1 | SAMPLES 2013 * PSTORDILLA

Smartphones and the Youth

The development of culture has significantly been influenced by technology. The
breakthroughs made have shaped society as a whole and the individual members of the
community. Technology does not only augment human capacity but also instigate change.
Shifting between paradigms may either be intelligible choices or forced upon man by necessity.
In the modern times change occurs at a very rapid pace. This is brought upon by the constant
introduction of developments in devices that are widely used. In the 21
st
century, the emerging
culture revolves around gadgets and products of human ingenuity. One of these items is the
smartphone.

The smartphone is an evolution of the telephone. It serves the fundamental purpose of
enabling communication. However, it also has many other devices built into it. It can tell time,
take pictures, planner, media player, serve as means of portable data storage and even allow the
enjoyment of games. It can be customized and adjusted to meet the needs as well as personality
of its owner. It can be considered the definitive item that best represents and manifests the
current generation. The youth of today treats the smartphome as an essential part of their lives.
This is demonstrated by the fact that the use and spend time operating it more than they do other
things.

Devices like the smartphone lie in the center of the many dimensions of the lives of
modern man. This means that human activity both those that are essential, and for leisure have to
be integrated into the trend of rising technocracy. This means that how society works will have
to be restructured to be more in tune with the times. Since the youth are into smartphones this
has to be taken advantaged upon. Ways must be found to use smartphones not only to improve
communications and entertainment but also to enrich the lives of people.

Since the youth is concerned and expend considerable amounts of time on smartphones
why not employ them for the purpose of education or the proliferation of information. No doubt
the youth will be more inclined to study and be informed if such will be done through their
smartphones. They will read and know more of the news if these devices can have electronic
copies of the most recent newspapers.





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2 | SAMPLES 2013 * PSTORDILLA

New Policy against Porn



Western Liberal Democracies like Great Britain are among the pioneers of modern
libertarianism. Governments in countries like the United Kingdom regulate rights, uphold the
public good and protect society. It does this without infringing or stepping on individual liberties
as much as possible. The government does not to regularly wield the power of the state in
limiting the exercise of rights. In these countries the idea is citizens are mature, responsible, law-
abiding and ethical. This means that they have the freedom to live their lives and pursue their
preferences. This includes enjoying various forms of leisure, one of the most controversial of
which is viewing or accessing pornography.

Recently, Britain Prime Minister, David Cameron has launched a campaign targeting the
most extreme form of pornography, those that depicts various forms of abuse. These sexual
abuse videos constitute a more malign form of pornography. The new government policy of
detecting, limiting and punishing access has started the debate again with regards to pornography
in general. In the same way that preferences are diverse, so are individuals. Those labeled as
extreme pornography could be standard pornography or not even pornography for others.

Those libertarians who oppose this new regulatory measure would demand proof of
harm. After all governmental powers used in this manner are often justified by real harms that
threaten. Those who support the new policy argue that the effects of pornography, especially the
extreme kinds warped individuals. They transform productive, civilized and upright citizens into
sexual predators and criminals. However, there is no clear indication that pornography of any
kind has this definitive effect on those that access it.

Ultimately, the question that needs an answer is this: Is there a greater good that this new
policy upholds? If the answer to this is yes then what? The case against pornography is highly
relative and lacks sufficient basis. On the other hand those cases still raises various concerns in
society. These are concerns, like sexual abuse cannot be simply ignored such. In fact, it is a
crime.

The advocates of this new regulation against porn have to establish a reasonable link
between the social ills and accessing of this material. If they are able to make this connection this
would justify the new policy. If they fail in this pursuit the new policy against pornography,
especially extreme pornography is an undue curtailment of rights. This curtailment is contrary to
the liberal values and libertarian nature of society like that in Britain.



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3 | SAMPLES 2013 * PSTORDILLA

Teens Can Make Money Online

It is a fact that the youth of today; teens, in particular, spend a significant amount of their
time online. Their lives spent surfing the World Wide Web. They find many interesting activities
online. They visit countless number of sites and involve themselves in a multitude of things.
Many of these activities can also help them earn their own money. This is because all or at least
in most of the activities in the cyberspace is an opportunity for income generation. These
activities are even better than other sources of money like part time/ summer jobs that they
usually look for.

One of the activities that teens can use to make money is blogging. Teens are very fond
of posting their thoughts, sharing them and discussing their views with others online. They can
apply and have ads on their blogs. This enables them to make money per person who visits their
blog to comment or at least read about their ideas. And the beauty of this is that they earn per
visitor per ad that is one their blog. If they are into blogging, then it is an easy way of making
money. The more popular their blog the more they make. Another advantage of this is that it
requires little or no capital whatsoever just ideas.

Teens may also have a considerable amount of things which they no longer use like old
toys, collectible cards, board games and other similar items. They can post it for sale in the
internet. Many individuals make a big amount of money selling novelty and hobby-related items
via the internet. An old comic book or NBA card could be worth a significant amount to some
enthusiasts. If a teen no longer has any interest in them, he or she might as well sell them. They
may even make more money than the amount spent to purchase the said items.

