To Justify War or Not to Justify War That Is the Question free essay sample

Polk, as well as most of the rest of Americans at this time, saw the declaration of war as a legitimate and natural expression of America’s Manifest Destiny, which will be later explained. The question remains, however, was Polk’s declaration of war on Mexico really necessary, let alone justified? Was peace what he really wanted, or was his true intention just to acquire more land and expand the U. S. westward as fast as he could? President Polk did appear to have taken several steps to try to avoid an armed conflict with Mexico. First, Polk tried to reopen diplomatic relations between the U. We will write a custom essay sample on To Justify War or Not to Justify War? That Is the Question or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page S. and Mexico by sending an envoy, Mr. John Slidell of Louisiana, invested with full powers to make adjustments to the current state of affairs between the two countries. He sent this envoy, seemingly, as evidence that he did not want war, but peace and harmonious engagements between the U. S. and Mexico from there on forth. At first, Mexico’s minister stated that they would be willing to receive an envoy form the U. S. under the condition that the U. S. would withdraw its naval forces from Vera Cruz. The minister said that its presence there seemed to be or could be interpreted as an â€Å"act of menace or coercion† while the results of their negotiations were still pending. In light of this arrangement, Polk had the naval forces fall back. However, upon Slidell’s arrival to Mexico, they refused to receive the envoy and no agreement was met at that time. This set the pace for the tensions and events that followed. Throughout his address, Polk held strong to his claims that the U. S. was trying tirelessly to avoid war with Mexico and settle matters between them. Polk stated several times that because of Mexico’s refusal to address the issues that were presented, chiefly by not accepting the envoy, that Mexico was the aggressor in this matter. He supports this claim by reiterating that Mexico initiated the first act of aggression by going back on its statement of accepting an envoy to negotiate terms between the two countries. Also, Polk added the incident of how the Mexican forces at Matamoras, led by General Ampudia, started to get hostile. General Ampudia informed U. S. General, General Zachary Taylor that he needed to break up his camp within twenty four hours or face hostile actions. In this, Polk felt the U. S. was obligated to defend its people. The United States was, and still is, obligated to its land and people’s defense. Most of the tensions between the two countries began or got worse after Texas annexed itself into the union, which was a territory that Mexico still felt it held claim to. Polk ordered troops into the surrounding boundaries of this newly acquired territory because Mexican forces had begun to act belligerent and he wanted to make sure the citizens were protected should things go badly. From all of the negative events that were taking place, Polk stated that the attempts at diplomatic negotiations and the fighting troops weren’t the only things to suffer from the tensions between the U. S. and Mexico. Polk suggests in his declaration that commerce between the two countries had been practically eradicated. He claims that the U. S. merchants were not willing to prosecute these injustices of being harassed because the Mexicans had implemented a system of extortion. Despite it appearing, from the events and aggressive acts from Mexico, that Polk was totally within his rights to want to declare war on Mexico, not everyone agreed with his stand. On December 22, 1847, a freshman member of the House of Representatives introduced what has become known as the â€Å"Spot Resolutions Speech† suggesting he did not whole heartedly agree with Polk wanting to go to war with Mexico. This lawmaker was Abraham Lincoln. He had analyzed three messages by President Polk (May 11, 1846, December 8, 1846, and December 7, 1847) that claimed America blood had been shed on American soil. Lincoln stated that the House was â€Å"desirous to obtain a full knowledge of the facts which go to establish whether a particular spot on which the blood of our citizens was so shed was or was not at that time our own soil. † From the analysis of the three messages, he composed resolutions that sought specific information. The first of which was, â€Å"Whether the spot on which the blood of our citizens was shed, as in his messages declared, was or was not within the territory of Spain, at least after the treaty of 1819, until the Mexican revolution. The second was, â€Å"Whether that spot is or is not within the territory which was wrested from Spain by the revolutionary Government of Mexico. † The other six resolutions basically extended the analysis to determine whether the territory on which the casualties occurred was ever under the government or laws of Texas or of the United States. Though we have the opinions of opposing American parties, reading those articl es still bears no insight on Mexico’s account of the events that took place. It again poses the question was President Polk really justified in wanting to declare war on Mexico? Who was really the aggressor in this situation? After doing further investigating, I feel as though President James K. Polk may have been the aggressor in 1846. From his declaration, one can sympathize with Polk. It seemed as though Polk indeed only wanted peace and that he really tried to take as many non-confrontational steps as possible. However, if one looks at what was really going on during this time period, it can be assessed that Polk wanted to push Mexico into negotiating with the United States, and he was willing to create the threat of war to do so. These peaceful negotiations Polk claims he sought may have been achieved had he simply taken a different approach. Mexico refused to acknowledge Texas as independent or that it was a part of the U. S. once it had annexed itself into the