FEATURE ARTICLES. THE SOCIOPATH- A DANGER ALL AROUND US. PT 7.

While it's true that we cannot identify potential Sociopaths by Biological and Sociological factors present in the early stages of life with any certainty, there are warning signs that should be looked for. These are clues that could indicate that the minor child may become an uncaring, unfeeling and amoral adult. The only hope in preventing this from becoming a reality may be catching it in time, when therapy could have a positive influence on the developing personality.

Childhood, from infancy through the teen years, is a battle where the outcome is a finished product.  This result enters into society as an Adult, who now has the opportunity to make an impact which affects all citizens. Whether or not this will be positive or negative may depend on our ability to identify those personalities which, at an early age, show signs of Sociopathy.

There are certain behaviors, when exhibited before the onset of puberty, that seem to be common among Life-Long Sociopaths.  I will start with the following example:
Cruelty- The desire to see other living things in pain, relishing the suffering that they observe.  The enjoyment of such situations is amplified if the individual is the direct cause of the torment.

( See PT.8 in a future posting.)

Date- 11/3/2013.

THE CLASSROOM. #4- 11/7/2015. (Date Received). LGBT Americans have waited too long. FROM- AL FRANKEN. U.S. SENATOR.

Two years ago, the Senate passed the Employee Non-Discrimination Act. You may know it as ENDA. It was designed to give LGBT individuals legal protections in the workplace.

It never made it through the House.

With the huge victory of marriage equality in America earlier this year, it’s easy to think the job is done. Let’s all pack up and go home. But the fight for full LGBT equality is not done -- not by a long shot.

In too many states (and if you ask me, even one is “too many”), LGBT individuals can still be fired for who they are. Or evicted. They can be refused housing or denied credit.

And LGBT children who are bullied relentlessly in school, to the point that they fear for their physical safety, still do not have appropriate legal protections.

We protect people from racial discrimination and gender discrimination. We ban employers from discriminating on the basis of national origin or disability, too. It’s time we ended discrimination of the LGBT community in all areas of life -- workplace, education, housing, credit, everywhere.

We passed ENDA to end workplace discrimination, and it got stuck in the muck that is the House. So this time, we’re going for broke. We’ve got a new plan -- the Equality Act -- that presents comprehensive safeguards for LGBT people.

And this plan needs to go all the way.

The LGBT community has already waited too long...

Thanks.

Al.

Date-  11/7/2015.

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WHAT A SHAME- A look at the low points in the modern media. HUMILIATION TELEVISION; IT DOESN'T GET ANY LOWER THAN THIS. PT 2.

I would like to make clear the parameters of this article, regarding what programs are considered to be part of Humiliation Television.  These shows feature guests and situations that can either be scripted or true to life.  In some cases, it is the intent of the producers to mask the true nature of the show.  However, they all have this in common; the guests or antagonists are portrayed, through their actions, as contemptible human beings.  They are only to be looked upon as creatures worthy, at best, of pity or worse to be scoffed and laughed at. They have one other important characteristic; they choose, due to certain incentives, to make public their failings, bad decisions and improper actions.  This is done in the desire to “entertain” the viewing public.

The first type of reality show I would like to examine is the “Jerry Springer/ Maury Povich" category.  Yes, these shows have been around for a while, but in recent years have spawned a host of imitators.   I don’t include all talk shows (Oprah and Dr. Phil have their problems with authenticity and sincerity, but at least they attempt a semblance of caring about their guests).   This type of talk television doesn’t even attempt to realistically disguise their intent, which is to provoke physical and emotional confrontations among those appearing on the shows.

These programs are such trash, with repugnant guests and subjects that don’t merit any sort of constructive criticism.  How much of these shows content are real and not staged is unknown, but that really is beside the point. Removing and destroying any sense of shame and/or humanity among the guests is the order of the day.

(See PT. 3 in a future post.)

Date-8/5/2013.

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WHAT A SHAME- A look at the low points in the modern media. HUMILIATION TELEVISION; IT DOESN'T GET ANY LOWER THAN THIS. PT 1.

Television is many things. It can be used to inform, teach and educate. 

However, let us not fool ourselves. It is primarily a business and profit is its’ ultimate goal. Those profits can be found in Televisions primary mission; to entertain.

                                                
Throughout broadcast history, T.V networks have provided a vast selection of different categories to entertain the viewing public.  Sit-coms, police and detective dramas, science fiction and soap operas etc. are examples of fictional or scripted shows.  News shows such as 60 minutes, 20/20, Dateline etc. are examples of non-fiction informative programming.  These can entertain, while at the same time providing useful and desired news and information.

In recent decades, “Reality T.V.” shows such as “Survivor” and “Big Brother” have entered the mainstream.  Focusing on a confrontational content that features supposed non-actors in contrived situations, it is generally a benign low-brow form of entertainment.   However, a new and disturbing form of reality television has sprung up.  Its’ popularity is a reflection on the dark nature that permeates today's society.  I call it “Humiliation Television.”

To illustrate, let me ask the following questions;

- When did subjecting oneself to insults and degradation publicly, and on camera, become a desired career path?

- Why is the need for some modicum of fame cause some people to lose any sense of self-esteem and dignity?

- Why would any one take seriously a show that claims to be unrehearsed, spontaneous and true to life, when it is obviously staged? Dialogue and actions done on camera are pre-determined by the producers to create an illusion of authenticity.

In following articles I will examine different types of these shows that make-up Humiliation Television.

(See PT. 2 in a future post.)

Date-7/28/2013.