TDK essay

Eszter Andrássy

2010

University of Miskolc

Virtuality

Supervisor: Zoltán Töltéssy

It was written by:

Eszter Andrássy

Miskolc

2010

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………….1

2. COMPUTER GAMES…………………………………………………………...…...6

2.1 History of computer games…………………………………………………......6

2.2 Description of computer games……………………………………………..….6

2.3 Purposes of playing games & addiction……………………………………......7

2.4 The negative consequences…………………………………………….…….....8

2.5 Behavioural problems…………………………………………………….….…9

2.6 Communication…………………………………………………………….......9

2.7 Examples………………………………………………………………………10

3. JEALOUSY……………………………………………………………………….….12

3.1 Cultures and social views ………………………………………………….….12

3.2 Shakespeare ……………………………………………………………….…..12

3.3 Purposes of being jealous……………………………………………….……..13

3.4 Types of jealousy…………………………………………………………...….13

3.5 Behavioural problems……………………………………………………….…14

3.6 Communication………………………………………………………………....15

3.7 Examples…………………………………………...…………………………...15

4. ALCOHOLISM…………………………………………………………………….…18

4.1 History of alcohol…………………………………………………………….…18

4.2 Cultures and social views………………………………………………….……18

4.3 Purposes of drinking alcohol……………………………………………………19

4.4 Behavioural problems……………………………………………..………….…20

4.5 Korsakoff’s syndrome…………………………………………….…….………21

4.6 Communication………………………………………………………...………21

4.7 Examples………………………………………………………………….…….22

5. CONCLUSION………………………………………………………………….…….24

6. BIBLIOGRAPHY ……………………………………………………………….....…26

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1. INTRODUCTION

The world is full of societies and languages. Using a language is a common,

everyday activity but indispensable to our existence. Languages embrace the whole world.

We learn and posses a language from the childhood. We can get to know each other via

language. Also, we can make compliments or hurt each other. If we learn a language, we

will be able to understand others who come from another culture. We can create a

community if we use a language. Every country has own language, which refers to the

social and cultural background and it has a tradition as well. The language is amazingly

important for the society and the people because we cannot live without it. (Lyons, 1981,

p. 3-5).

On the other hand, the history of language is fascinating: how the language has been

evolved from the ancient times to nowadays. How the man pronounced, write words and

give names to the things. And now, we are able to distinct not only words but also languages

and millions of things as well. Nowadays, we have a lot of dictionaries and libraries, which

are amazing and help us to improve our skill.

Furthermore, we always express our feelings, give advice, or simply we just talk to

each other. Language is a form of expression, which has a lot of types. Everybody wants

to express himself or herself in another language. There are some people who are always

hiding behind a mask, or who are normal, kind, aggressive and so on. People use a lot of

kinds of languages, which mostly depends on the social background, intelligence, gender

and age. Sometimes people just say what is good or what others want to hear, because no

one knows what the others really think.

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Although everyone speaks differently with the others, but this action mostly

depends on the given situation. In most cases, people talk like as it is expected from them,

or they want to give a certain image of themselves, of course there are some exceptions as

well. (McMahon, 1982, p. 304-305). Funny, but usually, we do not tell our full views, we

just lie or say something that is half truth.

Not ignorable fact is that, words of the language can kill, destroy, keep alive or

build. Sometimes it can be a dangerous weapon or lifeblood strength. Take an example

from the history. Napoleon with his speech, perfectly influenced the soldiers’ mind, and

exhorted them the endurance and strength. Amplifiers and constructive words. Although

his words also sent a mass to the death, when he wanted to occupy Moscow, so his speech

struck and killed too. All in all, the language is not just a spoken form of words, nor just a

connecting link between people, but rather an essential value of the world.

We always live in two worlds. Reality is the real touchable physical world. The

Earth, oceans, deserts, places, equipments, peoples and animals mean the real world. We

can see touch, hear, notice, and feel those things because they have shapes and they exist.

We live in society we have rules and we have rights as well. Furthermore, we have

unwritten principles too. We know what we can do or not in some kinds of situation.

Virtuality is another world and differs from the reality. Virtuality strongly belongs

to the reality because we recognize and notice the things in it which can be found on the

Earth, in the physical world. Having read quit a few books made me realize that virtuality

occurs in many different forms. As we sink in our mind finding lots of memories which

belong to certain people or things, we immediately realize that we cannot live without

emotions and we need to be loved. Apart from the case when somebody is a psychopath

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(Cleckley, 1988, p. 11.) and that person has no empathy. In this sense we can consider the

virtuality as an emotional world (Freshwater & Robertson, 2002, p. 4.).

