And Finally, the Questionnaire

Age:- 34

Sex:- Male

What is your degree subject (both if joint):- Creative and Professional Writing, and Philosophy

Does ‘Being Bad’ relate well to the other modules you are taking?
Yes. I have done my weblog with a hint of the ‘Humour Writing’ module.

If so, how? And if not, why not?
Have you found ‘Being Bad’ too demanding, too easy, or at an appropriate level?
I have found this a lot less demanding than my other two modules this semester. I think this has the right balance.
Do you think the list of topics covered on the module was appropriate?
I think a wrap up session would be useful for the entire room to discuss other forms of ‘Being Bad’ that did not have a lecture.
Are there any topics not included in the module that you would like to see included?

Do you think that the format for classes has worked well?
Students who persitently talk throught the lecture should be asked to leave. I know its called ‘being bad’ but some students actually want to listen to the lecturer and even participate in the lecture.
What did you think of the module team?
I enjoyed the module. This type of module should be compulsary in the first year.
Do you think it would have been better to have had more:
Small group discussions?
Discussion and debate among the class as a whole?
Information and talk from lecturers?
All of the above.
The approach taken in the module is interdisciplinary (drawing on perspectives from English Literature, Film Studies, Creative Writing, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies and Politics): do you think this a useful way of approaching the topics covered in the module?
Yes. I have never studied media studies, film studies or Politics and I enjoyed that angle and even used youtube videos for my weblog (quite a lot actually).
Do you think that interdisciplinary modules are a good idea?
Yes.
Do you think you have benefited from the interdisciplinary approach taken in the module?
Yes.
Would you like to see more modules that cover this kind of subject matter?
Yes.
Are you planning to take the follow-up module PH2004 ‘It Shouldn’t Be Allowed’ at level 2?
Yes.
Would you recommend ‘Being Bad’ to a friend?
Certainly.
Do you think that the blogs (web logs) were a good idea?
Yes. I am not the most computer literate and I really enjoyed learning how to do a weblog. I do think there should be modules available to help with I.T. skills. Computers were only introduced at school in my last few years and it was only compulsary for Years 1 to 3. Therefore, I think some mature students have a lot of cathing up in this area (I know that sound a little judgmental but I include myself in that catergory).
What did you think of the other assessments (e.g. would it be better to have one longer assessment rather than two shorter ones?)?
I would have prefered two longer assignments (1,000 to 1,200 words). I feel that 600 words is not enough to fully explore the topics, especially for a creative piece of writing and a rational.
What have you learned from the module?
I am astonished by how much bad behaviour is considered cool and how many people particpiate in bad behaviour (e.g. shoplifting).
What parts of the module have you found most useful and why?
I have found the whole module interesting.
What parts do you think were a waste of time and why?
I enjoyed all the module.
Are there any other comments you wish to make regarding ‘Being Bad’?
Lectures in this module often asked information from students on Being Bad Bahaviour but never divulged any of their own. Too Bad. That would have been interesting.

Other Forms of Bad Behaviour

As the time nears the end for these blog entries here are some other forms of bad behaviour which I never got round to dicuss and some are really bad where as others maybe its debatable as to whether it is bad behaviour.

Really Being Bad Behaviours

Acts of Terrorism

Murder

Abuse (sexual, physical, mental, and neglect on other humans both adults and children, and on animals)

Rape

Drug Pushers and dealers

Money Laundering

Tax Evasion

Discrimination (race, age, disability, sex, sexuality, religious belief etc)

Police refusing to do their job just because it's too much paperwork

Being arrogant and dismisive towards people

Allowing third world poverty

Drink Driving

Driving recklessly (without due care and attention)

Stealth taxes

Committing fraud

Spreading lies

Other Being Bad Behaviours

Glue sniffing

Politics and Politicians

Orgies

Swingers

Speeding

Gossiping

Mooning

Acceptable Behaviours

Peaceful demonstrations

The list could go on and on. It is quite easy to reach over 100 types of being bad behaviours and a debate could easily ensue on each one as to whether it is bad behaviour.

Being Bad Influences

I have mentioned in the last two entries the influence of religion and the internet on what is bad bahaviour. However, there is also peer pressure, genetics and the media. I am dedicating this entry to the media and the missing three year old girl in Portugal. I realise what I am about to say may well be considered controversial. The girl was left at the hotel room without adequate supervision whilst the parents went for a meal. Obviously, the abductors have done a bad thing - no question. However, the attention regarding the parents not making suitable arrangements for the girl to be looked after has not been treated as bad behaviour. Instead programmes like G.M.T.V. have insisted that all parents do things like that and perhaps the hotel are partly to blame for not having adequate provisions. Naturally the parents are going to be distressed and they may well be blaming themselves and the last thing they need is more blame and distress to be put on them but the media are shaping whose behaviour is bad on so many issues. When a celebrity couple break up the media decide whose behaviour is bad and who is the innocent party. In the breakup of Prince Charles and Princess Diana it was Charles and Carmella who were to blame and Diana was totally innocent even though Prince Harry's looks and manerisms are identical to James Hewitt (law suit - bad behaviour warning!). When Brad and Angelina broke up, Brad was considered as behaving badly where as Jennifer was considered innocent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMxVpjyzAOU

Being Bad On the Internet

The internet is very good for obtaining information and communicating with other people but unfortunatley there is a lot of bad behaviour that is occurring on the internet. Many of the topics I have discussed and other bad behaviour topics have found market audiences on the internet - gambling, fraud, Pornography, Child abuse, and even how to build bombs according to the newspapers. Is the internet a good thing or a bad thing. Well its certainly progressed society in the speed that things can be acheived and has certainly encouraged bad behaviour.

I will now explain why I decided to do this blog entry and why I say the internet is helping to promote bad behaviour. A few minutes ago I received a spam e-mail for gambling. Then I thought about all the other spam/junk e-mail I have received over the years such as you need to confirm your bank details, sign up for a penis enlargement, you have won a prize and you need to complete your details to collect, pornography, and so much more. Yes the internet is certainly encouraging bad behaviour.

Last years there was a new DVD of a film called 'Feed' which was about women being fed more and more whilst people on the internet bet as to which obese woman would die next.

