georgiakeys

I agree.

Interestingly, despite being slower and seemingly more boring, I find walking much more enjoyable. Not only is it less strenuous, it also allows for more enjoyment of the surrounding area and is overall a much more pleasant experience. Jogging on the other hand is unnatural and the impact from pavements and roads proves disasterous for joints such as hips and knees - I can attest to this!

TL;DR It is important to recognise the roles of both the manufacturer/retailer and consumer.

In terms of changing consumer behaviour, I believe 'shaming' to be an inappropriate form of approaching the need for change. Despite consumers and buyers having no influence in the production process, their behaviours ultimately influence those of the retailer as they produce the product demand. It is therefore important to educate and influence buyers to be more considerate in their purchases, consider more eco-friendly options and reduce their fashion carbon footprint. By doing so, the demand for cheap and accessible 'fast fashion' will be reduced; this is when it comes down to turning our attention to the brand itself. When retailers notice a fall in demand they will be forced to change their manufacturing process to meet the standards of those that are buying, and if this demand is placed on sustainable alternatives then this will be where retailers will turn their focus to. It is difficult to seperate the behaviours of retailer/manufacturer and consumer and it is important to recognise how one influences the other.

TL;DR Everything is better with hot sauce

I believe most things are better when eaten with hot sauce - except the obvious exceptions...

However, hot sauce not only makes food tastier, it also has several health benefits to its consumption. Lu Qi, professor at Harvard School of Public Health, notes in his study that 'there is accumulating evidence from mostly experimental research to show the benefit of spices or their active components on human health'.

Data has been collected and analysed from a total of 450,000 participants, with results finding that it was possible to cut overall risk of death by 10% if hot food such as chili peppers were consumed more than once a week. With spicy food consumed more than 6 times a week reducing risk of death to 14% and the discovery of 'capsaicin' in spicy foods, has been found to lower risk of death from cancer or ischemic heart and respiratory system diseases.

Globalisation is undeniably a net positive.

Globalisation has not only improved trade, increased labour and capital mobility and improved technology but has also benefitted from this improved trade, increased labour and capital mobility and improved technology, and thus is ever evolving. Globalisation, has successfully led to economic and trade advantages in developing countries, such as China and India through the exportation of neoliberal policy. Not to ignore the disadvantages of globalisation, including worsened inequalities within poor nations, but when considering them against the positive implications, they are significantly outweighed.

TL;DR Climate change is not man made; however, man has caused climate to change and we must recognise this.

The notion that climate change is natural and inevitable is a popular rhetoric used by contemporary climate change deniers, and they are not wrong. Climate change can be studied through climate records and the natural cycle of glacials and interglacials within the Quaternary. Climate scientists have identified that ice sheet oxygen isotopes are important indicators of gaining paleoclimatic information, and invested in methods of retrieving ice cores from several Antarctic drilling sites. Further to this, both pollen and ocean records can help provide estimates and develop climate models to establish past climates. Through study, there is clear evidence that the UK has been glaciated on multiple occasions during the [Pleistocene] (https://www.livescience.com/40311-pleistocene-epoch.html#:~:text=The%20Pleistocene%20Epoch%20is%20typically,parts%20of%20the%20planet%20Earth). Conclusions drawn have suggested that the aerially most extensive glaciation of the UK appear to have occurred in MIS12 [Anglian] (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324221028_An_alternative_view_of_the_Anglian_MIS_12_glaciation_of_southeastern_England_-_Part_I), with smaller ice sheets in MIS6 and MIS2 [Devensian] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_Glacial_Period).

A popular approach to climate change study is the ‘Earth System Approach’ or ‘Gaia Hypothesis’ devised by chemist James Lovelock in the 1970s. He proposes that both organic and inorganic systems interact to form a self-regulating and complex climatic system (including biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and pedosphere). However, there exists the possibility for a number of external factors to destabilise this system, including man-made greenhouse gas emissions. The ‘anthropocene’ has emerged as a concept to explain these recent man-made changes; a new geological age during which human activity has been the dominant influence on climate and the environment. Concept precursor began with George-Louis LeClerc de Buffon, the first to reconstruct geological history in stages (1778) that included human dominance as the ‘seventh epoch’. Early anthropocene proposals are based off of the assumption that increased methane within the atmosphere in the last 5000 years is not natural with subsequent timings corresponding with increased rice production in South East Asia and increased CO2 levels coinciding with European deforestation. The question of whether climate change is man made brings into question the ‘Great Acceleration’. Where the post-1950 era saw an increase in human activities which has resulted in the most rapid transformation of the human relationship with the natural world in history of mankind. With human cultural and technological innovations contributing to a number of environmental changes that have drastically accelerated climate change and global warming.

It is therefore wrong to suggest climate change is entirely man made, but also incredibly important not to completely dismiss the notion of climate change and the impact that man itself is making to it.

TL;DR Sexuality is simply too complicated to reduce to biology or likewise the environment, for this reason it is important to consider the interaction of both together.

In some studies, in particular twin studies, it has been observed that sexual preference has a genetic component. For instance, a 1993 study in the [Journal of Science] (https://science.sciencemag.org/content/261/5119/321.abstract) showed that families with two homosexual brothers presented with the same genetic markers of the X chromosome, these findings thus prompted the discussion over the possibility of a ‘gay gene’, much like discussions surrounding both the ‘Warrior gene’ or ‘Alcoholism gene’. However, genes alone cannot be said to control behaviour, their regulation of amino acids and protein formation can influence the existence of certain traits but this is not to say they have complete control over them.

It is therefore necessary to consider the effects of the environment on the same behaviours and traits. Culture plays a large part in the acceptance of drinking alcohol and homosexuality for example, and this means some people are more, or less, likely to behave in a certain way. Environment, like genes, is seen to affect romantic relationships and throughout time, marriage has been greatly influenced by cultural beliefs and importantly, culture has been known to influence perspectives on homosexuality. In the West, society has progressed to widely accept homosexuality, but in other parts of the world, it is less tolerated and the death penalty is still in place in many countries, such as [Brunei, Saudi Arabia, Somalia and United Arab Emirates] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_by_country_or_territory). The cultural beliefs surrounding someone as they grow up is likely to affect engagement in homosexuality and thus shows the importance of the environment in affecting behaviour.

TL;DR Making your bed in the morning is not pointless as it is proven to have serious mental health and productivity benefits.