union. After the annexation of Texas, Mexico withdrew its minister from Washington. This event is what prompted Polk to send John Slidell as an envoy. Mexico, expecting Slidell to be coming to negotiate the issue of Texas, was blindsided when Slidell had been sent to discuss opening negotiations for buying California and that the Texas issue was being completely ignored. They knew that accepting this envoy would mean they wouldn’t get any headway on the issue of Texas. This was the reason Mexico refused to have Slidell come as an envoy to commence negotiations. Once Slidell left Mexico, newly in office Mexican President, Jose Herrera, sent troops to the Rio Grande, a territory Texas claimed to be its proper boundary, to meet the Americans. In this matter, both sides had reached impasse and Polk had the excuse he need to declare war. Even though Polk had what he felt like was a â€Å"reason† to declare war, that doesn’t mean he was really justified in declaring war on Mexico. But, is war itself really justifiable? In theory, yes, war can be justified or considered justifiable under certain circumstances. I think that you can call a war justified if the reasons behind a government or country wanting to wage the war are for a just cause. For example, a war against a people to end its existence, basically genocide, is never a reason to start a war. There should also be a reasonable margin of success in winning the war so that the outcome sought will come to pass. Most importantly, the innocents should never be harmed. In my opinion, these are some things that can constitute a â€Å" justifiable war†. An example of a â€Å"justified war†, considering, was the American Civil War. This war happened as a result of a social and economic divide between the Northern and Southern U. S. The South relied primarily on agriculture, while the Northern states used manufacturing to sustain their economy. The South used slavery because they saw blacks as subhuman, inferior beings and because they didn’t want to have to pay them for their labor. The Southern states believed in the states having individual rights, where as the Northern states believed in a strong federal government. All of that was just to say that the cause for the war was justifiable and important, but the result more so which was permanently abolishing slavery in America and the United States was once again united. In terms of justification of Polk’s war against Mexico, this war wasn’t totally justifiable. The U. S, responded with violence against the Mexican government, which wasn’t necessary. Polk’s over ambition to seize new territory from Mexico and his disappointment at their refusal to sell him California, more than likely, played a major role in his wanting to go to war with Mexico. There was also another factor that made it easier for Polk to want to wage war with Mexico. It’s something called Manifest Destiny, which was the idea or theory that the U. S. had a â€Å"divine right† to rapid expansion westward toward the Pacific Ocean through the annexation of the western half of the continent; hence â€Å"from sea to shining sea†. Polk’s premature actions against Mexico, in my opinion, were unnecessary, but are all actions to initiate war unnecessary? Even more, if we use certain tactics to initiate war, are we being effective? For example, is our current â€Å"war on terror† necessary, let alone justifiable? Our so called â€Å"War on Terror† isn’t simply black and white because there are so many things one can argue in terms of being for or against this war. For example, some would say the war is justifiable because it appeared to be the only effective solution to the threat posed by the militant Islamic fundamentalism. Also, one could argue that we can’t sit around and do nothing after the Taliban had made such an obvious declaration of war against America by attacking us on our own soil! Then, on the other hand, some can argue that the war isn’t justifiable because unless in extreme circumstances, like being under arbitrary provocation or attack from a hostile power with no reasonable alternative, war is never justifiable. Our war on terror involves the military, political, legal, and ideological conflict against Islamic terrorism in response to the tragic 9/11 attacks. So in this aspect is out war justified? In my opinion, not so much. I feel that there may have been ways to avoid war prior to the conditions escalading the way they did. My view is that the war’s sole justification was retribution, which is not sufficient justification. The seemingly most powerful western democracy in the world should hold itself to a higher standard than those who only seek to thwart them. I can say that 9/11 was indeed the worst attack on American soil since Pearl Harbor. To highjack an aircraft(s) and plummet them into the Twin Towers, killing over 200 innocent civilians, is universally an inexcusable act and no amount of rhetoric will ever be able to even slightly shift that affirmation. However, in regards to a comparison between the two wars, I don’t feel President Roosevelt entered or declared war on Japan as an act of vengeance. The U. S. ’s declaration of war on Japan was against a sovereign power, with its own controlled army, with a fixed structure, and broadly connected to a worldwide fascist movement that, at the time, posed an incredibly serious threat to the stability of the free world. I do agree that we must defend or nation against the hostilities of rouge nations and terrorists, however, war is never made to â€Å"keep peace†. It only maintains peace for a very short period of time and after such period has passed, one side must inevitably wage war again to claim the debts for the original war. Again and again, an eye is claimed for an eye, and the Shakespearian drama continues to unfold, where everybody lies dead on the floor. A far better solution is the Chekhovian drama; everyone is upset and disillusioned, but still remains alive at the end. We need to try to find a Chekhovian solution to our threat of terrorism, maybe then having to justify a war wouldn’t be necessary at all.

