Brain Computer Interface

Modifying the human body or enhancing our cognitive abilities using technology has been a long-time dream for many people. An increasing amount of research tries to link the human brain with machines allowing humans to control their environment through their thoughts. Research on BCIs began in the 1970s, but it wasnt until the mid-1990s that the first working experimental implants in humans appeared. Following years of animal experimentation, early working implants in humans now exist, designed to restore damaged hearing, sight and movement. The common thread throughout the research is the remarkable cortical plasticity of the brain, which often adapts to BCIs, treating prostheses controlled by implants as natural limbs. With recent advances in technology and knowledge, pioneering researchers could now conceivably attempt to produce BCIs that augment human functions rather than simply restoring them, previously only the realm of science fiction. 2. Brain Machine Interface (Brain Computer Interface): In this definition, the word â€Å"brain† means the brain or nervous system of an organic life form rather than the mind. Computer† means any processing or computational device, from simple circuits to silicon chips (including hypothetical future technologies such as quantum computing). A Brain Machine Interface (BMI), sometimes called a Direct Neural Interface or a Brain Computer Interface, is a direct communication pathway between a human or animal brain (or brain cell culture) and an external device. In one-way BCIs, computers either accept commands from the brain or send signals to it (for example, to restore vision) but not both. Two-way BCIs would allow brains and external devices to exchange information in both directions but have yet to be successfully implanted in animals or human. Brain-computer interface (BCI) is collaboration between a brain and a device that enables signals from the brain to direct some external activity, such as control of a cursor or a prosthetic limb. The interface enables a direct communications pathway between the brain and the object to be controlled. In the case of cursor control, for example, the signal is transmitted directly from the brain to the mechanism directing the cursor, rather than taking the normal route through the bodys neuromuscular system from the brain to the finger on a mouse. By reading signals from an array of neurons and using computer chips and programs to translate the signals into action, BCI can enable a person suffering from paralysis to write a book or control a motorized wheelchair or prosthetic limb through thought alone. Current brain-interface devices require deliberate conscious thought; some future applications, such as prosthetic control, are likely to work effortlessly. One of the biggest challenges in developing BCI technology has been the development of electrode devices and/or surgical methods that are minimally invasive. In the traditional BCI model, the brain accepts an implanted mechanical device and controls the device as a natural part of its representation of the body. Much current research is focused on the potential on non-invasive BCI. At the European Research and Innovation Exhibition in Paris in June 2006, American scientist Peter Brunner composed a message simply by concentrating on a display. Brunner wore a close-fitting (but completely external) cap fitted with a number of electrodes as shown in fig. Electroencephalographic (EEG) activity from Brunners brain was picked up by the caps electrodes and the information used, along with software, to identify specific letters or characters for the message. The BCI Brunner demonstrated is based on a method called the Wadsworth system. Like other EEG-based BCI technologies, the Wadsworth system uses adaptive algorithms and Pattern-matching techniques to facilitate communication. Both user and software are expected to adapt and learn, making the process more efficient with practice. During the presentation, a message was displayed from an American neurobiologist who uses the system to continue working, despite suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrigs disease). He was able to send the following e-mail message: I am a neuroscientist who (sic) couldnt work without BCI. I am writing this with my EEG courtesy of the Wadsworth Center Brain-Computer Interface Research Program. EEG Pattern Recognition This project aims to improve performance of NASA missions by developing brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies for augmented human-system interaction. BCI technologies will add completely new modes of interaction, which operate in parallel with keyboards, speech, or other manual controls, thereby increasing the bandwidth of human-system interaction. The research will extend recent feasibility demonstrations of electromyographic (EMG) methods for neurocontrol to the domain of electroencephalographic (EEG) methods of neurocontrol. These methods will bypass muscle activity and draw control signals directly from the human brain. BCI technologies will provide powerful and intuitive modes of interaction with 2-D and 3-D data, particularly for visualization and searching in complex data structures, such as geographical maps, satellite images, and terrain databases. . Model train control via brain interface machine: Hitachi has successfully tested a brain-machine interface that allows users to turn power switches on and off with their