Even when someone manages to to avoid bad behaviour on the internet it could be said that using the internet can become addictive. I know people who have said that shpping on ebay has become addictive for them. Yet because the internet has speeded things up I do not think we could ever go back to not using the internet.

Being too Religious - part 2

Many of the topics covered in the 'Being Bad' lectures have their foundations for being bad from religious writings such as the Bible - thout shalt not steal (the Ten Commandments). Some other topics such as Murder are also considered wrong and again are present in Religious writings. A few months ago I was discussing religion with a Student who is studying Religion at the University of Wolverhampton and was astounded to learn that in the Bible it states that is is worse to masturbate than commit Rape because at least with Rape there is the chance of procreation were as with a man masturbating he is just spilling his seed and their is no possibility of procreation. Surely this is wrong. The act of rape causes physical and psychological trauma to the victim and if the victim does become pregnant the child may well be unwanted and given up for adoption or an abortion may occur which causes further wrongs in the eyes of many religions. Masturbation on the other hand (parden the pun) is not actually causing harm to another individual. Also stating that the act of Rape could result in procreation assumes it is a man raping a woman where as it could be a man raping a man, a woman raping a woman, a woman raping a man, and of course it could be a child that is being raped.

Religious teachings assume man to woman relationships because other forms of relationships are considered sinful and therefore gay and lesbian acts would be considered being bad behaviour where as in the Western World such relationships are accepted compared to many other countries where this is still considered extremely bad and wrong behaviour.

Therefore, in conclusion there is legislation which protects the rights of individuals such as gay couples which contradicts religious teachings. Rape is considered very wrong in terms of the law whereas in religion it is considered wrong but is more acceptable than the act of masturbation. Perhaps certain religious techings needs to be updated. Recently on the news it showed how adoption by normal adoption agencies and councils accept hetrosexual couples and gay couples and single people where as some Church adoption procedures only accept hetrosexual couples to adopt. Therefore, religion can be very discriminatory in their techings and practice.

My Response to Stacy Ann's response to this blog entry

http://missstaceyannwelsh.blogspot.com/2007/05/blog-post_05.html

Hello StaceyAnn,

I understand what you are saying and I too have read http://www.new-life.net/mastrbte.htm

However, there are passages in the Bible that suggest Masturbation is evil and one passage is believed by some to indicate that Onan was killed by God for masturbating http://www.religioustolerance.org/masturba3.htm Although many now consider that Onan was killed for his crime regarding birth control. Although the word Onanism (which comes from Onan) is rarely used it was once used in an episode of the League of Gentlemen "We don't allow onanism here".

Gambling - part 2

When does gambling occasional become an addiction or a problem. The reason I ask is because of the following few examples that I am going to give of people that I know.

The first person was well into her eighties and used to go to the Bingo regularly for decades. Her grandchildren used to call the Bingo Hall her second home. She loved going to Bingo. When she became ill and could no longer get on the step on the bus to go her daughter-in-law said to me "it kills her not being able to go to the Bingo." I never considered this person a gambler and Bingo and this person seemed like a 'social' thing to me but perhaps it was an addiction. This person is now deceased. Many of her children and grandchildren are addicted to gambling in Casinos and online gambling.

Another person who was in his sixties used to be a volunteer in a place where I used to work. Occasionally due to life events he would ask the Charity that I worked at for financial assistance. One day as I was walking to work I noticed this person and his grandson who was about eight to ten years old in the Betting Shop. I wonder if this grandson wil also develop an addictive gambling habit.

Beastiality

I am making a blog entry on this subject as it was briefy mentioned in the Bad Comedians lecture. I really do not understand how people can be attracted to animals and even worse commit sexual acts with animals. This surely is animal abuse particularly as on the most basic level the animal cannot give consent. Anyway here are some websites on the subject:-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoophilia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JQhTyKNjbQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCMB0scm9nw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asfpOQMeTPM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaGkRP7ARjg

Of the blog entries I have done so far this has to be the most Being Bad behaviour of all.

My Response To StacyAnn Welsh repsonse to my blog - does that make sense?

http://missstaceyannwelsh.blogspot.com/2007/05/reponse-to-mario-beastiality_07.html

StacyAnn, you have certainly done your homework. It just goes to show that there is a market for just about everything. I agree with Stacy Ann that beastiality or animal abuse by humans is just disturbed behaviour - there is something seriously wrong with them.

An Apology

This is an apology for 'behaving badly' during the Bad Comedians lecture. For those that were present I started to laugh at an inapproriate time. I will explain. The row I was sitting in all saw something funny occur. I did not laugh at that point. I then turned around and saw the facial reaction of one of those in the row I was sitting - her face was in shock over what she had just seen. Then she turned around and pulled a face to me regarding what she had just seen. That is what set me off and I just could not stop laughing. What did our row see? I cannot say as that would upset the person concerned.

Later in the lecture when Paul, the lecturer, mentioned beastiality the person to my left looked at the person who had set me off laughing and due to her facial expression he started laughing which then set me off laughing.

I feel slightly hypocritical regarding laughing as I have complained on this blog about other people talking during the lecture. So here goes - I am sincerely sorry for laughing inapproriately during the Bad Comedians lecture.

And here is a clue as to what we all saw:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC6tZzDc7Vo

However, it was much further down and lasted much longer.

Bad Comedians

In the past I have never minded bad comedians because I felt that the offensive joke was also a statement on the character of the comedian and perhaps those that took offence were too senstive. However, my opinion has since changed over time and I will try to explain why. Some one I know at work caused various colleagues at this place of work and at other places of work to leave because of either comments he made to them or because of the way he addressed them (his tone of voice if you like being either extremely partonizing or very aggresive). At some of the incidents I was present and at other incidents I was not present. When ever anyone left the organizations and quoted this person as the reason for their departure his comments were usually "I thought he/she had a sense of humour" or "they should have had the guts to come and face me." Many of those who left the organisation were disabled. An example of a comment is "and don't bother blaming this on your dyslexia, you're just plain stupid."

