A We e k l y C ol um n from St udents for Students
Stories by Steven Verdile Illustrations by Annastasia Marburger Logo from Tauhid Dewan
MILLENNIAL THINK
G 2G M Y PH O N E I S DY I N G S e p t em ber 13, 2017 There’s nothing scarier than a phone battery at one percent. Cell phones are such an essential part of our lives that we feel naked without them, always in a chaotic frenzy to find an outlet and restore ourselves to a more comfortable state. This dependency can easily develop into an unhealthy addiction, an addiction that will quickly start interrupting your life. According to a study by Dr. David Greenfield, the director of the Center for Internet and Technology Addiction, close to 90 percent of Americans overuse, abuse or misuse their devices. Millennials are no exception to this statistic, and it is important that we pay attention to the time we spend staring at that fourinch, or larger, glowing screen. I’m a strong believer in the functionality and usefulness of having a smart phone. My smart phone is not only my main device for communicating with family and friends, but also my camera, my GPS, my source for news and weather, my entertainment system, my preferred shopping outlet, my alarm clock, my calendar, my bank and my notepad. I have thousands of text messages, hundreds of pictures, and 101 unique downloaded apps. When I decided to write this article, I did some initial research in the Safari app and a quick draft of this article in the notes app.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably realized (or already knew) how dependent you are on your phone. Once you’ve come to this difficult realization, what do you do? The most obvious answer is to cut back on phone use. Cutting back doesn’t have to mean deleting apps or leaving home without your phone, it can be as simple as keeping it in your bag during class, or placing it out of reach when you’re sleeping. Some people suggest not looking at it before eating breakfast, or leaving it in your car when you go out to eat. Another way to combat the negative effects of phone use is to try and make your phone time more productive. Make use of organizational apps to manage your time. Text old friends or family you don’t normally speak to. Download studying apps to help you prepare yourself for exams. Go read an eBook. Delete unwanted photos and apps. There are a ton of ways to combine phone time and productive time into one, and most of them are easy and free. Ultimately you have to decide for yourself whether or not your phone is interfering with your life, but an awareness of that possibility is a healthy way to start.
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S T R E S S FU L M E D I A S e p t em ber 20, 2017 There’s nothing more satisfying than checking your latest post to see the likes climbing up and the comments rolling in. Retweets and shares are valued so highly that businesses trade them like stocks, and follower counts are the quickest way to elevate someone’s social status. We can all agree that the power of social media can be terrifying and stressful. Therefore, we should all take a step back to see how it affects us. One of the most common ways that social media creates stress is known as “FOMO,” or the “fear of missing out.” People are incentivized to post the most exciting and glamorous moments of their lives, which accumulates in your feed as a series of awesome things that you were a part of. Spending your Friday night watching “Cake Boss” reruns and eating chex mix seems like a fun time, until you realize that your friends are busy without you at six different concerts, four house parties, a basketball game, a karaoke night and a fancy dinner party. In reality, it’s unrealistic to be as busy as your profile makes you seem. Another stress-producing trend is the importance of social media in pursuing a job. As a student in a creative field, I have multiple social profiles listed on my resume, and while not all industries insist on great social content, every employer will be checking your account for red flags. Finding a balance between person-
al and professional can be tricky, but you shouldn’t stress yourself over posting silly messages or social photos. If this article has stressed you out so far… oops. Have no fear; yours truly has come up with some tips to minimize the social media related stress in your life. Follow the people who you care about, and unfollow the people you don’t. It seems simple, but if you’re following a three-digit number of people, it’s unlikely that you genuinely want to see each of those people’s posts. Cutting back will let you see your real friends posts more often, and will reduce the time it takes to read your feed. Another tip is to avoid reactionary activity. People will inevitably say dumb things that irritate you, and as strongly as you may feel about these incidents, the comment section on a Facebook posts is not the healthiest platform to personally vent your political discontent. Most importantly, these apps are supposed to be fun, so enjoy them! Post what you want to post, not what others want to see, and don’t compare “likes” and “favorites.” Social media is really whatever you make of it, so use that flexibility to make it into exactly what you want it to be.fering with your life, but an awareness of that possibility is a healthy way to start.
