An analysis of the positive and negative economic impacts of Heathrow Essay

An analysis of the positive and negative economic impacts of Heathrow Airport - Essay Example This paper is a report that mainly sought to identify the economic impact of the London Heathrow Airport, which was classified in this study as a tourism venue/ organization Airport is considered as a location where aircrafts of varying sizes and types take off and land thereby acting as a stage for alighting and boarding aircrafts for passengers as well as the aircraft crew. Airport is a tourism venue/organization because it is the first and/ or last place that visitors pass through at a foreign destination. The London Heathrow Airport is touted as the busiest airport in Europe with a very big passenger capacity. This fact has positioned London as an international financial center with an economy that runs on a 24 hours basis and businesses are supported by demand from the many passengers who are departing or entering the region via the Airport. However, the increase in demand arising from passengers has led to the creation of an artificial inflation within London The main direct economic impact of the airport is that it acts as a major source of tax revenue to London local authorities and overall UK budget. The indirect positive impact of the airport is that it provides a ready market for other businesses enterprises that are located within the airport or in adjacent areas. The direct negative positive impact of the airport is that it facilitates that development of artificial inflation while the indirect negative impact is that it reduces the suitability of London as international center for doing business. Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction 3 2.0 The positive economic impacts of the London Heathrow Airport 4 2.1 Direct positive economic impacts 4 2.2 Indirect positive economic impacts 6 3.0 The negative economic impacts of the London Heathrow Airport 7 3.1 Direct negative economic impacts 8 3.2 Indirect negative economic impacts 9 4.0 Conclusions 10 References 11 Inkson, C. and Minnaert, L. 2012. Tourism Management: An Introduction. London, UK: Sage Publications 12 1.0 Introduction This present paper is a report that is entirely focused on analyzing a hospitality venue or organization and the economic impact of the venue/ organization. For this particular, report, the London’s Heathrow Airport was selected as the case study and therefore, this report seeks to provide an in-depth analysis of the economic impact of the airport, both the positive and the negative. It is important to note that the discussion of the economic impact would not be limited to the tourism perspective but rather the discussion will cover the general economy of the United Kingdom as well as the local economy of the City of London. Therefore, the report will have two major sections of which the first will detail on the positive economic impact of the London Heathrow Airport while the Second part will cover the negative impacts. However, briefly before the start, the report will provide brief background information of the chosen tourism venue/ organization. To begin with, Graham (2008) in his studies described an airport as a location where aircrafts of varying sizes and types take off and land thereby acting as a stage for alighting and boarding aircrafts for passengers as well as the aircraft crew. Tribe (2012) wrote that an airport is considered as a tourism venue/ organization because it is the first and/ or last place that visitors pass through at a foreign destination. The London Heathrow Airport is located in the London Borough of Hillingdon, which is in the western side of Londo n. Inkson and Minnaert (2012) in their writings referred to the London Heathrow Airport as the busiest airport in the United Kingdom as well as the entire Europe and the third busiest in the world in terms of the passenger traffic in the airport. Hoare (1971) added that the airport is owned and managed by the Heathrow Airport Holdings that also owns three other airports in the United Kingdom. The airport acts as the primary hub for British Airways and the primary operating location for the Virgin Atlantic. In order to handle all the passenger traffics and the movements, the Airport has 5 terminals each serving aircrafts bound to or arriving from different routes. Among the top busiest international routes to and from the airport is led by New York, followed by Dubai, Dublin, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam. The busiest domestic routes include the

Discussion Board Post Response Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 36