A few years ago this person then started making 'jokes' me infront of other people such as "what do you expect, it's because you're Greek". At some point these 'jokes' started becoming more frequent and were no longer made infront of other people and were made with a nasty tone and I frequently told him that his comments or 'jokes' were offensive and racist. His response would be to laugh at me or just walk away smiling. The comments became worse and worse such as 2there are too many Greeks in Stourbridge" to which I said "there are hardly any Greek-Cypriots in Stourbridge and besides I am the only Greek-Cypriot you know." His response was "like I said there are too many Greeks in Stourbridge". Once when I returned from holiday I brought some chocolates back for all the staff. When I offered him a chocolate I was told "he would not accept gifts from Greeks baring gifts." I explained to him where that phrase originated - from 3000 years ago when the Greek army gave the Trojans the wooden horse at the end of the Trojan War to which he replied "and Greeks are even more devious now then ever before" and then started laughing at me. Another example was when I introduced myself to a new member of staff in 2004 Hhe interupted and said to her "don't mind him, he's Greek." He likes Fawlty Towers, as do I and millions of other people, but I do not appreciate him trying to turn me into a 'Manuel' sterotype character. When I have challenged his behaviour he would occasionally say that he was not racist and I ought to meet his sister, brother-in-law or mother if I wanted to hear real racist comments. One colleague once said when she was the focus of his attention "I know why he treats people in that way. He gets perverse pleasure out of it."

I know I have gone on a bit with my personal experience but I will now try to come to the point of what I am trying to explain. Those who have heard his comments and know that I am offended by his comments say that I must be too sensitive and they are only jokes. Others have made their own jokes such as one member saying she does not do the washing up, she has a Greek-Cypriot under the sink who comes out to do the washing up. Therefore, despite the 'jokes' that are said being offensive to the specific people who are the aim of the joke, other people enjoy the joke as it perhaps makes them feel superior, or perhaps they are just happy that they are not the focus. For the record these are not jokes they are offensive comments that are at the expense of minority groups, whether it be racist, sexist, disablist (yes that a new word in the dictionary), homophobic, ageist or some other group. And yet I have laughed myself at Alf Garnet jokes. But then again I was not the focus then. Does that make me a hypocrite? Well I watched Alf Garnet 20 plus years ago. Whether I would find the same jokes funny now that I have experienced race discrimination myself I don't know. Perhaps it is not until we are on the receiving end that we can fully appreciate the full extent of the harm and offense that Bad Comedians cause.

As I have mentioned Fawlty Towers and Alf Garnet here are some Youtube clips. The first one is regarding Manuel and the famous catchphrase is mentioned "I'm sorry. He's from Barcelona."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_VYahjKldA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOhXpmozpbE

And now for probably the most famous of the offensive comedians:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITXuHSh4NZ0

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_Manning

http://www.bernardmanning.com/

Finally I would like to explain why I have included images of Borat on this weblog entry by asking one question. Is this character who has thousands of fans really just another example of a Bad Comedian whose character is creating a stereotypical view of people from Kazakhstan.

P.S. I have only refered to the person from my past (and present) as 'Him', and not mentioned any the organisations worked at for anonymity.

My Response to Staceyann's repsonse to this blog entry

http://missstaceyannwelsh.blogspot.com/2007/04/blog-post_29.html

I agree with what Staceyann is saying. No one is better than someone else just because of their race. There are good and bad people in every nationality and race and you should treat people how you want to be treated. Therefore, I try to treat everyone with respect.

Transgender and body modification

I attended yesterdays lecture on Transgender and body modification. I never considered transgender as a form of body modification until this lecture. The term 'subculture' was only used once. The fact that transgendered and transsexual people live in subcultured societies would suggest that they are not made to feel welcome in the general society and therefore are still considered as 'bad' or 'deviant' in many societies. High profile cases such as Nadia from Big Brother and that little antiques boy who grew up and had the operation to become a woman in the Western World has made transgender more open and transparent. In other societies the fact that transgender is not made available to the general public suggests that there is an intolerance of transgendered people.

Also what I never considered as a form of body modification until this lecture was when babies are born and they have both male and female sex organs and the parents and doctors decide on surgery and therefore decide whether the child will grow up as a boy or girl.

http://parents.berkeley.edu/madar-pedar/transex.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transsexual

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnt9--Sn3Go

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUmP569cBdI

Apologies if the following video clip is offensive but I have included it on the blog to show that sometimes the person who has had the operation and is now regarded as a transexual person regrets their decision and wants to revert to their original gender:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CyChQJTKeg

Hooligans

Hooliganism is bad behaviour. Innocent people get hurt and lives are forever ruined. The most famous example of hooliganism is in regards to football hooliganism. Violence over a football match? What sad lives hooligans must have. Yes that is judgemental. Perhaps because I only become a football fan during World Cup games.

At work there are quite a few people obssessed with football and they have season tickets and travel up and down the country every week. One of those work colleagues (who is aged in his 70's) last year as he came out of a match asked the guard where a specific car park was in order for him to go back to the coach. He was given the wrong directions and ended up having to pay train fare to get back home. The following week his fellow coach friends ceremoneously gave him a ball of string so that he could find his way back to the coach.

The following site gives an explanation of Hooliganism:-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hooliganism

The following site discusses football hooliganism in particular:-

http://www.liv.ac.uk/footballindustry/hooligan.html

And here is a suggestion as to what should happen to football hooligans:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RP2xarcSEW8

Nudity, Pornography, Strippers and Mens Clubs

The reason for this entry is that whilst I was driving to the University earlier today I was listening to the local radio station, Beacon Radio, and they were explaining that the words 'David Beckham' have broken all records for internet searches due to some nude photos that are on the internet. Is nudity being bad? Surely nudity in photography can be done tastefully. However, there are people who are offended by such material. In short there is a mass market for nudity and associated products such as pornographic magazines for hetrosexual and homosexual men, and women.

The reason that I mention strippers and Mens Clubs is because someone that I know mentioned that she was walking down the High Street and noticed that there was a sign for exclusive membership to the Mens Only Club where men can enjoy strippers and pole dancers etc. And why did my friend mention this to me? Because she found the sign hilarious. The exclusive membership was for £10.00 per member. Wow, that's exclusive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GP622nIjS7I

And this internet site is suitable for this topic and the future topic of Bad Comedians:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34Egi_CcAtM

Being Drunk

Alcoholism as far as I am concerned is an illness. Alcoholism is to do with addictive behaviour. However, the behaviour that occurs when someone is drunk is often bad behaviour. It can be argued that the person is not them self and they need help to beat their addiction. However, the behaviour that often occurs, either to support the habit (e.g. theft) or whilst dunk (argumentative, sleeping on the streets, annoying other people) can be illegal.