Regarding the fact that virtuality still can have another meaning which refers to

another concept, the internet and computer games. The computer games are played in a

virtual world, where you can be anybody and do anything in different environments which

depend on the given type of the games.

Apart from the previously mentioned concept, the virtuality is found to be

associated with our mind too (McMahon, 1982, p. 304-305). In this sense, it is possible to

create a completely closed but also a partly opened world. Having considered both, it can

be closed because nobody is able to see what is can be found inside and it is still open

because we can share emotions, information and everything what appears our mind.

It is important to note that Virtualiy also means a TV series which was made by

Peter Berg. In that time that was not considered as a TV series because it was unpopular

therefore they made a movie version and that was showed on June 26, 2009 (Virtuality).

Another interesting aspect of the concept of Virtuality is an episode of the X files’s seventh

seasion based on virtual reality. This is a science fiction and it takes place a game called

„First Person Shooter”(X files).

Also we can have another meaning in optics. This is a special image in which, the

outbound rays from a point on the object never actually run across each other at a point

(Webster, 1989, p. 1596.).

In addition, there can be found lot of book which are based on fictional story. They

take place in a non existent world where everything is possible. Take example Laurell K.

Hamilton’s books. Those books are based on virtual and imagined things. Lots of

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characters are supernatural, (vampires werewolves etc), however, they have intelligence

and personality too (Laurell K. Hamilton).

In the business we can discover a new meaning of virtuality. This is so a new market

in the internet, where can be found lots of stores and people can buy and sell product from

there. This became popular and it makes easier to buy products because people do not have

to go out just simply they can order things from the internet (Ebay).

Not ignorable fact is the virtuality has mental meaning as well, which is amazingly

important. When we live in the two worlds at the same time, we can make a distinction

between these worlds. We know what is real or not. There is one main frontier, what

separates the virtuality from the reality. We know our abilities and limitations clearly.

But there is an other case, when people are not able to make a distinction between

the two worlds. When somebody become addicted and then loses the connection between

the reality and virtuality and they enter in an imaginary world (Pervin, 1989, p. 476.). It is

a very tremendeous problem. When they are not able to recognize what is real and what is

not, they can be dangerous, melancholic, argumentative, paranoid, dramatic and antisocial

but not in the good sense. Also, we really do not know what we can expect from these

people. Their unpredictable behavior creates confusion in the environment , what they do

not recognise, because they believe that they are normal. (McMahon 1982, p. 450.).

I would like to show the virtuality as a imagined world in different context which

can change the human behaviour and communication. I would like to give descriptions

about how the people’s communication is changed when the borderline is vanished

between real world and a virtual world. In every case we can find lots of good and average

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examples but I tried to give well known instances from nowadays. Therefore I chose three

main issues, which are really common and they can destroy relationship and lives.

The first is the computer games and the addiction. The purpose of playing game is

the entertainment; of course there is nothing wrong with this until a certain point. The

problem begins with addiction when somebody spends too much time with playing games

and they forget about the reality.

The second is the jealousy. The jealousy is often identified with dissatisfaction or

the desire of ownership. In general where a strong positive emotion in a relationship, the

jealousy is is perfectly natural human reaction, although in some cases we are wrong and

we have irrational fears.

The third is the alcoholism. Usually the reason of drinking alcohol is looking for

happiness or people want to forget some bad moments. There can be some negative

consequences when somebody goes too far and drinks too much.

My essay shows the harmful effects of these in communication. In the three topics I

also reflect on we can choose how we use our language and the way of we talk to people.

So the communication is not just a spoken form of words, nor just a connecting link

between people, but rather an essential value of the world.

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2. COMPUTER GAMES

2.1 The history of computer games

The history of computer game began in the 1950s. and it does not have really long-

term period (only 52 years) but during those years everything was changed and developed.

The first video game was born in 1958, although it was not official. The game was

invented by physicist Willy Higinbotham in New York, and it was made for against

boredom. This was like table tennis, which is displayed in an oscilloscope (Willy

Higinbotham).It is not necessary to say there were always a newer development year by

year. So nowadays we use computers and different kind of devices not mentioned the

internet. It became really common thing, although it always was a controversial topic. It

has good and bad effect and it also gives an example the principle of intermittent

reinforcement (Potkay & Allen, 1986, p. 164-165.).