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H ERE’S TO T H E O N E S W H O D R E A M O c t ober 4, 2017 In the Oscar-winning film La La Land (2016), Emma Stone captures the audience in her final audition, commending struggling actors as she sings, “Here’s to the fools who dream / Crazy as they may seem.” This romanticized message is consistently seen across pop culture, but on the grounds of a college campus, you only hear its antithesis. College comes with a hefty tuition bill, but too often a degree is seen as a financial investment. While education may lead to jobs with high-salaries, the actual purpose of higher education is to allow people to explore and to learn. If your career-path ends in a difficult job market, such as theater or art or philosophy, it does not mean your education was less valuable. Nor does it mean that your money has been wasted. To all of the parents out there that want their kid to major in engineering or premed, I get it. It’s a tough blow to find out your child is passing up on the lucrative STEM fields and accruing debt to become an English major—but that is their choice and you should be proud to support them. They are fully aware of the obstacles ahead of them, but they’re still ambitious enough to pursue their passion.
I find that far more admirable than choosing an undesired path that ends in a guaranteed and unsatisfying job, regardless of how many zeros could be printed on their future paychecks. If you’re a student considering a new major, and you want to go after that uphill dream, do it! I’m not suggesting that you immediately stop, drop and roll to Hollywood, but every job field has openings and there’s no shame in rolling the dice. Regardless of what other people may think, those dice are yours to roll. I don’t want to contradict myself and be a buzz kill, but please do not throw those dice haphazardly. Chasing your dream can take a lot of money, time, and energy and it is important that you acknowledge that. It is your responsibility to research the best way to achieve your goals, and to take the steps that will get you closer to them. It is also your responsibility to accept the possibilities and to have a plan for the worst-case scenarios. If you’ve thought it all out and you still have the spirit to go be a crazy fool who dreams, I applaud you and I encourage you to go after them. I hope your classmates, family and friends do too.
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THE PE R K S O F S T R E A M I N G O c t ober 25, 2017 Imagine rushing home to catch the newest episode of your favorite television show, only to hit typical Queens traffic and realize you’re going to miss it. Today, this dilemma seems almost non-existent, as we are increasingly cutting our linear television viewing habits and switching to streaming. The same trend is true for music, as streaming services and aux cords are becoming the new radio. While Netflix and Spotify may just seem like new ways to consume media, what they say about our generation is something much larger. The most apparent benefit of streaming is convenience. Television and music should not control our schedule, and with the ability to play and pause whenever we like; we are in control of our experience. Add the ability to tune-in on our phones, tablets and laptops, and it is clearly a more accessible way of experiencing entertainment. One of the most positive side effects of streaming platforms is the encouragement to try new things. Few people would pay money for an album of an artist they never heard before, but the “all-you-can-eat-buffet” style of
music streaming inspires users to check out new artists and genres. If you don’t like what you hear, simply press next and you’ve lost nothing. Another great result of these services is that it appeals to the individual, not the masses. While cable networks are forced to target a wide audience with a specific type of content, Netflix can simultaneously deliver different content to different people. If there is a particular show that is enjoyed by a niche market, large networks have no incentive to air it because they have a limited amount of air-time, but streaming services can add it to their library without hurting their other programs. This ultimately results in more diverse content and a more inclusive field of television. For now, streaming is also a cheaper alternative, but that aspect may change as more networks pull their programs from outside services and create their own. Whether or not it remains cheaper, streaming appears to be the way of the future, and I’m happy to see it continually grow.
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OUR CL IC K S H AV E M A SSI V E I M PAC T D e c e mber 6, 2017 As the holiday season approaches, everyone prepares themselves for decorating trees, drinking eggnog and building snowmen. While most people would normally spend hours scrambling through mall kiosks after finally finding parking, a large group of people, mainly comprised of millennials, has switched over their shopping habits to the web. Online shopping has been a growing industry for years and shows no sign of slowing down. With Amazon Prime, customers can browse a nearly infinite catalogue of competitively priced products and have them delivered to their home within 48 hours for free. It’s an experience that challenges the “convenience” of the convenience store while bringing about a buffet of benefits that storefronts can’t offer. I personally have an overwhelming trust of the Amazon review system, and consistently hunt for the elusive five-star product. In addition, in an era where everyone has everything and gift giving is difficult, online shopping offers easy access to the most unique and obscure items.
