Category: Authors SP18

White Paper—TheNaturalist

Proposal

For my research essay, I will be arguing that multiracial people of a lighter skin color, in fact, do not have “White Privilege” and that they are put down for their skin color by races that they are actually part of. I will be using the example of Brazil as their skin color is completely different and their beliefs are different from what a race is considered. For years these people struggle with identifying with others because they are a different “race” (color). This is a major social problem around the world and really shouldn’t be considering how far we as people have had to come to believe that people are “equal”, but because of this stigma of color people are unable to really be equal.

I am here to prove that color is not the definition of race and that in this day and age people can’t judge a person based on their skin color, not just race. This goes for all races, not just African American, Spanish, “white” this includes everyone.

Sources

  1. http://affinitymagazine.us/2017/07/10/being-biracialmulticultural-an-identity-crisis/

The content of the article: In this article, the author discusses their own personal struggle of being multiracial with her social life as well as how she is treated by her own family.

Proves: that multiracial people have problems just as much as a one race person

  1. https://www.tolerance.org/professional-development/on-racism-and-white-privilege

Content of the article: Explains the idea of white privilege and that anyone of white color has these privileges

Proves: not all multiracial have these privileges and even if they have a lighter skin color they don’t always have these privileges

  1. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/brazils-colour-bind/article25779474/

Content of the article: interviews with Brazil’s residents as well as the history of the background of their “races”

Proves: the definition of race versus skin color is a problem. It proves that everyone has this idea that the shade of your skin has a level of privilege.

4.http://eds.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail/detail?vid=1&sid=167b3a9c-1ecb-4535-a917-474e20210dcd%40sessionmgr4009&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=2011-17045-001&db=pdh

The content of the article: research on the challenges of multiracial people. a study conducted to show the treatment of multiracial people in urban areas.

Proves: that a high percentage has been discriminated against because they are multiracial and that they are not receiving the best of both worlds. this can also prove that they receive the same amount of challenges that monoracial people endure

5. http://societyforpsychotherapy.org/understanding-the-stressors-and-types-of-discrimination-that-can-affect-multiracial-individuals-things-to-address-and-avoid-in-psychotherapy-practice/

Content of the article: discusses the wellbeing of multiracial people and how they should b treated when receiving therapy

Prooves

 

 

White Paper 2—AmongOthers

Proposal

For my research essay, I will be focusing on the lack of education throughout the world and the detrimental effects it causes. Overall, the rich children are more benefited than the poor when it comes to education for the rich families can provide more resources and money into education than the poor families can. Due to this, there is a major catastrophic learning gap between poor and rich students. This is a huge step backwards considering education was once a tool that neutralized education and brought people from different areas together to learn efficiently.

This issue worries me tremendously since I am currently in school to become a teacher. I have heard stories of children not being able to attend school because the prices are too high in their area. In my research, I hope to find the reasons why the system has shifted so greatly, ways to prevent the lack of education from happening even more,and most importantly, how to get back to where education once was- an education all children deserve to have and have a right to attain.

Sources

  1. https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/08/property-taxes-and-unequal-schools/497333/     

The Essential Content of the Article: Even in a wealthy state, some children still attend poor schools. Students are in need of extra help, yet are offered less than what is efficient. The system is “inadequately funded” and needs a change. Opportunity is not given to each student evenly due to the economical differences. Poor students show a lower success rate. This article in particular is talking about Connecticut and how perhaps the problem there is how education was founded in the country and how it is structured. It used to be efficient for students back then, but it no longer provides enough today. This article goes back hundreds of years to how education used to be distributed and that is why I have chosen this article.

What it Proves: There is a dramatic difference with schooling back then and schooling today, perhaps we need to reflect on the past to improve the present. Also, this proves even more how poor schools influence children and their success.

2. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/10/education/education-gap-grows-between-rich-and-poor-studies-show.html

The Essential Content of the Article: This article dives further into the idea that the education gap is not only just in black and white students,but is now affecting the rich and the poor children. Studies have shown that the gap between rich and poor children and their test scores has increased by 40% since the 1960’s, an era that focused primarily on skin tone and not how much income your family made. People are saying that perhaps the recession widened the gap even more than it was already, and due to the decreasing economy, it may increase even more, while others are saying the difference comes from a variety of different things.

What it Proves: This article has solid statistics and numbers and ideas that will help people understand the dramatic increase in the gap and the inequality of learning due to income.

3. http://education.seattlepi.com/disadvantages-facing-poor-community-public-schools-2182.html    

The Essential Content of the Article: This article covers the disadvantages that poor communities face due to their schooling system and will help me in arguing that children from low income families deserve more. Children coming from these schools are often less prepared and struggle with family connections.

What it Proves: The many disadvantages listed in the article and the background info on each of them will provide me with more reasons why education needs to be equal. Poor community schooling does not offer enough to children.

4. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/freedom-learn/201709/mend-the-gap-between-rich-and-poor-in-school-achievement   

Essential Content of Article: Reasons why there is such a huge gap between poor and rich communities and how different “solutions” people thought would work are not working. It provides insight as to ideas on how to truly eliminate the issue.

What it Proves: One of my main ideas for the paper was to figure out how the education system has changed so much over the years. This article provides some good topics and information that lead to the decline of the system and helps me figure out what produced such a great divide.  

5. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/14/upshot/why-american-schools-are-even-more-unequal-than-we-thought.html   

Essential Content of Article: More of an insight as to why American schools are even more unequal than we may think already. Students are performing at lower levels than ever before,  and the economic disadvantage has the most significant role in a child’s schooling success. Scores end up to be even lower than predicted.  The gap is about a third larger than a typical gap. There are linear relationships to the failing economy and math scores, and more and more children are falling behind. There are statistics that even go back as far as the children’s parents and their education.

