Teil A: Text production

T. C. Boyle: You Don't Miss Your Water ('Til the Well Runs Dry)

Inspired by real events, T. C. Boyle wrote a short story about a drought in the southwest of the US from which the following excerpt is taken.

It was that third year that broke our backs. We began to obsess over water, where it came

from, where it was going, why there wasn't enough of it. It got to the point where everything

that wasn't water related, whether it was the presidential election, the latest bombing, or the

imminent extinction of the polar bear, receded into irrelevance. The third year was when it

got personal.

For our part, my wife Micki and I had long since cut back our usage, so that when the

restrictions came we were already at the bare minimum, the lawn a relic, the flower beds,

once so lush, nothing more than brittle yellow sticks, the trees gaunt, the shrubs barely

hanging on. If before we'd resented the spendthrifts with their emerald lawns

and English ivy climbing up the walls of their houses, it was all the more intense now.

When those people were forced to cut usage by 30 percent, they were dropping to the level

at which we'd already arrived, and so our 30 percent cut amounted to a double

penalty on us, the ones who'd been foolish enough to institute voluntary cuts when the

governor first made his appeal. Not only was it insupportable - it was deeply unfair, the sort

of thing that made a mockery of the notion of shared sacrifice. I began shaving dry, with only

the spray foam to moisten my beard, and Micki stopped using makeup because she couldn't

abide the waste of having to wash it off. When our son came home for spring break (from

Princeton', where it rained every other day) Micki taped a hand-lettered notice to the

bathroom door: If it's yellow, let it mellow; if it's brown, flush it down. Next morning, when he

turned on the shower - the very instant - I was there at the door, pounding on the panels,

shouting "Two minutes, max!"

He was a good kid, Everett, forthright and equitable, and if he had a failing, here it was

revealed: He'd actually turned the shower on. I couldn't believe it. And neither could Micki.

She and I bathed once a week - in the tub, together - then used the bathwater to wash the

clothes and bedsheets until finally we scooped up the remainder in plastic buckets and

hauled it out to moisten the roots of our citrus trees, which were my pride and joy and the

very last thing that would go in the vegetative triage that had seen the lawn sacrificed and

then the flower beds and finally even the houseplants. At dinner that night (a hurried affair,

Everett eager to go out prowling the local watering holes - bars, that is - with his friends who

were likewise home on spring break), I tried to smooth things over and deliver a hydrological

lesson at the same time. "Sorry if I overreacted this morning," I said, "but you've got to

realize it's the whole Southwest. I mean, there just isn't any water. At any cost. Anywhere."

The sun was caught in the kitchen window, hanging there like an afterthought. It was warm,

but not uncomfortably so. Not yet, anyway - all that still lay ahead.

Everett looked up, his fork suspended in midair over a generous portion of green curry

shrimp and sticky rice takeout. He shrugged, as if to say he was fine with it. “I should have

known better," he said, dipping his head to address his food.

"I hear they're recommissioning the desalination plant," Micki put in, hopeful, always hopeful.

She had her hair up in a do-rag and was wearing a white blouse that could have been whiter.

"Two years, minimum," I said, and I didn't mean it to sound like a rebuke, though I'm afraid it

did. I was wrought up, all the little things of life magnified now, the things you take for

granted during the good times. That was how tense the situation had become. "And

something like nine million dollars, not that the money has anything to do with it - at this

stage people'll pay anything, double, triple, they don't care - "

"But you can't bleed a stone," my son said, glancing up slyly.

"Or squeeze water out of it, either," I added, and we were all three of us grinning, crisis or

no.

So we had a sense of humor about it, at least there was that. Or at least at first, anyway. [...]

People began to smell a bit off. You especially noticed it on public transportation, which we

tried to avoid as much as possible and damn the consequences, because this was all about

water, not gasoline, and if we were contributing greenhouse gases to the atmosphere and

exacerbating the global warming that was the biggest factor in the drought, then so be it.

There was a run on deodorant and various body lavage products for a while there, but

eventually people gave up and just lived with their own natural scent. In fact, it became a

kind of badge of honor to stink, just as it was to display a lawn as brown as the Gobi Desert.

We were all of us, the whole community, learning to adjust, even the spend thrifts, who were

threatened with governors on their intake valves if they exceeded their ration, and I have to

admit I took a certain degree of satisfaction in watching their lawns wither and their ivy fade

to brown. This was the new normal, and as the days went by I began to feel all right with it,

and so did Micki.

