The other day, I passed by a scene outside of Olin Library, which brought me to the brink of vomiting. No, it was not any sort of bodily excrement- for I have stepped in my fair share of doggy doo, and have become accustomed to it. No, it was not any sort of spider or any possible disgusting result of nature... Actually, that's not true. Take the part of nature which is the most natural part of all- a trait common to almost all of Earth's creatures. Now apply that to humans and you have the vomitrocious sight I saw.
That's right, I saw two humans practically reproducing in public space. Now, they weren't actually in the process of mating, but they were very much enthralled in a ritualistic run around the bases that ends in home plate. They were about 120 feet in to that run, sliding into second base. Had I been in a more volatile mood, I may have shouted "get a room." However, I chose to maintain the generally respectable demeanor I keep about me, and my mouth refrained from yelling the words in my head. Though I did end up coming to a conclusion, and the fact that I'm writing about it now only shows that apparently I'm fine with being passive-aggressive as opposed to just plain aggressive. Considering that I'm not naming or directing this at any individuals in particular, I don't think it's too bad.
People showcasing
Their love in public somehow
Are compensating.
I don't want to go all Freudian analysis on it, mainly because I lack the knowledge to, but my general thoughts surrounding this are that anyone who feels it necessary to straddle their mate in public (I say mate because the lack of self-decency is animalistic in more than one way) must have some sort of insecurity when it comes to their relationship. Again, I'm not sure how it works- but if you really need to show off to the world "look, we're nauseatingly in love," chances are you're only trying to prove it to yourself. I would be highly interested in reading a sociological study on the length of relationships with common decency versus those with incredibly public showcases of affection and hornyness. My guess would be that those without displays would have a statistically significant increase in the chance for a long-term relationship. Sorry if I offended any of you who may fall under this category. I'm sure you're a very cute couple if you're reading this blog.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Friday, April 30, 2010
Decosmication
An article in the Chronicle of Higher Education cited a study that students who have social media (phones, interwebs, etc) taken away from them experience withdrawal symptoms, similar to those experienced by alcoholics or drug addicts.
My reaction to this study?
Social media
Is too big to be denied.
Just like oxygen.
Seriously, if you're researching the withdrawal signs from the internet and texting, you may as well also research those signs for oxygen and water. If you don't know- the withdrawal symptoms often associated with those are suffocation and dehydration. The only difference with social media is that the withdrawal symptoms don't have a label pinned to them yet. To that effect, I have decided to personally dub the withdrawal from social media as "decosmication" (and no that word has never been used on the internet before. Google it). If you are at all familiar with linguistics, you will see that I simply used the Greek root for universe, since, in this day and age, to be deprived of technology is to be deprived of the universe.
Honestly though, this study may be a little bit excessive, if you ask me. We know that technology is necessary in day to day life for the average person- and vital for the average college student. Without a computer, one suddenly loses the ability to check homework, do homework, and communicate in general.
The article, if you're curious: http://chronicle.com/blogPost/Students-Denied-Social-Media/23561/
My reaction to this study?
Social media
Is too big to be denied.
Just like oxygen.
Seriously, if you're researching the withdrawal signs from the internet and texting, you may as well also research those signs for oxygen and water. If you don't know- the withdrawal symptoms often associated with those are suffocation and dehydration. The only difference with social media is that the withdrawal symptoms don't have a label pinned to them yet. To that effect, I have decided to personally dub the withdrawal from social media as "decosmication" (and no that word has never been used on the internet before. Google it). If you are at all familiar with linguistics, you will see that I simply used the Greek root for universe, since, in this day and age, to be deprived of technology is to be deprived of the universe.
Honestly though, this study may be a little bit excessive, if you ask me. We know that technology is necessary in day to day life for the average person- and vital for the average college student. Without a computer, one suddenly loses the ability to check homework, do homework, and communicate in general.
The article, if you're curious: http://chronicle.com/blogPost/Students-Denied-Social-Media/23561/
Thursday, April 29, 2010
A scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful.......
