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The New Society [full title]
K. V. [student’s name]
Coastline Community College
English 100
Professor Davis
May 6, 2016
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Abstract
Human civilization has hit a critical point and has finally woken up: life on Earth is in grave
danger. Thus, a collective human consciousness arises and sweeps across the world, forming a
New Society. People have concluded that for things to continue major changes have to come,
and they have to come now. After eliminating money, borders, and religion, people then begin
focusing on maintaining life on earth and achieving happiness through the unification of our
species. Switching to a plant-based diet, adopting alternative sources of energy worldwide, and
teaching diversity and art, humans become happy and content with life. The basic human
necessities are available to all, and money is eradicated. Humans are humbled, united in
harmony with each other and all other life on earth.
Keywords: Utopia, Solar Energy, Religion, Veganism, Meditation, Space, Happiness
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The New Society
How will the end of the world come? Will it be a meteor crash? Will it be an ice age
brought on by climate change? A runaway greenhouse effect like Venus’s? Will it be a nuclear
arms exchange? Or will it just come from the expansion of our sun once the hydrogen is
depleted in its core? For the final scenario we have roughly five billion more years to figure out
what to do before the supernova naturally occurs. For most of the other possibilities, it seems
that we humans have at least some control over whether they become a reality or not. This essay
will use an imaginary scenario (perhaps not too unlike our own current one) where humans have
realized that they've been doing many things wrong for a long time and that huge changes are
now a necessity. These necessities will describe my utopian country. But how would one
utopian country exist? What good is it to live in a utopian country when another country
bordering the utopian country decides it wants to take it over? If happiness is defined as the
emotion of joy that a person experiences in life, then initially this must be based on the premise
that that person must be alive in the first place. So in order to achieve the greatest happiness for
the most humans, there needs to be a single focused and collective consciousness. This would
not be a country, then, but will be referred to as the world's New Society, where happiness stems
from just being alive, experiencing the gift of life, and understanding the role of maintaining our
ecology.
So what's the first major change? A good place to start is money, and those who don't
believe the phrase “money is the root of all evil” are duped. Money is what operates most of the
world, so to rid of it would be a huge improvement in almost everything that humans know. But
it's a must for many reasons. Money is a man-made concept that was designed to provide those
that have it with the ability to exchange it for other goods. This immediately shows that those
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who do not have it are not able to exchange it for their wants or, more importantly, their needs.
Millions upon millions of people have starved because they weren't able to exchange money for
food. Many weren't able to pay for shelter to house them from the cold and sickness. Many still
cannot get the proper medical help they need because they can't afford it. These are basic human
necessities, and the fact that we instill restrictions on those who don't have money means we are
willingly causing suffering. The desire (and need) to possess money for survival in the old world
leads people to various crimes. In his Utopia, Thomas More wrote, “For obviously the end of
money means the end of all those types of criminal behavior which daily punishments are
powerless to check: fraud, theft, burglary, brawls, riots, disputes, rebellion, murder, treason, and
black magic” (Barnet, 2014, p. 692). Humans aren't able to get the education they would like
from not having it. It's the cause for negative actions such as lying and cheating. Marriages end
because of it. People die from heart attacks and strokes because of anxiety and stress that's
related to the lack of it. Many wars in history have been fought over money. Certain geographic
locations have goods that others do not have, and the ability of a country to possess those goods
allows them to exchange it for money. Once the collective consciousness of the world society is
realized, it throws the idea of money away and through the collective goodness and efforts of the
people everyone is able to have whatever they need in exchange for doing the work of their
choice. An alternative to the money system is still to be fully developed, but it's just important to
realize that money must go in order for true happiness to thrive.
Closely related to money is the idea of borders. As mentioned earlier, there can't be one
utopian country amongst others who disagree because inevitably humans will fight to have a
larger area on which to force their beliefs and customs and exploit the land and resources. The
only solution would be to have one world society. Currently in the world, “large numbers of
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people wish to move permanently to another country – more than 40% of adults in the poorest
quarter of nations. But most of them are either ineligible for any form of legal movement or face
waiting lists of a decade or more. Those giant walls are a human creation” (Clemens, 2011, p. 3).
In the New Society, all humans treat each other with respect and there are no issues of people
working “illegally” in an area that they happened to not be born in. People can travel freely and
choose where they want to reside pending there is sufficient space for them. This also doesn't
mean that cultures will go away, just the opposite. Different regions can keep and maintain their
traditions and since everyone's part of the same world, all of the cultures will be taught and
shared with everyone else. All humans can pick and choose if they want to practice any part of
another culture that is appealing to them. There is also no further need for armies, wars, and
certainly nuclear weapons. The society all at once realized how foolish they were to have
possessed such destruction at their fingertips; the ability to end it all for everyone – 4.5 billion
years of life destroyed - because of disagreements from within manmade boundaries that only
divided us on our one and only planet.
