The Face in the Mirror and Sticks and Stones and such-like Essay Example for Free

The Face in the Mirror and Sticks and Stones and such-like Essay Identity is presented through the contents of belonging, values and beliefs. A person’s identity constantly changes and develops in time, depending on aspects of ethnicity, self-image and connection to a person or place. It is this which â€Å"builds† the qualities of identity. Prime examples of expressing the intricate nature of identity is clearly seen through Alice Pung’s short stories â€Å"The Face in the Mirror† and â€Å"Sticks and Stones and such-like† alongside Paul Keating’s memorable eulogy speech â€Å"The Unknown Soldier†. In Pung’s short story â€Å"The Face in the Mirror†, the author explores how ethnicity illustrates how a person’s relationship in the world creates a sense of identity. The idea is seen in the quote: â€Å"For much of my childhood, my Asian-ness was pushed to a crevice in the back of my mind. My friends were white, my family was white, my world was white.† The female protagonist conveys her cultural identity, through the use of a compound word, describing her â€Å"Asian-ness† persona as being part of a white family. Pung also uses the technique of repetition, demonstrated through the word â€Å"white† coupled with the metaphor of â€Å"my world was white† to depict the fact that her whole lifestyle, revolves around â€Å"white† customs, as she neglects her original cultural origin being â€Å"made in Korea†. Through this, the audience are made to empathize for the protagonist as she is forced into neglecting her asian background. Hence, further reinforcing Pung’s concept of how ethnicity can be an aspect of identity. Another way Pung demonstrated her concept of identity is through the use of the technique accumulation, in conjunction with rhetorical question in the short stories ‘Face in the Mirror’. For example. Accumulation is found where Pung lists â€Å"a name, a place, a date and temperature.† She follows this technique with the rhetorical question â€Å"but, what did it all mean?†. Pung uses these techniques to utilize the fact that the protagonist strives to find out more on her self, which illustrates how identity can be achieved through ones ethnicity. In Pung’s short story ‘Sticks and stones and such like’, she establishes her concept of identity through the use of a series of language techniques throughout the text, one of these techniques, would be the use of a metaphor in conjunction with the use of accumulation. The author does this, to strongly utilize her concept. These techniques are found in the quote ‘All talking frantically and loudly in English, Hindi, Kannada, Konkani: Every sentence a masala of different vocabularies†. The metaphor being a ‘masala of different vocabularies’, and accumulation being the list of the different languages. The persona refers to the list of different languages as a ‘masala’, which in her culture means ‘a variety of different spices’. This is done to further reinforce the cultural gap, which conveys how the persona feels a disconnection of identity due to a different ethnicity. Therefore impacting her sense of identity. In addition to ‘Stick’s and Stones and Such-like’, the author has further demonstrated her concept of identity by the use of language techniques describing the connection to the person and their self image. These techniques used by the author are allusion and short sentences, which is demonstrated in the quote, â€Å"Sticks and Stones and Such-like, I’ve been called a lot of things†. This allusion is is an expression which alludes to a different text, â€Å"Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me†. This technique indicates the connection between their name and personal identity, although the technique of short sentences portrays the author’s intentions of rising above other people’s perceptions of identity through one’s name. Therefore, a sense of reassurance is achieved. In the related text â€Å"Unknown Soldier† written by Paul Keating. The author uses a series of techniques in order to portray the concept of how a sense of identity can be reached through ones connection to a person or place. â€Å"He is all of them. And he is one of us†. Short sentences are being used in this text to provide an impacting atmosphere to the audience. This relates to identity placing the soldier within a group rather than being anonymous, as the title suggests. Throughout the first stanza, the composer has used repetition repeating the phrase, â€Å"we do not know† in regards to factors of family, religion and ethnicity which have been lost, showing that he was not only a soldier, but a man, creating a sense of identity. In regards to identity, it emphasis’ the several factors of shaping and changing who a person is. The idea of self-image is seen in the quote, â€Å"Out of the war came a lesson†¦It was a lesson about ordinary people, and the lesson was that they were not ordinary†. Irony is seen in this quote, contradicting itself that the soldiers which fought in War were not like everyone else, rather being perceived of having a â€Å"heroic† status in other peoples eyes. The effect of this ironic statement allows the audience to contemplate the impact an individual has on their own self-image. This shows the concept of self-understanding, as without a distinguished self-perception or image. The three texts analysed all share the themes of belonging, values and beliefs, showing that the aspects of ethnicity, relationships and self-image all aid in proving that who you see yourself as an individual can change and develop over time, establishing this through the use of various techniques.