I drink occasionally but not to excess. I remember once going to a leaving party of someone I worked with who was about eight and a half months pregnant. No one could keep up with the amount of alcohol she was consuming. That's bad bahaviour. She was affecting the health of her unborn child. Especially as she was smoking heavily and from what I understand was into taking drugs on a daily basis, even throughout her pregnancy. Oh well, she is France's problem now. Viva La France.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk0j_Ih4dko

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBXSn7R091Y

http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com/alcoholism-facts.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoholism

http://alcoholism.about.com/

And now for some people famous for drinking:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJ5oPOVC744

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrHjfJ040sA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjZcQnAIC2A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boeX9KtSvUA&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yYNkjp_6o4

Response 5 (Kylie - sexysuperbitch)

http://sexysuperbitch.blogspot.com/2007/03/being-too-religious.html

I totally agree with the comments made in this entry. I know people who are religious and who think that their opinion is the right one and will not even contemplate trying to understand the other person's opinion. That I can cope with because the way that I see it is that they have strong faith, although I would prefer if they would try to understand that not everything is black and white and that everyone is entitled to their belief.

Hypocracy on the otherhand is something I have difficulty understanding. I know religious people who quote the bible and promote their beliefs and they are breaking their beliefs left, right and centre. For example, someone I know is a Christian and used to go to Church every week. He complained to me once about his granddaughter living in sin with her boyfriend. Then his wife tracked this 73 year old to a hotel where he had just finished having sex with his mistress. Then it was revealed that he had several affairs over the years. He hasn't been to Church for a few months now because of the revelation. So much for his granddaughter living in sin when he himself was breaking one of the ten Commandments (though shalt not commit adultery).

Response 4 (Louise-Ann)

http://subconcsious.blogspot.com/2007/04/how-hard-for-misbehaviour.html

I take on board what you say about being smacked not having affected you. I can never remember having being smacked as a child by either of my parents, neither of them believed in smacking children. I remember being yelled at (and truth be told my mother still yells at me quite frequently) but never smacked. I don't think it became a case of spare the rod and spoil the child. I was still made to know what what right and what was wrong as far as they were concerned.

Having said all that there are wild children that I believe need a spack. I remember a few years ago my cousin and two of her children staying with me. The eldest child (a boy) was far too lively and one day in the garden spat in my direction. I caught him and really told him off infront of his mother to which his mother said that was why her sister and the boy had stopped talking - he had spat at her sister as well a few weeks earlier. I am also aware his dad used to smack him for misbehaving. Perhaps the smacking caused my cousin's son to misbehave even further. His younger brother and sister were a lot more well behaved. Anyway they live in Cyprus and the army there is compulsary. This year he became 18 and is now in the army for two years compulsary service. I can only hope he learns some respect for other people.

Although I was not smacked as a child because I am not a father and therefore do not have to look after children 24/7 I feel that I do not have the right to offer a definitive opinion on smacking. Those who are perents and therefore live or have lived under the constant stress and delight of raising children can rage on with the argument over smacking.

Response 3 (Donnie's Blog)

http://donnie22.blogspot.com/2007/03/drugs.html

I would suggest that if it is on the statute books then in the eyes of the law you would be classed as a drug user. Put it another way if you can be prosecuted in a court of law for drug taking then you are a drug user. I agree that there is much debate over certain class C drugs but if you don't like the law then either start a campaign, go and see your local Member of Parliament or stand for election next time there is either a local election or general election. I agree with some of your comments such as if "it doesn't directly effect me." but it could be argued that this is a 'not in my back yard' type of an argument

Response 2

http://evilentries.blogspot.com/2007/04/bad-cinema.html

But this film was done over ten years ago in the height of the Aids/HIV panic. I agree that the problems shown in Kids exists in Wolverhampton but not every one lives in Wolverhampton. People who do not experience this type of lifestyle need to see this type of film.

One comment I do not agree with is in regards to 16 year old girls being pregnant. The comment seems to suggest they only have themselves to blame. However, not all pregnant 16 year old girls had sex voluntarily. Rape exists. Child Abuse exists. Therefore, we should not judge all 16 year old girls especially as one day we may be fathers of 16 year old girls and if they become pregnant God help them if they are you daughter.

Response 1

Response to http://tobeornottobebad.blogspot.com/2007/02/poetry-in-motion.html

Interesting that you would refer to Poetry in Motion from when a baby is rocked to sleep. Just a quick discussion on your spelling. Perhaps it is a Freudian slip because you 'feel' you are a Master at Masturbation but it is actually spelt MASTURBATION and not masterbation. Apologies but the module is called 'Being Bad' and I just couldn't resist. Don't worry, I am sure I have done a few typing errors myself.

Gambling

I believe that gambling excessively is an indication of obsessive compulsive behaviour and although gambling may lead to other types of bad behaviour (e.g. theft to support the habit, or anger when on a loosing streak) it is perhaps the reasons behind why the person is gambling that should be looked at. Is it escapism from real life, is it to do with feeling on the edge or a feeling of excitement, is it a social thing, is it because the person watched their parents gambling etc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYmrIK0cCks

http://www.gamcare.org.uk/

http://www.addictions.co.uk/addiction.asp?id=gamb

Swearing and Bad Language

I believe that anyone should be allowed to say what they want so long as it does not offend other people. In a previous job there was a member of staff who was in early fifties who used the 'Fuck' word a lot in her sentences. Because I used to hear her it seemed very casual, normal conversation and did not offend me in the slightest. However, other people were offended and unofficial complaints were made.

In regards to myself whether I swear or not depends who I am with. For example if I know that the person will not be offended by swearing then I'll fucking state it like it is. However, if I believe that someone will be offended then I definately will avoid swearing. I do know others who will swear even when those around them are offended. Perhaps they are more truthful to their real self but I believe that you should be tactful and be considerate to the feelings of others.

