The Static Age

NY Times Article:  “Amazon’s Latest Way Into Your Life Is Through the Front Door”

This article deals with Amazon’s new service. Delivering stuff into your house even when you are not home! yes this would involve a special kit that brings an electronic lock and a camera. With this Amazon drivers can come into the house and leave the packages in order to avoid leaving then in front of the door (with the possibility of being stolen, which according to the article is a big issue). The article also talks about how amazon and experts believe the only problem they find with this is pets. In the possibility of  a big dog attacking the driver or a per escaping.

I find this article very interesting. Every day technology just starts becoming more of a new part of humans. I’m sure that in a couple years kids will be born with a smartphone and a snapchat account (just a joke… or is it?). This brings a very sensible issue that the article avoids to tackle. A STRANGER IS GOING INTO YOUR HOUSE! that’s the inner conservative dad in the back of my head screaming. It really is a matter of how much can you trust amazon promises to be completely responsible to anything that is stolen from your house. I’m guessing the drivers for this will have to go through really in depth background search to even get a job there. I believe is possible; in a world where is ok to getting into a stranger’s car because an app says it’s fine I don’t see people getting into your house very crazy.

The real problem here is very simple. How secure is this electronic lock? If hackers can steal anyone’s information in a matter of seconds; what says that they wont just hack their way into you house. for me that would be the real issue here. Of course, I’m pretty sure amazon would be keen in making the system as secure as possible. but, these days there is never enough security with this type of issues.

Local woman was shot by her husband right after their wedding. The groom’s whereabouts are still unknown.

Richard Brunson shot his wife Laurette Brunson in the abdomen. The shooting took place in six one seven Black Street at five P.M, only three hours after the wedding. The incident occurred after the bride threw a plate of salad to the groom.

Walter Corse one of the guests in the wedding explained what he heard – play recording—

After the shooting a neighbor called the police. By the time they arrived the groom was gone.

Marilyn Corse saw the groom escaping and said — play recording –

Laurette Brunson was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital and is currently in satisfactory conditions

NY Times Article: “A Chance to Defuse the Catalonia Crisis”

This opinion article deals with the confusing times the people of Spain are going through right now. with Catalonia looking for independence by vote ( in the election 90% of the voters were in favor of the independence, but only 40% of all voters actually participated). The Government of Spain keeps placing borders to prevent the independence. for now is on hold and both governments are looking for dialogue ( well at least Catalonia is).

The truth is that the leadership of Catalonia got to a point that no one thought they could. On the verge of separation and they decided to declare independence but to postpone it until further dialogue takes place. I agree with the writer, the government needs more focus and a stringer leadership if Catalonia has demonstrated anything is that they are unsure 0f what they are doing. This hesitation comes mostly from the economical impact the independence would have. Already many businesses  have decided to leave, making their own economy just weaker.

This is a battle that has been taking place for many years; it’s just taking more news coverage . This is not the first time an election happens where all the voter want to separate from Spain but again not all the voter participate. at this point the leaders of Catalonia must decide if they want to shut everything down or go with it and face the consequences. probably Catalonia will be weaker at first but with a strong economical plan they should be fine

Morningside’s theater department won’t be offering any major or minor starting next semester. Now the department’s main focus will be the shows and the student involvement.

As theater professor Taylor Clemens explained “We don’t have the major anymore but there’s still the dedication to strengthen the theatre, getting students and community involved”. Now the department will start building around the student produced shows.

These students produced shows will be held in collaboration with APO (Alpha Psi Omega) the national theater honor society on campus (started in 1927, is one of the oldest societies on campus). Which is fully directed by students and is focused in making theatre stronger on campus.

To help this transition APO is creating a new position: a student liaison for productions. Amy Carothers is the one in charge to help students prepare their proposal for the play and guide them in every aspect.

The first show following this structure was Love, Sex and the I.R.S. Having a full cast, crew, and production team of students. The only faculty involved was Taylor Clemens as a theatrical consulter.

Brock Bourek APO president wants the society to keep the students and community invested.

He said “a movie night once a month, doing improvisation or theatre spotlight nights. Maybe even an open mic night.”

Luis Seijas who is not a theater major but has participated in the past said “I witnessed the great material the department has, but I’m not surprised of the cut thank to it’s lack students”. Many students like him are sad to see the major go mostly for the tools and potential it had to grow.

The Department will continue to provide the majors classes to the current enrolled students. Until the class of 2021 is graduated. Students for this class and before have until October 13^th to declare the major. After this the academic department will be creating a detailed plan for every student that declared the major.

Prof. Clemens also explained the whole process of eliminating the major. A year ago, Morningside started a taskforce to look into future problems and how to solve them. All of the majors were put into consideration. Depending on their score the majors would end in the top or bottom 50 percent. The ones in the bottom The President of the college John Reynders would have to decide on whether eliminate or keeping them.

After the decision was made, a reasonable concern was shown by faculty and students. But the truth is that the department has been struggling for the last decade. From administration issues to a very small group of students enrolled in the major; the major was not on the best place.

Love, empathy, and kindness are not just for humans.

