Sociology of Childhood Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Sociology of Childhood - Essay Example Browne (2011) defines the term â€Å"life chances† as an individual’s chances of getting access to all those things which are considered as desirable by the society and not being affected by all those things which are considered undesirable by the society. Similarly, in the opinion of Ferrante (2012), social class can be identified as the phenomenon in which an individual’s belonging to a section of society can influence their life chances. Thus, one has to infer that the term â€Å"life chances† indicates having access to at least good education, healthcare facilities, food, clothing and housing. An important point of Marx’s theory of social class is that the bourgeoisies, or the people who own the means of production, enjoy better social standing as they are powerful enough to impose their ideas on the proletariat (the working class). As the bourgeoisie class does not share the wealth justifiably, the difference in wealth between the working class and the bourgeoisie increases. Hence, the working class is deprived of the goods and services enjoyed by the bourgeoisie (Browne 2011). Similarly, Weber categorises the society into two groups; the negatively privileged property class and the positively privileged property class. The positively privileged class is blessed with marketable abilities, and hence is able to enjoy expensive consumer goods and better services. On the other hand, the other class has no marketable abilities, and hence, is deprived of good goods and services (Ferrante 2012). It is pointed out by a UK Government report that measuring child poverty is a difficult task because their life chances are influenced by a number of factors other than just income of the family. Some such dimensions to be included are material deprivation, worklessness, unmanageable debt, poor housing, parental skill level, access to quality education, family stability, and parental health (Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 2012) The Child

Romantic Imagination Essay Example for Free

Romantic Imagination Essay â€Å"The Creation of Adam† painted by Michelangelo in 1510, is one of the most beautiful and famous painting representing the Creation. It was painted on the ceiling of the Papal Sistine Chapel and is a masterpiece of High Renaissance art. It is a part of a larger scheme of decoration within the chapel, including various elements like a large fresco of The Last Judgement. Michelangelo demonstrated his skill in creating a huge variety of poses for the human figure, providing an influential pattern for other artists ever since. So at the time, it was not conventional. The technique employed was fresco. The colours are beautiful. It represents a metaphor of Humankind’s need for a covenant (accordo, convenzione) with God. Elohim creating Adam by William Blake is a colour print finished in pen and watercolour. It represents God creating the first human being. God is a supernatural being with wings, white hair and beard. He is bigger and stronger than him and very powerful. Adam, instead, seems a very weak and suffering creature. He is stretched on the ground. In the picture there is also a great worm that entwines Adam and symbolizes the world of pain and sorrow, the devils temptations and also the fact that the human being is linked to sin and corruption. Blake uses cold colours, dull, dismal and gloomy. The atmosphere is very sad. The shapes of the protagonists are distinct and sharp. All these things suggest the tension of the creation and also the energy of God. For Blake the creation is a suffering moment for the creature, a moment of tension, because the author has a pessimistic view of life. Adam is innocent, weak and destined to sin.

Technology in the Classroom Essay -- Technology Education

Computers play a large role in today’s society, inside and outside of classrooms. Like many forms of technology, they have the power to hinder students learning in achieving goals in higher education classrooms. In her essay Lest We Think the Revolution is a Revolution: Images of Technology and the Nature of Change, Cynthia Selfe, a Humanities Distinguished Professor at The Ohio State University, discusses the continuous argument about the effects that computers have on education due to change in technology. As a college student, I am able to closely relate to various statements she makes because I deal with these â€Å"issues† on a daily basis. Thus, the subject of computers in higher education classrooms is a controversial to many people. However, I do not believe that computer technology is a necessity in classrooms. While growing up, it is apparent that students have always had the opportunity to engage in technology in classrooms. As a child, I remember computers in the school library at a very young age. Therefore, I was able to type, search the web, and do various other things on a computer. However, one would think that as students progressed and advanced to higher grades that the technology would also advance and become more challenging however, it did not. Students have primarily been utilizing the same types of technology in classrooms for years on end and no problems have arisen from that. However, other forms of technology could potentially be useful in classrooms such as projectors, smart boards, and tools that teachers are familiar with to use. If new forms of technology are not a major necessity, why spend the money to buy them and the time on them? Also, if a student is not planning to make a career out of utilizing ... ...y. "Lest We Think the Revolution Is a Revolution: Images of Technology and the Nature of Change Cynthia Selfe." From Inquiry to Academic Writing: a Text and Reader. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2010. Print. Wurst, Christian, Claudia Smarkola, and Mary Anne Gaffney. "Ubiquitous Laptop Usage in Higher Education: Effects on Student Achievement, Student Satisfaction, and Constructivist Measures in Honors and Traditional Classrooms." Jan. 2008. Web. 16 July 2008.