You may not know this, but I was a Boy Scout once. Unfortunately, I hated it and quit- when I was a Life Scout (one away from Eagle). However, I would like to think that the Boy Scout morals have carried on with me, and still consider the Boy Scouts to be a great organization in spite of my personal experiences with it.
I just read, however, that the Boy Scouts of America are adding new merit badges. Now, if you don't know- Merit Badges are what Boy Scouts need to advance. They get them in various subjects including: Wilderness Survival, First Aid, Emergency Preparedness, Family Life, Personal Fitness, Personal Finance, Music, Art, Orienteering, and many, many, many more. I personally had over 20 and was proud to flaunt them.
So why do the Boy Scouts need new badges? Well, to fill in gaps or make up for changing times. Two of the new badges are Photography (a long-needed badge) and Disability Awareness (a much-needed badge, in my opinion). Then there are a few which seem a little frivolous. For instance, there's a Good Manners badge (requirements should hopefully include chewing with your mouth closed, since that seems so hard in society), a Hiking badge (not that you ever need to hike as a scout), a Family Travel badge (seems like an excuse for rich kids who take vacations every summer to get a free badge), and Reading and Writing (it's not like scouts learn those in school or anything). However, a few of the new badges seem... a bit different. As if they're trying to appeal to a certain crowd. Some of these new badges? Skateboarding. Hockey. Kickball. Pet Care. Video Games. Yes, Video Games.
It seems like the new
Scout philosophy is to
Prepare for real life
That's right, it would look like the BSA are attempting to make a shift to practical things such as Pet Care and Video Games. Because let's face it, no one ever actually hikes or goes camping. Camping is so 1990s romantic-comedy. But seriously, I think the video game badge is actually a good move. They're teaching kids good habits surrounding games. The kids will be playing video games anyways so you may as well take advantage of that fact. The badge teaches kids to save money on purchases and to practice moderation in playing, which are both very useful things to have in life. The same idea applies to skateboarding and hockey, where the kids can learn proper safety in a controlled environment rather than going out and breaking their arms (they can still do that with rollerblading if they really want to).
And I apologize for the 2 days in a row of video games. They've been in the news. Different topic matter tomorrow, I promise.
Source: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/04/28/boy-scouts-new-video-game-award-sellout-say-critics/?loomia_ow=t0:s0:a4:g4:r2:c0.000000:b0:z5
I just read, however, that the Boy Scouts of America are adding new merit badges. Now, if you don't know- Merit Badges are what Boy Scouts need to advance. They get them in various subjects including: Wilderness Survival, First Aid, Emergency Preparedness, Family Life, Personal Fitness, Personal Finance, Music, Art, Orienteering, and many, many, many more. I personally had over 20 and was proud to flaunt them.
So why do the Boy Scouts need new badges? Well, to fill in gaps or make up for changing times. Two of the new badges are Photography (a long-needed badge) and Disability Awareness (a much-needed badge, in my opinion). Then there are a few which seem a little frivolous. For instance, there's a Good Manners badge (requirements should hopefully include chewing with your mouth closed, since that seems so hard in society), a Hiking badge (not that you ever need to hike as a scout), a Family Travel badge (seems like an excuse for rich kids who take vacations every summer to get a free badge), and Reading and Writing (it's not like scouts learn those in school or anything). However, a few of the new badges seem... a bit different. As if they're trying to appeal to a certain crowd. Some of these new badges? Skateboarding. Hockey. Kickball. Pet Care. Video Games. Yes, Video Games.
It seems like the new
Scout philosophy is to
Prepare for real life
That's right, it would look like the BSA are attempting to make a shift to practical things such as Pet Care and Video Games. Because let's face it, no one ever actually hikes or goes camping. Camping is so 1990s romantic-comedy. But seriously, I think the video game badge is actually a good move. They're teaching kids good habits surrounding games. The kids will be playing video games anyways so you may as well take advantage of that fact. The badge teaches kids to save money on purchases and to practice moderation in playing, which are both very useful things to have in life. The same idea applies to skateboarding and hockey, where the kids can learn proper safety in a controlled environment rather than going out and breaking their arms (they can still do that with rollerblading if they really want to).
