Saturday, December 28, 2019

Essay on U.S. National Debt - 551 Words

U.S. National Debt The U.S. national debt has reached an alarming proportion. As it steadily increases, its effect may not be felt now, but it will be in the future. Paul Gregory and Roy ruffin, in their book entitled Economics, linked deficits with inflation in the long run (251). Demand-side inflation of this type fails to increase the GDP, but instead just increases prices. Continuous increases in prices do not benefit the country or future generations. Also entitlements, such as Social Secriuty and Medicaid, now engulf a large percent of the deficit. Figures from the article The Entitlement Quaqmire (http://www.europa.com/~blugene/deficit/entitlements.html) concluded that Social Secruity was the largest†¦show more content†¦Sure, the Keynesian approach did prove valuable during the Great Depression; however, even Keynes had a limits on this type of spending. Keynes said that during productive time surpluses should be run to balance out the deficits. However, with lags in the use of fiscal policy and the fact that the government has many incentives to spend then cut, deficits are ths majority. In Gregory and Ruffins book, they site that since the 1960s there has only been three!instances (small ones at that) of surpluses in the total government (180). Right now these deficits are not a problem because the rate in the growth of the income is greater than the rate at which the debt increases, but there is no guarentee this will continue so the growth of the debt must be in check now. A balanced budget plan must be inacted to restrict the governmental bias toward spending to generate a few more surpluses that eventually will balance the deficits incurred. The terms of the balanced budget must cover a range of years, not a yearly proposal, so that an expansionary fiscal policy in the face of a severe recession can be used. Cuts must be made in the budget, but more important the choices for where the money will go must beShow MoreRelatedU.s National Debt And History1304 Words   |  6 PagesUS national debt and history The national debt of US is the amount owed by the federal government. In the past decade, $12.7 trillion have been added to the US national debt and at the end of fiscal year of 2016, the amount is expected to be approximately $22.4 trillion including federal, state and local. Debt per citizen will be over $63.000 and debt per taxpayer is about $163.000. The largest budget is medical care which is about $1.5 trillion and mostly introduced by Obama’s administration andRead MoreThe U.s. National Debt1129 Words   |  5 Pages The U.S. national debt is currently $18 trillion dollars and it is rising fast. The national debt today is the highest the U.S. has ever seen. In George Washington’s Farewell Address, he declared the U.S. should avoid going into debt. If the nation end up in a deficit, that the debtors were responsible for paying off the debt so that it doesn’t burden the future generations. Like the rest of this advice in his Farewell Address, the nation ign ored it. The ideal goal right now should be to stop theRead MoreThe U.s. National Debt1650 Words   |  7 Pages The U.S. national debt is very large at more than three-quarters the size of the economy—and growing federal spending, especially on entitlements, is quickly driving the debt to damaging levels. Federal spending was about 23 percent of the GDP in 2012—far above the historical average of 20.2 percent. It is projected to surge to nearly 36 percent in less than one generation. The government debt must be limited in some way or else our economy will face devastating consequences. The government debtRead MoreU.s. National Debt, And Overseas Outsourcing1853 Words   |  8 PagesOne of the biggest questions facing America today is if it is ready for Globalization. I believe that we are not ready for a variety of reasons, but there are a few that stand out in my mind. The top factors concerning the U.S. are ineffective nature of Congress, U.S. national debt, and o verseas outsourcing. I want to first begin with our federal government. It is ineffective and inefficient for a number of reasons. The first starts with the ineffective nature of Congress. Although there has been aRead MoreThe Current Total U.s. National Debt1070 Words   |  5 PagesGovernment Spending 1. What is the current total U.S. National Debt? ïÆ'Ëœ The current total U.S. National Debt is: 18,150,545,316,215 (Get Involved 2015). 