This is a project from summer of 2015 in which we challenged ourselves to create a meaningful paragraph of some kind. The only constraint was that the paragraph had to consist of twenty sentences, each sentence containing one more word than the one before it, in consecutive fashion. It was really fun finding ways to use the imposed structure of this challenge to match the content of the paragraph.
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Stephen:
(1)Love. (2)Why love? (3)Who needs love? (4)It’s a useless emotion. (5)Actually, it’s worse than useless. (6)Love brings pain to all parties. (7)We all must pass from this world. (8)Some of us must go before the others. (9)This leaves many in their misery and lost dreams. (10)They must forever live in the shadows of the past. (11)But surely we would not feel such pain without just cause. (12)Surely there could be no meaner trick played by fate or deity. (13)Men, women, and their children too have always felt the need for love. (14)And so they have decided on many explanations, convincing themselves that it is good. (15)They may well be correct in their many ponderings on this deep, and profound subject. (16)For what prevents a mother killing a sickly child if not the strong attraction she feels? (17)What keeps man and woman together in marriage, even when strong temptation comes upon them, but love? (18)What is the thing that keeps the very roots of the human race from pulling themselves out completely? (19)What great and powerful force drives away the evil and dark armies of hate, anger, selfishness, greed, and fear? (20)I seem to have come full circle in my approach to this strange emotion, for my answer now is Love!
Nick:
(1)Life. (2)Emergent forms. (3)Bottom-up design. (4)Layers of increasing complexity. (5)Yet none are truly simple. (6)Even ancient archaea hold complex secrets. (7)Bacteria, their younger brethren, even more so. (8)Single-celled organisms give rise to higher forms. (9)Each finding a unique niche in it’s own ecosystem. (10)Each species battling for it’s right to occupy that niche. (11)What happens when a niche becomes too full, or disappears altogether? (12)We see it happening in the wild by the thousands every day. (13)Ninety-nine percent of all species that have ever lived are now extinct. (14)We see ourselves standing alone, somehow separate from the threat of those dire odds. (15)We are man; sculpted from the dust of stars to become the pinnacle of evolution. (16)We are the most complex known form of life, and our niche shall never be filled. (17)We are that which fills the niches of the world, and none can stand in our way! (18)Yet how are we, having only just discovered our place, so quick to forget our ancient, humble origins? (19)For all our complexity, will now learn the lessons echoing to us from our brethren, the ninety-nine percent? (20)Let us remember, bacteria existed long before us, and will persist when the last of our kind is but dust.
Sarah:
(1)"What? She didn't. (2)Are you serious? (3)I can't believe that. (5)She is literally, completely insane! (6)She wanted to buy your baby! (7)You can't continue working for this woman. (8)This is completely unprofessional behavior she is exhibiting. (9)No, no, I simply will - can not accept this. (10I don't understand how you're being so calm about it. (11)Okay, first she slept with your husband, then with your gynecologist. (12)You can't tell me the woman isn't on your shit list, okay? (13)Well, that is just your opinion, of course, but it is totally unacceptable. (14)I don't really care about the open relationship aspect, you know this about me. (15)I have never been okay with the whole concept of him sleeping around, you know? (16)I mean, I know you wanted to make him happy, but this is way too far. (17)But the thing is, even if you are okay with him sleeping around you have to quit. (18)Obviously, I hear you, you're going to have a hard time finding a new job in this economy. (19)But she's insane, think about it this way - if you stay there, your baby will always be at risk! (20)Okay, well at least think about what I said before you make any rash decisions, and take care of yourself."
Emma:
(1)"Tomatoes. (2)Don't forget. (3)Oh, and zucchini. (4)Are you listening, Kyle?! (5)You should get flour too. (6)I'd like some greens, maybe spinach? (7)How about a package of ground beef? (8)And Hamburgers would make an excellent Friday dinner! (9)However, that means you should get potato chips too. (10)And please get some kind of nonalcoholic beverage as well. (11)Are you going to be able to remember all this, Kyle? (12)Tomatoes, zucchini, flour, spinach, ground beef, potato chips, drinks....and some carrots. (13)Baby carrots if you can find a bag big enough for us all. (14)Perhaps we should stock up on refried beans, just in case we make burritos. (15)But if we make burritos, we'll need some cheese and sour cream....maybe some cilantro. (16)And what if I were to try to make a batch of cookies for the party? (17)That means you'll need to pick up some chocolate chips, brown sugar, eggs, and a milk carton. (18)In case you decide to bring lunch to work instead of eating out, pick up some sandwich meat. (19)I don't remember what your mom thinks of granola, but I thought I'd make some for when she visits. (20)If you can remember everything I just said, which you should, then I expect you back with it pronto, Kyle!
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