Some Things to Laugh About Essay Example for Free

Some Things to Laugh About Essay After reading the three articles one cannot help but realize that laughter is a serious but comical subject worth debating on. All in all, these three documents unite in one concept: that laughter can be used as a tool for social interaction for acceptance and as reinforcement to achieve certain positive responses. According to Richard Penson, et.al., many people believe that laughter is one of the best medicines that can cure not only physical ailments but human relationships as well.    Although laughing does not always result to healing, many consider good sense of humor as a great way to put their problems in better perspectives which in turn helps in better handling of awkward or grave situations. Gregory Berns supports Penson’s claim that laughter is a popular tool that is being used to gain social acceptance even though it can also jeopardize human interactions with misuse and abuse such as when jokes are delivered to embarrass a person. Jaak Panksepp’s article about rats supports Berns’ and Penson’s idea that laughter can be used in social interactions to gain certain rewarding results because his observations showed that rats tend to chirp (their version of laughter) when they are faced with threatening situations against fellow rats.   Panksepp implicates that rats try to lighten an aggressive encounter with a fellow rodent with their own way of laughing. Although studies about laughter and humor have been done, many researchers find it difficult to pursue their studies because of the ambiguity of how laughter originates from humans.   The scientific world has previously assumed that only humans experience emotional highs like laughing but Panksepp’s research on rodents can pave the way to show that other mammals also have their own forms of laughter.   Knowing that rats can also use their form of laughter called â€Å"chirping† as a tool for social acceptance and alleviating threatening situations can be helpful because this means that more research and observations can be done using animals instead of people which tend to be tedious and yield inconsistent results due to many uncontrollable factors. Panksepp’s frequent use of side comments such as referring to his insight as â€Å"delusion† was funny and it showed how humor can really help lighten even heavy subject matters like his research. However, his study needs to be validated and followed up by other scientists because as he has pointed out, it seems that he is the only one who can tell when rats are chirping even under direct provocation.   Although it is Panksepp’s perception that the scientific community is not very open to suggestions that animals can feel emotions, to reach out to his colleagues in the field by not mentioning this setback can probably boost his research’s acceptance. Berns’ article about how laughter or sense of humor says that â€Å"any discussion of humor would be incomplete without at least the mention of sex† because humor can actually originate from man’s hedonic brain processes. Berns’ assumption makes one realize that even common things such as laughter can be subconsciously used to gain social acceptance or even sexual attraction. However, it would take more studies to strongly validate these findings because of many uncontrollable factors that need to be considered when experimenting with human behavior.   Some of these factors include the personal family history of the participants, personality type and their probable experiences with the subject such as the comic strip’s theme.   Finding humor in a joke or comic strip relies on subjective perception. Therefore, many repeated studies must be done to show that these responses are really common enough to be validated as true. Although doctors and other caregivers showed how laughter can be a great tool to lighten the mood or atmosphere in their morbid situations, this writer believes that it is insulting to the patients when these professionals wager on the success of their treatments. The matter of life and death rests on the hands of these professionals and although gambling on a successful surgical operation may help lighten the stress the activity imposes, it comes across as disheartening to patients who would rather that their doctors pay attention to the risks involved and not on their wagers. More study on how medical professionals can use sense of humor in a better way to cope with their stressful jobs is evident so that gallows humor can be alleviated. More studies on laughter and how it originates must be done to help the human race use this very powerful tool to the fullest. The medical world will benefit from it by helping doctors, patients, and caregivers avoid or alleviate depression. The political arena, wherein everything is a serious matter, may also benefit if people become trained to use laughter as a device in peace talks and negotiations instead of dangerous artillery. More studies on laughter can be one of the most serious contributions that scientists can do to make the world a happier place.

