Here is a disturbing scenario that you have already encountered:
It is 2070. The world appears to be coming to an end. Global climate change has transformed once fertile parts of the world into arid deserts. From Tampa to Miami to New Orleans, entire cities have disappeared into the ocean. Forest fires have destroyed the West Coast. And there is not a drop of water in Arizona and New Mexico.
In this scenario, even the most dire predictions of climatologists in 2020 about the existential threat to humanity have been exceeded. Still, there remains a tiny—indeed, almost imperceptible–sliver of hope that a very small number of human beings will find a way out of this hell on earth and stay alive to repopulate the globe, even if it will take tens of thousands of years to restore even a minute fraction of the planet’s population.
Nonetheless, it is too late to save one aspect of human existence. Given the daily struggle to survive, the few human beings still alive will have already reverted to their basest instincts and become engulfed in a “war of all against all.” Not a shred of human decency, morality, or respect for the dignity of others remains.
Will the world of 2070 be defined by a “war of all against all” in which not a shred of human decency, morality, or respect for the dignity of others remains?
Please write a tightly focused essay in which you take a “yes” or “no” stance on this question. You are writing about the perspective from the current day, 2020. To set up your response, choose two of the authors of any of our readings (at least one of these readings must be a book) and create a conversation, debate, or even an altercation between them. One must be an ardent proponent of the terrifying scenario of 2070; the other must disagree with it completely. Only one of the authors can be right. You may put your actors in any setting you like—a dinner party, a television show, a lunar module, or whatever you think is best. Be creative!
Note: With the exception of War Porn (about which you have written an essay), you should have access to all of the readings in this course, either through the Syllabus or through the library.
The usual guidelines apply to your essay. All of the rules below count, even the seemingly mundane ones.
Your position and the counterarguments against it must be crystal clear. I have designed this assignment to accomplish two goals: 1) to challenge you to dig even more deeply into your assessment of the subject matter; and 2) to challenge you to hone your skills of persuasion
Cite lots of evidence from your readings. When using them, feel free to use any simple citation form (e.g., author and page). It is good to use short quotations, but indicate why you are using them. Quotations do not speak for themselves.
Dare to visit the Writing Center. If I were in college, I would do so on a regular basis because I know there are always ways to improve my writing. It always helps to have another person’s perspective.
As with your previous essay, this assignment is both straightforward and challenging. Happily for you, you have already given considerable thought to the topic. This also means that you are more aware of the serious pitfalls of taking one side over the other. I will take this into account in evaluating your essay. Thus, I recommend that you begin writing and re-writing immediately.
The Honor Code to which you have affixed your signature applies! Since you have already discussed this topic with your classmates, please figure out your answer by yourself. Your essay and argument must be absolutely, completely, and unmistakably your own.
Please observe the following rules without exception:
Your essay should be no more than 4 (four) typed, double-spaced pages (12 point font) of careful reasoning. It should also have a carefully-chosen title. Don’t forget to put your name on it.
Your essay should be in Word format (no PDF or any other mysterious format). Please use the following structure to name your document: [your name].finalessay.doc (Some of you forgot to do this on your last essay).
In short, I am once again asking you to write the best paper you have ever written in your life, even better than the last one. And why should I expect anything less? One thing we can all learn from the Coronavirus is that every day counts. In these difficult times, let’s take the opportunity to become better at whatever we do!
Your essay is due by noon, next Tuesday, May 5. Please send me your essay by email.
Please let me know if you would like me to return your essay with detailed comments. I will be glad to do so.
It has been a pleasure working with you. And be safe.
Good luck!
AJM