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Penguin House’s “Little Black Classics Box Set” Is a Must Have

Jesun Kim
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As a teenager, online shopping is a past time that I frequent. Of course there’s other things that I do, such as: reading, playing video games, and such and such. But I would like to just highlight the reading part. The number one thing I did as a child was read. Books upon books (especially The Magic Treehouse, and books from David Walliams). Subsequently, my excessive reading became a bore as I felt like I’ve seen what was up to offer. Repeated tropes, and clichés– especially as I grew older, reading “Young Adult” books.

*FYI: “Young Adult” books are the worst to read in bulk*

However, a little-me came across the “Classics” section of the Public Library. I would like to make it fact that Classics are called said name for a reason. They will never get old; because the author achieves the apex example of whatever trope or meaning they are pursuing. Something about “Classic” books makes the writing so encapsulating– that it just begs to be read who knows how many times. To reread that one specific excerpt that was so sublimely written, is like indulging in a good chicken noodle soup.

Now, how did I come across this masterpiece? My chronic addiction to online shopping. While scrolling on Amazon, the set was recommended to me. Strange how the digital world recommends the physical. Now this is a must buy… but it’s worth mentioning that it’s $160 CAD. Fortunately, my birthday is coming up!

Alright, enough narrative-

Penguin house is a primary publisher in the literary world. In some way, you will find that you have a book from aforementioned publisher. In celebration of Penguin House’s 80th birthday, the Little Black Classics Set  was introduced to the world. It has literature from all over the world, and in-between genres.

First of all, the set is so visually encapsulating to look at. I’m completely serious when I say that my jaw dropped when I found out about this. The sleek look of the simple text, all in uniform with each other, black and white casing and covers. What is there not to like. The set features books such as:

  • Edgar Allan Poe The Tell-Tale Heart
  • Plato Socrates’ Defence
  • Oscar Wilde Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime
  • Shen Fu The Old Man of the Moon

And SO many more essentials pieces of literature.

Now, all I’m saying is that- if you’re trying to get someone into reading, a bookworm like yours truly, or just in need of something new for our chaotic lives; invest in this set. Here is the link to it on Amazon if you’re interested!

Happy reading renaissance!

Sources: Featured | 1 | 2 |

Developing A Healthy Relationship With Time

Lara Mylde
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It may be hard to believe, but we are already halfway through the first month of 2022. Many people take the new year as a time to turn over a new leaf—to quit their bad habits and start afresh. Unfortunately, the vast majority are unsuccessful in creating lasting change. I know I’ve certainly broken a few New Year’s resolutions in my time. There are many reasons for this phenomenon of false starts, but they all boil down to one thing: a person’s relationship with time.

Most of us don’t have all that great a relationship with the time. We know ourselves to spend hours on social media, or to ignore our circadian rhythms and pull all-nighters to study for a test or binge the latest season of Grey’s Anatomy (seriously, there are so many seasons). But if we could change the way we look at time, quit the shame spiral which paralyzes our progress, and come up with a way to manage the operation in a happier, less stressful way, it could be the key to everything.

Around now, when your resolve may be beginning to flag, here are some ways to develop a healthier relationship with time. We only have so much of it, after all!

1. Reflect on where the time goes

Where does the time go? Sometimes, it flies by; other times, it drags like a man in iron shoes. It’s one of the most peculiar concepts of human society and the most elusive commodity we have. Everyone gets the same 24 hours, but are all 24 hours created equal? Some are born to more opportunities than others. And it is up to the individual whether to take the opportunities presented to them.

Are you spending time on the things that are really important to you? What are your biggest sources of distraction; likewise, what makes you feel fired up and ready to work? Change requires self-awareness; after living with yourself for this many years, you know yourself better than anyone else. Still, your own self-perception can easily deceive if you’re passive about it, and it’s important when you start out on your journey to know yourself properly. This is how you will be able to actually self-help when the time comes.

2. Small steps

When mountaineers set out to climb Mount Everest, they don’t start by climbing Everest right away. Even after years of training, they typically do acclimatizing climbs of similar mountains before ever stepping foot in Everest’s Base Camp.

Don’t expect to wake up one day at 5:00 AM, run five miles, cut all your sugar, and stop procrastinating all in one day. You may be able to do this for a few days, if that, but you will most likely burn out before long and end up right back where you started.

Start with something small and manageable. Wake up earlier than usual in five minute increments. Writing one word or one line or one paragraph of that assignment you got earlier today will set you up better than no words or lines or paragraphs. And recognize that usually it isn’t about what you do or the time something takes; it’s about the path it sets you on.

3. Find what works for you

It’s important not to fall into the trap of pursuing the “ideal” life either. We’ve all heard it a hundred times: social media is creating unrealistic expectations. We only ever see the good in the lives of others anymore. But it’s not just social media; it’s the social norms which idealize those who are able to maintain “perfect bodies” or “perfect diets” or killer routines morning, noon, and night.

If you’re looking to make changes to your life, think about why you’re making them. Waking up at 5:00 AM isn’t for everyone; neither is running a marathon or learning a new language in thirty days or following health fads or writing studygram worthy notes. What do you want to do? Personally, this year I want to read as a regular habit. I tend to read things all in one sitting, which makes it harder to read when I feel like I have to carve out massive chunks of time to do it in. Reading a few pages a day still allows for binge-reading, but it also means I’m reading more regularly and will probably get more reading done with less guilt attached in the long run.