The next huge change would come to one of the greatest setbacks of humans: organized
religions. The comprehension of life, the enigma of an origin, and the mystery and uncertainty of
death are scary concepts, and for all of recorded history there have been attempts by humans to
explain the unexplainable. Rather than being open minded and using the collective wit of
humanity to debate and experiment possible solutions to these questions, it fell on organized
religions to create easy answers where people no longer had to think. It's completely
understandable in that it gave people a sense of relief where they were provided simple
explanations based on faith. But what is clearly evident, but mostly everyone fails to admit, is
that no one has a definite answer. No one was there for creation. No one can prove with
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evidence a recollection of a prior existence (the re-use of the same consciousness). And certainly
no one has returned back to life after a period of being dead to tell the living what happens. So
how is it that the majority of the world currently believes in their religion giving them the
definitive answers to these questions? Basing your entire existence on an uncertainty cannot be
condoned in the New Society. This is not to say that people can't have their own ideas and
thoughts about what could be, but no one follows a specific set of guidelines provided to them
conveniently packaged in a book or scripture.
Religion has been the root of millions of deaths. Wars were and are still fought over
“holy land” or when one religion claims with certainty that it is correct and all others aren't.
People believe so strongly that their religion is correct that they are willing to strap a bomb onto
themselves and end their life as well as many lives around them of those who may not believe
the same. Religion creates separations and keeps people controlled through fear and propaganda.
Religion also has mutilated women and discriminated against homosexuals. It closes off the
imagination and refutes discoveries made by science when those discoveries are incongruent
with beliefs. The American author, philosopher, and neuroscientist Sam Harris once said, “The
difference between science and religion is the difference between a willingness to
dispassionately consider new evidence and new arguments, and a passionate unwillingness to do
so” (Harris, 2006, p. 127). Galileo Galilei was tried for heresy and lived the end of his life in a
prison because he believed in heliocentricity, which was in direct opposition to the Catholic
Church's “certainty” that everything revolved around Earth. Centuries later, he was forgiven
since the church could no longer argue against the absolute evidence proving that science was
right all along. Ridding the world of organized religion will eliminate separations and hatred
among people.
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After eliminating money, borders, and religion, only then can the New Society focus on
saving Mother Earth from all of the pain we have caused her. The only way to ensure that
humanity is happy and the New Society exists is to realize that we are alive only because of the
biological conditions that permit us to be. Once those conditions no longer exist then there is no
surviving for humans. To prevent this, all sources of energy must immediately turn to re-usable
natural energy. Says Prof. Tim, “Enough sunlight strikes Earth every 104 minutes to power the
entire world for a year” (2014, p. 3). This pure energy is free and endless (as long as the sun's
core continues nuclear fusion and provides it for us). The U.S. alone has “the space and sunlight
to provide 100 times its annual power demand with solar” (Tim, 2014, p. 2). All houses and
commercial buildings will have solar panels installed for providing both electricity and for water
heating. All oil drilling operations are permanently ceased, and all transportation will operate by
renewable energy with no emissions. There is no more coal burning, nor cutting down of forests
for development and further industrialization. Nature should be respected; she is the reason we
have life. Everyone in the New Society promotes this greater good over his or her selfish desires.
On the subject of selfish human desires, not killing animals for food when there is an option not
to do so becomes part of the norm. Factory farming is instantly eliminated as it produces “high
levels of waste, use huge amounts of water and land for feed production, contribute to the spread
of human and animal diseases, and play a role in biodiversity loss. Farm animal production also
contributes to climate change: the industry accounts for an estimated 18% of the world's
greenhouse gas emissions, including nine percent of the carbon dioxide, nearly 40% of the
methane (a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than CO2), and 65% of the nitrous oxide (300
times more potent than carbon dioxide)” (Public Health, 2012, p. 7). The land is instead used to
grow fruits, vegetables, rice, potatoes, and beans, which feed everyone on the planet more
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efficiently. An indescribable amount of fresh water is preserved as it is no longer used to keep
animals alive that were only birthed for the purpose of death. With the change in human diet also
comes a lesser chance of heart disease, high cholesterol, obesity, and many other diseases that
came from meat consumption. But the greatest benefit to an all plant-based diet is it clears the
air of death and reduces the suffering that exists in the world. Many people turn a blind eye to the
suffering that animals go through only to end up as carcasses on our plates. The New Society
respects life and realizes that taking a cohabitant's life is unnecessary and unneeded for our
survival. The desire for taste does not and should not dominate the need to rid the world of
suffering. Suffering lingers in the air, and the society can achieve happiness as a whole more
easily knowing that we are not contributing to the torture and murder of the other beautiful
creatures that live among us.
