Robust Verb – Burnbook04

Posted on November 23, 2024 by Burnbook04

The huge problem in Vancouver is with heroin addicts committing crimes to support their habits. The “free heroin for addicts” program is doing everything they can to stop the addicts. The problem is that a large crime rate due to the addicts. Addicts have a hard time getting through their day-to-day lives. Daily activities such as jobs, interactions, and relationships are hard to maintain because they are used. When heroin users are addicted, they will do whatever they have to do to get their hands on the drug. The types of crimes committed are those of breaking and entering as well as stealing. No limits to where they will go to retrieve this drug so that they can feed their addiction. The problem with this program is it won’t help to ween these addicts off using heroin. Only trying to save the city from rising crime rates that they’re up to. By providing the drug, these addicts will be off the streets, which in turn will prevent them from committing minor street crimes. This will also keep the heroin users out of the hospital. It is pointless that the hospitals have to deal with people who want to use bad drugs or unsanitary needles and find themselves unable to afford hospital bills and hard to cope without the drug. This program gives people free heroin in the cleanest way possible. This will in turn fix the city but not the addiction that these people face.

Posted in Burnbook, GRADED, Robust Verbs | Leave a comment

Rebuttal Argument: PRblog24

Posted on November 23, 2024 by PRblog24

Expressive writing is an effective method to reduce stress and anxiety. Despite its proven benefits, some suggest that expressive writing’s impact is limited to the individual, study design, or placebo effect. While stress is a natural human response, becoming aware of solutions, such as expressive writing, can help minimize these feelings for an overall anxiety-reduced lifestyle.

Nearly 73% of Americans report that their mental health has faced negative repercussions due to stress and anxiety while only 37% believe they have helpful tools to manage these feelings. By addressing common critiques such as variability in outcomes and placebo effects, we can allow for further education on the benefits of expressive writing for stress and anxiety relief.

Critics argue that most studies done on expressive writing involve small groups, such as college students, making it difficult to apply these results to a larger audience. However, mindfulness techniques such as expressive writing show consistent improvements across many institutions and student populations, incorporating a diverse group of participants. While there is a need for large-scale studies, existing research points to the ability to reduce stress using expressive writing.

Some suggest that the stress-relief benefits of expressive writing are simply a placebo effect. As you expect positive results, you will experience improvement through the expectation, not the process. A case study done in 2021 shows that the practice leads to physiological and emotional changes, such as lowering cortisol levels and improved mood. Expressive writing helps possess emotion and organize thoughts. These effects cannot be intertwined with expectation and the placebo effect. The evidence from this case clearly shows that this process goes beyond the placebo effect, resulting in genuine stress reduction.

Critics will argue that the act of expressive writing is not universal, as its benefits depend on the individual, such as their willingness to write, their personality, etc. However, a study done in 2013 demonstrated that expressive writing is versatile and can be tailored to the individual’s needs. Variability is common in therapeutic approaches and does not lessen its overall efficiency. Expressive writing is an adaptable practice to individual needs and preferences and remains an accessible and effective tool. Although there are doubts and concerns about how the placebo effect and variability in results to expressive writing, they do not diminish the evidence supporting its benefits to stress and anxiety reduction.

