Dear Lowdown:
How do people determine which commercials will play during certain television shows?
-Caroline D’Andrea (Chicago)
Dear Lowdown:
TV takes up to four hours of Americans day. Specifically placed commercials run throughout television programs and are so ingrained in our mentally of watchings TV that commercials have become a big part of our culture. Basically a commercial is chosen to be placed in a time spot when a company or organization backing the advertisement has paid the highest price for that specific spot. Commercial spots are not cheap, with the famous Super Bowl commercials running up to 2.6 million dollars for 30 seconds on air! But not all companies are looking to play their commercials during the Super Bowl; companies carefully decide when would be an appropriate time for their commercial to show.
Hired commercial committees, otherwise known as advertising agencies have to plan where to place the commercials based on the demographics and interest of the people watching the television show playing. Careful research is done to find a focus target audience. A woman’s deorderant advertisement would not be played during a football game because the audience of women is not large enough for the commercial to produce a profit. It would be more appropriate to place the commercial like this during a drama where there would be a much larger number of women viewers and the advertisement would reach more of its target audience. This example of how gender is used to determine commercial time is just one factor that will play into this process. Another factor in placing commercial s is the interest of the audience. During sports games, commercials will play for team apparel, sport video games, and sports drinks. As you can see all these commercials are centered on the audience’s interest, based on the fact that they are already expressing interest in sports by watching the game in the first place. You are watching the Bears game in the fourth quarter and there is a time out, you can’t get up or change the channel in fear of the game coming back on, so what do you do but sit and endure through the commercials. Advertisers are smart and cunning; they catch us at our weakest points when we just cannot change the channel from our favorite show.
Advertising agencies do much more research that will aid in finding many different factors like gender and interests that ultimately help get the product to the target audience. Once they get the product to us, all they can hope is that we are stuck on the couch and have a willing wallet.
Age is also a big factor in the type of commercials played during certain programs. Younger children soak in so much information from television that it is sometimes difficult for them to tell the difference between the program and commercials. All of the information is absorbed together and they are not able to identify advertising ploys and end up falling for the product. Educational television and children programs slyly slip in commercials that advertise toys, activities, and items that catch unaware children. Then they will go straight to mom and dad for the new Wii video game that they just must have. Then they will complain and complain until the parents will give in and buy it for them. It would not make sense for there to be advertisements for a Kindle during Sesame Street since no kid is going to beg their parents for an electronic book with no pictures. Advertisers are smart and once again catch us unexpectedly.
Companies also look into the amount of people viewing the television programs to decide when the place their advertisement. Prime time spots, between 6pm and 8pm, are the most coveted spots of regular television because it is when most people are home after school and work and have not gone to sleep yet. This time period covers many age groups and both genders so it is more expensive to but a commercial spot at this time.
While researchers and commercialist for television look at the viewers as a whole group, internet advertisements are much more individual and personalized. It is much more difficult to have a target audience for internet advertisements because there are so many people on the internet and it is much more difficult to get data to know a specific target audience.
So instead of placing advertisements on certain websites because of a general target audience, now there are many customizations for advertisements including the ability to “like an advertisement”. This dictates future advertisements that popup for you. Google Ads used this method for a while and Hulu.com also uses this method when video advertisements are playing. This gets the consumer interacting with the advertisement and calls more attention to future advertisements because they customized it. Video advertisements catch us consumers at a weak point, when the boredom of the 1 minute online commercial has set in and we have nothing to do but press “like” or “dislike” or click on the video. How clever to save us from the boredom to the commercial by just advertising us in a round-about interactive way.
Another way that internet allows more relevant commercials to show, is through the history of a person, the internet can suggest, other websites to visit, television shows to watch, or songs to listen to. This continues to get the consumer interacting more with advertisements and more aware of the products available. It isn’t all bad for the consumer; we see exactly what we want and are only one click away from getting it.
Pop up advertisements are huge when surfing the web, annoying millions everyday. With most pop-up blockers, this can really hurt advertisers. So these advertisements are not as coveted and are usually advertising fake contests or obscure “smiley face” or avatar websites. But even with pop up advertisements, in order to get rid of the advertisement we have to close the box, in the process usually reading the advertisement. Over all, Internet advertisements are much more interactive and as a result more personalized for the consumer.
Commercials and advertisements surround every aspect of American life, and is a result of the American Dream: everyone trying to make it on their own and trying to get as much money as the can. Making money is such a huge part of our culture and lifestyle, that natural advertising is important and people do anything to get others to spend money. With commercials so numerous, advertisers need to become inventive and clever at tricking people to spend more money that so much thought is put into making and placing advertisements. Young toddlers watching television are exposed to the constant commercials that we become affected by advertising at a young age. With so much information being absorbed and confused with the actual program being watched, sometimes advertising is taken too far in our country. Many American commercial periods are much longer. Content of television shows are shrinking in length, being replaced with commercials, often containing advertisements within the show. This is a dilemma for American consumers because there is not much we can do. What can we do to defend ourselves from the shrewd advertisers that always find the perfect time to get us?
Commercials will be placed where they will get the most exposure and where the company will profit the most. Advertisements are all about making money and this is the deciding factor when people decide where to try to place their commercials. They growing amount of advertisements has resulted in a different variety and type of advertising that has become much more deceitful and showcased our culture investments in material items.
Sincerely,
Danielle Guerrero
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Dyes: How Processed becomes Natural
Dear Lowdown:
I’ve heard a rumor that blue M&Ms taste better than all the rest of the colors because of some substance that’s only found in blue dye. Is this true?
- Caroline Shadle (Chicago)
Dear Caroline:
Original milk chocolate M &Ms are basically made up of two things: the milk chocolate inside, and that crunchy outer shell that comes in different colors. The inside always has the same ingredients: cocoa butter, sugar and milk. The outermost layer of the shell is where the different dyes are used for color. Here is an overview of how exactly those M&M’s are made:
First off, it should be noted that M&Ms are factory made, and as such are produced in huge quantities (just think of how many are in only one bag!). The process starts with making the interior of the candies. Liquid milk chocolate is poured into the rounded M&M shape mold, and left to harden. Then, several layers of color neutral coating, made from corn syrup and sugar, are applied to the chocolates. This process is known as panning. After the coating on all the candies has reached a certain desired thickness, the last layer of coating is swiped on; the layer which also happens to give the candies their differing colors (Jenkins). For red M&Ms, the dye red 40 is used, for blue M&Ms, blue number 1 and 2 are used, for green, green 3, for brown, a mixture of dyes, for yellow, yellow 5, and for orange, yellow 6 (“Basic Food Guide to Food Color Concentrates”). Then, to minimize the cracking of your precious M&Ms, they are placed on a conveyor belt, and a rubber roller rolls over them, coming out with the characteristic “M”. Sorted by color and accordingly put into bags, they are then sealed, and shipped off to stores (Jenkins). This is where you come in: tempted by your favorite candy that’s only 3 bucks, you grab a bag (or two) pay, open, enjoy.
Now back to the dyes. As previously mentioned blue M&M’s are made with the dye Blue Number 1 and/or Blue Number 2, which are both FDA approved dyes. Blue Number 1, or “brilliant blue” is made from an oil base, while Blue Number 2 is a synthetic version of indigo, and alternately called indigotine. Now do they give blue M&Ms a “better” taste? Well technically, no.
Food coloring or food dyes have one purpose which they carry out quite well; they have the power to give a bland looking food a vivid attractive color. This makes the food more appealing to consumers while keeping the food’s flavor intact. Psychologically, however, different colors do influence people in the food they choose. If a person prefers a specific color, say like blue, they might be inclined to eat the blue M&Ms more. Other people with a preference for blue might be so in love with the color that they believe that blue M&Ms taste way better than those of other colors. In other words, the taste of the same foods of different colors is different for individuals with different preferences for color.
Food dyes, however, are not confined to M&M’s and candy; they are actually quite versatile, appearing most often in other processed foods (which are stored or packaged). In these cases, the dyes are used to cover up the unappealing appearance of the processed foods to make them look “natural”. Blemishes disappear, colors become more vibrant and the foods have even color throughout. One fine example is the Maraschino cherries that are used to top ice cream sundaes. The cherries usually appear beige in color after being dipped in a preservative solution (a brine solution with either sulfur dioxide or alcohol). They are dipped in red food dye to make the cherries more “natural” looking, more appealing (“Food Color Facts”). The epitome of artificial, Maraschino cherries owe their natural visual appeal to food dyes. M&M’s also fall into this category, as the natural chocolate is covered with a sugary, dye-infused outer shell. Sometimes even those good-for-your-health fruits are “fixed” with dyes!
In addition to faking natural, food dyes commit the more serious crime of actually influencing the behavior of young children. Parents of children who consume Capri Sun, Lunchables, various hard candies, candy bars, etc. (which, in this day in age, is quite a lot of kids) report a change in their children’s behavior. The kids are hyperactive, throw more tantrums, and have fitful sleep. When parents eliminate all the processed and preserved foods from their children’s diets, their children’s behavior improves considerably: the kids sleep better, are calmer, and are less prone to mood swings (Weigel). And still, the FDA stands by its approval of food dyes, allowing these processed and preserved foods to continue to be sold and eaten, causing these problems to continue, especially if their people are ignorant of what may be contributing to these difficult behaviors.
To come all the way back to your question, my answer is this: if your favorite color is blue, then blue M&Ms’ might very well taste better to you.
Sincerely,
Irina Mondescu
W
I’ve heard a rumor that blue M&Ms taste better than all the rest of the colors because of some substance that’s only found in blue dye. Is this true?
- Caroline Shadle (Chicago)
Dear Caroline:
Original milk chocolate M &Ms are basically made up of two things: the milk chocolate inside, and that crunchy outer shell that comes in different colors. The inside always has the same ingredients: cocoa butter, sugar and milk. The outermost layer of the shell is where the different dyes are used for color. Here is an overview of how exactly those M&M’s are made:
First off, it should be noted that M&Ms are factory made, and as such are produced in huge quantities (just think of how many are in only one bag!). The process starts with making the interior of the candies. Liquid milk chocolate is poured into the rounded M&M shape mold, and left to harden. Then, several layers of color neutral coating, made from corn syrup and sugar, are applied to the chocolates. This process is known as panning. After the coating on all the candies has reached a certain desired thickness, the last layer of coating is swiped on; the layer which also happens to give the candies their differing colors (Jenkins). For red M&Ms, the dye red 40 is used, for blue M&Ms, blue number 1 and 2 are used, for green, green 3, for brown, a mixture of dyes, for yellow, yellow 5, and for orange, yellow 6 (“Basic Food Guide to Food Color Concentrates”). Then, to minimize the cracking of your precious M&Ms, they are placed on a conveyor belt, and a rubber roller rolls over them, coming out with the characteristic “M”. Sorted by color and accordingly put into bags, they are then sealed, and shipped off to stores (Jenkins). This is where you come in: tempted by your favorite candy that’s only 3 bucks, you grab a bag (or two) pay, open, enjoy.
Now back to the dyes. As previously mentioned blue M&M’s are made with the dye Blue Number 1 and/or Blue Number 2, which are both FDA approved dyes. Blue Number 1, or “brilliant blue” is made from an oil base, while Blue Number 2 is a synthetic version of indigo, and alternately called indigotine. Now do they give blue M&Ms a “better” taste? Well technically, no.
Food coloring or food dyes have one purpose which they carry out quite well; they have the power to give a bland looking food a vivid attractive color. This makes the food more appealing to consumers while keeping the food’s flavor intact. Psychologically, however, different colors do influence people in the food they choose. If a person prefers a specific color, say like blue, they might be inclined to eat the blue M&Ms more. Other people with a preference for blue might be so in love with the color that they believe that blue M&Ms taste way better than those of other colors. In other words, the taste of the same foods of different colors is different for individuals with different preferences for color.
Food dyes, however, are not confined to M&M’s and candy; they are actually quite versatile, appearing most often in other processed foods (which are stored or packaged). In these cases, the dyes are used to cover up the unappealing appearance of the processed foods to make them look “natural”. Blemishes disappear, colors become more vibrant and the foods have even color throughout. One fine example is the Maraschino cherries that are used to top ice cream sundaes. The cherries usually appear beige in color after being dipped in a preservative solution (a brine solution with either sulfur dioxide or alcohol). They are dipped in red food dye to make the cherries more “natural” looking, more appealing (“Food Color Facts”). The epitome of artificial, Maraschino cherries owe their natural visual appeal to food dyes. M&M’s also fall into this category, as the natural chocolate is covered with a sugary, dye-infused outer shell. Sometimes even those good-for-your-health fruits are “fixed” with dyes!
In addition to faking natural, food dyes commit the more serious crime of actually influencing the behavior of young children. Parents of children who consume Capri Sun, Lunchables, various hard candies, candy bars, etc. (which, in this day in age, is quite a lot of kids) report a change in their children’s behavior. The kids are hyperactive, throw more tantrums, and have fitful sleep. When parents eliminate all the processed and preserved foods from their children’s diets, their children’s behavior improves considerably: the kids sleep better, are calmer, and are less prone to mood swings (Weigel). And still, the FDA stands by its approval of food dyes, allowing these processed and preserved foods to continue to be sold and eaten, causing these problems to continue, especially if their people are ignorant of what may be contributing to these difficult behaviors.
To come all the way back to your question, my answer is this: if your favorite color is blue, then blue M&Ms’ might very well taste better to you.
Sincerely,
Irina Mondescu
W
Taboo?
Dear Lowdown:
Why is it that every language and society has their own swear words? Where do swear words come from and how do certain words become so “taboo?”
- Jessica Steans-Gail (Chicago)
Dear Jessica:
I do not swear, never did never will.I do not support the vileness thatspews out of our mouths. However, the study of the pesky four letter words gives insight into the brain’s functions, which is something worth pursuing.Top professors at leading universities predict that swear words may lead them to the core reasoning behind human behavior. Recently, many papers have been published explaining why profanities have infected our language. The reason for the frequent usage is because they are (sadly) an inescapable part of animal nature.
Steven Pinker, a notable professor at Harvard University, isthe most accredited in the field of swear words. Using his expertise in evolutionary psychology, experimental psychology, cognitive science, and linguistics, he developed a theory on swear words. His fascination grew as he came to realize swear words follow different linguistic patterns than average speech demonstrating that those words are processed differently. His technical terms are dauntingbut together we will understand the cognitive neuroscience of swearing.
Words that make your grandmother faint are associated with negative emotion. Once swear words are hurled at you or erupt out of your disgusting excuse for a mouth certain parts of the brain processthe negative emotion attached to each word. The areas of the brain associated with negative emotion (basal ganglia and amygdala) will have a chemical reaction similar to saw dust being poured on a fire. The result is a tremendous burst of energy that normal words could not procure.Unmentionable words ability to activate those parts of the brain is partially the reason why we use swear words.
The activation of the basal ganglia and the amygdalacontribute to our understanding of the penchant ofswearing. The basal ganglion, an area in the depth of the brain, is linked to motor skills and learning, but more interestingly tourette’s disorder. Tourette’s disorder leads to uncontrollable screaming, usually of profanities. The amygdala, also found in the depths of the brain,is linked to perception of a threatening situation such as a mad face or a disgusting image. The reaction proves humans react differently to swear words from the core of our brains compared to average speech. The strong reaction makes us vulnerable to other people’s gruesome discourse.
Collectively mankinduses obscenities as a result of one crucial factor.Once the swear word is blurted out,the brain will unconsciously interpret its meaning.Our species has learned to take advantage of each other’s disposition to cringe at swear words.The “Stroop test”, a common psychology test, will demonstrate the concept. I will use examples from previous experiments.
Say aloud the printed color (not the word)
blue, green, yellow, blue, black, orange, red, green
Again
green, yellow, purple, yellow, red, black, green, orange
Finally (remember say the color)
Fuck, Piss, Cunt, Shit, Tits, Asshole, Prick, Pussy
On average, the last two examples take about the same time to answer. The rationale behind the delay is each word takes longer to interpretbecause their meaning interferes with the ability to identify the color.Youhave to read the word and think about its meaning, causing the time delay,whether you want to or not. This means as the wise Steven Pinker puts it “swearing is using language as a weapon to force a listener to think an unpleasant (or emotionally charged) thought.”
There are several reasons behind someone resorting to such vulgar weapons. One hypothesized idea is “dysphemism” this is used when the time for being polite has passed and no euphemism will suffice. In order express how grave a situation isa swear word serves as a direct tool rather than trying to circumvent the truth with a euphemism. For example when eating a meal that tastes unsavory you could say, “I have had better” or the dysphemism “this tastes like s**t” for a stronger statement. Note I refuse to relegate myself to animalistic impulses instead I would opt for the euphemisms, such as, “this tastes like bio-waste”.
Abusive swearing provides a person with the means to create powerful images using many rhetorical devices to intimidate or humiliate someone. Here is an example of a metaphor “you are a scumbag”. You can imply something awful about another person such as incest with a mainstream cussword such as “mother*ucker”. Now that I know there is an art to words that demanda mouth cleaning I appreciate them more and so should you.
On the other hand there are idiomatic swears coined by Steven Pinker.They are wild exclamations that have little meaning and are meant to get attention. Arousing the areas in the brain with these idiomatic swears is more funny than malevolent. Shouting “sweet *uck-all, What the *uck?” asserts a laid back atmosphere where people feel at ease and can express how they feel without scrutiny. For a similar reason the emphatic swearing is employed to show surprise and excitement and emphasis! The swear words illustrates how “really, really, *ucking brilliant” something is.
The final excuse is cathartic swearing; this maybe the hardest to avoid. These outbursts are triggered by a misfortune such as stubbing your toe or a word document unexpectedly shutting down. Potty mouths claim shouting allows them to “blow off steam” in tough situations. This is called the hydraulic theory (not backed by science). Instead, experts believe that there is a defense mechanism still ingrained in our system dating back to common ancestors millions of years ago. Scientists hypothesize the only differences between humans and howler monkeys (in terms of cathartic swearing) are our complex language and cutting-edge voice box. Mankind has utilized its evolutionary advances with the creation of a copious amount of immoralwords for every situation.
The reasons provided are universal considering their utility in any society. In spite of the fact, most of swears cannot be directly translated from one language to another, linguists have found that many swear words can be grouped into general categories for the ability to create negative emotion.
One category prevalent centuries ago is supernatural such as hell, damn, and other offensive biblical words. The waning of supernatural words began asthe words lost their negative meaning. They don’t inspire much awe and fear. More pandemic nowadays is bodily effluvia and organs, which create a sickening feeling because affluvia is associated with disease and rancid smells. More common among the words are sh*t, p*ss off, and cr*p.