mind. Relying on optical topography, a neuroimaging technique that uses near-infrared light to map blood concentration in the brain, the system can recognize the changes in brain blood flow associated with mental activity and translate those changes into voltage signals for controlling external devices. In the experiments, test subjects were able to activate the power switch of a model train by performing mental arithmetic and reciting items from memory. The prototype brain-machine interface allows only simple control of switches, but with a better understanding of the subtle variations in blood concentrations associated with various brain activities, the signals can be refined and used to control more complex mechanical operations. In the long term, brain-machine interface technology may help paralyzed patients become independent by empowering them to carry out actions with their minds. In the short term, Hitachi sees potential applications for this brain-machine interface in the field of cognitive rehabilitation, where it can be used as an entertaining tool for demonstrating a patient’s progress. NOTE: The earliest interfaces developed in this breakthrough field of research require scientists to insert electrodes into the skull in order to physically tap directly into the brain, and researchers are currently trying to develop technologies that will enable them to access neurological activity through minimally invasive techniques. It is hoped that some day brain machine interfaces will be able to read neural signals non-invasively, from outside the skull, and that devices will be operated involuntarily, without deliberate conscious thought. Thus, for example, fighter pilots wearing specialized helmets may be able to operate some controls automatically, just by thinking. 4. Neuroprosthetics: Neuroprosthetics (also called Neural Prosthetics) is a discipline related to neuroscience and biomedical engineering concerned with developing neural prostheses, artificial devices to replace or improve the function of an impaired nervous system. The neuroprosthetic seeing the most widespread use is the cochlear implant, with approximately 100,000 in use worldwide as of 2006. There are several types of neuroprosthetic as follows: I. Sensory Prosthetics: i. Visual prosthetics: One of the prominent goals in neuroprosthetics is a visual supplement, noting roughly 95% of all people considered blind suffer significant impairment but have some capability (for example, seeing some sort of blur) only about 5% of blind people are totally blind. By the 1940s, researchers had established the concept of artificial electrical stimulation of the visual cortex, and in the late 1960s, British scientist Giles Brindley produced breakthrough findings with a system for placing electrodes on the brains surface. When specific areas of the brain were stimulated in blind volunteers, all reported seeing phosphenes that corresponded to where they would have appeared in space. However, experiments were discontinued because of the uncomfortably high currents required for stimulation on the surface of the brain. Encouraged by this work, the National Institutes of Health undertook a project to develop and deploy an interface based on ultra fine wire (25 to 50 micrometers) densely populated with electrode sites that could be implanted deep into the visual cortex, thus requiring less current than Brindleys original design. This work led to new electrode technology—finer than the width of human hair—that could be safely implanted in animals to electrically stimulate, and passively record, electrical activity in the brain. The efforts produced significant advances in neurophysiology, with publication of hundreds of papers in which researchers attempted to develop an electronic interface to the brain. ii. Auditory prosthetics (cochlear implant): A cochlear implant (or bionic ear) is a surgically implanted device that can help provide a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf or severely hard of hearing. Unlike hearing aids, the cochlear implant does not amplify sound, but works by directly stimulating any functioning auditory nerves inside the cochlea with electrical impulses. External components of the cochlear implant include a microphone, speech processor and transmitter. iii. Prosthetics for pain relief (Spinal Cord Stimulator): The Spinal Cord Stimulator or (Dorsal Column Stimulator) is used to treat chronic neurological pain. It is implanted near the dorsal surface of the spinal cord and an electric impulse generated by the device provides a tingling sensation that alters the perception of pain by the patient. A pulse generator or RF receiver is implanted in the abdomen or buttocks. A wire harness connects the lead to the pulse generator. II. Motor prosthetics: . Bladder control implants (Sacral anterior root stimulator): Where a spinal cord lesion leads to paraplegia, patients have difficulty emptying their bladders and this can cause infection. From 1969 onwards Brindley developed the sacral anterior root stimulator, with successful human trials from the early 1980s onwards. This device is implanted over the sacral anterior root ganglia of the spin al cord; controlled by an external transmitter, it delivers intermittent stimulation which improves bladder emptying. It also assists in defecation and enables male patients to have a sustained full erection. The related procedure of sacral nerve stimulation is for the control of incontinence