Questionnaire

Age? 18

Sex? Female

What is your degree subject (both if joint)? Sociology and Philosophy

Does ‘Being Bad’ relate well to the other modules you are taking? Philosophy modules

If so, how? And if not, why not? I do Philosophy and its nature is to question different issues.

Have you found ‘Being Bad’ too demanding, too easy, or at an appropriate level? At an
appropriate level

Do you think the list of topics covered on the module was appropriate? Yes

Are there any topics not included in the module that you would like to see included? No, as you could include your own in the blogs.

Do you think that the format for classes has worked well? Yes

What did you think of the module team? Very interesting as new lecturer every week

Do you think it would have been better to have had more:
Small group discussions? Definitely

Discussion and debate among the class as a whole? We did this every week.

Information and talk from lecturers? Had enough information from lecturers

The approach taken in the module is interdisciplinary (drawing on perspectives from English Literature, Film Studies, Creative Writing, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies and Politics): do you think this a useful way of approaching the topics covered in the module? Yes, it didn't limit people, drew on other perspectives.

Do you think that interdisciplinary modules are a good idea? Yes

Do you think you have benefited from the interdisciplinary approach taken in the module? Yes

Would you like to see more modules that cover this kind of subject matter? Yes

Are you planning to take the follow-up module PH2004 ‘It Shouldn’t Be Allowed’ at level 2?
I think so

Would you recommend ‘Being Bad’ to a friend? Definitely

Do you think that the blogs (web logs) were a good idea?
Defiantly, allows discussion and to put opinions you didn't manage to say in lecture!

What did you think of the other assessments (e.g. would it be better to have one longer assessment rather than two shorter ones?)? No, it was fine how it was

What have you learned from the module? I've learnt a lot included my own opinions i never new i had through the blogs.

What parts of the module have you found most useful and why? The blogs

What parts do you think were a waste of time and why? None

Are there any other comments you wish to make regarding ‘Being Bad’? Should be more lenient with heading for stories and titles etc.

Comment 5 - xxxxnishaxxxx.blogspot.com (Anisha)

Anisha's blog:

"Body Modification is about changing the body from its natural state. People choose to modify their body for various reasons for example to look nice, religious reasons, fashion etc. I would not have linked body modification with religion but as I have learnt, body modification can be a part of a person's religion for example, circumcision. I related body modification to changing the body for example tattoo's and piercing and as I have learnt there is more to it. Plastic surgery can also be apart of body modification because you may be changing what you have. People choose to modify their body for a various reasons, however sometimes it can cause infections which can also lead to death. People who choose to modify their body may sometimes be forced or it may be their own choice. Modifying the body like tattoo's can look nice but can be painful also. It should be a individuals choice if they want to change their body, as they should be aware of the risks involved."

My comment:

Although, I agree with some of what you point out I think that people who do not like themselves etc should just resort to body modification they should try on work on loving themselves. Is this a weak point of body modifications such as piecing as it creates a false happiness when happiness should first come from within? You say people should have a chose but do think there should be an age restriction to that? I don't think people have body modifications just to look nice but has a much larger statement to make. Some people go 'over the top' with modifications to put a middle finger up to mainstream society especially to those Barbie and Ken wannabes. People also have body modifications without chose for instance circumcision is practiced in Islam and Judaism.

Comment 4 - www.gorillabull.blogspot.com
(Kartik Joshi)

Kartik Joshi's blog:

"From action man to action games and from action in cartoons to action packed films. The media has definitely added to the contribution of kids and teenagers living 'action packed' lives. Kids nowadays act a lot more grown up then what the previous generations have done and their are strikingly shocking correlations between how technology influences our society to how the future generations are turning out. It is often difficult to find a culprit for this rise in adolescent violence. As much as parents would like to blame the games industry for providing such violent games the games industry would much prefer if the blame went on to the parenting. As the games are coded with age restrictions but some parents don't seem to adhere to them. Or moreover maybe its the case that kids are more persuasive and parents are a lot more lenient."

My comment:

I completely agree with you as I made similar comments on my gun crime blog, however, it's not fair to say that parents are being lenient as it's almost impossible to adhere to age restrictions because of the point you made earlier 'kids nowadays act a lot more grown up', and this is not just because of video games but music and fashion industries which portray it to be 'cool'. Parents are humans to and drawn in by this. This is the aim of the media, to use parents are a scapegoat! In my opinion, its parents buy them violent video game (which is just seen as normal, parents don't really know, its different generation) - kids are stubborn if they want something they will try anything even stealing- or its they run wild on the streets smoking 'pot' and drinking alcohol (not to say all kids do).

Many games i.e. Nintendo DS have been proven to improve concentration amongst youngsters...so it has its up points! I think films has a much higher correlation, remember Jon Venables and Robert Thompson who murder James Bulger after watching Child's Play?