Sexuality is frequently viewed in an uplifting and happy manner yet it may become graphic and the motive of malicious acts. In some cases sexuality causes more harm than good. Sexuality provokes thoughts of exploitation, illegitimacy, incest, jealousy, spousal abuse, cuckoldry and the list continues. When one says “*uck” there is like a tidal waves of negative emotion hitting you and completely drowns out the positive side of sexuality.
The final bad word is the worst of all because itraises emotions of hatred and contempt. The n-word refers to an alienated group or people who are disfavored. It recalls a time of great disparity and injustice. Alienation has ignited much strife in the past. Some nasty words that are relics of those times recall the conflicts even though they cease to exist. The word dink (a term to describe the North Vietnamese soldiers)offends particularly Asians because it unfairly implies that based on appearance one becomes an American killing communist. Those antiquated words tend to make the user appear insular.No one wants to be considered an infidel, cripple, enemy, or subordinated peoples.
These categories do not cover all swear words but give a good idea why a majority of the swear words tossed aroundare considered “taboo”. They may cause a reaction that supersedes normal words, but that does not justify using them. I view swear words like currency. If there are too many in circulation they will lose value and effectiveness. Daily, we are bombarded with verbal attacks. I have developed a tolerance to them and only appreciate the original ones. Humanity is faced with a forked road. Hesitation will lead to the continual use of our vapid swear words. We can take actionwitha renaissance in foul language. Our society will frown upon minimalist swear. The individual will take time to create inventive swears like poets did centuries ago. Here is an antique yet elaborate series of bad words ‘kiss the *unt of a cow,” notice the pleasant meter and alliteration. Preferably we take the virtuous path and purge the swear words that must not be named from our vocabulary. Humans should resist their natural proclivity to swear and demonstrate that we are no longer mere animals but Homo Sapiens.
Sincerely,
Marlon
Why is it that every language and society has their own swear words? Where do swear words come from and how do certain words become so “taboo?”
- Jessica Steans-Gail (Chicago)
Dear Jessica:
I do not swear, never did never will.I do not support the vileness thatspews out of our mouths. However, the study of the pesky four letter words gives insight into the brain’s functions, which is something worth pursuing.Top professors at leading universities predict that swear words may lead them to the core reasoning behind human behavior. Recently, many papers have been published explaining why profanities have infected our language. The reason for the frequent usage is because they are (sadly) an inescapable part of animal nature.
Steven Pinker, a notable professor at Harvard University, isthe most accredited in the field of swear words. Using his expertise in evolutionary psychology, experimental psychology, cognitive science, and linguistics, he developed a theory on swear words. His fascination grew as he came to realize swear words follow different linguistic patterns than average speech demonstrating that those words are processed differently. His technical terms are dauntingbut together we will understand the cognitive neuroscience of swearing.
Words that make your grandmother faint are associated with negative emotion. Once swear words are hurled at you or erupt out of your disgusting excuse for a mouth certain parts of the brain processthe negative emotion attached to each word. The areas of the brain associated with negative emotion (basal ganglia and amygdala) will have a chemical reaction similar to saw dust being poured on a fire. The result is a tremendous burst of energy that normal words could not procure.Unmentionable words ability to activate those parts of the brain is partially the reason why we use swear words.
The activation of the basal ganglia and the amygdalacontribute to our understanding of the penchant ofswearing. The basal ganglion, an area in the depth of the brain, is linked to motor skills and learning, but more interestingly tourette’s disorder. Tourette’s disorder leads to uncontrollable screaming, usually of profanities. The amygdala, also found in the depths of the brain,is linked to perception of a threatening situation such as a mad face or a disgusting image. The reaction proves humans react differently to swear words from the core of our brains compared to average speech. The strong reaction makes us vulnerable to other people’s gruesome discourse.
Collectively mankinduses obscenities as a result of one crucial factor.Once the swear word is blurted out,the brain will unconsciously interpret its meaning.Our species has learned to take advantage of each other’s disposition to cringe at swear words.The “Stroop test”, a common psychology test, will demonstrate the concept. I will use examples from previous experiments.
Say aloud the printed color (not the word)
blue, green, yellow, blue, black, orange, red, green
Again
green, yellow, purple, yellow, red, black, green, orange
Finally (remember say the color)
Fuck, Piss, Cunt, Shit, Tits, Asshole, Prick, Pussy
On average, the last two examples take about the same time to answer. The rationale behind the delay is each word takes longer to interpretbecause their meaning interferes with the ability to identify the color.Youhave to read the word and think about its meaning, causing the time delay,whether you want to or not. This means as the wise Steven Pinker puts it “swearing is using language as a weapon to force a listener to think an unpleasant (or emotionally charged) thought.”
There are several reasons behind someone resorting to such vulgar weapons. One hypothesized idea is “dysphemism” this is used when the time for being polite has passed and no euphemism will suffice. In order express how grave a situation isa swear word serves as a direct tool rather than trying to circumvent the truth with a euphemism. For example when eating a meal that tastes unsavory you could say, “I have had better” or the dysphemism “this tastes like s**t” for a stronger statement. Note I refuse to relegate myself to animalistic impulses instead I would opt for the euphemisms, such as, “this tastes like bio-waste”.
Abusive swearing provides a person with the means to create powerful images using many rhetorical devices to intimidate or humiliate someone. Here is an example of a metaphor “you are a scumbag”. You can imply something awful about another person such as incest with a mainstream cussword such as “mother*ucker”. Now that I know there is an art to words that demanda mouth cleaning I appreciate them more and so should you.
On the other hand there are idiomatic swears coined by Steven Pinker.They are wild exclamations that have little meaning and are meant to get attention. Arousing the areas in the brain with these idiomatic swears is more funny than malevolent. Shouting “sweet *uck-all, What the *uck?” asserts a laid back atmosphere where people feel at ease and can express how they feel without scrutiny. For a similar reason the emphatic swearing is employed to show surprise and excitement and emphasis! The swear words illustrates how “really, really, *ucking brilliant” something is.
The final excuse is cathartic swearing; this maybe the hardest to avoid. These outbursts are triggered by a misfortune such as stubbing your toe or a word document unexpectedly shutting down. Potty mouths claim shouting allows them to “blow off steam” in tough situations. This is called the hydraulic theory (not backed by science). Instead, experts believe that there is a defense mechanism still ingrained in our system dating back to common ancestors millions of years ago. Scientists hypothesize the only differences between humans and howler monkeys (in terms of cathartic swearing) are our complex language and cutting-edge voice box. Mankind has utilized its evolutionary advances with the creation of a copious amount of immoralwords for every situation.
The reasons provided are universal considering their utility in any society. In spite of the fact, most of swears cannot be directly translated from one language to another, linguists have found that many swear words can be grouped into general categories for the ability to create negative emotion.
One category prevalent centuries ago is supernatural such as hell, damn, and other offensive biblical words. The waning of supernatural words began asthe words lost their negative meaning. They don’t inspire much awe and fear. More pandemic nowadays is bodily effluvia and organs, which create a sickening feeling because affluvia is associated with disease and rancid smells. More common among the words are sh*t, p*ss off, and cr*p.
Sexuality is frequently viewed in an uplifting and happy manner yet it may become graphic and the motive of malicious acts. In some cases sexuality causes more harm than good. Sexuality provokes thoughts of exploitation, illegitimacy, incest, jealousy, spousal abuse, cuckoldry and the list continues. When one says “*uck” there is like a tidal waves of negative emotion hitting you and completely drowns out the positive side of sexuality.
The final bad word is the worst of all because itraises emotions of hatred and contempt. The n-word refers to an alienated group or people who are disfavored. It recalls a time of great disparity and injustice. Alienation has ignited much strife in the past. Some nasty words that are relics of those times recall the conflicts even though they cease to exist. The word dink (a term to describe the North Vietnamese soldiers)offends particularly Asians because it unfairly implies that based on appearance one becomes an American killing communist. Those antiquated words tend to make the user appear insular.No one wants to be considered an infidel, cripple, enemy, or subordinated peoples.
These categories do not cover all swear words but give a good idea why a majority of the swear words tossed aroundare considered “taboo”. They may cause a reaction that supersedes normal words, but that does not justify using them. I view swear words like currency. If there are too many in circulation they will lose value and effectiveness. Daily, we are bombarded with verbal attacks. I have developed a tolerance to them and only appreciate the original ones. Humanity is faced with a forked road. Hesitation will lead to the continual use of our vapid swear words. We can take actionwitha renaissance in foul language. Our society will frown upon minimalist swear. The individual will take time to create inventive swears like poets did centuries ago. Here is an antique yet elaborate series of bad words ‘kiss the *unt of a cow,” notice the pleasant meter and alliteration. Preferably we take the virtuous path and purge the swear words that must not be named from our vocabulary. Humans should resist their natural proclivity to swear and demonstrate that we are no longer mere animals but Homo Sapiens.
Sincerely,
Marlon
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Staring at Light Eyes
Dear Lowdown:
Why do my eyes shift from blue to green?
- Nora Molasky (Chicago)
Dear Nora:
Eye color has always been a source of fascination and fixation for people--it is a marvel in itself. When you first meet someone, face to face, the first thing you usually notice are their eyes; if they are particularly appealing you find yourself getting lost inside their magic and you treat that person differently. Light eyes in particular will always attract special attention because of their rarity and the aura of pureness they offer. Those who possess them casts a spell on anyone who lays eyes on them--because people love to stare at light eyes.
Nora, you would fit into one of those people who are given special attention.
I am not sure if I have ever heard of anyone’s eyes changing from three different shades. Regardless I hope this will help you to understand your fascinating predicament and just how special you are! In the 1930’s eugenicists used the disappearance of blue eyes to rally support for new immigration restrictions, they even mapped out areas in the U.S. with the highest and lowest concentration of blue eyes—feel special?
Eye color has a polygenic phenotypic character, meaning it is determined from the amount and variations of pigment in a person’s iris. The iris is a round structure in the eye that is accountable for controlling the diameter and the size of the pupil, as well as the amount of light that can enter it. Or, more simply, the iris is the colored part of your eye and the pupil is the small black dot in its center. The iris when exposed to light can expand or contract the pupil; this can slightly change the color of the eye, the larger the pupil the more light can enter. A fun experiment, that I myself have tried, is to bring light close to your eye and then move it away paying attention to the size of your pupil; the part of your eye that you are observing only constitutes one sixth of your eyeball—Whoa, I know!
Eye color is determined by multiple genes, however the primary ones are: EYCL 1 which is a green-blue, EYCL2 which is brown, and EYCL3 which is a brown blue. Less common colors such as hazel come from a combination of these genes. Contrary to popular belief, blue eyes are not a recessive trait ; they evolved from a mutation that occurred in a single individual over 10,000 years ago—that means that you and Miley Cyrus have the same ancestor. There are also three main elements that contribute to the iris’ color (genes leading to color and elements leading to color are not to be confused, genes have to do with hereditary traits that are passed on from people while elements of eye color have to do with the levels of variation within the eye physically). They are: melanin, a commonly found pigment that is black and brown; tissue composed of cells, and the melanin content within the iris stroma, a muscular tissue that allows the iris to contract and expand; and cellular density of the iris stroma. In simpler words: the dark pigment from in the iris’ cellular tissue, the muscular tissue, and the cellular density of the iris. And after reading all of this I’m sure you realized that the eye is the most complex organ in the body aside from the brain.
From a very young age you can predict whether a child’s eye color will change over time. Children are born with un-pigmented eyes and melanocyte cells continually produce pigment allowing eye color to change. The larger the levels of melanin in the iris, the darker the eye color and vice versa. You can then logically conclude that people with blue eyes have low levels of melanin while people with brown eyes have high levels of melanin.
There are several different reasons for the changing of eye color, unfortunately sickness being one of them. Dramatic color changes, for example brown to blue, should be reported to a doctor since that would indicate a significant decrease in melanin levels and is not a natural color shift. For sudden slight color changes this can be attributed to the level of lighting. When the iris contracts or expands due to lighting the pupil controls the amount of light entering, thereby lightening or darkening the iris—but only slightly. If your eye color darkens over time, then most likely when you were younger you had very light eyes with a brown color behind the iris waiting to darken those light eyes.
It has been argued that going through puberty as well as traumatic incidents can slightly alter eye color due to increased hormonal levels and chemical reactions in the body—however, I hope a traumatic incident is not what caused your eyes to change. Another theory exploring to eye color change is linked to emotions although it is not backed by scientific evidence, so I have my doubts—personally, with brown eyes I don’t think this is even possible.
There are also ways in which your eye color can change at your command. Colored contacts have been increasingly popular lately as they have improved over time and become easily accessible. The contacts come in two kinds: the enhancer which is meant for people who already have light eyes but want to achieve that shade of aquamarine or jade, and then there is the opaque which is meant for any eye color and can facilitate drastic color changes (such as from brown to blue). However the result of these drastic eye color changes only results in an eye color that looks acceptable on a Barbie but makes no sense on a person. If you ever decide that you no longer appreciate your light green and blue eyes you could simply talk to your local eye doctor and have brown or hazel eyes in no time—I don’t think this would be the case for you since you have the most desired eye colors.
There are also extreme methods for changing eye color one of them being surgery and the other a pill. A company who had previously done procedures for people who suffer from a disease that alters their eye color in undesirable ways now offers a cosmetic procedure. New ColorIris which is inserted into the eye comes in two colors: light blue and green—those coveted colors you possess. The results of this procedure, like the colored contact, create a color that appears unnatural and dull; it seems to lack the vivacious twinkle that appears even in dark brown eyes. There is also pill that was released in 2007 that reportedly can change eye and skin color by adjusting the levels of melanin in the body.
In a society where looks are always important, when does aesthetic pleasure and desire reach the extreme? According to the King James Version of the Bible “ the eyes are a window to the soul” denotes that the eyes shine and provide light to the whole body. If this light were to be replaced by an artificial one, in this case a colored contact, then what does that say about you as a person? Stereotypes are also linked to eye color, the most desired colors, blue and green, each denote something unique. Blue eyes are said to signify being carefree and innocent, as well as eternal youth. Green eyes are said to signify sexiness since they are often the color of cat’s eyes. Do you fell this way about yourself? Blue eyes are especially coveted; in Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye” the main character drives herself to insanity wishing for blue eyes so she can be loved by everyone around her. For people, light eyes mean having the world reach out to you gently.
Nora, I would consider yourself to be a very lucky person. Many people attempt to achieve what you have and fail miserably in doing so. Others sit around wanting lovely light eyes secretly wondering inside what it would be like. You in some ways get the best of both worlds: you can be sweet and innocent in one instant, but mysterious in the next. Doesn’t that sound fun? No matter where you are you will always be given special attention since people love to stare at light eyes.
Sincerely,
Montana Fredrick
Why do my eyes shift from blue to green?
- Nora Molasky (Chicago)
Dear Nora:
Eye color has always been a source of fascination and fixation for people--it is a marvel in itself. When you first meet someone, face to face, the first thing you usually notice are their eyes; if they are particularly appealing you find yourself getting lost inside their magic and you treat that person differently. Light eyes in particular will always attract special attention because of their rarity and the aura of pureness they offer. Those who possess them casts a spell on anyone who lays eyes on them--because people love to stare at light eyes.
Nora, you would fit into one of those people who are given special attention.
I am not sure if I have ever heard of anyone’s eyes changing from three different shades. Regardless I hope this will help you to understand your fascinating predicament and just how special you are! In the 1930’s eugenicists used the disappearance of blue eyes to rally support for new immigration restrictions, they even mapped out areas in the U.S. with the highest and lowest concentration of blue eyes—feel special?
Eye color has a polygenic phenotypic character, meaning it is determined from the amount and variations of pigment in a person’s iris. The iris is a round structure in the eye that is accountable for controlling the diameter and the size of the pupil, as well as the amount of light that can enter it. Or, more simply, the iris is the colored part of your eye and the pupil is the small black dot in its center. The iris when exposed to light can expand or contract the pupil; this can slightly change the color of the eye, the larger the pupil the more light can enter. A fun experiment, that I myself have tried, is to bring light close to your eye and then move it away paying attention to the size of your pupil; the part of your eye that you are observing only constitutes one sixth of your eyeball—Whoa, I know!
Eye color is determined by multiple genes, however the primary ones are: EYCL 1 which is a green-blue, EYCL2 which is brown, and EYCL3 which is a brown blue. Less common colors such as hazel come from a combination of these genes. Contrary to popular belief, blue eyes are not a recessive trait ; they evolved from a mutation that occurred in a single individual over 10,000 years ago—that means that you and Miley Cyrus have the same ancestor. There are also three main elements that contribute to the iris’ color (genes leading to color and elements leading to color are not to be confused, genes have to do with hereditary traits that are passed on from people while elements of eye color have to do with the levels of variation within the eye physically). They are: melanin, a commonly found pigment that is black and brown; tissue composed of cells, and the melanin content within the iris stroma, a muscular tissue that allows the iris to contract and expand; and cellular density of the iris stroma. In simpler words: the dark pigment from in the iris’ cellular tissue, the muscular tissue, and the cellular density of the iris. And after reading all of this I’m sure you realized that the eye is the most complex organ in the body aside from the brain.
From a very young age you can predict whether a child’s eye color will change over time. Children are born with un-pigmented eyes and melanocyte cells continually produce pigment allowing eye color to change. The larger the levels of melanin in the iris, the darker the eye color and vice versa. You can then logically conclude that people with blue eyes have low levels of melanin while people with brown eyes have high levels of melanin.
There are several different reasons for the changing of eye color, unfortunately sickness being one of them. Dramatic color changes, for example brown to blue, should be reported to a doctor since that would indicate a significant decrease in melanin levels and is not a natural color shift. For sudden slight color changes this can be attributed to the level of lighting. When the iris contracts or expands due to lighting the pupil controls the amount of light entering, thereby lightening or darkening the iris—but only slightly. If your eye color darkens over time, then most likely when you were younger you had very light eyes with a brown color behind the iris waiting to darken those light eyes.
It has been argued that going through puberty as well as traumatic incidents can slightly alter eye color due to increased hormonal levels and chemical reactions in the body—however, I hope a traumatic incident is not what caused your eyes to change. Another theory exploring to eye color change is linked to emotions although it is not backed by scientific evidence, so I have my doubts—personally, with brown eyes I don’t think this is even possible.
There are also ways in which your eye color can change at your command. Colored contacts have been increasingly popular lately as they have improved over time and become easily accessible. The contacts come in two kinds: the enhancer which is meant for people who already have light eyes but want to achieve that shade of aquamarine or jade, and then there is the opaque which is meant for any eye color and can facilitate drastic color changes (such as from brown to blue). However the result of these drastic eye color changes only results in an eye color that looks acceptable on a Barbie but makes no sense on a person. If you ever decide that you no longer appreciate your light green and blue eyes you could simply talk to your local eye doctor and have brown or hazel eyes in no time—I don’t think this would be the case for you since you have the most desired eye colors.
