Bug List

Hello, 

This assignment deals with identifying 20 things that bug me and being able to analyze why that bug exists. Well let's get started.

1.     One thing I have noticed being a foreigner, is that most Americans tend to keep to their selves. By this I mean that daily life and interactions tend to be focused solely on yourself with minimal interactions with other. One example is I can think about is technology.  In other countries, like my native country of Colombia, technology isn't readily accessible to the majority of people or the prices are much higher compared to the U.S. More and more children are glued to their electronics rather than playing outdoors ands interacting physically with their peers or elders.

So why does this problem exist? Well I might have slightly answered it above. Since the expansion and introduction of modern technology, more and more people tend to be more "glued" or dedicate much more time to technology than anything else. From my experiences, when I have visited Neiva, Colombia, which is a small town where my mother's side of the family were born and raised, I always see people out in the streets. I see children running and playing around enjoying their youth with their friends, I see adults outside conversing with their neighbors, and many other human-to-human interactions.

So let me try to analyze this bug. The first and outer why is why does this bug exist? Well modern technology has expanded and made physical interactions more scarce. Now why did physical interactions decrease? Well people may think "why take effort or time from my schedule to physically interact when I can just send an email, text, video call, and so on?" Now is this a problem? Well I'm not a specialist in psychology or child development, but I'm sure there has to be some type of correlation with technology and child development. Whether that correlation is bad or good I'm not sure. Now why would technology be good or bad for child development? I can offer two perspectives from both sides. The good correlation would be children develop skills such as multitasking, experience with technology, and so on. The bad correlation would be psychological development could form things such as isolation, depression, paranoia, and so on. Finally the final why and the root of the problem on why Americans tend to keep to themselves would ultimately be that as the generations have passed, introduction of modern technology has shaped us in such a way that we isolate other and tend to focus on ourselves. We are creatures of habit and if technology was relied on during child development, then that dependency will exist when we are adults. And maybe for some early exposure to technology was positive and helpful and maybe to others negative and harmful. 

2.     Another thing that bugs me is dependency and importance of sex or sexual appeal in today's society. By this I mean it seems that most if not all forms of entertainment focus so much on sex and sexual appeal. This focus often is done in a demeaning and condescending way portraying unrealistic standards that everyday people tend not to be. For example, male beauty tends to be often a tall Caucasian with light hair and light eyes with perfect skin and a physically fit body. For females it tends to be a super skinny person with again long straight hair, perfect skin without any type of scars, and so on. This makes the average majority of people very self conscious about themselves and their bodies. This can lead to physical, emotional, physiological, and sociological illnesses. The result is often people try to constantly please others (or what society deems what people should look like) rather than pleasing themselves and accepting their natural beauty fro what it is. The focus becomes on imperfections.

So let me try to analyze this bug. The first and outer why is why does this bug exist? Well this bug exists because mostly all forms of entertainment (TV, music, fashion, and so on) idolize and form a standard on what beauty, sex, and sexual appeal should be or look like. Now since most people seek entertainment on a daily basis they will constantly be reminded of this standard. Why is this a problem? This constant reminder acts a memory implantation to our brains and minds. We become convinced that this is the way people should be and or act. This then causes people to notice or be discouraged by their imperfections. Why is this a problem? Well most people have heard of the consequences of self–loathing or being uncomfortable with themselves. The amount of teen suicide rates and the amount of self inflicted pain has surely increased overtime. Why is this a problem? This is a major problem because it creates this atmosphere and society of people who doubt themselves and often are unhappy or uncomfortable with themselves. In the end the overall problem becomes one of people idolizing these standards of beauty and discouraging their beauty constantly trying to please other and society rather then themselves. Illnesses are formed an in some cases fatalities. It’s truly sad.

