Please read the article at lease two times. First time without stopping to use a dictionary.
See you in class tomorrow!
Matthew
Engagement Rings Are Actually 'Insulting'
INSULTING 'TO NOTIONS OF
ACTUAL LOVE,' THAT IS: TAURIQ MOOSA
(NEWSER) – Diamonds have "little intrinsic
value," writes Tauriq Moosa in the Guardian, so when large South African
diamond mines were discovered in the late 1800s and De Beers Consolidates Mines
was formed, its investors realized they would need to conjure up demand. That
they were incredibly successful with their marketing is no surprise (who hasn't
heard the tagline, "A diamond is forever"?). And yet we've forgotten
that it's just that—marketing. Here's the truth, per Moosa: a diamond has
nothing to do with your relationship or its permanence.
Rather, it's a useless bauble, it's overpriced (it starts
decreasing in value the second you buy it, and prices continue to rise), and
it's "insulting to notions of actual love." One survey found that the
average engagement ring costs $5,200, and almost 12% of American couples
actually spend $8,000 or more. Wouldn't that money be better spent on something
else? If you think an engagement ring is a symbol of your love, consider this:
"Why can't a beautiful home be a symbol? Why can't long-term investments
be a symbol? Indeed, would it not be more impressive to show off a house than a
finger rock?"
By Evann
Gastaldo, Newser Staff - Posted Nov 4, 2013
Related articles and videos:
Song: Diamonds are forever Shirley
Bassey http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6kxcFcO6Y0
Song: Diamonds are a girl’s best friend Marilyn
Monroe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCn4mTkxx2s
Discussion Questions
1.
Do you
think it is necessary to buy a diamond engagement ring?
2.
How
much money do you think is appropriate to spend on an engagement ring?
3.
Why
are people willing to spend so much money on diamonds?
4.
Ladies:
how would you feel about a man who refused to spend money on a diamond engagement
ring because he wanted to put the money towards something else?
Gentlemen: how would you feel about a woman who
demanded that her fiancé buy her an expensive ring?
5.
Married
people: how did you/your partner propose?
Single people: how do you plan/hope to get engaged?
6.
Are
you usually careful about how you spend your money or do you tend to blow it
all when you want something? Do you spend a lot of money on unnecessary
luxuries?
7.
What is
the most extravagant thing you have ever splashed out on?
Why did you buy it? Was it worth the money?
8.
Can
you think of any other examples of useless/unnecessary products that marketing
has convinced us that we all need to buy?
9.
What
is the best way to show someone that you love them?
10.What is your most treasured possession (in terms of
sentimental value, not monetary value) and why is it so important to you?
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