Nature, Nurture and My Life Essay Example For Students

Nature, Nurture and My Life Essay As I reflect back on the past 24 years of my life, I wonder what has influenced my life the most. That leads me to question some of the biggest factors in my life and determine whether they were factors of Nature or Nurture. The Nature vs. Nurture debate is on that dates back well beyond my 25 years of life, and in my opinion there is no true answer to this debate, but I am just curious how my life has been impacted by the two. Nature is defined as that which is inherited, genetics (McLeod 2002). Those would be characteristics that are inherited through the genes, for example; eye color, genetic disorders, and skin pigmentation. Other physical characteristics, if not determined, appear to be at least strongly influenced by the genetic make-up of our biological parents (McLeod 2002). Those who adopt an extreme heredity position are known as nativists. Their basic assumption is that the characteristics of the human species as a whole are a product of evolution and that individual differences are due to each person’s unique genetic code. In general, the earlier a particular ability appears, the more likely it is to be under the influence of genetic factors (McLeod 2002). In relation to my life, factors that would be classified as nature are, being African American, and having a larger body frame (thick). Growing up in the Suburbs of St Louis, I have found myself surrounded by many different races, and the primary race being Caucasian. That has caused me to be stereotyped most of my life due to something that is completely out of my control. Both my parents are African American, so genetically my only option for race was African American. Knowing that as soon as someone sees me they would have formed an opinion of me makes me have to worry about my physical appearance more. Things such as piercings, tattoos, hairstyles, and clothing have to be thought over before any decisions are made because they will add to the stereotypes because of my race. If you follow the media, being a model size is pretty. Due to genetics, my frame is much larger than model size, and my height is much shorter. Having measurements of 256 pounds in weight, and 5 foot 4 inches in height, causes me to have to worry about getting things such as diabetes. My mother is approximately the same weight, and about 3 inches taller than me, and my father is approximately 245 pounds and 6 foot even. Being female, I have taken on more of my mom’s body frame, which is not a bad thing, but it does put me in a high-risk category health wise. The other side of the debate is nurture. Nurture refers to all environmental influences after conception, i. e. experience (McLeod 2002). Those who believe that at birth the human mind is a tabula rasa (a blank slate) and that this is gradually â€Å"filled† as a result of experience are known as empiricists (McLeod 2002). The main factors in my life that I would characterize as nurture are becoming a teen mom, and my parenting style. I became pregnant at the age of 17, and had my first child, a girl, at the age of 18. I had already graduated high school, but was just a freshman in college at the time. I had no idea what being a parent really meant but luckily I had a great support system to help me learn what being a parent consisted of. My mother was not a teenage mom, she was married when she had both of her children and waited until she was ready to be a mother before becoming pregnant which is why I equate becoming a teenage mom as a factor of my environment. .u1d6de1e0303a1eda9e1b2d6de9b523e7 , .u1d6de1e0303a1eda9e1b2d6de9b523e7 .postImageUrl , .u1d6de1e0303a1eda9e1b2d6de9b523e7 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u1d6de1e0303a1eda9e1b2d6de9b523e7 , .u1d6de1e0303a1eda9e1b2d6de9b523e7:hover , .u1d6de1e0303a1eda9e1b2d6de9b523e7:visited , .u1d6de1e0303a1eda9e1b2d6de9b523e7:active { border:0!important; } .u1d6de1e0303a1eda9e1b2d6de9b523e7 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u1d6de1e0303a1eda9e1b2d6de9b523e7 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u1d6de1e0303a1eda9e1b2d6de9b523e7:active , .u1d6de1e0303a1eda9e1b2d6de9b523e7:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u1d6de1e0303a1eda9e1b2d6de9b523e7 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u1d6de1e0303a1eda9e1b2d6de9b523e7 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u1d6de1e0303a1eda9e1b2d6de9b523e7 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u1d6de1e0303a1eda9e1b2d6de9b523e7 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u1d6de1e0303a1eda9e1b2d6de9b523e7:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u1d6de1e0303a1eda9e1b2d6de9b523e7 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u1d6de1e0303a1eda9e1b2d6de9b523e7 .u1d6de1e0303a1eda9e1b2d6de9b523e7-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u1d6de1e0303a1eda9e1b2d6de9b523e7:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Essay On AbortionI have found that my generation is one that is comfortable with sex before marriage, and it is displayed not only through word of mouth among friends but also through the