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The Mother of the Female Gaze

Jianna H
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The Mother of the Female Gaze

TW: Mention of Sexual Assault and Rape

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?

When I was in the 8th grade, my Humanities teacher assigned my class to form a debate on who we thought should be the fifth Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. It was up to us to decide who, amongst all the greats of the Renaissance, was the most worthy of fighting alongside Michelangelo, Donatello, Leonardo, and Rafael. I decided that it was time to introduce a female turtle to the gang, and thus began my search for the most impactful woman of the Renaissance. In this journey, I discovered Artemisia Gentileschi.

An Artist’s History

Artemisia Gentileschi was a prodigal Italian Baroque Painter who began her professional career at the young age of 15 after studying under her father, Orazio Gentileschi. In the 17th century, there were very few prolific female artists. Artemisia was one of the first to break barriers and was the first woman to obtain membership in the Accademia di Arte del Disegno in Florence.

Perfecting the Feminine Beauty

Artemisia frequently portrayed women in her art, inspired by figures from mythology and biblical references. Furthermore, her art pushed boundaries because she was unafraid to show women bearing dominance over men. Many speculate this was her way of liberating herself after she was sexually assaulted by painter Tassi at the age of 18.

Gentileschi is renowned for her ability to accurately and beautifully represent femininity without depriving them of power, a theme frequent in the Renaissance. By presenting these women in power and in unconventional scenes for women at the time, Gentileschi not only provided herself a reprieve from her own trauma but created art that resonated with women, past and present.

An Important Legacy

While it’s a little silly that I discovered this amazing artist through quite unconventional means, I’m grateful that I was able to experience her art. Many years later, Artemisia Gentileschi remains one of my favourite artists because of her deep romantic colour palettes and emotional composition. I believe her works deserve to be even more recognized. Often, Gentileschi’s traumatic past is at the forefront of discussions about her art, and while it unequivocally played a role in her career, we should focus on the artist rather than her oppressors.

Artemisia is a symbol of feminism, a woman who refused to be silenced during a time when men were praised for having half the skills and talents that women did. Her legacy lives on today whenever a young artist picks up a paintbrush and decides to speak of their story rather than letting it fade away. 

 

Why Feminism Still Matters Today!

Areej C
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Why Feminism Still Matters Today!

Throughout the late 19th and early 20th century, the women’s movement challenged prior established societal structure and gender roles, by demanding political representation, and equality under the law. The emergence of the earliest feminist movement, the push against gender roles within the suffragette movement challenged ideals of domesticated women, and the belief that a woman’s place was simply in the home.

Women’s increasing role within the workplace from the Industrial Revolution, allowed such change. The transition from the prior cottage industry, allowed for the rise of women being involved in the same workplaces as men in order to generate enough product for rapid demand, allowing for women to be essential in production. 

Similarly, the rise of educational reform, and the technological advancement of the bicycle further challenged a woman’s role beyond a life beneath spouse. The bicycle itself, for feminism, became a symbol of independence, provided women the freedom of movement, and eventually transitioned into the car (that we recognize today!) , and the mobility that arose with it.

The invention of the bicycle served as a causation for a change in symbolic wardrobe choices, such as corsets and rather impractical dressing senses, that had prior been the expectation for women, now transitioning to revolution in dressing, with the ability of choice, and freedom. Allowing us to slowly transform into the modern wardrobe of today’s women, that would have once been viewed as manly or not ‘women-like’.

Society viewed this as a threat to the deeply rooted patriarchy that had been established, being met with resistance from the government, churches, and other holders of conservative values. As these institutions continuously preached obedience, and a maintenance of family values, that they believed were threatened with the women’s movement. 

Today, centuries later the discussion of women’s rights is still prevalent, with many individuals rejecting the origins of feminism or its necessity overall. Often what individuals forget, is that the rights we take so lightly, such as the right for a woman to speak her mind, or express her opinion (even if it is that feminism was not needed) is a result of the efforts of the original feminist movement. The bicycle or change in wardrobe for women was the first step to independence because of feminism. 

Here is your sign, to acknowledge feminism as a tool to allow women and girls to work, play and learn, and realize that this effort is still a work in progress with many countries still not allowing such rights today. Even if you believe you have access to the same rights as all other genders, many don’t, this is why the fight of feminism isn’t even close to over. 

Sources:

1, 2

The Little Things (or Places) In life

Nova Astrov
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The Little Things (or Places) In life

I believe that many things in Calgary have a talent for going unnoticed. They slip through the cracks of our thoughts and rest in the quiet corners of our minds that go untouched. However, there are those of us who train ourselves to appreciate the unappreciated. I take pride in being one of them. Through this article, I hope to open your hearts to places that deserve a little more love. (please note: The pictures are not the real places!)

  1. Viet Spice Deli Restaurant (16 Panatella Blvd NW): This Vietnamese restaurant is sure to win your heart if you’re willing to give it a chance. Their food is rich in flavour and seems to suit almost everyone’s taste. The menu ranges from Vietnamese subs to pho and fried rice, making it easy to find something comforting and familiar. Their drinks—including boba—may be a little too sweet for some, but for others, it’s the perfect treat to pair with a warm meal.
  2. Nanao Kimono Gift Shop (215A 10 St NW): This quiet little shop leaves a lasting impression. Inside, you can find everything from stationery and clothing to delicate vases and small trinkets imported from Japan. Every item feels thoughtful and unique, making it the perfect place to find meaningful gifts. Although I’ve only had the pleasure of visiting once, I hope that when the weather improves, this shop will see me again.
  3. Loophole Coffee Bar (1040 8 Ave SW, Calgary AB T2P 1J2 ): Here’s a quick anecdote: two years ago, I discovered this café by accident during the heat of July because it sat along the Stampede Parade route. With fairy lights glowing outside and carefully crafted coffee inside, this café feels like a place meant for quiet reflection. It’s the kind of spot you visit when you’re feeling down and need to romanticize your life for an evening.

