Prep101 - Free Writing Sample Feedback (summer 2011)

[jmsanders]

One may argue that music is one's reflection of their state of emotional sense and expression. By extension, this could be applied towards the general sense of societal emotions at various time periods in our history. Following the assumption that artists and musicians create music to please their listeners, it logically follows that musicians would create music that reflects what their listeners want to hear. Through the period of our time, at least in the last century, we have gone through changes in our culture and society that is reflected in the type of music that we associate with various generations. For example, my parents listened to a different type of music during their youth than the type of music that is popular within my generation today. As each new generation emerges, whether it be societal pressures or new developments in musical theory, each subsequent generation observes an emergence of a new class of music that goes against the conventional stream of the previous generation. This is observed in our recent historical calendar where jazz music in the 30's paved the way for blues music in the 50's that ultimately led to the music apparent in the current generation. Each era is uniquely marked by its musical history and influence. Thus, it suffices to say that each generation sees a change in mainstream music where new styles emerge into the frontiers of musical popularity that challenge the conventions of the previous era’s musical theme.

 

In contrast, this may not always hold true as observed with some forms of music that lives through the test of time. Although the mainstream musical theme of each generation may seem different than the pervious, upon close inspection we may find similarities in the popular music of different time periods. One example could be seen with rock music. When rock music first emerged in the 60’s stemming from the basic 'blues' genre, it had qualities that had never been seen before. Characterized by the heavy percussions seen as the main driving force of rock music, it was truly a unique genre that eventually grew in popularity amongst listeners in the 60’s. At the surface, the basic characterizations of rock music from influences like AC/DC, the doors, and the beetles may seem like a stark contrast from the music that my generations listens to, it holds many similarities. The typical 4 beat per bar and rhythmic drive of rock music is reflected in the music that we listen to today. Justin Bieber's hit song 'Baby', although carrying it's unique tune still can be characterized by the reminiscence of the classic rock beat in it's back ground. Thus serving as a testament that some forms of music, or rather the main characterizations that define musical conventions, can live thru the test of time. This shows that some musical conventions do not fade into history as another genera but transcends thru history to embed itself into the next popular music in the face of a changing musical world.

 

So brings the question, how does one determine whether this succession of change could lead to the rejection of the previous generations musical conventions or not? It raises the issue of both what defines music and how societal emotions can be reflected thru musical means. Some types of music seems to have emerged in times of different economic or cultural hardship. Jazz is not only seen as the music of the 30's but also as the music that came and went to pave the way for other genres. It was characterized by ‘soul’ and emotion reflected of that time period. In contrast, rock music seems to have stood the test of time where its musical backdrop is still observable in music today. This brings us back in a full circle for one to characterize music to determine its succession thru time. Music that is developed upon social constrictions and ideals is at a higher probability of being rejected in the coming generation due to the dynamic nature of our cultures. In contrast, music that incorporates unifying theme of important musical theory popular to the development of new music is one that can live thru the ages to see minimal change between generations. A truly remarkable testament to the power of music and its role in our society.

[bsm]

The popular music of each generation rejects the conventions of previous generations.

 

From Elvis Presley, to James Brown, to Michael Jackson, the popular music in any generation has a distinct flaire and its own uniqe stars. One of the important characteristics of the emergence of a new style of music, is that one or a group of artists begin to rebuke the present conventions, and create a unique style that people enjoy listening too. In other words, they do what no one else is doing. These conventions often have to do with the rhythm of melody being played, the style of dancing accompanying the music, and even the all around persona of the artists themselves. For example, Elivs Presley became a star through his provocative dancing and "soul" music, which contained a more halting and jerking delivery as compared to the smooth tone of his contemporaries. Elvis' music was a distinct new style that was quickly appreciated by many American youth, and went on to define the style of his generation.

 

However, that is not to say that the music of any generation is completely different from its predecessors. The key is that style of music changes, but in many respects its content remains the same. For example, many of Elvis's hit songs were about the heartaches incurred through romantic relationships (Love Me Tender, You Aint Nothing But a Houndog). This is very similar to hit songs throughout the ages from Dean Martin to 50 Cent. The convention of singing about the nuances felt by men and women in romantic relationships is a convention that stands the test of time.

 

Popular music, then, changes stylistically but remains surprisingly consistent content-wise. The conventions that are changed from generation to generation have to do with the sound of the music itself, appearance, and performance of the artist. However, since human beings of all eras feel the same emotions, the content of music remains constant in order to envoke these emotions. As a parallel we can examine the changing styles of clothing, or fashion. Certainly, fashionable clothing rejects the conventions of previous generations in terms of appearance and style, just as music. This likely stems from an inherent need for youth to distinguish themselves from their parents or other authority figures. However, some aspects of clothing, especially related to its functionality of covering the body, remain constant. Pants generally have two legs, and shirts generally have two sleeves. Therefore, music changes in style from generation to generation, but not in substance.

[anitarama]

Just a reminder to everyone that the deadline in the message when the prompt is posted still stands. So if the deadline for essays says Friday at midnight, essays posted after midnight will not be marked.

 

This time I will mark all essays posted thus far (since I have been a little bit behind) and then post a new prompt, but from this point onward the deadline does apply. Please be mindful of this in the future and write your responses accordingly.

[jmsanders]

Just a reminder to everyone that the deadline in the message when the prompt is posted still stands. So if the deadline for essays says Friday at midnight, essays posted after midnight will not be marked.

 

This time I will mark all essays posted thus far (since I have been a little bit behind) and then post a new prompt, but from this point onward the deadline does apply. Please be mindful of this in the future and write your responses accordingly.

 

Sorry about that Anita! I realized only after I had posted that it was past midnight EST time and didn't realize it as I'm in PST.

 

Thanks for the help you're providing us! We all appreciate it.

[anitarama]

Score: 5/6

 

Task 1 (Supporting): Very thorough job explaining your example and a strong introduction, good work!

 

Task 2 (Refuting): Another very strong example for your Refuting Paragraph.

 

Task 3 (Resolution): Both of the examples given were wonderful, but your resolution criteria is a little bit weaker, as it doesn't necessarily directly relate back to the two examples you have given. Perhaps if you had given a specific name of an artist who first created original music and then moved on to make a remix, as you explained in your Resolution Paragraph.

 

The popular music of each generation rejects the conventions of previous generations.

 

 

Turn off that racket!

This phrase has been used countless times by parents as they criticize the music that their children listen to. The referral of modern tunes as "noise" is also a common expression. As parents love to point out, the music they listened to as teens was so different and of much better quality. But was it?

 

Popular music changes by generation. As fads phase in and out, pop culture moulds as musicians attempt to create a unique sound. Generation by generation, pop music tends to blend from one sound to the next in order to keep their fan base. Popular music of today ranges from upcoming female artists like Katy Perry, Lay Gaga to bands including the like of These Boys Wear Crowns, NIckelback and more. It is true. If we compare these artists to the The Beatles, popular music from the generation before us, very little similarity wil be found. The soft, mellow tunes of "Yellow Submarine" by the Beatles is not comparable to the upbeat music of "Born This Way" by Lady Gaga. The music was written on different conventions, or conformities, of what was popular at their respective moments in time. Modern "popular" music is so different from music in past, that it is as though artists reject there predecessors as they aim to be unique. Outside of the opera, how often do hear people cruising along in their car listening to Mozart?