In 2017, William H. McRaven, wrote a book regarding this topic called ‘Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life... And Maybe the World’, highlighting the importance of making your bed in the morning and suggesting that it in fact sets you up for success. He states that the simple acknowledgement of making the bed is a small success to begin the day with and only sets you up to encourage more successes throughout the day. Furthermore, another logical explanation to the importance of making the bed is the common phrase: ‘Tidy Home, Tidy Mind’. By organising the bed in the morning, it helps to clear your mind for the day ahead and thus increase productivity, it is therefore an important ritual to get into the habit of doing.

I’m glad to see I’m not the only one! I’ve only started doing it in the last year or so and I’m definitely noticing the difference :)

TL;DR Colonialism wasn’t all bad, especially for the British.

It is a common narrative to suggest that only the British Elite benefited from colonialism, however this is not the case, in fact even those not directly involved in colonialism have benefited and these benefits continue to trickle down today. Colonialism can be said to have fuelled the Industrial Revolution, which saw huge economic growth within the UK, not only did this mean improved infrastructure but it also meant increased health and wellbeing across the nation.

TL;DR Ice cream should be neither licked, nor bitten.

I believe the only way to eat ice cream is to either scoop it out of the tub and place it in a bowl – eaten with a spoon, or to eat it out of a small cardboard tub with a small plastic or wooden spoon (such as when you’re on holiday).

Individually wrapped ice lollies, for starters, are not ice cream and as a result, there is no need to debate how to eat these, similarly, ice cream should never be eaten out of a cone – something of which I am quite passionate about; there is no real reason behind this, apart from cones are dry, bland and a bit of a pain to hold.

So, when it comes down to it, ice cream should be neither licked, nor bitten.

Despite wholeheartedly agreeing that a plant-based diet is the most important initial step in reducing our carbon footprints and thus, the effects of climate change, I can’t help but think that it unnecessary to invest too much money into the synthetic meat industry when many are simply against giving up meat. The concept of supply and demand is significant here - if there is not the growing market for synthetic meat products, then what’s the point in producing the product to begin with and would money not be better off being put towards reducing the energy consumption of the meat industry?

This is especially important to consider when taking into consideration the fact that the [European Environment Agency] (file:///C:/Users/georg/Downloads/Briefing-14-Artificial-meat-and-the-environment.pdf) predict that, despite the recent emergence of vegan and environmental movements such as Extinction Rebellion, the consumption of animal based food consumption is expected to increase in the coming decades. With reference to expected population growth, the global demand for both meat and dairy products is expected to grow by [73% and 58% respectively between 2010 and 2050] (http://www.fao.org/3/i2373e/i2373e.pd), so would it not be more economically sustainable to develop a more environmentally friendly and less energy intensive meat industry?

TL;DR Imposing restrictions leads to disobedience and rebellion.

To impose restrictions on the consumption of something so heavily marketed towards the younger generations, particularly children, would adversely affect those who come under the restrictions. It has been recognised that children begin to resist authority when it becomes overbearing, therefore, restricting a product so heavily consumed by children will only cause rebellion. Granted, its unlikely the behaviour of a child who didn’t get to drink a can of fizz will be of any significance, however, it is only potentially encouraging future behaviours surrounding restrictions, such as alcohol and cigarettes.

For example, in a paper by Norman Alexander titled [‘Alcohol and Adolescent Rebellion’] (https://www.jstor.org/stable/2575904?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents), he notes how the heavy alcohol restrictions within Mormon culture are problematic. Among Mormons, the use of alcohol is not simply evidence of individual deviance but is instead recognised as a threat to group values. It is therefore, not a surprise to find that, while less likely to use alcohol, Mormons have an extremely high rate of problem drinking. And, just like teenagers under the age of 18 (UK) and 21 (US), drinking, in this manner, represents an ‘expression of hostility toward the normative authority of the total society’ and therefore an expression of aggression against this authority. Despite a somewhat exaggerated comparison, it is clear from example that restricting access to things has negative implications.

TL;DR If schools were to be gender neutral, where do you draw the line?
Its one thing to suggest that uniforms should be gender neutral, but is it appropriate to suggest that both toilets and changing rooms should be gender neutral and shared too? School, for most children, is a daunting time and to implement gender neutral toilets would be a step towards ignoring the sensitivities of children of school age. For instance, I doubt anyone would see it appropriate for an 11-year-old girl to be using the same toilet or changing room as an 18-year-old boy.

Despite this, there have been a number of cases where schools have implemented the use of gender neutral (or uni-sex) toilets, however they have been met with a number of serious criticisms. Reports by both the [Daily Mail] (http://archive.is/Vs9Ir) and [Telegraph] (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/primaryeducation/11138932/Primary-school-introduces-unisex-toilets-to-prevent-transphobia.html) back in 2014, highlight parents’ concerns surrounding their children having to use these toilets. Another report by Metro in 2017 highlights the important notion that the policy of gender-neutral toilets is one that ‘caters to the few at the expense of the majority who are feeling less comfortable and happy’.

TL;DR The younger generations are idolising the wrong people.

If you were to ask the younger generation who their idols were, or who they aspire to be like, it is almost guaranteed that they will say one of the hundreds of arguably untalented celebrities which constantly fill our TV and phone screens. With many now turning their obsession into the pursuit of celebrity, instead of focussing on career aspirations. The media obsession with celebrity and the culture as a whole is proving damaging to younger generations and can cause people to lose touch with the harsh realities of the real world. Mary Bousted, the general secretary of Association of Teachers and Lecturers claims that ‘celebrity culture can perpetuate the notion that celebrity status is the greatest achievement and reinforced the belief that other career options are not valuable’, with many deciding that academia is not important as money will come from fame. Further to this, the media’s representation of such celebrities is damaging in itself as majority of press and reports surrounding celebrities are negative, promoting the bad behaviour and deviance of which they engage in. The majority of the celebrities that are being obsessed over are not themselves good role models and thus this works to perpetuate these behaviours through younger generations.

TL;DR Reality TV provides the most entertainment.

Reality TV, in all its rubbishness, is quite possibly the most entertaining form of TV. It is fair to say that not much brain power is required while viewing and because of that it becomes an easy watch. Shows such as Big Brother and Love Island attract many followers, however it is reported that only [39% of people watch reality TV] (https://www.onepoll.com/the-reality-tv-habit/) but why when it’s so entertaining?