What is the origin of sweraring being considered bad behaviour - probably again the influence of religion on societal values.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=368SnK6RWXU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mE6mLoTfnfk

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swearing

http://www.laughingpoliceman.com/swear.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MStQK0I07fw

Infidelity - part 3

Another couple that I know where infidelity was a major part on their married life (over 25 years) eventually divorced. During the marriage the husband had a number of affairs and often suffered from migranes when he was with his wife. A few years into their marriage he has even planning to go to Australia with his mistress but his mother found out and put a stop to his plans. The couple then threw a 25th anniversary party and invited many family members and friends. Shortly afterwards the husband left his wife and she did not know whether he would return. I believe he did the Wedding Anniversary party in order to see everyone from his old life for the last time and then left to start a new life. The couple divorced a few years later and he has since remarried. The ex-wife was very hurt she still cares for the ex-husband and possibly even more than that. The two children now in their thirties merely tolerate the father. Although the ex-wife still cares for the ex-husband she has said that perhaps it would have been better if their marriage had ended after the discovery of the Australian affair and that way she would have been able to start a new life herself. The moral of this story is that it is often because of the involvement of other people such as the children and in-laws, and also because of strong feelings that couples eventually reconcile after infidelity but there is also always the possibility of an extra-marital affair occuring again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-stMVnxDXU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnWB8ZoHNHM&NR=1

And whatever you do don't sleep with your wife's sister:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXDBLuitItU

Bandits and Outlaws

I do not see why rogues such as bandits and outlaws are made to appear as heroes with the possible exception of Robin Hood which I feel is not a real character but a made up character and it is for that reason that I do not include a fairytale character in the rogues gallery. However, real characters such as Jesse James are criminals and there is nothing romantic or heroic about their actions. Therefore, it is the media such as television, cinema, radio and newspapers that have created the notion that some criminals are really heroes. Therefoe, there should be a lecture set aside for Bad Media, not only because of their false portrayal of bandits and outlaws but also because of their methods to obtain big story on celebrities.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDqVhXBv29k&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiDRlyqs-6E

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outlaw

http://www.legendsofamerica.com/WE-Outlaws.html

http://www.blacksheepancestors.com/uk/blacksheep.shtml

My Response to Alex's Response to this entry

http://evilentries.blogspot.com/2007/04/comment-on-mario-panayis-post-on.html

I am afraid we are going to have to disagree to some degree. I can understand why they are glorified in that the famous or infamous bandits or outlaws did something spectacular but I still feel it is wrong that they are glorified in any way. These people were hardened criminals and should be viewed in that context. However, people do often admire bad guys. I remember a relative of mine saying many years ago before she got married that she was fed up of being sent on blind dates with perceived 'good' men and wanted to go on dates with men that had a bad side to them. Just be careful or else you too might go over the Dark Side (reference to Star Wars which is nothing to do with this blog entry).

Lying with Integrity

It was interesting to see how many people in the Being Bad lecture this week were justifying lying and not just little white lies where no one gets hurt or where it is done to protect someone. I do not believe in lying to further one's opportunities which is what the lecturer at one point suggested people might do. I have been on the receiving end of someone's lying and it is not a nice experience - it is an experience that causes you to feel ill and therefore I would not do that on someone else no matter what the circumstances.

Being truthful is an moral and honourable trait. If you are put in a position where telling the truth is likely to hurt someone then it is better to say that you would rather not answer than tell a lie. Perhaps it is because I am religious and do believe in the 10 commandments and 'thou shalt not lie' that I believe strongly that you should not lie. Having said that I am aware of where religious people such as Nuns have lied and therefore being religious does not necessarily result in not lying.

During the lecture the lecturer mentioned about lying to children that Santa Claus exists. I actually don't agree with that one either and again it is due to experience. About twelve to fifteen years ago I had some relatives stay for two weeks during the Christmas period and the father of the three young children dressed up as Santa Claus. Everyone in the house gave the presents they had bought for the youngest child (a girl) to Santa Claus to give to her because she believed in Santa Claus. The delight on her face was indeed fantastic. However, a few hours later the little girl (my cousin's daughters) came up to me and said "we brought you these presents and Santa Claus brought me all these presents. Did you buy me a present?" I was mortified as I had given the present to her dad to give to her as Santa Claus.

And now for possibly the most famous lie of all:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiIP_KDQmXs&mode=related&search=

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lie

http://www.wisdomquotes.com/cat_lying.html

http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/05/06/29/the_top_seven_signs_that_someone_is_lying_to_you.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxcmJ43baJA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEldpMQGfYE

Bad Cinema: Kids

The film 'kids' shown in the Being Bad lecture was suppoesed to be shocking when it was first produced in 1995. I must admit I only found two scenes shocking. The first was when the man was beaten up and then spat on. I hate spitting. It should be made a criminal offence. Think of the hygiene and spread of diseases. The second scene was the dog being kicked.
Promiscous sex exists. Violence exists. Drug taking exists. Rape exists. HIV exists. Perhaps this type of film is needed to show society what is happening.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAMzXRiFfjk&mode=related&search=

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113540/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kids_(film)

My Response to StaceyAnn's Response to this blog entry
http://missstaceyannwelsh.blogspot.com/2007/05/blog-post_08.html

I understand that this type of film is not to everybody's taste and I agree that it is not the type of film that I would watch a second time. However, people need to be aware that type of behaviour does exist. I certainly would not be recommending the film. Judging by the amount of Youtube videos on this film it seems to have developed a cult following. Therefore, perhaps the end result has actually been an endorsement of the film by its cult following. After all the film was made over ten years ago and Youtube has not been around all that long.

Tattoos, Body Piercings and Body Modification

Similar to my 'Being Too Religious' entry I believe that so long as the person is not harming anyone alse they can have as many tattoos and body piercings as they like. However, I do not agree with the tribe that used to cut off peoples heads and trade them for firearms:-
http://www.nmm.ac.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.18461
These people should have been prosecuted under international law and put in prison for life.

I aslo don't agree with people stealing other people's tattoos such as in the case of Robbie Williams:-

http://www.tattoos-by-design.co.uk/celebrities/celebrities.asp?celeb_id=2
http://www.vanishingtattoo.com/tattoo/celeb-williams.htm

And here's a clip of Robbie singing, showing his tatoos whilst attempting to dance, and then applying his own version of body modification.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UA1QJIdH9M&mode=related&search=

Oh well according to Robbie's cousin that I work with he is not doing too well mentally these days. . Perhaps the person whose tattoo has been 'stolen' has placed a curse on Robbie. Perhaps the next thing that will happen will be that the tattoo peels off the arm. Only joking. Curses should be made illegal as well because there are people who believe in curses and hence self-fulfilling-prophecy.