 

Yet, despite this seemingly rebellious act of music history, current artists do not always reject what was done before. Many times while listening to the radio, a teen is shocked to hear that their parents know the lyrics to their favourite, fresh out of the studio songs. How is this possible? Remixes. Songs from previous generations are very often redone by new current artists. They say that mimicry is the best form of flattery. These artists are recognizing the talents of musicians before them by acknowledging that their work is good. A remix will keep many of the same conventions used by the original artists, lyrics for example, but put them to a new beat that parallels current popular music. Popular music thus does not completely reject what was before them.

 

So when is does an artist decide to make a remix and honour those musicians past, and when do they stick to making new, modern popular music? Popular music likes to be unique, it tries to separate from what was before. However, it is not complete rejection as elements from past generations do creep in, especially when artists decide to remake a song. When music is going through a transition, it needs to create a solid foundation of what it is. It must reject the conventions of past generations as it determines what separates it from the popular music of before. Once this is established, then it is possible to incorporate old ideas. A beginning artist, like the genre of popular music, will want to create an album of their own before remixing a song from a past great. If an artist begins by making a remix, just as if popular music does not separate itself first, they risk being labelled a mere carbon copy of the past.

[anitarama]

Score: 4/6

 

Task 1 (Supporting): Well-explained premise for the prompt and supporting example.

 

Task 2 (Refuting): Another strong example to contrast the prompt.

 

Task 3 (Resolution): Now this is where your essay falters somewhat. The final Resolution Paragraph needs to take into account both of the examples you have already introduced and explain what criteria in fact makes both of the situations true. In what scenario do artists want to remake older generations' songs and in what scenario do artists wish to detach themselves from past musical influences?

 

The popular music of each generation rejects the conventions of previous generations.

 

Music exists as a means to express one's self. The popular songs of a generation can be used as a way to observe the viewpoints and opinions of that time in history. It can be noted that the type of songs released and that are popular at one point in time are often quite different than those in another decade. Often the popular songs are favored by youth and serve as a way to express their opinions, often countering those opinions and conventions held by their parents and members of the previous generation. This serves as a basis to say that the music of one generation might reject the previous generation's way of thinking and social conventions. The cultural revolution throughout the 1960's is quite a drastic demonstration of this argument. The conservative customs of the previous generation were ignored and altered drastically by the hippies and baby boomers during this time. Large music festivals like Woodstock, featuring bands like The Who, with their song "My Generation", and Bob Dylan, with his song, "TImes are Changing", illustrate the music calling for a change in convention in society.

 

On the other hand, some may argue that the themes in music are universal and often convey similar messages, regardless of what era the song is from. Often these songs express a desire to create a place in society and to be independent. Essentially the theme expressed is that the new generation wants to prove to their elders they can take care of themselves adequately and can contribute to society in their own way. Remakes of popular songs from the past are excellent demonstrations of this. Songs like "Behind Blue Eyes" by the Who and redone by Limp Bizkit show that many of these songs of previous generations are still relevant today and the messages they express have the same effect.

 

Thus, perhaps popular music doesn't fully reject the conventions of the previous generation, but instead remodel some universal theme to fit the opinions of a new generation. Whether it be the yearning for independence, to make a unique mark on the world, or proving self-sufficiency, these desires remain relevant across time. The cultural revolution was a drastic change in society, but in the end, the youth were expressing their thirst for independence and looking to show their parents they can do just fine on their own. After all, everybody wants to find their place and make their mark in the world.

[anitarama]

Score: 4.5/6

 

Task 1 (Supporting): This was a well-explained supporting example. I believe your essay would have benefited from more of an introduction to lay out a standard premise in regards to the prompt that would be carried out through the entire essay.

 

Task 2 (Refuting): This was an interesting example, though somewhat less straightforward than your first example.

 

Task 3 (Resolution): This is an interesting resolution as you have basically said that even when the music does derive some inspiration from previous musical influences, it needs to seem detached and novel to its current audience for it to become popular. It was a slightly more roundabout criteria to argue, but you did a good job with it.

 

Miscellaneous: Sometimes the simplest examples and resolution criteria are the best option, as they are easier for you to explain and explore in detail and are less likely to confuse the reader who has very little time to get through numerous essays. Just a thought to keep in the back of your mind.

 

The popular music of each generation rejects the conventions of previous generations.

 

Describe a specific situation in which the popular music of a generation might not reject the conventions of previous generations. Discuss what you think determines whether or not the popular music of a generation rejects the conventions of previous generations.

 

With every generation comes a new suite of popular music. While the music of the 1970s focused heavily on the concepts of free love and humanity coming together in peace and harmony, the music of the 1980s, while varied, had other focuses. The advent of popular rap music occured, which was centered around hardships, and the past, emphasizing the negative aspects of the then current society. Music about gangs and violence began by the late 1980s which was strongly opposed to previous generations' music conventions. This trend in music continued, even received a resurgence, in the new millenium, with even stronger overtones of violence and crime. This can only be recognized as a rejection of the past in a new generation's attempt to identify themselves as individuals apart from their predecessors.

 

However, in many cases the music of subsequent generations has clear roots in music of previous generations, with subtle, but important, developments. Further back in time, there was the development of rock-and-roll music. While this fast-paced, fun music was entirely new to the youth of the day, and wholly embraced by them, it was quickly rejected with vigour by a large portion of the adult population. This was mostly in response to the subjects of the music, deemed inappropriate to engage in or discuss in public. However, there was a very strong, and now heavily-studied, connection between rock-and-roll music and the earlier Blues genre of African-Americans. Elvis Presley, one of the most recognized names in early rock, has even been accused of simply imitating the music of the Blues genre with new lyrics, and bringing it to Caucasian populations as something innovative.

 

The conventions of popular music in each generation can rarely be predicted, and are often shocking and apalling to the generations before. Whether the new music will be embraced by the young generation, however, is often based on its differentiation, or more specifically, it's apparent differentiation from the music that they identify with their parents. As youth reach adolescence and attempt to identify themselves both as idividuals, apart from their families, and as part of a new group, among their peers, the venue of music is a place to find common ground with peers and reject the trends of the past. The more violent rap music became, the more rejected it was by the previous generation, and more appreciated it became by the new generation. In the case of rock-and-roll, the sexually-suggestive lyrics that were apalling to their parents were embraced by the youth. One of the greatest deciding factors in whether a new development in music will become a popular trend is how strongly it evokes the feeling among adolescents that the genre is unique and their own. Every generation wants to feel as though their lives are unprecedented, and music is one of the primary ways that a generation can share this feeling of community with one another and segregate themselves from the generation before them.