That’s all for today! Even if these are the only places I had in mind today, our city is littered with many comforting places just like them. Give them some love, the next time you find yourself welcomed and impressed, and share them with those who also wish for a tiny adventure!

Photo by David Vives on Unsplash

 

Rewiring Minds : The Neuroscience of a Better World – Issue 3

Natania V
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Rewiring Minds : The Neuroscience of a Better World – Issue 3

Edition III – Emotional Contagion and the Architecture of Collective Feeling

If attention is the currency of consciousness, then emotion is its amplifier. 

We do not simply think our way into the future. We feel our way there. Long before a belief becomes an ideology or a policy becomes law, something subtler happens beneath awareness. The nervous system reacts. A pulse quickens. A story resonates. In the attention economy, it is not only focus that is engineered, but feeling. Often, more than not, feeling spreads faster than fact. 

The Neurosicence of Emotional Contagion

Emotions are biologically contagious. Research in affective neuroscience shows that minor neuron systems and limbic circuits allow us to unconsciously synchronize with the emotional states of others. When we observe anger, fear, or joy, our own neural patterns partially replicate that state. 

The amygdala rapidly evaluates threats and emotionally charged stimuli, often before conscious reasoning intervenes. Meanwhile, the anterior insula and anterior cingulate cortex help us internalize the emotional experiences of others. 

In this day and age, a new factor has been introduced. Digital networks. Algorithms prioritize emotionally activating content because it increases engagement. High-arousal emotions, such as outrage, fear, and indignation, spread more quickly than calm reflection. A single emotionally charged post can ripple across millions of people, millions of nervous systems in hours, synchronizing stress responses at scale. 

In this sense, social media does not just transmit information. It coordinated physiology, resulting in a world where collective mood can shift overnight. 

When Emotion Overrides Deliberation

The prefrontal cortex, responsible for reasoning and impulse control, requires cognitive space and time. High emotional arousal reduces its regulatory influence, allowing reactive circuits to dominate. 

Under chronic stimulation, this can cause nuance to feel exhausting, patience to feel unnatural, and complexity to feel threatening. We begin to equate intensity with importance. This dynamic helps us explain why polarization deepens in hyperconnected environments. Emotional salience hijacks attentional networks, reinforcing identity-protective reasoning. The brain becomes more motivated to defend belonging than to evaluate truth. 

In such conditions, we are not necessarily thinking less. We are just feeling first and thinking afterward. A society governed by unregulated emotional contagion becomes unstable, not because of a lack of intelligence, but because collectively, our shared nervous systems are continually dysregulated. 

The Biology of Calm as Power

However, just as fear spreads quickly, so does regulation. The vagus nerve plays a central role in calming psychological arousal and restoring social engagement. When individuals practice emotional regulation through a variety of strategies, they can strengthen neural pathways that inhibit impulsive reactions. Through breathwork, mindfulness, and reflective dialogue, calm does not become passive, but becomes a neurological strength.

Co-regulation, the process by which nervous systems stabilize through safe connection, allows groups to recover from emotional spikes. When leaders try to communicate with steadiness rather than panic, they tend to dampen collective stress responses. In a digitally amplified world, emotional steadiness becomes revolutionary. 

Designing Environments for Emotional Literacy

If we understand that emotion is contagious, then the question shifts from “How do we stop feeling?” to “How do we cultivate wiser feelings?” 

Education systems rarely teach emotional regulation alongside cognitive skills. Yet the ability to notice an emotional surge without being consumed by it may be one of the defining competencies of the future. 

Practices that build emotional literacy include :

  • Pausing before sharing emotionally charged content
  • Engaging in long-form conversation rather than reactive exchange
  • Reflecting on bodily reactions during conflict. 
  • Seeking complexity rather than certainty

Each of these actions strengthens regulation and reduces amygdala dominance. Over time, neural pathways reorganize. Reactivity becomes reflection. 

Collective Emotion and the Future

Movements do not succeed solely because they are rational. They succeed because they inspire. Hope, like fear, is contagious. When collective attention aligns with an emotionally resonant narrative of possibility rather than catastrophe, neural synchrony can produce resilience rather than division. The same networks that amplify outrage can amplify courage. The difference lies in intentional design. If platforms engineer outrage for engagement, communities can engineer empathy for endurance. 

The question is not whether emotion will shape the future. It always does. The question is whether we will consciously shape the emotional environments we inhabit. 

 

Coming Next In This Series

If you found this edition meaningful, stay tuned for the next article in Rewiring Minds: The Neuroscience of a Better World.

To build a better world, we must first understand the mind that shapes it.

The Creation of a Founder: What A True Entrepreneur Requires

Kheta
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The Creation of a Founder: What A True Entrepreneur Requires

All of us have seen the aesthetic Instagram business pictures with formal dresses, coffee, cool architecture and a laptop. Most people think of owning a business as an aesthetic lifestyle. While social media isn’t incorrect, that is only the tip of the iceberg of what it takes to be a business person. Let’s dive into some of the individual traits you need to be successful in a business!

1. Having Curiosity:

Unsplash. By D Z. Published on December 26, 2021. Curiosity

Successful businesses are created when the company has a purpose associated with a problem. Being curious and investigating the issues faced around the world will help jumpstart your entrepreneurial mindset. Curiosity is a vague trait, but if you are the person who will question situations and investigate the causes of events, you are curious.

