Explore the effects of consumerism on shaping our 21st century Research Paper

Explore the effects of consumerism on shaping our 21st century identity. Who are we How have our human goals changed due to our - Research Paper Example Materialism in the technological sector is depicted by an increase in the sales of technological gadgets, such as mobile phones, personal computers, compact disk players and other electronic devices. Companies producing these gadgets are known to make millions of dollars in terms of profitability, and an example includes Apples, and Samsung electronic companies. These companies further accelerate the notion of materiality by improving the quality of their products, to carter for completion that emanates from the companies technological companies. There is an increase in companies producing these gadgets, because of a higher demand. This is only precipitated by the concept of materialism (Hoyer, 41). In the American consumer culture, there is a shift from the moral values of spirituality, communalism, and integrity while consuming the products of a company, or an organization. People now focus on competition and disconnection. On this note, our consumer behaviors depict us as material istic individuals. In relation to competition, an individual will look at what another person has, and strife to buy the same gadget, or a different gadget. People compete with each other, not because they need the product, but to show their competitors that they can afford the same gadget. This is also an aspect of materialism, and it does not support the moral values on consumption. In the 21st century, business organizations initiate policies that will make their products attractive to famous personalities, because they greatly influence the reception of their products at the market. For instance, business organization will pay millions of dollars to sports leading sports personalities, and famous musicians, for purposes of marketing their products. Players like Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and David Beckham have made millions of dollars, just endorsing the products of various companies. As a result of their endorsements, the products of these companies, have managed to penetrate their target markets. On this note, consumers purchase these products, for purposes of having a feeling of instant gratification. This is called an aspect of emulation. People strive to emulate those of a higher status than them. The poor strive to live like the rich, and the rich strive to live and behave like the famous. The consumption behavior of man during the 21st century has shaped him into an individualistic person. Individualism is seen on the corporate sector, at the same time it is depicted on a person himself. For example, producing and consuming commodities result to the extraction, and use of the natural resources. Factories create products from natural resources, and during the process of production, they exert toxic wastes. Using the commodities produced, especially the technological commodities, they emit carbon, which is responsible for eroding the environment. These companies do not want to change their policies and they continue with their productions, with minim al or no measures to reduce the emissions of carbon (Kanner, 51). They do not care on the effects of their productions to the environment. On the side of consumers, they need to boycott the products of companies that do not put in place environmental policies that will ensure the protection of the environment. O

A critical review of Delayed Auditory Feedback as a means of managing Essay - 1

A critical review of Delayed Auditory Feedback as a means of managing a speech dysfluency - Essay Example (Craig et al., 2002) Approximately 80% adult stutterers are men. Only 20% are women. (Yairi, 2005) The goal of DAF therapy is to increase the length and complexity of utterance with the use of the device. As soon as there is a sign of improvement in the patient’s stuttering of speech, the patient will then be advice to limit the need for speech therapy sessions. In line with this study, the general facts about stuttering, how Delayed Auditory Feedback (DAF) works, the effectiveness of DAF devices, long-term effects of the using DAF devices, and the advantages of using DAF devices will be discussed thoroughly. Stuttering is a speech fluency disorder that is normally characterized by prolonged frequent repetitions, and pauses that could interfere with the normal flow of speech. When a stutterer speaks, his/her speech is usually broken down by repetition of words (th-th-that way), prolongations (llllike this), or abnormal stoppage (no sound) of sounds and syllables. Unusual facial and body movements could also be associated with the person’s effort to speak. Several theories with regards to the causes of stuttering have been developed in the past. Some people view stuttering as a syndrome of neurological disturbances even though there are times that stuttering can be triggered by our emotions or by an emotional and/or situational events. (Braun et al., 1997) For this reason, stuttering can be related to both neurological and physiological by nature. Other people view it as a learned behavior wherein a child is in the middle of learning and developing his/her speech. In rare cases, stuttering has been suspected to have a connection with psychological problems. These theories have never been scientifically proven. In the past, stuttering has been widely related to genetic factors. (Cummings et al., 1996) However, the degree to which stuttering is related to genetic factors, environmental factors, or both still remains to be unknown. Due to