The Problem Of Teenage Pregnancy Essay - 2119 Words

Statement of the Problem Most people say that your teenage years are supposed to be the best years of your life; Finding your place in this world, mostly carefree (with the exceptions of homework and parents), and most of all, having the least amount of responsibilities you will have before you reach adulthood. Sadly, some teens do not get to live this luxury. Many girls in this generation become mothers while they are still considered children. There are approximately 1.3 million homeless teens living in the United States right now. Out of the 1.3 million, 6-22% are pregnant girls (Finzel, 2016). If you do the math, that is nearly 78,000-286,000 pregnant girls who are homeless right now. I chose to write about this topic because I have witnessed many friends, and community members become pregnant at a young age. With government funded programs that help teen mothers learn safe sex methods, and family counseling for distressed mothers and teens, the rate of teen pregnancy would be r educed. Background of the Problem Teenage homelessness, as defined by the National Conference of State Legislatures, are unaccompanied youth who lack parental, institutional, or foster care (Finzel, 2016). Pregnant teenage homelessness has been a rising problem since the late 1980’s-early 1990’s. No one can give one reason as to why teenage mothers become homeless, as there are a broad range of categories that can lead these teens to homelessness. The most common issues that lead toShow MoreRelatedThe Problem Of Teenage Pregnancy1720 Words   |  7 Pages Like Amy and Loeber (2009), when it comes to the ecological paradigm of teenage pregnancy, Corcoran, Franklin, and Bennett (2000) also believe one’s socioeconomic status is a huge factor that contributes to this problem. A person’s socioeconomic status a lot of times determines â€Å"education, expanded family size, single-parent household structure, and lessened resources in terms of employment and income.† These three authors claim that educational performance and goals â€Å"dictate the potential costsRead MoreThe Problem Of Teenage Pregnancy1894 Words   |  8 Pagesactually deliver the baby (Kirby 2007). Out of that 20%, 82% of those pregnancies were unintended (Kirby 2007). Teenaged parents are more likely to drop out of high school, will not go to college, and the mother more than likely becomes a single parent (Kirby 2007). Children who are born to teenage parents are more likely to have a less supportive and less stimulating home environment, lower cog nitive development, behavioral problems, and will most likely have a child when they are a teenager (KirbyRead MoreThe Social Problem With Teenage Pregnancy1358 Words   |  6 PagesThe social problem with teenage pregnancy is one to be aware of. Throughout the years we have seen the numbers all across the spectrum. This being, the number of pregnant teenage girls has decreased in recent years, but on the other hand, has also been pretty high ten to twenty years ago. According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control), â€Å"In 2013, a total of 273,105 babies were born to women ages 15-19 years, for a live birth rate of 26.5 per 1,000 women in this age group. This is a record low forRead MoreTeenage Pregnancy : A Serious Problem1690 Words   |  7 PagesTeenage pregnancy is widely viewed in our society as a serious problem. According to Pregnant Teen Help, over 750,000 teenagers will get pregnant each year. This is a statistic that has lowered in numbers since the 1990’s mai nly due to more teen pregnancy prevention programs in schools and contraceptive availability(). The United States has the highest teen pregnancy rate than any other industrialized country in the world. About a third of these teens abort their pregnancies, 14 percent suffer aRead MoreTeenage Pregnancy Is Becoming A Problem921 Words   |  4 PagesEarly pregnancy is becoming more of a problem every year. More and more teenagers are becoming pregnant and becoming young mothers. There are many reasons on why this is such a problem. For instance, young mothers drop out of high school, their bodies are not mature enough, not as financially stable as they should be, and many other reasons. In the periodal How to Stop Teen Pregnancies, it states â€Å"When teenage girls have babies, they are in danger. They more likely will suffer serious health problemsRead MoreTeenage Pregnancy Is A Growing Problem1782 Words   |  8 PagesIntroduction Teenage pregnancy is a growing problem today even though statistically over the history it has improved the U.S. still has the highest teen pregnancy rate. These issues have a spiraling effect with the teenage parents or the mother. Financial, academic, and childcare for a teenage parent can be stressful and demanding more so with a teenager. Not only will the child of the teenager be affected but the parent and the community will have adverse effect. Thesis Even though with properRead MoreThe Social Problem Of Teenage Pregnancy929 Words   |  4 Pagespositive. Occasionally, â€Å"average age† parents are not sufficiently prepared to deal with parenthood, thus a teenager is greatly less prepared. Therefore, teenage pregnancy has become a major social problem which fundaments should be understood in order to provide a solution to it. In order to understand a social problem such as teenage pregnancy, it is important to look firstly at its causes. In the first place, parents are of immense importance regarding a child’s development because they are theRead MoreTeenage Pregnancy And Parenthood As A Social Problem1466 Words   |  6 PagesTeenage pregnancy and parenthood as a social problem Question – To what extent should we regard the efforts of recent governments to reduce teenage pregnancy and early parenthood as successful? * Source 1 Williams-Wheeler, D. (2004). The unplanned pregnancy book for teens and college students, Virginia Beach, VA: Sparkledoll Productions. The information gathered from this source is definitely devoted to the topic of teenage pregnancy because it is a helpful guide to those handling unplanned pregnanciesRead MorePublic Health Problem Of Teenage Pregnancy2260 Words   |  10 PagesPublic Health Problem Teenage pregnancy has been a common public health problem in society, particularly in America. When an individual hears that 15 year old girl is pregnant, people perceive it as a negative connotation. The average age to have a child today is 28 years old (Jewkes, Morrell, Christofides, 2009).   Adolescent pregnancies are preventable, but are still bound to happen today and in the future (Langille, 2007). This is a problem is society due to teenagers not being able to supportRead MoreTeenage Pregnancy : Society s Biggest Problem1503 Words   |  7 Pages Teenage Pregnancy Teenage Pregnancy is society s biggest problem, there are so many ways to prevent it, also many advices from people and many decisions a teen parent must make in life. It is today s biggest issue because it affects teen parent s future in many results. The three most important things that it affects is education, financial problems, and being a teenage parent. Those three important things are key to each other in order to succeed in life. Teenage Parents are most