in able-bodied patients. ii. Sensory/Motor prosthetics: In 2002 an implant was interfaced directly into the median nerve fibres of the scientist Kevin Warwick. The electrode array inserted contained 100 electrodes, of which 25 could be accessed at any one time. The signals produced were detailed enough that a robot arm developed by Warwicks colleague, Peter Kyberd, was able to mimic the actions of Warwicks own arm and provide a form of touch feedback via the implant. Fig: Electrode array Fig: Robot arm iii. Cognitive prosthetics: Sensory and motor prostheses deliver input to and output from the nervous system respectively. Theodore Berger at the University of Southern California defines a third class of prostheses aimed at restoring cognitive function by replacing circuits within the brain damaged by stroke, trauma or disease. Work has begun on a proof-of-concept device a hippocampal prosthesis which can mimic the function of a region of the hippocampus a part of the brain responsible for the formation of memories. . BMI versus Neuroprosthetics: Neuroprosthetics is an area of neuroscience concerned with neural prostheses — using artificial devices to replace the function of impaired nervous systems or sensory organs. The most widely used neuroprosthetic device is the cochlear implant, which was implanted in approximately 100,000 people worldwide as of 2006. [2] There are also several neuroprosthetic devices that aim to restore vision, in cluding retinal implants, although this article only discusses implants directly into the brain. The differences between BCIs and neuroprosthetics are mostly in the ways the terms are used: neuroprosthetics typically connect the nervous system, to a device, whereas the term â€Å"BCIs† usually connects the brain (or nervous system) with a computer system. Practical neuroprosthetics can be linked to any part of the nervous system, for example peripheral nerves, while the term BCI usually designates a narrower class of systems which interface with the central nervous system. The terms are sometimes used interchangeably and for good reason. Neuroprosthetics and BCI seek to achieve the same aims, such as restoring sight, hearing, movement, ability to communicate, and even cognitive function. Both use similar experimental methods and surgical techniques. 6. Future Trends and Scopes: Recent advances in cortically controlled brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) have demonstrated that goal-directed movement of external devices is possible in real-time using multi-electrode recordings from cortex. A number of challenges are currently being confronted to further advance BMI research to the next level. These include choosing the optimal decoding algorithm for the type of control to be performed, localizing the optimal cortical site for reliable control, and focusing on the most suitable electrophysiological signal for practical use in a BMI. We present results that attempt to address these challenges based on multi-electrode recording from multiple motor cortical areas in behaving monkeys. . Conclusion: Although brain–machine interfaces are often talked about in relation to disabled people, we can expect they will also be used by the non-disabled as a means to control their environment especially if the devices are non-invasive and no implants are needed. To date there has not been much public discussion of the implications of brain machine interfaces, the amount of public RD funding they receive, and control, distribution and access to these devices.

Why reality television is so popular Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Why reality television is so popular - Essay Example The intrigues and richness in presentations of reality television is facilitated by the existence of subgenres within the programming. Such subgenres include documentaries, game shows, social experiments, hidden cameras, makeover shows among others. Popularity of reality television is known to hit an all-time high following the airing of Big Brother and Survivor shows, which lie within the reality genre. As such, reality television has received global recognition with a massive following upsurge associated with the success of presentations put forth. There are various reasons that explain increased popularity of reality television, which will be highlighted in this paper. The popularity of any reality television show is directly linked to the level audience involvement, and as such the audience should be in a position to relate to the participants. The main catalyst for reality television popularity is money, which is pumped into the industry to produce a rich feature. Reality producers are known to offer large sums of money to participants who essentially may lack career skills, and transform them into productive members of the society (Soong, 2003). This is evidenced in games shows where participants are expected to indulge in define activities and are rewarded according to their proficiency. The promise of money and the associated excitement have heavily contributed to the unrelenting popularity of rewarding reality shows. In addition, instant fame often associated with participation in reality television shows contributes to popularity of the genre. The production of reality features is known to entail placing ordinary people in unique situations and gauging their reactions. This works to the advantage of individuals seeking to prove themselves by enduring set tasks in the show. Moreover, reality shows that offer no monetary rewards such as the MTV’s The Real World, receive thousands of

