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.
Wednesday 9 May 2007
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.
Monday 7 May 2007
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
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".
Sunday 6 May 2007
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.
Saturday 5 May 2007
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:-
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?
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.
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