Unit 3: More and more people no longer read newspapers or watch TV

programs to get news. They get news about the world through the Internet.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this trend.

There is an increasing change towards the ways people get their information
since the Internet has become the primary source of news. As a result,
traditional forms of news such as newspapers and television programs are
becoming less popular. In this essay, I am going to examine this issue from both
points of view and then give my opinion on the matter.

On the one hand, there are people who argue that the benefits of getting
information from online platforms considerably outweigh its disadvantages. The
main reason for believing this is because of speed and convenience. With just a
smartphone or computer, people can access breaking news at any time, from
anywhere in the world. This is much faster than waiting for the next day’s
newspaper or scheduled TV broadcasts. It is also possible to say that reading
articles through social media helps protect the environment. One good
illustration of this is that people have to cut down trees, spend money on
printing, etc. to produce a paper newspaper, but sometimes, each newspaper
only contains information about a certain field or topic. Meanwhile, electronic
newspapers have no weight, with a huge amount of information, do not cost
money for printing, publishing and can reflect information in all areas of social
life.

On the other hand, opponents of the previous view claim that getting news
through the internet brings some drawbacks. People often have this opinion
because of the spread of false or misleading information. Since anyone can
publish content online, it is often difficult to tell which sources are reliable. This
can lead to confusion or even harm, especially during emergencies or political
events. For example, after watching some videos on Facebook or TikTok about
folk remedies using plants or medicines of unknown origin, many people
believe and use them despite the inaccurate information, leading to serious
consequences, even in some cases requiring hospitalization. A second point is
reading news online in the current digital age, where information is constantly
updated and overwhelming in quantity, can gradually lead to a psychological
phenomenon known as FOMO - Fear of Missing Out. This refers to the anxiety
people feel when they believe they might be missing important or trending
updates, which can increase stress levels and reduce their ability to focus.
In conclusion, I believe both arguments have their merits. On balance, however,
I feel that reading news through online media brings more disadvantages. This
is because they may lead to misinformation and mental illness.

*GPT:
In recent years, there has been a significant shift in the way people access news,
with the Internet becoming the primary source of information for many.
Consequently, traditional media such as newspapers and television programs
have seen a decline in popularity. This essay will discuss both the advantages
and disadvantages of this trend.

One of the key advantages of obtaining news online is its speed and
convenience. With just a smartphone or computer, users can access real-time
updates from around the world, far more quickly than waiting for the next day’s
newspaper or scheduled television broadcasts. In addition, accessing news
digitally contributes to environmental conservation by reducing the need for
paper production and physical distribution. Unlike printed newspapers, which
often cover only a limited range of topics, online platforms can offer a wide
variety of news in different fields, all in one place, and without the costs
associated with printing and delivery.

However, despite these benefits, there are notable drawbacks to relying on the
Internet for news. One major concern is the spread of false or misleading
information. Since content can be published by virtually anyone, it is often
difficult for readers to distinguish between reliable and unreliable sources. This
has led to real-world consequences. For instance, after watching videos on
platforms like Facebook or TikTok promoting unverified folk remedies or
medicines of unknown origin, many individuals have followed such advice,
resulting in serious health issues and even hospitalization in some cases.
Another disadvantage is the risk of psychological effects, such as the Fear of
Missing Out (FOMO). In the digital age, where information is constantly
updated, some people feel pressured to keep up with every news item. This can
lead to increased anxiety, reduced concentration, and a negative impact on
mental well-being.

In conclusion, while the Internet offers undeniable advantages in terms of

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The adoption of electric cars over traditional gasoline vehicles. Do the
advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

In this day and age, more and more people accept the shift from conventional
petrol-powered vehicles to battery-powered vehicles. In this essay, I would
evaluate both the pros and cons before proposing whether or not the positive
aspects outperform its drawbacks.

On the one hand, one of the many advantages is their positive impact on the
environment. Unlike gasoline cars, EVs produce no tailpipe emissions, helping
to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Take Oslo and
Amsterdam as examples, these cities have reported improved air quality after
encouraging the use of electric cars. This shift is crucial in the fight against
climate change. What’s more, electric-powered automobiles tend to have lower
operating costs in the long run. It means that electricity generally costs less than
petrol, and electric vehicles require less maintenance due to having fewer
moving parts. These financial and environmental incentives are encouraging
both individuals and governments to invest in cleaner transport solutions.

On the other hand, there are drawbacks to the acceptance of vehicles driven by
electricity over standard gas-powered vehicles. One such drawback is the lack
of charging infrastructure. In many rural or underdeveloped areas, finding a
charging station can be difficult, which limits the practicality of using electric
vehicles for long-distance or daily travel. Even in cities where charging points
are available, users often face long wait times or limited access during peak
hours. Unlike refueling a gasoline car, which takes just a few minutes, charging
an electric car can take up to an hour, even with fast chargers. This lack of
convenience remains a major obstacle for wider EV adoption.

In conclusion, I completely agree that the merits outweigh the demerits because
of its influence on our living conditions and its usage costs. However, electric
car owners may face some difficulties when charging their vehicles. Therefore, I
recommend that the government should encourage private companies to
cooperate with local authorities to expand fast-charging networks in both urban
and rural areas.