There are also extreme methods for changing eye color one of them being surgery and the other a pill. A company who had previously done procedures for people who suffer from a disease that alters their eye color in undesirable ways now offers a cosmetic procedure. New ColorIris which is inserted into the eye comes in two colors: light blue and green—those coveted colors you possess. The results of this procedure, like the colored contact, create a color that appears unnatural and dull; it seems to lack the vivacious twinkle that appears even in dark brown eyes. There is also pill that was released in 2007 that reportedly can change eye and skin color by adjusting the levels of melanin in the body.
In a society where looks are always important, when does aesthetic pleasure and desire reach the extreme? According to the King James Version of the Bible “ the eyes are a window to the soul” denotes that the eyes shine and provide light to the whole body. If this light were to be replaced by an artificial one, in this case a colored contact, then what does that say about you as a person? Stereotypes are also linked to eye color, the most desired colors, blue and green, each denote something unique. Blue eyes are said to signify being carefree and innocent, as well as eternal youth. Green eyes are said to signify sexiness since they are often the color of cat’s eyes. Do you fell this way about yourself? Blue eyes are especially coveted; in Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye” the main character drives herself to insanity wishing for blue eyes so she can be loved by everyone around her. For people, light eyes mean having the world reach out to you gently.
Nora, I would consider yourself to be a very lucky person. Many people attempt to achieve what you have and fail miserably in doing so. Others sit around wanting lovely light eyes secretly wondering inside what it would be like. You in some ways get the best of both worlds: you can be sweet and innocent in one instant, but mysterious in the next. Doesn’t that sound fun? No matter where you are you will always be given special attention since people love to stare at light eyes.
Sincerely,
Montana Fredrick
Why Don’t Cats and Dogs Get Human Viruses?
Dear Lowdown:
Can cats and dogs contract the same viruses as humans?
- Allie Lee (Chicago)
Dear Allie:
Do you remember that old wives tale? The one that says cats can steal the breath of babies while they are sleeping? Well there is some truth behind it. Some viruses can be spread from cats, and other domesticated animals, to humans, and vise versa. But wait, before you go telling your great Aunt Marian that she was right to feint from terror when she saw your cat Ben sleeping on your baby brother’s chest, you should know that, due to the differences in the genetic makeup of viruses that affect human and animal immune systems, the instances in which viruses are spread this way are rare. What you should be worried about is how viruses are spread within the animal community, and our community as well.
Viruses are tiny organisms that are made up of strands of DNA. The codes within the DNA of the virus determine whom they can affect. Unlike other cells, viruses cannot survive or reproduce without a host of living cells. Viruses can infect a host cell through two different processes. They can either choose to kill their host cell, or, if they are nice, to quietly live inside the cell until the cell dies of natural causes.
The first method occurs when a virus attaches itself to the outside of the host cell, drills a hole into the cells membrane, and implants part of its genetic material into the host cell. The genetic material grows inside the cell, and creates thousands of copies of the virus that then, due to lack of room within the cell, burst through the host cell’s membrane, effectively killing the cell (“Science Clarified”).
You’ve seen alien right? Imagine that, but instead of one alien bursting out of a woman’s stomach, imagine thousands of tiny little aliens bursting out of every part of the woman’s body. Lovely, isn’t it?
The second method is a lot less gruesome, but far more invasive. The virus inserts itself into the host cell, and combines its genetic material with that of the host cell. The virus can then make thousands of copies of itself through the cell’s own reproductive process of mitosis (“Science Clarified”).
It is very rare for a human to contract a fatal virus from a dog or a cat or visa versa. Dogs and cats cannot catch human colds due to the fact that the viruses that affect us and the viruses that affect animals usually have a different genetic sequence from each other. The differences in DNA make it impossible for a virus that is commonly found in humans to be hosted by an animal’s cell, due to the fact that the animal’s immune system would recognize the presence of a foreign body.
Think of our viruses and animal viruses as two different species. These two species don't just look different, but are genetically different. Oh. And they hate each other. Now imagine what would happen if an animal virus decides to go live in an area that is completely populated by human viruses. If you can’t imagine, let’s just say that the virus will no longer be infecting innocent animals.
This however, does not mean that humans and animals cannot contract viruses from each other. They can, and when they do, the viruses are often very potent. The most common viruses in both humans and animals is the flu. The flu is caused by multiple strains of the same virus, and is capable of mutating, which not only causes problems for us, but also for our pets (“CDC”).
Type A flu is the most common flu, and is found in both humans and animal, and some strands of the virus can be transferred from either host. This occurs when an animal variation of the flu mixes with a human variation of the flu.
For example, the pig is susceptible to both human and avian flu (avian flu is used to describe Type A flu found in most animals) and can therefore act as a breeding ground for mutating flu viruses. When a pig contracts both a human flu and an avian flu simultaneously the flu viruses combine together to form a new strain of the flu virus (“CDC”). This flu virus is like the super villain of viruses. Not only does it have the characteristics of both human and avian flu - which makes it capable of infecting humans and animals - but also it is virtually impossible to vaccinate against due to the fact that there is no other strain like it. This happened last year when the H1N1 flu virus was created from a mutation formed from avian, swine, and human flu.
The flu is not the only virus that we can catch from animals. Our pets carry numerous viruses and infectious diseases that can be harmful to us. These viruses are usually transmitted through saliva or scratches. So the next time you’re letting Fluffy lick your cut to “clean it,” please, don’t.
Dogs and cats also have a wide variety of viruses that can only affect their immune systems, and they are as varied as the viruses that affect us. Lucky them. Some of the more fatal ones are: rabies and kennel cough in dogs, and feline leukemia and Calici in cats.
Rabies is a virus that is transmitted through saliva. Once a dog is infected with rabies the virus attacks the nervous system, and this is what makes the dog foam at the mouth and act abnormally. This is not to be confused with your dad spraying whipped cream on you dog’s face to freak out your mother. Rabies is one of the few fatal viruses that can be spread to humans through saliva. Kennel Cough is to dogs as the common cold is to humans. The virus is spread through contact with infected dogs, and is most dangerous to puppies because it can suppress the immune system (“Dog Owner’s Guide”).
Feline leukemia is almost exactly the same as leukemia in humans, except for the fact that Feline leukemia is contagious. It is caused by a virus, which mutates to form cancerous cells. The virus is spread through urine, spit, and other fun stuff (“Pet Place”). This animal strain of leukemia is an example of a viral strain that cannot be contracted by humans.
Calici is one of the most fatal diseases in cats, due to the fact that humans can act as “carriers,” spreading the virus to other cats. If a person comes in contact with the virus, they can spread it by touching another cat. The virus causes an upper respiratory infection that weakens the immune system, and can ultimately lead to a fatal case of pneumonia (“CFA”).
With today’s technology most viruses, animal and human, can be prevented with vaccinations. Bodies are protected from infection by disease-fighting cells called antibodies. An antibody can only attack a virus that it recognizes. Vaccinations work by exposing an immune system to a small amount of the virus. This enables your immune system to build up antibodies that recognize the virus’ DNA, so your body can defend itself if the virus is contracted. Think of antibodies as soldiers; really dumb soldiers that can only attack if they recognize the person that they are about to kill.
Vaccinations for both humans and animals are not required by law. In fact, the only viruses you are required to vaccinate against is rabies (for your dog of course). Many people choose not to vaccinate their pet because they believe it is harmful. There is a small chance that vaccinating a pet will harm it due to the fact that you are exposing the animal to a miniscule amount of the virus. Parents also often decide not to vaccinate their children against viruses such as the chicken pox and measles, because these vaccines have been linked to an early onset of autism. But, once again, the chance of this occurring is very small.
By choosing not to vaccinate their animals and children, pet owners and parents are not only putting their children at risk of infection, but also other children. When a child who is not vaccinated goes out in public he cannot only contract the virus, but can also act as carrier and spread the virus throughout his community. For instance, the measles, which used to be under control, has reached almost endemic proportions in communities throughout America, due to the fact that parents refuse to vaccinate their children. This is also the case for feline leukemia, which, due to owners not vaccinating their cats has caused thousands of cats (stray and domestic) to die.
Choosing not to vaccinate also proves problematic during flu season. As mentioned earlier the flu is a very nasty but smart bug that can mutate and infect both humans and animals. By not vaccinating ourselves during flu season we create the ultimate environment for the creation of an invincible flu virus. This is what happened last year with swine flu panic (mentioned earlier), the main cause of last year’s panic was that the Swine Flu virus was much stronger than its cousin the normal flu. Its strength stemmed from the fact that for years preceding the panic many people had become lax in their vaccinations enabling the virus to mutate into a strong almost invincible virus. This will happen again if people do not protect themselves against viruses. Next time, the virus will be even stronger. So if you really want to help prevent the next viral apocalypse, please, vaccinate yourself and your pets.
Sincerely,
Nora Molasky
Works Cited
1. "Virus." Science Clarified. Advameg Inc., 2010. Web. 14 Nov 2010..
2. Transition of Influenza Viruses from Animals to People." CDC centers for disease control and prevention. CDC, 2010. Web. 14 Nov 2010..
3. "Influenza Viruses." CDC centers for disease control and prevention. CDC, 2010. Web. 26 Nov 2010..
4. "Dog Diseases." Dog Owner's Guide. Canis Major Publications, 2010. Web. 14 Nov 2010..
5. Lagerwerf, Wilma. "Feline Upper Respiratory Diseases: Calici." CFA cat fancier's association inc. Canis Major Publications, 2010. Web. 14 Nov 2010.
6. Primovic, Debra. "Feline Leukemia Virus." Pet Place. Intelligent Content Corporation, 2010. Web. 26 Nov 2010..
Can cats and dogs contract the same viruses as humans?
- Allie Lee (Chicago)
Dear Allie:
Do you remember that old wives tale? The one that says cats can steal the breath of babies while they are sleeping? Well there is some truth behind it. Some viruses can be spread from cats, and other domesticated animals, to humans, and vise versa. But wait, before you go telling your great Aunt Marian that she was right to feint from terror when she saw your cat Ben sleeping on your baby brother’s chest, you should know that, due to the differences in the genetic makeup of viruses that affect human and animal immune systems, the instances in which viruses are spread this way are rare. What you should be worried about is how viruses are spread within the animal community, and our community as well.
Viruses are tiny organisms that are made up of strands of DNA. The codes within the DNA of the virus determine whom they can affect. Unlike other cells, viruses cannot survive or reproduce without a host of living cells. Viruses can infect a host cell through two different processes. They can either choose to kill their host cell, or, if they are nice, to quietly live inside the cell until the cell dies of natural causes.
The first method occurs when a virus attaches itself to the outside of the host cell, drills a hole into the cells membrane, and implants part of its genetic material into the host cell. The genetic material grows inside the cell, and creates thousands of copies of the virus that then, due to lack of room within the cell, burst through the host cell’s membrane, effectively killing the cell (“Science Clarified”).
You’ve seen alien right? Imagine that, but instead of one alien bursting out of a woman’s stomach, imagine thousands of tiny little aliens bursting out of every part of the woman’s body. Lovely, isn’t it?
The second method is a lot less gruesome, but far more invasive. The virus inserts itself into the host cell, and combines its genetic material with that of the host cell. The virus can then make thousands of copies of itself through the cell’s own reproductive process of mitosis (“Science Clarified”).
It is very rare for a human to contract a fatal virus from a dog or a cat or visa versa. Dogs and cats cannot catch human colds due to the fact that the viruses that affect us and the viruses that affect animals usually have a different genetic sequence from each other. The differences in DNA make it impossible for a virus that is commonly found in humans to be hosted by an animal’s cell, due to the fact that the animal’s immune system would recognize the presence of a foreign body.
Think of our viruses and animal viruses as two different species. These two species don't just look different, but are genetically different. Oh. And they hate each other. Now imagine what would happen if an animal virus decides to go live in an area that is completely populated by human viruses. If you can’t imagine, let’s just say that the virus will no longer be infecting innocent animals.
This however, does not mean that humans and animals cannot contract viruses from each other. They can, and when they do, the viruses are often very potent. The most common viruses in both humans and animals is the flu. The flu is caused by multiple strains of the same virus, and is capable of mutating, which not only causes problems for us, but also for our pets (“CDC”).
Type A flu is the most common flu, and is found in both humans and animal, and some strands of the virus can be transferred from either host. This occurs when an animal variation of the flu mixes with a human variation of the flu.
For example, the pig is susceptible to both human and avian flu (avian flu is used to describe Type A flu found in most animals) and can therefore act as a breeding ground for mutating flu viruses. When a pig contracts both a human flu and an avian flu simultaneously the flu viruses combine together to form a new strain of the flu virus (“CDC”). This flu virus is like the super villain of viruses. Not only does it have the characteristics of both human and avian flu - which makes it capable of infecting humans and animals - but also it is virtually impossible to vaccinate against due to the fact that there is no other strain like it. This happened last year when the H1N1 flu virus was created from a mutation formed from avian, swine, and human flu.
The flu is not the only virus that we can catch from animals. Our pets carry numerous viruses and infectious diseases that can be harmful to us. These viruses are usually transmitted through saliva or scratches. So the next time you’re letting Fluffy lick your cut to “clean it,” please, don’t.
Dogs and cats also have a wide variety of viruses that can only affect their immune systems, and they are as varied as the viruses that affect us. Lucky them. Some of the more fatal ones are: rabies and kennel cough in dogs, and feline leukemia and Calici in cats.
Rabies is a virus that is transmitted through saliva. Once a dog is infected with rabies the virus attacks the nervous system, and this is what makes the dog foam at the mouth and act abnormally. This is not to be confused with your dad spraying whipped cream on you dog’s face to freak out your mother. Rabies is one of the few fatal viruses that can be spread to humans through saliva. Kennel Cough is to dogs as the common cold is to humans. The virus is spread through contact with infected dogs, and is most dangerous to puppies because it can suppress the immune system (“Dog Owner’s Guide”).
Feline leukemia is almost exactly the same as leukemia in humans, except for the fact that Feline leukemia is contagious. It is caused by a virus, which mutates to form cancerous cells. The virus is spread through urine, spit, and other fun stuff (“Pet Place”). This animal strain of leukemia is an example of a viral strain that cannot be contracted by humans.
Calici is one of the most fatal diseases in cats, due to the fact that humans can act as “carriers,” spreading the virus to other cats. If a person comes in contact with the virus, they can spread it by touching another cat. The virus causes an upper respiratory infection that weakens the immune system, and can ultimately lead to a fatal case of pneumonia (“CFA”).
With today’s technology most viruses, animal and human, can be prevented with vaccinations. Bodies are protected from infection by disease-fighting cells called antibodies. An antibody can only attack a virus that it recognizes. Vaccinations work by exposing an immune system to a small amount of the virus. This enables your immune system to build up antibodies that recognize the virus’ DNA, so your body can defend itself if the virus is contracted. Think of antibodies as soldiers; really dumb soldiers that can only attack if they recognize the person that they are about to kill.
Vaccinations for both humans and animals are not required by law. In fact, the only viruses you are required to vaccinate against is rabies (for your dog of course). Many people choose not to vaccinate their pet because they believe it is harmful. There is a small chance that vaccinating a pet will harm it due to the fact that you are exposing the animal to a miniscule amount of the virus. Parents also often decide not to vaccinate their children against viruses such as the chicken pox and measles, because these vaccines have been linked to an early onset of autism. But, once again, the chance of this occurring is very small.
By choosing not to vaccinate their animals and children, pet owners and parents are not only putting their children at risk of infection, but also other children. When a child who is not vaccinated goes out in public he cannot only contract the virus, but can also act as carrier and spread the virus throughout his community. For instance, the measles, which used to be under control, has reached almost endemic proportions in communities throughout America, due to the fact that parents refuse to vaccinate their children. This is also the case for feline leukemia, which, due to owners not vaccinating their cats has caused thousands of cats (stray and domestic) to die.
Choosing not to vaccinate also proves problematic during flu season. As mentioned earlier the flu is a very nasty but smart bug that can mutate and infect both humans and animals. By not vaccinating ourselves during flu season we create the ultimate environment for the creation of an invincible flu virus. This is what happened last year with swine flu panic (mentioned earlier), the main cause of last year’s panic was that the Swine Flu virus was much stronger than its cousin the normal flu. Its strength stemmed from the fact that for years preceding the panic many people had become lax in their vaccinations enabling the virus to mutate into a strong almost invincible virus. This will happen again if people do not protect themselves against viruses. Next time, the virus will be even stronger. So if you really want to help prevent the next viral apocalypse, please, vaccinate yourself and your pets.
Sincerely,
Nora Molasky
Works Cited
1. "Virus." Science Clarified. Advameg Inc., 2010. Web. 14 Nov 2010.
2. Transition of Influenza Viruses from Animals to People." CDC centers for disease control and prevention. CDC, 2010. Web. 14 Nov 2010.
3. "Influenza Viruses." CDC centers for disease control and prevention. CDC, 2010. Web. 26 Nov 2010.
4. "Dog Diseases." Dog Owner's Guide. Canis Major Publications, 2010. Web. 14 Nov 2010.
5. Lagerwerf, Wilma. "Feline Upper Respiratory Diseases: Calici." CFA cat fancier's association inc. Canis Major Publications, 2010. Web. 14 Nov 2010.
6. Primovic, Debra. "Feline Leukemia Virus." Pet Place. Intelligent Content Corporation, 2010. Web. 26 Nov 2010.
Boys Rule, Girls Drool
Dear Lowdown:
Why do girls mature so much faster than boys do?
Sylvia Montijo (Chicago)
Dear Sylvia,
Girls mature faster than boys. It has been said millions of times, but nothing is ever black and white. There is always that grey area. And I say that this subject happens to have a large grey area. Children’s brains develop in different ways, not on the same path as most neurologists previously thought. In 2007, the world's largest study of brain development in children was published and their results demonstrated that there was no overlap in the trajectories of brain development in girls and boys (Elsevier). Yes, girls do act more maturely at younger ages, but only in certain ways compared to boys of the same age. But, of course, everyone knows that boys are actually more mature.
The fact of the matter is that boys are very mature; they just choose not to show it to everyone. Every boy, from the day they are born, has an innate knowledge that they understand the world much more easily than girls (Sorry ladies). Boys do not play house or play with dolls; they play with toys that encourage them to explore, learn, and ultimately enjoy life to the fullest capacity from a young age. Even if a boy is introverted, he can explore inwardly and follow a different path in which he pursues other endeavors, such as a musical or an intellectual activity. The exceptional part about a boy’s maturity is that every boy hides it from the world whether deliberately or subconsciously. Boys push themselves to become intelligent, physically active, and socially graceful. The most matured part about a boy, though, is his competiveness. From a very early age, boys begin to push themselves to the limit of what they are capable of. Whether they succeed in these ventures relies on their determination, but they will continue to strive until they find the niche that best suits them.
