Prep101 - Free Writing Sample Feedback (summer 2011)

[All_star]

Thanks a bunch anita for your help. It is truly appreciated.

 

Price is not necessarily a reflection of value.

 

The monetary system that we see in our everyday lives is an artificial creation through the evolution of society. In ancient times people exchanged goods by barter and trade. Over time the use of fiat money as a medium of exchange became widespread. Today, we have an entire system of economics to describe how our system of exchanging goods works. One statement that results from such a system is that the price of an object is not necessarily a reflection of its value. Modern economics theory dictates that prices are determined by supply and demand. If the supply remains constant and the demand increases for an item, then this results in a greater price one must pay. Take one nugget of gold for example. This one nugget can be used to make jewellery. What happens if the demand for gold increases? The price goes up and now this one nugget costs you more. You may pay more for this one nugget, but you can still only make the same amount of gold jewellery from it as you could have when the price was lower. Thus the relative value to you does not change, but the price changes. As one can see from this example the price of gold does not reflect its actual value to the buyer.

 

In contrary there are instances where the price of an object does actually reflect its value. For example, water is a commodity that is necessary for survival. If the demand for water increases and supply remains constant, then prices will also increase. With a low supply and high demand, water is implied to be more rare. The rarity of water that this particular scenario describes would indicate that it is of more value to people because of its need for survival. When there is less water available for everyone, it becomes that much more valuable to people. It is more valuable because people will tend to waste less water and treasure each drop much more than if the supply was abundant. As a result the price and value of water both increase with increasing demand. So in fact price is a viable indicator for value in this situation.

 

The price of an object reflects its value when the object itself is a necessity for human survival. When it is necessary, the price and value go hand in hand because without the object people would die. This is the opposite for objects that are not necessary for survival and are merely a luxury in our lives. The price of these luxurious items do not reflect the true value of them. Instead the price reflects the demand for the object in relation to supply, whereas the value remains constant. Ultimately price is merely a way to quantify how badly we may want something.

[anitarama]

Hi Anita,

Thanks for the feedback. It's the same trouble that I had with my last writing sample, so at least I know exactly what I need to work on. In this feedback you didn't actually give me a mark out of 6 though. Could you tell me what that is, and also (if possible) what you think that would roughly convert to as a letter grade if I got that for all 4 marks. I'm working for a Q...

 

Thank you again!

 

Oops, I apologize for that.

 

I believe your mark of 5/6 would be a Q or R.

[anitarama]

Score: 4/6

 

Task 1 (Supporting): Your example is fine, though your explanation is a little weak. You need to expand on the idea of value attached to memories. Also, remember to have some sort of introduction about the prompt instead of jumping right into the example from the start.

 

Task 2 (Refuting): Your second example is fleshed out more.

 

Task 3 (Resolution): The reason your introduction is important is because the idea of defining the meaning of value and price would have been included there, making your resolution stronger and allowing you to explore the discrepancies more.

 

Price is not necessarily a reflection of value.

 

Describe a specific situation in which price is an accurate reflection of value. Discuss what you think determines when price reflects value and when it does not.

 

The only thing you take to your grave are your memories. This is a common saying that has been echoed by many people throughout the world. The idea that experiences and memories are much greater in value than physical possessions is derived from the fact that a person's belongings will not be with them after death. Depending on the beliefs of an individual, their memories could be extremely important to them due to the emotions that accompanied these experiences. In this sense, a monetary price cannot be assigned to one's memories and would not be an appropriate measure of value.

 

Nonetheless, in modern society, the economy relies heavily on the trading of goods and services in exchange for money. The prices assigned to goods are usually the product of careful thought and calculations by companies based on how much the product is worth in terms of quality, demand, and profits. From a trading and business point of view, prices can accurately predict how valuable an object will be in the market. The price for a Tiffany necklace made with diamonds will undoubtedly cost more compared to a necklace manufactured with fake stones. In this case, price is an accurate representation of the object's worth due to the rarity of the materials that was used to manufacture the product.

 

Ultimately, the suitability of price as a representation of value depends on how value is defined. If an object's worth is viewed in terms of monetary worth in a strict business sense; companies usually price their goods according to the demand and quality of the product. In this case, an object's price will accurately represent its trading value. On the other hand, if one defines value in the sense of sentimental worth, a price cannot be used to value an individual's memories and feelings.

[anitarama]

Score: 5.5/6

 

Task 1 (Supporting): Great explanation of price vs. value in your introduction. Well-explained example.

 

Task 2 (Refuting): Another strong example.

 

Task 3 (Resolution): Good Resolution Paragraph. This was a very consistently strong essay.

 

Price is not necessarily a reflection of value.

 

In the modern society, money plays a major role. Money is something that individuals can use to acquire goods and services that they need or want. Given this phenomenon of trade or exchange of goods and services using money, sellers often price the goods and services that they are offering. Price dictates the asking amount of the seller for a particular good and service and it is the amount that the buyer must pay in order to purchase that item or service. In contrast, when one mentions the term value, it often dictates their evaluation of what the price of the good or service should be. Many believe that price is not a good reflection of the value of the good or service in question. This is especially true for goods and services that are “invaluable”. For example, education is something that can empower an individual towards a better future, allow him/her to acquire a better understanding of the world and in turn, allow him/her to be productive member of society. Education can allow an individual to acquire the necessary skills and problem solving abilities that he/she can use to survive and to give back to others in their communities, regardless of the profession they decide to enter. As such, education is often thought to be an invaluable asset that one can acquire and thus, it is hard for one to place a monetary amount or price on something of this sort. Moreover, education holds a different meaning to different individuals. For some individuals, a better education is the road to a better paying job while for other individuals, education on a certain topic or subject area is purely for self interest. Therefore, in this case, price may not necessarily be an accurate refelection of the value of education.

 

In contrast, there are many other goods and services for which price is an accurate reflection of the value. For example, many highly prized commodities such as gold and silver are greatly valued by people. This means that they realize that the good or service is very valueable and as such, should be sold at a high price. Thus, many people around the world are willing to pay large sums of money for a commodity such as gold or silver. It is also important to note that unlike in the previous example of education, price in the case of a commodity such as gold or silver is a reflection of what it means to people. For a materialistic good such as gold, the meaning is more or less the same for most individuals around the world. However, the reasons for one to purchase gold can vary from personal use to gifts to investment purposes. Therefore, price can be thought to be an accurate refelection of the value of a materialistic good such as gold or silver which are also thought to be a prized possession in our modern society.