3.     Another bug of mine is the importance and portrayal of alcohol in our society. It seems that most commercials, forms of entertainment, and other types of media portray having a good time with the accompany of alcohol. From my prospective, it seems a person cannot enjoy themselves or have a good time without alcohol. For example, many if not all sporting events promote the consumption of alcohol to better enjoy the game. If you don’t believe me then look at sporting event’s commercials. Most advertise some type of alcohol, the common on being beer.

So let me try to analyze this bug. The first and outer why is why does this bug exist? Well this dependency on alcohol stems from the constant portrayal of it as being the gate way to happiness and enjoyment. It seems I cannot enjoy a sporting event without having some type of alcohol. Even a day like Cinco de Mayo, has been transformed as a day to enjoy Mexican food and alcohol even being dubbed “Drinko de Mayo” or “Cinco de Drinko”. Like how does a day of celebration turn into a day of drinking? Also another problem is often celebrations of any type involve alcohol. Why do celebrations and alcohol go hand-in-hand? For example, lets say a person recently graduated, I’m sure you have heard the phrase “Let’s take a drink to that” or some type of expression. Like I accomplished something, now let me drown myself in alcohol to celebrate my hard work. I just don’t see the connection. Now why is this a problem? Well if people constantly celebrate achievements with alcohol, no matter how big the achievement a dependency problem with form. Why is this a problem? Well alcohol dependency is the only drug that will kill you if abstained from when one is an alcoholic. Drug abuses and drug addicts won’t necessarily die from abstaining form the drug, but the body of alcoholics build such a dependency on it that it can kill you if abstained from completely. This is why some hospitals have emergency beer or some type of alcohol in these cases. Overall why is this a problem?  Well the mortality rate with anything relating to alcohol is certainly a top cause of death. With this dependency on alcohol to accompany entertainment or happiness causes people to grow a dependency on alcohol and can lead to illnesses and even death.

4.     Being on the subject of alcohol, this might be a controversial subject but what bugs me is the age limit of alcohol. Now I am not much of a drinker in fact I kind of hate alcohol, but let me explain why this age limit bugs me. So basically when an individual is 18 years old in the United States they are legally an adult. In reality I would say they are not yet adults. You can legally vote, smoke cigarettes, go to war, and so much more but you cannot drink. Aside from the contradictory legal adult age limit another issue I find with the legal age limit is the fact that in the United States people are expected top abstain form alcohol until age 21. This in my opinion is not a proper way to teach people about alcohol. Many countries such France and Italy educate teens on alcohol around the age of 13. They in moderation give a glass of wine to teens with a meal and this process eventually become a much more learning experience. Kids are taught and experience first hand the effects of alcohol. They eventually become more educated and better and more educated decisions when they become adults due to this experience. Also the U.S deaths relating to alcohol surpass any country by a lot, this is due to in my opinion the lack of knowledge and experience people when they are of legal age or younger. Also teaching total abstinence of alcohol leads to more rebellious acts of binge-drinking. Perfect example is college. 

So let me try to analyze this bug. The first and outer why is why does this bug exist? The problem is why is the legal age limit for alcohol 21 when other things is 18. Well the legal age limit was increased from 18 to 21 because experts and analysis saw a strong correlation with misjudgment of 18 year olds with alcohol. So increasing the legal age would in theory allow people to make more educated decisions. So why did these 18 year olds have poor judgment? Well in my opinion, it is due to the fact that these teens were expected to abstain from any form of alcohol and expected to learn everything about alcohol when they became of legal age. It’s like let me put it in terms if entrepreneurship, expecting to start a successful business from scratch without any prior knowledge of entrepreneurship, business management, and the plenty of other factors. Now why is this a problem? Any parent will surely either face legal trouble and or lose custody of their child if it were reveled that they want to educated their child on alcohol with moderate exposure to the substance. Like the example I said above about the exposure to wine to teens with a meal to educate the teens, all hell would break loose if that were to happen in the U.S. And what is the result? Well teens don’t know how alcohol affects them physically or emotionally. Teens wont know their limits, in such cases alcohol poisoning could lead to death or serious injuries. Also as a teen being told not to do something brings rise to rebellion and often teens when they either move out or go to college binge-drink as a form of trying to be free. So what is the main issue? Well I’m certainly not an expert on this subject but from prior research I have done I have come with some conclusions. Either raise legal age limit to everything to 21, lower the legal age limit to 18, or allow parents in moderation of course to teach their kids the effects and exposure to alcohol progressively to allow them to make better and more educated decisions when they become of legal age.