Girls may mature socially faster than boys and develop their fine motor skills, as well, but when it comes to handwriting and sewing both are becoming less and less useful. In this age of technology, a kid will only need to learn how to type and write their signature. Few girls today are required to sew their own clothes or create household linens. No one will need to be able to write lengthy narratives legibly or sew dainty garments, so the early fine motor skills do not contribute to a huge gap between the maturity of a boy and that of a girl.
A girl’s early maturity is often evident in her social skills. A girl may be very adept at creating new friendships with other girls, but with this skill comes jealously and the need to fit in with others. The early development of social skills is just a distraction for young women. If they learned to follow the example of boys, girls would be much better off. Because of boy’s late-developing social skills, they have time to learn about themselves first before attempting to learn about their peers. This shows that we are deep ladies, not as shallow or brain-dead as some of you may think. This allows boys to become comfortable with themselves first before attempting to learn about their peers and before becoming immersed in social situations. Boys have the advantage of time to learn about themselves before they attempt to cultivate or understand relationships with others.
Boys also develop much more practical skills earlier than girls. The first skill sets that a girl develops are included in the creative and linguistic areas of a young girl’s brain (Hanson). On the other hand, the boys’ brains are maturing in the parts concerning targeting and spatial memory, areas that mature about four years earlier in boys than girls (Hanson). Another obvious reason why we are better, we do not just go out there and improvise, we learn and adapt. They learn how to build and construct things when they are younger. They are already changing the world all around them with each step. While girls may excel earlier in art and language, boys excel more often in math and science because of their innate affinity and learned enthusiasm for each subject.
The different learning patterns all come back to maturity. Boys are without a doubt more mature at an earlier age than girls. Boys are just smart enough to hide it. The longer boys act immature, the less work boys have to do and the more time boys have to enjoy their youthfulness before they need to become men and incorporate themselves as productive members of society. We just happen to be smarter and more conniving than girls to make adults all think we are immature little kids. Sometimes we act just like little kids, but are you not jealous of the amount of fun we have? Boys are superior to girls without showing it. You can thank our modesty.
Sincerely,
Jack Kalanik
Works Cited
• Elsevier. "Sexual dimorphism of brain developmental trajectories during childhood and adolescence." NeuroImage 15 July 2007: 165-173. NASSPE: Research > Brain Differences. Web. 3 Nov. 2010.
• Harriet Hanlon, Robert Thatcher, and Marvin Cline. Gender differences in the development of EEG coherence in normal children. Developmental Neuropsycho
Why do girls mature so much faster than boys do?
Sylvia Montijo (Chicago)
Dear Sylvia,
Girls mature faster than boys. It has been said millions of times, but nothing is ever black and white. There is always that grey area. And I say that this subject happens to have a large grey area. Children’s brains develop in different ways, not on the same path as most neurologists previously thought. In 2007, the world's largest study of brain development in children was published and their results demonstrated that there was no overlap in the trajectories of brain development in girls and boys (Elsevier). Yes, girls do act more maturely at younger ages, but only in certain ways compared to boys of the same age. But, of course, everyone knows that boys are actually more mature.
The fact of the matter is that boys are very mature; they just choose not to show it to everyone. Every boy, from the day they are born, has an innate knowledge that they understand the world much more easily than girls (Sorry ladies). Boys do not play house or play with dolls; they play with toys that encourage them to explore, learn, and ultimately enjoy life to the fullest capacity from a young age. Even if a boy is introverted, he can explore inwardly and follow a different path in which he pursues other endeavors, such as a musical or an intellectual activity. The exceptional part about a boy’s maturity is that every boy hides it from the world whether deliberately or subconsciously. Boys push themselves to become intelligent, physically active, and socially graceful. The most matured part about a boy, though, is his competiveness. From a very early age, boys begin to push themselves to the limit of what they are capable of. Whether they succeed in these ventures relies on their determination, but they will continue to strive until they find the niche that best suits them.
Girls may mature socially faster than boys and develop their fine motor skills, as well, but when it comes to handwriting and sewing both are becoming less and less useful. In this age of technology, a kid will only need to learn how to type and write their signature. Few girls today are required to sew their own clothes or create household linens. No one will need to be able to write lengthy narratives legibly or sew dainty garments, so the early fine motor skills do not contribute to a huge gap between the maturity of a boy and that of a girl.
A girl’s early maturity is often evident in her social skills. A girl may be very adept at creating new friendships with other girls, but with this skill comes jealously and the need to fit in with others. The early development of social skills is just a distraction for young women. If they learned to follow the example of boys, girls would be much better off. Because of boy’s late-developing social skills, they have time to learn about themselves first before attempting to learn about their peers. This shows that we are deep ladies, not as shallow or brain-dead as some of you may think. This allows boys to become comfortable with themselves first before attempting to learn about their peers and before becoming immersed in social situations. Boys have the advantage of time to learn about themselves before they attempt to cultivate or understand relationships with others.
Boys also develop much more practical skills earlier than girls. The first skill sets that a girl develops are included in the creative and linguistic areas of a young girl’s brain (Hanson). On the other hand, the boys’ brains are maturing in the parts concerning targeting and spatial memory, areas that mature about four years earlier in boys than girls (Hanson). Another obvious reason why we are better, we do not just go out there and improvise, we learn and adapt. They learn how to build and construct things when they are younger. They are already changing the world all around them with each step. While girls may excel earlier in art and language, boys excel more often in math and science because of their innate affinity and learned enthusiasm for each subject.
The different learning patterns all come back to maturity. Boys are without a doubt more mature at an earlier age than girls. Boys are just smart enough to hide it. The longer boys act immature, the less work boys have to do and the more time boys have to enjoy their youthfulness before they need to become men and incorporate themselves as productive members of society. We just happen to be smarter and more conniving than girls to make adults all think we are immature little kids. Sometimes we act just like little kids, but are you not jealous of the amount of fun we have? Boys are superior to girls without showing it. You can thank our modesty.
Sincerely,
Jack Kalanik
Works Cited
• Elsevier. "Sexual dimorphism of brain developmental trajectories during childhood and adolescence." NeuroImage 15 July 2007: 165-173. NASSPE: Research > Brain Differences. Web. 3 Nov. 2010.
• Harriet Hanlon, Robert Thatcher, and Marvin Cline. Gender differences in the development of EEG coherence in normal children. Developmental Neuropsycho
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Banana or Blueberry?
Dear Lowdown:
How do you make a good fruit smoothie?
Sheena Artajo (Chicago)
Ms. Artajo:
A “good” fruit smoothie is really quite painless to prepare, but I am not going to teach you how to make a “good” fruit smoothie. Why only aim for “good”? Instead, I will enlighten you as to how to prepare a luscious, savory, tantalizing, mouthwatering smoothie. It takes more than simply throwing together some fruit and yogurt and hoping for the best. If you are merely looking for a good-tasting frothy drink, go have a milkshake. However, if you want a delicious and nutritious smoothie, there are many ways to flatter your taste buds and your body. Not only will this drink taste exquisite, but your spirit will be lifted as well. Three simple elements constitute a powerfully wonderful smoothie: fruits, a thickener, and a liquid.
If you want to practice this ancient art of smoothie making, we must first consider the history of the smoothie in order to fully understand its significance. A primeval type of smoothie was first produced in India some 4,000 years ago by combining yogurt, fruit, spice, salt, and honey to create a drink called lassis (“Smoothies and Their Origin”). Mogul emperors also drank a refreshing beverage similar to lassis, except it is called sharbat (“Smoothies and Their Origin”). “Mogul” can mean influential, so these emperors must have known the soulful, influential benefits of these similar smoothie drinks. The smoothie was first introduced to America in the 1930s as puréed fruit drinks from Brazil, but smoothies did not become popular until the 1960s (“Smoothies and Their Origin”). I won’t even discuss how pitiful it is that smoothies took so long to become popular. Smoothies were then commercialized in the 1970s, when vegetarianism and health food stores became popular (“Smoothies and Their Origin”). From there, we have what we now know and love as smoothies. Smoothies must have had some impact on one’s soul in order for people the world over to still be drinking them today.
The primary ingredient that all smoothies must have is, of course, fruit. This fruit can be a solid or a liquid, organic or filled with chemicals, frozen or room-temperature, and sliced or diced. The fruit component is a free-for-all. You can add as much as you like or none at all. Just remember, fruit is a part of the natural world. By adding fruit to your delightful smoothie, you are becoming one with the cosmos. Experimentation is key when trying to make a magnificently delicious smoothie; texture and flavor play a role as well. Some fruits commonly used are blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, pineapples, and bananas. You can try different ingredients too, even going for something as exotic as a papaya or a mango. Just be sure that all of the fruit is puréed before you take it out of the blender, unless you want globs of banana flowing into your mouth while you’re trying to drink and enjoy your beverage. This can severely dampen your overall enjoyment of the smoothie, unless, of course, you enjoy chunkier smoothies. In general, to make one serving, you will want about one fourth of a cup of fruit in order for the taste to be spot on and the vitamins to be in good supply (Lynn).
Even though fruit might be the most basic element of a smoothie, the thickener is also a main component. While the thickener is a valuable component to the taste of your smoothie, you can also view the thickener as character and pizzazz added to your soulful smoothie. There are multiple options for a thickener, including yogurt or ice. Vanilla or plain yogurt usually does the trick, but you can always experiment with other flavors for a tangy twist. Ice is an excellent option for a thickener if you have more fresh fruit than frozen. The hard part about this step is adding the right amount, not too much and not too little. When making a smoothie for only one serving, about half a cup of thickener is ideal (Lynn). The thickener helps give the smoothie its texture and creaminess, but too much can leave the smoothie dull-tasting. The type and amount of thickener you add to a smoothie is quite reflective of you as an individual. Therefore, make sure you include the perfect amount and type of thickener so your smoothie is as rich, refreshing, and as full of pizzazz as your personality.
The final basic component of the perfect smoothie is a liquid. Juices or milks are always the best bet to make your smoothie smooth. Add in grape juice, orange juice, apple juice, soy milk, skim milk, or even whole milk. The juices are often great sources of antioxidants and can count as another whole serving of fruit. Soy milk is also a great option because of the protein, calcium, and isoflavones (“How to Make a Smoothie”). If you are not partial to the taste of soy milk, the flavor of the fruits will overpower it anyway. The liquid addition to your smoothie is quite a unique one, and you are incorporating parts of your persona into the drink. Remember that supreme smoothies consist of one part fruit, one part liquid, and two parts thickener, so for one smoothie you will want about one fourth a cup of your-choice liquid (Murray). The liquid has a major impact on the color of the smoothie, so be wise when combining multiple types. A good way to prepare for adding liquid to your smoothie is to review your colors. Yes, we are going all the way back to pre-school. Orange and white (orange juice and milk) will make a lovely yellow color, but orange and purple (orange juice and grape juice) will actually make brown, and who wants a brown smoothie?
If the food you eat throughout the day isn’t already loaded with chemical edibles, you may opt to add a type of powder to your smoothie. There are many types of powders available in the smoothie-making world, including supplements for protein, vitamins, or fiber, and you may need this artificial addition because of dietary or health reasons. As a warning, some artificial supplements may distract from the purity of the experience and therefore contaminate the soul. You should not have your spirit reflect an imitation or fabrication. Once all of your innovative ingredients have been added to the blender, make sure you mix your smoothie until all of the contents have been fully crushed and liquefied. Be aware of loose tops and the loud, petrifying noises of blenders, or else the smoothie-making process will not be enjoyable. Once your creation seems to be lump-free, enjoy! If, however, your soul does not have the energy to make one of these revitalizing smoothies, a trip to Jamba Juice is suitable as well.
Sincerely,
Caroline D’Andrea
Works Cited
Gallagher, Stephanie. “How to Make a Smoothie.” About.com. The New York Times
Company, 2010. Web. 15 Nov. 2010.
“How to Make a Smoothie.” PerfectSmoothie.com. PerfectSmoothie.com, 2009. Web.
15 Nov. 2010.
Lynn, Emmy. “Basic Fruit Smoothie Recipe.” BellaOnline. Minerva Webworks LLC,
2010. Web. 15 Nov. 2010.
Murray, Jennifer. “How to Make a Fruit Smoothie.” Suite101.com. Jennifer Murray, 21 Nov.
2008. Web. 15 Nov 2010.
“Smoothies and Their Origin.” Filling Low Calorie Foods. N.p, 18 Apr. 2010. Web. 15 Nov.
2010.
How do you make a good fruit smoothie?
Sheena Artajo (Chicago)
Ms. Artajo:
A “good” fruit smoothie is really quite painless to prepare, but I am not going to teach you how to make a “good” fruit smoothie. Why only aim for “good”? Instead, I will enlighten you as to how to prepare a luscious, savory, tantalizing, mouthwatering smoothie. It takes more than simply throwing together some fruit and yogurt and hoping for the best. If you are merely looking for a good-tasting frothy drink, go have a milkshake. However, if you want a delicious and nutritious smoothie, there are many ways to flatter your taste buds and your body. Not only will this drink taste exquisite, but your spirit will be lifted as well. Three simple elements constitute a powerfully wonderful smoothie: fruits, a thickener, and a liquid.
If you want to practice this ancient art of smoothie making, we must first consider the history of the smoothie in order to fully understand its significance. A primeval type of smoothie was first produced in India some 4,000 years ago by combining yogurt, fruit, spice, salt, and honey to create a drink called lassis (“Smoothies and Their Origin”). Mogul emperors also drank a refreshing beverage similar to lassis, except it is called sharbat (“Smoothies and Their Origin”). “Mogul” can mean influential, so these emperors must have known the soulful, influential benefits of these similar smoothie drinks. The smoothie was first introduced to America in the 1930s as puréed fruit drinks from Brazil, but smoothies did not become popular until the 1960s (“Smoothies and Their Origin”). I won’t even discuss how pitiful it is that smoothies took so long to become popular. Smoothies were then commercialized in the 1970s, when vegetarianism and health food stores became popular (“Smoothies and Their Origin”). From there, we have what we now know and love as smoothies. Smoothies must have had some impact on one’s soul in order for people the world over to still be drinking them today.
The primary ingredient that all smoothies must have is, of course, fruit. This fruit can be a solid or a liquid, organic or filled with chemicals, frozen or room-temperature, and sliced or diced. The fruit component is a free-for-all. You can add as much as you like or none at all. Just remember, fruit is a part of the natural world. By adding fruit to your delightful smoothie, you are becoming one with the cosmos. Experimentation is key when trying to make a magnificently delicious smoothie; texture and flavor play a role as well. Some fruits commonly used are blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, pineapples, and bananas. You can try different ingredients too, even going for something as exotic as a papaya or a mango. Just be sure that all of the fruit is puréed before you take it out of the blender, unless you want globs of banana flowing into your mouth while you’re trying to drink and enjoy your beverage. This can severely dampen your overall enjoyment of the smoothie, unless, of course, you enjoy chunkier smoothies. In general, to make one serving, you will want about one fourth of a cup of fruit in order for the taste to be spot on and the vitamins to be in good supply (Lynn).
Even though fruit might be the most basic element of a smoothie, the thickener is also a main component. While the thickener is a valuable component to the taste of your smoothie, you can also view the thickener as character and pizzazz added to your soulful smoothie. There are multiple options for a thickener, including yogurt or ice. Vanilla or plain yogurt usually does the trick, but you can always experiment with other flavors for a tangy twist. Ice is an excellent option for a thickener if you have more fresh fruit than frozen. The hard part about this step is adding the right amount, not too much and not too little. When making a smoothie for only one serving, about half a cup of thickener is ideal (Lynn). The thickener helps give the smoothie its texture and creaminess, but too much can leave the smoothie dull-tasting. The type and amount of thickener you add to a smoothie is quite reflective of you as an individual. Therefore, make sure you include the perfect amount and type of thickener so your smoothie is as rich, refreshing, and as full of pizzazz as your personality.
The final basic component of the perfect smoothie is a liquid. Juices or milks are always the best bet to make your smoothie smooth. Add in grape juice, orange juice, apple juice, soy milk, skim milk, or even whole milk. The juices are often great sources of antioxidants and can count as another whole serving of fruit. Soy milk is also a great option because of the protein, calcium, and isoflavones (“How to Make a Smoothie”). If you are not partial to the taste of soy milk, the flavor of the fruits will overpower it anyway. The liquid addition to your smoothie is quite a unique one, and you are incorporating parts of your persona into the drink. Remember that supreme smoothies consist of one part fruit, one part liquid, and two parts thickener, so for one smoothie you will want about one fourth a cup of your-choice liquid (Murray). The liquid has a major impact on the color of the smoothie, so be wise when combining multiple types. A good way to prepare for adding liquid to your smoothie is to review your colors. Yes, we are going all the way back to pre-school. Orange and white (orange juice and milk) will make a lovely yellow color, but orange and purple (orange juice and grape juice) will actually make brown, and who wants a brown smoothie?
If the food you eat throughout the day isn’t already loaded with chemical edibles, you may opt to add a type of powder to your smoothie. There are many types of powders available in the smoothie-making world, including supplements for protein, vitamins, or fiber, and you may need this artificial addition because of dietary or health reasons. As a warning, some artificial supplements may distract from the purity of the experience and therefore contaminate the soul. You should not have your spirit reflect an imitation or fabrication. Once all of your innovative ingredients have been added to the blender, make sure you mix your smoothie until all of the contents have been fully crushed and liquefied. Be aware of loose tops and the loud, petrifying noises of blenders, or else the smoothie-making process will not be enjoyable. Once your creation seems to be lump-free, enjoy! If, however, your soul does not have the energy to make one of these revitalizing smoothies, a trip to Jamba Juice is suitable as well.
Sincerely,
Caroline D’Andrea
Works Cited
Gallagher, Stephanie. “How to Make a Smoothie.” About.com. The New York Times
Company, 2010. Web. 15 Nov. 2010.
“How to Make a Smoothie.” PerfectSmoothie.com. PerfectSmoothie.com, 2009. Web.
15 Nov. 2010.
Lynn, Emmy. “Basic Fruit Smoothie Recipe.” BellaOnline. Minerva Webworks LLC,
2010. Web. 15 Nov. 2010.
Murray, Jennifer. “How to Make a Fruit Smoothie.” Suite101.com. Jennifer Murray, 21 Nov.
2008. Web. 15 Nov 2010.
“Smoothies and Their Origin.” Filling Low Calorie Foods. N.p, 18 Apr. 2010. Web. 15 Nov.
2010.