 

Quote: “Curiosity is one of the great secrets of happiness.” — Bryant H. McGill

 

How Can I Develop This?:

Being observant is the best way to stimulate curiosity. You can start with simple habits such as closely observing two things everyday which you normally overlook. For example, the next time you look at the pair of Nike shoes your friend is wearing, you should ask yourself: How did this business profit? What did they do differently?, etc.

 2. Identify Your Passion

Unsplash. By Ben Sweet. Published on November 22, 2017. Passion

Oftentimes, we think that making a random business which does not align with our passion and interests will still succeed. The bitter truth is that a business will only succeed if the cause aligns with the values of the creator. People think that they will earn money when they invest thousands of dollars into a business; however, if your values don’t align with the purpose of the business, it will fail when you face obstacles.

 

Quote: “Follow your own passion—not your parents’, not your teachers’—yours.” —Robert Ballar

 

How Can I Develop This Trait:

Now, you might be wondering, how do I identify my passion? The answer isn’t simple, but it involves experimenting with your likes and dislikes. Put yourself in different situations and reflect on whether you genuinely enjoy the tasks. Passion is a feeling built over multiple years of consistency, perseverance and dedication. Your passion doesn’t have to be a hard skill; it can be as simple as caring for the environment. ——

3. Being Adaptable

Unsplash. By Chris Lawton. Published on October 25, 2016. Adaptability
Unsplash. By Chris Lawton. Published on October 25, 2016. Adaptability

Being able to adapt to changing circumstances and employing strategic thinking to move forward is a crucial business skill. Whether you’re starting your business or trying to sustain one, being adaptable is crucial to surviving in the market.  Businesses face obstacles at every step of the way, from initiating an idea to manufacturing products or offering services. Without adaptability, your business will remain stagnant, and innovation will not occur.  Individual adaptability is equally important for business owners; this means persevering through obstacles, being prepared for unexpected challenges, etc.

 

Quote: “Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.” – Stephen Hawking

 

How Can I Develop This Trait:

You might think adaptability is often dependent on the circumstances you face, but adaptability has more to do with your reaction to the circumstances. In other words, using decision-making and managing stress under pressure are ways you can enhance your adaptability skills. Most of the time, we already practice adaptability, whether it be using a different bus when your bus doesn’t come on time, or deciding what paragraph you want to focus on in a timed essay assessment.

4. Discipline

Unsplash. By Brett Jordan. Published on April 28, 2021. Discipline

Without discipline, there is no consistency to follow through on an idea. Oftentimes, businesses fail when there is no routine which stimulates productivity and actions. Starting a business can be overwhelming, whether it be convincing people to invest or obtaining permits. Without discipline, it is easy to fall behind on your schedule. While many of us think owning a business means we are in control of our time, it also means managing our time in an organized manner. Discipline can be as simple as setting aside at least 2 hours daily to work on your business, whether it be doing market research or setting up systems.

 

Quote: “Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.” – Jim Rohn

 

How Can I Develop This Trait:

Discipline is a skill not only beneficial to entrepreneurs, but it’s also useful to excel in academics and your career. A big part of instilling adaptability is to create a schedule for yourself. This can be as simple as giving yourself allocated time to do homework for each unit. This will help develop consistency, which is extremely useful for entrepreneurs.

5. Embracing Leadership

Unsplash. By Markus Spiske. Published on November 10, 2018. Lead

Leadership is a crucial trait you need to be successful as a business owner. Leading isn’t limited to making decisions on behalf of the company; it is an attitude towards your contribution. In other words, guiding your partners, taking initiative to progress, creating short-term and long-term goals and identifying the problems your business is facing are all a part of what it takes to be a true leader.

 

Quote: “There are leaders, and there are those who lead. Leaders hold a position of power, but those who lead inspire us”-Simon Sinek

 

How Can I Develop This Trait:

Leading is a trait that is developed through taking initiative. Think of developing leadership like developing math skills; the more you practice, the better you get! You can start by performing acts of leadership in school groups, clubs, or in the community. Remember, having the position of a leader and performing acts of leadership are extremely different. For example, you do not have to be the leader of your local club to offer a new idea, change the regular methods or inspire others.

 

TL;DR

  • Being a business owner is far beyond what Instagram and Pinterest show it to be
  • Be Curious: Questioning the world around you helps you find true purpose in your business
  • Identify Your Passion: Passion = Cause = Purpose —> Successful Business
  • Adaptability: Being able to respond effectively to unexpected situations is the nature of business
  • Discipline: Most Businesses require you to manage your time independently; therefore, maintaining consistency is key
  • Embracing Leadership: Being in a position of leadership is different from leading. Leading requires initiative, consideration and dedication

 

1,2,3,4,5,6

The Assad Regime – What’s going on?

Nelo Anne
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The Assad Regime – What’s going on?

Over the past century, Syria has experienced significant political and economic instability and faced major conflicts involving their government. These recurring crises created conditions in which dynastic dictatorship and authoritarian leadership could take hold. The rule of the Assad regime represents the latest and most controversial chapter in Syria’s modern political history. 

Hafez al-Assad served as the totalitarian dictator of Syria from 1971 to 2000, when he passed away due to a heart attack, his son succeeding him as the new president. During this time, Syria was run by an extremely military and centralised government, and civilians had little to no human rights or freedom of speech. Dissent and protest were suppressed with brutal force, and thousands were killed. The state was heavily guarded and surveillance based, and the majority of the population (specifically the Sunni Islamic people in the Alawite based government) were seen as opposition. 