In terms of managing time around that, try strategies like time blocking. Feel free to experiment, and don’t be discouraged if what works for others doesn’t work for you. We’re all different; we’re not supposed to have the same goals or ideas and we’re not supposed to respond identically to the same stimulus. Figure out what you want to do, and do it for yourself—not for anyone else. This will make it easier to put the time in.

4. Let guilt and frustration go

Two things are true: 1) Setbacks are always discouraging and 2) Getting hung up on them is ultimately the least productive thing you can do, and the least fulfilling.

Unfortunately, negative feelings are a natural reaction to setbacks. Getting trapped in a shame spiral? More likely than you think. Eventually, your relationship with yourself and with time will be at the stage that you will be able to skip these negative feelings most of the time and move on, but especially in the early stages every failure or indulgence—small or big—will feel disappointing and even impossible to overcome. When this happens, the most important thing is to give space for these feelings so that you don’t fall into them. Repressing things invariably makes them worse. You must find a balance between feeling guilt and frustration, recognizing those feelings, and letting them go. The past is the past: whether or not you are religious, you may find some meaning applicable to this situation in the serenity prayer:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference.

You are allowed to feel the bad—in fact, it is necessary to your mental health and to your growth. But finding that serenity is going to be the most important thing; it will give you the strength to keep going in the face of adversity.

Addressing “fake news” in the media

Claire Li
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Hey everyone! I recently came across a TED-Ed video regarding common misconceptions, and decided to hop on here to share some information regarding “fake news.” During the past few eventful years, we’ve definitely all witnessed the growing amount of misinformation and disinformation in the media. Luckily, there are some great ways to determine the accuracy of the information you read online!

What is Fake News?

  • Fake news is a general term that describes inaccurate or falsified information, published as news for specific purposes such as political motivation. 
  • Similar, yet different, are the terms misinformation and disinformation.

Misinformation:

  • Inaccurate or misleading information presented and spread, regardless of the intention to deceive.

Remember when the pandemic first started, and we were stuck at home, scrolling through our instagram feeds? Well, you might remember seeing a  trending photo of dolphins swimming in the Grand Canal. If you were like me, you decided to like the photo, chuckle to yourself, then shout to your brother across the room that “because of covid, dolphins are swimming around the streets of Venice!” 

In case any of you were part of the millions of people spreading the photo around social media, there were (unfortunately) no majestic, happy dolphins swimming in the Grand Canal. I know, we were all slightly disappointed. 

  • However, this was a perfect example of misinformation. People shared the image around social media without knowing it was fake.
*Although, I have to note for those dolphin lovers out there, there were (ironically) dolphins spotted in Venice later on in the pandemic. This was after the original photo was already declared as falsified by numerous news sites.*

 

Disinformation:

  • False and inaccurate information that is presented and spread with the clear intention to be deliberately deceptive. 
  • Some common examples of disinformation are deep fakes and fake news sites. 
  • Although there are some hilarious deep fakes of famous people saying unrealistic things, sometimes (with good editing and technology skills), deep fakes can easily become dangerous in spreading disinformation.
  • As for fake news sites, it can be quite simple to identify them, especially with some tips I’ve included below!

What can you do?

Practicing your ability to detect fake news can help you distinguish between accurate news, and false information!

  • Ask yourself: is this too good to be true? What does my logic and reasoning tell me?
  • Is there clear publication information available? Can you see where the sources are from? Does it provide the year and the date of publication?
  • Does the source lean heavily towards one viewpoint?
  • What do other sources say about this topic?
  • Is the author or organization well known? What are their credentials?
  • What platform are you viewing this source from? (Social media, the news, a website, a friend?)

Conclusion:

Although it can be tricky to tell whether the information you find is true, the questions above may help you better distinguish how accurate some information/news really is.

And that’s it from me! I hope you now know a little more about the types of false information, and what you can do about it!

 

Sources:

1/2/3/4/5

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All you need to know about Fridays for Future

Gabrielle Cadiang
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All you need to know about Fridays for Future

2021 was tied for the sixth warmest year (alongside 2018). The earth was 1.1 degrees Celsius warmer than the average back in the late 19th century. The climate crisis has affected the lives of many people around the globe. Climate change has heightened humanity’s insecurity towards how our future is supposed to look. Over time, the effects of climate change have been more pronounced due to drastic temperature changes and recent scientific discoveries all over the world. The effect of the climate crisis has helped society realize that climate change will not only affect the current generation, but generations to come.

Youth are at the forefront of the battle to fight the climate crisis. The current youth population (ages 15-24) makes up around 16 percent of the world’s population. Many youths are advocating for change and one of the most well-known organizations bringing young people to this battleground to fight climate change is Fridays for Future.

What is Fridays for Future?

Fridays for Future (also known as School Strike for Climate) is a grassroots organization founded by a environmental climate activist, Greta Thunberg back in 2018. Students skip their typical Friday classes in order to participate in protests all around the world to demand action from political leaders who have failed to prevent climate change.

