Category: Opinion

Riley Schwengel

Writer

Modern news seems to be dominated by celebrity scandals and mishaps. Whenever a celebrity gets arrested, does drugs or does something “immoral,” their faces immediately appear on the front page of the newspaper and thousands scream for an apology. But why do we care? Why must celebrities apologize to us? It’s not like these people are politicians or religious leaders who actually have a significant impact on the people they represent or preach to; these are just movie stars, athletes and entertainers. I think the reason celebrity apologies have become so prevalent is that we’ve become a society that worships celebrities along with the entire idea of fame. The reason many need these people to apologize to them is that they’ve become like gods to many people, and when celebrities make human mistakes they become angry with them. It may sound ridiculous, but celebrity worship has become a religion that a dominant percentage of Americans subscribe to.

In the past, celebrities were nothing more than a mild form of entertainment. People would see them on the television or hear about them on the radio and perhaps would stop by their house if they were in the neighborhood. To many, they would have been role models, but vague ones, acting as model citizens for others to aspire to be like. Now we follow their every move, from what they eat, to what they did on Saturday and even to whom they sleep with. Just open up any copy of People Magazine or Us Weekly and glance at the many ridiculous articles that line their pages. Fifty years ago if we had followed celebrities as intensely as we do now, we would have been called obsessive stalkers, but now it’s the norm. This obsession has raised celebrities to god-like status, and we have started to believe that they are perfect and infallible. But they are not perfect; they are human and they make mistakes. When they make mistakes, the general population is outraged and acts like they deserve an apology from these demi-gods but the truth is they don’t owe us anything.

Lindsay Lohan got caught snorting cocaine and got a DUI, but does she owe every American an apology? No, she doesn’t; she owes one to her family and her friends but not every person who sees her mug shot on a newspaper. Lance Armstrong got caught using performance-enhancing drugs, should he apologize to me? No, he should profess his regrets to his teammates, his competitors and the sport in general but not to me. These celebrities don’t know you and probably never will, so don’t act angry when they do something wrong. It didn’t affect you in any shape or form.

I think it’s high time that we end this ridiculous hero-worship of celebrities. If you want a hero, look for someone who deserves your praise, like a medal-of-honor recipient, a charity organizer or a fireman who carried a child out of a burning house.

The next time you see some scandal in the tabloids and feel the blood rushing to your head in anger, just remember that all the beautiful people you see on television are only human and that they are going to make bad decisions just like you and I.

Justin Marinelli

Senior Writer

It seems nowadays that almost everyone is unhappy with the way their bodies look. While the causes for this seem intense and varied, most people seem to miss something in the whole issue. Too much negative body-image can be harmful, but just the right amount can spur you to achieve a healthier, more physically capable body.

The trick is to ignore the body image our culture and society seem to impose upon you and find one for yourself that you would like to achieve. Say you want to lose an inch off your waist or put some more muscle on your shoulders: as long as this comes from a genuine desire (not one forced on you by cultural norms or the way other students might look) and you don’t do anything too extreme in your pursuit of this goal, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it. As long as you approach your ideals of body image in a healthy way, and act in a similar fashion, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to improve your body in some way.

My personal favorite example of body image isn’t actually image-focused. It’s the simple idea that “form follows function.” Instead of worrying about what your body looks like, you focus on its capabilities. You focus on a goal, like running a five-minute mile, or being able to do 15 pull-ups in a row, and you work to achieve that. Your body ends up adapting, and in the process, demonstrating your new physical capabilities (in the case of running, being thin and lean, in the case of the pull-ups, having a strong, muscular back).  The “form” of your body is thus dictated by its new abilities (the “function”). Without really trying to, you build a respectable body as a symptom of achieving a different goal entirely. To top it off, because it represents the results of your actions, your body now reflects a far more accurate representation of what you do (and hence, your personality) than any imposed body image. As a result, it ends up being a much better fit for who you are as a person. That’s the sort of body-image that needs to be promoted.