5.     A big thing that bugs me is the importance and idolization of money. Anything and everything in this day of age relies on money. Basically nothing is free. But besides that people are expected to pay for so much at such high cost, thus forcing people to rely so much on money and the constant pursuit of acquiring money to survive. This creates in my opinion a loss of life. By that I mean that we dedicate our lives on just the pursuit of money rather than pursing things that interest us or have value. Many people hate their jobs but know they have to do this to survive. This week one of my professors said this, “Rich people can fail classes, but poor people can’t.” This simple yet powerful statement caught my attention. This gap is created between those of wealth and those who are middle income or lower income. Those of wealth can tend to be more carefree on things contrary to those of lower income who have to try more intensively to manage. People aren’t able to experience the true potential of their limited lives due to this pursuit of money.

So let me try to analyze this bug. The first and outer why is why does this bug exist? Well in our society without money you are basically nothing. Everything is dependent on money. With this people become more self –centered and less caring. Since money is limited they focus on themselves and fail to interact with the world and others. Why is a problem? This breeds crimes of greed, jealousy, hate, and so on. These crimes have some correlation with the dependency on money. For example, people with minimal wage jobs simply in this day of age cannot afford to live. The need to survive may breed people to commit crimes such as robbery, sale of narcotics, and so on. Why is this a problem? Well people are being striped of their basic rights of life. Life to many becomes a nuisance and constant struggle because money is such a huge factor that people are forced to live these tragic lives. Why is this a problem? In my opinion life is such a beautiful thing and should truly be a pleasant experience. But this, has to be set aside because you have to make money to simply survive in this day of age. For example, look at indigenous tribes or rural areas where most don’t have any money or form of currency. Many of these people seems to be genuinely content with life as they are able to live and experience life without the worry of money. Overall why does this bug me? To me life is a one in a lifetime experience. Let’s put aside any religions, and just think about what I am about to write. Life is meant to be a living and learning experience. One where a person discovers themselves and the world around themselves. One that a person becomes content with they way they are and what they aspire to do with there life. But no all that has to be put aside because money makes the world go round. And if people say such things like money doesn’t matter or whatnot they are referred to as “bums” and “good for nothings”. Has our society really succumb to such an age where self worth and the pursuit of happiness is put aside because people are forced to live terrible and unhappy lives just to simply live. Well that just is sad to think about. 

6.     Another thing that bugs me is the under appreciation of education in the U.S. Although the United States is one of the best countries to live in, the education system has been rapidly declining over the years. The reduction of arts and technical courses in primary or secondary schools has had an effect on today’s society.

So let me try to analyze this bug. The first and outer why is why does this bug exist?

Well this decline in education funding has been a primary result of the allocation of money to different services. During the many wars of the 1900’s, money was allocated to services as armed services while depriving education of funding. Why is this a problem? Well over the years the defunding of education has forced schools to deduce spending by taking away courses, teachers, or anything that isn’t deemed necessary spending. Why is this a problem? Technical classes such a s wood shop, mechanics, culinary, and even arts have been taken out of school’s curriculum. Teacher have lost their jobs despite the amount of years they have dedicated to teaching. Why is this a problem? Well fewer and fewer people are able to perform services such as plumbers, mechanics, wood smith, and other technical services that once were abundantly. Also more people are being unemployed.  Overall why does this bug exist? Well due to war and more spending on defensive services, the funding of education has decreased and classes and teacher have been eliminated form the education system.

