We've talked about this since the beginning of the year. Any helpful tool to living life in the physical world comes with a trade-off. Some of the trade-offs are obvious, but many slip by unnoticed. These trade-offs might be well worth it, but we should train ourselves to look for them so we can at least make informed decisions about what we're choosing to give up in favor of easier living.
So that's what you're going to do right now. 1. Pick one scientific/technological advancement (high tech or low tech, it doesn't matter) that improves/eases your life, and 2. describe how it benefits you. Now comes the tricky part...3. think about what you give up (i.e., the trade-off) as a result of adopting this useful tool. Be specific and clear in this last part. The trade-off can be physical, mental, emotional, character-/virtue-based, interpersonal. Avoid trite notions, such as "texting while driving causes accidents." Think broader AND deeper (these aren't oxymoronic terms!).
Here are a list of commonplace technologies as examples...internet, smart phones/computers, wireless/cellular connectivity, electricity, batteries, jet travel....
This will be a significant chunk of your fourth quarter assignment grade (being that we don't have very many assignments). Here's the deal, you're welcome to choose one of the above topics to discuss, but, if you do, you can't earn more than 90% on the assignment. To have the possibility for full credit, you have to identify a different technological advancement on which to ruminate. Your response should be a solid paragraph. DUE TOMORROW!
Extra credit: For those interested in going a little deeper, here's a follow-up assignment DUE NEXT MONDAY. Having already identified a beneficial technology and explained the trade-off, now write an additional two paragraphs about 1. whether or not you feel this trade-off is worth it (wholly or partially); and 2. how you can add back into your life (at least, in part) what you've given up in this trade-off. Again, this should be two solid paragraphs (at least one page double spaced).
