany they face a harder financial impact because their hospitals and schools rely on the tax dollars.
This article is a great example of informal social control. Here we have a community of wealthy people demanding that others in the same financial state pay higher taxes to alleviate some of Germany’s fiscal troubles. Peer pressure is allowing the group to gather numerous signatures and votes. Interestingly enough, it is the wealthy community demanding these changes. In a way they are looking to eliminate any possible hegemony the poverty stricken may face when going into recession.
In this instance it may be safe to say that the wealthy feel responsible for the poor, but there is an interesting statement in the article: “Those who had "made a fortune through inheritance, hard work, hard-working, successful entrepreneurship, or investment" should contribute by paying more to alleviate the crisis.” I am not really sure if I should take this as sarcasm in the fact that the rich worked hard for their money and shame on the poor—or if they really mean that the rich have more than they need even after hard work?
This article is a great example of informal social control. Here we have a community of wealthy people demanding that others in the same financial state pay higher taxes to alleviate some of Germany’s fiscal troubles. Peer pressure is allowing the group to gather numerous signatures and votes. Interestingly enough, it is the wealthy community demanding these changes. In a way they are looking to eliminate any possible hegemony the poverty stricken may face when going into recession.
In this instance it may be safe to say that the wealthy feel responsible for the poor, but there is an interesting statement in the article: “Those who had "made a fortune through inheritance, hard work, hard-working, successful entrepreneurship, or investment" should contribute by paying more to alleviate the crisis.” I am not really sure if I should take this as sarcasm in the fact that the rich worked hard for their money and shame on the poor—or if they really mean that the rich have more than they need even after hard work?
Resources:
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Family Stages Missing Child
Mariel Graeber
#3
In this article from CNN a family staged a claim that their child was missing in a hot air balloon for fame. The family claims that the child was in the balloon when it took off, while a slip up by the 6 year old child shows it was a hoax. The child was found later to be safe.
The family wanted to be on a reality T.V. show. The media is a great source for people to become recognized and become famous. Reality T.V. now holds a main spot in the Television line up and instead of applying for a reality T.V. show the family tried to use the Media to get the spot. The family used widely know social norms to try to get a spot on t.v. by coping famous t.v. stars. The stars get in trouble, by lying, cheating, or breaking the laws and in return they get a reality T.V. show. The family was using this same tactic to use their 15 minutes of fame to get an entire season on MTV of fame. We copy what we see in the media to get what we want as opposed to doing the hard thing and actually using our talents.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/10/18/colorado.balloon.investigation/index.html
#3
In this article from CNN a family staged a claim that their child was missing in a hot air balloon for fame. The family claims that the child was in the balloon when it took off, while a slip up by the 6 year old child shows it was a hoax. The child was found later to be safe.
The family wanted to be on a reality T.V. show. The media is a great source for people to become recognized and become famous. Reality T.V. now holds a main spot in the Television line up and instead of applying for a reality T.V. show the family tried to use the Media to get the spot. The family used widely know social norms to try to get a spot on t.v. by coping famous t.v. stars. The stars get in trouble, by lying, cheating, or breaking the laws and in return they get a reality T.V. show. The family was using this same tactic to use their 15 minutes of fame to get an entire season on MTV of fame. We copy what we see in the media to get what we want as opposed to doing the hard thing and actually using our talents.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/10/18/colorado.balloon.investigation/index.html
Girls Torn Between Latino and American Culture.
Mariel Graeber #2
This article from CNN shows a study on 200 Latino girls half of which have attempted suicide in New York. The study shows that 14% of Latino female teenagers attempt suicide. The study concluded that the reason for attempting suicide is due depression caused by different cultural norms between the two cultures. The mothers of these young girls want them to learn to cook and clean for the family while their American counterparts want them to hang out and do American teenager activities. These young girls are caught in between two worlds.
There are a lot of example of social control in this article. The most obvious one is that when individuals, in this case young Latino teenagers can not live within the social norms of society they must find an escape. In this case it is suicide or an attempt of suicide. The girls stuck between the social norms of two cultures and if they do not choose then they can not feel confident in who they truly are. Society will either force them to assimilate or they must live with Latino cultural norms. These girls are turning to Physiological help when the issue if not can not be helped with this type of medicine the issue is instead embedded in the culture they choose. If these young teenagers do not choose a culture to abide by they will not be able conform to the social norms and in doing so they will need an escape.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/10/20/lia.latina.suicides/index.html
This article from CNN shows a study on 200 Latino girls half of which have attempted suicide in New York. The study shows that 14% of Latino female teenagers attempt suicide. The study concluded that the reason for attempting suicide is due depression caused by different cultural norms between the two cultures. The mothers of these young girls want them to learn to cook and clean for the family while their American counterparts want them to hang out and do American teenager activities. These young girls are caught in between two worlds.