media outlets. The friends that I surrounded myself with were all engaging in sex before marriage so I followed the trend and engaged as well. I had a mindset that getting pregnant was not something that would happen to me, and I did not always take the necessary precautions to make sure that it did not happen to me. I choose to listen to Hip Hop and R and B, and the artists I chose to listen to had lyrics condoning sex and lifestyles that would leave to sexual situations. Even though being a teenage mother was not something I wanted, it is the greatest factor that has impacted my life. The parenting style that I have chosen is one very similar to my mother’s but extremely different than that of my grandmother’s, which makes me classify it as a nurture factor. I am very close to my mother and my daughter. We are not required to say yes ma’am and no ma’am like some families, but we are also not allowed to say what either. My daughter is one of my best friends so we share that relationship in addition to being mother and daughter, which allows our conversations and interactions to be somewhat playful rather than stern. I chose this parenting style because I want my daughter to be able to come to me if she has any problems or concerns rather than turn to her friends and risk the change of getting bad advice or information. Some believe my parenting style is too relaxed, but as long as my daughter grows up having respect for others and myself then it works for me. Psychologically, all of these factors have had the same impact on my life. I feel that every person is unique in his or her own way. Since I am stereotyped, I try not stereotype others, especially since I know that people can physically change their appearance. I think that my social experiences, or nurture factors, have made me a stronger person emotionally. The nurture factors are some that I feel cannot be controlled, just like the nature factors. The only difference between the two is you can trace nature factors back through your family history, and nurture factors include external parties, which are untraceable. I do find myself internally judging others and then wondering if their action is caused by nature or nurture. For example, if a child is bad in the store I may say, oh that child has bad parenting, but then I wonder what if they have some type of mental disability that causes them to exert that behavior. Unfortunately I cannot end the debate and answer, which factors have caused greater change in my life but I can say that all the factors have caused my life to change. The nature versus nurture debate is one that I do not believe will ever end. Both sides have very influential information but I personally believe, one could not be there without the other. For example, eye color is genetic, but with today’s society and the help of technology you can permanently change your eye color. There are also medical procedures allowing people to change almost all of their physical appearances including gender. Before the technological advances, I would have agreed with the nativists, but now I feel like your life experiences can cause you to take measures to change the genetic features you do not like. Nothing is safe from change. Bibliography: Cherry, K. A. (2009). What is nature versus nurture? Retrieved from http://psychology.about.com/od/nindex/g/nature-nurture.htm McLeod, S. A. (2007). Nature Nurture in Psychology. Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/naturevsnurture.html .u338438141af940e88b34c3bde3fb73d2 , .u338438141af940e88b34c3bde3fb73d2 .postImageUrl , .u338438141af940e88b34c3bde3fb73d2 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u338438141af940e88b34c3bde3fb73d2 , .u338438141af940e88b34c3bde3fb73d2:hover , .u338438141af940e88b34c3bde3fb73d2:visited , .u338438141af940e88b34c3bde3fb73d2:active { border:0!important; } .u338438141af940e88b34c3bde3fb73d2 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u338438141af940e88b34c3bde3fb73d2 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u338438141af940e88b34c3bde3fb73d2:active , .u338438141af940e88b34c3bde3fb73d2:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u338438141af940e88b34c3bde3fb73d2 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u338438141af940e88b34c3bde3fb73d2 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u338438141af940e88b34c3bde3fb73d2 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u338438141af940e88b34c3bde3fb73d2 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u338438141af940e88b34c3bde3fb73d2:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u338438141af940e88b34c3bde3fb73d2 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u338438141af940e88b34c3bde3fb73d2 .u338438141af940e88b34c3bde3fb73d2-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u338438141af940e88b34c3bde3fb73d2:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: pride and prej.doc EssayNature via nurture: Genes, experience, and what makes us human. Ridley, Matt New York, NY, US: HarperCollins Publishers. (2003). 326 pp. Child Development. Santrock, John W. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education. (2014). 16 pp.

