Two STUDENTS stand facing one another as they chat.

STUDENT 1: Well, I just simply disagree with that point altogether.

STUDENT 2: Well then, let’s hear your rebuttal.

Both STUDENTS turn to look into the camera.

STUDENT 1: Hey, there! You just happened to catch us in a friendly debate about something.

STUDENT 2: Smartphones.

STUDENT 1: You see, two people can describe the same thing very differently.

STUDENT 2: For example, I think smartphones are great for society.

STUDENT 1: And I happen to think that they’re terrible.

STUDENT 2: We can both create convincing arguments by emphasizing or giving special importance to different evidence.

STUDENT 1: I can talk about how we become disconnected from the world around us when we focus on our smartphones.

STUDENT 2: And I can talk about how smartphones open us up to worlds we could never reach before.

STUDENT 1: Or worlds we never wanted to reach before.

STUDENT 2: Pfft!

STUDENT 1: They also make it harder to make new friends.

STUDENT 2: But they make it easier to keep in touch with old friends.

STUDENT 1: And make it easier for friends you never wanted to see again to be able to contact you.

STUDENT 2: Besides, they can make life so much easier. You can use your smartphone to order a new shirt when your friend spills chocolate on it.

STUDENT 1: Yeah, I said I’m sorry about that.

STUDENT 2: And find out any fact. And you can never get lost with your smartphone’s G P S.

STUDENT 1: Yes, but easier isn’t necessarily better. If every fact is at your fingertips, you might not be inclined to learn as much. And the ease of shopping can lead to too much materialism. And who wants that to take over their life?

STUDENT 2: I guess it’s all how you look at things and which fact you choose to emphasize.

STUDENT 1: Still doesn’t make you right.

STUDENT 2: Doesn’t make you right, either.

STUDENT 1: Seriously though, sorry about your shirt.

STUDENT 2: It’s fine. I needed a new one anyways.

STUDENT 1: Just have this one. My mom got it for me for Christmas but it doesn’t fit.

STUDENT 2: It’s kinda nice.

STUDENT 1: Yeah, I like it.
summarize

Two students are engaged in a friendly debate about smartphones. Student 1 believes they have a negative impact on society, while Student 2 believes they are beneficial. They both present convincing arguments by highlighting different evidence. Student 1 argues that smartphones disconnect people from the world and make it harder to make new friends, while Student 2 emphasizes how smartphones open up new possibilities and make life easier. They both acknowledge that their perspectives are subjective and dependent on the facts they choose to emphasize. In the end, they apologize for a spilled chocolate incident and Student 1 offers their shirt as a replacement, which Student 2 accepts.