[anitarama]

Score: 4/6

 

Task 1 (Supporting): The example would have been strengthened had you delved more into the rejection of past musical styles, as the Beatles were only mentioned briefly. This is the crux of the essay, so make sure you spend adequate time exploring it.

 

Task 2 (Refuting): Using yourself as an example is usually not as strong as using a more generalized example. If it is the only thing you can think of at the time, that's fine, but try to find concrete universal examples if you can.

 

Task 3 (Resolution): Good criteria that is well-explained.

 

Miscellaneous: Always remember to give yourself time to do a quick proofread at the end.

 

We see it with various types of art all the time. It is a field of work that is always changing, and the reason it changes is because people change and our values change as time passes us by. Poplar music is arguably one of the best ways to make money in the modern era. It composes of music videos of various artists with very nice cars and girls all around them in their music videos. This popular music genre described is Hip Hop. Hip Hop became popular in the 21st century. If one were to analyse a Hip Hop music video, they would find that all of the music videos have large amount of cars, girls and profanities. What makes this genre popular is that that is what the youths of our time are being exposed to throughout their life. These Hip Hop artists abuse this power and make music videos that suit the society to make profit. Hip Hop is a very new brand of music that has totally removed the limitations set up by the previous generations of popular music, the older music of the 19th century became popular by the lyrics, not be the actual video. Take the Beetles for example; their music focuses on presenting meaningful lyrics to the society. Hip Hop totally rejects this idea, and instead focuses on making a more appealing music video and making very loud lyrics.

 

The popularity of Hip Hop can be attributed to the liberalism of the North American society. It allows just about anything to be shown to the kids on TV and radio. In other countries such as many European and many eastern nations, the influence of Hip Hop is very little. The values of youths in these countries have not been tainted by westernism and the choice of music of their youths shows that. In these nations, music is still listened to for the lyrical meaning rather than the appealing music video and the profanities. The parents of these nations still teach their children to listen to music with meaningful lyrics as in the olden times. The most albums sold in these countries are still by artists who choose to focus more on the lyrics rather than the actual music video. Take my family for example, we all listen to the same type of music, this same type is enjoyed by me and my father as well as my brother. We do not have to fight for the radio in the car; we both enjoy the same classical music that is loved by many. This, I believe is because my values and beliefs towards life are very much similar to those of my father. I was thought the same things he was thought when he was little, he thought these to me and if I were to teach the same values and beliefs to by children, then I am sure their choice of music will resemble ours.

 

Thus, the primary determinant of popular music is the values and the beliefs that the youths of the civilization holds, because youths are after all the people with time to listen to music. The values and beliefs of western nations are very liberal when it comes to what children see on the TV, and that allows music like Hip Hop to rise. Hip Hop destroys all the conventions and limitations of the older style of popular music and chooses to incorporate what the youth of todays western civilization wants. Westernism however has not yet tainted all of Eastern and European nations; there are still many countries where the most popular music still uses the conventions that the last generation of music used. The kids and the parents of these countries both listen to the same type of music because both the child and the parent have the same set of values and beliefs. That however is not the case in the western civilization. The parent has very little control over the child’s beliefs and values, instead the society has much more power, and society dictates that children must listen to Hip Hop because it is more appealing to the youths.

[anitarama]

Score: 5/6

 

Task 1 (Supporting): Very well-explained introduction and strong example.

 

Task 2 (Refuting): Another very strong paragraph.

 

Task 3 (Resolution): You have mentioned the resolution criteria very briefly here. I am unsure if you in fact ran out of time, but explaining your social vs. musical ideas premise in more depth would have made this essay near-perfect.

 

The popular music of each generation rejects the conventions of previous generations.

Describe a specific situation in which the popular music of a generation might not reject the conventions of previous generations. Discuss what you think determines whether or not the popular music of a generation rejects the conventions of previous generations.

 

Each generation has its own unique music which encompasses ideals and styles which are different from anything that came before them. It is difficult to point to one particular style of music which could be considered “the popular music” of that time period or that generation of youth. Musical tastes vary between social groups and ages, not just between generations, but popular music finds its identity in how popular it is with the youth of the time. Overall, however, the popular music which is most widely listened to and aired by radio stations and TV channels, often rejects the conventions that were held by the previous generations. These conventions are the opinions about social issues and how to approach them. For example, the popular music of the seventies can be exemplified by the progressive rock band, Pink Floyd. Pink Floyd was known as progressive not only because of its new and sureal style of music, but because of the provocative motifs that were presented in its lyrics. The song, Another Brick in the Wall, and its line “we don’t need no education”, point to the fact that many of the youth of that decade were not interested in becoming the young man or woman that their parents expected them to be. They, just like every other generation, wanted to plan their own future and create their own goals.

 

However, the music most widely listened to by the youth of any particular generation does not always rejected the conventions of previous generations. The musical conventions and styles that were developed in the seventies still influence the popular music of today. Alternative rock bands, such as Green Day, have become quite popular in the past few years. Yet the style of Green Day uses an adaptation of the guitar riffs that were created by bands like Def Leppard thirty years ago. Hence, the stylistic conventions of the popular music of previous generations is not rejected by the popular music of today. In fact it is influenced by previous music.

 

What determines whether or not the popular music of a generation rejects the conventions of the previous generation depends on the type of convention being discussed. Popular music, such as Pink Floyd, often rejects and even speaks out against the social ideas that are held by the previous generation, by proclaiming a desire for freedom. However, popular musical bands such as Green Day draw on the musical ideas that were discovered by the previous generation to create a new kind of music.

[anitarama]

Score: 5.5/6

 

Task 1 (Supporting): Great job defining important terms. You explained your example well.

 

Task 2 (Refuting): Another strong paragraph.

 

Task 3 (Resolution): Great job! You have explored your criteria in depth and related it back to both of the examples used.

 

Music is a very powerful form of media. It can provoke different emotions in people and has even been influencial in making drastic changes in society like breaking down racial barriers and changing societal norms. Popular music is the well known songs that most people of a given generation are familiar with and recognize when heard. The popular music of one generation however, may be very different from that of another generation. In this sense, generation refers to a similar group of people in regards to age, while their parents or children would be considered a different generation. Often, one generation rejects the conventions, or societal norms of previous groups of people. The most powerful examples of this is when one group is very different from the preceeding one due to major changes and turning points in a society. For example, the music of Elivs Presley started in the 1950s and was very controversial. His lyrics and how he physically presented his music with pelvic thrusts and other suggestive body language was viewed as very suggestive and inappropriate. His music also aimed to break down racial barriers. Overall, his music disgusted some, but these were mainly the people of the previous generation. The people who grew up at the same time that Elvis' music was becoming popular, were not opposed to his views and his music became known worldwide and as a result he has become known as one of the most famous musicians of the past. This example demonstrates how one group of people can have strongly differing views on music compared to future generations. This is only one of many examples of this concept and it explains why music has evolved so much throughtout time.

