Certainly, here's a 10-point exploration of the connection between chronically unemployed young men and political radicalization:
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Sense of Alienation: Chronically unemployed young men may feel alienated from mainstream society due to their lack of participation in traditional societal roles, making them more susceptible to radical ideologies that offer a sense of belonging.
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Echo Chambers: Spending excessive time on the internet, particularly on extremist websites, creates echo chambers where radical ideas are reinforced, amplifying feelings of disenfranchisement and resentment towards mainstream institutions.
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Search for Identity: Young men facing unemployment and social isolation may seek identity and purpose in extremist movements that provide a sense of camaraderie and empowerment through shared beliefs and narratives.
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Vulnerability to Manipulation: Lack of critical thinking skills and social support networks can make these individuals more vulnerable to manipulation by extremist groups that exploit their grievances for political or ideological ends.
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Perceived Injustice: Perceiving themselves as victims of societal injustice or economic inequality, unemployed young men may gravitate towards radical ideologies that promise societal upheaval or retribution against perceived oppressors.
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Scapegoating: Extremist narratives often scapegoat certain groups or institutions for societal problems, offering simple explanations and targets for frustration and anger, which resonates with chronically unemployed individuals seeking someone to blame for their circumstances.
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Psychological Fulfillment: Radical ideologies may offer a sense of purpose and agency to individuals who feel powerless or marginalized in mainstream society, providing a platform for expressing grievances and enacting change, albeit through extreme means.
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Online Recruitment Tactics: Extremist groups utilize sophisticated online recruitment tactics, including targeted messaging and personalized content, to appeal to individuals' emotional vulnerabilities and recruit them into their ranks.
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Radicalization as Rebellion: Rejecting mainstream societal norms and values, chronically unemployed young men may view radicalization as a form of rebellion against the status quo, embracing extremist ideologies as a means of asserting their autonomy and identity.
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Escalation of Extremism: Once radicalized, unemployed young men may become further entrenched in extremist beliefs and behaviors, leading to increased polarization, radicalization, and potential for violent action as they seek validation and reinforcement within extremist circles.
Addressing the underlying issues of unemployment, social isolation, and lack of opportunities is crucial for preventing the radicalization of young men and fostering a more inclusive and resilient society. This requires comprehensive strategies that address economic disparities, promote social cohesion, and counter extremist narratives with education, community engagement, and support services.
Sugar High Is Nothing New
Sugar High Is Cheap Dopamine
Whether you’re critiquing trauma influencers who spread paranoia and false trauma to young people, fashion moguls who spread the adrenaline rush of new flashy items to drain the cash of the young, or the influencers themselves who are addicted to attention, subs, and likes, you’re talking about an emotional sugar high--the cheap dopamine that gives you temporary relief from your sense of emptiness, loneliness, and overwhelming personal disintegration.
This Sugar High Is Nothing New
A lot of people will say this sugar high is new to the social media age, but they are dead wrong. The sugar high has always been with us. We are talking about cheap dopamine, addiction, and self-indulgence, which always leads to a flattening of the emotions and depression.
The writings of ancient wisdom and today tell us to be so. Since the beginning of time we have had a battle inside of ourselves--The Aspirational Self vs. the Indulgent Self.
The Wisdom of Writers Through the Ages
Frederick Douglass in his memoir, Jeffrey Rosen in his book The Pursuit of Happiness, Steven Pressfield in his book The War of Art, and Phil Stutz in his book Lessons for Living all agree that we have inside us an Aspirational Self that seeks discipline, meaning, and purpose in order to live a fulfilled life and have the peace of mind that when we die, our life was not in vain.
In contrast, these writers all agree we have an enemy inside of us: The Indulgent Self, which is addicted to comfort, laziness, and immediate gratification of cheap dopamine. The Indulgent Self is a demon whose main purpose in life is to kill your Aspirational Self. You go to college because you have an Aspirational Self.
You Seek Self-Improvement to Help Others and Society at Large
Another thing these writers agree upon is that you constantly seek self-improvement not just for your self-interests, but for your family, friends, and society at large.
