Possible topic for supplement #2

<p>I'm having some trouble trouble coming up with a good ethical dilemma to write about for supplement #2. I do have one idea, but my parents aren't too keen on it. The example had to do with trading in TF2, and someone offered an item on my trade which was actually worth 2x to 4x what I had (~$15:~$30-$60) so instead of taking the easy profit I let him know what his items was worth and he retracted the offer.
My parents don't like this example because they think it emphasizes video games to much and that would make my application look worse because the stereotype of a gamer is 30 year old in his mother's basement.
While it is true that I do play computer games, I am also active in scouting, going on camping, hiking, backpacking, and canoeing trips, and I'm also active in math competitions (I qualified for the USJAMO two years ago and the AIME last year) and am taking WOOT through AoPS.
Do I need to worry about referencing gaming in this way?</p>

<p>I feel that gaming isn’t the biggest issue at play; I feel that it’s the topic. The TF2 thing is a bit trivial imo (maybe because I don’t game, but still doesn’t seem THAT important), and it doesn’t really present that much of an “ethical dilemma.” Although really if you write it out right it can work very well, just that you have to explain the game, AND the dilemma, within 100 words…</p>

<p>That said, have you ever had doubts on telling another person something, secrets, etc.? Try to use real-life examples, if you know what I mean.</p>

<p>Yeah, I do concur that a “real-life” dilemma would be better, but the problem is that’s drawing a blank on dilemmas all across the board. Even the trading example wasn’t really a dilemma - for me it was just the right thing to do, but most other active traders in TF2 would have snapped up the easy profit in a heartbeat.</p>

<p>I know what you mean by “drawing a blank on dilemmas all across the board”. I had the same issue about 3 weeks back (when I wrote mine, since I did EA). The thing is, I’d thought about and mulled the topic over and over a long time before, in the shower, walking the dog, during free period, etc. and it just randomly came. Not like an epiphany kind of thing, but I was just randomly like “oh, this is pretty cool. oh wait, it would make a nice ethical dilemma for Caltech”.</p>

<p>Try not to simply settle for stuff like seeing your friend cheat off a test; to keep anonymity I won’t say my topic, but mine wasn’t even that big. I think Caltech just wants to see how you dealt with small things, and what you learned from it.</p>

<p>Ex: someone told you a secret once, and you told others. It spread. nasty stuff
Ex 2: you had to choose between ___ and ___, where each alternative has some negative results (idk, best friend and girlfriend?)
etc.</p>

<p>And also, about the TF2 thing. If I were you I probs woulda taken the trade, since it’s the other guy’s fault that he didn’t know the value of his own stuff - not stealing, lol. #capitalism. also about the game, a big problem is that adcoms might be like “it’s just a game…” not like it affects you personally. And not sure, but adcoms might not like the pretty much ubiquitous, stereotypical connection between USA(J)MO qualifiers and gamers - so in that regard I agree a bit with your parents.</p>

<p>Hope I helped!</p>

<p>Have you gone hunting for scouting or anything of the like? While a bit common or ordinary, I’m sure you could find some ethical quandry there. Most hunters both enjoy the beauty of the creatures and nature and the thrill of the chase. Meanwhile hunters are often major drivers for conservation to maintain sustainable harvest. Personally I also have brief philosophical moments when preparing live bait (maybe since unlike the catch it could be wasted). Even a camping footprint could be considered in this general thread, the balance of enjoying the outdoors while not sullying them in the process. </p>

<p>Most people run into a couple major ethical dilemmas in their social interactions over the years. These can be easily forgotten once resolved even if they seem trying at the time. So maybe try to think of something like that. </p>

<p>I would agree with lolzorzamos that the example seems a bit trivial. There is not much of a dilemma. Purely speculating something that may be holding back your creativity is that you may want to be seen as the clear goodguy in the example you present. But for the best ethical dilemmas that will not be possible – they are dilemmas precisely because there is no simple solution. </p>

<p>While I’m not sure I’d believe it back when I was in your shoes, I’m not even certain it is necessary to seem to be a good person in the answer. I for one know many times where I wish I had done things differently in retrospect. Examining your thought process then, passing judgment on your past actions and reflecting on mistakes makes for a far more compelling read in my opinion. It illustrates introspection, humility, and the ability and desire to learn and improve.</p>