All the World's Frustrations
We had a written assignment for Psychology due today (Sunday). The first question was along the lines of violence in the media and how it correlates with childhood aggression. While writing I was getting more and more angry, so I guess I found where a passionate subject of mine lies. I thought I'd post it.
Violence in media, meaning the often bloody, gory, painful, or otherwise harmful injuries and assaults endured by characters of television programs and video games, can be a touchy subject to many people. Some believe that the sole cause of the rise in aggression of the youth population is the fact that they are desensitized to violence because they have seen it on television, or are causing it in video games. There are also those who believe that the two don't correlate at all. When a person is desensitized to something, it no longer appears threatening or frightening; it matters very little.
Aggression can be defined as "hostile or violent behavior or attitudes toward another; readiness to attack or confront", or as "the action of attacking without provocation" (dictionary.com). A child constantly bombarded with the fictional deaths on television and video games, is more apt to be aggressive, especially if he/she isn't able to express anger effectively with age-appropriate peers. Children, I believe, need to play and run and have arguments with each other relatively free of close parental supervision. Children allowed so to work out disagreements from a young age, begin to understand how to interact with others. Problem-solving becomes familiar. With the advent of both parents working, daycare, and the general disinterest or distrust of neighbors that has become commonplace in America, children have almost nothing to do but sit around playing games and watching television.
Is it then so strange that our children become frustrated with what the world has to offer them? Hardly more than temporary entertainment and fleeting fun. Lasting, lifelong friendships become rare treasures. Is it any wonder that people have mental disorders? Our lives are so far removed now from physical labor, is it any wonder we have trouble sleeping? Frustrations build and the people don't know why. Frustrations can build to the point that violence is seen as inevitable, but we are taught to not get involved, to back off, and so we let troubling signs slip by us until someone explodes. Then we look back and say, "What a tragedy."
Yes, there is a definite link between what a child watches and ultimately what he does, but more of the responsibility lies with parents and guardians. Children need to do what children have always needed to do: laugh and scream and play, and most importantly, learn.
Shepherding the Sheepdog
I posted here about Max, the new addition to the dog group here at the house.
He's coming along pretty well. He's much more comfortable with us and the noises in the house. He still gets nervous about loud voices and when he doesn't exactly understand what is expected of him. New people are scary, but he doesn't avoid and ignore them for long. He won't exactly approach, but tolerates petting and gentle treatment extremely well. He doesn't drool constantly anymore.
On the other hand, he is nothing like I was expecting or hoping for in a dog. He is not overly cuddly, though he'll stand for petting and obviously enjoys it. He listens well on the leash, but hates going anywhere besides an established path and/or route. He is very good at getting out of his collars, even his martingale. I believe he'd be highly trainable, if I knew how to break him of, or help him through his fear. He likes to jump despite dodgy hips.
He's an old, sweet man who likes nothing more than napping in the sun and sniffing the wind. I'm just not sure he's the dog for me. I am debating asking the shelter to put him as a courtesy posting on their Petfinder page. I am unsure and conflicted about him.
Despite the apparent ambiguity of his situation, he will have a home here with me for the rest of his life. I do not take the responsibility of pets (this would extend to livestock too) lightly. They are not things to be tossed aside, but animals that I am charged to provide for. I made the commitment, I will keep it until it is passed on, or until it comes to and end with his passing.
He's coming along pretty well. He's much more comfortable with us and the noises in the house. He still gets nervous about loud voices and when he doesn't exactly understand what is expected of him. New people are scary, but he doesn't avoid and ignore them for long. He won't exactly approach, but tolerates petting and gentle treatment extremely well. He doesn't drool constantly anymore.
On the other hand, he is nothing like I was expecting or hoping for in a dog. He is not overly cuddly, though he'll stand for petting and obviously enjoys it. He listens well on the leash, but hates going anywhere besides an established path and/or route. He is very good at getting out of his collars, even his martingale. I believe he'd be highly trainable, if I knew how to break him of, or help him through his fear. He likes to jump despite dodgy hips.
He's an old, sweet man who likes nothing more than napping in the sun and sniffing the wind. I'm just not sure he's the dog for me. I am debating asking the shelter to put him as a courtesy posting on their Petfinder page. I am unsure and conflicted about him.
Despite the apparent ambiguity of his situation, he will have a home here with me for the rest of his life. I do not take the responsibility of pets (this would extend to livestock too) lightly. They are not things to be tossed aside, but animals that I am charged to provide for. I made the commitment, I will keep it until it is passed on, or until it comes to and end with his passing.
Futhering Goals
What have I done to further my goals?
The Solar Dehydrator book was ordered and arrived Friday afternoon. I've glanced at it a bit and will have delve more deeply into it! Also, I was finally able to measure my future garden space (remember, this is the first year I will be putting in a garden... ever). Currently it measures 30' by 4'9". I don't know how I want it set up just yet, but I definitely want to make it wider, say 6 feet to start. My Gramma (and the property’s owner) isn’t too thrilled with the whole garden idea. She thinks it’s not worth the effort put forth. I’m still willing to try.
In other news, my camera is pretty much kaput. It had developed a black spot on or in the lense which becomes more and more prevalent the more zoom is applied. I have cleaned and cleaned and cleaned the lenses, made sure it actually shows on the pictures instead of just a flaw on the viewer, and tried everything I could think of. I've been looking at a few new ones online, but am loathe to buy another $100.00 camera. It is too easily called refuse and thrown away. I almost want to spend a lot more money on a camera of good quality just to be motivated to care better for it.
Besides that, I miss taking pictures.
The Solar Dehydrator book was ordered and arrived Friday afternoon. I've glanced at it a bit and will have delve more deeply into it! Also, I was finally able to measure my future garden space (remember, this is the first year I will be putting in a garden... ever). Currently it measures 30' by 4'9". I don't know how I want it set up just yet, but I definitely want to make it wider, say 6 feet to start. My Gramma (and the property’s owner) isn’t too thrilled with the whole garden idea. She thinks it’s not worth the effort put forth. I’m still willing to try.
In other news, my camera is pretty much kaput. It had developed a black spot on or in the lense which becomes more and more prevalent the more zoom is applied. I have cleaned and cleaned and cleaned the lenses, made sure it actually shows on the pictures instead of just a flaw on the viewer, and tried everything I could think of. I've been looking at a few new ones online, but am loathe to buy another $100.00 camera. It is too easily called refuse and thrown away. I almost want to spend a lot more money on a camera of good quality just to be motivated to care better for it.
Besides that, I miss taking pictures.
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