2. In what year did debt as a percentage of GDP achieve record highs? How high was it? Based on current projections when will debt reach that share of GDP again? ïÆ'Ëœ The year the debt percentage of the GDP achieved record highs was 1946, at 106.1. (Get Involved 2015). The debt will reach that share of GDP again in approximately 2031 (Get InvolvedRead MoreThe U.S. National Debt and Selected Reduction Plans and Interest Group Positions2037 Words   |  9 Pageswas the measure of the public debt at last count in January 2012 (The Bureau of Public Debt). Even at the current higher-than-average national average gas price of $3.51 that could buy more than four trillion gallons of gas (Pankratz). That’s enough gasoline to drive a Hummer H2 around the equator of the Earth one hundred and seventy-five million times. It is also 31 times the U.S. yearly consumption of gasoline(U.S. Department of Energy). The ratio of government debt held by the public to currentRead MoreThe Problem Of A Good Job1644 Words   |  7 Pagesbut to all the citizens out there who s earned degrees and still without work would beg to differ knowing it s not as easy as it sounds. According to (Shahien Nasiripour’s, Politics) unpaid student debt is at an all-time high of 1.3 trillion dollars. That s roughly 8 percent of the national Debt! There s such a drive for the chase of the â€Å"American Dream† people aren t considering the outcomes of taking these loans to get into school only to find themselves right back where they started. If aRead MoreTrump And The Political World1013 Words   |  5 Pages However, are the American people sure why? I believe Trump is leading in the polls due to his interest in the United States’ national debt. Although one way Trump is planning to rid our debt is by cutting into US citizens’ tax returns, I believe Donald Trump has the political world wrapped around his finger because of his initiative and courage with ridding the US debt. The American people should be able to see the overall picture of what Trump is aiming for. It is a brighter future for all involvedRead MoreThe National Debt Of The United States2290 Words   |  10 PagesThe National debt of the United States has increased at a rate of over one trillion dollar per year for the last 10 years. The main culprit behind the rising federal deficits and debt is the growing federal spending on programs like Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and the Patient Protections and Affordable Act (Obamacare). Currently, the national debt exceeds $18 trillion dollars. That amounts to more than $58,000 for each person who lives in the U.S. today (including children). Some sayRead MoreAmerican Charity Organizations : America s Stand Point On The Ordeal1290 Words   |  6 Pagescountries, but what about the detrimental issues that occur and worsen here every day? In the pa st, the majority of organizations are predominantly directed at foreign countries; helping places such as Ethiopia, India, Somalia, etc. While here, poverty and debt are increasing by surmountable amounts. Charities for other regions are beneficial, but shouldn’t people here be first priority? The majority of problems have the potential to be easily fixed. What happens when we have nothing left to give? If the

Friday, December 20, 2019

Research on the Legalization of Marijuana Essay examples

Research on the Legalization of Marijuana Americans have been trying to legalize marijuana for years. It seems that all of their opinions divide into three basic groups. Many think that it is not worth legalizing marijuana, many seem to think it should be legalized, and a group of people say it should only be legalized for medicinal purposes. In the following paragraphs I will try to show you reason for all three opinions. My hopes of doing this research project were to specifically determine what effects marijuana in combination with different substances had on the body. I also decided to determine the differences between marijuana and tobacco, due to the high misconceptions about both of them in society today. First of all, I†¦show more content†¦Marijuana usually does not contain more than 1 percent of THC. There are stronger drugs related to THC, such as hash oil, which can contain up to a 28 percent THC level. There have been some cases where street marijuana has been found to contain up to 5 percent THC content. That is very potent for normal marijuana, and is probably very hard to come by in the United States. Other countries seem to use different forms of THC related drugs such as hashish, and hemp. Both of these contain more THC than marijuana. As far as long term effects of tobacco and marijuana go, they are about the same. Cancer should appear in the lungs of a tobacco-user earlier due to the amount the tobacco-user smokes in relation to a normal marijuana smoker. There have been many assumptions that marijuana will cause long term brain damage and so on, but, clinically, none of this has ever been proven. In fact, in a college survey, the students who use the drug regul arly possessed a higher GPA than those who do not use. This is an entire different subject, but it was interesting to learn. Both