The Importance of How to Write Myself Essay

The Importance of How to Write Myself Essay Details of How to Write Myself Essay Expository essay employs formal language to talk about someone or something. There is going to be constant communication at each stage whilst essay writing online in order to make certain that you've got peace of mind. You ought to select the subject of your essay by paying attention to the form of reader and your major objectives. Just ensure there is a logical progression of the ideas in the outline and frequently refer to it to keep concentrate on the subject. How to Write Myself Essay: the Ultimate Convenience! In case the one thing you've been thinking of lately is is there anybody to compose my essay for me, then you're at the most suitable location. There's no need to continue your search or search for somebody who will have the ability to compose an essay for you within a limited time. Tomorrow you'll see a couple more points to speak about and think of additional methods to say things. Th e next thing to do is to outline what you're going to write about. The Upside to How to Write Myself Essay Writing an essay, or another paper for this matter, isn't just writing. Your thesis is the principal point of your essay. The very first step to writing an essay is to choose what type of essay to write. A brief essay isn't a research essay and shouldn't be treated as such. It 5 10 pages typed and double spaced is an excellent way to demonstrate your ability to condense a great deal of material into what is essentially a compact essay. Employ a specialist in any field you will need to compose your outstanding essay our writers supply the ideal essay writing service as they have degrees in all disciplines. However brilliant a writer is, he or she'll require a brilliant editor to assess the essay and polish it. Now you know a bit about what online essay writers do, there are a range of important reasons why you need to only trust experienced academic writers to supply you with an adequate paper. You have all of the reasons to seek the services of an expert college essay writer. What Everybody Dislikes About How to Write Myself Essay and Why You're going to be certainly pleased with the way our c ustomized essay writing service works. Are you trying hard to find quality writers. Men and women tend to pick a variety of themes of who they are and attempt to describe all of them. Now you are aware that an honest and qualitative on-line essay writing service might provide great assistance for your learning, it's time to put your order. As a consequence of that, and because of our writers completing our clients' orders, every one of them has a ranking. As soon as you have placed your purchase, the writers that are interested and competent in the ideal field start bidding for it. If you're fighting to compose an essay, you are able to either place an order for a brand-new object of work on the subject of your choice or you could write it yourself and then order a re-write or proofreading services. Order top-notch essay at this time and certified specialists will do their very best to supply you with higher quality at affordable price. After all, the subject of the essay oug ht to be fully disclosed on an expert level. When you compose an essay, you should understand what you write about. Subsequently, essay was defined in various ways. Example essays concentrate on one major idea that you prove with various specific, convincing examples. The 5-Minute Rule for How to Write Myself Essay Essays are the best method to present one's opinion about any particular topic. Just about any topic can be find in the array of needed information, at least for a couple paragraphs, with which you may operate to compose a very good work. How to Write Myself Essay Features When you purchase an essay from us, you're guaranteed to relish individual approach because essay help offered by our writers is always customized based on your requirements. Everyone has the capability to compose the ideal essay. All you need to do is tell us write my dissertation or write my term paper and we're going to be there to assist you. If you understand how to use example essays as a reference, established paper writing services might help you reach your academic objectives. Our purpose is to supply the very best essay writing service there's online to provide you with the ideal essay custom to your requirements. Our expert team will be able to help you get back on course and draft an outline for an essay, or help you through the procedure of essay writing to provide you with a better idea of the way to structure future essays. After you've completed your writing, it's very important you return over it to hunt for any mistakes. To begin with, the writers will take into account every instruction you've given. However you attempt to lower the amount writing you must do to help your essay, you will need to master the method for your assignment. At first, it may seem that writing essays is an effortless process which certainly does not take away a relatively large amount of time. You see, the conventions of Eng lish essays are somewhat more formulaic than you may think and, in various ways, it can be as easy as counting to five. Writing an essay will have become a skill that you've acquired over time by creating a methodology of response. Describing yourself is a significant skill personally and professionally. Restate your thesis in a new fashion, with distinct words. You may also think about an ending that mirrors the start of your essay. What you should do is to fill out the purchase form, make a payment, and in a couple minutes, you will receive your private essay helper. Having decided what kind of essay you're likely to write, you have to jot down as many ideas related to the principal theme as possible. To begin with, you want to concentrate on what sort of essay you are likely to write.

