Elizabeth's Blog

https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-technology-science-business-europe-5b7dbb782f89ef3d586eefb9a33d5e1c

This week I read an article called “ Robots hit the streets as demand for food delivery grows” from APNews. The story was written by Dee-Ann Durbin and was written really well. The story explained the use of these robots and how their need had grown especially through the pandemic. It talked about the features, capabilities, and where the boys are used at. This specific story featured that of a college campus. 

This story initially caught my eye because earlier today I had actually come across a TikTok of a college student who was using one to order food. I thought it was interesting and proceeded to watch the whole thing. 

As previously stated I think the story was written really well and there weren’t any problematic parts that I came across. It talked through a lot of relevant points and I wasn’t left asking questions. Everything was also backed up with a reason. For example, the writer had talked about how the robots have drawbacks that limit how useful they are. Then continued to explain this is because they have to be charged every so often and can’t travel as far because of it. 

A fun turn of events was actually getting to the end of this article. I know I tend to find news from The New York Times and always comment on the length. However, I thought this was an appropriate length and it kept my attention the whole time. 

Studies show that dogs can catch human emotions as if they were contagious and tend to mirror them.

An article from National Geographic explains that there is a range of emotional connections between a dog and its owner. Our canine companions can sense and understand our emotions, but they can also share them.

Larry Young, a professor of psychiatry at Emory University explains that when bonding with a dog through actions such as eye contact and physical touch it releases oxytocin. Young says “In order to have emotional contagion, dogs need to be able to recognize the emotions of their owner—that requires attention, which oxytocin facilitates. It causes the brain to focus on social cues.”

Dogs have affective empathy which is defined as the ability to understand someone else’s feelings. Specifically, those who are important to them.

Clive Wynne, a professor of psychology at Arizona State University explains that dogs are very social beings and they are easily affected by human joy. However, the latter is also true which means that if the owner is stressed and anxious, the dog will mimic these feelings.

Sensory factors such as facial expressions and body odor can also influence the emotional contagion between humans and dogs. The Journal Learning & Behavior found that dogs respond to human faces that express six basic emotions— anger, fear, happiness, sadness, surprise, and disgust. Dogs are also very sensitive to body odor. This is how they can detect diabetes in humans. This idea works the same in emotional responses. 

The length of a relationship can also influence a dog’s ability to catch on to its owner’s emotions.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/yes-dogs-can-catch-their-owners-emotions

I chose to look at a story covering the FDA Panel passing a low dose option of Pfizer for children. My print article is from AP News and the video story is from NBC News. The leads between the two were pretty similar, however, the video broadcast was a little more specific. NCS News’s lead was “FDA advisory panel OKs Pfizer vaccine for children 5 to 11” and the lead for AP News was “FDA panel backs Pfizer’s low-dose COVID-19 vaccine for kids.” 

Both stories contained similar content. Both included outside sources, background information, etc. Judging by how long the video was and how long it took me to read the print version I would say they were pretty similar in length as well.

The two versions used outside sources and quotes. They both had Dr.’s and other specialists speak/were quoted, granted they weren’t the exact same people across the story, but the credibility was there. The same goes for attribution. Both print and broadcast attributed their information if it wasn’t directly quoted.

The use of pictures and sound in the broadcast story was expected and went along with what we have already learned so far. The picture changes, it’s a clip of something, they go back to the individual talking, etc. It was a long story (about 6 minutes) so they really needed to keep the viewer’s attention if they were going to make it through the whole piece. Overall, I think the use of pictures and sound was done well. I was able to watch the whole thing without much of an issue. 

Something I did find odd was the use of graphics on the side when someone was talking. Normally this isn’t unusual for a broadcast story, but they weren’t necessarily talking about what the graphics showed. They just seemed to be a source of movement for the viewer to look at. However, while I was looking at those I found myself not paying attention to what was being said.

https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-business-health-pandemics-0574a1f21d6fccecd424b12f94b258de

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/fda-advisory-panel-oks-pfizer-vaccine-kids-5-11-rcna3726

For this week’s News Comment I read an article from The New York Times by Roni Caryn Rabin. The article was titled “In a First, Surgeons Attached a Pig Kidney to a Human — and It Worked.” It discussed the procedure which resulted in a genetically engineered pig kidney working for a human transplant. It went into detail about the procedures and the questions that were still unanswered. Such as will this last long term and are there any other consequences.

Overall I thought the writing was really good. The writer did a nice job with the title and lead. It was enough to intrigue me and make me click on the article. The writer didn’t include any personal biases and no preferences towards anything shined through. I thought it did a good job with just stating the facts and what, so far, was known. She walked through all the information she had and it was explained well. As someone who isn’t in the medical field, I felt like I could understand what was being said. The use of quotes was also very helpful and added to the story rather than just taking up space.

