Category Archives: Essays

Why Do We Love Fast Food?

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Fast food is unique in American culture. Why is it so popular? The reasons- convenience, affordability, and societal influence. In every corner of every neighborhood, there’s always a convenience store, a McDonald’s, or other fast food restaurants. Our country is keen on fast food.

On every corner of every city and neighborhood, fast food chains dot the landscape because families like fast and familiar meals that have become a staple for many. What is the reason for this love of fast food? It has unparalleled convenience.

Fast food offers a solution in a society where time is a precious commodity. If you need a quick lunch and are short of time, these fast food places provide meals in minutes, require minimal effort and time commitment from buyers, and don’t taste bad either.

Affordability plays a significant role in the appeal of fast food. With menu items often priced competitively, they are so affordable that even young kids can afford a burger or fries.

Another factor that makes fast food a significant influence on our culture is the influence of advertising and marketing; this is the key factor in shaping the culture surrounding fast food. Fast food chains have successfully ingrained Americans from a very young age through strategic campaigns emphasizing convenience, taste, and value. TV commercials, social media promotions, or sponsorships make fast food popular among young children and teens. They have been ingrained in the American psyche as a quick, enjoyable dining experience.

Beyond practical considerations, fast food has become woven into the fabric of American social life. These restaurants also serve as gathering places for friends and family; students meet here for meals and study together.

The consistency and predictability offered by chain restaurants contribute to their enduring popularity. With standardized menus and quality control measures, we, as buyers, know what to expect when visiting our favorite fast-food restaurants. Fast food is a multimillion-dollar industry, and these restaurants are out to make the culture ingrained in our minds.

The love affair with fast food in America is complex due to convenience, affordability, marketing prowess, and social dynamics. It reflects changing dietary habits and broader shifts in lifestyle and consumer behavior. As fast food continues to evolve and adapt to new trends and tastes, its place in American culture remains secure and will only become more widespread.

My hope is that the widespread fast food trends will change according to our healthier lifestyle choices, help our population become more fit, and provide a means for younger generations to have fewer food-related illnesses.

Here’s to better, healthier fast food!

Bella H.

Should Cellphones be Banned in School?

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Starting in 2025, the LA Unified School District will be enacting a ban on cellphones at school. Cellphone bans are nothing new; in May of 2023, the state of Florida passed a ban on phones in school as well. While some people support these bans, others are more reluctant. In this article, I will be breaking down both sides of the case on phones in school.

Why we should ban phones: 

  • Phones are considered highly addictive. A scholarly journal published by the National Library of Medicine reported that on average, 16% of adolescents are addicted to their phones. In addition to this, addicitoncenter.com states that, “A recent study scanned participants’ brains with a phone addiction and discovered a change in their brain’s grey matter. According to the researchers, the physical shape and size of their brains resembled that of drug users.”
  • It’s a distraction. Since phones are addictive, students can easily be distracted by their addiction in class. Even if they aren’t addicted, it’s hard to resist a buzzing phone. “Approximately 40% of public schools report moderate to severe negative impacts on student learning and on teacher and staff morale when students use their electronic devices without permission. Many teachers report that students being distracted with their cellphones is a major problem in their classrooms… The presence of smart phones may reduce cognitive capacity, especially for those highly addicted to their phones, and notifications disrupt focus and attention. Further, there is a negative association between time spent on smartphones and academic performance,” says KFF (affiliated with Kaiser Hospital).” A common reason for cellphone bans is the high risk of distracting from schoolwork, in turn reducing grades. 
  • They are harmful to mental health. The National Institute of Health says that, “Numerous studies have found that addiction and depression often go hand in hand, and that addiction increases the risk of depression and is an important predictor of depression. A 4-year follow-up study confirms that Internet addiction is a stable cause of depression.” Increased awareness about student mental health have led to concerns about the impacts of smart devices.

Why we shouldn’t ban phones:

  • They are a learning tool. While phones can be distracting in class, they can also be great learning tools. “Cell phones give students access to tools and apps that can help them complete and stay on top of their class work. These tools can also teach students to develop better study habits, like time management and organization skills,” claims Oxford Learning.
  • Cellphones are a way for schools to help students prepare for adulthood. Statistics show that around 97% of the adult population possess cellphones in the US. Even if phones may be a distraction, students need to learn how to responsibly use these devices so that they can be successful as an adult. “A research scientist in the center for Health and Happiness, argues that more flexible classroom policies [regarding cell phones] can create opportunities for teaching tech-literacy and self-regulation,” explains Harvard Gazette
  • Helpful for communication, especially in emergencies. Another reason many parents cite for keeping phones in class is the purpose of communication and safety. Many phones have built in tracking devices that parents use to keep track of their kids. In addition, phones can be very useful in a school emergency as they possess the ability to contact emergency services. “We aren’t texting our kids memes or asking them what the latest TikTok trend is,” National Parents Union president Keri Rodrigues says in a statement. “Cellphone bans fail to take into consideration the tragic, real-life scenarios that unfortunately play out all too often in schools. And schools have yet to improve communication with us.” 

