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 debate about the impact of smartphones on society. Student 1 believes that smartphones are detrimental, arguing that they cause disconnection from the immediate world, hinder the formation of new friendships, and facilitate unwanted contact from people. Student 2, on the other hand, sees smartphones as beneficial, highlighting their ability to connect us to distant places, maintain contact with friends, make life more convenient, and prevent us from getting lost with GPS navigation.
Throughout their discussion, both students acknowledge the power of emphasis in making an argument, with Student 1 pointing out the potential downsides of having information so readily available, such as a lack of motivation to learn and an increase in materialism due to easy online shopping.
Despite their disagreement, the conversation takes a light-hearted turn when they address an earlier incident where Student 1 accidentally spilled chocolate on Student 2's shirt. They make amends, with Student 1 offering Student 2 a new shirt that they received for Christmas but does not fit. The interaction ends on a friendly note, with both students acknowledging the subjectivity of their opinions on smartphones and showing appreciation for the offered shirt.