There are a lot of example of social control in this article. The most obvious one is that when individuals, in this case young Latino teenagers can not live within the social norms of society they must find an escape. In this case it is suicide or an attempt of suicide. The girls stuck between the social norms of two cultures and if they do not choose then they can not feel confident in who they truly are. Society will either force them to assimilate or they must live with Latino cultural norms. These girls are turning to Physiological help when the issue if not can not be helped with this type of medicine the issue is instead embedded in the culture they choose. If these young teenagers do not choose a culture to abide by they will not be able conform to the social norms and in doing so they will need an escape.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/10/20/lia.latina.suicides/index.html
Sunday, October 18, 2009
When keeping quiet may be just the right thing to do
Andrew Young
The article i found was from the New York Times. It is about a man, Lawrence B Lindsey losing his job as Director of the National Economic council and another man, Lawrence H. Summers, who is taking the role. The one difference in these two men is that one will keep his mouth shut in politics and the other, well he lost his job due to his mouth. Mr. Lindsey lost his job for criticizing the war in Iraq back when George W. Bush was still president stating that the economy does not need more debt with the 200 trillion it would take for the war to go through. That freedom of speech, and backing his own right led to him losing his job. The other man, Mr. Summers, now the Director was asked the same question, and chose to keep shut. This is an act of social control because what its showing is even if you are in a high position or job where your opinion is asked for and needed in economic bad times, you still need to be following what the head man, the president is doing or you will be replaced. So if you were to disagree with anything happening in the country your job, your freedom , your life, is on the line. Mr. Lindsey choose to speak his mind and lost his high job, but Mr. Summers will conform with whats going on and will not speak his mind. Even though in past places, Mr. Summers was let go from a presidency job at Harvard University for speaking out about gender differences. So both men have lost their jobs due to there act of freedom of speech and one has conformed to the social control that the government has on these individuals. Your either with us or your gone.
The article i found was from the New York Times. It is about a man, Lawrence B Lindsey losing his job as Director of the National Economic council and another man, Lawrence H. Summers, who is taking the role. The one difference in these two men is that one will keep his mouth shut in politics and the other, well he lost his job due to his mouth. Mr. Lindsey lost his job for criticizing the war in Iraq back when George W. Bush was still president stating that the economy does not need more debt with the 200 trillion it would take for the war to go through. That freedom of speech, and backing his own right led to him losing his job. The other man, Mr. Summers, now the Director was asked the same question, and chose to keep shut. This is an act of social control because what its showing is even if you are in a high position or job where your opinion is asked for and needed in economic bad times, you still need to be following what the head man, the president is doing or you will be replaced. So if you were to disagree with anything happening in the country your job, your freedom , your life, is on the line. Mr. Lindsey choose to speak his mind and lost his high job, but Mr. Summers will conform with whats going on and will not speak his mind. Even though in past places, Mr. Summers was let go from a presidency job at Harvard University for speaking out about gender differences. So both men have lost their jobs due to there act of freedom of speech and one has conformed to the social control that the government has on these individuals. Your either with us or your gone.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
“Wal-Mart; Business Savvy Control”
Matthew Spinks
I recently read an article from MSNBC.com that consisted mainly of Wal-Marts soon to be dominion over the general public. The case posed against Wal-Mart is that they have covered up their business plans and faulty practices with massive public relations and cut throat prices, only to now set foot into healthcare reform to renew their image. Now what does this have to do with social control, you ask? Well for starters, the article first details how WM (Wal-Mart) has direct control over their consumers. It has been suggested that they undercut prices of competitors and suppliers in order to gain a foothold over the market. Some would argue that WM is considered a “monopoly” but rather than directly buying out smaller businesses, they overproduce and underprice the competition making them the dominant presence in the market-Meaning instead of having the choice to go and buy your honey from a bee farm, you now get to buy it from GiantBee Factory Inc. or some other corporation. Does this affect you directly? No. But in the long run, who can say. If allowed to continue on with such practices WM could adapt to other markets-as they have done with supermarkets and pharmacys.