In conclusion, there are many pros and cons to having cellphones in schools. There is no right answer for how to proceed on this policy. Only time will tell if phone bans even end up being effective. What do you think? Should phones be banned in schools?

Society

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A fair society is a society where basic freedoms are protected, genuinely fair equality of opportunity is secured, and, beyond that, the economic structure prioritises the needs of the most disadvantaged.

The ten things that are normalised in this society which makes it worse are…

Having to be busy, lack of sleep, turn things into business, constantly connected to phone, working half to death, caring about celebrities, wasting food, smart phone at young age, paying extreme amounts on health care, the customer is always right.

Six ways we can fix….

  • Making it illegal for political parties to receive donations
  • Making it illegal for the media to report on what’s happening without impartiality
  • Provide state funding for partis, a law where if not a lot of people vote there shouldn’t be an election
  • Make corporation pay their taxes where they earn the money
  • Remove the tax burden from anyone not paid the minimum wage.

The more we notice how our society works, the social classes and what they do to contribute to the world (example:celebrities talking about certain issues), and we communicate with one another in this world… The more we will take it in and notice the faults and fix them, as well as noticing the good things and improving them.

I really hope I worded this in the right manner, and you learned a thing or two. I only wrote this because I noticed a downer/more negative society than usually.

Self Driving Cars: The Future of Transportation?

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Cars have always needed drivers at the wheel; otherwise, they could not function. But recently, a new technology has begun to prove otherwise. The rise of self-driving cars has become a popular topic of debate. Ernst Dickmanns built the first model in the late 1980s. Only semi-autonomous cars are on the market today, while fully autonomous ones are still developing. Self-driving cars are a new technology that presents solutions and concerns.

Self-driving cars have many benefits and uses. According to SWARCO, a traffic technology corporation, “99% of all accidents are due to human error” (1). These include exhaustion, inattentiveness, or improper driving etiquette. Self-driving cars have technology that eliminates human error, which can prevent most accidents. Additionally, it helps transportation be available to people who can’t drive. Whether it be disabilities or age, self-driving can improve accessibility by driving for people who can’t. Autonomous vehicles can also help decrease traffic. With advanced communication between the cars, it can “improve traffic flow and increase road capacity” (SWARCO, 2). A benefit of self-driving cars is they utilize advanced and accessible technology.

 Besides the many uses, self-driving cars have problems and concerns. A car that always utilizes data and observation cameras is prone to hackers and other online viruses. This can put your safety and privacy at risk. Furthermore, if an autonomous car commits a traffic violation, “no real person can be prosecuted” (SWARCO, 4). Traffic laws must change to fit the presence of self-driving cars. Finally, the car program must learn to drive with humans safely. They have to be able to adapt to any sort of situation with human-driven manual cars. Autonomous cars still have some concerns that need to be addressed.

Self-driving cars do have their technical challenges, but they also have many benefits. Only time will tell if these cars are truly the future of transportation.

Consumerism

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2024 is already an abnormal year for marketing and consuming, why is that?

March 12, 2024 marks 4 years since the pandemic and approximately 3 years since quarantine was cut. Since we were all held in our houses, unable to live properly, and make enough money to get us what we want and enough to get us our basic needs, we now see a burst of spending because of us being trapped.

Why do we consume what we consume though? Because us as humans, we have put ourselves in specific groups (or to specific people) and are comparing ourselves with others in that group that we see ourselves in, so we would consume what they have and become them, weather we have the money or wealth for it or not. 

That is an example of competitive consumption, which is the idea that we spend because we are comparing ourselves with peers that are spending, like celebrities, higher hierarchy, etc. In our society, we have structured things on social esteem which is connected to what we can consume. Which that in of itself means that we consume affects our social value… money measures worth and value, weather we like it or not that’s how people are viewed.

Humans aren’t driven by advertisements as well. Not in all scenarios though, some advertisements do hook people and get them to consume things they don’t actually need. Rather that people are just driven to things that compel them and make them more valuable by the people in the group they see themselves apart of, an example is if your whole family and some friends got a specific item, you are more in likely to purchase that item..

Us humans are also drown to cheaper stuff, which is what technology has began to market in the 1920. Another example are sales, we are drown to things listed as “–% off” or even that propaganda term “up too –% off”. 