What it Proves: Schools need a change and more resources.

6. https://cepa.stanford.edu/content/widening-academic-achievement-gap-between-rich-and-poor-new-evidence-and-possible

Essential Content of Article: Discusses family socioeconomic characteristics and the difference in academic success over the last 50 years. Income achievement gap is the “Average achievement difference between a child from a family at the 90th percentile of the family income distribution and a child from a family at the 10th percentile”. It is now double the black-white gap, a gap that used to be one and a half to two times larger than the income achievement gap.

What it Proves: The relationship between income and achievement has grown tremendously and income is now a deciding factor for children’s success.

7.  https://www.brookings.edu/research/income-and-education-as-predictors-of-childrens-school-readiness/

Essential Content of Article: Studies have shown huge gaps when testing school readiness in young children due to income of their families and also material education. Most children from a poor, low-income family perform poorer than those from a high-income family. A test is being conducted to test how children perform and why- what causes the poor performance>

What it Proves: Income plays a huge role in the success of young children.

8. https://www.childfund.org/about-us/education/

Essential Content of Article : The lack of education could lead to a lifetime full of struggles, hardships, and difficulties. It is hard for children to accomplish more things when they lack a full education. A program called ChildFund India raises money for children’s needs for schooling. In most areas where ChildFund is, schooling itself is free, but the uniforms, books, buses, are often too expensive for families to pay.

What it Proves: The significance of a good education and what it can do for children in the long run.

9. http://teaching.monster.com/benefits/articles/3049-how-one-school-is-fighting-poverty

Essential Content of Article: One in six students live in poverty. A middle school in North Carolina is taking a stand against poverty. People are working together to ensure that the children have a better life by being in a classroom. The school hangs inspirational signs throughout the halls to make the students know that they have a future and that they can achieve it. This article lists ways to fight back against school poverty.

What it Proves: There is hope! We must fight back and encourage students to have faith.

10. https://edsource.org/2014/community-schools-can-help-break-the-cycle-of-poverty/57633

Essential Content of Article: The Local Control Funding Formula has a goal to improve the outcome of successful students and to give local schools more of a say as to how they spend their education dollars. Investment is another thing we need to focus on- where all the money goes. If it does not go towards the children, it is going to the wrong place. Community schools are bringing food clinics, health clinics, and extra curricular activities onto school grounds in hopes to create the school the children deserve. There are community based services as well, for the kids are often struggling with something. Their needs are addressed so that they can learn, and the teachers can teach.

What it Proves: Poverty creates learning blockades for children. We need to find a way around those blockades to ensure these children have the education they need.

White Paper 3 – picklerick

My research essay will be delving into the deception of one of the healthiest pastimes we believe to have. I’m going to prove why reading young-adult fiction novels is a terrible habit for adults to acquire. It didn’t surprise me to find out that the majority of Young adult and teen fiction novels are read by grown adults. According to a study done in 2012, “55% of readers in the YA market are not young adults” (Howlett, 2015). People enjoy the appeal of YA fiction because it gives them the opportunity to escape their lives, to temporarily forget about their stresses and obligations. What these people are unaware of, though, is that this distraction isn’t the slightest bit beneficial for them. “History reveals fiction’s ability to change our values at the societal level” (Wilkinson, 2016). An example of this in television is with the show, “Modern Family”. There’s a homosexual couple treated without judgement in this program, which moves the viewers to become more accepting of the LGBT community. This is a good-hearted example, but if our views can be swayed so easily by a television show, imagine how easily a novel (with deep storylines and characters you strongly connect with) can rewire your brain.

Not only do these stories change the way we think, they also trick us into expecting many more positive outcomes than reality is willing give us. It’s no secret that YA fiction novels are almost sure to give you a happy ending; it’s part of the appeal. All this does, though, is lead us to have greater expectations for life and little knowledge of how go and achieve these aspirations. If you want to find true love, don’t go and read “The Fault in Our Stars”. Instead, pick up a book like “The Ladybird Book of Dating” and learn how to become a better partner.

Sources:

https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/feb/24/why-are-so-many-adults-reading-ya-teen-fiction

Content of the Article: This article shows that many adults still read young adult fiction novels. It includes a study which concluded the majority of YA readers (55%) are adults. States how YA books provide an escapists appeal.

What it proves: It proves that adults love YA novels and read them more than their targeted audience.

http://bigthink.com/the-moral-sciences-club/fiction-isnt-good-for-you

Content of the Article: This article debates the counterargument that reading fiction makes you more empathetic.

What it proves: This proves that my original claim is true and falsifies the popular notion that reading fiction will make you more empathetic.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2013/dec/06/literary-fiction-happy-endings

Content of the Article: This article points out one of the flaws in YA faction, the facts that there are too many happy endings.

What it proves: It proves that happy endings are detrimental to our outlook on life.

https://examinedexistence.com/why-reading-literary-fiction-is-good-for-you/

Content of Article: This article gives me great examples of popular counterarguments to my hypothesis such as, “It helps your brain stay in shape”.

What it proves: It proves that reading fiction is beneficial. It also proves that this is a highly debated topic which I can take a strong side on.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/07/160719131334.htm

Content of Article: This article is full of psychological studies which test how reading fiction effects different parts of our brain compared to reading nonfiction. This is important because it will give my hypothesis solid backing.

What it proves: It uses a study involving an FMRI machine to conclude that fiction’s use of exhaustive descriptions is unnecessary. Instead, it suggests that all an author needs to do to activate one’s imagination is suggest a scene.

