Alfredo De Aza Perez.

Cover letter

Writing this essay to me was like writing about something I love. I had so much fun exploring all about decision-making and how it affects our lives. When I talked about video games like Cyberpunk 2077, which I have played for over 400 hours, I got excited! I absolutely love diving into those virtual worlds, they make me feel like I’m right there, making tough choices and seeing their effects firsthand.

And let me tell you about the movies I mentioned, like 300 and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. They’re up there in my list of all-time favorites! Whenever I watch them, I get completely sucked into the story. The way they show the impact of decisions on characters and the world around them is just so captivating.

I also enjoyed the readings because they were simple to understand and had a lot of useful information which I explained in this essay.

Plus, I enjoyed working on this essay together. Our professor helped us come up with different ways to make our work better. He encouraged us to look at lots of different sources, which helped us learn even more about the topic. Writing this essay was cool because I got to talk about stuff I love and learn from our professor and classmates.

 This or possibly that.

Should pineapple be on pizza? Is killing ever justified? We make choices every single day of our lives. From common matters like food preferences to profound moral dilemmas, our lives are ruled by the choices which we make. Each decision, whether large or small, shapes our experiences, influences our relationships, and proves who we are and what we believe in. Ever since we gained conciseness from the moment we were born, we are constantly challenged to weigh options, consider consequences, and ultimately determine our path forward. Ultimately, the choices we make along with the morals that guide us lead to the significance of our human experience and our unfolding future.

Society plays a crucial role in shaping our decisions. Cultural norms and societal expectations all influence our choices. For instance, consider the impact of cultural values on food preferences, including the ongoing debate over pineapple on pizza. Societies have diverse culinary traditions and norms, which influence individuals’ attitudes towards certain foods. Similarly, societal attitudes towards moral issues, such as the justification of killing, are shaped by cultural and religious beliefs, as well as social norms. For a long time, people have debated what makes a choice right or wrong. Some say it’s about the outcome, like making the most people happy. Others believe certain actions are simply wrong, no matter what the outcome is. Then there’s the idea that being a good person is more important than any single choice. By exploring different ideas, we can better understand why we make the choices we make and how they affect ourselves and others.

In the world of video games, CD Projekt Red stands tall as a renowned video game developer, celebrated for making immersive experiences like The Witcher series. Not only this but they are also winners of the “Best Ongoing Game Award” at the 2023 gala. Beyond The Witcher, CD Projekt Red’s diverse deck includes Cyberpunk 2077. Cyberpunk 2077 includes the theme of choices and consequence. Set in a future where technology and society collide, players navigate a morally diverse game where decisions carry profound weight. From deciding the fate of characters to deciding the future of entire factions, every choice in Cyberpunk 2077 resonates with the broader notion of affects and consequences of our actions. Additionally, as the story progresses, the game employs pathos, stirring emotional responses in players, which amplifies the impact of the choices made throughout the playthrough. This emotional engagement adds layers of complexity to the decision-making process, making players feel a deeper connection to the virtual world and the consequences of their actions, ultimately enhancing the overall gaming experience and teaching us a valuable lesson about the choices we make. By diving into the emotional engagement and consequences of player choices, it proves the thesis that choices in our lives, both virtual and real, have profound effects and shape our experiences.

In cinema, director Zack Snyder is renowned for his visually striking films that often explore themes of heroism, sacrifice, and the consequences of power. One of his most iconic works, 300, proves the massive impact our choices can have, and how they make us who we are. In this epic movie, Snyder presents a narrative where the choices made by King Leonidas and his Spartan warriors affected not only their own lives but also history. Their decision to stand against overwhelming odds embodies the eternal struggle of free will and the enduring impact of individual choices on civilization. Through the lens of cinematic storytelling, Snyder masterfully shows how the decisions we make, even in the face of seemingly unbeatable challenges, can shape our destiny and define our legacy. Additionally, the movie skillfully employs pathos, evoking powerful emotions in the audience as they see the character’s struggles and sacrifices. This emotional resonance heightens the audience’s connection to the story, making the themes of choice and consequence even more impactful and unforgettable, leaving an impression long after the credits roll, and leaving us with the resonating impact our choices can have. Zack Snyder’s cinematic masterpiece, 300 shows how individual choices can alter the course of history, even in the face of huge challenges, which can define our destiny and legacy. Think of the famous lines from 300: “Give them nothing! But take from them everything!” This quote captures the essence of Snyder’s message about choices and their effects. It shows how the Spartans, led by King Leonidas, chose to fight against overwhelming odds. Despite facing certain defeat, they refused to surrender, showing their commitment to their cause. This simple yet powerful act reflects Snyder’s exploration of how our decisions, even in the toughest moments, can shape our fate and leave a lasting impact on history. By refusing to yield, the Spartans not only fought for their survival but also for their ideals, leaving a legacy that reverberates through time. This shows the idea that our decisions leave a lasting impact on ourselves and the world around us.

