How to drive defensively Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

How to drive defensively - Essay Example learning to ride a motorcycle it was necessary for me to always remember that other people were unlikely to see me due to the fact that I took up such a small place on the road. With this in mind, I would oftentimes remind myself that I was in fact invisible once I was on the road. In this way, I was sure to be able to anticipate the actions and maneuvers of erratic drivers that necessarily existed on the roads (Gravelle 16). Furthermore, when I would transition to driving the car, I would oftentimes forget that I was not still on the motorcycle and was able to still keep the invisibility frame of mind open with respect to driving the car. Although it is somewhat silly, this frame of mind is an integral part of what defensive driving involves. As such, defensive driving involves the correct frame of mind, a cognizance that other drivers might do the unexpected, and a perpetual state of alertness. With respect to the perpetual state of alertness, it is easy for one to become preoccupied by the many distractions that exist both on the road and inside the vehicle (Lithing 12). For instance, answering a cell phone, speaking with a friend in the passenger or back seat, straining to find an address or attempting to read a sign or billboard, changing a radio station or selecting a particular song from a playlist, even flirting with the occupant of the car beside you in traffic are all prime examples of just a few of the many ways that a driver can be distracted. Similarly, this distraction does not only apply to the driver who is fighting to maintain a focus, but also to those drivers with whom the defensive driver is trying to avoid and/or anticipate. This leads us to the last component of defensive driving – anticipation. As previously discussed, the tools that have been presented revolve around the driver keeping a correct frame of mind and avoiding distraction. As such, both of these skills rationally lead up to the concept of anticipation (Williams 4).

Contemporary Masculinity Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 7000 words

Contemporary Masculinity - Coursework Example Some say the shift was caused by the women's movement, which brought men and women on equal footing. Others argue the reason is simple economics, with men needing to be well groomed to be more competitive in a tightening job market. Still others trace the phenomenon to the proliferation of media and the changing face of consumerism. Whatever the reasons, the men exhibiting the old attributes of manhood are held less likely to play a significant part as role models for the youth in modern civilised life. Today's examples of modern manliness are David Beckham and his courtliness, Peter Mandelson and his buttoned-up punctiliousness, and Ruth Kelly and his dogged refusal to buckle under pressure 1. The new models of masculinity, according to the growing literature on the subject, require that they no longer engage in barroom brawls and out-drink everybody. They get themselves into trouble now and then but they are not above regretting their actions and feeling contrite for these, as gleaned from the frequent outbursts of Beckham on court, for which he would apologize to the sports fans later on. More important, the new icons of masculinity are fastidious about their appearance such that this has given rise to the unisex beauty salons, which used to service an all-female clientele. What brought about this marked shi ft in perception about the concept of true masculinity Were there any events or male personalities then and now that influenced this phenomenon If so, how exactly did it happen These then are the major questions that this paper will seek answers to. The objective is to see what factor or conglomeration of factors and events brought about the change in the new concept of masculinity, and why characteristics previously considered unbecoming of a real man now seem to make up the epitome of manliness. Toward this end, the dissertation explores both the field and the literature for possible explanation. Section 1 will address metrosexuality, the name by which contemporary masculinity is now known, by focusing on its origin, spread and influences. Section 2 discusses the possible role of celebrities from the movie world, politics and the upper crust of society in bringing about this fascination with a new kind of