Conversation Paper #2/Final Exam Paper (see below)

Conversation Paper #2: Looking Backward

INTRO: The Year is 2120. You were born in a space-age utopia, where many of humanity’s problems have been solved and people are generally happy, prosperous, and excited about the future. However, with complacency comes forgetfulness, and people have gradually forgotten how bad things could be—and how tricky they once were. Because of this, some people are becoming nostalgic about the past (a past they never experienced), and want to bring back some of the things our forefathers once had. Including a few things that should have remained forgotten and buried in the past.

PROMPT: For this paper, I want you to imagine that a group is trying to bring back something from our world that no longer exists: it could be a custom, a practice, a product, or even a way of thinking that even today is controversial, and you might personally hope is abolished 50 years into the future. However, this group thinks that by bringing this thing/idea/custom back life will be improved and certain people will have more ‘freedom’ than they do now. Why would it be dangerous to go back to the way things used to be? What was wrong with this idea/thing/practice in the first place? Why were people divided about it even in the 21^st century? What compelling arguments and ideas could you use to convince people not to support this dangerous exercise in nostalgia?

HINTS:

• Consider using the topic you wrote about in your Short Paper #3, which will give you several ready-made sources to use as support. Be sure to have a CONVERSATION in this paper, and use other voices to explore why bringing it back could be a disastrous idea in our modern utopia.
• Don’t forget the NAYSAYER: tell us why this group thinks it would be a good idea to bring back diesel burning cars or student loans (for example). Help us understand what compelling arguments they might have, or why people support these practices today. Find sources to help you with this!
• Remember our stories: think about how The Martian Chronicles and some of our recent stories can help you discuss this topic. A story doesn’t have to literally be about your topic to help you discuss it.
• The “SO WHAT?” factor: be sure to directly communicate why this issue matters: why would it hurt your society if this practice/custom/thing were to make a dramatic return?

REQUIREMENTS

• At least 5-6 pages, double spaced
• Should have at least 4-5 sources, including (but not limited to) the books from class
• Use sources that actually help us see the conversation: don’t use a source simply to use one. If you quote from a story and the quote is meaningless, that won’t count as a legitimate source.
• Also, use legitimate sources: from authors or established websites.
• DUE FRIDAY, MAY 10^th by 5pm (hard copy or e-mail)