OCR Text |
Show A6 Opinions Monday * August 25, 2008 Join a club you hate •Diego Ibanez Opinions writer It's a new school year, new classes (except for you repeats) and new experiences. Don't make this year a bore. Make things interesting whether you're a determined freshman or a cocky senior, by joining a club. More specifically, join a club you hate. There are over 100 clubs that you could potentially detest -- all available to view on the UVU Web site. Just scroll down the alphabetically ordered list and you'll surely spot a target worth your loathing. For example: If you dis- like the show Heroes, as do I, there conveniently is a club where you could meet new people who love that superhero drama nonsense. If you can't stand chemistry, join the chemistry club. The same goes for math. You might actually pass this year. Not .only would these new encounters expand your dull contacts list, but it would also be refreshing to meet other human beings who may not have much in common with you. Last.year, apart from affiliating mygelf with the Latinos Uhidos club, I joined a committee on student government. I've never been enthusiastic about school spirit, and I couldn't stand to fake that many smiles, but in the end, I met interesting people who I would not have met otherwise. Yes, I would say I was probably the second worst committee member - apart from a fellow who came to the first meeting never to show his face again — but I did participate in events like the love doctor, went on a few "field trips," and I won't forget all the free food on which I happily overindulged. If hate isn't one of your strong points, try exercising it a little by putting it Staff to good use. Case in point: If you hate genocide, join the Student Anti-Genocide Coalition. You can't stand the lack of fashion and artistic value in everyday life? Join the Fashion Designers and Leaders for Tomorrow Club. Do you hate healthy food? Join the BBQ club. Yes, it exists. All in all, hate might turn out to be an ally when picking a club. If anything, a club could be your parttime affair with the world outside of school, work and MySpace to*something that might just possibly turn out to. be more interesting than you think. Opinions wriler Me: I'd like to introduce you to my other personality. The two of us don't see eye to eye on the subject of general education requirements, so I have consented to share my column with her. Her: It's about time. What are you whining about now? Me: Why, oh why, do I have to take biology? I don't like biology, but more importantly, I don't have any reason to learn about biology. Unless I plan to communicate in the field of biology, which I don't, I see no reason to spend a semester of time and tuition studying it. Her: You might like biology. How will you know if you never try? Me: It's biology. I know. Her: Remember the political science class you took last year? That was so interesting. You don't regret that. The intense and bitter competition over sports that otherwise go unnoticed. -Greg Wilcox, Web manager Seeing the smiles on the faces of the athletes who have succeeded in accomplishing their goals, and tljose v^ho smile - whether they receive a medal or not ~ and even congratulate the ones who have. -Robert Jones, Staff Bipolar over general education requirements •Heather Jones tat is your favorite part of the Olympics? Me: True. 3ut biology? Her: The truth is that general education is an important component of a student's education. It gives you a common academic experience that you share with your fellow students. It is designed to expand our historical, aesthetic, cultural, literary, scientific and philosophical perspectives. For us to be well-educated, successful, and valuable participants in our rapidly changing global community, we need more than professional or vocational training. In order to prepare for our exciting, challenging future, we need to do more than specialize in a major and train for a career; we must become more broadly- educated, truly conversant with at least some of the many rapidly changing disciplines. We peed to gain a sense of our past achievements, present developments, and future possibilities. Me: Did you come up with that yourself? Her: Well, no, it's a conglomeration of shtick taken from a variety of college Web sites. But that doesn't mean it's not true. Me: My education should be my choice. There are general education requirements that seem redundant. I'm a healthy, active adult. I don't need to spend a semester learning how to be fit for life. And how can an instructor at UVU lecture me about ethics and values? Whose values are we talking about anyway? The requirements are too specific and restrictive. Her: So you would have chosen to take a course on American government? Me: Absolutely not. Her: Knowledge is valuable no matter what the subject. The general education program prepares you for more in-depth study in your major while also preparing you for a career, or, possibly, a family. Have you ever Undeclared tried to help a 4th grader with their homework? Me: No, I usually leave that to you. Her: What else are you going to leave for someone else? Competition is fierce. How will you keep up? Me: Look. I know what my major is, I know what I want to do for a living. I will never need biology. Her: There is a big world out there, and as brilliant as you are, you don't know squat. You don't know where you will be in 10 years. You don't know what direction your path my take. You can plan all you want, but in the end, what you know will determine your success. Knowledge is power. And "the beginning of knowledge is the discovery of something we do not understand." Me: I don't understand biology. Her: Exactly. Jordy Kirkman ..And you said I would regret not doing the quiz. I Being able to turn on the TV at almost any time of the day and having something interesting on to watch. -Spencer Shell Opinions editor Michael Phelps 100m Fly? Men's Beach Volleyball/ Cheering with an audience from around the world for athletes I've never heard of before, who make my chest tight with pride when they stick a landing, break a world record, and win by one-hundredth of a second. -Heather Jones, News writer Two words: speed walking... -Merinda Pearce, Lead designer Women's beach volleyball! -Matt Beaudin, Sports editor Nationalism is finally acceptable, even though it's not. -Jennie Nicholls, Editor at large Speed walking for sure. It's like having a contest to see who can whisper the loudest. I think I have a shot at that. -Diego Ibanez, Opinions writer O McDonald's commercials; Fast food and athletics are together at last -LaVerl Christianson, Opinionswriter Jordy, if thafs your qui2,rm giving you a O Us vs. them •Spencer Shell Opinions editor There is something fascinating about the Olympics: Sports and athletes that normally go unnoticed are all of the sudden front and center in the world's eye. The games bring the world together when diplomacy cannot. ()ne of the main themes in the 2008 Beijing Olympics was unity, and, in one way, unity was achieved; at least physically, the world was united. The other kind of unity at the games was confined to individual countries — competition easily fosters patriotic sentiments. But does this patriotism actually extend beyond ethnocentricity? I would argue that this unity qua patriotism is often used to spur animosity toward" other countries. It's us against them, and this time, there is an actual number associated with how great each country may or may not be. No doubt the Olympic Games come with a slew of positive effects, but at the same time, they may create some unhealthy competition that has the potential to fuel negative feelings between countries for years to come. Fill it back up. Raiding your savings to buy gas? Pick up a Student ID/UTA Ed Pass at the Campus Connection in the Student Center and start saving right away. ' |