Some people say patriotism causes problems and is negative overall. Others feel that it is beneficial for society at large. Do the advantages of patriotism outweigh its disadvantages?

 Some people say patriotism causes problems and is negative overall. Others feel that it is beneficial for society at large. Do the advantages of patriotism outweigh its disadvantages?

Benefits of taking pride in national affiliation 

• People work with dedication for their nation, some of them go to the extent of serving without asking anything in return 

• They join defense forces out of love for their nation and serve selflessly 

• They respond to emergencies  and catastrophes cohesively 

• They are able to perpetuate their culture in every form, successfully 

• It becomes easy to maintain law and order in the country as everyone complies with the laws

• They pay taxes, contribute to innovation and reciprocate to society for whatever support they receive

Drawbacks of nationalism 

• This can create conflicts between nations: sometimes even during sporting events 

• It is highly against the concept of  global identity as it hinders integration of global cultures 

• Unscrupulous leaders can create narratives and peddle them to fan nationalist feelings and push a country into war, or at least create tensions among nations 

Taking pride in national affiliations as generally being regarded as laden with umpteen benefits. Although this is true to a great extent, there are certain legitimate concerns over the failings of this phenomenon. 

Patriotic  feelings can result in uncountable tangible advantages. This natural impulse motivates citizens to devote themselves to work dedicatedly for the common good. It is observed that people hailing from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds join hands to form a synergy and contribute to the progress of the nation while working in their respective occupations. Besides this, individuals are inspired to comply with the laws and norms of the land, helping establish a conducive social environment that sans anarchy and crime. 

Similarly, it has also been observed that a society populated by patriotic inhabitants emerged as a strong nation that is equipped with the strong military as the government does not have to lure people by offering special facilities. The young populace is wedded to the aspiration of defending the country at all costs, and thus stays prepared to even face hardships, or death.

However, nationalism has certain serious flaws: reverence for the nation has been a source of several conflicts and wars. History has been witness to this fact, wherein sumptuous blood has been shed in the name of fighting for national pride. For instance, both the great wars were fought due to clash of national sentiments. Moreover, this feeling goes against the very ethos of globalization and prevents cultural, social and political integration of the global society, as it fuels tribal attitudes. 

To conclude, even though patriotism does seem to be an attractive notion, the impediments it presents in the path of establishing global peace is a matter of serious concern and clearly exceed the pros of this sentiment

Many believe that the best way to ensure a happier society is to reduce the difference in income earnings between the rich and poor. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

 Many believe that the best way to ensure a happier society is to reduce the difference in income earnings between the rich and poor. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Yes? Why 

• Economic parity will remove class struggle, and bring happiness  

• Everyone will have enough to lead a comfortable life and  get all the needs fulfilled  

• Have enough to secure their future: education, investments for better healthcare and also their twilight years  

• Enjoy their leisure time productively  

• Reduce crimes 

NO? 

Mitigating differences in financial standings are unlikely to raise the happiness index since 

• Until society has safe surroundings or rather crime free, one cannot be happy

• Until there are gender disparities,  friction due to cultural and differences, one cannot experience contentment 

• Until the state guarantees civil liberties, citizens cannot feel safe and happy 

• Until there is accountable governance that provides corruption free administration

• Until the environment including natural is not habitable 

• Until there is guarantee of continuous progress that can ensure a safe future of upcoming generations

Can mitigation of financial variance among diverse cross-sections of society help raise the happiness index of a country is a million dollar question, and thus, needs a profound analysis to determine how far this notion is deemed as relevant. 

Those who lobby for this arrangement find rationale for their opinion in the assumption that more even wealth distribution would help ensure that everyone has enough resources to survive and lead a comfortable life that sans struggle for earning daily bread and can instead focus on experiencing pleasure in their daily endeavors, mitigating inter class struggle. 

For example, when one can afford materialistic possessions such as modern gadgets, cars and so on, they crave for,  they will be satisfied, and this will reflect in their friendly interaction with those around them. Similarly, having enough to brave emergencies like medical, and prepare for a better future such as education and  savings for twilight years, the social environment will exude confidence and there will be absence of despair.    