7.     Another thing that bugs me is the quality of food in the U.S. It seems that Americans try to maximize efficiency with the lack of quality. Its all about quantity and revenue rather than quality. Things like GMO’s and pesticides have ruined the quality of food and has ruined the health if millions of Americans.

So let me try to analyze this bug. The first and outer why is why does this bug exist? I think the problem exist because companies want to to maximize their money. Why is this a problem? Well this is a problem because things like GMOs given to animals to increase production. Why is this a problem? The quality of the food is worsened and the treatment of animals is also worsened. Now why is this a problem? Well humans developed illnesses and animals are treated in inhumane manners. Overall the stem of the problem is big companies who dominate the food industry want to maximize their profit and don’t really care for the quality of food. Thus food is terrible and creates a problem for both humans and animals.  

8.     Another thing that bugs me is the educational system’s focus on grades rather than learning. It seems that as the years pass more and more standardized test are being introduced. Its frustrating because not all children are book smart. These test belittle a student’s intelligence by telling them they aren’t the standard type of smart. Children can be musically talented but lack book intelligence, yet they are labeled as dumb is they fail standardized test.  

So let me try to analyze this bug. The first and outer why is why does this bug exist?        Well more colleges are exceeding that students have certain prerequisites to enter. These usually included standardized test. Why is this a problem? Well these prerequisites discourage more people from entering the universities. Why is this a problem? Since basically any jobs nowadays require some type of schooling outside high school, people will have harder time finding jobs. Why is this a problem? Well desperation to survive can lead people to commit any acts that ensure survival. This could range from illegal activities to draining activates that basically make the workers zombies to their jobs. The overall problem is that these standardized test limit the potential of so many bright students. Also they create a psychological and emotional scar for those who are labeled not smart by the tests.

9.     Another thing that bugs me is the laziness and apathy of some social/ government workers. For example, if I ask a question to a social worker/government and they say “I don’t know” and don’t offer help beyond that it bugs me. In Colombia social/government workers try to help people as much as they can.

           

So let me try to analyze this bug. The first and outer why is why does this bug exist?                         Well I think that the problem exists because the workers are paid by the government, so they have less incentive to work harder. Why is this a problem? Well the worker will do a worse job and worse customer service. Why is a problem? The agency of the workers has a worse reputation and customers will not return to the company. Why is this a problem? Well most likely the employee will be fired the company will lose money and so on. Overall the problem exists because social/government are less motivated to work because of their standard compensation.

10.  Another thing that bugs me is the focus on obesity, yet the government does minimal about it. Just recently the government introduced these fitness classes to primary schools, but how long did it take? The obesity rate at the U.S is one of the highest, if not the highest. The government seems to not care about this.

So let me try to analyze this bug. The first and outer why is why does this bug exist? Well the primary issue is lack of exercise and quality of food. The U.S doesn’t have enough available and affordable resources for people to exercise or eat healthy. This discourages people. Why is this a problem? Well the number one killer of Americans is heart disease. This is due to lack of healthy food and exercise. Why is this a problem? Well of course more people are dying at faster rates than in the past. The gradual decreases of quality of food and need to exercise has allowed these diseases to rise in number. Why is this a problem? The rapid rate of mortality rates will soon out grow the birth rate; this leads the the extinction of America! The overall problem is the lack of concern for these grave matters.

11.  Another thing that bugs me is how some Americans treat immigrants. The concept that you can belittle a race because they are not native born is contradictory because anyone aside from Native Americans are immigrants. This has become ore relevant in recent times with the rise of Donald Trump in the presidential race.