In contrast, when you feed your Indulgent Self, you become a pestilence to society.
Slavery Was a Drug for the Indulgent Self
Frederick Douglass wrote about a race of men who became addicted to the cheap and easy money of slavery. The institution of slavery during the time of Frederick Douglass was a Money Machine that exploded the US economy so quickly that no nation in the world could keep up with America’s economic expansion.
In other words, white slave traders were drunk on the liquor of slavery and they would not let go of it. Like addicts, they needed a Civil War to pry their greedy fingers off the liquor bottle of slavery.
Because Frederick Douglass saw firsthand the evil produced by the Indulgent Self, he was adamant about repelling his own self-indulgence and dedicated his life to building his Aspirational Self, lifting others out of slavery, and championing human rights. While endowed with the privilege of celebrity, Douglass was not distracted by the public’s adulation but rather focused on continual self-improvement so that he could help his people fight the evils of slavery and racism. He was a man dedicated to the Aspirational Self.
The Indulgent Self Is a Pestilence Today
If you listen to the podcasts of Scott Galloway and Chris Williamson, you’ll find that 7 million young men are unemployed, they never want to work, they don’t want to date, they don’t want to create meaningful relationships, and they spend all their time in their rooms where they play computer games, indulge in unwholesome websites, and become radicalized by Internet conspiracy theories.
As a society, we are in danger when millions of young men are emotionally wounded and spiritually stunted in their growth. That is too much anger and frustration for any society to absorb.
***
The Overton Window
You expand people's notion of what is normal and acceptable by treating things that are outrageous and morally abhorrent as normal and moral. Laziness and mindlessness allow grotesque things to become normal and in effect expand the Overton Window.
Example 1
Is factory farming normal or are we just used to it because it has become our "normal"?
Example 2
In the 1800s, the Fourth of July celebrated America's freedom from England, but as Americans cheered about their freedom, they found that in the absence of English influence, they increased the slave trade by 30%. In other words, the Fourth of July, which celebrated white freedom from England, intensified the cruelty of slavery for black people. Frederick Douglass fought against this normalization of a "happy holiday" and refused to make this injustice "normal." He wrote one of his most famous speeches about this outrage, "What, to the Slave, Is the Fourth of July."
***
Choice A
Choice A Safetyism
Read Derek Thompson’s “How Anxiety Became Content,” Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt’s “The Coddling of the American Mind," Pamela Paresky and Bradley Campbell's "Safetyism Isn't the Problem," and John Warner’s “Safetyism Was Never Real."
Then write a 1,200-word argumentative essay that addresses the claim that there is an ideology in our culture that is infecting society and young people in particular with the pathologies of “safetyism”--a sense of exaggerated trauma and prevalence inflation--and thereby causing the very things the adult world does not want to happen to their children: infantilization, mental decline, emotional fragility, paranoia, maladaptation, and a flagrant absence of qualities needed to survive and thrive in both career and meaningful relationships.
Using ChatGPT for a 7-Point Outline for Choice A:
Based on Derek Thompson's article "How Anxiety Became Content," here are seven pathological behaviors that may result from young people succumbing to the social media-fueled notion of "safetyism":
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Constant Seeking of Validation: Social media fosters an environment where individuals constantly seek validation through likes, comments, and shares. Young people may become obsessed with curating their online personas to conform to societal expectations, leading to anxiety and self-doubt if they do not receive the desired level of validation.
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Fear of Failure: The pressure to present a perfect image on social media can lead to a fear of failure and a reluctance to take risks. Young people may avoid trying new things or pursuing their passions for fear of not measuring up to the unrealistic standards set by their peers or influencers.
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Comparison and Envy: Social media platforms often showcase highlight reels of people's lives, creating a distorted perception of reality. Young people may constantly compare themselves to others and experience feelings of inadequacy or envy when they perceive others as more successful, attractive, or popular.
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Social Isolation: Paradoxically, excessive use of social media can lead to social isolation and loneliness. Instead of fostering genuine connections and meaningful relationships, young people may prioritize online interactions that lack depth and authenticity, resulting in a sense of disconnection from the real world.