Analysis of Letter From Birmingham Jail - 773 Words

Every Individual comes to a point in their life when he or she must take a stand for what he or she believes in. For some, this may mean coming to the defense of other people, for others taking a stand could mean holding firm to beliefs or morals. In any case taking a stand is part of the human experience. Realizations, reformations, revelations, and revolutions have been brought forth in history because a dauntless individual stood firm for what he or she held to be true. Martin Luther King is famous for his daring counter-cultural beliefs and for being a man who truly made a stand in his struggle to gain civil rights for black people. A genius of the art of persuasion, King uses tremendously effective emotional†¦show more content†¦King states â€Å"Perhaps it is easy for those who have never felt the stinging darts of segregation to say wait. But when you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will and drown your brothers and sisters at whim...† For most people the bonds of family are among the most prized sentimental establishments, making it uncomfortable and even painful to imagine one’s own family members being lynched, mobbed, or drowned as haphazardly and unjustly as King describes it. By escorting his audience to a seat of suffering King engages his audience’s sympathies. By doing so he causes his audience to be more perceptive to his message. Though King pierces the heart of his audience by pinpointing their patriotism and value of family relations, he also provides his targets of persuasion with a more comfortable and enticing appeal. Throughout King’s letter there are numerous alliterations, each serves the same purpose of augmenting his argument. King states â€Å"When you have seen hate-filled policemen curse, kick, and even kill your black brothers and sisters. The hard â€Å"c† or â€Å"k† sound reinforces the idea of cursing, kicking or killing. The repetition of the hard consonants even makes it feel as though King himself is â€Å"kicking† his point into the readers mind. It almost causes one to wince at the sound of the three words. Alliteration stands as a highly effective element in emotional persuasion because the human brain enjoysShow MoreRelatedRhetorical Analysis Of Letter From Birmingham Jail1052 Words   |  5 Pagesdiscrimination is? A Rhetorical Analysis of Letter From Birmingham Jail It is known to all that Martin Luther King is a famous person in America, who strongly goes against the racial discrimination all the time. Here, in this letter, Letter from Birmingham Jail, it is easy for us to realize that racial discrimination appears and the non-violence action is still serious at that time. As a matter of fact, this letter is coming from the people in the Birmingham jail, stating their inner thoughts aboutRead MoreLetter From Birmingham Jail Analysis850 Words   |  4 Pagesfriends. (MLK)† This quote from the inspirational civil rights leader captures the motivation behind his â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail.† He wrote this letter in 1963--after he had been jailed--in response to southern white clergy who called his actions â€Å"unwise and untimely.† Although MLK utilizes many varying appeals and devices, Kairos and anaphora are the most forceful because they pressure the white clergy and stimulate guilt in them. MLK inserts kairos in his letter to pressure the white clergyRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Letter from Birmingham Jail1517 Words   |  7 PagesPonder Eng291-001 13 September 2013 Rhetorical Analysis Rhetorical Analysis of â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail† â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail,† by Martin Luther King, Jr., is a letter in which King is writing to his â€Å"fellow clergymen† in a response to their recent criticism of the actions he was leading in Birmingham at the time. The letter was written in April of 1963, a time when segregation was essentially at a peak in the south. Birmingham, in particular, is described by King as â€Å"probablyRead MoreAnalysis Of Letter From Birmingham Jail785 Words   |  4 PagesWhile imprisoned in Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King Jr. received a letter from the local clergymen that condemned his actions calling them rash and extreme, in response Dr. King wrote his own letter back defending his decisions. In his letter from Birmingham Jail, Dr. King introduces the idea of positive extremism as he attempts to convince the clergymen of the need for direct action in Birmingham, by showing the similarities in his own struggles and those faced by countless historical and biblicalR ead MoreCritical Analysis: Letter from Birmingham Jail1191 Words   |  5 PagesCritical Analysis Essay â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail† In arguing, writers use different techniques to effectively convey their message to their intended audience. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s Letter from Birmingham Jail was a response to A Call for Unity by eight white clergymen in which King’s presence in Birmingham and his methods of public demonstration were questioned. King’s letter was not only a response to his presence in Birmingham, but he also used the opportunity to address theRead MoreLetter from a Birmingham Jail Analysis1025 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"A Letter from Birmingham Jail† by Martin Luther King Jr. was written in the margins of a letter posted by the clergymen of Alabama at this time that sparked his interest and while he inhabited the jail cell for parading around without a permit. This time allowed him the ability to respond wholeheartedly to this cynical oppressing. King’s letter addresses specific points presented in the Clergymen’s and this direct response distinguishes Kingà ¢â‚¬â„¢s strong points through his powerful writing.   