Free College Essays - Sir Gawain and the Green Knight :: Sir Gawain Green Knight Essays

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight The poet begins his work by reminding us that the history of Britain is both ancient and glorious; Aeneas, whose deeds in the Trojan War are legendary, whose exploits in war are recorded in Virgil's Aeneid, and who is legendary for having founded the city of Rome after the Trojan War, was the ancestor of a man named Felix Brutus who founded Britain ("Britain" comes from "Brutus"). The most noble of the kings that followed Brutus was Arthur; the poet says that he intends to tell one of the wondrous tales of Arthur. One Christmas at Camelot, the king, his queen Guinevere, and the court gather for fifteen days of celebration. The best and noblest of people and activities are there: brave and famous men who compete in military games, beautiful and gracious ladies who play kissing games with the men. There is the most wonderful entertainment-dancing, feasting, singing. On New Year's Day, there is a tremendous feast at which all gather together. Arthur, young and impulsive, has a feast-day tradition, though, which has to be observed before the meal. He would not eat on such an occasion until he observed something marvelous: the telling of an amazing story, the fighting of a glorious battle, or the like. Arthur presides over the feast at the high table with Guinevere and Gawain and other famous knights as music plays and the food is brought in-so many delicacies and elaborate dishes that the poet says it would be impossible to describe them all. In the midst of the preparations for the feast, and as Arthur waits for a marvel to take place so that he can eat, a huge and terrible man bursts into the hall-a giant of a man, his chest and limbs are massive even while his proportions show him to be fit and attractive. The most shocking thing about him is that he was completely green. The poet spends most of the next three stanzas describing the Green Knight in detail; first, we learn of his clothing, trimmed in fur and embroidery, all green and gold. Then we learn that the horse he rides, the saddle, and the stirrups are all green. The man's long hair matches that of the horse, and he has a great, thick beard, also green.