tobacco and marijuana contain tar. Marijuana contains a little more and will actually feel heavier on the lungs after smoking. Tar has been found to produce tumors on the skin of animals that it is applied to. Cancer has definitely been related toShow MoreRelatedResearch Essay on Legalization of Marijuana1979 Words   |  8 PagesLegalization of Marijuana: Risky or Beneficial? Tammy Russ COM/156 January 15, 2012 Dierdre McKee Legalization of Marijuana A random telephone poll conducted by CBS News in October 2011 revealed that 77% of those polled believe that doctors should be allowed to prescribe marijuana for serious illnesses. This compares to 65% just one year prior (ProCon.org, 2011). Popular opinion that marijuana should be legalized for medicinal purposes is shifting as the positive aspects of enactingRead MoreLegalization of Marijuana Research Paper1726 Words   |  7 PagesMarijuana is a very popular drug that many people have used. Over 98 million people over the age of 12 in the United States have smoked marijuana. It is known under many different names such as: weed, bud, ganja, hashish, doobie, reefer, mary-jane and grass. It plays quite a substantial role in modern day pop culture and almost everyone over the age of 16 knows what it is. Despite all this, marijuana is illegal and in most states a person can be sent to jail for the possession of less than a gramRead MoreMarijuana Legalization Research Paper2751 Words   |  12 PagesShould Marijuana be legalized in the U.S.? Grass, skunk, kush, mary jane, chronic: just a few of the slang terms for Marijuana. Marijuana (of Indian origin) is the brown, green and gray assimilation of dried leaves, seeds, and stems. This plant is the most commonly abused illicit drug in the United States of America, and the third most used recreational drug behind only tobacco and alcohol. It has been used by nearly 100 million Americans. According to government surveys, some 25 million AmericansRead MoreResearch Paper Marijuana Legalization2495 Words   |  10 PagesAbstract Marijuana is the people’s drug of choice; it’s the most popular drug of all the drugs. Made famous in movies (Cheech and Chong), hit an all-time boom in the 60’s when smoke to rebel against law enforcement. It is popular even though it is illegal in the United States; I explain in this paper why we should take advantage of its popularity and help our struggling economy. How we can use the way Amsterdam regulates its recreational marijuana, and implement it in the United States. ViolenceRead MoreLegalization of Marijuana: A Controversial Research Topic3448 Words   |  14 Pagesï » ¿Legalization  Marijuana   Table of Contents Marketing of Two Brands based on Consumer Buying Behavior Models 3 History/Background 3 Different forms of Marijuana/how is it integrated 6 Long term health issues if any 7 Arguments for Legalization 9 Arguments against legalization 10 Other Countries approaches to legalization of marijuana 11 What is your position on this issue and why 11 References 12 Marketing of Two Brands based on Consumer Buying Behavior Models History/Background Read MoreSupport For Marijuana Legalization Against First Age1035 Words   |  5 PagesMethodology In conducting my research, I utilized data from the 2012 National Election Survey, which includes data vital to my research. NES2012 data produced information regarding both levels of support for the legalization of marijuana as well as three separate age categories (1) 17-39 (2) 40-59 and (3) 60-older. It is worth noting that since the data was collected in 2012 opinions have been bound to shift, specifically in states which have seen statewide recreational legalization, however for the functionRead MoreLegalizing Marijuana in the U.S. Essay1344 Words   |  6 PagesRunning head: LEGALIZATION OF Legalization of Marijuana: A hot topic Tonie J. Moutra GEN 499 Dr. Curt Sobolewski November 26, 2012 The legalization of marijuana for recreational usage could may be a new trend in America but the Federal government will likely oppose usage through the end of time. The Drug Enforcement Administrations (DEA) stance is that marijuana is an illegal drug and that using this drug whether for medicinal or recreational purposes is illegalRead MoreThe Social Benefits of Legalization of Marijuana1459 Words   |  6 Pagesgive the definition of Marijuana that is important for my research. â€Å"Marijuana is a mixture of leaves, stems and flowering tops of the hemp plant.