It has never been as easy to get a personal gift as it is now. Although it may seem nearly utopian, online shopping does come with flaws. While larger websites generally offer reasonable shipping charges and speeds, small e-commerce stores are often both costly and slow. Also, online shopping is fairly antisocial, and cuts back on time spent bargain chasing with friends. At the same time, while e-commerce success usually means greater efficiency for a business, it also means less retail jobs, jobs that are key to a large demographic of students and other inexperienced workers. Outside of all of the positive and negative impacts I’ve mentioned, there are dozens more. The rapid abandonment of Blockbuster for Netflix is one of many drastic results, and there are certainly more to come. The best actions that you can take to shape our future marketplace is to simply support the stores that you value most and be aware of how this evolution might affect you.
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THE CRY PTO C U R R E N C Y C R AZ E Ja nu a r y 24, 2018 In a time when everything from media to education is shifting to digital platforms, it makes sense that digital currency is headlining daily news. You’ve probably seen stories about bitcoin, the most popular cryptocurrency, exponentially shooting up in value, making its earliest investors rich in the process. While it might seem easy to hop on the bitcoin bandwagon, and equally as easy to refute it as an imaginary world of pixel money, there is a middle ground that shows both promise and hazards for the future of cryptocurrency. Bitcoin was developed with an almost utopian mindset, and aimed to be the first perfect currency. Throughout history, various currencies suffered from two major flaws – overproduction and centralization. Coins and paper money can be produced so quickly and unlimitedly that hyperinflation becomes a threat. In addition, having one entity control the currency (for US dollars this entity is the US government) can jeopardize the stability of the currency, and gives the controlling body a lot of power over its future. Bitcoin seemed to beat these obstacles, as it is finite in quantity (there are 21
million potential bitcoins, 11 million of which have been acquired through “mining”) and is monitored by a vast network rather than a single agency. While it is indeed a great idea, it has shown a lot of opposition from experts. Some are worried that it is too much of a commodity, as almost everyone currently buying it is simply hoping to resell it back. Unlike cash transactions, which can be used to buy almost anything, bitcoin transactions are fairly complex, and are rarely accepted for anything other than exchanging currencies. If cryptocurrency can one day be used to buy a cup of coffee and a tank of gas, it will be seen as more stable and legitimate. While I am certainly no expert on the economy or the future of cryptocurrency, I strongly suggest anyone interested to do their respective research before investing their own personal money. Although there is definitely a chance to make some money with little effort, it is a gamble that is unpredictable due to the originality of it all. There are passionate economic experts on both sides, and only time will tell what will evolve from this innovative technology.
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ALTER N AT E I N T E R NE T E G OS F e b r uar y 7, 2018 The internet exists almost as its own separate world. It seems like an independent society, a group of people and interactions that don’t ever overlap with our daily in-person activities. This fake sense of separation gives individuals a feeling that on the internet, they can be someone different—a more true version of themselves. Having the ability to create an alternate internet identity is both a wonderful and dangerous thing. Often for individuals with anxiety or social difficulties, the internet is a platform where communication is less stressful and judgmental. The shield of the glowing screen gives us a feeling that it is safe to express our strange, unpopular, or embarrassing personal thoughts, and we do so without the same risks or consequences as a real conversation. It’s a pretty cool situation. For example, imagine a young teen who is confronted with a difficult emotional conflict. Serious conversations are often uncomfortable in person, and not everyone has the right person to talk to. The internet provides easy access to professional advice, but also to dozens of people who are going through the same situation and can offer advice on how to handle it. Sometimes it can come from a friend through social media, and other times it can come from a total stranger.
It’s never been easier to find another kid in your same weird situation than it is right now. Like most impactful technologies, the internet can also suck sometimes. Having an alternate online identity discourages actual human communication, which also may be contributing to a generation that can’t express their feelings without emojis. To make matters worse, having a virtual alter ego creates a situation where it is far too easy to be cruel. The internet is a place full of hatred, harassment and attacks that do nothing but dishearten those who are the most vulnerable. Rather than being a safe haven for those who need it, it can become an angrier replica of our society, an expletive filled pool of ignorance and cruelty. To avoid these unfortunate side effects, my suggestion for those reading this is to carefully evaluate the differences between your actual self and your internet self. It’s easy to act just a bit more provocative or a tad more controversial when your biggest risk is losing one of your several hundred Instagram followers. After you find the differences between your two selves, combine the best features of each, and you’ll become a much more unified and true version of your awesome self.