The Role of Government and the Relationship Between the Individual and the State

Lara O’Gorman The legacy of an empire is defined by its ability to conquer and make a mark on society. Many people throughout history sought to create empires as a way to establish their power. Often when one looks at the wide spectrum of history, some empires only last a few hundred of years and then dwindle out. After their fall, their legacy does not continue and their history is loss to the ages. Without a legacy, Rome would have ceased to exist, and would not have carried it’s ideals to post-classical civilizations.Rome had a successful and functioning government that help established its power, grandeur, and impressive knowledge of the arts. Within society it is vital to have a dependable and structured government as to prevent uproar and rebellion. The importance of a stable and powerful government is portrayed in the literary work Lord of the Flies and the idealization of political rulers and the subordination of subjects is conveyed through the art pieces the B ronze Statue of the Emperor Trebonianus Gallus and the Marble Portrait of Marcus Aurelius.Rome is remembered as a vast empire that stood above all surrounding civilizations with pride and honor. Rome, at it’s highest point, was thought of as immortal and impenetrable. It was only until the gradual decay of the empire that people thought of it as mortal. Before the detrimental rippling stages of the fall of Rome, powerful rulers and structured government was instilled within the empire. Several of these powerful emperors kept Rome under their rule by subordinating their subjects and by enforcing political unity. Other rulers used tolerance and active roles in society to appeal to their subjects.One ruler, Marcus Aurelius ascended to the throne in 161 AD and was deemed a philosopher king that was different from his predecessors. His philosopher status is recorded through the common depiction of him in a toga and adorning a Greek-inspired beard. He was interested in rational thi nking and tolerated all different sects of religion. Some say that his openness was his downfall and that his optimistic view of all things caused him to allow one of Rome’s worst emperors into his line of heir. Aurelius had an active role in government and did not discriminate against lower class people moving up in the world.He allowed people that were fit for government job, no matter what class, to have a say. This demonstrates his thought on his subordinates and how he not afraid to converse and involve himself with them. His openness is reflected in the calm and composed face of the portrait and how he is wise and is making a noble decision. Marcus was a fierce ruler and a good general, despite Rome’s loss against the Germanic tribes in war. The toga in which is realistically draped over his torso can be interpreted as a general’s attire. The militaristic style of his clothing suggest that he is the protector and is a strong ruler.Marcus lived a life of lu xury and suffered little. His wealth enabled him to surround himself with items of luxury. The emperor of Rome usually had portrait busts of their ancestors within his palace, which communicates the important and high position Marcus Aurelius had within society. The portrait busts were usually idealized, which can be see in the flawless bust that communicates that Marcus Aurelius was a strong, intelligent, and wealthy ruler. A second ruler, whom in contrast used his power and authority to rule his subordinates, ascended to power after the death of Decius in 251 AD at the battle of Abrittus.There, Trebonianus Gallus took on the position of ruling the vast and expansionist civilization of Rome. The troops that Decius led claimed Trebonianus Gallus a suitable ruler due to his familiarity with the government and his influence as a senate member. Gallus, to prevent the Goths from attacking again, signed a peace treaty that stated he would pay yearly tribute to them. To demonstrate Gallus ’ power over his subjects and ability to make executive decisions, the bronze statue portrays his arm are outstretched. This gesture is common with giving commands and looking down upon subjects from a higher point in society.Once Gallus was instated as emperor, he found that his empire had become plague stricken and the Roman population was dropping. To gain admiration from his subjects he buried the dead plague victims properly and spared no expense. This action suggests a confident personality, which is further expressed in the facial expression. Gallus, however, was seen inept in all other political categories. He was indecisive about detrimental political decisions, which greatly affected the state. Due to Gallus’ lack of political leadership, rebellions sparked within the empire, causing Trebonianus to flee to the north with his troops.The facial expression of the statue could also be interpreted as oblivious to his political duties and to the betrayal he would s oon face. With the threat of defeat and possible death lingering over his army, Gallus was killed, along with his co-emperors. Trebonianus Gallus was not seen as a beneficial addition to the empire and caused a plethora of problems, along with a growing feeling of discontent within the empire. The lack of skills Trebonianus possessed called for the end of his life. Although Gallus lacked military skill, his statue portrait is portrayed with the hair and beard style that soldiers favored.This conveys how leaders were idealized as to express authority and the greatness of the empire. When the leader of a united group becomes corrupt and unfit to complete his role in government, the subjects take action into their own hands. If discontent rises, rebellion and removal of power are probable. The mutiny that occurred with the homocide of Gallus, greatly demonstrates the importance of having a competent and understanding ruler as well as how the state is strong enough to react to problems that greatly affect the state as a whole.The fall of the great Roman Empire can be credited to many factors, but what caused the empire to completely corrode was the invasion by barbarians. In 410 AD, the Visigoths were led by Alaric to Ravenna where they soon ransacked the city and caused Rome to finally surrender its title of immortal. Due to the empire being strained prior to the attacks because of corruption in government, loss of tradition, and an unskilled military, it was easy for Alaric to fulfill the prophecy of penetrating â€Å"the city. It was clear that after the invasion by the Visigoths, Rome would not come out of it alive and victorious. The lack of a stable and prosperous government was one of the main factors that enabled Alaric to conquer Rome, which conveys the vitality of a strong government head. Compared to the fall of Rome, the plot of the Lord of the Flies by William Golding further explains why it is essential to have a central authority and how lacking th is political aspect can cause the downfall of a civilization.The 1954 novel discusses the social perils that ensue amongst English school boys once authority is not there to advise them. The literary work commences with the introduction of a tall blonde boy named Ralph that is soon accompanied by the voice of reason known as Piggy. During the time it takes Piggy and Ralph to become acquainted, they both realize that there are no adults on the island where their plane has crashed. They are astonished by this information but they still ask the question â€Å"Aren’t there any grownups at all? † The only reply that can be uttered is â€Å"I don’t think so. At first this information excited them and they become full of independence zeal, but later throughout the novel they begin to realize that a stable figure head is needed in order to have society function properly. Within society on the island, order is centered around a conch shell. This shell has symbolic value of order, normality, and power. Whomever holds the shell has the power to speak and to be heard. Piggy finds the shell within the first couple of stages of the plot and Ralph eventually uses it to signal the other children that were spread around the island by the crash.When all the children gather round the conch, a political issue arises; Who will be leader? Between the two most influential people in the group, Ralph and the chorus leader, Jack, an election is held. To Ralph’s advantage, the children say â€Å"Let him be chief with the trumpet thing. † The children recognize the conch as a centralizing factor and they search for stability in their new lives on the island. As with most empires and groups, irrational actions and discontent began to grow due to fear, anger, and power struggles. Power is wanted by the chorus leader, Jack, who sees himself as the most capable leader.He wishes to be in control, so he seeks the most controlling role within the new society; a hunter. By being the leader of the hunting party, he controls life and death and to whom or what he damages. The fact that Jack becomes this strong blood-thirsty leader enables the group to break away and form a corrupt and independent kingdom on the island. Strife begins to arise and violent actions begin to break out as the quest for power comes to a head. One of the most dramatic scenes in the book is when Ralph and Piggy go to Jack’s fortress in search of peace and unity.This peaceful venture turns into a bloodbath when the conch is destroyed and Piggy is killed by a boulder that is pushed from a mountainside by a chaos-consumed boy named Roger. Piggy was trying to remind the boys of the importance of rescue and how unity and peace should exist between the boys, but due to the lack of a strong and noble government, chaos and violence rules the kingdom of Castle Rock. The conch was the only remaining symbol of unity and stability, and it was crushed under the weight of a rock, which symbolically can be interpreted as the pressures of society and pure bedlam in society.The dark side of man is portrayed in the actions of the boys at Castle Rock. Because of these actions, â€Å"Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man’s heart, and the fall through the air of a true, wise friend called Piggy. † At this point in the novel, society is out of control and unorganized. The perils of man and the way society becomes tumultuous and coercive communicates the need for a stable head of government. For without a functioning government, chaos is able to run rampant and disorganization can spread wildly. Government helps to instill organization and keeps the people at peace of mind.The government makes corporal decisions that are usually for keeping social rebellions at ease and to keep daily lives functioning. History demonstrates these points, whether it be through the art works or the literary works, but still manage to communicate the ideals and power of the ruler of the time. Whether it be for a demonstration of power or a depiction of what society is like when not controlled, the purpose of the portrayals is to call for the use of a stable government in order to make a legacy for the empire in which the ruler has sovereignty.