On the contrary, the utopian dreams promoted in the former view lack substance. If only economic parity held the key to a content social environment, several societies that guarantee equivalence in availability of monetary resources would have enjoyable surroundings. It is not simply the uniformity in the dispersal of money but the absence of bias in society, based on gender, religion, culture and ethnicity, to name a few, can fetch congenial social atmosphere. Similarly, until a country fails to extend civil liberties to its citizens, attaining a conducive social atmosphere will remain a far cry.  

Overall, despite proportionate allocation of economic resources can  play a role in attaining a fair level of contentment in a nation, one can ill-afford to overlook other factors: these are intricately entwined to each other. 

Some people think if students are afraid of the teacher, it is better. Other say that having a friendly relationship is better. Discuss both points and give your opinion.

 Some people think if students are afraid of the teacher, it is better. Other say that having a friendly relationship is better. Discuss both points and give your opinion.

 

In concurrent times, one school of thought believes that if learners are scared of the faculty, it can help create a conducive learning environment, while others favor cordial interaction between the both. 

To begin with, a prominent school of thought asserts that fear of tutors persuades learners to follow strict discipline codes since they realize that in case they falter or fail to adhere to norms, they will be subjected to retribution such as corporal punishments. Moreover,  this enables the former to establish rules and boundaries, regulate behavior and also extend required treatment to pupils, helping them to churn out outstanding performance out of their pupils and also training the latter to grow up as disciplined adults. This traditional approach has been known to produce great leaders and hard working populace that knew their skills well, applied their learning within the legal boundaries and helped lodge societies tremendous progress,  whereas the current generation that is not exposed to such settings is known to be lazy and lacking in direction. 

However, a lobby of experts favors a friendly bond between instructors and learners since this can help attain excellent outcomes since when the latter are comfortable with their teachers, they foster courage to clarify doubts without inhibitions and even ask for assistance in case they still are not clear about the concepts taught. Also, this can prevent fomenting aggressive and recalcitrant behavior among the latter and assist in forging long lasting bonds between the two, where one can seek assistance even after completion of pursuits. 

 

To conclude, disputes aside, I strongly feel that it is necessary to have both the elements in the teacher-student interaction since where one can help create a disciplined learning environment, the other can afford an enriching study experience.

People Working at higher levels of the companies should be paid more than the workers at lower levels. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

 People Working at higher levels of the companies should be paid more than the workers at lower levels. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

In contemporary times, a profound debate has arisen regarding the pay scale at different organizational levels. The supervisory and managerial levels are being paid hefty amounts when compared to the individuals at lower levels.  I partially accord with the given ideology and reason for my opinion will be elucidated in the forthcoming paragraphs.

To commence with, the rationale supporting this approach is founded on the belief that the people working at the higher levels are not only held obligated for their work but also accountable for the task performed by their subordinates. The intensity of stress they face at their level is much higher than those working under them. This makes them deserving recipients of better remuneration than their subordinates. 

Similarly, the individuals at the higher positions are equipped with humongous experience, which plays a major role when preparing business strategies; to remain ahead of their competition – this attribute is missing in those engaged at the junior ranks. This phenomenon can also act as a motivation for the individuals working at lower positions to remain focussed and effective so that they can also reach at top level in the organization hierarchy and earn better.

However, the critics to this notion believe that those working at the lower level form the plinth of the performance; therefore, they should be compensated in the same manner. Apart from this, the cost of living is affecting everyone equally; thus, practicing bias on the salary element would make the people working at lower levels have an unwarranted impact.

To end the discussion, I believe that differences in salary structure of higher and lower levels are quite justifiable simply by virtue of being responsible for a broader list of obligations and wider operational areas.

Some sports have become more popular than the national sports in many countries. What are the reasons for this? Do you think this is a positive or a negative trend?

 

Some sports have become more popular than the national sports in many countries. What are the reasons for this? Do you think this is a positive or a negative trend?