Writing an Argumentative Essay For College About Medicine

Writing an Argumentative Essay For College About MedicineThe following advice on how to write a short argumentative essay is from one of my previous blogs. It's very important to organize your thoughts before writing your essay. Good ideas are easier to remember than not so good ideas, and they are easy to start the process of making this organized when you begin writing the essay itself.The most effective way to come up with good information is to do a bit of research into the topic. When I teach my courses in Organizing Your Thoughts - it's my students job to find this information and present it in the essay.In order to write a good argumentative essay, we need to realize that there are many different opinions in the world today, and this topic fits well in the short argumentative essay. When considering which topic to tackle, make sure to think about what the differences between all of these opinions are.We are often more inclined to debate issues like this than others because we know the truth is something that the other person doesn't want us to know. In order to write a good argumentative essay, you will need to be able to deal with the truth, and this is something that everyone needs to deal with eventually.We can debate issues, but they can be very complex. I find that by starting the essay with something simple, it usually gets the student excited about writing the essay. If I focus on a very complex issue, I get them excited, but when they get past that point, it's a slow task to write this type of essay.You need to understand that there is a difference between writing about a medical study, and medical studies. A medical study will be an area that is well known, and most people know about it. If you are going to include a medical study, make sure that you have focused on a single topic.A medical study is a topic that is discussed in a classroom, or through discussion with other medical experts. You won't have as much difficulty coming up with some in formation, but you need to also have the ability to come up with good information. I like to start out with a topic that is new, and after I do some research, I start thinking about the topics I have written about.I recommend that you look into the essay topics that I have written on. I cover topics like organizing your thoughts, being aware of the facts that you learn, and being aware of the ideas that you come up with. These are things that I've learned to do well and which will help me get the students who take my classes to write better essays.

APA Format in Essay Writing - Why Is This Formation Better Than Plain Omissions?

APA Format in Essay Writing - Why Is This Formation Better Than Plain Omissions?APA Format in essay writing is being used by a large number of writers and not just as an adjunct for all writing. For many, it seems to be the next frontier of English writing styles and inflections. If you're a writer who wants to try this out, then you should begin by taking some time to learn about it first. You can use it to make your writing more interesting, that's the first rule.Once you've figured out how to create a sentence structure for essay writing, the next step is to get familiar with the APA format. First of all, it's really easy to understand. What this format is all about is to have one paragraph before a different paragraph. This isn't the type of sentence structure that is usually seen in college essays.With that said, however, the reason you should write a single paragraph is to make the writer's brain move faster. The idea is to move from one idea to another instead of staying in on e place. This is also the best way to grab attention.The idea is to use a paragraph which will consist of your essay's main points. By putting the main points of your paper in a paragraph, it makes it easier for your reader to know exactly what you're trying to say. A few examples of these are:In the first paragraph, your important point will be made clearly. In the second paragraph, you can go into more detail, and in the third paragraph, you can cover the next important point. These are just a few examples, but there are several other ways you can use this format to improve your writing.It's also important to know that the reasoning behind the reasoning is going to be more important in this format. The logic can only be your reason and your reasoning for why something happened. If you're not going to keep your logic consistent, then the reader might not read what you're trying to do or they may lose interest.This is the same for essay writing. Keep in mind that the better your log ical structure is, the more your reader will feel they're getting more out of your essay. What better way to increase the interest of the reader than with using some APA format in essay writing? There are many benefits to using this type of sentence structure, so why not give it a try?

Physical Therapy Assistant Application Essay Sample

Physical Therapy Assistant Application Essay SampleIt is possible to complete a physical therapy assistant application essay without using an application essay template. Just read on and you'll find out why this is the case. You are going to be delighted with the results!You will want to make sure that you come up with a clear statement of purpose before you begin writing your essay. You are going to need to know what you expect to accomplish with this opportunity. You have to think about what is expected of you, as well as what you are going to contribute to the practice.You must include a description of what you can do for the practice, including information about the quality work that you will provide. You should also state that you are available to answer any questions that the patient may have. This should also include the specific services that you are providing.You should provide a couple of questions in the beginning so that the questioner knows how much information he or she is going to receive. You may also want to include a few prompts in the beginning so that the questioner can ask you some questions regarding your past medical training. It is also a good idea to include a little bit of your personal background as you are applying for this position. This will allow the questioner to get a feel for who you are and what your attitudes are like.You may be asked to go over your resume and provide specific questions about what you can do for the practice. When answering these questions, it is important to let the questioner know what you can do. It is also good to explain the situation that you are in and what you know about it.One of the things that you will want to include in your physical therapy assistant application essay sample is a list of questions that you can ask to get to know the applicant. By completing this application, you are going to be able to get a feel for who you are and what you can do for the practice. There are some things that yo u want to include in your essay sample, but there are some that you are not required to.Some of the things that you are not required to include in your physical therapy assistant application essay sample are if you have any special skills. You also cannot include too many details about yourself if you aren't certain that they are going to be relevant to the practice. For example, if you are applying for a position that involves physical therapy, you do not have to state that you were trained as a physical therapist.One thing that you are going to want to avoid when writing your physical therapy assistant application essay sample is too much detail. The best thing that you can do is to simply focus on the question that you are supposed to answer. The more you state and describe what you are going to do, the less likely you are going to get a response.

