As we wrap up the semester, hopefully the realization that you have been knee deep in Economics since you were 2 years has been made abundantly clear. Economics is all about choices. When we consider what influences our decisions, you begin to see a much bigger picture of the overall. REMEMBER: IF YOU CONTROL THE MESSAGE…YOU CONTROL EVERYTHING. We talked extensively about that as it has significant economic, as well as societal, political, and cultural impact. We also talked about my 3 P’s pf Information: Position (from what position am I viewing this) Perspective (what filter/bias/belief etc based on my experience am I using when I view/hear the information) and Purpose (what am I going to do with this information? And/or why is this information being shared? What is its purpose? Also…What is the intent of the sharer of the information? – of course, you must consider the 3 P’s when thinking about the sharer. Whew…much to consider). If we don’t truly apply and consider the 3 P’s, we will likely not apply or consider the information critically, with discernment, or effectively.
When we begin to view and/or accept information critically, using the 3 P’s as a basis, guide, we are able to see it in multiple levels, purposes, and through various lenses. This IS thinking critically. It enables us to get closer to the truth. Believe it or not, there is an element of truth (the level of truth always varies) in every message, news story, statement, etc… However, if we are not able to recognize the see through the layers of bias, intentions, agendas, etc…we will be at the mercy of the message’s deliverer. Remember: If you control the message…you control everything. I can’t say that enough.
Here is what I want you to do. I want you to think about the state our country is in. I am not going to share my perspectives, thoughts, or lead you in any direction. However, believe me…we could write countless volumes and volumes and volumes on what we are looking at. I don’t want you to do that. But, I do want you to look at this at as many levels, through as many lenses, and from as many societal aspects as you can think of. I want you to really dive in, think well below the surface, and provide some insights…drawing your own conclusions and thinking critically.
I am going to provide some questions that I want you to consider and provide a short, but thorough and thought out response, citing sources where possible and appropriate. More so, I want YOUR perspective and what brought you to that perspective. DO NOT SHARE OR BORROW ANOTHER’S PERSPECTIVE BASED SOLELY ON THE FACT THAT YOU DON’T BELIEVE YOURS IS VALID OR RELEVANT. You are smart, intelligent, capable of thought and thinking critically. Your perspective matters and is relevant. NOTE: There are really no right or wrong answers here when we talk about perspectives. There may be some factual inaccuracies, skewed data, etc…that help to influence your perspective or that you may have or be sharing. We all deal with that every day. But, the purpose is to begin building your perspectives, developing your lenses and critical thinking tools…to get you to THINK and THINK CRITICALLY, questioning everything as well as your own viewpoint. Questioning is good. It is how we learn and how we form and establish ownership of perspectives. It also adds depth and strength to our opinions.
For this to be effective and worthwhile, we must have and exhibit intellectual courage. Intellectual courage is when we honestly consider viewpoints and perspectives that differ from our own. We seem to have lost the ability to have honest discourse or opinions on this country. If someone doesn’t think like we do, we dismiss them, their perspectives, which maintains our tunnel vision slavery to a messenger.
Intellectual courage does one of three things:
-
- 1- solidify and/or strengthen our perspectives and opinions…especially because we have seriously considered those that we don’t agree with and thus know opposing positions and viewpoints well as ours (which is key to winning any debate – more on that later).
- 2- causes us to change/alter/re-evaluate our perspectives and opinions through honest consideration of opposing or previously unknown perspectives or information.
- Or, 3 – hits a nerve in us causing us to have a desire to find out more or to dive deeper into an area, perspective, subject matter, discipline, etc…
Regardless, we learn something. More importantly, our perspectives and opinions have substance and can be substantiated and defended by…well…us. When we borrow someone’s perspective or opinions, we will have a difficult time explaining them and defending hem when they are questioned. This is, in my opinion, the biggest reason why young people do not think their viewpoint is relevant or important, outside of apathy (which is prevalent in every age bracket) is because they really don’t know why they think the way they do, not sure if they can explain it, or cannot defend it when challenged.
Here we go…
The filter we are using for this exercise is Economic Impact.
Below are links to four sources gathered from the weekend of May 2-3. Additionally, there is an image of where all of the states stand on reopening their economics. Spoiler Alert: each of them provides a different number of corona virus related deaths. One states 60,000 have died, another states 50,000, another 57,000, and another just over 37,000. Before you read through the articles, write down the source below that you think it associated with each total. After you read through them, see if you were right.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/states-reopen-map-coronavirus.html –
https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2020/us/states-reopen-coronavirus-trnd/
https://www.foxnews.com/category/health/infectious-disease/coronavirus#&_intcmp=corona_trkr
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/covid19/index.htm
Link to NY Times Image & Interactive Map 
There are two questions I want you answer. Consider scarcity, broad social goals, types of economic systems (global), and the interconnectedness of the US and global economies. One will be using the reopening map and the other will be a combination of it, the four sources, and your own deep level thinking.
Short-term
- Using the map from a simple visual perspective and the interactive map within the NY Times article, 1. What are some of the positive and negative aspects of the re-opening of state economies and 2. What could be some of the barriers, both short and long term?
Longer-Term and Broader Lens (include as many “lenses” mentioned above as you wish. Trust me, the more the merrier!)
- Considering the map, the four sources and the overall messaging surrounding the corona virus pandemic, What do you think the impact of the messaging provided will have on the current and future US and world economy, and why?
Think about the following when you answer:
- Apply the 3 P’s t the messaging and messengers – this should open up and reveal multiple layers and spark quite a bit of questions.
- Some questions to consider:
- Given the stark contrast and difference in stated numbers of corona virus related deaths, who do we listen to and/or believe?
- What might influence that decision?
- With much that has been made of media inaccuracies and sensationalism, from both conservative and liberal outlets, does this influence believability and/or tustworthiness?
- What might we assume about readers or viewers of the sources and how might that impact the response?
- Why, if at all, is this question relevant?
- Given the stark contrast and difference in stated numbers of corona virus related deaths, who do we listen to and/or believe?
****************************************************************
Now…this exercise has the potential of being an ideological powder keg. If you don’t know what a powder keg is, look it up! What we need to do is to remember this is an academic exercise that is intended to spark thought, expand perspectives, and prompt an interest and give application to critical thinking and deduction. This is not an exercise to attack or demean. Let’s be the example of how varied perspectives can be shared respectively: Respect the Perspective.
I look forward to great responses and comments.
Feel free to post your comments below or send them to me directly by emailing me at jeffrey.searcy@cobbk12.org