Reasons why international sports are gaining mileage over the national sports 

.   More money 

.   Global fame and exposure 

.   Mobility - one can move to other countries 

.   Secure  future after retirement 

Positive 

·         This penchant among the youth is making them health conscious

·         These disciplines have become a rich source of employment  not only for the players but also for millions of others who are serving these sports and of course business 

·         The emerging local talents in these sports have successfully highlighted countries on the global level 

Negative 

·         Local culture of sporting disciplines is diminishing in a way the local culture is being abandoned 

·         With this, also the local aspirations and thought process is also vanishing 

·         Most are not able to make to the level required in the international sports due to lack of resources and expertise

Contemporary times are witnessing transnational sporting disciplines becoming favorites of many in comparison to homegrown ones. This can be attributed to various reasons,  but this trend has both favorable and unfavorable impact on local sporting scenarios. 

To begin with, the primary factors behind global sports gaining more recognition than their local counterparts is more open and close interaction between people hailing from diverse cultures. In the past few decades, people have been traveling to other parts of the world for the purpose of education, tourism and work, where they are exposed to a completely different category of sports, which excites and persuades them to take up such sporting disciplines.

This trend has brought along several benefits for not only local players but also for society, by virtue of creating employment for millions - in trades directly or indirectly  related to sports -  besides sports personnel and business worth billions - for several establishments contributing in various  ways. Also, governments are able to net huge collections from people and businesses in the form of levies and taxes. These sports are cash rich domains and are witnessed world over; therefore, each event is highly publicised, which generates so much commercial activity. 

However, undeniably this phenomenon has caused the local games to lose their shine: many are forgetting their homegrown activities, which has raised the fears of these disciplines being lost forever. This loss will not be limited to domestic sports going into oblivion but also the traditions and culture associated fading away, which will cause irreversible damage to native ways of life too.  

Overall, the attributes of popularity of international sports are clearly visible, and this has also benefited players, as well as nations, but losing the local genre will be a great failure. Thus, efforts should be put to preserve those.  

Fossil fuels are the main source of energy around the world today. In some countries, the use of alternative sources of energy is replacing fossil fuels. Is this a positive or negative development?

Fossil fuels are the main source of energy around the world today. In some countries, the use of alternative sources of energy is replacing fossil fuels.  Is this a positive or negative development?

Adverse effects 

• Economic ramifications: alternative fuel driven technology is in infant stage and thus expensive, so it is bound to result in financial hardships for the impoverished countries 

• Many industries depend on cheap fuel and substitution can cause them hugely 

• The countries dependent on extraction and selling fossil fuel are likely to be hit badly  

• The  amount of resources required to produce energy at par with what is produced using conventional fuels is huge 

Positive 

• Environmental concerns are of paramount importance and  this step is the first in the direction of circumventing or evading an imminent (inevitable / unavoidable) ecological catastrophe - global warming. 

• Further progress in this technology will afford a long term for energy requirements 

• Minimizing use of fossil fuels will also help preserve them for future use

Unconventional fuels are being favored increasingly, and fast superseding fossil fuels, for they promise buttressing the environment and help retain its vitality and robustness though those skeptics exhibit unfounded pessimism.  

A great deal of cynicism is being expressed, despite lacking substance, about the unwarranted impact of this paradigm shift on the economies of several nations though this is expected to endure only for a short tenure. It is feared that this might cost numerous industries and even countries several arms and legs, causing them to buckle under economic pressures and become vulnerable to steep crises. Similarly, the countries completely dependent on extraction and export of this oil and coal are likely to be hit since their only source of revenues will diminish, leaving them high and dry. 

However, there is hardly any concern more prominent than sustaining the habitable planet, and  use of fossil fuels is the primary hindrance in ensuring that. The current generation, in its striving for rapid progress has led to the abuse of this naturally occurring mineral, causing immense pollution through its industrial, transportation and household application, and leading to the jeopardizing phenomenon of global warming. Such a move will act as bulwark against further deterioration and ensure hospitable surroundings. 

Similarly, the progress made in this realm has brought forth a promise of infinite availability of energy producing mediums such as solar power, wind power, tidal power, and hydrogen fuel cells, that will afford mankind enough resources to lodge unabated progress without needing to explore and forage through new territories for locating natural resources.  