Not only that, but given the right economic situations, WM could possibly be your future employer. With poverty and job loss on the rise, WM could hire you for five dollars an hour, give you no benefits (Only 50% of employees are provided with healthcare options) and force you to either work 32 hour weeks and no options for overtime. Is it fair that people who ALREADY work for this company have no say in what they can and cant do? Probably, but more than certain is the fact that they are not in control of their lives, and their weekly duties are dictated by a constant need to survive and provide for themselves or their families. More than 70% of WM employees live under the poverty line. They have no other choice than to work and even more, once they work for 7 years, “They produce the same amount as a new associate but will receive 55% more pay” according to one human resources executive. What this means is that someone can work 7 years and produce/provide the best possible service they can and even that will not guarantee their future in a company, removing self control altogether and forcing an employee to become part of the machine; only to be removed when it no longer functions past 100% productivity as though they are no longer people.
I recently read an article from MSNBC.com that consisted mainly of Wal-Marts soon to be dominion over the general public. The case posed against Wal-Mart is that they have covered up their business plans and faulty practices with massive public relations and cut throat prices, only to now set foot into healthcare reform to renew their image. Now what does this have to do with social control, you ask? Well for starters, the article first details how WM (Wal-Mart) has direct control over their consumers. It has been suggested that they undercut prices of competitors and suppliers in order to gain a foothold over the market. Some would argue that WM is considered a “monopoly” but rather than directly buying out smaller businesses, they overproduce and underprice the competition making them the dominant presence in the market-Meaning instead of having the choice to go and buy your honey from a bee farm, you now get to buy it from GiantBee Factory Inc. or some other corporation. Does this affect you directly? No. But in the long run, who can say. If allowed to continue on with such practices WM could adapt to other markets-as they have done with supermarkets and pharmacys.
Not only that, but given the right economic situations, WM could possibly be your future employer. With poverty and job loss on the rise, WM could hire you for five dollars an hour, give you no benefits (Only 50% of employees are provided with healthcare options) and force you to either work 32 hour weeks and no options for overtime. Is it fair that people who ALREADY work for this company have no say in what they can and cant do? Probably, but more than certain is the fact that they are not in control of their lives, and their weekly duties are dictated by a constant need to survive and provide for themselves or their families. More than 70% of WM employees live under the poverty line. They have no other choice than to work and even more, once they work for 7 years, “They produce the same amount as a new associate but will receive 55% more pay” according to one human resources executive. What this means is that someone can work 7 years and produce/provide the best possible service they can and even that will not guarantee their future in a company, removing self control altogether and forcing an employee to become part of the machine; only to be removed when it no longer functions past 100% productivity as though they are no longer people.
Does your social class determine your online social network?
Victoria Atencio
Post #3
The article I found comes from CNN and describes a recent study that was done which compares the social differences between the users of MySpace and Facebook. The market research firm Nielsen Claritas performed the study and concluded that people from a more well off background are 25% more likely to use Facebook compared to the 37% of people who are from a less wealthy demographic who most commonly use MySpace. The article reaffirms what most people come to conclude about these two social networking sites, that Facebook is geared towards college students/graduates who may be more interesting in the applications it has to offer rather than MySpace which is geared towards a more high school/non-educated crowd interested in music. This article is a great example of social control because the basis of this study was to examine that class divisions not only exist in everyday life but are now being created via social networking sites. The obvious scission is shown between the economic differences in the two sites, but as noted in the article a somewhat of a segregation is begin formed via Facebook as well. One study followed Harvard students throughout their four years of college and found that multiracial students tend to have more Facebook friends than students of other backgrounds.
I think one of the most controlling features of these sites is that they appeal to everyone whether they are rich, poor, in college, high school, celebrity, or a recently un-employed worker. Not only that, it’s addicting. Ask anyone who uses these sites and they will tell you that once you have an account it is hard to escape it because these sites have become the social norm. This is what makes social networks so controlling because without it you would never had found that old high school friend or discovered that someone you know is pregnant. It has also become the basis for developing closer friendships because in today’s society people have become more comfortable writing on someone’s web page than speaking in person. It is the hook of social networking that lures you in and yet it is controlling in that if you delete your page you will no longer be part of a newly dominant social order known as Facebook (or MySpace, or Twitter for that matter).