Conundrums, Puzzles, and Quizzes

Conundrums, Puzzles, and Quizzes Conundrums, Puzzles, and Quizzes Conundrums, Puzzles, and Quizzes By Mark Nichol What do the three nouns in this post’s title have in common? Yes, they all refer to questions or problems to be answered or solved, but there’s a more interesting commonality: Their very existence is a conundrum, puzzle, or quiz, because they have no etymological paper trail, and no one is quite certain how they came to be. That’s true of a surprising number of words, including flabbergast and flummox, both of which describe the feeling one has when one is puzzled. Many of these terms inhabit a linguistic ghetto reserved for words used informally or humorously; they often started out as slang, as in the case of dogie, a cowboy’s term for a calf, or the verb peter, meaning â€Å"become tired† (as in the phrase â€Å"petered out†), which originated with miners during the mid-nineteenth-century gold rush in western North America. Other slang words with no known origin include fuddy-duddy (meaning â€Å"a conservative or old-fashioned person†), humbug (â€Å"nonsense† or â€Å"someone or something deceptive†), and persnickety (â€Å"obsessed with trivial details†); that last word is a variation of the now-obsolete form pernickety, but the etymological origin of that latter word is unknown. More respectable orphan words include dingy (â€Å"dirty† or â€Å"shabby†), plod (â€Å"proceed slowly and heavily†), and stubborn (â€Å"difficult,† or â€Å"resistant to change or direction†). Many other words are once removed from unknown origin; for example, huge, pivot, and trifle are three of many words borrowed into English from French even though the parentage of those words is unknown. We may not know where these and other words come from, but most orphan words share a common quality: They tend to be vivid and vigorous words writers are encouraged to employ to produce energetic and evocative writing. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Regarding Re:Expanded and ExtendedMood vs. Tense

Monetary Policy and the Stock Market Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 6000 words

