Archive for March, 2019

Real World Graduation, Question 76: Realtors

RealWorldGraduation_Question_76_Realtors  <– PDF

When buying a house, many people use the services of realtors, who are licensed specialists in handling real-estate transactions. Usually they operate in “territories”, and acquire an extensive knowledge of the neighborhoods and school systems.  Normally they will assist the buyers in helping them get around, and “showing” the houses for sale. Their fee for this service is normally 7% of the selling price of the house, which is paid by the seller out of the proceeds of the sale.  What are the benefits of using a realtor if you are buying a house?

a) The realtor provides protection for the buyer against unscrupulous sellers, since they work directly with and therefore, have a vested interest in satisfying the buyer.

b) The services rendered by the realtor are paid by the seller, so whatever the realtor does is ultimately free to the buyer.

c) The realtor can provide legal advice on the complexities of real-estate law and regulations governing these transactions.

d) Since the realtors are licensed, the buyer can be confident that every property listed for sale is listed accurately with regard to age, conditions, known defects, and any existing liens against the property.

e) All of the above.

(The answer is on p. 2 of the PDF.)

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RealWorldGraduation_Question_75_Marital_Responsibility  <– PDF

If a married couple makes a decision about something, and the decision turns out to be wrong, which is the best method to determine who takes the responsibility for it?

a) Whoever yells the loudest gets to blame the other one.

b) The one who feels the least guilty about it has to take the blame.

c) Neither should have to take responsibility for it.

d) The couple should agree to blame someone else.

e) The couple should discuss the situation rationally and mutually agree on who should take the responsibility.

(The answer is on p. 2 of the PDF.)

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Real World Graduation: Anti-Gay Activists

RealWorldGraduation_Question_74_Anti-Gay_Activists   <– PDF

A certain homosexual man is consistently being harassed and intimidated by people who are opposed to the “gay lifestyle”. He has been assaulted several times (requiring hospitalization), lives in fear for his life, and is thinking of buying a gun for self-defense.  However, it is illegal to own, possess, or carry a gun in his city.  The city is economically distressed, and he is unable to sell his house and move away.  What should he do?

a) File complaints with the police, and depend on them for protection.

b) Turn “straight”.

c) Get a gang of gays together, go out and administer a beating one of his assailants; that will send a message to his abusers and solve the problem.

d) Hire some lawyers and attempt to sue his antagonists for harassment and violations of his civil rights.

e) A combination of a) and d).

(The answer is on p. 2 of the PDF.)

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Posted in Bill of Rights, critical thinking, gun control, Real World Graduation, Second Amendment | No Comments »

Real World Graduation, Question 73: Basketball and NASCAR

RealWorldGraduation_Question_73_Basketball_NASCAR   <– PDF

Two men, one white and one black, are being interviewed on TV.   The two men are successful engineers being honored for their inventions and contributions to technology.  The interviewer, who (as usual) understands nothing of the technology and inventions made by the two men, decides to spend most of the interview on subjects not related to the two engineers’ expertise, focusing instead on two sports: basketball and NASCAR racing.

It turns out that the white engineer hates both basketball and NASCAR racing; he hates basketball because it finds it monotonous, and also hates car racing because he thinks there are too many phony rich people involved in the sport.

The black engineer also hates both basketball and NASCAR racing; he hates basketball because he thinks there are too many phony rich people involved in the sport, and he finds NASCAR racing to be monotonous.

Suppose the interviewer asks both about basketball and NASCAR racing. What responses should the two engineers give?  This is a family-oriented show.

a) Everyone knows that engineers are nerds who should not waste our time giving opinions on anything. Both should simply lie, and say “I don’t know anything about either one” and hope that the interviewer finally asks a relevant question.

b) The black engineer should give his honest opinion on basketball, since it won’t offend either whites or blacks. But he should not give an opinion on NACSAR racing because whites might find it offensive.  The white engineer should give his honest opinion on NASCAR racing, because that won’t offend anyone, but should not give his opinion of basketball so as not to offend black people.  In other words, they can comment on the sport they dislike so long as it is played primarily by people of their own race, but should each refrain from commenting on the sport they dislike if it is played mostly by people of the opposite race.

c) The black engineer can say anything he wants about basketball, and can mention that he doesn’t like NASCAR racing so long as he compliments a famous white race car driver (preferably a deceased one) for being a good role model. The white engineer can say what he wants about NASCAR racing, and can mention that he doesn’t like basketball, so long as he compliments a famous black basketball player (preferably a deceased one) for being a good role model.

d) The question is illogical because it is inconceivable that a black person could dislike basketball, or that a white person could dislike NASCAR racing.

e) Any of (a), (b), or (c) is acceptable.

(The answer is on p. 2 of the PDF.)

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