Discussion Board Post Response - Essay Example t refreezing, in the context of your planned change, can be achieved through trainings with an intention of facilitation comprehension of the importance of the planned change. As explicated by McMurray et al (2009), such an approach would reduce fragmentation and hence facilitate adoption of a patient-centered approach to care. In doing so, patient-centered approaches will be adopted and subsequently absorbed within your organization. Jacqueline, I agree with your discussion particularly your observation that asking the right questions during evaluation will establish the practicability of the planed change. In my organization for instance, asking assessing the costs of the planed change helps establish the adequacy of available resources. I also agree that stability can be achieved through refreezing. Dr. Carol Huston (2013e) elucidates refreezing as a process involving adoption of the implemented changes as the norm or their absorption into organizational culture. Viewing change of implemented processes as part of the organizational culture ensures consistency and in doing so, stability is achieved. Dr. Carol Huston (2013e) also posits that evaluation should be a continuous and cyclic process. In this viewpoint, I agree with your observation that evaluation should be

Investigatory Project Physics Essay Example for Free

Investigatory Project Physics Essay The objective: The objective was to see which colored jars had the highest emissivity (or absorbed heat the fastest) which colors radiate heat the fastest by performing independent tests for heating cooling the colored jars. Methods/Materials Nine of the 10 small jars were painted on the outside with different colors of enamel paint. The 10th jar was used as the control variable. For the heating testing, the colored jars were divided into 3 groups. Group 1: red, blue, yellow; Group 2: gold, silver, black; Group 3: white, green, purple. Each jar started with 80 mL of 24 degree C tap water. The worklight had 2 high-powered lights of 500 watts each and 4 jars were tested at a time (each group was tested 1 at a time; one jar always being the control) for a total of 3 tests for 1 heating trial. There were 2 jars per light, both 20 cm from the light and 3 cm from each other. The 4 jars each had calibrated glass thermometers in them to monitor the water temps. A foil wall was put between the 2 lights to keep light heat from affecting the other lights jars. The temps were checked every 10 min. for a 100-min. period and recorded. For the cooling trial, 59 degree C water was poured into the 10 jars. The temps were checked and recorded the same way as the heating trial. Results The green jar heated the fastest with its temp rising to 63 degrees C at the end of the period. Blue followed with 59 degrees C. Black was near average, with 52 degrees C. Gold stayed coolest with 41 degrees C. All colors cooled at almost the same rate but Black always had the coolest temp compared to the other jars. Conclusions/Discussion The hypothesis was incorrect in the heating trial, but was supported in the cooling trial. During research a picture of the visible spectrum was found, showing blue and green with the thickest bonds. Maybe thats why the blue and green jars heated the fastest appeared to have the highest emissivity. The black jar cooled the quickest maybe because its color had the jar absorb the heat from the water. Green appeared to have the highest emissivity. It may be linked to why chlorophyll is green. If the colored jars were placed under a light source, the darkest color of the set would heat the fastest (or have the highest emissivity); if all colored jars were cooled from the same temperature, the darkest would cool the fastest.

Overview And Analysis Of Womens Empowerment Social Work Essay

Overview And Analysis Of Womens Empowerment Social Work Essay Womens empowerment has more than one component: their right to make decision; their access to opportunities and resources; authority to be in charge of their own lives, both inside and outside the home. Women empowerment has a lot of dimensions attached to it. It revolves around access to knowledge, possession of social and economic resources and more autonomy in political and economic decision making process. All these components and dimensions of women empowerment are interrelated and alteration in one component will not bring a huge transformation unless all the component changes. If women are more productive like men, and both gender work simultaneously for the betterment of the country it will lead to a sustainable way out of poverty. Therefore women should also get equal work opportunities. But women have greater challenges, as they do not get the same economic opportunities as men do. They do not get access to the decent working condition and lag behind men in decision making. In Pakistan women does not has her own proper identity as she is owned by her male folks. Their Integrity, health, is often beyond their own control. They are taken as invisible, underserved and under nourished. Culture of Pakistan is greatly patriarchal resulting in many old and conservative traditions of giving subservient and subordinate role to women. The decisions about womens life are made by men in her family especially in distant and underdeveloped region. In Pakistan specific religion beliefs are deeply rooted in citizens belief and on which many traditions and social perspective surfaces. Women in order to be more enriched politically and economically have to raise their voice , only women force can change the structure of decision making , such a decision making system have to be introduced which can make women more participatory , this will change the agenda of development and women will be working with men equally for development. Such measures should be taken to give importance to women who are underprivileged since women are majority of them. Poverty also plays an n important role as women in low developing countries, who are not properly nourished, how can they even raise their voice for their rights. In order to eliminate gender disparity and empower women, we should redistribute resources and remove such practices which are discriminatory Gender empowerment mean that females ought to gain equality under the law and it must be implemented and enforced. Womens empowerment essentially contains legal fairness, equal access to education and practical exercise, females management at the national level, positive action for jobs with one and the same pay, and a gender-sensitive justice system. 