2.2 Description of computer games

The computer games are played in a created world, where you can be anybody and

do anything in different environments which depend on the given type of the games.

Categorizing games bases on several aspects. One of the most important view is the genres,

which have lot of types fantasy games, casino games, strategy games etc. Another feature

is whether the game single or multiplayer. Singleplayer games are played alone without

any internet connection. This type of games usually focus on storytelling and creating a

world around one character that is controlled by the player, where non-playable AI-

characters respond to the player's actions. On the other hand, multiplayer games are often

more about the competitive or social aspects. Players challenge or work together with other

players to achieve a set goal.

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Take an example one of the most popular singleplayer the Sims. It takes place in a

created world and you can build up a world around you. The people are created by you

with different personalities and habits or they inherit habits from their parents if you create

children. You can determine their job, daily routine and lifestyles. You can buy house and

you can decorate it. You also have friends and neighbours. Everytime when your

characters meet new people you can decide how they behave. Basically this world is yours,

so everything depends on you and your decision or your mood (The Sims).

Take another example one of the most popular multiplayer games World of

Warcraft (WOW) a video game that lets thousands of people from all over the world

interact, co-operate and fight each other in the fantasy "Warcraft"-universe. Players of the

game get to create their own fantasy characters of a variety of fictional races, including

elves, orcs and dwarves. As the game starts, they will be given assignments, or quests, to

perform in order to gain experience-points and in-game money which can in turn be used

to train new skills and buy new weapons and armour, respectively. Players can also team

up with other people on the online servers and work together in completing these quests.

Quests come in all shapes and forms, from picking flowers in the ground, to defeating

enormous monsters on the battlefields of the fantasy world of Azeroth(WOW).

2.3 Purposes of playing games & addiction

The main purpose of playing games is the entertaining; of course there is nothing

wrong with this until a certain point. There is no strict limitation, you can play or stop a

game anytime. Another really good reason is you can be anybody (hero, king, monster,

killer etc) and do anything. All the time you can meet new people and discover new and

created places. Another really good example is you can vent your anger. Another aspect is

no matter when you lose or you are killed, actually you cannot really lose, because there is

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always another chance to start again the game and achieve the next level, eventually you

will win. Winning something can make you happy even if that is only a computer game,

because you feel a kind of success. The problem begins with addiction when somebody

spends too much time with playing games and they forget about the reality (McMahon,

1982, p. 304-305.)

More specifically, not only do they have an addiction with a game, but also they

care about nothing at all. Addiction can be caused by the success which comes from the

game and it can be satisfying (Synder & Lopez, 2005, p. 96.). Another important aspect

you can be the master of this world and decide everything. Also important thing is the

excitement and it pumps up the adrenalin. Often there is another more serious state when

the addiction becomes obsession and the borderline between virtuality and reality is

dramatically vanished. It is generally accepted that obsession is a state when somebody

spends 14-16 or more hours per day in front of the computer.

2.4 The negative consequences

The negative consequences of obsession can be seen automatically, after when the

sense of reality is changed. It is important to recognize not only do they neglect their real

hobbies and life but also they will be separated from the others (Synder & Lopez, 2005, p.

549-550.). Undoubtedly they often become exhausted, tired or sleepy. Another important

aspect is they will communicate less with real people, but more with virtual friends, who

they are got to know by games. From this viewpoint the true friendship will be concerned

as gaming together. As might be expected, they are in trouble when they have to leave their

computer. The relatively high prevalence of games can cause depression or aggression,

when there is no electricity and the addicted people cannot play games. Actually this is a

psychological problem because this virtual word disorts the reality, therefore the process of

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communication is narrowed (Synder & Lopez, 2005 p. 411.). The communication is

restricted/limited to a lower level, when people are able to talk only with those people who

are in the game or they simply talk to the computer. The importance of living a real life

was lost. They have own world with new friends.

2.5 Behavioural problems

In connection with this issue several studies have clearly demonstrated those people

who can do everything in a created world, they do not really want to live in a world where

everything is limited and they are controlled by parents or partners, social norms, laws and

people. Basically they do not understand what the problem is. If the communication is not

based on the given game, they truly believe that family members or partners around them

try to annoy them (McMahon, 1982, p. 450.). Actually the “annoying people” only want to

help them but addicted people often misunderstand everything. They do not see the world

clearly, and want to protect the game because that belongs to them. When somebody says

something like this “you should not play so much” or that person wants to take away the

game from them, game addicted people are freaking out and replying similar things like

the followings: “It is none of your business! Get out! Leave me alone! You do not

understand how important this game is for me! You never experienced this before! You do

not understand me! You do not understand what I am talking about! You are boring. Just

leave me alone! I do not need you!” etc.