Reality TV shows are most popular within the population of those aged 16-30 years and recently have become increasingly more popular. They offer detailed insights into the lives of others, and are more often than not focussed on the drama and downfalls of those involved – which undeniably provides further entertainment. Reality TV offers an escape from, ironically, our own realities, more often than not in a humorous, light hearted manner and in the future I encourage people to watch the likes of Love Island, First Dates and (a personal favourite) Don’t tell the bride.

TL;DR Many social media ‘Fitness Influencers’ are damaging their audiences through the inaccurate promotion of weight training.

Over recent years, in a period of increased social media fitness influencing, more and more people have taken to weight training. Undeniably, weight training is one of the best methods to improve strength and get into shape, however, it is incredibly important to be properly trained and introduced to it due to the risks involved. With more people taking up weight training through online influencers, fewer are spending time with a qualified trainer when starting out, instead they are picking up incorrect techniques and bad habits, which over time can lead to injury. In a [study by the University of Glasgow] (https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-04/eaft-ssc042919.php), they found that only 1 out of 9 influencers provided accurate and trustworthy information on weight loss and training. The influencers studied had over 80,000 followers on at least one platform, resulting in a large amount of people being fed the wrong information. Weight training puts a lot of stress on joints and muscles and for this reason it is incredibly important that it’s done right to avoid injury, however the inaccurate techniques and advice promoted by influencers is putting people at risk.

Sunday is the best day.

For me, Sunday is undeniably the best day of the week. Its relaxing and stress-free and regularly reminds me of lazy afternoons back at home. It’s a perfect end to the week and also the perfect way to get ready for the week ahead, big lunches, long walks and movies in front of the fire are just some of the reasons why.

TL;DR Politics is a crucial subject, however I believe there to be more important lessons and subjects that should be introduced as mandatory.

When I was at school, we were timetabled an hour a week of ‘PSCHEE’ which stands for Personal, Social, Cultural, Health and Economic Education. In theory, it was designed to be an all-round subject, highlighting the important subjects not covered in other classes. However, it was taught to us by a PE teacher and wasn’t considered nearly as important as other subjects, it felt more like a free period than an actual lesson, which is a shame as there are many important topics which could’ve been discussed in the class.

School didn’t teach me how to own, buy or rent a house, do taxes, get a job and this, I believe, is a huge, missed opportunity and lessons like these and invaluable for all school leavers. Research has recently uncovered that [87% of Britons believe school failed to adequately prepare them for life as an adult] (https://metro.co.uk/2019/09/13/budgeting-mental-health-among-skills-wish-wed-learned-school-10734293/), meaning introducing mandatory structured ‘life’ lessons would positively impact students.

Food itself isn’t gendered as we are all the same and all equally capable of eating and enjoying all foods, with the only differences down to personal preferences and gendered marketing. Certain products are aimed or targeted at certain demographics and therefore, these products are more likely to be consumed by these groups. For instance, Yorkie’s ‘Its not for girls’ slogan has made this chocolate brand inherently masculine, due solely to the way it is marketed, whereas Galaxy products appeal more to women due to their elegant advertisements.

Suggesting that chocolate is gendered, or any food, is limiting and the further contribution from marketing measures works to accentuate this division. In today's market, consumption is massively driven through advertisement and marketing, and evidently, the portrayal of a particular product becomes a powerful tool in patterns and trends of this consumption.

TL;DR Pine furniture may be revolting, but there is nothing worse than mirrored furniture.

I believe that floor-to-ceiling wardrobe doors, cabinets and bedside drawers, should not be mirrored. Despite their supposed ability of creating the illusion of increase space and light, mirrored furniture is unappealing, boring and a lazy addition to interior design. This isn’t just a personal preference either, in a study conducted by mattress online blog site, they found that ‘glam furniture’, including mirrored pieces, is the second most hated interior items in the bedroom, with 26% of men and 18% of women voting such, with only ‘sports memorabilia’ being more hated and even then there was a considerable female bias.

https://www.mattressonline.co.uk/blog/sleep-news/interior-design-deal-breakers/

Didn’t think it could get worse!

TL;DR Vaccine passports work to develop discriminatory binaries of ‘have’ and ‘have nots’.

The government is currently reviewing whether ‘Covid-status certificates could play a role in reopening parts of our economy, reducing restrictions on social contact and improving safety’ (GOV UK 2021), with several countries already announcing that those with proof of both vaccines will be able to travel without quarantining and with limited regulations. However, the idea of requiring such passports has come with significant backlash and criticism, for instance, the Head of World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), Gloria Guevara, echoed many when she claimed ‘we should never require the vaccination to get a job or to travel’ further adding that it almost ‘takes us to discrimination’. Its not just Guevara, Nadhim Zahawi (UK’s vaccine minister) originally stated back in December 2020, that there was ‘no plan of introducing a vaccine passport’ because the method of monitoring would be ‘discriminatory’.

Further to this, the most obvious criticism surrounds the role of the vaccine in transmitting and carrying the virus. Currently, the vaccine is only known to prevent a person from becoming unwell with Covid-19, however there is no knowing whether those who are vaccinated can pick up, carry and continue to infect others. If this were the case, vaccinations would make no difference to spreading the virus when travelling, so why must there be separate rules for those who are vaccinated and those who aren’t? Furthermore, for some, vaccination is simply not a possibility at present, be it for reasons such as pregnancy and allergies, leading to further discrimination and segregation.

TL;DR Winter Olympics are more enjoyable to watch due to the unpredictable nature of events.

Winter Olympic events, such as Skiing, Snowboarding, Bobsleigh and Skeleton are undeniably more exciting in comparison to Summer Olympic events. Not only are the individual sports more unpredictable, with accidents, falls, crashes and thus disqualifications much more common, the overall league tables are also more contested than in the summer.

One significant factor making Winter events more unpredictable is the speed at which they travel. The economist cited a study by the International Olympic Committee, where they calculated the average speed of male athletes/teams during competition. Winter Olympic events occupied 7 of the top 10 fastest events, Alpine Skiing topped the table with skiers having previously recorded travelling at speeds of 160 km/h.

https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2018/02/19/winter-races-are-less-popular-than-summer-ones-but-more-exciting

TL;DR Boxing, despite its dangers, should not be banned, as it has increasingly been encouraged as a mechanism against poverty and fighting youth street crime.

The most noticeable example of athletes participating in boxing within poverty-stricken communities is in Johannesburg, South Africa. During the apartheid, many black South Africans saw boxing as a ‘way out’, Nick Durant, trainer at a gym within Johannesburg which has previously produced 5 world champions, claims ‘there are not many boxers who were born with a silver spoon in their mouths’. For many, boxing offers a focus that exists off the streets and due to its accessibility, remains an appropriate means for many.

