• examine who might censor films and television and why
• consider the necessity for censorship on society and its potential impacts
• make a judgement based on the consideration of the evidence and argument put forward.
• the prevention of hate speech and subversion before it is aired
• parents limiting access to some television channels to protect their children
• the effectiveness of the ratings system used in films and music
• the exclusion of offensive and explicit scenes which may offend
• how regimes can control what the entertainment that is available to the people
• the avoidance of creating narratives that are untrue as a form of entertainment
• the management of censorship is fallible with many ways of breaching the laws
• any form of censorship being seen as the stifling of creativity and freedom.
Month: November 2022
‘Given the cost of conflict, it should always be avoided.’ Discuss.
Conflict is widely regarded as something that incurs some form of cost to all parties involved, especially for those wielding lesser power in the dispute. While it is oft assumed that these costs outweigh the potential benefits (if any) arising from the conflict and should thus be avoided, there could be situations where the cost is justified or where the conflict is unavoidable despite the potential cost incurred.
Show that the condition of the cost of conflict in every argument when evaluating whether it should be avoided. Provide clear yardsticks or criteria for evaluating and weighing whether disagreements should always be avoided or not, given the costs incurred.
Consider the possibility that some conflicts may be unavoidable despite the potential cost. Consider the possibility that some conflicts may be the right course of action if the potential cost is outweighed by the potential benefits of conflicts. Candidates are able to discuss the worth and value.
Tallest Buildings of the World
Tallest buildings are the dreams of engineers and countries seeking to showcase their affluence. But many of the tallest buildings can only last for 100 years due to the massive strain on the beams and base.
- Burj Khalifa (Dubai, UAE; completed 2009) As of 2019, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is one of the tallest buildings in the world. The structure was named in honor of Sheikh Khalifa, the president of the UAE. The burj—Arabic for “tower”—is part of a complex in downtown Dubai that also includes the world’s second-largest mall by area and one of the world’s largest fountains.
- Empire State Building (New York City; completed 1931) The Empire State Building, which has a height of 1,250 feet surpassed the nearby Chrysler Building to become one of the tallest buildings in the world upon its 1931 completion, holding that title for four decades until the construction of the original World Trade Center. Following the 9/11 attacks, the building was once again the tallest in New York. The Empire State Building, like the Chrysler Building, is a classic example of Art Deco architecture, an early-20th-century style known for its streamlined, modern appearance.
- Abraj Al-Bait (Mecca, Saudi Arabia; completed 2011)The Saudi government funded construction of the Abraj Al-Bait complex, a set of seven massive hotels whose central tower reaches a height of 1,972 feet. The complex overlooks the Great Mosque of Mecca, which contains the Kaaba (the holiest place in Islam) and was built to offer modern accommodations to Muslims participating in the annual Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca. The Abraj Al-Bait, whose name means “Tower of the House” in Arabic, contains the world’s largest clock face (over 140 feet in diameter) and as of 2019 is the world’s most expensive building, with construction costs exceeding $15 billion.
- Shanghai Tower (Shanghai, China; completed 2015) When it opened in 2015, the Shanghai Tower—with a height of 2,073 feet—was the second-tallest building in the world, a title it still holds as of 2019. The tower, which is located in Shanghai’s Pudong District, is adjacent to both the Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai World Financial Centre, two of the world’s other tallest buildings. By far, the tower’s most notable architectural feature is the fact that the building twists as it ascends—the top of the building is rotated approximately 120 degrees clockwise from the base.
- One World Trade Center (New York City; completed 2014) Construction began on One World Trade Center, alternatively known as 1 WTC and the Freedom Tower, in 2006, and was the main part of the project of rebuilding the World Trade Center following the 9/11 attacks. It occupies the former site of the original 6 WTC. The building reaches a symbolic height of 1,776 feet, and is adjacent to a pair of memorial reflecting pools marking the foundations of the original Twin Towers.
