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"Creation wasn't complete when jellyfish appeared or when amphibians appeared or when reptiles appeared or even when mammals appeared. According to your mythology, it was complete only when man appeared." "Right." "Why was the world and the universe incomplete without man? What was the world without man?" "It was just a jungle." "That's right. But the gods didn't mean to leave the world a jungle, did they?" "You mean in our mythology? Certainly not." "It needed what?" "It needed someone to come in and . . . straighten it out. Someone to put it in order." "And what sort of person is it who straightens things out? What sort of person takes anarchy in hand and puts it in order?" "Well . . . a ruler. A king." "Of course. The world needed a ruler. It needed man." Ishmael

New book from Daniel Quinn! If They Give You Lined Paper, Write Sideways "One of the most troublesome questions I've been asked--and it's been asked hundreds of times--is: 'Where do these strange ideas of yours come from?' In the beginning, I thought it was just the usual where-do-you-get-your-ideas? question that all authors receive. My readers soon set me straight. Read more ... Excerpt 1 Excerpt 2 Excerpt 3

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UNIT 1 Defining the task and the terms

How closely does the fabled hierarchical society match our own? How would our leaders respond to the challenge posed by "the masses" in this fable?

Do you agree "there's nothing the people of our culture want more than change"?

In 1999, not long after the Columbine Massacre, a law was passed in Louisiana requiring public-school students to address teachers and other school employees as "ma'am" or "sir" and to use the appropriate title of Mr., Miss, Ms., or Mrs. with their names. What "problem" did this legislative change address?

If you own a fishing boat, the fish you catch are free for the taking. What are the stages by which the fish you catch are turned into food under lock and key?

The text says that some 200 species a day are becoming extinct, thanks to us. Have students start three lists, one of species they think might one day disappear entirely (except for zoo specimens), one of species that are very unlikely to disappear in the near future, and one of species that will probably survive even if we don't. As the lists grow, see what generalizations students can make about them. (For example, the first list is going to include large-bodied creatures that are not deemed essential to human survival--gorillas, rhinos, whales, and so on; the second is going to include creatures we like and need--domesticated cats, dogs, rice, cows, and chickens, and so on.)

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Ahead to UNIT 2 "Old Minds," "New Minds," and Programs