Boyle, T. C. (2015). You Don't Miss Your Water ('Til the Wel Runs Dry). The Narrative Magazine. https://www.narrativemagazine.com/issues/winter-2015/fiction/you-dont-miss-your-water-til-well-runs-dry-t-coraghessan-boyle. [accessed: 03 May 2021]

Working with the text

Outline the political and private measures taken to cope with the drought.
Analyze how the narrator's state of mind is conveyed.

Composition

Choose one of the following tasks.

2.1

Using the excerpt as a starting point, assess the effectiveness of what authorities can do to change people's behavior in order to deal with the problems of climate change.

2.2

In a project group, you have started planning an international campaign to encourage young people to take action against climate change. As part of the campaign, you intend to make use of one cartoon (Material 1 or Material 2).

Write an email to your project group, commenting on the cartoon which best fits your purpose and how it can be used in your campaign.

Material 1

Mike Luckovich: The Race to Save the Planet (AJC.com, 7 May 2019) https://theweek.com/cartoons/839888/editorial-cartoon-world-race-saveplanet-climate-change-inaction
[accessed: 20 June 2022]

Material 2

Tom Taro: Goldilocks tackles climate change (Yale Climate Connections, 1 May 2020) (https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2020/05/what-can-i-realistically-do-about-climate-change/ [accessed: 19 January 2022]

Annotation:
Goldilocks - named after a young girl in a fairytale in which she visits three bears, eats from their bowls of porridge and prefers the one that is neither too hot nor too cold

2.3

The magazine Business Insider intends to publish a special edition on the future of work.

Inspired by the following predictions from the past, write an article for the magazine in which you comment on contemporary trends and developments in the world of work.

In 1930, the economist John Maynard Keynes predicted a working week of about 15 hours within a hundred years. He believed people would choose to have more leisure time once their material needs were met.
In 1982, in the publication Omni Future Almanac writers listed positions they believed would be taken over by robotic workers, e.g. dry cleaners, farm workers, bank clerks and store cashiers.

Adapted from:
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2008/sep/01/economics https://qz.com/1383660/six-bold-predictions-from-the-past-about-how-wed-work-in-the-future/
[accessed: 22 June 2022]

A1 Working with the text

Inhaltliche Reichhaltigkeit und Textstruktur: 10 BE
Sprachgebrauch/Sprachliche Korrektheit: 10 BE
Ausdrucksvermögen und Textfluss: 05 BE

A2 Composition

Inhaltliche Reichhaltigkeit und Textstruktur: 10 BE
Sprachgebrauch/Sprachliche Korrektheit: 10 BE
Ausdrucksvermögen und Textfluss: 05 BE

50 BE

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Note:
Our solutions are listed in key points. In the examination, full marks can only be achieved by writing a continuous text.

1.1

In T.C. Boyle's short story "You Don't Miss Your Water ('Til the Well Runs Dry)", published in The Narrative Magazine in 2015, he uses true events to describe how people in the Southwest were affected by and suffered from drought and water shortages

Introduction

promoting water conservation by adopting practices such as reducing household usage
particularly for personal hygiene and sanitation
minimizing or eliminating watering of plants, gardens, and lawns
emphasizing the importance of reusing water for various daily activities

Main Body
private measures

encouraging individuals to voluntarily decrease their water consumption
implementing water supply rationing measures
enforcing penalties for non-compliance with water usage regulations
investing in technological advancements like constructing a desalination plant

political measures

1.2

the narrator's state of mind is effectively conveyed through various elements in the text
their fixation on the water shortage is established from the opening line, "It was that third year that broke our backs." (l. 1) - this suggests a deep emotional impact
the use of language such as "obsess," (l. 1) "got personal," (l. 4-5) and "deeply unfair" (l. 14) reveals their intense preoccupation and frustration

fixation on the water shortage

humor and irony are employed to highlight the oddities brought about by the drought, serving as a coping mechanism
for example, the note on the bathroom door and references to "watering holes" (l. 29) and "squeeze water out of it" (l. 46) bring a touch of humor amidst the challenging circumstances

humor and irony

the contrast between the former beauty of the garden and its present state reflects the narrator's sense of loss and disappointment
the negative connotation of words like "spendthrifts" (l. 9) and "foolish enough" (l. 13) expresses their anger towards perceived unjust regulations and wasteful behavior

anger due to unjust regulations and wasteful behavior

personification is utilized to emphasize the devastating impact of the drought, attributing agency to the situation itself, such as "the third year...broke our backs." (l. 1)
this adds depth to the narrator's emotional experience
the narrator's frustration with the lack of reward for their efforts and their anger towards the overall situation are evident through their strong language, such as "double penalty" (l. 12-13) and "damn the consequences." (l. 50)
however, as the text progresses, their acceptance of the situation and a feeling of schadenfreude emerge

use of strong language;
frustration turns into acceptance in the course of the story

they find satisfaction in the shared suffering of the community, reflected in their change in feelings and the phrase "we were all of us, the whole community, learning to adjust." (l. 56)
overall, the narrator's state of mind is conveyed through their fixation, frustration, humor, acceptance, and a shifting emotional journey throughout the text

satisfaction and feeling of gloating

2.1

The excerpt "You Don't Miss Your Water ('Til the Well Runs Dry)" highlights the impact of a severe water shortage on individuals and their community, and how they adapt and change their behavior in response. Droughts and water shortage is a side effect of the changing climate.