Like most NYT’s articles I read, this one got a little long and if I’m being honest I didn’t read all the way through it. I got to the point where I felt I knew what I needed to and then moved on.

For this week’s news comment I read “Multiple tornadoes reported in Oklahoma, leaving thousands without power” from NBC News by Elisha Fieldstadt and The Associated Press. The article reported on a severe storm system that worked its way through the state last night. Several tornados were reported and some school districts canceled classes to ensure that no damage was done to the buildings.

The article itself was not subjective. It included only the facts from the story. Such as when, what, how, why, and where. One thing I found the writer did well was include the answers to questions that people might still have. For example, it was explained that The National Weather Service would be headed out this morning to find out how many tornadoes actually touched down.

Another thing I noticed was that there were some spelling/grammatical errors. The article said “homes and and apartment complex” rather than homes and an apartment complex. I don’t know if this mistake was overlooked because they were trying to get it done and published, but it seemed like a silly mistake for a pretty well-known news source.

(I also realize our writing assignment could have been done in place of this, however, I already had this done in hopes of having less to do during Fall Break so here it is)

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/weather/multiple-tornadoes-reported-oklahoma-leaving-thousands-without-power-n1281217

Or really… what’s up there? I have never been up to the skywalk on the third floor of BR and this gave me a reason to go up there and see what it was all about. When I walked out, no one else was out there. There were two table/chair things that were connected sort of like a picnic table except all the chairs were separate. They were silver and had the same pattern as picnic tables do. Sort of like the lattice that is found on top of pies.

In addition to the tables, there was a sort of garden on the side. I couldn’t tell if it was a herb garden or just some flowers that were starting to be out of season. They didn’t have a lot of colors and the beds weren’t super full. 

One thing I remember vividly was the stone/tiles that were out there. They were a light grey and pretty smooth. They also moved when you walked. Not all of them, but enough to make a person worried. I think my watch thought I was working out because my heart rate increased all of the sudden.

The view was very pretty, you could see a lot of campus from up there. Especially now with all of the trees changing colors. There were a few people walking around, but nothing crazy like when classes get out. It didn’t smell like much which was actually very nice. I was afraid that the experience and view would be ruined by the iconic Sioux City smell. 

Overall, it was pretty peaceful. You could hear some trains in the distance, but nothing crazy loud. It was, however, very windy out. My hair was flying everywhere. The sun was also shining so it made for a nice fall day.

The Monster Buddies wrapper crinkle is that of the classic wrapper noise. The kind that you hear in a commercial that wakes the dog up. The inside of the package is about half full of fingernail size gummies that came in all kinds of colors. Such as red, green, blue, and orange.

Each gummy is shaped like a monster head with an imprint of a monster face on them. Some faces are slightly deformed and others are just fine. At first glance, the gummy is slightly terrifying bc it doesn’t look like it has eyes. However, upon further inspection, there is an eyelid shape that is almost like parentheses turned sideways.

The Monster Buddies are pretty squishy and resemble that of a rubbery stress ball. Not as easy to squish but returns to its original shape.

The different fruit-flavored snacks all smell like fruit and it’s quite pleasant. Unlike the smell, some of them feel chalky. Almost like there was a dust of sorts coating them.

The taste of the orange pieces resembles that of cough syrup that I had to take when sick at home. The green was also not great. I can’t put my finger on what it reminded me of but after the first bite my face scrunched up like I had eaten something sour. The rest of the colors/flavors were just fine and tasted good.

Morningside University’s holiday program Christmas at Morningside returns a little differently after last year’s virtual performance.

Christmas at Morningside is the holiday program put on by the Department of Visual and Performing Arts. Ensembles such as the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, The Morningside Choir, Camerata, Cantabile, the Symphonic Choir, and the Kucinski Symphonic Orchestra all come together for a 90-minute festive program. 

Alumni Taylor Van Vliet describes it as the “biggest show of the year for sure.”

After an at-home virtual viewing last year there have been some changes to this year’s operation. A new ticketing system has been put in place and an additional performance night has been added. 

Reactions to these changes are mixed and the system has left alumni confused.

2021 graduate Taylor Van Vliet is a former Symphonic Wind Ensemble member. Van Vliet graduated this past May and is anticipating her first Christmas at Morningside as an audience member. 

When reserving her tickets for the show she went through the process on her smartphone. Van Vliet explained how the process wasn’t clear and it felt much like a raffle. “I still don’t quite know where my seats are,” Van Vliet said. 

However, for senior Emily Sternagle, her experience with the new ticketing was different. Sternagle reserved her tickets on her laptop where she was able to pick her seats. A different process compared to the experience from a phone perspective.

Sternagle will be participating in this year’s performance as a member of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble. She will be playing clarinet as the principal chair.

