Writing Feedback / Is Consumerism a good or bad thing? [NEW]

Do you think consumerism is a good or bad thing? Given your response, how do you respond to the "buy nothing day" poster? Do you agree with it? what would be the ramifications of buying nothing be? Who would be affected?

In the consumer society, "I am what I have" is the operative definition of self. In today's society consumerism is often portrayed to be a negative aspect of people's lives and purchasing behaviors, which inevitably leads to materialism. But, if looked at in a positive light, consumerism have certain positive characteristics.

Consumerism has emerged as part of a historical process that has created mass markets, industrialization, and cultural attitudes that ensure that rising incomes are used to purchase an ever-growing output. Consumerism rests on the assumption that human desires are infinitely expandable; if there are an infinite number of ways to be dissatisfied; there are boundless opportunities to create new products to meet those desires. Every day companies compete by inventing a new product to satisfy consumer's need. Some of these things are very useful and make some people wonder how they would live without them. Many of these products don't have much impact on society and fade out throughout the years.

Although it has been said that money is the root of all evil, many people actually believe that they would be happier if they were wealthier. People often want more than they have now, more money, a better car, a bigger house, more shoes and cloths. They will never be satisfied, because every day there is new ads for new cars, clothes and electronics. Nowadays, big companies and corporations try to make people buy their products by using more and more advertising techniques. TV commercials, posters on the walls, newspaper ads and a variety of different flyers are just some examples of the massive propaganda used by businesses. Not only have advertisers learned to identify specific products that appeal to men and women, but they have also found that the "want" of the consumer can be turned into a "need" for the advertised product. Many of the beauty product companies advertise their products as a "need" which ultimately appeals to a vast majority of women.

There are many ways that consumerism can effect the environment. Consumerism can cause air and water pollution, land contamination, and forest degradation. Consumption itself, plus the production and waste of products used in consumption is related to pollution. Industrial waste (especially when just dumped into the rivers and oceans), waste from the tourist industry (including cruise liners, air travel, etc.), waste from industrial agriculture, and automobile emissions are examples of air and water pollutions caused by consumerism. Tobacco production, for example, can lead to soil degradation and land contamination.

Worried about the negatives effects on environment by consumerism, Ted Dave, a Canadian artist, founded the "Buy Nothing Day", which is an informal day of protest against consumerism. The "Buy Nothing Day" is a good way to show people how addicted to shopping they are, and it is a good way to make people think how consumption is destroying the planet. I personally do not think that the "Buy Nothing Day" would affect the country's economy, because this protest lasts only 24 hours and what people do not buy that day will be bought at a later date.

Consumerism can actually have some positive effects on society. The economy depends on people buying stuff. If people only bought the absolute necessities, most of the country would be unemployed and unable to make enough money to buy those absolute necessities. The growth of demand for consumer goods also encourages investors to put their money into expanded production so consumption growth also stimulates economic growth.

Consumerism increases consumption, more consumption requires more production, more production means more jobs and more income in society, and more income means more consumption. This is the cycle which if managed properly can bring growth and prosperity to society. Consumerism is essential to our economy, but authorities should imply rules and laws to make sure that consumerism does not destroy our planet.

Research Papers / association between paternal age at birth... [4]

... time and the risk of offspring developing schzophrenia.

This article discusses the relationship of paternal age of schizophrenia, which is a chronic, severe, and disabling brain disorder.
A cross-sectional study was done on patients of schizophrenia and on people without any psychiatric disorder. The results of this study showed that the average of paternal age birth in schizophrenic patients was significantly higher than age of control group. The results also showed that fathers age no loss than mother's contributes variably to the risk of a less favorable reproductive outcome.

does it make sense??
thanks in advance...

Writing Feedback / "americanism means to be proud" - essay [NEW]

American means to be proud. It means to stand up for what you believe in and to fight for it. American also means to have freedom, freedoms to do what you wish, to practice your own religious ceremonies, customs, and beliefs. With these freedoms comes a responsibility, a responsibility to be accountable for your actions. America isn't perfect, but it is one of the only countries that have rights given to people of different diversities and gender.

Most people find it very hard to pull up roots in their native land and move to a strange country. Throughout history, countless millions of people have done so. People forsake their homeland and move to America for various reasons.

America is one of the only countries that women have the same rights as men. In some countries women are still totally dependent on men, and they are still fighting for their voting rights and for their right to obtain education. American women are no longer seen as simply a supportive base for men. Rather they have graduated to the same level as them and in many areas they have already left them in the dust.