 

http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0055341

Content of Article: This article describes a series of studies that were done to test how reading fiction literature affects people’s levels of empathy. There are two studies; one which tests how reading fiction affects levels of empathy over time, and one which tests how one’s level of transportation (how immersed you are in the story) whilst reading affects their empathy.

What it proves: It proves that there are multiple factors to consider when making the claim that reading fiction improves empathy. Your level of transportation matters a lot. The studies in this article show that people who are less immersed in a story will actually receive reduced levels of empathy after reading.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/beth-bartlett/4-bad-side-effects-of-rea_b_5513451.html

Content of Article: This article provides four main claims which support the argument that reading fiction has negative side effects. These claims are: Fiction makes your mind flabby, stories can leave you dissatisfied with reality, novels stoke the emotions, and sensational works can numb the mind to tragedy. Each of these claims is supported with evidence that includes real novels as examples.

What it proves: It gives me more ideas for claims to support my thesis. It overall proves that reading fiction does give people negative side effects.

http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/dec12/vol70/num04/Nonfiction-Reading-Promotes-Student-Success.aspx

Content of Article: This article includes a study which shows that the average child in the U.S. spends only four minutes per day reading nonfiction. It then goes on to describe how reading nonfiction is important for students because it positively influences student success.

What is proves: It proves that children are not reading nearly enough nonfiction. It shows that if students were to start reading more nonfiction, it would improve their levels of success and make them smarter.

https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14175229

Content of the Article: This article gives reasons why women read more than men. It says that men only account for 20 percent of the fiction market. It explains that psychological studies show that women are on average more empatheic than men.

What it proves: It helps me disprove the claim that reading fiction makes people more empathetic. There is a positive correlation between levels of empathy and the amount of fiction people read because of the fact that women are naturally more empathetic than men.

https://thepatronsaintofsuperheroes.wordpress.com/2017/10/30/science-fiction-makes-you-stupid/

Content of the Article: This article explains why reading science fiction is bad for you. It claims that the way people usually read science fiction is flawed because they often have very low levels of transportation. It also says that science fiction readers have less comprehension of a plot than narrative realism readers.

What it proves: It proves that science fiction is worse to read than narrative fiction. People who are looking to achieve higher levels of empathy from reading are better off reading narrative fiction than science fiction.

White Paper 3—lbirch141

Proposal

For my research essay, I will examine how battery-powered smoke detectors are as reliable as wired smoke detectors, eliminating the hazards wired detectors may bring.

Smoke detectors are commonly known to alert someone if smoke is in their household or room. But there can be some hazards of these round plastic pieces that beep every time there is smoke. Wired detectors are what their name infers; they are hardwired into the ceiling and requires little attention until they start to go bad. These are often used because of how little you need to check them compared to battery-powered detectors. With the detectors directly wired into the ceiling, there could possibly be a risk of electrical hazards, which could be catastrophic.

Sources

1. “Smoke Detectors To Blame For Two Fires”

The Essential Content of the Article: This article published by Daily Mail provides two cases in the United Kingdom where the smoke detectors caught fire. Fire investigators on the case say they are on the side of caution because of these incidents and are taking the situation very seriously. These detectors were installed by fire services for a fire prevention safety campaign.

What it Proves: This article proves to me that there are cases of faulty detectors that do have the potential to start a fire and can cause harm. This also provides an example of an incident where smoke detectors do the complete opposite of what they are made to do.

 

2. “Pros and Cons of Hard-Wired Detectors” 

The Essential Content of the Article: This article contains both the positives and negatives behind hard-wired smoke detectors. Some advantages are that when one alarm is activated, all are activated. Also a hard-wired detector is powered through the houses main electrical system, meaning you will have power to the at all times. The negatives of hard-wired detectors are that when the power goes out, they run solely on a battery. Also another negative is how much wiring is needed, which does have the possibility to short out.

What it Proves: With the information in this article, hard-wired detectors do have negatives that may outweigh their positives at times. Sure, there are positives, such as the little attention they do need, but in an emergency situation, they still need to run off a battery. Battery-powered smoke detectors are the cheaper option, and a battery in one has the lifespan of up to 10 years, which is the same as a hard-wired detector.

 

3. “Smoke Alarms Related To Fatal Fires”

The Essential Content of the Article: This report focuses on the statistics of fatalities in fires and their relation to smoke detectors. This report by the National Fire Protection Association states “smoke alarms were present in slightly less than three-quarters (73%) of reported home fires and operated in roughly half (53%)” (Ahrens, 2). It also states that about three out of five respondents of a survey still use battery operated smoke detectors. Lastly, a main piece of evidence that can be used is that a power-failure, shut-off or disconnect was the leading failure reason for failures of hardwired only smoke alarms (46%) (Ahrens, 5).

What it Proves: This report provides useful information that can relate fire alarms and their connection to fatalities in fires. This report makes it easy to understand the statistics of fatal household fires and proves that any alarm will make the difference between life and death.

4. “Smoke Alarms In Houses Today”

The Essential Content of the Article: This report covers the facts of smoke detector in houses today. There may be a problem reflected in battery-only alarms because if one alarm detects smoke, only that one will sound. If there is a fire in a remote section of the house, the alarm may not be heard if you are far away from the alarm. One statement in this report shows that some fires start due to overheated wires in detectors from an overload on its current.

What it Proves: This report proves that there can be some hazardous things in detectors we may not even think of. This can be the fact that with battery-operated detectors, only one detector will go off in an event of fire while hard-wired fires all will activate. But one hazard a hard-wired detector may possess is the problem of overheated wires with can lead to electrical fires.

