Positive Aspects to Leagalizing Marijuana - 1428 Words

ENC1101 14 February 2013 The Positive Effects of Legalizing Marijuana The word marijuana has been a concerned topic in almost every American home today. Marijuana, whose botanical name is cannabis, has been used by humans for thousands of years. It was classified as an illegal drug by many countries in the 20th century. Over the past two decades, there has been a growing movement to legalize marijuana, primarily for medical purposes. Opposing views on the subject of decriminalizing the plant has caused much controversy over the past twenty years and still remains an important issue. The legalization of marijuana in the United States would drastically reduce crime in our cities and help reduce some of the national debt through its†¦show more content†¦Among its other legal drug counterparts, marijuana is by far the least physically harmful. Cigarettes, alcohol, tobacco, prescription painkillers, and even sleep aids are all highly addictive, and all can lead to death. Even Tylenol is so damaging that Vicodin and Percocet are being considered t o be illegalized because of the Tylenol, not the opiates, in them. Marijuana has been shown to be effective in reducing the nausea induced by cancer chemotherapy, stimulating appetite in AIDS patients, and reducing intraocular pressure in people with glaucoma. There is also appreciable evidence that marijuana reduces muscle spasticity in patients with neurological disorders. A synthetic capsule is available by prescription, but it is not as effective as smoked marijuana for many patients (Alliance). In 1972, the US Congress placed marijuana in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act because they considered it to have no accepted medical use. Since then, 17 of 50 US states and DC have legalized the medical use of marijuana. According to Joycelyn Elders, MD, Former US Surgeon General, The evidence is overwhelming that marijuana can relieve certain types of pain, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms caused by such illnesses as multiple sclerosis, cancer and AIDS, or by the harsh d rugs sometimes used to treat them. And it can do so with remarkable safety. Indeed, marijuana is less toxic than many of the drugs that physicians prescribe every

Using Renewable Energy, Reliable And Reliable Source Of...