 

In conclusion, price may or may not be an accurate reflection of the value of a good or service. Price is not necessarily an accurate refelection of the value of the good or service when we are talking about an invalueable asset that can help imporve the lives of the individual and of those around him/her. This was clearly illustrated in the example of education which is thought to be invaluable. Education holds tremendous power to change the lives of individuals by empowering them to better tackle problems in their everyday lives. Regardless of the field in which an individual is educated, with a higher education, he/she can get a better job, better provide for his/her family, give back to their communities and also have the power to change the world on a much broader level. Therefore, it is difficult to place a monetary price on something like education which is often thought to be invaluable. On the other hand, for materialistic items and for highly prized commodities such as gold and silver, price can be seen as an accurate reflection of the value. Gold or silver is a hihgly prized commodity in our society and its price often reflects its meaning and value to people.

[anitarama]

Score: 5/6

 

Task 1 (Supporting): Very good example about brand names. Solid introduction.

 

Task 2 (Refuting): This example was a little less straightforward but still well-explained

 

Task 3 (Resolution): Your final resolution was very strong.

 

Price is not necessarily a reflection of value

 

Describe a specific situation in which price is an accurate reflection of value. Discuss what you think determines when price reflects value and when it does not.

 

 

As consumers of goods and services, we live in an era in which we can find conveniently find overpriced items for sale. The price, or the monetary value, of items we purchase can often be inflated due to inflation in the currency, or as per the manufacturer's criteria which instructs its employees to maximize net profits. The common consumer can often find the price of "brand name" goods from popular companies, to be well above the price for items by smaller, less popular companies. Such overly priced items may not necessarily reflect the quality or durability of the item; price then, is not always a reflection of the actual monetary value of an item. This is especially true in the fashion industry. Designers may start their careers with producing items of high quality due to more attention paid to every piece, with prices that are affordable so that the maximum number of individuals can purchase these items. However, as the popularity of a designer or a brand grows, the item may go into mass production, and this production is carried out via cheap labour, at the expense of workers in impoverished companies. An example of such a company is Tommy Hilfiger, which was under significant pressure from protestors for their use of sweatshops in Asia to mass produce items, which were not necessarily of superior material or quality, but were priced extremely high simply due to the brand name and the design. According to the designer, the value of the item was not in the quality of the good produced, but rather in owning the brand. This is an example which shows that the price paid for an item is not necessarily indicative of how valuable or strong that item actually is. A consumer may be fooled into thinking that a more expensive item is of higher quality, whereas this might not be true and the higher priced item could indeed be of inferior quality but have an expensive name attached to it, due to which its price is hiked up.

 

There are however situations in which the consumer may pay ridiculous amounts of money for an item or service, but this would not be a waste. An example of such a situation is when an individual is critically ill, and spends money on his/her health in terms of drugs or alternative treatments. For example, a cancer patient who is terminally ill due to colon cancer in Canada is covered for treatment for a certain number of months, or if their tumour size is below a certain limit. Those individuals who wish to continue their treatment once funding is unavailable, have to purchase the medicine themselves, which can cost a significant amount of money, often adding up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. If the treatment can save a person's life though, the high price for the drug would accurately reflect its value.

 

Therefore, when determining if the price of a certain item or service is a reflection of its value, once must consider the long term benefits derived from spending a high amount of money. If it is a perishable item such as a piece of clothing which may tear or be out of fashion within a few months, a highly priced piece of clothing may not actually be valuable because it does not provide the consumer with the benefits that should be expected of an item for which one pays a lot. However, if it is a service such as healthcare, which can potentially save a person's life, the high price would reflect the value, and spending this money would be highly beneficial for that individual in the long run because they may be able to regain their health and live longer. Therefore, high prices are only indicative of value when the potential of gaining a significant benefit from spending that money, is very high in the long run.

[anitarama]

Score: 5.5/6

 

Task 1 (Supporting): Good explanation of the prompt's relevant terms as well as your given example.

 

Task 2 (Refuting): Another strong example.

 

Task 3 (Resolution): Great resolution tying back to your two examples.

 

Price is not necessarily a reflection of value.

 

Describe a specific situation in which price is an accurate reflection of value. Discuss what you think determines when price reflects value and when it does not.

 

When a consumer looks into making a new purchase oftentimes there are two main factors that they consider: the price and quality of the product. In an ideal world, these two factors would coincide; a more expensive product would signify that the value or quality of the product is higher than its cheaper counterpart. This is not always the case though for a few reasons. Most importantly, an increased price may be a result of the product being in high demand due to a popular trend. If a celebrity is seen wearing a certain item, consumers often clamour to wear it as well and a related spike in price often follows. Take for example, Converse Shoes, when the brand first started, it was a cheaper running shoe people would wear who couldn’t afford more expensive shoes. When the brand suddenly became more popular and part of a trend, their price increased dramatically and Converse shoes were no longer the affordable price they started at. The quality of the product never changed but retailers saw that the demand for them had increased and so accordingly, they could increase the price and still make sales.

 

On the other hand, there are certain times when the price of a product will in fact reflect its quality. If the product being sold is not one that is subject to popular trends or fads, it is less likely for the price to fluctuate without an increase in quality. Products that are sold to other companies or service providers are unlikely to be prevalent in the public mind and so will not be subject to the trends that other products such as clothing or shoes are. Also, for a company that is providing a service, it is important for the products its purchasing to work properly (ie have a higher quality) and so is more likely for these companies to be unbiased towards what they buy and go for quality over popularity For example, a hospital must be supplied by a company with all its medical equipment, bedding, needles etc. but these items are not ones that the public will look at and take an interest in. Without trends dictating the importance of having certain items, retailers cannot increase the price of certain medical equipment without also increasing the quality.

 

Whether or not the price of a product will correlate with its value is dependent on the type of product being sold and whether it is involved in popular trends. When an item becomes more desired by the public due to some fad, retailers can increase the cost without increasing the quality since they know the public is not looking truly at the quality of the product but just wanting to own it for the sake of being with the trend. Contrarily, if the product being sold is not subject to popular fads, it is more likely that the product will be looked at solely for the quality vs. price ratio and that consumers will not purchase an over-priced product if it doesn’t have a high value. This is shown through Converse shoes and hospital purchases. Since Converse shoes are a type of product that is subject to trends (e.g. clothing, shoes, technology) they can be marketed at a price higher than their value. Hospital purchases on the other hand are a type of product not subject to fads (e.g. service products such as construction materials or laboratory equipment) and so cannot be marketed at a price higher than their value or they would not sell.

[anitarama]

Score: 5.5/6

 

Task 1 (Supporting): Very strong introduction and explanation of terms. Good example.

 

Task 2 (Refuting): Good explanation of value vs. price. Perhaps expand a bit on lack of change in supply and demand to strengthen the argument.