This is the point when they clearly show how much they are addicted (VGA).

2.6 Communication

In this case, aggression and hysteria appear in the communication, it is obvious they

often use negative attributes and vulgar words. We can also mention, the volume. The

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passion been appeared in the rising voice. More precisely there is an increase in the

volume. Growing of anger or anxiety can aggravate the expression of anger to yelling

(Khan, 2009, p. 4.). The tone can be vary, brazen, bouncing, emotional, pressed or artificial

acting. Also it depends on the gender. The speech and rhythm can reflect on the underlying

emotions. Sometimes, the utterance can be accelerated, jabber or changed in tempo. When

the jabber is increasing the speech could become unfollowable and the words without

articulation become incomprehensible. So unconsciously the speech applies the speaker's

contempt and revenge. Every sentence and words come from the aggressiveness.

2.7 Examples

Game addiction can lead terrible ending. Everybody can blame the games,

however, nobody forces people to play games. I would like to show the case when people

have choice and they are disordered by virtual world. Here are three terrible examples

when people completely lost their mind and they were overwhelmed by their emotions and

virtual words.

Take as an example a very terrible story that happened with a family in Canada.

Brandon Crisp was a 15 years old child who was clever and good at hockey although he

became addicted to a game. He was playing almost all day and he lost his friends. He was

also playing a lot during nights. His parents tried to talk to him about this issue and

suggested him to go out and play hockey with his real friends. All of these suggestions

were refused. When the parents realized that was harmful and their child was obsessed,

they took away his Xbox and therefore Brandon ran away. The parents asked the Media’

help and called the police. They were trying to find their son really hard. 3 weeks later they

found 5 miles away from their home. (Brandon Crisp).

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The second example is Tyrone Spellman`case who is a game addicted old killer. In

2006 He was playing with an Xbox system which was possessed by his brother and he also

allowed to his daughter to play. Alayiah, who was only 17 months old child, extremely

enjoyed it and she sat next to his father. and Tyrone put the controllers closer and they

were sitting in the bed. It is really common fact that young children usually rambunctious.

Alayiah grip and dragged the Xbox controller. So the whole Xbox system was pulled down

by her. After Tyrone hit his daughter and throw against a wood chair. He killed his own

daughter. Not ignorable fact his reason for killing was that Alayiah damaged the Xbox

(Tyrone Spellman).

My third example is Daniel Petric. In October 2007, he shot down his parents

because they forbade him to play with his favourite game. The game always caused lots of

conflicts between the parents and the boy, because he was playing with the Halo 3 game

and he spend 18 hours in front of his computer almost everyday. The father, who was

pastor, fed up with her son's addiction, so that he took the game away from him and locked

down it. Not only did Daniel steal the keys to access to the game again, but also he took his

father's 9 mm caliber pistol. Then he went into his parents’ room and asked them to close

down their eyes because he brought them a surprise. After he shot down his parents.

Finally he killed his mother, but the father survived (Daniel Petric).

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3. JEALOUSY

3.1 cultures and social views

My second topic is jealousy when the borderline will completely be vanished

between the reality and virtuality. It is generally accepted that jealousy is one form of

Persecution mania. Delusions are really common when somebody suffers from persecution

mania. People who have delusions they steadfastly believe what they think is correct and

true. The most frequent things are based on philosophical, emotional or religious beliefs.

Basically, they are suspicious and restless because they have irrational fears.

Concept of jealousy can be determined by cultures and social views. In some

societies phenomenon of polygamy or polygamous relationships are widespread. In Arabic

countries, the polygamy is completely accepted because man can have four wives at the

same time. In Europe, this view is unusual, more over it refers to extremely immorality. In

many cases, the religion prohibits the polygamy and people brought up in this spirit since

childhood. In Europe the typical is the monogamous relationships because the people are

raised in a society where they are faithful to the partner, and they do not want more

partners (McMahon, 1982, p. 532.).