When Bashar al-Assad assumed power, he initially presented himself as a moderniser and reformer, implementing new laws that would revitalise the stagnant economy, reduce corruption and liberalise the media. As his goals went unachieved with the numerous economic barriers holding back the country, he turned to his father’s violent and authoritarian tactics. With growing distaste for the Assad regime and environmental issues pushing the population towards the capital, protests were becoming more and more common and by 2012 Syria had erupted in full civil war. Violence, torture and military power were used to stifle demonstrations and prevent the world from hearing about the condition of the conflict, and communities that had become hubs of resistance were surrounded by soldiers and tanks.

Furthermore, the religious tension between the distinct groups in Syria was augmented, as Assad and the majority of his followers were Alawite Islamic and many protesters were Sunni Muslims. Thousands of refugees were seeking asylum in neighbouring countries, which were, along with global powers, dividing into pro and anti Assad. The US (at the time led by President Obama) , the EU, Qatar, Turkey and Saudi Arabia supported the rebels and offered asylum to refugees, while Iran and Russia became some of Assad’s strongest allies. After the government’s use of chemical weapons (mustard gas and sarin in aerial bombs, missiles and artillery rockets) became known and identified as a clear violation of the OCPW’s international regulations, powerful organisations worldwide called for Assad to step down and release political prisoners. A partial and short-lived ceasefire took place in April 2012, but violence resumed quickly and soon reached even higher levels. 

It wasn’t long after Syria began receiving equipment and artillery from other countries, the rebels from the ones nearby and Assad from Hezbollah and forces in Iran, escalating the situation and causing new political tensions. Russia began deploying air troops to Syria, and Western forces started to attack chemical facilities.

The civil war began to decline in intensity about a year before Assad’s downfall, as involved countries backed out, dealing with their own regional conflicts. Russia withdrew as they invaded Ukraine, and Iran retreated with the Israel-Hamas war. Many refugees were forced back to Syria as other parts in the Middle East also became unsafe. 

However, as governmental support waned, the HTS (or the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a Sunni militant and/or terrorist group) forced Assad (who fled to Russia) to release his hold on the country and began the reform of a fractured society. Ahmed al Sharaa, the interim president, stated he intended the careful construction of a constitution to take place over the next few years and called for all armed factions (including the HTS) to dissolve to prevent further violence. 

Today, despite a reduction of violence in Syria, the new government and country as a whole are facing immense challenges. Severe economic collapse, needed political reform and widespread humanitarian needs. The situation is undoubtedly lighter, but Syrians are confronting new hardships, and contributions to charities like UNICEF can help provide the support they urgently need.

Sources:

1, 2, 3

When Winter Actually Feels Alive in Calgary

Vasundhara Joshi
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When Winter Actually Feels Alive in Calgary

Right now, Chinook Blast is happening across downtown Calgary, and it is one of the few things that genuinely makes February feel less routine.

Chinook Blast is a winter festival that runs for a few weeks and brings together outdoor art, light installations, live music, skating, food vendors, and cultural events. Instead of being in one single location, it spreads across different parts of downtown like Olympic Plaza and Stephen Avenue. At night especially, the light installations stand out. They are interactive, creative, and honestly give people a reason to walk around even when it is cold.

There are also free performances and community events, which makes it accessible. You do not need to buy expensive tickets to participate. You can show up with friends, skate for a bit, grab something warm to eat, and listen to live music. It feels casual but still meaningful. The city feels busier in a good way. There are more people outside, more conversations happening, and more local artists getting attention.

What makes it exciting is that it breaks up the usual winter pattern. February can feel slow and repetitive, but this adds something different. It changes how downtown feels. Instead of rushing through it, people actually stay.

Festivals like this are worth appreciating because they support local artists, small businesses, and performers who rely on community engagement. They also create shared experiences. Not everything meaningful has to be huge or dramatic. Sometimes it is just about giving people a reason to step outside and feel connected to where they live. Events like this remind us that cities are not just buildings and roads. They are shaped by the moments we choose to show up for.

Top 4 Text Recommendations to Ace High School English

Sukrutha
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Top 4 Text Recommendations to Ace High School English

High school English can be a tough subject to master, whether it be the timed essays, reading comprehensions, or the deep analysis of texts. Despite having some struggles with English, it is still one of my favourite subjects since I love having the chance to expose myself to various genres of texts. Taking IB English, the opportunity to do so is even greater!

Here are 4 of my favorite literary works that contain a ton of literary techniques, themes, and authorial choices to unpack.

  1. Death and the Maiden by Ariel Dorfman

This is a 1990 play by Chilean playwright Ariel Dorfman set in a post-dictatorial country (most likely Chile, but it is never specified, wonder why that may be?) that is slowly transitioning into democracy. The plot follows a young woman, Paulina Salas who seeks to punish a man whom she believes was her torturer when she was kidnapped by the dictatorship regime.

The play explores themes of seeking justice, gender based power dynamics, and the unreliable nature of truth. It also features a great load of literary techniques, my favorite being the leitmotif of classical music that you can analyze with different interpretations for days!

2. The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

I’m sure many high school English courses require students to read this, but even if your course doesn’t, I still recommend this novella written by German Speaking Czech author Franz Kafka. Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis” is an absurdist fiction novella with the plot revolving around the main character, Gregor Samsa, who wakes up one morning to find himself inexplicably transformed into a bug. Yep, you read that right!

Although seemingly ridiculous at first, upon close reading, this text carries deep themes about isolation, identity decay, hierarchical nature of communities, and existential dread. It is also even more powerful given the context behind Kafka’s background as a Jewish person raised in Prague, and his estrangement with his father.