Boeing Vs. northrop Essay Example for Free

Boeing Vs. northrop Essay In March 2002, the US airforce selected Boeings KC-767 on the grounds that it had clearly demonstrated the abilities to meet their requirements. The United States Airforce (USAF) in their acceptance statement brought out four points that they cited as being behind their decision (CBS News, 2008). The Boeings design was designated KC-767A and was included in DODs 2004 model designation report. Approximately 100 KC-767 tankers were leased from Boeing for the air refueling program. Even though the refueling program was in place in many countries in the US, many had questions about its effectiveness and cost implications especially the idea of leasing crafts which may never have any buyer once the lease period was over. This argument brought forward by senator McCain was however countered by the number of US allies who were more than willing to buy their used crafts (CBS News, 2008). The congressional budget office was next in line as they criticized the budget stressing on its fiscal irresponsibility (United States Government Accountability Office, 2008). This led to the striking of a deal where the state would buy 80 KC-767 and lease twenty (United States Government Accountability Office, 2008). However, in December of 2003, the pentagon announced that the project had to be frozen due to a corruption allegation brought against one of its former staffer (CBS News, 2008). Furthermore, documentations that proved that the A330 based tankers were more suited to the task specifications of the airforce were more cost effective relative to Boeing tankers were found (CBS News, 2008). The scandal led to the sentencing of the culprit who pleaded guilty to corruptions and led to the resignation of Boeings CEO. Donald Rumsfeld in 2006 announced the cancellation of the KC-767A leases as a measure aimed at cutting the costs and a redefinition of the USAF mission (United States Government Accountability Office, 2008). The defense secretary further stated that the move will not in any way affects the mission of the KC-767A as the upgrade of the KC-135s fleets will help in moving towards the goals (United States Government Accountability Office, 2008). However, the development did no affect the relationships between Boeing and its other customers. The development were however short lived and Boeing and Northrop were soon back in the ring fighting for a big defense contract. The basis of Boeings arguments was that the KC-30 was more versatile and had a large furl capacity than the KC-135 that were being used by the airforce. The KC-135 was developed by Boeing who were bidding for an airforce contract against their nemesis Northrop Grumman . The latter won this round of battle as the departments of defense announced that it has won the tender to procure 179 new KC-45A tankers (Online News Hour, 2008). The Boeing company almost immediately took to the Government Accountability Office and filed a protests claiming the evaluation of its KC-30 was unfair (Online News Hour, 2008). Boeing further claimed that its refueling tanker could easily be reconverted to a passenger plane compared to Northrops version as shown in the Air forces post decision briefing. According to Boeings vice president they had more strengths than their competitors was all he heard from the post decision briefing. Boeings protests led to a review of the selection process by the accountability office which forced Northrop to freeze the project which it had already allocated $ 35 billion (Online News Hour, 2008). Northrop Grumman executives are on the other hand highlighting the irresponsibility involved in freezing a critical project to the development of the military for expensive lobbying in the congress that will inevitably lead to a change of the decisions made by the airforce (Online News Hour, 2008). Northrop Grumman executives further claim the decision is ironic since they put their best efforts in ensuring that the airforce receives a products that they consider the best in consideration of the design (Online News Hour, 2008). They are pushing for the public knowledge of the facts of what they represents and what they are not. The congress was divided sharply on this issue and so was the general public. Boeing supporters claim that the Northrop Grumman design was a basic passenger airbus plane (Online News Hour, 2008). A Kansas congress man was cited claiming that the decisions made by the airforce was a bad one as the airforce as it has bend backwards to deal with a French company (Online News Hour, 2008). Boeings die hards near its main production facility claimed that it is the only true tanker manufacturers and a mistake had been made (Online News Hour, 2008). A Washington senator supported this point of view and claimed that offering a military contract to a foreign company was suicidal and would incapacitate Americas ability to develop their own fleet if they should ever pull out of the deal (Online News Hour, 2008). An Alabama state senators is of a different view and approached the subject from a resource allocations view point (Online News Hour, 2008). People near Northrop are bound to benefit more that those near the Boeing plants and therefore there senators have opinions that display their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the resource allocations (Online News Hour, 2008). She further states that there have to be losers and winner either way (Online News Hour, 2008). The Boeing group further accuse the airforce of a change in parameter in order to accommodate the design put up by Northrop Grumman so as to ensure two bidders are present (Online News Hour, 2008). Even though many are of the view that the airforce was trying to lock out Boeing due to the scandals it previously had, Boeing executives were of the view that was not the case as the specifications that were asked by the airforce were changed considerably to ensure Northrop was in the race (Online News Hour, 2008). They further claim that the large sized tanker proposed by the Northrop was a liability and only countries not interested in their taxi ways would allow for such aircrafts. The Northrop group however counter this argument by stating that their design is more sophisticated and has advantages that are yet to be seen (Online News Hour, 2008).

