Star Power
The thought of this year excites me.
I could already see the brilliant minds and intricate thought processes that you all possess. I observe you gaining identities as juniors and embracing the scholarship that this year requests of you.
Congratulations!
Please use this thread for all Star Power comments.
Perhaps you didn't get to particpate in class?
Maybe you want to continue the discussion?
Can make any more connections between the game and other elements of life?
posted by D. Robin @ 8/21/2008
13 comments
13 Comments:
Hello! While this blog is quite intimidating to me, I have successfully convinced myself to post here in order to make a few comments about the “Star Power” game. While the game effectively showed how people change their appearance and actions in response to various forms of motivation (the extra credit made everyone much more competitive), I believe that a punishment for the Gamma Group would have made the game even more interesting. By adding this incentive to stay out of the Gamma Group, it would have been possible to motivate everyone to become ruthless for the sake of survival.
This brings up a question; how important are morals to people when compared to survival? While this varies greatly depending on the situation, I am mainly referring to a situation where an average individual would choose whether to endure some kind of pain, or to compromise their beliefs.
Personally, I believe that under most circumstances people in modern society do not value their beliefs enough to endure pain for it. I think that a person would easily steal or lie to avoid getting hurt, unless they would face more physically painful consequences for these actions. However, I do believe that in modern society some people with a very strong will would actually endure pain for their beliefs. (On a side note; I realize that any form of punishment for a game would not work so well in school, but this is just a post-game idea)
Randolph Chua
‘Ello! Well, I do agree with Randy on the fact that the game “showed everyone’s true colors”, especially when their was a reward involved, I must disagree that simply adding a punishment for those who had fallen in the Gamma Group would have motivated everyone to become “ruthless for the sake of survival” as Randy said.
I would say that majority of those in Gamma would have become ruthless. There is no doubt about that, but, as discussed in Period 1, I do not like that a punishment would have eliminated the feelings of helplessness and futility, therefore, those that had those feelings would still do nothing but accept their fate, even with a punishment.
As to the question about morality and survival, I am torn beetwen agreeing and disagreeing with your statement. I agree that, people would rather lie and steal than endure pain. It is human to do so. However (and I must force myself to bring this up), I believe that, if it went against someone’s religious morals and beliefs, a lower percentage of people would participate in ruthlessness to survive, in an average setting. I think that our generation forget that those not in our generation, but still modern day, were raised much more religiously than we were, no matter where the origin of religion is. This…biased view of the world shapes our opinions of what modern day people would do in a situation that conflicted with one’s morals and one’s survival. Also, I do not believe that it is a strong will that makes a person endure pain. In my opinion, it is one’s strength in their beliefs (as in their morality) that allows one to go on and endure whatever pain they must to survive. Without strong beliefs, can there be a strong will?
That was the question that stuck with me ever since the end of “Star Power” discussion last week and I believe that the question pertains to all elements of life, whether it is school, family, friends, and even life itself.
Sam(Samantha if you must) Rill
First of all, I would like to start off with that the Star Power Game was a great way to introduce us to class in an unorthodox way. In the beginning many believed that it was just a game and for fun, but as the game went on we found that it was for reward (the extra credit) and also it posted a question about society.
The game was incredibly unfair right from the beginning. The cups that Mr. Robin told us to grab in the beginning of the class did not have equal value of chips in there; some did not have any chips at all. That aspect links to life in the sense that not everyone gets a fair and equal beginning. Some kids are born into a wealthy family others in not so wealthy ones.
Another connection I believed that was made in 1st period was that, the people with a lot of chips from the start became richer, and those with few chips got poorer. This is the same within American society, those who are wealthy just seem to get wealthier, and those with little money seem to keep losing money. The reason they rich would get richer, was because it was the Alpha group that would institute new rules into the games. Mostly all the rules benefited the Alpha groups, so they could remain in the Alpha group and make it harder for others to get in. This is true in the real world, where those who have money have power, and make the rules.
