Discussion topics

The History of Planned Obsolescence

On December 23, 1924, a group of international businessmen gathered in Geneva for a meeting that would change the world for decades. Delegates from all major lightbulb manufacturers were present, including the Netherlands’ Philips and the United States’ General Electric. While revellers celebrated Christmas elsewhere in the city, the group founded the Phoebus cartel, a supervisory body that would carve up the global incandescent lightbulb market.

Though the cartel’s control of the market lasted only into the 1930s, its enduring legacy was to devise a shorter life span for lightbulbs. By early 1925, this was codified at 1,000 hours, a huge reduction from the 1,500 to 2,000 hours which had previously been common. To justify their decision, the cartel stated their approach was a trade-off: lightbulbs would break more often, but they would be of higher quality, more efficient, and burn brighter. They would also cost a lot more. In purposefully creating a lightbulb with a shorter life span, the cartel devised the industrial strategy known as planned obsolescence.

With many countries phasing out incandescent lighting in favor of more-efficient, pricier LEDs, the story of the Phoebus cartel is worth revisiting. It teaches us that every convenience comes with a cost, be it monetary or material.

Discussion: 
Can you think of any modern examples of planned obsolescence? Do Homework
Why do companies or groups, like the Phoebus cartel, create products with finite lifespans? Do Homework
What are 3 problems that planned obsolescence presents? Do Homework
Instead of planned obsolescence, what strategies can companies implement to ensure that customers return to buy their products? Do Homework

Diversity and inclusion at work

How diverse is your workplace? And how inclusive is it? While many organizations may feel prepared to answer the first question, the second often causes a bit of confusion. Isn’t it just the same question rephrased?

Rita Mitjans, ADP’s chief diversity and social responsibility officer, explains.

Diversity is the “what”; inclusion is the “how”. Diversity focuses on the makeup of your workforce—demographics such as gender, race/ethnicity, age, etc.—and inclusion is a measure of culture that enables diversity to thrive. People sometimes use these terms interchangeably, but they are quite distinctly different.

So, why is it important to focus on both diversity and inclusion? Again, Rita Mitjans:

Great talent is always in demand, and organizations are in competition for top talent. Candidates evaluating whether to join an organization want to see others who look like them at the top, and work in a culture that values different perspectives and supports authentic, respectful behaviors.

Discussion: 
Define the difference between diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Do Homework
How diverse is your company? How inclusive is it? Do Homework
Do the demographics of your company reflect the demographics of your country? Do Homework
Do you think diverse companies are more successful than homogeneous ones? Why or why not? Do Homework

Visuals: Global Income Distribution

The World Social Report 2020, published by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, shows that income inequality has increased in most developed countries and some middle-income countries, including China. Inequality is growing for more than 70 percent of the global population, exacerbating the risks of divisions and hampering economic and social development.

Have a look at the chart below and discuss what you see with your teacher.

Discussion: 
As best as you can tell, where does your country fit on this chart? Do Homework
What are some ways to alleviate poverty in the poorest countries of the world? Do Homework
Is income inequality a problem in your country? In the world? Does it present any benefits? Do Homework

How humanity nearly went extinct

According to NPR, around the year 70,000 B.C., a volcano called Toba on Sumatra Island in Indonesia, erupted, blowing about a thousand kilometres of vaporized rock into the air. It is by far the largest volcanic eruption we know of.

That eruption dropped roughly six centimeters of ash over all of South Asia, the Indian Ocean, the Arabian and South China Sea. With so much ash, dust and vapor in the air, science writer Sam Kean says Toba "dimmed the sun for six years, disrupted seasonal rains, choked off streams and scattered whole cubic miles of hot ash (imagine wading through a giant ashtray) across acres and acres of plants." Berries, fruits, trees, African game became rare. Early humans, living in East Africa just across the Indian Ocean from Mount Toba, probably starved, or at least, he says, "It's not hard to imagine the population plummeting."