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Anxiety and Depression: Research has shown a correlation between heavy social media use and increased rates of anxiety and depression among young people. The pressure to maintain a flawless online image, coupled with the constant exposure to curated content and unrealistic standards, can exacerbate feelings of stress, loneliness, and low self-esteem.
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Impaired Cognitive Function: Excessive use of social media has been linked to attentional difficulties and impaired cognitive function in young people. The constant barrage of notifications, updates, and distractions can hinder concentration and productivity, making it difficult for young people to focus on tasks or engage in deep, meaningful thinking.
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Risk of Online Harassment and Cyberbullying: Social media platforms can be breeding grounds for online harassment and cyberbullying, which can have devastating effects on young people's mental health. The anonymity and distance afforded by the internet can embolden individuals to engage in hurtful behavior, leading to feelings of shame, fear, and insecurity among victims.
These pathological behaviors highlight the negative consequences of young people succumbing to the pressures of "safetyism" perpetuated by social media culture.
***
***
I Used ChatGPT to Support Derek Thompson with 10 Points:
In Derek Thompson's article "How Anxiety Became Content," he explores how social media influencers are manipulating young people into a world of paranoia. Here are ten ways he outlines in the article:
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Creating Fear of Missing Out (FOMO):
- Influencers often showcase their seemingly perfect lives on social media, creating a fear of missing out among young people who compare their own lives to these curated images. This can lead to anxiety and a constant need to stay connected and up-to-date.
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Promoting Unrealistic Beauty Standards:
- Influencers frequently promote unrealistic beauty standards, using filters, photo editing, and cosmetic procedures to enhance their appearance. This can make young people feel inadequate and insecure about their own bodies, leading to feelings of anxiety and low self-esteem.
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Exploiting Vulnerabilities for Engagement:
- Some influencers exploit their followers' vulnerabilities by sharing personal stories of struggles with mental health or body image issues. While this may seem relatable, it can also perpetuate feelings of anxiety and inadequacy, especially if followers compare themselves unfavorably to the influencer.
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Peddling Health and Wellness Trends:
- Influencers often promote various health and wellness trends, from restrictive diets to extreme fitness routines, promising transformative results. However, these trends can exacerbate anxiety and obsessive behaviors around food and exercise, as young people feel pressured to conform to unrealistic standards of health and beauty.
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Promoting Conspiracy Theories and Misinformation:
- Some influencers spread conspiracy theories and misinformation on social media, capitalizing on young people's curiosity and fear of the unknown. This can fuel paranoia and mistrust in mainstream institutions and authorities, leading to heightened anxiety and uncertainty.
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Encouraging Comparison and Competition:
- Social media platforms facilitate constant comparison and competition among users, with influencers often setting the benchmark for success and happiness. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and anxiety as young people strive to measure up to unrealistic standards of achievement and popularity.
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Fostering a Culture of Perfectionism:
- Influencers often present a highly curated version of their lives on social media, showcasing only the highlights and omitting the struggles and failures. This fosters a culture of perfectionism, where young people feel pressure to present themselves as flawless and successful at all times, leading to anxiety and stress.
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Exploiting Fear-Based Marketing:
- Some influencers use fear-based marketing tactics to promote products or services, preying on young people's anxieties and insecurities. This can include promoting products that claim to protect against environmental toxins or digital dangers, playing into fears of harm or vulnerability.
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Encouraging Validation-Seeking Behavior:
- Social media platforms incentivize validation-seeking behavior through likes, comments, and shares, which can become addictive for young people seeking external approval and affirmation. This constant quest for validation can contribute to feelings of anxiety and self-doubt if engagement metrics fall short of expectations.
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Perpetuating Echo Chambers and Polarization:
- Influencers often cater to specific niche audiences, perpetuating echo chambers and reinforcing existing beliefs and biases. This can lead to polarization and tribalism, as young people become entrenched in their own online communities and increasingly wary of outsiders, fostering feelings of paranoia and mistrust.