There are approximately 150 countries and 2 million people who participate in protests worldwide every Friday. There have been multiple global climate strikes that have occurred since 2018, the most recent one being held back in September of 2021. Around 90 countries held climate strikes, with the majority of the demonstrations being dispersed around Germany. There was a lack of German political parties who were addressing climate change and Germany was on the cusp of a federal election.

Fridays for Future — Calgary

In Calgary, there is a local Fridays for Future organization. The organization is youth-led and they hold their protests every Friday from 2;30 pm to 4:00 pm in front of the Calgary Municipal Building. For more information,  you can learn more about Fridays for Future in Calgary by pressing the link attached below, which will re-direct you to the Fridays for Future Calgary website!

https://fridaysforfuturecalgary.ca/

 How to take Climate Change Action

Many people all over the world have chosen to act on climate change. If you want to join the battle against the climate crisis, here are some ways to take action:

  • Voicing your concerns by talking to local trustees and councillors
  • Supporting or joining an environmental advocacy group
  • Attending strikes/demonstrations
  • Signing petitions
  • Starting up conversations about climate change and educating those around you
  • Supporting environmental activists
  • Using energy wisely (unplugging electronics when you’re not using them, changing your light bulbs into energy-efficient ones, etc.)
  • Investing in renewable energy sources such as solar energy
  • Using public transit, carpooling, walking, and biking more often

Although our world is drastically changing because of climate change, making these changes in our lives can make a difference in our world. No gesture is too small to make an impact in the world. Get involved, educate others and advocate for change!

 

Sources:  Featured, 1 , 2 , 3

In-Person Learning is Still Happening in Alberta

Jesun Kim
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Despite the large amount of Omicron variant cases, students in Alberta are still learning in-person. Among many students, this is causing an up rise in distress and confusion. Consequently, schools have been implementing practices to lower stress levels in these times.

 What Schools are Doing

  • Many schools in Alberta are making their student’s final exams “No Jeopardy”. This “No Jeopardy” means that the grade on the exam is unable to lower the student’s average. However,  if the student grades well on the exam, it can raise the student’s average. The act of making exams “No Jeopardy” creates the idea of it being an “optional” exam.
  • Rapid tests and mask distribution. Educational institutes across Alberta are being provided with said resources to be distributed to those attending. Hence another layer of protection against the Omicron variant.
  • Earlier, Alberta Education extended the winter break of students, as Omicron was at an all time high.

How Students are Reacting

  • As a student myself, I would like to put my 2 cents in. Honestly, I think its on the reckless side of things. In contrast to what Alberta is doing, nearly every other province in Canada has resorted to online learning. Furthermore, rules implemented in the CBE about the requirements to come to school are quite lenient. For example, one of my close friends came in contact with a Covid-19 carrier, yet she did not show symptoms, but her test was positive. Instead of the two week quarantine, she was instructed to quarantine for a week– because she did not show symptoms.
  • On the contrary, many youth prefer in-person learning. The interaction and convenience of being inside of a building is a lot more familiar than staring at a screen for eight hours. Being able to speak one on one without awkward misconceptions through email/messaging is a gift that in-person learning gives us. On top of that, the change of scenery from a home environment is a great mental health booster.

Sources: Featured | 1 |

Local Businesses in YYC to Support

Yuri Choi
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With us slowly approaching two years since the COVID-19 pandemic started, it is unfortunate to say that we are still impacted by it. This is especially true for small, local businesses. Due to the pandemic, many businesses were forced to shut down. However, there are still many local businesses that are trying their best amid the difficult times. It is important now more than ever to show our support and appreciation to these businesses. To get you started, here are some businesses based in Calgary that you should consider checking out.

YYC Beeswax

YYC Beeswax is a local company dedicated to making beauty and home goods. They sell a variety of products from candles to reusable beeswax wraps. This company works with bees to achieve a safer, cleaner environment. Some of their initiatives include recycling and waste reduction. They can be found online at https://www.belocal.org/business/yyc-beeswax/.

Going Nuts

Family owned and operated, Going Nuts is a business that specializes in flavored nuts, granola, nut butters, bars, and more. From classics such as beer nuts to more adventurous products such as coconut curry peanut butter, there is something for everyone to enjoy. They even sell gift boxes, perfect for gifting your loved ones! They have seven locations across Alberta, including three in Calgary. They can also be found online at https://goingnuts.ca/. 

LNDart

Calgary based Lindsey Nill works on creating beautiful mosaic watercolor paintings. You can choose from her wide array of nature-based prints or even order your own custom design. Her store is run on Etsy, and you can arrange to have your print shipped to your house, or you can pick it up instead. She even ships outside of Canada, making it perfect for your family and friends who reside elsewhere. Her Etsy shop can be found at https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/LNDart. 

Bread Culture

Bread culture opened up in the midst of the pandemic. They specialize in creating artisan breads, all made from scratch. Even better, they also help the initiative by using ingredients that are locally sourced. They are well known for their croissants and caneles. Check them out at their downtown location, or online at https://breadculture.ca/. 