Monetary Policy and the Stock Market - Essay Example Many papers have found that the extent to which monetary policymakers react to stock market changes are often driven by other factors such as the rate of inflation and output gap. In most of the cases, stock market changes are rarely the aspects which influence monetary policy. The present paper attempts to examine this very fact through employing least square methods. In order to assess this relation, Taylor’s rule has been modified accordingly. The output however, yielded does not depict a highly significant association between stock market fluctuations and the dependent variable, monetary policies which is duplicated by Federal Funds Rate. 1 - Introduction Stock market fluctuations often decide the financial state of an economy. These, in turn, could act as the decisive forces behind the monetary policy framework of an economy. Movements adapted by stock market indices often reflect the behaviour patterns exhibited by many essential economic variables. Stock market indices might be regarded as a mirror image of the way their components behave over time. In case that these components exhibit an average upward trend, the implication is that of a rising stock price index, while they display a downward trend implies the stock prices moving down on an average. Movements of stock prices often indicate the extent to which an economy is soaring. High figures of stock price indices in an economy indicate upward inflationary trends in the economy. Hence, it is important to keep a note of the fluctuations that the stock market indices depict. Inflationary pressures are rather regarded as harmful for the economy and hence they often are kept under control by the monetary policymakers of an economy. Thus, it can be argued...Stock market fluctuations often decide the financial state of an economy. These, in turn, could act as the decisive forces behind the monetary policy framework of an economy. Movements adapted by stock market indices often reflect the behaviour patterns exhibited by many essential economic variables. Stock market indices might be regarded as a mirror image of the way their components behave over time. In case that these components exhibit an average upward trend, the implication is that of a rising stock price index, while they display a downward trend implies the stock prices moving down on an average. Movements of stock prices often indicate the extent to which an economy is soaring. High figures of stock price indices in an economy indicate upward inflationary trends in the economy. Hence, it is important to keep a note of the fluctuations that the stock market indices depict. Inflationary pressures are rather regarded as harmful for the economy and hence they often are kept under control by the monetary policymakers of an economy. Thus, it can be argued that higher the stock market index of a nation , greater will be the inflationary pressure upon the economy. This tempts the monetary policymakers to frame strategies for regulation of the same. This inflationary pressure could actually lead to a rise in the velocity of money .This , in turn, could actually result to higher economic activities and at the same time leads to price hikes. These price hikes might lead to depreciation in the rate of exchange and thus eventually reduce the inflow of foreign direct investments. This is because overseas investors are no longer allured by the thought of earning higher amounts in repayment.

Medieval Roman Catholicism in Christianity Essay

Medieval Roman Catholicism in Christianity - Essay Example The contributions of two prominent popes in the medieval times paved the way for the conversion of Emperor Constantine in 312 who â€Å"legalized Christianity, promoted its interests, and took an active role in its institutional and doctrinal development† (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2010). The name Christianity was coined from Jesus Christ. Christianity is the name given to that definite system of religious belief and practice which was taught by Jesus Christ in the country of Palestine, during the reign of the Roman Emperor, Tiberius, and was promulgated, after Jesus’ death, for the acceptance of the whole world, by certain chosen men among His followers. The role of medieval Roman Catholicism, therefore, is the promulgation of evangelization of various peoples all over the world. In addition, the church instigated roles of education, engaging in charitable activities, and promotion of the family as the sole unit of social and moral values. As revealed in the history of Roman Catholicism, â€Å"one of the most significant developments of the late ancient and early medieval periods—for Roman Catholicism and all forms of Christianity—was the emergence of Christian theology. During the late ancient and early medieval periods there was also a significant growth in monasticism, the origins of which are traditionally associated with the Apostles in Jerusalem† (Britannica, 2010). The teachings from the Apostles became the basis for their compilations of the Bible. As indicated in the article on Roman Catholicism stating that â€Å"the churchs role in mediating salvation has been emphasized more than in other Christian traditions. Supernatural life is mediated to Christians through the sacraments administered by the hierarchy to whom obedience is due† (Roman Catholic Church, 2010). The origins of Roman Catholicism were instrumental in proffering the existence of God, as proven in five ways, to wit: from motion, from the nature of efficient cause,

INVESTIGATION OF HUMAN DISEASE Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