3. Macbeth by William Shakespeare

I can feel you rolling your eyes at me. I know, I know, no one enjoys reading Shakespeare. But…Shakespeare’s plays are an essential part of most high school English courses, and it doesn’t hurt to expose yourself to them beforehand. Out of all the Shakespearean plays I’ve read, I genuinely enjoyed Macbeth and I believe many of the themes explored within it are relevant even today. Plus, it has sooo many literary techniques to analyze for that CRT!

As you might know, Macbeth is about the violent rise and fall of Scottish noble Macbeth. Packed with TONS of historical allusions, imagery, structural choices, this play examines themes of pride, societal pressures and expectations, jealousy, and self-awareness.

4. The Woman Who Could Not Live With Her Faulty Heart by Margaret Atwood

Poetry can be daunting to many, and I am no exception. However, I’ve found that if you take the time to sit down and analyze poems, they are so beautifully written, and there are so many hidden easter eggs that you can uncover. Pretend you’re a literary detective!

Atwood poetry in general is very rich with meaning, but “The Woman Who Could Not Live With Her Faulty Heart” is probably my favorite out of all the ones I’ve studied in class. It has a great deal of visceral imagery characterizing the speaker, a woman’s relationship with her physical body and her heart. She uses personification of the heart to create a sense of detachment and isolation. Featured themes include bodily decay, struggle for identity, and isolation.

TL;DR

Those are just 4 of many wonderful texts that I believe you should go and read, even if it is in your own free time and not necessarily for school work!

Would You Survive a Zombie Apocalypse?

Daniella
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Would You Survive a Zombie Apocalypse?

Science says…probably not.

Be honest for a second. If a zombie apocalypse started tomorrow, you might think you’d survive. You’d grab supplies, you’d run, you’d be smart. You wouldn’t be one of those people who trip in the first five minutes.

Unfortunately, science has been watching humans for a while now, and it’s not exactly optimistic.

 

What kind of ‘zombie’ are we talking about? 

Reanimated corpses? Unlikely. Dead tissue doesn’t magically restart: without oxygen and glucose, neurons die permanently. No brain activity = no movement.

But a zombie-like outbreak is actually disturbingly realistic. 

 

There are already real biological mechanisms that could create something close:

  • Rabies: aggression, paranoia, biting, fear of water
  • Prion diseases: misfolded proteins that destroy brain tissue and cause loss of coordination and judgment
  • Parasites like Ophiocordyceps that control host behaviour 

 

A fast-mutating virus that:

  • Spreads through bodily fluids
  • Causes neurological impairment
  • Increases aggression

That’s not sci-fi. That’s epidemiology having a bad day.

 

The Real Threat: Exponential Growth

Movies sometimes show infections spreading linearly, one person at a time. Real outbreaks wouldn’t work that way. 

 

They follow exponential growth, modelled by reproduction numbers (R0).

  • If R0 = 1, the outbreak stays stable
  • If R0 > 1, cases explode

 

Let’s say a zombie pathogen has an R0 of 3 (which is lower than measles).

1 person infects 3, 3 infect 9, 9 infect 27, and 27 infect 81. That’s 120 infected in just four cycles.

Now add delayed symptoms, asymptomatic carriers, misinformation, and people hiding bites or symptoms because they ‘feel fine’. By the time society realizes what’s happening, it’s already math, not panic, doing the damage.

 

Your Brain Under Threat is…Not Helpful.

Humans love to imagine calm, strategic, planned survival. Neuroscience disagrees.

Under extreme stress, the amygdala hijacks the brain’s decision-making. The prefrontal cortex, responsible for logic, planning, and impulse control, gets suppressed.

That’s why people may freeze instead of running, run towards danger, or make catastrophically bad choices with full confidence.

This is called cognitive tunnelling. Your attention narrows, and you lose situational awareness. So no, you probably won’t be carefully calculating escape routes. You’ll be reacting. Badly.

 

Running will not save you.

Let’s talk physics and physiology.

Humans are endurance animals, not sprinters. We’re more built for long-distance jogging, not repeated bursts of speed. Sprinting relies on anaerobic respiration, which produces lactic acid, causing muscle fatigue and eventual collapse. You could sprint for 10-20 seconds at max effort, maybe a minute if adrenaline is carrying you.

Zombies, fictional ones, don’t feel fatigue, muscle pain, oxygen debt, or fear. Even slow zombies could win by not getting tired. Physics doesn’t care about your motivation.

 

Infrastructure Failure: The Quiet Apocalypse

Here’s the part movies might skip.

Even if people don’t die from the initial outbreak, they’ll die when systems collapse. No electricity means no water treatment. No clean water? Disease. No refrigeration leads to spoiled food.

Modern survival depends heavily on interconnected systems, not individual toughness. When such systems fail, survival becomes a logistics problem, not just a combat one.

 

So who actually survives?

Statistically, survival depends less on strength and more on:

  • Access to clean water
  • Medical knowledge
  • Community cooperation
  • Adaptability

Lone-wolf survival is a myth. Groups survive better, and that’s supported by anthropology, disaster science, and history. The best apocalypse skill isn’t fighting. It’s systems thinking. 

 

Final Answer: Would you make it?

According to biology, physics, neuroscience, epidemiology, and thermodynamics…probably not. 

So, if someone says, “I’d definitely survive a zombie apocalypse,” you can just nod politely and think: That confidence will last about three missed meals. Science approved. Vibes intact.

Sources:

The Special Valentine

Diya Kunisetty
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The Special Valentine

 

Ok so Valentines day was just yesterday and if you’re somebody reading this who’s sad that you didn’t have a special valentine, I think that this post is for you. 

Yes, Valentine’s day is the epitome of love, where people have grand celebrations to celebrate their partners. However, not everyone has a valentine to celebrate, which is 100000% ok. In fact, since Valentine’s Day is all about love, I think that celebrating your friends can be just as fun too. Today I’m introducing a concept called, “Galentines”. 