 

In some cases, we hear songs on the radio that are considered old and we also hear remakes of songs from past generations. In this case, current music does not reject the conventions of music from the past. For example, a recent popular hit among young people is Alyssa Reid's "Alone Again". This song is a remake of Celine Dion's "Alone", which can be considered music of the previous generation as the current group of people does not listen to many of Celine Dion's songs. The only explanation as to why Reid's song is popular is that people can still relate to it and the lyrics are still considered relevent to current society. Thus, the peers of today must relate in some way to their parents. This example is not an exception but rather something we see often where music is being remade or past songs are becoming popular once again. This is evidence that music does not always progress with the rejection of previous conventions.

 

There seems to be a discrepancy because at times, popular music acts to change the norms of the past, but it may also embrace those norms. The difference lies in how much the society itself is changing. When major movements are occurring like breaking down racial barriers in Elvis' time, the music is a reflection of these changes which are not embraced by people of the past. However, when society has not experienced significant changes, like that of today's youngest generation compared to the previous, music has a very similar message and thus is relatable to more than one generation. This can be seen with music remakes or the regaining of popularity of past songs. Music is a reflection of present times and often changes its message due to changes in society.

[anitarama]

Score: 5/6

 

Task 1 (Supporting): Solid example for your Supporting Paragraph. Would have been strengthened by more explanation of how talented voices were appreciated in past generations.

 

Task 2 (Refuting): This is another good example that would have been strengthened by more exploration of the Beatles ability to span generations.

 

Task 3 (Resolution): Remember to give yourself a few minutes to proofread at the end of your allotted time.

 

The popular music of each generation rejects the conventions of previous generations.

 

Each new generation in one form or another, rebels against their parents in order to stand out. Music is no exception. With each advancing generation, the popular music differs from the common trend of the previous decade. Within the past few years, one may have noticed the tend towards the introduction of technically altered voices with the rise of Autotune. People no longer require a profound voice in order to become successful in the music industry. They simply require a good production team with the funds and the equipment. This significant difference from previous eras is largely due to technological advancements. The criteria that once defined an individual as a “good musician” is no longer necessarily relevant today.

 

However, the popular music from one generation can bleed into the next as some bands stand out as icons from multiple generations. The Beatles, for example, have produced hundreds of songs over a lengthly period of time. Once realizing how widespread their fanbase was, the group had no reason to alter their conventions used. The very fact that it touches people of a broad age range, of numerous ethnicities and financial backgrounds proves just how relevant they are.

 

Typically, the popular music of each generation differs from the previous as a result of societal factors that influence the writers, however, popular music of one generation does not always reject the previous era when a band has great popularity. As demonstrated, the music of the recent 2000’s is defined by advancements in technology which have led artists to be able to perfect their every note is clearly different from the sound of the 1960’s in which the hippie lifestyle influenced a period of disco music. Further, when a band is successful in maintaining a lengthly career, their musical influence tends to lessen the amount of change that in seen between generations.

[anitarama]

Score: 4/6

 

Task 1 (Supporting): Good example, which could have been stronger had the differences between these two musical styles been explained more.

 

Task 2 (Refuting): This example is more of a discussion of individual musical tastes rather than generational musical influences, which is a valid thought but not quite as directly related to the prompt.

 

Task 3 (Resolution): The weakness of your criteria and argument is that you have more so highlighted two different individuals and their take on generational musical styles. Remember to directly relate to what the prompt is asking of you.

 

The popular music of each generation rejects the conventions of previous generations.

 

Task #1:

As an individual matures, they absorb much of the culture they grew up in – this culture undoubtedly shapes their taste in music. However, as generations pass, musical style evolves and the musical taste of the new generation may disfavour contemporary music genres. For example, many people who were born in the 1960’s would much prefer a type music that has been trendy during the period, such as blues music. Their children would be quick to change the radio station if they heard their parents’ old-school music, and instead turn the knob to “Chum-FM radio” for current, popular music. Hence, when the popular music of each generation is compared, there are sometimes disagreements and one generation rejects the musical conventions of the other.

 

Task #2:

However, when a generation falls right in between a conventional change, they will experience the cultures of both the old and new generations. This is also the case for those who have the luxury of being exposed to many genres of music; they will learn to appreciate them and they will be accepting of various musical genres, new and old. A person who enjoys the variety of jazz, pop, and classical music would definitely be more open to other musical genres than someone who always listens to just one type of music. Hence, this is an instance where a newer musical generation might not necessarily reject the musical culture of a previous generation.

 

Task #3:

The question then still remains – which factors determine whether or not the new musical conventions reject the old conventions? The answer lies in the musical openness of the generation in question. If the generation is very open to explore different types of music, then they would certainly be accepting of older musical conventions. If the new generation limits them to their own generation of music, they bias against other genres and they might not accept musical conventions of an older generation.

[anitarama]

Score: 5/6

 

Task 1 (Supporting): Very well-explained relevant terms. Strong examples as well. Remember that it is "quite", not "quiet".

 

Task 2 (Refuting): Another strong example for your Refuting Paragraph.

 

Task 3 (Resolution): This was a good resolution, but try not to repeat many of the same phrases that you used in previous paragraphs; you can say the same thing by using different words to reiterate your point.

 

The popular music of each generation rejects the conventions of previous generations.

 

Music is a popular form of art that many have used to express their feelings, emotions and thoughts. Music is also known to be universal as it holds the power to touch the lives of many individuals around the world. Moreover, music can be used in various different contexts and for various different reasons. For example, music can be used for dancing, praying, expressing ones feelings to others and entertaining. The term popular music is used to refer to the kind of music that is well known and popular amongst individuals of a given time. In music, the term convention refers to the notion of tradition, tunes and melodies of music from the past. Over the last 50 years, music has gone through tremendous changes. As a result, many believe that popular music of each generation rejects the conventions of the previous generation. For example, since the 1970’s, hip-hop music has become quiet popular. It gained great respect and acceptance from the audience in the 1970’s, 1980’s and most of 1990’s. Hip-hop music is still quiet popular today. However, it is important to note the prior to the 1970’s, hip-hop music was not present. Younger generations in the 1970’s started this new form of music that was quiet innovative and thus, was able to capture the attention of the youth of that era. Given the vast amount of social changes that took place in the 1970’s, music also changed. As a result, a new and innovative style of music emerged which was well received by the audience.

 

In contrast, it is not always necessarily true that popular music of a given generation rejects the conventions of the previous generations. This is especially true if the goal is to create new pieces of music by incoporating both, old and new elements. As such, that music is not truly innovative but it strides to create something new while keeping the old traditions, tunes and melodies in mind. For example, bollywood music is quiet popular amongst South Asians and other individuals around the world. Most of bollywood music is still based on contemporary and classical Indian music. New pieces of music are created while still incorporating the traditional tunes and melodies. Moreover, remix music is also becoming quiet popular in Bollywood as older songs from the 1960’s, 1970’s and 1980’s are being used in new contexts in terms of the accompanying video and new beats are also being applied to this old music. Moreover, it is also fascinating to note that most of the popular singers in bollywood originally start their musical training by learning Indian classical music since it plays a major role in Bollywood music as a whole. Thus, older conventions and traditions are kept alive in bollywood music. Much of bollywood music is based on older traditions, tunes and melodies while remix music in particular also used the lyrics from older songs to revive the memories and sentiments of the past generations.