Finally a comedy clip regarding tattoos:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6MQ-CK6JEY

Being Too Religious

The lecture on Being too Religious was interesting. However, due to the amount of students behaving badly (too loudly) I did not return for the second half which is unusual for me. Having heard half the lecture I still believe that everyone has the right to believe in what they want to believe so long as they are not harming anyone else and so long as they are not trying to force their beliefs on other people.

I am religious and enjoyed attending the night services during the week before Easter. Although I am religious I have my own beliefs and for example most people that I know who are in the same religion go to Confession on a regular basis. Although I can understand why they go to Confession I am not comfortable with the concept of Confession and do not appreciate comments such as you will not go to heaven unless you attend confession, or you are not allowed the oly Comunion unless you have attended Confession. That is placing conditions on religion and just like the notion of Unconditional Love there should also be a notion that religious belief should be Unconditional. I shall give another example. During the Holy week leading up to Easter the Congregation on the one evening went for Holy Water and Holy Oil. However, some were turned away because they were of a different religion. Again I beleive that this is wrong. The people concerned may well have been religious may have been of another Christian faith - I beleive that they should have been allowed the Holy Water and Holy Oil. Perhaps if some of the religious were more tolerant then the numbers within different faiths would not be diminishing.

I also have two cousins that are nuns. However, just because I am religious does not mean I cannot enjoy a joke against religion. Perhaps on a subsequent blog entry I might put a few religious jokes. Also just because someone is religious does not mean that they are holier than though and they should not behave that they are superior to others.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiEoOIiv-tY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWKy4RHf5tQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4Hy3ZatsUA&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8abEJ2tKEcE&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk3L_3zygOw&mode=related&search=

Masturbation - part 4

It seems that because of the Being Bad lecture on masturbation that I am suddenly noticing the humour on masturbation on television. In addition to the previous comments on Birds of a Feather and League of Gentlemen I have also noticed references to masturbation on television in the last three weeks from the following programmes:- Friends, Will and Grace, Teachers, the Charlotte Church Show, and from the film Dreamers.

In Friends Phoebe makes a reference that when she was a girl she was allowed to look but not touch. Chandler then makes a comment that he too was told that when he was a child looking down at his genetalia area. In Will and Grace after Will and Grace go to a hotel to conceive a child they decide not to conceive the natural way and instead go to a sperm doner center. When Will then says he is going to have a shower Grace makes a comments that she doesn't want him masturbate and loose his best swimmers (although the word masturbate is not actually used). Will expalins that will not happen and Grace says she wishes she was that reserved - finally a mention of female masturbation. Further female masturbation discussions in Teachers where the teachers are discussing masturbation in the pub. The male characters seem genuinely surprised at the female characters revelation that they too masturbate. On the way home two of the male characters are discussing the earlier discussion and the one person says "My God, what if it's like the biggest kept secret and they [women] are all at it". In the Christmas Special of the League of Gentlemen a young girl goes to confession regarding her feeling for a boy and the Vicar asks if she touches herself in forbidden areas and more discussion follows until the girl admits she is masturbating (again the masturbation word is not actually used) and teh Vicar starts yelling at the girl at how disgusting she is and chases her out of the Church. In the Charlotte Church show they showed a humourous clip from Trainspotters where a boy a masturbating and his mother walks in. Finally in Dreamers a young woman forces her boyfriend to masturbate in a corner as a punishment infront of their friend.

In the programmes where the masturbation word or other similar word is not actually used it is because of the ime the programme is shown and because some of the audience is too deemed too young.

With the possible exception of Dreamers all the other programmes and films mentioned either show or discuss masturbation in a humourous tone.

And here is a scene from Extras:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBGsYfaojC4

Smoking - part 2

I have never really considered smoking as sexy before but the Being Bad lecture on smoking explained the sexy side of smoking. Ever since then I have noticed the portrayal of smoking as sexy.

Last night I watched about ten minutes of the Vicar of Dibley and the episode was the one where the Vicar is trying to go upstairs to have sex with Simon but different visitors keep popping in. Eventually Simon comes down stairs and explains to those playing scrable with the Vicar what has been going on. Once the guests have gone the Vicar is on her way upstairs and the door bell rings again. It is one of the guests who is offering her two lit up cigarrettes "for after".

Today I was walking through Wolverhampton and noticed a shop that was selling large canvas prints. One of them was of Brad Pitt smoking, another one was of Marilyn Monroe smoking and there was a third actor who I did not recognise who was also smoking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dIH4pH2tzU

Masturbation - part 3

Masturbation on the television is often depicted in a humourous tone. The League of Gentlemen is typical of this. The character who is obssesed with toads often mentions masturbation to his wife's nephew, Benjamin, who is staying with them. In the first episode of season one after he has explained to his nephew that "In this house we don't masturbate" the wife returns with a cup of tea and says "Everything hunkydory. Good. I'm so glad. Seamen is such a persistant stain."In the second episode the uncle says to Benjamin who is just waking up "Any tissues you need to dispose of?"In episode 4 Benjamin's cousins, Radcliffe and Chloe, who are about ten years of age blackmail Benjamin by suggesting that if he does not play games with them they will tell their father that they caught him "shaking hands with the governor of love" and they know how to make it sound convincing.

The subsequent clip is also from episode 4 of season one and you have to wait right until towards the end of the clip for the punchline on what will happen to you if you masturbate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNuDlrSMneE

Infidelity - part 2

Tales of Infidelity

When you know the people involved it is difficult to be impartial and say infidelity is good or bad. I know someone who is aged 73 and recently his wife tracked him and his mistress (who is also aged 73) down to a hotel. There was then a showdown and the husband and wife can barely speak to each other now. The husband is under a psychiatrist and he has broken up with his mistress who invited the husband to live with her. The daughter of the couple concerned will not speak to the father. In short the husband, the wife, the mistress, the daughter and the granddaughter are all devastated. There are no winners in infidelity cases - only people whose lives are shattered.