There is the lottery and millions of people play hoping they are the few lucky people who picked the right numbers or scratched off the right card. Few people got lucky in our 1st period. Mr. Robin would leave red chips at students’ desk, and those who got them were lucky, and were able to get into the Alpha group for at least that round.
As Randy touched upon this a little, and how more will touch upon this, the Star Power game also showed the transformation in people’s characteristics when a reward was announced to given to the winners of the game. Mostly all became competitive and would do mostly anything to get more chips so they could get into the Alpha group. However, I do not believe that the only reason that people got more competitive was just because they wanted extra credit, but because that many of them might have been told by pass student of Mr. Robin about the difficulty of his class, and how it is hard to achieve a certain grade. This caused student to think that by getting this extra credit it would make their lives easier, since they would not have to stress about getting an A on an assignment, because they had extra credit to fall back to. I am not totally disagreeing to the point that the extra credit changed people’s way of conducting business, but it was not the only thing.
Mo Khan
Hey, well this seems fun so i suppose I should join the fun. I tend to have to agree with Randy on some interesting points he had made. The first one being punishment for being in Gamma Group. While I do think punishment might make it seem a little harsh or strong of a term. I think extra motivation might be a bit lighter of a term but I do agree with the idea of trying to motivate a little bit more to not be top dog but do better than the minimum. At one point in the sylabus Mr. Robin had stated that an A exceeds expectations, a B is above expectations and a C is expectations. I believe that the three groups could make a parallel for the three AP level grades an AP student must have at the least. If you go by the year with a C, you have only done the bare minimum so you do not get any kind of reward. If you receive anything it tends to be punishment such as drop from AP level. A possible way to incorporate this in the game is that if you are in the Gamma group you must give half of the value of chips you have and give them to the Alpha, Beta groups or even Mr. Robin to throw around the room. This could be a way to lead into the idea of E319 and also maybe make the game more competitive and fun for the people who stood around thinking that it was a stupid waste of time.
oops. Zach Steinbach (i forgot to leave it in the last one)
Hey! First off, I want to say that I think a blog is a fun way to discuss English class and receive CREDIT! (Good deal…) I personally enjoyed the “Star Power” game. I agree with Mo that the game was a great way to start English class; it helped to ease the anxiety over all of the hard work that we’d been told about by our senior friends.
I don’t think that a punishment for the Gamma Group would be very efficient. I tried immensely to advance in groups and simply couldn’t because the playing field had basically been monopolized by the Alpha Group. I just wanted extra credit; a punishment wouldn’t have had any different effect on me.
Also, I see what Zach was saying about relating the A, B, and C grades with the groups in the game, but somewhat disagree. I believe that they have a similar message, but don’t necessarily parallel each other. I feel that a student would really have to exert very little effort in order to receive a C and not try to push themselves to earn higher grades. Effort is definitely credited in school. In the game, I definitely feel that someone could put all of their effort into advancing in points and still end up in the Gamma group. (Sorry Zach, I don’t mean to attack you, and I know you didn’t mean your comment exactly in that way, but it just got me thinking…)
Finally, I think that the game also helped to teach us what “American Identity” is (as we were to text-mark it in The Scarlet Letter). I didn’t really understand what that meant until we played “Star Power” and discussed “American Identity” to be something relating to this quarter in English class. To me, Americans are very concerned with whatever can benefit them and choose where to put forth their efforts. We’re not necessarily greedy, but do usually tend to look out for ourselves more than others. The tough trades and stubbornness that was incorporated in the game helped show part of what “American Identity” meant.