Obviously, destructive ideas of what an ideal body should look like can be incredibly damaging. This is a concern for many people, and it should not be taken lightly. Like many things in life, taking responsibility for what you feel your body should look like, and then acting on that decision is a powerful way of taking control of your life and banishing the ideals that might be imposed upon us by others. This is the healthiest and most productive paradigm you can possess to approach the matter.

El McCabe

Senior Writer

Are you tired of the old gym routine? Do you only rotate between the treadmill and the elliptical? If you answered yes to either of these questions, it is likely that you will benefit from trying one of the specialized classes the University has to offer. 

The University offers fitness classes that break up the monotony of working out and are guaranteed to be different each time. For example, the first fitness class I tried here was kickboxing. It was a great workout that helped relieve stress and burn calories simultaneously. Punching and kicking the punching bag repeatedly was fun and it allowed me to channel negative energy. The class also works your core and keeps you going for the entire hour time slot. I suggest this class if you want a solid workout and the opportunity to relieve stress/negativity.

Another amazing class to check out is spinning. This class is definitely the most intense one I have tried here, and if you do try it out, make sure to bring your “A” game. You are working hard non-stop for an hour straight, and the class is very interactive between the instructor and your fellow spinners. If you are not pushing yourself hard enough, the instructor will come and add more resistance to your bike, which may seem harsh but will really benefit you and your body in the long run. Afterwards, you will definitely be feeling sore but satisfied. I suggest trying this class at least once; it is a great feeling to know you worked that hard and burned major calories.

Finally, the most popular fitness class the University has to offer is definitely Zumba. For those of you who do not know what it is, Zumba is essentially a fitness cardio dance party. The routines, taught by the talented senior Grace Ragold, are on the whole consistent from week to week, so the Zumba-ers can master the moves. New people are always welcome, and no one judges you for messing up the dance moves. Zumba has classes three times a week, so definitely go check it out. Also, one hour of Zumba burns 576 calories, which is more than running or training on the elliptical!

These three classes are not the only ones offered here. A full list of the amazing classes offered at our school can be found online or in the gym itself. Give one a try, and I can promise that you will not be disappointed!

Caroline Schaeffer

Writer

It’s that time of year again, the time when every one of your teachers has decided to give you a gargantuan midterm worth at least 45 percent of your grade, and they all decided to do it on the same day. On top of that, clubs, projects, papers and life in general piles up on your already loaded schedule and it feels as though your workload is about to literally crush you. At a school with as demanding a curriculum as the University’s, you’d be hard-pressed to find a student not feeling the pressure every now and again but, hakuna matata, students, stress doesn’t have to kill you. There are some easy ways to avoid that anxiety overdrive.

It may seem completely counterproductive to getting your work done but you have to remember to take a break and relax. Studying for eight hours straight will drive you insane and basically turn you into a zombie. Remember to take at least an hour off if you’re having a hard-core cram session, and do something you find enjoyable. Watch an hour of mindless TV, Facebook stalk the living daylights out of your friends or just hang out with a friend for a little. If you give yourself a little leeway and enjoy some you-time, when it’s time to go back to studying, you’ll feel refreshed and ready for round two.

If it’s just one of those weeks when everything and anything is due, sometimes you’ve just got to make all the little moments you have to yourself count. Take a long hot shower, nap for an extra 20 minutes or if you’re really ambitious, crank it out at the gym for an hour and sweat out the stress. Better yet, take an hour out of your day to take one of the University’s gym classes. I guarantee you won’t be thinking about that term paper during an hour of breaking down the beat in Zumba or contorting your body in yoga. Sometimes, you just need to let loose to lose the stress.

If you’re trying to alleviate stress in your life you have to do something that doesn’t cause you stress. It sounds simple, but a lot of us forget to take a break when the pressure is on.  Just give yourself a little personal time, and do whatever makes you forget about that English paper or Econ test for an hour. By the time you’re done, you’ll be ready to crush whatever anxiety stands in your way.

