As we’re all made aware, serious political upheaval has shot across the Arab world in recent weeks. Largely fueled by similar factors across nations (long-standing autocracies, large proportion of unemployed youth, corruption and Facebook), these revolutions are disrupting the lives of millions in a way that is unprecedented in this millennium. Although there is no wall to tear down this time, it appears as if … Continue reading Democracy for all my friends

First, I would like to congratulate you, dear reader, for making it past what is doubtlessly a terrifying picture of me. I assure you your bravery will be rewarded. By way of introduction, there are two things that I feel you should know about me: First, growing up, my parents liked to teach me important life lessons through the magic of proverbs. Thus, if at … Continue reading In which our hero discusses local politics

Look on the bright side.” “Think positively.” “Dream big.” All of these sayings are as cliché and overused as a black-and-white iPhotoBooth profile pic on Facebook, and hearing them produces the same reaction as hearing any live recording of Taylor Swift’s so called “music.” Which is to vomit. That’s because all of these sayings are outrageously optimistic. Not to be Debby Downer here, but I … Continue reading The dangers of optimism

What does one stay up for? A café napkin probes the question. Is the answer one word, or thirteen? Can the reason be summed up in one word, ambition, or does it take two, work ethic? The location for historical rendezvous and social networking, cafés exist as central to life. Yet, dotted along European and American streets, these colorful and “unique” spaces are not obviously … Continue reading Would you like to go for coffee?

Once upon a time, Gustavus Student Senate had received enough complaints that it decided to brainstorm, create and implement a trial run for a “new” way of doing things for the Gus Bus. Fast forward to the end of January. Our polls showed that a whopping 70% of people wanted the “old” Gus Bus system. Student Senate was debating whether it would finish the trial … Continue reading Bewildered by the escort system

Welcome back Gusties to the spring semester of 2011 and, for seniors including myself, the very last semester as undergraduates. At this point in my college career, I can’t help but get nostalgic about all the experiences I’ve had here—the classes I’ve taken, the friends I’ve made, the good, the bad and the silly. Truth be told, I’ve had some crazy opportunities at Gustavus to … Continue reading Courage to rethink “disability”

One of the most memorable experiences of our lives will be attending college. The most obvious change is that we don’t need to be under the watchful eye of our parents. Basically every decision we make is our own and not made for us. We chose our classes, meals, friends, social activities and where we want to live. Second semester demands our full attention, but … Continue reading To get off or not to get off?

You know the YouTube hit “David After Dentist,” the video a dad took of his young son after a dental procedure involving some type of anesthetic. You laughed at it, right? Don’t lie. As much as you questioned why Dad just so happened to have a video camera at that moment, you still laughed. “Is this real life?” David slurs under the influence. “Why is … Continue reading The importance of being humerous

In shaping a teeming and generally senseless group of people into something resembling a society, empathy is probably the most important social adhesive. It is, for our purposes, the ability to discern and understand the feelings of others. It is a direct symptom of a kind of internal language to which most humans are naturally privy. As a result, it is a concept most strongly … Continue reading Empathy?! I’ll show you Empathy.