Posted in Portfolio PRBlog, PRblog24, Rebuttal Draft | Leave a comment

2nd Person – Mongoose449

Posted on November 23, 2024 by Mongoose449
  1. Taxpayers wonder whether the amount spent on students makes a difference. Yes it does, ask any parent whose child goes to an expensive school.
  2. There are different types of injuries that happen in each sport.  Would anyone object if they knew that a surgery performed before any injury occurs could make an athlete stronger?
  3. Imagine our body being consumed by a drug. It would do anything to get this drug and wouldn’t worry about the consequences that come with it.
  4. By inviting Syrians in, they’re causing more problems than they’re solving.
  5. Does the idea of not actually having money on-hand sound trivial?
  6. That little green piece of paper in our pockets holds no actual value other than the cost it took to produce it, and yet we will work our whole lives just to acquire more of those little green pieces of paper just so we can take them and stick them in a bank.
  7. Remember that a bank statement or a dollar bill represents a made up value that someone decided to make up. Without it, there might still be people having to trade with goods like livestock and produce.
  8. I now understand that a dollar is only worth what we can receive in exchange for it.
  9. Being able to walk around with money without holding the money in hand brings me back around to the idea of the stone because, just like stone currency, it doesn’t need to be in physical possession of these Bitcoins to own them.
  10. We hear people talk about the American Dream, which requires that we have enough of these pieces of paper to be financially stable. If thought about deeply, the realization occurs that we receive these pieces of paper called money and base our whole life on them.
  11. Money is an adroit concept and its pursuit lasts a lifetime. The goal from the moment school starts is to join the game of making enough of these pieces of paper to make life more fun and acceptable.
Posted in Banned 2nd Person, GRADED, Mongoose | 1 Comment

Rebuttal – KFury

Posted on November 22, 2024 by KFury205

An Argument of Integrity

In the sports equipment industry, companies often prioritize profit over material quality, leading to the use of cheaper materials in products designed for teams. Critics argue that companies focus on safety and performance, using high-quality materials to maintain their competitive edge. While these arguments seem sound to the ears, a closer look at the industry’s economic dynamics reveals that cost-cutting measures often outweigh the pursuit of long-term quality and safety.

One rebuttal against my idea is that companies choose materials based on safety and performance, ensuring that they meet rigorous industry standards. Critics argue that using cheap materials would compromise player safety, and no company would risk violating safety standards. While safety standards are essential, companies often meet the minimum required safety thresholds while still using low-quality materials. For example, in the design of baseball bats, many manufacturers opt for cheaper composite or aluminum materials that are lighter and less expensive to produce than high-end materials like carbon fiber or premium wood. These materials may meet safety regulations but may not offer the best durability or performance. A case study dated back in 2012 reveals how manufacturers use cheaper composites to reduce costs, even if these materials don’t have the same long-term performance as higher-quality options. Therefore, while safety is maintained, it does not guarantee the best possible materials for performance or durability, supporting the idea that cost-cutting is a priority.

A secondary argument is that in a competitive market, companies must use high-quality materials to attract customers and gain a competitive edge. Critics argue that companies cannot afford to use cheap materials because it would hurt their reputation and sales. While it’s true that performance is important, the drive for profit leads companies to make cost-saving decisions that undermine product quality. Many companies prioritize lower-cost materials to maintain high profit margins, even if it means sacrificing durability. For instance, an article by the Washington State University back in 2001 demonstrated that composite bats, while effective, are often made from low-grade materials that are cheaper to produce. Despite these cost-saving decisions, companies still market their products as high-performance, relying on branding and endorsements to justify the higher prices. This strategy helps maintain profitability, but it doesn’t always result in the best-performing or longest-lasting products. Moreover, even though athletes and consumers are increasingly performance-driven, many companies can still charge premium prices for products made with cheap materials, exploiting marketing tactics that create a perception of high performance, regardless of material quality.

The last argument I noticed is that technological advances have made cheaper materials just as effective as high-end alternatives, so concerns about material quality are outdated. Critics claim that engineering innovations enhance the properties of low-cost materials, making them suitable for high-performance sports equipment. Although, technology has certainly improved cheaper materials, these advancements often serve to compensate for inherent deficiencies in the materials themselves. The use of cheaper materials, even when enhanced by technology, still doesn’t offer the same durability, longevity, or performance as higher-quality alternatives. An article from 2010 notes that even with technological improvements, cheaper wood bats, like those made from maple, continue to be prone to breakage and injury. Though technology has improved the performance of cheaper materials, it still cannot fully match the advantages of more expensive, higher-quality alternatives. Advancements in material engineering may improve the effectiveness of lower-cost materials in the short term, but these innovations often mask the deeper issues of product durability. Cheap materials, even when improved, may only provide temporary solutions and require more frequent replacement, resulting in more revenue for manufacturers but less value for consumers.

