Trends in modern society
 

So for my final essay for English I have to write a research paper of sorts on a current trend. The trend can be either a positive or negative one, but it can not be a "fad." Only problem is, I'm having trouble coming up with ideas, about the only one I've come up with, that mildly interested me, was the decline in civic participation in the past couple of decades.

So if you all could please give me some ideas, note that I don't want anything pertaining to anorexia or steroid abuse or anything else that half of the class is going to write about. I would like to have a very original topic.

I appreciate all ideas that come my way.

What about the trend for friends communicating between each other via computer, as opposed to actually meeting in person.
It seems to be on the up more and more these days.
Time was, if you wanted to chat to a mate it usually meant a trip to their house.
Now all you have to do is MSN them.
You can even play against them online.
The ramifications this may have on modern society is well worth delving deeper into.

I like this one, and it would fit into a relatively small time frame (creation of Email to present), which would make it easier to structure. Thanks RT.

Perhaps about the music industry and how different formats of musical entertainment have been and gone over the years. Also you could include the 'controversy' of illegal downloading etc.

But maybe this is too trivial for an English essay.

The breakdown of community and neighbourhood spirit leading to increases of local crime. At least that is the case over here these days.

your english paper topic certainly seems to lack originality on the teachers part

I attended a "philosophy" presentation on RT's suggestion once (I don't know why it was at a philosophy club meeting) and my suggestion is to be as objective as possible. Coming down on one side or the other, more so the "before e-mail, life was much more simple...and therefore better."

People who underscore the advances of modernity tend to look stupid. Maybe it was this kid but he told us that rather than this way of life, we should all start to live like native americans.

^ followers of anarcho-primitivism are usually nutjobs.




why don't you talk about the increase of materialism leading to lower morals and promiscuity among today's youth?

Yeah, I wouldn't do that, because I agree that modern technologies have many advantages.

I don't really want to do anything on illegal downloading, just because it would be hard to stay in the middle on that topic, and there are too many pros and cons for both sides.

I'm more leaning towards either RT's or Johnny's, just because we have preachers who stand around the class room buildings twice a week and tell all the girls that they're all sluts and we're all going to hell and such.