Colonialism in The Tempests First Two Scenes Essays

Colonialism in The Tempests First Two Scenes Essays Colonialism in The Tempests First Two Scenes Essay Colonialism in The Tempests First Two Scenes Essay Essay Topic: The Tempest While reading the first two acts of the tempest, the reader could easily be lead to believe that Shakespeare intended this to be laid on a foundation of colonialism. There is much to suggest this opinion is correct, and it is one that has only with in the past century or so been discussed. It was during the Elizabethan and Jacobean periods that the discovery of the new worlds took place. The invasion of the Americas is an example of a newly discovered land that under the rule of several European powers became little more than exploitation and literal rape of land and people. All of these world developments took place in and around Shakespeares life time, and it would be foolish to think that such an intellectual would fail to make a social comment within his work or otherwise. This is the nature of what we call a colonialist text. The native inhabitants of the new worlds were looked upon as utterly inferior, and were in many cases believed to be another species altogether. They were made to be slaves, with a purpose that solely consisted of serving the white man. This is very noticeable motif throughout the play, and the best example of this is when Caliban (the inferior native) and Prospero (the magician and settler) exchange meetings. It is obvious that Prospero sees Caliban as a worthless creature, with no rights or purpose but to attend him. He does make our fire, fetch our wood, and serves in offices that profit us This is a quote from Prospero as he tells Miranda that no matter how terrible Caliban is, he does their bidding. What you may not notice in this sentence is the use of Our. Prospero talks of the islands fruits as his own, as if he is the owner of all he sees. This is of course not true. We know that it is Caliban himself who has lived on the island with his mother Sycorax longer than the Magician or his daughter. Therefore if any one should be named the owner of the island it is the native himself. Caliban becomes incredibly vocal about this at points, and states exactly what I have been mentioning; The islands mine by SycoraxWhich thou takest from meand I showed thee all the qualities oth isle. Here he says that he inherited the island when his mother died, and Prospero stole it even after he had shown him all the qualities that the island held. This deception can be seen in every colonised community, from the Spanish destruction of the Aztec culture, to the reclaiming of land from the nomad tribes of the Americas. Colonisers would extract the knowledge of the natives, usually under the pretence of friendship, and after they had exploited them for all they were worth, they would enslave them. As a side matter, it is quite interesting when you examine how prospero describes Sycorax. It is as a blue-eyed hag. This is rather strange, as she is said to be from Algeria and therefore does not fit the stereotype. Blue eyes later became associated with people of Anglo-Saxon heritage, and in some African cultures blue eyes and blonde hair are seen to be signs of the devil (or at least evil). There are several conclusions we could come to; one is that Sycorax was banished from Algeria due to her race. This view corresponds with Shakespeares use of hyphens (Blue-eyed). Some critics believe that his use of this device is implemented to depict the ever-changing reality and sense of wonder through the words instability. Another view is that the blue eyes actually refer to something other than her eye colour. Pregnancy is a distinct possibility; in previous years having blue eyelids was seen to be a sign of being with child. This is most likely, as we know that Sycorax eventually gave b irth to Caliban, Prosperos lowly slave. A very good and well-known example of the manipulation of a people comes in Americas primary national holiday, thanksgiving. It was a case of the ignorant settlers learning how to cultivate the staple diet of wheat, rye and other plants so they could gain the upper hand on their teachers. At the time the natives as saw it as a genuine offering of alliance when the settlers sat down at dinner and shared Turkey. It was not and shortly afterwards they slaughtered them, in the same cowardly way that Prospero caged his native. There is an elitist air to Prospero that is reflective of the general character of a European settler. This is representative within his language; on several occasions it is apparent that he and his daughter Miranda feel that their position and colour means they are superior to other characters. I pitied thee when thou didst not, savage, know thine own meaning, but wouldst gable like a thing most brutish. This is just one example of how both Prospero and Miranda feel they are above Caliban in every way. I pitied thee suggests that there is a definite feeling of Calibans being little more than an animal, something that could just as well be disabled due to his form. When Miranda says gable like a thing most brutish she is referring to Calibans dialect before she honoured him with a