UnethicalRead MoreLetter From Birmingham Jail Analysis1617 Words   |  7 Pagespeaceful protests in Birmingham, Alabama, he was jailed on accounts of â€Å"parading without a permit† (King 3). While in jail, Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote a response to â€Å"A Call For Unity,† written by eight white clergymen of Birmingham, regarding King’s actions as â€Å"unwise and untimely† (King 1). This famous response soon came to be known as â€Å"Letter From Birmingham Jail,† and is currently regarded as one of the best pieces of rhetoric ever written. Dr. King’s â€Å"Letter From Birmingham Jail† is thoroughlyRead MoreAnalysis Of Letter From Birmingham Jail1058 Words   |  5 PagesLetters from Birmingham Jail, was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s response to an open letter from eight Caucasian clergymen in the state of Alabama who had condemned the actions of King Jr. and blac k civil rights leaders. Dr. King Jr. made an impassioned argument addressing the concerns of the clergymen and vigorously discussed shock at their response. His letter covered a multitude of factors clearly and succinctly in a stinging critique of the clergymen’s views. In his infamous letter, Dr. King JrRead MoreSummary and Rhetorical Analysis of â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail†1708 Words   |  7 PagesSummary and Rhetorical Analysis of â€Å"Letter from Birmingham Jail† Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested on April 12, 1963, in Birmingham, for protesting without a permit. The same day that King was arrested, a letter was written and signed by eight clergymen from Birmingham and titled â€Å"A Call for Unity†. The letter called for ending demonstrations and civil activities and indicated King as an â€Å"outsider†. On April 16, 1963, King responded to their letter with his own call, which has come toRead Moreâ€Å"Letters from a Birmingham Jail† Analysis of the Rhetorical Appeals1182 Words   |  5 Pagescreate a trustworthy bond with the audience, support his claim through reason, and create emotion in the audience that compels them to leap out of their seats and take action. Martin Luther King Jr. attempted to do this when he wrote an open letter while in his jail cell after a peaceful debate against segregation. His lettered response was guided at a statement by eight white Alabama clergymen saying that segregation should be fought in court and not on the streets. King uses a combination of three

Financial Information System free essay sample

A financial information system (FIS) accumulates and analyzes financial data used for optimal financial planning and forecasting decisions and outcomes. FIS is used in conjunction with a decision support system, and it helps a firm attain its financial objectives because they use a minimal amount of resources relative to a predetermined margin of safety. FIS can be thought of as a financial planner for electronic commerce that can also produce large amounts of market and financial data at once obtained from financial databases worldwide. Financial data analysis may be conducted through trend evaluations, ratio analyses and financial planning modeling. Data outputs that are produced by FIS can include operating and capital budgets, working capital reports, accounting reports and cash flow forecasts. The predictive analytics included in these applications may also narrow down exactly what could be expected from a business interaction or transaction that has yet to take place. The management of financial information in an e-commerce business is paramount in order to gain maximum operating results in the shortest amount of time. An FIS can also yield huge amounts of data for daily business operations. Financial markets traders and salespeople have the greatest demand for FIS because they work in very fast environments and their on-demand computing systems must keep up with real-time activities in order to allow these professionals to operate in real time. Broker investigating, investment and trade data along with fiscal asset classes can be relayed through an FIS. This also works for smaller businesses that need to obtain financial data about local markets. FIS is a form of real-time operating system that works to enhance financial information exchanges. Term for a system that accumulates and analyzes financial data in order to make good financial management decisions in running the business. The basic objective of the financial information system is to meet the firms financial obligations as they come due, using the minimal amount of financial resources consistent with an established margin of safety. Outputs generated by the system include accounting reports, operating and capital budgets, working capital reports, cash flow forecast, and various what if analysis eports. The evaluation of financial data may be performed through ratio analysis, trend evaluation, and financial planning modeling. Financial planning and forecasting are facilitated if used in conjunction with a DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM (DSS). Features of FIS Main Modules Systems typically have three main modules. The financial accounting module records all accounting and financial transactions and produces financial statements. Funds management identifies funding sources and overall spending consistent with budgets. Controlling tracks revenue and expenses for each project or department. Processes and modules within IFIS: The following services and features are available through IFIS * Accounts Payable allows online entry of invoices and maintenance of vendor data. * Budget and Staffing provides input, storage, maintenance, and reporting of budget and staffing data. * Chart of Accounts (COA) provides codes necessary for recording, organizing, and reporting financial information. * Communications defines groups and tracks notices, bulletins, and announcements. Express Order enables online reporting, placement of telephone orders to vendors, and invoice remittances. General Accounting encompasses fund accounting, chart of accounts, system table maintenance and update, and grants and contract accounting. * Person/ Entity records and maintains basic information on individuals and entities such as vendors, third parties, and institutions. * Purchasing facilitates buying activities, such as requests for goods and services, and online ordering and buying. * Security maintains all IFIS security activities. * Travel enables online reporting and maintenance of travel accounting. * Utilities contain additional table maintenance and system features used throughout IFIS. Availability Major global software providers such as Oracle and SAP develop and sell financial information systems. Increasingly, systems are available as Internet-based applications that need not be installed on company servers. Cost Systems are not cheap. Costs include the initial software license, system installation and integration, annual maintenance contracts for support and upgrades, and staff training on system features and use. Implementation Systems need to be integrated with other business applications such as Human Resources modules on pay and benefits. Therefore, businesses often hire integration specialists. System deployment and integration is complex and time consuming, and raises overall cost Benefits A financial information system is not suitable for everyone. Due to its complexity and cost, it is better suited for medium- and large-sized organizations. Types of FIS Accounting Software Business size and needs determine the type of account software needed. A basic accounting software program can assist a business with invoicing and financial statement reporting but is limited for complex organizations, particularly ones with overseas operations. A sophisticated accounting program can incorporate sales, audit, treasury (cash management), inventory tracking and other functions. For a company