Our world is plagued by problems. Murder, stealing, hunger, poverty, illness, accidents, and war are just some of the troubles that we face in the world today.
If you could start over, on another planet, or in a place far away, how would you organize your new community to prevent or eliminate each of these problems?
Start by describing what that perfect place would be like with each of these problems eliminated.
Your response must be at least five sentences in length. If it is shorter than five sentences, it will not be posted, and you will not receive credit. It will be considered a missing assignment.
Please respond by Wednesday (May 16, 2012). Remember to follow the rules for posting to this Blog.
I would agree with the book that such a perfect place should have many rules to prevent any hard feelings or struggles, but some of the rules are a little bit ridiculous. For example, I really do not get the point of having to tie your hair up if you're a girl under nine years old. I do not like tying up my hair in ribbons, and don't see how they will prevent war at all. In any case, they will actually create more frustrated feelings for someone that doesn't want to wear them. As absurd and unreal as it seems, having extremely strict rules and no choices may be one of the only ways to have such a world, because if some people (not everybody; just some) are given the benifit of choice, bad things may happen. Murder, stealing, and other crimes are difficult to prevent, and maybe the only way would be to put behind the rules such a terrifying punishment that people will be afraid not to obey everything a person in a higher position or with more power than themselves demands. This world will not be perfect (in fact, it will be fatally flawed.) Hunger is a problem that can be solved if food is just given to people. This is also a case in which strong rules and even stronger punishments will be necessary, because if people are disobediant and don't want to eat the food, everything gets out of control and some people may go hungry. Poverty is another issue where the type of world can just make money useless. If, like in the book, everything is given to the people, clothes, food, "comfort objects", maybe they don't really need money. Illness, I think, is not a solvable problem. Being sick is just a thing that occurs in nature, and it is difficult to fix. I guess it is possible that they can be given many, many vaccinations against many, many ilnesses, but there are still many undiscovered ones, and ones that are not curable. Accidents, too, are difficult to stop completely. People can lower the possibility by not taking unnecessary risks, but some risks have to be taken. I doubt people are going to walk around with gas masks everywhere they go, since the air they're breathing may be poisnoned. Maybe they won't even walk around at all--there is always that small possibility that they can fall and break their legs. War usually starts with an anger or arrogance of some sort, and this can also be discouraged by having strong rules and regulations. In the book, the people are hardly allowed to have feelings at all, and even though this all may not sound like the perfect Utopia, it really is one of the only ways to make a "perfect" world.
ReplyDeleteGood job 20!
DeleteGreat response 20!!!!
DeleteIf i were to rebuild the community, i would have a whole new blueprint, and rebuild it from the ground up. Very similar to The Giver, I would have many things handled by certain people to reduce arguments, but I would like people to handle their own problems, instead of giving them to someone else to handle. I believe it is unhealthy to live without problems because it is not preparing you for what could happen. And to comment on 20s response, I think that the more you protect them in such a way, the more unhappy they could get, leading to protest. They need some choices! We use choices to learn and become more responsible.
ReplyDeleteIf I could start over, in another community, I would eleminate problems by creating laws that would specifically state what to do and what not to do. The perfet place would be peaceful, with no crime or arguments. For money, people would share their things and trust eachother. If you disobey those rules, you would have to be banished in the community. Murder and would be prevented by having peaceful citizens living and helping eachother. Stealing would not be a problem because you would lend eachother things. People would never have arguments, therefore there would be no wars or disagreeing between other communities. The peaceful area would be home to friends, sharing, and trust.