Cold War Causes and Effects

Cold War Causes and Effects The timing of the Cold War was crucial and one of the most diverse in the recent world history. Not only was it a war of diversity, but a war of great length that lasted about fifty years. What made this time so significant was that the whole world was involved in this war in some way. The world was split into two opposite teams and one minor mistake could have easily resulted in another world war. The Cold War is different from most wars for the simple reason of it was a war that was never actually fought. The Cold War started because Europe lost power at the end of World War II. This left the Soviet Union and the United States competing for economic and military rule. Both countries believed their policies were the best and ultimately wanted all others to follow. George Kennan coined the term containment to describe the appropriate American response to dealing with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (Ojserkis, 2003: 53). Containment was a way for the United States to stall the spread of communism and they used this as their main strategy. The United States used both economic and military tactics to ensure their security and influence policies against communism. The Cold War had relatively calm periods but also had periods of high tension. Despite many conflicts, there was never any military force directly between the Socialist and Capitalist. U.S. President Harry S. Truman developed the Truman Doctrine on March 12, 1947. The policy stated that the U.S. would support Turkey and Gr eece to prevent their fall to communism. Several circumstances produced this unexpected presidential success in foreign affairs: the appointment of a new Secretary of State; Trumans own leadership-often erratic, but tough in responding to the large issues of foreign policy and national security; and an economic crisis in Europe (Hammond, 1969: 19). The Marshall Plan was a program developed by the United States to help aid European Countries after World War II. George C. Marshall was the man with the plan and his efforts for world peace would later be honored by the Nobel Peace Prize. The Marshall plan was also offered to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, but they did not accept it. The United Nations had the role of stopping wars between different countries. The Marshall Plan helped better the lives of many people. As soon as Congress had authorized the Marshall Plan expenditures for the first year, the Administration, with the cooperation of the Republic leadership in the House and Senate foreign relations committees, began to lay the legislative groundwork for the North Atlantic Treaty (Hammond, 1969: 26). The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO, was created as a result of the Cold War and was designed as a defense mechanism against communism. Doubtless the Warsaw Pact, multilateral military alliance with a combin ed command structure, was largely what it appeared to be-a mirror image of NATO (Hammond, 1969: 57). Russia formed the Warsaw Pact as a comeback to the establishment of NATO. Our membership in NATO today is still necessary for peace among the nations. After World War II, the Soviet Union strengthened its military power enough that it felt able to challenge the United States in Europe. One major crisis of the Cold War involved the Soviet Union blocking grounds to Berlin in attempt to allow Communist to start supplying fuel and food. The Soviet Union wanted control over the city of Berlin and they thought by cutting off all ground supplies they could do so. Little did they know, the United Kingdom and United States would respond with the Berlin Airlift to reach the people of West Berlin with the supplies they needed. Flights were continued daily for about a year and then the block finally ended. How the United States and their allies overcame the block and helped the people of Berlin would determine their destinies for many years to come. Although the Berlin blockade undoubtedly increased Cold War tensions and helped foster the environment in which the American arms build-up would later develop, it did not, in itself, lead to any la rge and long-term strengthening of the U.S. military (Ojserkis, 2003: 23). The Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. As a result of the collapse of the Communist, the Cold War ended. This is what finally gave the United States major military powers. A war without a fight is difficult to explain. That is what makes the Cold War so unique. This was an expensive war; both sides took hard hits financially and it lasted over four decades. The Cold War probably could not have been avoided since there were too many differences between the United States and Russia. With so many controversies between the leaders it is hard to believe that anything could have been done to have made them see eye to eye.