Consumerism has too do with hierarchy, and its burst right now is because we were unable to get products that make us feel/look valuable or be seen as the group you compare yourself to.

https://www.vox.com/the-goods/22547185/consumerism-competition-history-interview

-Zina K

Zoos: Not as Ethical as They Seem

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Hard, concrete floors and towering walls. That’s all most zoo animals may learn to see. Some were born free, but that freedom was ripped from their hands as soon as they were taken into a zoo. There are several debates on whether zoos are beneficial to wildlife, but the facts are clear. Misuse of money, poor animal wellbeing, and insufficient education are just a few reason out of several. Zoos are self-indulgent, and should not exist.

Zoos damage the physical and mental wellbeing of animals. Some of them are even driven neurotic due to extreme boredom. Readworks’ “Debate: Are Zoos Bad?” states evidence of “Monkeys and parrots ‘grooming’ themselves until they have no fur or feathers left.” This is unnatural behavior for animals. They are harming themselves because they have lack of nourishment, and it has taken a toll on their mental state of mind. Furthermore, most zoos do not meet the social and physical needs of the animals. Several of them even abuse the animals. National Geographic reports, “An animal welfare group has flagged hundreds of zoos affiliated with the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) for mistreating animals.” The WAZA is a trusted organization, and even within it are several cases of abuse. Keeping animals in such horrid conditions should be illegal. 

It doesn’t take long to find a zoo that cares more about the money than the actual animals. In fact, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums states that around half of the zoos in AZA are for-profit, meaning the money goes to benefit the government, not conservation. This shows that several zoos are just keeping animals as another way to earn money. Additionally, zoos that are not for profit spend more than 1 million dollars on a single exhibit, states article “Should We Have Zoos?” That money could go to preserving the actual habitat, instead of creating an artificial one. 

There are many arguments for zoos, but most of them are untrue. A common argument is that it helps with conservation to save species. But this is arguing for conservation sites, not zoos. An interviewed zoo conservationist on BBC asserts that the ideal zoos should be closed to the public. Instead of spending money on making it look appealing to the eye, they can use those funds for nourishment to the animals without the stress of visitors. Another frequent claim is that zoos help save endangered species. But it is proved that removing animals from the wild can further endanger them, due to the genetics not being as diverse. Financially, BBC states that only “4% of revenue goes back into conservation.” That’s hardly anything. Some pro-zoos say that it helps educate the public, but in reality, there is no significant change in behavior or interest in visitors, Britannica writes. 

Zoos do more damage to the wildlife than they do help. Several zoos care more about the profit than the actual animals, being shown with the poor living conditions, misuse of finances, and insufficient education that zoos provide. As time goes on, zoos continue to pose a threat to the environment, and one day, it will be the downfall to Earth’s delicate ecosystem. But instead of watching as zoos continue to harass animals, you could help make a difference! There are several petitions that you can sign to help take down zoos. Together, we can save wildlife. 

2024=1948

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If you haven’t been on the reality side of life right now, you would know that Palestine and Israel are in a war which is slowly becoming a whole middle east against the west war. Besides wars, inflation is reaching an all time low of 3.2% and apartment/house rent being in a funky situation. Beyond the economic and world part, in my opinion, we are entering a new era in the cinematic/music/entertainment industry with movies from the 70’s to the early 2000’s coming out with sequel musicals,and  new popular music.

Looking back 76 years ago you, can see so many similarities between these two years; 2024 and 1948. Are we going back in time? Have we truly entered a war and a great depression?

The answers depend on how you would like to view what’s going on.

For more information about the similarities between those two years, we have have to go back to 1948, and see what went down.

We can all agree that war has a lot to do with money and inflation, which is why the USA dealt with post World War 2 inflation dropping down to 10%, with its highest rate (that it should have been at) being at 20%. With a democrat leading 1948 and a democrat leading 2024. 

But we aren’t in a war, why would our percentage drop to 3.2% in the present day? The answer to that will have to be, the pandemic aka Covid 19. With business shutting down, even the government shutting down, people losing jobs and such, the inflation began to decline and it is getting worse and worse with how the current economy is working during (a soon to be) war.

Speaking of war, looking back to spring, more specifically, May of 1948, the Palestinians welcomed jewish settlers who escaped the holocaust from Germany, and some parts around Europe to get to the middle eastern country called Palestine. Their settlement began as a UN and UK agreement for the jewish to have some part of Palestine for them to call their own (being Israel). They began to go past that agreement and ended up killing about 110 thousand Palestinians with a good portion of them escaping to countries around, like Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. 

Which is very similar to what is happening now with in just 5 months of the Gaza vs Israel war, over 27 thousand have been killed and 73 thousand displaces, under rubble, or missing, as the USA and UK funding the killing and bombing Palestinian safe zones.