With the information I gained about electrical fires due to overheated wires, I researched more about this topic and will add below.

5. “Short Circuits”

The Essential Content of the Article: Short circuits can be caused by faulty installation of wires. When one wire carrying a current touches another wire, heat and fire can be made. This is from an overload of current which the wire may not be able to handle.

What it Proves: There can be many reasons why a short circuit may happen due to a detector. Wires may be faulty and can produce extreme heat, which can result in a fire. This proves that detectors do have the potential threat of a fire and can be harmful in some cases.

6. “Electrical Fires In Homes”

The Essential Content of the Article: This report by the National Fire Protection Agency gives us a vast amount of information gives us facts about electrical fires in houses across the country. Electrical fires may be the route of detector failures and fires because of the wiring involved. Fire departments responded to over 45,000 reported structure fires which involved electrical failure or malfunction from 2010-2014.  Wiring and related equipment accounted for the great majority of home fires and losses involving electrical distribution and lighting equipment, which was 69% of fires. 56% of civilian deaths were due to electrical distribution, such as how hardwired detectors are powered.

What it Proves: This report proves that electrical fires are very common to be the cause of structure fires. With this said, the chance of a detector starting a fire may increase because of the wiring involved. If there is a short in the wiring of the detector, there will be heat, just like in other electrical fires.

7. “9-Volt Battery Fire”

The Essential Content of the Article: This article written by Fire Protection Team gives is information about 9-volt batteries and how they can cause a fire. 9-volt batteries are used in some detectors, but also as backups in hard-wired detectors. If a metal object, which can be as simple as a pen or paper clip touches a post of the battery, it may short the battery causing heat or fire. There have been fires due to batteries reported across the country and cause a concern to many.

What it Proves: The information gained from this article proves that even batteries can play a role in causing fires in detectors. If one small piece of metal touches the posts of the battery, extreme heat will be created, which can cause a fire. Not only do hardwired detectors have the risk of faulty wiring, but also the risk of the back-up battery causing a fire.

8. “Safety Concerns with Li-ion Batteries”

The Essential Content of the Article: The article by Battery University gives the reader information about the hazards of Lithium Ion batteries and why they start fires. The author of this article describes battery failure and how they start the fires. These batteries catch fire because of either deign flaws or by random, which is said to be comparable to being hit by a meteor. A few examples of Lithium Ion failures was the hoverboard fire inncidents and the Samsung phone battery fires. These were caused by manufacturing defects. A battery can experience overheating or may become unstable if used in the wrong ways.

What it Proves: This article proves that there are some previous safety malfunctions that have to do with Lithium Ion batteries. The same types of batteries that caught fire in Samsung phones and hoverboards are used in smoke detectors. This information also proves that sometimes a fire may start for no apparent reason, which may be why some of these batteries catch fire. The most common problems are manufactural errors, which leads to possible fires.

9. “Wrong Batteries Leads To Explosive Results”

The Essential Content of the Article: This article focuses on one cause where a battery started to “buldge” and “overheat.” This was caused by the wrong battery being used in the detector and the electricity from the house can charge the battery to an amount the battery cannot handle. The detectors were made before October of 2000, but have never been recalled.

What it Proves: This article proves another example of a battery in a smoke detector overheating, and this time battery acid leaking. This is just another example of a detector malfunctioning and injuring a man. Because of the use of a battery not designed for a certain detector, overheating occured, and luckly no fire.

 

What I’m Still Looking For:

The facts I am still looking for that supports my hypothesis are sources that could give me more information about detectors and how they cause fire. I do have articles about them causing fires, but not actual statistics. I can say it would be far too hard to conclude a detector causes a structure fire, especially if it is a major fire. But, there may be some facts and some more information about detectors being the main cause of a fire.

Current State of my Research:

With the research so far, I can conclude I am on a very good path and I am gaining much more knowledge on this subject. The research is coming very well, but with some information that cannot be found (stated above). If I can find more information about detectors, I may be able to successfully prove my hypothesis. This information will make me more confident and will help my research even further.

White Paper- Morty39

I am researching and writing about how pit bulls can be used as police dogs, this will also prove that pit bulls are not dangerous dogs, and all they need is some good training. The issue of whether pit bulls are dangerous or not, has been a big one for some time now. They mainly get a bad rap because of all the dog fighting rings and the fact that once pit bulls jaws lock down on something, they stay locked. Combing training of a pit bull to fight and their jaw is a bad mix, But these animals are loveable and adorable creatures, when they are trained right. The same goes for any other dog. Because of this bad rep pit bulls have, the shelters are full of them. Shelters are trying to find ways to get these dogs out of there and into forever homes. But with some cities and places completely banning pit bulls, it is very hard to do so. That is where the police dogs come into play, these dogs are very easily trained and all they want to do is please their owners, which is very useful for the canine units. It is a win-win situation, the dogs get forever homes and the police have great working buddies.

 

Sources:

1.https://www.aspca.org/animal-cruelty/dog-fighting/what-breed-specific-legislation

Essential content of article: The article is from the ASPCA and it talks about Breed specific legislation. Breed specific legislation, BSL, is when certain breeds of dogs are banned or have more restrictions than other breeds just because they are a pit bull or a mastiff. It is a discrimination law against dogs, and it has not have any success since the first ones were established in the 1980s. The article talks about how it is ineffective and how it actually hurts more things than it helps.

What it proves: It proves that BSL is not a good law and should not be a law. It his hurting animals and owners and even public safety. Which is counterintuitive because the whole point of BSL is to prevent people getting hurt from quote on quote dangerous dogs.