Reciprocal love in John Donnes Holy Sonnets Essay -- John Donne Holy

Reciprocal love in John Donne's Holy Sonnets Holy Sonnet XV deals with the question of reciprocal love that runs throughout Donne’s religious poetry. The Sonnet is an address of the speaker’s mind to the speaker’s soul; it is a meditation on the Trinity and man’s relationship to God. The poem’s form and the multi-layered conflation throughout expound upon the nature of the Trinity. The theme of humility in reciprocal religious love or receiving and understanding God’s glory (as Donne understood it) runs throughout the poem. This allows the speaker’s soul to understand his own need for humility in order to love god fully. Donne uses the Sonnet form cunningly in this poem; the formal divisions of the Sonnet reflect the trinity, with three four-line sections, while the inner workings of the poem expound upon God’s love for mankind and the need for humility. The poem’s rhyme scheme is abba/abba/cddc/ee. This formally divides the poem into three four part sections that m ove from the spiritual to the physical downward through the Trinity, increasing tangibility with regard to the physical and allowing the speaker to achieve a closer relationship with God through Christ. Each four-line section expounds upon one aspect of the Trinity- God the Spirit/God the Father/God the Son. Donne continually juxtaposes the explication of aspects of the Trinity with explication of man’s relationship to God, resulting in a high degree of conflation throughout. The first line opens with a simultaneous statement of doubt and faith, â€Å"Wilt thou love God, as He thee?† While the speaker is convinced of God’s love, he doubts his ability to reciprocate. This is in contrast to many of Donne’s other Holy Sonnets in which the speaker continuously implores ... ...al in lines one and two with enjambment between the words â€Å"digest† and â€Å"my soul.† He even goes so far as to conflate God the Father with depraved man through enjambent and the phrase â€Å"robbed man† in line 9. In fact, this line seems to actually serve as a kind of â€Å"volta† due to the ultimate extreme of conflation, thus following the traditional Italian sonnet form. This emphasizes the purity of the form as representative of the Trinity in this sonnet. Donne’s use of the form of the poem itself as an embodiment of the Trinity seems to further emphasize the perceived interrelatedness of all things, and therefore supports the mutual statement of love that opens the poem. So, the conflation rises to yet another level, where the poem itself is a resonation of God’s love as a manifestation of the trinity, and Donne takes the role of creator, thus acting in the image of God.