civilised language. This does nothing for our esteem of Miranda. Her stalwart belief that any gabling but that of her own tongue is wrong only shows her ignorance. To be denied language is to be denied thought, and without thought we are nothing. The fact Miranda believes that Caliban had previously not had a language is absurd. Caliban replies to this illogical idea by saying you taught me language, and my profit ont is I know how to curse. It was not unusual for the snobbish settlers to believe that anyone who did not speak English, Spanish or any other European language was utterly substandard and dim-witted. Pitied is a word often applied to people who make you feel more significant. You would not pity someone who had just fallen over, you may feel sorry for them, but their tripping would not make you despise them to the point of pity. Calibans form, as it is described in the play, is one of an earthy monster and Prospero even goes so far as to say (A freckled whelp, hag-born) not honoured with a human shape. When the white man first laid eyes on the black man in Africa, they were instantly worried. The general consensus was that these creatures were not even human and were, in fact, another species altogether. It is a distinct possibility that Shakespeare intended this to be apparent. Whether or not he believed that Africans were another species is debatable, as this view would have been quite acceptable, but what is quite apparent is that (if indeed this is a colonialist text) he believes that they deserve rights. Another comparison that can be made between Prosperos Elitism and colonialism in the mid 16th century comes when talking to Ariel this time. Ariel is Prosperos other slave, but there is a mutual respect for each other, as Ariel is a creature of great beauty and significant power. Prospero from Sycorax freed Ariel, and as thanks offered his service for a full year. Thou my slave, as thou reportst thyself, was then her servant. Although Prospero has a respect for Caliban, he ensures that he stays in his place. It is as if the magician has made Ariel jump from one frying pan into another fire, as he now serves Prospero, and is still a slave. You could compare this to the evangelical Christians, who travelled the world in an attempt to convert savages to what they perceived to be the morally superior way of the lord. It could be said that colonialism was in itself a religious crusade, a way for Europeans to convert the heathens to what they believed to be the correct path. It is evident in The Tempest that Caliban has been indoctrinated to the point of believing Prospero to be all-powerful. I must obey; his art is of such power it would control my damns god Setebos it is not mentioned what power Setebos holds but from Calibans experience his Master is more powerful. Prosperos main power appears to be an ability to control nature itself; he is in control of Ariel, a nymph of great beauty which hails from the clouds above, and Caliban, a monster of hideous visage, who crawls close to the ground and is the colour of the earth. These two slaves represent his overall control; we know he can conjure great storms and give or take life as he pleases. It is understandable why Caliban in particular may see the mage as a god like figure (as that is how he is presented for a large section of the play), and it is reflective of the awe that many natives felt when first laying eyes on the pale faces. They would swagger of their monstrous ships, with weapons and finery that would impress any man. The problem would come when it became apparent that the natives were quite impressionable and willing to learn. The manipulation that would follow could well stretch as far as to create a belief that the white man was god. It is not even as if this is a phenomenon that died with slavery. In the first half of the 20th century, black American school children were taught in class that they werent important, and had no history worthy of teaching. The early settlers used this effectively as a smoke screen that would prevent any uprising or questioning of their rule. This is just what Prospero does, but he also employs a fear factor to enforce his power. I feel that throughout this play there is much to suggest that it is indeed a text with strong colonialist links, but it is not the only motif that can be extracted. It is true that that what I first noticed was that a lot of references could be drawn in relation to the New World conquests of the 15th and 16th centuries. However, on closer examination I began to think that there was a meaning a little deeper rooted. I felt this was a tale of how power corrupts. Firstly we see how in the first scene Gonzalo goes as far as to feel he need hang the Boatswain due to a single comment he made. Later on we hear of how Prosperos beloved brother betrays him over the ownership of Milan, and after this we see Prospero become more and more aggressive towards, in particular, Caliban, just as a means to make him feel more powerful. These two points interlink very well, but can also be examined as separate issues, and I feel that if I had gone into my reading with other expectations I could have drawn out an entirely different argument.