Ultimately this all ties in with health. We cannot understate how important health is for
happiness. More wrote, “It's enough by itself to make you enjoy life, and unless you have it, no
other pleasure is possible” (Barnet, 2014, p. 694). We've already discussed that cutting meat out
of a diet will help in this department, as will reducing stress and anxiety from lack of money.
The New Society will focus on encouraging people to maintain a good physique. Gyms will be
open to all, and every human will be provided time in his or her day to run, swim, bike, or take
part in any other physical activity. This will keep our hearts healthy, muscles relaxed and strong,
and brains sharp and focused. The benefits of yoga and meditation are highly understood and
practiced daily as well. [quotation and citation about merits of yoga needed here] By taking time
out of a person's day to focus on the here and now, he or she gains perspective and realizes what
a gift are life and living harmoniously among others.
On the subject of appreciating life, there will be a holiday called Life Day which was
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borrowed from The Star Wars Holiday Special where humans get together in the streets and
celebrate being alive. Music is played by anyone who has an instrument and wants to contribute.
Food is prepared and shared like a giant worldwide potluck. Everyone is reminded how
important the preservation of Mother Earth is to our survival and is shown different cultures to
gain a full appreciation of the diversity and beauty of all humans. [needs quotation and citation
supporting argument that diversity makes people happy] People smile at each other genuinely
and are polite in their words, as there is an understanding that what you give will be given back
to you.
This mentality is also taught at schools. Education is provided for everyone that has a
desire to learn and to advance the knowledge of humanity. Most great work is built on the
shoulders of those before us. This is understood and embraced, and thus those that pursue higher
education continue to invent new technologies and use the scientific method to answer those
questions that were previously unexplainable. Art and music are core subjects in all schools and
are used to expand children's imagination and creativity as these things benefit them as adults.
“One decade-long U.S. Study found that students who participated in at least nine hours of arts
education a week (including music study) were four times more likely than their peers to have
won recognition for their academic achievement, and three times more likely to have won an
award for school attendance” (Benefits, 2015, p. 17). Music in general is understood to be the
universal language and the great unifier. Families create art and music together and this bonding
time overshadows watching television and playing video games.
Finally, one of the most unique rites of passage of the New Society is a free trip to the
orbit of Earth in space. This is done after the invention and perfection of the reusable rocket and
the clean energy used to power it. Sending every person out to space just once in his or her
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lifetime (even if just for a few minutes) allows us to see what the earth looks like from the above.
There may not be a more humbling experience than to hover above it all and see the natural
beauty that is our home. This is a giant reality check. We realize how insignificant all of our
petty problems and arguments are and realize that we are all part of a bigger picture. Sagan
wrote, “Astronomy is a humbling and character-building experience. There is perhaps no better
demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it
underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another” (Chris, 2014, p. 15).
Money, borders, and religion mean absolutely nothing when we view what Carl Sagan called the
Pale Blue Dot, and humans are reminded of their tiny place on it.
Thus, the New Society will build the foundation for true happiness: knowing that you've
spent your time alive wisely, safe from harm, respecting the life surrounding you. When this
consciousness comes about and the New Society emerges, humans will have a new purpose, and
as Prof. Kate wrote, “A sense of purpose, however you find it is key to happiness” (2014, p. 2).
This purpose will be sustaining future life and thus allowing plenty of time to advance
technology and see where in the unknown universe we can explore, just as we have explored our
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own planet, and perhaps find other creatures that may clue us in on what they've discovered
about the unknown. We may be able to start civilizations on other planets of other stars and
preserve the history of our original planet that we've almost destroyed. So how will the world
end? The New Society ensures our planet’s end is not brought about by the hands of humans. 1
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In May 2015 a Swedish artist, Oskar Pernefeldt, formally proposed the International Flag of the Planet Earth. It
was conceived to be used in space expeditions and it has two main purposes: To be used while representing planet
Earth, and to remind the people of Earth that we share this planet, no matter national boundaries.
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References
Barnet, S. (2014). What is the Ideal Society. In Current Issues and Enduring Questions: A Guide
to Critical Thinking and Argument, With Readings (Tenth ed., pp. 663-667). Boston,
MA: Bedford/St. Martins.
Benefits of Music Education to Math, Reading, Language and Spatial Intelligence. (n.d.).
Retrieved July 17, 2015, from http://www.supporttmf.org/documents/BenefitsofMusicWeb.pdf
Chris, S. (2014, March 9). Our Place in the 'Cosmos': Carl Sagan's Humanism in 5 Quotes.