Targets 7.1 and 7.2 can be measured by observing, whether developing countries have access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services and/or renewable energy, rather than depending on inefficient sources, such as biomass, for energy. Target 7.3 can be measured by comparing passed to present/future improvements in energy efficiency. (i.e. lower cost, using renewable energy more efficiently) Target 7.a and b can be measured by comparing the amount of passed to present/future research that s transpire ameliorate the access and supplying to modern, sustainable, and renewable energy. 2) Are the targets currently measured? Targets 7.1 and 7.2 are currently being measured by researching whether developing countries have access to energy services and whether usage and access of renewable, moderate energy has increased around the world. Furthermore, the term â€Å"Energy Poverty† is used â€Å"where supply of reliable and convenient source of energy is unavailable for carrying out even basic needs† (Parajuli, 2011, p. 2300). Goldemberg et al. (2001) argue that â€Å"modern energy carriers are still not accessible to some two billion people, severely limiting their choices and opportunities† (p. 330). They also believe that renewable energy sources, such as wind turbines, modernized biomass, and photovoltaics are able to provide services of renewable energy with â€Å"zero or almost zero emissions of both air pollutants and greenhouse gases.† (Goldemberg et al., 2001, p. 331). A study inShow MoreRelatedCivic Engagement: Fossil Fuels and Renewable Energy1631 Words   |  6 Page sEnergy production has always been a hot topic in the United States. More specifically, Oklahoma has been on the forefront of energy production. Oklahoma is viewed as a front runner in the energy industry, and the United States is always turning to Oklahoma when in need of creating new sources of energy; an example being compressed natural gas. The United States hopes to influence the nation to climb aboard the train that leads to reliable sources of energy by generating new public policies. ManyRead MoreGEK1549 Assignment 11651 Words   |  7 Pagesargument In the article â€Å"Fossil Fuels Improve the Planet† (Epstein, 2013), Alex Epstein’s main claim was that fossil fuels should be used without restriction as they provide reliable and affordable energy that improves the lives of mankind. Aiming to convince the reader fossil fuels should be freely used, he first argued that the energy provided by fossil fuels is vital to the health and well-being of mankind. He supported this by stating that processes such as purifying water, mass production of medicineRead MoreIs It A Modern Energy Service?935 Words   |  4 PagesFor example, target 7.1 states that by 2030, universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services will be ensured. By stating ‘universal access’, this target can be taken many ways. Do they mean they want the entire population to have access by 2030? If so, this is quite a goal to accomplish within 15 years. There is also the problem of the term ‘modern energy services†™. Again, what constitutes a modern energy service? Something that is currently modern may no longer be modern by 2030Read MoreSustainable Development Goals Of The United Nations957 Words   |  4 Pagesgoals in place of the old Millennium Development Goals. Goal 7, which is related to energy and includes 5 targets, is aimed to â€Å"Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.† Measurability of the Targets From a personal perspective, it seems that most targets within Goal 7 are measurable. The first target, â€Å"by 2030 ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services†, is theoretically measurable. However, as many developing countries don’tRead MoreWith The Rapid Growth Of World Population, The Limited1114 Words   |  5 Pagesnon-renewable energy demand is increasing, especially in the developing countries. This situation causes the risk of depletion of cheap fossil energy sources, as well as environmental pollution and climate change. Therefore, the researchers worldwide have been tried continually to find solutions for the diversification of energy sources, reduce harmful emissions and emissions of greenhouse into the environment, and the renewable energy have been the centre of attention. The renewable energy is thatRead MoreTypes Of Energy Resources Used All Over The World872 Words   |  4 PagesThere are many types of energy resource s used all over the world. These can be classified as either renewable or non-renewable energy sources. Renewable sources are those that are found readily but do not face the possibility of depletion. These include solar, wind and hydroelectric energy sources. Non-renewable energy sources are found in