Calgary Farmer’s Market

Although the Calgary Farmer’s Market is not a business itself, it houses many different local businesses. They are a one stop shop for all things local– from fresh baked bagels to local produce to handcrafted jewelry. There are over 75 local vendors at the market for you to check out. Find them at their SE location, or online at http://www.calgaryfarmersmarket.ca/. 

Images [1][2][3][4][5][6]

Child Marriage: An Epidemic

Kassidy Thompson
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What Is Child Marriage?

Child marriage is a marriage or domestic partnership between a child, usually under 18, and an adult or another child. Most child marriages are between a young girl and a man or older boy. Most countries permit people to be married at 18, but this can vary depending on the country, meaning that the marriageable age can be younger or older. In some countries where the age is set at 18 years, parental consent can be given to allow an earlier marriage.

Child marriage violates multiple human rights and can have long-term consequences on the victims. A few of the consequences for girls are a lack of education or career opportunities, mental health issues, teen pregnancy, and childbirth. Sadly, there has been little to no research done on the male victims of child marriage. Although, one can assume that being ill-prepared for fatherhood and lacking an education and career opportunities are common.

How Many Children Are Affected By Child Marriage?

According to UNICEF and the government of Canada, it is estimated that worldwide, 115 million boys and men were married as children. While 650 million women and girls were married as children. I found that it was significantly harder to find articles that were written about child grooms. While child grooms are less numerous than child brides, they both violate human rights. Further research needs to be done on the effects of child marriage on boys.

What Actions Have Been Taken To Prevent This?

Many foreign programs focus on preventing child marriage. In Canada, we are working towards ending child marriage by raising awareness and educating others. The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development plans on working towards this goal by investing in projects that prevent the practice and supporting girls and women who were child brides.

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Sources: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 /

The importance of self-appreciation

 

STEM and Social Media: Inspiring Young Minds to Learn

Harshita Jindia
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Every day we use a phenomenon known as social media to either stay connected with our friends or to share posts with the crowd. We might underestimate its significance as it could be a powerful educational resource to teach users about essential subjects like Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Out of all our curriculum, STEM is a vital part of our education as it develops core skills in our minds from a young age. Social media has supported STEM education by providing resources for thousands of interested people in many different ways.

Generating Interest

Many apps like Instagram, Tumblr, YouTube, and Pinterest are resourceful platforms where we can have easy access to STEM material. Hashtags like #SciChat, #STEM, #DesignThinking make it convenient to find posts, reels, and other people involved in STEM. Resources found are so fascinating and are intriguing more young learners to connect. Not only is social media being introduced in classrooms for STEM education, but universities are also benefiting from them. Interestingly, relatable and funny content is encouraging learners to do the same, whether it is posting their own information or following step-by-step tutorials on new innovations.

Engagement

Social media has advanced significantly so that students can easily engage to obtain information on their STEM fields. Amazing platforms like Reddit or NASA Google+ Hangout Sessions allow us to talk to professionals and ask questions. Young students with curiosity can easily ask working professionals for help on projects, career guidance, or inspiration. This promotes more engaging ways to learn and makes it fun while learning remotely. In classrooms teachers also use many apps to keep students learning STEM, through games or other exciting activities. Some teachers use Twitter to collect questions from students for mathematics so that they can create video lessons to fully help everyone understand concepts. It is exceptional how social media can make STEM learning highly captivating. 

 Social Media Accelerates Science | The Scientist Magazine®   3 Scientific Studies With Real Insight Into Social Media

Future for STEM

Many students seek jobs in the STEM fields. Our future depends on educated engineers, scientists, doctors, mathematicians, and all professions under STEM to find solutions to daily problems. STEM was introduced a long time ago where many inspirational scientists like Albert Einstein or Grace Hopper revolutionized major concepts. To date, we have many references to those discoveries and hope to discover more. Social Media is providing helpful links to further develop the industry. Public platforms like Facebook or Instagram could provide students with tutors to serve their needs. One computer science researcher even developed a software that allowed Twitter users who are students to directly connect to professionals on LinkedIn. With students having a role model or inspiration to follow, they will surely secure their goal of a STEM career.

Personally, as a growing student, I want to develop into a STEM career, and Social Media has provided useful sources. I believe our future lies in a STEM-oriented environment where new innovations and scientific solutions will be uncovered. Therefore, it is crucial that we integrate STEM education into our curriculum to have more students interested and help them develop stronger practical skills.

Sources: 1 2 3

Image Sources: 1 2 feature image

Healthy Snacks and Breakfasts for 2022

Shreya Ivaturi
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I’m one of those people whose skin, mood, and overall wellness is determined by the foods I eat. Over the holidays I can confidently say that I overindulged in sugary foods, making me feel horrible and ruining the clear skin that I worked so hard for during previous months. My eyes are also weak, so it’s even more important that I monitor how much sugar I’m having. I found that snacks were my weak area, so I discovered and rediscovered a few healthy snack ideas that I enjoy and want to have more often this year. Obviously, sugary foods are not bad in moderation, but like many others, I find it hard to maintain this balance. This is why I wanted to share some (relatively) healthy snacks and breakfasts that I love to make, and hopefully, you’ll find them interesting too! (a few of these are so good that I just had to make a bit of commentary)

 

Snacks

Frozen blueberries

Frozen blueberries are by far my favorite snack right now. I find them so refreshing and sweet, that I often prefer eating a bowl of them to ice-cream or other desserts. You can eat them plain,  but I love to squeeze some fresh lime juice on them or add a tiny bit of honey to spice things up. Try it out with other frozen fruits too!