Animalistic Behaviour Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Animalistic Behaviour - Essay Example Animals have been used as totems by Native Americans who are given a strong totem, such as an eagle or mountain lion, to protect them. Sports teams use animals as mascots to imply strength (Detroit Tigers). Countries even use mascots such as Great Britain, who uses the symbol of the bulldog to imply tenacity. And, the Bible says that "Jesus is also known as "The Lion of the tribe of Judah" (Revelation 5:5). A theological study of the use of animals to describe human behaviours or moral standing finds that animals are used throughout biblical history. The serpent of Genesis is the first representation of something other than human interacting with someone human. Eve was tempted by the evil serpent and then became evil herself when she then tempted Adam. The dreaded "Beast" of Revelation (the last book of the New Testament) ends the Bible. There are approximately one hundred twenty different animals mentioned in the Bible (Hammond). Animals are treated different culturally as well. In India the cow is a holy animal because of the Hindu belief that cows are descendents of Lord Krishna. Another Hindu belief is that cows are the mother of all civilizations (Nature Magazine). Cows are cared for carefully and gently moved aside if someone needs to move past them. Other cultures embrace animal images and attributes. In Greece and Rome cats were kept as pets because they symbolized liberty. Egyptians kept cats because they were considered sacred. Aborigines of Australia have the wildcat as their totem. China and Japan share the fear that cats are associated with witchery. Throughout the world animals and their images are a part of people's lives and cultures. There is also a belief in some countries that human-animal hybrids exist (like the werewolf and vampire) and are evil and can cause harm to humans. This type of belief is passed on from one generation to another and is perpetuated in movies and books. Although animals are powerful and sometimes dangerous man has created an us vs. them attitude that puts animals in their place because they are just not human. Man is superior to animal regardless of the animal's physical attributes. The idea that humans have ethical "wills" that animals just don't have is widely accepted. Despite all the possible positive attributes that animals have they are not "human" thus they are subordinate to humans. How animals are represented Animals are represented both positively and negatively throughout history. "Your room is a pigsty!" or "you're eating like a pig" insinuates that pigs are dirty, messy animals. "He runs like a gazelle" means he runs fast. "Dog-faced" means you're ugly while "cute as a kitten" means you are very cute. "I'm hungry like a wolf" asserts that you are very hungry! Animals are represented as powerful but subhuman. In our own language animals are addressed as "that" in writing vs. she/he. For example if the trash cans were knocked over the owner might ask "who" did that" if he thought a person did it, or "what did that" if he thought an animal was responsible. Our culture treats people as subjective and animals as objective.(Noske) Because animals are subordinate t

Whooping Cough :: Whooping Cough Health Medical Essays

Whooping Cough These days whooping cough, also known as Pertussis, is not a serious disease because there are vaccinations available to prevent its occurrence. However, when I was five years old a vaccination was available but neither my siblings nor myself had been vaccinated against it and due to its highly contagious nature, I contracted whooping cough from my older sisters. Both of my older sisters had whooping cough, but they were lucky and managed to get well fairly quickly. Unfortunately, they passed it on to me and I suffered much more from it because I was a few years younger than them both. It started out as just a runny nose and a slight cough, which most people would attribute to the common cold or the flu. These symptoms persisted for about a ten days and my mom thought that I was getting better. After ten days she finally allowed me back outside to play with my friends even though I still wasn't feeling well. This unfortunately only made my whooping cough worse and that night I woke up coughing so hard I thought my lungs were going to explode. These coughing fits would only last for a few minutes but they were harsh and I was struggling to get enough air to breathe. My mom heard me coughing and came running from her bedroom to see what was going on. She comforted me for a few minutes until the coughing had subsided and I had finally fallen back asleep. However, an hour or so later I woke up again with another coughing fit, this one even worse than the first. My coughs were followed by a whooping noise in my lungs because I was struggling so hard to get enough oxygen into my lungs. After about three days of this my whooping cough was not getting any better and my parents started to get worried. My two older sisters had not suffered as much as I had and they decided to call my doctor. He came to our house that evening and as soon as he saw me and heard me cough he told my parents I needed to go to hospital that night. I was terrified. I had never been to a hospital; well not since I was born anyway.