Retrieved August 6, 2015, from
http://chrisstedman.religionnews.com/2014/03/09/cosmos-carl-sagans-humanism/
Clemens, M. (2011, September 5). A World Without Borders Makes Economic Sense. Retrieved
August 5, 2015, from http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/povertymatters/2011/sep/05/migration-increase-global-economy
Harris, S. (2006, January 2). Science Must Destroy Religion. Retrieved August 7, 2015, from
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sam-harris/science-must-destroy-reli_b_13153.html
Kate, L. (2014, August 15). Happy on Purpose. Retrieved August 5, 2015, from
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=hxh&AN=97000407&site=srclive
Public Health Risks from "Animal Farm" (2012, June 1). Retrieved August 5, 2015, from
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ulh&AN=76319727&site=srclive
Tim, M. (2014, September 15). Here Comes the Sun. Retrieved August 5, 2015, from
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ulh&AN=97499427&site=src
PINTER AND TARANTINO
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This style guide shows how I wish you to format your final research project in APA style.
Page number appears in upper right corner; running head, the shortened title in capital
letters, appears in upper left corners. To create this, click on Insert > Page Number > Top of
Page > Plain Number 3. Then beside the page number type your running header—an
abbreviation of your title—in caps. Then press the “tab” button to move your abbreviated title
over to the left corner.
Everything is Times New Roman, size 12, 1” margins. You may use my APA guide here as a
template for your research essay. This guide is five pages long, starting with this page 0, so be
sure to read to the end.
-sphd
Harold Pinter’s Influence on Quentin Tarantino
[your title, centered]
[your name] Uma Thurman
Coastline Community College
English 100
Prof. Davis
[whatever the date is] August 13, 2016
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Abstract [centered]
An abstract is a summary of the key points of your research, written as a single paragraph.
Don’t indent the abstract. OWL (http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/)
suggests the following: Your abstract should contain at least your research topic, research
questions, participants, methods, results, data analysis, and conclusions. You may also include
possible implications of your research and future work you see connected with your findings.
Your abstract should be a single paragraph double-spaced. Your abstract should be between
150 and 250 words. You may also want to list keywords from your paper in your abstract.
To do this, indent as you would if you were starting a new paragraph, type Keywords:
(italicized), and then list your keywords. Listing your keywords will help researchers find
your work in databases.
Keywords: Reservoir Dogs, Dumb Waiter, Samuel Jackson, Kahuna Burger
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Harold Pinter’s Influence on Quentin Tarantino
[type your full title here, centered]
Begin your introduction! Indent the first line of a new paragraph as usual. Open with a
snappy “hook” or “lead” that catches the reader’s attention. Briefly give the background of the
assignment and your research methods and sources. Close with a Thesis Sentence stating what
your research project does / shows / demonstrates / reveals. You may use “I” sparingly in this
research project. These sample paragraphs are 1.15-spaced, by the way; yours should be
double-spaced.
You’ll write body paragraphs. Each should open with a transition connecting the
previous paragraph to the new paragraph. A topic sentence stating the main idea of the
paragraph should then follow, or can be combined with the transition. Which is smoother?
Read aloud to find out. After quoting, write the source in parenthesis (Last Name, year of
publication, page #). Remember, this is APA style. Remember that you are both creating an
imaginary country AND arguing for policies using evidence you found from research. A
minimum of five sources is required. You should also cover five different aspects
(governance, arts, family units, etc.) of your country. Your paper length, including cover
page, abstract, and references (which add up to three pages), is a minimum of ten pages.
Conclusions are never hard, but they can be tricky. To conclude with a sense of
closure (the door is locked, your word is absolute), you’ll first synthesize (NOT summarize)
your essay’s arguments, meaning you’ll show how it all fits together.
To add style to your conclusion paragraph:
1. Link the last paragraph back to the first paragraph by referring back to a person, symbol,
or description introduced in the first paragraph. This is called “bookending.”
2. Answer a Q posed in the first paragraph. This is called “echoing.”
3. Use a simple, definitive final sentence.
4. Close with a rhetorical technique such as chiasmus (see hand-out from first week).
5. Give a relevant anecdote.
To leave your conclusion paragraph more open ended:
1. Insert a quotation that amplifies or expands your essay’s purview;
2. Put your essay in a larger context;
3. Consider the short/long term implications of your essay;
4. Pose a Q or challenge to the reader;
5. Add an ironic or surprising observation (use this cautiously; don’t sound flippant);
6. End with a “clever” remark;
7. Give your hope or recommendation;
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8. Criticize or praise something/someone (use cautiously).
Do NOT simply summarize your essay, a basic conclusion strategy that you’ve
outgrown by now.
Scroll down to see References…
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References [centered]
[Your sources will be alphabetical by last name. Write “Retrieved from” when using an online
source or database. Below is a sample. Remember the minimum number of sources is five,
with three coming from EBSCO. -sphd]
Lally, R. (1997, October 6). Ultraviolence in play and movies. (Electronic Version.) The L.A.
Times, p. B3. Retrieved May 10, 2016 from the EBSCOhost database.
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