Vegetables and hummus

Whole grain chips with guacamole

Fruit assortments

Make sure you always have a fruit accessible for a quick, refreshing snack. Fruit salads are a bit of work to prepare, but they taste delicious!

Soaked almonds

I’m not sure about other cultures, but if you’re Indian, you’re probably familiar with soaked almonds. All you do is put a handful of almonds in water and wait until the skin becomes soft enough to peel off. The peeling can be a bit time-consuming, but it’s worth it in the end!

Seasoned fresh vegetables

This is another popular snack in India that I grew up with and will never get sick of. Just chop up any vegetable you would like, squeeze lemon juice over top, and add a bit of salt, pepper, and chili power evenly (try some of your other favorite spices).

Breakfasts

Avocado toast

I know it may seem extreme, but replace your white bread with some good quality whole grain. You’ll barely notice the difference!

Greek yogurt with toppings

Top a bowl of Greek yogurt (or any variation you would like) with fruit (fresh or frozen), granola, honey (for taste), oats, or anything you see fit.

Protein pancakes

There are tons of great recipes you can find online and it may take a while to find one that works for you, but they can brighten your whole morning!

Smoothie bowls

Expectedly, frozen fruits (especially blueberries) are my breakfast MVPs. Just blend a bunch of your favorite frozen fruits together, add some protein powder if you want, and top with your favorite granola, peanut butter, dark chocolate chips, etc (get creative!).

Omelets

Add LOTS of vegetables to the point that your omelet barely stays intact.

Hopefully you found a few snack or breakfast idea to incorporate into your everyday routine. As you find healthy foods you enjoy (and there ARE), eating a healthy diet, or at least a balanced one it will just become second nature. Stay safe out there and snack on!

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Tips For University Applications Pt. 2

Steven Dong
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Hello everyone!

I recently wrote a blog about Tips for University Applications, and now that I can finally say that I am completely done the process, I have decided to make a part 2. So, here are some more tips that I have used that have helped make the entire process bearable. Hope this helps any current or future Grade 12 students!

Stay Organized

Be as organized as you can possibly be. I have folders on my desktop for each school and scholarship that I have applied to, and believe me, it will make your life so much easier in the long run. Furthermore, when editing my essays, I create different document versions. For instance, I have 4 versions of my UBC essays. For me, this helps a lot with backtracking, because oftentimes I find myself liking my original wording more, so this way it is very convenient to refer back to previous work.

Learn to reuse essays

As you write more and more essays, you’ll notice that many prompts are very similar, or simply ask the same question with different wording. Recognizing these patterns is key to minimizing the amount of work you ultimately have to do. (And if you’re very organized, it will be easier to remember where you had written the exact essay you could use!)

Another aspect worth mentioning about essays are word counts. For instance, one institution may require a 100 word perseverance essay, while another may have a 300 word max. Knowing how to shape your essays to different word counts is a valuable skill that will save you so much time. To practice, I’d recommend for each “primary essay idea” ie. ideas that can work for various different prompts, write out a fully developed version. From there, highlight and note the parts from most to least importance. This will facilitate word count changes, as you can just take the most important parts of each essay rather than writing an entirely new one.

Accept Criticism

I can’t tell you the amount of times that I have had to restart because someone told me I didn’t respond to the prompt or my idea itself needed to change. Once you find a handful of people who you trust to help edit and improve your work, believe in the process. It can be frustrating to spend hours on an essay only to have to spend another 3 changing it. During these times, I often try to block out all criticism because I am too emotionally invested in my own original work. But try to remember that the others around you are only trying to help and that all the work you put in will be rewarded in the end.

That’s it! I hope you learned something new, and good luck!

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What “Don’t Look Up” Really Says About Society

Pareen Cheema
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As you look through Netflix, you’ve probably seen the movie, Don’t Look Up appear on your screen as it has been on Netflix Canada’s Top 10 List for a while. With its star-studded cast and intriguing plot, the movie has captured the attention of millions of people. At first, it may seem like a satire about politics and climate change, but aside from the comedy, it reveals some darker secrets about society that some are scared to acknowledge.

*Spoilers*

The Line Between Climate Change and Politics:

A lot of us have been hearing about climate change online and at school. It has become one of the most important and controversial topics of the decade. Therefore, it is sometimes hard to distinguish where the line is drawn between climate change and politics. In the movie, there are two scientists, Randall Mindy and Kate Dibiasky, who have discovered there is a comet approaching Earth that will destroy human civilization. After this discovery, both scientists present their findings to the White House. However, when the duo is showing their concerns, they are met with a President and government staff who are more worried about the media and their image rather than the threat the comet poses to civilization.