the environment but can be depleted by overuse and these include natural gas, coal, and oil. Among the renewable energy sources, solar energy is the most commonlyRead MoreHydro Electric Power1518 Words   |  7 PagesWorlds Established Renewable Energy Resource For over a century, hydroelectric power has been used to generate electricity from falling water. The capacity to produce this energy is dependent on both the available flow and the height from which it falls. Hydroelectric dams create height for the water to fall and provide storage. In general, the higher the dam, the more potential energy is available. Building up behind a high dam, water accumulates potential energy. The potential energy is then convertedRead MoreDebating Whether Nuclear Power Should Be Developed for Future Energy Supplies1150 Words   |  5 PagesDebating Whether Nuclear Power Should Be Developed for Future Energy Supplies Introduction I am writing this essay to debate the idea of having nuclear power developed for future use by us. This takes on a major issue and covers many aspects of our nations energy use both in present and for the future. When we think about nuclear power we do not automatically think of it as a non renewable energy source. This is because it is not part of the fossils fuels; coalRead MoreThe Current State Of Renewable Energy Consumption Between Today And 2030 Essay984 Words   |  4 Pagesuniversal, affordable, reliable, and modern) are agreed to be defined as. What is considered to be affordable/reliable/modern can be subjective especially in a global context. Therefore, the dimensions can be measured, however the target itself is not truly measurable. Target 7.2: The global energy mix is the breakdown of the consumption of primary energy sources. The breakdown is based on the geographical regions of the world (Planà ¨te Énergies, 2015). If the different types of energy in regions all aroundRead MoreReducing Global Warming Essay1522 Words   |  7 Pagesnitrogen and oxygen. The sun produces radiation which is most intense at short wavelengths. The atmosphere is almost transparent to this radiation and is absorbed by the earth’s surface. When the land and sea are warm they radiate the energy they have absorbed at a longer wavelength, some is reabsorbed and re-radiated back to earth by atmospheric gases. Although eventually escaping into space, it is retained long enough to warm the atmosphere. This is the greenhouse effect

Postion Paper Who Was More Carzed Stalin Or Hitler

Who was more Crazed: Stalin or Hitler? nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The obviously more crazed man was Joseph Stalin. Stalin was more crazed because over his time and rule, he killed millions upon millions more people that Hitler. Joseph Stalin is also more crazed because he did not kill other people he was racist against, but simply because he wanted to kill. The book Hitler and Stalin: Parallel Lives, states quot; Adolf Hitlers actions can not even be compared to the monstrous actions of Joseph Stalinquot;. The author of this book points out another interesting fact. Alan Bullock states quot;If Hitler would have ruled in power as long as Stalin, there may have been somewhat of a kill ratio comparison between the twoquot;.†¦show more content†¦The main people who ran the art were the Jews. Hitlers art was turned down, and from then on, he hated the Jews. Another reason for his hate was that the Jews killed Jesus, and Hitler a Christian. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Stalin was a very un-stable man. Stalins actions, were because of nervous breakdowns, and not making the right decisions. Stalin was made dictator of Russia through the death of Lenin, and this is the only was the Russians would have put him into power. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;In a quote provided by the book Hitler and Stalin: Parallel Lives, people helped Stalin get into power by speeches like this one: â€Å"Comrades!!, It is time to tell the people the truth. Everyone in the party keeps talking about Lenin and Leninism. We’ve got to be honest with ourselves. Lenin died in 1924. How many years did he work in the party? What was accomplished under him? Compare it to what has been accomplished by Stalin! The time has come to replace the slogan ‘long live Leninism’ with the slogan ‘long live Stalinism‘†! As you can see Stalin can be compared to Hitlers use of propaganda. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Stalin was a murderer. Stalin killed all his opponents, and this is probably a major factor of why he stayed in office. Stalin was physiologically unstable because as a child his father has beaten him severely. He succeeded in life, and went somewhat crazy because of his fathers beatings. An author,