 

Finally, music holds tremendous powers to affect individuals in various ways. Music can affect individuals on social and emotional levels. Due to the tremendous changes in music over the last 50 years, many beleive that popular much of each generation rejects the conventions of previous generations when the music is meant to be different and innovative. This was clearly illustrated in the example of hip-hop music that started out in 1970’s and has grown ever since. This form of music was not present prior to the 1970’s. It was mainly a result of new innovation in style and tunes by the young generation in the 1970’s and was well received by the audience. On the other hand, popular music of each generation does not necessarily reject the conventions of previous generations if the goal to create new pieces of music while incorporating older styles, tunes, methods etc into such new pieces. This was clearly illustrated in the example of Bollywood music. Most of bollywood music is still based on contemporary and Indian classical music. New pieces of music are created while still incorporating the traditional tunes. More specifically, remix music in Bollywood uses older songs from the 1960’s, 1970’s and 1980’s used in new contexts in terms of the video and new beats are being applied to this old music which shows that famous tunes, lyrics and melodies from previous generations are used in different ways such that new pieces of music are created. Thus, conventions of a previous generation are not rejected but are rather accepted with pride.

[anitarama]

Score: 5/6

 

Task 1 (Supporting): Good explanation of the prompt and your supporting example.

 

Task 2 (Refuting): Another solid paragraph, but remember to proofread your work for typos as these detract from the strength of your essay.

 

Task 3 (Resolution): You have explained your resolution criteria in depth. Remember, it is "through", not "thru".

 

One may argue that music is one's reflection of their state of emotional sense and expression. By extension, this could be applied towards the general sense of societal emotions at various time periods in our history. Following the assumption that artists and musicians create music to please their listeners, it logically follows that musicians would create music that reflects what their listeners want to hear. Through the period of our time, at least in the last century, we have gone through changes in our culture and society that is reflected in the type of music that we associate with various generations. For example, my parents listened to a different type of music during their youth than the type of music that is popular within my generation today. As each new generation emerges, whether it be societal pressures or new developments in musical theory, each subsequent generation observes an emergence of a new class of music that goes against the conventional stream of the previous generation. This is observed in our recent historical calendar where jazz music in the 30's paved the way for blues music in the 50's that ultimately led to the music apparent in the current generation. Each era is uniquely marked by its musical history and influence. Thus, it suffices to say that each generation sees a change in mainstream music where new styles emerge into the frontiers of musical popularity that challenge the conventions of the previous era’s musical theme.

 

In contrast, this may not always hold true as observed with some forms of music that lives through the test of time. Although the mainstream musical theme of each generation may seem different than the pervious, upon close inspection we may find similarities in the popular music of different time periods. One example could be seen with rock music. When rock music first emerged in the 60’s stemming from the basic 'blues' genre, it had qualities that had never been seen before. Characterized by the heavy percussions seen as the main driving force of rock music, it was truly a unique genre that eventually grew in popularity amongst listeners in the 60’s. At the surface, the basic characterizations of rock music from influences like AC/DC, the doors, and the beetles may seem like a stark contrast from the music that my generations listens to, it holds many similarities. The typical 4 beat per bar and rhythmic drive of rock music is reflected in the music that we listen to today. Justin Bieber's hit song 'Baby', although carrying it's unique tune still can be characterized by the reminiscence of the classic rock beat in it's back ground. Thus serving as a testament that some forms of music, or rather the main characterizations that define musical conventions, can live thru the test of time. This shows that some musical conventions do not fade into history as another genera but transcends thru history to embed itself into the next popular music in the face of a changing musical world.

 

So brings the question, how does one determine whether this succession of change could lead to the rejection of the previous generations musical conventions or not? It raises the issue of both what defines music and how societal emotions can be reflected thru musical means. Some types of music seems to have emerged in times of different economic or cultural hardship. Jazz is not only seen as the music of the 30's but also as the music that came and went to pave the way for other genres. It was characterized by ‘soul’ and emotion reflected of that time period. In contrast, rock music seems to have stood the test of time where its musical backdrop is still observable in music today. This brings us back in a full circle for one to characterize music to determine its succession thru time. Music that is developed upon social constrictions and ideals is at a higher probability of being rejected in the coming generation due to the dynamic nature of our cultures. In contrast, music that incorporates unifying theme of important musical theory popular to the development of new music is one that can live thru the ages to see minimal change between generations. A truly remarkable testament to the power of music and its role in our society.

[anitarama]

Score: 5.5/6

 

Task 1 (Supporting): Good introduction and supporting example given.

 

Task 2 (Refuting): This is a very good refuting example.

 

Task 3 (Resolution): Your Resolution Paragraph is very strong and very well-explained.

 

The popular music of each generation rejects the conventions of previous generations.

 

From Elvis Presley, to James Brown, to Michael Jackson, the popular music in any generation has a distinct flaire and its own uniqe stars. One of the important characteristics of the emergence of a new style of music, is that one or a group of artists begin to rebuke the present conventions, and create a unique style that people enjoy listening too. In other words, they do what no one else is doing. These conventions often have to do with the rhythm of melody being played, the style of dancing accompanying the music, and even the all around persona of the artists themselves. For example, Elivs Presley became a star through his provocative dancing and "soul" music, which contained a more halting and jerking delivery as compared to the smooth tone of his contemporaries. Elvis' music was a distinct new style that was quickly appreciated by many American youth, and went on to define the style of his generation.

 

However, that is not to say that the music of any generation is completely different from its predecessors. The key is that style of music changes, but in many respects its content remains the same. For example, many of Elvis's hit songs were about the heartaches incurred through romantic relationships (Love Me Tender, You Aint Nothing But a Houndog). This is very similar to hit songs throughout the ages from Dean Martin to 50 Cent. The convention of singing about the nuances felt by men and women in romantic relationships is a convention that stands the test of time.

 

Popular music, then, changes stylistically but remains surprisingly consistent content-wise. The conventions that are changed from generation to generation have to do with the sound of the music itself, appearance, and performance of the artist. However, since human beings of all eras feel the same emotions, the content of music remains constant in order to envoke these emotions. As a parallel we can examine the changing styles of clothing, or fashion. Certainly, fashionable clothing rejects the conventions of previous generations in terms of appearance and style, just as music. This likely stems from an inherent need for youth to distinguish themselves from their parents or other authority figures. However, some aspects of clothing, especially related to its functionality of covering the body, remain constant. Pants generally have two legs, and shirts generally have two sleeves. Therefore, music changes in style from generation to generation, but not in substance.

[anitarama]

Youth and innovation are sometimes more beneficial in politics than age and experience.

 

Describe a specific political situation in which age and experience were or might be more beneficial than youth and innovation. Discuss what you think determines whether youth and innovation are more beneficial that age and experience in politics.