In a study of boxing clubs within Belfast, Northern Ireland, the local authority found that 90% of clubs were within the 20% most deprived wards in Belfast, showing the continued link between boxing opportunities and deprivation. It can be argued that boxing clubs have significant positive impacts on crime rates, educational attainment and attendance, promote healthy lifestyles and tackles social disadvantage (Amateur Boxing Association of England).

Further to this, L. S. Goodman, within his work ‘Endless punchers: Body, narrative, and performance in the world of Japanese boxing’, makes the point that ‘the discourse of relative deprivation can easily flip flop once it is applied to the subject of boxing because a sense of deprivation – of having been marginalised, victimised or oppressed – is held as essential to generation of ‘hunger’ that typifies success in the sport’, suggesting once again the relationship between boxing and poverty.

https://search.proquest.com/openview/7649caadc367d17a2e29db0ba5a31324/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y

TL;DR Despite having limited knowledge of both ACT and SAT tests, I believe no examinations are accurate measurements of college preparedness.

As a British student, I am not too familiar with either ACT and SAT tests, however, when considering the English equivalent of GCSEs and A-levels, I can agree that relative attainment in these, is no representation of college or university preparedness. For instance, there is no guarantee that good grades and success in high school/secondary school will ensure success within further study, despite it being required for entry.

My acceptance onto my current course was based off of my A-level grades, whereby I sat a number of times examinations, however, so far at uni, my grades have been solely based off of essays and course work assignments and I have not needed to sit any exams. I believe this to be limiting to people who struggle with exams and tests, such as the aforementioned, as this may have affected chances of enrolment. Likewise, those students who have only previously been prepped to undertake exams may later struggle when faced with alternative methods of ‘testing’. For these reasons, I believe that exams (ACT, SAT, GCSE and A-levels alike) are not appropriate measurements of college preparedness.

TL;DR Ring bound note/sketchpads are a pain to use and therefore book-bound sketchbooks are preferable.

I’ve never used a sketchbook myself, however, having used both ring-bound and book-bound notebooks, I can safely argue that book-bound notebooks are easier to use. The ‘ring’ component of ring-bound notebooks simply gets in the way too much when writing (on the page to the left for right-handed people and the right for left-handed), as a result, it becomes difficult to write and handwriting becomes impaired. Moreover, pages are more at risk of becoming loose and falling out due to the nature of the attachment to the binder, as well as the possible risk of bending and damaging the wired loops.

In a 2017 report, Brits were blamed for a rise of almost a fifth in complaints to the police in Barcelona, totalling 113,707 complaints between July and September, for offences including drinking in the streets, all-night parties and public nudity (The Times, 2017). Other countries voicing their public disapproval of visiting British tourists include Greece, Latvia and Malaysia. Back in 2008, the mayor of Malia, a popular Greek party resort, notes how Brits ‘scream, sing, fall down, take their clothes off, cross-dress, vomit’, claiming that ‘it is only the British people- not the Germans or the French’, who also frequent the resort.

Further to this, a travel company who provide holidays to the Latvian capital of Riga had stopped selling to British tourists all together after their mayor stated back in 2009 that ‘pissing about’ was a ‘specialty’ of British tourists. Brits remain highly disliked throughout many European destinations, however, a study conducted by YOU GOV found that 60% of Brits themselves have a negative opinion of other Brits when abroad, making British tourists among one of the most disliked groups.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/barcelona-tires-of-the-uncultured-british-d0vhr9tr3?--xx-meta=denied_for_visit%3D0%26visit_number%3D0%26visit_remaining%3D0%26visit_used%3D0&--xx-mvt-opted-out=false&--xx-uuid=2b46a23025c8df32a3e2be3daa64c37a&ni-statuscode=acsaz-307

TL;DR Safaris exist as institutionalised neo-colonial mechanisms.

Safaris and safari holidays have long assisted in the reproduction of Western imaginaries of Sub-Saharan Africa, deriving from original imaginations of European exploration and colonization. Neo-colonial discourses highlight the structural inequalities between the Western World and Africa and the constructed imaginaries of animals such as big cats, elephants, zebras and giraffes work to reproduce colonial views.

The wild-life conservation within Africa and safaris alike work to promote a mode of global capitalist production and illustrate unequal global power dynamics. The Safari industry emerged as a bi-product of colonial exploration, and the coinciding of modern transportation technology meant that a global safari economy could be constructed under Western imperial rule. Thus, the continuation of safari holidays, and growing popularity, works to continue neo-colonial influence and ensure the West maintains these power imbalances.

Selling the African Wilds: a history of the safari tourism industry in East Africa, 1900-1939. https://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/handle/2152/63902

The Elephant in the Room: Confronting the Colonial Character of Wildlife Conservation in Africa. Elizabeth Garland. https://www.jstor.org/stable/27667379?seq=5#metadata_info_tab_contents

Sequels never live up to the expectations of the original movie.

The original Mamma Mia movie is by far the better movie and this remains the case for majority of movie franchises. For me personally, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again did not convey the same overall feeling that the first movie did and instead seemed more of a tacky attempt at dragging the storyline out. Missing key characters and instead introducing irrelevant characters such as that of Cher, I can’t help but think the rumoured third movie will only butcher the title even further.

TL;DR Processed cheese shouldn’t be put in burgers.

The processed orange square cheese commonly used should not be eaten at all, let alone put in burgers. In fact, it is often no more than 50% ‘cheese’, with the remaining 50% made up of salt, dye, preservatives, extra dairy, emulsifiers and other artificial ingredients. As a result, both flavour and texture are significantly compromised. Some processed food is legally prohibited from being called cheese, with some FDA food labelling guidelines providing more insight, for instance, ‘Pasteurized process cheese — contains 100% cheese’, ‘Pasteurized process cheese food — contains at least 51% cheese’ and ‘Pasteurized process cheese product — contains less than 51% cheese’. Not only do the added ingredients affect both the taste and texture of the cheese but they can also result in severe health risks due to the high chemical content.

Clothes are both inherently and historically gendered within all cultures. This is not to say that certain clothes should only be worn by certain people, more that certain clothes exist as being either traditionally feminine or masculine. For many, skirts are believed to be feminine, and more commonly worn by females, however, the Scottish ‘kilt’, described as a ‘short dress’, is traditionally masculine and worn by male Gaelic men and boys.