with overseas operations, a sophisticated financial information system can integrate various parts of the business operations, taking into account currency conversion. Mid-Market A company needs great enhanced financial information as it becomes larger and more complex. Accounting functionality is usually bundled in a robust software package as part of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) program. ERP software combines all processes and data used by a business into a single system. A mid-market ERP program can accommodate a business with 10 to 100 employees and revenue of $10 to $50 million. Mid-market ERP software offers database capabilities and better analytics. An example of a mid-market ERP program is SAP Business One. A mid-market ERP program can cost a company as much as $75,000 as of 2011. High-End Systems Companies such as IBM utilize high-end ERP software to handle their vast operations. Examples of high-end ERP vendors include SAP, PeopleSoft, Great Plains and Oracle. A high-end financial information system can cost as much as $500,000 as of 2011 and, depending on business needs, can run into the millions of dollars. Vertical Vertical financial information systems are often proprietary in nature so no two systems are alike, even for companies within the same industry. For example, a bank can use vertical accounting software to analyze profitability by specific banking product and identify profitability by branch location. Considerations Before considering a financial information system, perform a cost-benefit analysis. You must not only account for cost but how the system should fit your business needs and whether it can grow with your business. You also have to consider implementation time, training and customer support. System Complexity * FIS is far more complex, but more dynamic, than the current FRS system. * Transactions flow through multiple modules * User training is critical and will be required to fully utilize the system. Background Current hardware based on IBM mainframe * Old technology * Expensive to maintain (Maintenance and repair parts) New System is Oracle Based * Very Robust, Modular System * Web based access Enhanced ability to encumber funds * Enhanced capabilities and future growth * Enhanced ad-hoc reporting with access to University Wide data What Are the Benefits of Financial Information Systems? A financial information system (FIS) is charged with monitoring finances within an organization or business. It takes complex data and processes it into specialized reports, saving time and effort in dealing with business accounting. While financial information systems have many benefits, it should be noted that having an FIS in place can be costly and usually requires training for those people operating the system. Accounting The center of a financial information system will be found in accounting. This area looks at the overall financial picture of a project, business or individual, incorporating both accounts payable and accounts receivable. The larger the project, the more beneficial a financial information system becomes. While an advanced system might not be necessary for an individual financial account, an organizations finances can be tracked through a financial information system. Funds Another benefit to having a financial information system in place is seen with funding. The FIS examines where funds are coming in and where funds are going out. Unlike accounting, however, FIS can make use of rigid budget controls. This enables a user to quickly identify whether or not a financial situation is developing. If funding has been designated for Maintenance for $200,000 and several servers go down and require immediate repair in the amount of $215,000, the FIS program will indicate that funding has gone over budget and will require changes to be made to the budget. Reporting Reporting is another benefit to having an FIS in place. By allowing users to examine reports on any aspect of the financial data, it assists in keeping track of past expenses, as well as projecting future expenses. In addition, it helps identify different departments and divisions that consistently go over budget, as well as which departments operate within their budget, and even which departments actually come in under budget. Specialization Specialized financial information systems are available, ranging from those designed for stock brokers and traders to medical institutions. Financial information systems used in stocks and bonds are designed to provide near-instant financial market data, projecting trends, keeping track of stock sales, and generally gathering and disseminating stock market data as quickly as possible. A medical FIS would contain patient information as it relates to payment costs for insurance purposes, as well as an extensive database of insurance claims, insurance payouts and anything else related to a medical offices finances. The Disadvantages of Accounting Information Systems Learning the System Learning an accounting information system can often be difficult and time-consuming. Individuals must be trained on a system, and this can cause a disadvantage to companies in terms of time and manpower. An accounting information system is made up of many different components, and almost all systems are computerized. Because of their complexity, some people may find them hard to use. It can take weeks or months for a person to understand an accounting system, and usually the individual still does not understand completely what the system is capable of. If the employee quits working at the organization, it can take weeks or months, once again, to train another employee. Loss of Information Accounting information systems are usually computerized. Because of this, there is always a risk of losing information through power outages or system crashes. When this happens, there is a chance that all the information in the system could be lost. Companies take precautions for this problem by backing up their files regularly and performing standard maintenance on all computer systems. They also install anti-virus software as another precaution. Still, none of these steps eliminates the potential problem that may occur. Accounting information systems store a companys financial information for years. If a system crash occurs, it causes a major disadvantage to the company. All, or some, information is lost, and theres a chance it may never be recovered. Re-evaluation Companies often change their way of doing business to keep up with the latest trends. To keep up in a demanding business world, these changes may impact an accounting system. An accounting information system is difficult to set up because every company is unique in its own way. In order to keep up with changes, accounting information systems must be re-evaluated often. Changes often need to be made in a system in order to process information efficiently. This can be a disadvantage to companies because it takes time for the re-evaluation, and it costs money.