ReplyDeleteIf I was to start over in a new world, I would make it similar to the place in The Giver. I would make rules that if you break, you will be punished depending on how serious the rules is. I would make rules like no stealing, no murdering, no war. Just peace. I would make these rules to keep a peaceful world. I wouldn't make if exactly like in the book; I would make people choose their food, their clothes, and they can make their own choices. My world would have freedom, but still have peace.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with the book and 20, that to have a perfect world there should be many rules; however most of the rules are CRAZY! Why does it matter if someone younger than "a" nine is unable to learn how to ride a bike? Answer me this how can stop someone from arguing? In a world were if you don't follow these rule you are "released" from the Community, of course people will do as told because curoistiy kills the cat. One's imagination is what scares them the most, so by not saying or speaking of what goes on after you are "released" will frighten everyone to do the right thing. I'm not saying I would like to live in a world like this, but truthfully it's very cleaver. The only thing I wish everyone could learn from this book is how great life is when no one argues of gets mad at one another. Arguing is not needed in life, but a world will never be "perfect" we can only learn from our mistakes and from that try to create a better world.
ReplyDeleteI would agree with the book about having no cars because then global warming would be cut down, and war would also not be there either. For poverty, I would make sure everybody had food and shelter, and would have every house require a kitchen, a living room, and a bedroom. And stealing problems would be solved by having top security systems. And people would have choices, but there would be serious rules to this. I would make a list of laws, including that though people have freedom of speech, they wouldn't be allowed to say anything inappropriate. And war and conflict would not be allowed. But variety of people would be especially accepted, and there would be no drugs or bad kinds of habits (smoking, etc.) there. And there would be no kind of segregation aloowed, so girls could play football, and boys could do water polo. And there would be all different types of people: blacks, whites, asians, american indians, you name it!! And everybody would be treated fairly, because that is the right thing to do. And everybody would be able to see in color and health won't be a problem. Although it may seem like a perfect Utopia, no world will have all good things because sometimes, bad parts of our world help us level everything out.
ReplyDeleteWhat would a "perfect" world be like, exactly? Honestly, you really can't rid the world of every little imperfection. Of course, there is bound to be still problems. Perhaps you can hide these problems from the people, so they are happy and not worried. The setting established in "The Giver" is seemingly perfect, with all people happy. Our modern city of San Jose is peaceful (for the most part) and most people are happy, and enjoy their day-to-day lives. If I were to run a community, I would give it certain qualities that the community displayed in "The Giver". These qualities include having a set of rules, so that all people respect each other and are equal. If people do not respect each other, they will argue, and arguments, of course, leads to conflict. In "The Giver", the citizens of the community always apologize when whatever they say might be rude, disrespectful, or offensive. In the community of "The Giver", pain and strife are eradicated so that people's lives are designated for perfect happiness. Other things that have been eliminated is currency. In my perfect world, I would want to eliminate poverty. A lot of people in today's modern society are not as fortunate as others, because they probably don't have enough money. If everyone had been issued whatever they would need, then everyone would be happy. That is another quality that the setting of "The Giver" has, that I would use. However, there are many things I would not eliminate. In "The Giver", the people see the world without color. And what's good about that? Colors are not harmful--they only bring a very positive aspect on life. Also, I would let my people make their own decisions. Why should I have to choose for them? If they want to do something, then I will permit them to. Even though there are a lot of weird and dark things behind the community in "The Giver", the people are still happy. Why is that? It is probably because they do not know of a better life. People should also be allowed to express their feelings liberally, or have freedom of speech. They should have the right to have their own opinion. We cannot manipulate their minds into thinking that "we're happy no matter what", using means of propaganda or things like that (using propaganda is just plain dystopian, anyway). There cannot be a "perfect" world--it's just not possible. In fact, what I believe is that trying to erase all imperfections is an imperfection it itself. That probably sounds pretty confusing for you, but I'm sure some people are going to get it. But it is possible to create a community where people are happy, and people really do have a life worth living for.
ReplyDeleteCreating a world that is so called "perfect" is impossible. Trying to prevent death, and stealing, can be reasonable, but a time comes for everything. Everything must move on to create the cycle of new people. If i were to create a new world, the only way I could make it perfect would be to change the human being into a creature with no feelings, and no emotions. Like robots. That way, there would be no conflict, and no anger. Creating a world that is perfect is hard, but creating a world that has only little changes could help the community. For instance, our world is pretty close to being perfect. There is jail for murders, cures for sicknesses, food donations for hunger, and carefulness for accidents. Overall, creating a perfect world can be hard, but having people be controlled like where Jonas lives, is ridiculous and can cause more problems. They seem to control how they feel, like a cartoon that has every character look the same, live in the same houses, and eat the same foods. It seems fake.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with the book because having struggles and hard feelings is apart of life. Some children should be able to were their hair down if they want to, I really think that tying up your hair will make it worse for the children that don't want to were them. If I were to make another world on another planet that world would be like the world we live in today. The only thing I would take out is murders, wars, and sickness. I like the world we live in today, besides all the horrible things that are going on today.