Essentially, Galentines is a celebration for women where you honor platonic friendships (and if you’re a boy reading this don’t worry you can also have your own special version of this too). It typically involves meeting up with your closest friends, dressing up in fancy clothes (preferrable pink, red, and white), exchanging gifts, eating food, or basically just doing whatever you want while having fun. The whole purpose if it is to appreciate your friends and showing that love isn’t all about romance. 

I actually did a Galentines with some of my friends, where we dressed up, went out for brunch to eat a million pounds of food, and did a cute little gift exchange. Laughing until my stomach hurt and I couldn’t breathe, I realized how lucky I am to have people who I love just as much as they love me. It served as a gentle yet super fun reminder that even if you don’t have a Valentine, it’s 100% ok because you can appreciate your friends just as much if not more. Your friends are the people who you express your most authentic self to. The ones who are there for you when you’re going through hard times. The ones who you laugh with and cry with and feel comfortable and just happy around. Ultimately, all of this is love in itself too. 

I think that we grow up with the idea that love is something that is supposed to be “found” like a special treasure or winning the lottery, but in reality it can actually just be sitting right in front of you. 

So even though Valentine’s Day just passed, make sure to appreciate the friends in your life, and love them with all your heart. Get out your phone, or if you’re reading this on your phone once you’re done, go text your friends and tell them how much they mean to you. You don’t need to do this in a cheezy way like we’re in an 80s romance movie, but you can make it super silly instead (which I think is even better). 

Happy Valentines Day!

Thank You to Our Younger Selves

Anie U
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Thank You to Our Younger Selves

It is common to have a negative view of our past selves, one that criticizes our previous mannerisms, behaviors, and possibly even our worldviews. We look back at old photos, old messages, or memories and often wonder, Why did I say that? Why did I act like that? At times, the embarrassment becomes so overwhelming that we attempt to distance ourselves completely from the person we used to be.

However, what if we paused for a moment and tried to look at our younger selves a little differently? What if we thanked our younger self?

Growth Happens in Stages

Growing up always equates to changing. It means outgrowing mindsets, habits, and even people. Yet somewhere along the way, many of us start treating our past selves like mistakes instead of milestones. We forget that every version of us existed for a reason. That younger version of you wasn’t trying to be awkward, dramatic, or wrong, but, on the contrary, they were trying to figure life out with the limited knowledge and experience they had.

Lessons from Our Cringe Phases

It’s very easy to judge your past from the comfort of the present. You know more now. You’ve learned lessons. You see situations differently. But your younger self didn’t have that advantage, as they were navigating friendships, school, expectations, and emotions for the first time, in those moments. They were learning how to cope, how to belong, and how to be heard.

And they were doing the best they could.

Think about it: the person you are today exists because of who you were before. Your younger self got you through days you thought you couldn’t handle. They faced fears, tried new things, and survived moments that felt world-ending at the time. Even your mistakes taught you something. Even your “cringe phases” helped shape your confidence and identity.

Instead of saying, “I was so embarrassing,” we should learn to say, “I was learning.” That small shift in wording changes everything. It replaces shame with compassion.

Practicing Gratitude Toward Your Past Self

It is important to note that an appreciation for your younger self doesn’t mean pretending you were perfect. Instead, it means recognizing your growth without insulting your journey. One way to practice this is by looking at old memories with kindness. When you see an old photo or remember an awkward moment, try asking: What was I feeling back then? What was I trying to learn? You might realize that past-you was braver than you give them credit for.

Some people even write letters to their younger selves, thanking them for holding on during hard times. It sounds simple, but it can be powerful. Gratitude toward your past can build confidence in your present, which will only continue to bring joy to moments that were traditionally associated with humiliation.

Moving Forward with Compassion

As a society, we are more inclined to celebrate future goals and “better versions” of ourselves, but we rarely celebrate the versions that carried us there. Growth isn’t about erasing who you were. It’s about understanding that every stage mattered and continues to influence us into tomorrow.

Your younger self isn’t someone to mock or criticize. They are someone to appreciate. They are proof that you can grow, adapt, and keep going.

With that in mind, the next time you cringe at a memory, try smiling instead. That younger version of you was trying, hoping, and learning, just as you are now.

And one day, your future self might look back at you with the same gratitude.

3 Tips to Ace a CART Essay: Critical Writing For Alberta ELA 30-1

Jeanne Y
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3 Tips to Ace a CART Essay: Critical Writing For Alberta ELA 30-1

 

1. Create an Outline

A good CART comes from writing with purpose. Make sure that you plan your CART according to the prompt before you delve into writing. Starting straight-out sentences can be difficult; it makes rambling and going off topic very easy. So take your time planning. I usually spend about 30 minutes when I plan.

Planning an Essay Structure

1. Thesis statement

This comes before everything else! Write out your answer to the prompt, and be specific to what your chosen novel supports. Your thesis is the backbone of your entire essay so don’t be afraid to give it a little complexity. It can be multiple sentences if that makes it easier to read, or you can use a semicolon (if you know how to use one properly).

2. Topic Sentences

When planning, write these out in full sentences for each body paragraph.

From your thesis statement, draw the main points that you are going to prove in your essay and reword each one into a topic sentence. Your topic sentence should discuss your argument, not a plot point. Don’t get into evidence yet, because that happens after.

Here is where you make what teachers like to call your “claim” that you’re going to back up. At this point, it should have nothing to do with the story you’re analyzing and more to do with what you are trying to say.

3. Evidence

When planning, put these in bullet points.