Marxism and the Truman Show Essay Example

Marxism and the Truman Show Essay The   Truman   Show   has   a   lot   to   say   about   the   culture   and   society   we   live   in   today. It   is   one   of   those    lot.. and   we   ended   up   with   this   presentation,   where   we   shortly   show   how   The   Truman   Show   can   be    and   the   principals   of   Marxism person’s   reality   is   constructed   by   how   they   experience   and   interpret   their   personal   reality,   and   also    believes   that   the   outcome   of   your   experience   is   not   certain   and   universal   but   relative   and   incomplete. It   questions   the   rationalization   of   generally   accepted   ideas   of   certain   groups,   cultures,   traditions   or    races   and   focuses   on   truths   relative   to   each   people. explanation   for   everything   for   everybody   (Faith   and   Reason). 3. Why   is   Truman   Postmodern? shows   how   each   person’s   world   is   relative   to   their   experiences   and   interpretation   of   the   world   around    them. person’s   own   reality   and   creates   meaning   for   them. In   order   to   do   this,   it   creates   a   world   within   a   world   - ­   an   utopian   like   world   within   the   movie. And    throughout   the   movie,   it   exposes   the   structures   of   this   world. It   is   skeptical   about   everything   in    Truman’s   world,   including   the   media,   the   people   he   loves,   his   friends,   the   company   he   works   for,   his    memories,   his   upbringing,   his   aspirations,   his   home   and   his   habits. Through   this   perfect,   constructed   world,   it   tries   to   show   how   our   own   world   is   constructed   similarly    are   constantly   at   work   to   create   his   world. . What   is   Hyper- ­reality? Hyperreality   can   be   described   as   the   failure   of   the   consciousness   to   draw   distinctions   between   reality    and   fantasy,   especially   in   technologically   advanced   progressed   postmodern   cul tures   as   we   live   in    today. (Hyperreality. 2010)   Cultural   representations   are   not   measured   against   a   particular   human    reality,   but   become   automatically   accepted   in   the   culture. representation,   mirroring   a articular   real,   but   it   is   now   a   Ã¢â‚¬Å"model   of   a   real   without   any   origin†   and   that    is   the   hyperreal. So   there   is   no   longer   a   real,   and   a   representation,   it   is   only   the   hyperreal   that   exists    and   alters   the   real   (Baudrillard   1988). This   hyperreal   is   produced   from   ideas   from   people’s   memory   storage   and   authoritative   models,   which    allows   the   hyperreal   to   not   make   sense   or   be   rational,   because   it   is   not   meas ured   against   an   original representation   still   leaves   the   real   complete. We will write a custom essay sample on Marxism and the Truman Show specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Marxism and the Truman Show specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Marxism and the Truman Show specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer But   because   the   simulation   produces   signs   of   the    real,   the   real   loses   its   meaning   and   can   not   be   accepted   as   the   truth   anymore,   because   it   can   be    simulated   (Baudrillard   1988). This   simulation   with   its   system   of   signs   has   the   ability   to   Ã¢â‚¬Å"murder†   the   real. In   today’s   world,   people    2 think   that   a   sign   could   refer   to   a   meaning,   and   have   depth   of   meaning. In   other   words,   that   the   sign    could   exchange   for   meaning. that   murders   the   real,   because   the   real   never   has   to   be   produced   again   (Baudrillard   1988). s   relevant   because   of   the   sign   exchange   value. The   one   brand   may   show   that   the   product   is    fashionable   and   the   other   brand   advertises/sells   wealth,   thus   consumerism   can   be   seen   as   a    important   contributing   factor   to   the   creation   of   hyperreality. Hyperreality   deceives   the   consciousness    into   breaking   free   from   any   real   emotional   commitment   rather   choosing   false   simulation   and   nonstop    the   temporary   simulacrum   of   reality,   rather   than   any   affection   on   the   Ã¢â‚¬Å"real†   reality   (Hyperreality   2010). There   are   three   orders   of   simulacra. and   the   simulacrum   tries   to   portray   an   ideal   image   of   the   real. For   example   a   painting,   photoshopped    image   of   someone,   fashion,   theatre. BUT   the   original   still   exists   and   exposes   the   fake The   second   order,   the   Ã¢â‚¬Å"Production†,   dominant   in   the   industrial   era   Ã¢â‚¬Å"up   to   the   middle   of   the   20th    as   the   original)   but   we   can   still distinguish   between   the   real   and   the   copy. The   third   order,   in   the   present   age   is   the   Ã¢â‚¬Å"simulations†:   they   have   no   original. They   produce   the    model   Ã¢â‚¬Å"of   a   real   without   origin   of   reality†   and   this   produces   the   hyperreal. This   is   where   the   death   of    - ­   hyperreality. Examples:   virtual   realities,   Disneyland,   opinion   polls,   media,   Ã¢â‚¬Å"nike   sneakers   as   status    symbols†. (Mann   2010) 5. â€Å"The   Truman   Show†   movie   and   hyperreality       5. 