So let me try to analyze this bug. The first and outer why is why does this bug exist? Well a problem is the of course discrimination and bigotry. Why is this a problem? Well hate crimes and hate groups can carry out lethal and acts of terrors to certain races. Well why is this a problem? Well the hate and discrimination that Trump is expressing in his rhetoric is further fueling this rage and hat to these groups. Why is this a problem? Well more acts of terror are committed and people eventually become less diverse. Overall the big problem is that America, a country of immigrants, is becoming a contradictory place and defying the very principle it was founded on. People will become less diverse and ultimately crash as a nation.

12.  Another thing that bugs me is the deceptiveness of government and politics. Ever since the assassination of JFK, Americans have developed this mistrust of the government. It seems nowadays more and more things are covert and hidden from the public’s view. It is not uncommon to hear politicians flip flop on ideas from time to time.

So let me try to analyze this bug. The first and outer why is why does this bug exist? Well I think the assassination of JFK and the era of the Cold War, introduced this deceptiveness. In an era where the world was on the brink of extinction, many government agencies had to become more covert and less open to the public to protect its citizens. Why is this a problem? Well aside from the fact that people will grow this mistrust to the government, governmental agencies often get more power to carry out task without fear of public intervention. Why is this a problem? Well the basic principle of the U.S. was that is was a democratic society, one where limitations of powers were enforced. Why is this a problem? The ultimate document that rules this nation (the Constitution) starts of with “We the people” this encompasses every inhabitant of the United States not just the government. The overall problem is that governments insist that the public does not have to know to protect their safety, but in reality it is slowly crumpling the nation

13.  Another that bugs me is the influence of money in politics. Big companies donate millions of dollars to endorse politicians so that the politicians can lobby the special interests of the companies. This completely destroys the whole political system.   

So let me try to analyze this bug. The first and outer why is why does this bug exist? Well this problem exists because money make the world go round. By this I mean that with money comes influence and power. Why is this a problem? Well politicians can basically be “bought” and lobby matters of big companies rather than their constituents. Why is this a problem? Well real problems that every day citizens face are lest unanswered or pushed back because of this pact between the companies and the politicians. Why is this a problem? People then feel discourage about the government and feel less impelled to contribute to society. Their issues aren’t met so they lose trust in the government. The overall problem is that money should either be limited or not allowed to impact any type of politics. This will allow politicians to focus on real issues Americans are facing.

14.  Another thing that bugs me is our health care system. The United States has to be one of the few places that charges a ridiculous amount for medical cares. A simple injury or doctor visit can cost hundred and even thousands of dollars. Money that simply not the majority of Americans can afford.  

 So let me try to analyze this bug. The first and outer why is why does this bug exist? Well most health care companies are privately owned and the public companies offer such a limited amount of services for people. Why is this a problem? Well since most health providers are privately owned, they control the cost and the services allowed to the people. Why is this a problem? Not many people can afford to pay for these private companies and thus have to resort to the limited public health care or worse no health care. Why is this a problem? Well in case of an emergency to someone without health care, the cost of the treatment provided to a patient will be in the thousands. Overall the problem forces millions of people into debt or worse they don’t seek the necessary medical care.

15.  Another thing that bugs me is that we are the only developed nation that lets drug makers set their own prices. This allows any drug company to either raise the price of their medicine or lower it (rarely happens). In no way are these companies regulated by the government.

So let me try to analyze this bug. The first and outer why is why does this bug exist? Well this problem exists because there is no government regulation on the companies that make these drugs. Why is this a problem? Well from one day to the next a drug company can raise the price of a drug to a price that will seem unaffordable. Perfect example is CEO Martin Shkreli who acquired a drug company and raised the price of a drug by 5,500 percent. Why is this a problem? Well since any company can do this, patient who need a drug will no longer be able to afford this medicine. Why is this a problem? Well if this medicine is vital then the patient will be sick, in pain, or worse dead. The overall problem is that drug companies should be regulated like utilities company’s or water service companies. This allows a more bureaucratic process and a better America.