It is estimated that the population of Homo Sapiens—or humans—decreased to 5,000 or 10,000 and our species nearly went extinct. Little clumps of people hunted and gathered for thousands of years until, in the late Stone Age, we began to recover. But for a time there, says Sam Kean, "We damn near went extinct."

Discussion: 
Please summarize this article in three sentences. Do Homework
Is it important to know these stories about humanity's past? Why or why not? Do Homework
How does the climate affect our lives? Do Homework
Is climate change going to cause major disruptions in your country? Please explain. Do Homework

Visuals: Consumer digital privacy

Digital privacy has come to the forefront of business news over the past five years. According to Gartner, a business research company, the combination of data ethics violations like the Cambridge Analytica scandal, and data breaches like Equifax, has led to increased sensitivity among consumers about what they share and how it is used.

Please have a look at the chart below and discuss what you see with your teacher.

Discussion: 
Is online data privacy important for you in your personal life? How about for your company? Please explain how. Do Homework
Of the listed concerns, which one is most important for you? Why? Do Homework
Which concern is the least important for you? Why? Do Homework
Can you think of solutions to any of the concerns listed? Do Homework

The Dalai Lama on leadership

The Dalai Lama wrote an opinion piece for the Harvard Business Review about the importance of leadership and what makes a strong leader.

He says that the world is facing an emotional crisis where rates of stress, anxiety and depression are higher than ever. The focus on turning a profit often overrules a commitment to people and society. In organizations, he explains, people work closely together every day, but many feel lonely and stressed. This is because there is a lack of responsibility toward each other.

He advises leaders to be mindful towards each other, saying that the opposite of fear is trust, which boosts our self-confidence. Compassion also reduces fear, reflecting a concern for others’ well-being. He asserts that people are naturally driven by self-interest, but we need wise self-interest that is generous and cooperative, taking others’ interests also into account.

The Dalai Lama concludes that Buddhist tradition describes three styles of compassionate leadership: the Trailblazer, who leads from the front, takes risks and sets an example; the Ferryman, who accompanies those in his care and shapes the ups and downs of the crossing; and the Shepherd, who sees every one of his flock into safety before himself. 

Discussion: 
Please summarize this article in 3 sentences. Do Homework
Do you agree with the Dalai Lama that the world requires more compassionate leaders? Why or why not? Do Homework
What kind of compassionate leader do you identify with the most—the Trailblazer, the Ferryman or the Shepherd? Do Homework
Is there space for spirituality in the business world, or should the two stay separate? Do Homework

A strategy for early retirement

For many people retiring means hitting a certain age, usually above 65. It is associated with stopping one’s career and having grandchildren. Recently there has been a movement that changes the perspective on retirement. Retirement is not about how old you are, it is about a financial number you have.

This is what the Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE) movement is about. The goal of this movement is to save and invest most of your income - about 50-75% - so that you can retire very early - in your 40s or even 30s. 

How do people do that?
In a nutshell, FIRE is about cutting your expenses down to the bare minimum and investing everything you save. The earlier you start, the more return you will gain. 

There are different types of FIRE:

  • Fat FIRE or extreme savers. These people generally have very high incomes and an aggressive saving strategy, generally about 70 or 80% of their income. After early retirement, they can keep a high level of expenses.
  • Lean FIRE or moderate savers. People in this category save around 50% of their income. After achieving early retirement they can generally live without working whilst adhering to a minimalist and restricted lifestyle. 
  • Barista FIRE - This is for people who can’t completely sustain their lifestyle after retirement but they don’t need to work full time either. They can work part-time and use their saving to achieve a lifestyle that is comfortable for them. 

The first step in achieving FIRE is calculating how much money you need. Many online tools can help you with that. The rule of thumb is saving at least 25 times the annual expenses you want to have after retirement. 

FIRE is not necessarily about being idle after retiring. For many people, this movement is about being independent and financially secure. They can work as much as they want on any project they wish, without having to stick to a classic nine to five working style. 
 