 

Task 3 (Resolution): Your resolution was clearly explained, well done.

 

Miscellaneous: Using Canadian spelling is perfectly fine.

 

Price is not necessarily a reflection of value.

 

Describe a specific situation in which price is an accurate reflection of value. Discuss what you think determines when price reflects value and when it does not.

 

ESSAY

 

While price is a simply defined property of an item meant for sale, the value is highly subjective. At its simplest, we can determine the value of an item by the value of it's component parts or raw materials along with the cost associated with the manufacturing or labour, plus a percentage for profit. Even this guideline, however, is subject to many other factors, and can't be applied to the price of every product or service. Certain items or servies have an increased value due to factors apart from their component parts. To any individual looking to purchase a product or service, he or she must independently evaluate their perceived value of the product, and compare this to the price set by the other person or party. In many cases, the price is a fair reflection of the value of a product, which makes the process easier for a consumer, who can estimate the quality or quantity of their purchase according to the price, and vice versa. For example, consider the purchase of a simple 10 Karat gold chain. With the mass manufacturing that occurs now, the labour involved in producing a gold chain from the raw materials, gold and other alloy metals, has a comparitively minimal cost compared to the value of it as its base parts. Even the alloy metals offer little to increase the value of the chain over what the mass of gold is worth. In this case, it is very easy to calculate, according to the market price of gold, how much is a reasonable price for a gold chain of a given mass. One must simply account for the price the manufacturer paid for the gold, a profit margin for the wholesaler, and a profit margin for the retailer. For this reason, many independent retailers sell their gold chains at a set price per gram, that varies on a daily to weekly basis according to the market value. This makes it simple for a person shopping for a gold chain to determine what value they are getting for the price that they pay.

 

On the other hand, the price of an investment commodity, such as gold, has a rapidly changing "value" in the stock market. Logically, one ounce of gold in 2006 should have an equal value to one ounce of gold in 2011, assuming that supply-and-demand has not changed significantly. However, this is not the case. The gold is the same, but the price has more than doubled in five years' time. The value of gold as a metal has not doubled; only the value of gold as an investment has increased. It only has a greater value if it is resold. In this case, price is not necessarily a reflection of value, depending on the point of view.

 

These murky definitions can be confusing and frustrating for consumers, investors, and the general public. This simply stems from the difficulty in assigning absolute value to any goods or services. As a general guide, one could say the the price of a product or service reflects the value of the product or service if both parties, the buyer and seller, feel that they have made a reasonable gain through the transaction. Like a symbiotic relationship, both parties will only feel positive about the exchange if it was mutually beneficial. If the price of an item meant that the seller gained a reasonable profit, and the buyer gained a reward that, in the buyer's opinion, was worth the money he or she offered, than the price was a good reflection of the value of the product or service, for both parties. Conversely, if either party feels dissatisfied with their end of the bargain, then the price was not a fair reflection of the value to both parties.

[anitarama]

Score: 4.5/6

 

Task 1 (Supporting): Very good example with specific details.

 

Task 2 (Refuting): I think this paragraph could have been expanded on so that you could explain whether you think the clothing is sold too cheap for its value or is too expensive. Just to further drive home your point.

 

Task 3 (Resolution): This resolution criteria is somewhat weak, as you have not truly explained the difference in value of human vs. machine production or introduced the idea previously in the essay.

 

Miscellaneous: It is true that this prompt can be interpreted in different ways, but I would say it fits under either Business/Finance or Society.

 

Price is not necessarily a reflection of value

 

Describe a specific situation in which price is an accurate reflection of value. Discuss what you think determines when price reflects value and when it does not.

 

"You can't get something for nothing" are some of the great words to live by. Everything in our modern world requires payment. The price for goods is determined often determined by the price for time and work spent into making the good. For example, when a company Apple or Research In Motion (RIM) sells their product to the general public, they are charging for the cost necessary to produce that particular product. The amount of competition these companies have to go through force them to charge the bare minimum for their product. According to many Wall Street journalists, Apple and RIM only make about 10% of what they are charging to their customers for electronic-ware. All the rest of the price is used up to build the item. The Value therefore of these items is very close to the price that we as customers pay for them. Value is something that is determined by the cost that item would require us to make it ourselves. The Value of these items is slightly below the cost.

 

This is not the case for all industries. Many clothing companies have opened up their factories in third world nations so that they may take advantage of the situation. They use the labour force of the country to produce items for cheap and they sell it to the people of firstworld nation with cheap prices so that the company may stay in the competition. A company that employs this strategy is Tommy Hilfiger. This company uses child labour of third world countries like Indonesia and India to produce cheap goods which could be sold for cheap. The hard work and time of the kids is not taken into account into the price of the time.

 

What than determines when price is an accurate representation is based on what is producing the item. If the item is produced by a human hand, and time and hard work is spent into producing the item, than the price of this item in our world does not represent the value of it. The Value of an item made in a factory using robots is minimal. We only use the energy that is already out there to produce computers and cell phones. The robots do all the hard work for us and for that reason the price accurately represents the value of the item.

[anitarama]

Score: 5.5/6

 

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

 

Task 2 (Refuting): Another well-explained example.

 

Task 3 (Resolution): Great Resolution Paragraph that tied together your entire essay.

 

Price is not necessarily a reflection of value.

 

The monetary system that we see in our everyday lives is an artificial creation through the evolution of society. In ancient times people exchanged goods by barter and trade. Over time the use of fiat money as a medium of exchange became widespread. Today, we have an entire system of economics to describe how our system of exchanging goods works. One statement that results from such a system is that the price of an object is not necessarily a reflection of its value. Modern economics theory dictates that prices are determined by supply and demand. If the supply remains constant and the demand increases for an item, then this results in a greater price one must pay. Take one nugget of gold for example. This one nugget can be used to make jewellery. What happens if the demand for gold increases? The price goes up and now this one nugget costs you more. You may pay more for this one nugget, but you can still only make the same amount of gold jewellery from it as you could have when the price was lower. Thus the relative value to you does not change, but the price changes. As one can see from this example the price of gold does not reflect its actual value to the buyer.

 

In contrary there are instances where the price of an object does actually reflect its value. For example, water is a commodity that is necessary for survival. If the demand for water increases and supply remains constant, then prices will also increase. With a low supply and high demand, water is implied to be more rare. The rarity of water that this particular scenario describes would indicate that it is of more value to people because of its need for survival. When there is less water available for everyone, it becomes that much more valuable to people. It is more valuable because people will tend to waste less water and treasure each drop much more than if the supply was abundant. As a result the price and value of water both increase with increasing demand. So in fact price is a viable indicator for value in this situation.