1.2 Relevance of topic and research title Women consist of more than 50 percent of population in Pakistan and to deprive this half population of empowerment is to deprive our economy of growth. Women empowerment will not only result in the empowerment of women but also the economic well being of the country. The development of the country also should result in equitable distribution of development benefits especially to the women sector. Economically empower women have more autonomy and resultantly this can transform their children and family lives. As she is a pivot about which entire family unit revolve, therefore an economically enriched woman has a constructive impact on the future generation. Countries who dont take benefit of its full population and ignores half of it, it is actually misallocating its resources, which will only lead to the reducing their development potential. All countries should focus on its weakness and learn from more successful countries. It should also set up such policies which take advantage of the whole population, as in both female and male. As successful countries are the one who recognize the potential in the women force as well for development. Throughout the world, there is not a single country which can boast of gender equality and full women empowerment. Women still out there face discrimination and are lagging behind in one way or the other. Gender equality in two critical sections is very important like economic and political empowerment of women. There is improvement in health and education with the advent of technology and as globally economies are developing but yet there is a long way to go as women are still very behind men especially in decision making and income earning. With the past trend it is quiet visible women are actively participating in to take charge of their own lives and this is in fact effecting the communities and society as a whole. But there is a big problem as women are not consistent class, they vary by race culture, society, brought up and opportunity, thus these factors also plays an important part in the disparity of women as these factors affect the behavior of society members. The objective of this research is to find out what political and economical determinants effect the women empowerment especially in Pakistan. The main goal is to find out what past variables have been selected and to learn from them and find new determinants. 1.3 Background Information and evolution As Pakistan is a growing and developing country and for the past few years its condition is not much improving, this in act is further affecting the condition of women. As more and more people are effected and thus poverty is increasing. Thus women have to strive hard to contribute to the family income, so that their family is at least above poverty line In Pakistan, apparently through the perspective of Islam this country says it gives equal right to both men and women but there is another side to the picture. Women constitute a small portion in decison making and they contribute very less o the development of the country as there labor force participation with respect to men is very less. The status of women in this country represents the traditions and the social customs, which led women to this condition. Women are always underprivileged then man in Pakistan, they get less education, food, decision making and health. As it is consider men are the lords of women, and women are deprived from their basic rights. Women destiny is controlled by men. This is not the case in Pakistan only but also in many countries men are considered superior than women. To achieve development, we have to convert our weakness to strengths. It is also known that increase women participation in the labor force will benefit the growth and resources can be distributed more easily to disadvantaged people. Thus women should get decent work, social protection and voice at work. As most of the time women are subjugated to lower wages than men and their wages have barely increased over time and they are offered low skilled, low paid atypical jobs, mainly performed from home. One of the greatest achievements in Pakistan, during the last decade has been the increasing proportion of women in the labor force, enabling women all over the country to use their potential in the labor market and to achieve economic independence. But yet we still have a long way o go. From Global perspective higher percentage of female are working in the developed countries than ever before, yet at the identical time these women