Writing a Demonstrable Thesis for Choice A
Sample That Agrees with Thompson
Derek Thompson's critique of a social media ecosystem that manipulates young people into succumbing to Safetyism is compelling and persuasive because ______________, _____________, ____________________, and _________________________.
Sample That Disagrees with Thompson
While Derek Thompson makes some compelling observations about the trappings of Safetyism, his argument collapses under the weight of ______________, ________________, _________________, and _________________________.
Another Sample That Disagrees with Thompson
While Derek Thompson makes some compelling observations about the trappings of Safetyism, there are too many weaknesses in his argument to make it persuasive. These weaknesses include _______________________, ____________________, _________________, and __________________________.
***
Comparing "Brandy Hellville and the Cult of Fast Fashion" (HBO Max) and "White Hot: The Rise and Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch" (Netflix) with a focus on how young people are manipulated by toxic cultures, body shaming, racially-biased beauty standards, and exploitation reveals several points of intersection:
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Exploitative Marketing Tactics: Both documentaries explore how fashion brands target young consumers through manipulative marketing tactics. "Brandy Hellville" highlights the fast fashion industry's reliance on cheap labor and exploitative production methods to churn out trendy clothing at a rapid pace. Similarly, "White Hot" delves into Abercrombie & Fitch's use of hypersexualized marketing campaigns aimed at cultivating an exclusive and aspirational image, often at the expense of promoting unrealistic beauty standards and perpetuating body dissatisfaction among young people.
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Cult-Like Brand Loyalty: Both documentaries examine the phenomenon of cult-like brand loyalty cultivated by fashion companies among young consumers. In "Brandy Hellville," viewers witness how fast fashion brands create a sense of urgency and exclusivity through limited-edition releases and influencer collaborations, fostering a culture of consumption and identity formation centered around materialism. Similarly, "White Hot" explores Abercrombie & Fitch's carefully curated brand image, which fostered a cult-like following among young consumers who sought to emulate the perceived lifestyle and status associated with the brand.
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Body Shaming and Beauty Standards: Both documentaries shed light on the role of fashion brands in perpetuating body shaming and promoting narrowly defined beauty standards. "Brandy Hellville" exposes the detrimental impact of fast fashion's emphasis on thinness and unattainable beauty ideals, which contribute to body dissatisfaction and disordered eating behaviors among young people. Similarly, "White Hot" examines Abercrombie & Fitch's history of promoting a homogeneous and exclusionary standard of beauty, characterized by predominantly white, thin, and conventionally attractive models, which marginalized individuals who did not fit this narrow mold.
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Racial Bias in Representation: Both documentaries address issues of racial bias and lack of diversity in the fashion industry's representation of beauty and identity. In "Brandy Hellville," viewers confront the whitewashing and tokenism prevalent in fast fashion advertising, which often excludes or marginalizes BIPOC individuals and perpetuates Eurocentric beauty standards. Similarly, "White Hot" explores Abercrombie & Fitch's historical exclusion of non-white models from its marketing campaigns and corporate culture, reflecting a systemic bias that reinforces racial hierarchies and undermines inclusivity.
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Impact on Mental Health: Both documentaries underscore the detrimental impact of toxic fashion cultures on young people's mental health and well-being. "Brandy Hellville" exposes the psychological toll of fast fashion's relentless pursuit of consumerism and perfectionism, which can lead to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem among impressionable audiences. Similarly, "White Hot" examines the emotional consequences of Abercrombie & Fitch's exclusionary marketing strategies and promotion of unrealistic beauty standards, which can contribute to body image issues and feelings of inadequacy among its target demographic.
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Labor Exploitation: Both documentaries confront the issue of labor exploitation within the fashion industry's supply chain. In "Brandy Hellville," viewers are confronted with the harsh realities of garment workers, often women and children, subjected to unsafe working conditions, meager wages, and long hours to meet the demands of fast fashion production. Similarly, "White Hot" explores the outsourcing of labor to overseas factories by companies like Abercrombie & Fitch, where workers, predominantly from marginalized communities, are exploited for cheap labor and subjected to exploitative practices.
