Georges Bataille

Prenatal Genetic Testing: A Technology of Normalization Prenatal genetic testing is a technology made available to more accurately determine whether or not a child could have a birth ‘defect’. The most common birth defects tested for are Down syndrome, Trisomy 18, or an open neural tube defect (Government of Canada, 2013). This paper asserts first that prenatal genetic testing is a technology of normalization, which labels disability as abnormal and a feared outcome, and second that normalization creates unwarranted notions of human identity and happiness. To do this, I begin by providing background information on the work by Michel Foucault on biopower, disciplinary power, and normalization. The purpose of this section is to show first that these forces govern and discipline our behavior and in turn have replaced the traditional (sovereign) source of power. In the next section, I argue that prenatal genetic testing places value in a ‘normal genotype’ and that this normalization affects the ability to make autonomous decisions of all participants involved. From this, I show that prenatal genetic testing is a process of normalization, and how equating disability as a ‘genetically-related’ condition rejects the possibility to identify the power relations at work (namely biopower and disciplinary power). I also argue in this section that science produces biased views towards people with disability. In the next section, I use Nick Bostrom as an objection to my thesis. I use…

Introduction The purpose of this paper is to critically analyze the writing of Giorgio Agamben as it relates to the course theme in regard to the placement of the body in contemporary social theory. More specifically this paper will address Agamben’s writing of Sovereign Power and Bare Life and the distinction between the natural being and the legal existence of a person. First in Part I, I will provide a summary of Sovereign Power and Bare Life, and identify Agamben 's central thesis. In Part…

” Will believes that “the general shortening of sentences reflects, in part, a change in nature of Inaugural Addresses.” He refers to Teddy Roosevelt who called the presidency “a bully pulpit.” Later addresses have had an incentive to tell Americans how to behave with phrases such as “The only thing we have to fear…” and “Ask not…” A more popular phrase which was used by Kennedy and Nixon was “Let us…,” which according to Will means, “For Pete’s sake, pull up your socks and shape up.” The…

How to ruin a child In the article it’s told that “the theory that praise, self-esteem and accomplishment increase in tandem is false” (George F. Will). Which is why some children soccer teams stopped counting goals and shower trophies on everyone, or that they even in physical education classes’ students are jump roping without rope. He says children are jumping rope without ropes because of self-esteem obsession and the list goes on, such as opening lunchboxes to find handwritten notes…

I had to understand why Seurat used such a difficult technique for his work. I then came upon the theory that perhaps he wanted to produce a deeper sense of life in his paintings. All things in the world are composed of millions of cells, and these cells create objects, color, and everything that practically exists. I imagine that Seurat's motive was to utilize this scientific law in his work to give an atmosphere of life, texture, and movement in the scenes that he…

American Born Chinese is a graphic novel by Gene Luen Yang about various characters dealing with stereotypes, and prejudices. Two main characters that seem to struggle with this are the monkey king and Jinn. The monkey king is the king of all monkey's on his island. He is looked at as a god and respected by every monkey on the island. But when he is invited to a dinner party for all the gods, he realizes that nobody else has respect for him. By everyone else he is looked at as a dirty monkey.…

The Beatles mostly sang about peace and love, experimenting with different concepts on the subject and various instruments. George Harrison introduced the sitar in some of their later albums. Originally, they started as a simple pop band and eventually grew and developed into a rock and roll band. Most of their fan base was composed of teenage girls, while the Rolling Stones attracted every one of every age. They would have to think of creative and clever ways to sneak lyrics about sex and drugs…

The Effects of the French and Indian War During the 1754-63 the French and Indian War significantly altered the political, economic, and ideological relations between Britain and its American colonies. Political of effects the war included Britain 's disbandment of the salutary neglect policy. Economics is how the economy was doing and if the money was doing good in the region. During the and after the war the economy was chaotic and had an enormous debt that needed to be payed. Finally, an…

Among the British commanders he received a reputation of being a first class leader of irregular forces. Hughes was appointed to a political post as Minister of Militia and Defence in October 1911, even thought he had set a reputation for he is utterly intolerant of those who are religious. He was very much disliked by the French Canadians because of his reputation. Hughes supported the importance of clothing, arms, and munitions. Hughes sponsored the progression of the long and heavy Ross rifle…

The Beatles bade their affiliated careers goodbye with the releasing of the album and single “Let It Be” in 1970, shortly following the announcement of the dissolution of the group. For many, the song, “Let It Be”, not only represents keeping hope through difficult times but additionally symbolizes the four members moving on from the group. The mixture of the instrumental and vocal makeup of “Let It Be” formulates to constitute a gospel ambience. With context in mind, the meaning of the song has…