INVESTIGATION OF HUMAN DISEASE - Essay Example Alternatively, a shorted dystrophin gene may be expressed but still different from normal due to an altered molecular weight. Different probes against different parts of the gene, or alternatively gene sequencing, can be exploited to identify the missing parts. Given the almost asymptomatic patient's status, likely due to the young age, no histological features are expected in muscle biopsies. Therefore, a molecular, i.e. immuno-histochemical, analysis will be necessary. Indeed, immunofluorescence (IF) analysis for dystrophin can confirm the genotyping. In physiological conditions, laminin is localized around all muscle fibers and it appears as circles/polygonal shapes in muscle cross-sections, while it is absent in virtually all muscle fibers in diseased individuals (with the notable exception of possible revertant fibers). Given the invasive nature of this procedure, the IF analysis, which requires more tissue to be collected, will be performed as a second option and only in the pr esence of positive genetic tests. On examining the genomic DNA it was found that exon 52 was absent. (b) Will splicing of exon 51 to 53 produce a functional shortened dystrophin? Explain and justify your decision by using an illustration and text (20%). The splicing of exon 51 to 53 does not produce a shortened dystrophin, since the two exons have different codon boundary. The result of the exon 52 deletion, is thus disruption of the genetic code and the premature stop of protein translation. On the contrary, the splicing of exon 51 to 54 would give rise to a shortened but functional form of dystrophin (see diagram below). In the case presented above, the absence of dystrophin expression and the development of DMD is the diagnosis. Scheme of exon boundary extremities in the dystophin region of interest: After genetic counselling the parents choose to seek help from a specialist in gene therapy. (c) If you were the gene therapy specialist what kind of therapy would you suggest for th e boy. Justify your choice. (20%) I would suggest an exon skipping approach with antisense oligonucleotides (AON) aimed to skip exon 53. The loss of the latter in addition to the congenital loss of exon 52 will likely allow to rescue the expression of an almost normal dystrophin, which lacks only two of the repeated motifs that constitute the central body of the protein. Exon skipping has recently been proven an efficient therapeutic approach in large animals (dogs) affected by muscular dystrophy (Yokoda, 2011). PART II (50% total) 1) The picture above shows a family with an inherited disorder. All affected individuals are tall and thin, with long fingers and toes. a) What would a genetic counselor be able to tell an affected individual about the mode of inheritance and the serious complications associated with the disorder (10%) The phenotype of the people in the picture is compatible with the diagnosis of the Marfan. In fact, people with Marfan syndrome tend to be unusually tall, with long, thin fingers. It is inherited as a dominant trait, thus people who have inherited one affected gene from either parent will have Marfan syndrome. This may explain the high penetrance of the disease into a group of individuals, likely members of the same family in the pcture. b) Explain the molecular basis of the condition (15%)