1   Why   is   TV   a   hyperreality                The   television   screen   is   a   hyperreality   and   I   will   explain   how   Baudrillard   tries   to   argue   this. They   weren’t   necessarily   an   honest   representation   of   reality,   but   they   were   honest   about   being   based    on   a   reality   and   we   could   distinguish   between   the   reality   and   the   representation   (King   1998). For   Baudrillard,   with   the   television,   a   cultural   revolution   took   place   where   the   representations   are    not   related   anymore   to   a   particular   reality. Baudrillard   argues   that   a   live   scene   is   still   connected   to   a    reality   and   can   still   be   interpreted   and   compared   to   something   real   in   order   to   show   how   incomplete   it    is. But   not   with   a   television   screen   (King   1998). He   says   that   the   television   blocks   all   interpretation   from   the   viewer,   because   TV   is   automatically    translated   in   the   viewer’s   mind. The   process   of   interpreting,   reading   and   participating   is   eliminated   in    â€Å"the   hyperreality   of   television†   because   we   are   passive   witnesses   (King   1998). 5. 2   Why   is   reality   shows   and   Ã¢â‚¬Å"The   Truman   Show   a   hyperreality? The   reality   show   Ã¢â‚¬Å"The   Truman   Show†   within   the   movie   is   a   hyperreality,   because   it   tries   to   be   more    real   than   real. Reality   shows   in   general   are   hyperrealities   because   of   the   fact   that   it   claims   to   be 3 behaviour   and   the   footage   is   always   selective   (King   1998). But,   in   Ã¢â‚¬Å"Truman   Show†   Truman   does   not   know   of   the   cameras   and   the   footage   is   24/7   playing. Does    this   then   make   the   reality   show   Ã¢â‚¬Å"Truman   Show†   more   real   than   other   reality   TV   shows. No, because    the   people   in   Truman’s   life   (the   cast   of   the   Truman   Show)   know   that   there   are   cameras. Also,   the    watching   him,   everything   around   him   that   makes   him   who   he   is,   is   part   of   a   construction   of   the   Reality    show. So,   when   this   reality   show   claims   to   portray   the   real   of   Truman,   it   kills   the   real   (that   is   it   kills   the    real   Truman. When   it   asks   the   people   watching   Ã¢â‚¬Å"The   Truman   Show†   to   accept   that   what   they   are    seeing   is   the   honest   and   true   life   of   Truman,      it   demands   that   the   actual   Truman,   how   he   would   be    outside   of   this   show,   does   not   exist. He   can   only   be   Ã¢â‚¬Å"real†   inside   this   the   dome   which   is   Seahaven    Island. It   then   kills   his   Ã¢â‚¬Å"real†   ambitions,   interests,   fears   and   personality   because   it   claims   that   only   his    ambitions,   interests,   fears,   personality   and   ultimately   Truman’s   identity   on   the   show   is   what   is   only    real   that   exists. This   is   directly   true   for   all   of   the   people   or   the   cast   living   with   Truman   in   Seahaven   island. The   cast    does   not   have   the   same   identities   the   moment   they   exit   the   show   (or   the   dome   that   is   Seahaven)   - ­   for    example   the   wife   is   only   his   wife,   while   she   is   in   truman   show,   outside   the   dome   - ­   who   is   she   then? 5. 3   Why   is   The   Truman   Show,   so   appealing   to   the   average   person It   is   a   reality   show   of   a   really   average   man   living   in   a   plain,   average   city   or   island. His   life   isn’t   very    exciting   and   consists   out   of   the   average   events   and   mundane   routines. So   why   do   the   people   keep    on   watching   it? For   Baudrillard,   reality   TV   Ã¢â‚¬Å"increases   our   fascination   with   the   obscene†   that   is   the   thirst   for   Ã¢â‚¬Å"the    invasion   of   privacy†   (Chin- ­Yi   2007) Baudrillard   argues   how   reality   television   shows   how   people   desire   the   display   of   banality   or   the    cliche. There   is   this   explosion   of   interest   in   daily   life. People   are   fascinated   with   the   pointless,    mundane   aspects   and   events   of   daily   life   on   the   TV,   because   of   the   boredom   of   our   own   lives. When unplanned   events,   spontaneous   and   Ã¢â‚¬Å"authentic†   and   often   showing   unpleasant   aspects   of   the    person’s   life   (Chin- ­Yi   2007). as   if   they   are   really   gazing   at   the   people   in   the   show   and   makes   the   viewer   able   to   be   part   of   the    â€Å"production   of   meaning†   of   the show. This   is   used   in   Big   Brother   in   the   form   of   the   participants’    â€Å"confessional   diaries†   and   in   American   Idol   when   the   public   can   vote   to   alter   the   outcome   of   the   show    (Chin- ­Yi   2007). In   the   Truman   Show,   cameras   are   placed   strategically   so   that,   as   in   the   Big   Brother’s   Ã¢â‚¬Å"confessional    diaries†,   Truman   looks   directly   into   the   camera   and   makes   the   viewer   feel   as   if   they   are   really   gazing    back   at   him. Reality   TV   and   Ã¢â‚¬Å"The   Truman   Show†   operates   as   a   perfect   model. â€Å"The   Truman   Sow†   is   a    representing   a   real   world   or   place. It   is   made   to   be   better,   safer   and   happier   than   any   reality   - ­   more    perfect,   more   controlled. Show†   believe   that   actual   reality   is   elsewhere. They   watch   with   the   idea   that   their   lives   is   the   real,   the    mundane   and   the   Reality   show   is   what   they   should   strive   to   and   what   is   more   interesting. It   is   the    4 perfectness   of   the   world,   the   orderlyness,   the   synchronization,   construction   that   fascinates   the   people    people   switch   on   the   TV   and   they   can   Ã¢â‚¬Å"become   part   of   his   life†   or   be   transported   into   his   life. This   process   murders   the   real   of   the   people   watching   Ã¢â‚¬Å"The   Truman   Show†. Because   they   watch    â€Å"The   