To conclude, the notion that companies prioritize safety, performance, and innovation over profits does not hold when considering the broader economic dynamics of the sports equipment industry. While safety regulations are typically met, manufacturers often cut corners by using cheaper materials to maintain high-profit margins. The belief that high-quality materials are essential for competitive advantage overlooks the reality that companies frequently rely on branding and marketing to convince consumers of a product’s high performance, regardless of the materials used. Furthermore, although technology has improved the performance of cheaper materials, it cannot fully replace the advantages of using superior materials from the outset. Ultimately, the sports equipment industry is driven by profit, and companies regularly compromise on material quality to maximize revenue. While safety and performance standards are undeniably important, the reality is that cheaper materials are often used to boost profits at the expense of long-term product quality.

References:

  • “Design Implementation of Baseball Bats: Reinforced Bats—A Case Study” N.M. Ravindra, Ivan Padron, Priyanka Singh, Bhumi Bhatt, Vishal Singh, and Kevin Fritz. JOM, 2012

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11837-012-0288-2

  • “Performance assessment of wood, metal and composite baseball bats” MM Shenoy, LV Smith, JT Axtell. Composite Structures, 2001

https://ssl.wsu.edu/documents/2015/10/performance-assessment-of-wood-metal-composite-baseball-bats.pdf/

  • “The Breaking Point: Examining the Potential Liability of Maple Baseball Bat Manufacturers for Injuries Caused by Broken Maple Baseball Bats” MA Westover, Penn St. L. Rev., 2010 HeinOnline
https://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/dlr115&div=21&g_sent=1&casa_token=&collection=journals
Posted in GRADED, KFury, Portfolio KFury, Rebuttal Draft | 1 Comment

2nd Person- Elongated Lobster

Posted on November 22, 2024 by Elongated lobster
  1. Taxpayers wonder whether the amount spent on students makes a difference. If you really think about it, yes it does. Ask any parent whose child goes to an expensive school.
  2. There are different types of injuries that happen in each sport.  Would you object if you knew that a surgery performed before any injury occurs could make an athlete stronger?
  3. Imagine your body being consumed by a drug. You would do anything to get this drug and you don’t worry about the consequences that come with it.
  4. By inviting Syrians in, you’re causing more problems than you’re solving.
  5. Does the idea of not actually having your money on-hand sound trivial?
  6. That little green piece of paper in your pocket holds no actual value other than the cost it took to produce it, and yet you will work your whole life just to acquire more of those little green pieces of paper just so you can take them and stick them in a bank.
  7. So just remember the next time you read a bank statement or look at dollar bill that you’re holding an made up value that someone decided to make up. Without it, you might still be having to trade with goods like livestock and produce.
  8. I now understand that a dollar is only worth what you can receive in exchange for it.
  9. Being able to walk around with money without holding the money in your hand brings me back around to the idea of the stone because, just like stone currency, you don’t need to be in physical possession of these Bitcoins to own them.
  10. We hear people talk about the American Dream, which requires that you have enough of these pieces of paper to be financially stable. If you think about it deeply you will realize, that you receive these pieces of paper called money and base your whole life on them.
  11. Money is an adroit concept and its pursuit lasts a lifetime. Your goal from the moment you start school is to join the game of making enough of these pieces of paper to make your life more fun and acceptable.
  1. Taxpayers wonder whether the amount spent on students makes a difference. Upon reflection, it does. Any parent whose child attends an expensive school can attest to this.

2. Different types of injuries occur in various sports. Few would object to the idea of a preventive surgery that strengthens an athlete before any injury takes place.

3. Imagine a body consumed by a drug, driven to seek it at any cost without regard for the consequences.

4. Inviting Syrians into a country has been argued to create more problems than it solves.

5. The idea of not having physical possession of money may seem trivial at first.

6. That little green piece of paper in a pocket holds no actual value beyond the cost of its production, yet entire lives are spent acquiring more of those pieces to deposit in a bank.

7. It is worth considering, the next time a bank statement is read or a dollar bill is examined, that this currency represents an assigned value created by society. Without it, trade might still rely on goods like livestock and produce.

8. It becomes clear that a dollar is only as valuable as what can be obtained in exchange for it.

9. Carrying money without physically holding it evokes the concept of stone currency. Similarly, Bitcoins do not need to be physically possessed to demonstrate ownership.