Overall, the derision should be outrightly overlooked in favor of this trend. It can easily be asserted that renewable resources hold great promises of ushering in an era of sustainable development, proving this evolution to be favorable.  

Today, TV channels broadcast more men's sports shows than women’s sport shows. Why is this the case? Should TV channels give equal showtime for each?

Today, TV channels broadcast more men's sports shows than women’s sport shows. Why is this the case? Should TV channels give equal showtime for each?

Television has brought sports to the living rooms of households, but even so it has been blamed for ignoring the events that feature female athletes and prioritizing male events despite being backed by several plausible attributes. This has led to voices in support of blurring the differences. 

The reason for this bias is quite conspicuous: the male branch of sports has humongous fan-following that is lacking in the case of the female domain. Therefore, it is natural for the television broadcasting companies to favor the more popular events since it can help fetch colossal viewership - that is populated by both the genders - and also sumptuous profits. However, this is not possible in the events that are participated by girls. 

To corroborate, the outcomes of a survey by a magazine Stern revealed that most of the media houses and sports channels aimed at tapping and covering those areasHu and disciplines where the chances of earnings were abundant. That is the reason why the FIFA world cup of the males  gets more airtime than the world championship of females.    

Having said that, the demand for TV granting more showtime to female sporting events is quite warranted: this will aid in empowerment of women. It has been observed that due to the conservative attitudes of society, females are unable to earn their deserving dues, and if the onus of emancipating women is shared by television by telecasting more and more sporting events that feature women, the latter will get a chance to break their stereotype since sports provides a way to liberation. 

In hindsight, commercial compulsion is the fundamental foundation for the apathy of television towards women sports, but this needs to change and more time slots be allocated to this branch: it will assist in diluting gender differences.

When asked to choose between a life without work and working most of the time, people would always choose not to work.

When asked to choose between a life without work and working most of the time, people would always choose not to work. Do you agree or diagree? 

Disagree 

• Earning money to subsist is a crucial activity which makes it imperative to work - this also affords freedom 
• Comforts and luxuries can only be afforded if one has enough money which can be obtained by employing oneself 
• Working is the best way to broaden professional and social circles and also perspective 
• It is good way of using time productively, idle mind is devil’s workshop, staying without work could lead people into pervert mindsets, taking up crime      
• Good for mental well being: keeps people away from depression and a feeling of being unproductivity 
• For some, attaining professional goals fetches eternal happiness 
• Humans have been subjected to working ever since they appeared on this planet. In ancient times, they spent most of their day, hunting for food, the only livelihood they had, in modern times they must work to earn food. 

Agree 

• Many feel that life is not subject oneself to unwarranted stress and strife of chasing professional goals and raising desires, but spending it in the bliss of peace 
• Working many times involves spending more than the required time, which exposes one to ailments and sufferings, and also spoiling family relations   

Whether one will choose to lead a life that sans professional engagements is a debatable issue that has fetched strong arguments both in favor and against.

A strange perception seems to be emerging among a specific section of social theorists who profess that if given an opportunity a majority would choose to stay jobless. This notion can, however,  be countered by quoting a strong rationale behind this aspiration not being a metaphor for a life most would like to inhibit, owing to their critical requirements and professional aspirations.

Barring a few, most would surely hardly enjoy a life  that sans professional obligations for long even if they elect to do so. A majority can rarely think of surviving without having a professional ambition to pursue. Being a gregarious  creature, man longs for professional and social associations, which can only be effectively afforded if one engages in fruitful endeavors – that can only be laid at disposal by undertaking professional pursuits. Even though one would still have social contacts when not doing work, they will remain confined to a few people and boredom would set in fast, making one feel useless.

Moreover, it is undeniable that a majority is quite enthusiastic about embracing a professionally active lifestyle: it can greatly help in not only making available basic amenities such as food, shelter and clothing  but also rendering resources to bestow upon them and their loved one several luxuries, besides helping amass enough for the rainy days, as well as twilight years. On top of that, one can also pursue their dreams of earning professional accolades and acknowledgment by exhibiting their skills and finesse, a far cry for their counterparts who choose to remain workless. 