ReplyDeleteThe book states that the Utopia that people in The Giver live in must tie their hair up in ribbons if you are a female under nine, you must not take food from the recreation area, and other rules. These rules do not relate to war or conflict whatsoever, so I do not know why a Utopia must have these rules. The Utopia that I would wish to live in would, as the question states, have no war, conflict,murder, or poverty. A perfect world would be most certainly awkward to live in, considering almost every country in every continent in the world has conflict. If you sit down and simply think about how much more nice and caring people would be if this world had no problems, you would be most definitely puzzled by it...in a good way. A perfect world would consist of no people begging for money or food on the streets, and not attempting to steal for it. It would cause all countries to consider each other peers, or close enough to not having the desire to blow each other up. Nowadays, countries such as the United States and Iraq are not extremely fond of each other, considering the actions of 9/11. In a perfect world, there would not be a sudden highjacking of planes and clusters of innocent people dying because of countries hating each other. If I were to start over, I would make sure that all countries known to man are my allies instead of enemies.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there is a "perfect world". No matter what you do or try, it will not become perfect. There will always be something wrong in the world you live in. You can create cures for sickness and try to make peace with other humans. The law could be more enforced so there are less crimes and hunger could be solved with more food delivered to people. People should have freedom but some things should still be controlled with laws. However, it will not be perfect. A near perfect world will be pleasant to live in besides for the few problems that make it not perfect. The world in The Giver is not perfect at all because they have no feelings They don't know the world outside the community. There is no freedom for them. Everything is the same.
ReplyDeleteGreat Comment! I certainly agree with you know hat I've thought about your comment!
DeleteIf I could start over on another planet, far away, I would organize my new community to prevent or eliminate each of these problems by first making the community peaceful and quiet. I would eliminate murder by everyone being the same (similar to the book). No one would be better than someone, or be unintelligent than someone. I would eliminate stealing by by giving everyone what they wanted. For example, if someone wanted a new pair of clothes, that person would get it. No one would take another person's thing because they would already have that. I would prevent hunger by giving people food. Everybody would have something to eat and no body will starve. Now, not all illnesses can be eliminated, but some can be prevented by manageable housing. Many diseases lurk in the home, so having a cleaner home inside and out can prevent many illnesses. I would prevent accidents by (like the book) instead of having cars, people would ride bikes or scooters. It would help the people and the environment. And also I would prevent war by putting rules that both of the sides will follow, and if one side breaks the rules, there will be harsh punishments. If everybody follows these "rules", then we would live in a perfect world.
ReplyDeleteThe world is full of tragedy. Sickness, death,war. They are all in preventible. I will agree to only a few rules in The Giver, like the bikes and being polite, but many things are not going to help these causes. You can get anger when you get the worst job or cant choose your true love like in the book. Also I agree with #20. I HATED my hair up when I was younger. Rules are not the only answer.
ReplyDeleteAlso, people need to be unique. No one is able to make decisions in the giver. I would never want to live in that community. Decisions make us who we are, bad or good. Other people should not choose your children or job. The perfect place to me would be no sickness, which is one of the issues listed above, and no criminals. But that is very unlikely to even exist. Even in the best place in the world, there is just that teeny-tiny smudge of bad.
A perfect world is not made, but our world can be transformed into a better one.
