You have a life-long dream to return to your hometown on the coast
and build a house after you retire. Upon returning to this hometown you
discover the money saved to build the dream home may be inadequate. Seems
that the latest in weather technology and technology in general has lead
to better updated safety and building codes for homes on the coast. You
now have the option of A) build that dream house using the new technology
which ensures life and minimial damage in severe weather to your property
at a substantial increase in cost or B). live somewhere else and try to
be as happy or C). Stay, build your dreamhouse without the new technology,
safety codes and at the cost you expected to pay, and taking the risk of
surviving a weather phenom with no insurance to your property.
Snow and the New Car
In northern climates snow is an annual event. Your city is trying to
reduce its costs and is proposing to eliminate plowing and use salt and
brine to control the snow on roads.
You have just purchased a new car. It cost you a lot of money and you
want it to last as long as possible and retain its great looks.
If a blizzard strikes and the roads are closed, you won't be able to
get to work to earn the money for the car payments. Your children will
not be able to get to school. In some areas this could close roads for
months.
a) Will you vote to save the tax money and risk being snowed in and
possible financial problems?
OR
b) Vote to okay the use of salt to maintain the roadways even though
it will corrode your cars metal components and degrade its appearance?
Space Missions
You are a Russian Ambassador for the United States, and you are currently
serving on the Space and Technology Committee. The annual budget is up
for approval and the topic of discussion is Mir, the space station. The
committee has presented a budget that would allow continued construction
of the space station, after the initial station is completed. Meanwhile,
the Russian people are starving and fighting the extreme cold temperatures
with little help from the Russian government. What do you do?
A. You approve the entire multi-million dollar budget because continuing
space exploration and research is vital to the future of our world. Also,
many different countries are depending on the research and financial support
of the Russian government.
B. You propose an ammendment that would significantly decrease the
amount each country allots for space technology in the future. Therefore,
the Russian government would be able to invest more money into the lives
of its people. Unfortunately, many countries would lose millions of already
invested dollars if the budget is decreased and current projects are not
completed.
C. You suggest that the Space missions end until all countries can
alleviate their immediate problems within their own territories.
The Lion
You are being chased by a lion and you have come across a river. This
river has a lot of dangerous rapids, waves and crocodiles. You do not know
how to swim. The lion too, cannot swim. Therefore if you crossed over to
the other side of the river, you would be safe. There is no tall tree within
the vicinity of the river. The lion is fast approaching you. However, you
look around and discover an old leaking canoe that is apparently abandoned
at the bank of the river. Unfortunately, you do not know how to peddle
it, even if you knew, the rapids, waves and crocodiles make it exceedingly
dangerous for you to cross over for safety.
You have three options:
1. Jump into the canoe and try to peddle through the rapids and waves
and crocodiles for safety.
2. Try to swim across even if you have never attempted to.
3. Turn round and confront the lion. You could scare it away!