Truman   Show†   with   the   idea   that   the   boring,   mundane   world   is   the   world   they   live   in,   it   murders    their   own   reality. Seahaven   Island   is   actually   the   Ã¢â‚¬Å"real†   world   - ­   a   miniaturised,   utopian   Ã¢â‚¬Å"real†   America,    because   it   contains   the   ideology   of   America   and   what   Americans   hold   high. It   conceals   that   it   is   the    real   world   and   is   therefor   presented   as   a   fake,   safe,   happier   than   happy   place. The   rest   of   the   world    is   no   longer   real,   because   it   is   part   of   the   Ã¢â‚¬Å"order   of   the   hyperreal†   - ­   it   becomes   part   of   the   simulation . Marxism   Theory of   econom ic   management   which   results   to   the   oppression   of   the   proletariat,   who   ad   up   to   the   most   of    the   world’s   inhabitants   and   dedicate   most   of   their   life   labouring   for   the   advantage   of the   bourgeoisie. Marxism   today   regularly   has   more   remarkable   things   to   say   about   Ã¢â‚¬Å"culture,   consciousness,†   and    associated   problems   that   it   does   about   economics   (Berger   2005). There   are      a   few   basic   principles   of   Marxism   that   comes   accross   in   Ã¢â‚¬Å"The   Truman   Show†   and   can   be    used   to   analyse   this   movie 6.   Materialism Marxist   ideas   are   known   as   being   materialistic. Marx   underlined   the   connection   between   society   and    our   consciou sness. The   mode   of   production   is   everything   that   goes   into   producing   the   necessities    of   material   life   as   in   economic   relations,   Ã¢â‚¬Å"labor,   instruments,   raw   materials†,   social   structures   that    regulate   humans   in   the   production   of   goods,   how   we   produce   goods   and   what   we   produce;;   this   all    determines   our   thoughts,   our   consciousness   and   how   we   express   our   lives. So   our   social   being    comes   before   our   consciousness   (Felluga   2011). Marx   suggests   that   there   is   an   Ã¢â‚¬Å"inner   logic   at   work†   which   means   the   economic   system   shapes    So   our   ideas   are   not   completely   our   own,   but   affected   by   the   media   (Berger   2005). his   day   revolves   around   his   occupation. Obviously   with   the   motivation   to   earn   money,   which   is   a    of   the   morals   and   rules   that   is   set   up. For   Truman,   this   is   also   true   because   his   public   social   image   was   constructed   before   he   gained    consciousness   as   a   person. The   moment   he   was   born   he   was   chosen   to   Ã¢â‚¬Å"star†   in   this   reality   tv   show    and   from   thereon   everything   in   his   life   was   previously   determined   and   controlled   by   the   creators   of    the   show. with   messages   aimed   at   giving   Truman   certain   ideas. These   ideas   help   secures   Truman   in   his   world And   lastly,   by   setting   up   events   in   order   to   mold   Truman’s   fears   and   ambitions,   one   of   them   being   an    incident   where   Truman   and   his   father   sailed   out   to   sea   when   he   was   small,   and   his   father   supposedly    got   swept   away   by   the   sea,   which   made   Truman   scared   of   water   ever   since. 5 to   get   to,   we   know   he   show   has   created   his   fear   of   water   and his   occupation   uses   this   to   gain   control    over   him   so   that   he   would   stay   in   his   place. Warts   also   mentions   that   the   company   is   making   cut    than   your   teeth   if   you   don’t   meet   your   quota†- ­   so   here   are   limitations   that   is   set   up   by   his   work,   these    a   things   he   has   to   adapt   with   and   determines   the   decisions   he   will   make   in   future. These   examples   used   in   the   reality   show   is   symbolic   for   how   the   economic   system   and   mode   of    production   shapes   our   consciousness. The   media   also   gives   us   ideas   that   shapes   our   lives. f   the   individual   realizing   how   he   is   being   induced   with   materialistic   ideas   and   make   contrasting    decisions   (Berger   2005). This   idea   is   illustrated   in   multiple   instances   in   The   Truman   Show   where   Truman   suddenly   starts    questioning   the   intention   of   the   people   around   him   and   the   messages   being   bombarded   at   him. 6. 2   False   consciousness   and   ideology    wealthy   and   maintains   them   in   their   current   ruling   position   and   makes   it   hard   for   normal   people   to    extend   of   false   consciousness   (Berger   2005). In   the   reality   show,   Truman,   trough- ­out   his   life   literally   accepts   a   false   consciousness   provided   by    the   ruling   class,   in   this   case   the   creators   of   the   show,      that   keeps   him   from   realizing   his   real   situation    and   maintains   their   superiority   over   him. Truman   life   is   seen   as   the   noble   life,as   his   wife   tells   in   her    interview,   as   no   different   to   real   life   and   this   must   be   seen   as   natural   way   of   living,   or   the   right   way    a   family,   pay   your   house   mortgage   and   live   a   mediocre   life. hese   things   are   seen   as   the   right   and    sensible   ways   of   living   but   in   the   end   only   oppresses      the   proletariat   leads   to   stand   up   to   the   ruling    class. His   life   serves   again   as   a   symbol   of   how   we   are   affected   by   ruling   class   ideologies   that   affects   our    â€Å"whatever   is,   is   right†   (Berger   2005). 6. 