'Thank You for Smoking' Reflection

The movie 'Thank You for Smoking' invites an often-ignored conversation about the marketing of controversial vices. The film tackles the topic of cigarette advertising through the viewpoint of Nick Naylor, a star employee at The Academy of Tobacco Studies. Nick, with his fierce manipulation skills, uses his charm to change the game for cigarette advertising. However, tension between his professional duty and loyalty to his family comes into question as the stakes rise in the industry. In the end, family trumps professional gain as Nick ultimately quit his job to demonstrate that monetary gain and fame are not worth the cost of being a good father to his son. A similar conversation needs to be had about the world today.

From casinos around every corner to sports gambling apps flooding the app store, the addictive act of gambling has found its home in modern society. Something as seemingly harmless as a wager or a bet has infiltrated its way into the big leagues alongside alcohol and tobacco. What's worse is that gambling is so readily accessible and marketed to people of all ages, kids and adults alike.

Gambling isn't something that appears to be an immediate threat. Placing a bet on a game with friends or simply wanting to have another go at the claw machine, these short bursts of adrenaline that come from the chance of a gamble are viewed by most as nothing more than a hobby. The problem does not come from the act itself, but rather the effects it has on an individual. When the stakes become high, the "big hit" seems to be right around the corner, no matter the amount of losses. 

Casinos nowadays are dens of sin. Not only do they promote gambling, but they also work alongside alcohol and tobacco products that circulate the premises to keep their customers hooked to the false utopia they have created. But that begs the question: what's so wrong with casinos being a place where adults can gamble, smoke, and drink if they are doing so legally? Aren't adults allowed to indulge in their own free will, however they choose? Technically, yes. But it should also be noted that approximately 5 million adults in the U.S. struggle with some sort of gambling addiction that has left detrimental effects not only on their lives, but on the lives of their families and loved ones. 

Sports and online gambling are everywhere: TV commercials, word of mouth amongst friends, and plastered all over the app store. Gambling has become as accessible as possible. As of 2025, 39 U.S. states have legalized sports betting, and that number will only continue to rise. Once again, not much harm comes from an infrequent, casual bet. But once someone starts to sacrifice the things that matter, that's when gambling becomes a major problem. Gambling has also infiltrated mobile games in an overwhelming amount. Elements like surprise packs or roulettes for prizes instill in even the tiniest of ways that replicate a feeling that leaves one wanting more. 

There's an ongoing battle between gambling advertisements and counterbalancing the potential damage they have on people. There is a fine line between what is right and what is wrong. In the end, people are free to make their own decisions based on their individual judgment. However, that doesn't mean that you shouldn't educate yourself on the dangers of such an easily addictive enterprise. We are surrounded by vices that have been manipulated into appearing virtuous. Large corporations prey on the most susceptible in the population and target their weaknesses. To avoid falling into any traps, we should assess for ourselves the cost that gambling comes with and learn to maintain a balance between pleasure and responsibility. 

EOTO: Carrier Pigeons

Carrier pigeons were one of the first success stories in communication history. Often undermined, these talented birds were trusted with the delivery of important messages for centuries. In some cases, their bravery was rewarded on a military level. It is a fact that we would not be the interconnected society of cellphones and instant messaging without them. 

The earliest use of carrier pigeons was recorded in Ancient Egypt around 1350 BCE. Back then, the pigeons would send word of major agricultural changes and serve military leaders as they sought to conquer faraway lands. Soon enough, Greece joined the party and used carrier pigeons to announce the winners of the Olympic Games. 

Despite common belief, these birds were used more modernly as well. Carrier pigeons played a large role in the Siege of Paris during the Franco-Prussian War in 1870. The city was cut off from the outside world, preventing any individual from passing and alerting those outside the gates. But, luckily enough, a carrier pigeon was able to be secretly exported past the gates and carry with it word from inside the fortress. A new technique was born during this time: microfilm. The microfilm process consisted of photographing documents and shrinking them to a smaller size, thus storing more information on a single piece of film. This way, more messages were capable of being delivered on one bird. 

Carrier pigeons, also referred to as homer pigeons or messenger pigeons, are the product of the interbreeding of the rock pigeon. Due to their calm nature and immaculate navigation skills, this breed of pigeon allowed for simple domestication and accurate message delivery over long distances. They used the sun's position as a compass and the Earth's magnetic field astoguide them on their journey. They also have an amazing smell that they can use to differentiate certain cues. These birds can fly for about 600-700 miles in a day at speeds up to 60-80 mph. 

Throughout history, carrier pigeons have been the saving grace for many struggling to communicate due to a number of different reasons. During 
World War I, radio communication was commonly intercepted by the enemy, which made warning one another of dangerous attacks nearly impossible. However, due to carrier pigeons, they had the ability to evade on-ground warfare and avoid being hijacked by enemy forces, successfully delivering important warnings that resulted in many lives being saved. A famous example is of the pigeon Cher Ami that, despite being wounded in the heat of battle, successfully completed her mission and saved countless lives in the process. Carrier pigeons also assisted the Navy by transporting messages from ships onto the shore when there were plane crashes and all other methods of communication had failed. 

These birds of flight have had one of the strongest roles in evolving communication technology, as it is known in the modern world. Carrier pigeons were one of the most reliable methods of communication at their time, unaffected by certain natural disasters and human error. These pigeons have been trusted time and time again to deliver important messages with accuracy and reliability. It is true that carrier pigeons are not used nearly as often as they were in the past. However, it is also a fact that we would be nowhere close to the level of communication we have today without their resilience and bravery.