If my world had the problem of murder, and I could create my own world, I would have everyone with the equality of equal luxury because the reason murder exists is because a person has something another person wants so give everyone equal things. Hunger would be solved, in my world, by giving equal amounts of food to all people. This kills two birds with one stone, murder and hunger. Now poverty wouldn't exist in my world because I would be generous enough to give people equal luxury. THREE in a Row! Illnesses are hard to decease or destroy or kill. But, if people are nice enough to other people, the people will want help each other live longer. Accidents in my world ha ha! There actually no way to keep accidents away so I'm going to ignore this one. War is jut like almost what I just talked about before, about murder, hunger, poverty! Everyone needs equal luxury to prevent murder and war.
ReplyDeleteNumber 23, I think your comment is convincing because humans can really find a way to get trouble.
ReplyDeleteBy eliminating the problems we are faced with today the world would be a better place, but without rules we would be eventually fall back in to the world we live in today. We have rules today but have you seen the real world? These rules do not bind many of us and many people die from murder. There has to be a community that can contain us for the perfect world. Looking at the book so far these do not befall anyone in the community. If we were to have a community like this we could have community like no other. Though rules may seem strict and binding they are essential for a perfect world. And if everybody did not have hatred for anyone else there would be no murder or war. Nobody would have the need to lock their door if everone owned the same items.
ReplyDeleteA perfect world. Does it even excist? I personally believe it doesn't, but if there were my perfect world would be on the moon. A giant glass dome(that cannot be broken) would cover a proportion of the moon. Those who broke laws or have become to elder will be released. Meaning a little door in the dome shall be open. These people will then be pushed out of this so called "perfect world" and then float in outer space hoping for someone to find them. Parents will only be allowed to have four children so this world does not over populate. The children will have to obey ALL rules or punshments will be an option for their not obeying skills. Children and adults will have the option on what job and what to wear each day. Also once children get to the age of sixteen years old they wll be FORCED to have a job by December. Every Sunday, after diiner parents and children will talk about their weekand feelings so people feel comfortable in this enviroment. Food will be premade and delivered every Monday to each household.
ReplyDeleteIf I were to create a new world, a perfect world, I would do nothing. It is simply impossible. A perfect world would mean obedient and joyful citizens. Also, it would mean no poverty. However, no poverty would mean everyone having the same amount of value, treating everyone like human. Though, that would also mean no money. And usually, when people create something, they wish for something else in return. Indeed, poverty is difficult to avoid. Though, there's trade. However, the problem with trade is that people will stress over making or doing things in order to return what was given to them. Stress is certainly a huge problem, because stress then leads to depression. Now let's talk about obedience. How can we get every single human to become obedient? Simple, all we must do is give large consequences to those who break rules. However, large consequences ALSO lead to stress. However, those are only the few problems. It's simply impossible to create a perfect world. A perfect world would be a world with no humans, animals, plants; a perfect world mean no world at all.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the book has rules, and it's a perfect place to be, but what's bad about it is that every choice is made for you! The council chooses what you eat, wear, drink, and do! Everyone has the same birthday, every person of the council follows you and watches what you're doing, and once you are in the twelves, you are assigned to a job. Although some of the rules are pretty compromising, some of them are just plain ridiculous! They choose what you eat, what you were, and you have to get a job when you are twelve! Murder and kidnapping is a thing that psychopaths do. Sickness is something you can catch, or get it from nature. Accidents are just accidents, they don't happen on purpose. It's perfect Utopia
ReplyDeleteIf I could start over on another planet or place that was far away, my perfect place would be where everyone had fair rights and everyone knew exactly what is right and what isn't right. That way, there would be barly any fighting, arguing, stelaing, and mugging. There will be a court, but I doubt anyone in the court will kbe needed. I the book, there are many unnessary rules. For example, you can't ride a bycicle until you are nine. I think anyone can ride a bycicle as long as they learn how to control the bike. In my perfect world, people should be what they want to be. They're should be no assigned jobs. In the book, there is almost no love at all. The birthmother couldn't keep their own children!!! Couples should have kids and keep their children. To solve pollution problems, everone shoud use solar powered cars. There also should be no money problems. People should start trading like people did millions of years ago. So technically, in my perect world, its exactly how the world is curretly except to arguing, fighting , pollution, and mugging, and money problems.