Mary Morris

Contributing Writer

Feb. 24 served as the pinnacle of the 2013 awards season as the world evaluated dazzling dresses and argued the Academy’s credibility at the Oscars.

The night began with a procession of glittering fabrics, fitted figures and princess skirts. Jennifer Lawrence looked stunning in a blush Dior gown that preluded her fairy tale night, while Naomi Watts took a risk in a sparkling gunmetal Armani gown featuring an off-center cut along the bust-line. Reese Witherspoon, Amy Adams and Charlize Theron also lit up the red carpet in original and eye-catching gowns.

Eventually, the lights dimmed and Seth MacFarlane commenced with what continued for quite some time as a hit-or-miss performance as host. Audiences were left feeling confused and uncomfortable at moments, especially those including a song devoted to exposed breasts, a flying nun costume and a joke about John Wilkes Booth. While there are some who find MacFarlane’s jokes harmless and entertaining, the Oscars may not have been the best platform for such humor. The recurring question of the night was where are Tina Fey and Amy Poehler?

Things finally picked up as the awards got underway. “Life of Pi” walked away with multiple awards in Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, Best Visual Effects and Best Director. Personally, I was a little surprised considering the hype surrounding many of the other nominated movies for some of these awards, particularly Best Director. Regardless, students have cause to join in the celebration of the wins of “Life of Pi,” as alum Bill Westenhofer ’90 was a member of the visual effects team.

Daniel Day-Lewis deservedly won his third Best Actor award for his memorable and awe-inspiring role in “Lincoln,” which made him the most decorated male actor in Oscar’s history.

The award that had viewers biting their nails must have been the race for Best Actress. In a stacked category including Naomi Watts for “The Impossible,” Jennifer Lawrence for “Silver Linings Playbook,” Jessica Chastain for “Zero Dark Thirty,” Quvenzhané Wallis for “Beasts of the Southern Wild” and Emmanuelle Riva for “Amour,” America’s newest sweetheart Jennifer Lawrence came out on top for her first Oscar win. Lawrence was endearing and gracious even as she tripped up the stairs to accept her award. Adele also made her Oscar debut as she joined the ranks of new Oscar winners for “Skyfall” in Best Original Song.

The final award of the night, the coveted award for Best Picture, went to “Argo” and its famously snubbed director, Ben Affleck, had his fabled return to the Oscar stage. Although I was rooting for “Silver Linings Playbook” and “Lincoln,” I have heard great things about “Argo.” Still, I wonder if anything could compare to Day-Lewis’s portrayal of Abraham Lincoln, or the realistic and moving story produced by David O. Russell in “Silver Linings Playbook.” I guess the only solution will be a weekend-long movie marathon, during which I can curse the Academy for its obvious mistakes or applaud them for recognizing the true art of filmmaking.

El McCabe

Senior Writer

One of the most exciting additions to Lewisburg this semester is Mercado Burrito. This restaurant is the final piece of the ethnically diverse puzzle of restaurants Lewisburg has to offer. With great food and even better prices, trying Mercado Burrito is a must. It has all the delicious options of a Chipotle or a Moe’s, as well as the chance to personalize your burrito without breaking the bank. It is also perfect for going out to dinner for a friend’s birthday because he or she will get to wear a “birthday sombrero” and the restaurant provides a relaxed atmosphere.

I suggest trying the mini-burrito combo that comes with an eight-inch burrito, chips and your choice of soft drink. The burrito is the perfect size and it leaves room for the delicious chips and salsa. Mercado Burrito’s salsa comes in three varieties, but the medium has just the right level of spice. Another exciting aspect of this culinary gem is the late night specials. On select nights Mercado Burrito is open until 3 a.m. when tacos are sold for two dollars and breakfast burritos for six. It is the perfect place to go for a midnight snack after the Caf and Bison are closed, or after hanging out downtown. Finally, I suggest trying the virgin strawberry daiquiris and margaritas. The restaurant is BYOB, but these tasty mixed drinks are satisfying without the alcohol. On select days, these drinks are half priced, and as spring approaches they will be perfect on a hot day.