And I apologize for the 2 days in a row of video games. They've been in the news. Different topic matter tomorrow, I promise.
Source: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/04/28/boy-scouts-new-video-game-award-sellout-say-critics/?loomia_ow=t0:s0:a4:g4:r2:c0.000000:b0:z5
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Compact disks don't make good murder weapons
In the news, a California case against video games has reached the Supreme Court. Essentially, it's just about the done-to-death issue of selling video games to minors.
Now, I really have no idea why this case exists in the first place, but to me it seems rather silly for a host of reasons.
First of all, I'd like to make this point:
Video games don't
Actually kill people-
If you didn't know
Really. Try to kill someone with a video game- it won't do you much good. Try to kill someone with a gun though and you'll probably be successful. So here's my first question. Why on Earth are many of these (Republican) politicians trying to ban video game sales to minors while trying to get every person and their mother their own handgun? Now, this charge is being lead by Arnold Schwarzenegger, who, though in favor of gun control, might not be in the best position to talk, considering the nature of many of his movies (*cough* Terminator *cough*).
Video games are not the direct cause of killing no matter how many studies try to pin it as such. And I'm sure that there are plenty of studies saying that guns do kill people. Also, if the case goes the wrong way, I don't understand why someone can join the army and kill real people once they're 17, but not kill imaginary people in a video game until they're 18. In addition, if you can't buy violent games until you're 18, and can buy guns once you're 18 (as it is now), seems like you would be more inclined to try the two out together.
At the same time, kids who are playing video games have a tendency to... well, play video games excessively. We all know that. So, while other teens are going out drinking beer, experimenting with drugs, getting DUIs, and dying in drunk driving accidents- the video game teens are a little preoccupied with playing video games.
All of the attacking lawyers (none of whom have ever played a video game, most likely) cite studies saying that violence in video games leads to violence in real life. In response to that- I'm sure there would be plenty of studies saying that playing video games helps relieve stress (it sure does for me) if there were people who really cared about the other side- but chances are the studies are funded by these rich BMW-driving lawyers, so there is much opposition.
The studies that also find this probably don't take into account something to be observed in every study- confounding factors. For instance, while they may come to the conclusion that violent video games lead to deviance, they may not fully think out the scenario. In my opinion, anyone playing Grand Theft Auto isn't just going to go out and shoot someone. In order to be so deranged, they probably need to be deranged in the first place. It could be childhood abuse, poor parenting, or just a chemical imbalance. But in all honesty, for every kid who just happens to kill someone and play a violent video game, there are millions who don't hurt a fly. Why? Because they're too busy hurting people in video games to care about real life.
Now, I really have no idea why this case exists in the first place, but to me it seems rather silly for a host of reasons.
First of all, I'd like to make this point:
Video games don't
Actually kill people-
If you didn't know
Really. Try to kill someone with a video game- it won't do you much good. Try to kill someone with a gun though and you'll probably be successful. So here's my first question. Why on Earth are many of these (Republican) politicians trying to ban video game sales to minors while trying to get every person and their mother their own handgun? Now, this charge is being lead by Arnold Schwarzenegger, who, though in favor of gun control, might not be in the best position to talk, considering the nature of many of his movies (*cough* Terminator *cough*).
Video games are not the direct cause of killing no matter how many studies try to pin it as such. And I'm sure that there are plenty of studies saying that guns do kill people. Also, if the case goes the wrong way, I don't understand why someone can join the army and kill real people once they're 17, but not kill imaginary people in a video game until they're 18. In addition, if you can't buy violent games until you're 18, and can buy guns once you're 18 (as it is now), seems like you would be more inclined to try the two out together.