There are many surveys proliferating in the internet. Many of them pay a certain sum for
an individual to take them. For those who are online a lot this is a viable source of income. While
one is chatting, watching videos and checking online posts, he or she can also answer these
surveys. They are not difficult, lengthy or complex. These usually entail a bit of typing but
mostly clicking. They are purposefully made for internet users. An individual can even complete
more than a dozen in less time than he or she uses to update their social-networking site accounts
or check their email.

Modern teens are very expressive of their opinions, articulate and adhere strongly to their
ideas. This suits for freelance work of almost any kind. The internet is a source of various
projects that pay anywhere from a few dollars to a few hundred. It can involve tasks like doing
research, finding and/or posting links, downloading and/or uploading certain content and even
various writing jobs. These are relatively easy things to do for those who are familiar with the
internet, regularly making online posts and having a considerable amount of ideas like teens.

Lastly, teens can also make money by viewing various ads online. Certain websites pay a
member for each online ad or advertisement video he or she views. Again, this task is simple and
does not even consume a significant amount of time. It is easily done while one is going over his
or her email or checking posts in one of the popular social-networking sites.

4 | SAMPLES 2013 * PSTORDILLA

Spirituality and Humanity
Human nature has always had a deep connection to the realm of the intangible.
Throughout the various periods of human history this relationship with the realm beyond the
material has significant allure and value to mans culture and consciousness. In some instances it
is the basis of belief in the divine or other-worldly forces. Some contend that it is the foremost
expression of ones essence. Another view is that it is the origin of the need to believe in an ideal
which transcends the self. Regardless of the many notions about spirituality it is relevant to
human existence. It is an important aspect of human nature.
The human link to spirituality is because the latter is part of the former. Being spiritual is
a valuable manifestation of ones humanity. To believe in an intangible realm or powers that are
beyond normal perception and understanding is part of the human experience. It affirms the
limits of man and it is a reminder of the vastness of the reality that one immerses in. There are
things that are never fully comprehended by human knowledge or within the reach of ones
senses.
Beyond the tangible considerations involved, spirituality is all about the capacity to have
a specific conviction and willfully chose the same. Simply put is a persons capacity to believe.
Its main importance is that many treat it as the fundamental expression of the self. It is also the
basis of good and bad. It is the basis of many religious systems, moral frameworks and ethical
hierarchies. Laws, norms and values all are all connected to spirituality. This connection is the
reason people appreciate norms, cherish values and obey laws.
It is not clear whether spirituality is an affirmation of an idea that is beyond the self or is
inherent in a person or both. What is clear is that it is deeply woven into cultures and the human
psyche and society. It gives meaning to the lives of billions and distinguishes man from other
creatures on this planet. Therefore, it is undeniable that it is a part of human nature. This means
that it is one of the unique and important facets that define our collective humanity.

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A Blindness of the Mind

We have become accustomed to judging things by their appearance. We live in a society
consumed by the "visual culture." Despite this many suffer blindness. This, however, is not the
blindness suffered by the usual man with a cane and funny sunglasses. This is the blindness of
prejudice born of an intolerant and static mind. Close-mindedness is perhaps one of the most
notable problems of modern society.

We have cities filled with people who can see and yet do not perceive anything beyond
what their thoughts allow them to. Horses have blinders to keep them from straying. Many in
society have blinders that keep them from seeing beyond the superficial and the trivial. This
mindset shuts our eyes from the truth. More disturbing is that it makes us unaware of its more
grievous evils like racism, discrimination and marginalization of certain segments of society.

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5 | SAMPLES 2013 * PSTORDILLA

The Cultural Dimension of Debt
In the past decade, the global economy has seen radical shifts in financial performance
and commercial standing of many of the worlds leading economies. Many consider these
economic powerhouses as leaders of human civilization that will usher in a new era of
prosperity, advancement and economic stability. To the shock of many, some of them ended up
facing some of the worst if not the worst decline in their history. Financial experts and
economists are still divided as to the direct and unambiguous causes as to the meltdown suffered
by economies like the United States and Greece. Seldom is the socio cultural element even
considered.
The lesson of the past is clear that the rise and fall of great civilizations are in part due to
cultural shifts and social transformation. When the US economy suffered one of its worst slumps
in its history, consumer behavior was not significantly considered. In turn behaviors of
individuals are largely caused by their culture. The capitalist mentality in many progressive
countries often runs unchecked and leads societies to cause the decline of their own wealthy
system.
The fundamental flaw on the socio cultural level of wealthy and capitalist countries is
that it allows greed to roam unchecked. What does this mean? It allows individuals and groups to
pursue financial gain at all cost. This and the culture of material gain is the defining
characteristic of modern and civilized way of life. Being affluent is not bad but when one
miscalculates the reach of his or her wealth, this is when people start overspending to the point
that they acquire debt recklessly. This debt in many cases escalates to the point that it becomes a
problem of the state. The authorities end up being pressured to bail out these bad debts. This is at
the cost of its own economic stability and continuity.
Another danger in the modern and once strong economies is the virtual absolute absence
of control on commercial establishments. They in turn become prone to abusing the consuming
public all for the love of profit. The select few who often are in control of corporations pursue
policies to enrich themselves at the cost of others. There is the case of Enron where the company
executives acquired significant bonuses despite the fact that the company was losing money.
This rampant deification of greed coupled with the institutionalization of the excessive
acquisition of property lies at the root of the US recession and the growing instability of the
Eurozone.
An example set by rich but consistently stable economies is that their people, society and
culture have non-materialistic values, and they reject greed. The decadence in terms of culture in
many modern societies often translates to economic instability and financial decay on a scale that
is unheard of before. For these deteriorating economies to truly recover, this problem needs a
response.
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6 | SAMPLES 2013 * PSTORDILLA