10. Discussions about the American Dream often emphasize the necessity of having enough money to achieve financial stability. On closer examination, life is often shaped around the pursuit and use of these pieces of paper.

11. Money is an intricate concept, and its pursuit spans a lifetime. From the moment schooling begins, the goal is often to enter the cycle of earning enough of these pieces of paper to enhance life and meet societal standards.

Posted in Banned 2nd Person, Elongated Lobster | 1 Comment

banned 2nd person- lil.sapph

Posted on November 22, 2024 by lil.sapph
  1. Taxpayers wonder whether the amount spent on students makes a difference, but any parent whose child goes to an expensive school would positively agree. 
  2. There are different types of injuries that can happen in each sport, yet there is a controversial surgery that could make an athlete stronger, if performed before the injury occurs. 
  3. Imagine being willing to do anything to obtain a substance no matter the consequences, because of the body’s consumption by, and dependency on a drug.  
  4. More problems are caused than solved by inviting Syrians in. 
  5. Having physical money is not as important as it used to be. 
  6. The little green pieces of paper in pockets and piggy banks hold no value other than the cost it took to produce it, yet entire lives are spent working just to earn those pieces of paper 
  7. Looking at bank statements or dollar bills need to be reminders that value of money is completely made up. Without money, trade would consist just of goods like livestock or produce. 
  8. It is understood that a dollar is only worth what it can buy.  
  9. Walking around without physical money in hand, yet still having it is just like stone currency. Similar to that, bitcoins don’t require physical possession of them to have them. 
  10. The American dream requires having enough of those pieces of paper to be financially stable. Yet after careful analyzation, lives are based off of these little pieces of paper called money. 
  11. Money is a clever concept, and its pursuit lasts a lifetime. These pieces of paper are chased from the early years of childhood, in hopes of succeeding in making life more fun and acceptable. 

Posted in Banned 2nd Person, GRADED, lil.sapph | 1 Comment

2nd Person – pineapple488

Posted on November 22, 2024 by pineapple488
  1. Taxpayers often wonder whether the amount spent on students makes a difference. Upon closer examination, it becomes evident that it does. This can be confirmed by asking any parent whose child attends an expensive school.
  2. Different types of injuries occur in each sport. It could be questioned whether a surgery performed before an injury occurs might potentially make an athlete stronger.
  3. Consider the effects of a drug consuming the body. The desire to obtain such a drug may overshadow any concern for the consequences associated with its use.
  4. The decision to invite Syrians into the country may introduce more problems than it resolves.
  5. Does the notion of not having immediate access to money seem trivial?
  6. The small green piece of paper in a pocket holds no intrinsic value beyond the cost of its production. Yet, people often spend their lives striving to acquire more of these pieces of paper, only to deposit them in a bank.
  7. The next time a bank statement is read or a dollar bill is held, it should be recognized that they represent a constructed value, established by external authority. Without such a system, trade would likely still rely on tangible goods such as livestock or produce.
  8. It is clear that a dollar’s worth is defined solely by what can be exchanged for it.
  9. The ability to carry money without physically holding it brings to mind the concept of stone currency. Just as with stone money, physical possession of Bitcoin is not necessary to establish ownership.
  10. The concept of the American Dream often revolves around the accumulation of enough paper currency to achieve financial stability. A deeper reflection reveals that people’s lives are often structured around the acquisition and use of money.
  11. Money is a complex concept, and its pursuit can occupy a lifetime. From the moment a person enters school, the goal becomes joining the system of earning money, which is often seen as a means to enhance personal enjoyment and social acceptance.
Posted in Banned 2nd Person, GRADED, Pineapple448 | 1 Comment

Rebuttal Rewrite-Goat81

Posted on November 22, 2024 by GOAT81

Artistic Integrity vs. Athletic Precision:
The Balance Debate in Olympic Ice Skating

For years, Olympic figure skating has been caught in a debate over two competing priorities: technical skill and artistic expression. Critics who favor artistry argue that skating is a unique performance sport that blends athletic precision with creative storytelling. Supporters of this position, like fans of Yuna Kim, emphasize that artistry is what distinguishes figure skating from other athletic competitions. As Olympics.com notes, “Kim’s gold-medal-winning routine at the 2010 Olympics achieved a perfect harmony of technical mastery and artistic elegance, captivating fans worldwide” (“Yuna Kim”). However, while artistry enhances the sport’s appeal, prioritizing it alongside technical execution is impractical and undermines figure skating’s competitive integrity. Technical rigor drives innovation, provides a fair scoring system, and ensures the sport remains dynamic and competitive.