Missy Clougher
During the first round, I didn’t really care that much about the game and gave away all my chips to anyone who wished to trade. I obviously ended up in the Gamma Team and I honestly didn’t mind that much. Then, Mr. Robin made things more interesting and included extra credit for those who gained membership into the Alpha Team. I then started to care more about gaining chips for myself. I gave up and eventually started to wander around the room. I noticed large amounts of chips randomly placed on several seats around the room. I quickly glanced around to see if anyone was watching and I greedily took as many chips as I could find that were on the seats and kept the secret to myself. Most of the large piles I found were all red chips so I had no worries for remaining in the Alpha Group. I had around sixty or seventy points at the second round and I was very happy to be winning. I decided not to trade with anyone because I didn’t need to trade with anyone to advance my status because I already had so much. Unfortunately, I didn’t really experience anyone else’s competitive nature because I didn’t interact with anyone besides the fact that other people would rush the Alpha Team members in hopes of gaining more red chips. But I am sure that I would probably break moral code if it means winning so you can conclude that I don’t observe strong moral conduct when it comes to “one’s survival.” So I guess this game opened my eyes to see what kind of person I turn into once things become pressured and/or competitive. This experience concludes me to agree with Randy’s statement concerning peoples’ strong conviction about their beliefs.
-Immanuel Rinkema
I feel like I am posting kind of late but oh well. To begin with, I agree with Mo and Missy in that playing "Star Power" on the first day of school was a great idea by Mr. Robin. I came into class expecting to go over class expectations but instead we played a game/activity that had a lot of hidden meaning.
I agree with Randy and Zach strongy about having a punishment or extra motivation in the game. Even after the extra credit was announced, a big part of the class did not take it seriously. It wasn't until after class was over that realization hit and we all walked out of the door wondering what is Mr. Robin doing!?!? Extra motivation or punishment would get the class more involved. Had the game been graded for participation and the punishment been everyone in the gamma group receiving 0/10, would not everyone had tried harder to win? (except this would lead everyone to not like Mr. Robin's class so this would be a bad idea too!)
But this brings us to the VERY important question that Randy has already first mentioned. When pushed into a corner with no way out, how selfish, how inhumane can you get in order to "survive". This is a very important question that applies to modern society and all the hypocrisy that surrounds it. Would you go against your morals, your religious beliefs, even the law to "survive" or have personal gains? Sadly, most people (probably including me) would succumb to these temptations. I strongly admire the few who are able to withstand the burdens and pressures of life.
Lastly, I leave with this question. When the time came when you were backed into the deepest, darkest corner, would you make the choice of being "morally" right? Would you make the ultimate sacrifice?
Ben Wu
While reading all the newer responses, I recently noticed that I did not actually state what I would do in the theoretical situation. Due to this, I decided to post again (not for credit though). Personally, I do not have any beliefs that outweigh my survival instinct (to my knowledge). I would probably even cannibalize live humans for the sake of avoiding a death by starvation. While this probably makes me a terrible person, I cannot deny the fact that my thought processes during starvation would be to eat anything or anybody available. (Just so everyone knows, I do not actually practice cannibalism at the present)
Randolph Chua
Well Randy, the fact that you do not currently practice cannibalism is great to hear, but knowing the fact that you would eat someone to stay alive, I personally would not like to be trapped on an island with you, no offense.
To Ben’s question about if you would go against your moral beliefs in order to survive, my answer would be maybe. If it was about breaking my belief of being a vegetarian, I would not, under any circumstances, eat any living thing, again no offense Randy. I guess for any other circumstance I would actually have to be in the circumstance in order to decide.
As I read the other comments on here, I saw people writing about how the extra credit part of the game changed their motives. Most people said they were after the extra credit, but I want to know if anyone was trying to help others get the extra credit rather than themselves?
Mona Patel
Well to start I would just like to logically ascertain that plants are "living things" ,by my definition, any living thing is anything that has at one point generated cells.
But, the real reason of this post is to address Mona's question of wheter anyone actually tried to help someone else achieve those prized extra-credit points. Everyone who voted in the promotion of gamma to alpha group members did. But, as Mr. Robin would say "so what?", and I would agree. This voting was part of the game; we were forced to volunteer someone for extra credit. Someone however volunteered everyone for extra credit.