Monday, March 14, 2011
What I’m Really Trying to F*@#ing Say
Dear Lowdown:
Why are swear words swear words?
- Mesfin Mulu (Chicago)
Dear Mesfin:
Ever since a young age, everyone has always been told what words you can and cannot say. Why is “patootie” totally acceptable when “ass” isn’t? Certain words have become forbidden, considered illicit, and deemed disrespectful by society. The words aren’t necessarily created in order to be malicious, or bad, but instead society decides a word is unacceptable. Often times swear words actually have entirely different meanings, but instead alternate taboo meanings are thrust upon them. Swear words allow people to express themselves passionately when censored vocabularies fail them. A passionate “fuck you” can be a lot more satisfying when compared to a well articulated and thought out insult.
Although many swear words have dual meanings that are often times completely free of vulgar connotation, they adopt new meanings as societies search for more spirited ways of expression. Shit, which is synonymous to feces, has a much greater power than its counterpart and has adopted even more meanings as it has been used more and more in various vulgar ways. “There’s feces everywhere” simply sounds comical when compared to “there’s shit everywhere,” which clearly shows a greater strength of reaction to the situation. “Ass,” which initially was synonymous with donkey, has now adopted a completely different meaning and vulgar connotation. Instead of transporting their goods on an ass, people now spend all day on their lazy asses. Although the latter usage of the word “ass” has nothing to do with its original meaning, the word has evolved to be more commonly used in taboo context. Swear words usually vary greatly between different languages and cultures. In Spanish, “tu erés la leche,” has roughly the same meaning as “you are the shit” in English, but the phrase literally translates to “you are the milk.” Swear words in one language become words of perfectly virtuous meaning in another. Even between cultures sharing the same language some swear words seem to be lost in translation. In the United States the word “bloody” has absolutely no foul connotation, while in the UK it is considered to be one of the foulest means of expression. Societies determine what are considered to be swear words, seemingly independent of any form of reason. Words gain these stigmas simply because of the satisfaction that eventually arises from saying them with such a foul connotation. The taboo meanings eventually stick to the words because of natural human excitement. A sort of exhilaration or even relief is felt when one expresses themselves. This feeling is only strengthened by the use of more dramatic words, often times in the form of swearing. Through this excitement, societies gain what is almost on addiction to the use of foul words, forever replacing their previously innocent denotations.
Although swear words all serve the same purpose of more furvent human expression, they are divided into three different forms: dysphemistic, idiomatic, and cathartic swearing (About Profanity Use Among Americans). The opposite euphemism, dysphemistic swearing is when a mild word is replaced with a more unpleasant one. This form of swearing is considered to be negative because it creates unpleasant images and can be used to degrade others (About Profanity Use Among Americans). A good example of this is intercourse – the polite might say ‘canoodling,’ but those of a cruder tongue may say ‘fucking.’
Idiomatic swearing, unlike dysphemistic swearing, is rather innocent. Idiomatic swearing is often times meaningless and is frequently used in an unnecessary fashion to fit into a certain lifestyle (About Profanity Use Among Americans). So when it isn’t actually necessary for a guy to say ‘that girl is so fucking hot,’ it may make his ‘bro’ think that he’s cooler. The use of Idiomatic swearing helps people to express themselves by forming a public persona through their uncensored language or simply helps them to fit in. Cathartic swearing is similar to idiomatic swearing in that it is not harmfully directed at anyone. Cathartic swearing is when words burst out of the mouth as a form of impulsive reaction to something (About Profanity Use Among Americans). For example, if you were to fall over, break something important and/or expensive, or to accidentally inflict pain upon yourself, you may use this type of swearing.
Societies create swear words in order to have means of fervent expression without complexity. The forbidden nature of these words makes the emotion behind them seem stronger than that of more innocent synonyms. By having these more dramatic swear words, people are able to feel as if they are expressing themselves more clearly when they cannot do so with exemplary vocabularies. Swear words provide an easy-way-out and supply many with the means to express themselves without actual thought processing. People can only truly be accepted into a society when they can communicate their feelings to others, and for many people, this is more easily achieved through the use of swear words. Instead of using expressive language, individuals can rely upon swears to help them convey their emotions. As swearing becomes more acceptable within a society, more people become content with a lower level of vocabulary. This lowered expectation of vocabulary ultimately reflects a societies’ general lack of emphasis upon intelligence and education. Because people become reliant upon swear words to express themselves, they loose interest in a seemingly inherent need to discover means to express themselves through expressive language. By becoming dependent upon swear words, a society gives up on the o-so-difficult task of learning a language. Overall, swear words are used by people to be understood by others and to fucking fit into a society who’s intelligence is slowly butchered and dumbed-down by the lackadaisical usage of swearing.
Sincerely,
Jess Yackey
Bibliography
"HowStuffWorks "How Swearing Works"" Howstuffworks "People" Web. 23 Nov. 2010.
.
Ripley,, By Kimberly. "About Profanity Use Among Americans | EHow.com." EHow |
How To Do Just About Everything! | How To Videos & Articles. Web. 29 Nov.
2010..
Why are swear words swear words?
- Mesfin Mulu (Chicago)
Dear Mesfin:
Ever since a young age, everyone has always been told what words you can and cannot say. Why is “patootie” totally acceptable when “ass” isn’t? Certain words have become forbidden, considered illicit, and deemed disrespectful by society. The words aren’t necessarily created in order to be malicious, or bad, but instead society decides a word is unacceptable. Often times swear words actually have entirely different meanings, but instead alternate taboo meanings are thrust upon them. Swear words allow people to express themselves passionately when censored vocabularies fail them. A passionate “fuck you” can be a lot more satisfying when compared to a well articulated and thought out insult.
Although many swear words have dual meanings that are often times completely free of vulgar connotation, they adopt new meanings as societies search for more spirited ways of expression. Shit, which is synonymous to feces, has a much greater power than its counterpart and has adopted even more meanings as it has been used more and more in various vulgar ways. “There’s feces everywhere” simply sounds comical when compared to “there’s shit everywhere,” which clearly shows a greater strength of reaction to the situation. “Ass,” which initially was synonymous with donkey, has now adopted a completely different meaning and vulgar connotation. Instead of transporting their goods on an ass, people now spend all day on their lazy asses. Although the latter usage of the word “ass” has nothing to do with its original meaning, the word has evolved to be more commonly used in taboo context. Swear words usually vary greatly between different languages and cultures. In Spanish, “tu erés la leche,” has roughly the same meaning as “you are the shit” in English, but the phrase literally translates to “you are the milk.” Swear words in one language become words of perfectly virtuous meaning in another. Even between cultures sharing the same language some swear words seem to be lost in translation. In the United States the word “bloody” has absolutely no foul connotation, while in the UK it is considered to be one of the foulest means of expression. Societies determine what are considered to be swear words, seemingly independent of any form of reason. Words gain these stigmas simply because of the satisfaction that eventually arises from saying them with such a foul connotation. The taboo meanings eventually stick to the words because of natural human excitement. A sort of exhilaration or even relief is felt when one expresses themselves. This feeling is only strengthened by the use of more dramatic words, often times in the form of swearing. Through this excitement, societies gain what is almost on addiction to the use of foul words, forever replacing their previously innocent denotations.
Although swear words all serve the same purpose of more furvent human expression, they are divided into three different forms: dysphemistic, idiomatic, and cathartic swearing (About Profanity Use Among Americans). The opposite euphemism, dysphemistic swearing is when a mild word is replaced with a more unpleasant one. This form of swearing is considered to be negative because it creates unpleasant images and can be used to degrade others (About Profanity Use Among Americans). A good example of this is intercourse – the polite might say ‘canoodling,’ but those of a cruder tongue may say ‘fucking.’
Idiomatic swearing, unlike dysphemistic swearing, is rather innocent. Idiomatic swearing is often times meaningless and is frequently used in an unnecessary fashion to fit into a certain lifestyle (About Profanity Use Among Americans). So when it isn’t actually necessary for a guy to say ‘that girl is so fucking hot,’ it may make his ‘bro’ think that he’s cooler. The use of Idiomatic swearing helps people to express themselves by forming a public persona through their uncensored language or simply helps them to fit in. Cathartic swearing is similar to idiomatic swearing in that it is not harmfully directed at anyone. Cathartic swearing is when words burst out of the mouth as a form of impulsive reaction to something (About Profanity Use Among Americans). For example, if you were to fall over, break something important and/or expensive, or to accidentally inflict pain upon yourself, you may use this type of swearing.
Societies create swear words in order to have means of fervent expression without complexity. The forbidden nature of these words makes the emotion behind them seem stronger than that of more innocent synonyms. By having these more dramatic swear words, people are able to feel as if they are expressing themselves more clearly when they cannot do so with exemplary vocabularies. Swear words provide an easy-way-out and supply many with the means to express themselves without actual thought processing. People can only truly be accepted into a society when they can communicate their feelings to others, and for many people, this is more easily achieved through the use of swear words. Instead of using expressive language, individuals can rely upon swears to help them convey their emotions. As swearing becomes more acceptable within a society, more people become content with a lower level of vocabulary. This lowered expectation of vocabulary ultimately reflects a societies’ general lack of emphasis upon intelligence and education. Because people become reliant upon swear words to express themselves, they loose interest in a seemingly inherent need to discover means to express themselves through expressive language. By becoming dependent upon swear words, a society gives up on the o-so-difficult task of learning a language. Overall, swear words are used by people to be understood by others and to fucking fit into a society who’s intelligence is slowly butchered and dumbed-down by the lackadaisical usage of swearing.
Sincerely,
Jess Yackey
Bibliography
"HowStuffWorks "How Swearing Works"" Howstuffworks "People" Web. 23 Nov. 2010.
Ripley,, By Kimberly. "About Profanity Use Among Americans | EHow.com." EHow |
How To Do Just About Everything! | How To Videos & Articles. Web. 29 Nov.
2010.
Catch Some Z's
Dear Lowdown:
How large of an influence does sleep (or lack of it) play in athletic performance?
- Harley Laubach (Chicago)
Dear Harley:
I’m sure everyone can agree that you feel better and can accomplish more after a good night’s sleep. You don’t have to struggle to keep your eyelids open. You can focus better at school or at work. You just generally have more energy. Without a good night’s sleep, every time you blink it’s a battle to wrench your eyelids open again and refocus your eyeballs. You stare at the white board or your computer, not actually accomplishing anything or absorbing any information to your under-rested brain. You don’t even have the energy to walk back to the train, or parking garage as it may be, to head for home at the end of the day. It’s exactly the same for athletic performance. If you get a good night’s sleep, you will be able to perform significantly better.
Imagine the sleepy athlete: a gymnast competing in a regional competition, getting ready to perform her uneven bars routine. She takes a deep breath, uncontrollably yawning, her mouth stretching wide and revealing all her pearly white teeth like a hippo rising from the depths of a pond for its morning stretch. She walks forward, a dazed look on her face as she blinks her eyes slowly, and performs a perky gymnast bow, popping her ribs forward and stretching her arms backward and up with a little flick of her wrists. She mounts the bars and begins to swing, back and forth rhythmically with a jump from one to the other every so often. In lolling rhythm she begins to feel increasingly drowsy, she blinks hurriedly, but that one extra blink is all it takes. She misses the bar on a flying leap and tumbles to the ground, spraining an ankle as it awkwardly collides with the semi-soft mat. One night of little sleep could cause this detrimental, crippling accident. A little sleep can hinder this and steer this unfortunate athlete to success instead of injury and embarrassment.
My sister can attest to the fact that sleep does help athletic performance. She often plays sports with her buddies at recess and informs me that after she gets a good night sleep she is better equipped to play. “When you sleep you can relax your muscles so when you do your activity your muscles are fresh so you can use them well. After I get a good rest, then I want to get exercise so I run a lot more during soccer on the playground and that helps me to get the ball.” Even the great skater Apolo Ohno agrees with my sister about the importance of sleep and said that after he got a good night sleep he could feel the difference in his performance, though I think he may need some work on his sleep schedule, as he’s constantly yawning at events.
Many studies have been done about the topic of sleep and its correlation to athletic performance and many of them come to the same conclusion. There was a test completed in 2008 at Stanford University in which serious swimmers were evaluated in order to record both their sleeping patterns and their athletic statistics. The swimmers kept their normal sleeping patterns for the first two weeks of the study and then for the next six to seven weeks they slept for 10 hours or more a night. After sleeping longer, the athletes swam faster times, jumped off the blocks faster, kicked faster, and turned faster. These swimmers performed significantly better when they slept longer and, in addition, they felt less tired throughout the day and experienced fewer random mood swings throughout the week. The participants also experienced “higher ratings of vigor and lower ratings of fatigue” (American Academy of Sleep Medicine). A similar test was completed on the basketball team at Stanford and similar results were collected.
At the University of Chicago Medical School, a sleep test was performed on young men between the ages of 18 and 27. At the beginning of the test, for the first three nights, they slept eight hours a night. They slept four hours a night for the next six nights and then 12 hours a night for the last seven nights. The U of C test showed that sleep deprivation led to glucose being metabolized less efficiently, therefore providing your body with less energy. Glucose and glycogen supply the human body with almost all of its energy. Glycogen is stored glucose that inhabits the liver and muscles, and sleep deprivation can lead to a decrease in the synthesis of glycogen. Additionally, during a period of sleep deprivation, your body produces more cortisol which is a stress hormone. This hormone relates to impairment of both your memory and your athletic recovery. Higher levels of cortisol in your body can hinder tissue repair and growth. This can be extremely detrimental to athletes because it can lead to injuries instead of increased strength. Also, endurance levels went down with less sleep and rates of exertion perception went up.
I can also provide you with some valuable personal advice because I, along with many other athletes, have personally felt the detrimental effects of sleep deprivation. I am a very active person as I dance six days a week. Some of you might be scoffing at this point, as many ignorant people out there believe dancing is quite simple and easy. Let me tell you, my friends, dancing is a million times harder than it looks. It requires endless grueling hours in the studio, both in daily classes and numerous rehearsals. It takes training and straining the body to work in positions that are unnatural and extreme: 180 degree turn-out at the hips, legs thrown to the ear, balancing your body on the tips of your toes. It takes great amounts of energy to achieve these twisted, severe movements and shapes with the body, especially after they must be performed after a long day of school and homework. After a night of good rest, say 8 or 9 hours, I always feel as if I can accomplish much more in the studio. I pick up the combinations better. I can achieve more difficult exercises with fewer mistakes. I glace at the clock less often. I can jump higher and lift my legs higher. All in all, everything at the ballet studio is improved when I’ve had more sleep. My suspicion about sleep having an effect on ballet performance is indeed correct as I have unearthed a study to support it. According to this study, conducted in Berlin, that happens to be posted on the U.S. National Library of Medicine website, a ballet dancer’s health can significantly deteriorate as they are deprived of sleep. I attempt to be in bed at the latest by 10:30 every night to make sure that my body receives enough rest to start metabolizing that glucose. For all of you ballerinas, and other athletes out there, I reckon it would be helpful if you followed my example.
Now that you are aware that sleep has a mammoth effect on athletic performance, let me leave you with a few essential tips to help you obtain as much sleep as possible and hopefully perform your best athletically. Firstly, prepare a sleep schedule for yourself and make it as important as the rest of your scheduled training. This way, you will make sure that you acquire enough rest. Second, before a crucial athletic event or competition, increase your hours of nightly sleep to prepare yourself. Make sure that you don’t fall into sleep debt and always keep a detailed schedule for sleeping. Finally, take short naps during the day to provide your body with as much sleep as possible. Remember what Apolo Ohno stated before the Olympics: “I’ve been training hard, eating well, and getting plenty of sleep. Well, I should say I’m trying my best to get plenty of sleep.” He obviously knows what the smart thing to do is. So to all you readers out there, turn off your TVs and computers and go catch yourself some ZZZ’s.
Sincerely,
Caroline Shadle
Bibliography
American Academy of Sleep Medicine. "Extra Sleep Improves Athletic Performance."ScienceDaily 10 June 2008. 21 November 2010.
Chronobiol Int. "Sleep quality in professional ballet dancers." U.S. National Library of Medicine. 26 August 2009. 21 November 2010.
Hatfield, Heather. "How to Sleep Like an Olympic Athlete." WebMD - Better Information. Better Health. Web. 31 Dec. 2010..
Ohno, Apolo A. "Apolo Anton Ohno's Secret to Staying Healthy During the Games." Health.com: Health News, Wellness, and Medical Information. Web. 31 Dec. 2010..
Quinn, Elizabeth. "Sleep Deprivation Can Hinder Sports Performance." About.com. 22 January 2008. 21 November 2010.
How large of an influence does sleep (or lack of it) play in athletic performance?
- Harley Laubach (Chicago)
Dear Harley:
I’m sure everyone can agree that you feel better and can accomplish more after a good night’s sleep. You don’t have to struggle to keep your eyelids open. You can focus better at school or at work. You just generally have more energy. Without a good night’s sleep, every time you blink it’s a battle to wrench your eyelids open again and refocus your eyeballs. You stare at the white board or your computer, not actually accomplishing anything or absorbing any information to your under-rested brain. You don’t even have the energy to walk back to the train, or parking garage as it may be, to head for home at the end of the day. It’s exactly the same for athletic performance. If you get a good night’s sleep, you will be able to perform significantly better.
Imagine the sleepy athlete: a gymnast competing in a regional competition, getting ready to perform her uneven bars routine. She takes a deep breath, uncontrollably yawning, her mouth stretching wide and revealing all her pearly white teeth like a hippo rising from the depths of a pond for its morning stretch. She walks forward, a dazed look on her face as she blinks her eyes slowly, and performs a perky gymnast bow, popping her ribs forward and stretching her arms backward and up with a little flick of her wrists. She mounts the bars and begins to swing, back and forth rhythmically with a jump from one to the other every so often. In lolling rhythm she begins to feel increasingly drowsy, she blinks hurriedly, but that one extra blink is all it takes. She misses the bar on a flying leap and tumbles to the ground, spraining an ankle as it awkwardly collides with the semi-soft mat. One night of little sleep could cause this detrimental, crippling accident. A little sleep can hinder this and steer this unfortunate athlete to success instead of injury and embarrassment.
My sister can attest to the fact that sleep does help athletic performance. She often plays sports with her buddies at recess and informs me that after she gets a good night sleep she is better equipped to play. “When you sleep you can relax your muscles so when you do your activity your muscles are fresh so you can use them well. After I get a good rest, then I want to get exercise so I run a lot more during soccer on the playground and that helps me to get the ball.” Even the great skater Apolo Ohno agrees with my sister about the importance of sleep and said that after he got a good night sleep he could feel the difference in his performance, though I think he may need some work on his sleep schedule, as he’s constantly yawning at events.
