There are many ways to present a fuzzy situation. I have selected eleven Fuzzies representing different formats. Each selection meets the criteria for a well written fuzzy situation.
Wheat and barley farmers in the United States have been experiencing crop failure due to an overpopulation of hungry locusts. Russian scientists have been working on an experimental pesticide which they believe will have the power to eliminate entire populations of locusts and other insect pests. The farmers are desperate to save their crops so they talk the reluctant scientists into allowing their farms to be the first testing grounds for the experimental pesticide. The Russians prepare the pesticide to be shipped over seas by air. Unfortunately, the plane never reaches the United States. The plane mysteriously explodes mid flight, releasing all of the pesticide into the atmosphere and contaminating the whole planet. The Russians were not aware of how powerful their pesticide was. It not only killed the locusts of the world, but every other insect as well.
How will the world be different without insects?
How much of an impact do insects have on the day to day function of the earth?
Should the farmers have used the experimental pesticide without it being fully tested?
How else might the farmers have eliminated their locust problem?
Julie Jasper, 1996
You live in a lovely country setting with a forest surrounding your house and a beautiful crystal clear river running near your home. You've always enjoyed having the river nearby as a resource for swimming and fishing in the summer months, and watching the wild animals drink and play by the water year-round.
The local government is suggesting damming the river about a mile upriver from your house to make a public lake and social meeting place. They plan on creating a wonderful playground and picnic area for the surrounding community. The town developer doing research on the dam reports that little or no change should occur to the river community. They believe they can build the new lake and allow much of the river to continue flowing. A private citizen's group has also been doing some research into this topic and does not believe the developers findings. They suggest diverting the river flow will greatly alter the surrounding neighborhoods.
As a concerned citizen yourself, you want to do some research into the topic of water diversion and dams. Discuss the situation with your peers and brainstorm some questions or issues that you would have for the developer or the citizen's group. What do you think would be the affect of changing the flow of water? Construct a list of pros and cons for the construction of the dam and lake. Would you support the construction of the dam and lake? Why? What could you do to support or protest its construction?
Kirsten Mixter, 1997
Dear Colleague,
As the esteemed head of the Global Ethics for New and Experimental Science (GENES), you must contact and meet with the other members of the GENES committee in one week in Helsinki, Finland to discuss the incredible scientific discovery and application proposed by our revered colleague Dr. Wendell Lipshaw. It is essential that all members of the GENES committee are present including the scientific, social, cultural, religious, environmental and economic attaches from the various nations.
Dr. Lipshaw seems to have unlocked the mystery of aging. By using gene therapy he is able to not only expand the average life expectancy to 3 times the current average of of 76 years of age, but his anti-aging therapy seems to rejuvenate cells, tissues and organs so that an individual can expect to live well into their second century with smooth skin, firm muscles, clear vision, high energy and vigorous reproductive capabilities.
It is the job of the GENES committee to discuss when and if we should allow this gene therapy for widespread use. Please predict the projected outcome of widespread use of Dr. Lipshaw's therapy for the next two generations, both advantages and disadvantages, and any recommendations the committee has for implementing the use of this therapy.
Respectfully Yours,
Kelli Schuyler
Chairperson of the Projects for the Advancement of the Human Race
Global Awareness Committee, 1997
A young scientist, tired of always having to drink around ice cubes, devised a solution that if added to water would cause the ice to sink to the bottom of the glass.This neat invention is about to go on the market. You, as part of the Food and Drug Administration, have to either approve or disapprove the manufacturing of this special solution.
What are some questions you would ask the scientist about the special solution?
How could you explain what has happened?
Should we be worried about what implications this invention could have on the world?
Robert Pike, 1997
You have been selected by the United Nations for your world renowned problem solving abilities in the realms of science and society. You are one of the 5 members in an ad hoc committee that will review the attached anonymous letter that was received by the United Nations.
Your committee will meet according to the following schedule:
1st meeting ---- The committee will hold a brainstorming session in which they discuss all the issues that could be involved with the crisis situation in the letter. Each member of the committee should keep a written copy of the issues discussed in the brainstorm. Each member should research and develop a proposed plan of action for the UN to take as a result of the letter.
2nd meeting (one week later) --- The committee will review and discuss each of the 5 proposed plans of action. It will then create one Official Plan of Action that will be the committee's recommendation to the UN as to what should be done.
3rd meeting (2-3 days later) --- In this brief meeting, the committee will finalize its Official Plan of Action and prepare an oral presentation of its Plan. (every committee member should participate in some manner in the presentation)
Last meeting (1-2 days later) --- The committee will present its Official Plan of Action before the entire UN (the class) and submit a copy of the Plan in written form to the Visiting Observer (teacher).
