Video Games in a Culture of Violence
The never-ending debate about the inclusion of violence in video games has left parents and game-makers at an impasse. Although the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) was developed to make video game manufacturers more responsible for content by imposing ratings that would inform parents of the level of maturity thought to be required for gameplay, still some people feel that there is simply not enough oversight, and that their kids are the ones who suffer for it. And yet, there has been no solid proof to show any connection between the occurrence of real-world violence and that which is portrayed in video games. Does requiring the blood to be green, or portrayed in black and white, really reduce the impact of a zombie getting his head chopped off with a chainsaw? And can teens who steal cars reasonably blame their actions on the fact that they did it in Grand Theft Auto? The truth is that we live in a society that not only accepts, but glorifies violence. So how do video games fit in and what is the responsibility of game manufacturers and the public at large? Read more
Does Fair Trade Always Equal Green?
This is a guest post from Stephani S, who contributes to Advance Me America’s leading merchant cash advance provider.
A question that many people might not ask themselves – are fair -trade items always necessarily eco-friendly? The two concepts seem to be inextricably linked, especially in the consumer mind, but perhaps they are not always one.
The surge in popularity of ethical consumerism has certainly created a market for greener products, but it has also created a market for specific branding to demonstrate that these products have been scrutinized, and are assuredly your best conscious purchase. There are so many up-and-coming products, the average person can become confused rather quickly. It’s easy to make the assumption that any chocolate bar bearing a sticker that announces “fair trade” must also be good for the environment and good for those who pick the cacao, but, indeed that is not always the case.
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Does the Automobile Industry Encourage Risky Behavior?
Although a case could be made that automobile accident fatalities are caused by insufficient safety features, the truth is that most fatal car accidents are due to faulty behavior on the part of drivers. With over a million deaths each year attributed to automobile accidents on roadways across the globe, it seems only natural that driver error would be to blame. After all, it is the sole responsibility of the person behind the wheel to observe the rules of the road. This means following the speed limit and road signs, driving only when sober and clear-headed, and compensating for unsafe conditions (other drivers included). But people, like all animals, are susceptible to a certain amount of programming. So when automobile manufacturers populate their advertising campaigns with drivers engaging in risky behavior, one must question whether they’re partially responsible for encouraging bad driving habits. Read more
Should Domain Squatting be Illegal?
If you have ever had to purchase a domain name for your business website or blog, you are likely familiar with the concept of domain squatting. This occurs when people buy up domain names for the sole purpose of selling them back to their rightful owners or anyone else who is willing to give them more than they paid for it. Not only do they purchase these domains without any intention of using them, but they do so with the malicious goal of bilking anyone who would rather simply pay their price than go through the expensive and time-consuming legal process required to prove trademark infringement. Sadly, this practice is not entirely without merit for the squatters, who are rarely prosecuted on such grounds. Even if they lose in court, they are not sent to jail and are rarely fined; they merely have to hand over the domain (after the company that actually owns the trademark has spent several years and incredible amounts of money in a legal battle). Read more