continuing raise children to bear new burdens. But these women face tradeoffs as it will be difficult to find good demanding jobs with children to look after too as well. That is why there is not equal opportunity for men and women. Not only the family but also the society, government and the whole nation will benefit from the empowerment of women. Versatile aspects contribute to the passive functions played by women in the Pakistan Society. Great emphasis has been laid on removing gender inequality and improving women empowerment as Millennium Developmental Goal, resultantly many efforts have been initiated by the Government and NGOs in Pakistan on this issue According to (Pakistan employment trends for women) , international Labor Organization (ILO), has the objective of the promotion of opportunities for women and men to obtain productive employment and decent work in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity is also the overall objective of the four fundamental ILO Conventions stressing gender equality cover: (1) equal remuneration (2) non-discrimination in employment and occupation, (3) workers with family responsibilities and (4) maternity protection. The Millennium Development Goals that emerged from the UN Millennium Declaration of September 2000 are specific measurable targets, including the one for reducing the extreme poverty that still grips more than 1 billion of the worlds people by 2015. Central to this promise are the MDGs related to educational outcomes: (1) Ensure that all children complete primary education by 2015. (2) Eliminate gender disparities in primary and secondary education. By 2006, most countries have already fallen well behind the necessary targets to meet these goals (Millennium Development Goal, 2006). As stated in millennium development goal 3 the promotion of gender equality and empowerment is fundamental to achieving the remaining MDGs .Likewise, there is evidence that addressing gender issues benefits individuals and families, workers and employers, society and national economies. Improving womens wages and earnings has been identified as a key element in tackling poverty and achieving the MDGs. Yet there are Country specific activities to promote gender equality and decent work as in Pakistans constitution ensures all fundamental human rights and guarantees equal employment opportunities for men and women. Existing labor legislations do not discriminate against anyone on the basis of sex, but women are not allowed to work in a few areas for health and safety reasons, but the society as a whole plays a big part. the traditions of Pakistan forces women to sit at home and look after the children only , whether there husband give them money or not ,. Society or community does not approve females going out and raisening voices for their rights. They also disapprove females working outside their homes. It is consider the work of women juts to look after their families. So to change this whole perceptive media is playing a big part but the government also needs to be active. As recently the Government initiated a number of activities to promote gender equality at the heart of decent work and to achieve MDG target calling for full and productive employment and decent work for all including women and young people. Those activities range from gender Sensitive revisions of constitutional and legal provisions to the establishment of new policy frameworks that help to accomplish the target. Therefore, the promotion of rights of women and men in the world of work and to achieve gender equality are reflected in a number of national development frameworks and policy documents including the Medium Term Development Framework (MTDF) for 2005-10, the Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) and documents exclusively relating to labor markets such as the 2002 Labor Policy and the 2006 Labor Protection Policy. Pakistans Decent Work Country Program (DWCP) spells out the main strategy and plan of action to promote the creation of decent work with gender equality as a cross cutting theme. Overview of existing national policies and development frameworks that stress gender equality and decent work in the country. (Haq) 1.4 Managerial and Academic concerns My research will highlight the key determinants of women empowerment in Pakistan. As this issue is not only prevalent in Pakistan but is a global issue. as It is very important to conduct a research on determinants of women empowerment because it will stress on women troubles and bring them in to attention and it can facilitates and direct the policy makers to make such an intervention in their area, that could enrich these females not only economically but also politically and financially so that they can make a difference in their children lives and their individual living environment .Consequently providing her the individual safety and self-respect that is her essential right. this research is will also help independent institutions like NGOs to reach out to economically and politically deprived women as The negligence of women in development process will be big loss for Pakistan as it will result in loss in human potential and ultimately effect national development. Academically, this research is very important for the students as it will help them pinpoint the economic and political determinants which effect the women empowerment in Pakistan. Student will find this research more feasible and accurate. As now more people are getting aware of this issue, so more teachers and students are doing research on women empowerment. They find this investigation more helpful. 