One Hundred Years of Solitude: Relationship between Ursual and Jose Ar

One Hundred Years of Solitude: The Relationship between Ursual and Jose Arcadio Buendia In literature, a central relationship can bond a group, and serve as a measure of the vitality of the society that it bonds. One such monumental relationship is that between Ursual and Jose Arcadio Buendia in Gabriel Garcia Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude. In the chosen passage, the author uses imagery, metaphors, and characterization to illustrate their relationship, establishing a preview of their future relationship, harboring its development into the measure of stability of that society. As the passage opens, the reader is immediately made aware of Jose Arcadio Buendia's feelings about the current location of Macondo. He felt trapped in Macondo, away from the advances of modern science, as if evident by his map of "peninsular" Macondo. Unsatisfied without the most modern advances of science, in a fit of rage, Jose Arcadio Buendia drew a map of Macondo, exaggerating their isolation, then proceeded to take responsibility for this isolation. Marquez uses superb imagery, beautifully illustrating this feeling, when he describes the laboratory as a small, closed in space. He illustrates a very frustrated man, struggling against his isolation, working in his small laboratory. This man finally releases some of these pent up feelings and is filled with rage. In fact, as he draws the map, he "punish [es] himself for the absolute lack of sense with which he had chosen the place." As he sat in his isolated laboratory, oblivious to the events occurring in the outside world, Jose Arcadio Buen... ...n them with an inked brush, without reproaching him, but knowing now that he knew (because she had heard him say so in his soft monologues) that the men of the village would not back him up in his undertaking. Only when he began to take down the door of the room did Ursula dare ask him what he was doing, and he answered with a certain bitterness. "Since no one wants to leave, we'll leave all by ourselves." Ursula did not become upset. "We will not leave," she said. "We will stay here, because we have had a son here." "We have still not had a death," he said. "A person does not belong to a place until there is someone dad under the ground." Ursula replied with a soft firmness: "If I have to die for the rest of you to stay here, I will die." Marquez, Gabriel Garcia. One Hundred Years of Solitude. Harper Perennial: New York, 1991, pages 13-14.

Free Glass Menagerie Essays: Laura’s Missed Opportunity :: Glass Menagerie essays

Laura's Missed Opportunity in The Glass Menagerie "The Glass Menagerie" is a play about intense human emotions; frustration, desperation, sadness, anger, shyness, and regret. Perhaps the most intense scene in the play is when a gentleman caller,   Jim O'Connor, finally does come. All of their futures hang in the balance during this scene. Laura is actually drawn out of her shyness with someone besides her family, and she actually begins to feel good about herself. If Jim had not been engaged to someone else the outcome of the play may have been different. If he had been free to love her, he may have continued to call on her, drawing her out of her shell and raising her self-esteem. They may have eventually married, giving Laura a husband to love her, making Amanda happy, and making Tom free to leave and live his own life. Laura is very nervous when Jim comes to the door. Amanda pleads with her to open it. Besides her words differing somewhat from the play text, she does not try to stall Jim and Tom by calling out lyrically, "Coming! Just one second." Laura's meeting with Jim at the door is just as I imagined it while reading the play, his demeanor casual and friendly, and her shyness painfully obvious. After entering the house Tom goes out on the terrace, but he does not light his cigarette before going out as the play directs, and he also continues to read his paper once he is on the terrace, which the play says nothing about. Another difference that was instantly apparent in the movie was the absence of the images that pop up every couple of pages during the play. I think the absence of these images slightly undermines the aura of unreality. The presence of the images represents dreams and imagination, which we know are made up, fantasy. The absence of the dreamlike images helps us forget what Tom says at beginning of the play, "the play is memory. Being a memory play, it is dimly lighted, it is sentimental, it is not realistic." As Tom is still speaking to Jim in the movie, he does not lean over the rail with the appearance of a voyager as he says, "I'm planning to change.", as he is supposed to in the play, neither does he wave his hand toward the movie theatre as he speaks of it. Free Glass Menagerie Essays: Laura’s Missed Opportunity :: Glass Menagerie essays Laura's Missed Opportunity in The Glass Menagerie "The Glass Menagerie" is a play about intense human emotions; frustration, desperation, sadness, anger, shyness, and regret. Perhaps the most intense scene in the play is when a gentleman caller,   Jim O'Connor, finally does come. All of their futures hang in the balance during this scene. Laura is actually drawn out of her shyness with someone besides her family, and she actually begins to feel good about herself. If Jim had not been engaged to someone else the outcome of the play may have been different. If he had been free to love her, he may have continued to call on her, drawing her out of her shell and raising her self-esteem. They may have eventually married, giving Laura a husband to love her, making Amanda happy, and making Tom free to leave and live his own life. Laura is very nervous when Jim comes to the door. Amanda pleads with her to open it. Besides her words differing somewhat from the play text, she does not try to stall Jim and Tom by calling out lyrically, "Coming! Just one second." Laura's meeting with Jim at the door is just as I imagined it while reading the play, his demeanor casual and friendly, and her shyness painfully obvious. After entering the house Tom goes out on the terrace, but he does not light his cigarette before going out as the play directs, and he also continues to read his paper once he is on the terrace, which the play says nothing about. Another difference that was instantly apparent in the movie was the absence of the images that pop up every couple of pages during the play. I think the absence of these images slightly undermines the aura of unreality. The presence of the images represents dreams and imagination, which we know are made up, fantasy. The absence of the dreamlike images helps us forget what Tom says at beginning of the play, "the play is memory. Being a memory play, it is dimly lighted, it is sentimental, it is not realistic." As Tom is still speaking to Jim in the movie, he does not lean over the rail with the appearance of a voyager as he says, "I'm planning to change.", as he is supposed to in the play, neither does he wave his hand toward the movie theatre as he speaks of it.