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/10/13/social.networking.class/index.html
By Breeanna Hare
CNN
Post #3
The article I found comes from CNN and describes a recent study that was done which compares the social differences between the users of MySpace and Facebook. The market research firm Nielsen Claritas performed the study and concluded that people from a more well off background are 25% more likely to use Facebook compared to the 37% of people who are from a less wealthy demographic who most commonly use MySpace. The article reaffirms what most people come to conclude about these two social networking sites, that Facebook is geared towards college students/graduates who may be more interesting in the applications it has to offer rather than MySpace which is geared towards a more high school/non-educated crowd interested in music. This article is a great example of social control because the basis of this study was to examine that class divisions not only exist in everyday life but are now being created via social networking sites. The obvious scission is shown between the economic differences in the two sites, but as noted in the article a somewhat of a segregation is begin formed via Facebook as well. One study followed Harvard students throughout their four years of college and found that multiracial students tend to have more Facebook friends than students of other backgrounds.
I think one of the most controlling features of these sites is that they appeal to everyone whether they are rich, poor, in college, high school, celebrity, or a recently un-employed worker. Not only that, it’s addicting. Ask anyone who uses these sites and they will tell you that once you have an account it is hard to escape it because these sites have become the social norm. This is what makes social networks so controlling because without it you would never had found that old high school friend or discovered that someone you know is pregnant. It has also become the basis for developing closer friendships because in today’s society people have become more comfortable writing on someone’s web page than speaking in person. It is the hook of social networking that lures you in and yet it is controlling in that if you delete your page you will no longer be part of a newly dominant social order known as Facebook (or MySpace, or Twitter for that matter).
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/10/13/social.networking.class/index.html
By Breeanna Hare
CNN
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Ten Common Food Poisoning Risks
Ten Common Food Poisoning Risks
By Tara Parker-Pope
Victoria Atencio
blog #2
I found this article in the New York Times and the purpose is to announce the top ten 'riskiest' foods that a person is likely to eat according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest. In the article the first sentence that is presented is somewhat intimidating and I assume is meant to capture the reader's attention. The sentence includes statistics gathered from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which states that approximately 76 million people in the US get sick from the food that they eat and that 5,000 people die from the same cause. A brief explanation is given which explains that food borne illnesses are caused by bacteria found any where from the slaughter house to even your home. The article lists the top ten most common sources of food borne bacteria overseen by the Food and Administration (does not include meat which is overseen by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture).
This is an example of control in a couple of ways. The first type of control is from the purpose of this study by the CSPI because generating a list of foods that pose a possible risk is essentially saying either watch out when eating these foods or don't eat them at all. The second form of control is presented through the media, who without the ability of communicating with the public, would most likely never know that ice cream made the top ten food poisoning risks. I would be interested to see the percentages of sales if this article was more widely read. My guess is that the sales of these products would decrease. This is frequently seen with other products such as when the media reports of possible e. coli poisoning in spinach and all of a sudden people stop eating it for months. This shows the type of social control the media has on our everyday lives. If it wasn't for the media people would eat potentially harmful foods without any concern rather than giving up certain foods because they have been labeled by the government as posing a risk to your health. This can either be a good form of control or bad depending on whether or not you like living on the edge and want to eat what may or may not be a bacteria poisoned bowl of ice cream.
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/06/top-10-food-poisoning-risks/?em
By Tara Parker-Pope
Victoria Atencio
blog #2
I found this article in the New York Times and the purpose is to announce the top ten 'riskiest' foods that a person is likely to eat according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest. In the article the first sentence that is presented is somewhat intimidating and I assume is meant to capture the reader's attention. The sentence includes statistics gathered from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which states that approximately 76 million people in the US get sick from the food that they eat and that 5,000 people die from the same cause. A brief explanation is given which explains that food borne illnesses are caused by bacteria found any where from the slaughter house to even your home. The article lists the top ten most common sources of food borne bacteria overseen by the Food and Administration (does not include meat which is overseen by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture).