Overall, it can thus be said that the notion of choosing to remain unemployed is merely a figment of imagination promoted by some who are exhausted from chasing their ambitions. Therefore, I fail to subscribe to this statement. 

Alternative Introductions 

The contemporary  public discourse is founded on a notion that most would opt to be jobless if rendered an opportunity, which is strongly contested by a lobby that quotes that humans were not created to lead an idle and unproductive life; thus, few would like to inhabit such a lifestyle.

In an era when most are found striving to attain their professional goals, a perception seems to be emerging, across several quarters, that if rendered an opportunity, most will opt to remain jobless. However, this notion holds little substance as per another opinion.

In some countries children are often told that they can achieve anything if they try hard enough. What are the advantages and disadvantages of giving children this message?

In some countries children are often told that they can achieve anything if they try hard enough. What are the advantages and disadvantages of giving children this message?

• In some countries children are often told that they can achieve anything if they try hard enough. 

Benefits 

• This fuels never say die attitude: it fosters perseverance (unswerving resolve) and ability to  keep working despite adversities 
• * This persuades them to approach any goal with enthusiasm,  which in turn lets  the creativity come to the fore  
• This also inculcates confidence among the young ones
• They will seldom procrastinate they stay more focussed on their goals
• This is good for society: this will promote a generation that relies on their efforts rather than their destiny   

Drawbacks 

• This can become an obsession, even after realizing that some things are attainable, youngsters start investing into their endeavors mindlessly> they function like someone who is possessed and becomes stubborn, unprepared to listen to anyone. 
• This can also encourage young ones to establish unrealistic goals, which are too high for their resources: stress, due to making impractical commitments> this can have severe implications for the mental and physical well being 
• In many cases when they fail to make a mark, youngsters can suffer from mental afflictions     

Several societies follow the practice of imbibing the principle that incessant toils can surmount even the impregnable challenges, in the young generation. Such enlightenment can although persuade young individuals to pursue their objectives relentlessly, this can expose them to several unwarranted situations. 

The  most prominent benefit that this education can help derive is fostering an unflinching determination among juveniles in their efforts they invest in pursuit of their objectives. In other words, they are adequately prepared to endure hardships that they might encounter while chasing their goals. Not only this the unswerving attitude inculcated through such teaching also aids in bringing their creativity to the fore, which they employ to discover methods, and decide upon the course of action to be deployed to accomplish their aims. 

Similarly, it is undeniable that imparting such education can fill youngsters with hope, and eventually make them enthusiastic about facing life and its struggles. It has quite often been observed that such youngsters are better prepared than their counterparts who never receive such enlightenment, to accept failures as a part of life and strive continuously until they succeed. 

Nevertheless, a perception that is buttressed by pessimism, about the darker shades exists too, which  sees the negative side of everything. It professes that youngsters developed the habit of setting unrealistic goals for themselves. This has a potential of exposing young minds to an undue stress, thereby making them vulnerable to mental afflictions. Also, sometimes they chase dreams which are beyond their resources and impractical in nature.

Overall, despite such teaching carrying certain drawbacks, its merits far outnumber the former. It may be possible that youngsters could become impractical due to this, but such instances are rare; however, they becoming hopeful about life with such encouragement, is a reality.

Overall, this system  has both upsides and downsides: where children foster a never say die attitude towards challenges, they also may expose themselves to unjustified stress. Thus, it becomes essential for the parents to guide their wards appropriately and help them grow as rational adults.   

  

 

Establishment of superstores has resulted in closure of small shops. Is it a positive or negative development?

 Establishment of superstores has resulted in closure of small shops. Is it a positive or negative development?

In contemporary times, the books and television shows showcasing criminal storyline and scenes are gaining more fame worldwide. The myriad reasons fuelling such popularity and the implications it has on the individuals shall be discussed profoundly in the paragraphs that follow.

To start with, the intensity of crime and suspense featured in such fiction and soap operas, render immense excitement to the audience. This helps them escape the mundane they face in their day to day life, and expose themselves to a rendezvous with adventurous acts - committed by characters featuring in such content - that satisfies their adrenaline rush due to the plot, presented in them, shrouded (concealed) by suspense.