†(Marijuana, 317). Today in most countries soft narcotics and especially narcotics like marijuana are illegal. Marijuana is a misunderstood drug that is thought of as dangerous but it isn’t. Because of people’s ignorance and gullibility marijuana has become illegal for all the wrong reasons and should be re-examined for legalization. Society today cannotRead MoreMarijuana Decriminalization and Legalizat ion636 Words   |  3 PagesThe validity of marijuana decriminalization (and even legalization) is illustrated in the following analysis of the social, fiscal, political, and medical attributes and conceptions associated with the drug. Marijuana has been used for thousands of years, in 2008; archeologists discovered over two pounds of cannabis in a 2,700-year-old grave of a shaman found in Central Asia. (Armentano, 1) Should marijuana be legalized or at least decriminalized in America? The following information may give theRead MoreLegalization Of Marijuana And The State Of Arizona903 Words   |  4 Pages Legalization of Marijuana in Arizona The Legalization of Marijuana in the state of Arizona has been under fire for the past several years. Ever since 2010 when Prop 203, which called the right to have a medical marijuana card in the state, arose it caused a stir in society on which to allow marijuana to be legal. The ballot for the state is set in November and as we approach the deadline many people are coming out with their takes on the issue. The legalization of marijuana has many positive

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Introduction to the Scientific Method Essay Example For Students

Introduction to the Scientific Method Essay Introduction to the Scientific Method Essay The scientific method is the process by which scientists, collectively and over time, endeavor to construct an accurate (that is, reliable, consistent and non-arbitrary) representation of the world. Recognizing that personal and cultural beliefs influence both our perceptions and our interpretations of natural phenomena, we aim through the use of standard procedures and criteria to minimize those influences when developing a theory. As a famous scientist once said, Smart people (like smart lawyers) can come up with very good explanations for mistaken points of view. In summary, the scientific method attempts to minimize the influence of bias or prejudice in the experimenter when testing an hypothesis or a theory. I. The scientific method has four steps 1. Observation and description of a phenomenon or group of phenomena. 2. Formulation of an hypothesis to explain the phenomena. In physics, the hypothesis often takes the form of a causal mechanism or a mathematical relation. 3. Use of the hypothesis to predict the existence of other phenomena, or to predict quantitatively the results of new observations. 4. Performance of experimental tests of the predictions by several independent experimenters and properly performed experiments. If the experiments bear out the hypothesis it may come to be regarded as a theory or law of nature (more on the concepts of hypothesis, model, theory and law below). If the experiments do not bear out the hypothesis, it must be rejected or modified. What is key in the description of the scientific method just given is the predictive power (the ability to get more out of the theory than you put in; see Barrow, 1991) of the hypothesis or theory, as tested by experiment. It is often said in science that theories can never be proved, only disproved. There is always the possibility that a new observation or a new experiment will conflict with a long-standing theory. II. Testing hypotheses As just stated, experimental tests may lead either to the confirmation of the hypothesis, or to the ruling out of the hypothesis. The scientific method requires that an hypothesis be ruled out or modified if its predictions are clearly and repeatedly incompatible with experimental tests. Further, no matter how elegant a theory is, its predictions must agree with experimental results if we are to believe that it is a valid description of nature. In physics, as in every experimental science, experiment is supreme and experimental verification of hypothetical predictions is absolutely necessary. Experiments may test the theory directly (for example, the observation of a new particle) or may test for consequences derived from the theory using mathematics and logic (the rate of a radioactive decay process requiring the existence of the new particle). Note that the necessity of experiment also implies that a theory must be testable. Theories which cannot be tested, because, for instance, they have no observable ramifications (such as, a particle whose characteristics make it unobservable), do not qualify as scientific theories. If the predictions of a long-standing theory are found to be in disagreement with new experimental results, the theory may be discarded as a description of reality, but it may continue to be applicable within a limited range of measurable parameters. For example, the laws of classical mechanics (Newtons Laws) are valid only when the velocities of interest are much smaller than the speed of light (that is, in algebraic form, when v/c .