As you can see, the movie highlights some of the negative sides of politics that involve some politicians being more concerned about how the public will perceive them rather than focusing on more important issues at hand. Thus, it reflects how at times, the government chooses to ignore or sets aside certain matters that many advocates fight for. In this case, the topic of concern is climate change. With that in mind, this can be frustrating, and this is also depicted in the movie when Kate Dibiasky lashes out at tv reporters and the President for not caring enough. Even today, many of us feel like the government is not doing enough for climate change. This will always remain a part of society, especially when the world leaders we look up to and rely on start to lose our trust. As seen in Don’t Look Up, when politics becomes riddled with dishonesty, scandals, and rivalries, it becomes difficult to keep our attention away from the media and on global issues.  

The Media’s Influence?

In today’s society, our actions and thoughts are influenced by celebrities, movies, and media outlets to some extent. In Don’t Look Up, in an effort to increase awareness about the comet, Randell Mindy and Kate Dibiasky go to a morning talk show. However, while on the show, the hosts start to make jokes about the serious situation and more attention is put towards Mindy’s appearance. To some degree, this also mirrors the way aspects of our society work. I have often noticed that certain media outlets have hosts that make light out of serious situations and share their personal opinions rather than facts people deserve to know. In hindsight, this may provide short term comedic relief and boost show ratings, but it also creates a sense of anxiety for many in times of uncertainty. Furthermore, in the movie, during the segment about climate change and the comet, the show’s engagement was shown to have dropped. Hence, many people decided to leave for the scientific portion of the show. In this case, the director may have been trying to show that people look more towards entertainment and drama; rather than scientific articles or news about world issues since that brings sadness and stress. This is just part of human nature, and it is unavoidable. However, it brings up another issue which is: who do you trust in moments of difficulties? 

Who Do You Trust?

Do people look to social media, TV hosts, news broadcasts, or their favorite celebrities for news? In today’s age, the news we get is not just from news broadcasts, many of us also get insight from celebrities, and some people prefer that more than traditional media. As shown in Don’t Look Up, people tuned into a morning tv show to get information about the day.  But at that point, many ignored any news about the comet. Later on, in the movie, when a prominent celebrity posted about the dangers of the comet, more people got engaged and concerned. Once again, this shows the power of influential people and those we put our trust in.

The Power of Technology:

In the movie, one of the White House’s main strategies to deflect the comet away from Earth was using large drones designed by a technology company known as BASH. Previously, BASH mainly worked with software and cell phone production. However, they then use their technology to come up with a mission that will break the comet into smaller pieces, allowing them to harness resources from the comet worth $32 trillion. As you can see, the motives behind BASH’s role in this mission is primarily profit-based. Being part of such a big mission will act as a promotion for their company, and they will be able to harness many natural resources, which will help them gain support from large businesses. Our society is vastly based on the “profit motive,” and is controlled by large businesses that produce technology and other services. Therefore, the actions these companies take are related to what will economically benefit them and raise their stocks in the long run. This is where it becomes evident what society values more; economic profit or the well-being of the planet. Both of these topics go hand in hand as the well-being of the planet is needed for resources to continue economic adventures. But in Don’t Look Up, the greed humans have for money outweighed scientific concerns as BASH was employed to carry out the mission with their rockets and technology. Unfortunately, due to a lack of knowledge about the full extent of the comet’s dangers, the BASH mission fails. This leaves the comet coming straight towards Earth. In the end, technology has the power to give us hope and enable us to embark on difficult missions, but too much trust can also lead to our downfall. In this case, the idea is not just about the effects of technology on humans but also the level of influence larger technology companies have on ordinary people. Hence, the series of events that play out in the movie allows us to understand that our fate cannot be kept in technology’s hands.

“What do these trillions of dollars matter if we’re all going to die with the impact of this comet?” ~ Randell Mindy

Comments on Human Condition

Towards the end of the movie, both Mindy and Dibiasky decide to reunite with loved ones. The characters depicted the value of relationships in their life by mending broken relationships one last time. In moments of need, people look back to those that have supported them and brought them happiness. Additionally, Mindy’s family, Dibiasky, and other characters all gathered around a dinner table and discussed memories. Through this scene, the director showed the value a simple dinner can have on one’s life. The characters could have done anything before the world was ending, but they chose to have dinner because that is what brings people together. At the same time, ideas about religion were expressed. Many people around the world look towards religion when losing hope. Therefore, it felt fitting that the characters finished off their dinner with a prayer and held hands to show unity, especially when the world was quite literally falling apart.

Don’t Look Up

Don’t Look Up is not only the movie’s name but one of the main catchphrases. In the movie, the president uses it to take peoples attention away from the crisis approaching them. Through this phrase, people are shown to become divided due to varying political and scientific beliefs. On one hand, some people do not wish to acknowledge the comet as their opinions are fueled by myths spread by the government. On the other, there are Mindy and Dibiasky who feel as if no one else cares about the world ending. With that in mind, the title “ Don’t Look Up” is a metaphor for climate change. The movie’s message is that if we do not look around us now and see the damage our actions have caused, it will be too late to fix them. In the movie, the politicians advise people to sit back and not worry about the comet, just as some have led us to believe about climate change. But, sitting and waiting will not make problems such as this go away as it is important to act quickly and efficiently. At the end of the movie, the comet eventually approaches Earth and destroys civilization. The final message is that our actions have the power to decide our fate. Therefore, we either act now or don’t look up at all.