1.6 Keywords and Definitions Empowerment Refers to increasing the spiritual, political, social or economic strength of individuals and communities. It often involves the empowered developing confidence in their own capacities (Ouellette) Womens empowerment refers to the ability of women to transform economic and social development when empowered to fully participate in the decisions that affect their lives through leadership training, coaching, consulting, and the provision of enabling tools for women to lead within their communities, regions, and countries (Wise earth) Economic and political Determinants An identifiable elementin economicand political that affectsthat limitsor definesa decisionor condition. 1.7 Study Objectives This study is an attempt to find the determinants of women empowerment in Pakistan as women being the core element of development and in Pakistan it consists of more than half of the population. To study the impact of the Economic participation on women empowerment. To study the impact of the health on women empowerment. To study the impact of the Power over economic resources on women empowerment. To study the impact of the Microfinance on women empowerment. To study the impact of the Political empowerment on women empowerment. To study the impact of the Education attainment on women empowerment. To study the impact of the traditions on women empowerment. End notes With the advent of technology and progress in development, yet in this era women still lack behind men in power because even though a lot has been done for the empowerment of women but there is still a long way to go. Especially in Pakistan, the norms and tradition practiced are such that which suppresses the rights of female. Since independences of Pakistan, women have not gained freedom from these discriminating norms. Even though there has been a progress but this progress is very slow. Even though gains has been made, as by UNDP, the share of women in wage employment in the non-agricultural sector which at present is around 10 percent and the MTDF target is 12 percent ant there has been improvement in the proportion of seats held by women in national parliament from just 0.9 percent in the National Assembly and 1.0 percent in Senate, but to empower women not only our government but also society as a whole ha to work very hard.

The Image Made in China in Manufacturing :: Chinese Trade Manufacturing Appliances Essays

The Image "Made in China" in Manufacturing In order to provide the Chinese home appliance manufacturers consortium with assistance in achieving their goal of improving the â€Å"Made in China† image, our first objective was to accurately define the perception of products that are â€Å"Made in China.† In particular, to determine whether or not â€Å"Made in China† has a negative connotation in the U.S. marketplace and if so, to better understand the contributing factors to this perception. First, we conducted secondary research consisting of a review of literature and statistical studies. The focus was on the broader topic of a product’s country-of-origin and its effect on the consumer purchase decision process. Second, we focused on the specific impact of â€Å"Made in China† on purchase behavior. Third, to gain further insight into the consumer perception of â€Å"Made in China† in the home appliances category, we conducted primary research in the form of consumer surveys, retailer interviews and secret shopper studies. Finally, we conducted secondary research on the actions that can be taken to overcome or change a negative country-of-origin image. Secondary Research Our secondary research identified several key themes, all of which support the hypothesis that a product’s country-of-origin plays a significant role in the purchase decision process. These findings are summarized below: Impact of Country-of-Origin (COO) On Consumer Perceptions and Purchase Decision-Making Process: A number of statistical studies have explored the effect of country-of-origin on consumers’ perceptions of products and how it influences the decision-making process. Studies by Heslop and Papadopoulous (1993, 2000) concluded that COO image is one of the most important influences on decision making for foreign-made products. These studies revealed that buyers evaluate COO using multiple criteria including the country’s level of advancement, the buyer’s feelings about the people of the country and the buyer’s desire to be more closely aligned with the country. In addition, a study by Liefeld and Wall (1987, 1991, 1993) found a positive relationship between product evaluation and the degree of economic development of the COO. Support of these finding was found in a study by Wang and Lamb (1983) in which it was determined that U.S. consumers evaluate products according to the country in which they are produced. Culture, political situation and economic develo pment of the source country were contributing factors to this evaluation criterion. Further support that COO plays an important role in shaping consumers’ attitudes towards products was found in studies by Hong and Wyer & Nooh, Sa’ari, and Powers (1989, 1999). The Image "Made in China" in Manufacturing :: Chinese Trade Manufacturing Appliances Essays The Image "Made in China" in Manufacturing In order to provide the Chinese home appliance manufacturers consortium with assistance in achieving their goal of improving the â€Å"Made in China† image, our first objective was to accurately define the perception of products that are â€Å"Made in China.