Personality Analysis of Kurt Cobain

P ERSONALITY P SYCHOLOGY PROJECT By Syed Khalid Mohammad (EE09B032) Sathu Sharath (ME09B028) Bindu Madhava Rao Pydi (EE09B008) Siddartha Kamepalli (EE09B031) Kothapothula Sai Dinesh (ME09B015) K URT COBAIN ?Kurt Cobain – February 20, 1967 – April 5, 1994. ?American musician, painter, and best known as lead singer, guitarist and lyricist of band Nirvana. C HILD HOOD ? Had perfectly happy childhood till 7 years. ? Divorce of his parents at the age of 7. ? Remarriage of both his parents. ? Initial liking and later resenting his stepmother. Witness of domestic violence at his mother. â€Å"I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not. † C HILD HOOD ? Kurt Cobain – a bully, insolent towards adults. ? Shifting of stays between his father, friends and family. ? Asked to leave home by his mother. â€Å"A friend is nothing but a known enemy. † M USIC ? Misinterpretation by journalists and fans. ? Lyrics unimportant – Music most import ant. ? Termed his lyrics as â€Å"A big pile of contradictionsâ€Å". â€Å"My lyrics are a big pile of contradictions.They're split between very sincere opinions and feelings that I have, and sarcastic opinions and feelings that I have, and sarcastic and hopeful, humorous rebuttals towards cliche, bohemian ideals that have been exhausted for years. I mean, I like to be passionate and sincere, but I also like to have fun and act like a dork . † F AMILY ? Wife – Courtney Love. ? Both were drug addicts. ? Unfit parents. ? Only daughter was sent to Love’s sister. ? Later returned to their custody on certain conditions. H EALTH ? Chronic bronchitis. ? Chronic stomach ache – undiagnosed. ? Family had a history of suicide, mental illnesses and lcoholism. ? Attention deficit hyper activity disorder ( ADHD ) as a child. H EALTH.. ?Bipolar disorder as an adult. ?Experimented with drugs at the age of 13, marijuana. ?Prone to alcoholism and solvent abuse. ?Claimed that Heroin reduced stomach pain. D EATH ? Overdose of champagne and rohypnol – hospitalized. ? Nobody could see any indication that Cobain was suicidal. ? Second time – Love called police claiming that Cobain has locked himself in a room with a gun. ? Excessive drug usage intervened by his friends – agreed to attend a detox program. D EATH.. ? Escaped from detox program. Finally shot himself, leaving behind a suicide note to his imaginary childhood friend ‘Bodoh’. ? In the note, he stated that there was not excitement left in his life. ? Traces of Valium and a high concentration of Heroin were found in his body. PSYCHODYNAMIC APPROACH INFLUENCE OF CHILDHOOD: ? Did not receive much attention as a child due to his parents divorce and his constant shuffle between family members and friends – led to ADHD. ? The lack of attention received by him, his feeling of being misinterpreted by his fans, and the constant fluctuation of the love received f rom his parents led him to develop an unstable personality.Thus resulting in bipolar disorder. PSYCHODYNAMIC APPROACH.. ? He was a bully as a child, using it as an outlet for the anger he felt towards his parents in the situation he presented him with. ? His parents divorced and consequent remarriage and the abuse of his mother by his stepfather caused him to hate adults in general. This was let out in his rebellious nature. ? Fluctuation between Christianity and atheism could have been caused due to the lack of parental guidance in his childhood. P ERSONALITY ?Unstable ‘Super Ego’ – no morals or values instilled by his parents. ?Insolence, bullying and bad behavior as a hild – he conscience not adequately developed. D EFENSE MECHANISMS DISPLACEMENT: ? To deal with anger within him and feeling of helplessness at home. ? Resorted to bullying and insolent behavior. SUBLIMATION: ? Use of music to express his helplessness. – used the term ‘shameâ €™ which refers to he was ‘ashamed’ of his parents. – talks about the stress he is under. D EFENSE M ECHANISMS.. PROJECTION: ? Usage of drugs, Marijuana, Heroin, Percodan. ? To help with the stress, helplessness, relieve the stomach pain. UNDOING: ? Agreeing to undergo a detox program. â€Å"Drugs are a waste of time. They destroy your memory and your self-respect nd everything that goes along with your self-esteem. † P SYCHOSEXUAL STAGES: ? According to Freud there are 5 stages: – Oral Stage – Anal Stage – Phallic Stage – Latent Period – Genital Stage ? In Cobain’s case – fixation at Oral Stage. B EHAVIORAL APPROACH – The concept of behaviourism focuses on the fact that behaviour is not something a person is born with, but something one learns. CLASSICAL CONDITIONING: ? Condition to react to a stimulus in a certain way. – Insolent behavior towards adults because of parents behavior and num erous changes. – His stepfather’s abuse of his mother. usage of Heroin to alleviate the stomach pain. O PERANT CONDITIONING ? It deals with the concept that rewards and punishment given at appropriate intervals could help mould/change a person’s behaviour. ? Lack of rewards probably led to his insolent towards adults. ? Lack of punishment – bad behavior. ? Lack of attention and parent’s abandonment might have influenced different aspects of his personality. ? Constant intake of drugs – lack of parental guidance. ? History of mental illnesses , suicide and alcoholism in his family. S OCIAL LEARNING THEORY ? A person can learn behavior by observing another person’s, nd the consequences faced by that person due to their behavior. ? Cobain’s bipolar nature – constant fluctuations of emotions at home. ? Constant display of anger at his mother’s home – caused him to act same way with others. B IG FIVE THEORY The big five theory consists of five factors which are the broad dimensions used to describe the human personality. 