Dear United Nations,
I write this letter anonymously for my own safety. There is a good chance I may disappear as a result of the enclosed information...please look after my cats.
As you are all aware, in 1998, trendy self made media millionaire Mr. Ed Trunter donated 150 billion dollars to NASA. As you are most likely not aware, the donation contract contained a secret provision that gives Mr. Trunter the right to do private research on 50% of any discoveries made by NASA projects funded by his donation.
Two years after his donation, the NASA Sherpa Mission to Venus brought back 120 kg of an unknown substance now known as "CJ" (named for its resemblance to Cracker Jacks). NASA wasted its 60 kg of CJ on researching space laser weaponry.
Mr. Ed Trunter, however, poured billions into covert research and reached astonishing results. He utilized 20kg of his 60 kg on research, and thus currently possesses the only 40 kg of CJ that exists!
First, he has developed a cure for AIDS from CJ. The cure, which was tested on mammals and third world humans with only a few casualties resulting, is now 100% effective in removing the AIDS virus from a human. The cure, which is a pink liquid that is ingested, has been labeled "PC" or "Pink Cure" . One liquid gram of PC is enough to cure one human!
The CJ, however, can also be easily manipulated into a stable gas that could serve as a "patch" over the hole in our ozone layer. For every 10kg of CJ that is converted to gaseous CJ, one fourth of the ozone layer could be patched up!
And lastly, the CJ can be converted into a powder known as "NTN" that is the most explosive substance on earth. One gram of this powder equals the blast of an atomic bomb.
As you can see, this powerful, powerful information. As an insider, I can assure you it is still uncertain what exactly Mr. Trunter plans on doing with the 40 remaining kilograms of CJ. It could be used for any of the above mentioned possibilities, or even further research which could lead to more breakthroughs. I am also aware that Mr. Trunter has spoken with several countries that have made offers to purchase his CJ.
Nevertheless, it is in the hands of a commercial omnivore which can only be DEVASTATING for humanity. You must act for the sake of our existence.
Anonymous
Daniel Whitehair, 1997
The largest oil and water pipeline in the US runs from Texas to New Jersey. The route takes it through your county. The government just released a report on the status of the pipeline. The walls are deteriorating and there is an 85% chance that the contents of the pipeline will begin leaking into the ground. Since the pipeline crosses major rivers in the area, there is a 90% chance that it will begin leaking into the water in which the city gets its drinking water. The company which owns the pipeline says that if they rebuild the pipeline to reach the government standards, they will have to quadruple the price they charge for transporting the oil and gas. That will result in the price of gas at the pump rising from $1.00 to $4.00 a gallon.
Should the government force the pipeline company to repair the pipeline? What effects will that have on the city and the people in it? What will happen if the company is not forced to repair the pipeline?
Karen Stewart, 1996
In the year 2000, an International Conference on Human Population Control will be held in India, a country in which mass human suffering has resulted from human overpopulation. Leaders from every nation will be required to attend this conference due to the gravity of the topic. At the conference they will vote on a new International Law. It is to be called the "International Application to Give Birth". If this vote passes, all people all over the world will be required to fill out this application and have it approved according to International standards before having a baby. On the application, prospective parents will have to state how the child's medical, educational, nutritional, child care, etc. needs will be covered. Parents will also have to reveal if they have any drug, alcohol, or psychological problems which will interfere with the care of their child. Other information will be asked for on the application which will help the International committee to decide whether the prospective parents are "fit" to reproduce. If parents did not fulfill the requirements, their application would be denied and they would be given three years to change their lifestyles to enable them to have a baby and raise it in a healthy manner.
As the human population continues to grow exponentially, the effects are felt worldwide.
Try to think of 15-20 problems that our world faces today that you think are caused or worsened by human population.
Many countries have tried to implement programs to help curb human population growth. The most famous is China's One Child Law. This is a very controversial law, as many people think that it is a violation of human rights to impose this type of ruling.
Try to think of at least five possible programs countries could try to help curb human population growth.
How do you think the world at large will feel and react if the "International Application to Give Birth" is enforced? Do you think this is a good or bad idea? Do you think it would help curb human population growth? Why or why not?
Hold a debate. Teacher will divide the class into four groups with two pro and two con groups, if possible based on their feelings on the "situation". Provide an environment in which the students can express their opinions in a structured manner. After the debate, have the students (as a class) share their favorite alternative Human Population Control programs. Send these ideas to local, state, and federal politicians. Letters from children can be powerful!