Discussion: 
Please, share the main ideas from the article with your teacher Do Homework
What do you think of this movement?  Do Homework
What would you do if you didn’t have to work for money? Do Homework
Do you know what percentage of your income you save? Do Homework
Do you think that saving 70% of your income is possible? Do Homework

Empathy and business transformation

According to The Harvard Business Review, studies on organizational change show that if you want to lead a successful transformation, communicating empathetically is critical. However, most leaders do not actually know how to do it. In fact, a survey of over 200 leading company executives found that 69% of respondents said that they were planning to launch or are currently conducting a change effort. Unfortunately, 50% of these same executives said they had not fully considered their team’s sentiment about the change.

Here are a few steps a leader must take to smoothen a transition:

Profile your audience at every stage. Change consultants typically advise leaders to create personas of various audiences when they kick-off a change initiative. Considering that people’s wants and needs will evolve throughout the process, managers should reevaluate these personas during every phase of the journey.

Tell people what to expect. While you may need to keep some facts private during a transition, the general rule is that the more informed your people are, the more they’ll be able to deal with discomfort.

Involve individuals at all levels. A transformation won’t succeed without broad involvement. Incorporating ideas about how a change would affect every member of an organization and their unique responsibilities helps every impacted individual understand their part.

Discussion: 
Please summarize this article in three sentences. Do Homework
Do you agree that empathy is needed for a smoother transformation? Why or why not? Do Homework
What are some elements that would help with a business transformation missing from this list? Do Homework
Have you ever been part of a business transformation initiative? If so, please describe it. Do Homework

Roof gardens on taxis in Thailand

When the COVID-19 pandemic closed down tourism in Thailand, thousands of taxis were abandoned by their drivers. No tourists equals no taxis. Drivers lost their income and couldn't afford to pay the rental fees for their cars. Companies struggled to stay afloat. The Ratchapruk and Bovorn Taxi co-ops together ended up with 2500 (out of 3000) cars sitting idle in parking lots. The Thai government offered no financial support.

Faced with this situation, the Ratchapruk and Bovorn Taxi co-ops decided to join forces to create rooftop gardens on the idle taxis. They built bamboo frames and stretched black plastic bags over them. The frames were then filled with soil. Co-op staff have grown a variety of crops in these small gardens, including tomatoes, cucumbers and string beans. 

The produce doesn't make up for the loss of income, but Thapakorn Assawalertkul, a co-op executive, says, "The vegetable garden is both an act of protest and a way to feed my staff during this tough time." He added, "Thailand went through political turmoil for many years, and a great flood in 2011, but business was never this terrible."

Discussion: 
Summarize the article in 2–3 sentences. Do Homework
Should governments give financial assistance to businesses during times of crisis? How much? For how long? Do Homework
How is creating gardens on taxi rooftops an act of protest? Do Homework
Do you think the pandemic will cause permanent changes to tourism and the tourist economy? What good changes might come out of this crisis? Do Homework

The idea of Universal Basic Income

According to Vox Media, the idea of a basic income was, for decades, something of a policy fantasy. However, the last few years have seen it become less fringe and more mainstream. In fact, we now have many limited basic income programs running around the world.

The general idea—that the government should give every citizen a regular infusion of money with no strings attached—has been around since the 16th century. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has given the idea fresh momentum, with the crisis generating significant financial loss and uncertainty.

Critics worry that UBI will disincentivize work and hurt the economy. They also say that it is unaffordable for the government to pay every citizen enough to live on, regardless of whether they work. So far, the evidence has not supported these critiques.

Proponents of basic income argue the best way to end poverty is by simply giving everyone money. Some also say it will help society cope with a coming era of automation-induced joblessness. And the evidence so far suggests that getting a basic income tends to boost happiness, health, school attendance, trust in social institutions and many parts of the economy, all while reducing crime, hunger, and extreme poverty.