- Willis Tower (Chicago; completed 1973) When it opened in Chicago, Illinois in 1973, the Willis Tower was the tallest building in the world, with a height of 1,450 feet. The building was originally (and is still commonly) known as the Sears Tower, as it was built as a new headquarters for Sears, Roebuck & Co.; it was officially renamed after the insurance company Willis Group Holdings, Ltd., in 2009.
- The Shard (London, England; completed 2013) The Shard, originally known as London Bridge Tower, is the tallest building in the U.K, with a height of 1,016 feet. It gets its name from its appearance: the glass-enclosed, pyramid-like structure tapers as it rises to a set of points at the top, giving the impression of several shards of glass leaning against one another. Despite being in London, the tower is primarily owned by the state of Qatar and is a broadcast headquarters for the English branch of the Qatari media network Al Jazeera.
- Taipei 101 (Taipei, Taiwan; completed 2004) Taipei 101, named for its 101 floors, was the tallest building in the world when it opened in 2004, with a height of 1,674 feet; it lost the title to the Burj Khalifa in 2010. The building was originally known as the Taipei World Financial Center. The main part of the structure consists of eight stacked sections of eight floors each; those sections resemble both floors of a pagoda as well as ancient Chinese money boxes (which themselves inspired the design of modern Chinese take-out containers).
- Petronas Towers (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; completed 1998) The Petronas Towers are the world’s tallest twin towers, at 1,483 feet each. Upon their completion, they surpassed the (at the time) Sears Tower to become the tallest buildings in the world; they lost that overall title to Taipei 101 in 2004. The towers are named for Petronas, Malayasia’s government-owned petroleum and gas company, which is headquartered in the towers. The towers are connected by a skybridge on their 41st and 42nd floors, allowing visitors to move between them. In the coming years, the towers will be exceeded in height by two other Kuala Lumpur skyscrapers: the slightly taller Exchange 106 and the massive, 2,185-foot PNB 118.
- Vista Tower (Chicago; planned completion 2020)The Vista Tower, located near Chicago’s Navy Pier, will be the third-tallest building in Chicago (behind the Willis Tower and the Trump International Hotel and Tower) upon its completion in 2020.
Reading Links
Here is a list of reading links for GP essays. These reading links range from crime, religion, media, history and science providing a valuable resource for students to write their essays. Check-out the reading links below
- Consider the view that people imprisoned for crimes should lose all their rights.
Locked Out 2022: Estimates of People Denied Voting Rights
Changing prisons to help people change
‘Slavery by any name is wrong’: the push to end forced labor in prisons
New Bill lets inmates out of prison to upgrade skills
- Does religion still have a role in the modern world?
The big idea: do we still need religion?
How followers of the world’s religions have changed over time
Religion Both Helped and Hurt during the Pandemic
- ‘Dramas on television or film are never as effective as a live performance.’ Discuss.
The Future Of Live Events: AR, VR, And Advertising
How COVID Has Changed Live Music—Forever
Live Performance Is Back. But Audiences Have Been Slow to Return.
- Assess the extent to which different age groups in your society are valued equally.
Discrimination against workers and jobseekers declined, but ageism still prevalent
Older workers vulnerable to rising tide of retrenchment
Generational gap — a bridge too far or are we making too much of it?
- To what extent can individuals shape their own lives when the world is so unpredictable?
10 ways your parents’ behaviors shape who you are today
How lockdown may have changed your personality
How the news changes the way we think and behave
- ‘Too many historical figures are famous for the wrong reasons.’ Discuss.
Black historical figures who shook the world
Genghis Khan: A vicious Barbarian or a Unifier
The trouble with judging historical figures by today’s moral standards
- ‘The results of scientific research should be available to everyone.’ How far do you agree?
Why can we trust the information produced by scientific research?
Tearing down the academic research paywall could come with a price
- Examine the claim that music without words lacks both meaning and appeal.
