Multidimensional Economics; Friday, First Period [09/18].

[somethingwithturquoise]

So Summer was already having a bit of a morning and was feeling like her weapons run weekend with her current space bestie could not come soon enough, but she still had a class to deal with, which sort of made the fact that a petty and vindictive squirrel tried to usurp her radio spot with one of her own students. Troy seemed like a good kid, though, so nothing against him, she just felt a little bad that he somehow managed to get wrapped up in it.

Either way, it left her feeling like maybe she should do a little more planning in advance for her classes for days like today, but she figured this one wouldn't be a bad one, and it was still probably better than just sticking them with a movie, right?

"So," Summer started, as they gathered in the danger shop, which was set up to look like a appliance store, with things marked down to ridiculous prices, according to the signs, some of them even free, "today we're going to start with one of the lessons I have planned for you guys that have to deal with business ethics. Because one thing you definitely learn when dealing with economics on a multidimensional level is that everyone has them, but literally none of them are the same, and something that's totally kosher and cool in one quadrant of the multiverse could actually turn out to be the most offensive thing you can imagine in a business transaction in another one. This just means that research is usually pretty important when you're about to embark on a new business venue, but sometimes, you just don't have the time, and you have to go in blind and hope you don't mess it up, and that's where having your own set of business ethics can come in handy, because that's at least, you know, a start.

"Today, then, we're going to see where you stand on a particular situation, see if your classmates agree, and, if not, we can talk it out and discuss with each other on why we feel the way we do about whether or not its right or wrong. And please, keep it civil. It's only first period, and already, I have dealt with way too many altercations and fights, so let's keep it that way.

"Onto our scenario! From here, I think I'll let our 'guest' take over. Everyone, please give a warm welcome to Mr. Ants-in-my-Eyes Johnson."

And that was when a relatively normal, though somewhat sweaty middle-aged man who did, indeed, have ants in his eyes stepped forward to give his schpiel [[CW for R&M clip, which means weirdness, gross humor, and, in this one, someone catching on fire]]. "I'm Ants-in-my-Eyes Johnson, here at Ants-in-my-Eyes Johnson Electronics! I mean, there's so many ants in my eyes, and there's so many TVs! Microwaves! Radios! I think? I'm not...I'm not a hundred percent sure what we have here in stock, because I can't see anything! Our prices...I hope!...aren't too low! Check out this refrigerator!"

He gestured toward a washing machine. "Only two hundred dollars!

"What about this microwave?" This, at least, was a microwave, though it had a sign that clearly stated 'Free!' on it. "Only a hundred dollars! That's fair!

"I'm Ants-in-my-Eye-Johnson, everything's black! I can't see a thing, also, I can't feel a thing!"

This was when his wild gestures managed to bring his arm close to a gas stove that someone had turned on, catching little flames on his sleeve, because there were definitely people walking around and doing things like that and also just taking things. "I can't feel a thing, either," very clearly, as the flame was slowly creeping up his arm, "but that's not as catchy, as having ants in your eyes, so that always goes, you know, off by the wayside. I can't feel! It's a very rare disease. All my nerves, they...they don't allow for the...for the sensation of touch! I never know what's going on! Am I standing, sitting? I don't know!"

Summer, where did you get that bag of marshmallows and a few sticks, anyway?

"Alright, guys," she said, tossing those things on a table, "so here we go. We've got a shopkeeper blinded by ants in his eyes who is also on fire and oblivious not only to that, but everything else going on. What are we doing?"

Ethics, Friday, September 18, 2020

[sith_happened]

"Last week sparked some very interesting conversations," Anakin said as he paced around the room. "Let's keep that going. Christianity, one of this planet's major religions, takes a group of behaviors or habits that lead to other immoralities and call them, slightly overdramtically, the 'Seven Deadly Sins.' The seven sins are pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony, and sloth."

He smiled a little ruefully. "I know I've fallen victim to...most of them...over the course of my life, the emotions that can overwhelm you and lead to some monumentally stupid life choices."

And Anakin Skywalker knew from monumentally stupid life choices.

"There are some instincts that call to us more strongly than others, though: a favorite vice, if you would. There's a saying here that is as probably as old as this list of deadly sins: 'pride goes before a fall'. In my world, we put it slightly differently: 'Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.'"

He passed out a sheet of paper that gave links to that wiki article up there summaries of the deadly sins. "Now, which of these is your go-to? Where do you gravitate when you are angry or stressed? Do you think these behaviors are even all that negative? Can they be channeled into a positive direction?"

French Language, Literature, and Culture, Friday Period 3

[doesntstophurting]

Today there was a large box from Jeff, God of Biscuits' sitting on Booker's desk. "In recent years," Booker said to the class, "there has been something of a fad for a French sandwich cookie known as the macaron. Made from meringue and ground almonds, it is not to be mistaken for the macaroon, which is made with meringue and coconut--although as you might guess from the similar names and ingredients lists, they do share a common culinary ancestry. The macaron as we know it is actually a somewhat modern invention; until the early part of the twentieth century they were served as single cookies. The filling is a newfangled thing." Well, it was newfangled if you were born in the eighteenth century. "Also, fun fact, macarons were originally Italian." He'd heard all about it from Nicky. "They were introduced to France by Catherine de Medici, who married King Henry II.

"I thought about having you make macarons, but it's actually a bit tricky, and eating them is so much more fun, anyway. We have a handwavey assortment of flavors for you to try, so please, let me know what your favorites are. And let's talk about this. Why do you think the macaron is so popular? What is its appeal, besides 'cookie?' France has produced many different cookies, why is this one all the rage?"