Sarah Bexell, 1997
In the year 2150, scientists and architects have designed an undersea city in response to the constantly increasing population on earth. The construction of the Aqua City may cause unnatural changes in the ocean's environment. The prototype built five years ago has been a success in the sense that humans can safely inhabit the city without complications. However, the amount of waste products in the water has increased. There have been reports of an increased amount of shark attacks and whales beaching within 10 miles of the prototype city. Because of rising needs for inhabitable spaces, the actual city would need to be 10-20 times larger than the prototype. Researchers can not say for certain what will happen to the ocean's ability to support life in the next ten years if we decide to approve the project.
You decide, should the city be built? Why or why not?
Where would it be built?
What are some alternatives to an undersea city?
Nedeidre Smith, 1995
Minutes from a local town meeting.....
The local citizens are totally opposed to the proposed landfill. The site would serve as a dumping ground at least until the year 2005, at which time other sites will be available to serve as landfills. However, the citizens insist that the government should find alternative methods for the disposal of trash. Moreover, the homes in the neighborhood are at most five years old and the city council has just approved the construction of 500 additional single family home units.
You are a member of a task force which has been commissioned to examine the way in which garbage disposal can be handled. During this examination you are to consider the accumulation of solid waste due to the growth of the community, the cost and feasibility of potential handling plans, and the effectiveness of past initiatives.
Do not begin this section until after you have read the above situation and thought about it or discussed it. When you feel you understand the situation, brainstorm as many problems affiliated with the disposal of solid waste. List only your five best ideas and number each one.
Select one of the problems you have just listed and write it below. It should begin with the words "In what ways might..." or "How might...." Your problem should be written as clearly and specifically as possible.
Brainstorm as many possible solutions as you can to the problem as you have defined it above. Record only 10 of your solutions below, please number in order of possibility.
Each member of your group should choose a different solution and describe how it would be implemented along with any possible drawbacks.
Arlethea Williams, 1995
Dear Sir/Madame,
The following description describes a parcel of land which has been left to you and your colleagues by the descendants of the Kaya tribe and King Jaffe Jo Fur.
Is located approximately 30 miles off the northern coast of Bolenzeria, a hostile communist country which has posed a threat to the United States in the past. Bolenzeria is the closest land to this island which has been uninhabited for over 200 years. The island is approximately 15 miles long and 3 miles wide at its widest point.
The weather is very warm with summers being very long and winters virtually non-existent. Average temperature is 83 degrees Fahrenheit with 70 inches of rain annually. The island contains a mountain range that runs along its northern shore with the average height reaching roughly 2000 feet above sea level. The mountains are home to magnificent waterfalls, several rare species of birds and a species of fern which has been proven to slow down deadly E. Coli diseases.
The two inlets located at the southern end of the island are relatively shallow, but can be accessed by small boats (not exceeding 140 feet). A large valley runs the length of the island just south of the mountains. This area is home to the endangered blue-headed pip-squack and the split hoofed gazelle. The southern coast of the island is surrounded by a tremendous coral reef housing thousands of species of algae, marine vertebrates and invertebrates. The southern coast is also a nesting ground for a threatened species of turtle known as the Harrison's Ridley.
Your job is to create a plan for the island and present it to a panel of experts selected by myself and the Kaya tribe. These individuals and myself will determine which plan represents the best plan for the island and mankind. The committee presenting the best scenario, in the eye of the experts, will receive the title to the land and become sole owners of the land. Good Luck.
Students will be placed in six groups with students with students representing individuals from science, land development, US military, and the World Wildlife Fund. Each individual will form an opinion as to the future of the island based upon one of the four stances mentioned above. These stances will be distributed to the students randomly.
Rob Harrison, 1997
A horrible virus has been spreading throughout the world. It is similar to AIDS, but is spread through many other methods other than bodily fluids. As it seems, it is spreading by floating through the air. It will surely be the end of mankind as we know it, unless something is done quickly.
A biochemist has been working long hours for many years on AIDS research. In her studies, she finds a cure for AIDS that also seems to work on this new virus. But...the drug she has discovered requires two chemicals: one from the tiger and one from the humpback whale, both endangered species. The process for retrieving these chemicals requires that the animals be killed. Although she is sure her fellow organic chemists could synthesize the same compounds in the lab and end this crazy virus if given the time, it may take too long. In the mean time, the current process would wipe out the populations of these two wonderful animals forever. She must act quickly.
What should she do? What are her alternatives? Who must she talk to in order to solve the problem?
Do you see humans as the most important species in this world?
Maggie Hewes, 1995