Critics of emphasizing technical execution believe that artistry is what makes figure skating special. As Global Art Movements describes, “Artistry elevates figure skating beyond other sports, transforming performances into emotionally engaging experiences” (“Global Art Movements”). For instance, Jason Brown is celebrated for his expressive routines and choreography, which resonate deeply with audiences. Proponents argue that artistry must be equally weighted with technical skills to preserve figure skating’s artistic identity.

This perspective is compelling, as skaters like Yuna Kim and Brown exemplify what a harmonious blend of artistry and technicality can achieve. However, such performances are the exception rather than the norm. The ISU Judging System itself reflects why technical execution inevitably dominates. According to Wikipedia’s ISU Judging System, “Technical elements are assigned fixed point values for difficulty and execution, while program components like artistry are subjectively evaluated” (“ISU Judging System”). This objectivity makes technical mastery easier to assess and justify, while artistic scores rely on interpretation, creating inconsistencies.

The reality is that skaters face immense pressure to excel in both areas, and prioritizing both equally is often unrealistic. For instance, quadruple jumps demand years of intense preparation and conditioning. According to MentalFloss Guide to Scoring, “Quad jumps are so demanding that even experienced skaters risk injuries and burnout when training for them” (“MentalFloss Guide”). At the 2022 Winter Olympics, several skaters who invested significant time in artistic choreography struggled to land these high-risk elements, costing them critical points and podium positions. This highlights a key issue: the effort required to master technical skills often limits the time available for perfecting intricate artistic components.

Nathan Chen’s dominance further underscores the importance of prioritizing technical execution. Chen’s routines are built on pushing the boundaries of what’s technically possible. As Wikipedia’s List of Career Achievements reports, “Nathan Chen’s multiple world records and Olympic gold medal were achieved through unmatched technical feats, including combinations of quadruple jumps” (“List of Career Achievements”). Chen’s success demonstrates that technical rigor is what propels the sport forward, encouraging innovation and inspiring future skaters to expand their abilities.

The ISU Judging System, while claiming to give equal weight to artistry and technical difficulty, unintentionally favors technical programs. “Technical elements are measured through quantifiable metrics like height, rotations, and landings, whereas program components involve subjective artistic scores” (“ISU Judging System”). This imbalance creates a clear disadvantage for skaters like Jason Brown. Despite delivering routines rich in artistry and emotion, Brown often places behind technically stronger skaters. As Prometric Famous Female Skaters explains, “While artistry resonates with fans, it rarely outweighs the measurable precision of technically challenging elements” (“Famous Female Skaters”).

Some critics suggest that judges could counteract this by inflating artistic scores, but this approach would introduce further bias. Awarding higher scores for artistry risks undermining the fairness and credibility of competition because subjective interpretations of artistry vary widely.

Prioritizing artistry also introduces long-term risks for figure skating’s evolution. The sport thrives on athletes who push the boundaries of what’s technically possible, like quadruple or even quintuple jumps. However, if skaters feel pressured to prioritize artistry, they may hold back from attempting groundbreaking elements. As Prometric Famous Female Skaters notes, “Skaters often avoid high-risk technical elements when artistic components are weighed more heavily, limiting progress” (“Famous Female Skaters”). This reluctance threatens the sport’s competitive edge, stifling innovation and reducing the excitement of competition.

Balancing technical mastery and artistry also imposes an unsustainable burden on athletes. According to MentalFloss Guide to Scoring, “The relentless expectation to excel in both areas leads to anxiety, injuries, and early retirements” (“MentalFloss Guide”). Skaters are often torn between prioritizing physically demanding technical elements or creating artistically engaging performances. This pressure can compromise their mental health and performance longevity.

