Think About it 1
Can you think of any examples where an individual or group of individuals, in seeking what
they need, may actually achieve the very opposite of what was intended? (Naiman, 2012,
p.14)
An example of when an individual or group of individuals, in seeking what they need,
achieved the very opposite of what was intended could be the mass protests against
Covid-19 lockdowns. People gathering together in large groups to protest against
lockdowns are only achieving the very opposite of what they intended. In Vancouver,
protestors gathered to put up a fight against the lockdowns, and restrictions that have been
put in place in BC to present the spread of Covid-19. In reality, gathering together in large
groups only achieved the opposite of what they wanted as it was at these protests where
Covid-19 is most easily spread, in large groups of people in close proximity, therefore
creating the need for more lockdowns to counteract the spread of the virus.
Another example of this same situation could be the origin of nicotine. In the past
nicotine was believed to be a sacred plant that possessed many healing benefits. People
used nicotine for medicinal purposes such as toothaches, wounds, and lessening pain.
Nicotine was considered to be a cure-all remedy, which is the opposite of what it is today.
Nowadays nicotine is a very addictive chemical that is used to make cigarettes. Nicotine
addiction can lead to lung cancer, leukemia, heart disease, and other health problems.