In regards to the ticket-reserving process, Sternagle said “I think it went smoothly. And I think it would be a good thing to use for the future. That way you don’t have the giant lines of people hanging out of Eppley Auditorium.”

Junior nursing student Sarah Severes, who is performing as a Symphonic Choir member in this year’s production, described her experience with the new system as “different”. It isn’t anything good nor bad but compared to her freshman year where seating was “first come, first serve” this is different.

All three individuals did think that the use of a ticketing system was a good idea for the future. Alumni Van Vliet has some concerns about the extra step discouraging students from attending. Van Vliet believes that it’s important for students to be able to go to events on their own campus. She thought that a system such as this should be used, but that some tickets should be set aside for students. 

As an audience member Van Vliet is a little concerned about it being hectic due to the lack of show last year. “Because the ticketing system is a little unclear. So I hope the ushers are good” Van Vliet said.

In past years, Friday night has been the only performance night for the extravagant show. However, due to the demand for seats, which was recognized through the ticketing system, the school has decided to add another show night. 

When it comes to what the extra show means for the community on campus Sternagle said “A lot of people A) either don’t know or B) are really confused about what that’s going to change.” However, in regards to the community surrounding campus, she described it as a good change that will allow for more people to get involved.

As a past participant in CAM, Van Vliet explained that Thursdays were a dress rehearsal and that the extra show night “will most likely result in an additional rehearsal needing to happen for the students and a bigger time commitment for the students.”

Van Vliet thought that an extra night to attend as a community member is nice, but she thought that a Saturday afternoon or evening would have a better turnout.

Severes expressed that the additional performance night is great considering the demand to see the show. She recalled her freshman year where audience members were waiting in line 45 minutes before the show in hopes of getting a good seat. 

Severes also attended CAM as a prospective senior and thought it was amazing. “I think everyone should come to Christmas at Morningside. It’s gonna be a great experience. It’s one of the many things I love about Morningside.”

This year’s performance will be on December 2nd and 3rd at 7:30 in Eppley Auditorium. 

Second-year professor, former police officer John Gonsler brings new experiences and insights to Morningside’s Criminal Justice department.

Gonsler is in his second year of teaching at Morningside University. He is one of the two Criminal Justice professors on campus. However, teaching at a university was not what Gonsler initially thought he wanted to do and it took him several different careers and continued education to end up here.

During Tuesday’s class, the Fundementals of Journalism students asked Gonsler all kinds of questions and he obliged.

As a professor, he was asked if his style was based on those of his previous professors and Gonsler explained that he is a probably a “culmination of them all.”

Before ending up at Morningside, Gonsler attended Ferris State University in Michigan for a year after graduating high school. He didn’t like it there so he transferred to MSU where he completed his degree.

From there Gonsler worked in public law enforcement for two years in Flint Michigan. After those two years, he decided “it was not the right job for me, I’m still interested in criminals and crime, but I didn’t want to be a police officer.”

Gonsler explained that a couple of the reasons that he knew law enforcement wasn’t for him was due the the politics of the situation and the department. He also stated that “the sheriff was corrupt and dirtier than a pigs dick” after sharing a story about his time in the field.

Despite describing himself as shy and introverted Gonsler was able to keep the attention of the students through different stories and his colorful language.

One of those students who attended class and actively participated in the interview was Caleb Lubbers. During the next class Lubbers explained “I was more interested in his background than I was in his stories.”

After leaving public law enforcement Gonsler discussed how he went back and got a bachelors degree in anthropology in one year and then applied to a masters program.

In addition to working in public law enforcement he wanted a different experience and worked as a correctional officer for 6 months between getting his masters and PhD.

After completing some of his continued education and deciding that teaching was his next move, it was time for him to find an institution to work at and apply. Out of the 33 schools he applied to 2 of them were starting criminal justice departments and Morningside was one of them.

Gonsler applied and came to campus to be interviewed and met the department. He thought everyone seemed great and there wouldn’t the kind of politics that you find in a sheriff’s department.

“I was sold, so, once I started talking with the people here, it made my decision pretty easy” Gonzler explained.

In addition to finishing up his PhD and teaching at Morningside, Gonsler spends some of his free time playing in a band as the guitarist and bass player. He also takes his dog on walks and enjoys working out.

While getting ready to head to class from the library I had a conversation with my roommate Sarah Severes. We were discussing the schedule for our days and figuring out when I would see her next. It was a brief interaction considering we had both been working on homework up until this point. It ended fairly quickly with a phrase that more or less said I will see you when I see you.

Sarah was wearing a grey Morningside crewneck and her hair was pulled back. A typical college student outfit when you’re tired and preparing for a long day. Sarah normally has clinical on Thursday mornings so this was a unique experience that doesn’t happen very often.