3.2 Shakespeare

Mentioning the jealousy the first thing, which comes to my mind is the green eyed

monster from Shakespeare. „O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-ey'd monster,

which doth mock, The meat it feeds on.” (Shakespeare, 1993 Act III Scene III.). Othello is

a drama and one of the main themes is the jealousy. Othello is the main character who is

desperately in love with his wife, the beautiful, young and innocent Desdemona. Lago was

a liar and made Othello jealous. Othello tried to kill his jealousy but he could not, so he

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killed his wife. Meaning of the green eyed monster is envy, because usually if somebody is

jealous that person’s eyes turn into green. Nowadays the jealousy as disease so called

Othello syndrome, which was named after Othello. According to my opinion it is like a

fairytale dragon, if it appears somewhere, it is very difficult to destroy that.

3.3 Purposes of being jealous

Being jealous is a very common and average emotion which exists all over the

world in humans’ mind and it highly depends on the given person’s age, genders and

situations. In general if there is a strong positive emotion in a relationship our fears can

have different explanations (Huffman & Vernoy & Williams, 1991, p. 409-411.). There are

several reasons why people can be jealous. They can fear of loss something important

which is determining factor in their life. In addition lots of people have low self-esteem

and they are sad because they miss or lost a person. Another reasonable fact, quit a few

people are uncertain about their life and decision making, and they are lonely. Also it is not

necessary to mention that most of the people are not able to rely on the others. Another

important fact is feelings of inferiority can cause jealousy too. For example fearing of we

may lose the person who we love, or when the husband earns more money or perhaps the

wife is entrusted with bigger responsibility etc. Apart from that we are jealous sometimes,

we are not crazy because we have the same daily routine. Many people think jealousy is

natural (Synder & Lopez, 2005, 180 p.)

3.4 Types of jealousy

As the matter of fact there are two types of jealousy one is the normal an the second

is the abnormal. The normal case when we certainly know is not causeless and there is

something wrong. We notice that there is a real problem so we should be careful and

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suspicious. In the other hand the another case is the abnormal jealousy when there is no

good reason us for being jealous. Although when the it takes us too far, we can do terrible

things. Jealousy is often identified with dissatisfaction or the desire of ownership. The

most important symptom of the jealousy is the possessing. Attitudes of people are always

changing so if somebody is jealous they treat the object of jealousy differently (Spear &

Penrod & Baker, 1991, p. 409-411.). They try to control them although partners have

personalities self-consciousness and free will. Eventually the relationship will be

unbearable, when breaking up seems to be the only good solution. The result of

disaffection will rise even further, because not everybody like being controlled and like

being a slave. The problem begins when somebody loses the control above his or her

feelings, and that is addiction. In worse case jealousy becomes obsession often it can lead

to serious mental illness.

3.5 Behavioural problems

Losing the connection with reality we can easily be in a vicious circle, and we will

not be able to calm down. Usually the jealous person decides and determines everything in

a relationship so the control is possessed by the jealous people. Not only do the jealous

people check their partner’s phone, but also they are reading the partner’s emails. Another

possible side effect of jealousy is to investigate after the partner. People with full of

jealousy are always suspicious and asking the followings: „Where have you been? Where

are you going? When are you coming? Liar!” No matter what you say, the jealous people

do not believe it. Another obvious aspect of jealousy is when your partner judges the way

you dress up. „Holy hell! Take down that dress right now!” Primarily men say to their

partners and these words refer to the case when the male partner will not let his partner

wear „provocative” clothes, like some blouses or miniskirts. Firstly, the man says the way

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of dressing is very disadvantageous to him, and according to his second opinion the clothes

are very immoral. Eventually he says that is disgusting.

3.6 Communication

Significant features of the jealousy are the aggression and hysteria which appear

in the communication. Obviously jealous people usually express their feeling with negative

attributes and cruel words. The volume mostly depends on the given situation and the

anger. Sometimes it is extremely loud especially when the couples have fight. The

arrogance can appear in the rising voice. More precisely there is an increase in the volume.

Growing of anger or anxiety can aggravate the expression of anger to yelling (Khan, 2009,

4 p). The tone can be disgusted, arrogant cruel, envious, repulsive, devious or

uptight. Highly it depends on the gender. Underlying emotions are reflected by the speech

and rhythm. Sometimes, the tempo utterance and jabber of speech can be accelerated,

jabber or changed in tempo. Without articulation the words become incomprehensible,

when the jabber becomes faster the speech could become unfollowable. So unconsciously

the speech applies the speaker's emotions and anger. Every sentence and words come from

the aggressiveness.

