Q3 review by Sylvia Rodriguez

Prompt 3

smr053001 — 2022-04-27 15:46:33 UTC

^{“Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant.” -Horace}^{Consider this quotation about adversity from the Roman poet Horace.}^{Then write an essay that defends, challenges, or qualifies Horace's assertion about the role that adversity or political hardship, danger, misfortune, etc.) plays in developing a person's character.}^{Support your argument with appropriate evidence from your reading, observation or experience.}

Thesis

smr053001 — 2022-04-27 15:47:50 UTC

^{Overcoming adversity allows an individual to grow as a leader as prosperous circumstances often deter someone from learning important lessons that will cultivate their growth.}

Evidence

smr053001 — 2022-04-27 15:52:13 UTC

^#1-^Minorities^{overcoming situations such as immigrating to a new country due to political hardship, overcoming discrimination in a new country, and adapting to a new culture. Without adopting a new culture and making sacrifices, important lessons would not be learned for this individual.

#2- Failure, or obstacles to success often provokes individuals to do better and work harder to achieve their goals.}^Personally^{, getting bad grades has definitely pushed me to do better and push past my limits to achieve a better grade. oftentimes, failure can redirect people into forming better habits.

#3 Adversity brings forth new perspectives. Those that don't overcome challenges often don't push themselves. For example, those who are gifted with prosperous privilege often have a simple outlook and basic morals. However, those who have experienced otherwise often have to think critically about the experiences they have had.

#4- Without important lessons, like struggling academically, struggling with being low income, and issues like lack of secure housing, people would not develop leadership qualities and rise above. Most often, people that undergo these hardships come out stronger and make an effort to help those that were in their situation.}

Prompt 1

smr053001 — 2022-04-27 15:52:40 UTC

^{The first Buy Nothing Day—a day on which people are urged to purchase no goods—was organized in Canada in 1992 as a way to increase awareness of excessive consumerism. A Buy Nothing Day has been held yearly since then in many nations. An online article, “Buy Nothing Day: 2006 Press Release,” urged worldwide acceptance of taking a “24-hour consumer detox as part of the 14th annual Buy Nothing Day” in order to “expose the environmental and ethical consequences of overconsumption” (Buy Nothing Day,” courtesy Adbusters, www.adbusters.org).}^{Consider the implications of a day on which no goods are purchased.}^{Then write an essay in which you develop a position on the establishment of an annual Buy Nothing Day. Support your argument with appropriate evidence.}

Thesis

smr053001 — 2022-04-27 15:54:40 UTC

^{The implementation of an Annual Buy Nothing day would allow for global consumers to reflect on their patterns, allow for employees to rest, and relieve the economy from overstimulation.}

Evidence

smr053001 — 2022-04-27 15:54:47 UTC

^{#1- Black Friday, as Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving and consumers flock to the stores to purchase items, encouraging consumers to take the day off to spend time with their families as opposed to consuming in "one day only" sales will allow the global economy to rest.

#2- Many consumers are unaware by the way they are manipulated by companies through deliberate advertising and marketing. Having an annual buy nothing day will allow them to reflect on their patterns and think more deliberately before consuming in the market.

#3- Employees will be able to benefit from having a "day off" as customers won't overstimulate and overwork them throughout the day. Although black friday can be extremely overstimulating for consumers with the abundance of sales and exclusive deals, it is as incredibly draining to the employees who are on the front end of having to moderate these deals and abundance of customers that show up to redeem them.}

^#4-

Prompt 2

smr053001 — 2022-04-27 15:55:27 UTC

^{American essayist and social critic H. L. Mencken (1880-1956) wrote, “The average man does not want to be free. He simply wants to be safe.”}^{In a well-written essay, examine the extent to which Mencken’s observation applies to contemporary society, supporting your position with appropriate evidence.}

Evidence

smr053001 — 2022-04-27 15:55:34 UTC

^{#1- The average person benefits from}^{social security wherever they might reside. Social security}^{requires government supervision and many individuals do not have complete freedoms because of the government's administration upon them. Although the average person benefits from freedom to choose their social security (for example, retirement benefits or a personal 401k) most people just want to be safe and would rather rely on government programs than to do it all on their accord independently. However because of government supervision, many are inclined to start up their own retirement plans to make sure their safety is ensured. Although the government can provide safety, it is ultimately up to the individual to concoct that with their independence as it is a "free country"

#2-}^{The Declaration of Independence}^{As the colonies broke away from Britain's rule, they established that they would be living towards the standards "of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". The way the colonies broke away from Britain reveals that they did not feel safe, secure, and definitely did not have their freedom from Britain. Especially with the Navigation Acts and salutary neglect that was felt, the colonies wanted freedom from this rule that was ultimately detrimental. The colonies wanted to be on the pursuit of happiness and establish their freedom to gain their security.

#3- The}^{National Security Association}^{. The NSA spies on many Americans yearly and derails their right to feel safe by invading their personal space. Many insiders and former employees of this government association have spoken about the measures that they take to surveil civilians as much as they can. Thus, freedom is definitely more important to an individual as they can guarantee their own safety through surveilling their own lives. The NSA monitors civilians lives at an excessive amount, to the point where it can be argued that they are not really guaranteeing their security.

#4-}^TSA^{. Although many can guarantee their own safety and security through exercising their independence, TSA is a necessary organization to monitor what goes on airlines. Although humans deserve the autonomy to bring what they choose to on airlines, there are dangerous objects that need to be removed from their possession as airlines have suffered bomb threats and air planes have been hijacked before. The necessary checks and restrictions by TSA allow security for those on airlines.}

Thesis

smr053001 — 2022-04-27 15:55:40 UTC

Although safety is an elusive privilege, the average person tends to value freedom over security as they prioritize their independence and right to self govern.