This is where you choose quotations from the text or brief summaries of a plot point. If you are using a plot point, be very careful not to go off on a tangent. Stay on topic – your summary should be no more than two sentences.

One of my teachers once said evidence is something that you should be able to put your finger on. Literally. If the quotation or the plot point is too long for your thumb to cover up, you have too much. Many students go off on tangents because evidence requires no thought; you just chuck in what someone else wrote. I’ve fallen into this trap way too many times. Remember – put a finger on it!

4. Explanation

This is arguably the most important part of writing a CART. It only takes a bullet point but will save you points.

Evidence is useless without explanation. When planning, use a bullet point or two to briefly relate the evidence and the claim you make in your topic sentence. Explore what the author’s intention was, why the evidence was a good example, and ultimately how it relates back to the thesis statement and answer to the question.

5. Intro and Conclusion Paragraphs

These are usually the least useful to plan, but it can help to have a little starting point. Plan out your ending statement in full – should connect your point with the world and the general human condition – and make a note that your thesis statement should make an appearance in both. Reword it when you put it into your conclusion paragraph.

2. Avoid Blocks of Quotations

YUUUUUCKK. Keep giant quotations OUT of your essays. If you need evidence in the form of quotations, pick the best quotes instead of choosing all of them. But what makes a quote better than another?

Here’s a couple things to look for in a well-selected quotation:

  • literary/rhetorical devices – great to break down and explain, shows understanding and nuance especially when you have an extended metaphor
  • dialogue – especially that which showcases a character’s defining traits at the time, which can then be contrasted with quotations from after a character changes and analyzed for character dynamic
  • short and sweet – nobody wants to read a massive chunk of writing that they’ve already read before. As long as it makes the same point, pick the shorter quotation.

3. KISS – Keep It Simple, Stupid!

I used to be one of the students who thought they were a spiritual descendant of Shakespeare. I wrote long and grandiose sentences laced with fancy fluffy phrases, and it took a while to get to the point. My word count was triple that of my peers, yet my grades tended to be lower. I was always told to be more concise, but I never knew how to do it. If this sounds like you, read on.

Planning is one of the best things you can do if you ramble. Keep each section around two sentences when you write. Although I was flexible with this rule, it got easier to do once I got used to writing more. And you will get to your point I promise.

More importantly, leave the editing to the end. It’s so tempting to edit as you go, but often you will get stuck rewriting a sentence until it becomes incoherent mush. It’ll make sense to your anxiety-riddled mind in the moment and you’ll keep the incoherent mush, and you will also spend far too much time writing more incoherent mush until you realize there’s ten minutes left and you are only on your second body paragraph. Then you will type like your life depends on it.

Understanding vocabulary also helps greatly. Avoid using the thesaurus unless you know what the word really means, but oftentimes there’s a better wording choice that will save you a whole sentence. Expand your vocabulary by reading and writing more!

Main-Character Syndrome: Cringe or Confidence?

Elizabeth A
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Main-Character Syndrome: Cringe or Confidence?

Scroll through TikTok for five minutes and you’ll see it everywhere: slow-motion coffee walks, “POV: you’re the main character” captions, people narrating their lives like they’re in an indie film. This phenomenon, often called main-character syndrome, gets clowned constantly. But is it actually embarrassing… or is it just confidence with a new aesthetic?

First, let’s clear something up. Main-character syndrome doesn’t literally mean thinking everyone else is an NPC. At its core, it’s about seeing your life as meaningful, intentional, and worth paying attention to. In a world where routines blur together and burnout is basically a personality trait, that mindset can feel kind of empowering. Romanticizing your walk to class or your late-night study session can be a small act of self-respect. You’re telling yourself: my life matters, even in the boring parts.

That’s where the confidence argument comes in. Treating yourself like the main character can push people to take risks, set boundaries, and stop waiting for permission to exist loudly. It encourages people to dress how they want, chase goals that actually excite them, and stop minimizing themselves to make others comfortable. For a lot of people, that’s not cringe at all. That’s growth.

But (and this is a big but), main-character syndrome has a tipping point.

When confidence turns into performative self-obsession, the vibe shifts fast. Filming strangers without consent, acting like social rules don’t apply to you, or dismissing other people’s experiences because they don’t fit your “plot” is where the syndrome earns its bad reputation. At that stage, it’s less “I value myself” and more “only I matter,” which is… not cute.

Social media makes this worse. Platforms reward dramatic storytelling, aesthetic suffering, and exaggerated individuality. Everyone’s trying to be the most interesting person in the room, which ironically makes everything start to feel the same. The pressure to constantly be “that girl” or “him” can turn self-confidence into anxiety disguised as empowerment.

So is main-character syndrome cringe or confidence?

Honestly, it depends on who the story centers–and who gets erased. If being the main character helps you care about your life, enjoy small moments, and move with purpose, that’s confidence. If it turns into ignoring others, seeking constant validation, or treating real life like content, that’s where it crosses into cringe.

Maybe the healthiest take is this: be the main character of your life, but remember everyone else is starring in their own story too. Confidence doesn’t need an audience and it definitely doesn’t need to step on other people to feel real.

And if you still want to romanticize your walk home with headphones on? Go for it. Just don’t forget to let others have their montage moments too.

Future Uncertainty: A Youth Perspective

Kheta
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Future Uncertainty: A Youth Perspective
Have you ever had a thought about how we, the youth of today, will survive in the next ten years with the current economy? Every day on the news, there are statistics about unemployment, affordability, inflation and job insecurity. While we might dismiss the concern with the hope of “it will get better,” the concern remains unanswered. Our doubts and fear is buried beneath the stress of achieving below our standards. The struggle to uphold our academic and career-related skill set becomes the only goal as we work our way into the reality of adulting. In this article, we will address the concerns that are often times dismissed or suppressed, yet hold a bitter truth about the future.