 

Instructions

In 30 minutes, write an essay for the prompt and instructions above and post your essay in this thread.

 

Use the Notepad accessory on your computer so word processing functions are turned off.

 

Note: Do not read other essays replying to this prompt on the Forum until after you have written and submitted your own essay.

 

Scorer

Anita Ramakrishna is a medical student at McMaster University

 

Deadline

11:59pm Monday August 8.

 

Essays posted after the deadline will not be scored but a new Prompt will be posted on Tuesday August 9.

[bsm]

whoops..wasn't aware of the deadline for the previous one. Thanks for still marking it though.

 

And thanks for doing this thread!

[Erokay]

Youth and innovation are sometimes more beneficial in politics than age and experience.

 

Politics often comes down to popularity vote: who can connect the most with the general population. The politician who wins the election is benefited the most: in addition having the privilege of representing the people, he has the responsibility to make decision. This responsibility, though burdensome at times, earns respect of the people, not to mention the hefty pensions. The connection with the general population that every politician yearns for comes from the ability of the politician to recognize the needs and desires of the population, who may yet be unaware of their own needs. In a sense, the politician is trying to decipher the cries of a baby who cannot voice out its own desire. Therefore, if a politician can clearly draw a pathway of achieving the desired change, he/she will win the popular vote. At times when the solution to the problem is not yet clear, it helps to be young and innovative. This is because the youth has not yet been confined by the norms of the society, and has a better ability to think of possibilities, which other may have precluded due to their boxed in thinking. For example, Benazir Bhutto, who became the Prime Minister of Pakistan at the young age of 30, realized that in order to stabilize Pakistan’s economy, Afghanistan needs to be financially sound as well due to the strong financial dependence of the two countries at that time. In order to accomplish this goal, she worked with the Talibans: a group of individuals who were not politically distinguished. She aimed to create ties between the two countries using normal human beings, not political figures; an approach quite contrary to ones taken by her predecessors. Though this out-of-the-box thinking may be attributed to various factors, her education in Harvard University (US) was certainly a factor promoting such innovation. It was this non-conventional thinking that helped her get elected in 2003 and come back to Pakistan in 2007 for a re-election.

 

However, youth and innovation are not always practical. An idea can sound great on paper but can be very difficult to enact – famous example: communism in USSR. In addition, when time is limited, being innovative is not the safe bet. Being innovative means taking the risk to fail and try again with a new strategy – this requires time, which not always at the politician’s disposal. For example, Barack Obama was elected at the age of 48 for his experience, which had gained through years of service. It was due to his experience that the promises he made to fix the ‘broken’ U.S. economy were believed by the general population allowing his to get elected. From this example, it is clear that his experience was a main factor in him getting elected because people needed results urgently – they need the economy to prosper today, not ten years from now.

 

In conclusion, it can be said that whether youth and innovation are important in benefitting the politician depend on the whether the needs that the people see as most important are urgent. If there is urgency is the popular need, youth and innovation present too much of a risk, which will not attract any votes. However, if the politician has time and resources that he can use to address an important (not urgent) need, innovation will be welcomed by the general public. Thus, to be able to benefit by being elected, a politician needs to understand not only the needs of the general population, but also the nature of those needs.

 

Thank You

[bsm]

Thanks again for doing this thread Anita.

 

I had a tough time getting started on this prompt and ended up going right into an example for the opening paragraph (wanted to come back, but ran out of time). I wonder how much that would "cost" me.

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Youth and innovation are sometimes more beneficial in politics than age and experience

 

The Iranian Revolution of 1979 certainly benefitted from the involvement of youth. This Revolution occured after it became common knowledge among Iranians that American and British intelligence agencies had put the incumbent Shah in power, through a covert operation to remove the democratically-elected President Mohammed Mosadeq in 1953. The Shah did not go away easily, however, as revolutionary forces fought state military for several weeks in grusome gureilla warfare in the streets of Tehran. A majority of the participants in the physical battles and general social movement prior to the revolution consisted of Iranian youth. Though the senior members of the Iranian population had also become aware of the Western involvement in the coup to give power to the Shah, many more Iranians between the ages of 18-35 joined the physical and political struggle to remove him from power.

 

However, that is not to say that youthful exuberance is always optimal in state politics. The key is that in times of political stability, there is much to gain from the wisdom of experienced leaders, who are naturally elderstatesmen in society. For example, the same Iranian Revolution that was spearheaded by the public youth, led to the appointment of Ayotollah Khomeini as the Supreme Leader of Iran. After revolutionary forces had captured the capital, a national referendum voted almost unanomously in favor of the establishment of an Islamic Republic, headed by religious leaders such as Khomeini. The selection of Khomeini to lead the country after the revolution was based on his numerous years of experience as a Islamic student and teacher, and thus suitability guide Iran on its new path.

 

In determining the importance of youth versus experience in politics, then, we can consider the nature of political task at hand to be paramount. When the state government needs drastic upheavels and a whole new political mindset, youth involvement is vital. This is because a change of this nature often requires physical combat, and a youthful exuberance that is in some ways lost with age. We can see that the Iranian Revolution contained a disproportionate number of younger members of society, and can also observe the same trends in current revolutions throughout the Middle East, which are also led by youth participation. However, experience and wisdom collected through years of experience are naturally an advantage for any leader, which is why most elected politicians are over the age of 40. We see that in the appointment of Ayotollah Khomeini and even the election of American Presidents who are often between the ages of 40 and 55.

[tsuki_123]

Youth and innovation are sometimes more beneficial in politics than age and experience.

 

Task #1:

Experience is a valuable asset that demonstrates to other people how capable an individual is of a certain skill. Experience is indeed very important in politics, but experience does not come without time. Politicians who have more years under their belt benefit generously because of the public’s trust in what they are able to achieve. For example, Jean Chretien is a very experienced politician of whom Canadian Liberals deeply trust. They trust him because they know he has done the job before, and has done the job well. Being a politician is a very difficult task, because the politician must adhere to their promises made during their campaign to a maximal degree in order to remain popular. Chretien remained popular among Canadians because of his ability to lead and keep most of his promises in budget-balancing. Genuine honesty, leadership and compromise definitely give the more experienced leaders an advantage in a political world.

 

Task #2:

Nonetheless, there are some situations where age and experience might not necessarily benefit. When a recurring problem cannot be solved using conventional means, innovation is required. Innovation can be defined as a method of obtaining new solutions using ideas and creativity. An example would be energy resources and how Obama dealt with the issue. The means by which energy is acquired is problematic because of how more conventional means such as fossil fuels are becoming scarcer. Fossil fuels also yield harmful gaseous waste which contribute to global warming – which ring the bells for innovation. Obama, a comparatively younger politician than Jean Chretien, has a mindset which cherishes innovation. It is evident that this is so because he promised to the public that he would increase the percentage of renewable energy production to 10%. He has already fulfilled this promise and still remains popular among the public. Therefore, this is a situation where youth and innovation may bring about more benefits than age and experience.