In the world of research, Eric Wargo, APS Editorial Director and Managing Editor of Directions in Psychological Science. Authored an article titled The Mechanics of Choice. In which he basically explains how you frame a problem that significantly affects people’s choices, particularly when risks are involved. When presented with options, individuals tend to prefer certainty when the problem is framed in terms of gains. Additionally, they’re more willing to take risks when the issue is presented in terms of avoiding losses. These findings from decision science reveal the nature of human decision-making, showing how simple adjustments in how a problem is presented can profoundly influence our choices, often deviating from traditional models of rational decision-making in our daily lives. Additionally, the research uses logos by providing evidence, such as the study conducted by Kahneman and Tversky. In their study, participants were presented with a choice about hypothetical medical treatments for a deadly disease. The framing of the options, whether in terms of lives gained or lives lost, significantly influenced participant’s decisions, highlighting the rationality behind their choices based on the presented information. This illustrates how logical reasoning can affect our decision makingprocesses. Eric Wargo’s research on decision-making illuminates the psychological mechanisms behind our choices, emphasizing how the framing of problems influences our decision-making process. This connects to the thesis by revealing the intricate nature of human decision making in the face of risk. Our decisions are influenced by how our minds work. Sometimes, we make decisions based on shortcuts our brains take, called heuristics. These shortcuts can be helpful but can also lead to mistakes. For example, we might ignore information that doesn’t fit with what we already believe, which is called confirmation bias. Additionally, our brains don’t like it when we believe one thing but do another, causing discomfort called cognitive dissonance. To ease this discomfort, we might justify our choices to ourselves. Understanding these quirks in our thinking helps us make better decisions by recognizing when our brains might be tricking us. By being aware of these tendencies, we can try to make choices that are more rational and better for ourselves and others.

In the realm of animated films, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse directed by the visionary film maker Phil Lord and Christopher Miller offers a captivating exploration of choice and consequence. Known for their innovative storytelling and comedic brilliance displayed in projects like The Lego Movie and 21 Jump Street, Lord and Miller have proved themselves as monopolies in the animation and comedy genres. Their outstanding achievement includes the groundbreaking success of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, which earned critical acclaim and an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2019. With Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, they continue to push the boundaries of animation while delving deep into themes of choice and consequence. Set within the multiverse, the film follows Miles Morales as he grapples with decisions that transcend dimensions. Much like in our own lives, Miles’ choices shape not only his fate but reality itself. Through its visually stunning narrative, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse reminds us of the profound impact our decisions can have, echoing the themes of choice and consequence that resonate throughout our human experiences. The use of pathos in the film becomes clear whenever Miles Morales makes a decision, as it shows the emotional weight and significance of his choices. These emotions emphasize the size of the consequences resulting from each decision, further reinforcing the film’s exploration of the choice and consequence. The emotional weight of Miles’ decisions shows the significance of choices and consequences and how our choices shape not only our fate but our reality itself.

In the world of public government literature, we have this essay/research by the National Institute of Health titled Perspectives on risk and Decision Making, in which they explain how when people speak of making decisions involving risk, it often refers to the potential for consequences. The research looks at choices affecting people’s health, safety, and the environment, rather than just general risks. They explain how even though people are living longer, they still worry about making decisions. Some groups still face higher risks of early death. Things like smoking and drinking can lead to serious health problems. Also, new risks like crime and pollution are making it harder to stay safe. In the essay/research they say “Many important decisions about taking and mitigating risks are made by individuals in their personal lives, for example: fastening seat belts, driving while intoxicated, smoking cigarettes, taking the medicine prescribed to control high blood pressure, taking one’s children to be vaccinated, wearing safety glasses and respirators in the workplace, staying in bed when sick, obeying speed limits, buying health and life insurance, working as a steeplejack, driving a subcompact rather than a large car, and living on a flood plain or in an earthquake fault zone.”(Risk and Decision Making, NIH). They explain the many decisions individuals make in their personal lives regarding taking or reducing risks and they also explain how it is important to understand how people make decisions about these risks so we can make better choices and create safer communities. Overall, this connects to my claim because understanding the factors influencing decision making about risks is crucial to understanding how our choices have a massive impact on our lives and those around us. Additionally, the choices we make in our lives lead to the significance of our human experience and our unfolding future which will continue to develop over time. Lastly, this essay dives into decision-making of risks affecting health, safety, and the environment, showing the importance of understanding how we make choices in the face of potential consequences. This reinforces the thesis by emphasizing the impact of our decisions on our lives and communities.

Additionally, peer pressure can significantly affect decision-making. People often conform to the behavior and opinions of their social groups, seeking acceptance and validation from their peers. This can influence decisions ranging from personal preferences to moral dilemmas. Additionally, family, education, and media play a role in shaping our values and beliefs, which in turn influence our decision-making processes. By understanding the context in which decisions are made, we gain insight into the complex interplay between individual and societal influences. Sociological perspectives highlight how our choices are not made in isolation but are embedded within broader social structures and dynamics. Therefore, examining decision-making through a sociological lens enriches our understanding of the multifaceted nature of human behavior and its consequences for society.

Overall, these examples show that the decisions we make, whether they’re big or small, have consequences. Understanding how we decide, including how we think about risks, is important. Risk affects decision-making by shaping how we see the possible outcomes of our choices. It helps us decide if we want to try to avoid those risks or if we’re okay with taking them. When we understand how risk influences our decisions, we can make smarter choices that match our beliefs and lead to good results for everyone involved.

Work Cited Page

CD Projekt Red. Cyberpunk 2077. CD-Projekt, 2020.

Lord, Phil, and Christopher Miller. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Columbia Pictures, 2018.

Snyder, Zack, director. 300. Warner Bros. Pictures, 2006.

Wargo, Eric. The Mechanics of Choice. Directions in Psychological Science.

National Research Council (US) Committee on Risk and Decision Making. Risk and Decision Making: Perspectives and Research. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 1982. PERSPECTIVES ON RISK AND DECISION MAKING.