40s and 50s Boxing

As discussed in the previous blog post, Boxing grew significantly in popularity during the Great Depression. The economy was in a much better state, which could potentially lead to more profitability for the sport too. However, the U.S. was soon engaged in World War II.

In this brief essay I will examine how these wars benefited boxing through the advancement of technology and as it served as a form of distraction and entertainment from the tense situation. I will analyze numerous articles as well as provide historical examples of world-renowned boxers and share their opinions on the topic. All of this will help me in determining how these wars and this overall time period affected the profitability and popularity of boxing in the U.S.

Raging Bull

The popularity of boxing was higher than ever following the Great Depression and the profitability of the sport was quickly catching up given the recovering economic situation. Fighters such as Jake LaMotta and “Sugar” Ray Robinson brought in thousands of spectators per fight and inspired young children. Boxing and baseball were once again the two biggest sports in the U.S. during this time. According to the article “History of Boxing in the 1950s” by acclaimed boxing journalist Scott Levinson, “Boxing all over the world, but particularly in the United States is tied to economics. The more disadvantaged groups have typically provided the best boxers. As the complexion of the ghetto changes, so does the sport of boxing. The 1950s were the last era where a vast amount of  Jewish, Irish, and Italian fighters truly thrived in the states. [...] The 50s introduced the beautiful partnership between boxing and television. Perhaps the best sport to watch on TV, boxing saw unprecedented exposure during this time. Regularly shown fights, such as the Gillette Cavalcade of Sports, allowed fans to watch their heroes for free. This was a crucial turning point in the history of boxing. Exponentially more people watched fights. It provided a steady stream of fans and revenue to a sport that previously thrived only as a live attraction. There were no closed-circuit events at the time and no pay-per-view, enabling anyone with a TV to watch the best fighters in the world.” 

Because of the access people had to view boxing matches, the sport grew greatly in popularity during this time period too. This new found access is largely related to the television and watching fights at home on a screen rather than simply listening to them on a radio. Rocky Marciano, my personal favorite fighter and the only Heavyweight World-Champion to retire undefeated, also attracted people to the sport winning 42 of his 49 fights with a KO. Because of the entertaining nature of the fights and the television, boxing popularity and profitability were still on the rise in the U.S.

In the next blog I will research what caused the eventual downfall of the sport as well as some of the key fighters and promoters that are responsible for this.

Humans versus Robots

 Image source

                    

                                   Technology changes with time, but as technology changes and we become more developed as a society, our views and perspectives of everything we do also change. It is almost as if the more technology a society has, the more and more it fluctuates. With me being somewhat of a tech-junkie and a business student, understanding how technology affects us as a society is something that I find not only interesting, but also has the potential to benefit me further down my career path. Specifically, robots can help people with exploring space and planet Earth. 

 Relative Costs of Robotic versus Human Missions: "Humans are wonderful tools, but they are also expensive tools. Generally, the more mass we launch into space the more costly a mission. Human missions require more mass than robotic missions because we must carry our food, water, and environmental support systems. Unlike machines, humans cannot be put into sleep states for weeks or months to decrease consumable use. For most operations humans want to remain in an environment warm enough for only needing shirtsleeves. Also it is usually necessary to have airlocks and space suits for astronaut egresses. Egress is the word we use for astronauts leaving a spacecraft and going outside. All of these elements add mass, and consequently, cost. Costs are also added because the safety standards for human crews are higher than for robotic devices."

My analysis: Therefore, we can use robots or other technology to prevent loose human life for example in mass launch into space have risky, we also need air, resources for live like  food water. But robots doesn't need anything like, and it can also work with out any rest this so we can research more and more about space. 

Human Exploration:"The exploration of space is not the activity of an individual but a cooperative effort by many elements of society. It gives back to that society a sense of accomplishment, international prestige, a sharing of the excitement of exploration and new frontiers, a set of goals for future generations, advances in technologies, and the economic benefits of commercial uses of new technologies. To a lesser degree this is true of all space exploration, but it is most prominent when humans are involved. Space exploration in the early twenty-first century requires the commitment and resources of a government and the political considerations and agreements that this entails. Thus the decision to use humans is often dominated by societal issues. One motivation for society deciding to explore space with humans is simply the excitement we all share for that exploration."

My analysis: This shows that robots are costly now but in future it can be sell in malls like Walmart, Target . Advance technology can help sharing of new exploration and new frontiers to set a goal for future generation. human society have social issue of  space exploration in the early twenty-first century requires the commitment and resources of government and the political considerations and agreements that this entails. Thus the decision to use humans is often dominated. It can only fixed by future technologies for example ,One motivation for society deciding to explore space with humans is simply the excitement we all share for that exploration. what if we switch place human with robot for space research.