 

Task #3:

Experience and innovation can also go hand in hand with each other – there is no reason that one should exclude the other. It cannot be doubted that in order to become elected as a politician, they must have had some level of experience. This experience can be acquired whether the politician is old or young, and it increases with age. The answer to whether youth and innovation or age and experience would benefit more in the political world, then, lies in the problem and in public trust. Is the problem something that can be solved using conventional experience, such as through budget-balancing? Or is the problem age-old that demands innovation, such as through investing in renewable energy? Trust is earned through experience because time is required for the public to build that trust, through observing the politician and their capabilities. A mixture of both experience and innovation most benefits a politician, because experience gives them the background to tackle more conventional problems, and innovation gives them new solutions to tackle previously unsolved problems. Ultimately, a politician that has both is the most successful and will benefit the most.

[Alchemist11]

Hey Anita, thanks again. This wasn't my best one because I didn't really like the prompt but I did what I could.

 

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In order to determine the meaning of the above statement, the keywords "innovation", "beneficial", and "politics" must be discussed. Youth and innovation refers to the idea that young adults may be more likely to bring new, unique ideas as part of their political campaign. They may recently have become eligible to run for some sort of political position, and the statement is asserting that these young individuals are likely to be coupled with innovation - ideas that have not been discussed in the past. In order to be beneficial, the innovations these youth bring generally have to improve the quality of life for the public which they are attempting to serve. An improvement in the quality of life may come from passing new laws or generating circumstances which are more likely to increase productivity of the area and promote new jobs. Politics refers to being part of the government in order to serve the group of individuals who live in the area one is being elected in. Youth and innovation are contrasted with age and experience. A person who is older, has been an adult for some time and perhaps has more political experience as well as career experience is considered someone who has "age and experience". Overall, the statement is asserting that young individuals with new ideas may be more helpful to the populace than an older person with more experience.

 

An example can be discussed regarding my home-town when I was 8 years old. During an election for mayor, there were two major candidates. One was a young female and the other was a much older man who likely had more career experience. The older man ended up losing the election because he did not actually bring any new ideas and did not want to change things that the populace was unhappy with. On the other hand, the young individual was able to clearly convey refreshing and unique ideas to improve the quality of life in our town, and in doing so, garnered many of the votes of the population. These votes translated to being elected, where she was able to enact some of these ideas and in general improve the quality of life, which means that her ideas were beneficial to the community.

 

However, age and experience may not always be less beneficial than youth and innovation. For example, consider the fact that the Presidency of the United States has to be of a certain age. In other words, there is a minimum age to be considered for election as the President, and anyone younger than this age is unable to be elected until he/she is old enough. It is unlikely that this age limitation has been done for no reason; instead it is probably because the government has decided that age and experience are more important and will ultimately be more helpful to the country rather than youth and innovation. This is why no young adult is able to run for the Presidency of the US, even though they may have radical unique ideas. This age restriction is showing that the Presidency requires age and experience rather than youthful innovative ideas.

 

In order to determine whether youth and innovation are more beneficial to age and experience in politics, the position that the candidates are running for must be considered. In my hometown with a relatively low population, an individual was elected for mayor partially due to her new innovative ideas. This position encompasses being the leader of a small amount of people, and therefore the consequences of this election are not particularly important to the world at large. On the other hand, regarding the Presidency of the US: the population encompasses over 300 million individuals, and has a large impact on the rest of the world as well. This being the case, youth and innovation may not be as welcomed for this position. In fact, this is precisely why a young individual cannot run for the Presidency - the lack of experience is more harmful than innovation is helpful. If a position that a candidate runs for does not have a major impact or does not affect a large population, it is possible that youth and innovation can prevail over age and experience. This would lead to the improvement of the community based on these ideas and therefore be beneficial. On the other hand, if a position involves being the leader of many people and affecting countries all over the world, it is far less likely that a youthful individual with little experience would be elected, if he/she were even allowed to run.

[bored]

Youth and innovation are sometimes more beneficial in politics than age and experience.

 

Describe a specific political situation in which age and experience were or might be more beneficial than youth and innovation.

Discuss what you think determines whether youth and innovation are more beneficial that age and experience in politics.

 

 

 

The Youth are always encourged to express their ideas because many believe that the youth are much more better at innovation. Innovation is the process of thinking of totally new or alternate ways of doing something. That idea can very from being a machine to being an abstract idea such as politics. In Politics, the youth are often encourged to vote and to take an active part, because they are believed to be the most innovative. History has shown us that if a youth takes an active part in politics, that is the governing of a state, then that youth can achieve the unachievable. Take recent uprisings in the Middle East as an example. Many Middle Eastern nations were being governed by dictators for much of the 20th and 21st centuary, but the revolution created by the youth put a halt to the rule of these dictators. The youths used their innovation to turn the nation of egypt into a democracy, and they forced the dictator to resign. They questioned the way their country was ruled and argued the dictators. They also used innovative ways to achieve the victory that the nation needed. They did things such as posting information on facebook, which increased their support substantially. From this they also gained the support of the UN as well as the support of many countries who halted trade with the dictator of Egypt and placed sanctions on trade from that country. All of these things forced said dictator to resign. Without the youth, Egypt and many other countries may never be free.

 

Another excellent example is the revolution conducted by Ghanghis Khan. The youngest of the family, Ghanghis Khan was able to unite all the other Khans (kings) of Monoglia to form a formidable force. He used that force to conquar much of asia, eastern europe, the middle east and parts of africa. His empire once ran from China, to Hungary to Pakistan and to Turkey. He started at a very young age, by age 19, he was considered the king of mongolia. His innovation was to unite all the different clans of Mongolia so that they can beat their enemies, the chinese. This innovative thinking was never possible by the aged kings of those clans. Many examples such as these have created an idea that the youth are much more innovative than we give them credit for, and for these reasons, many people want the youths to take part in politics.

 

Often times, the youth are very good at creating the innovative ideas to produce a revolution, but when it comes to development, the age and the experience of a politician is precieved to be of much more importance. When the soviet union had just turned from a communist economy to a capitalist economy, the innovative youth was redundent in the policy making. Though these innovative youths were the core of the actual revolution, they were not very useful when it came to creating policies for the new russia.At that point in time, the experienced economists had taken over, and they were providing much of the policies of the new russia. The youths innovation though was very useful when the revolution was to be initiated, it was useless after the communist government was taken down. The age and experience of those politicians was very useful when it came to making policies about the education system,trade, housing and employment. Without the experience, Russia would have taken much longer to get back on its feet. Russia was back to being one of the top economy in just 10 years after the fall of communism. Had the youths been in power and used their radicalistic ideas, Russia would take much longer to get back up and might have even been in a worse position than what it is now.