Why We Listen to Music With Lyrics We Don’t Understand
When classical music had a place on America’s political stage
What’s the most important part of a song: melody or lyrics?
- Since the extinction of species is a natural phenomenon, is there any point in trying to prevent it?
Extinction Is Not Inevitable. These Species Were Saved.
9 of the most shocking facts about global extinction – and how to stop it
The case against the concept of biodiversity
- ‘Consumerism is more of a curse than a blessing.’ How true is this of your society?
How the world embraced consumerism
Capitalism is killing the planet – it’s time to stop buying into our own destruction
- Consider the view that mathematics is of little interest to most people as it is too complex.
What if Math Is a Fundamental Part of Nature, Not Something Humans Came Up With?
Why do so many people hate maths?
Equations built giants like Google.
- Consider the view that mathematics is of little interest to most people as it is too complex.
In Pursuit of Winning, We All Lose
Winning Isn’t Everything: Why It’s Good To Be A Loser Sometimes
Assess how successfully recycled materials are used for arts and crafts in your country.
• evaluate how successfully recycled materials are used for arts and crafts
• make a judgement, based on a consideration of the evidence and argument put forward.
• creative recycling being good for the environment forming the basis of money making projects
• the transformation of trash into various forms of art and design
• entrepreneurs starting their business ventures by collecting and repurposing unwanted items
• mosaics and other art forms being made from recycled material
• countries using recycled materials for arts and crafts that represent their local culture
• plastic waste which is a major problem being transformed for decorative purposes
• not all waste materials can be successfully recycled or lending themselves to producing arts and crafts
• recycling negatively impacting manufacturing companies and having a detrimental effect on the local economies.
To what extent is history based on lies rather than facts?
• discuss what might constitute an historical fact
• consider the extent to which history is based on lies
• make a judgement, based on the consideration of the evidence and
argument put forward that is history based on lies.
• manipulating of historical events to suit national narratives and
prejudices
• history of wars and social upheaval tending to be written by those on the
winning side
• how real or imagined historical events are portrayed in stories such as
myths and legends
• the deliberate manipulation and misrepresentation of history by using
propaganda
• how historical events and figures have been understood differently in
different ages or parts of the world
• the nature of history demanding that there is some basis in truth
• it being rare that there is complete agreement in the study of history
• the distortion of the truth may happen in the study of history, but this is
not lying.
Consider the importance of nature in your society.
While intuitively we know that nature is important for societies, we may take it for granted. By examining the roles and functions nature plays for [insert your country]. Evaluate how big a part nature plays in the lives of citizens of [insert your country] and if our belief in the importance of nature truly reflects in the actions of citizens towards preservation and conservation of nature in their country. The assumption is that there is worth in nature and importance of nature [insert your country].
Demonstrate the purposes and uses of nature in [insert your country] and evaluate the value and relevance of these purposes and uses to the average citizen. Examine the challenges that will cause [insert your country] to weigh the value and relevance of nature against other competing demands.
Present the impact from various levels of society (individuals, community and national). Provide an analysis of the impact (good or bad) and come to a conclusion on whether do the impact justify the presence of nature in [insert your country].
Consider also the counter-arguments by explaining that there are other areas that are equally, or more important than nature without any attempt to compare against the functions of nature.
We are too greedy for our own good. Is this reflective of your society?
Greed is a concept which suggests that one consumes or takes more than what is required. Survivalists support the concept of greed, stating that it is a practical solution in today’s world. There are others who believe that greed is immoral and selfish. Die-hard Singaporeans will swear that greediness runs deep in Singapore. It can be said that some segments in society are greedier than others but greediness is not rampant in Singapore. In fact, there are measures in place to counter the detrimental effects of greed within Singapore.
