Essay #3 Due 10-18-18
Option A
In the context of David Freedman’s “The War on Stupid People,” support, refute, or complicate Freedman’s contention that we marginalize average people at our own peril, socially, pragmatically, morally, and otherwise. Is there a "war" on "stupid" people or is the author using hyperbole in an inappropriate manner? Is there not intrinsic hardship in belonging to bottom 10% of intelligence? Do we need to explain such hardship by saying a "war" has been waged? Does Freedman handle these questions adequately?
Option B
In the context of the Netflix documentary Dirty Money, Episode #1, "Hard Nox," support, refute, or complicate the assertion that in spite of Volkswagen's 30 billion dollars paid in fines and legal fees for committing fraud and other crimes, that their ascent in the world economy is evidence that Volkswagen, as an agency of unbridled corporate greed, has triumphed over the wheels of justice. For your sources, you can use the documentary, the Vulture review, and the Atlantic review.
Option C
Read Jessica McCrory Calarco’s essay “‘Free-Range’ Parenting’s Unfair Double Standard” and support or refute her claim. See Washington Post and Reason’s “The Fragile Generation.”
Option D
Read the online essay "It's been hot before" and write an argumentative essay about the role logical fallacies play in the dangerous denial of global warming and global drought. For another source, you can consult "The 5 telltale techniques of climate change denial." Also, see Netflix Explained, "The World's Water Crisis."
Option E
In the context of Michael Gerson’s “The Last Temptation,” support, refute, or complicate the claim that evangelicals are shooting their foot by supporting the “least traditionally religious president in living memory.”
Option F
Write an argumentative essay that addresses the viability of electric scooters as a thriving business model for alternative modes of transportation. Consider the advances in technology, the share economy, and the benefits of regulations measured against sidewalk traffic and legal liability.
Option G
Read Gabrielle Glaser’s “The Irrationality of Alcoholics Anonymous” and support, refute, or complicate Glaser’s assertion that AA is an overrated, untested program.
Option H
Read Charlie Warzel’s “Infocalypse Now” and Matt Taibbi’s “Can We Be Saved from Facebook?” and defend, refute, or complicate the authors’ contention that fake news is an unstoppable juggernaut that could destroy civilization as we know it. You can connect this essay to critiques about Facebook and other forms of social media that are allegedly contributing to the breakdown of the free world as fascist forces manipulate social media to promote their agenda. Also see Franklin Foer’s “The End of Reality.” Also see New Yorker essay. See YouTube video about Facebook and dopamine. See New Yorker piece on Facebook, from September of 2018.
Option C
Read Jessica McCrory Calarco’s essay “‘Free-Range’ Parenting’s Unfair Double Standard” and support or refute her claim. See Washington Post and Reason’s “The Fragile Generation.”
Option D
Read the online essay "It's been hot before" and write an argumentative essay about the role logical fallacies in the dangerous denial of global warming and global drought. For another source, you can use Netflix Explained, "The World's Water Crisis."
Essay Option E:
Write an argumentative essay that addresses the viability of electric scooters as a thriving business model for alternative modes of transportation. Consider the advances in technology, the share economy, and the benefits of regulations measured against sidewalk traffic and legal liability.
Background
When the car was first invented, many people died because we didn't know anything about safety, road infrastructure, insurance, liability, driving training, etc.
As a result, people railed against the automobile as the scourge against society.
Enter electric scooters, especially in crowded areas of San Francisco and Santa Monica where people are navigating through crowded streets going close to 20 miles per hour on an electric scooter. It doesn't take a genius to anticipate a lot of crashes and angry people.
Arguments for Allowing Electric Scooters to Becoming a Thriving Business
One. They are convenient.
Two. They are eco-friendly.
Three. They are affordable, costing on average $3 per ride.
Four. They are popular and have proven to be in big demand.
Five. Safety education can be sent to users on their smartphones.
Six. Cars started out on rocky ground with safety concerns but those concerns were addressed over time.
Seven. You can't stop technology just because you're scared of new things.
Eight. Speed limits, such as lowering max speed from 15 to 12 MPH, can be imposed.
Nine. They are easy to use.
Ten. They eliminate parking hassles.
Arguments Against Electric Scooters
One. Sending safety instruction on a smartphone device is inadequate.
Two. It will be difficult to force helmet compliance.
Three. It will be impossible to ticket all offenders as police can't monitor citizen irresponsibility on such a large scale.
Four. Electric scooters are another example of "tech arrogance" in which greedy techies imposed rushed adoptions on public without adequate testing and due diligence.
Five. People abuse the scooters so that many don't work safely or are not sanitary for use.
Six. They are one lawsuit away from extinction (but not true of cars).
Seven. "Government holds purse strings for infrastructure."
Eight. Competing communities will attend town hall meetings to give their government representatives mixed signals. For example, Venice and Santa Monica homeowners who live near the scooter congestion will be opposed to scooters and people who need scooters to commute to work will want them.
Scooters: What You Need to Know: The Ringer