Synergistic Robotic-Human Exploration: "Once it is decided to use humans in a particular exploration task, the next question is how machines, including robots, are used to make tasks easier, safer, more effective, and cheaper. Each specific exploration goal leads to different answers to this question. For example, if we are robotic ally setting up a Mars or lunar base prior to human arrival, then the specifics of what robots and how they are used depends crucially on the details of those habitats.          The robotic augmentation of humans is a recurring theme in science fiction. For example, astronauts donning an exoskeleton suit to augment their strength, as the character Ellen Ripley did in the movie Aliens, is a non-invasive human augmentation that will probably be available in space missions in the not too distant future. As we explore our solar system we will first send our robotic machines and then explore ourselves. And as we go about exploring space ourselves it will always be in a partnership with robots. The goal is to use robots to make space exploration easier, safer, more effective, and cheaper. The answer to the question of whether to send robots or humans is "both" and each at their proper time."

My analysis:The robotic augmentation of humans is a recurring theme in science fiction. For example, astronauts donning an exoskeleton suit to augment their strength, as the character Ellen Ripley did in the movie Aliens, is a non-invasive human augmentation that will probably be available in space missions in the not too distant future. Future robot technology can help to prevent human lives as well as research.

Media Contributions to Sport's teams success

How does Professional Sports team’s success rely on media contributions?

 

https://www.boucherco.com/social-media-audit-major-league-baseball/

          

              Main Factors: the media plays a large role in contributing to a team’s success because of its ability to inform people on upcoming games.

                               

                Every day when we turn on the T.V. whether it’s to watch our favorite show, Espn Sports, or the Food channel, we always run across commercials where the media is working their best to show news or important announcements. In sports, especially when watching popular sport’s show like “ESPN First Take”, “Pardon the Interruption”, or “Around the horn”, there are always commercials on upcoming games for so-called “Primetime” games, which are games that are nationally broadcasted. There are some teams that are more fortunate to others that are granted more nationally viewed games, which allows those teams to be nationally recognized through commercials about the upcoming game and the game itself.

         In the article "http://www.teachpe.com/gcse_society/media.php" , the positive affects media has on sports is determined through key variables. In order for the media to be involved within the promotion of the sports teams and popular, nationally broadcasted games, it must take in part by showing and announcing to people the game in every way possible. One of the most popular ways the media views sport’s teams is through the T.V. and radio. Through the T.V. and Radio, people are able to watch mostly all games and competitions. Other popular ways the media is able to promote sports to people is through the internet, including popular websites like “ESPN.com” or “Fox Sports”, magazines, including popular subscriptions like “Sports Illustrated” or “Golf”, and newspapers, including popular columns like “Chicago Tribune Sports” or “Atlanta Sports”. Through these key ways of promotion, the media is able to help sports teams make large amounts of money through media companies paying the rights to show a sporting event. 

Ultimately, the most valuable effect the media has on different sport’s teams is inspiration. The media is able to bring sports to people that may not normally have a chance to experience a sports game. Once people are introduced to watching a sport’s team, they are usually inspired then to become a fan and follow their favorite team. Fan support is crucial in helping all ends of a franchise organization. The more fans a team has, the better it is for their organization which helps their team out financially and on a success rate, and it all starts with the media’s ability to contribute and promote sport’s teams and games to people.

The media is shown to affect all sides of team’s success. Without the media to promote and portray news regarding a sport’s game for a team, people would not be informed, leading to less fans in a team’s organization. Ultimately, a team’s success relies on media contributions.

                                Future Research: In what ways do Sponsorships acquired to teams expand the popularity of a team’s Franchise?

http://www.teachpe.com/gcse_society/media.php

Post ACL Surgery-The Aftermath

Post ACL Surgery-The Aftermath


For most, if not all people, a full recovery from an ACL surgery is almost impossible, that is why there are limits to what a person can do after he/she goes through ACL surgery.

Source Link: http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index

According to AAOS(American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, http://www.aaos.org/news/aaosnow/nov13/cover1.asp) in their article "Impact of ACL Surgery", it is tough to slow down after an ACL tear and reconstruction, but it is important to allow the articular cartilage of the tibia and the tissue used to reconstruct your ACL to heal completely. It is not always easy to judge when those tissues are ready to handle the stress and strain of running. Pain is a good marker, but not always precise for judging tissue readiness. I had a cadaver graft for my reconstruction, so it was a given that it would take about a year to revitalize the graft tissue to the level that I could consider it a functioning part of me. Ligaments like the ACL are dynamic tissues and when stressed to the level of injury will repair and maintain length. When a ligament is not “vital,” a stretch will remain without recovering the original length, so you are stuck with a longer than intended structure and a less stable joint. 