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Comparative Catcher in The Rye vs. Igby Go Essay Example For Students

Comparative Catcher in The Rye vs. Igby Go Essay es DownComparative EssayThe Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger and Igby Goes Down by Burr Steers are both displayed as rites of passage texts. The respective protagonists of these two texts are Igby Slocumb and Holden Caulfield. These two characters are both on a journey motif, a journey of self discovery in which they both attempt to find meaning in life and understand societies values and attitudes. The two protagonists demonstrate non-conformity and rebel against the apparent hypocrisy present in their respective societies. Hypocrisy can be defined as the difference between illusion and reality, in accordance to society it can be seen as people who are not who they appear to be, people who apply a facade. This hypocrisy is present in schools, families, and in peoples values and relationships. Igbys non-conformist behaviour is evident through his values and beliefs, his appearance, wardrobe and lighting present whilst viewing the text. Whereas Holdens rebellion is demonstrated thr ough symbolism throughout the text, stream of consciousness and his ideals. Holden and Igby are both on existential journeys, in which they desire to find their place in society. The hypocrisy present in the corresponding texts of The Catcher In The Rye and Igby Goes Down is manifested through Holdens ideals and Igbys values and beliefs. The language of Igby clearly reveals how he feels towards the concept of hypocrisy, he despises it. Holden loathes people who he says are phony or fake. Igbys hate of hypocrisy can be exhibited through this quote The captain of the morality team invites his chic to the same party as his wife and then later on embrace your moral hypocrisy, D.H., go for it.. D.H. is Igbys godfather/father and is often seen as Igbys lifeline back into society, D.H. is presented as a wealthy, honest and hard-working man but this is just a facade which Igby peals away to reveal the true form of D.H., a fake. These two quotations confirm the way Igby detests the hypocrisy of society, this time evident in a relationship. Holden displays his hate for hypocrisy by the way he is forever commenting on how people are phony and how they put on a facade. T here are many instances in which Holden explores his animosity towards phonies, for instance he often comments on why the people are applauding a musical performance and cannot understand why people would desire to be actors. In a way Holden is hypocritical himself. Holden says Im the most terrific liar you ever saw in your life. Its awful. If Im on my way to the store to buy a magazine, even, and somebody asks me where Im going, Im liable to say Im going to the opera. Its terrible. By Holden admitting to his lying habits, he provides the responder with reason to believe that he applies a facade by expressing false pretences. This quotation also provides the audience with reason to think that Holden is not mentally healthy; this literary technique is called foreshadowing. The rebellious attitudes demonstrated by both Holden and Igby represent their attitudes to the concept of hypocrisy. Igby and Holden have similar values and beliefs which reject this idea of illuding reality. Holde n rejects all materialistic value and success which corroborates with Igbys attitudes in rejecting the American Dream in which his Godfather, D.H., has achieved. Neither of these two characters view, so called success, the way that the rest of society does. Another aspect of the respective texts is how the two protagonists display their individuality in order to separate themselves from everyone else, they desire to be unique. This perception of reality is articulated through the symbolism in The Catcher In The Rye and the wardrobe and lighting features utilised throughout the movie Igby Goes Down. Holdens red hunting hat becomes inseparable from the image of Holden. This hat is perceived as a symbol of his uniqueness and personality. The hat is outlandish, and it shows that Holden desires to be different from everyone around him. At the same time, he is very self-conscious about the hat. He always mentions when he is wearing it, and he often doesnt wear it if he is going to be around people he knows. The presence of this red hunting hat mirrors the central idea present in the text. Holdens need for alienation versus his need for companionship, which in a sense is a paradoxical statement, as in order to achieve acceptance through compan ionship, isolation of ones self must be eliminated. Another key symbol in The Catcher In The Rye is the museum of natural history. Holden mentions how he loves the museum and subconsciously desires society to mirror the ideals of this museum. This is present through the quote The best thing, though, in that museum was that everything always stayed right where it was. Nobodyd move. . . . Nobodyd be different. The only thing that would be different would be you.. The responder, earlier in the novel, has already experienced that Holden cant deal with