Cloud and Clouds Reference Free Essays

Republic of the Philippines Department of Education Region III Division of Bulacan District of Plaridel Sto Nino Elementary School Sto Nino, Plaridel, Bulacan A DETAILED LESSON PLAN IN SCIENCE AND HEALTH IV I. Objectives A. Name the different types of clouds. We will write a custom essay sample on Cloud and Clouds Reference or any similar topic only for you Order Now B. Describe each type of clouds according to appearance. C. State some ways in preparing for a bad weather. II. Subject Matter â€Å"Types of Clouds† Reference: Science and health IV by Jessie Villegas p. 187 Materials: puzzle, pictures Vocabulary: Clouds, Cirrus, Stratus, Cumulus, and Nimbus Science Concept: The different types of clouds are cirrus clouds, stratus clouds, cumulus clouds, and nimbus clouds. Science Processes: Observing, Inferring, Comparing, Communicating Infusion of Values: As students we need to prepared umbrellas and rain coats to get ready for the bad weather. III. Procedure Teacher’s ActivityPupils Activity A. Preparatory Activity 1. Daily Routine Prayer Greetings Checking of attendance 2. Review Yesterday we talked about weather Yes, Ma’am and it’s elements, right? Ok, Now what is weather? Weather refers to the condition of the atmosphere at a particular time and lace. Very Good! Ok, let’s give him a Very Good Clap! (Pupils doing the Very Good clap) 3. Motivation Class I will teach you a song entitled â€Å"Did you ever see a cloud† I want you all to sing, but I will sing first and you will go next! Ok! â€Å"DID YOU EVER SEE A CLOUD† Did you ever see a cloud A cloud a cloud Did you ever see a cloud That loo ked like a bear A big one, a little one A lazy one, a funny Did you ever see a cloud That looked like a bear? Did you ever see a cloud A cloud a cloud Did you ever see a cloud That looked like a plane A big one, a little one A fast one, a slow one Did you ever see a cloud That looked like a plane? OK class, it’s your turn now. Sing! (students are singing) VERY GOOD! You all sang great! What is the title of the song? The title of the song is â€Å"Did you ever see a cloud? † Very Good! What is the song all about? It’s all about clouds. Yes! Correct it’s all about clouds. Have you seen a clouds that looked like a bear? No, ma’am but I’ve seen a clouds that looked like a cotton candy. B. Activity Proper Now I will divide you in four groups, I have here a puzzle and I want you to solve these. Each group will have a leader and after olving the puzzle the leader will stand in front to explain the image that they get. Ok let’s start! (the teacher is giving them the puzzle)(The students are doing the activity) Finished! Let’s start with group one. OH, it’s cirrus clouds image, what can you say about this picture? (The leader is explaining her/his observation about the pict ure) Very Good! Next group You got stratus clouds image Explain. (The leader is explaining her/his observation about the picture) Very Good! Third group with cumulus clouds Image. (The leader is explaining her/his observation about the picture) Very Good! The last one, ok what can you say about nimbus clouds? (The leader is explaining her/his observation about the picture) Very Good! You observed very well C. Concept Formation Based on our activity, what do you think will be our lesson for today? It’s all about clouds. Clouds are recognized and named for their shapes. Meaning, clouds get their names according to their shapes. The different types of clouds are cirrus clouds, stratus clouds, cumulus clouds, and nimbus clouds. Ok let’s start with Cirrus clouds, (The teacher will show a picture of cirrus clouds) How will you describe cirrus clouds? Cirrus clouds are thin and feather-like. Yes it is, as you can see in the picture the lower part of the clouds looks like a feathers of a bird. Cirrus clouds are the highest of all clouds. And Cirrus means â€Å"curl of hair†. Observe clearly the lower part of the clouds looks like curly hairs. What clouds is said to be the highest of all clouds? Cirrus clouds are the highest of all clouds. Cirrus clouds are thin and feather-like. What is the meaning of cirrus? Cirrus means â€Å"curl of hair† Very Good! Next is Stratus clouds. (The teacher will show a picture of stratus clouds) How will you describe stratus clouds? Stratus clouds are flat layers. Very Good! Stratus means â€Å"sheetlike†. As you can observe, these clouds looks like pieces of papers floating in the air. Stratus clouds are flat layers often seen close to the horizon in the early hours of the day. They frequently appear several hours before a steady rain. What is the meaning of stratus? Stratus means â€Å"sheetlike† Next is Cumulus clouds (The teacher will show a picture of cumulus clouds) Look at the picture, how will you describe cumulus clouds? Cumulus clouds are thick and mountain-like. Cumulus clouds are often seen on a hot summer ay as a fluffy balls of cotton in the sky. Have you seen these clouds during your summer vacation? Yes ma’am Cumulus means â€Å"pile† or â€Å"heap†. As you can see a large number of clouds lying on top of one another, that’s why it is called cumulus. Cumulus clouds are thick and mountain-like. What is the meaning of cumulus? Cumulus means â€Å"pile† or â€Å"heap†. Last is Nimbus clouds. (The teacher will show a picture of stratus clouds) How will you describe nimbus clouds? Nimbus clouds are dull gray in color. Nimbus means â€Å"rain† Nimbus clouds are dull gray in color. They often extend unbroken over a wide area. They are the rain clouds. What is the meaning of nimbus? Nimbus means â€Å"rain† D. Generalization What ere the different types of clouds? The different types of clouds are cirrus clouds, stratus clouds, cumulus clouds and nimbus clouds. Cirrus clouds are thin and feather-like. Stratus clouds are flat layers often seen close to the horizon in the early hours of the day. Cumulus clouds are thick and mountain- like. Nimbus clouds are dull gray in color. E. Application (I will divide you class in four groups, each group will be given a jumbled letters to solve. When done he leaders will put the answers on the space provided in front) Arrange the jumbled letters to get the answer. (The students are doing the activity) 1. SURATTS DSCLUO are flat layers often seen close to the horizon in the early hours of the day. 2. BUSNMI DSOULC ARE DULL GRAY IN COLOR. They often extend unbroken over a wide area. 3. SLUMUUC OULDSC are thick and mountain-like. They often seen on a hot summer day as fluffy balls of cotton in the sky. 4. SCIURR DCSOUL are thin and feather-like. They are the highest of all clouds. F. Infusion of Values As a student what things are going to prepare when ou noticed that the clouds are turning dark? As students we need to prepare umbrellas and rain coatsfor the bad weather. IV. Evaluation Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if the statement is not correct. 1. Clouds are recognized and named for their shapes. 2. Nimbus clouds are dull gray in color. 3. Stratus means â€Å"pile† or â€Å"heap† 4. Cumulus clouds are thin and feather-like. 5. Nimbus means â€Å"rain† V. Assignment 1. How are clouds formed? 2. What is cloud cover? | Prepared by: MARIEL A. MIGUEL BEED IV-B LU ANN L. RAMOS Cooperating Teacher ESMERALDO M. TRINIDAD JR. Coordinating Principal How to cite Cloud and Clouds Reference, Papers