Comment 3 - www.heebswithwings.blogspot.com (Habiba Rasool)

Habiba's blog on 'CIA MIND CONTROL' (Drugs):

"The CIA mind control and chemical interrogation research program, run by the office of scientific intelligence, that began in the early 1950s and continued through the late 1960s suggests that the project involved surreptitius use of many types of drugs as well as other methods such as to manipulate indibidual mental states and to alter brain fucnctions. the project itself was baught forward to the public in 1975. however the CIA Mk-Ultra-type experiments have been abondanded. i personnaly feel that the CIA mind control was a way to minuplate people, therefore people became addicted with the chemicals and since this day many people find it hard to let go of these chemicals."

My comment:

I don't think that the CIA's MK ULTRA experiments are not abandoned since they have been known to deny the allegations before, making all us 'stupid' people believe that they have not been experiments since the 1960's when the have been accused for putting drugs in run-down predominately black areas such as Harlem. However, I agree on your point that people who have survived from these extreme mind control manipulations will determine the next generation future i.e. if they born with birth deficiencies and 'crack babies' etc.

Merry Prankster Len Kesey (author of One flew over Cuckoos) volunteered for the experiment. Who on earth with the right mind do that? He promoted drugs and substantially invented the hippie culture! Even the hippie culture may have been 'invented' to control the masses as a new 'cool' subculture, different from the rest of society, but essentially to map out people 'fate' or 'destiny'. People never really question the origins of cultures. Maybe the hippie culture was invented to distract people of the immoral things the government were doing in their participate with the 'secret society'. Maybe the 'urban' culture is intentionally updated replacement of the hippie culture by the media? Big icons like Jay-z are known all over the Internet to be involved with plans of the secret society to corrupt the youth. Or maybe I'm just gullible!

Lying with Integrity

This was an interesting debate. I realised just how much people lie day to day, whether its a little 'white lie' to your boss' at work or denying something at the cop shop. There was even debate about whether people lie or deceive themselves, especially with the mass consumption of make-up. Do people lie to themselves my wearing make-up and think that they look attractive?

More seriously, people may lie foe a number of reasons; to protect people, they may need to tell a lie in order to save someones life etc. But does this make it right? Should politicians lie about the truth? The truth is people lie to manipulate others, to either avoid a particular reaction i.e. anger or gain a reaction i.e. pleasure or even both. For example, a man might look at porn without telling his wife as in the article provided below, to avoid anger and judgement from his wife. Some people thrive for the impulse they get from things like cheating because they get addicted to the 'rush' or adrenaline. I personally think people should avoid lying as much as they can. It is difficult not to tell your parents or family little white lies now and again, especially where cultural constraints are involved.

http://www.medicalpoint.com.au/why-do-people-lie.asp

Comment 2 - http://nemo040589.blogspot.com (Nealofer Abier)

Nealofers blog:

"Most of us tend to enjoy lisenting to comedians who can be a bit mean sometimes.Humour and comedy is a mixture of real life experiences of urself and other people.Although racist or sexist comments are a very serious issues when it comes to comedy these are the topics that people enjoy.I think because it gives us chance to speak about these things lightly and without the fear of anyone taking it personally."

My comment:

I totally agree with you! Comedy has an element of truth, which is why people are appreciate so much. For this reason I can also see why people might not like certain comedies as it can appear racist or sexist...but maybe they should get a sense of humour since the art of comedy is to lighten real issues in society so that people aren't so uptight when taboo issues are brought up.

Suicide

Many people generally consider suicide as 'bad' however some may think that we have so many chooses in life; Isn't one of them the decision to live? It is found that 'women are three times more likely to attempt suicide, but more men are successful in their attempts, as they're more likely to use a method with a greater potential to kill'.

People commit suicide for many different reason...some of them we may not even be able to comprehend. If they can not cope with life's struggles, to much stress to deal with or even if they are getting bullied not just children but adults may resort to suicide. We can't really judge another persons situation and their perspective on it. It just a valid as ours when though philosophically or religious it may be false.

Suicide is something very person like masturbation! Although at the same time I think that people should (in an ideal world) be the absolute last resort i.e. if there was an immediate decision to make; either they burn alive in a trapped building or they jump out the window.

Personally, I believe suicide is a very selfish act. Just because we humans have the ability to think about certain things like contemplating suicide does it mean we should do it? Everyone has there ups and downs in life and as most of us have learnt to 'deal with it'. There plenty of help available and people to talk to whether that's a councillor or people in the same situations. Not only do they affect their souls (in Hinduism they believe that once some commits suicide they will reincarnate seven times ending their life in this way!) they are also 'most importantly' hurting their friends, family and people that just knew them.