There is nothing not to love about Mercado Burrito. It brings an entirely new taste and type of food to Lewisburg and for prices under 10 dollars. And who doesn’t want to see his or her friends wear a birthday sombrero? Go out and try it before the semester ends; I promise you will not be disappointed.

Justin Marinelli

Senior Writer

Recently, I stumbled across The Happiness Project (www.happiness-project.com). While I do believe that happiness in life is a good thing, I can’t help but feel that this sort of thing puts the cart before the horse.

The Happiness Project seeks to actively shape a life in which you can be happy. It seeks to accomplish this objective by guiding you through the process of building a life that will make you happy. You think about what will make you happy and find ways to do it and shape your life.

While I approve of any effort that seeks to get people to actually think about how they want their lives to be, I find the entire effort to be based on a naïve view of happiness. It treats happiness as an end to be accomplished, instead of what it actually is, a symptom of a good life. Treating happiness as an end to be desired in itself is not a good strategy if you seek to achieve permanent happiness. Permanent happiness comes from a few important factors: acting in accordance with virtuous beliefs, having a strong friend group and achieving great things.

The first is a notion put forth by Aristotle. He felt that happiness was achieved by living a virtuous life. If you were virtuous, you would be happy. Practically, we can think of it like this: if you do things incongruent with your beliefs, you’ll be unhappy, so act according to your beliefs.

Everyone understands how having strong friendships makes one happy. We humans are social creatures and we need contact with other humans to achieve full happiness. Whether your inclination is toward extroversion or introversion, having a core group of friends that you can rely on no matter what is an essential factor in creating happiness.

Still, the most important facet of happiness is achieving great things. I admit that as an achievement-oriented individual, I am biased toward this facet, but as I have yet to meet a person who doesn’t feel happiness and pride when he or she achieves something he or she considers important, I refuse to back down on this one. If you really want to be happy, do something awesome.

I suppose at the end of the day, The Happiness Project and I believe in similar methods, but our perspectives differ. The project is based on the idea that happiness is an end to be achieved, while I’m more inclined to believe that happiness is a product of achieving ends and living well. If you follow the guidelines of The Happiness Project, you will always be chasing happiness every time you lose it, while if you choose instead to live well and forget abut happiness, you will never lose it. This is a paradox that you must understand if you truly wish to be happy.

Caroline Schaeffer

Staff Writer

Ever heard of the winter blues? If you haven’t, you probably live in Jamaica or California, but for anyone who’s ever experienced sleet, rain, snow or, my personal favorite, wind chill, it should come as no surprise that bad weather has been known to create bad moods. There’s even a name for it: Seasonal Affective Disorder (rightfully abbreviated as SAD) describes a drop in people’s general morale if the weather isn’t to their liking. Living in Lewisburg, we all probably know the side effects of bad weather pretty well, but is there any way to cure us of our SADness?

For me, exercise always helps. I know that trekking down to the gym may not seem ideal in 32 F weather, but if you get a satisfying workout in, not only do you feel good about yourself afterwards, but you’re perfectly licensed to hit up the sauna as a reward! What’s a better way to combat the winter chill than sweating it all off in the school sauna? Just close your eyes and think of paradise.

If exercise isn’t really your thing, or if the pathways haven’t been iced yet and you legitimately run the risk of injuring yourself if you step outside, fighting the winter blues can be done right from your warm, comfy bed. Make some hot chocolate and watch a movie with your friends in the middle of the day to give yourself a well-deserved break. I can guarantee the sub-zero temperatures will be far from your mind.

Most importantly just embrace the season. Winter is winter and until global warming really kicks into high gear we’re pretty much stuck with it, so embrace it! It’s only for a few months each year and spring is right around the corner. Dress warmly, try not to horrifically slip on that patch of ice in front of the library and cuddle up to old Jack Frost for just a little longer and soon your SADness will melt away.