Oral Topic for Discussion
1、American individualism and Japanese collectivism：their origin and their role in modern society.
2、Express your view points on the saying “science is to be valued because it gives us control over our fate”and“poetry makes nothing happen”.
3、Express your viewpoint on the saying“money is everything”.
4、Discuss with your partners the problems that overpopulation causes.
5、The advantages and disadvantages of the internet.
01. American individualism and Japanese collectivism
A：Hi, I heard that you are going to start a business after graduation.
B：Yeah, I just have an idea. And some time ago, I attended the SYB of our school. Do you hear of American individualism and Japanese collectivism. I think it is worth to have a comparison in contemporary society.
A：yes, of course. The individualism and collectivism play an important role In our daily life, especially in the company.
B：So, do you know how values of Americans and Japanese evolve? A：know about it a little. The American value evolves from Hunting Societies, in which the accent was autonomy and individualism. The Japanese value comes from Planting Societies. Only a dozen families working together can produce a surplus. And the notion of interrelation, interconnection and interdependence was contributed.
B：Yeah, you are right. And as we all know, Japan often suffer from natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes. Maybe it is also an very important historical reason.
A: Do you think which one can play a more important role in modern society? B：Both American value and Japanese value have produced very successful results. But I believe that with economic development, neither individualism nor collectivism can meet the demands of the global community alone.
A: yes, I agree with you. Extremely speaking, individualism can make us indifferent and cynical to others, and the society will lack harmony. Collectivism cannot provide maverick creativity and individual incentive.
B：Hence, combining the two values is the best policy in the new economic environment.
02. Science is to be valued because it gives us control over our fate and poetry makes nothing happen.
A：Hi, do you have heard of the saying that Science is to be valued because it gives us control over our fate and poetry makes nothing happen.
B：Yes, of course. This is because science can make us know about nature deeply, which can reduce our fear of nature and give us control over our fate. Scientific technology also makes our living condition more comfortable and prosperous. But poetry cannot bring it.
A：Science actually plays a very important role in our daily life. It can help us to leave the disaster away. But I think that poetry doesn’t make nothing happen. B：Can you say something which poetry can give us in our daily life？A：Perhaps poetry can not meet our material desire, but it can sublimate our spirit life. Human being is a kind of animal with various emotions. our pursue and emotion can be expressed through poetry. And a poetry can also infect our feeling.
B：You are right. In the age of pursuing material living, we should carry on the humane spirit education more. And poetry reading and creation is a good way, which must promote our passion.
A：Poetry reading and creation are common in our childhood. But now it is becoming harder and harder to see it.
B：Please don’t quit our spirit world.
