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America’s Unhealthy Sports Obsession Research Project
Excellent A. Pupil
ENGL 1101
Dr. Wisner
Research Proposal
3 November 1872
America’s Unhealthy Sports Obsession Research Project
I am researching whether America’s obsession with sports is healthy or unhealthy. After doing some introductory research, I have learned about the two sides to this argument. On the unhealthy side, people that sit around and watch a lot of sports can become lazy and physically out of shape. Obsession with sports can also lead to people gambling away money that should be used for basic necessities. Many athletes earn excessive salaries, which can set a bad example for starry-eyed children who want to have the same lifestyle. On the positive side, sports can be a joyous break away from the tough and mundane reality of a hard life. Having a real interest in sports can also lead people to participating in the sports, which can help improve their health and
mental well-being. From a research article about children and sports, “
‘Dating back to the early 1900’s, prior to the shift in sport’s professionalism, the number of children who participate in sports has been steadily increasing. It is currently estimated that there are between 25 and 35 million children under eighteen years of age who participate in organized school or community sports’ (Siegenthaler & Gonzalez, 1997) (Crandall 8)”. Sports obsession can also aid the economy because fans tend to spend money purchasing merchandise and tickets to sporting events. There has been some mention of sports obsession in the news, but I have primarily been exploring this topic through research and article reports. I also have been able to observe some of my family and friends who love sports and have seen the impact of their lifestyles.
America’s obsession with sports is unhealthy. On one side, it is a break from everyday life and entertains people, but it has gotten to the point where people have become obsessed and affected emotionally based on the results of a game. It also affects parents with kids who play sports because the children feel obligated to become very good at one particular sport. Sports are
so important to some people that they gamble money which is not legal. Additionally, sports have consumed a lot of money from fans because they pay to go see the games, whether it be at the stadium or for additional channels on television. Americans are also more likely to sit down and watch sports for hours, rather than get physical exercise for themselves, which is not healthy for the average American who lacks exercise. American obsession
with professional sports is unhealthy because many people lack physical fitness due to spending their time watching sports, gambling their money on sports, and gaining unreal expectations from the outrageous wealth of athletes.
I chose to write about whether American sports obsession is healthy or not because I found it intriguing due to my own interest in sports. I play two sports and my family also loves sports, so learning more about sport obsession and its impact on us was important to me. I was interested in the topic about social media and how it kept Americans more or less connected, but I chose not to write about that because it was very similar to my unit three essay and I wanted to research something different. I was also interested in the question about America’s obsession with celebrities, but after doing some initial research and discovery on Wikipedia and through other sources, I found that most of the facts were not statistical and were more opinionated,
which I did not think would make a persuasive research paper.
First, I will look at the sources collected at the bottom of the Wikipedia site to see if they are primary sources and if they link other sources that may be ideal. I will also search the topic on GALILEO since its content is accessible to all Georgia State University students. I will also look for more scientific research studies and experiments to expand my range of sources on sites including National Center for Biotechnology Information -National Institutes of Health online database. If I cannot find enough online sources, then I will go to my local library to find sources that relate to my topic. My main concern about the essay would be if I could make it the required length of four to six pages. I am not sure that the typical five paragraph essay would flow and be cohesive being four to six pages in total length.
Works Cited
Crandall, Emily J., “Reasons Why Children Choose to Play Sports”
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Have Computers Made Our Lives Easier or More Complicated
Have Computers Made Our Lives Easier or More Complicated?
Naomi Gichuru
Writerbay.com
Have Computers Made Our Lives Easier or More Complicated?
No single individual can claim commemoration over the invention of computers. This is because the device has undergone numerous transformations and received contributions from different innovators (Gipp, 2008). Nonetheless, the impacts of computers on today’s social organization remain so pronounce that they stand evident in all parts of the society. In the provision of education, business, and communication, computers serve a major role. Through the internet and other connections, computers have literally transformed the world into a global village (Gipp, 2008). Generally, qualities of efficiency, multifunctional abilities, processing capabilities, and the fact that they are applied across all professions help decipher the fact that computers have made our lives easier.
Comparatively, the use of computers and the process of digitalization have made reading publications easy as opposed to the case of traditionally printed versions. Because of enhanced electronic compatibility, one requires to have only a memory sticker that weighs less than fifty grams. Within such a sticker, information that could be contained in thousands of printed books can be transported in the pocket. In cases where books are available on the World Wide Web, one does not need to transport anything as access to the internet at any point on earth allows access to books. Also, using digital books is much easier. Reading across hundreds of pages involves a simple click of a mouse’s button. At the same time, one can easily trace words and phrases within a book if their interest is entirely on those words (Albalooshi, 2003).
Businesswise, the use of computers has brought about the essence of electronic commerce (e-commerce). This defines the exchange of goods and services in business by use of electronic avenues. To facilitate such exchanges, communication, sending and receiving of money, and marketing takes place by electronic means. Computers and the internet present leading platforms for exchange (Mariga, 2003).
In general, computers have improved education, enhanced business, and eased communication significantly. To this extent, they have made lives easier rather than complicated.
References
Albalooshi, F. (2003). Virtual Education: Cases in Learning & Teaching Technologies. Hershey, PA: IRM Press.
Gipp, J. (2008). Spotlight on Introduction to Computers. Course Technology Printers.