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The Sinking City: Jakarta, Indonesia

Sally Wang
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In year 2020, some of the worst rainfalls hit Jakarta. This resulted in a big increase of floods and other types of natural disasters. The lives of many were lost due to this. This city is one of the fastest sinking countries in the world. It’s scientifically proven that it’s sinking rate is 25cm per year in certain areas, and the city is currently sitting below sea level. Scientists expect the city to be fully submerged into the sea waters sometime around 2050. 

Impact on citizens:

Jakarta is the home of over 30 million people, but global warming occasions caused approximately 170,000 residents to flee and seek refuge. The increase of floods and heavy rain has negatively affected residents from certain areas to abandon homes and business. This also leads to a higher risk of Jakarta’s citizens being contaminated by water-borne diseases. 

Why is it sinking?

1. Groundwater pumping

60% of the city relies on groundwater, filling up ⅔ of the city’s water consumption. Annually, there is approximately 600 million cubic metres of water being pumped from the grounds. This loosens the strength in the ground below, which causes water to flood onto the above grounds.

2. Climate change

Rising sea levels across the world puts Jakarta at a higher risk of sinking. Many walls have been built and installed around parts of the city. But due to the fact that time passes fast, the walls are already facing leaks. 

Previous Natural Disasters:

In 2007, floods and heavy rainfall damaged the city severely. Approximately over 300,000 people had to be evacuated and 80 residents lost their lives. Sometime in 2013, another heavy flood hit the city. Many poor provinces were highly damaged. As a result, more than 1000 residents had to be evacuated and 45 lost their lives on the way. 

Ways to help:

The current issue of Jakarta sinking has existed for years. Collapsing land, an increase in sea level and poor development of infrastructure has caused the city to slowly disappear from the above lands. Jan Jaap Brinkman, a hydrologist, states that helping Jakarta to escape the risk of sinking into the oceans requires a long term solution. That is to reduce the amount of groundwater extraction. Transfer of water can be from manufactured reservoirs and river waters. As a result, this would lead to a big decrease in the annual sinking rate for Jakarta. Tokyo, Japan, has decided to replace their groundwater extraction with a much safer technique. This led to a halt in the land subsidence. Tokyo has now stepped away from the risky situation of sinking to the bottom of the ocean. 

There should be more done to address the current crisis of Jakarta. The city is in great danger and is on the edge of being underwater. If the current situation doesn’t change fast enough, the city may be the real lost Atlantis in 2050. 

Short video about the change in Indonesia’s capital city due to the sinking crisis:

Moving its capital (sinking) city (Indonesia) – BBC News – April 2019 – YouTube

Resources/References:

Sinking cities around the world – CNN

Why Is Jakarta Sinking? – The Organization for World Peace (theowp.org)

Creating a healthy start to the new year

Iman Alvi
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As the province seems to be in the throes of yet a fifth wave of Covid-19, people are still struggling to get back on their feet. Not only that, but Calgary’s citizens are suffering from a myriad of problems city-wide. From the uncertainty surrounding province-wide safety procedures, to the fact that inflation is coming in at highs not seen in well over 15 years, it is not surprising that stress levels seem to be rising. In the middle of all that, it almost seems inconsequential that buying fresh produce is harder than ever before; that is, unfortunately, exactly the problem. 

From when we are children all the way to adulthood, we are taught that eating things like vegetables and fruits is good for your health, and science seems to back this up. A rich diet in leafy greens or berries is linked to reducing blood sugar levels, decreasing chances of a stroke, heart disease, eye or digestive problems, and even preventing some forms of cancer. However, fresh produce is expensive and it can be a struggle to get when you are on a tight budget. Luckily, this is exactly the problem that the Good Food Box Program works to solve. Under the management of the Community Kitchen Program of Calgary, it offers all Calgarians and those in surrounding areas, sustainable access to nutritious boxes of fruits and vegetables that they can purchase, ensuring no one goes hungry. The fresh fruits and vegetables are set at affordable prices that people can buy in bulk, and the boxes themselves are made by dedicated volunteers across the city. 

The program has been flagged by multiple people as a solid option for families during Calgary’s increasing cost of food prices. According to the latest Canada’s Food Price Report, the average Calgary family of four can expect to pay about $966 more on food in 2022 than they did in 2021, which only increases the importance of having a cheap way to get healthy foods. 

For anyone who wants to help others in the community have a healthy start to 2022, donating or volunteering to the Good Food Box Program and others like it is a great place to start.

Donate here, or visit here to learn more about Community Kitchen: https://www.ckpcalgary.ca/

 

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The way society treats women is still a problem 

Hannah Kuipers
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For a long time women were viewed as the weaker gender, and socially they had no power. Until 1839, they were legally subordinate to their husbands and could not own their own property, keep their own wages, or enter into contracts. The Married Women’s Property Acts allowed women more control over their property and finances, but they were still very limited in what they could do. It wasn’t until 1918, following the Electoral Franchise, that women were allowed to vote in Canada, and it took even longer for women of color, who could not vote until 1965. Now, in the 21st century, women have overcome many of these issues, but unfortunately, they are still fighting against sexist regimes such as unequal pay. Today, I want to point out some of the sexist things that are still normalized in society, showing how far we still have to go for justice.