Check this information on suicide out!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/suicide1.shtml

Comment 1 - Rachel Simmond's Blog: http://peshwarisimmonds.blogspot.com/

In response to:

"I think todays 'Gangsters' are held in high esteem by some younger members of the public.The 'Bad Boy' image is something they can latch onto to make themselves look hard,but these gangsters usually have dodgy backgrounds-look at Tupac Shukur,he was jailed for a serious sexual assault but that doesn't tend to get mentioned when the record company is releasing his twentieth posthumous album!!"

My comment:

I agree on your point in regards to young people putting 'gangsters' on a pedestal and imitating the 'bad boy' image but I disagree with the point you make about Tupac Shakur. It was newspapers etc which promoted that he sodomised the woman, however the court even stated they had no evidence that he sexual assaulted the woman but instead there was more evidence that he didn't! There was 'no proof of semen, no bruises on the 'victim', no finger prints on the gun and no gang'. The police force tried to blame him for anything they could - don't forget racism was not fully gone. He was a strong figure in the black community and this was strengthened by the fact that his mother Afeni was a co-leader of the Black Panther Movement; even she was given 300 years (life) in prison where she carried her soon Tupac before advocating herself in court and being freed. Tupac never claimed to be a gangster, he just fought for what he believed in - fought against racism, sexism etc. So why would he go against everything he and his ancestors have ever believed in? Is it not strange that when they couldn't prove him to have sexually assaulted the woman he was shot 5 times the next day, claiming it was West coast vs. East coast gang rivalry? There was obviously a bigger force that wanted to get rid of him? Maybe it's because he made songs against the government and stuck up for the poor, giving then hope, strength and influence to fight back?

Most bandits refuse to answer questions but Tupac answered every question he was faced with openly, even when he had no prospects left. It is easy to latch on to what the media present as the truth...Perhaps a better example of a gangster would 50 cent, like many other commercial rappers, he glamorises guns, misogyny and drugs and youngsters hold them in high esteem.

Here's a 11 minute link. Its part of a longer program called the 'Illuminati project' but this one focuses on Tupac Shakur in particular.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W49An2ryPZw

Bad Language

It's hard for me to say that swearing it bad when I practically swear all the time! I think its important to consider the context which the person is swearing in i.e. if its part of a joke etc. Sometimes people address there friends as a 'cunt' 'fucker' 'twat' etc which causes little to no offence. However, if one is swearing at a police man this is when bad language become bad behaviour.

Digging deeper into why certain swear words a use maybe people would take more offense. Swear words have a sexist connotation for example calling your male friend a cunt in a jokey why would imply he is being a women, since cunt is a reference to the Vagina. Some are explicitly used for racism i.e. 'nigger'.

I don't have a problem with swearing but when I do have a problem is when songs parents swear in front of there kids as well as promoting swearing in rap songs, like Eminem's first album Marshal Matthers LP, which children from the ages of 10 listen to because they think they are being 'cool'. I think its fine for adults to swear in an appropriate context; there a time and place for everything!

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/stop-using-all-this-bad-language-says-hiphop-pioneer-446096.html

Gun Crime

I think that the debate about gun crime goes hand in hand with the bandits blog. Most people blame violent video games which are exposed to youngsters at a young age. Maybe parents should discipline there children. However, I place the blame on parents I think we should question were do guns actually come from? And why are they so easily available?

It easy for the police and general public to blame parents and gangs for gun violence or should I say they ones directly involved. But maybe there is a higher force like the government especially the American government who are essentially putting guns on the street so that the are to busy killing one another and hence distracted from the reality. So, what is this reality? The truth is that the Illuminati control and own every single one of us. They decide what goes in the media...from BBC News to video games! Some argue that this is a conspiracy theory...but how come everyone comes out with the plans of the new world order are murder...Tupac Shakur and John Todd-previous a member of the top 13 Freemasonries.

This link will explain all! It goes in detail, of how through centuries the illuminant's origin and the committee of 300 as well as distraction method for the public so that they are unaware of the New World Order (NWO) really means. If you notice it spells 'OWN' backwards! It means to form one world government to rule the world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAcxGD6-c-E

Bad Behaviour: Confessions!

This lecture focused on what the worst things we've ever done. We had to write down on a slip of paper and was later jumbled up and people read out the confessions the pulled out the box. Most people wrote typical things like 'I drank when I was underage' etc...However it was interesting to find that 2 confessions caused some controversy amongst the class. The first was someone (whom I know) said that the worst thing he'd ever done was when his blind mother fell over in a clothes shop and prior to this he was already embarrassed shopping with his mum when he saw some kids from his school. As he lifted his blind mum up of the floor he accused her of being embarrassing! The second was when some said they gave there dog class A drugs! There was much debate about which was the worst 'bad behaviour'. In terms if illegality the second was the worst but in terms of morals and respect the first one was the worst.