TL;DR Music should not be listened to whilst studying as it impairs cognitive function.

A study by the University of Wales Institute in Cardiff explains how listening to music can affect performance of certain study tasks. They looked at the ability of students to recall information whilst listening to a variety of different sounds. The task involved students memorising and recalling a list of letters presented to them, the different music conditions included: quiet, music they liked, music they didn’t like, voice repeating the number three and voice reciting random numbers. The study found that students performed worst while listening to any music, compared the voice reciting numbers. The explanation for these findings is the following: listening to music impairs the ability to memorize things, especially in chronological order, this phenomenon is called the ‘irrelevant sound effect’ (ISE). Due to results like this, listening to any sort of music whilst studying appears massively counterintuitive.

TL;DR Scissors are by far the superior utensil for pizza cutting in terms of functionality.

Its very simple. Pizza cuts easily when using scissors, there’s no issue with tougher crust, and none of the toppings are affected in the process.

My personal preferences change on the mood I am in and what time of day it is. For instance, in the morning I would probably opt for a coffee (black one sugar), however after midday I would prefer a tea (black one sugar). I feel this preference is simply down to caffeine content and the affect it has on me personally, although I’d find it difficult to establish an ultimate favourite between the two

This question irks me, and I avoid engaging in debate around it because there really is no black and white answer. As you suggest, in order for there to be a chicken, there must be egg (of some description), however for there to be a chicken egg, there must be a ‘chicken’. So for this I remain mixed.

TL; DR The is no rational explanation for the so-called ‘Pink-Tax’.

The ‘pink-tax’ is the name given to the gender-based price discrimination seen predominantly within hygiene products such as razors, shampoos and conditioners, and earned its name due to affected products commonly being pink. New York’s Department of Consumer Affairs conducted a study labelled ‘From Cradle to Cane: The Cost of Being A Female Consumer’, whereby they highlighted the price disparity of 30 items, which on average saw women’s products as being more expensive. For example, in a sample of 16 different shampoo and conditioner products, the price for products targeted for women were 48% more expensive.

Within their study they focus on hygiene products including the aforementioned shampoo and conditioner as well as razors, razor cartridges, skin lotion, deodorant, body wash – all more expensive albeit no different than male targeted products of the same nature. There is no reason that the same products should be marketed differently and by doing so it merely works to promote gender bias and institutionalised sexism, for this reason the ‘pink-tax’ should be eradicated.

https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dca/downloads/pdf/partners/Study-of-Gender-Pricing-in-NYC.pdf

TL;DR The increasing popularity of true crime series and documentaries does nothing but romanticise inhumane acts.

The latest obsession of binging crime documentaries is one of my favourite ways to pass time and me and my housemates find ourselves doing it far too often, however I can’t help but feel somewhat uneasy whilst watching them, especially when considering some of the strange reactions online. For instance, in 2019, Netflix were reported to have put millions towards securing the rights to the new Ted Bundy movie starring Zac Efron, however, rightly so, criticism arose around the supposed sexualising of the killer. Similar films and programmes fail to recognise the potential emotional impact this would cause victims and their relatives, instead focussing primarily on profit margins and obsessive media coverage. Additionally, Susanne Moore (2019) states that the romanticising of Bundy undermines what it means to be a victim, suggesting further that both the film and subsequent episodes portray and risk evoking “Hybristophilia,”, which she identifies as the ‘sexual arousal that comes from a partner who has committed a crime [and] the fantasy that you are special enough to give the love that would stop such a man doing the things he does’. For this reason, it becomes difficult to ignore the potential risks of publicly displaying both similar crimes and criminals.

https://mediaengagement.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/41-romanticizing-serial-killers-case-study.pdf

TL;DR Tattoos and Piercings, whilst not defining ability, remain a significant aspect of perceived professionalism, and rightly so.

As someone who has both tattoos and piercings, I am in no way suggesting that they exist as indicators of ability, however I can agree that both placing and design of tattoos can, in some instances, determine professionalism. Some tattoo placements, including those that are more visible, such as face and neck tattoos, are simply not appropriate for many work environments and still continue to be somewhat socially unacceptable. The same goes for tattoos which portray a particular message, such as a gang symbol or potentially images of weapons or naked females, they simply won’t be appropriate for many jobs and this, for me, is completely understandable.

TL; DR. National holidays, including both secular and religious festivals such as Easter, Christmas and Valentine’s day continue to be heavily celebrated traditions. However, it is becoming more apparent that these occasions are being increasingly dissociated from their traditional origins and cultural meanings due to modern day commercialisation.

Origins of holidays such as St. Valentine’s day are commonly not well known and are instead overshadowed by capitalist consumerism, through becoming ever more profit orientated. With Valentine’s spending in the UK is estimated to be in excess of £926 million this year.

Similarly, many are familiar with the German festival ‘Oktoberfest’, however few acknowledge that historically it originated to celebrate the marriage between Prince of Bavaria and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. Instead, it is now associated with the mass consumption of beer and the wearing of 'traditional' lederhosen and dirndl.

Over-commercialisation, as a result of capitalist economy, has adversely affected the celebration of national holidays, and in my opinion; removes any sense of meaning from historic tradition.

Valentines: https://www.finder.com/uk/valentines-day-statistics

Oktoberfest: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Oktoberfest

TL; DR The physiological differences after transition remain unequal and therefore do not truly represent fair competition.

The rules currently allow athletes who have transitioned from female to male to compete, however, for athletes having transitioned from male to female, there is much more controversy. It remains important for officials to guarantee fairness for all athletes, but most importantly for female cisgender athletes. Latham (2018) states that on average, women have two thirds the strength of men, smaller bones and lower oxygen carrying capacity. It must be acknowledged that not all of the physiological differences can be managed during the transition process, thus, physical male benefits, such as those previously identified, remain within the transgender athlete.

In efforts to maintain equality, the IOC (International Olympic Committee) state that testosterone levels must be kept below 10 nanomoles per litres for at least 12 months (Ingle 2019), however, women’s natural testosterone levels range between 0.12 and 1.79 nanomoles per litre, while men’s remain much higher between 7.7 and 29.4 nanomoles. Which means transgender athletes, whilst following IOC guidelines, could still exhibit physiological advantages, with testosterone up to 5 times higher than most female athletes. Despite efforts to create fair conditions, it is simply not achievable. as physiological benefits remain within transgender athletes, therefore their participation within female sports should be reconsidered.