ReplyDeleteIf i could make a world that would be completely perfect i would make mine like the Giver. people would have to make no choices so life would be much more simple and less confusing. there would be no murder no illness, no war, no hunger, no poverty, and stealing. Everyone will be assigned a job for the rest of your life. if someone would break a rule they would have to apologize. if they did not apologize they would be severely punished. like they would be released if they broke a serious rule and every rule is important. you could also trust everyone in your world because of no stealing no starving nothing. every one will live in a great place wit no hate and no love.
ReplyDeleteIf i was to live in a new world without any murders, sickness, and everybody respected each other, it will be the best place on the planet. Everybody is happy and have much joy.In the book 'The Giver' there are many downsides on this perfect world. There are no choices in that perfect world, and they are always watching you. If I was living in that world, it will sometimes be scary, but in the world that I want to live in is perfect with choices, some privacy, and everybody has much joy!
ReplyDeleteA world with flaws is created because of sins and the sinners that commit them. In a perfect world there would be no murder, no theft, a Utopia. No, sometimes a perfect world has choices. YOU have the choice wether or not you do evil or good deeds. Sins are committed because of constant greed and unreasonable amount of jealously. Murder is a result of hating someone because of what they have or a previous conflict he/she had with the person. People steal because they do not have something. What if this didn't happen? In my world, a person would have everything that is essential to life. Nothing more. Nothing less. There would be nothing to steal from other people. I my world, I would also keep what we can say limited. Because insults can lead to war. War contaminates this world. It destroys the world and it causes our countries to hate each other. These corrupt actions such as murder and theft can not be stopped, but it can be delayed. A perfect world will not have a bunch of beggars on the street asking for food or a home. Everyone should have food and water and a home. Poverty, or being in the state of poor, can be prevented in which a currency did not exist. Technology would advance, because they would not have to raise funds in order to try and invent a new product. However, things like illness and death, are things that cannot be prevented. Every person has their time in death. It is inevitable. We cannot solve this. Things like war are caused because of the simple arrogance and ignorance of people who cannot agree with one another. This could simply be a disagreement between a brother and sister or a lack of surplus in resources. Accident are....well...ACCIDENTS. they can't be stopped. Accidents are just a mere chance of clumsiness that is simply a part of life. Accidents happen because of risks. Without these risks, who knows where technology... where life will take us if we don't try. There's no such thing as a "perfect world". Trying to erase imperfection....is an imperfection. Each world has it flaws no matter what. We can't create a perfect world... we can make a better world.
ReplyDeleteI half-agree to this book/community rules, that peace existed. However, I think that some of the rules they made are very weird and well, like number 20 said ridiculous. Some of the rules sound unfair, I mean, yes, it is good to have someone or something choose for you and you doing nothing, but it is very unfair sometimes, like, having someone choose your mother for you (I mean really? Applying a form for a kid? Seriously, you've got to be kidding me?!) If the people in that community atually wanted peace, they should have freedom of speech and choice, a variey a people, and guess, I don't want a perfect world, to say the truth. Having a perfect world is complicated, i mean people make mistakes, accidents happen, and.. and... PAIN! Pain is what keeps the world whole! I mean people make hurtful pain and they get forgiven. Thats exactly what life is about! Making mistakes so you can learn from them, not being "little miss perfect" all the time! If I were to create a perfect world or community, I woud give people equal rights, freedom of speech, and I guess DIVERSITY! Everyone and everything should be diverse in every subject and every single detail. Apperence, birthday days (unlike "The Giver" where everyone got everything at a certain date and cetain time, same as everyone else, I mean, it's just awkward), and many more! I would give people the right to build their OWN family, not like in "The Giver" where you have a "family unit" and people choose like your mom, dad, and so on. In truth, I don't want a perfect world, yes, i'm selfish, I want everything, pain, happiness and joy, a family, and everything someone free can have. Thats one of the things everyone in a "perfect world should have.