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Call for Accountability and Change: Both documentaries call attention to the need for accountability and systemic change within the fashion industry to address the harmful impacts of toxic cultures, body shaming, racially-biased beauty standards, and exploitation on young people. By exposing the underlying mechanisms of manipulation and oppression perpetuated by fashion brands, these documentaries serve as catalysts for critical reflection and collective action to dismantle harmful practices and foster a more inclusive and equitable fashion landscape.
***
Prompt Option B
Comparing the documentaries Brandy Hellville and the Cult of Fast Fashion (HBO Max) and White Hot: The Rise and Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch (Netflix), write an essay that addresses the claim that both documentaries expose the way young people are manipulated by a cult-like culture of toxicity, body shaming, racially-biased beauty standards, and exploitation.
Sample Thesis Statement for Choice B
Thesis That Rewords the Prompt
The documentaries Brandy Hellville and the Cult of Fast Fashion and White Hot: The Rise and Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch expose the way young people are manipulated by a cult-like culture of toxicity, body shaming, racially-biased beauty standards, and exploitation.
Thesis That Compares Companies to an Abusive Boyfriend
To fully understand the girl abuse of the fashion companies, we can look at the documentaries Brandy Hellville and the Cult of Fast Fashion and White Hot: The Rise and Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch as analogies of working for the company to having an abusive boyfriend. The journey of abuse is the same. First, the girls are led to believe they are "special" and are given a surge of self-esteem. Second, the company becomes the complete world of the girls. Third, the girls lose their freedom slowly like a frog dying in slowly-boiling water, not aware of their imprisonment until after the fact. Fourth, the girls see the clown makeup melt and the devil face underneath before they run for their lives. Fifth, the girls go into recovery mode, looking back at their abuse with wide eyes and astonished at how blind they were at the time.
***
Here is the revised Essay Assignment and outline (Choice C):
Read Derek Thompson’s essay “How Anxiety Became Content” and watch the documentary Brandy Hellville and the Cult of Fast Fashion (HBO Max). Then develop a thesis that addresses the way the essay and the documentary show how young people are manipulated by FOMO (fear of missing out), a pathologized notion of anxiety, a pathologized notion of fashion, herd behavior, peer pressure, social status, and how the marketing of extremes is used to exploit, manipulate, and abuse young people.
For paragraph 1, write about how you were once manipulated into doing something as a result of desiring belonging, social status, and FOMO.
For paragraph 2, summarize the major points in Thompson’s essay “How Anxiety Became Content”and the documentary Brandy Hellville and the Cult of Fast Fashion (HBO Max).
For paragraph 3, your all-important thesis paragraph, write a claim that compares the manner in which social influencers market exaggerated maladies and Brandy Melville markets pathologized fashion resulting in a toxic, self-destructive culture.
In terms of structure, your thesis might look something like this:
“How Anxiety Became Content” and Brandy Hellville expose a toxic culture that manipulates and exploits young people by unscrupulously relying on _________________, _________________, _________________, and _____________________________, _________________________
Your body paragraphs, 4-8, would expound on the mapping components represented by the blank spaces that follow the above thesis structure.
Because this essay is analyzing the causes of toxic culture and is more of an analysis essay than it is argumentative, there is no counterargument-rebuttal section.
Paragraph 9, your conclusion, is a powerful restatement of your thesis.
Your last page is your Works Cited page in MLA format. You need 3 sources, the documentary, Thompson’s essay, and at least one of my modules from Canvas.
***
Sample Thesis That Rephrases Essay Prompt
Derek Thompson’s essay “How Anxiety Became Content” and the documentary Brandy Hellville and the Cult of Fast Fashion expose the way young people are manipulated by FOMO (fear of missing out), a pathologized notion of anxiety, a pathologized notion of fashion, herd behavior, peer pressure, social status, and ruthless, extreme marketing strategies that traumatize and abuse young people.
***
Provide 7 points of comparison about the way young people are manipulated and exploited in Derek Thompson’s essay “How Anxiety Became Content” and the documentary Brandy Hellville and the Cult of Fast Fashion (HBO Max):
- Manufactured Desires: Both the essay and the documentary explore how industries, whether it's digital media or fast fashion, create and exploit desires within young people. Thompson discusses how social media platforms engineer content to keep users engaged, while the documentary exposes how fast fashion brands manipulate trends and consumer desires to drive sales.