† In particular, to determine whether or not â€Å"Made in China† has a negative connotation in the U.S. marketplace and if so, to better understand the contributing factors to this perception. First, we conducted secondary research consisting of a review of literature and statistical studies. The focus was on the broader topic of a product’s country-of-origin and its effect on the consumer purchase decision process. Second, we focused on the specific impact of â€Å"Made in China† on purchase behavior. Third, to gain further insight into the consumer perception of â€Å"Made in China† in the home appliances category, we conducted primary research in the form of consumer surveys, retailer interviews and secret shopper studies. Finally, we conducted secondary research on the actions that can be taken to overcome or change a negative country-of-origin image. Secondary Research Our secondary research identified several key themes, all of which support the hypothesis that a product’s country-of-origin plays a significant role in the purchase decision process. These findings are summarized below: Impact of Country-of-Origin (COO) On Consumer Perceptions and Purchase Decision-Making Process: A number of statistical studies have explored the effect of country-of-origin on consumers’ perceptions of products and how it influences the decision-making process. Studies by Heslop and Papadopoulous (1993, 2000) concluded that COO image is one of the most important influences on decision making for foreign-made products. These studies revealed that buyers evaluate COO using multiple criteria including the country’s level of advancement, the buyer’s feelings about the people of the country and the buyer’s desire to be more closely aligned with the country. In addition, a study by Liefeld and Wall (1987, 1991, 1993) found a positive relationship between product evaluation and the degree of economic development of the COO. Support of these finding was found in a study by Wang and Lamb (1983) in which it was determined that U.S. consumers evaluate products according to the country in which they are produced. Culture, political situation and economic develo pment of the source country were contributing factors to this evaluation criterion. Further support that COO plays an important role in shaping consumers’ attitudes towards products was found in studies by Hong and Wyer & Nooh, Sa’ari, and Powers (1989, 1999).

Reality of Sports :: Movies Film Basketball Essays

Reality of Sports Upon watching the films during this course we see many strong women. Female Athletes whose bodies are in peak condition from the real life champions in the documentary to the female boxer in Girl Fight and the passionate basketball player in Love and Basketball. However stories of real women are not always as ideal as those of Hollywood. Failure, both mentally and physically, is at times a harsh reality. Sometimes when somebody is physically injured it keeps an athlete from the game entirely, if the injury is severe enough. But one may recover physically and never have quite the same mental attitude. The main character in this plot will encounter both physical and mental set backs and either triumph over her hardships or be defeated. A fourteen-year old girl runs into the gymnasium of her middle school with her teammates. They do their warm up routine to stretch their muscles. Form one of two sets of bleachers a handful of people cheer, mostly bored younger siblings and parents supporting their little girls. The baskets have been lowered at opposing ends of the court. The referee sounds her whistle for the game to begin. The two tallest girls from either team stand toe to toe posed for the toss up. Third quarter, the away team has the advantage. The fourteen year old is playing with all of her strength of body and heart. The ball is thrown; she intercepts it. Dribbling down the court, she goes for the open lay up. In mid air she is struck by a vengeful for whom threw the misguided pass. They take a hard fall jumbled on the floor, out of bounds. The girl from the visiting team stands up. The other does not. She is on the floor grabbing her knee. The coaches run out to her, and lift her up to take her back to the b ench. The game continues as she sits with a towel over head to hide the tears of anguish. A few doctors later and her joint is still not quite the same. She struggles in high school trying to get back on a team, but her knee fails her. Eventually she becomes scared to even hoops in her backyard for fear of hr knee's health. She does not want to continue injuring the same knee for fear of becoming crippled. Eventually she gives up on joining a team.