3.7 Examples

Jealousy can lead terrible ending. Everybody can blame the people, however,

nobody forces people to overreact and imagine things. I would like to show the case when

people have choice and they are disordered by virtual world. Here are three terrible

examples when people completely lost their mind and they were overwhelmed by their

emotions and virtual words

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My first example is James McKenzie, who is 61 years old and killed his wife

because he was jealous. His relationship with his wife Denise Grieve, was not good so

finally they decided that they were going to live separately. Although he still considered

themselves as a good couple. There was nothing wrong until a certain point when James

realized that his Denise was dating with Robert Graham Grieve, however, they broke up

soon. After James tried to get back his wife but she refused him. So that James became

jealous and thought she was pregnant. So that he killed her with a knife in front of their

daughter, who tried to stop her father, but she could not. He also admitted that he was

happy because he was the last person whom his wife saw (James Mackenzie).

My second example is Jane Andrews. She was Dutchess of York and also she was a

jealous killer. She had husband but they got divorced and after she met Tom Cressman

Jane had a relationship with him. They were happy together and she was clearly in love

with him. When they were on vacation in South France, she expected that she got a

marriage proposal from Tom. However, Tom did not want to get married. In September

2000, she killed Tom when the guy told her that he did not want to get married. Jane

became angry and jealous and she wanted revenge. So she killed her boyfriend with a

knife. After she denied everything and told Tom threatened her, but it was not true. Finally

she was sentenced to prison.( Jane Andrews).

My third example is Belinda Jo Bate and Brian Bates were a great a couple and they

were married during 10 years. In 2007, they got divorced after, Later, Belinda met

Michael Kemp and she dated with him and after a while she was engaged. She had a new

happy life. Although when Brian her ex husband knew the fact that she met someone, he

became extremely angry because he was not able to accept the fact that Belinda got over

17

him. He immediately left his him and drove to Belinda’s house. Brian shot down his ex

wife and after he also killed himself (Belinda Jo Bate).

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4. ALCOHOLISM

4.1 History of alcohol

In ancient Greek mythology, Dionysus is the god of wine and grapes. Although in

the most cases he caused death because his followers had lost their minds, when they were

celebrating, they were drinking too much. This time when they met some strangers, the

crazy people torn them into pieces. Later, Dionysus returned to his hometown Theba where

the people did not want to acknowledge him as a god. Pentheus, the king of Thebes

forbade people to respect Dionysus. After Dionysus stunned the entire city with wine, and

he drove the people crazy. So that Pentheusz king's mother was mad and she tore up his

own son in the trance state. Dionysus revenged on the city. After the whole world have

recognized him as the power of God, and he ascended to Olympus (Seafold, 2006, p. 6-

18.).

4.2 Cultures and social views

Generally it has long term tradition in quit a few countries. We can take them in

contrast. In France there is an evidence of drinking red wine which has really long history.

Several studies have clearly demonstrated that grape pips were spread by Greek and Rome

people in Marsille. Basically everything began 2600 years ago (Encyclopaedia Romana).

the After in the middle ages some regions of the country like Burgundy began to develop

the wine making. Russia is another interesting country because there is an evidence of

drinking vodka, which was invented by Dmitri Mendeleev, who was the professor of St.

Petersburg and Chemistry at University of Milan. Alexander II approved in 1894 (Delos,

1998, p. 10 .). However there is a main distinction between the previously mentioned

nations. Both of them are famous of their traditional drinks. Although drinking red wine is

19

really common and accepted fact in France. Some studies have proved that a small

amounts of alcohol has a kind of cardio protective effect which can increase HDL-

cholesterol, which is beneficial, in the blood and reduces the chance of blood clots.

(Oxford journal). However it does not have harmful effect on the society. In the other hand

in Russia the vodka has really harmful effects on the society. Alcohol consumption is

increasing among the Russian people year by year. Drinking alcohol continuously

destroys the liver and kills the brain cells (NIAAA, 2003 p. 31.). They do not know where

is the healthy limit so that it became a tremendous problem.

4.3 Purposes of drinking alcohol

Drinking alcohol not always has bad purposes. As you can see above my example

of French people, there is a healthy way and limit. Sometimes it can be really funny or it

can make us healthier. Very common thing when some friends are sitting in a pub,

drinking beers and having fun. Events on which they family and relatives meet and drink.

Another aspect is the alcohol relieves the stress. Sometimes it makes easier to talk to

people. Also there are some events when we are drinking alcohol; when someday is saying

toast, or on the wedding we are clinking our glasses and wishing happy marriage. In

addition, also common thing is drinking champagne on New Year’s Eve. Furthermore

there can be found in another reason which is widespread especially amongs the younger

people. In general the youngs competite in many different ways, including drinking

alcohol.