Growing Technology

Growing Technology Famous 1930s actor Bill Benedict expresses â€Å"Technology is getting a new life. † Basically, technology is evolving so much and so fast it is almost as if it is gaining a life of its own. The new technology that’s emerging gives individual’s a new life and new way of living. In Jonathan Rowe’s essay, â€Å"Reach Out and Annoy Someone,† he illustrates his frustration with the new technology better known as a cell phone. He focuses on the negative impact cell phones have on people’s lives and how addicting it is. Cell phones have advanced so much to the point where it is giving a new life to society itself. Technology can leave both a positive and negative impact on the American families and society in general. To begin, current technology can increase a family’s communication. Almost everyone in America owns a computer or has access to one. Computers seem to be the most popular way to communicate even those programmed into the IPhone’s. Society has gotten more advanced with the way individuals can communicate. It no longer done by instant messaging, but also through Oovoo or Skype; a popular video calling system that allows you to communicate with anyone anywhere. More families are staying in touch with each other although some may live across the United States. In Chang Hye-kyung’s article â€Å"Information age changes family life, value: Concept of family is shifting from ‘family-centered individual’ to ‘individual-centered family,’† he states, â€Å"The meaning and direction of changes in the modern family, caused by the development of information technology and extension of network, are multiple. For instance, family members’ communication is increased by technological development. Computers allow families to keep up with one another by viewing an individual’s profile on a social network such as Facebook or MySpace. As a result, individuals are more aware of each other’s lives especially those that live long distance by logging on to a computer and seeing pictures or updated status or â€Å"tweets† about someone’s day. Hye-kyung reveals, â€Å"This virtual reality supports the formation of unforeseen networks and connections, new lifestyle types and social concepts, such as capitalism, new liberalism and social fragmentation. The computer and Internet thus have proven to have a positive impact for both types of communication. In addition, current technology can help medical advances by extending and improving life within the society. Medical technology can help in many ways; for instance, it can help to diagnose, monitor, prevent, and even treat any ailments that may be affecting an individual’s health. The Trilogy Linear Accelerator is a superior example of current technology that helps in the medical field. The Trilogy Linear Accelerator helps in optimizing cancer treatments from 15 to 20 minutes to two to three minutes. Micheal Levine, an M. D and medical director of Radiation Oncology Services at John Muir Health, explains, â€Å"With this new technology, we are able to deliver higher and more concentrated doses of radiation to cancerous tumors in less time. † Numerous technological advances exist in health care today which includes more advanced heart monitors, blood tests, and electronic filing systems of patient’s health records. With current technology, health officials are able to test blood for diseases and DNA to help with organ transplants. The test allows longer life span for those who may suffer from any organ problems. The test is able to detect organ rejections by measuring enzymes in the blood. In Emily Singer’s review Elaine Reed, director of Transplant and Immunogenetics Testing at the University of California, Los Angeles states, â€Å"The test holds a lot of promise. † The test promotes a successful transplant procedure. Cardiologist at Stanford and one of the researchers on the study, Hannah Valantine concludes, â€Å"Maybe we can avoid high-dose immune suppression with early recognition and early treatment. † Without this new technology of DNA testing so many health problems would be unsolved and shorter life spans of individuals that didn’t have a chance to receive a new heart. However, technology can be disruptive and physically harmful to society. Rowe illustrates a negative viewpoint of a popular technological device that almost everyone is using the cell phone. Cell phones cause distraction whether it is on the