Effect of Technology on Human Social Interaction Essay

Humanity has come far from its primitive beginnings. From sticks and stone wheels to the fantastic technology of today. Each tool made toward the betterment of life more wondrous – and many times more dangerous – than the next. Humans have come from stone tools to hydrogen bombs. Humanity has become so accustomed to – so connected to — technology that it can no longer live without it. If all electricity were to somehow cease to be a thing in the world, society might very well collapse before our eyes. Really, there is no stopping this evolution, whether humanity as a whole see error in technology or not. In â€Å"The Evolution of Technology,† George Basalla asks how the world came to such a point that it could not stop its advancement. I question its exact effects. The advancement of media technologies in the 21st century have greatly impacted society. More specifically, the merging of modern media technology and the various social settings of socie ty has had major influence on social interaction between individuals. The media technologies of today effect social interaction in many different ways. Modern media technologies can encourage the interaction of many groups of people claiming different backgrounds, ethnicities, and generations. It can aid in bridging gaps both generational and cultural. To the contrary however, media technologies in any social setting can – according to the studies in â€Å"The Impact of New Media Technologies on Social Interaction in the Household† – easily result in a growing privatization in areas of life that, in an earlier, less technologically advanced time, would have been shared with friends and family. People are using technology separately rather than in groups. How are 21st century media technologies impacting social interaction among individuals? Do modern media technologies actually bring members of every social group together and increase social interaction amongst one another, or do they more commonly cause social division instead? Media technologies are now much more involved into people’s every day routine s than ever before. Media technologies of today have changed much of life in the last few decades. The mere pace of life has increased to levels that those of earlier decades could only have imagined. Much of the world has come into a time in which most things are instantly achieved (â€Å"Proceedings of the Media Ecology Association: Volume 11†). It is,  in fact, the era of instant gratification, in which much is sacrificed in the search for convenience and efficiency. Many see the ever falling value of face to face social interaction as being directly connected to the spike in modern media technology. Communication through technological media, in particular has advanced by leaps and bounds. With the click of mouse or the touch of a screen people are, in seconds, be put into contact with others that are tens of thousands of miles away. While this marks a definite height of media technology – linking people that would, in another time, not have been so connected, it would seem as though the use of the technology to communicate instantly with typed words on a digital screen has replaced other modes of human interaction. Younger members of generations of the 21st century have chiefly taken to the latest forms of communication: emailing, texting, messaging, et cetera†¦ Physical and interpersonal communication had been the status quo for hundreds of years. A person’s personality and ability to speak, convey his or her ideas with charisma, and articulate well using not just words, but body language and eye contact have long been the defining characteristics of the greatest people of our societies. This is changing. It has become the preferences of the general public to send emails instead of taking the time to write letters, to send texts messages from phones instead of calling from them, and to friending someone on a social network instead of asking to spend time with them. It can be seen that the ever falling value of face to face social interaction and communication as being directly connected to the spike in modern media technology. In another way, technological media used for recreation al purposes has had its various effects on social interaction as well. Gaming for instance, is one entertainment that has for years been met with very mixed opinions and arguments. I will not venture to link the meager social skills to or violent behavior to the playing of video games here. There are many examples of video games bring people closer together. Upon interviewing several people that play video games regularly, I found that many play video games with other people. Many play video games with their friends and family. A percentage of these people even said it was a routine of their family to have â€Å"game night† as a sort of tool to encourage familial bonding in the household. On the other hand, however, there was a significant number of people that I interviewed that played and preferred to play their video  games alone and spent little time with their families or in social settings away from video games. These people spent many hours alone with nothing but a screen, a game controller or mouse (depending on the medium the game was being played on), and sometimes an opponent and fellow gamer several miles or states away. When asked about other activities they took part in during the week or weekends, their responses were meager. Few partook in other activities, social or otherwise. In this way, one can understand video games to be a hindrance to the social