Many studies have been done about the topic of sleep and its correlation to athletic performance and many of them come to the same conclusion. There was a test completed in 2008 at Stanford University in which serious swimmers were evaluated in order to record both their sleeping patterns and their athletic statistics. The swimmers kept their normal sleeping patterns for the first two weeks of the study and then for the next six to seven weeks they slept for 10 hours or more a night. After sleeping longer, the athletes swam faster times, jumped off the blocks faster, kicked faster, and turned faster. These swimmers performed significantly better when they slept longer and, in addition, they felt less tired throughout the day and experienced fewer random mood swings throughout the week. The participants also experienced “higher ratings of vigor and lower ratings of fatigue” (American Academy of Sleep Medicine). A similar test was completed on the basketball team at Stanford and similar results were collected.
At the University of Chicago Medical School, a sleep test was performed on young men between the ages of 18 and 27. At the beginning of the test, for the first three nights, they slept eight hours a night. They slept four hours a night for the next six nights and then 12 hours a night for the last seven nights. The U of C test showed that sleep deprivation led to glucose being metabolized less efficiently, therefore providing your body with less energy. Glucose and glycogen supply the human body with almost all of its energy. Glycogen is stored glucose that inhabits the liver and muscles, and sleep deprivation can lead to a decrease in the synthesis of glycogen. Additionally, during a period of sleep deprivation, your body produces more cortisol which is a stress hormone. This hormone relates to impairment of both your memory and your athletic recovery. Higher levels of cortisol in your body can hinder tissue repair and growth. This can be extremely detrimental to athletes because it can lead to injuries instead of increased strength. Also, endurance levels went down with less sleep and rates of exertion perception went up.
I can also provide you with some valuable personal advice because I, along with many other athletes, have personally felt the detrimental effects of sleep deprivation. I am a very active person as I dance six days a week. Some of you might be scoffing at this point, as many ignorant people out there believe dancing is quite simple and easy. Let me tell you, my friends, dancing is a million times harder than it looks. It requires endless grueling hours in the studio, both in daily classes and numerous rehearsals. It takes training and straining the body to work in positions that are unnatural and extreme: 180 degree turn-out at the hips, legs thrown to the ear, balancing your body on the tips of your toes. It takes great amounts of energy to achieve these twisted, severe movements and shapes with the body, especially after they must be performed after a long day of school and homework. After a night of good rest, say 8 or 9 hours, I always feel as if I can accomplish much more in the studio. I pick up the combinations better. I can achieve more difficult exercises with fewer mistakes. I glace at the clock less often. I can jump higher and lift my legs higher. All in all, everything at the ballet studio is improved when I’ve had more sleep. My suspicion about sleep having an effect on ballet performance is indeed correct as I have unearthed a study to support it. According to this study, conducted in Berlin, that happens to be posted on the U.S. National Library of Medicine website, a ballet dancer’s health can significantly deteriorate as they are deprived of sleep. I attempt to be in bed at the latest by 10:30 every night to make sure that my body receives enough rest to start metabolizing that glucose. For all of you ballerinas, and other athletes out there, I reckon it would be helpful if you followed my example.
Now that you are aware that sleep has a mammoth effect on athletic performance, let me leave you with a few essential tips to help you obtain as much sleep as possible and hopefully perform your best athletically. Firstly, prepare a sleep schedule for yourself and make it as important as the rest of your scheduled training. This way, you will make sure that you acquire enough rest. Second, before a crucial athletic event or competition, increase your hours of nightly sleep to prepare yourself. Make sure that you don’t fall into sleep debt and always keep a detailed schedule for sleeping. Finally, take short naps during the day to provide your body with as much sleep as possible. Remember what Apolo Ohno stated before the Olympics: “I’ve been training hard, eating well, and getting plenty of sleep. Well, I should say I’m trying my best to get plenty of sleep.” He obviously knows what the smart thing to do is. So to all you readers out there, turn off your TVs and computers and go catch yourself some ZZZ’s.
Sincerely,
Caroline Shadle
Bibliography
American Academy of Sleep Medicine. "Extra Sleep Improves Athletic Performance."ScienceDaily 10 June 2008. 21 November 2010
Chronobiol Int. "Sleep quality in professional ballet dancers." U.S. National Library of Medicine. 26 August 2009. 21 November 2010
Hatfield, Heather. "How to Sleep Like an Olympic Athlete." WebMD - Better Information. Better Health. Web. 31 Dec. 2010.
Ohno, Apolo A. "Apolo Anton Ohno's Secret to Staying Healthy During the Games." Health.com: Health News, Wellness, and Medical Information. Web. 31 Dec. 2010.
Quinn, Elizabeth. "Sleep Deprivation Can Hinder Sports Performance." About.com. 22 January 2008. 21 November 2010
The Modus Operandi of French Society
Dear Lowdown:
A popular blogger once noted that Paris was the only city where locals did not appreciate his efforts to speak the language. Is there any historical reason for why the French don’t like it when visitors speak French? Why are they so rude?
Sincerely,
Mr. Woolsworth
My dear Mr. Woolsworth, your question is missing something very important: validity. (I say this, of course, with only the utmost respect.) To suggest that Parisians are intolerant or rude is to overlook an extraordinarily obvious point: it is not the French who are unkind, but it is instead the foreigners. But no matter, I will gladly guide you through the reasons behind any provocative Parisian attitudes that a traveler may encounter.
Any visitor to Paris would be well advised to follow a very simple and direct set of rules. Allow me to be your humble advisor; it is time to learn the noble French rules of tourist etiquette. If you choose to take this advice, no Parisian would dare insult you. And if they do, you will also learn to insult them back in the most offensively brilliant way. So please, relax and pay precise attention. Turn down “Mignon Mignon” and pour yourself a cool glass of Sauvignon Blanc as you learn the wonderful ways of the French.
I feel that it would be first appropriate to introduce you to the glorious French past, in the hope that it might allow you to better understand the Parisian mindset. France is a nation that prides itself on expertise—we have bred world-class artists, chefs, politicians, musicians, and more. Our language has been carefully adapted over the course of three millennia, crafted to match the French culture, beautiful enough to be understood without translation. For centuries, foreigners have visited our shores to marvel at our numerous accomplishments. Some of these visitors feel that discussing “French things” in French demonstrates appreciation for our culture. Au contraire. To face a visitor who does not understand the importance of the language is in a sense an insult to the very foundation of French society. To those who have, out of ignorance, morphed our native tongue into a mish-mass of jumbled vocabulary, have no fear; the issue can be easily rectified and forgiven. Just avoid speaking French until you can actually speak French.
With this context in mind, it may perhaps be easier to understand the detached reactions of Parisians when confronted with one of the 80 million tourists that scurry across our nation every year (“The World’s Top Tourism Destinations”). Many of these pasty little urchins arrive in the capital city donning ill-fitting khaki Bermuda shorts, overzealously aiming their disposable cameras at every architectural marvel, speaking too loudly and laughing too raucously. The coarse and uncivilized actions of these folks are frankly a pain in the native Parisian’s derriere.
When going about our daily business, it is every Parisians nightmare to hear a distorted French accent call out a question pondering the location of, say, the Eiffel Tower (this is a very common question). In fact, the next time that I hear one of those voices, I may be forced to take it upon myself personally to smack them. For a resident, it is an insult for a tourist to visit the one of the greatest works of architectural genius and not even have the wit to pack a map into their oversized olive fanny packs. Moreover, Parisians would truly prefer to not witness tourist couples crush the lush green grass that surrounds the Tower, lounging beneath the shining sun, and sharing bright strawberries that stain their lips a tacky shade of red; pretending that they love our city more than we.
Sadly, the tendency of visitors to abuse the French language is just a single example of many atrocities perpetrated by tourists. The most common stereotype associated with tourists is a shameful lack of fashion sense. An everyday Parisian imagines you adhering to the following morning routine: rising sluggishly from wrinkly rumpled white beds sheets, sliding your un-groomed toenails into a pair of tattered and dull slippers before lazily rising from a shoddy bed frame. You are, from the start, a sleep-deprived, baggy-eyed mess. From there, you proceed to throw together an atrociously hideous outfit consisting of threadbare denim jeans and an un-pressed linen shirt. This nonchalant style of dress clashes miserably with the splendor of Parisian style. It earns no respect here.
In contrast to foreign customs, it is not uncommon for Parisians to plan outfits ahead of time, and to dress up to run simple errands. Skin and hair care is emphasized, and few women leave home without applying cosmetics and spritzing just a bit of eau de parfum (Lehmann). In Paris, each individual explores the breadth of fashion and endeavors to redefine the epitome of style. In Paris, the morning routine is much more thought-out and our people are always chic, assembling outfits that achieve sophisticated silhouettes. Mind you, while consistent, our grooming and style are meant to be as effortless as they are flawless. We strive only to enhance beauty, not create it. Parisians are well aware that no amount of powder blush can make up for a true display of emotion; we accept the fact that no lack of charm can be masked by superb style. Parisians merely maintain a certain je ne sais quoi which cannot be manufactured. The unwillingness of visitors to adhere to French customs in dress is, in itself, rude behavior: to be an eyesore in a city of such beauty is just despicable in the eyes of Parisians.
Another inadequacy commonly observed in tourists relates to first encounters and other social interactions. When meeting someone new, there are several important details to keep in mind. First and foremost, firmly grip a Parisians hand and pump twice and then let go—a greeting is no place to foolishly fling your forearm up and down. Ideally, a third party should do the introducing, as it is not common for a stranger to walk up and begin to chatter aimlessly (Lehmann). This particular characteristic of French etiquette seems to differ from other styles. Perhaps the root of any French rudeness perceived by a visitor is simply a simple misunderstanding—you might care deeply about asking a fellow bus rider about the most elegantly adorned bistro in all of Paris, but your cheery Parisian counterpart will typically care much more deeply about tending to their day-to-day business. We are not boorish creatures, but we do prioritize our interactions differently; in most cases, foreign frivolity comes second to vital daily matters. So please, do not take offensive to silent responses.
But my dear Mr. Woolsworth, there are plenty of other indiscretions independent from style and conversation that shan’t be overlooked. The French would look favorably upon tourists who refrain from indulging in what we consider to be inappropriate behavior. Examples of such behaviors are as follows: do not ask a new acquaintance “what they do;” that is much too personal and should not be discussed until a stronger relationship is forged. Do not speak to strangers on public transportation; idle chit chat is frowned upon. Do not forget to tip your bellman one Euro per piece of luggage; not doing so is disrespectful. Do not switch your knife and fork as you eat. Do not give a hostess a bottle of wine. Do not tear your bread into a million little pieces at the dinner table (Lehmann).
Now, if you are in Paris and abide by these rules, no French individual should take it upon themselves to trouble you. However, if you happen stumble upon a Parisian with a bad attitude (though such individuals are a rarity) do not hesitate to hurl an insult back at them. I believe that “Le cerveau il etait en option chez toi” should be sufficient. Though I have provided you with a highly offensive phrase, please remember to refrain from implementing a condescending or arrogant tone when conversing with the French—to do so is considered to be extremely rude, particularly because all of the French avoid doing so themselves. Without manners and humility, it is very difficult to gain trust or respect in France, Mr. Woolsworth.
Please note: The phrase “le cerveau il etait en option chez toi” translates directly to “the brain was optional for you,” meaning (essentially) that you lack any intellectual and social capabilities.
Sincerely,
Jackson Beard
Works Cited
Lehmann, Johanna. “Mind Your Manners—French Etiquette.” EzineArticles.com. N.p., 8 February 2008. Web. 20 November 2010.
“The World’s Top Tourism Destinations.” Information Please Database. Pearson Education, 2008. Web. 20 November 2010.
A popular blogger once noted that Paris was the only city where locals did not appreciate his efforts to speak the language. Is there any historical reason for why the French don’t like it when visitors speak French? Why are they so rude?
Sincerely,
Mr. Woolsworth
My dear Mr. Woolsworth, your question is missing something very important: validity. (I say this, of course, with only the utmost respect.) To suggest that Parisians are intolerant or rude is to overlook an extraordinarily obvious point: it is not the French who are unkind, but it is instead the foreigners. But no matter, I will gladly guide you through the reasons behind any provocative Parisian attitudes that a traveler may encounter.
Any visitor to Paris would be well advised to follow a very simple and direct set of rules. Allow me to be your humble advisor; it is time to learn the noble French rules of tourist etiquette. If you choose to take this advice, no Parisian would dare insult you. And if they do, you will also learn to insult them back in the most offensively brilliant way. So please, relax and pay precise attention. Turn down “Mignon Mignon” and pour yourself a cool glass of Sauvignon Blanc as you learn the wonderful ways of the French.
I feel that it would be first appropriate to introduce you to the glorious French past, in the hope that it might allow you to better understand the Parisian mindset. France is a nation that prides itself on expertise—we have bred world-class artists, chefs, politicians, musicians, and more. Our language has been carefully adapted over the course of three millennia, crafted to match the French culture, beautiful enough to be understood without translation. For centuries, foreigners have visited our shores to marvel at our numerous accomplishments. Some of these visitors feel that discussing “French things” in French demonstrates appreciation for our culture. Au contraire. To face a visitor who does not understand the importance of the language is in a sense an insult to the very foundation of French society. To those who have, out of ignorance, morphed our native tongue into a mish-mass of jumbled vocabulary, have no fear; the issue can be easily rectified and forgiven. Just avoid speaking French until you can actually speak French.
With this context in mind, it may perhaps be easier to understand the detached reactions of Parisians when confronted with one of the 80 million tourists that scurry across our nation every year (“The World’s Top Tourism Destinations”). Many of these pasty little urchins arrive in the capital city donning ill-fitting khaki Bermuda shorts, overzealously aiming their disposable cameras at every architectural marvel, speaking too loudly and laughing too raucously. The coarse and uncivilized actions of these folks are frankly a pain in the native Parisian’s derriere.
When going about our daily business, it is every Parisians nightmare to hear a distorted French accent call out a question pondering the location of, say, the Eiffel Tower (this is a very common question). In fact, the next time that I hear one of those voices, I may be forced to take it upon myself personally to smack them. For a resident, it is an insult for a tourist to visit the one of the greatest works of architectural genius and not even have the wit to pack a map into their oversized olive fanny packs. Moreover, Parisians would truly prefer to not witness tourist couples crush the lush green grass that surrounds the Tower, lounging beneath the shining sun, and sharing bright strawberries that stain their lips a tacky shade of red; pretending that they love our city more than we.
Sadly, the tendency of visitors to abuse the French language is just a single example of many atrocities perpetrated by tourists. The most common stereotype associated with tourists is a shameful lack of fashion sense. An everyday Parisian imagines you adhering to the following morning routine: rising sluggishly from wrinkly rumpled white beds sheets, sliding your un-groomed toenails into a pair of tattered and dull slippers before lazily rising from a shoddy bed frame. You are, from the start, a sleep-deprived, baggy-eyed mess. From there, you proceed to throw together an atrociously hideous outfit consisting of threadbare denim jeans and an un-pressed linen shirt. This nonchalant style of dress clashes miserably with the splendor of Parisian style. It earns no respect here.
In contrast to foreign customs, it is not uncommon for Parisians to plan outfits ahead of time, and to dress up to run simple errands. Skin and hair care is emphasized, and few women leave home without applying cosmetics and spritzing just a bit of eau de parfum (Lehmann). In Paris, each individual explores the breadth of fashion and endeavors to redefine the epitome of style. In Paris, the morning routine is much more thought-out and our people are always chic, assembling outfits that achieve sophisticated silhouettes. Mind you, while consistent, our grooming and style are meant to be as effortless as they are flawless. We strive only to enhance beauty, not create it. Parisians are well aware that no amount of powder blush can make up for a true display of emotion; we accept the fact that no lack of charm can be masked by superb style. Parisians merely maintain a certain je ne sais quoi which cannot be manufactured. The unwillingness of visitors to adhere to French customs in dress is, in itself, rude behavior: to be an eyesore in a city of such beauty is just despicable in the eyes of Parisians.
Another inadequacy commonly observed in tourists relates to first encounters and other social interactions. When meeting someone new, there are several important details to keep in mind. First and foremost, firmly grip a Parisians hand and pump twice and then let go—a greeting is no place to foolishly fling your forearm up and down. Ideally, a third party should do the introducing, as it is not common for a stranger to walk up and begin to chatter aimlessly (Lehmann). This particular characteristic of French etiquette seems to differ from other styles. Perhaps the root of any French rudeness perceived by a visitor is simply a simple misunderstanding—you might care deeply about asking a fellow bus rider about the most elegantly adorned bistro in all of Paris, but your cheery Parisian counterpart will typically care much more deeply about tending to their day-to-day business. We are not boorish creatures, but we do prioritize our interactions differently; in most cases, foreign frivolity comes second to vital daily matters. So please, do not take offensive to silent responses.
But my dear Mr. Woolsworth, there are plenty of other indiscretions independent from style and conversation that shan’t be overlooked. The French would look favorably upon tourists who refrain from indulging in what we consider to be inappropriate behavior. Examples of such behaviors are as follows: do not ask a new acquaintance “what they do;” that is much too personal and should not be discussed until a stronger relationship is forged. Do not speak to strangers on public transportation; idle chit chat is frowned upon. Do not forget to tip your bellman one Euro per piece of luggage; not doing so is disrespectful. Do not switch your knife and fork as you eat. Do not give a hostess a bottle of wine. Do not tear your bread into a million little pieces at the dinner table (Lehmann).
Now, if you are in Paris and abide by these rules, no French individual should take it upon themselves to trouble you. However, if you happen stumble upon a Parisian with a bad attitude (though such individuals are a rarity) do not hesitate to hurl an insult back at them. I believe that “Le cerveau il etait en option chez toi” should be sufficient. Though I have provided you with a highly offensive phrase, please remember to refrain from implementing a condescending or arrogant tone when conversing with the French—to do so is considered to be extremely rude, particularly because all of the French avoid doing so themselves. Without manners and humility, it is very difficult to gain trust or respect in France, Mr. Woolsworth.
Please note: The phrase “le cerveau il etait en option chez toi” translates directly to “the brain was optional for you,” meaning (essentially) that you lack any intellectual and social capabilities.
Sincerely,
Jackson Beard
Works Cited
Lehmann, Johanna. “Mind Your Manners—French Etiquette.” EzineArticles.com. N.p., 8 February 2008. Web. 20 November 2010.
“The World’s Top Tourism Destinations.” Information Please Database. Pearson Education, 2008. Web. 20 November 2010.
The Creation of a Tasty Masterpiece
Dear Lowdown:
How do big companies like Pespi and Coca-Cola mass produce and carbonate millions of cans of soda each day?
- Matt Hayes (Chicago)
Dear Matt:
Click. Sip. Ahhh. The sound made each time we take a sip out of that little soda can, the bubbles rise from the roof of our mouth to our nose and we all sit back and wonder: how did the manufacturers get that much deliciousness into one can of soda? Well, it is actually a simple process and those large companies do not carbonate all the cans themselves. The companies have their own little band of helpers called bottlers; who actually carbonate all the cans for the companies. However, as the bottlers sell the product to consumers like you, they leave out information about the enormous health risk you have from drinking all that carbonation, but that will be mentioned later.
Companies such as Coca-Cola and Pepsi do not do all the work themselves, but they do provide the main ingredient. In the Coca-Cola System, the company only manufactures concentrates, the syrup and beverage bases, then sells them to bottling companies (more than 300 of them), all over the world. Pepsi also does the same, selling their bases to bottlers apart of the Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG). PBG was formed in 1999 (to expand the Pepsi industry), selling and distributing Pepsi beverages and became the world’s largest manufacturer of Pepsi. PBG has operations in places like the U.S., Russia, Canada, Spain, Mexico, and Turkey. These bottlers are the ones who produce, package, distribute and merchandise the products. Talk about doing all the dirty work. Those bottling companies distribute the finished product to supermarkets, convenience stores, mass merchandisers, and to retailers such as Wal-mart, Walgreen’s Drug Emporium, Applebee’s Outback Steaks, etc. The companies’ customers eventually sell the drink to the consumer or you, (which eventually you’ll gulp down with a sandwich at lunch time.)
So, the right question would be: how do these bottlers carbonate and mass produce millions of cans around the world? Well, simple. With the extraordinary invention of machines, the bottlers are able to mass produce the soda. How do these machines carbonate that soda? Well, the machines first have to clarify and sterilize the water, making sure no impurities are in the water, so that they do not degrade the taste of the drink. Then, there is a giant tank, or a dosing station, where the syrup is sterilized or pasteurized using ultra-violet radiation. Later on, the water is carefully mixed in with syrup in these machines called proportiners, and the vessels are then pumped with carbon dioxide. The product is finally filled into bottles or cans at a high flow rate and thanks to William Painter who created the great invention of the “crown cap” or bottle cap; we are able to maintain that lovely carbon dioxide in our soft drinks. However, the exact amount of machines and employees that aid in the process of bottle-making cannot be determined since it varies from each bottling company.
Now that you have an idea of how Pepsi and Coca-cola make their delicious drink, there are many consequences to think of after drinking all that carbonation. That little can of soda is made up of ninety-four percent of carbonated water which is infused with carbon dioxide, which is why the consumer can feel that carbonation on their tongue and lips. The company’s scientists figured that carbon dioxide is perfect to use within soft drinks because it is inexpensive, non-toxic, and easy to liquefy. So, if the scientists say it is okay, we should be fine, right? Wrong. Carbon dioxide is extremely acidic and it can cause tremendous amount of heartburn or acid reflux. If that was not enough, try cleaning your oven with a bottle of coke. Some types of soda’s acid is so strong, it can break down and dissolve grease or even other stains and leave anything looking brand new. Luckily, as the Coca Cola Company has noted, the acid in the stomach is much stronger, so you do not have to worry about losing your lunch.
Oh, and let’s not forget to mention how bad all that sugar is for you. The company’s syrup, or beverage base, is usually in a liquid or dry form and makes up only seven to twelve percent of your soft drink. Yet, consuming all that sugar can eventually lead to tooth decay, type two diabetes, a raised insulin level, heart disease and everyone’s favorite, obesity. Also, sodas like Coca-Cola and Pepsi are filled with no nutrition but lots of calories, which probably means more time at the gym trying to work those calories off. Let’s not be fooled by the misleading can of “Diet” soda. Many people believe that diet soda is better than regular soda when in reality; diet soda is filled with artificial sugar, causing you to actual want more soda. Even the caffeine in soda will cause consumers to become additive. The caffeine can also cause dehydration in your body because it causes your kidneys to work harder in pushing out extra liquid. Instead of filling up of sugary sodas, try substituting in water, juice or even tea and your body will thank you later on. So, next time you are slurping on that sweet soft drink, thank those bottlers for creating the amazing tingling on your lips and doing all the hard work. However, you might want to switch from soda to water from time to time, if you enjoy keeping your teeth from looking like an eighty-year old smoker, who has not brushed in days.
You’re Welcome,
Aliyah Oyemade
How do big companies like Pespi and Coca-Cola mass produce and carbonate millions of cans of soda each day?
- Matt Hayes (Chicago)
Dear Matt:
Click. Sip. Ahhh. The sound made each time we take a sip out of that little soda can, the bubbles rise from the roof of our mouth to our nose and we all sit back and wonder: how did the manufacturers get that much deliciousness into one can of soda? Well, it is actually a simple process and those large companies do not carbonate all the cans themselves. The companies have their own little band of helpers called bottlers; who actually carbonate all the cans for the companies. However, as the bottlers sell the product to consumers like you, they leave out information about the enormous health risk you have from drinking all that carbonation, but that will be mentioned later.
Companies such as Coca-Cola and Pepsi do not do all the work themselves, but they do provide the main ingredient. In the Coca-Cola System, the company only manufactures concentrates, the syrup and beverage bases, then sells them to bottling companies (more than 300 of them), all over the world. Pepsi also does the same, selling their bases to bottlers apart of the Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG). PBG was formed in 1999 (to expand the Pepsi industry), selling and distributing Pepsi beverages and became the world’s largest manufacturer of Pepsi. PBG has operations in places like the U.S., Russia, Canada, Spain, Mexico, and Turkey. These bottlers are the ones who produce, package, distribute and merchandise the products. Talk about doing all the dirty work. Those bottling companies distribute the finished product to supermarkets, convenience stores, mass merchandisers, and to retailers such as Wal-mart, Walgreen’s Drug Emporium, Applebee’s Outback Steaks, etc. The companies’ customers eventually sell the drink to the consumer or you, (which eventually you’ll gulp down with a sandwich at lunch time.)
So, the right question would be: how do these bottlers carbonate and mass produce millions of cans around the world? Well, simple. With the extraordinary invention of machines, the bottlers are able to mass produce the soda. How do these machines carbonate that soda? Well, the machines first have to clarify and sterilize the water, making sure no impurities are in the water, so that they do not degrade the taste of the drink. Then, there is a giant tank, or a dosing station, where the syrup is sterilized or pasteurized using ultra-violet radiation. Later on, the water is carefully mixed in with syrup in these machines called proportiners, and the vessels are then pumped with carbon dioxide. The product is finally filled into bottles or cans at a high flow rate and thanks to William Painter who created the great invention of the “crown cap” or bottle cap; we are able to maintain that lovely carbon dioxide in our soft drinks. However, the exact amount of machines and employees that aid in the process of bottle-making cannot be determined since it varies from each bottling company.
Now that you have an idea of how Pepsi and Coca-cola make their delicious drink, there are many consequences to think of after drinking all that carbonation. That little can of soda is made up of ninety-four percent of carbonated water which is infused with carbon dioxide, which is why the consumer can feel that carbonation on their tongue and lips. The company’s scientists figured that carbon dioxide is perfect to use within soft drinks because it is inexpensive, non-toxic, and easy to liquefy. So, if the scientists say it is okay, we should be fine, right? Wrong. Carbon dioxide is extremely acidic and it can cause tremendous amount of heartburn or acid reflux. If that was not enough, try cleaning your oven with a bottle of coke. Some types of soda’s acid is so strong, it can break down and dissolve grease or even other stains and leave anything looking brand new. Luckily, as the Coca Cola Company has noted, the acid in the stomach is much stronger, so you do not have to worry about losing your lunch.
Oh, and let’s not forget to mention how bad all that sugar is for you. The company’s syrup, or beverage base, is usually in a liquid or dry form and makes up only seven to twelve percent of your soft drink. Yet, consuming all that sugar can eventually lead to tooth decay, type two diabetes, a raised insulin level, heart disease and everyone’s favorite, obesity. Also, sodas like Coca-Cola and Pepsi are filled with no nutrition but lots of calories, which probably means more time at the gym trying to work those calories off. Let’s not be fooled by the misleading can of “Diet” soda. Many people believe that diet soda is better than regular soda when in reality; diet soda is filled with artificial sugar, causing you to actual want more soda. Even the caffeine in soda will cause consumers to become additive. The caffeine can also cause dehydration in your body because it causes your kidneys to work harder in pushing out extra liquid. Instead of filling up of sugary sodas, try substituting in water, juice or even tea and your body will thank you later on. So, next time you are slurping on that sweet soft drink, thank those bottlers for creating the amazing tingling on your lips and doing all the hard work. However, you might want to switch from soda to water from time to time, if you enjoy keeping your teeth from looking like an eighty-year old smoker, who has not brushed in days.
You’re Welcome,
Aliyah Oyemade
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Cause of Death
Dear Lowdown:
What does it mean when someone dies of “old age”? Is there some medical condition such as heart failure (and if so why not just call it heart failure), or is it a euphemism for “we don’t know” (and if so is it still in use)?
Daniel Patronsky (Chicago)
Dear Daniel:
Although “old age” is used widely in informal language, it is not a medical term, and coroners or medical examiners never use it as an official cause of death. Instead of old age, it is medically correct to announce a “death by natural causes.”2 This is because old age is too unspecific to qualify as an actual medical term for a cause of death. With age comes the eventual breakdown of various functions in the body, so there is always a more precise cause of death.2 Medical examiners would much rather cite heart disease as the cause of death than something as vague as old age. You mentioned heart failure, which is basically what happens eventually to all of us mortals. However, as a medical term, there isn’t a clear definition that is universally acknowledged for heart failure. Rather, the leading cause of death worldwide has continuously been heart and cardiovascular disease, such as cardiac arrest; this accounts for about 30% of all deaths.11 The number is so large because these are diseases of the heart and blood vessels and encompass a wide range of problems.
The most recent well-known death by natural causes – specifically, cardiac arrest – I can think of is Brittany Murphy’s. If you’re not aware of the famous actress, she was just 32 when she died last December.3 She didn’t seem to have any injuries, and officials didn’t suspect a murder or a suicide.8 When she was further examined, the coroner concluded that she had died of cardiac arrest.7 Because it seemed that a naturally-occurring heart condition did her in, it was ruled as a death by natural causes. However, one question lingers – “How did a young, (seemingly) healthy woman die so suddenly of cardiac arrest?” Although uncommon, it does happen, but many skeptics and doubtful doctors disagree about the nature of her death.
Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops beating normally and blood can no longer circulate properly to and from the heart to keep the person alive.1 However, when death occurs, it is because the heart has stopped beating, so the term “cardiac arrest” generally provides little insight into how she died – namely, what happened to induce cardiac arrest. Brittany Murphy’s death is still surrounded by speculation – there’s talk of a possible illness, eating disorder, or overdose.7 Yet, she is said to have died by natural causes because people can’t come to a definite conclusion; we’re forced to say, euphemistically, that we just aren’t sure.
On the other hand, you don’t have to die from some mysterious reason for your passing to be a death by natural causes. Your death will be ruled as such if medical examiners realize that the cause of death was an illness or an internal malfunction – events that were not provoked artificially in any way.10 But if you commit suicide, die from assisted suicide, or are killed in a homicide (the horror!), you have not died from natural causes. Death can occur by a wide range of natural causes, from devastating diseases like cancer and leukemia, to quick events like strokes or heart attacks, to seemingly minor flu viruses.2
On a side note about death and diseases, many Republicans were up in arms about a proposal of Obama’s that would give the government the “power to kill off senior citizens”, especially if they have incurable or costly diseases.4 This rumor proliferated throughout the nation during the summer of 2009 about “death panels”, a term dubbed by Sarah Palin about a portion of the health care reform bill proposing end-of-life planning. Although it was much earlier in 2008 that a law had been passed allowing Medicare patients to undergo end-of-life planning, the controversy over the proposal in the health care reform bill heated up this past year.9
Basically, end-of-life planning allows a patient to discuss with their doctor, ahead of time, the terms of their care should they unexpectedly fall gravely ill and incapable of making health decisions. However, opponents of end-of-life planning, such as Sarah Palin, have rallied against it, saying that doctors would advise patients with critical diseases to forgo life-sustaining treatment, therefore saving the government millions of dollars in treatment.4 The backlash and rumors led to Obama dropping the regulations from the health care reform bill. However, since January 1st, a new Medicare policy states that the government would pay doctors who counsel patients on end-of-life planning.6 This time, however, these regulations are rolling out quietly, so as not to provoke the media.
Although the policies have been criticized, end-of-life planning isn’t a bad idea. 70% of Americans do not have living wills – the majority of the nation has no plan in the event of a health emergency.9 According to the research by Schumacher, merely talking to your doctor more, honestly and openly, results in a higher quality of life for the patient and for those family members after a death. With end-of-life planning, you can make a living will and appoint a trusted person to take care of important health decisions if you are rendered incapable to do so. You wouldn’t imagine cooking a new recipe from scratch without any directions, or driving to a place you’ve never been before without any directions, so why do so many people forgo thinking about their future life plans until it’s too late? Although the subject of death tends to be morbid, it doesn’t have to be. Without this planning, you could be in a hospital bed and your closest family member might not have the ability to make any decisions on your part, simply because you didn’t take simple precautions to name your health care proxy. End-of-life planning is ultimately about taking care of you and your family; it only makes sense to take advantage and learn about health care options that benefit you.
Hope this helps,
Tracy Lin
Works Cited
1. Bakalar, Nicholas. "SCAA | Education Materials." Welcome to TCS Software, Inc. ::
Dublin, OH. Web. 27 Dec. 2010.
.
2. Bryant, Clifton D. Handbook of Death & Dying. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications,
2003. Print.
3. Hutchison, Courtney, and Monica Nista. "Brittany Murphy's Death Remains A Mystery
ABC News." ABCNews.com - ABCNews.com: Breaking News, Politics, World News,
Good Morning America, Exclusive Interviews - ABC News. 22 Dec. 2009. Web. 27
Dec. 2010.
4. Joe Weber. "Death Panels Are Back: “Obama Lied and My Mama Died” | Death and
Taxes." Indie Music News, Pop Culture, Politics and Entertainment | Death and
Taxes. 27 Dec. 2010. Web. 04 Jan. 2011.
5. Nedely. "Re: Death by Natural Causes - What Does It Mean? (dental, Doctor, Heart) -
Health and Wellness -Doctors, Illness, Diseases, Nutrition, Sleep, Stress, Diet,
Hospitals, Medicine, Cancer, Heart Disease - City-Data Forum." Web log
comment. Stats about All US Cities - Real Estate, Relocation Info, House Prices,
Home Value Estimator, Recent Sales, Cost of Living, Crime, Race, Income, Photos,
Education, Maps, Weather, Houses, Schools, Neighborhoods, and More. 25 Dec.
2009. Web. 27 Dec. 2010.
6. Pear, Robert. "Obama Returns to End-of-Life Plan That Caused Stir." NYTimes.com. The
New York Times, 25 Dec. 2010. Web. 3 Jan. 2011.
.
7. PopEater Staff. "Brittany Murphy Likely Died From Natural Causes, Says Coroner |
PopEater.com." Celebrities | Entertainment News | Celebrity Gossip | Celebrity
Photos | PopEater.com. 21 Dec. 2009. Web. 27 Dec. 2010.
8. Rose, Sandra. "Medical Minute: Death By Natural Causes." Sandra Rose. 5 Jan. 2010.
Web. 27 Dec. 2010.
9. Schumacher, J. Donald. "Why End-of-life Planning Is Smart, Necessary - CNN.com."
CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News. 28
Dec. 2010. Web. 03 Jan. 2011.
10. Swenson, Jim, and Susannah Sample. "Death by Natural Causes." NEWTON/ANL Home
Page. 11 Apr. 2005. Web. 27 Dec. 2010.
.
11. World Health Organization. "Annex Table 2 Deaths by Cause, Sex and Mortality Stratum
in WHO Regions, Estimates for 2002." Chart. The World Health Report 2004. France:
Keith Wynn, 2004. 120-21. Print.
What does it mean when someone dies of “old age”? Is there some medical condition such as heart failure (and if so why not just call it heart failure), or is it a euphemism for “we don’t know” (and if so is it still in use)?
Daniel Patronsky (Chicago)
Dear Daniel:
Although “old age” is used widely in informal language, it is not a medical term, and coroners or medical examiners never use it as an official cause of death. Instead of old age, it is medically correct to announce a “death by natural causes.”2 This is because old age is too unspecific to qualify as an actual medical term for a cause of death. With age comes the eventual breakdown of various functions in the body, so there is always a more precise cause of death.2 Medical examiners would much rather cite heart disease as the cause of death than something as vague as old age. You mentioned heart failure, which is basically what happens eventually to all of us mortals. However, as a medical term, there isn’t a clear definition that is universally acknowledged for heart failure. Rather, the leading cause of death worldwide has continuously been heart and cardiovascular disease, such as cardiac arrest; this accounts for about 30% of all deaths.11 The number is so large because these are diseases of the heart and blood vessels and encompass a wide range of problems.
The most recent well-known death by natural causes – specifically, cardiac arrest – I can think of is Brittany Murphy’s. If you’re not aware of the famous actress, she was just 32 when she died last December.3 She didn’t seem to have any injuries, and officials didn’t suspect a murder or a suicide.8 When she was further examined, the coroner concluded that she had died of cardiac arrest.7 Because it seemed that a naturally-occurring heart condition did her in, it was ruled as a death by natural causes. However, one question lingers – “How did a young, (seemingly) healthy woman die so suddenly of cardiac arrest?” Although uncommon, it does happen, but many skeptics and doubtful doctors disagree about the nature of her death.
Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops beating normally and blood can no longer circulate properly to and from the heart to keep the person alive.1 However, when death occurs, it is because the heart has stopped beating, so the term “cardiac arrest” generally provides little insight into how she died – namely, what happened to induce cardiac arrest. Brittany Murphy’s death is still surrounded by speculation – there’s talk of a possible illness, eating disorder, or overdose.7 Yet, she is said to have died by natural causes because people can’t come to a definite conclusion; we’re forced to say, euphemistically, that we just aren’t sure.