1. openness (inventive/ curious vs consistent/cautious) – high on openness. creative behavior in his musical endeavors. Imaginative and artistic as created majority of Nirvana’s music and lyrics. 2. conscientiousness (efficient/organized vs easygoing/careless) – low on conscientiousness.Had an impulsive behavior and a lack of concern for his own life exemplified by his drug abuse and cancelling of concerts in the last minute. B IG FIVE T HEORY.. 3. extraversion (outgoing/energetic vs solitary/reserved) – moderate level of extroversion. He was very energetic in his performances with Nirvana. Also displayed withdrawn behavior from his parents and was less sociable with his peers. 4. agreeableness (friendly/ compassionate vs cold/unkind) – moderate for agreeableness. Cobain tends to be friendly to his fans and friends, but he appears mistrus ting and standoffish to his parents. . neuroticism (sensitive/nervous vs secure/confident) – Kurt is high on neuroticism. He was mentally and emotionally unstable, as he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder as an adult. 1 6 PERSONALITY FACTORS ? Warmth – Low – He was not very friendly with others due to his experiences as a child. ? Reasoning – Moderate – His thinking was neither too concrete nor abstract. ? Emotional Stability – Low – He had bi-polar disorder. ? Dominance – High – Was dominant in his band and aggressive to other persons. ? Liveliness – Low – He was not cheerful or lively, liked spending his alone. 6 PERSONALITY FACTORS .. ? Rule-Consciousness – Low – He did not have proper parental guidance over morality. ? Social Boldness – High – He was bold in front of the public, the media about his music. ? Sensitivity – Moderate – He was not objective but was tender minded. Later went tough minded and rough. ? Vigilance – High – He did not trust people a lot and was vigilant. ? Abstractedness – Moderate – Was practical about his band growth and was imaginative in his song lyrics. 1 6 PERSONALITY FACTORS .. ? Privateness – Low – Was disclosing about his lyrics and his ideas. Apprehension – High – He was insecure and selfdoubting. ? Openness to Change – Moderate – Was free thinking and experimental only in his music but not in general. ? Self-Reliance – High – He was solitary and individualistic. ? Perfectionism – Low – He was impulsive, undisciplined, self conflicting and careless of social r ules. ? Tension – High – He was tensed, impatient and frustrated. C ONCLUSION ? It seems that only those who are willing to take dangerous behaviours to heart are the only ones who can gain popularity, at least in the rock industry. ? Cobai n, in this respect, may have had more of an advantage. His possible bipolar disorder allowed him to make erratic decisions, create angst which permeated throughout teenage society, and generate a new sound that would forever rearrange the face of music. ? This in turn has allowed Cobain to become an idol in the eyes of many troubled young souls, then and now. R EFERENCES ? http://www. thebiographychannel. co. uk/biographies/kurt-cobain. html ? http://www. customessaymeister. com/customessays/Psychology/988. htm ? http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Kurt_Cobain#Relationships_and_family ? http://psychology. about. com/od/theoriesofpersonality/ss/psychosex ualdev_3. htm Thank you

Persuasive Essay On Gun Control - 1636 Words

On an average day, 93 Americans are killed with a gun (Everytown). Beginning with the National Firearms act of 1934, gun control has been a controversial topic in American society and politics. Gun control is a set of laws aimed to limit the production, distribution, possession and modifications of fire arms utilized by civilians. Presently, the United States outlaws the selling, and ownership, of fully automatic weapons but allows the distribution of semi-automatic weapons. Purchasing extended magazines, military style .50 caliber and assault style weapons is legal on a federal level. In Washington state, it is legal to openly carry an unloaded pistol without a permit. It is also legal to own a rifle, shotgun or handgun without a permit.