I think it quite difficult to make a decision as I am a vegetarian myself and don't like harm to animals but at the same time family especial disabled family fits in the same category in my eyes. Both situations were bad at face value. I do understand the situation with the mother. Sometimes parents can be embarrassing and just because she was blind does not make any difference. If it was a 'normal' parent the same might of happen so why the big issue? Was she being treated equally? Giving a dog class A drugs is bad full stop, I know some of my friends and fellow students found it quite amusing though!

Media

I think the media relates to all of the blogs I've commented on so far and all of they the topics I will comment on since it is the most largest and most funded influence in the world. I've noticed that in all of the blogs so far I've tended to blame the media one way or another so I thought it was quite important to explain why I blame them!

Most of the bad behaviour can be blamed on the media from its biased news reporting to people most desired idols i.e. Jay-Z, Beyonce, Britney Spears etc. Jay-Z known to smoke cigars, Beyonce wears skimpy clothes and claims to be a good christian and Britney who can be described as some what 'loose' like many other celebrities. You get the picture! The need for debating on topics such as smoking, bandits etc has derived from the switches in definition, through time, between what is 'good' and 'bad' behaviour'. Nowadays, what was originally 'bad' has been glamorised and promoted through the media. While the the media tries to promote original behaviours it tries to stop them as well, leaving people with a mixed message and some may argue a state of confusion. On one hand, the glamorise smoking while on the other hand adverts are 'trying to make people quit smoking' - It's all a money making scam!

When news report this so called 'war on terror' they forget to mention the other side of the argument...but because New is presented as 'rational' facts people don't question it. We're not shown footage of people in Iran or Iraq accept of course of something like dispatches (channel 4) when they do try and 'dig deeper'.

Here's an interesting link that I have used in favour of my view, they also blame media for essentially brainwashing and indoctrinating!
http://www.infoworld.com/articles/op/xml/01/08/24/010824opethics.html

Abortion

This blog particularly link in think the blog on kids. Abortion can be committed for a number of different reasons all which maybe justifiable on a human level. In my opinion anything can be justified. People can use difficult situation ans circumstances which some maybe faced with to hammer-home their own actions and opinions, but in my opinion none can truly justify this act...just look at the picture above! How can you deny that this is not murder? Some people say that they would not have been able to give them a good life, but I'm sure they could have given them a longer one!? Most religious and non-religious people, for that matter, believe that the soul enters on the first day of conception and others believe that it is fine to abort as long as the baby is not a fully developed human being. Are we not discriminating against the 'helpless' and using the same moral high ground as we do against vegetarian that is it the 'survival of the fittest'? The fittest being the mother!

Checkout the for and against arguments on abortion and decide for yourself!
http://womensissues.about.com/od/reproductiverights/a/AbortionArgumen.htm

Being too Religious

Religious preaching being a product of bad behaviour is one for much debate. Most religions and religious people will condone it while most people will reject the idea of listening to preachers from other religions while accepting their own. Most people in general probably regards preaching 'bad' since it breaks the rules of conformity. The lecture started unusually, with a pray. The lecturer was aware of our reaction as it wasn't the normal format for a University lecture.

The sorts of covert religious preaching that most parents were unaware of was that in Primary schools. I remember learning the hymns and prays in the assemblies - it was compulsory! But now in schools there is an issue of imposing Christian values on those of the general public. It would be seen as imposing old fashioned views, as well as sexist and archaic language hard for children to understand. In the 21st century, secularisation means that people have lost interest in religion. A concept which did not exist 100 years ago!

Personally I think religious preaching is fine seen as England make a big 'wow' about freedom of speech. As long as they don't purposely cause offense and respect other peoples ways of living even though they might state they they disagree with it. Any religion, cult or sect is fine as no harm psychologically or physically is caused to the individual and most importantly they joined or practised through freewill, whatever the reason may be. With the decline in church attendance preachers may see it as there duty to teach what was once known and practised. Maybe we shouldn't be quick to judge as they do. Maybe they can see a perspective of the world we can not! Who knows!?

Although religion is supposedly secularising I think that New Age Movements (NAM'S) are much more fashionable ways to become spiritual rather than following whats become narrow rule and regulations incompatible with scientific rationality. Just a change in method to achieve the same results...liberation.

Polygamy

After completing a blog on infidelity I though it would be pretty interesting to do one on Polygamy as it confuses the notion of cheating. Polygamy is the motion whereby an individual has more than one spouse.

It's surprising to know that polygamy has been practised throughout history and dates back to Ram and Sita's time (10,000 years ago according to Hinduism) and it is still practised today's by Muslims, Christians and some Hindu sects etc. In Islam the man is permitted to marry 4 woman as long as he treats them as equals provided equal maintenance, support and devotion. But does this really justify the act, since the idea of the marriage is the sentimental exchange of vows between two people in love. How can someone be in love with more than one person at any one time?