2.https://www.animallaw.info/article/overview-dog-fighting

Essential content of article: In the article from animal law it talks about the overview dog fighting. The article does not go in depth into how dogfighting is done and what goes on, but it gives a description of what the animals go through, what the police look for and why it is happening and continues to go from generation to generation.

What it proves: It proves that dogfighting is a nasty sport and it gives the readers of my essay an idea into what is happening to these dogs and why this could lead to giving them a bad rap.

3.https://web.archive.org/web/20111024001344/http://www.cbp.gov/xp/CustomsToday/2002/October/k9.xml

Essential content of article: In this article it talks about how a pit bull named popsicle became an amazing police dog. The article describes how popsicle was found, where he was trained, and all of the drugs he sniffed out during his career.

What it proves: This article proves that pit bulls can be amazing police dogs and do an amazing job.

4.  http://www.news9.com/global/story.asp?s=9494086

Essential content of article: In the news story it is about a dog who saved his family from an intruder and the pit bull was shot three times and survived.

What it proves: The article proves that pit bulls are great family dogs and great protectors.

5. http://pitbulls.org/article/brief-history-american-pit-bull-terrier

Essentials of the article: In this article from pitbull.org it describes where the pit bull came from, how it was bred, how to train them. The article explains what the pit bull is like, how friendly they are and different things like that.

What it proves: The article proves that pit bulls were bred to be great family dogs, but also fierce protectors. The article even says that they are great family dogs.

Summaries- tjjones123

Idea to Reduce Football Concussions

It seems counterintuitive that the way to stop concussions in football is to remove the players helmets.  Concussions in the NFL are rising over the years due to illegal hits and dangerous tackles.  

His idea is that players are throwing caution to the wind and making reckless behaviors because of the protection on their head.  The NFL could possibly soon allow players to run down the field trying to kill each other with no head protection.  There will no longer be concussion due to helmet to helmet collisions, however after every tackle there will be a head injury when they hit the ground.  

People feel that if this is passed the sport will no longer be the same, removing helmets will soon lead to rules about how hard they tackle someone or where they aim.  Soon after the NFL will turn into 2-hand-touch, or flag football it won’t be what we have all grown to love.  

The Cruelest Show on Earth

It seems counterintuitive that “The Greatest Show Ever” is held responsible for abusing and leading to innocent Elephants deaths.  These professional circus performers are supposed to be a family, however they saw their one member who wasn’t right and didn’t do the right things to help him.  

Elephants are one of the most intelligent animals on this earth.  Along with being intelligent they are often called the gentle giant, however they have been used in circus acts for years because of their intelligence but along with being in the shows they have been abused for years.  They were struck with bullhooks, electric shocks, and even whipped.  

In this particular incident, Kenny the elephant was doing a show when it was obvious that something was seriously wrong with him.  Despite his clear symptoms and issues, they neglected his care and pushed him to keep going until it got real bad.  When the veterinarian was brought in they chained him to his stall and 2 hours later his bloody body was found dead chained to his stall.

Giving Free Heroin

It seems counterintuitive that they are trying to stop the heroin epidemic by giving free heroin to addicts without consequences.  They made an area where these people can come and get free heroin, clean needles, and proper cleaning tools.  The goal is to clean the streets and get the drugs out of the area but they are handing out free samples.

Some of the people that got wrapped into this activity want to get clean, however with a clinic handing out drugs for free and clean so no diseases will be spread from the needles.  If they are handing out this substance that is ruled illegal why not just make drugs legal if u can get free drugs at this clinic.

In this study the people who are going to this place and using the free heroin say they can hold a job now, they feel as though they are clean because they aren’t getting the “street” stuff.  Because of this program people can go and get high for free with drugs that are illegal.  

White paper- jdormann

Proposal: Rugby and football can be dangerous, but what sport has more debilitating injuries? Rugby players are more prone to spinal injuries, but football players are more prone to head injuries. How do these injuries compare and what is more harmful in the long-run?

  1. “Is rugby or American football more dangerous”

The Essential Content of the Article: This article from The Telegraph focuses on the injuries rugby players face compared to football players. Being a faster rugby player increases the chance for a concussion, but it is still less likely compared to football players. The helmets and padding in football give the players a false sense of security, so they abuse their body and head more then they need to.

What it Proves: Football players are more likely to suffer from more severe brain injuries compared to rugby players.

2. “Rugby, like NFL, does not have concussion issue figured out”

The Essential Content of the Article: This article on the ESPN website focuses on the inherent concussion problem in rugby and comparing it to the concussion problem in the NFL. Kat Merchant was a female rugby player for the English national team, and she suffered 10 or more concussions to play rugby at the highest level. The NFL’s attempt to lessen their concussion problem is also highlighted. Head Coach Pete Carroll with the Seattle Seahawks began teaching a different tackling technique for his players to use. This new tackling technique is based on how rugby players tackle and making sure that the head is not involved in the tackle.

What it proves: The NFL and professional rugby both share a problem with concussions, and the NFL is implementing tackling techniques from rugby to make football safer for the players.

3. “Is rugby safer than football?”

The Essential Content of the Article: This article from the San Diego Union-Tribune focuses on the long term effects from playing high-speed contact sports, like rugby and football. There are not many studies done comparing the concussions side by side, but there is plenty of information on injuries. One player on San Diego’s rugby team had suffered numerous concussions and blackouts while playing the game. Studies done in the UK found that high level rugby players also developed CTE like their NFL counterparts. The studies and stories show proof of a problem, and USA rugby, like the NFL, is working on ways to remedy concussions.

What it proves: CTE is not limited to just football. For both football and rugby to stay around, the concussion percentage needs to be reduced by different rules or better techniques.