Negative Impacts of Sexism Portrayed in Advertisements Essays

Negative Impacts of Sexism Portrayed in Advertisements Essays Negative Impacts of Sexism Portrayed in Advertisements Essay Negative Impacts of Sexism Portrayed in Advertisements Essay Essay Topic: The Second Sex Negative Impacts of Sexism Portrayed in Advertisements Name: Course: Institution: Tutor: Date: Negative Impacts of Sexism Portrayed in Advertisements Introduction Jean Kilbourne discusses the role and impact of various advertisements in the article Two Ways a Woman Can Get Hurt. She looks at the various ways through which advertisements for different products portray sexism, gender disparity and male violence. She notes how the advertisers use images and words to encourage male violence. She discusses how women have been objectified in the ads, and how the men are seen as superior. The advertisers are interested in making sales rather than the impact the ads have on the society. Kilbourne’s essay properly depicts the negative impacts of advertisements on women in the fashion (clothes) industry. Discussion According to Colombo et al. (2007), young girls are affected by these ads, whether they are the ones in the advertisements or watching them. The ad by the American apparel in the year 2009, a young girl was posted scarcely dress as she advertised a Flex Fleece zip hoody. In a sequence of six photos, she only has the hoody covering the top side of her body and underwear on her lower part. In the first photo, the hoody is fully zipped up to the upper chest. In the second photo, the hoody is half-zipped and her part of her cleavage is visible. In the third photo, the photo has been shot from the side so her thighs are fully exposed but her upper body part is covered by the hood. In the forth, fifth and sixth photos, the the hood is completely open and her breasts are exposed. In the sixth photo, especially, her nipples are almost exposed. This advertisement was banned because of the alleged age of the model. The girl looks as though she is under the age of 16 and thus not suitable for such commercial ads. She portrays a negative image of the girls and to the younger girls. Why did the advertisers have to make her wear nothing else apart from the underwear and the hoody? Did she have to wear the hoody without a bra or a top inside? The attention will be drawn to the girls body and not on the hoody as intended. By looking at the advertisement, a couple of messages are passed across. Clothes are worn for sexual appeal and not just for the simple aim of covering the naked body, keeping warm or looking smart. It is as if the advertisers are encouraging the young girls towear the hoody in order to look more sexy. To top it up, unzipped hoodys make one look sexier than zipped ones. This is in regard to the number of photos portrayed of the girl wearing the unzipped hoody thus exposing her body. Kilbourne insists that women and men are encouraged to execute certain things or act in a given way. This is proved true by this picture, the message being passed across at first glance is that the person should wear the hoody for sexual attraction. Such a hoody can be worn with other clothes. In fact, most girls will wear this hoody with another top inside. The extremists will wear a bra inside and then zip it up. In using the young looking model, the advertisement depicts that young girls can only look good when they expose their body as much as they can, even when watering a hood. In an another ad done by Calvin Klein fashion house in advertising jeans, the models depict a violent and a sexual scene. The ad has three men and one woman (Lara Stone). Two of the men are only wearing jeans with nothing else on top and the third man is wearing a shirt. Lara Stone is wearing something that looks like a dress or a too that has been pulled up to her bust so that her body is exposed. Her head is laid on one of the men’s laps. This man is holding her head. The other man has her jeans unbuttoned and ready to lie on Stone. The third man wearing a shirt is seated on the ground and seems destructed from the on-going scenario. By the look of the woman (Stone), she does not seem to be bothered by what is about to take place. She seems to portray a sensual face. The billboards with this ad were taken down and the ad banned because it depicted sexual violence to women. The woman is used as a sexual and vulnerable subject in this advertisement. She is not only vulnerable to one man but to many men. Kilbourne insists that women are encouraged to give in to a man’s desires when buying a particular