For example, skaters who focus on artistry may struggle to stay competitive when judges reward quantifiable technical skills. On the other hand, skaters who prioritize technique often feel criticized for a lack of emotional depth in their routines. This dilemma reflects the inherent imbalance in trying to weigh technical precision and artistry equally.

The idea of balancing technical skill and artistic expression in figure skating is appealing but unrealistic in competitive settings. While artistry adds emotional resonance to routines, technical execution drives progress, ensures fair judging, and maintains the sport’s integrity. Athletes like Nathan Chen demonstrate that innovation thrives when technical mastery is prioritized. Artistry should continue to play a complementary role, but it cannot hold equal weight with measurable technical achievements. If we want figure skating to remain dynamic, exciting, and fair, technical rigor must remain the foundation of the sport.

References

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/55137/guide-scoring-figure-skating-olympicsThis guide explains how figure skating is scored at the Olympics, including the technical and program components scores

https://dev.prometric.com/public-spaces/famous-female-skaters.html This article highlights the achievements of top female skaters who have excelled in both technical precision and artistic expression

https://dev.prometric.com/global-art-movements/ice-skating-couples.html This article delves into the technical elements and artistry behind partnered ice skating

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_career_achievements_by_Nathan_Chen This article details Nathan Chen’s numerous accomplishments, including his world records and Olympic gold medal

https://Olympics.com Yuna Kim: This article highlights Yuna Kim’s Olympic journey, including her gold medal win at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games

The Artistry of Figure Skating: Expressing Emotion on Ice
Posted in Feedback Please, GRADED, Portfolio GOAT81, Rebuttal Rewrite | 9 Comments

Rebuttal Argument-Goat81

Posted on November 22, 2024 by GOAT81

Artistic Integrity vs. Athletic Precision: The Balance Debate in Olympic Ice Skating

For years, Olympic figure skating has been caught in a tug-of-war between two competing priorities: technical skill and artistic expression. Athletes, judges, and fans alike have debated which aspect deserves more focus. Some believe that technical difficulty and artistry can coexist in harmony, elevating the sport as both an athletic competition and a performance art. But while this idea sounds great in theory, it doesn’t hold up when you consider the trade-offs skaters face in practice. Striking the perfect balance between the two is far more challenging than many would like to admit.

Critics of placing too much emphasis on technical execution argue that artistry is just as important to the identity of figure skating. They point to skaters like Nathan Chen and Yuna Kim, who are celebrated for their ability to combine breathtaking choreography with jaw-dropping technical skills. For these athletes, artistry is not just an add-on; it’s what makes their routines memorable. Advocates for balance argue that artistry is what keeps figure skating from becoming a cold, mechanical sport like gymnastics or track and field. By prioritizing artistic elements, figure skating can remain a performance-driven art form that connects emotionally with audiences.

This perspective also pushes back against the idea that emphasizing artistry threatens the technical evolution of the sport. Supporters argue that figure skating can grow technically while staying true to its artistic roots. In fact, they claim that artistry makes the sport more accessible and relatable, helping it reach a wider audience. From this point of view, my argument—that artistry should take a backseat to technical execution—seems overly critical and even dismissive of what makes figure skating unique.

At first glance, it’s hard to argue with this. After all, who doesn’t love watching a skater nail a technically difficult routine while also delivering an emotional performance that gives you goosebumps? But when you look closer, the idea of balancing technical difficulty and artistry isn’t as realistic as it seems.

The reality is that skaters are already under enormous pressure to excel in both areas, and asking them to perfect both is simply too much. Take quadruple jumps, for example. These advanced technical elements require hours of grueling practice, intense physical conditioning, and laser-sharp focus. This kind of preparation leaves very little time—or energy—for perfecting the intricate choreography needed to score high on artistic components. The result? Burnout, injuries, and inconsistent performances. At the 2022 Winter Olympics, several skaters who had clearly spent countless hours perfecting their artistry struggled to land their jumps, showing just how difficult it is to balance the two.