Moreover, the investigative instincts of the readers or viewers are satisfied when they are engrossed with continuous analysis and interpretation of the situations and actions revealed in the content to find the culprit and the causes instigating them to partake in unlawful acts. To corroborate, a study by Forbes reveals that the daily soaps and books featuring content portraying illegal acts inspire people to solve the underlying mysteries as it keeps their brains occupied and gives them a sense of achievement by unearthing enigma.

Another implication it bears is that it works like a tool to generate awareness among the people of the intensity, reasons and effects of the crimes likely to take place around them. It also provides them with possible measures to escape such happenings with them. They, thus, are helpful by virtue of preparing them for countering an antisocial activity that they might face.

Overall, the rising bar of popularity among audiences for the content comprising such fiction showcasing criminal endeavors is backed by umpteen reasons, but these act as an exciting source of entertainment and education.

When there is a rise in the standard of living, people in the cities are more benefited than those in the rural areas. Please give your opinion on the problems arising from this discrimination.

 When there is a rise in the standard of living, people in the cities are more benefited than those in the rural areas. Please give your opinion on the problems arising from this discrimination.

The rising differences in the quality of life of urbanites and ruralites has sparked a profound controversy with many terming this disparity as completely uncalled for though there is a lobby that justifies the rationale behind this gap.  

The ever expanding disparity in the quality of life in urban and rural areas will always remain impregnable since  there is a fundamental difference in the arrangement in both the societies where villages have people/ are populated by those hailing from similar backgrounds and following a simple yet, affordable lifestyles whereas, the urbanized areas have huge populations hailing from diverse regions, who have disparate requirements and aspirations. This sheer multitude of dissimilar interests and demands entails creation of facilities, amounting for such a contrast. 

Similarly, terming differences as biased against the ruralites is quite unjust. One close look at functions of both the locations can help determine the rationale behind this contrast. Where the rural areas are more influenced by the basic trades and are interested with a task of feeding the society,with minimal technological intervention, the urban centers are vested with the responsibility(task) of fueling progress and rendering better technological solutions to support all components of the modern society. 

Nevertheless, it is hard to convince the critics who feel that this inconsistency could prove to be a recipe for disaster as to overcome this gap many might migrate from rural to urban locations. Such an exodus could prove to be unfavorable for farming that might have to face the scarcity of able bodied people, affecting the agriculture yields and food production.

Overall, I feel carrying out discussion in the disparities in the urban and rural lifestyles is an inconsequential and little more than and mere squabble on an issue that seems to be a brainchild of anti development lobby 

Some people think that in the modern world, getting old is entirely bad. However, other people believe that the life of old people is much better now than it was in the past.

Some people think that in the modern world, getting old is entirely bad. However, other people believe that the life of old people is much better now than it was in the past. Discuss both views and give your own opinion

Autumn years have historically been considered as times of misery for everyone, but this perception nowadays seems to be transforming due to the availability of modern facilities. Both the former and latter views are bolstered by plausible reasons.

To commence with, the traditional view about advanced age being the most terrible phase of life is founded on the fact of the rise in incidence of age-related disorders and ailments such as heart conditions, weakening eyes and so on, which affect the quality of life drastically.* The torment does not end only at poor health conditions, but the ageing individuals must also bear the pangs of loneliness and neglect of their loved ones, for whom they sacrifice the prime time of their lives, their youth.

*Various surveys across the world, carried out to evaluate the age wise health conditions of the global populace revealed that a majority of health care consumers hailed from the age group 65 and above, and the most of these individuals were inflicted by ailments like arthritis and Parkinson's to name a few, which generally surface during old age.

However, there are some who are quite optimistic about the advancements  brought about by science and technology in the field of medicine and age care support. They suggest that the elderly can now lead an active life despite ageing, something that was beyond imagination in the past, helping raise their self esteem. The  disease and ailments are inflicting them much later in life than usual, enabling them to enjoy their surroundings even in the advanced age.

Overall, even though both the perspectives stand true in their own virtue, I believe that the latter view has more relevance today since senior citizens enjoy the liberty of interacting with the world around them more actively.