We might feel sorry for those women who accept being married to a man who may already have other wife's but just like we have our cultural or 'social norms' so do they. This is not to say that men do not exploit women in these situation for mass breeding on children to increase the population of say Muslims. If polygamy is committed for this reason alone I think it is unacceptable but they gave consent to their husband or wife I think it is unquestionable and not out place to judge. Just because polygamy is illegal in this country does it mean we should frown upon those?

After much consideration even I am rather confused about this topic nonetheless it is a complex and rather interesting one. I think, like with anything, if a person has permission and are consented to do so for whatever reason, we can not judge. It is up to the individuals directly involved to decide whether they can handle more than one wife or husband for that matter!

To educate yourself on this topic, view these links!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygamy
http://www.islamfortoday.com/polygamy5.htm

Prostitution

I suppose people turn to prostitution for the same reasons they may turn to shoplifting: lack of money and material resources to bring up their kids etc. Some would argue that prostitution is the same as many jobs. You work, you get paid and somewhere is the middle your exploited! Some would disagree and take a moral high ground. Personally, one should weigh up their options. With the amount of welfare available to those in difficult situations you would think that these resolutions would be out of the questions. Maybe Britain needs to raise awareness about it welfare system, like adverts for homeowner, this should be advertised!

A more ruthless way assess prostitution would be to say that most girls go out wearing hardly nothing at all on a usual night out and sleep with different parents every night of the week. Whats the difference their just getting paid? Most of the girls that do decide to sell their bodies don't even realise the answer to this question until its to late. The men they sleep with become regulars with the influence of drugs they can be led into things they promised they'd never do. They go against everything they believed in before and don't realise. Before they know it they have either lost their kids to social services or they are trapped working for a pimp, who is involved in nothing but drugs and guns.

With prostitution becoming increasingly acceptable by the media and filthy Hip Hop videos its no wonder the west is sex mad! 50 cent's P.I.M.P video leads females to justify their actions towards prostitution into 'good' rather than 'bad' behaviour. And its these switches of definition in the 21st century which brings all of these issues discussed in the module to the brink of debate!

Shocking article!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/01/30/wgerm30.xml

Drugs

When I went to the drug lecture on Thursday I thought we would learn and discuss drugs in terms of celebrities; in a commercialised sense, but it focused primarily on the MK ULTRA mind control project which is recorded to take place in the 1950 til the 1960 lead and financed somewhat privately by the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency). The MK ULTRA was a brutal experiment of the masses aiming to tamper with the human thought process, emotions and decision making ability. Anyone who thinks this is not bad is deluded and sick in my opinion.

Here are just a few of the aims of the size and efforts of the drugs(LSD, Truth Serum etc):

• Substances which will promote illogical thinking and impulsiveness to the point where the recipient would be discredited by the public.
  
• A material which all cause mental confusion of such a type that the individuals under its influence will find it difficult ti maintain a fabrication under questioning.
  

The American government have been known to purposely put drugs and guns into the Harlem or the projects as a 'life long sociological experiment' to see how the predominately black area would react. It maybe no surprise to know this was done as a racist act and 'coincidentily' corrupt this predominately black neighbourhood. Throughout history those in supreme power have plotted and experimented with not only drugs but bombs and varies other explosives aboard in places such as Japan.

I maybe paranoid but through watching and reading various Internet sites I believe that drugs are deliberately 'planted' by organisations like the CIA and the government in order to keep the masses distracted or mind controlled from the real issues and truths about the world; to keep them 'dumbed down'! Maybe people in mass authority want celebrities to take drugs and the media to report it so that it is condoned or glamorised so that more people are trapped. Maybe we are all just guinea pigs? Just a thought...

Advised to watch, a very shocking link!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jDBLLMI7Q8

Bad Comedians: Funny OR Offensive?

Before the class on bad comedians it did not cross my mind that some may find jokes offensive. I thought they were generally accepted, however after reading fellow weblogs I come to realise that maybe some jokes appear offensive. I think all jokes are fine and people should be able to speak freely whether they are joking or being serious about a topic as long as they do not physically or mentally harm anyone, hurting someones feelings is merely petty. I support Sigmund Freud that:

"The need for (tendentious) jokes is a response to social expectations, prevent us from directly insulting others or broaching taboo subjects. By touching on these difficult topics, the joke does important work, as it alleviates the inhibition of the joker and addresses the taboo while also keeping it in place. Laughing is the audible signal that the energy required for 'cathexis', the accumulation of energy around an idea, has been lifted and can now be dispersed in a pleasurable fashion".

Some people would say and I would have said before I attended the lecture that if people take ethnic, religious or sexist jokes funny personally and find them offensive they should get a sense of humour. But I see that jokes have an element of truth even though this truth may not be in the structure of the joke, which is what the listener will find funny, but in the underlining principle of the joke. Alternatively, if the are strong in their religion idealistic nothing will 'get to them' and if not ignore it they will see the funny side. Comedy is just another perspective/angle at looking at the world just like philosophy etc.