First Year of College free essay sample

Students have to adjust to their new living arrangements, like living with a new roommate. Living with a roommate can be a great college experience. College brings a unique opportunity to meet new people from different cultures and backgrounds. Making new friends can help students adapt to their new environment. Students sometimes are unsure how to make new friends their first year of college. The good news is every freshman is in the same situation. Many students are anxious to meet new people, and to make new friends.Attending school events, starting up conversations, even asking about a home work assignment can be a great way to meet new people. Many student should have no problem making new friends their first year of college. Students can become very over whelmed their first year of college. This may lead to different types of academic difficulties. Some students may face test anxiety, and difficulty concentrating. We will write a custom essay sample on First Year of College or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page If a student feels over whelmed, they should meet with their advisor, or maybe seek tutoring by joining a study group.All students go through some academic difficulties, but they should always stay positive and seek the help they need. Overall, students go trough significant changes their first year of college. These changes can help students learn responsibilities and gain independence. Students also have to adjust to their new college life. College is a great place to meet new people, and make new friends. The first year of college can encourage students to prepare them selves for the real world, and future careers.

Brave New World Essays (747 words) - Brave New World,

Brave New World Sometimes very advanced societies overlook the necessities of the individual. In the book Brave New World, Aldous Huxley creates two distinct societies: the Savages and the Fordians. The Fordians are technologically sophisticated, unlike the Savages. However, it is obvious that, overall, the Savages have more practical abilities, have more, complicated, ideals, and are much more advanced emotionally, which all help the individual to grow. The Savage Reservation provides more opportunities for personal growth than does the Fordian society. Throughout the story, it is shown how the Fordian society is much more advanced technologically than the Savage Reservation. Because the Reservation is not fully equipped with well-developed machinery to do all their work for them, they must learn to do it themselves. Unlike the Fordians, the Savages are taught functional skills, such as stitching up simple tears and weaving. In the story Mitsima, an old man from the reservation, teaches John the Savage how to make a clay pot, using nothing but a lump of clay and his own two hands. This is a very practical and useful tool. The Savages are taught to cook for themselves, and to clean for themselves. These teachings help the individual to grow practically. The Savages also bestow good ideals in their people from which they can learn, understand, and grow. One of the most important things that the Savages are taught is self-control. The Whipping Ceremony is a good example of this. In this ceremony a young man was whipped to death in front of a large audience and throughout it he "made no sound...[and] walked on at the same slow, steady pace" (97). The man is taught that to show his strength he must use the uttermost limits of his self-control. They are also taught self-control in how they are prohibited free sex. They must learn restraint through their lust and desires. It is shown how capable the Savages are when controlling themselves in chapter 13. Lenina, whom John loves and desires more than anything in the world, is proclaiming herself to John, and yet he restrains himself because they are not married. The Savages are also taught to be responsible. For instance, in families the parents must care for, love, and nurture their children as best they can in order for them to develop. An example of this is how Linda takes full responsibility for raising John, and even though she has very few skills, she teaches him to read. Another thing that the Savages provide for their people is a past from which to learn. For example the old men in the pueblo tell stories of how the world began. They said that "the seed of men and of all creatures, the seed of the sun and the seed of the earth" is how the world was created (109). The Savages can learn from this story not to take advantage of things. Things must be tended to for growth, like seeds. This story also gives people the impression that all things are equal. By saying that no matter how big or important something is, it started as a seed, and requires the same type of care, it is like saying that everything is equally important and precious. Self-control, strength, responsibility, and history are only three of the ideals Savages are taught to help them grow. The Savages are not withheld from feeling emotion, and are encouraged to deal with them, rather than ignore them. This is shown is the contempt the Savage boys show towards John because he is different, and the pain John feels. Even though these are not happy emotions they are still emotions which the Savages can use to express themselves. These emotions can be used as learning experiences and certainly help all of them to grow. The Savages are also taught to express love. This is chiefly shown in the relationship between John and Linda. For example, when the angry women come to hurt Linda, John tries to protect her and ends up himself getting hurt. Their love for each other is also shown in how Linda reconciles with John after hurting him when she "suddenly put her arms round him and kissed him again and again" (107). All of these emotions contribute to someone's personality and help him or her to grow as a feeling person. Since the industrial revolution, human kind has placed great emphasis on technological change. The Savage society teaches us that pre-industrial values may have as much to offer us as modern technological society does, and possibly