Discussion: 
Please summarize this article in 2 or 3 sentences. Do Homework
Do you tend to agree more with the critics or proponents of universal basic income? Do Homework
Are there other benefits or risks associated with universal basic income? Do Homework
Do the rich have a responsibility to help the poor in society? Do Homework

Diversity of research sources

According to PhysOrg, a scientific publication, scientific knowledge used in international studies is predominantly sourced from English-language documents, as it is assumed that all scientific knowledge is available in English. However, according to research scrutinizing over 400,000 peer-reviewed papers in 326 journals, published in 16 languages, scientific papers written in languages other than English may hold untapped information crucial to the conservation of global biodiversity.

These findings have important implications for global efforts tackling the biodiversity crisis, where lack of evidence is an issue commonly faced when trying to implement evidence-based conservation. The authors demonstrate that incorporating non-English-language studies can expand the availability of scientific evidence on species and ecosystems into 12%–25% more areas and 5%–32% more species.

This research also sheds light on how diverse scientific communities can maximize the contribution of science to addressing urgent global challenges. Amano, who is a native Japanese speaker, said, "[The research] showcases why it is important to nurture culturally diverse scientific communities. Global challenges call for contributions from diverse communities from every corner of the globe."

Discussion: 
Please summarize this article in two sentences. Do Homework
Is it problematic that a large percentage of academic papers are written solely in English? Why or why not? Do Homework
What are some other factors limiting research on biodiversity? Do Homework

Pinterest: safety over free speech

How much should tech companies regulate information? While Facebook and Twitter have up to now chosen to err on the side of free speech, an unlikely platform has taken an important step. Pinterest found that users were searching for information on vaccines, so CEO Ben Silbermann pulled all medical information from the platform.

Vaccines have been a contentious issue in social media, but not in science. While the science is clear that vaccines save lives, there has been a reemergence of previously eradicated diseases like measles. That reemergence has been linked to disinformation shared in social media. 

Since mid-2019, Pinterest has only allowed verified sources to post medical information. While the site is admittedly smaller than the tech giants, Pinterest still boasts 291 million monthly active users. Silbermann has gone on record stating that his site has a responsibility to avoid harm, and as such is holding itself accountable for the consequences of the information that's shared on the site.

Silbermann said to Vox, "If you don’t take some responsibility for what people see, you’re at some level responsible for the downstream consequences of that."

He went on, "The lesson that everyone’s learned over the last few years is that if you want positive things to come out of internet technology, they have to be deliberately engineered that way."

Discussion: 
Do you agree with Silbermann's approach? Do Homework
Some tech companies have the idea that technology will bring happiness (called "techno-utopian"). Do you agree? Do Homework
What do you think is an ideal policy for a big tech firm like Twitter or Facebook? Do Homework
If you could create a social media platform, what kind would you like to make? Do Homework

What is accent-ism?

It is not a secret that people might judge you by the way you speak. For example, if you sound confident, people might trust you. 

But for some people, it is also about what accent you have. Studies showed that people might link your accent to not only your place of birth, but also your personal characteristics. Some accents are perceived as "good" or "correct." Listeners think that the speaker is intelligent, honest and hard-working because of their accent. On the other hand, some accents are seen as something negative and needing correction, with speakers seen as less intelligent. Both positive and negative conclusions are stereotypes.

The situation when you are judged by your accent is called “accentism” and is considered a form of discrimination. It is a new concept. It is possible that many people have experienced negative treatment in their daily lives because of their accent but they haven’t noticed it. 

Discussion: 
What is accentism? Do Homework
Have you ever faced accentism? Do Homework
What can be done to change this situation? Do Homework
Should non-native speakers always try to get rid of their accents? Do Homework

Women artists: Tamara de Lempicka

Tamara de Limpicka (1898–1980) was a key artist in the Art Deco period of the 1920s and '30s. Born in Poland, she also spent a lot of time in France and the U.S. Her real fame came when high-fashion magazines began to use her art for their covers. Soon she was painting portraits of the aristocracy, and even royalty. Although her name is not well-known today outside of Art Deco fans, de Lempicka was one of the most important and popular artists of the Art Deco movement.