This is an example of control in a couple of ways. The first type of control is from the purpose of this study by the CSPI because generating a list of foods that pose a possible risk is essentially saying either watch out when eating these foods or don't eat them at all. The second form of control is presented through the media, who without the ability of communicating with the public, would most likely never know that ice cream made the top ten food poisoning risks. I would be interested to see the percentages of sales if this article was more widely read. My guess is that the sales of these products would decrease. This is frequently seen with other products such as when the media reports of possible e. coli poisoning in spinach and all of a sudden people stop eating it for months. This shows the type of social control the media has on our everyday lives. If it wasn't for the media people would eat potentially harmful foods without any concern rather than giving up certain foods because they have been labeled by the government as posing a risk to your health. This can either be a good form of control or bad depending on whether or not you like living on the edge and want to eat what may or may not be a bacteria poisoned bowl of ice cream.
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/06/top-10-food-poisoning-risks/?em
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Violent Crime Falls in 2008
Justin Pierson
Soc. 313
Post #3
This article was found in the September 15 of USA Today and summarizes the FBI's annual crime report results. The article claims that violent crimes have declined for the second straight year. The report includes statistics gathered from over seventeen thousand law enforcement agencies around the United States. Most notably the article claimed that murder had declined 6.8% and car thefts had declined a whopping 17%. The report also claimed that only 89,000 rapes were recorded in 2008 which was the fewest to be reported in nearly two decades. The article tries to find a correlation between the slow moving economy and the decrease in crime, claiming that while violent crimes have declined there has been an increase in opportunistic property crimes, people are looking to make a quick buck by stealing items that include GPS devices and IPODS.
The FBI's report seems to be a good example of control waves that we discussed in chapter two of the Innes text. The numbers that this FBI report are comparing current numbers to could have been extremely high therefore making it seem as if there has been a dramatic decline in crime. Also this report only reflects the crimes that have been reported, confidence in law enforcement may have also declined and people are reporting crimes against them less frequently. Increased policing of violent individuals may have increased giving people less opportunity to commit violent acts. The important point is that just because the reporting of violent crime is down that does not mean that violent acts are being committed less frequently. Trying to correlate the decrease in auto thefts with the poor economy is also a deceiving move, there may be less car thefts because the technology surrounding automobile security has become more advanced, better car alarms, and this could be deterring thieves and resulting in less thefts. These reports are very deceiving, violent crimes seemed to have been declining but what about non-violent crimes and white collar crimes the report fails to address these issues. The FBI and the media, in this instance, seem to be directing the moral panic away from crime and toward our economic struggles, with this article mentioning the poor economy it seems as if it is trying to convince us that we should not worry so much about being the victim of a violent crime but we ought to worry about the state of our economy.
Soc. 313
Post #3
This article was found in the September 15 of USA Today and summarizes the FBI's annual crime report results. The article claims that violent crimes have declined for the second straight year. The report includes statistics gathered from over seventeen thousand law enforcement agencies around the United States. Most notably the article claimed that murder had declined 6.8% and car thefts had declined a whopping 17%. The report also claimed that only 89,000 rapes were recorded in 2008 which was the fewest to be reported in nearly two decades. The article tries to find a correlation between the slow moving economy and the decrease in crime, claiming that while violent crimes have declined there has been an increase in opportunistic property crimes, people are looking to make a quick buck by stealing items that include GPS devices and IPODS.
The FBI's report seems to be a good example of control waves that we discussed in chapter two of the Innes text. The numbers that this FBI report are comparing current numbers to could have been extremely high therefore making it seem as if there has been a dramatic decline in crime. Also this report only reflects the crimes that have been reported, confidence in law enforcement may have also declined and people are reporting crimes against them less frequently. Increased policing of violent individuals may have increased giving people less opportunity to commit violent acts. The important point is that just because the reporting of violent crime is down that does not mean that violent acts are being committed less frequently. Trying to correlate the decrease in auto thefts with the poor economy is also a deceiving move, there may be less car thefts because the technology surrounding automobile security has become more advanced, better car alarms, and this could be deterring thieves and resulting in less thefts. These reports are very deceiving, violent crimes seemed to have been declining but what about non-violent crimes and white collar crimes the report fails to address these issues. The FBI and the media, in this instance, seem to be directing the moral panic away from crime and toward our economic struggles, with this article mentioning the poor economy it seems as if it is trying to convince us that we should not worry so much about being the victim of a violent crime but we ought to worry about the state of our economy.
