In the Summer of 2010, a Deep-Water Oil Rig Suffered

question 55

Essay

In the summer of 2010, a deep-water oil rig suffered a major malfunction and began to spew thousands of gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. The oil spill devastated the Gulf's economy, killing wildlife, covering beaches with oil and sludge, and making fishing in the waters hazardous. Investigators discovered that there was possible negligence on behalf of the oil company that owned the rig. What type of crime was this? As a sociologist, what kind of policy changes (at the micro, meso, and macro levels) would you suggest in order to prevent this crime from happening again? Which sociological theories support your suggestions?

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Definitions:

Coordinating Movements

The process of using different parts of the body together smoothly and efficiently.

Right Hemisphere

Half of the brain that is typically associated with spatial abilities, creativity, and visual tasks.

Stroke

A medical condition characterized by sudden loss of brain function due to either a blockage or rupture of blood vessels in the brain.

Faces

The front part of a person's head, from the forehead to the chin, which contains the majority of sensory organs and is crucial for identity and emotional expression.