Devin suggested at around the halfway point of the game that we should manipulate the chip values so that everyone would get extra credit. To which I replied, "There's no such possibility, someone would always lose". Okay, so the real reason I said that was because I was secretly harboring a goal of reaching alpha status without an easy way in. That's because I view class,and life, as a game. I view school as a competition between myself and the others in the class. So if everyone achieved those extra-credit points both the game and the points would lose all of their value for me. In fact, I would have even felt bad for trying in the earlier rounds had this have happened. Now that I think about it, I would not have changed anything. I would rather lose knowing someone was winning than tie knowing no one was losing. How would you consider the option of everyone recieving extra credit. Would you support it? There are situations ,as Randy said, where we will take heed of our competitive instincts over morality. Did you always fold in the game when it became an issue of being "nice"? Is it immoral to be "mean"? Does the degree of mean matter?
Jess Stadnik-"Time in a bottle"
On a side note, with my whole vegetarian morals, I guess I should have said creatures rather than things because plants are living things that are meant to be eaten. When they are eaten, their seeds are spread across the land, so more plants can be created.
To Jess’s question about everyone receiving extra credit, I feel that the extra credit would not be extra credit anymore. It would be just like participation points. My definition of extra credit is receiving more credit than others for doing a special act, and my definition of participation points is receiving points for participating in an activity. In this case, the special act is being able to collect the most star points. Everyone had an equal chance of obtaining star points, but at the time, not everyone knew this. In the scenario Jess offered, with everyone receiving the extra credit, no one is really receiving extra credit; they are just receiving the same amount of credit as everyone else. To me, "extra" credit is special and not just handed out. I did want more people to receive extra credit, but if everyone received it, it just would not be extra credit.
Mona Patel
Hello once again everyone! I reread all of the new comments again, and noticed a large focus on the idea of morality. Morality is a very complex and interesting subject, as it is deeply connected with subjectivity. What one views as a morally righteous may be seen by another as completely immoral. This small bit of background information is necessary to successfully analyze each response. It also answers Jess’s question on the relationship between being “mean” and being immoral. Basically, the answer is that it depends on who is judging the quality of being “mean.” To me, being mean and being immoral are completely different things, while others may view them as the same thing.
Next, I shall address what Mona said about plants. While I may be wrong, I am fairly certain that fruits are the only part of plants “meant” to be eaten for the purpose of spreading seeds. Also, while I do not intend to criticize Mona’s beliefs, I believe that either all living things are meant to be eaten or none are. What truly differentiates plants from other living things? One could argue that plants do not experience sentient thought, but how can we be sure that plants do not experience their own form of what we consider “thought?” I truly believe that no living organism would be “meant” to be eaten, as living beings have an instinctive need to survive and continue their species existence. If plants (and therefore all living organisms, since discrimination is bad) are not meant to be eaten, then all living organisms are meant to be eaten (at least by necessity). Autotrophic organisms are consumed by heterotrophs, which are in turn consumed by other heterotrophs or decomposers. Life is a complete cycle, and nothing living is excluded.
The last thing I shall comment on, are the ideas of competition and “extra” credit. Competition is a good thing, as it motivates anything towards improvement. However, when taken to an extreme, competition brings out the worst aspects of people. Due to our competitive nature, many of us made a small amount of extra credit points into a big deal. Both Jess and Mona brought up the point that not everyone could have received the extra credit, and this shows just how much competition is wired into our mindsets. We simply accepted that someone had to lose for anyone to win, and decided that we wanted to win (or we did not care, I doubt anyone had the intention of losing on purpose). To me, extra credit is simply “more credit” that really has no special value. In the end, I think the extra credit simply awakened the competitive spirit within us, and that our true motivations came from an inner desire to be “better than others.” (Just as a side note, I do not mean to criticize anyone’s beliefs with my analysis of the consumption of other living organisms; I am simply giving my perspective.)
Randolph Chua
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