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Fall 2006 Colloquium Questions
Instructions
Write a one to two-page response to one of the prompt questions below. As you will see, they are designed to stimulate thought and to foster discussion during our meeting. To help them as they lead the discussion session, the leaders of your breakout group will have a chance to read your responses before the Honors Colloquium.
Remember to return your responses no later than Monday, August 1. You may e-mail them to honors@valdosta.edu or send a paper copy to
Dr. Ofélia Nikolova
Director, University Honors Program
Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA 31698
Typed, double-spaced responses are preferred, but handwritten responses are acceptable. If you prefer, you may FAX your response to 229-219-1396.
Questions
- Stuff presents an astonishing array of facts and statistics about the “secret lives of everyday things.” As you were reading, which of these surprised you the most? Choose three and explain why you found each one important or noteworthy.
- Conduct an inventory of your personal “stuff.” For example,
- How many T-shirts do you have?
- How many soft drinks to do you consume a day—or a week?
- How does the number of shoes in your closet compare to the national average?
- How many times a week to you eat fast food?
- How far, on average, do you drive every day—or week?
Based on Ryan and Durning’s research, which two items in this inventory seem to have the greatest impact on the environment or the economy? Explain.
- Scientists estimate that it would take the resources of three planet Earths to maintain the world’s current population at the standard of living now enjoyed in North America. The prognostication for the future is even more sobering. According to the best estimates, if the world’s human population continues to increase at its current rate, by the middle of this century it will take at least six planet Earths just to maintain current world (not North American) standards of living.
For the sake of discussion, assume that these estimates are accurate and then select one of the following analogies or construct an analogy of your own:
- “We are like hosts who are quickly running out of food while more and more guests keep knocking at the door.”
- “We are like mechanics trying to engineer a vehicle that can get increasingly better gas mileage.”
- “We are like survivors in a lifeboat, surrounded by a crowd of desperate, drowning people.”
- At the end of each chapter, Ryan and Durning suggest some specific ways we can reduce the environmental “wake” that we create as we pass through life. Which of these seem most practical for you? Which seem most impractical? Discuss at least two of each.