†¦show more content†¦It is illogical to maintain all of our rights when our safety is compromised. Furthermore, the second amendment was written in a completely different era and does not apply to modern times. Jill Lepore, writer for the N ew Yorker, remarks than when the second amendment was written, in 1791, gun owners had â€Å"long arms that, like a smaller stockpile of pistols, could discharge only once before they had to be reloaded† (Lepore). At the time, the weapons they had were not as deadly as the ones available now. Their guns could not harm hundreds of people with one clip because they were inefficient, provided poor accuracy and low range. Modern guns are the complete opposite, especially semiautomatic weapons. The significant difference in weapons means that the second amendment cannot be fully applied to today’s weapons. The second amendment states that people have the right to bear arms but times have changed and so should the meaning of it. The constitution is a living document, its interpretation should be adapted to provide more sense of public safety as time goes by while upholding gun ownership rights. Gun control should be implemented on extended magazines due to safety concerns. E xtended magazines allow for a gun to shoot longer with less reloading time. According to David Chapman, a special agent in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, high-capacity magazines â€Å"turns a killer into a killing machine.† (/Show MoreRelatedPersuasive Essay : Gun Control798 Words   |  4 PagesPersuasive Essay Did you know that in the United States almost 100,000 people are shot or killed with a gun in one year? 10,527 people die a year in handgun related incidents in the United States. This number, by far, outweighs the number of gun related deaths in countries such as Sweden, Great Britain, and Japan, which number 13, 22, and 87, respectively. What is the reason for such drastic differences in numbers? Sweden, Great Britain, and Japan are all countries that have stricter gun controlRead MorePersuasive Essay On Gun Control1753 Words   |  8 PagesPersuasive Essay Rough Draft The United States of America has a problem that is growing worse every day. American laws are not protecting its citizens from injury or death. You may think the mass shootings in America the guns used were bought illegally, but â€Å"since 1982, there have been at least 62 mass shooter carried out with firearms across the country, with the killings unfolding in 30 states from Massachusetts to Hawaii. Of the 139 guns possessed by the killers, more than three quarters wereRead More Persuasive Articles on Gun Control Essays607 Words   |  3 PagesPersuasive Articles on Gun Control Persuading an audience can be done in several different fashions, one of which is Hugh Rank’s Model of Persuasion. Rank’s model states that two major strategies are used to achieve the particular goal of persuasion. These strategies are nicely set into two main schemas; the first method is to exaggerate an aspect of something, known as â€Å"intensify.† While the second is to discredit it, which is referred to as â€Å"downplay.† Al Franken, Jeffrey SnyderRead MorePersuasive Essay On Gun Control1018 Words   |  5 PagesImagine, an America where no citizen, law abiding or not, has the legal ability to own guns. Three gunmen with fully automatic rifles walk into a crowded city and begin firing. No law abiding citizen can defend themselves. It’s hopeless. This future can only be prevented if Americans continue to keep the second amendment. We should keep the current gun control laws, but revise them to make them even better. Most gun own ers are responsible under the current laws, however, I think some laws need to beRead MorePersuasive Essay On Gun Control1245 Words   |  5 Pagesand time again. Due to recent tragedies involving firearms, the view of guns and peoples rights to own and operate firearms have been frowned upon and viewed in a bad light due to Media. News sources have cherrypicked pictures of tragedies and stories about bad instances of gun usage in order to fight for Gun Control and the suppression of Americans rights. Due to the recent Vegas shooting, the argument for Gun Control has never been more intense, and Media outlets are having a field day onRead MorePersuasive Essay On Gun Control915 Words   |  4 PagesHistorically guns haven’t been a national issue. It is not until relatively recently that an overwhelming amount of people have been in favor of placing stricter laws on the owning of a fire arm. The call for gun control has become more prevalent in the eyes of the government and the people; the gun laws that are also often proposed are irrational and ineffective. 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The Education Of The Middle School - 857 Words

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Through United States Federal Government loans I am able to attend college. After college I will have to pay back the loans, but in the meantime the government gave me a way to attend college, get an education, and make my dream of a teacher come true. Social justice is a part of my life whether I think about it every day or not. It has an impact on my life and the people around me. My goal as a teacher is to give my students the tools they need to be contributing citizens of society. I want them toShow MoreRelatedSexual Education At Middle Or High School1152 Words   |  5 Pages Imagine you are a parent of teen who is attending middle or high school and one day they came home, and you over heard them having a conversation on the telephone about the sexual education class that the school will be offering. Your heart starts racing because this is the conversation that you have been trying to avoid ever since your teen confided in you that they have a school crush. 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