 

The price of an object reflects its value when the object itself is a necessity for human survival. When it is necessary, the price and value go hand in hand because without the object people would die. This is the opposite for objects that are not necessary for survival and are merely a luxury in our lives. The price of these luxurious items do not reflect the true value of them. Instead the price reflects the demand for the object in relation to supply, whereas the value remains constant. Ultimately price is merely a way to quantify how badly we may want something.

[chinenye1]

A common belief holds that commodities sold at extravagant prices must be made of superior materials. This is not always the case, as is evidenced by the quality of goods produced by luxury brands being comparable to substitutes in terms of durability and even design. Take for instance, a recent survey on the quality of the shoes designed by the luxury fashion house Christian loubitin (CL). The survery revealed that the CL shoes which costs no less than $700 lasted no longer than shoes with comparable designs bought from other cheaper retail stores for $35. Products by luxury brands are manufactured to appeal to the elite members of the society as it reflects their status. As such people see the need to buy such commodities as a status symbol

 

There however valuable good worthy of its price. Such goods can be considered valuable due to the superiority of materials used to manufacture the goods, durability and appealing design. These goods are highly priced because of their better degree of performance and functionality that other comparable substitues. Take for instance, the quality of warmth provided by the leather winter coats produced by the brand, Northern Atlantic compared to cheaper coats sold at the shopping complex, Walmart. The Northern Atlantic jackets are priced at hundreds of dollars more that those found at walmart, but authentic materials are used to make such jackets. Consequently, the more expensive jacket gives more warmth and durability.

 

So, whether prices are a reflection of value is dependent on what the customer is seeking. If the customer wants a product that reflects his spending capability such as a luxury good, then such a good may inherently not be valuable, as in the CL shoes. But if the consumer wants a product with proven durability and functionality that supercedes its counterparts, for example, purchasing a northern atlantic jacket instead of those sold in walmart, then, the price of the commodity may very well reflect its value

[BillNye]

Thanks so much! This is great practice.

 

 

Price is not necessarily a reflection of value.

In today’s world filled with consumerism, competitive pricing, and bargain hunting, it is easy to lose the discrepancy between price and value. The price of an object refers to the dollar amount required in exchange for ownership of said object. This number is fixed; it is defined based on quality, supply, demand, and other criteria deemed appropriate by an executive preparing to introduce the object to consumers for purchase. This number is a reflection of the materials used, effort put in, and usefulness of the object being purchased. All of these are incorporated into a number that determines whether or not a consumer will purchase and therefore own an object. It is past this point where the object begins to acquire value. The value of an object is less dependent on a physical number, or cost, and more dependent on sentimental and emotional attachment that may be gained or lost throughout the courses of ownership of the object. The value of an object may increase as it begins to represent new things that lie outside of the physical purpose that it serves.

 

Valuable objects may include those that were purchased for an incredibly high price, but substantial value might also be found in objects that were not expensive at all. In Garden State, a 2001 movie depicting a young man’s journey following the death of his mother, the conclusion revolved around such an object. The object in question was a necklace belonging to his late mother. Following the passing of his mother, this young man returns to his hometown and begins a journey of self-discovery. Although the young man had lost touch with his mother prior to her death, her necklace held sentimental value much higher than it was purchased for, as it reminded him of the love and care he was given by her throughout his childhood. The ultimate step in making peace with his mother’s death was a gift given to him by an old friend: the necklace that his mother used to wear. Although this gift cost little in terms of price, its value exceeded anything that a physical number could represent; the young man accepted the death of his mother, appreciated his mother for what she did for him, and was able to move on with his life. While the physical cost, or price, of this object was not a representation of the value this object held to this man, it was deemed an accurate representation by somebody who was emotionally removed from the situation, and thus provided an unbiased evaluation of the necklace’s worth. In this case, the price of the necklace was not at all an accurate representation of the necklace’s worth; the sentimental and emotional attachment made the necklace invaluable to this man.

 

While emotional attachment may take precedence over cost when determining the value of an object, there are many instances in which price and value accurately coincide. When the object under consideration is used solely for material purposes and carries no sentimental value or emotional attachment, the value of an object is usually proportional to the cost required for ownership of that object. Car ownership provides a typical example of the proportional relationship of price and value. There are multiple things to consider when determining the price of a car. Initial pricing of a Mercedes would be much higher than that of a Kia, simply due to the meticulous engineering, sleek design, and smooth driving provided by a Mercedes over a Kia. These are all physical factors whose quality directly translates into increased market price due to the higher production cost. The initial cost of both cars in comparison to one another are direct consequences of the quality and effort put into the design and production of each vehicle. In the case of people who are simply looking for a car, with no emotional predisposition, these prices accurately reflect the value of the car by acting as a measure of its performance and capabilities. As time passes, however, the car decreases in value as its engine becomes weary, its paint becomes scratched, and its interior loses its new-car smell. This decrease in value directly corresponds to a decrease in price. The value of the used car decreases with respect to the new car due to a decrease in performance and, justifiably, a decrease in value. In the case where materialism is the sole contributor versus an additional emotional or sentimental contribution, price is usually an accurate reflection of the value of an object.

 

The notion that price can not always be considered an accurate reflection of value holds true in many scenerios where emotional attachment and sentiment are considered as factors. On the other hand, when materialism is the sole contributor to the value of objects, price is usually an accurate reflection of value. The difference between price and value is ultimately the difference between subjectivity and objectivity. In a subjective situation, such as the young man from Garden’s state perception of his late mother’s necklace, price can often grossly underestimate the perceived value of an object. However, in objective situations, such as purchasing a new car with no prior preference or biases, price is often an accurate representation of the value of an object. Although value and price are usually used interchangeably in the business market of today’s society, these terms can hold different meaning when considered under varying circumstances.

[anitarama]

Score: 4.5/6

 

Task 1 (Supporting): Remember to introduce the reader to your prompt before jumping right in to the first example.

 

Task 2 (Refuting): Also, give yourself time to proofread your work at the end to catch small errors and typos, as they can throw off the flow of your essay.

 

Task 3 (Resolution): Strong resolution criteria.

 

A common belief holds that commodities sold at extravagant prices must be made of superior materials. This is not always the case, as is evidenced by the quality of goods produced by luxury brands being comparable to substitutes in terms of durability and even design. Take for instance, a recent survey on the quality of the shoes designed by the luxury fashion house Christian loubitin (CL). The survery revealed that the CL shoes which costs no less than $700 lasted no longer than shoes with comparable designs bought from other cheaper retail stores for $35. Products by luxury brands are manufactured to appeal to the elite members of the society as it reflects their status. As such people see the need to buy such commodities as a status symbol

 

There however valuable good worthy of its price. Such goods can be considered valuable due to the superiority of materials used to manufacture the goods, durability and appealing design. These goods are highly priced because of their better degree of performance and functionality that other comparable substitues. Take for instance, the quality of warmth provided by the leather winter coats produced by the brand, Northern Atlantic compared to cheaper coats sold at the shopping complex, Walmart. The Northern Atlantic jackets are priced at hundreds of dollars more that those found at walmart, but authentic materials are used to make such jackets. Consequently, the more expensive jacket gives more warmth and durability.