4. “Risk of Spinal Injuries Highest in Rugby”

The Essential content of the Article: This article from the Independent focuses on the relation of spinal injures in rugby compared to those in other sports. By far, rugby has the most spinal injuries compared to any other sport. Out of 98 injuries compiled by the Trevor Jones Tetraplegic Trust, 58 are rugby related. Along with the reported injuries, the Rugby Football Union has withheld information and statistics on spinal injuries for years. Ben Smeldon is one rugby union player that was left permanently paralyzed after an unsafe scrum collapsed and he broke his neck.

What it proves: Rugby is the least safe sport when it comes to spinal injuries and paralyzation. Compared to every other sport, there are none that have near the same amount of spinal injuries.

5. “American football or rugby: what is more dangerous”

The Essential content of the Article: This article from The Guardian focuses on the safety concern for players in the NFL. More than 4,000 families have brought lawsuits to the NFL regarding concussions and debilitating head injuries. Players like Junior Seau took their own life because of symptoms brought on by CTE. His family sued the NFL for “wrongful death” and won the lawsuit. Jim McKenna, A professor of physical safety and health at Leeds Metropolitan University, claims that rugby is much safer than football. Football players use their head as a tackling tool, which is never the case with rugby tackles. Football players purposely throw their head into contact to bring down an opponent, and rugby players do their best to keep their head out of a tackle.

What it proves: Rugby players do not suffer as many concussions and head injuries as football players. Football players need to be taught techniques for safer play so they can have a life after the NFL and not suffer from CTE or other debilitating head injuries.

6. “ACSM information on concussions in sports”

The Essential content of the Article: This article from the ACSM, American College of Sports Medicine, focuses on the symptoms and causes of a concussion. A concussion happens when there is a sudden acceleration or deceleration of the head. It can occur when the head contacts the ground, a ball, or another player. Concussion symptoms are not always obvious and apparent. A couple symptoms are irritability, change in sleeping patterns, dizziness, vomiting, and double vision. Even doctors sometimes struggle in detecting symptoms associated with concussions.

What it proves: Concussions are hard to detect and there needs to be more research done to reveal better detection methods. If someone may have suffered a concussion, it is better to take the preventative measures rather than risk their health and safety.

7. “Concussion- The Invisible Injury”

The Essential content of the Article: The article written by Emily Tong and John Almquist focuses on the diagnosis and legislation related to concussions. Many high school and college athletic programs have the players take a baseline test for normal cognitive function. When a player may have gotten a concussion, they go back and have them take the same test and compare the scores. If the cognitive function of the athlete is not 100% they will not score as well as they did the first time. All 50 states have passed laws to protect young athletes from returning to play before their ready. The players are to be educated on concussions and symptoms, and they are told to refrain from playing if they have any symptoms. After a player is diagnosed with a concussion, the law requires the player to be cleared by a medical professional.

What it proves: Concussion issues are important enough to be written into the state legislature of all 50 states. Player safety is more important than any aspect of the game, and the brain is a delicate and important piece that players need to take better care of.

8. “A Multifactorial Approach to Sport-Related Concussion Prevention and Education: Application of the Socioecological Framework”

The Essential content of the Article: This article was written by Johna Register-Mihalik, Emily Kroshus, and Tamara C. Valovich McLeod. It focuses on the different levels of change that must occur to improve the concussion problem. From the interpersonal role all the way out to society’s role. Players need to be educated on concussions, coaches and parents need to be educated on identifying the symptoms, and schools and governments need to put policy in place to protect the players future health.

What it proves: Understanding and fixing the concussion problem is not a one-step process, but a long and tedious approach that involves the individual players all the way up to the state government.

9. “Rise in reported Concussions a good thing”

The Essential content of the Article: This article was written anonymously in the Winnipeg Free Press, and it focuses on the recent increase in reported concussions in the NFL. Since 2008, there has been an increase of 34% in reported concussions. The players are playing at the same speed and intensity as 2008, but the trainers are paying more attention to concussion symptoms and taking time to fully evaluate players.

What it proves: Concussion protocol is being taken more seriously than it has in the past. Players are put through various medical tests including brain scans at times before they return.

10. “Spinal injuries in New Zealand rugby and rugby league- – a twenty year survey”

The Essential content of the Article: This article was done by the Christchurch of Medicine and it focuses on spinal injuries rugby players suffered in New Zealand. The scrum produced the highest percentage of spinal injuries. Forwards and heavier players suffered more spinal injuries compared to backs and lighter players.

What it proves: Spinal injuries are a part of rugby and may not be avoidable, but there are precautions and techniques players can implement to reduce their chances.

What I’m still looking for: A direct comparison of the spinal injuries and concussions in rugby and football, showing statistics and what game would be safer for youth athletes to participate in.

Current state of research: I have gathered various sources that show the injuries and statistics of both games and specific information regarding the preventative measures leagues and communities can take. Like stated above, my reasearch is not done and I am looking for more comparisons of the two games in safety and long term effects of these injuries. 

 

white paper 3 – summergirl1999

Proposal

For my research essay, I will be examining the effects college debt between person A and person C. Having a college degree can potentially be beneficial, if it works out the graduate’s favor (person A). But having a college degree might not be beneficial to all graduates, student debt can cause a great inconvenience to graduate’s personal and finical lives (person B).

The high increase in college tuition is leading most students to take out loans, so they can attend college. Many graduates earn enough money from their career jobs that college helped them receive, to pay off their student debt (person A). Many graduates cannot find finical steady jobs after college or/and struggling to obtain the high price of their debt (person B).

[FIRST VERSION] Saved for Comparison

For my research essay, I will examine the large amount of student debt in the United States of America. Student debt impacts graduates negatively in American society.