The Themes and Techniques of the Nunnery scene in Hamlet Essays

The Themes and Techniques of the Nunnery scene in Hamlet Essays The Themes and Techniques of the Nunnery scene in Hamlet Paper The Themes and Techniques of the Nunnery scene in Hamlet Paper Essay Topic: Literature The Sound and the Fury Hamlets true motives are questionable before he even enters into this fierce confrontation with Ophelia and by the time he storms out of it, we, the reader or audience, are left with very few answers. His manner, in particular his melancholy mood, has been affected by so many factors beforehand that it is almost impossible to source his outburst from any one of them in particular. His mother has remarried too quickly, his father has been recently murdered, he hates his uncle and perhaps most significantly he should be king. His depressing situation has led him to consider suicide and it would appear that Ophelia, although not completely free of blame herself, is the unfortunate scapegoat upon which Hamlet has decided to vent his fury. This conversation, closely watched by Claudius and Polonius, is, in fact, a test. Its supposed to establish whether Hamlets madness stems from his lovesickness over Ophelia or from the death of his father or indeed from one of the many other tragic elements of his predicament. The scene centres around one main dramatic element; does Hamlet know that he is being watched and, if so, at what stage of the scene does he become aware of this? Ophelias first line Good my lord, how does your honour for this many a day? reeks of incompetence and suspicion. The nature of the greeting and the formal manner with which the line is said would arouse the suspicion of Hamlet instantly. It can also be interpreted as Ophelias way of sending a subtle warning to Hamlet or simply an example or Ophelia following Daddys instructions. Hamlets reply on Line 92 is equally formal perhaps he is mocking her and has already detected the unnatural atmosphere filling the room? Line 93 moves away from the formal tone as Ophelia brings up the subject of returning Hamlets love gifts. I have remembrances of yours that I have longi d long to re-deliver, has been clearly rehearsed with the alliterated l and the assonance on the o sound giving Hamlet a massive indication as to the fact that he is being set-up. It is at this point that some productions would decide to make this realisation clear; as done in a Russian version film adaptation directed by Grigori Kozintsev which was released in 1962. In this particular interpretation, Hamlet knocks the said remembrances out of Ophelias hand and onto the floor in a fit of rage as he says No, not I, I never gave you aught. In other productions, as in Kenneth Branaghs 1996 release, the line is said with the simple blunt, dismissive tone with which it is written. Line 93 also raises the question of Hamlets antic disposition it is possible that he is aware of Claudius and Polonius presence in the room and is simply going along with their theory of his madness by denying the fact that he ever gave Ophelia gifts in the first place. If so, this is a canny move to disorientate them. Hamlet may also want to disorientate Ophelia because he is suspicious of her odd behaviour without specifically being aware of the eavesdroppers. It would appear that the value of these presents has deteriorated due to Hamlets lack of love and Shakespeare has emphasised this point particularly well with the use of a rhyming couplet on Lines 100 and 101. This too is ironic because the text suggests that the remembrances had been given to Ophelia while Hamlet was reciting poetry, so this is therefore a snide, below the belt comment that will have had the desired impact. However, this methodical approach is not something that Hamlet would expect from Ophelia and again it sounds rehearsed. Line 103 Ha, ha, are you honest is where the subject and the dramatic dynamics of the scene change. Hamlet goes on the attack his sarcastic tone has come out of the blue, but with Claudius and Polonius watching on, it is, however, impossible to know whether this is genuine or just another attempt to disorientate and go along with his supposed antic disposition. He accuses Ophelia of being corrupt like all women, and, suddenly, Hamlet begins to use certain elements of his depressing life to make his point effectively. He suggests that beauty and virtue are closely linked together and in many productions, as in the Laurence Olivier production of 1948, Hamlet goes on a physical as well as verbal attack of Ophelia often portrayed as helpless. Hamlets disillusion with women almost certainly stems from his mothers actions with his Uncle Claudius; however it is apparent that he once had genuine love for Ophelia as demonstrated by Line 114. This poignant moment in the scene reveals a sense of regret on Hamlets part and leaves Ophelia feeling very vulnerable at this stage. Hamlet continues to emphasise his distrust of women by claiming Ophelia has betrayed him and that she has given in to temptation. In fact, he goes on to say that he himself is a sinner and that all human beings are born into sin; which is a contradiction to what he has just said. It is fair to say, therefore, that Hamlets depressing stance on human beings has been influenced by the corruption in his own life. Ophelia is sometimes portrayed as slightly