Although there are no winners in the short term perhaps the experiences that occur in such cases makes the people involved stronger to deal with life's disappointments (and hopefully, eventually, without the bitterness.

Infidelity

In the lecture on infidelity the lecturer passed a box round the lecture theatre for the students to put their answers regarding had they cheated on their partners and if yes how did they feel. It was surprising that only a few declared that they had had been unfaithful to their partner. Many said they never would cheat on their partner. One had said that according to the bible lustful thoughts was no different to actually committing the act and therefore everyone was guilty of cheating. Another had declared that he had cheated on his ex-girlfriend with her mother and that he was the father of her half-brother but that she still wasn't aware of that fact.

I know quite a few adulterers and thereforeover the next few days I will post some stories of real life events (obviously without declaring enough information for the persons concerned to be identified) and my reactions to these events and people.

Also I would like to state that just because a person had committed a bad act does not necessarily make them a bad person.

And some websites on infidelity, mainly comedy sites:-

http://www.lhj.com/home/Infidelity.html

http://www.infidelity.org.uk/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YStqxkgjtIc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7KPUTjp9t0

My Response To StaceyAnn's Repsonse

http://missstaceyannwelsh.blogspot.com/2007/05/blog-post.html

Actually although I am religious I can understand people having lustful thoughts about people who are not their partner's, so long as they do not act on those thoughts. Even if they do act on those thoughts life is short, life's a bitch and then you die. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zo-XM46zu_0

Shoplifting - part 2

Last week I was in Borders in Birmingham and I heard the security alarm go off. As I made my way to the exit I saw one of the staff talking to two teenagers and the one took out of his bag what seemed like a double CD. The member of staff then said to that particular teenager "I don't know where you're going. You're going to be here a long time." The teenager who had been caught shoplifting started to smile smuggly as he went back into the shop with the member of staff but this smuggness seemed to be designed to hide his obvious embarrassment. A third teenager then ran up to the second teenager asking what had happened. May this be a lesson to all those who suggested that shoplifting is not the same as other types of theft. It is still breaking the law and chances are that those who are caught shoplifting will be prosecuted.

Final ThoughtsI recommend the shortstory 'Wicked, Deliciously so by John Mulcreevy from the book 'Loffing Matters' (2006). This is a tale of two pensions behaving badly, including shoplifting.

As usual some websites on today's theme, shoplifting:-

http://www.beyond-the-pale.co.uk/shoplifting.htm

http://www.shoplifting.com/

http://web4health.info/en/answers/bipolar-shoplifting.htm

Masturbation - part 2

In the lecture on masturbation it was mentioned that this topic has been a focus of discussion for thousands of years but that at some point it seemed to become a taboo subject and has only in recent years started to become a focus of discussion.

The purpose of this blog entry is to discuss masturbation as depicted in the book 'Against Therapy' by Jeffrey Masson (1992) in the chapter on 'Dora and Freud'. Masturbation by his clients is used by Freud to hide incompitent medical procedures and to try to regain popularity after his theories on sexual assault (which Freud refers to as 'seduction') and incest was not well received by his colleagues in the field of psychology.

Freud uses phrases such as "Among the pains which derive from masturbation, I would like to emphasise one in particular, because of its importance: neurologic stomach pain. One sees it very early on in the case of women who masturbate, and it is to be found among young ladiees as frequently as masturbation itself." Freud also states that "It is well known that gastric pains occur especially oftenin those who msturbate."

In this chapter there is also a quote from Felix Deutsch who was a physician who communicated with Freud and in the case of Dora stated "The inability to clean out her bowels, her constipation, remained a problem to the end of her life. ..... Her death from cancer of the colon, which was diagnosed too late for successful operation....". Deutsch agreed with Freud regarding masturbation being the cause of Dora's various illnesses rather than admit their own failings as medical practitioners or admit that Dora has been sexually assaulted as a child by her father.
There are also references in this chapter to other cases that masturbation was used to explain medical conditions. "....when Freud handed over an earlier patient, Emma Eclstein, to Fliess for nasal surgery because of masturbation, she nearly died from the bungled operation". This occured in 1897.

If one was to believe the types of theories that Freud and others developed regarding masturbation then why do G.P.'s not prescribe medication to stop masturbation and why do G.P.'s not suggest "stop masturbating" as a credible solution to people's illnesses.?

If such theories were to believed then surely illnesses such Irritable Bowel Syndrome (of whom approximately 20% of the population suffer) may well have been caused by masturbation.

I don't believe in the above two suggestions that I have made but for those who do then perhaps the world is just full of wankers.

And finally some more comedy videos on masturbation:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiwYNyCkuCk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aC-GVWYi4jA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keWnhtZmRu8

Masturbation

Recently there was a Being Bad Lecture on Masturbation. This is very much a taboo subject usually. The lecturer requested information from students anonymously regarding their age, the first time they masturbated, the frequency that they masturbate etc. I do hope he is just collecing data. Myself and my fellow students to my right and to my left decided not to submit the information requested due to the three of us being much older than the majority of students and therefore could easily be identified by our age. Or perhaps that was just an excuse. Perhaps because of our ages (33, 34 and 39) we just grew up in a generation that never discussed masturbation where as the subject matter is less taboo for the next generation due to comedy via the media (television and radio) and also due to modern day comedy routines (e.g. stand-up-comedians).

I do remember years ago listening to a Bishop discussing the forgiveness of sins in front of an audience. Although the Bishop never mentioned the term 'masturbation' he did go on about the one sin that is not forgiven under any circumstances is self-abuse. The way he was refering to self-abuse I do believe he was refering to masturbation.

I also remember the comedy 'Birds of a Feather' where a father tells his son at a restaurant to stop playing with himself under the table or he will go blind. Dorien (the neighbour) thinks the boy is masturbating and says "surely not". However, the boy is merely playing with an electronic game under the table. The reason I mention this is because this was shown on television about ten years ago and the punchline of that particular comedy scene would indicate that certain myths, such as going blind if you masturbate, obviously is still a firm belief in some peoples minds.

