#11

Although people use the same types of words to describe the feeling of happiness, the achievement of happiness varies by person and indeed by culture. On the subject of the Danish concept of "hygge", while very noble, it seems like it may be difficult to achieve. It's possible that it is simply a cultural difference, but it seems idyllic. Abandoning our self interest and focusing on a communal experience is no easy task. Not that it can't be done, I just wonder what makes them able to do it. The genetic factor of happiness specifically in Danes is very curious. It makes me wonder what sort of biological or evolutionary function could this possibly serve. Even if the standard of living is low, if you are content with your circumstances, regardless of what they are, that is still a happiness achieved. As always, both nature and nurture are in play. It has been seen time and time again that it is nearly impossible for just one factor to be the sole cause of a matter such as this. It is possible that the Danes are happiest simply because they understand the importance of balance.

#10

Income inequality is very much a hot button topic right now, and Dan Price is the exemplification of the surge in equality that so many are pushing for. I must say that I really don’t understand anything about finances, so in that aspect of Dan Price’s decision, I can’t really comment. However, what he did was, unfortunately, quite radical. I think it’s really remarkable what Price is doing. Not many people would be able to give up such an exorbitant lifestyle and be so calm about it. The fact that he gave up his own money to spread throughout his company is both surprising and heartening. What I also find interesting is that he really seems to grasp not only the financial aspects of his decision, but the emotional ones as well. I think that hopefully this will be a good test to see what happens when a business conducts itself in a more liberal, equal setting. This strategy may not be the answer to all of the issues facing today’s corporate America, but it looks like an amazing start.

#9

Happiness has long been a topic of conversation among philosophers and those insatiably curious of the invisible world inside of us; what happiness truly is, how one achieves true happiness. For a long time, this topic of happiness has been rooted firmly in the unquantifiable. Because of this, one thing that struck me in the movie was the fact that the study of happiness is becoming a more prevalent scientific field. I have always been interested in how the brain works, so the actual chemical science behind this notion of happiness fascinates me. Throughout the movie, I’m sure that most of us saw a little of ourselves in the people and ideas displayed there. I know that I have experienced first hand how the act of helping others brings personal satisfaction and well being that far surpasses gaining material objects. This also ties into intrinsic and extrinsic goals and how a focus on something other than yourself affects you psychologically. I would like to try to look more into how a more philosophic ideas of happiness can affect us scientifically and neurologically.

#8

As time has gone on, apps have gotten more and more numerous and, frankly, outright ridiculous. I think these days people are becoming so bored, so fast. This is in part due to the technology boom of recent years. So much expansion in such sort a time can almost guarantee that consumers will want more and more, and fast. When every mainstream idea has been covered, people grow restless. What held interest before becomes commonplace and banal. We truly are becoming a generation that has indeed seen it all. So when something breaks our mold, it has to break it big. I believe many of these apps are just a curiosity, and maybe a quick laugh or diversion to chuckle about with friends. With this in mind, I hope you're prepared for Pet Baby. Pet Baby is an app that for a measly---but still far too expensive---99 cents, allows you to morph your pet's face with a baby's face. This can allow you to take the sweet faces of innocent creatures and turn them into Eldritch abominations worthy of H.P. Lovecraft. Needless to say, I am buying this app.

#7

One thing that particularly struck me about this article was the fact that she said she has been doing this since she was 12. Not just through Instagram, but other social media platforms as well.  It can be damaging enough if you become immersed in social media at an earlier age, but I can’t imagine what it must be like to live solely for the purpose of others for so long. Judged for your surface, not your content.  One thing that does make me quizzical, however, is part of what she said at the end of the article about how she has no idea how to make money now. This may speak to the fact that she has been immersed in her lifestyle for so long that she may have trouble adjusting to living any other way. This in itself is incredibly sad to think about.

#6

The first source that I will be using is “Sex in America Online: An Exploration of Sex, Marital Status and Sexual Identity in Internet Sex Seeking and Its Impacts”, written by Julie M. Albright. This is an academic journal review from the Journal of Sex Research. This article reviews a study done on the effects of online pornography on both men and woman, and what disparities may lie there. I chose this article because it has research on many of the points I wish to touch on in my essay. This is a peer reviewed article from an academic journal. All of the sources are cited and are reputable. This provides some good over all information I can incorporate throughout my essay.

Another possible source is “The Impact of Internet Pornography on Marriage and the Family: A Review of the Research.”, by Jill C. Manning. This source provides some pertinent and specific statistics that I will need in my essay. This article was posted in Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity. The article details how pornography is affecting interpersonal relationships and families. It also points out the lack of reliable studies in certain aspects of pornography research.

This is also from an academic journal, with the author having obtained a Ph.D in  Marriage and Family Therapy from a well respected university. I will be able to use this source in one of my specific points and in my counterargument.

#5

How is technology affecting nature? Technology allows us to control our environment more efficiently. Which is good for humans, but sometimes not so good for mother earth. We’ve designed new ways to farm, but also giant new machines to perform mass logging projects. With the advancement of human achievement, we may not be paying enough attention to the way we are affecting the earth. There are still people that think that global climate change is a hoax, for God’s sake. Technology is changing how we’re treating the ill. There are more ways to help those dealing with different illnesses, such as deep brain stimulation technology. Technology also changes the way we study and protect our wildlife. We can track them and care for them more efficiently. How is technology affecting relationships? If you’re in a long distance relationship in the modern day world, chances are you live twenty four hours with your computer or mobile device. While touching, the days of writing love letters are over. Does technology help or hinder this issue? Does the expanding access to the internet give people more opportunities to cheat on their significant others? Is it detrimental to romantic relationships and can it encourage unfaithfulness?