more aggressive than is described as in the text; as done in Franco Zefirellis 1990 version where Helena Bonham Carter stands up for herself when saying the Line I was the more deceived. On the other hand, this could be seen as another feeble comment that has very little significance in the scene. At this point, however, Hamlet is back on the attack again. This change of dynamics leads him to exploit Ophelias weaknesses. He tells her to go to a Nunnery, which could have been interpreted in two different ways at the time. Hamlet could either be ordering his supposedly deceitful girlfriend to a convent, so she will be protected from the horrible world surrounding them, or to a brothel, because she is corrupt like humanity. Either meaning makes complete sense and is therefore ambiguous; another technique used to tow the line of his antic disposition or indeed his genuine madness. If Hamlet intended to use the latter meaning, he is being extremely insulting to the woman he is supposed to be in love with. It also implies that female sins take the form of sex and that she is weak and open to temptation. This is particularly clever because nunnery is common Elizabethan slang. Hamlets antic disposition first mentioned in Act 1 Scene 5 is a dominant theme in not just this scene but throughout the whole play. He could actually be mad; he has seen the ghost of his father, he has had suicidal tendencies, his friends are spying on him and there is great pressure on him to carry out his revenge. Ophelias betrayal another key theme is also very important. Hamlet blames Ophelia for his madness, supporting Polonius theory that he is love sick, and this could have driven him to a bizarre mental state. Or, he could be both sane and mad at the same time. His antic disposition could be a cover for revenge but while putting on this guise Hamlet may have even convinced himself that he is insane. He could also be genuinely divided; there is great conflict in his life and this could lead him to flash in and out of madness. Corruption is something that is clearly playing on Hamlets mind throughout this scene and it is clear that the recent murder of his father and the swift replacement of him as King by his uncle is becoming too much to handle. However this sequence of events, or at least similar ones, was not uncommon in the Elizabethan world. At the time, incestuous marriages and relationships were widely debated but not as frowned upon as they are now although Hamlet clearly takes the latter view. Hamlets rant continues; he has talked himself into a fit of rage and is almost always portrayed as violent by this stage of the scene to the extent that he is coming across as genuinely mad. He says it would have been better if he himself had not been born; further adding to the aura of insanity surrounding him. He talks about how his revengeful thoughts may have made him stoop to the same level as Claudius and that his proud and ambitious personality has contributed to this. Line 125-126: We are arrant knaves all, believe none of us sums this up particularly well. Perhaps at this point in the scene comes the moment where Hamlet finally comes to a self-realization that the conversation if being overheard unless that happens much earlier on in the scene. Some productions, as in Kenneth Brannaghs, use loud rustling as a rather unsubtle way of drawing Polonius and Claudius to Hamlets attention, whereas in the Lawrence Olivier version, Hamlet is virtually left to pick up on Ophelias body language alone to detect their presence. At this point Ophelia lies. She has gone past a point of no return and Hamlet knows this she has chosen her father and the King over him. Her response to the question Wheres your father? is At home my Lord and although Hamlet knows this is a lie, he decides not to confront her about it. Instead, he uses this as an opportunity to make a bitter, aggressive and public threat to Polonius and Claudius. In fact, Hamlet goes a step further and begins to break off his relationship with Ophelia. He says that bringing more children into the world would be committing more sins and rules out the possibility of marriage his public threat then comes, with him that he will leave all others alone, except Claudius, who he intends to kill. A sane Hamlet would perhaps have left things there, and it is clear that one part of him wants to with the fact that he says Farewell for a third time. However, he continues his onslaught of abuse on Ophelia by saying that she will not escape malicious lies as it is part of her nature, even if she comes across as innocent and virtuous. He says Get thee to a nunnery for the fourth time to emphasise his point further before storming out. Hamlets antic disposition was questionable at the beginning of the scene and is even more so by the end of it. He is clearly love sick because of the frequent contradictions he makes during his break-up speech to Ophelia, yet he sees his once virtuous girlfriend being tarnished by the corruption he sees around him and his desperation for revenge. That, however, does not make him a madman and although it is impossible to know for certain, it would appear that the Nunnery Scene in Hamlet is where all the depressing elements and themes of his life come to a head and that Ophelia is the unfortunate and convenient scapegoat upon which he releases all of his anger.