At the same time, kids who are playing video games have a tendency to... well, play video games excessively. We all know that. So, while other teens are going out drinking beer, experimenting with drugs, getting DUIs, and dying in drunk driving accidents- the video game teens are a little preoccupied with playing video games.
All of the attacking lawyers (none of whom have ever played a video game, most likely) cite studies saying that violence in video games leads to violence in real life. In response to that- I'm sure there would be plenty of studies saying that playing video games helps relieve stress (it sure does for me) if there were people who really cared about the other side- but chances are the studies are funded by these rich BMW-driving lawyers, so there is much opposition.
The studies that also find this probably don't take into account something to be observed in every study- confounding factors. For instance, while they may come to the conclusion that violent video games lead to deviance, they may not fully think out the scenario. In my opinion, anyone playing Grand Theft Auto isn't just going to go out and shoot someone. In order to be so deranged, they probably need to be deranged in the first place. It could be childhood abuse, poor parenting, or just a chemical imbalance. But in all honesty, for every kid who just happens to kill someone and play a violent video game, there are millions who don't hurt a fly. Why? Because they're too busy hurting people in video games to care about real life.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Parsley, rosemary, sage, and time
I have 4 classes of American Studies left. Weird to think the semester is practically over. Or, even more- that my first year of college is practically over. Boy time flies when you're too busy doing work to look at a clock. I've already discussed that to death though... Actually, I realized that the post I had thought discussed this did not. So I'm in the clear (yes!).
I've always heard that the college years go by in the blink of an eye. And so far it's proving to be true. It's strange, really. It feels like forever ago that I met my friends here and moved in, but at the same time it feels as though the weeks just zoom by. Time is strange like that. Evil, even.
Time is plain evil:
Slows to a halt in high school,
Speeds up in college
When one is in high school, it's not unusual to be tormented. Between time in school, schoolwork, overbearing parents, underpaid teachers, and rules rules rules- it can really be a torturous process. Most people desire to break free of the high school grind and to get to college. Only problem is, high school goes on and on and on forever (don't worry, it ends eventually- I'm a testament to that fact). Then, when you finally get to college, it sprints out the door before you can even so much as get its name and number (well, that's probably not a great metaphor since you actually do get that stuff, along with a pretty couple of lines on your resume and forehead). So yeah, the moral of the story is that time's an asshole who you can't mold to your uses (unless you're your goldfish Swimmy, who has somehow miraculously lived for 20 years and magically changes his shape and size every year or so).
The title's a pun, albeit a bad one.
I've always heard that the college years go by in the blink of an eye. And so far it's proving to be true. It's strange, really. It feels like forever ago that I met my friends here and moved in, but at the same time it feels as though the weeks just zoom by. Time is strange like that. Evil, even.
Time is plain evil:
Slows to a halt in high school,
Speeds up in college
When one is in high school, it's not unusual to be tormented. Between time in school, schoolwork, overbearing parents, underpaid teachers, and rules rules rules- it can really be a torturous process. Most people desire to break free of the high school grind and to get to college. Only problem is, high school goes on and on and on forever (don't worry, it ends eventually- I'm a testament to that fact). Then, when you finally get to college, it sprints out the door before you can even so much as get its name and number (well, that's probably not a great metaphor since you actually do get that stuff, along with a pretty couple of lines on your resume and forehead). So yeah, the moral of the story is that time's an asshole who you can't mold to your uses (unless you're your goldfish Swimmy, who has somehow miraculously lived for 20 years and magically changes his shape and size every year or so).
The title's a pun, albeit a bad one.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Humdrum People
I know I promised to avoid talk of the weather, but I would just like to point out the fact that Cornell days pretty much just ended, and the weather's horrible. Just as predicted. Now, on to better things.