Take a look at the jokes on this link!
http://www.comedy-zone.net/jokes/laugh/religion/index.htm

Body Modification

For what reasons people have body modifications is up to the individual, so to speak. Having various body modifications myself I think it would be hypocritical for me to judge others who have body modifications such as piercings ans tattoos. However, I think every act should have its limits and this is how the debate begins as to answer is it a 'bad; behaviour. I do not think just because it is socially unaccepted it should be considered 'bad', but at the same time I can understand the narrow-minded opinions that others may possess, for example towards Lucky Diamond Rich who is tattooed 100% all over his body. A common reason why youngsters in particular have body modifications is to rebel against some authority figure be it a parent or school teachers. This rebellious act seems to be increasingly fashionable seen as most of the people I know seem to either have a tattoo or belly/nose/tongue/eyebrow piercings or even both.

Body modifications given forcefully to prisoners or slaves in order to control and enforce power is indubitably 'bad'. I was watching a documentary on 4OD called 'Beneath the Veil' in which the presenter Shah interviewed a man who had just escaped Yakoalang (central Pakistan). He recalled one of his family members having their face skinned alive by the Taliban. They showed horrific clips of these types of power ans control 'body modifications'. Apart from this type of body modification I am pretty liberal and do not have a problem with the rest of the world drawing on their bodies, putting holes through there skin or bleaching their hair. You might agree that this is lame compared to all the other 'bad' things is going on in the world or that people participate in.

Here are some great links with great information and images:
http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records/human_body/body_beautiful/most_tattooed_person.aspx
http://www.rawa.org/yakw.htm
http://www.papillonsartpalace.com/massacre.htm

Bandits

Bandits

I do not blame people for turning into 'bandits' in some situations, especially when the capitalist society works against the working classes, making it impossible for them to get legitimate ways of earning a living. I do not consider Robin Hood as particularly 'bad' since he stole from the rich to give to the poor, and in my opinion the story has a good moral justifications...maybe it helps people in positions of power to recognise the needy.

I think real gangsters obviously do behave badly but who are we to judge their circumstances and the chooses they made in them circumstances? Maybe we would have done the same! Everyone has a different perspective of the world, whether its a good one or a bad one. They have in their own way educated. I think we have to realise the education is not always about how good you are at academia. Education does not always lead people in the 'right' path.

It is more 'bad' when renowned artists like Beyonce and Jay-Z glamorise Bonnie and Clyde by setting it in recent times. I do not think they really care about the young audiences they attract and the masses who can not distinguish between reality and fantasy..I know I could not!

Although the lecture was quite interesting, it focused mainly on olden day bandits instead of nowadays 'gangsters' that the class probably would have been able to relate to.

ShopliftingIn the stalking lecture we touched upon discussion about shoplifting. Some thought it was a bad crime since it breaking many laws of conformity and important attributes to be a 'decent' person i.e. honesty and trust. What other bad crime is there other than to steal from the Queens land - England? And other thought it was justifiable. The truth is shoplifting is a serious problem and those that so are suffering from poverty or other mental or physical disorder. However, it is not a one way process with 1 in 11 people being shoplifters corner shops and supermarkets a bound feel the strain. Although, it could be argued that supermarkets are more or less unaffected duet products that will just end up in the bin anyway.

Shoplifting is bad anyone knows that, but its not like they going to let some of the hook just because they explained their situation before they do it. So I guess they just take the risk for feeding themselves or their family...would you do the same, having no self-esteem, no confidence, no self achievement or respect with nothing but a rough life? To some extent shoplifting can be justified especially were absolute poverty and homelessness is concerned.
Many are ignorant about the illness some of these individuals suffer from. Kleptomania is a addiction 'motivated by neuritic impulse rather than material need'. 'The vast majority of shoplifters are 'non' professionals who steal, not out of criminal intent, financial need or greed but as a response to social and personal pressures in life. Offenders may describe it was an 'incredible rush' or escapism from the daily pressures they find a struggle. If the NHS was to take this seriously they would be treated equally to that of drug users!

Check out these shocking facts!
http://www.shopliftingprevention.org/whatnaspoffers/NRC/PublicEducStats.htm

Kidz

Kids

The film Kids (1995) that we watched a couple of weeks ago gave me enough time to dwell on the harsh realities that were brought to life. The film revealed the seemingly 'unspoken' realities of the harsh consequences caused by glorified sex and drugs, which some young teens are faced with. This use of sex and drugs were apparent in both sexes although more so in males. The males in the film were presented more gruesomely especially in terms of sex. The so called 'protagonist' Telly had the life amibition of "penetrating" as many virgins and young girls seemed to be an easy target, unaware of the HIV infection he was speading. The parrell ending of Telly unknowlingly spreading the disease and Casper unware that the girl he raping was 'penetrating the diesase creates shock amoungst viewers. The interesting thing here is the unknowingness and juxtaposition bwtween the two victims, Casper and the young virgin, and Telly's control over so many lives. The two victims can also be seen in a different light: the first victim, Casper as deserving the disease as he was raping the girl in the first place and the second victim as innocent and 'harsh'. Did Casper and the young virgins fate lie in Telly's hands?