Mishimas Period Masterpiece

Books and the stories they contain evoke a myriad of responses from the mind and the
heart of those that read it. Some of the best storytellers are experts at stimulating the imagination
as well as evoking various feelings from those that read their works. The greatest works are able
to do this on many levels. This makes reading them more than just a perceptual and cognitive
function. The act of reading a book becomes a holistic experience. Thos are not particularly in
love with books may say that stories in novels are not as rich, engaging or even insightful as any
good movie. But perhaps after reading Yukio Mishimas Spring Snow they will have a very
different opinion of stories in novels.

Enthusiasts of period novels would immediately like Spring Snow. Mishima gives a clear
and accurate portrayal of Japanese culture and society at the turn of the century, early years of
the 20
th
century. This is a particularly unique time given the kind of transformation of Japan
during this period. Mishima, in his work, vividly and beautifully portrays the struggle at the core
of Japanese society. The Japan was coming to terms between its rich and magnificent heritage
and its growing affinity for modern ideas and values. It was a fascinating period to live in and
Mishima is able to transport you to that place in time.

Yukio Mishima is able to use plain language and create artful and exquisite combinations
that make the tale he weaves picturesque, interesting, realistic and rich. The story he tells in
Spring Snow is one full of symbolic imagery and social, cultural and political themes. The novel
shows the difficulty of a young person come into his own despite the rigid strictures of his family
and the expectations of society. It also shows the cultural roots of power in a society steeped in
tradition. But more than these other themes Spring Snow is a brilliant, sensitive and realistic
exploration of human nature, experience particularly of love, courage and friendship.

Mishima incorporates into his work the themes that have fascinated, defined and
ultimately cherished by human society. What is unique is the manner by which he presents it and
the literary devices the he ingeniously uses to convey a story of many meanings. Some of the
messages of his tale are direct others are more subtle and implicit. Beautiful writing and
wonderful storytelling give expression to both.








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7 | SAMPLES 2013 * PSTORDILLA


Analytical Essays: Essays of Depth and Substance

Analytical essays are those essays that used more than the usual amounts of analysis.
This means that essays of this kind are those that explore most if not all major ideas in it in a
very extensive manner. It does not stop at merely explaining but also takes the explanation one
step further by discussing the principle behind the idea or its underlying concept.

Analytical essays are usually employed in discussions and exploration of certain socially
relevant issues. They are also used for argumentative material, philosophical discourses or any
essay that discusses certain principles or notions. It is important to note that there times that the
essay is largely analysis or in some cases the whole body of analysis is the whole essay itself.

Analytical essays use various systems of explanation that follows established modes of
reasoning. These usually are philosophies of certain authors, socio cultural doctrines and
widely used concepts. But there are instances that the analysis exists in the further exploration of
the relationship of various conditions, scenarios and facts about people, culture, and society as a
whole.

An example of analysis based on established principles is when you are discussing the
nature of rights and you explain that rights have limits. You further explain that the limits of
rights are due to the idea of equality of rights among citizens where the rights only extend as far
as where the right of another begins.

On the other hand an example of analysis purely based on additional depth in terms
understanding implications of facts, scenarios or conditions when one looks at the impact of
death penalty not just as punishment for serious crimes but also how it works to control society
as whole. It helps steer people away from committing serious crimes by appealing to mans
tendency to seek self-preservation and death penaltys value as an object of discouraging would
be criminals with the harsh consequence of death.

Analysis of this depth makes the essay or gives the essay as a whole greater depth in
terms of how it reasons out the various ideas it presents by showing the comprehensive
relationship of certain ideas to human behavior, societys values and how people think and act.
This makes the essay more persuasive and thus more effective in its purpose of conveying its
message and convincing the reader that it is valid.

On the other hand there is a negative side to this. Using deeper analysis creates the risk of
not being understood well by most readers and not all analyses are comprehensive. Being
completely comprehensive means being made with perfect reasoning which is impossible. After
all perfect reasoning is a product of perfect human understanding of the cause and effect between
things which cannot be. Analytical essays are still valuable despite these ideas disadvantages.