Most of Americans go to college to earn a college degree, so they do not have to struggle that much in life. Americans are still not always guaranteed a steady job right away even with their degree. For the most part, what is guaranteed is being left with thousands of dollars in debt. Student debt can have major effects on Americans futures in a negative way. College graduates have to worry about getting a career, figuring out their living situation, and also saving money.

The more time spent in school, comes with more degrees. The higher degree earned comes with more education, knowledge, and better careers. It also means thousands of dollars. Holding onto a steady career is difficult without a college degree. Depending on the major the student wants to study, the price fluctuates. The tuition costs are getting so enormous in price, that college students only choice is to take out student loans.

Sources

  1. Student Loan Balances Jump Nearly 150 Percent in a Decade

https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/29/student-loan-balances-jump-nearly-150-percent-in-a-decade.html

Essential Content of Article: This article provides the average student of student debt graduates have. The high jump of student debt America encounters. This article provides, graphs and charts to support their evidence. The percentage of America that is in student debt.

What it Proves: This article proves that that tuition increase for college education is causing problems for not only graduates but also the economy. This article also proves the delay on personal purchases due to student debt.

  1. How Is The Student-Debt Crisis Affecting The Lives Of College Graduates?

http://www.genfkd.org/student-debt-crisis-affecting-lives-college-graduates

Essential Content of Article: This article provides information about the student debt crisis affecting the personal lives of college graduates.

What it Proves: This article proves student debt effects many college graduates. It provides information about the impact of rising tuition costs, and the debt America is in. The price of paying back student debt monthly. This article also proves the long-term impacts of student debt.

  1. The Impact Of Student Loan Debt On Millennial Happiness

https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahlandrum/2017/10/20/the-impact-of-student-loan-debt-on-millennial-happiness/

Essential Content of Article: This article provides information on student debt and the cost of college. Poll provided on the joy college graduates have. This article provides information on the debt America is in.

What it Proves: This article proves the “entry level” average person salary in recent years was around $50,000. If only the rich paid for college it would be unfair. If college was free taxes would be very high.

  1. Study: Student Loan Borrowers Delaying Other Life Decisions

https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/student-loan-ranger/articles/2016-01-20/study-student-loan-borrowers-delaying-other-life-decisions

Essential Content of Article: This article provides surveys on daily spending habits of young Americans. Provides information on public, private universities, and community colleges. The percentages of people who think college is and is not worth it.

What it Proves: This article proves student debt effects some graduates personal lives. Purchases from many graduates are being delayed. Student debt can cause people to take out of their savings or retirement. Student debt can cause graduates to have some troubles with paying for some necessities.

  1. Student Loans Are Ruining Your Life. Now They’re Ruining the Economy, Too

http://time.com/10577/student-loans-are-ruining-your-life-now-theyre-ruining-the-economy-too/

Essential Content of the Article: This article proves even though a person has a degree in a certain field it does not mean a career is gaurenteed. The amount of student debt America is in. The average amount of money a graduate owes. The rise of tuition and loan interest. More students are attending college.

What it Proves: This article proves that America is in $253 billion dollars of student loan debt. In the recent years the debt increased 10 percent. Not all graduates can pay back their debt in time. This article proves charts. This article proves tuition for universities rising. This article proves interest rates are crazy.

  1. “Debt Fueled Tuition.”

https://www.forbes.com/forbes/welcome/?toURL=https://www.forbes.com/sites/nickclements/2016/08/08/the-real-student-loan-crisis-debt-fueled-tuition-inflation/&refURL=&referrer=#61bbca0a6824

The Essential Content of the Article: This article proves that America is in trillions of dollars in student debt. Student debt is causing some graduates to delay marriage and owning a home. College tuition for both private and public universities have increased.

What it Proves: This article from Forbes focuses on a two-way argument about student loan debt. This article highlights the cost of college tuition rising. This article also highlights the different solutions people are trying to come up to help student debt.

  1. Student Debt: Lives on Hold

https://www.consumerreports.org/student-loan-debt-crisis/lives-on-hold/

The Essential Content of the Article: This article proves that student loans were not always such an inconvenience, the loan companies were more generous. But after a couple laws were put in place, student debt became the most debt in America. This article proves America is in trillions of dollars in debt. This article speaks on different techniques that could help the student debt situation.

What it Proves: This article from Consumer Reports focuses on a few reasons why student debt is the worst debt. This article highlights laws that went into place that made student debt worse. This article also highlights if there was more support for public schools, billions of dollars could be made.

  1. “How Today’s Student Loan Debt is Failing Future Generations”

https://www.forbes.com/forbes/welcome/?toURL=https://www.forbes.com/sites/chasewithorn/2014/07/30/how-todays-student-loan-debt-is-failing-future-generations/&refURL=https://www.google.com/&referrer=https://www.google.com/

The Essential Content of the Article: This article proves that the number of students in college who are borrowing loans increased. This article also proves that America is in trillions of dollars in debt. This article speaks about how student debt hurts the student but it is also affecting the economy because graduates are not making as many large purchases right away.

What it Proves: This article from Forbes focuses on a few affects student debt has on Americans and the economy. This article highlights student debt can affect other generations. This article also highlights the tuition cost for college increased.

  1. “Higher Education Is a Giant Pyramid Scheme”

https://www.forbes.com/sites/sherylnancenash/2012/05/17/is-higher-education-a-giant-pyramid-scheme/#7603d6b34732

The Essential Content of the Article: This article proves that almost half of college graduates cannot find a steady job. This article proves that interest on a loan makes it even more difficult to pay back, this article mentions some states that offer interest-free student loans. This article touches on status and/or knowing people can land a person a career. This article speaks about careers not always being guaranteed even with a college degree.