America's freedom brings people from all over the world especially from those countries where culture, family or religion does not allow their own people to be themselves. In some countries one is not allowed to wear certain kind of clothes, or have a different hair style, some religions does not even permit the women to get their hair cut. There are also people who feel attracted to people of the same sex, and come to America because they can be punished in their countries.

What most attracts people to America has long been economic opportunity. America is known as the land of opportunity for many immigrants who dare to dream of a better life. Since the beginning of American history, United States has focused more about equal opportunity than any other country. There are many people who strongly believe that once they come to the United States it is almost guaranteed to find success, but to achieve success one have to work hard, persistently, and efficiently. Efficiency is another important value to

Americans, who have recently become obsessed with speed. Americans are a very fast paced culture who loves to have plenty of fast-food stores, quick
internet shopping available and instant messenger.

The history of immigration to America has greatly shaped America's culture. Instead of having one basic set of customs and beliefs, America has so many that there are no dominant viewpoints. America is like a melting pot in some ways, and a tossed salad in other ways. Each immigrant brings some of his homeland's culture with him, and some parts of his culture will melt with others, and some will stay intact (like all of the different pieces of a salad).

As mentioned before, immigrants saw America as a land of opportunity,
and in America we still hold onto the belief that no matter how poor a
person is, they can always work to a higher position in life. It
doesn't matter who you are.

Terrorism in the past decade has brought many issues concerning the immigration into America. Immigration has both positive and negative impact. Immigration contributes to cultural diversity, which enriches many aspects of society, such as cuisine and fashion. Immigration contributes to a more diverse gene pool, which lowers the risks of dangerous genetic diseases. Immigration creates a pool of consumers for a variety of goods and consumers. Apart from these aspects, immigrants also contribute to national economy by paying sales taxes, real estate taxes, auto insurance, home insurance and other contributions. On the other hand, the most fundamental problem of immigration is increase in the rate of unemployment. Immigrants compete with locals for obtaining jobs. Another problem of immigration is increase in population. Increased population leads to various ramifications including shortage of land, water and other valuable resources. Apart from that, more the population more is the damage caused to the environment. States need to provide funding for the purpose of organizing rehabilitation programs to those who had migrated into the country illegally. Other problems include communication gap, terrorism, increased crime rate, racial discrimination and loss of cultural identity.

Writing Feedback / Essay on addiction - what does it mean? [4]

What does addiction mean? Well, if you look up on internet you will find many definitions to it as "The condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with or involved in something" or "A compulsive physiological and psychological need for a habit-forming substance". When you say the word addiction the first thing that come in people's mind is drugs, but you can be addict to many things besides drugs and you don't even know. Many people could be addict to work, video games, social network, food or even shopping. People who are truly addicted generally have a compulsion to do something and cannot limit the amount.

I think some activities are more addictives than others, but it depends on people's interests. Some people feel better playing video game than eating or shopping, some people rather spending time on computer than studying.

I am not crazy for computer or video games but I love going to the gym. I go to the gym every day to look better, when I miss a day I feel guilty and bad about myself. Am I addicted to working out? Well I don't think I am addicted to working out because so far it is not interfering with my job, relationship, or other important daily activities. I don't plan my entire day around my visits to the gym. I don't think I could replace my family, friends or work for something that I liked to do.

I believe that technology brought to our world two new kind of addictions: video games and computer. Some video games allow the gamers to connect with other players all over the world, allowing for a game at virtually any moment of the day. Spending a lot of time gaming or searching the internet doesn't necessarily qualify as an addiction but when time spent on the computer or playing video games reaches a point that it harms a child's or adult's family and social relationships, or disrupts school or work life, that person may be caught in a cycle of addiction. Like other addictions, the computer or video game has replaced friends and family as the source of a person's emotional life. Increasingly, to feel good, the addicted person spends more time playing video games or searching the Internet. Marriages appear to be the most affected by internet and video game addiction. Some friends of mine got in trouble at work and even got divorced because their addiction to internet and video game. The addiction interferes with responsibilities and obligations at home, and it is typically the spouse who takes on these neglected chores. Addicted on-line users tend to use the Internet as an excuse to avoid needed but reluctantly performed daily chores such as doing the laundry, cutting the lawn, or going grocery shopping. Those mundane tasks are ignored as well as important activities such as caring for children. For example, my friend forgot such things as to pick up his children after school, and to make them dinner because he became so absorbed in his Internet use. For these people time away from the computer or game can cause moodiness or withdrawal.

Addiction treatments are available for many forms of addictions, but I think that motivation to overcome the addiction is the best treatment for these people.