Weddings

Weddings are not for everyone, so there are lots of different opinions, but they’re usually really fun and unique. However, there are some traditions that have extremely sexist origins. First of all, a white wedding dress is standard for many people, but it is actually a symbol of innocence and purity. This comes from a long time ago, but an example I always liked to use is the character of Ophelia in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. This may be a familiar name due to the fact that it is in the Canadian high school curriculum. In this piece of writing, Ophelia’s father and brother talk about her virginity as something that is her duty to protect, because she will not be desirable if people find out she is not a virgin. They even say “with a larger tether he may walk,” referring to Hamlet, saying that he has more freedom because he is a man. It is not like back in those times, but there is still a double standard between women and men when it comes to previous partners and sexual relationships before marriage. 

Other than that, the act of the father walking the bride down the aisle also has a dark history. During the wedding ceremony the host will ask “who gives this woman to be married with this man” which then the father replies with “I do.” The act of one man giving a woman to another man relates back to the fact that women used to become the property of a man as soon as they got married. Before, the father would make decisions for her, and now that is her husband’s job. Also, many people still expect women to change their last name when they get married, which, as @power.to.her on TikTok pointed out, is concerning as a woman’s last name is attached to her degree, accomplishments, heritage, and so on. That being said, a woman changing her last name is fine to do, but it should be a decision that comes from her, not something that is forced or even expected. 

Marriage 

Within marriage, people pointed out that women are treated differently than men. For example, Amanda Castrillo pointed out that women are often referred to by their relationships, like “wife and mother of two” rather than by name. Men don’t usually receive the same treatment. This is mainly because in the olden days women were housewives, and their main goal was to have children, while men had their achievements in things such as work and sports. 

Jessie Rae also said that she used her own money for the down payment on a new house for herself and her significant other. But the mortgage and insurance companies address him as the owner and simply call her the co-borrower. I’ve read many of these types of stories, and it shows that many people still instinctively think of the man as the breadwinner.

Lastly, Lindsey Shelton brought up the double standard between male and female sterilization procedures. She has seen multiple doctors about getting her tubes tied, but they wanted meetings with her and her husband, told her she was too young, and told her to have a child first, defeating the whole purpose. Meanwhile, her husband can make one phone call and get an appointment. Now these two are very different procedures, but the fact that medical professionals denied her service for something that is for her body is unbelievable to me. 

Parenting

Men and women are also treated differently when it comes to parenting, like in the case of divorced dads, they usually (not always) get the kids on the weekends, being seen as the fun parent, while moms have them during the week when things like homework and bedtimes need to be enforced. As well, it is different when parents enjoy time away from the kids, moms who have a social life are looked down upon, while society generally finds it okay for the man to go out as much as he wants. Sometimes, it is even praised that men stay in the picture at all, and when they take care of their children, it is called babysitting. 

There are many other situations like these, for example, from a young age, girls are taught to watch out for their safety, cover up in public, and so on. We need to normalize teaching boys not to sexually assault girls or catcall them to make them uncomfortable. We need to do better. 

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As the Pandemic “Settles out”…

Shreya Ivaturi
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Although the Omicron variant has generally induced less severe symptomatic responses compared to other variants that we have seen, it still poses as a potential catastrophe for the healthcare system if left unregulated. We’ve been stuck in this pandemic for about 2 years (that’s crazy to think about), we are understandably tired and lack the stamina to take the once very strictly followed safety precautions as seriously. 

I’ve heard different claims as to how we should proceed to deal with the pandemic, with many people saying that if everyone is going to get it, we might as well all get sick and build immunity. From the average non professionals perspective (so most of us), this may seem like a valid claim. To be completely honest I even started to question the importance of applying safety measures put in place at the beginning of the pandemic now.  

Why?

Despite what some individuals may think, for the most part, our government is doing what’s best for the safety of our community. Similar to the beginning of the pandemic, a pressing concern was the capacity of hospitals; there simply weren’t enough resources like beds and masks or spots the in ICU. Now, although most people won’t die from the Omicron variant, they can still find themselves wound up in the ICU. This is especially true for those immunocompromised for unvaccinated. Even if the percentage of people who need to be hospitalized are low, because of the transmissibility of this new variant, the actual number of people being hospitalized is still too high for hospital capacity. With more Covid-19 cases taking up spots in hospitals, patients fighting other serious illnesses cannot be addressed with the necessary care they deserve.

For more information about the Omicron variant: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/omicron-variant.html

Even though these restrictions are more frustrating than ever, we need to stay strong and keep in mind otherwise, it could have catastrophic impacts. I know we want to hang out with our friends and family like the good old days, but please keep in mind that this pandemic isn’t over and we need to play our part. None of us are going to revert back to our habits at the beginning of the pandemic, but at the very least, we should do our best to follow the public health guidelines.

Covid-19 Resources

And lastly, if you haven’t already, vaccinations are easier to access than ever. Check out https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/topics/page17295.aspx for more info. Also, encourage your parents to get boosters! For updates on Covid-19 in Alberta, visit https://www.alberta.ca/coronavirus-info-for-albertans.aspx. With in person school starting up again, we’ll see how things play out. Stay safe out there and continue wearing your masks! 

 

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