product. The message being passed across in this ad is that men can have their way with no objection from the woman, after buying the jeans from Calvin Klein. By showing that the woman has given in to the men’s demands, the ad implies that women can simply give in because of material things. The ad shows as if the woman is about to get intimate with three men. This is extreme sexual negativity on the women. Kilbourne also establishes that men tend to be possessive and aggressive towards the women. This is greatly seen in this ad. The men want to be intimate with the woman at the same turn and in the same place. Although it is true that there are men who fantasize about a woman at the same place, very few men are willing to get intimate in the presence of other men. In another advertisement done by Dolce and Gabbana in the year 2006, violence and nudity were depicted. The ad, portraying men’s wear in the 18th century, features six men and one woman. The men’s suites and hair portray the dangerous liaisons-style of this period. The woman wearing boots is completely naked. One of the six men is lying on the ground with blood oozing from his forehead to portray a gunshot. Two of the men are holding knives the other two seated, (one of them wearing a mask) and the last man is holding a gun on one hand and a naked woman on the other hand. The six men are decently dressed but the woman is naked thus leans on the man to hide her burst and her pubic area. Kilbourne has further noted that some advertisements pass on subliminal messages to the public. This advertisement proves this statement true. Why is the woman naked while all the others are decently dressed? This question pops within the first few minutes of looking at the ad. The woman is depicted as a sexual being to the men. The ad was meant to advertisement men’s clothes. It is as if the woman was featured in order to make the ad have more ratings. The men are also featured as violent. However, due to their clothes, the women overlook their violent nature and thus sexually attracted to them. In another perspective, their clothes make their violent nature attractive to the woman. In a third perspective, women are generally attracted to violence. All these angles of the ad can be perceived by the audience. The message passed on to the audience by this ad is that a woman’s attraction to violence is sexy. Her sexuality is a men’s pleaser and there is nothing wrong with it. It also portrays that the exposure of a woman’s nudity to the public is appealing and not embarrassing. It even calms violent men. Conclusion Colombo et al. (2007) point out that the impact of advertisements on the society cannot be ignored. Kilbourne has also put it clear that both woman and men are portrayed in certain ways in most of the advertisements. In the three examples of ads given above, this statement by Kilbourne has been proved right. Above all, the women seem too be on the wrong receiving end. The three ads have portrayed women as sexual subjects in the fashion industry. It is as if wearing clothes that cover much of the body is no longer sexy or fashionable. The fashion industry has used feminism to uplift the man’s ego when wearing particular clothes. The women are used to show that they are vulnerable and without defense when these wear these clothes. The men are portrayed as very attractive, their weaknesses covered and their will fulfilled when wearing these clothes. It is up to the audience to decide how they wish the advertisements to portray both men and women. If the society takes the necessary action, the advertisers will do something about it. Examples of the Advertisements Example 1 debonairmag.com/the-most-controversial-ads-fashion-history-part-two/9 Example 2 fashionist.ca/2010/11/controversial-advertisements-violence-in-fashion-ads.html Example 3 fashionist.ca/2010/11/controversial-advertisements-violence-in-fashion-ads.html References American Apparel, (2009). FlexFleece. Retrieved From debonairmag.com/the-most-controversial-ads-fashion-history-part-two/9 Calvin Klein, (2010). Calvin Klein Jeans. Retrrieved From fashionist.ca/2010/11/controversial-advertisements-violence-in-fashion-ads.html Colombo G., Cullen, R., Lisle, B. (2007). Rereading America: Cultural Contexts for Critical Thinking and Writing. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s Dolce Gabbana, (2006). Dangerous Liaisons Style. Retrieved From fashionist.ca/2010/11/controversial-advertisements-violence-in-fashion-ads.html Kilbourne, J. (2008). â€Å"Two Ways a Woman Can Get Hurt†. True Women and Real Men :418-431.