I thought the film was eye-catching as it touched upon many taboo or even dismissed issues concerning sex and drugs, especially amoung the upper-classes. The film shows that class is not an issue; it could happen to any any young girl no matter how good or bad their parents might be. I feel this reflects the results obtained for a Daily Mail article (the link is provided below) that 'one in five young adolescents are unaware that HIV can be contracted from unprotected sex'. The film should be aimed at both parents and teenagers because it makes people aware of the sorts of revolting things children are potential victims of, and hopefully it will encourage them to take serious precautions, educate and protect their offspring.

Perhaps the age of which children are taught about sex education should be lowered so that health and safety of sex AND drugs are enforced. Maybe shock statergies will work? I think this is particularly important to underpin because of the growing number of underage sex and pregnancies in this country. Is the glorification of sex and drugs in the media to blame?

Here some very shocked statistic I found from the Daily Mail website:

• 83% of the young adults did not know an HIV positive mother could pass the disease on to her child through breast feeding.
• The National Aids Trust survey questioned 2,000 people aged 15 and over. They found public awareness of HIV has declined across the age range compared to 5 years ago.
• 58,000 HIV infested in the UK but 1 in 3 infections are undiagnosed.
• 1 in 7 participate in sexual activity under the age of 16 and are infected with chlamydia.
• 40,000 youngsters under the age of 18 become pregnant each year in Britian.
  
  
  

"Young adults 'clueless' about HIV": http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/healthmain.html?in_article_id=315092&in_page_id=1774

"Girls of 11 'pressured into sex'":
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/femail/article.html?in_article_id=173483&in_page_id=1879

Masturbation

Whatever term you may like to use (whacking off, flogging it, pumping his pickle, pounding it, beating it, wanking off, etc) masturbation is a very private and secretive matter which some may be hesitant to admit if questioned, even though you might thing there nothing to be ashamed about seen as it been taking place for about 5,000 years! Surely this is a reflection upon the hypocritical and narrow-mindedness of the society we live in.

I’m sure most of you do not need be to explain masturbation techniques as we all know that boys and girls masturbate in different ways, i.e. boys using their hand it rub and girls using a vibrator, dildo or just good old fashioned rubbing!

Whether you believe masturbation is an act of self-love or self-abuse, thinkers like Freud believe that it is absolutely inevitable that young boys and girls become aware of their pleasure senses and explore the ‘sexual act’. In knowing this some parents use to use prevention techniques such as cold baths.

So is masturbation good or ‘bad’? Well if we take Freud’s and other health professional’s views masturbation is natural and even recommended especially to women to increase their self-worth and confidence. I personally take the view of the Greeks that is a ‘safety valve against destructive sexual frustration’. If you are horny it would make sense to masturbation so you can get on with the rest of your day, does it not? Or should you not let yours senses get the best of you? Would it not be safer to practice masturbation every time you are horny instead of having sex with different partners frequently? These are obviously the benefits of masturbation, reducing stress of having a disease or pregnancy.

However, this liberal view has not always been taken! In the Victorian era the act was considered ‘bad’. Religious preachers and authors condemned masturbation and claimed boys who did had mental deficiencies and suffered from insanity. To reach a high morality and spirituality the idea may be to ignore the greedy sense of the body in order to be liberated by a higher force.

I’m sure most of us did not really give masturbation much thought before we attended the lecture and this alone shows that it not much of a big deal anymore and so take the ‘if they do, they do and if they don’t, they don’t approach!’ :)

Check these links out!

http://www.afraidtoask.com/masturbate/History.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masturbation

Stalking

Stalking

Stalking is particularly hard to define seen as most of our 'mags' are filled with images and stories of our 'favourite' celebrities . Are paparazzi stalkers? And if so, are they not breaking the law? These are the sorts of the questions I'm going to explore in today's blog.

I found a precise definition of the term 'stalking' quoted on the BBC website as 'a constellation of behaviours in which individual inflicts upon another repeated unwanted intrusions and communications (Mullen,1999). Intrusion can be taken place n a number of different ways including surveillance, attempting to approach, collection of information about the victim and communication may be taken taken place through attempts to telephone, fax, send unwanted cards and presents.