conflict, confusion, and change. The museum presents him with a vision of life he can understand, a life that is frozen, silent, and always the same. The museum is perceived as Holdens safe haven from hypocrisy and criticism. What is witnessed in the museum is factual and does not illude reality; Holden enjoys visiting the museum because it is in no way deceiving reality. The parallel to this in Igby Goes Down is how the lighting and wardr obe identify Igby to the audience. The use of the scarf always worn around Igbys neck is the equivalent to Holdens red hunting hat, both apparel demonstrate the uniqueness of the two characters central to the texts. One major scene in Igby Goes Down is where Rachel meets D.H. in a cafe. Rachel is dressed differently and the lighting projected on her is also altered. She dresses in white and dresses as more of a wife figure in an attempt for D.H. to accept her as more than his chic, the lighting focused on Rachel is also significant as it is increased to create a glow around her. The significance of Rachel wearing white is that it is a sign of purity and goodness. The hypocrisy in this scene comes when D.H. rejects the new way Rachel presents herself, Rachel presented herself as a female parallel to D.H. but D.H. rejects this new image and in doing so rejects all that he stands for. The rebellion to the ideal of deceit and hypocrisy is presented through the ways in which Holden and I gby define their individuality and do not conform to societys values. .u4bfce9de693a6133afeaea6548257688 , .u4bfce9de693a6133afeaea6548257688 .postImageUrl , .u4bfce9de693a6133afeaea6548257688 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u4bfce9de693a6133afeaea6548257688 , .u4bfce9de693a6133afeaea6548257688:hover , .u4bfce9de693a6133afeaea6548257688:visited , .u4bfce9de693a6133afeaea6548257688:active { border:0!important; } .u4bfce9de693a6133afeaea6548257688 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u4bfce9de693a6133afeaea6548257688 { 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; } .u4bfce9de693a6133afeaea6548257688:active , .u4bfce9de693a6133afeaea6548257688:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u4bfce9de693a6133afeaea6548257688 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u4bfce9de693a6133afeaea6548257688 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u4bfce9de693a6133afeaea6548257688 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u4bfce9de693a6133afeaea6548257688 .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; } .u4bfce9de693a6133afeaea6548257688:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u4bfce9de693a6133afeaea6548257688 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u4bfce9de693a6133afeaea6548257688 .u4bfce9de693a6133afeaea6548257688-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u4bfce9de693a6133afeaea6548257688:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: My Academic Accomplishments EssayThirdly Igby and Holden are both seen as mentally unstable people, as they grew up in a chaotic environment, due to this abnormality, present in The Catcher In The Rye comes the literary narrative style called stream of consciousness. This means, in literary terms, a technique that records the variety of thoughts and feelings of a character without regard to corresponding events and chronological order. The writer attempts, by the stream of consciousness, to reflect all the mental thoughts of a character at a single moment. Whereas in Igby Goes Down this abnormality and no-conformity is displayed through Igbys language of the text. An examp le of stream of consciousness in The Catcher In The Rye is when Holden talks about being a Catcher in the Rye this is evident in the quote Im standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliffI mean if theyre running and they dont look where theyre going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. Thats all Id do all day. Id just be the catcher in the rye and all.. This quote demonstrates how Holden portrays himself as the protector of childhood innocence from the phoniness and hypocrisy of the adult world. This fantasy reflects his innocence, his belief in pure, uncorrupted youth, and his desire to protect that spirit; but on the other hand, it represents his extreme disconnection from reality and his naive view of the world. Holdens disconnection form society is shown through stream of consciousness but Igbys is presented through his language. Igby is forever swearing and cursing at the hypocrisy in the s ociety surrounding him. This from of rebellion is Igbys most shown non-conformist behaviour. It demonstrates to the responder that Igby is a violent child and has been disaffected. Igby does not make the most of his opportunities, he lives in a bizarre environment and is experiencing a tough emotional journey. Holden and Igby are both rebellious, non-conformist youth who express the need for individuality and companionship, a somewhat paradoxical statement. They despise materialistic values and hypocrisy. They believe that they should be the ones who will save the innocence of children from the phoniness and hypocrisy of the adult world.