Do you consider Venezuela under Hugo Chavez (1998-2012) a democratic Essay

Do you consider Venezuela under Hugo Chavez (1998-2012) a democratic country - Essay Example He directed the movement in an unproductive coup overthrow against the Democratic Action government of Carlos Andrà ©s Pà ©rez, who was the president in 1992. This led to the imprisonment of Hugo Rafael Chà ¡vez Frà ­as (Feinberg, 1). Later on, after he was released, he formed a socialist political party two years later, it was called the Fifth Republic Movement, and he was voted president of Venezuela in 1998. In 2000, he was re-elected and during this second term, he presented the system of communal groups, Bolivarian Missions, and employee-managed companies, along with a land reform program, which was municipalizing main industries. In 2006, he was re-elected again with more than 60% of the votes. After emerging victorious in his fourth tenure as president in October 2012, defeating Henrique Capriles, Hugo Rafael Chà ¡vez Frà ­as was sworn on 10 January 2013. However, the Venezuela National Assembly decided to postpone the inaugural ceremony to give him time to enable him recuperate from medical treatment in Cuba, which resulted from a cancer return that was initially identified in June 2011. On 5 March 2013, Hugo Rafael Chà ¡vez Frà ­as passed away in Caracas at 58 years. During the duration Venezuela was under Hugo Chà ¡vez, it was not a democratic country, though Chà ¡vez was not a dictator, he crushed the democracy of the Venezuelan nation. In a period when South America was swiftly moving towards the far-left demagoguery from its ancient binaries of far right, Chà ¡vez was still holding Venezuela back in the past, both politically and economically. Under the decade of Chà ¡vez, while other nations like Peru and Brazil became representations of equality and success, Venezuela appeared to go back to the bad ancient days. It is true that the polls were usually well conducted and fair under his regime. He even freely accepted defeat in one

Mesopotamia Civilization Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Mesopotamia Civilization - Research Paper Example Since there were seasonal rains in Mesopotamia, agriculture was initially unsustainable due to massive floods that visited the plains during the springs and summers (Mark). Due to the scarcity of rains in other times of the year only irrigation agriculture was sustainable from the rivers (Apte 81). Besides, both internal and external trade boomed in the ancient days majorly because there was scarcity of natural resources in Mesopotamia (Algaze 32). This, coupled with other civilizations that were encountered over the years, led to massive growth of the empire before its final collapse (History Guide). In this regard, this essay explores and reflects on the ancient civilizations in Mesopotamia in terms of Culture, Art, and Architecture (Temples and Tombs). Essentially, the Sumerians who normally referred to their state as Sumer inhabited Mesopotamia where the first history of the world is believed to have originated (Mark). In this respect, Mesopotamia was largely composed of three st ates that included Sumer-Akad that lied to the north Babylonia, Sumeria, and Assyria that stretched to the extreme north. When it comes to the cities that defined Mesopotamia, the list included Babylon, Uruk, Ur  Kish, Lagash, Assur, Nippur, Niniveh, Susa, Nimrud. All the states of Mesopotamia became empire but perhaps Babylon became the most famous under the rule of King Hammurabi (History Guide). This was majorly because he, together with those under his empire, formulated certain codes of laws that led to the success of the empire. A famous city in Mesopotamia that was situated 20 miles from river Tigirs was called Mashkan-shapir. The river in this city enabled the construction of canals, which were instrumental for the agrarian revolution (Algaze 37). When it comes to the various civilizations in Mesopotamia, it is worth noting that the civilizations came in three phases that ranged from the pre-civilization phase to the post-civilization phase (Annenberg Learner). Due to the seasonality of the two rivers that flowed in Mesopotamia, a vast majority of the communities that stayed there migrated to the southern part that was rich in alluvial soil (Mark). This happened in 5000 B.C. when most of the communities reside in villages that composed of 100-200 people on a permanent basis. Primarily, the southern part of Mesopotamia had soil that was more fertile despite the low rainfall levels (History Guide). As far as the history of Mesopotamia is concerned, it is understood that various periods through which the civilizations took place existed and in this sense, they were classified according to the ages (Annenberg Learner). First, there was the Pre-Pottery  Neolithic  Age that encompassed the earliest signs of archeological settlements and wars that made the error to be referred to as the Stone Age (Algaze 26). In essence, this error came in at around 10,000 B.C. although the existence of humans is believed to have been there even much earlier (History Gu ide). During the Stone Age, the inhabitants of Mesopotamia are believed to have used stone carvings as their major sources of tools especially in agriculture and warfare (Mark). This means that even as men were using stones for virtually all practical uses in their daily lifestyles, the agrarian revolution had started to take off. Although agriculture was not practiced on an extensive scale during

Enterprise Info Security Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Enterprise Info Security - Essay Example Buffer overflow/overrun is a form of interference where a program overruns the buffer's boundary and overwrites adjacent memory, while writing data to a buffer. Buffer overflows can be triggered by inputs that are designed to execute code, or alter the way the program operates. This may result in erratic program behavior, including memory access errors, incorrect results, a crash, or a breach of system security. They are thus the basis of many software vulnerabilities and can be maliciously exploited Understanding the difference between data and programs is a very important element of avoiding various overflow attacks. When one understands that data is just computer information while a program is the software screen, he or she can be able to apply new defense systems. It’s easy for someone to understand how to use the modern security features like Data Execution Prevention (DEP) can be applied in modern operating system like Mac OSX, Linus and Microsoft Windows. For example DEP works in two different ways; either its hardware encoded or software encoded. Software-encoded DEP do not protect data pages from execution of codes, but from another type of attack. Knowledge about this security features and operating systems is very important when one is looking for the best defense against overflow attacks.