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THE DAN G E R S O F DAT I N G ON L I N E F e b r uar y 14, 2018 Swipe left, swipe right, swipe left, swipe left, double tap, swipe left, swipe right, swipe left… it sounds like the cheat code to a 90s video game. In actuality, the repetitive finger gesture might just lead you to your future valentine. College students across the country have been using mobile dating apps for years to find casual sex, brief flings and sometimes even serious relationships, revolutionizing how dating exists on a university campus. Apps like Tinder and Bumble turn the complex process of finding a compatible mate into what is essentially a calculator mini-game. In a matter of minutes, a student can reject or accept hundreds of potential matches. To make it even more convenient, the apps use your GPS location to show you matches that are never more than a short bike ride away. While there is a lot of appeal to the instantly gratifying and stress-free carnival of mobile dating, there are a few hazards to be aware of. The repetitive appearance-based “yes and no” decisions can easily distort the users’ personal values, and force them into a relatively superficial mindset.
It’s also often an activity that favors the photogenic, and can leave some users with a substantial blow to their self-esteem. In addition, it can lead to unwanted outcomes, including cyber bullying, sexual health risks and potentially dangerous private encounters. If students are aware of what they’re getting into, mobile dating may be a great option for them. If you prefer meeting new people while you’re lying in bed in your pajamas—or in any other stress-free environment— dating apps offer possibilities that the “real world” can’t mimic. If you’re a numbers person, you’ll also realize that these apps are incredibly time-efficient, and offer a near unlimited count of potential local matches within seconds, and for free. If the opportunity seems enticing, I encourage you to go for it. There is no shame in trying, and these apps would not be so popular if they didn’t work. Once you’re mindful of the gambles, go on a swiping spree and decide if the fast-pace-digital dating world is right for you. Love could be right at your fingertips.
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THE O S C A R S A R E S T I L L VAL I D M arc h 14, 2018 During 2015 and 2016 Academy Award season, two nominee ballots consisting almost exclusively of straight white males led the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite to spread like wildfire on social media. In 2017, the Academy made efforts to diversify the voter group, and it led to success for the films “Moonlight,” “Hidden Figures,” “Lion” and more, which were each considered unconventional nominees for Best Picture. Even more unconventionally diverse films earned Best Picture considerations this year, including “Get Out,” “Shape of Water,” “Call Me By Your Name”, and “Ladybird.” This is a step in the right direction. For many people, the Oscars represent a ridiculous and unnecessary ritual—a group of rich and privileged people who gather annually in fancy clothes to congratulate themselves on their own talent and success. And while that is all certainly true, the Academy Awards and similar award ceremonies actually serve a bigger purpose. The awards are designed to recognize entire teams, not just individuals, for their hard work and for their commitment to using their skills and resources to create art. The awards provide value quite literally through resulting ticket sales and profits, but also through their reputation and significance.
Regardless of how we feel about them, the value is real, which is why it is important that these shiny trophies are going to the right people. To support your favorite films, buy a ticket, spread the buzz, and tune-in to watch the awards. It may sound like I’m simply advertising for Hollywood, but those simple actions are what drive the economic forces that support the awards. Personally, I’d love to see the increase in diversity to continue, both in the people behind the selected films and within the selected films themselves. I hope to see more new faces holding statuettes, more alternative platforms seeing success (are we ready for a Netflix original to see the stage?) and more effort to diversify the group of voters. “Shape of Water,” a film that could reasonably be classified as a political fantasy romance, along with “Get Out,” a social thriller, have paved an optimistic road for more genre films to be recognized. While they may not be perfected yet, I do believe that the Academy is taking steps in the right direction. With support from viewers and fans, I think they can craft a new breed of ceremony that will bring much needed excitement, improvement and validity to what seems to be an aging, dying event.