 

So, whether prices are a reflection of value is dependent on what the customer is seeking. If the customer wants a product that reflects his spending capability such as a luxury good, then such a good may inherently not be valuable, as in the CL shoes. But if the consumer wants a product with proven durability and functionality that supercedes its counterparts, for example, purchasing a northern atlantic jacket instead of those sold in walmart, then, the price of the commodity may very well reflect its value

[anitarama]

Score: 5.5/6

 

Task 1 (Supporting): Excellent introductory paragraph. Good example.

 

Task 2 (Refuting): Very well-explained example.

 

Task 3 (Resolution): Strong Resolution Paragraph.

 

Price is not necessarily a reflection of value.

In today’s world filled with consumerism, competitive pricing, and bargain hunting, it is easy to lose the discrepancy between price and value. The price of an object refers to the dollar amount required in exchange for ownership of said object. This number is fixed; it is defined based on quality, supply, demand, and other criteria deemed appropriate by an executive preparing to introduce the object to consumers for purchase. This number is a reflection of the materials used, effort put in, and usefulness of the object being purchased. All of these are incorporated into a number that determines whether or not a consumer will purchase and therefore own an object. It is past this point where the object begins to acquire value. The value of an object is less dependent on a physical number, or cost, and more dependent on sentimental and emotional attachment that may be gained or lost throughout the courses of ownership of the object. The value of an object may increase as it begins to represent new things that lie outside of the physical purpose that it serves.

 

Valuable objects may include those that were purchased for an incredibly high price, but substantial value might also be found in objects that were not expensive at all. In Garden State, a 2001 movie depicting a young man’s journey following the death of his mother, the conclusion revolved around such an object. The object in question was a necklace belonging to his late mother. Following the passing of his mother, this young man returns to his hometown and begins a journey of self-discovery. Although the young man had lost touch with his mother prior to her death, her necklace held sentimental value much higher than it was purchased for, as it reminded him of the love and care he was given by her throughout his childhood. The ultimate step in making peace with his mother’s death was a gift given to him by an old friend: the necklace that his mother used to wear. Although this gift cost little in terms of price, its value exceeded anything that a physical number could represent; the young man accepted the death of his mother, appreciated his mother for what she did for him, and was able to move on with his life. While the physical cost, or price, of this object was not a representation of the value this object held to this man, it was deemed an accurate representation by somebody who was emotionally removed from the situation, and thus provided an unbiased evaluation of the necklace’s worth. In this case, the price of the necklace was not at all an accurate representation of the necklace’s worth; the sentimental and emotional attachment made the necklace invaluable to this man.

 

While emotional attachment may take precedence over cost when determining the value of an object, there are many instances in which price and value accurately coincide. When the object under consideration is used solely for material purposes and carries no sentimental value or emotional attachment, the value of an object is usually proportional to the cost required for ownership of that object. Car ownership provides a typical example of the proportional relationship of price and value. There are multiple things to consider when determining the price of a car. Initial pricing of a Mercedes would be much higher than that of a Kia, simply due to the meticulous engineering, sleek design, and smooth driving provided by a Mercedes over a Kia. These are all physical factors whose quality directly translates into increased market price due to the higher production cost. The initial cost of both cars in comparison to one another are direct consequences of the quality and effort put into the design and production of each vehicle. In the case of people who are simply looking for a car, with no emotional predisposition, these prices accurately reflect the value of the car by acting as a measure of its performance and capabilities. As time passes, however, the car decreases in value as its engine becomes weary, its paint becomes scratched, and its interior loses its new-car smell. This decrease in value directly corresponds to a decrease in price. The value of the used car decreases with respect to the new car due to a decrease in performance and, justifiably, a decrease in value. In the case where materialism is the sole contributor versus an additional emotional or sentimental contribution, price is usually an accurate reflection of the value of an object.

 

The notion that price can not always be considered an accurate reflection of value holds true in many scenerios where emotional attachment and sentiment are considered as factors. On the other hand, when materialism is the sole contributor to the value of objects, price is usually an accurate reflection of value. The difference between price and value is ultimately the difference between subjectivity and objectivity. In a subjective situation, such as the young man from Garden’s state perception of his late mother’s necklace, price can often grossly underestimate the perceived value of an object. However, in objective situations, such as purchasing a new car with no prior preference or biases, price is often an accurate representation of the value of an object. Although value and price are usually used interchangeably in the business market of today’s society, these terms can hold different meaning when considered under varying circumstances.

[bored]

Score: 4.5/6

 

Task 1 (Supporting): Very good example with specific details.

 

Task 2 (Refuting): I think this paragraph could have been expanded on so that you could explain whether you think the clothing is sold too cheap for its value or is too expensive. Just to further drive home your point.

 

Task 3 (Resolution): This resolution criteria is somewhat weak, as you have not truly explained the difference in value of human vs. machine production or introduced the idea previously in the essay.

 

Miscellaneous: It is true that this prompt can be interpreted in different ways, but I would say it fits under either Business/Finance or Society.

 

Hey Anita, you sure about that mark? I feel like I put a lot more thought into other essays in the past than compared to this one. Its also much shorter and I just stuck to the guidelines.

 

Also, I made the first paragraph arguing the prompt and the second paragraph agreeing with the prompt. Is this alright?

[cdawso23]

Thanks again! This is really great of you to do.

 

New technologies often hide problems that are only revealed later.

 

Describe a specific situation in which the benefits of a new technology might not hide later problems. Discuss what you think determines when the benefits of a new technology outweigh potential problems.

 

We are currently living in what people call the technological age. New products are constantly being released and old products are constantly being made better, faster and more compact. There is almost no way that people could avoid being influenced or affected by technology in some way. This leads to the question of whether or not this constant advancement and integration of technology into our lives is always a good thing. In reality, new technologies may hide certain problems in our society by providing a bandaid to the real problem which is only revealed later. This can be seen in certain medical technologies recently developed such as a dialysis machine or organ transplantation. While some people may have a kidney problem due to circumstances out of their control, most often kidney failure is a result of poor lifestyle habits such as excessive salt intake or lack of exercise. By allowing for these people to improve their condition through dialysis or surgery, it allows for people to not have to make improvements in their lifestyle. Furthermore, lack of initiative to change their health themselves will cause harm to other aspects of their health through their poor lifestyle choices as well. Certain medical technologies therefore can hide the true problem of people today not taking proper care of their bodies.

 

On the other hand, there are times when new technology may not be hiding a later problem. If the new technology is something that is not simply offering a faster or easier ends to the same means as could have been done without the technology, it is less likely to hide a future problem. Following a similar example as before, new medical technologies have been developed to help people with Parkinson’s disease regain some motor control through stimulation of parts of their brain by a machine. Parkinson’s disease is not something caused by the lifestyle of the individual and development of the disease is based off of their genes and inheritance. Since there is nothing the patient could have done to prevent themselves getting Parkinsons, the development of technology to aid them is not covering up a future problem.

 

Finally, to determine when the benefits of a new technology outweigh the potential problems is by looking at whether or not the technology works to aid something that could have been prevented or helped without the technology. By using technology as a shortcut or an easier solution, we may create problems further down the road when people are putting the same sort of effort into their education or lives. Kidney failure for example, is usually preventable through a healthy lifestyle. New technology that aids in kidney failure may create a future problem of increasingly poor lifestyles by teaching people they don’t need to improve their habits. Contrarily, Parkinson’s disease is neither preventable nor treatable without the medical technology and so the technology is not covering up a future problem.

[anitarama]

Hey Anita, you sure about that mark? I feel like I put a lot more thought into other essays in the past than compared to this one. Its also much shorter and I just stuck to the guidelines.

 

Also, I made the first paragraph arguing the prompt and the second paragraph agreeing with the prompt. Is this alright?

 

I have outlined a few of the reasons I gave you a 4.5 due to important points I felt were missing. I agree that short and straightforward is the way to go, but a good rule of thumb is to re-read your essay with a blank slate and not with the ideas you have already thought up in your mind, because that is all the reader will be getting from you. When you brainstorm a lot of great ideas come to your mind and it is best to put the most important ones and integral arguments into your essay; if there is any link missing it can seem lacking.

 

Technically, switching the order of the Supporting and Refuting paragraphs is fine, but remember that the markers are reading many essays at one time and this may throw them off. If you feel the flow of your essay benefits from this switch, that is fine, if not then stick to the regular outline.

 

Hope that helps!

[anitarama]

Score: 4.5/6

 

Task 1 (Supporting): I understand the basis of your argument but I don't necessarily think dialysis was the best choice to represent this. Perhaps something less medical and more "popular" such as new-fangled exercise machines, etc. that are always shown on infomercials? Dialysis seems like a straightforward medical need while something the borderline would prove your point in a more convincing manner.

 

Task 2 (Refuting): This example is good.

 

Task 3 (Resolution): Solid Resolution Paragraph.

 

New technologies often hide problems that are only revealed later.

 

Describe a specific situation in which the benefits of a new technology might not hide later problems. Discuss what you think determines when the benefits of a new technology outweigh potential problems.

 

We are currently living in what people call the technological age. New products are constantly being released and old products are constantly being made better, faster and more compact. There is almost no way that people could avoid being influenced or affected by technology in some way. This leads to the question of whether or not this constant advancement and integration of technology into our lives is always a good thing. In reality, new technologies may hide certain problems in our society by providing a bandaid to the real problem which is only revealed later. This can be seen in certain medical technologies recently developed such as a dialysis machine or organ transplantation. While some people may have a kidney problem due to circumstances out of their control, most often kidney failure is a result of poor lifestyle habits such as excessive salt intake or lack of exercise. By allowing for these people to improve their condition through dialysis or surgery, it allows for people to not have to make improvements in their lifestyle. Furthermore, lack of initiative to change their health themselves will cause harm to other aspects of their health through their poor lifestyle choices as well. Certain medical technologies therefore can hide the true problem of people today not taking proper care of their bodies.

 

On the other hand, there are times when new technology may not be hiding a later problem. If the new technology is something that is not simply offering a faster or easier ends to the same means as could have been done without the technology, it is less likely to hide a future problem. Following a similar example as before, new medical technologies have been developed to help people with Parkinson’s disease regain some motor control through stimulation of parts of their brain by a machine. Parkinson’s disease is not something caused by the lifestyle of the individual and development of the disease is based off of their genes and inheritance. Since there is nothing the patient could have done to prevent themselves getting Parkinsons, the development of technology to aid them is not covering up a future problem.

 

Finally, to determine when the benefits of a new technology outweigh the potential problems is by looking at whether or not the technology works to aid something that could have been prevented or helped without the technology. By using technology as a shortcut or an easier solution, we may create problems further down the road when people are putting the same sort of effort into their education or lives. Kidney failure for example, is usually preventable through a healthy lifestyle. New technology that aids in kidney failure may create a future problem of increasingly poor lifestyles by teaching people they don’t need to improve their habits. Contrarily, Parkinson’s disease is neither preventable nor treatable without the medical technology and so the technology is not covering up a future problem.

[cdawso23]

Score: 4.5/6

 

Task 1 (Supporting): I understand the basis of your argument but I don't necessarily think dialysis was the best choice to represent this. Perhaps something less medical and more "popular" such as new-fangled exercise machines, etc. that are always shown on infomercials? Dialysis seems like a straightforward medical need while something the borderline would prove your point in a more convincing manner.

 

Task 2 (Refuting): This example is good.

 

Task 3 (Resolution): Solid Resolution Paragraph.

 

Thanks for the feedback! Yeah, I didn't really think dialysis was that great of an example either haha but I couldn't think of anything else so just went with it.

[gotlactose]

New technologies often hide problems that are only revealed later.

 

Describe a specific situation in which the benefits of a new technology might not hide later problems. Discuss what you think determines when the benefits of a new technology outweigh potential problems.

 

Innovation is the process with which people come up with inventions that aim to solve the issues concerning humanity. As a society, we have come to accumulate problems that we must solve by coming up with new methods to correct them. Solutions to these problems may only be superficial because people may be only aware of the benefits without realizing the costs of a new technology. One such example is the use of burning fossil fuels to power automotive vehicles. Although the internal combustion engine solved the problem of transportation for the bulk of the population, it created new whole new set of issues. At first, the public quickly adopted the automobile powered by gasoline because it allowed them to move more freely, but most people did not realize that the cars were polluting the environment. They were disillusioned by the benefits that the gasoline burning cars were bringing that they were blind to the environmental problems that the cars were causing. Therefore, automobiles created new problems that were hidden from the public until the costs became noticeable.

 

On the other hand, there are technologies that do more good than harm overall and we are fully aware about the problems beforehand. Take, for example, the X-ray that is used in the dentist's office. A routine check up at the dentist's office involves taking X-ray images of one's teeth to assess their health. It can be used to detect the improper growth of wisdom teeth and prevent future pain by extracting them before they grow out of alignment. At the same time, people are aware of the problems that X-rays and actively work to mitigate them. X-rays produce radiation that may harm our bodies. The dentist's office makes their customers wear lead aprons to protect their bodies of radiation because they know that X-rays can be harmful and work towards to minimize the risks of damage.

 

Therefore, the ultimate determinant of whether or not technologies hide problems is if people address both the benefits and risks that they bring. If people focus on only on the benefits of a new technology, then they may be too caught up with enjoying it without realizing that the costs are hurting them. Conversely, if people adequately inform themselves of both sides and actively work towards addressing all aspects, then they can harness the new technology with maximum benefits with minimized costs. It may be tempting to be blissfully ignorant of the costs, but remaining unaware of the costs only delays the inevitability that they will ultimately harm the users.

[bored]

\Thanks a lot for the feedback

 

I have outlined a few of the reasons I gave you a 4.5 due to important points I felt were missing. I agree that short and straightforward is the way to go, but a good rule of thumb is to re-read your essay with a blank slate and not with the ideas you have already thought up in your mind, because that is all the reader will be getting from you. When you brainstorm a lot of great ideas come to your mind and it is best to put the most important ones and integral arguments into your essay; if there is any link missing it can seem lacking.

 

Technically, switching the order of the Supporting and Refuting paragraphs is fine, but remember that the markers are reading many essays at one time and this may throw them off. If you feel the flow of your essay benefits from this switch, that is fine, if not then stick to the regular outline.

 

Hope that helps!

[Iluvsoccer]

Thank you Anita!

 

New technologies often hide problems that are only revealed later.

 

Describe a specific situation in which the benefits of a new technology might not hide later problems. Discuss what you think determines when the benefits of a new technology outweigh potential problems.

 

In today's world, the technological advancements are close to astronomical. Technology pertains to the area of machines and equipment that allows humans to accomplish various tasks more efficiently and quickly. A prime example of a relatively innovative technology is the advent of credit cards in the consumer market. The widespread use of credit cards has allowed consumers to purchase items without having to worry about withdrawing or carrying large sums of cash, personal cheques etc. It has also allowed purchasers to buy products virtually, which would not have been possible twenty years ago. Credit cards, have therefore allowed the consumer market to expand and increased the purchasing capability of consumers. However, upon its introduction in the general market, no one anticipated the widespread incidence of fraud related to credit cards. For years, credit cards companies have struggled with identity theft and credit card fraud and are continually introducing security measures such as chip technology, pin authorization etc. However, the incidence credit card fraud is on the rise and despite its numerous benefits, the drawbacks are costing consumers and companies enormously.

 

On the positive side, however, not all advances in technology are smeared with unforeseen drawbacks. With the advent of the digital camera came the enormous benefit of sharing photos 'digitally'. Unlike the old era when pictures were taken to be developed to a professional photographer, people now have the pictures they take within seconds. Before, people worried whether or not they captured the 'priceless moment' correctly but now, people can view their pictures and delete the ones they don't approve of. Such a technology given allowed people to save money on printing all the photographs they took, storing them and ensuring they are safe for generations. However, with the digital cameras, one can save thousands of pictures on a single DVD and not have to worry about losing or destroying precious memories in the form of photo albums. Thus, the emergence of digital cameras has truly revolutionized the the ordinary individuals' ability to capture photos of day and day and has eased the ability to store and protect precious memories in the form of photographs.

 

Therefore, the defining factor of whether the potential benefits of a new technology outweigh the potential problems is whether the problems cause more harm than the benefits the technology brings. In the case of credit cards, the benefit of increasing the consumer's ability to purchase goods is indeed of great value. However, the level of personal distress, economic turmoil and hardship that the resultant credit card fraud brings about does not outweigh the benefit. Individuals who suffer from credit card fraud are at a risk of being subject to a negative credit rating, which can affect their borrowing power from banks and other institutions. Such negative outcome does not allow outweigh the benefit. On the other hand, the power of being able to access one's digital pictures instantaneously, store them without too much space requirement and save money on printing pictures definitely is a technological advancement with little adverse effects.

[terra]

Thanks Anita!

 

Technology, the products of human intelligence that allowed our species to succeed in dominating the planet, encompasses simple machines from thousands of years ago to complex electronics in the modern day. Their primary goal is to make our lives easier; however, the very innovations that were designed to benefit us may reveal problems. At first, they may seem to be a blessing to humankind. But in time, some technologies reveal darker natures that may threaten to be the very means of our destruction. They may cause problems that have a detrimental effect on human life. Consider the significant advances in the development of the automobile in the past few decades. Cars are a convienent form of transportation that quickly became a necessity. They enabled the transport of goods and services in the form of workers, increased the motility of everyday citizens, among other benefits. The booming automobile industry meant that an increasingly large number of vehicles entered the roads each day. This lead to an awareness of environmental concerns. Smog and air pollution, which were of minimal impact when vehicles were a luxury owned by the minority of wealthy aristocrats, became a concern. Pollution was blamed for diseases such as lung cancer, asthma, and eczema. The health of the general population was affected, not to mention the traffic accidents that occur daily. Despite the freedom that cars provided their users with, their dangerous aspect lead to calls for less technologically advanced alternatives, such as biking.

 

Although the development of automobiles later revealed concerning issues that were not apparent at first, technologies that have a more electronic basis may be less problematic in the long run. Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia that offers free and widely available information to people all around the world. Individuals can get involved by contributing information in their area of expertise. Wikipedia has proven itself to be a supreme resource, with a minimal startup cost, in comparison to Encyclopedia Britiannica which was costly to create, yet less interactive and popular. As the website grew in popularity, there were concerns about the manipulation of sensitive information, such as about political subjects or intensely debated topics such as abortion. There were also simple pranksters who could,

with a simple click or two, proudly announce that the Earth was the biggest planet in the universe. This problem was resolved with the addition of a feature that enabled controversial pages to become “locked” in order to prevent incorrect information. Wikipedia was then able to continue reaching the lives of millions with mostly accurate information, and continue to help with research and lead to innovation. Its problems were quickly overcome and continued to allowed the technology to benefit people.