Cult Media Is Defined By Leading Media Essay

Cult Media Is Defined By Leading Media Essay The term cult media is defined by leading cult media theorists, Sara Gwenllian-Jones and Roberta Pearson to mean any text that is considered off-beat or edgy, that draws a niche audience, that has a nostalgia appeal, that is considered emblematic of a particular subculture, or that is considered hip (ix). For over a century, cult media in the form of films have played an important role in our lives, entertaining us, often provoking conversation and debate. Joining films in the cult media stakes was the rise of television in the 1950s which added to the spread of cult media. A pivotal moment in cult media was the release of the film, The Rocky Horror Picture Show in 1975. This film changed the publics perception of cult media and how people related to it. Since then the internet and online social media have completely changed the way cult media has evolved and been received. My thesis statement is that eventhough there have been significant changes that have impacted on the production, distribution and reception of cult media since that pivotal moment of Rocky Horror it still remains extremely popular. This is because it often deviates from accepted societal norms. It touches on religion, sex, politics, ethnic backgrounds and other topics that many people regard as controversial (Hills 21). These themes are all still today what Gwenllian-Jones and Pearson term off-beat and edgy. They allow cult media to transcend significant changes and generations and are the reason why cult media continues to grow in popularity (Jancovich, et al; Mathijs and Mendik; Stadler and McWilliam). Three significant changes that have impacted on the production, distribution and reception of films, television, and other new and emerging media was firstly the internet, secondly technological changes such as digitalisation (the shift to digital cinema) and thirdly, the rise of the cult media audience and the incredible rise in the fanatical devotion to cult media texts (FANDOM) and the user-revolution of alternative films and TV shows cult media attracts a particular kind of devotional investment and fetishisation (Hills 511). The first change was the internet which has certainly changed the way cult media is viewed. Especially since the introduction in 2006-2007 of higher download speeds on broadband internet. People can now view and download films and TV shows through peer to peer file sharing, streamed from video tape and DVD via sites like YouTube, bitTorrent and DixXCrawler. This has expanded the opportunities for potential audiences to gain access to films which already have a cult reputation, as well as to discover and create new cult reputations. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, for example, it tended to be the case that cult reputations were forged within major metropolitan areas: it was in such areas that repertory theaters, for example, could be found. For those who did not have easy access to such areas the chances of finding films outside of the mainstream was very difficult (Klinger; Telotte; Tryon). Now, however, with abundant information freely available on the Web, as well as the huge number of films released on DVD and available over the Internet, many more people can gain access to a range of different cult titles wherever they are geographically located. This may make it increasingly likely that cult reputations are forged outside of a theatrical release. With the internet FANDOM and other devotees can more easily access the works of current leading independent filmmakers like Jim Jarmusch, Wes Anderson, Lynne Ramsay and Victor Nunez. The second change was the introduction of different and multiple distribution streams which allow for more cult media to exist. Emerging technologies that facilitate the production, distribution and promotion of small, offbeat films. Traditional distribution models have been challenged by new media entrepreneurs and independent film makers, user-generated videos, film blogs, mash-ups, downloads, and other expanding social networks like Facebook (Klinger 13; Lavery). With a video or digital camera, a computer, editing software and an internet connection, anyone can make and upload a film of virtually any length to a personal Web site or a searchable public domain such as YouTube. There has been continuing convergence between film and TV because of the advances in digital technology. Image and sound quality and even viewing contexts and audience experiences are moving closer together in many instances with digitalisation having a significant impact on all screen media (Hartley; Klinger ; Stadler and McWilliam). New distribution models firstly video, then DVD, then high speed internet download have given an extra lease of life to old horror and cringe-worth B-films that might otherwise have languished in obscurity. It is Hollywoods version of the long tail where the web fuels endless small cults that add up to a massive audience (Lavery, 20). Thirdly, there has been a dramatic shift from viewing in a picture theatre to viewing in small, private groups in a hall or function room or at home alone. Devotees do not have to go to the cinema anymore. This shift has significant ramifications for cult viewership. There is the loss of sharing the particular cult media with others in a cinema. Now it has been replaced by online chat rooms and Facebook sites (Scone; Stadler and McWilliam). Its hard to imagine the Rocky Horror  cult developing the way it did with its outlandish costumes, spirited shout-outs and dancing in the aisles in the absence of communal showings in a theatre (Lavery; Telotte). Home consumption of the cult film or cult film-in-embryo may allow for the proliferation of interpretations in the absence of the disciplining presence of other cultists. What is diminished are possibilities for engaged spectatorship a kind of creative and communal participation in the life-world of the cult film (Hills, 41). Now, with the rise of digital cinema, audiences often encounter films outside the theater and even outside the home on their way to work or at the beach. The cult media audience can now utilise all manner of ways to access films and TV shows. The FANDOM audience has become interactive as social media allows for DIY (do-it-yourself) film criticism and analysis. Film blogging is a very important aspect of the production, distribution and reception of cult media. Devoted fans are continuing in greater numbers to use DIY production activities such as uploading reviews and videos. This is spurring on participation in alternative cult media (Caldwell; Hills; Lavery). Finally, there is the continuing convergence between cult film and cult television. Cult media experts Professors Ernest Matijs and Xavier Mendik argue that the fanatical devotion by fans to film franchises like Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and, Pirates of the Caribbean have made them both mainstream and cult classics. As Doctor Jane Stadler and Kelly McWilliam contend the label cult media covers such a broad territory that it cannot be distinguished as a clear category or genre (274). To be a  cult  film, it must have a particular kind of audience who display a particular kind of behavior; behavior which is often  ritualistic.  The Rocky Horror Picture Show  is the archetypal example of a film which, regardless of any esthetic or formal filmic features it may display, developed a dedicated audience following, who would go to tremendous lengths to attend a screening of their worshipped film (Klinger; Mathijs and Sexton). It can be argued that Rocky Horror was the first cros s-over film that spanned the gap between cult and mainstream. With Rocky Horror and a successful shock TV show such as Dexter there is not always a clear difference between cult media and mainstream media. Dexter has an extremely dark side to it and covers controversial topics such as incest and serial killers. In the same vein as Rocky Horror, Dexter can also be regarded as cult media. Going back to what Gwenllian-Jones and Pearson said it is offbeatand it is edgy. It may not have the call and response of Rocky Horror or its music and costumes and dancing in the aisles of the theatre. It is a different genre within cult media with Rocky Horror being a dark musical fantasy and Dexter being a horrific comedy. One of the main differences that distinguishes cult television like Dexter from cult film like Rocky Horror is seriality, where a show like Dexter can develop characters and story lines over many hours (Gwenllian-Jones and Pearson; Klinger). The show has now run for over 70 epis odes and is into season 7 compared to the 100 minutes of Rocky Horror. In summary, even though there have been significant changes to the production, distribution and reception of cult media and despite cultists perceptions that their offbeat and edgy object choices have become too accessible to mass-market audiences, cult media has grown in popularity. It has become more culturally diffuse, especially over the past decade, earning not only a place as a popular marketing term, but also blurring with mainstream entertainment like Hollywoods cult blockbusters like Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and Pirates of the Caribbean  (Klinger; Mathijs and Sexton; Peary; Stadler and McWilliam). As leading media expert Professor Barbara Klinger has observed, the gradual transition of cult media as a result of constant, on-going changes from public, social rituals at cinemas to private, individualistic collectorship in the home viewing environment has popularised cultish activity such as repeated screenings, reciting dialogue, and other viewing rituals. This has all resulted in taking cult media beyond marginal subcultures and allowing it to become more connected to countless types of media and an ever-increasing world-wide fan base.