Here are some information sites on Masturbation:-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masturbation

http://www.coolnurse.com/masturbation.htm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3072021.stm

http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/yourchild/masturb.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4g_QwiYxvkY

And some comedy sites on masturbation:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWzOQTFwRBE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cvIB5F7lw8&mode=related&search=

Stalking

When does a concerned interest in someone's activities become stalking? I would suggest that either when the interest is unwanted by the person being followed or when the interest is being done in secret. For example if it was a healthy interest in someone then surely there would be no need to hide the facts on what that person is doing.

Are some kinds of Observance allowable and appropriate? Which one's aren't? I would suggest not unless permission by the person who is being watched has been obtained. Not even for research purposes. It is an invasion of Human Rights.

I once had to interview someone aged in their late 80's who was stalking his ex-fiance. He was hidding in bushes and in his car and following her trying to get to her alone away from her family. What was more embarassing was when he started to tell me about his sex life during his engagement. I usually like the variety of my job but this was one weird interview and I just couldn't get him to stop giving intimate details. This interview was conducted over ten years ago and I only remembered whilst doing this entry. Pardon the pun (entry which was one of the client's main areas of monologue).

Here are some informative links on stalking:-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stalking

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/onelife/personal/safety/stalking.shtml

http://www.antistalking.com/aboutstalkers.htm

And finally Dawn French shows us why stalking is BEING BAD:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMxJ7AHvSNo

Prostitution

Another topic of conversation during one of the lectures at 'Being Bad' was regarding prostitution. A video clip from the Audrey Hepburn film 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' was shown and two questions followed:-
Question One:- Is it prostitution to take money from someone who is expecting sex, but then does not supply sex?
Only two students vocally said that it is prostitution to take money from someone who is expecting sex and then not to deliver sex. Most of the students were silent on the matter. However, when students were asked to raise their hands there was an overwhelming majority that said it is NOT prostitution in these circumstances.
Certainly it seems that prostitution is associated with the concept of delivering sex for payment. From a consumer point of view in order foe a contract to be made there are three factors which have to be satisfied:- an offer, consideration of the offer, and acceptance of the offer. In the video clip this did not occur in an expressed form but could be argued to have occured on an implied form.
In a more modern example than 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' a similar example occured on Celebrity Big Brother 2007. Now I must admit that I do not watch the ordinary Big Brother but do dip in and out of the Celebrity Big Brother. This year Jade Goody's mother (I think her name was Jackie) admitted that she used to take money from men in her younger days for sex and then once she had the money she used to run away and escape. Now in this situation I would argue that an offer had been made, the offer was given consideration and finally the offer had been accepted. In these circumstances it is easier to argue that prostitution has occured because the terms have been more apparent and no misunderstanding could have occured.
In both examples (the Audrey Hepburn character and Jackie Goody) sex was not actually delivered and so perhaps it could be argued that they are both con-women rather than a prostitute. Another word that could be thrown into the debate could be the word 'Bitch' but then that would start a whole new argument as to the definition of bitch and so lets just not go there just yet.
Question Two:- If it is prostitution, then how much is a reasonable chrage?
Having done an MBA I will suggest the answer is what ever the market forces can sustain. For example a recent newspaper report on Faria (whose surname I cannot remember but she is the one that was shagging Sven Gorgan Erikson) is charging thousands for sex as a prostitute for just a few minutes because of who she is.
Final Thoughts on Prostitution.
In the examples of the Audrey Hepburn character and Jackie Goody I will suggest that they were con-women rather than prostitutes and so they were behaving badly. In regards to prostitutes who do supply sex for money I would suggest that that is their chosen profession and that they are not necessarily behaving badly. Although it is fair to say that not all prostitutes have chosen that as their profession. There was a case in recent months on the News where illegal immigrants were being held against their will and forced to be prostitutes. Perhaps the area that should be looked at in deciding whether a prostitute is behaving badly should be to to with what is their reason for being a prostitute, and what 'acts' do they provide.
Finally, I have today just finished reading Paul McDonald's 'Kiss me softly, Amy Turtle' in which there is a humourous portrayal of prostitution at Penny's Pleasure Palace. I recommend you read it.

Here are some intereting websites on prostitution:-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostitution

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/cons-paying-the-price/

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/magazine/story/0,11913,1306267,00.html

http://www.unesco.org/courier/1998_12/uk/ethique/txt1.htm

And now for some comedy on prostitution:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbEtkreB_J4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzRIXALcb1o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id49Q-qOYXI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7tB8hcd5Vk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKDtp1YR1L8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eSflbxXeoo

Shoplifting

Let Wyona's trial face warn you of the repercussions of shoplifting:-

Is Shoplifting any different to any other kind of Theft? This one one of the questions that was asked at the second 'Being Bad' subject based lectures. Many students expressed the view that shoplifting is different from other kinds of theft. The reasons given included that shoplifting does not hurt anyone and that the shoplifter is stealing from a company that can afford it. Bullshit!What about when the employee has to pay for missing stock out of their wages? What about the fact that reduced profits for the company might result in people loosing their jobs and all the stress that the dismissed person will suffer? What about when an employee gets in trouble (e.g. gets a warning at work) because of missing stock or even worse what if the employee gets the blame for the missing stock and therefore the employee is accused of the shoplifting. Shoplifting is theft. Perhaps the more appropriate question to ask is why has the person committed shoplifting.

The other factor that surprised me was how many students admitted to shoplifting and did not consider it as bad. Perhaps from a philosophical point of view people want to think of themselves as good and so even when doing bad things excuses are given to give less of a bad meaning to the act that has been commited and hence the bad action of shoplifting is justified by shoplifters saying things like "I am not actually hurting anyone. It's just a company."

Why do people who can afford to buy things shoplift? This was the second question that was asked at the lecture. Reasons given by the students included Attention seekers, the rush of committing shoplifting, fulfilling an empty life, committing shoplifting due to illness, and because the shoplifter can get away with it. Some of these answers do not take account of factors such as the social stigma of being caught and the stress of being prosecuted.

Some final thoughts on shoplifting is that the reasons behind the shoplifting should be looked at when deciding whether the act that has been committed is bad. After all is a person who has shoplifted food for their children because they have no money left a bad person compared to someone who shoplifts to show off infront of their friends?

The following link gives an interesting perspective on shoplifting:-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoplifting