Multidimensional Economics; Friday, First Period [09/11].

[somethingwithturquoise]

Instructions would lead the class into the danger shop today, where they would find themselves immersed in a nice, generic 'this is obviously a space bazaar because the sky is yellow and everything is made out of sleek metal, though there is a certain sort of disheveled feudal rusticness in the details' settling, bustling with aliens and people and animals of all sorts.

"Welcome back, you guys," Summer started once everyone had gathered and had sort of had a chance to take in the scene. "Today, we're going to be talking a little bit about the barter system, which is perfect, because last week we actually managed to get a good taste of the basic fundamentals of that. Now, in societies where money hasn't become a thing yet or they just decided to without it, most trade and economic transactions are done through bartering, which is basically trading goods and services for other goods and services, for example, Eleanor's decision to share her shrimp chips with people in exchange for margarita mix. She had something that--for some reason--other people wanted, and, seeing an econimic opportunity there, albeit after I pointed it out, realized she could get something else she wanted out of it.

"And actually," Summer continued, "we got to see two different aspects of what might potentially drive a market in there, too, which was great. Arabella pointed out that she wouldn't have been interested in the chips if it weren't for the fact that Eleanor clearly thought highly of them, therefor increasing their preceived value, and Troy then started to want them as well, because it was something everyone else wanted, which only drove the market for it even more. Eleanor then had the supply, which gave her to ability to demand a price, and that price was margarita mix!" She beamed at the class, opening up her hands a little. "Look at that! You guys were already putting into practice some of the basic aspects of economics without even realizing it, how neat is that?"

Super neat, because it made her job so much easier!

"Anyway, I figured we'd continue on with the already perceived value that we've established for shrimp-flavored Pringles for today's exercise. In this here space bazaar, there are many different vendors with things you may or may not want, including the very popular Shrimp Pringle vendor. This society doesn't have a monetary system, and all trade is done through bargaining and bartering. Your goal, then, is to find the best way to get as many Shrimp Pringles as you can, because those are clearly the hot item on the market today, and the more you have, the quote-unquote richer you will be. But the Shrimp Pringle merchant knows he's got the good stuff, and he's not going to make it easy for you. So start in the bartering process to figure out what they're willing to trade for it, and how to obtain those items. You may need to barter with several different vendors before managing to get to your goal, but that's the whole point. Figure out what the market is demanding, and then figure out how to work that to your advantage to get what you want and really put the squeeze on that shrimp chip market.

"Any questions before we begin? If not, I'll leave you all to go get your barter on. You all have one tube of shrimp chips to get you started, too."

[[ while I muddle my way through some ocd that's probably good for now. ]]

Ethics, Friday, September 11, 2020

[sith_happened]

"Good morning, everyone," Anakin said, sweeping into the classroom. "Today we're going to re-discuss the ethical quandary offered up by our guest speakers from this week's assembly."

Since some of the reactions to it had been...clarifying.

"The Trolley Problem at its most simplified form goes like this: there is a runaway trolley barreling down the railway tracks. Ahead, on the tracks, there are five people tied up and unable to move. The trolley is headed straight for them. You are standing some distance off in the train yard, next to a lever. If you pull this lever, the trolley will switch to a different set of tracks. However, you notice that there is one person on the side track. You have two options: Do nothing and allow the trolley to kill the five people on the main track or pull the lever, diverting the trolley onto the side track where it will kill one person. Which is the more ethical option? Or, more simply: What is the right thing to do?"

Anakin smiled. "Now our guests were unaware of many of the abilities we on the island have to manipulate the scenario in order to save all the lives involved."

Or smush everything, but...Mae.

"So that meant at the assembly we got to wriggle out of the actual moral question posed by this scenario: by being a witness to what is happening, do you have a moral obligation to intervene, and if so, does that mean pulling the lever to divert the trolley into only killing one person? Does pulling the lever make you morally culpable for that one death, where doing nothing just makes you a horrible witness to an accident?"

He shrugged. "It's an interesting discussion, so let's have it. Without the teddy bear explosions."

French Language, Literature, and Culture, Friday Period 3

[doesntstophurting]

Booker dropped a very thick book onto his desk from a few inches up. It landed with a thud. "I don't know if you read the sign-up form or whatever you have here very closely," he said, "but this is not just a language class. It is also a literature class, which means you're going to have to read some things." He looked at the paper brick sitting on his desk and said, "Not that, though. Just kidding with that. Honestly no one needs to know that much about Paris's sewers. It is, however, a very good book, so I'm issuing a challenge: anyone who reads the book and writes a--what's a good length? A ten page paper on one of its themes by the end of the semester will get extra credit for the class. I'll forge you an AP certification." A beat. "Kidding again!" Or was he?

"Anyway. Today we will be reading a short story by Guy de Maupassant, "The Necklace." It's known for its twist ending, and for being a bit of a morality tale. Please read the story, and then we will discuss it."