❓ The Lake Conundrum 👁‍🗨

There is a large lake next to a small town. 

A CORPORATION, the town’s largest employer, dumps harmful chemicals into the lake.

SCIENTISTS, after studying the lake’s health, agree that the lake will die in 10 years if the pollution continues.

The PUPPETMASTER, an individual who is afraid that new regulations could affect their business empire, decides that the conversation about the lake needs to be more “balanced.”

The PUPPETMASTER forms their own scientific research group called “Scientists for a Clean Lake” and pays a small group of the SCIENTISTS to publish bogus research that claims that the lake “has never been healthier.”

The MEDIA reports that a new scientific study shows that the lake is in good health.

POLITICIANS have the power to stop the pollution, but they decide that any action against the CORPORATION is too risky since there does not seem to be agreement among the scientists and the company employs so many people in the town.

The VOTERS that live near the lake listen to the MEDIA, POLITICIANS, and SCIENTISTS and become deeply divided and confused. They are not sure if the lake is nearly dead, in great health, or somewhere in between. The VOTERS re-elect the POLITICIANS.

The CORPORATION continues to dump chemicals into the lake.

Ten years later…THE LAKE DIES. So, who is most to blame?

1. The COMPANY
2. The SCIENTISTS
3. The PUPPETMASTER
4. The MEDIA
5. The POLITICIANS
6. The VOTERS

❓ Conundrums for Kids