3   Alienation This   term   Ã¢â‚¬Å"alien†   suggests   a   Ã¢â‚¬Å"stranger   in   society†   that   has   no   relation   to   anyone   else. This   principle   implies   that   the   work   is   something   outside   of   the   worker   and   it   is   not   a   part   of   his/her    of   sadness,he/she   is   physically   tired   and   mentally   corrupt. This   alienation   causes   them   to   view   their work   as   work   for   someone   else,   and   not   their   own   work   so   that   he   belongs   to   someone   else   when   he    his/her   sadness,   with   advertising   it   creates   a   desire   to   consume   more,   cause   the   people   to   work   more    intensely   (Berger   2005). Truman   experiences   the   feeling   of   alienation   in   his   work. His   work,   becomes   the   symbol   of   routine    progression. Each   morning   plays   out   exactly   the   same:   Truman   greets   the   same   people   in   the   same    spots,   buys   a   newspaper,   greets   more   people   and   walks   through   the   doors   of   the   insurance   company    he   works   for,   all   of   this   happens   to   the   tune   of   classical   music. Although   Truman   seems   happy,    he   says   things   like   Ã¢â‚¬Å"I’mnot   that   eager   to   get   there†   which   suggests   he   also   feels   alienated   by   his 6 is   distracted   from   his   work. His   routine   and   his   work   serves   to   keep   the   people   watching   Truman,   in   their   working   class   positions,    to   also   work   hard   in   order   to   consume. He   doesn’t   go   on   spontaneous   vacations   and   when   he   tries    they   try   to   stop   him. This   also   encourages   people   to   rather   stay   where   they   are   and   work   hard,   rather    6. 4   The   consumer   society Advertising   is   important   in   the   developed   capitalist   societies   for   the   reason   that   is   essential   to    encourage   people   to   work   hard   so   that   they   can   spend   more   money   to   buy   things. Advertising    maintain   the   consumer   culture   (Berger   2005). Advertising   and   product   placement   is   used   throughout   The   Truman   Show,   which   creates   the   false    need   in   people   watching   the   show   to   buy   the   products   in   order   to   achieve   the   perfect   lifestyle   with    work   hard   in   order   to   buy   all   the   things   they   see   on   the   show. 6. 5   Bourgeois   heroes: Heroic   characters   such   as   men,   women   and   animals   hat   play   roles   in      television   series,comic   books,    are   created   to   maintain   the   ideology   of   a   capitalist   society   which   helps   to   keep   Ã¢â‚¬Å"consumer   lust†   high. For   people   heroes   are   the   role   models   that   they   can   copy   and   which   gives   them   identity. One   of   the    concepts   that   bourgeois   heroes   promote   is   individualism,   which   has   a   link to   alienation. For   Marxists    tough,   the   hero   should   be   the   p though   he   is   part   of   the   working   class,   proletariat,   his   image   is   marketed   as   someone   who   supports    consumerism   and   is   contempt   with   their   everyday   routines   in   life. These   are   characterizations   of   a    ruling   class   ideology. In   other   words,   the   way   in   which   they   market   Truman   Burbank   as   a   person    (which   is   not   necessarily   his   true   ideals)   supports   the   ideology   of   the   ruling   class   and   help   keep    consumer   lust   high. to   break   out   of   the   chains   of   the   creater   of   the   show,   which   is   the   symbol   for   consumerism   and   the    ruling   class   ideas. In   the   scene   where   Truman   is   sailing   on   the   boat,   trying   to   sail   away   from   his   home,   the   show’s    creator   and   his   panel   capture   him   in   a   Ã¢â‚¬Å"hero   shot†. This   shot   is   contradictory   to   the   way   they   have    been   promoting   Truman   before   - ­   someone   who   consumes   passively   and   accepts   their   reality. The    creator   probably   didnt   think   that   Truman   would   really   escape   the   dome,   and   would   maybe   sail   out    looking   like   a   hero,   but   then   turn   around   because   according   to   the   creator   Truman   Ã¢â‚¬Å"ultimately   prefers    his   world†. person’s   reality   which   is   shown   with   the   help   of   theories   such   as   hyperreality   and   Marxism. It   makes    us   question   our   identity,   desires   and   ideas   and   if   we   are   ultimately   shaped   and   controlled   by   ruling    powers. 7 7. Bibliography: Baudrillard,   J. 1988. Simulations   and   Simulacra. In:   Poster,   M. (ed). Jean   Baudrillard,   Selected    Writings. Stanford:   Stanford   University   Press. Chin- ­Yi,   C. 2007. Hyperreality   and   the   question   of   agency   and   the   phenomenon   of   reality   television. Felluga,   D. F. 2011. Mode   of   Production   (Marx)   [online]. Available   from: http://www. cla. purdue. edu/ english/theory/marxism/terms/modeofproduction. html      [Accessed   5   April   2011]. Faith   and   Reason. Postmodernism   [online]. Available   from:   http://www. pbs. org/faithandreason/ gengloss/index- ­frame. html. [Accessed   29   March   2011]. Hyperreality. 2010. Bookrags   [online]. Available   from         http://www. bookrags. com/wiki/Hyperreality    [Accessed   12   March   2010] King,   A. 1998. A   critique   of   Baudrillard’s   hyperreality:   towards   a   sociology   of   postmodernism. In:    Philosophy      Social   Criticism. Sage. 47- ­66. Mann,   D. 2010. Jean   Baudrillard:   A   Very   Short   Introduction   [online]. Available   from:   http://publish. uwo. ca/~dmann/baudrillard1. htm   [Accessed   29   March   2011]. 2008. YouTube. THE   TRUMAN   SHOW   - ­   HQ   Trailer   (   1998   )   [online]      Available   from:   http://www. youtube. com/watch? v=NkZM2oWcleM   [Accessed   11   April   2011] 8