Academic Discutssion and Writing Is allocating funds ot preserve traditional culture a priority？

Question

Considering the myriad of urgent needs a nation might have, do you agree or disagree that allocating funds to preserve traditional culture is a priority? Why? Why not?

 

 

☆Let’s think

1.        What are the examples of culture?

Note: Not only the so-called culture like art, music, or dancing but also everything related to human life like tableware or marriage celebration are called culture.

2.        Name the traditional culture that no longer holds a significant place in contemporary society.

Note: In the case of Japan, gagaku, noh, sumi-e, and classical Japanese are some of its traditional cultures.

3.        Are your answers to Question 2 really insignificant in modern society?

 

 

☆Hints for Points

Yes

1.        Humans don’t just live on food. They need mental support.

2.        Traditional culture holds significance in that it shows what the people are and what humans are.

 

No

1.        Pressing issues like climate crisis are to be prioritized.

2.        Protecting the subsistence of all people must be done.

 

Neither

1.        We should stop spending on military instead.

2.        We can do both based on MMT.

 

 

☆Sample Responses

Preservation of the traditional culture is a priority because it is not only the identity of the people but also the identity of human being. Traditional culture teaches us what we humans are. Through learning traditional culture and learning how our ancestors ate, dressed, sang, danced, celebrated, or said farewell to the deceased, we understand what is in the core of our existence and see what is the true priority in our life. Modern life is homogenized and it dehumanizes us. We live and work in comfortable but tasteless buildings, wear functional but plain clothes, and are fed with impressive and beautiful enough but not stunning or heart-wrenching art, music, or movies in this world controlled by capitalism. As a result, we now have deteriorated to the point where we consume others’ private lives, tragedy, or catastrophe as the medium for stress release or sublimation because modern culture doesn’t fulfill our spiritual hunger. In other words, modern culture is barbaric and perverse. To rediscover and restore humanity, we need to consult what our ancestors left. Traditional culture is the treasure trove for this purpose. Therefore, I agree with prioritizing preservation of it. (192 words)

 

 

 

Your Sample Response

Introduction (Outline)

Supporting Details

Conclusion (Wrap-up)

 

Write your response in 10 minutes. Show each other your responses. Write down questions or suggestions to each other’s response.

 

                                               DRAFT