Street Prostitution in St Kilda, Australia Essay -- Papers

Street Prostitution in St Kilda, Australia Street prostitution. St Kilda has been dogged by its presence and consequences for decades, and is subsequently a major community concern. There have been innumerable attempts to address the problem, however it is only until recently that an extensive and resourced approach, incorporating supporters representing all political parties and many community stakeholders, has come into force. In a report released by the Attorney General's Street Prostitution Advisory Group (established in March 2001 and consisting of parliamentary, government, residential, police, welfare, trade, and sex worker representatives), it has been proposed that tolerance zones and street worker centres should be established in the City of Port Phillip in an attempt to efficiently manage street prostitution in the area. This said proposition has been met with much acclaim, but, inevitably, not without opposition. One of the world's oldest professions, street prostitution first arrived in Australia with the First Fleet in 1788. Initially confined to the penal settlements, the industry changed dramatically in the nineteenth century, with the gold rush attracting many prostitutes to Victoria. Prostitution became densely concentrated in the city, however, the development of Melbourne, the impact of the First and Second World Wars, economic depression and legislative change saw the industry decline and spread into the inner city suburbs, such as St Kilda, Fitzroy and South Melbourne. Reports do exist of prostitution in St Kilda occurring as early as the late nineteenth century, however it was not common in the said are... ...the proposal cannot go ahead in good stead. The issue of street prostitution is not a pretty one, but nor is it uncommon. The only way that the problem can be properly addressed is if all parties involved realise the extreme need for the industry's management. The establishment of tolerance zones and street worker centres, as well as all that is proposed to go hand in hand with them, is an innovative, practical, and much-needed incentive that will undoubtedly reduce, and possibly open the gateway to the eventual eradication of street prostitution. The industry has gotten completely out of hand in the St Kilda area, and needs to be tightly controlled. The report released by the Street Prostitution Advisory Group, of which the government supports, holds the key to ultimately accomplishing this essential goal.

Cell Phone Hazards

One of the most popular innovations in automotive travel in the past decade has nothing to do with the automobile itself, the people who drive them, or the roads over which they operate. Rather, it is the ability to carry on telephone conversations while driving. In today’s society, our technology is more advanced than ever before. Text messaging, like most modern technological devices, has its benefits and drawbacks. One of the most dangerous drawbacks is when people combine text messaging with driving in an automobile. In our society, we’ve all become attached to our cell phones. Cell phones make our lives easier in many ways. For instance, we can check our email, receive phone calls, send text messages, listen to music, and take pictures, all at our fingertips. With this convenience comes a dangerous side to cell phones, and that is when we use them while driving. From the business standpoint, the cell phone may be used to conduct meetings, trade with other businesses, or to exchange vital information. Today’s American culture relies heavily on the use of cell phones. The recent growth of cellular telephone usage is a phenomenon that defies all gender, racial, and age boundaries. Cell phones are more than just the latest electronic gadgets on the market, and in turn may pose hazardous driving conditions when used at inappropriate times. There is danger involved for people who use their cell phones while driving and it is a problem that must be addressed. Over the last few years, many tests have been run to gather statistics and hard evidence on the dangers of talking on a cell phone while driving. One of the major causes of automobile collisions is due to the driver being distracted by something. When someone is really busy or has multiple things to do when behind the wheel, they tend to multi task. They drink coffee, eat, put on make up, text, or talk on their phones while driving. These people are classified as distracted drivers. When driving, it is imperative to be able to look, process information, and react quickly in order to drive safely. According to an article published by the Jackson Advocate, â€Å"talking on a cell phone while driving can make a young drivers reaction time as slow as that of a 70- year old† (Thomas, 22). Young people often complain about older drivers and call them a hazard. Taking into consideration that their cell phone habits makes them equally dangerous, they are being rather hypocritical. Using cell phones distracts drivers, and people have been known to miss turns, run red lights, and even drive off the road when distracted by the text message conversations. For example drivers on the highway that text-message and drive often swerve around the lanes unintentionally. Those who do it on public roads potentially increasing their odds of running traffic lights and signs which leads to jeopardizing others lives. When drivers multi -ask, their attention is being switched between speaking, listening and seeing what is on the road ahead of them. There is substantial evidence that one’s brain cannot process all this information at one time, and pay attention to driving at the same rate that undistracted driver would. A study done by Medical News Today journal, last updated on March 6, 2008, stated that â€Å"there is a 37% decrease in activity in the part of the brain we use to process information and visual signals, which is essential for driving† (Paddock). When using our phones while driving, we become distracted and thus our brains cannot process all the information being accepted at the same time. Drivers are increasing their chances of being in a car accident and placing others lives in danger when talking or sending text-messages while driving. Many of us would agree that using a phone while driving is not worth the risk of ending an innocent life. Driving, while using your phone, is at least as dangerous as drinking and driving. There is a possibility of running someone over or crashing into another vehicle. According to a study by the New England Journal of Medicine, â€Å"at least 1.6 million traffic accidents, which is 28% of all crashes in the United States, are caused by drivers talking or sending messages on their cell phones† (Ship, 22). Putting another’s life at risk is not worth that phone call or replying to that text-message; it can and should wait. Moreover, the cell phone has evolved into an essential tool in everyday life and there are some advantages affiliated with using it. One advantage of having cell phones is that you have access to assistance in emergency situations. For instance, if your car gets stalled on the side of the road, you can use your cell phone to obtain help. But sometimes, with cell phones in many peoples’ hands, we essentially feel as if big brother is watching. If we, as drivers, do anything wrong, someone is going to use their cell phone to call the police. But this should actually be an encouragement for us. With cell phones available at hand, it is definitely a relief to be able to immediately report something that seems unusual or may cause a threat to society or to us. It is important to note that the majority of people who use their cell phones while driving are actually business owners. They use their phones to conduct trade between other businesses, to communicate between employees and other co-workers, and to receive significant information regarding their business everyday. However, according to Wired. com, new findings show that â€Å"having important conversations while driving is not good for the health of a business. It is actually harder to remember information transmitted when driving† (Bower). Even though people are busy and claim to need the time in their car to work, talking on a cell phone while driving is dangerous and ought to be banned. Talking on a cell phone, even when using a hands free device, distracts the driver and makes them a hazard to themselves and others on the road. Some claim that government should not be able to legislate against peoples freedom as United States Citizens should be afforded the right to use cell phones where and when they wish. Although people’s freedoms and rights are important, and are protected under the United States Constitution, people’s individual rights should not outweigh the need for the government to regulate a safe environment. Instead they should regulate when and where cell phones may be permitted. The cell phone has brought with it many conveniences and luxuries. It has definitely made communication much easier. However, when it comes to road safety, the cell phone may be considered a hazard. This is especially true after Short Message Service (text- messaging) was introduced. Unfortunately, the service is so convenient that some people even compose and send text messages anytime and anywhere – while walking, eating, and even while driving. The growing number of accidents caused while texting and driving has made driving conditions dangerous to other drivers out on the road. Driving is an activity that requires full concentration and composing, reading, and sending text messages will compromise a driver's concentration. According to the American Health Association, â€Å"in 2008, approximately 1 in 6 fatal vehicle collisions were caused from a driver being distracted while driving† (Wilson ). When a driver is using their phone while driving, their minds are focused on the message they are reading or composing, rather than on paying close attention to the street. This, of course, prevents the driver from thinking quickly and compromises their reflexes. Chances are, drivers will not be able to react quickly to a situation on the road because their brains cannot handle processing all different types of information sufficiently at one time. The government should pass laws in every state not just in selected ones that ban the use of cell phones while driving to prevent fatal collisions. Cell phones are a life-threatening means of communication while driving. Despite the urgency of any text message, the dangers of texting while driving should be more than enough reason to put off texting.