- Psychological Manipulation: Thompson's essay delves into the psychological tactics employed by social media platforms to keep users addicted and anxious, such as algorithms that prioritize sensational and emotionally charged content. Similarly, the documentary highlights the psychological manipulation used in advertising and marketing campaigns within the fast fashion industry to create a sense of urgency and desire for their products.
- Exploitation of Insecurities: Both the essay and the documentary touch upon the exploitation of young people's insecurities. Thompson discusses how social media exacerbates anxiety and insecurity by promoting unrealistic standards of beauty and success, while the documentary reveals how the fast fashion industry preys on individuals' insecurities about their appearance by offering cheap, disposable clothing as a solution.
- Monetization of Attention: Thompson's essay explores how social media platforms monetize users' attention by selling advertising space to brands that want to reach a highly engaged audience. Similarly, the documentary shows how fast fashion brands capitalize on young people's attention by constantly churning out new trends and collections to maintain their interest and drive sales.
- Cult-like Influence: Both the essay and the documentary touch upon the cult-like influence of social media and fast fashion on young people. Thompson discusses how social media platforms create echo chambers and foster a sense of belonging among users, while the documentary explores the cult-like following that fast fashion brands cultivate through influencer marketing and aspirational branding.
- Impact on Mental Health: Thompson's essay examines the detrimental effects of social media on young people's mental health, including increased rates of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Similarly, the documentary highlights the toll that the fast fashion industry takes on individuals' mental health, from the pressure to keep up with trends to the environmental and ethical concerns associated with disposable fashion.
- Resistance and Awareness: Both the essay and the documentary suggest avenues for resistance and awareness-building among young people. Thompson discusses the importance of digital literacy and self-regulation in navigating social media's influence, while the documentary encourages viewers to question the ethics and sustainability of their consumption habits and to support alternative fashion movements.
***
Notice that paragraph 1 is your personal account of a time you were manipulated by social media into self-destructive behavior.
Certainly, here are ten sophisticated signal phrases that can enhance the quality of your college-level essays:
- According to [Author's Name], ...
- [Author's Name] argues that ...
- In the view of [Author's Name], ...
- As [Author's Name] suggests, ...
- [Author's Name] contends that ...
- [Author's Name] posits that ...
- According to the findings of [Author's Name], ...
- [Author's Name] asserts that ...
- [Author's Name] maintains that ...
- In concurrence with [Author's Name], ...
Using these signal phrases can help attribute ideas clearly to their respective authors and lend authority to your arguments in a sophisticated manner.
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Use signal phrases to explain your purpose for using them
You will use signal phrases for supporting your argument mostly, but you may also want to show an opponent’s view. Notice how the templates below have signal phrases that show support or refutation of the author.
Examples of Signal Phrase Templates
- As a counterpoint to X,
- As a counterargument to my claim that X,
- Giving support to my rebuttal that Writer A makes an erroneous contention, Writer B observes that . . .
- Concurring with my assertion that X,
- Further supporting my contention that X,
- Writer X chronicles in her book. . . . As she observes:
Use the above templates and don't worry: you're not committing plagiarism.
Use Signal Phrases to Show Author’s Credentials
We often include credentials with the signal phrase to give more credibility for our sourced material.
Examples
The acclaimed best-selling writer, history professor, and futurist Yuval Noah Harari excoriates the Agricultural Revolution as "the greatest crime against humanity."
Lamenting that his students don't enjoy his music playlist in the writing lab, college English instructor Jeff McMahon observes in his blog Obsession Matters: "Two-thirds of my students in writing lab don't hear my chill playlist over classroom speakers because they are hermetically sealed in their private earbud universe content to be masters of their own musical domain."
You don't have to put the signal phrase at the beginning. You can put it at the end:
"The Agricultural Revolution is the greatest crime against humanity," claims celebrated author and futurist Yuval Noah Harari.