Ingle, S. (2019). IOC delays new transgender guidelines after scientists fail to agree. [online] The Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/sep/24/ioc-delays-new-transgender-guidelines-2020-olympics

Latham, A (2018). Physiological difference between male and female athletes. (online). (last updated 28 June 2018). Available at: https://work.chron.com/physiological-differences-between-male-female-athletes-20627.html

TL; DR I’m mixed on this one.

For taste, undoubtedly corn is better straight from the cob, lathered in butter and fresh from the BBQ. However, as someone who has permanent brace retaining wires behind their teeth, there is nothing more frustrating than eating corn this way. In general, I’d say that corn is better when eaten directly, but for me, and for the sake of ease, cutting it with a knife is the best way to eat corn.

TL;DR Working for home is bad for business as it does not work to facilitate cohesion among colleagues within a company.

Despite the use of platforms such as Zoom, Slack and Google Teams, working from home has proved detrimental to employee mental health and thus the relationships between colleagues. Remote working and online communication does not work in favour of building meaningful relationships, especially for new employees. On top of this, a study found that social interaction is greatly correlated with engagement and satisfaction (Rath and Harter 2010). Without the familiar interaction with colleagues in the workplace, employees can suffer from mental health issues, which can affect their working relationships due to onset of anxiety. Grenny and Maxfield (2017) note that remote working affects the formation of trust, connection and mutual purpose within online working environments. For these reasons, it is important to encourage the return to the work place after the Covid-19 pandemic.

https://news.gallup.com/businessjournal/127043/friends-social-wellbeing.aspx

https://hbr.org/2017/11/a-study-of-1100-employees-found-that-remote-workers-feel-shunned-and-left-out

TL;DR The 21st Century is not the best time to be alive, based off of the ideas in Herbert Marcuse’s ‘One Dimensional Man’.

Herbert Marcuse first developed his ideas within the 20th Century, however his theories surrounding the reduction of humanity to ‘one dimension’ are more appropriate than ever before due to significant advances in society experienced in the last 20 years.

He focusses primarily on how the key components of modern society, including technology, capitalism and consumerism, equate to subsequent loss of freedom, reduction of humanity to one dimension and societal issues such as modern slavery. Modern society, in theory, possesses the means for the greatest facilitation of human life (thus potentially making the 21st Century the best time to be alive). However, the previous notion for the facilitation of life is not the case, instead systems such as consumerism, capitalism and technology function in a way that prohibits facilitation, and as Marcuse notes, limits humanity to one dimension. For this reason, I believe the 21st Century is not the best time to be alive as modern society has worked in a way that has created and exacerbated societal issues.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Times_(film)

https://www.marxists.org/ebooks/marcuse/one-dimensional-man.htm

I don’t like fruit and I never have, so for me, drinking orange juice with bits in is not ideal. I personally don’t see the appeal of wanting to drink solid bits of food, as someone who doesn't even drink fruity cocktails and removes all the fruit from a class of Pimm's, this seems a bit bizarre to want to have bits of food in an otherwise smooth drink. Orange juice without bits is therefore much more superior, and simply much more pleasant to drink.

TL:DR Greater surveillance exists as a threat to privacy.

Mass surveillance, simply put, impedes individual privacy. Governments record data, exploit it and make conclusions from observable patterns (Babcock and Freivogel 2016), resulting in a reduction of self and diminished individualism. The use of mass surveillance by governments violates the privacy of the population, and through this, individuals lose their sense of autonomy. In terms of crime prevention, the government becomes dependent on the use of mass surveillance, it therefore emerges as a method of state control over citizens.

Babcock, William A, and William H Freivogel. The SAGE Guide to Key Issues In Mass Media Ethics And Law. 1st ed. Print.

TL;DR – Athletes paint, for the most part, a picture of optimum health; and according to leading scientist featured on the Netflix documentary ‘Game Changers’, a vegan diet is the most effective diet for athlete performance.

The common claim that protein is the most important fuel for energy is simply wrong, it is highly inefficient, with 20-30% of each calorie wasted through heat (Westerterp 2004). Alternatively, carbohydrates remain the ideal source of energy for optimal performance (Thomas et al 2016), derived almost completely from plants.

One of the main experiments carried out on athletes within the documentary focussed on blood flow after consumption of plant/animal-based meals. They found that after just one animal-based meal, the consistency of the blood was much thicker, slowing down transportation of oxygen to working muscles and organs. The thickening of blood worked to slow down nutrient transportation to cells in our muscles and brain, as well as the reduced elimination of waste products (Barnard et al. 2019).

Diet was also found to significantly influence both chronic and acute inflammation. Meat products were found to contain a vast amount of pro-inflammatory compounds and molecules. Li et al. (2013) conclude that the consumption of just one hamburger can increase measures of inflammation by 70%. Whereas plant-based foods were seen to be full of anti-inflammatory compounds and antioxidants, with plants having up to 64 times the antioxidant content to animal products (Carlsen et al. 2010).

The documentary concludes by highlighting that, whatever your fitness level, a plant-based diet has significant benefits for both health and performance.

Barnard ND, Goldman DM, Loomis JF, Kahleova H, Levin SM, Neabore S, Batts TC. Plant-based diets for cardiovascular safety and performance in endurance sports. Nutrients. 2019 Jan;11(1): pii: E130.

Carlsen MH, Halvorsen BL, Holte K, Bøhn SK, Dragland S, Sampson L, Willey C, Senoo H, Umezono Y, Sanada C, Barikmo I, Berhe N, Willett WC, Phillips KM, Jacobs DR Jr, Blomhoff R. The total antioxidant content of more than 3100 foods, beverages, spices, herbs and supplements used worldwide. Nutr J. 2010 Jan;9:3.

Li Z, Wong A, Henning SM, Zhang Y, Jones A, Zerlin A, Thames G, Bowerman S, Tseng CH, Heber D. Hass avocado modulates postprandial vascular reactivity and postprandial inflammatory responses to a hamburger meal in healthy volunteers. Food Funct. 2013 Feb 26;4(3):384-91.

Thomas DT, Erdman KA, Burke LM. American College of Sports Medicine Joint Position Statement. Nutrition and athletic performance. Med Sci Sports Exercise. 2016 Mar;48(3):543-68.

Westerterp KR. Diet induced thermogenesis. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2004 Aug;1(1):5.