Food Inc. Essay Example for Free

Food Inc. Essay 1. Incorporation (Inc. ) means to form a legal association of individuals, created by law or under the authority of law, with a continuous existence independent of the existences of its members, and with powers and liabilities distinct from those of its members. Therefore, Food Inc. implies that food system of the modern day has become more of a combination of monopolized businesses, whom only care about their profits, rather than the farmers from the obsolete agricultural system. 2. Walking through a supermarket many food items are plastered with images of farms and pastures creating a facade to the true factory farming that’s occurring in today’s society. These images are creating a pastoral fantasy of the agrarian America of the 1930’s. 3. Using Monsanto’s soy beans for this timeline all seeds begin in a lab. Seeds are genetically altered (GMOs). They are then sold to farmers who have a contract with the Monsanto Company. Then they harvested in large amounts and shipped out to be processed, but some of the beans are used a feed for cattle and other livestock. At the factory they are packaged, and are shipped out to local supermarkets for national consumption. 4. The McDonald brothers revolutionized the fast food industry. They â€Å"brought the factory system to the kitchen. † Increasing profit, while decreasing costs, and with this came an increase in the unhealthiness of food by focusing on the three things humans’ desire most: sugar, fat, and salt. 5. Factory farming is the precise systematic farming of livestock in a factory setting an example being chickens. Today, chickens are often raised in huge metal buildings with no access to light or fresh air, confined together with thousands of birds in one building, and made to grow so quickly that often their bones cannot keep up and they can lose their ability to walk. 6. In Food Inc. the phrase â€Å"growing chickens† creates a negative connotation. It would seem that the process that’s usually referred to as raising chickens has become so systematic that there is no longer a personal connection between the farmer, and his chickens. They become property, which are only used for financial profit. 7. With all the diversity found in the supermarket, one would think there are hundreds of different companies that provide the different foods. Truthfully, about eighty percent of all products in the supermarket are produced, and distributed by four major companies. This creates an illusion of diversity which, unfortunately, most consumers are unaware of. 8. Monsanto Company, Tyson Foods, Smithfield Foods, and Perdue Farms were all asked to be interviewed for Food Inc. and all declined the opportunity. Declining the opportunity to explain their motives give many a reason for doubt. Showing they have secrets or motives that would not be explainable without legal confrontations. 9. Environmental contamination is a major result of the newly developed farming system. Manure mixed with run-off water can contaminate surrounding vegetable farms causing Salmonella and E. coli contamination in plants such as spinach and lettuce. In South America, a major beef producer, deforestation has become a huge problem which is created by companies trying to make space for factory farms. This deforestation causes the displacement of animals and ecosystems. Smoke produced by factories can lead to smog, and air pollution in concentrated amounts. 10. Not only does the modern food system have a negative effect on the environment it harms humans as well. With animal feed being treated with antibiotics any bacteria present has a chance to become immune. This bacteria can then be acquired by consumption of raw meat, and with it being immune to some antibiotics, it will cause an increase the difficulty of treatment, and may result in death. With the food system being based so highly on the consumption of fat, salt, and sugar, a major concern for humans is heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. Type two diabetes, acquired diabetes, used to only be contracted in adulthood, but now its arising as early as age seven. 11. There is a direct relationship between food and health. The major goal of the new industrial agricultural system is to grow everything faster, fatter, and bigger. We’ve grown right along with the companies who own these farms. Michael Pollan evaluates the problem by comparing it to the past: â€Å"Over the course of human history, we were struggling to make sure we had enough food and enough calories for a sizable percentage of the human race. Now the problem is too many calories. † 12. GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organism. Companies such as Tyson may use GMOs to produce more efficient and more profitable livestock. GMOs should be clearly labeled when present in food. Although not all GMOs are harmful, a customer should be privileged to know what their food contains. Labeling the presence of a GMO may also prevent a lawsuit against the major corporations if anything was to happen. 