interaction of the many individuals that play them. A gamer, distracted by a screen for countless hours a week does not have the time a person unimpeded by such things may have to take part in regular conversation with his or her peers. Television is yet another technological medium that has been argued over in its decades of use. Perhaps the varying viewpoints on the positive and negative aspects of television stem for the many purposes it can and has served. There are many channels on any cable television that are geared toward the moral and academic education of their viewers. There are also many more channels that are meant for the simple enjoyment of their watchers. A number of researchers propose that spending a small amount of time watching the more wholesome programs can, to some degree, strengthen families and friendships (â€Å"Inclusive Leisure Services†). Then, of course, there are many researchers that continually warn against television. Television is among the easiest of society’s media technology; easiest to operate, easiest to access, easiest to become addicted to. It is also possibly the most passive of media technologies today requiring almost no thought to use recreationally. Television, without the motive of the viewer to have conversation with those around, presents little chance for growth of social interaction between individuals. Now, possibly the most controversial, though fastest growing media technology in use: the cellular phone. There has never been any denying the convenience of the device. There have been, however, thousands of complaints and arguments against the cell phone for its ability to capture and hold the attention of its user. The cell phone has recently become all forms of media technology rolled into one: the telephone for calls, the camera for photographs, the music player, the television for vi ewing movies and TV shows, and the internet for all other digital uses, and so the list goes on†¦ The younger generation of today can only just  imagine the world in which most, if not everyone, has a cell phone – which, ironically, was not so many decades ago. The benefits of the modern cell phone to social interaction are obvious. Though more advanced than it was years ago, it still holds to its original purpose. The cell phone still provides the easiest, most convenient way to contact friends and family. In an emergency, it remains to be the best way to call for help. Modernly speaking, one can always send a quick text to ask how a friend is doing. Several million people would not be able to function or go through their daily routine without their cell phone. However, the opposition lives on. Many researchers maintain that the cellular as it is today is one the largest distraction to social interaction rather than the aid that others believe it to be (â€Å"The Impact of New media Technologies on Social Interaction in the Household†). Schools and certain work places have banned them for the fact that the people can’t seem to keep them from interrupting their work and learning. It is possible to now to walk into a room filled with people that in decades earlier would have been filled with individ uals mixing and socializing with each other, but now, could be packed with overzealous texters and social networkers gazing down at small screens in the palms of their hands. This generation has been described as incessantly â€Å"plugged in† – constantly in communication and in touch with technology (â€Å"Plugged In: generation Y Guide to Thriving at Work†). No other device is credited as much for the decline in values for face to face physical interaction than the cellular phone. Nor is any other device so credited for it advantages. It is evident that digital media technologies, such as television, video games, and cell phones have increasingly lead to social isolation and a growing privatization in social settings that would’ve been very different decades ago. It is also true that communication in general has become more impersonal than ever with the advancement of these technologies. Digital technologies are negatively affecting social interaction and communication between individuals. It is right to worry about the drastic changes they present society’s relationships and values. In order for digital technologies t o positively impact social interaction, friends and family have used these devices as a way of communicating and interacting with each another. This has to include using the media technology as a medium to interact, such as, playing a computer game  together or watching television together and discussing it afterwards. It is important for individuals to consume new media technologies together – thus, promoting togetherness – instead of individually. By consuming technology individually, this leads to social isolation. In turn, this results in a drastic decrease of communication and social interaction in all social groups. Though one thing is clear: as the presence of technology in our lives becomes more pervasive, the greater the changes in our interactions will be. Works Cited Basalla, George, The Evolution of Technology, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1989 Dattilo, John, Inclusive Leisure Services, New York: Venture Publishing, Inc., 2002 Erickson, Tamara, Plugged In: generation Y Guide to Thriving at Work, Cambridge: Harvard Business Review Press, 2008 McGrath, Siobhan, The Impact of New media Technologies on Social Interaction in the Household, Ireland: Nui Maynooth, 2012 Rose, Ellen, Proceedings of the Media Ecology Association: Volume 11, Maine: Media Ecology Association, 2010