Granted, I went to one, so I may be biased. However, I fundamentally believe there is no real reason to get rid of grammar schools.

Grammar schools are state funded, fully selective schools for pupils in the UK. As they are non-fee paying, it gives low-income families the opportunity to gain access to a high standard of education. Grammar schools encourage pupils to reach their full academic potential, as well as many schools excelling in a number of sports. They challenge private schools in both GCSE and A-Level league tables and succeed in supporting pupils into top universities.

Grammar schools encourage pupils to reach their true potential within a highly academic environment, and thus it is important to recognise that they are only appropriate for certain pupils. Where some pupils struggle in classes that are beyond their capabilities, others struggle in schools which don’t fully challenge them and facilitate higher achievement. Therefore, it is necessary to make sure there are schools which exist to provide for students in the manner that grammar schools do.

The limited number of schools can cause this issue, with catchment areas significantly influencing house prices, thus limiting access for many. However, I know many people, who like myself, received no tutoring for the 11+ and whose parents had lived in the area upwards of 10 years before having children, so it is not always the case.

Theresa may wished to annex current grammar schools, whilst implementing a system, similar to that used by universities, which ensures pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds are given the same opportunity to attend and enrol in higher education. By combating the claims of the preservation of middle class families and instead reintroducing grammar schools as 'engines of social mobility' (BBC 2016), these problems of unequal opportunity can be tackled.

I have dedicated 17 years of my life to skiing, so for me, it is without a doubt the better sport.

Simply put, skiing it much less hassle. There is no need to remove kit to get on lifts and no time wasted at the top either putting it back on.

There’s no struggling across flats, unlike snowboarders, who more often than not have to resort to walking.

If you’re capable enough at skiing, you’ll spend a lot more time on your feet as opposed to when snowboarding.

You can accomplish much more off-piste on skis and heavy powder does not become such as issue for skiers as it does for boarders.

As a skier you can travel at more impressive speeds, perform more impressive tricks and (I personally believe) have much more fun.

Competing in elite sport, despite its merits, is damaging to both children and teenagers. Wojtys (2013) found that children who specialised in a single sport at a young age, who then continue to reach success at an elite level, experienced much higher rates of depression and anxiety. With a drastic increase in likeliness of experiencing poor mental health in adulthood. This is due to athletes attributing their self-worth purely to their performance ability, as a result, mental health is thus reliant on their successes and failure, introducing an element of instability. Furthermore, Nixdorf (2016) found that athletes within individual sports risk increased development of depression and anxiety. Further negative impacts of elite sport participation during childhood include increased risk of overuse injuries, development of antisocial behaviours, poor coping skills and increased social isolation (Jayanthi, 2013). Early specialisation can also lead to a phenomenon called ‘sports burnout’ identified by Gomes (2017) as the physical or emotional exhaustion that comes with the long-term stress associated with sports performance. This burnout can result in mental health issues, declines in motivation, illness, fatigue, and the child abandoning any sport in its entirety. It is for these reasons that I strongly argue that early sport specialisation in childhood should be discouraged.

Wojtys, Edward M. “Sports specialization vs diversification.” (2013): 212-213.

Nixdorf, Insa, Raphael Frank, and Jürgen Beckmann. “Comparison of athletes’ proneness to depressive symptoms in individual and team sports. Research on psychological mediators in junior elite athletes.” Frontiers in Psychology 7 (2016): 893.

Jayanthi, Neeru, et al. “Sports specialization in young athletes: evidence-based recommendations.” Sports health 5.3 (2013): 251-257.

Gomes, A. Rui, S. Faria, and C. Vilela. “Anxiety and burnout in young athletes: The mediating role of cognitive appraisal.” Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports 27.12 (2017): 2116-2126.

The early bird may catch the worm, but he is also at risk of sleep deprivation, moodiness, poor concentration, potential weight gain, anxiety, increased risk of heart disease and higher blood pressure (BBC 2019).

Sleep deprivation and tiredness are the most obvious side effects of getting up early, with brain function severely implicated. Decreased concentration and fatigue can come as a result and ultimately decrease performance throughout the day. A study by Westminster University found that those who woke up before 7am had higher levels of stress hormone in their body. With stress working to produce negative impacts on the body, such as headaches and muscle aches.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20190213-is-waking-up-early-good-or-bad#:~:text=Sacrificing%20sleep%20means%20you%20may,%2C%20don't%20do%20it.

https://www.careeraddict.com/7-disadvantages-of-getting-up-early

Somehow deleted sorry!
Marijuana should not be legalised due to it existence as a gate-way drug, with potential use leading to the further use of significantly more dangerous substances. Research suggests that marijuana use commonly precedes the use of other illicit substances (Carliner et al. 2016) as the dangerous early exposure to cannabinoids (naturally occurring compounds found in cannabis) increases vulnerability to substance addiction and misuse. The use of marijuana is positively correlated with both alcohol and cigarette use, as well as illegal drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamines (DuPont 2016), with the CDC (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention) suggesting people addicted to marijuana are three times more likely to be addicted to heroin.

In terms of the health effects of marijuana use, it has been found to have effects on brain function such as memory, learning, attention, decision making, coordination, emotions and reaction time (Batalla et al. 2013). Marijuana users are also significantly more prone to developing psychosis as well as long-lasting mental disorders such as schizophrenia (Volkow 2016). The legalisation of marijuana risks increased long-term and heavy use within individuals, thus risking potential negative health effects.

Batalla, A., Bhattacharyya, S., Yucel M., et al (2013). Structural and functional imaging studies in chronic cannabis users: a systematic review of adolescent and adult findings.
Carliner H, Mauro PM, Brown QL, et al. (2016) The widening gender gap in marijuana use prevalence in the U.S. during a period of economic change, 2002-2014. Drug Alcohol Depend. pp.51-58.
CDC (2015) Today’s heroin epidemic infographics. Vitalsigns. Accessed: 16 January 2021. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/heroin/infographic.html
DuPont, R. (2016) Marijuana has proven to be a gateway drug, The New York Times. Accessed: 16 January 2021. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2016/04/26/is-marijuana-a-gateway-drug/marijuana-has-proven-to-be-a-gateway-drug
Volkow ND, Swanson JM, Evins AE, et al. (2016). Effects of cannabis use on human behaviour, including cognition, motivation, and psychosis: a review. JAMA Psychiatry. pp.292-297.
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/marijuana-gateway-drug

Approaches to men’s health emerge from feminist critiques of gender construction, patriarchy and the performative nature of femininity and masculinity.