Mariga, J. R. (2003). Managing E-Commerce and Mobile Computing Technologies. Hershey, PA: IRM Press.
have chosen to write about a man, who many consider the greatest 16th century Venetian painter
Titian
I have chosen to write about a man, who many consider the greatest 16th century Venetian painter. Tiziano Vecellio, better know as Titian, was born in Pieve di Cadore which is located north of Venice Italy. The year of his birth is uncertain. Titian, by his own account was born in 1477. But most scholars place his birth sometime around 1487. Throughout his long and wonderful career, Titian was responsible for innovations in the handling of color (which was a preoccupation of the Venetian School). Titian was responsible for countless beautiful paintings that still endure today. His work is found in museums and private collections around the world. His work is also on display at the Vatican.
At an early age, approximately ten years old, Titian and one of his brothers were sent to Venice to study with the mosaicist Sebastian Zuccato. His talents soon surfaced and after four or five years Titian left Zuccato to join one of the most prominent painters of Venice. Titian started studying with Giovanni Bellini. While studying with Bellini, Titian became friends with several other student of Bellini. Most notably was Giorgio da Castelfranco, nicknamed Giorgione. Titian and Giorgione quickly became the young masters of this school. Their paintings became “Arte moderna, that is of painting made more flexible, freed from symmetry and the remnants of hieratic conventions”. 1
After the deaths of Giorgione in 1511 and Bellini in 1515, Titian was left as the unrivalled master in the Venetian School. Starting about this time and for approximately the next fifteen years is what has become know as Titian’s period of bloom and maturity. Titian had “freed himself from the traditions of his youth, undertook a class of more complex subjects and for the first time attempted the monumental style”. 2 His work during this time had an over powering ability to convey a sense of anguish and impulsive lifestyles. He had a unique ability to place these figures with anguished and impulsive life styles into realistic conceived events. It was during this period that he painted one of his most famous paintings, the Assumption of the Madonna. While creating this masterpiece, Titan used strong simple colors. His silhouetting of dark forms against a light background reappeared throughout his work of this period. Paintings that were finished during this time period were completed with great detail. They could be viewed from near and far. The beauty and detail was easily observed.
The next period of his life (1530 ~ 1550) is often identified as the Maturity period. Titian’s style began to move towards a more dramatic style. During this time Titian also began to demonstrate Italian Mannerism in his painting. This influence came from north and central Italy. Titian was deeply impressed by the works of Michelangelo (especially the “Last Judgement”). Some of Titian’ greatest portraits were painted during this period. Throughout his career Titian had shown himself to be an incomparable portrait painter. Titian’s fame and recognition had spread not only through Italy, but also throughout Europe. Kings, Princes and Popes commanded his paintings.
During the time period of 1550 ~ 1575, referred to as his final years, Titian finished only a few works. Titian became more and more absorbed in his works as a portrait. He became very self critical and an insatiable perfectionist. His works from this period never matched his earlier works. These painting didn’t have the same emotion and tragedy that had once flowed onto his paintings. His paintings “gradually lost their solidity, and began to dissolve into hazy paint textures and vibrant brushstrokes, while colors became more intense”3. Titian’s last works were completed wonderful patches of colours, so that close view they are difficult to see. But, at a distance these paintings look perfect. Titian’s last work was the Pieta. This painting was an offering to the church for a burial place. In this painting, Titian included not only a portrait of himself but also that of his son Orazio before the savior. Titian did not complete this painting. Titian died before it could be completed. An assistant to Titian, by the name of Palma Giovane, completed this work.
Titian’s lifetime of work permanently affected the course of European painting. “Titan may be properly regarded as the greatest manipulator of paint in relation to colour, tone, luminosity, richness, texture, surface and harmony, and with a view to-the production of a pictorial whole conveying to the eye a true, dignified and beautiful impression of its general subject matter”. 4 Titian’s compositions and brushwork have been tremendously influential on artists. Titian excelled in every aspect of paint that he did. He also revolutionized the oil technique with his free and expressive brushwork. During Titian’s life, paintings moved from wood panels to canvas as a painting surface. Titian developed an oil painting technique, during his time as an artist of glazes and broad paint applications, that has and continues to influence painters. One of Titian’s major artistic inhibitions includes being creative with diagonal placing and perspectives along with creating unusual spectator viewpoints. Titian’s paintings strove to capture feelings that were ever changing. His work has the ability to inspire and stir emotion even in the most passive people.
Many people influenced Titian’s work and life. These included The Spanish Habsburg, Charles V, Francis I, Alfonso and Isabelle d’Este and the houses of Ferrara and Urbino. And in turn, Titian’s paintings have influenced the life of people ever since then. One of his most famous paintings and the one that I have found to be the most enjoyable one is his “Venus of Urbino”. This work was created in 1538 during his Maturity period. Every time that I look at this picture, I find something that I didn’t see before. There are several pictures in one. But, that was part of Titian’s style. Titian’s style and beautiful paintings have survived for nearly five hundred years. I hope that they are around for at least that many more years. These paintings are truly works of art that should be enjoyed by every one.
Bibliography:
“Titian,” Wikipedia Online Encyclopedia 2003, www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titian, 23:48 Jan 30, 2003
“Titian,” Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2003, www.encarta.msn.com, 1997~2003
“Titian,”, www.cgfa.sunsite.dk/titian/titian_bio.htm
“Titian,” www.incompetech.com/art/titian.html
“Titian,” Giorgio Vasari’s Lives of the Artists, www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/vasari/vasari25.htm
Seduced by paint, www.arts/telegraph.co.uk, Feb 13, 2003