You can also put the signal phrase in the middle of a sentence:
Racism, sexism, worker exploitation, and pestilence afflicted the human race during the Agricultural Revolution, claims celebrated futurist Yuval Noah Harari, who goes on to make the bold claim that "the Agricultural Revolution was the greatest crime perpetrated against humanity."
"Covid-19 fears make me recall Don Delillo's novel White Noise," writes Jeff McMahon in his blog Obsession Matters, " especially the Airborne Toxic Event chapter in which pestilence affords us a rehearsal for our own mortality."
Varying placement and types of signal phrases helps you avoid monotony, makes you a more impressive writer, and gives you more ethos.
Partial List of Signal Phrases
acknowledges adds admits affirms agrees answers argues asserts claims comments concedes confirms contends counters counterattacks declares defines denies disputes echoes endorses estimates finds grants illustrates implies insists mentions notes observes predicts proposes reasons recognizes recommends refutes rejects reports responds reveals speculates states suggests surmises warns writes
Examples of signal phrasesLinks to an external site.:
We are fools if we think we were put on Planet Earth to be happy. That is the fantasy of a four-year-old child. Ironically, this infantile pursuit of happiness makes us unhappy. In the words of John Mellencamp: “I don’t think we’re put on this earth to live happy lives. I think we’re put here to challenge ourselves physically, emotionally, intellectually.”
The idea of a meritocracy is that a healthy society allows people with merits, regardless of their economic privilege, to rise to the top of the power hierarchy. However, such a meritocracy does not exist as privilege, not merit, is the dominant force of acquiring power. As we read in Yale Law School professor Daniel Markovits' essay "How Life Became an Endless Terrible Competition": "Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, and Yale collectively enroll more students from households in the top 1 percent of the income distribution than from households in the bottom 60 percentLinks to an external site.. Legacy preferences, nepotism, and outright fraud continue to give rich applicants corrupt advantages. But the dominant causes of this skew toward wealth can be traced to meritocracy. On average, children whose parents make more than $200,000 a year score about 250 points higher on the SAT than children whose parents make $40,000 to $60,000Links to an external site.. Only about one in 200 children from the poorest third of households achieves SAT scores at Yale’s median. Meanwhile, the top banks and law firms, along with other high-paying employers, recruit almost exclusively from a few elite colleges."
Variation of the above:
The idea of a meritocracy is that a healthy society allows people with merits, regardless of their economic privilege, to rise to the top of the power hierarchy. However, such a meritocracy does not exist as privilege, not merit, is the dominant force of acquiring power. According to Yale Law School professor Daniel Markovits in his essay "How Life Became an Endless Terrible Competition": "Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, and Yale collectively enroll more students from households in the top 1 percent of the income distribution than from households in the bottom 60 percentLinks to an external site.. Legacy preferences, nepotism, and outright fraud continue to give rich applicants corrupt advantages. But the dominant causes of this skew toward wealth can be traced to meritocracy. On average, children whose parents make more than $200,000 a year score about 250 points higher on the SAT than children whose parents make $40,000 to $60,000Links to an external site.. Only about one in 200 children from the poorest third of households achieves SAT scores at Yale’s median. Meanwhile, the top banks and law firms, along with other high-paying employers, recruit almost exclusively from a few elite colleges."
Importance of Explaining Transitions
After you present the signal phrase and quoted, summarized, or paraphrased material, what do you write?
You explain what you just cited.
To do so, you need a toolbox of "G0-Back" transitions:
- Writer X is essentially saying that
- In other words, X is arguing that
- By using these statistics, X is making the point that
- X is trying to make the point that
- X makes the cogent observation that
- X is essentially rebutting the philosophical movement that embraces the position that
- X's main point is that
- The essence of X's claim is that
Review 6 Components of Mastering Signal Phrases
- Vary your transitions so you're not only using "say" and "write."
- Transition from your own writing to quoted or paraphrased material.
- Vary your location of the signal phrase, beginning, middle, or end.
- Provide credentials of the person being cited in your signal phrase.
- Provide correct in-text citations for MLA format.
- Return to what you just cited and analyze its significance to your argument.
