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[haileyjkwon]

Issue Topic:

People should undertake risky action only after they have carefully considered its consequences.

 

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the recommendation and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, describe specific circumstances in which adopting the recommendation would or would not be advantageous and explain how these examples shape your position.

 

Response: 

 

Often in our lives, we are faced with many decisions that involve risks in terms of losing life, money, and or relationships. Before undertaking risky action, it is necessary to carefully consider its consequences.  

 

Those who want the thirll of life-threatening leisure activities such as motorcycle riding and cliff jumping should only perform them after they have carefully consiered the consequences because once taken away, life cannot be brought back. Accidents are unpredictable, and dangerous accidents can result in loss of life or severe injuries such as blindness, amputation, paralysis that can be permanent, thus depriving the subject of the ability to work or enjoy leisure activities for the rest of his or her life. Moreover, such consequences are burdensome not only to the individuals that were involved in the risky activitie, but also on their families and friends who ought to take care of them for their lifetime. The care may include taking care of the patient's basic needs from feeding and taking them to the bathroom, and financial support for patients who are unable to work for themselves. This burden is especially great for low-income families who cannot financially afford to take care of the sick. More broadly, the consequences can include losses of contributions to society that could be made by the talented individuals who had a lot of potential but have experienced unfortunate accidents that disabled them. 

 

Another risky example can be going abroad for reporting or missionary purposes that result in murder or hostage situations in countries undergoing dangerous events such as war conflicts. Recently there have been American travelers, missinary workers and reporters who were captivated in the Middle Eastern region after leaving home against their family's wish or the government's warning. Even the countries that are not banned by the government can bear a lot of risks. For example, horrible incidents such as rape and murder of girls and women are reported daily in India. If people go to such regions without carefully considering the risks and end up becoming victims of such incidents, they can be traumatized by such incidents even if they survive. Such traumatizing events can cause physical damage or mental illness that cannot be undone and may require a long recovery time, thus negatively affecting the victim's life for a long term. On the other hand, those who undertake risky actions after carefully considering the consequences are better prepared to respond to dangerous situations. 

 

There are times in our lives when it may be better to "just do it" rather than giving it too much time. In cases where risks bear small consequences, it's okay to have some fun sometime. In general, however, people should only undertake risky actions upon careful consideration of the consequences. If one deliberately decides not to do something after carefully considering its consequences, that can prevent one from unforeseen or unpredictable losses. Additionally, taking the time to think about the consequences allows people to come up with alternative plans that are best suited for them or prepare for the risky situations.

 

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Argument Topic: The following is a recommendation from the business manager of Monarch Books.

 

"Since its opening in Collegeville twenty years ago, Monarch Books has developed a large customer base due to its reader-friendly atmosphere and wide selection of books on all subjects. Last month, Book and Bean, a combination bookstore and coffee shop, announced its intention to open a Collegeville store. Monarch Books should open its own in-store café in the space currently devoted to children's books. Given recent national census data indicating a significant decline in the percentage of the population under age ten, sales of children's books are likely to decline. By replacing its children's books section with a café, Monarch Books can increase profits and ward off competition from Book and Bean."

 

Response: 

 

The above argument that Monarch Books will be able to increase profits and ward off competition from Book and Bean by replacing its children's section with a cafe is weak because the author makes several unwarranted assumptions.

 

First, the author assumes that the recent national census data presents true information about the decline of children's population, and that the data will be applicable to affecting the business o Monarch Books. Even if the data are true, the fact that there has been a decline in the percentage of the population under age ten does not necessarily mean that sales of children's books will actually decline. Given the national scope of the data, it may not particularly apply to the bookstores in Collegeville, and especially  Monarch Books which was established 20 years ago and has developed a large customer base since then.

 

Second, despite the author's claim that replacing the children's section with a cafe will increase profits, an in-store cafe can disrupt the current reader-friendly atmosphere at Monarch Books. For instance, the loud machines required for the operation of the cafe and the cafe customers can make the overall environment louder, making Monarch Books less reader-friendly. Additionally, removing children's section risks the decline in the overall number of customers that have children or customers that have friends and families with children who would enjoy children's books. Removing children's section and changing the atmosphere of Monarch Books can repel its loyal customers rather than attract new ones. On the other hand, maintaining its reader-friendly atmosphere and a wide selection of books can lead to continued success of Monarch Books.

 

Many of today's bookstores own a in-store cafe, which may increase profits by attracting cafe users and selling more items. However, combining bookstore and coffee shop would make Monarch Books very similar to Coffee Bean, which would be an ineffective method of warding off competition. Additionally, removing children's section to install a in-store cafe will be disadvantageous to Monarch Books if the new Book and Bean store has a children's cafe and the cafe. Therefore, building the cafe in the children's space can risk losing the entire population of customers who are less than 10 years old as well as their families.

 

Based ont the several unwarranted assumptions and implications on which it depends, the argument is weak.

[grad29]

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