Micromax in India free essay sample

COMPANY OVERVIEW. It was in late 2007, when Mr. Rahul Sharma, The owner of Micromax who was into PCO business decided to diversify from PCO devices into the business of mobile handsets. The company designed a battery that could last 30 days on a single charge and give 17 hours of talk-time. Micromax asked vendors in China and Taiwan to manufacture 10,000 handsets with these battery specs and Micromaxs handset business was on its way. COMPANYS PERFORMANCE. Since our entry into the Indian mobile handset market in March 2008, our overall market share has increased from 0. 59% for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 to 6. 4% for the quarter ended March 31, 2010. Our handset sales have grown by 123. 48% from 1. 15 million units in the quarter ended June 30, 2009 to 2. 57 million units in the quarter ended March 31, 2010. We also sell mobile data cards for computers under our own brand to service providers in India. Micromax- Products : touch screen phone GSM mobile phone Utility mobile p hone CDMA mobile phone Qwerty Mobile phone Data Card MICROMAX MICROENVIROMENT : COMPANY: Micromax, based in Gurgaon, a city near New Delhi, designing them in India and manufacturing with partners in China which helps them to reduce their cost with indian expertise. We will write a custom essay sample on Micromax in India or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page COMPETITORS : Micromax faces a tough competition from market giants like Nokia,Motorola,Sony Ericson,Samsung,LG and small players like Karbonn,Lava,Intex,Videocon and Onida but their innovative design and latest technology with affordable price attracts the customers. PUBLICS : Media like Newspaper and Magazine are the medium used by micromax for connecting with the general public. Through TV Advertisement, Micromax has shown how interested they are to invest and create a brand in the mind of general public.