Although, various another reasons are available for us to find another good

explanation why we are drinking but in bad way. First of all every people’s life the

parents’ backgrounds are amazingly important because everybody learns everything from

their parents. So the wrong family patterns can lead to alcoholism. Another reason is,

20

people are frustrated or they simply try to avoid the conflict they just drink and they think

alcohol helps them because they can forget the problems earlier. Another important reason

can be seduction of a certain group, „because my friends told me. In addition drinking

alcohol gives pleasant feelings. Knowing the fact that the humans are basically selfish they

want more and bigger „pleasant” feelings (Kalat, 1986, p. 310-314.). However there is a

point when people totally pass out themselves and they are lost between the virtual and real

worlds. Living in this lifestyle not only changes the human behaviours which are extremely

noticeable, but it also it can cause addiction.

4.4 Behavioural problems

Behaviour changing bases on the alcohol, because the alcohol effects on the brain

modify the brain works (WHO, 2004, 47 p.). One of the most obvious symptoms is people

who are totally drunk they are not able to walk normally. Not only do they unknow where

they are, but also they do not notice if they are in danger, so intellectual ability is

decreasing it effects the environment. Also, drunken people interpret and see average

things differently, which can cause an extraordinary emotion changing. They are unwilling

to accept the advice and warnings. Not mentioning that they suddenly become offended

and angry. Important fact is when somebody is drinking too much they are going to lose

their self control. It is generally accepted fact that alcohol addiction can be define as an

action when somebody loses his or her control above drinking alcohol. In addition when

there is no self control we are not able to think realistically and in the most cases when

somebody is addicted to the alcohol that person aggressive too (Kalat, 1986, p. 294-5.).

There are lots of people who drive their car when they are not sober. Sadly there are lots of

people who drink and drive, however, they put in a danger everybody, who are around

21

them. It also leads to conflicts with people who are near to them and violence. Furthermore

the addicted people can lose easily the respect of people.

4.5 Korsakoff’s syndrome

Korsakoff’s syndrome is mainly caused by alcohol. In this syndrome, the

immediate memory is damaged by the drinking alcohol continuously. Also the relatively

old (over the past weeks, monthly) memory can be lost. Patients, who suffer from

Korsakoff's syndrome, are able to talk to, although maybe they do not remember what

happened in the last few days, months or years, or even the last couple of minutes. Another

interesting thing is they deny the fact that they are unable to exactly remember memories,

events or things. Ultimately the cannot separate the real and the imaginary memories from

each other. The ability of speech is also damaged. Memory dysfunction, which is

experienced in the beginnings, can lead to serious problems or in the worst case death

(Spear & . Penrod & Baker, p. 1988, 337.).

4.6 Communication

In the communication, they are looking for excuses and they try to justify their

behaviour. Also they really often blame another people why they became drunk and they

try to divert people's attention. They often say they are sober and they are able to stop drink

anytime. In another cases, they can figure out things or pretend that they agree with the

other people. Drunk people often have big self confident so they consider themselves really

special people. Sometimes they flatter or say nice and kind compliments because they want

to control the other. When alcoholists are confronted with their action, they disparage the

seriousness of what they did. Sometimes they are jerk and or yelling because they try to

achieve their aims. Drunk people are often whining because think expect everything from

22

their environment. When they are ignored, they leave the people or resort violence. In lots

of cases they deny everything (Kalat, 1986, p. 338-339.).

Appearing of aggression or hysteria in the communication is really common. It is

obvious they often use or try to use negative attributes and vulgar words it depends on how

drunk they are because they frequently omit some words when thy are speaking. We can

also mention, the volume. The uncertainty or anger have been appeared in the rising voice

because they have dashed thinkings and their brain works slowly. More precisely there is

an increase and suddenly decrease in the volume. Growing of anger or anxiety can

aggravate the expression of anger to yelling. The tone can be vary, brazen, bouncing,

emotional, pressed or artificial acting. Also it depends on the gender. The speech and

rhythm can reflect on the underlying emotions although sometimes they are not

understandable because drunk people are often mumbling. Sometimes, the utterance can

slow down, be mumbled or changed in tempo. When the mumbling is increasing the

speech could become unfollowable and the words without articulation become

incomprehensible. Alcholists are often rude and they can hurt really easily the people, who

are around them (Synder & Lopez, 2005, 233.).