As Stephanie Preston from Science magazine explains: the fundamental traits of humans are shared with other species; in both form and function. Monkeys, rodents, sheep, and dogs all share our mechanisms for: bonding, protecting and supporting acts of kindness.

Thanks to Oxytocin (aux-see-toe-cin) also known as “the trust hormone”. Approaching individuals becomes less scary and more rewarding when is valuable to the individual. The hormone is secreted and projected to regions rich in oxytocin(aux-see-toe-cin) receptors when the individuals are monogamous.

For mates and offspring, the hormone facilitates approach, helps memory, and reinforces the bond. Causing the same reaction of drugs, sexual experiences and chocolate.

This year Morningside College has gone through multiple changes. In those changes the Theatre department was affected. Starting next semester Theatre won’t be a major or minor available for new students. Theatre classes will continue for creative expression and art.

The Department will continue to give the major to the current enrolled students; until the class of 2021 is graduated. Students for this class and before have until October 13^th to declare the major. After this the academic department will be creating a detailed plan for every student that declared the major.

For now, the theater department is focused on giving its best. With continuing the traditional productions every semester; the department will look into building a stronger base for their student produced shows. These will become the main focus for maintain a strong presence of theater in the college.

This student produced will be held in collaboration with APO (Alpha Psi Omega) the national theater honor society on campus (started in 1927, is one of the oldest societies on campus). Which is fully directed by students and is focused in making theatre stronger on campus.

As Taylor Clemens Head of the Theatre department explained “We don’t have the major anymore but there’s still the dedication to strengthen the theatre, getting students and community involved” His only concern comes down to what will happen after the class of 2021 graduates. Still he seems very optimistic with APO and the involvement of other major in the productions.

One students that is not a theater major but has participated in the past Luis Seijas gave his opinion saying “I witnessed the great material the department has, but I’m not surprised of the cut thank to it’s lack students”. Many students like him are sad to see the major go mostly for the tools and potential it had to grow.

Taylor also explained the whole process of eliminating the major. A year ago, Morningside started a taskforce to look into future problems and how to solve them. All the majors where put into consideration and a rubric was sent to all the faculty staff. Depending on their score the majors would end in the top or bottom 50 percent. The ones in the bottom The President of the college John Reynders would have to decide on whether eliminating or keeping them.

After the decision was taken, a reasonable concern was shown by faculty and students. But the truth is that the department has been struggling for the last decade. From administration issues to a very small group of students enrolled in the major; the major was not on the best place.

The Atlantic Article: “When Do We Get to Call Someone a Terrorist?”

The Guardian Article: “What’s a ‘lone wolf’? It’s the special name we give white terrorists”

The article (guardian) deals with a very alarming and recent subject; terrorism and how we define it. Starting with explaining the events occurred in Las Vegas. the short information we have on the shooter leaves the public with a question should this be counted as terrorism or just someone with a mental problem?

An interesting wave of debate has been born thanks to the horrible events that happened in Las Vegas. Some claim that he was just a lonely wolf and can’t be categorized as a terrorist and other say he fits every definition of terrorist except being a muslim.

I believe we live in confusing times when it comes to definition. We are in the middle of a search for definition that our society is just not accepting yet. We claim to be so progressive and modern but the American society still tries to hold onto old believes that lead to social problems (racism, homophobia, xenophobia, etc.)

The American people have declared a war against terrorism but only if it’s muslim not american. As soon as information comes out that the man was white terrorism was out of the table.

as the article form the guardian explains “when asked at a press conference in Las Vegas if the shooting was an act of terrorism, Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo replied: “No. Not at this point. We believe it’s a local individual. He resides here locally,” suggesting that all terrorism is foreign in nature.”

nowadays college students are more likely to be killed in a school gun shoot that for a natural disaster. Everybody needs to open their minds and go beyond cultural significance in order to progress.

The place is a wide theatrical space. The walls are bricks painted in black. The light is very gloomy; there’s enough to see but the place holds an obscure environment. There’s around seven rows of seats divided by a central stairway that finishes on a stage.  This stage has on it a two story set for the next theatrical production. There are two doors on the side of the proscenium walls: one leads to the costume shop and dress rooms, and the next one is an emergency exit.

The seats make all sorts of sound when sitting on them. They have a beige bottom and an old dark orange for the cushions. Two students discuss how to proceed with the painting on the right side of the stage (or stage left for theatrical people). The sound of music comes from the backstage: Green Day’s 21 Guns can be heard. There’s people drilling on the top of the set.

From the middle section of the seats the smell of fresh paint invades my senses. Combined with the interesting smell of wood and dust; the scent of the theater could not be more peculiar.

There’s a moment of quiet. And a familiar vibration comes form the floor; not a very strong one (but just enough to feel it when paying attention). A vibration created by the air conditioner located in the basement. A gigantic machine that makes horrible noises. These noises transform into a subtle hum when exiting the basement.

The place feels crowded with energy. People painting, drilling, screaming. A workshop day in Klinger-Neal theatre. A sense of excitement and nervousness can be felt from the middle section of the seats. It’s only two weeks until the next production begins. The atmosphere in the room could not be more intense.