On top of that, the judging system doesn’t make things any easier. While official guidelines claim to give equal weight to technical and artistic elements, the numbers tell a different story. Judges tend to reward technically demanding programs more because they’re easier to measure and compare. This creates a disadvantage for skaters who lean into artistry, no matter how beautiful their routines are. Jason Brown is a perfect example. His artistry is second to none, yet he consistently places behind skaters who prioritize technical difficulty.

Overemphasizing artistry also comes with long-term risks for the sport as a whole. Figure skating thrives on innovation, especially when it comes to pushing the boundaries of what’s technically possible. But if skaters feel pressured to prioritize artistry, they may hold back from attempting groundbreaking technical elements. Why risk a lower score or an injury for a move that judges might not fully appreciate? This reluctance could slow down the sport’s evolution, making it less competitive over time.

Finally, there’s the mental toll this balancing act takes on skaters. Trying to be both an athlete and an artist at the highest level of competition is exhausting. Many skaters report feeling like they’re never enough—either they’re not technical enough to compete with the best jumpers, or they’re not artistic enough to captivate the audience. This constant pressure can lead to anxiety, injuries, and even early retirements, which hurts both the athletes and the sport as a whole.

The idea of balancing technical skill and artistic expression in figure skating is appealing, but it simply doesn’t align with the realities of competitive skating today. In an ideal world, skaters would have the time, energy, and resources to perfect both. But in the real world, something has to give. Technical execution is what drives the sport forward, and it needs to remain the priority. Artistry should still play a role—it’s what makes figure skating so special—but it must be a secondary, complementary element. If we want figure skating to keep its place as one of the most exciting and dynamic Olympic sports, we need to prioritize what truly sets it apart: its technical rigor and athletic innovation.

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISU_Judging_System This article provides an overview of the ISU Judging System, which has been used since 2004 to judge figure skating disciplines

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/55137/guide-scoring-figure-skating-olympicsThis guide explains how figure skating is scored at the Olympics, including the technical and program components scores

https://dev.prometric.com/public-spaces/famous-female-skaters.html This article highlights the achievements of top female skaters who have excelled in both technical precision and artistic expression

https://dev.prometric.com/global-art-movements/ice-skating-couples.html This article delves into the technical elements and artistry behind partnered ice skating

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_career_achievements_by_Nathan_Chen This article details Nathan Chen’s numerous accomplishments, including his world records and Olympic gold medal

https://Olympics.com Yuna Kim: This article highlights Yuna Kim’s Olympic journey, including her gold medal win at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games

The Artistry of Figure Skating: Expressing Emotion on Ice

Posted in Goat81, Portfolio GOAT81, Rebuttal Draft | Leave a comment

2nd Person-Goat81

Posted on November 22, 2024 by GOAT81

1.) Taxpayers often question whether spending money on students makes a difference. The answer is yes, and any parent with a child in an expensive school would likely agree.

2.) Every sport comes with its own types of injuries. If people knew that a preemptive surgery could make an athlete stronger, they might have mixed feelings about it.

3.) Picture someone whose body has been completely consumed by a drug. They might do anything to get more of it, without considering the consequences.

4.) Allowing Syrians to enter may create more issues than it resolves.

5.) Not having physical money in hand might seem like a minor issue at first.

6.) That small green piece of paper in a wallet holds no real value beyond the cost of printing it. Yet, people spend their entire lives working to collect more of them, only to store them in a bank.

7.) The next time someone looks at a bank statement or a dollar bill, it’s worth considering that the value of money is entirely invented. Without it, society might still rely on trading livestock or produce.

8.) It’s clear now that a dollar is only as valuable as what it can be traded for.

9.) Walking around without physically holding money is reminiscent of stone currency. Like those ancient systems, Bitcoins also don’t require physical possession to represent ownership.

10.) The American Dream is often tied to having enough money to achieve financial stability. Thinking about it deeply, it’s striking how life revolves around these small pieces of paper called money.

11.) Money is an ingenious idea, and the pursuit of it lasts a lifetime. From the time someone starts school, the goal is to join the game of earning enough to make life more enjoyable and acceptable

Posted in Banned 2nd Person, Goat81, GRADED | 1 Comment