OK Go was amazing. The music was fantastic and they had great visuals to accompany it as well. The lead singer was hilarious (and a nerd, which is always a plus), and seemed to be down-to-earth, which is understandable for a fun-loving band like them. They didn't have treadmills on stage, but it was epic nonetheless. They did a song with only hand-bells for instruments, which was realy awesome. And they had a set of chimes for music. Chimes. I mean, seriously, you know just from that that they're good. One thing I noticed though:
Not sure Ithaca
is the right place to sing 'bout
Average people
In their song "What to do," the chorus has a part that goes "mediocre people do exceptional things all the time." Now, I don't mean to sound cocky, but Ithaca is not necessarily a good town to be singing about mediocre people. I mean, some people might feel mediocre after getting Cs on all of their exams, but in general I'd like to think that the people here are slightly better than mediocre. Like, I'd think we'd be at least commonplace or humdrum. Honestly.
OK Go was amazing. The music was fantastic and they had great visuals to accompany it as well. The lead singer was hilarious (and a nerd, which is always a plus), and seemed to be down-to-earth, which is understandable for a fun-loving band like them. They didn't have treadmills on stage, but it was epic nonetheless. They did a song with only hand-bells for instruments, which was realy awesome. And they had a set of chimes for music. Chimes. I mean, seriously, you know just from that that they're good. One thing I noticed though:
Not sure Ithaca
is the right place to sing 'bout
Average people
In their song "What to do," the chorus has a part that goes "mediocre people do exceptional things all the time." Now, I don't mean to sound cocky, but Ithaca is not necessarily a good town to be singing about mediocre people. I mean, some people might feel mediocre after getting Cs on all of their exams, but in general I'd like to think that the people here are slightly better than mediocre. Like, I'd think we'd be at least commonplace or humdrum. Honestly.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Weekly Chores
I'm seeing OK Go tonight! If you don't know, they're this amazing band who I barely know who have been around for however long. They are best known for their famous treadmill music video for "Here it Goes Again." If they don't bring their treadmills for the performance I'm going to demand a refund.
There are two weeks of school left. I've posted about time flying before, but seriously- wow. Of course, there are still finals, but I don't have to worry about those since I have essays instead of tests. Which means that I can stress now instead of the night before! I've already talked about that too though. Covering college life just gets harder and harder. I guess I'll just take a cliche topic I have yet to discuss: parties.
Now, it's a stereotype that all college students go out and party. And yes, I have emphasized that many people stay in to do work on weekend nights. However, lots of students do, in fact, still go out every weekend to party (and they act like it's a chore: "I have to go out tonight").
On the rare occasion that I am to be found at a party, people tend to be baffled when I tell them that I don't drink. Most can't understand, but then again- in the context of me talking about, they're usually drunk themselves. Here's the best explanation I can give:
You never know how
Fun it is to be 'round drunk
People, till you are.
Really. Drunk people are actually quite entertaining. Whether you're drunk or not, it's always quite a lot of fun to laugh at them. Also, it gives you a feeling of superiority, and serves as a good reminder that students can actually have fun here.
There are two weeks of school left. I've posted about time flying before, but seriously- wow. Of course, there are still finals, but I don't have to worry about those since I have essays instead of tests. Which means that I can stress now instead of the night before! I've already talked about that too though. Covering college life just gets harder and harder. I guess I'll just take a cliche topic I have yet to discuss: parties.
Now, it's a stereotype that all college students go out and party. And yes, I have emphasized that many people stay in to do work on weekend nights. However, lots of students do, in fact, still go out every weekend to party (and they act like it's a chore: "I have to go out tonight").
On the rare occasion that I am to be found at a party, people tend to be baffled when I tell them that I don't drink. Most can't understand, but then again- in the context of me talking about, they're usually drunk themselves. Here's the best explanation I can give:
You never know how
Fun it is to be 'round drunk
People, till you are.
Really. Drunk people are actually quite entertaining. Whether you're drunk or not, it's always quite a lot of fun to laugh at them. Also, it gives you a feeling of superiority, and serves as a good reminder that students can actually have fun here.
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