After much thought and consideration I came to the conclusion that paparazzis is not really a form of stalking although some kind of intrusion takes place but potential celebrities are aware of this intrusion and there seems to be an unspoken contract that "all publicity is good publicity" and comes as pass and parcle of being in the spotlight. According to the BBC definitions, for stalking to take place a combinations of intrusions and communications have to be taken place at close intervals for the police to be involved. Stalking is a horriffic offence and can cause alot of harm to victim and there family, in addition it shows the stalkers own psychological problems and could get up to 5 years imprisonment.

I watching a series from skins the other week which touched upon things we'd discussed in class. This particular series focuses on a gay guy called Maxxie being stalked by a Welsh girl who has a massive infaturation with him. She constantly follows him and takes pictures of him at random times. Although Maxxie suspects something he doesn't quite find out what is actually happening until the end of the episode.

I personally think that the definition of stalking is vague and can be changed in space and time. It is hard to set a distinctive limit to stalking with so many personal spaces online like 'facebook' and 'myspace', stalking probably takes place more then we actually suspect! NEW TECHNOLOGY, NEW WAYS OF STALKING!

Skins Series 2 Episode 2
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23RSo_Eh5lI
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qJoHLpXJNg&feature=related
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfXdCepf1cI&feature=related
Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkpSqfGixiQ&feature=related

http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/yorkslincs/series7/stalking_advice.shtml

Smoking

Smoking

So what is the continued fascination with smoking and what makes smoking so attractive as a pursuit…?

The act of smoking itself is not sexy or cool but is determined by how the cigarette is being held and further whom it is being held by. The cigarette depicts males and females differently. An attractive man would be shown smoking to assert his 'maleness' as well as looking cool and sexy to the opposite sex whereas as attractive woman smoking would be seen a sex symbol of seduction. Marginalising those who are not considered attractive. If a fat, ugly woman/man was holding a cigarette I doubt we would find it too sexy! ‘Wealth could be indicated by a long cigar, poverty or desperation by a short stub clenched in the teeth’. In this way, being a man, woman, upper class, lower class, young and old demonstrates what it means to smoke.

Just because we see the ‘hottest celebrities’ smoke we are stupid enough to forget about the serious health implications involved in smoking e.g. lung cancer. Although, this was not the main aim of the lecture I feel that it is key in demonstrating what kind of society we live in - a copycat society in which there are 13 million adult smokers and many young smokers as young as 12 and 13.

No matter how many health hazard signs we put up it will always boil down to personal choice. Peer pressures hold a greater significance than any other, being able to ‘gel’ with other people is always vital whether in the education system or in the world of work or just 'doshing'. Smoking is a good excuse for socialising in ‘fag’ breaks, looking cool in front of fellow colleagues and showing that you are an exciting person willing to try different things. Having been to a number of different schools I noticed that it was always the ‘popular’ students who tended to smoke and of course those who wanted to gain popularity followed. Media again had a large influence. Many of the large icons in the entertainment industry depict smoking as ‘cool’ and ‘sexy’ and because of this it is an increasing problem among school children. Although smoking ban in public places helps combat the problem I think that people will just do it elsewhere. After all 'bad' is good!

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/10/01/141918.php

Infidelity

Infidelity

Infidelity has been around since civilisation (that’s if cavemen are acquitted from infidelity) but consequences were harsh due to deeply embedded religious ideologies. Nowadays infidelity is somewhat popular; you only need to turn the TV on to see what I’m talking about – from day-time to films and theatre. Yet the issue is raised. Some people cheat because of genuine reasons for example if they had an arranged married they cheat because they feel like it’s the only way out. I think that the circumstance they find themselves in affects the extent of their social stigma. Although one can comprehend why someone would cheat on their partner i.e. if they unsatisfied marriage, unhappily married or whatever the reason, one may find it difficult to sympathise.

The signs of infidelity are common for example a wife noticing the her husband is coming late home from work and being possessive over his mobile phone etc, would probably raise questions in anyone’s mind. With ‘45-55% of married women and 50-60% of married men engaging in extramarital sex’ at least once during their relationship, it’s no wonder whose in relationships with good partners suffer from paranoia’s. We only need to watch day-time TV shows like the ‘Jeremy Kyle Show’ to see lovers demanding lie-detector tests on one another.

As for the new generation – they are doomed as TV has become central to leisure time in the home and soap being increasingly popular amongst children and adolescents. Psychologist Albert Bandura investigated children’s ‘learning behaviour’ and found that children tended to copy adult behaviour of aggression. I think that the same concept of ‘learning behaviour' can be applied to infidelity. Although, adolescents and even children may not understand infidelity, they are certainly viewing it and are aware of the term unconsciously if not consciously and so there may be a danger that they will think that this ‘bad’ behaviour is socially acceptable because of those who do get away with it and soaps which glorify infidelity ‘Eastenders’ (Stacey Slater and Max Brannings affair). Inevitably people follow examples whether these examples are categorised 'good' or 'bad'.

http://www.life-coach-tips.co.uk/relationships7.html

I have no clue where we should go for the field trip, maybe a night club?