 

It can be argued that both the innovative youth and the experienced man are necessary to have a good political system. The innovative youth is much more important when a change or a revolution is needed such as those in the middle east. The youths of egypt used their innovative ideas to bring down the government of their dictator. Ghanghis Khan also used innovative thinking to beat their rivels, the chinese. These events would not be possible had there been an aged experienced person in charge. They would have a hard time comming up with innovative ideas because their experience would always hinder them. The Experienced man is however necessary when it comes to developing a nation such as the nation after the fall of soviet russia. The aged and experience filled politicians took over when the communist party was brought down. These experienced politicians were absolutely necessary to provide russia with policies that helped russia get back up in just a matter of 10 years. Thus when it comes to developing a nation and building a sustainable economy, the age and experience of a politician is of much more importance.

[Kovah]

Young and innovative ideas can be very useful in political decision making. There are many age-old strategies and criteria for how to deal with the social issues that the government faces, but even the standard procedures that have resulted from the experiences of previous governments are sometimes bad ways of making decisions. For example, over the past decade scientists have found increasing evidence that the earth is undergoing a climate change. As a result of greenhouse gas emission more and more of the infrared light that the sun provides to heat the earth is being trapped in the earth’s atmosphere. However, beginning in 2008 the world has entered a significant economic recession. Governments all of the world have had to make difficult political decisions about how to prevent climate change while at the same time, working to stimulate their economies. Preventing a climate change is important for future generations, but it is difficult for nations to treat this problem seriously when the immediate threat of an economic recession presses upon them. The standard response which governments have been giving for years to the issue of climate change is that it is a secondary issue and governments should focus on stimulating their nation’s economy first. An innovative approach to this problem was implemented in Germany by Chancellor Angela Merkel. Her government proposed that they should stimulate their economy by manufacturing green energy products such as solar panels and windmills which generate electricity. This was an approach that had never been done before and it succeeded in aiding the Germany economy as well as placing Germany as a leader in green energy technology.

 

However, in some cases it is more useful to incorporate the strategies that previous governments have used. Healthcare is an important service which is funded by the Canadian government. Over the years Canada has been led by different political parties, but each party has stood by the importance of providing universal healthcare. Although there are problems with the healthcare system, such as a lack of doctors and long wait times for surgeries, the system has not experienced any significant changes in the last decade. Because the service has been provided for such a long time and functions well enough that Canadian voters are satisfied, the government has been wise to continue implementing the same strategies and ideas that have been used in the past ten years.

 

Whether or not new ideas are more beneficial in political procedures than long-standing ideas depends on the newness of the political issue being discussed. New political problems, such as how to tackle an economic recession while at the same time preventing climate change, need innovative ideas because such an issue has never been dealt with before. Political problems which governments have successfully dealt with in the past can best benefit from reliable strategies which have been used before. The key in political decision making is to find a balance between new ideas which could be risky and reliable ideas which have always been fairly successful in the past.

 

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Hi Anita. Thanks for your help! I actually ran out of time on this essay (I always cut it way too close) and so the last 2 sentences were written after the 30 minutes were finished. Could you tell me what grade I would receive if I had not written the last 2 sentences? Do you have any tips for how to write the essay without running out of time on the important tasks? I usually finish the outline within 5 minutes and the first paragraph normally takes 15 minutes. So I never have more than 10 minutes for the last 2 paragraphs.

[DoItYourself]

Youth and innovation are sometimes more beneficial in politics than age and experience.

 

 

Charisma, class and creativity? Experience or expertise? What traits are the most beneficial to be a successful politician? Being young at heart and free in a creative sense is necessary for shaping someone who is unafraid to go out on a limb and be the leader of a new front. The current President of the United States, Barrack Obama is exactly this. His whole campaign was about making a change. Not afraid to stand out against previous presidents, Barrack implemented many changes as soon as he came into office. For one, within his first week in power, he abolished Guantanamo Bay, which George Bush had implemented as an offsite campus for detaining prisoners of the Afghanistan war. Irrelevant of who was in prison, he knew they were being treated unfairly and basic human rights were ignored. Privacy was being invaded and people were not given the basic nourishment to survive. Obama did not let himself stay bogged down in other tasks and watch this go on. Instead, he took a stand and made a change.

 

Some may argue however, that age and experience are more important as a result of the norm in society to ‘respect your elders’ and ‘the old know best.’ Individuals who have lived longer have had a greater chance to learn from their previous experience what moves have been successful and which have not. As a result, they are able to use this knowledge to their advantage. This is at least part of the logic behind having a minimum age requirement to apply to be a member of parliament.

 

It is often difficult to determine what traits will be the most practical in various political situations. Age is not the only important factor. The key lies in what the politicians are trying to implement. Youth and innovation is important for one to step outside of the boundaries laid by previous figures and implement a change. Obama did just this as he stood out against George Bush and took down Guantanamo Bay. However, age and experience are more beneficial in the event where a similar scenario has occurred previously in history such that an individual is able to use prior information to their advantage.

 

 

--

Definitely not my best.

[gotlactose]

Youth and innovation are sometimes more beneficial in politics than age and experience.

 

Describe a specific political situation in which age and experience were or might be more beneficial than youth and innovation. Discuss what you think determines whether youth and innovation are more beneficial that age and experience in politics.

 

The role of the politician in a representative government such as America is to represent the people who elected him. Once elected, the politician is to run the government in a way that serves the needs and wants of the people. To do this job effectively, the politician must listen to what the people want and act accordingly to fulfill their wishes. An inexperienced politician may have the innovative means to reach out to his people. An example of this would be the incumbent President Barack Obama. Having recently turned 50 years of age, Obama is one of the younger people to hold the position as the head of executive office. Yet his youthfulness comes hand in hand with his innovative methods to reach out to the American people. President Obama relies on technology to better assess what the American people have to say. He is the first president to have a Twitter account, where he occasionally writes messages to the American public and answers questions that Americans ask him. This form of media gives an unprecedented method for the president to interact with the American people. Obama stands to benefit from this innovative way to communicate with the American people by having an additional means to better understand what the people want and what he can do to help them. Therefore, it is clear that Obama's youthfulness gives him the ability to utilize novel methods to do his job better.

 

However, it is Obama's youthfulness that also makes him inexperienced with dealing with political issues. On the other hand, the current governor of California is Jerry Brown. This is the second time that Brown has been elected the governor of California. He led his past political campaign on the successes of his previous term as governor. Brown claimed that he will take what he learned during his first term as governor to help California fix its fiscal deficit issue. The Californian voters believe that Mr. Brown's previous term as governor gives him invaluable experience to lead California again. Mr. Brown has the experience to know that a cut to the University of California's budget is necessary to keep the state's budget balanced. A younger governor may be too cautious to make such drastic cuts.

 

In conclusion, while an inexperienced politician stands to benefit from his innovative methods to come up with methods to better reach out to the American people, it is age and experience that allows a veteran politician handle problems that have happened in the past. The older politician can rely on his past experiences to learn from his mistakes and build on his strengths to better deal with a situation that has happened before. However, the inexperienced politician will be dealing with the same issue without any prior personal experience to learn from. He will be more likely to make mistakes and not resolve the issue as effectively because it will be his first encounter with the problem. The younger politican benefits from his inexperience only when he has to tackle issues that require innovation.

 

 

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