Frankenworms Dancing Gummy Worms Science Experiment

Frankenworms Dancing Gummy Worms Science Experiment Turn ordinary motionless gummy worms into creepy, wriggling Frankenworms in this easy science experiment. Frankenworms Materials Gummy wormsBaking soda (sodium bicarbonate)WaterVinegar (dilute acetic acid)2 glassesScissors or kitchen shears Let's Make Frankenworms! Use the scissors or kitchen shears to cut the gummy worms in half or into quarters lengthwise. You want long, thin strips of worms.Drop the worm strips in one glass. Add a couple of spoonfuls of baking soda and enough water to dissolve some of the baking soda. If all of the baking soda dissolves, add more until some undissolved powder remains.Let the worms soak in the baking soda solution for 15 minutes to half an hour.Pour vinegar into the other glass. Drop a baking-soda-soaked worm into the vinegar. What happens? At first, nothing appears to happen. Then, bubbles start to form on the surface of the worm. The worm starts to move. After some time, the reaction stops and the worm stills. Why Do the Worms Move? The gummy worms wriggle because a chemical reaction between baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar (weak acetic acid) produces carbon dioxide gas. This is the same reaction that causes a baking soda and vinegar volcano to erupt lava! The tiny gas bubbles released by the reaction stick to the body of the gummy worms, eventually merging into bubbles big enough to float part of the worm. If the gas bubble detaches, it floats to the surface while that part of the gummy worm sinks back down. Tips for Success If your worms appear dead in the water, you may be able to revive them: See if you can cut the worms thinner. You may wish to ask an adult for help. A thinner gummy worm is a lighter gummy worm and thus much easier to make move. Thin worms absorb baking soda better, too.Try adding more baking soda to the soaking solution or soaking the worms longer. The baking soda needs to get into the gelatin that makes up the worms so that it can react with the vinegar to make bubbles.