road or in a coffee shop. There’s been a number of cell phone related car accidents because of an individual simply texting or talking on the cell phone; therefore, he or she is most likely not paying attention to the road but focusing on the conversation that’s on the other end of the phone. Some of the cell phone related accidents end with either life threating injuries or death. Rowe illustrates, â€Å"If you’ve been clipped by a car tooling around the corner while driver sits gabbing, cell phone in hand, then you are aware of this. The big problem, of course, is the noise† (304). In addition, the noise that cell phones seem to be associated with is the biggest issue of why some individuals may dislike it. Individuals talk loudly into their device with no concern of other individuals that may want some quiet. Rowe claims, â€Å"They produce secondhand noise, just as cigarettes produce secondhand smoke; and from the standpoint of the forced consumer of this noise, the only responsible use is non-use† (305). Some individuals want the choice on whether or not they want a loud talking individual on a cell phone while he or she is trying to enjoy a quiet peaceful trip or nice cup of coffee. In addition, technology can also hinder the learning environment. The iPod’s smartphones/androids, Ipad’s, and laptops can all have a negative impact on the learning environment. They distract the students and break their focus on what they are supposed to be focusing on, which is their schoolwork. The students have more ways to access their Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, or YouTube accounts that allow them to lose focus on their studies. There’s usually so much happening on these sites that distract the students very easily. Facebook posts or tweets from Nicki Minaj on Twitter, these things are so addictive. In G. Jeffrey MacDonald’s article â€Å"Too Much Computer Exposure May Hinder Learning,† he states, â€Å"The mere availability of computers at home seems to distract students from learning. † With technology getting so advanced, it is hard trying to focus in class when individuals are wondering whose texting or sending them a picture message. Now the new android phones have the capability of video chatting with an application called â€Å"Oovoo. However, the biggest distraction right now are the little hand help computers that acts just like a regular computer, also it can fit right in a pocketbook or even small enough to carry. These new technologies are beginning to have a sort of addicting nature to them. When an individual have a new 3G cell phone or the new miniature computers individuals will want to use it regardless of where he or she may be. Christopher Dede, professor of learning technologies at the Harvard School of Education expresses, â€Å"There’s this sort of bizarre elief that computers cast a spell over students and teachers and schools. † These new technologies are distracting and catching the eyes of today’s adolescents which are causing them to neglect their homework and studies. Technology can be frustrating and almost as addictive as smoking a cigarette is. Current technology can have both a positive and negative impact of families and our society. Current technology serves many positive purposes whether it is helping the medical field or allowing families to have a stronger ability to communicate with one another. Then again, it also serves negative aspects such as physical harm to an individual or mental harm to one’s education. It all depends on how the technology is being used in individuals’ everyday lives. Work Cited Hye-Kyung, Chang. â€Å"Information Age Changes Family Life, Values: Concept of Family is Shifting from ‘Family-Centered Individuals’ to ‘Individual-Centered Family. ’† The Korean Herald. 19 Sept. 2008. LexisNexis. Web. 29 March 2011. â€Å"John Muir Health Offers New Radiation Therapy to Optimize Cancer Treatment. Business Wire 23 March. 2011. General OneFile. Web. 27 March 2011. MacDonald, Jeffery G. â€Å"Too Much Computer May Hinder Learning. † The Christian Science Monitor. 6 December. 2004. LexisNexis. Web. 29 March 2011. Rowe, Jonathan. â€Å"Reach Out and Annoy Someone. † Kreml, Nancy, et al. The User’s Guide to College Writing with Readings. 4th ed. New York: 2004. 201-208 Print. Singer, Emily. â₠¬Å"A Genetic Test for Organ Rejection. † Technology Review. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 29 March. 2011.