13. The documentary Food Inc. , being very factual, used many different sources to acquire all the information needed. Sources such as first-hand accounts on what occur, hidden cameras, accredited websites, other documentaries, classical farmers, award winning authors familiar with the topic, and many well educated informants. 14. Food Inc. is sectioned into chapters. Each chapter pulls the veil away from the consumers eyes on somewhat different, but connected topics: fast food, food contents, food safety, right to healthy food, meat industry, chicken industry, major companies, lives lost, and what consumers can do to change the system. 15. Being a documentary the main purpose of Food Inc.is to educate people on the problems of food production, and to persuade consumers to make healthier food choices. It may also be trying to inspire change in the everyday persons eating habits. 16. Food Inc. is directed towards middle class citizens who shop at the supermarket without really knowing what they are eating. 17. The strategies used throughout Food Inc. covered a wide range of tactics. Rhetorical questions, hidden camera footage, creditable statistics, personal anecdotes, music, religion, and the most heart wrenching strategy used was on location filming of the factory farms. 18. Food Inc. had a very informative, and cautious tone. There were many facts, and just as many warnings. 19. An interesting revelation made in the duration of Food Inc. is how naive people can ben to their surroundings. Maria Gonzalez believed that â€Å"everything was healthy† which justified her family visiting Burger King for almost every meal. It would be understandable to know that she couldn’t afford anything healthier, but to not know that the food she was consuming was unhealthy, it just shows how manipulative large corporations can be.

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy In Our Blood Supply :: Mad Cow Disease BSE

The well-being of the blood supply has always been a vital component of human existence. It is common knowledge that the existing blood supply is deficient to the increasing usage of blood and blood products. Ironically, as the topic of blood donation arises in society, fears and doubts as to how sanitary and healthful the blood of blood donors often surface. For instance, there is much criticism over allowing foreign travelers to Great Britain the opportunity to donate their blood. This criticism stems from the belief that the Great Britain endemic of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE or "Mad Cow Disease") can be physiologically related to the lethal Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans. Although there is hardly any scientific evidence that supports this allegation, the United States Department of Agriculture and the FDA have introduced strict restrictions concerning the importation of British cattle products and the blood donation of British travelers. Critics, politicians, and the general public often utilize the conjecture of illegitimate facts and myths to shape their opinions concerning BSE. This is fine and great, but I believe a valid opinion on the subject must be backed by significant facts entailing the clinical epidemiology and history of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, its relation to other transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE), possible transmission to the human species, the causes of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and any relationships between BSE and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. My opinion, based on the facts, is what I offer to you.Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Bovine spongiform encephalopathy is a fatal brain disease of cattle. BSE is most common in dairy cattle, but not rare in beef cattle either. Cattle affected by BSE experience a progressive degeneration of the nervous system. Infected animals may show changes in behavior such as nervousness or aggression (hence the term "mad co w disease"), abnormal posture, lack of milk production, anorexia, and excessive licking. All cattle affected with BSE either naturally succumb or are euthanized. BSE is most often found in the Holstein-Fresian of cattle, although all breeds are suseptible. The disease usually is introduced to the cattle near puberty (12-15 months), and the incubation period of the disease is 5 or more years. The period of actual infection to death is frighteningly brief; the animal is usually dead within 4 months of showing symptoms.BSE belongs to a group of animal diseases term Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE). Different forms of TSE diseases can affect felines, rodents, and other ruminant animals.