Discursive Flashcards
Intro
It is a common saying that “everyone wants to rule the world” (billy Joel), and what better way to rule the world than to be remembered? This got me thinking how does one become remembered? Perhaps it is the good deeds that people do that get them to become memorable, however, for the life of me I cannot think of an important person who was remembered solely for doing something good.
Discursive: First body:
When I cast my mind to those famously remembered, why is it that they are remembered for things other than good deeds, why are the ones who started the wars remembered and not the ones who finished it? But with limited pages in a textbook, why do some make an appearance and others don’t? What makes them so special?
Discursive: Second body
When I cast my mind back to the age of 12 when I started to learn about history, household names such as Julius Caesar or Alexander the Great come to mind. These young leaders of the most powerful civilisations are who I learn about, I learnt about how they have inscribed their names into history forever through the bloodshed of millions. They were deemed important due to their destructive, egotistical nature, which made me think… is that the only way I can become remembered?
Discursive: third body
If its 20 marks
It was obvious to a 12 year old me that there is a clear pattern, that you have to be so wicked that you’re remembered in history. Take for example Henry the 8th who was remembered for killing his 2 wives. But why aren’t the wives household names? Perhaps history forgets the tragedies, perhaps there isn’t enough room in the textbooks for their mundanity?
Discursive body 4
Let’s cast our minds to the most published book in the world, ‘The bible’, where it contains the timeless parable of the ‘Good Samaritan’. Even the good Samaritan, a story of a kind-hearted person who performed a generous act of kindness for their so-called enemy. A story that is so important in teaching people to be kind, a story that influences people to this day. Yet why don’t we know the name of the ‘Good Samaritans’ as he was only labeled after his ethnoreligious group.
Discursive: One line between body 3 - 4
Perhaps, it is impossible to remember unless you are cruel?
Discursive: Body 5
It’s obvious that the world doesn’t deem those who perform such extraordinary acts of kindness important enough for the world to know their name. It seems that the world only deems those who perform evil to be important enough.
Discursive: One liner between body 5 and 6
Why do we know Judas’ name and not the ‘Good Samaritans’?.
Discursive: body 6
Perhaps, you must achieve the perfect balance between good and bad to be remembered. Thomas Edison, another household name due to his significant invention of the lightbulb.However, at what cost?
Taking credit from his peers
**OR **
Whilst his invention of the light bulb was good, well the fact that he took credit from his peers was a bad thing too. Maybe, that perfect balance between good and bad is what got him to be remembered? Maybe that ‘s what we all need to do?
Discursive body 7
Ultimately, the history textbooks don’t have enough space for everyone, they only have space for those who are WORTHY of being remembered. And, it is obvious that the ‘good guys’ don’t get as many pages as the evil ones. So maybe being the next ‘bad guy’ isn’t such a horrible idea… or is it?