What it Proves: This article from Forbes focuses on the large amount of student debt in America. This article highlights the large amount of student debt America is in. This article highlights a survey performed on a few college graduate’s unemployment percentages. This article also highlights interest rates on student loans.

  1. “Is a College Education Worth It?”

https://college-education.procon.org/

The Essential Content of the Article: This article proves the average amount of debt an average college graduate contains. This article mentions that success can come with and without a degree. This article also mentions college graduates can make higher salaries but the student loans are overwhelming. Many topics are provided about college and student debt.

What it Proves: This article from college-education focuses the argument of college. This article highlights the different arguments of the pros and cons of a college degree. This article also highlights the average amount of debt an average college graduate contains. This article also provides background of the topic.

11. “Benefits of Earning a College Degree”

https://www.cbd.edu/9-benefits-college-degree/

The Essential Content of the Article: This article explains the top reasons why attending college can be beneficial. This website is used for my counter-argument.

What it Proves: This article from CBD College focuses on the benefits of college. This article points out some positives of attending college.

12. “High Paying Jobs Without a Degree”

https://christianpf.com/paying-jobs-without-degree/

The Essential Content of this Article: This article explains the different jobs a person get without a college degree.

What it Proves: This article from SEEDTIME focuses on well paying jobs that people can get without a college degree. This article speaks on the theories of college, and how it is possible for people to receive good jobs without a degree. This article also speaks about how there is more of a variety of jobs.

13. “Millennials Face Life After College”

https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/08/millennials-face-life-after-college-finding-a-quarter-life-crisis-instead-of-dream-jobs.html

The Essential Content of this Article: This article explains some of the challenges college graduates are facing after college. This article provides quotes from graduates who are facing troubles after graduating. This article speaks about some crisis’ graduates are having.

What it Proves: This article from CNBC focuses on some of the struggles college graduates are having after graduating. Many people say with a degree comes a career right away, but many graduates are struggling with the challenge of finding a career. This article also speaks on the large effect student debt has on college graduates.

14. “Student Loan Debt Statistics for 2018”

https://studentloanhero.com/student-loan-debt-statistics/

The Essential Content of this Article: This article explains the statistics of student debt. This article provides facts on student loan debt, public service loan forgiveness, and federal student loan portfolio.

What it Proves: This article from Student Loan Hero focuses on the statistics of student debt. This article provides facts on student loan debt, public service loan forgiveness, and federal student loan portfolio. This article also provides charts for different loan types and companies.

15. “Student Loan Debt May Not be as Bad as it Seems”

https://www.forbes.com/sites/financialfinesse/2016/08/07/why-your-student-loan-debt-may-not-be-as-bad-as-it-seems/#382de09518b8

The Essential Content of this Article: This article explains some reasons why student loan debt is not as bad as it seems. This website is for my counter-argument. This article provides a couple of tips to help with student debt.

What it Proves: This article from Forbes focuses on student loan debt. This article provides information about student debt and how student debt is not so bad. This article provides information on 401k and debt balance.

 

Summaries- Doublea413

It seems counterintuitive that people are still investing in Bitcoin even though it’s essentially fake currency. A little over a year ago tons of people invested in a cryptocurrency called Bitcoin. It is a currency online that has little to no value, but somehow soared in sales a year ago. However, people are now catching on to the creators Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss. They say they are backed up by big names like the New York Stock exchange, but even that hasn’t helped the company to raise their prices.

At one point the bitcoin universe was worth about 3.5 billion, but since the price of shares has decreased. People are catching onto the fake currency and realizing that the money they are investing is just going to waste. Essentially, a Bitcoin is worth nothing and there is no point in investing in a fake currency.

There are so many downsides to investing in Bitcoin. People will invest and come out with nothing. People will trade Bitcoins for real items or they will essentially purchase illegal items with Bitcoins. It has become a market close to the Dark Web in some fashions and who can trust their money on there. Hackers everyday will take your invested money and you will never see it again. In the end, don’t invest your money in some silly fake start-up company that wont get you any profit just stick to real stocks and invest in the right things. 

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/bitcoin-has-no-place-in-any-portfolio-2015-01-28

 

It seems counterintuitive that they would place a KFC and a Pizza Hut next to Sphinx, but companies try and find the best way to make money. In the video you see a Pizza Hut and a KFC located across from the Sphinx in Egypt. People just like me are definitely wondering why that is? The only logical explanation would be for marketing purposes. Having a big fast food chain located across from one of the greatest wonders of the World is great for business.

It seems messed up and definitely intruding that they would place such stores like that near the Sphinx. You should preserve the land of Egypt and the Sphinx. It just does not seem right of them to put such fast food places near a tourist destination.

As long as it brings in business though, the companies do not care. It almost seems counterintuitive for people to travel to Egypt to see the Sphinx and dine in at a fast food chain where you could get anywhere else. It is 100% a marketing tactic and the owners of the branches must do good business, but once again it just doesn’t seem right for people to eat there while visiting such an amazing location.

 

It seems counterintuitive that people slip and fall in the shower, but people die from that daily. Youll think to yourself, How dumb really are people? Actually you should get used to the saying though because older aged people die all the time due to slips and falls. I pesonally have helped up multiple older people in this neighborhood next to me on runs through the neighborhood. It happens all the time. Due to weak bones these older people will fall and it occurs the most in showers. You think that you take one shower a day or maybe even more. Bottom line you shower daily. All thopse times in the shower you are bound to fall at some point, because statitically people fall 1/1000m times in showers. All it takes it one stupid fall due to old age and we could lose a life.