Art Deco grew out of Cubism and the Arts and Crafts movement, adding elements of "exotic" Asian, Egyptian and Mayan art. It used simple forms and planes of color to create new designs representing luxury and wealth. The pieces also represented faith in social and technological progress.

Art Deco architecture soars upward, with geometric designs on its walls and windows. Paintings and graphic designs use those same geometric lines to express the independence and industry that inspired the optimism of the early 20th century. 

Tamara de Lempicka rode that wave of optimism in her paintings. She painted rich people in high-class settings, enjoying the fruits of progress. Many of her paintings included scenes of sensuality, with women in loose clothing or even nude. But these women were independent; they looked cool and detached, in no need of male support. This was revolutionary for her time. In her words, "My goal: never copy. Create a new style, with luminous and brilliant colors, rediscover the elegance of my models."

Discussion: 
Describe de Lempicka's painting, "Saint Moritz", shown at the top of the article. How does it represent the Art Deco movement? Do Homework
Do you like Art Deco art and design? Why or why not? Do Homework
People in the early 20th century were very optimistic about the technological and social progress of the time. Looking back, do you think they were right to be optimistic? Do Homework
In your opinion, are magazine covers art? Do Homework

Paralympics: marriage proposal

Tokyo Paralympics were amazing not only because of sports results. There were also a few truly heartwarming moments. 

One of them happened after a Paralympic runner Keula Nidreia Pereir came fourth in a 200-meter race. Even though she didn’t get a medal, something happy was waiting for her at the finish line. Her running guide and a partner got down on his knee and proposed to her. She said yes. 

Visually impaired runners often run together with a guide. Their arms are connected with a rope. The guide should match the runner step by step and inform the runner how far is left to go. The runners and guides train together and perform together. If a runner wins a medal, a guide wins a medal too. 

Discussion: 
Please tell the story to your teacher. Do Homework
Do you think that a marriage proposal should be something special? Do Homework
Have you watched the Paralympics or Olympics? Do Homework
Do you think Paralympics should be promoted more? Do Homework

Farm-to-closet fashion

For $200, you can now invest in the eco-fashion label Christy Dawn. The label is selling "plots" in the organic, sustainable cotton farm in India that provides the raw materials for their clothing. At the end of the season, you're paid back with store credit. If the harvest is good, you might get back more than the initial $200 you invested. On the other hand, if it's a bad year for cotton, you could lose most or all of your money. 

Store credit is actually a pretty good return on investment, if you like Christy Dawn's style—loose, flowing, bohemian—think 1960s hippies for the modern world. Their clothes are expensive (a dress runs about $200–300), but people with $200 to spend can become part of the solution to a big environmental problem. Manufacturing fabric is an energy-intensive, chemically-laden process when done on an industrial scale. Even so-called "natural" fabrics like cotton are terrible for the environment, using vast amounts of resources. For instance, it typically takes up to 2,700 litres of water and produces about 2.6kg of CO₂ to make a single cotton t-shirt.

So Christy Dawn began their own cotton farm in India to oversee the environmentally sustainable production of raw materials. You can support their efforts, and get a good return on investment even if it's a bad year for cotton. Long-term, you're earning a more sustainable Earth to live on.

Discussion: 
As a business person, what is your opinion of Christy Dawn's new business plan? Will it be successful? Why or why not? Do Homework
As a consumer, would you be willing to spend more for sustainably produced clothing? How much more? Do Homework
If agriculture continues at the current pace, the United Nations predicts there will be only 60 growing seasons left until soil will no longer grow crops. Can we change this in just 60 years? How? Do Homework
Can the business world save the Earth? Do Homework

Exam stress: adults and children

Many children feel stressed when they need to take exams. But exam anxiety can affect everyone, from children to adults. It can even damage the mental health of students who receive very high marks. It can also negatively affect students who are less successful, for example, children with special needs and children who are anxious in general. Sometimes children are worried because their parents set goals that are too high for them.