ReplyDeleteIf I were to move to another planet and make my own community and community rules, violence would definitely be a major rule.In order to stop anything from happening, gentlemen may apply for a job as a guard. People over the age of 16 may apply for a job that they would like. Any weapond may not be carried unless you are guarding the city. One school would be open for all ages so that you will not have to leave any good friends. Food or accessories will be free to prevent starvation the position of being homeless. Anyone that breaks a rule that is not very abrupt will be banished from the city for a week with nothing to protect them, but the wild resources. If the rule is simple you will have to participate in community services no matter what age you are. If a major rule is broken, the penalty would be death.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the book because the many rules that are burdened upon the people in the community limit their actions to all that are allowed. The only few flaws of the community in the story is that the people cannot see color, and people in the town have no sense of choice. Spouses are given to each other and so are children. I also feel that having you "Assignment," or future, chosen for you is not something good. Actions such as robbery and murder will be committed if strict rules are not applied to the city. My dream city would contain items that have a cost of $100 or less would not have to be paid for. These items would be free because they cost a lesser amount of money to be manufactured. Other expensive items take more money to produce, so the items should cost money. When bought, houses should have basic appliances; such as a refrigerator, microwave, sinks, toilets, a television, and a computer. Houses should also contain basic elements such as tables, beds, chairs, countertops, sofas, and other furniture. After buying your house, the town hall announces it to the city through speakers. If a robbery occurs, the person who commits the crime will be minorly punished. Repeat offenders, however, will be more severely punished more and more every time. A mayor will be chosen after applying as a teenager. My town would also be run evenly.
ReplyDeleteIn world I think there no perfect world because rules are broken everyday. If I could organize my community I would have everyone to be fair to each other, share with each other, and new and better rules. No one will fight about money or parents fight each other. I would give everyone a even amount of food an water. No police or bad people in my community. That how my community can be perfect.
ReplyDeleteThe book says that people in The Giver are required to tie their hair up in ribbons if you are a female under nine, you must not take food from the recreation area, and other rules. These rules aren't related to war or conflict at all. This makes me wonder why these are rules t all. If i had to live in a Utopia, it would have no war, murder, or poverty. A perfect world would be most certainly boaring to live in, because that would mean no choices and you would be just another fish in the sea. If you sit down and simply think about how much more nice and caring people would be if this world had no problems, you would be confused. In a perfect world, there would not be a sudden highjacking of planes and clusters of innocent people dying because of countries hating each other. If I had to start anew, I would make sure that all countries known to man are my allies instead of enemies.
ReplyDeleteIn the story, children and adults must follow certain rules to ensure happiness and perfection; however, their world has more problems than ours does. In a perfect world that I could create, everyone would have freedom of choices and freedom of speech. In the Community, children must do all these silly things such as tie up their hair at age nine and have a certain job for life without even getting to choose for themselves. I mean, what good will that do? Also, a perfect world would have safety for everyone, humans and animals. These days, no one is safe, even if we feel as if we are. At least in the Community, people don't have to live in fear of wars, illnesses, robberies, or death, as I know of so far. However, there is just one problem to happiness. While most think of happiness as a loving family, some may think of it as a bag of diamonds, or the power to rule. I mean face it, you could create a whole new world, and fill it with with the world's strictest rules, but in the end, the people will decide. I guess that's why the Community wants everyone to be the same, so that there are no certain opinions. Sadly,a perfect world doesn't have much diversity but should, all the same. In addition, there should be no poverty or hunger. I often wonder why half of the world barely finishes the food they receive, while the other half barely gets to eat. In reality, money is nothing, just a bunch of papers cut from a tree. We just create it into something of interest, that everyone wants. If we had no way of paying for things, the world would be much improved. Everyone could get the same amounts and no one would be held to a higher status because of it. There is definitely no way a perfect world can be created. for every solution there comes another problem. For example, because the problem of budget cuts was somewhat solved by taking away things from school has left many schools in despair. Creating a perfect world could even mess it up even more. See how the community turned out? But I must agree that there are not many other ways the Community could have created a perfect world.
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