Judith Butler identifies gender as being performed and suggests that gestures, movements and acts work together to produce the illusion of an abiding gender (Butler 1988). It is this concept of performativity which essentially underpins the sex/gender debate; the idea that sex is biologically determined whereas gender is a result of social construction. Adhering to traditional masculinity and the assertion of male dominance can be potentially lethal for many men, with male suicides accounting for three quarters of annual suicides in the UK. Men should thus be encouraged to seek help, show emotion and oppose dangerous gender stereotypes, in essence, men should be encouraged to cry.

Butler, J. (1988). Performative Acts and Gender Constitution: An Essay in Phenomenology and Feminist Theory. Theatre Journal, 40(4), 519-531.

Hi Turi, initially my argument was focussed on 'crying' as a metaphor, like you suggest.

However, having researched further, research suggests that men, on average, cry 5 times less than women, with some research placing this difference on testosterone levels. With crying known to relieve negative emotions and improve mood, it is necessary to encourage men to avoid supressing emotions - with crying being one of the main ways of doing so. As the article below suggests, I am in no way suggesting crying directly prevents suicide, but instead drawing links to its benefits within mental health study.

https://scribershive.com/real-men-do-cry-health-benefits-of-crying/

https://www.livescience.com/53269-science-of-manly-tears.html

As much as it is important to advocate for equal opportunities, implementation of affirmative action should be carefully considered within universities

Affirmative action does not serve as a remedy for systematic inequality and instead works to further institutionalise racial stereotypes. Suggesting race is the dominant factor in admission and hiring procedures destroys the concept of meritocracy, and with regards to college admissions, it is unfair to judge applicants on anything other than their merits. By introducing the factor of race into decision making, you hereby bring into consideration factors which are beyond the applicants control.

In many cases, affirmative action reinforces stereotypes and racism. Suggesting that all members of a minority race maintain the same socio-economic background is entirely untrue. With the possibility of further exacerbating inequalities, affirmative action can potentially assist racial minority individuals from more privileged backgrounds gain admissions while neglecting those of lower classes. It is therefore necessary to consider the benefits of dismantling state sponsored racism by advocating against the implementation of affirmative action.

Listening to music just simply does not cut it for me.

In the summer after my A-level exams I found myself working a 9-5 office job in Central London, I loved it. However, one thing I could not stand was the radio playing constantly throughout the day. Since then, I have not once found myself wanting to listen to music. Be it when I’m getting reading in the morning, cooking in the kitchen, or out on my daily lockdown walks.

To me, listening to music is boring, repetitive and uninspiring. Alternatively, I fill my days with the background noise of subpar Netflix shows, podcasts and a worrying number of YouTube true crime documentaries. When I do try and listen to music, it quite literally goes in one ear and out the other, whereas I find myself much more concentrated when listening to something with meaning, of which I can relate to and/or engage with.

A very unpopular opinion I know!

Hiya! Thank you for replying, and don't be sorry, I get plenty of grief from my music loving friends haha!

In terms of before my A-levels, I was never massively enamoured by music. I wouldn't rush to listen to music however I would also listen to anything and everything, with no particular emotional connection to a single song or genre. My family isn't musically inclined and we never really had music on when I was a child, saying that though, I do have memories of being subjected to my dad's unique taste in Scottish Gaelic artists - perhaps there's our answer.

I have tried to find genres and artists that appeal to me but ultimately end up getting bored of listening to the same thing.

I recommend a marmite and cheese toastie, although I know a lot people will warn you not to go near marmite!

The Post-Cold War Order marked the collapse of the Soviet Union and the rise of U.S. hegemon with global military, economic and cultural dominance. However, the rise of ‘BRIC’ nations presents a challenge to the previously uncontested US unipolarity. In a report by Goldman Sachs (2003), the BRICs’ emerging economies were estimated to be greater than the G6 by 2050 and China in particular is said to overtake the U.S. by 2039 (U.S $). The potential capability of altering distribution of economic power somewhat diminishes the economic capabilities of the US in maintaining hegemon.

John Mearsheimer’s offensive realist perspective implies that states are principal actors and that conflict arises due to the anarchical nature of the international system. States are constantly seeking power, however in the current climate, in is virtually impossible to secure global hegemon and as a result states will settle for regional hegemon instead. This decent into multipolarity would lead to great power competition, inciting chaos and disorder.

The ambiguity surrounding the intentions of other states means that states remain ceaselessly concerned about security. This security-dilemma exhibited has led Mearsheimer to predict that, in attempting to push out western powers from Asia, China will come up with its own version of the Monroe Doctrine. In order to supress this, neighbouring states, such as India, Japan and Russia, would be expected to join a US-led balancing coalition. However, resisting the regional dominance of China makes way for potentially dangerous conflict and instability. Through an offensive realist perspective, I come to support the notion that the rise of China will evoke instability into international order

Goldman Sachs (2003) Dreaming with BRICs: The path to 2050. Accessed: 10 January 2021

Plagued with antagonism, the 45th Presidency of the United States of America has not been without it’s controversies, however it is simply ignorant to deny Donald Trump of his successes. It goes without saying, on a personal level Trump’s immorality is omnipresent, but perhaps it is necessary to look beyond the intense political polarisation which overwhelms the global media and to look objectively at Trump’s time in office.

I highlight first, Trump’s continued support for the withdrawal of American troops in Afghanistan. President Donald Trump has exhibited diminished pursuit of global hegemony, with less interest in imperial territorial expansion, he instead backed policies of disengagement. Trumps efforts to handle conflict within Afghanistan can be echoed within his commitment to diffusing tensions between the US and both Russia and North Korea. The United States’ foreign policy under Trump’s administration has essentially been tasked with recovering from the detriments of his predecessors, namely Bush, Obama and Clinton.

Trump’s approach to trade is somewhat unconventional when measured against the United States’ previous policies. Unlike free-market liberals, Trump does not attribute economic success purely to the liberalisation of global markets and free trade, instead favouring bilateral solutions. President Trump has created a stark contrast to the trade policies under the administration of Reagan. By imposing tariffs on China, Canada and the European Union, America saw a dramatic increase in tax revenues and in 2019 alone the US government saw in an additional $79 billion.

When Donald Trump came into office in 2017, he inherited an economy with already low employment levels, and yet saw continued improvement throughout his administration. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, it appeared that US growth was relatively robust.