Besides the War and Economy time, Hamlet, Oliver Twist, and the Fallen City releasing and getting big, we got musicals as old hit movies like Mean Girls (2003), Wonka (1971), and even The Color Purple/book (1982). With artist Taylor swift dropping her new album soon and making her own name, Lana Del Rey dropping a tour, and new music genres on the rise, 1948 came out with “all I want for Christmas is my two front teeth”

To conclude all of this, This year is extremely similar to 1948 and is possible we might be going back in history, rather than how some would hope it being similar to 2014 and party 2020.

What do are your thoughts?

https://www.babyboomers.com/1948

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5SiW6eh0ST9AYdlxHmPSxn?si=GwgU8Kg9QR-LYpOz-4lQtQ

Zina K

How Listening to Music Can Affect Your Day

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Music is a huge part of my life. Whether it is playing the piano and viola or listening to my favorite songs, music makes me happier. Music is extremely powerful. No matter the genre, it affects our mood (either good or bad). Let’s dive into the different aspects of music.

1. The Benefits

According to “Northshore,” music can lower blood pressure, heart rate, cortisol (stress hormone) levels, and blood levels of serotonin and endorphins. It improves mood. Dopamine production in the brain can be increased by listening to music.

In addition, music is known to keep the brain young. Why you might ask? Listening to music is a brain workout and maintains mental activity during the aging process. This brain workout includes physical and chemical reactions.

2. The Negatives

Music has multiple genres and can range from classical to the complete opposite, metal music. While all the facts listed above are true, it depends on the genre of music you’re listening to. As stated by “Frontiers,” according to certain research, listening to depressing and powerful music might cause or worsen unpleasant feelings.

To expand on the depression-causing side effect of listening to sad music, the Children’s Hospital of New Orleans stated that listening to certain music can cause rumination (when recurrent thoughts or lingering on unpleasant emotions occurs). Rumination can especially happen to teens when they listen to melancholy music, causing them to dwindle on unfavorable thoughts or emotions.

Another negative of listening to music is the distraction factor. Personally, whenever I do my homework, I can never play music due to my tendency to lose focus. On many other accounts, choosing the wrong type of music to listen to while studying can create distractions. Rather than music helping, it is hurting.

I trust these facts will impact your perspective on music, either for the better or the worse!

– Sophia B.

“Headphones Music” by JESHOOTS.com/ CC0 1.0

Social Media Isn’t All That Bad

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In today’s world, ninety percent of teenagers utilize some type of social media daily. Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube are the most popular among twelve to eighteen-year-olds in the US. Even though these apps can be used in some negative ways, it’s good to remember that people can also use social media to spread positivity and help others, as well as interact with friends and communities. Social media can have many positive impacts on teenagers’ lives.

Through social media people can rally for positive causes and support each other. Additionally, social media can assist teens in connecting with others and strengthening relationships. Teenagers view social media as a source of confidence and a way to build bonds, not some evil entity out to destroy their esteem. Teenagers are who we should be looking to, as they are the most affected by this argument. Some people say that social media can cause a negative lifestyle, forcing people to be perfect all the time; however, it’s incredibly easy to private your social media if you want, and not all social media are focused on selfies and looks. People too often group all social media into one category – there are tons of social media accounts on plants, animals, photography, art, and more. Thus, social media can reinforce people’s friendships and connections.

Despite what many think, social media is not the terrifying online crevasse that news headlines insist on propagandizing. Social media is a way to strengthen and build relationships and gather to support others. People must understand that these platforms aren’t all negative and that it isn’t all cyber bullying, spam, and hate. That’s just what people see on the news. Realizing the positives will help us come to a better understanding of social media, and allow us to navigate it safely.

Why Social Media Is Ruining Us

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This might be a known topic by all adults though us teens and children younger than us won’t fully comprehend that fact since we have been raised on the internet and most of our entertainment, hobbies, inspiration, and style comes from the internet more specifically social media. 

But as time goes and the more trends and entertainments arise on our screens, the higher our dopamine levels are drawn to social media which feeds our social media addiction. 

The more addicted we are to social media the less sense of reality we have and we begin to see the world in a different shape, because we would much rather escape the world by going on a screen than by escaping the screen and going into the world. 

That might have sounded cliche but its so true. For example those ten year olds getting skin care products, the wanting to go on horrible diets to be like certain people, or the opposite, eating something that looks so good but is to harmful to your body, and so many more examples.

To conclude all the statistics and my own personal opinion, Social media rots a person’s brain. It not only decreases your attention span which changes peoples focus therefore affecting success.

Social media may be artistic, comedy based, etc but it changes people’s true artistic behaviors because of what is being presented to them on their screen vs what is actually going in reality. 

Beyond art and the brain, social media turns people into rude being, uninteresting, and selfish people. Even though we all think we are kind and authentic people, social media is such a trend based place that gives out only certain peoples opinions which is then paced all around the world till everyone has the same opinions making everyone un-authentic and a bunch of copy and pastes.

If you dont believe anything I wrote, check your social media screen time.