Introduction Reference to the task

authorities can provide information and raise awareness about the severity of the problem
in the excerpt, the governor's appeal for voluntary cuts initially prompts the narrator and his wife to reduce their water usage
however, this voluntary action is not widely adopted, and when mandatory restrictions are implemented, those who had already made cuts feel penalized
this suggests that initial appeals and information alone may not be enough to drive widespread change in behavior

Main Body
Awareness and Information

authorities can use a combination of incentives and penalties to encourage desired behavior
in the excerpt, the spendthrifts who had lush lawns and excessive water usage are eventually forced to cut back
the threat of governors on their intake valves serves as a penalty for exceeding their ration
this strategy seems to have some impact as the narrator takes satisfaction in seeing their lawns wither
however, it is unclear if this approach alone is sufficient to drive sustained behavior change

Incentives and Penalties

the mention of recommissioning the desalination plant indicates that authorities are exploring technological solutions to address the water shortage
however, the narrator mentions the high cost associated with such initiatives
the financial burden and time required for implementing large-scale technological solutions might hinder their effectiveness

Technological Solutions

the community in the excerpt experiences a shift in social norms and values. Displaying a brown lawn and embracing natural scent become a badge of honor
this suggests that community-level influence and shared experiences can contribute to behavior change
authorities can harness the power of social pressure and community norms to encourage sustainable practices

Social Pressure and Community Norms

Overall, the excerpt portrays the challenges authorities face in changing people's behavior to address climate change-related problems.
While information, incentives, penalties, technological solutions, and social pressure can have some impact, a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach involving education, policy changes, infrastructure improvements, and community engagement is likely needed to effectively drive sustainable behavior change on a larger scale.

Conclusion

2.2

Möglichkeit Argumentation Material 1

Dear Project Group,

I hope this email finds you well.
I wanted to share an exciting development for our international climate action campaign.
We have come across a thought-provoking cartoon that I believe perfectly aligns with our purpose and can effectively contribute to our campaign messaging.

Greeting and Introduction

the cartoon depicts a movie theater marquee displaying a film titled "The Race to Save the Planet."
the posters outside the theater visually highlight major problems associated with global warming
however, pedestrians walking past the movie theater respond with a witty remark, "A movie of inaction..." indicating inaction on climate change

Main Body
Description and explanation of the cartoon

This cartoon cleverly captures the essence of our campaign and resonates with our target audience of young people
It conveys the urgency of the climate crisis and the need for immediate action, juxtaposing it with the prevailing sense of inaction or apathy in society.
The contrast created by the film's title and the dismissive comment from the pedestrians prompts viewers to reflect on the consequences of inaction and the importance of individual and collective engagement.

Connection between campaign and cartoon

To leverage this cartoon in our campaign, we can integrate it in the following ways:

we can share the cartoon on our campaign's social media platforms, accompanied by a thought-provoking caption or a brief message emphasizing the significance of taking action against climate change
this will encourage our target audience to engage with the cartoon, share it with their networks, and participate in discussions around the topic

Social Media Campaign

by visually representing the contrast between action and inaction, we can inspire young people to become proactive in their efforts to combat climate change.
these materials can be distributed at schools, universities, community centers, and events to raise awareness and foster conversations.

Visual appeal

We can approach environmental activists, influencers, and content creators who resonate with our campaign's goals and values.
Sharing the cartoon through their channels and collaborating on related content will amplify our message and help us reach young people who may not be directly connected to our campaign.

Collaboration with Influencers

I believe that incorporating this cartoon into our campaign will effectively capture the attention of our target audience, spark conversations, and motivate young people to take action against climate change.
Let's discuss this further during our next project meeting to finalize our plans and allocate responsibilities.

Conclusion

Looking forward to your thoughts and suggestions.
Best regards, Stefanie

Closing

Möglichkeit Argumentation Material 2

Dear Project Group,

I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to share an exciting development for our international climate action campaign.
We have come across a thought-provoking cartoon that I believe perfectly aligns with our purpose and can effectively contribute to our campaign messaging.