4.7 Examples

Alcoholism can have terrible endings. Everybody can blame the alcohol, however,

nobody forces people to drink. I would like to show the case when people have choice and

they are disordered by virtual world. Here are three terrible examples when people

completely lost their mind and they were overwhelmed by their emotions and virtual

words.

23

In 2008, Darren Blacley who was 28 years old killed 50-year-old David Wilson,

because he was drunk. However, in the beginnings, he was not considered as a murder,

because he did not kill the man consciously. Also he claimed he was so drunk so that he

did not remember what exactly happened. Lots of people were against this decision,

because what he said was not acceptable excuse for what he did. Later, at Lewis Crown

Court, he was convicted of killing David Wilson (Darren Blacley).

In 2009 Edward O. Cook, who was drunk when he killed David Long, who was 57

years old man, and his dog. David was walking on the sidewalk with his dog, when

Edward was driving his car on the sidewalk too and hit them. according to the fact that he

was drinking all night and after he was driving continuously, that is not surprising fact he

was not really conscious. After the accident and when Edward realized what happened, he

tried to run away, but the police caught him up and they arrested him. Finally he was

sentenced 15 years in prison for first-degree murder (Edward O. Cook).

In 2010, Demetrius Jordan caused a fatal accident. He was drunk and he went across

the red light in St. Petersburg. Two car, a Ford and a Chevrolet, were crashed and totally

damaged. In the Ford, there were four people; a father, Elroy McConnell who was 51 years

old, and his 3 sons, Elroy McConnell who was 28 years old, Nathan McConnell who was

24 years old, Kelly McConnell, who was 19 years old, immediately died. Although the

accident was Jordan’s mistake, he survived the crash, he had some injuries. Also he was

charged with counts of manslaughter (Demetrius Jordan).

24

5. CONCLUSION

I tried to show that addiction has several and different forms, and nowadays they

became everyday problems. Maybe it seems the dependency it is not our fault. Actually it

is. Who forces us to play games? Who forces us not to rely on people? Who forces us to

drink alcohol? Nobody does. In my opinion everything is our fault, because we can decide

what we would like to do. We can become addicted to everything and the only matter is

the self control. So we cannot blame things that cause addiction. We should blame only

ourselves. When we are addicted not only do we become selfish, but also we will be blind.

We do not see the things clearly. I think living in a virtual world is like somebody is

dancing alone in the dark, because that person does not have to be fit to anything and

nothing can be seen in the dark.

I firmly believe that people always need hierarchy in their lives. We really should

know who and what is important to us According to my opinion the most important is the

family, the second is the friends and the third is the entertainment. When we find

something interesting we just cannot leave everything behind and ignore everything. I

think always ignoring the people is almost the same as the concept of loneliness. We

should not forget that who we are and where we come from. In addition we got almost

everything from our parents and friends. Not only did we get surprises but also we have

really important relations with them. We need to think before we choose something, or we

can be in a really big trouble.

I think another important thing that can be drawn from the mentioned cases, the

importance of communication. In every case people` communication changed too and they

did not think realistically. Sometimes we really should think over what and how we want

to say. During the process of communication we often hide thing or just talk about is

25

mysteriously. Usually we wear masks to hide our real thoughts during that time we speak.

Mask can be figuratively a speech style which can be a decisive factor later. In other hand,

we just talk too much. Sometimes we should not say lots of things that later we will regret.

I think if somebody lives in a virtual world that person feelings are stronger than usual,

therefore the emotions in the communication are more feelable. Maybe it has no sense for

us but we can easily hurt the other people, and in this case we should face with the

consequences

I think lots of people argue about nothing and hurt each other without ``any good

reason`` We should talk about the problems not should be against each other. I believe that

when we are angry we say lots of bad things and sometimes we go too far. After when we

realize that we were wrong we can apologize and try to make the things right again. We

should be really careful because one day we will late. After that we will not have an

opportunity to ask apology or say that ``I love you``. How many times did almost

everybody wish they could turn back time? Just think about it! Sometimes there is no way

to get back people, feelings like the respect of people, or simply just things. We just should

not let go what and who is important for us.

All in all, as I have already said communication is not just a spoken form of words,

nor just a connecting link between people, but rather an essential value of the world. Using

it in a bad way we can tear off families, destroys friendships and lose our love. Addiction

is costly in every sense. If there is something which is important and you insist on that,

then ask yourself, is it worth or not? The decision is yours!

26

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