Suicides in France Put Focus on Workplace
Justin Pierson
Soc. 313
Post #2
In France a company called Telecom has been reevaluating and reorganizing its business strategy in order to become more efficient thus more profitable in these hard economic times, this has had an unfortunate effect on their workforce. Since February 2008 there have been twenty four suicides at Telecom and France's government is beginning to think that this is not merely a coincidence. Workers are forced to work long hours and with many jobs being cut the workers that are left at Telecom are being pushed beyond their limits. Due to the pace of economic change there is a desire among many businesses to become more efficient at a lower cost. Many jobs have already been cut and many more cuts will still be made this seems to be putting pressure on workers to perform and many due to the high pressure at work and their job insecurity are unable to cope with the change. France has recorded the second highest suicide rate, next to Japan, among large European countries. Telecom is attempting to deal with this problem by adding anonymous help lines, strengthening their human resources department and offering psychological support for those who need it.
This situation seems to illustrate Taylorism and shows how it may create more efficient businesses while causing the workforce to become extremely stressed and uncertain about their employment future, leading some to take their own lives. While businesses are trying to find ways to become more effecient are they really concerned with the effect of this rapid change of their workers? The desire to maximize profits in these difficult economic times is causing some companies, like Telecom, to not consider the well being of their working population. The business seems to be so concerned with becoming efficient that worker comfort is not being considered, you would think that the more comfortable each worker is with their working conditions the more efficient each worker may become. This article shows how the desire to continually rationalize the workplace may have extremely negative effects on the workers themselves and in looking to control the cost and the rate of production businesses are causing workers to kill themselves.
This article was found in the New York Times and can be accessed through this link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/30/business/global/30employ.html?_r=2&sq=suicide%20business&st=cse&adxnnl=1&scp=1&adxnnlx=1254420264-KufYRdVjJ5mI0k+bdZT8EQ
Soc. 313
Post #2
In France a company called Telecom has been reevaluating and reorganizing its business strategy in order to become more efficient thus more profitable in these hard economic times, this has had an unfortunate effect on their workforce. Since February 2008 there have been twenty four suicides at Telecom and France's government is beginning to think that this is not merely a coincidence. Workers are forced to work long hours and with many jobs being cut the workers that are left at Telecom are being pushed beyond their limits. Due to the pace of economic change there is a desire among many businesses to become more efficient at a lower cost. Many jobs have already been cut and many more cuts will still be made this seems to be putting pressure on workers to perform and many due to the high pressure at work and their job insecurity are unable to cope with the change. France has recorded the second highest suicide rate, next to Japan, among large European countries. Telecom is attempting to deal with this problem by adding anonymous help lines, strengthening their human resources department and offering psychological support for those who need it.
This situation seems to illustrate Taylorism and shows how it may create more efficient businesses while causing the workforce to become extremely stressed and uncertain about their employment future, leading some to take their own lives. While businesses are trying to find ways to become more effecient are they really concerned with the effect of this rapid change of their workers? The desire to maximize profits in these difficult economic times is causing some companies, like Telecom, to not consider the well being of their working population. The business seems to be so concerned with becoming efficient that worker comfort is not being considered, you would think that the more comfortable each worker is with their working conditions the more efficient each worker may become. This article shows how the desire to continually rationalize the workplace may have extremely negative effects on the workers themselves and in looking to control the cost and the rate of production businesses are causing workers to kill themselves.
This article was found in the New York Times and can be accessed through this link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/30/business/global/30employ.html?_r=2&sq=suicide%20business&st=cse&adxnnl=1&scp=1&adxnnlx=1254420264-KufYRdVjJ5mI0k+bdZT8EQ
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Strict Rules from Parents Lead to Safer-Driving Teens
Ashley Villanueva
Post #3
Soc 313
This article is taken from usatoday.com. It talks about two studies that were recently done and found that parents have a huge effect on the way their teens drive. Parents who are involved in setting rules for driving have a safer driving teen. It cuts their teens of driving drunk by 70%, are 50% less likely to speed and 30% less likely to use a cell phone while driving. If the teen has to ask for the keys to drive they are 50% less likely to get in a crash. The leading cause of death in 16 to 20 year olds is in a car crash.