As a result, the amount an ACL is torn, and based on the person and how their body is structured also play as factors into how well they're able to transition into playing sports/physical activity prior to ACL surgery.  Athletes such as Derrick Rose struggle to maintain a perfect ACL recovery because he plays basketball at the most elite level, so re-injury is more likely to occur therefore making his ACL more fragile.

Future Research:  Is an athlete able to return to playing sports/should return to playing sports after re-injuring an ACL?

The Great Depression and Boxing

During the late 1920s through much of the 1930s, the economy in the United States was in a poor state, and boxing was not immune to these difficult times. With unemployment higher than ever before, people were less willing to spend money on boxing matches and therefore many fighters retired to other jobs where they could earn a higher wage.

In this brief essay I will examine and analyze the effects that the economy in the 1930s had on the popularity and profitability of boxing through numerous sources. I also intend to share my opinions and beliefs on the topic. Overall, boxing and the fighters took a hard hit from the depression, however, boxing also resembled hope for many which helped to combat the arduous situation.

Cinderella Man

Against popular belief and according to the article “Cinderella Man” by Aqsa Zafar, “Boxing popularity grew significantly during the Great Depression. Boxing committees knew they would always have a crowd for their championship matches because boxing appealed to all classes. Boxing was an escape for those suffering from the Great Depression.” People turned to boxing as a source of relief from their hardships as it was cheap and fulfilling at the time. The more people had to endure, the greater popularity and support boxing would acquire. The profitability of boxing was struggling though at this time when the popularity was rising. Nobody has as much money to spend as in the 20s, this includes politicians and business owners. Boxing “ became a social event for many politicians, business executives and social leaders who wanted to be seen at these championship fights with their ladies in hand.” However, they did not have the same incentive or opportunity to attend as the previous decade which resulted in a lack of funds for the sport.

As the economy was able to recover though, so was boxing, and this is what I will discuss in the next blog post.

Possibilities, Punishments, and Poachers

Poachers bring out some of the worst of human nature. How are poachers punished, and more importantly, are the punishments enough? On a general scale, one can guess that laws and penalties have deterred many average criminals from committing crimes such as theft or arson. Poachers are different from these types of criminals because killing elephants or rhinos can be so rewarding to them. In an article from ProQuest Research Library, Washington Post reporter Darryl Fears interviews an analyst who states that poachers are usually fined when they are caught with ivory, “but the value of the goods is much higher than the fine." Many believe that this fine should be increased, as it sometimes seems that it is ineffective against poachers. On the other hand, the fines will still significantly cut any monetary gains that were made on the horns or tusks. An increase in the fines would be a great help to deter poachers, but for now, they may return to poaching yet again because the reward is still greater than the risk.

A poacher. Source: theafricachannel.com

            On the contrary, some areas have taken steps to absolutely ensure that poachers do not return. Though severe, some countries impose a “zero-tolerance” policy with poaching and may kill offenders on the spot. Rangers hope that this will send a message to other poachers and will help deter them from committing the crime. In February 2013, “South African law enforcement officials killed 279 Mozambique citizens involved in poaching," according to the same article. This is a very large number of poachers who were killed in only one year from one country, but it seems to be an effective way to send a message and ensure that poachers do not continue with their actions. Not all countries have come to a point that poachers need to be killed, but some are coming close. Though harsh, the action is another beneficial step to stop the brutal act of animal poaching in Africa. Although this problem may continue on, it is imperative to do as much as possible to prevent it. If poaching stopped completely, what effect would it have on various economies that buy the animals' goods?

Where Do People Poach, Anyways?

Source: mit.edu

You don't see a lot of poaching in the US, and that is because there are more wildlife animals available in Africa and too many protections in the U.S. Although nearly all African countries experience poaching to some degree, only a few have very severe cases. In this light, which ones have the largest poaching problems? Poachers are found in locations with large populations of valuable animals. Many poacher gangs have been formed in the countries that are most densely populated with rhinoceroses or elephants. The gangs take advantage of the amount of these animals and often kill them in large numbers. An article from ProQuest Research Database, "Dying Horns of Africa," highlights where this is occurring. As made clear by the shrinking number of rhinos, the growth of “organized gangs has devastated Zimbabwe’s rhino population and threatens to wipe out South Africa’s critically endangered black rhinos within a decade." Because of the large amount of rhinos located there, these two countries are centers of gang activity and participation in poaching is at an all-time high. Other African countries often have isolated cases of poachers, but the extent to which animals are killed in Zimbabwe and South Africa are above all others.

South Africa has a particularly extreme amount of poaching, even more so than its neighbor Zimbabwe. In recent years, the country has seen a severe increase in the amount of poaching that takes place. South Africa is home to a vast amount of animals, including rhinos, elephants, and gorillas, all of which used to live there rather safely. The high population of rhinos has thrived there for many years, but in recent times they have experienced death rates like never before. 

With this being said, how can poaching be prevented?