The Harvard Center for the Developing Child says that some amount of stress can be good for children’s development. It helps them to learn how to cope with difficult situations. But it is important for parents to remember that children are still only learning how to deal with stress. Too much stress can be very negative. 

Scientists say that a child learns how to manage stressful situations quicker and better if there is a lot of support from parents or other adults. 
 

Discussion: 
Were you afraid of exams when you were a child? What about now? Edit Homework
Do you prefer exams, or take-home assignments such as essays? Do Homework
How can parents support their children during exams? Edit Homework
How can teachers make school years better for children? Do Homework

Greg Lemond's quote on effort

Professional cyclist Greg Lemond said, "It doesn't get any easier; you just get faster."

Lemond is a 3-time winner of the Tour Dr France. He also won a great many other cycling races. He is considered by many to be the all-time greatest American cyclist. While other cyclists have been caught cheating via blood doping, Lemond was so strongly opposed to cheating that he quit his team when his teammates were found breaking the rules.

Cycling is an endurance sport, meaning effort matters as much as strategy. The Tour de France is so hard that in 1967 a race leader died from over-exertion. So when Lemond says it doesn't get easier, he's speaking from experience. 

Discussion: 
Can you rephrase Lemond's quote? What do you think he's really saying? Do Homework
What does "get faster" mean in your case? Do Homework
Can you take Lemond's quote too far? Is there an opposite proverb or quote? Do Homework
What can you learn from Lemond? Do Homework

Lost cat found after 10 years

A cat named Forbes disappeared in 2011. Its owners were trying to find the cat for months. They made posters and went door-to-door asking about the cat. The cat’s owner said, “We'd had him from when he was a kitten and we had such a special bond. He was such a unique and friendly character, we absolutely adored him.” After almost eight or nine months of constant searching, they lost hope to find Forbes. 

Ten years later, the Scottish SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) found a cat with a microchip. The chip led them to the cat's owners. SPCA called the owners. The owners immediately went to collect their beloved pet. They were very happy to find him, even after 10 years. "At the moment, we are just gradually introducing him to our two dogs and two cats. This is just the best outcome for us.”

Discussion: 
Please tell this story to your teacher. Do Homework
Do you like pets? Do Homework
Have you ever lost your pet? Do Homework
Why do people have pets? Do Homework
Do pets make good gifts? Do Homework
Should animals be pets or should they live in the wild? Do Homework

Advice for effective parenting

Raising children can be challenging. Here are some helpful tips. If you don't have kids, then think about when you were a kid.  

First, praising a child’s accomplishments boosts their self-esteem.

Children develop their understanding of themselves through their parents’ attitudes. Everything counts: parents’ words, body language, voice. 

If you praise children for even small accomplishments, you will make them feel worthy and proud. If you trust your children to do things themselves, they will feel capable and strong. On the other hand, if you compare your child to others or belittle them, children might feel worthless and doubt themselves. 

Second, try to compliment more than you criticize 

Imagine you have a boss who always criticizes and never praises you even when you are trying really hard.

Think of how many times a day a parent reacts negatively to something that their child is doing. It's a good idea to catch a child doing something right and praise them. For example, “You washed the dishes without being asked! Great job!” or “You were very patient with your homework today, even if you don’t like this subject that much. That’s very good!” 

Third, be consistent with limits and discipline

Children will test boundaries. It is important to set limits for them so they learn self-control.

Establishing clear limits helps children to understand expectations. It's better to set a clear rule, for example, no computer games until their homework is complete. It's also good to have a clear system of consequences if they misbehave. For example, no dessert if they don't eat their vegetables.

Discussion: 
Please explain these pieces of advice to your teacher Do Homework
Do you agree with any parts of this text? Why? Why not? Do Homework
Do you have any other pieces of advice to add? Do Homework
In your opinion, what is the most difficult aspect of bringing up children? Do Homework