This is an obvious example of social control in the home. I know when I was first learning how to drive I wanted my freedom to drive wherever and with whoever I wanted but my parents were strict about it. I wasn’t able to go out at night and drive with any of my friends. I understand this control now that I’m older. It’s this control that kept me safe and helped to me to become a better driver before I was given more freedom. No teen wants to feel like they are controlled by their parents but it’s this gradual creep of giving their children more and more freedom as they prove themselves that keeps them from getting into car accidents. This ties into the concept we were talking about in class about the control creep that intentionally and unintentionally expands in some areas while contracting in others.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2009-09-24-safer-driving-teens_N.htm?csp=usat.me
Post #3
Soc 313
This article is taken from usatoday.com. It talks about two studies that were recently done and found that parents have a huge effect on the way their teens drive. Parents who are involved in setting rules for driving have a safer driving teen. It cuts their teens of driving drunk by 70%, are 50% less likely to speed and 30% less likely to use a cell phone while driving. If the teen has to ask for the keys to drive they are 50% less likely to get in a crash. The leading cause of death in 16 to 20 year olds is in a car crash.
This is an obvious example of social control in the home. I know when I was first learning how to drive I wanted my freedom to drive wherever and with whoever I wanted but my parents were strict about it. I wasn’t able to go out at night and drive with any of my friends. I understand this control now that I’m older. It’s this control that kept me safe and helped to me to become a better driver before I was given more freedom. No teen wants to feel like they are controlled by their parents but it’s this gradual creep of giving their children more and more freedom as they prove themselves that keeps them from getting into car accidents. This ties into the concept we were talking about in class about the control creep that intentionally and unintentionally expands in some areas while contracting in others.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2009-09-24-safer-driving-teens_N.htm?csp=usat.me
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Robbery Suspect Dies In Police Shooting
Savannah Brandenburg
Soc313
Thurday around noon and Albuquerque officer kills a suspect of robbery.The incident happened at a Walgreens pharmacy on Coors Boulevard between Sequoia Road and St. Joseph's Drive. Police said officers responded to a robbery-in-progress call from the store. Police said the robber ran after spotting an officer entering the store.The suspect ran across Coors Boulevard, then headed west towards the Sequoia Plaza shopping area.It was near that storage facility where an officer confronted the armed man, then shot him in the torso. The suspect died at the scene.
Police said they don't know why the officer fired at the robber, nor the number of shots fired. The suspect was identified to be link to other rrobberies. In this particular area there are a lot of armed robberies.
Police say a daycare center in the area was locked down as a precaution. Children were either transported to a sister daycare center on the west side of sequoia road or parents were escorted in to pick up their children.
The case is still under investigation. The officer who fired and hit the robber was placed on standard leave.
I believe this officer was most likely doing what we trained and doing his job. Even though, he killed the suspect it might not have been the right things but maybe the first and safest way to go. I think this is form of social control because it shows the public about where suspected armed robberies take place, maybe to control the public from going into this neighborhood, also that a police killed someone although they do not know why this officer pulled the trigger. I think it is a good thing that people noticed the cops early knowing they were being protected in such a high crime place of town. Also that becuase of this incident they were right there to get this man.
Soc313
Thurday around noon and Albuquerque officer kills a suspect of robbery.The incident happened at a Walgreens pharmacy on Coors Boulevard between Sequoia Road and St. Joseph's Drive. Police said officers responded to a robbery-in-progress call from the store. Police said the robber ran after spotting an officer entering the store.The suspect ran across Coors Boulevard, then headed west towards the Sequoia Plaza shopping area.It was near that storage facility where an officer confronted the armed man, then shot him in the torso. The suspect died at the scene.
Police said they don't know why the officer fired at the robber, nor the number of shots fired. The suspect was identified to be link to other rrobberies. In this particular area there are a lot of armed robberies.
Police say a daycare center in the area was locked down as a precaution. Children were either transported to a sister daycare center on the west side of sequoia road or parents were escorted in to pick up their children.
The case is still under investigation. The officer who fired and hit the robber was placed on standard leave.
I believe this officer was most likely doing what we trained and doing his job. Even though, he killed the suspect it might not have been the right things but maybe the first and safest way to go. I think this is form of social control because it shows the public about where suspected armed robberies take place, maybe to control the public from going into this neighborhood, also that a police killed someone although they do not know why this officer pulled the trigger. I think it is a good thing that people noticed the cops early knowing they were being protected in such a high crime place of town. Also that becuase of this incident they were right there to get this man.
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