On the other hand, you don’t have to die from some mysterious reason for your passing to be a death by natural causes. Your death will be ruled as such if medical examiners realize that the cause of death was an illness or an internal malfunction – events that were not provoked artificially in any way.10 But if you commit suicide, die from assisted suicide, or are killed in a homicide (the horror!), you have not died from natural causes. Death can occur by a wide range of natural causes, from devastating diseases like cancer and leukemia, to quick events like strokes or heart attacks, to seemingly minor flu viruses.2
On a side note about death and diseases, many Republicans were up in arms about a proposal of Obama’s that would give the government the “power to kill off senior citizens”, especially if they have incurable or costly diseases.4 This rumor proliferated throughout the nation during the summer of 2009 about “death panels”, a term dubbed by Sarah Palin about a portion of the health care reform bill proposing end-of-life planning. Although it was much earlier in 2008 that a law had been passed allowing Medicare patients to undergo end-of-life planning, the controversy over the proposal in the health care reform bill heated up this past year.9
Basically, end-of-life planning allows a patient to discuss with their doctor, ahead of time, the terms of their care should they unexpectedly fall gravely ill and incapable of making health decisions. However, opponents of end-of-life planning, such as Sarah Palin, have rallied against it, saying that doctors would advise patients with critical diseases to forgo life-sustaining treatment, therefore saving the government millions of dollars in treatment.4 The backlash and rumors led to Obama dropping the regulations from the health care reform bill. However, since January 1st, a new Medicare policy states that the government would pay doctors who counsel patients on end-of-life planning.6 This time, however, these regulations are rolling out quietly, so as not to provoke the media.
Although the policies have been criticized, end-of-life planning isn’t a bad idea. 70% of Americans do not have living wills – the majority of the nation has no plan in the event of a health emergency.9 According to the research by Schumacher, merely talking to your doctor more, honestly and openly, results in a higher quality of life for the patient and for those family members after a death. With end-of-life planning, you can make a living will and appoint a trusted person to take care of important health decisions if you are rendered incapable to do so. You wouldn’t imagine cooking a new recipe from scratch without any directions, or driving to a place you’ve never been before without any directions, so why do so many people forgo thinking about their future life plans until it’s too late? Although the subject of death tends to be morbid, it doesn’t have to be. Without this planning, you could be in a hospital bed and your closest family member might not have the ability to make any decisions on your part, simply because you didn’t take simple precautions to name your health care proxy. End-of-life planning is ultimately about taking care of you and your family; it only makes sense to take advantage and learn about health care options that benefit you.
Hope this helps,
Tracy Lin
Works Cited
1. Bakalar, Nicholas. "SCAA | Education Materials." Welcome to TCS Software, Inc. ::
Dublin, OH. Web. 27 Dec. 2010.
2. Bryant, Clifton D. Handbook of Death & Dying. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications,
2003. Print.
3. Hutchison, Courtney, and Monica Nista. "Brittany Murphy's Death Remains A Mystery
ABC News." ABCNews.com - ABCNews.com: Breaking News, Politics, World News,
Good Morning America, Exclusive Interviews - ABC News. 22 Dec. 2009. Web. 27
Dec. 2010.
4. Joe Weber. "Death Panels Are Back: “Obama Lied and My Mama Died” | Death and
Taxes." Indie Music News, Pop Culture, Politics and Entertainment | Death and
Taxes. 27 Dec. 2010. Web. 04 Jan. 2011.
5. Nedely. "Re: Death by Natural Causes - What Does It Mean? (dental, Doctor, Heart) -
Health and Wellness -Doctors, Illness, Diseases, Nutrition, Sleep, Stress, Diet,
Hospitals, Medicine, Cancer, Heart Disease - City-Data Forum." Web log
comment. Stats about All US Cities - Real Estate, Relocation Info, House Prices,
Home Value Estimator, Recent Sales, Cost of Living, Crime, Race, Income, Photos,
Education, Maps, Weather, Houses, Schools, Neighborhoods, and More. 25 Dec.
2009. Web. 27 Dec. 2010.
6. Pear, Robert. "Obama Returns to End-of-Life Plan That Caused Stir." NYTimes.com. The
New York Times, 25 Dec. 2010. Web. 3 Jan. 2011.
7. PopEater Staff. "Brittany Murphy Likely Died From Natural Causes, Says Coroner |
PopEater.com." Celebrities | Entertainment News | Celebrity Gossip | Celebrity
Photos | PopEater.com. 21 Dec. 2009. Web. 27 Dec. 2010.
8. Rose, Sandra. "Medical Minute: Death By Natural Causes." Sandra Rose. 5 Jan. 2010.
Web. 27 Dec. 2010.
9. Schumacher, J. Donald. "Why End-of-life Planning Is Smart, Necessary - CNN.com."
CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News. 28
Dec. 2010. Web. 03 Jan. 2011.
10. Swenson, Jim, and Susannah Sample. "Death by Natural Causes." NEWTON/ANL Home
Page. 11 Apr. 2005. Web. 27 Dec. 2010.
11. World Health Organization. "Annex Table 2 Deaths by Cause, Sex and Mortality Stratum
in WHO Regions, Estimates for 2002." Chart. The World Health Report 2004. France:
Keith Wynn, 2004. 120-21. Print.
"Doors Closing On Your Left..."
Dear Lowdown:
As a paranoid CTA rider, I sometimes imagine when I’m half-leaning against the train doors that they will suddenly fly open, so I always try to balance myself against the glass panel instead. Has the conductor actually ever opened the doors at the wrong side though, leading to the tumbling death of twenty passengers at Cermak Chinatown (or any elevated train station where the doors opposite to the side of the platform lead to a sixty-foot fall) because they didn’t listen to the warning of, “Please do not lean against the doors”? And what is the purpose of that warning, if not to prevent demonstrations of physics and gravity? While we’re on the topic of CTA freak accidents, let’s say someone has snuck into the conductor’s cart on the CTA train, wrestled the conductor to prevent them from stopping the train in this emergency situation, and switched the doors open. Would the doors actually open, or does the train have some sort of mechanism to only open the doors when the train has stopped? I’ve never heard about passengers falling off CTA trains, but I don’t think these accidents are too unlikely…
- Daisy Fong (Chicago)
Dear Daisy,
While passengers at the Cermak Chinatown Red Line “L” stop have never been the victims of a door malfunction at that particular stop, there have been a few accidents leading to some skepticism about the safety of the trains we ride. The poor trains seem sketchy enough already, and then a something happens to make them seem even less reliable. You may recall an incident that happened almost a year ago involving the Red Line, a stroller, and a door. A woman at the Morse Red Line stop was pushing her 22-month old baby in a stroller, when the doors of the train supposedly closed on the stroller, dragging the baby and buggy, eventually leading to the baby’s fall about ten feet past the platform.
Thankfully, the baby was safe. The CTA still does not know the exact reasons for the occurrence, and uncertainty still remains after extensive tests done on the car. The tests did not reveal anything evidently wrong with the car, meaning that either the stroller did not really get stuck or the incident was a one-time catastrophe.
To put it bluntly, the doors of the train should not open while in motion. According to an article in the Chicago Tribune, the conductor or driver of the train can override the sensor system with a special key. However, there have been several instances where the doors have not responded the way they should, without the conductor’s knowledge. Much like an elevator door, the doors on the train have sensors, and the train operator has a control panel that can indicate any problems. In the situation with the stroller, the control panel did not indicate any problems, and it is possible that the part of the stroller that got stuck was small enough that the sensors didn’t activate.
There were a few other door complications, though none as drastic as the stroller story, and nothing resulting in injuries: One woman, Tonya Tibbs, had a similar experience where her suitcase handle got caught between the doors, leaving her mid-sized luggage hanging out of the train until her fiancé managed to pry it free (Swartz, “CTA Rider: Door Closed on my Bag”). Perhaps the handle was a similar size to the segment of the stuck stroller. However, it seems that a human being will activate the sensors to open the door without a problem. Nevertheless, keep an eye on your bag, and seriously, stand clear of the doors if they are closing.
Just because the doors cannot open while in motion does not mean that it is impossible for them to open at a stop, and remain open in transit. Passengers at Cermak Chinatown may have been safe, but riders of the Red Line in between Addison and Sheridan had a scary experience: as a train pulled away from the Addison stop, the doors, in one of the cars, failed to close. The passengers were sent on a wild ride in the early hours of the morning, leaving many with wind-swept hair. The emergency button was pushed several times, but no response was received. At the early hour in the morning that these passengers were riding, it is lucky they had any mode of transportation at all. It became apparent that the CTA operator had no idea what was going on (Lutz), however at that time in the morning, who really does? We live in world full of mechanized things that are bound to malfunction at some time. I would call it a miracle that the trains can carry carload after carload of crowded, grumpy people headed to work every day and not spontaneously combust.
As a funny coincidence, the luggage incident and the open-door incident both happened within a few weeks of the stroller story. The woman with the luggage reported her mishap had occurred on the Blue Line, but the other two stories took place on the Red Line. The CTA revealed that doors tend to malfunction under severe, cold weather. After further investigation of the National Weather Archives, November of 2009 seemed to be beautifully mild: mid-fifties with little rain. So weather wasn’t a factor in the train doors malfunctioning. According to the CTA, in 2008 the “CTA replaced the sensitive edges on all rail cars in its fleet and have reduced the number of instances of door problems to three percent of all mechanical problems affecting rail cars” (Swartz). Maybe it’s coincidence that these accidents all happened at the same times, despite apparently wonderful weather. Considering that on a given weekday, an average of 1.7 million people ride the CTA, and that the trains make 2,157 trips daily to 144 stations, and we receive word of only a few minor door incidents per year, you are pretty safe riding the train. Compared to the 300,000 traffic accidents per year in Chicago, with around 141 fatal crashes (in 2009), riding a train seems much safer than traveling in a car (Hilkevitch). Despite the large number of car accidents, people still drive, so despite the very few door incidents, there is no reason to refrain from riding the train.
And do keep in mind that our trains are constantly being improved upon. Keep your eyes open for the new 5000-series of the ‘L’ cars. They are being seriously tested for any fault, and there are several new safety designs to keep passengers secure; doors especially have more advanced sensors that ensure the train cannot leave unless the doors are fully shut (and locked). Flashing lights above the doors notify passengers when the doors are in use, and the door chimes will play during closing (CTA: 5000-Series Rail Cars). Hopefully, this will mean that the conductor won’t have to say “please stand clear of the doors, doors are closing” every single time the train is about to leave a station, as has been occurring recently. Other safety features will amp up security, leaving you to ride to your destination protected and happy. Clearly, the CTA is taking its mistakes and working to fix them to improve customer satisfaction and decrease mortality, so there won’t be anyone falling off the train anytime soon, and you are free to enjoy the lovely, crowded rush-hour train ride fear-free.
Sincerely,
Hannah Francis
Works Cited
Chicago Tribune. "'The Train Took My Baby' - Chicago Tribune." The Chicago Tribune. 04 Nov. 2009. Web. 11 Nov. 2010..
CTA. "The 5000-Series 'L' Cars - CTA's New Train Cars." Chicago Transit Authority | Cta | 1-888-YOUR-CTA. Web. 11 Nov. 2010..
Doyle, Mike. "Are CTA Employees to Blame for Annoying New Warning Announcements on the ‘L’? | CHICAGO CARLESS." Chicago Careless. 2 July 2010. Web. 11 Nov. 2010.
Hilkevitch, Jon. "CTA Union Leader Urges Action on Train 'door Problem'" Chicago Breaking News. 18 Nov. 2009. Web. 11 Nov. 2010..
Hilkevitch, Jon. "Traffic Deaths." Chicago Breaking News. 19 July 2010. Web. 02 Jan. 2011..
Lutz, BJ. "Doors Closing? Passengers Say One Didn't." NBC Chicago. 17 Nov. 2009. Web. 11 Nov. 2010..
"National Weather Service Climate." NOAA's National Weather Service. Nov. 2009. Web. 11 Nov. 2010..
Swartz, Tracy. "CTA Rider: Door Closed on My Bag - RedEye." ChicagoNow. 4 Nov. 2009. Web. 11 Nov. 2010..
Swartz, Tracy. "CTA Rider: Red Line Doors Didn't Close - RedEye." ChicagoNow. 17 Nov. 2009. Web. 11 Nov. 2010.
As a paranoid CTA rider, I sometimes imagine when I’m half-leaning against the train doors that they will suddenly fly open, so I always try to balance myself against the glass panel instead. Has the conductor actually ever opened the doors at the wrong side though, leading to the tumbling death of twenty passengers at Cermak Chinatown (or any elevated train station where the doors opposite to the side of the platform lead to a sixty-foot fall) because they didn’t listen to the warning of, “Please do not lean against the doors”? And what is the purpose of that warning, if not to prevent demonstrations of physics and gravity? While we’re on the topic of CTA freak accidents, let’s say someone has snuck into the conductor’s cart on the CTA train, wrestled the conductor to prevent them from stopping the train in this emergency situation, and switched the doors open. Would the doors actually open, or does the train have some sort of mechanism to only open the doors when the train has stopped? I’ve never heard about passengers falling off CTA trains, but I don’t think these accidents are too unlikely…
- Daisy Fong (Chicago)
Dear Daisy,
While passengers at the Cermak Chinatown Red Line “L” stop have never been the victims of a door malfunction at that particular stop, there have been a few accidents leading to some skepticism about the safety of the trains we ride. The poor trains seem sketchy enough already, and then a something happens to make them seem even less reliable. You may recall an incident that happened almost a year ago involving the Red Line, a stroller, and a door. A woman at the Morse Red Line stop was pushing her 22-month old baby in a stroller, when the doors of the train supposedly closed on the stroller, dragging the baby and buggy, eventually leading to the baby’s fall about ten feet past the platform.
Thankfully, the baby was safe. The CTA still does not know the exact reasons for the occurrence, and uncertainty still remains after extensive tests done on the car. The tests did not reveal anything evidently wrong with the car, meaning that either the stroller did not really get stuck or the incident was a one-time catastrophe.
To put it bluntly, the doors of the train should not open while in motion. According to an article in the Chicago Tribune, the conductor or driver of the train can override the sensor system with a special key. However, there have been several instances where the doors have not responded the way they should, without the conductor’s knowledge. Much like an elevator door, the doors on the train have sensors, and the train operator has a control panel that can indicate any problems. In the situation with the stroller, the control panel did not indicate any problems, and it is possible that the part of the stroller that got stuck was small enough that the sensors didn’t activate.
There were a few other door complications, though none as drastic as the stroller story, and nothing resulting in injuries: One woman, Tonya Tibbs, had a similar experience where her suitcase handle got caught between the doors, leaving her mid-sized luggage hanging out of the train until her fiancé managed to pry it free (Swartz, “CTA Rider: Door Closed on my Bag”). Perhaps the handle was a similar size to the segment of the stuck stroller. However, it seems that a human being will activate the sensors to open the door without a problem. Nevertheless, keep an eye on your bag, and seriously, stand clear of the doors if they are closing.
Just because the doors cannot open while in motion does not mean that it is impossible for them to open at a stop, and remain open in transit. Passengers at Cermak Chinatown may have been safe, but riders of the Red Line in between Addison and Sheridan had a scary experience: as a train pulled away from the Addison stop, the doors, in one of the cars, failed to close. The passengers were sent on a wild ride in the early hours of the morning, leaving many with wind-swept hair. The emergency button was pushed several times, but no response was received. At the early hour in the morning that these passengers were riding, it is lucky they had any mode of transportation at all. It became apparent that the CTA operator had no idea what was going on (Lutz), however at that time in the morning, who really does? We live in world full of mechanized things that are bound to malfunction at some time. I would call it a miracle that the trains can carry carload after carload of crowded, grumpy people headed to work every day and not spontaneously combust.
As a funny coincidence, the luggage incident and the open-door incident both happened within a few weeks of the stroller story. The woman with the luggage reported her mishap had occurred on the Blue Line, but the other two stories took place on the Red Line. The CTA revealed that doors tend to malfunction under severe, cold weather. After further investigation of the National Weather Archives, November of 2009 seemed to be beautifully mild: mid-fifties with little rain. So weather wasn’t a factor in the train doors malfunctioning. According to the CTA, in 2008 the “CTA replaced the sensitive edges on all rail cars in its fleet and have reduced the number of instances of door problems to three percent of all mechanical problems affecting rail cars” (Swartz). Maybe it’s coincidence that these accidents all happened at the same times, despite apparently wonderful weather. Considering that on a given weekday, an average of 1.7 million people ride the CTA, and that the trains make 2,157 trips daily to 144 stations, and we receive word of only a few minor door incidents per year, you are pretty safe riding the train. Compared to the 300,000 traffic accidents per year in Chicago, with around 141 fatal crashes (in 2009), riding a train seems much safer than traveling in a car (Hilkevitch). Despite the large number of car accidents, people still drive, so despite the very few door incidents, there is no reason to refrain from riding the train.
And do keep in mind that our trains are constantly being improved upon. Keep your eyes open for the new 5000-series of the ‘L’ cars. They are being seriously tested for any fault, and there are several new safety designs to keep passengers secure; doors especially have more advanced sensors that ensure the train cannot leave unless the doors are fully shut (and locked). Flashing lights above the doors notify passengers when the doors are in use, and the door chimes will play during closing (CTA: 5000-Series Rail Cars). Hopefully, this will mean that the conductor won’t have to say “please stand clear of the doors, doors are closing” every single time the train is about to leave a station, as has been occurring recently. Other safety features will amp up security, leaving you to ride to your destination protected and happy. Clearly, the CTA is taking its mistakes and working to fix them to improve customer satisfaction and decrease mortality, so there won’t be anyone falling off the train anytime soon, and you are free to enjoy the lovely, crowded rush-hour train ride fear-free.
Sincerely,
Hannah Francis
Works Cited
Chicago Tribune. "'The Train Took My Baby' - Chicago Tribune." The Chicago Tribune. 04 Nov. 2009. Web. 11 Nov. 2010.
CTA. "The 5000-Series 'L' Cars - CTA's New Train Cars." Chicago Transit Authority | Cta | 1-888-YOUR-CTA. Web. 11 Nov. 2010.
Doyle, Mike. "Are CTA Employees to Blame for Annoying New Warning Announcements on the ‘L’? | CHICAGO CARLESS." Chicago Careless. 2 July 2010. Web. 11 Nov. 2010.
Hilkevitch, Jon. "CTA Union Leader Urges Action on Train 'door Problem'" Chicago Breaking News. 18 Nov. 2009. Web. 11 Nov. 2010.
Hilkevitch, Jon. "Traffic Deaths." Chicago Breaking News. 19 July 2010. Web. 02 Jan. 2011.
Lutz, BJ. "Doors Closing? Passengers Say One Didn't." NBC Chicago. 17 Nov. 2009. Web. 11 Nov. 2010.
"National Weather Service Climate." NOAA's National Weather Service. Nov. 2009. Web. 11 Nov. 2010.
Swartz, Tracy. "CTA Rider: Door Closed on My Bag - RedEye." ChicagoNow. 4 Nov. 2009. Web. 11 Nov. 2010.
Swartz, Tracy. "CTA Rider: Red Line Doors Didn't Close - RedEye." ChicagoNow. 17 Nov. 2009. Web. 11 Nov. 2010.
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