The Philosophy of Avenue Q Lyrics - An Analysis

The Philosophy of Avenue Q Lyrics - An Analysis Avenue Q Lyrics - The Philosophy of Avenue Q Lyrics During a recent visit to London, I wandered through Covent Garden on my way to watch a West End production of Avenue Q. While passing various shops and street performers I spotted a large plaque placed on the walls outside of St. Pauls church. It was here, said the sign, that the famous Punch and Judy Shows were performed during the 1600s. Thats right, Shakespeares plays had to compete with puppet shows. In traditional Punch and Judy shows, the anti-hero Punch insults, pesters, and beats his fellow characters, much to the delight of the audience. The Punch and Judy shows were a glorious display of political incorrectness. Today, the tradition of puppets delivering obnoxiousness and social commentary continues with Avenue Q. The Origin of Avenue Q Avenue Qs music and lyrics were created by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx. The two young composers met in the late 90s while involved in the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theater Workshop. Together they have written songs for Nickelodeon and The Disney Channel. However, they wanted to create a puppet-friendly show that was strictly for adults. With the help of playwright Jeff Whitty and director Jason Moore, Avenue Q was born - and has been a hit Broadway show since 2003. Sesame Street for Grown Ups Avenue Q could not exist without Sesame Street, the long running childrens show that teaches kids letters, numbers, and practical life-lessons. The premise of Avenue Q is that adolescents grow up without learning the truth of adult life. Like the puppet protagonist Princeton, many new grown-ups experience anxiety and confusion when entering the Real World. Here are some of the lessons offered by Avenue Q: School / College Does Not Prepare You for Real Life With songs like What Do You Do with a B. A. in English? and I Wish I Could Go Back to College, Avenue Q lyrics portray higher education as an extended stay in the carefree Land of Adolescence. Princetons main conflict is that he is drifting through life, trying to discover his true purpose. One would hope that college would establish this sense of purpose (or at least a sense of self-sufficiency), but the puppet croons to the contrary: I cant pay the bills yet / Cause I have no skills yet. / The world is a big scary place. The ensemble of characters, both human and monster, wistfully recall the days when they lived in a dormitory with a meal plan, a time when if things got too difficult they could just drop a class or seek an academic advisors guidance. This criticism of the education system is nothing new. Philosopher John Dewey believed that public education should proactively prepare students with useful critical thinking skills rather than just facts from books. Modern day critics such as John Taylor Gatto further explore the failures of compulsory learning; his book Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling explains why many people feel the same social / intellectual impotence expressed within Avenue Qs lyrics. The Freedom to Find Our Own Purpose Princeton decides that he should seek his purpose in life. At first his quest for meaning is guided by superstition. He finds a penny from the year he was born and considers it a supernatural sign. However, after a couple a false-start relationships and a dead-end job or two, he realizes that discovering ones purpose and identity is a difficult, never-ending process (but an invigorating process if one chooses to make it so). Steering away from lucky pennies and mystical signs, he becomes more self-reliant by the musicals conclusion. Princetons resolution to find his own path would be smiled upon by existential philosophers. The main component of existentialism is the assumption that humans are free to determine their own sense of personal fulfillment. They are not bound by Gods, destiny, or biology. When Princeton laments, I dont even know why Im alive, his girlfriend Kate Monster replies, Who does, really? A rather existential response. There Are No Selfless Deeds Perhaps there are good deeds, according to Avenue Q, but there seem to be no purely selfless deeds. When Princeton decides to generate money for Kates School for Monsters, he does so because it feels good to help others†¦ and he also hopes to win her back, thereby rewarding himself. The lyrics from Avenue Qs Money Song explain, Every time you do good deeds / Youre also serving your own needs. / When you help others / You cant help helping yourself. This bit of wisdom would please Ayn Rand, author of controversial classics such as Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead. Rands concept of objectivism which specifies that ones purpose should be the pursuit of happiness and self-interest. Therefore, Princeton and the other characters are morally justified in performing good deeds, so long as they do so for their own benefit. Schadenfreude: Happiness at the Misfortune of Others If youve ever felt better about your life after watching the miserable guests on a Jerry Springer re-run, then youve probably experienced schadenfreude. One of the Avenue Q characters is Gary Coleman, a real-life child star whose millions were squandered by his irresponsible family. In the show, Coleman explains that his personal tragedies make others feel good. Ironically, it becomes a virtue (or at least a public service) to be a wretched failure or a victim of calamity. (This by the way would would be frowned upon by Ayn Rand). Characters such as Coleman and the recently homeless puppet, Nicky, improve the self-esteem of the mediocre masses. Basically, these lyrics make you feel better about being a loser! Tolerance and Racism Avenue Q Heterosexual puppet Nicky tries to help the sexually repressed puppet Rod come out of the closet. He sings, â€Å"If you were queer / I’d still be here / Year after year / Because You’re Dear To Me.† A bit more devious (in a good way) is the song â€Å"Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist.† During this number, the characters proclaim that â€Å"everyone makes judgments based on race,† and that if we accepted this â€Å"sad but true† premise society could â€Å"live in harmony.† The song’s argument might be specious, but the audience’s self-deprecating laughter throughout the musical number is very telling. Everything in Life Is Only For Now Recently, â€Å"spiritual† books such as Eckhart Tolle’s have been asking readers to focus on the present, to embrace â€Å"The Power of Now.† (I wonder†¦ Does this message anger historians?) In any case, this currently popular concept stems from ancient times. Buddhists have long since explained the impermanence of existence. Avenue Q follows the Buddhist path in its final song, â€Å"For Now.† These cheerful Avenue Q lyrics remind the audience that all things must pass: â€Å"Each time you smile / It’ll only last a while.† â€Å"Life may be scary / But it’s only temporary.† In the end, despite its zaniness and crude jokes, Avenue Q delivers a sincere philosophy: We must appreciate the joys and endure the sadness we currently experience, and acknowledge that all is fleeting, a lesson that makes life seem all the more precious. Why Puppets? Why use puppets to deliver the message? Robert Lopez explained in a New York Times interview, â€Å"Theres something about our generation that resists actors bursting into song on the stage. But when puppets do it, we believe it.† Whether it’s Punch and Judy, Kermit the Frog, the cast of Avenue Q, puppets make us laugh. And while we are laughing, we usually wind up learning at the same time. If a regular human were on stage singing a preachy song, many folks would probably ignore the message. But when a muppet talks, people listen. The creators of Mystery Science Theater 3000 once explained that, â€Å"You can say things as a puppet that you can’t get away with as a human.† That was true for MST3K. It was true for the Muppets. It was true for the bombastically cruel Punch, and it is eloquently true for the ever-insightful show Avenue Q.