 

The benefits of a new technology can certainly be impressive, however the severity of their problems depend on whether the technology is electronically based or not. Automobiles, even in the 21st century, still run on gasoline, and have a negative physical impact on humans as well as the visible environment. More recent advances in technology have been of an electronic form, such as the online encyclopedia Wikipedia. Its problems are of more of a legal matter, surrounding theological debates and political rivalry. Thus, its problems can be easily resolved without dire consequences. Technology can help humankind succeed, whether by increasing the movement of physical bodies or the movement of ideas and knowledge. Whenever a new technology is promoted as life-changing, people should be cautious of problems that may appear later down the road, before they truly embrace its benefits.

[natalie]

New technologies often hide problems that are only revealed later.

 

The rate of development of new technologies has been increasing exponentially since the Industrial Revolution. While steam engines brought goods and trades, then telegraphs conveyed messages accross the country instantly, technologies have always been ebraced with vigour by the current generation, but for some reason, always feared, or at least accepted with hesitance, by the past generations. Is this because they've seen what new technology can bring in the years to follow? Take, for example, the deeming of the children of the 1990's as the Net Generation is an interesting, but seemingly universally agreed-upon, choice. While earlier generations were scourned for allowing children to be "raised by the television set," this parenting blunder seems insignificant compared to the children of our newest generation being raised by the Internet. Chock full of a wider variety of negative influences than you could count, the Internet has come to be a thing to be feared by parents. That wasn't, of course, the way it began. This revolution in communication, along with free information for all, was a marvel of the human race. No one expected it to explode into what it is today. Unfortunately, with all of the good that the Internet brough to society, it seems to have had just as much negative influence. From internet gambling to sex offenders in chat rooms, it's become a dangerous place.

 

Conversely, it cannot be ignored that new technologies have made changes that have saved us as a human race. As a species, we are not the strongest or fastest, but with the use of tools we've survived. We're the "R and D" species. Instead of leaving the weak behind, we've created new medicines and procedures that save millions of lives every day. Our life expectancy has increased dramatically in such a short time, and that is largely, if not almost solely, due to technology. Drugs like penicillin alone have made such a drastic change in our everyday lives.

 

Drug development is a carefully monitored process now. From the first sign that a substance may have cancer-killing properties, it can take ten years or more for the drug to be commercially available. This is because we know, from past experience, how serious the problems that new technologies bring can be. To avoid the problems of new technologies being revealed later, it's necessary that extensive testing is done and controlled trials are performed. This doesn't apply only to medicine; it applies to all new technologies. Those that forego this testing stage are likely to ultimately fail, and may even cause great harm in the process. From new printer technology to new paint ingredients, the proper testing must take place so that new technologies don't reveal their problems later. When this is done, then the new technology can be assessed, by the company, government, and public, to determine whether the risks discovered are worth the benefit. Many factors need to be taken into account, including the health benefits and risks, the social impact and the environmental impact. If the benefits may save lives, then the risks can be higher, but if the benefits are only superficial than we simply can't afford to tolerate some risks.

[MD2019_A]

Thank you for your service

 

New technologies often hide problems that are only revealed later.

 

Describe a specific situation in which the benefits of a new technology might not hide later problems. Discuss what you think determines when the benefits of a new technology outweigh potential problems.

 

Humans are continuously searching for ways to improve life. Technological advancements are innovations that serve the purpose of betterment of the human experience and enhance our race. There are certain downsides, however. Certain technologies that have been invented provide initial desired results, but pose various problems that are evident in the future. Consider, for example, the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. On April 6th and 9th, USA dropped atomic bombs in the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, respectively. The bombing was aimed to stop World War II on the Pacific front with the Japanese. The initial results claimed the lives of tens of thousands of Japanese civilians that prompted the Japanese government to agree to surrender in the coming weeks. Years after the bombing, however, the radioactive effects of the bombing are still evident in the massive areas of land that are inhabitable, the increased risk of cancer in the survivors, and other long term radioactive effects. Therefore, certain inventions, such as the atomic bomb, do not demonstrate their negative until many years later.

 

There are also cases, however, where new technologies do not conceal any problems that are shown in the future. Consider, for example, the invention of the wheel. The wheel was invented many decades ago and still used in almost every corner of the world in one shape or form. It has provided us today with the means of transportation. There are no problems or hidden negative effects of the wheel that were brought to light in the later years. Therefore, there are inventions that do not pose hidden negative aspects that are revealed in the future.

 

So what determines whether a new technology will have negative effects that are revealed in the future? It is the intent with which the technology was created. If the technology is created with the intent to harm others, like in the case of the atomic bomb, the new technology will contain negative effects that displayed in the future. However, technologies that are created with the intent of helping the human civilization, as is in the case of the wheel, the said technology will pose no problems in the future.

[chinenye1]

Human beings are constantly seeking methods to increase efficiency and output in a fast pace environment. Consequently, continuous advancement in technology in all industries from automobiles to power plant to telecommunication has resulted. This evident in the change in today’s car structure and functioning compared to vintage models. Currently preferred vehicles chosen for their impressive storage capacity or speed such as trucks and sports cars are notably bigger and faster compared to vehicles that were used many years ago. With this seemingly advantageous attribute of advanced cars comes the consequence of greater fossil fuel usage that has contributed immensely to global warming and increased mortality of the world’s population. Despite the innovative introduction of electricity run cars designed to curb air pollution, the environment still suffers eventually for the reason that people are becoming heavily dependent on cars and commuting more frequently and for longer distances. This translates to the cars recharged more frequently by fossil fueled generators, which emit green house gases. The overall adverse effects of new technology in the area of advanced cars are an eventual heavy contribution to global warming, early mortality and morbidities such as new cancers and blood diseases arising from prolonged exposure to toxic gas emission that may not be initially apparent.

 

There are times however when the benefits of new technology do not conceal its limitations. This can be seen in the area of technology used in nuclear medicine. Decades ago invasive lobotomies and lobectomies were attempted to diagnose brain -based problems in patients. But, with advances in the field of brain imaging a non invasive early and more accurate and precise diagnosis of brain diseases is possible. The benefits are far reaching, as they allow for high resolution images of the brain to localize the precise faulty area. However, brain imaging using these scanners pose a problem of cancer induction from exposure to its radiations. As such doctors exercise prudency in the use of this equipment by restricting use to just once a year. Furthermore, no cancer in patients have been reported from the scanners owing to the very careful and restrictive use of the equipment.

 

So what determines the eventual revelation of the shortcomings of a new technology is dependent on the degree of its use. In the case of technologically advanced cars, its use is excessive and with much negligence to its impacts on the environment. This stems from man’s increasing reliance on such cars. Although, these cars offer the benefit of speed and the consequent faster reaching of destination, it comes at a cost of air pollution. On the other hand, when new technology is used infrequently and with caution, its benefits outweigh any potential problem. Such is seen in the use of brain scanners where no health impacts have reported because of its seldom usage.