Please share an “a-ha! moment” — this is where something clicks in your mind as you watch a film or read a text, where something suddenly makes sense in a new way or for the first time. It is sometimes also referred to as a “eureka” moment, a moment of discovery, or a moment where “a lightbulb goes off in your head.”
Describe at least one example of an “a-ha!” moment that you experienced when watching the documentaries “Beyond Fentanyl” and “How Cocaine Came to America”.
1. Describe the moment/scene in the video and why it was an “a-ha! moment” for you
A “muddiest point” is a point of confusion that remains in your mind despite watching a video or reading a text. It is often described as a “nagging question” or something that remains murky and obscure despite the video or text’s attempt to explain it.
2. Describe at least one example of a “muddiest point” that you continue to have after watching both documentaries and explain what more you would like to know about this to understand it.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
An “A-Ha!” Moment: Understanding the Roots of the Opioid Crisis
While watching the documentary “Beyond Fentanyl,” a particular scene struck me with a profound “a-ha!” moment. The documentary delves into the devastating impact of Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, on individuals and communities across America. However, it was when the documentary explored the historical context of the opioid crisis that everything suddenly clicked for me.
The scene that triggered this moment was when the documentary detailed how the over-prescription of opioids by healthcare providers in the late 1990s played a significant role in fueling the crisis we see today. Learning about how pharmaceutical companies aggressively marketed these drugs as safe and non-addictive, leading to widespread misuse and addiction, made me realize the root cause of the epidemic.
This “a-ha!” moment was powerful because it connected the dots between past actions and present consequences, highlighting the systemic issues that underlie the opioid crisis. It made me understand that addressing this crisis requires not just treating the symptoms but also addressing the structural issues that allowed it to flourish in the first place.
A “Muddiest Point”: Unraveling the Impact of Cocaine in America
Despite watching both “Beyond Fentanyl” and “How Cocaine Came to America,” a lingering “muddiest point” remains in my mind regarding the lasting impact of cocaine on American society. While both documentaries shed light on the historical origins and distribution networks of cocaine, I am left wondering about the long-term social implications and policies surrounding this drug.
I would like to delve deeper into understanding how the introduction of cocaine in America has influenced societal norms, law enforcement strategies, and public health policies over time. Exploring the evolving attitudes towards cocaine, from its glamorization in popular culture to its demonization by policymakers, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of its complex legacy.
Moreover, I am curious to learn more about the disparities in the enforcement of drug laws related to cocaine, particularly concerning racial and socioeconomic factors. Unraveling how these disparities have shaped perceptions of drug use, addiction treatment approaches, and rehabilitation efforts would contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the broader impact of cocaine on American society.
In conclusion, while both documentaries offer valuable insights into the opioid crisis and the history of cocaine in America, there are still aspects that remain unclear and warrant further exploration. By addressing these “muddiest points,” we can deepen our understanding of these complex issues and work towards more informed solutions for tackling drug epidemics in our society.