The Feeling:

Unsplash. By Ahmet-Olcum. Published on September 26, 2025
Oftentimes, the thought of the future is discouraging, especially when we have high expectations of ourselves. Throughout high school, many of us are working on building our resumes and gaining skills that will help us excel in our careers. Ambition, commitment, passion and anticipation are all the wonderful things that drive youth towards doing well in school and extracurriculars. We have been told by social media, older generations, and the school systems that doing well in school will pave the path for financial freedom and comfort.
While this perspective isn’t wrong, it does not encompass the entire picture of reality.
All of a sudden, when we open the news channel and overhear young adults talking about the ridiculous increase in the cost of living, we feel betrayed. Betrayed by the system, manipulated by our own expectations and hopeless for the future. This is the exact moment we think to ourselves, “Is it really worth the hassle?”

You Are Not Alone:

If you could relate to the slightest bit of this feeling, you are a part of the ” 80% of Canadian youth are overwhelmed by stress” (quoted by Mental Health Research Canada (MHRC) in November 2025).
Oftentimes, we convince ourselves that we need more qualifications to dodge unemployment and affordability. However, whether or not you get a job in the current economy isn’t solely dependent on qualification, but rather it is a combination of many other factors. For example, landing a job in your dream company isn’t only about having a degree, but it involves your interview skills, executive presence, job availability, soft skills, and future scope of the position (will it be replaced by AI?).
At this point, the most important thing to understand is that it is not impossible to get a job; however, the global economic situation does create barriers for the young working population.

So What Should We Do:

Unsplash. By Jeremy Bishop. Published on March 14, 2016. Mindset
Many of the current solutions offered are to work harder and adapt; however, that is NOT the advice we need. Working harder doesn’t change economic uncertainty. As youth, we already face pressure from school, extracurriculars, and our personal lives, which consistently result in mental health issues across the global youth population. Instead of creating more pressure by focusing on the unpredictability of the future, we need to redefine our mindset.
Awareness is more effective than pessimism. Losing hope and quitting because of the situations does not benefit anyone; however, being able to address such discrepancies in society is the only way we can move towards a resolution.
We cannot control our future. While this may sound philosophical, the future is unpredictable regardless of how we shape our present. This means we should focus on what we can control and strive towards a goal to the best of our abilities. Identifying the distinction between devising and controlling can eliminate self-blame and negativity.
At last, while the answer to economic uncertainty might seem vague or blurred, we must understand that the issue is multifaceted. As we try to understand the future of the global economy and what that means for the youth of today, we will be able address the issue with more focus. Above all, we need to remember that the issue isn’t individual but rather systemic; therefore, this issue does not define our worth and capabilities.
Sources:

Making Memories Now So I Don’t Regret It Later

Ellie P
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Making Memories Now So I Don’t Regret It Later

Lately I keep thinking, “I’m only 16 once,” which sounds dramatic, but it’s more just… a thought that keeps popping up. I’m in Grade 11 now, so university and whatever “adult life” is supposed to be feels way closer than I’m ready for. Some days it hits me that this version of life — high school, random plans, walking around with nowhere to be — isn’t going to last forever. And I don’t want to look back and realize I spent all of it waiting for something better to happen.

I think a lot of this started when I began going downtown more, probably around ninth grade, mostly because of volunteering at first. Somewhere between standing on the train platform in the cold, walking around with my headphones in, and just killing time in the city, I started to really love it. Not in a movie way, but in a small way. Like when you’re walking with music and everything feels quieter in your head for a second. Or when you’re with friends and a random walk turns into a long conversation you didn’t plan on having. Even being alone can feel nice sometimes — not lonely, just calm — as long as you’re being safe about it.

Some memories are just staying out way longer than you meant to because no one wanted to be the first person to go home. Other days it’s literally just me, my earbuds, and taking the long way somewhere for no reason. Both feel important. Being around people matters, but so does learning how to be okay with yourself. Not everything has to be loud or exciting to count.

I used to think “making memories” meant everything had to look good. Cute outfit, good lighting, actual plan. Very Pinterest, very curated. But the stuff that sticks isn’t like that at all. It’s the blurry photos you don’t post. The after-school snack runs. The bus rides where everyone’s exhausted but still laughing at the dumbest things. The walks home that were supposed to be five minutes and somehow turned into an hour.

Being in Grade 11 makes everything feel closer. Closer to the end of high school. Closer to new routines. Closer to a life that probably won’t have this much free time or this many unplanned moments. It’s not scary exactly, but it does make things feel more real. It makes me want to stop saying “maybe next time” and start saying “sure, why not” a little more.

That’s kind of my thing lately: saying yes. Yes to plans I almost cancel. Yes to going out even when I’m tired. Yes to doing things even if they’re not perfectly planned or perfectly aesthetic. Not in a reckless way—just in a “I don’t want to miss this” way. I don’t want my memories of being 16 to just be stress, homework, and waiting for the next phase of life to start.

There’s so much pressure to always be productive, like every moment has to be useful. But some moments are just meant to be lived. Walking around. Laughing too loud. Staying out a bit later than you meant to. Sitting somewhere with a coffee and pretending your life is a movie for five minutes. These aren’t things you put on a resume, but they’re the things that make life feel full.

I don’t have some big plan for how to make memories. I just don’t want to keep saying “later” all the time. Sometimes that means saying yes when it would be easier to stay home. Sometimes it means doing something even when it’s not a whole thing.

I know this phase of life isn’t going to last. That’s kind of the point. I just want to be able to say I actually lived it while I was here.

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