16.   Another thing that bugs me is the focus on production overseas rather than domestic. This kills jobs for Americans and produces cheaper materials that have limited life expectancy. Big companies only care for profit so they make products overseas and then sell them to Americans at higher costs.

So let me try to analyze this bug. The first and outer why is why does this bug exist? Well since these companies are privately owned they can control where they produce their products. Why is this a problem. This takes away jobs from American workers and also increases the use of child labor. Why is this a problem? Since most companies care for profit and better ways to save money they find other methods to make their products cheaper. Americans are losing potential jobs and more inhumane children workers are used to make these products overseas. Why is this a problem? Well our economy is being hurt since these jobs are not given to Americans. Why is this a problem? The U.S loses revenue that could be invested in better things to improve our society. The over all problem is that companies should be mandated to not solely rely on over seas production and invest in American production to help the economy of the U.S.

17.  Another thing that bothers me is the H-1B visa. This visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. These foreign workers are being allowed to study or work in the U.S, but ultimately return to their respective nations, taking all their knowledge and skills overseas.

So let me try to analyze this bug. The first and outer why is why does this bug exist? Well this problem exists due to the lack of focus of domestic workers or citizens. Companies should focus on helping and employing citizens here rather than overseas. Why is this a problem? Well the foreign workers have to leave the U.S and they take all their skills to their countries. Why is this a problem? Well all the time and money that was invested to these foreign workers is lost since they cannot stay in the U.S. Why is this a problem? Well domestic workers and student are neglected and ultimately our workforce/student are less skillful or knowledgeable. The overall problem is that the U.S economy and future is hurt due to the neglect of native workers/students.

18.  Another thing that bugs me is the usage of piracy. This a huge is issue in modern times because it takes away the artist hard work away. Rather than paying for a product that supports the artists, people are depleting artist of their hard work.

So let me try to analyze this bug. The first and outer why is why does this bug exist? Well with the introduction of piracy sites, its becoming more readily available for people to download illegal content. Why is this a problem? Well the artist is losing money for their hard work and people are doing more illegal activities more commonly. Why is this a problem? The artist will be less motivated to make new content and the pirates can be prone to download illegal thing more often. Why is a problem? If this trend continues, society will become worse as people can then be lead to do even worse illegal activities. The overall problem is that artist are being stripped from their content and pirates are download more illegal things more often.

19.  Another thing that bugs me is that in my opinion modern music has gradually worsened. Nowadays the content of music is about the dumbest thing and the lyrics are all about sex, drugs, money. These subjects dominate most of the music nowadays. Also less and less musicians are using instruments and using more computerized software. In my option the quality of modern music is nothing compared to the past.

So let me try to analyze this bug. The first and outer why is why does this bug exist? Well the introduction of better music software has allowed musicians to opt to use electronic instruments. Why is a problem? Well the skill level of musicians has decreased as less play actual instruments. Why is this a problem? Since most modern music is electronic or has some components of electronic instruments, this encourages young kids to not be motivated to play real instruments. Why is this a problem? Well soon enough if this trend continues then we will see the gradual elimination of real instruments and since arts programs are being taken out of schools, the gradual elimination of music with real instruments. The overall problem is that today's music role models and popular culture has made it so that music has decreases in quality and skill.

20.  The final thing that bugs me is the lack of importance for our environment. Its mind bottling how some people seem to not care for our environment. This is the only known planet as of now that is habitable by humans. If we as a species keep hurting the environment, the gradual extinction of life on Earth will be a real possibility.

So let me try to analyze this bug. The first and outer why is why does this bug exist? This problem exists because until recently governments throughout the world took initiative to regulate pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The problem was that companies we not regulated and could do anything that would hurt the environment. Now newer Eco-friendly options are more available. Alternative fuel resources are used and fossil fuels are being limited to preserve their quantity.

Reflection:

This assignment was tough but not so tough if I had started early. The main problem aside from coming up with a bug was to find out the root of why that issue existed. Other than that I enjoyed this assignment