Greeting and Introduction

The cartoon portrays three different situations involving the character Goldilock.
In the first two scenarios, Goldilock feels frustrated by the enormity of environmental problems and the perceived lack of impact that individual everyday actions have on addressing them.
However, in the third scenario, Goldilock experiences a sense of satisfaction after discovering a way to make a meaningful contribution to mitigating climate change by collaborating with others.

Main Body
Description and explanation of the cartoon

This cartoon cleverly captures the essence of our campaign and resonates with our target audience of young people.
It conveys the urgency of the climate crisis and the need for immediate action, juxtaposing it with the prevailing sense of inaction or apathy in society.
The cartoons illustrates a possibility to get involved in the fight against climate change in a way that is just right.

Connection between campaign and cartoon

To leverage this cartoon in our campaign, we can integrate it in the following ways:

We can share the cartoon on our campaign's social media platforms, accompanied by a thought-provoking caption or a brief message emphasizing the significance of taking action against climate change.
This will encourage our target audience to engage with the cartoon, share it with their networks, and participate in discussions around the topic.

Social Media Campaign

By visually representing the contrast between action and inaction, we can inspire young people to become proactive in their efforts to combat climate change.

Visual appeal

We can approach environmental activists, influencers, and content creators who resonate with our campaign's goals and values.
Sharing the cartoon through their channels and collaborating on related content will amplify our message and help us reach young people who may not be directly connected to our campaign.

Collaboration with Influencers

I believe that incorporating this cartoon into our campaign will effectively capture the attention of our target audience, spark conversations, and motivate young people to take action against climate change.
Let's discuss this further during our next project meeting to finalize our plans and allocate responsibilities.

Conclusion

Looking forward to your thoughts and suggestions.
Best regards,
Stefanie

Closing

2.3

The Future of Work: From Predictions to Contemporary Realities

The world of work has evolved at an unprecedented pace, with technological advances and changing societal priorities redefining traditional notions of employment.
As we consider the future of work, it's fascinating to reflect on past predictions and examine the extent to which current trends match or diverge from those forecasts.

Introduction

In 1930, John Maynard Keynes dared to envision a future where the average working week would be reduced to a mere 15 hours.
Keynes believed that once the basic material needs of individuals were met, they would opt for more leisure time and focus on pursuits beyond the realm of work.
While the transition to a 15-hour workweek has not materialized in the timeframe Keynes predicted
we can certainly observe a growing emphasis on work-life balance and the pursuit of meaningful experiences outside of traditional employment.

Main Body
A World of Leisure

Today, many professionals prioritize work-life integration, seeking opportunities that enable them to pursue personal interests alongside their careers.
The rise of remote work, flexible schedules, and the gig economy has offered individuals newfound freedom to shape their professional lives according to their preferences.
Moreover, companies are increasingly recognizing the importance of employee well-being and are implementing policies and practices that promote work-life balance, ultimately enhancing productivity and job satisfaction.

Work-Life Integration and Flexibility

in the Omni Future Almanac published in 1982, writers foresaw a future where robots would gradually take over a range of occupations, including dry cleaners, farm workers, bank clerks, and store cashiers.
while the complete replacement of these jobs has not materialized, we are witnessing the integration of automation and artificial intelligence in various industries, transforming the nature of work.
routine and repetitive tasks are increasingly being automated, allowing humans to focus on more complex and creative endeavors that require uniquely human skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence

Automating Traditional Roles

rather than rendering humans obsolete, technology has led to a symbiotic relationship between humans and machines
in the era of artificial intelligence and robotics, we are witnessing the emergence of human-machine collaboration, where technology augments human capabilities and enhances productivity
as automation takes over mundane tasks, workers are being empowered to engage in higher-value work, fostering innovation, and driving organizational growth
the future of work lies in cultivating skills that complement and leverage the capabilities of intelligent machines

Collaboration Between Humans and Machines

The future of work is a dynamic and ever-evolving landscape.
While we have not achieved the 15-hour workweek predicted by John Maynard Keynes, the growing emphasis on work-life integration and flexible employment arrangements reflects a changing mindset.
Similarly, although not all the jobs listed in the Omni Future Almanac have been fully replaced by robots, automation has reshaped various industries, creating new opportunities for human-machine collaboration.
As we navigate this transformative era, it is crucial to adapt, upskill, and embrace the possibilities that emerging technologies and shifting work dynamics offer, ensuring a future where work aligns with our aspirations and enables us to lead fulfilling lives.

Conclusion

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