Why We Selfie -- the Sociological Perspective

Why We Selfie the Sociological Perspective In March  2014,  Pew Research Center  announced that  over a quarter of Americans have shared a selfie online. Unsurprisingly, the practice of photographing oneself and sharing that image via social media  is most common among Millennials, aged 18 to 33 at the time of the survey: more than one in two has shared  a selfie. So have nearly a quarter of those classified as Generation X (loosely defined as those born between 1960 and the early 1980s). The selfie has gone mainstream. Evidence of its mainstream nature is seen in other aspects of our culture too. In 2013 selfie was not only added to the Oxford English Dictionary  but  also  named Word of the Year. Since late January  2014, the music video for #Selfie by The Chainsmokers has been viewed on YouTube over 250 million times. Though recently canceled, a network television show focused on a fame-seeking and image conscious woman  titled Selfie debuted in the fall of 2014. And, the reigning queen of the selfie, Kim Kardashian West, debuted in 2015  a collection of selfies in book form,  Selfish. Yet, despite the ubiquity of the practice and how many of us are doing it (1 in 4 Americans!), a pretense of taboo and disdain surrounds it. An  assumption that sharing selfies is or should be embarrassing runs throughout  the  journalistic and scholarly coverage on the topic. Many  report on the practice  by noting the percentage of those who admit to sharing them. Descriptors like vain and narcissistic inevitably become a part of any conversation about selfies. Qualifiers like special occasion,  beautiful location, and ironic are used to justify them. But, over a quarter of all Americans are doing it, and more than half of those between the ages of 18 and 33 do it. Why? Commonly cited  reasons vanity, narcissism, fame-seeking are as shallow as those who critique the practice suggest it is. From  the sociological perspective,  there is always more to a mainstream cultural practice than meets the eye.  Lets use it  to dig deeper into the question of why we selfie. Technology Compels Us Simply put, physical and digital technology makes it possible, so we do it. The idea that technology structures the social world and our lives is a sociological argument as old as Marx, and one oft repeated by theorists and researchers who have tracked the evolution of communication technologies over time. The selfie is not a new form of expression. Artists have created self-portraits for millennia,  from cave to classical paintings, to early photography and modern art. Whats new about todays selfie  is its commonplace nature  and  its ubiquity. Technological advancement  liberated the self-portrait  from  the art world and gave  it to the masses. Some would say that those  physical and digital technologies  that allow  for the selfie act  upon us  as a form of technological rationality, a term coined by critical theorist Herbert Marcuse in his book  One-Dimensional Man. They exert a rationality of their own which shapes how we live our lives.  Digital photography, front-facing cameras, social media platforms, and wireless communications begat a host of expectations and norms which now infuse our culture. We can, and so we do. But also, we do because both the technology and our culture expect  us to. Identity Work Has Gone Digital We are not isolated beings living strictly individual lives.  We are social beings who  live in societies, and as such, our lives are fundamentally shaped by social relations with other people, institutions, and social structures. As photos meant to be shared, selfies are not individual acts; they are social acts. Selfies, and our presence on social media generally, is a part of what sociologists David Snow and Leon Anderson describe as identity work the work that we do on a daily basis to ensure that we are seen by others as we wish to be seen. Far from a strictly innate or internal process, the crafting and expressing of identity has long been understood by sociologists as a social process. The selfies we take and share are designed to present a particular image of us, and thus, to shape the impression of us held by others. Famed sociologist Erving Goffman  described the process of impression management in his book  The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life. This term refers to the idea that we have a notion of  what others expect of us, or what others would consider a good impression of us, and that this shapes how we present ourselves. Early American sociologist Charles Horton Cooley described the process of crafting a self based on what we imagine others will think of us as the looking-glass self, whereby society acts as a sort of mirror to which we hold ourselves up. In the  digital age, our lives are increasingly projected onto, framed by, and  filtered  and lived through social media. It makes sense, then, that identity work takes place in this sphere. We engage in identity work as we walk through our neighborhoods, schools, and places of employment. We do it in how we dress and style ourselves; in how we walk, talk, and carry our bodies.  We do it on the phone and  in written form. And now, we do it in email, via text message, on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and LinkedIn. A self-portrait is the most obvious visual form of identity work, and its socially mediated form, the selfie, is now a common, perhaps even necessary form of that work. The Meme Compels Us In his book, The Selfish Gene,  evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins offered a definition of the meme that became deeply important to cultural studies, media studies, and sociology. Dawkins described the meme as a cultural object or entity that encourages its own replication. It can take musical form, be seen in styles of dance,  and manifest as fashion trends and art, among many other things. Memes abound on the internet today, often humorous in tone, but with increasing presence, and thus  importance, as a form of communication. In the pictorial forms that fill our Facebook and Twitter feeds, memes pack a powerful communicative punch with a combination of repetitious  imagery and phrases. They are densely laden with symbolic meaning. As such, they compel their replication;  for, if they were meaningless, if they had no cultural currency, they would never become a meme. In this sense, the selfie is very much a meme. It has become a normative thing that we do that results in a patterned and repetitious way  of representing ourselves. The exact style of representation may vary (sexy, sulky, serious, silly, ironic, drunk, epic,  etc.), but the form and general content an image of a person or group of people who fill the frame,  taken at arms length remain  the same. The cultural constructs that we have collectively created shape how we live our lives, how we express ourselves, and who we are to others. The selfie, as a meme, is a cultural construct and a form of communication now  deeply infused into our daily lives  and loaded with meaning and social significance.