Question

walter freeman has dreamed of going to space since he was a small child. now, as a highly successful leader of a company that offers clients solutions to reducing their carbon footprints, walter finally has the opportunity to realize his dream. walter has been offered a spot on a space tourist flight. the flights will last approximately 12 minutes giving its passengers the rare opportunity to see the earth below. walter is excited about the chance to go to space but can't stop thinking about the amount of fuel that will be burned during the 12-minute joy ride. walter is likely experiencing .

Answer 1

Walter Freeman's excitement about fulfilling his lifelong dream of going to space is likely tempered by his concern about the environmental impact of the space tourist flight. This is a common feeling known as cognitive dissonance, which occurs when a person holds two or more conflicting beliefs, attitudes, or values and experiences psychological discomfort as a result. In this case, Walter's desire to experience the thrill of space travel is at odds with his belief in reducing carbon footprints and minimizing fuel consumption.

Cognitive dissonance can manifest in different ways, including discomfort, anxiety, and even physical symptoms. In Walter's case, his thoughts about the environmental impact of the flight may be causing him to experience feelings of guilt or shame. He may also be questioning whether the 12-minute joyride is worth the environmental cost. To reduce the cognitive dissonance, Walter may attempt to justify or rationalize his decision to go on the flight. He may argue that the amount of fuel burned is a small price to pay for the experience of a lifetime. He may also try to minimize the environmental impact by offsetting his carbon emissions through investment in renewable energy or other sustainable practices. Alternatively, Walter may decide not to go on the flight and instead find other ways to fulfill his dream of space travel, such as virtual reality or simulations, which would not have the same environmental impact. It's also possible that Walter's concern about the environmental impact of the flight may lead him to advocate for sustainable space travel, such as developing more efficient propulsion systems or using reusable rockets.

In conclusion, Walter Freeman's excitement about going to space is likely tempered by his concern about the environmental impact of the flight, which is causing him to experience cognitive dissonance. He may try to justify or rationalize his decision to go, or he may decide not to go on the flight. Regardless of his decision, Walter's concern about the environment may lead him to advocate for sustainable space travel.