Rediscovering The American Frontier Of The United States

Rediscovering the American Frontier Humans have always had a sense of curiosity for the unknown and a greedy fascination for individual growth without seeing the repercussions on others. The United States culminates these qualities not only as a first-world country but it can also be seen from the very beginnings of the nation’s history. The philosophies’ of early settlers in the United States was to have equality between the people, however Americans failed to incorporate this ideology of equality between all races. The seed of white supremacy had already been planted in many settlers minds and was a mouthpiece to many conflicts with Native Americans. Although there were times of peace between the two factions most Native American history involving white settlers is tarnished with bloodshed. Most conflict could have been resolved between the two if the United States had been willing to compromise and look at the Native American people as equals, instead of a burden to expansionism in the Frontier. However severe the conflicts were with the Native Americans many other conflicts arose, including on the Mexican Frontier. The United States during the mid-1800s was developing an interest in westward expansion into the Frontier. These ideas subconsciously then became the phenomenon of the 19th century, because Americans believed that in order to solidify America as one of the largest, most powerful countries in the world expansion within the North American continent would haveShow MoreRelatedThe Benefits of Red Wime729 Words   |  3 Pageshas been many studies and research on the benefits of this beverage and it has a history of originally being used as a medicine. The consumption of red wine includes such benefits as anti-aging, controlled blood sugar, and overall health. 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As the Presocratic philosopher Heraclitus of Ephesus (circa 480 BCE) observed, everything is in a state of flux ‘even the unchanging hills change, but more slowly than most other things’ (Speake, 1979: 135. See also Honderich, 1995; Hussey, 1982; Kahn, 1979; Kirk, 1962). Thus, large scale social and political changes are affecting all organisations without