Homosexuality Essay -- Biology Essays Research Papers

Homosexuality For years scientists have been attempting to ascertain whether or not homosexual behavior can be linked to a biological catalyst. From Alfred Kinsey's revolutionary survey in 1947 to the current media upheaval about a prospective "gay gene," the desire to pinpoint a cause for the personalities and behaviors associated with homosexuality has reached new plateaux. The scientific community is constantly developing more and more evidence to suggest that there may well be a neurological explanation for homosexuality. Although historical studies and purposed treatments have ranged from group counseling to shock therapy, recent research suggests that exposure to an abnormally high or low amount of certain hormones could potentially affect sexual behavior. Just as there is no gene for heterosexuality, there can be no "gay gene." Genes are not responsible for an individual's actions; they simply guide the "sequence of a particular protein that may influence behavior" ( 1 ). However, it is possible that there is a genetic factor which is responsible for a protein synthesis resulting in particular sex hormone levels (namely testosterone and estrogen) which could augment certain sex-typical characteristics, and might explain sexual behavior ( 1 ). This paper will discuss various studies which examine the effects of male and female hormones in an attempt to develop a potential correlation between biological foundations and homosexual behavior. According to Fred Delcomyn (2), mammals naturally develop as females "in the absence of sex hormones." Without the intervention of androgens (testicular hormones, specifically testosterone), all mammals develop in utero as female. Not only are the genitals identical in early fe... ...r that personality and behavior are more than simple chemical reactions. While prenatal over-androgenization or estrogenization could potentially be one of the many underlying causes of homosexuality, this has only been shown in certain cases, largely those in which chemical abnormalities have caused effeminate or masculinizing behavioral (and in some cases physical) traits. The studies discussed herein cannot account for the physiological characteristics of every member of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community. It is also possible that the amounts of hormones studied are not abnormal, but fall somewhere in the spectrum of human sexuality. Internet Sources: 2. Delcomyn, Fred. Foundations of Neurobiology. New York: W.H. Freeman & Co. 1998 http://salmon.psy.plym.ac.uk/year1/Sexdiff.htm http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~sg7/eng105/students/Beth.htm