Greed is a natural human tendency, but some people take it further than needed. Dr Tan Gek Young sold more than 2300 litres of cough syrup to drug abusers just for profit-making. His actions proved that greed to earn extra money was more important than the lives of his patients. Similarly, the Sim Lim Square incident clearly shows the greediness of Mobile Air owner Jover Chew who sold phones at a higher rate to a Vietnamese tourist. Such incidents portray Singapore as an overindulgent society where people care to serve only their self-interests. Thus, greed can be seen in some sections of society where people care about profit more than morality.
It is well documented that the majority of Singaporeans have a kiasu mentality. They believe that having more is better than less. This is especially true in the case of educational qualifications. Singaporeans develop a high level of competitiveness for getting into reputed universities and polytechnics. However, chasing good educational qualifications is not a bad thing as it is a stepping stone towards success. This mentality of getting top grades from top universities is normalised in Singapore. Thus, it is clear that greed is considered normal even in educational achievement.
Success comes at a price. The cost of living is high in Singapore compared to other Asian countries. This also leads to materialistic tendencies in the population. Owning houses in private condominiums and driving luxurious cars are seen as status symbols. The rich are revered in society and are appreciated and admired for the wealth they have accumulated. Pragmatism which is taught at a very young age to children makes them believe that being wealthy translates into happiness. The idea of being rich and successful is a constant motivation for being greedy. However, it is not all that bad because it shows that Singaporeans are more aware of their financial goals and strive to improve their situation. Thus, being greedy to achieve financial goals is not bad until it has detrimental effects on society.
However, on the flip side, there are also counter-measures being taken within the Singaporean society to tackle the issue of greed. Government has been very helpful in assisting people who take care of the elderly in their homes. Singapore is a welfare-oriented oriented nation today compared to earlier times. Moreover, businesses today are also committed to bring change within society. For example, Boxgreen Singapore, a snacking company, donates a portion of the proceeds from the sold snacks, to provide meals for the needy. In this way, they allow compassion to dominate greediness. Moreover, they not only help the poor but are also mindful about the environment and use recyclable packaging. The growth of such assistance policies and businesses show people within the society an alternate way of living, which is filled with empathy and compassion. Therefore, even though greed is prevalent in the Singaporean society there are counter-measures in place to tackle the issue.
Any modern metropolis will have its share of greed. This factor is inbuilt in capitalists systems. So, greed is evident in the Singaporean society in various sections. In education, businesses and even in individuals. However, to balance out the situation there are private and government entities that play an important role in countering these issues. Singaporeans pragmatism leads them to be greedy in some areas however, they are not too greedy for their own good.
To what extent has modern technology allowed people to spend their money more effectively?
• examine how modern technology has enabled people to spend their money
• assess whether it has helped people to spend their money more effectively
• make a judgement , based on the consideration of the evidence and argument put forward.
• modern technology allowing for more secure, varied and fast transactions
• money being saved on a variety of items and processes that used to be more costly
• the lack of pressure from salespeople allowing consumers to take their time over spending decisions
• the convenience of spending money from home saving time and money
• a wider range of products are available at a greater range of prices
• the dangers of fraud and security breaches impacting on a person’s privacy and finances
• the lack of a personal interaction as many prefer to visit stores and go into banks
• there can be delays in delivery and other problems with online only services.
To what extent can children’s literature be enjoyed by adults?
• examine examples of children’s literature
• consider the contexts in which so-called children’s literature can be enjoyed by adults
• make a judgement, based on the consideration of the evidence and argument put forward.
• the nostalgic value of adults encountering literature from their childhood
• children’s books often being very ‘adult’ in realism, emotional and psychological depth
• genres having crossover appeal in both children’s and adult literature
• many popular works of literature among adults were originally written for children
• whether adults can enjoy them may depend on the recommended age of the children’s books
• some popular works of literature have versions for children often lacking the depth of adult versions
• stories for children evoking only children’s experiences and their own autonomous world
• definitions of what constitutes literature for adults and literature for children often being blurred.