Graceless Gustavus. These two words are rarely, if ever, used together. In fact, we usually characterize Gustavus as being a nice, friendly, welcoming place. A place where students, faculty and staff routinely say hello to each other, even if they don’t have the faintest recollection of who the other individual is. We are in danger of losing this image. It is my belief that we … Continue reading Gustavus’ fall from grace
As a nanny this summer, I brought my magic bag of activities every day with hopes of entertaining and educating Isabelle, age three, and Halle, age five. One day, after Isabelle was finished coloring on the kitchen chairs and Halle had smeared macaroni all over me, I decided I had to be on my toes constantly and have activities ready for their moments of outburst: … Continue reading Dismantling Gender Constructs
My delightful roommate recently called me over to his computer to show me a movie trailer. Expecting to see a trailer for an upcoming action or comedy flick that might interest me, I was intrigued to find a long trailer for the controversial documentary Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed. Written and narrated by Ben Stein (yes, the droning teacher from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off), this documentary … Continue reading The de-evolution of science
“So, how was your day, Tara? Oh, uh, I mean, Tasha.” Ok, so both of our names start with the letter T; but you would think that after twenty-one years as his daughter, my father would be able to distinguish me from my brown-haired sister—you know, the girl who popped out roughly two and a half years before I did. In a sarcastic tone I … Continue reading Solving the memory problem
A sci-fi movie set in an apocalyptic future couldn’t have created a better story. In the frigid Arctic region of Norway called Svalbard, scientists are safeguarding humanity from destruction. Into a mountain of solid sandstone they have carved a giant underground vault with walls of steel-reinforced concrete one meter thick, dual blast-proof doors, state-of-the-art security systems and the capacity to house millions. Millions of seeds, … Continue reading Saving the world in Svalbard
Hello, significant other. I am so glad we were able to schedule some time together. Between my chemistry club meetings, my volunteer events, my job, my six classes, orchestra rehearsal and writing my thesis, things can get a little crazy. What do you mean, “We need to talk?” We are talking. Right here in the Caf between my eight o’clock class and my nine o’clock … Continue reading Too busy to break up
Much to the thrill of Hillary Clinton, it seems that Barack Obama has finally shown a serious weakness. The junior U.S. Senator from Illinois has passed through his time in the national spotlight (including the current Democratic Party primary process) mostly unscathed. But the first major threat to his likeability has come in the form of his unpatriotic and hate-filled pastor, the Reverend Doctor Jeremiah … Continue reading “Not so proud to be an American?”
I suspect there was a reason that last week’s article “Rethinking Recycling” was placed in the commentary section of this paper. Before I go further, I should say that the author of “Rethinking Recycling” was right in at least two things: we should recycle aluminum and other metals and we should try to reduce or reuse something before ever moving to recycling. It is not … Continue reading Rethinking requires thinking
Politicians don’t dare address it; it goes against everything we have been taught since kindergarten, and I’m sure you will be surprised to learn that recycling actually harms our sacred earth. Editor of Machine Design Magazine, Leland Teschler, asserts in a July 13, 2006 issue, “Some people buy hybrid cars to save energy. As for me, I do my part by not recycling paper, glass, … Continue reading Rethinking Recycling
College is often seen as the peak of existence, the prime years of a person’s life. Films portray the college years as the best years in which to have fun, experiment or try something completely new. The college experience is the culmination of years of preparation and is one of the primary goals of millions of Americans. Students across America look forward to it, and … Continue reading Time to grow up
