Posts filed under 'Pop culture & college'
If you’re like most soon-to-be college students, chances are there’s a philosophy course waiting in your future. While you may recoil in horror at the notion of studying things like utilitarianism and deontology, the truth is that looking at the world through a philosophical lens can be fun and — dare I say it? –- enlightening.
Still skeptical? Then maybe you should try easing yourself into the realm of philosophical discussion with the help of the Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series. Each book from this ongoing collection is dedicated to analyzing a different cultural icon or show within the entertainment world. 
Chapters are written by college professors from across the nation and are as educational as they are representative of fandom at its finest, with everything from character motivations to plotlines discussed.
Case in point: After reading just two chapters of Batman and Philosophy: The Dark Knight of the Soul, I’ve been introduced to classical and contemporary thinkers like Thomas Hobbes and Judith Jarvis Thomson — all in the course of pondering popular Batty topics like why Batman is better than the Man of Steel, and Bruce Wayne’s motivations for ever donning the cape.
In short, the Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series is a perfect easy-to-understand crash course in philosophy cushioned by a topic you already love. Where else will you be able to read about the philosophical implications of hot shows like 24, Lost, Family Guy, The Office, and even The Daily Show?
– Genevieve M. Blaber
June 25th, 2008
It’s not unusual to hear about kids taking more pains to cheat than to study – there are even entire movies written around the concept as in the case of “The Perfect Score” – but a high school student in Orange County, California may have recently taken things to the extreme.
Known for his Cs and Ds at the prestigious Tesoro High School, 18-year-old Omar Khan now has to deal with some heavy math. There are 69 criminal charges pending against him — and they’re all related to an alleged scheme to turn lackluster grades into sterling As! Using everything from identity theft and spyware, to the old standby of and breaking and entering, Khan is alleged to have broken into his school’s computer databanks to up grades for himself and a dozen others.
While these charges may seem petty when taken on their own, together they result in nearly four decades of jail time. Though it’s doubtful Khan will get even half that amount if convicted — a few years of jail and community service is far more likely — it’s still a high price to pay for what could have easily been gained through a few hours of studying.
So maybe next time Khan will try cracking some books before he has to crack open a jail cell. With his leet hacking skills and computer prowess he could have easily embarked upon a lucrative career in technology. And trust me, “career criminal” doesn’t sound half as good as “computer systems analyst” to a prospective employer.
– Genevieve M. Blaber
Update: Looks like Khan had a “study buddy” in all this. Fellow student, Tanvir Singh, is suspected in connection with the cheating scandal and will turn himself in next week.
June 20th, 2008
I’ve only been out of NYU for a year and already there are new trends jumping from campus to campus. While some of these are completely new (sustainability, what?), others are ripped straight from fads of yesteryear — yeah I’m looking at you, Harry Potter.
In no particular order, here are three college trends that are picking up speed today:
1. Quidditch Conquers Campuses
I didn’t start reading Harry Potter until I was in high school, but once I did I couldn’t help but be intrigued by the game of Quidditch. Taking place hundreds of feet in the air while players swoop around on flying brooms, it was hardly the kind of sport you’d catch on ESPN, but these days college students are spreading a down-to-earth version of the magical pastime. Occupying a real grass field — although players refuse to give up their obviously non-flying brooms — college Quidditch is a reasonable departure from the “real thing” and comes complete with a Golden Snitch who, enacted by a student, walks around campus to avoid capture by players.
2. Coed Cohabitation
I admit it, I never lived on campus, but the few times I stayed over at friends’ dorm rooms I could sense that there was either a real camaraderie that developed between roomies or genuine enmity. While living with a stranger can help you learn to coexist with others, it can also be stressful if you’re not compatible, so why not let students choose their own roomies? Many colleges today do, and several more are beginning to accept friends of different genders deciding to room together. Though usually offered on a limited basis, and to students who already know each other, coed dorming seems to be catching on and can be a comfy alternative for friends who know and trust their would-be roomie.
3. Student Sustainability
While some students waste resources, others take the time to recycle — but there’s another group of students on campus who are making the move to shake up they way they live. Termed “sustainability” this practice is an entirely new shade of going green with students changing everything from how much electricity they use to what temp they leave the thermostat on. The focus of a recent New York Times article, Oberlin College (Oberlin, Ohio) has a dorm full of students who compete against each other’s shower times and utilize worm composting to cut down on waste. Although not every campus has an entire dorm dedicated to sustainability, many colleges are making the move to integrate some of these initiatives into the way they run things at large.
If you’re interested in reading more on college trends — past and present — then take a trip to CollegeBound.net’s trend section and then get started on your college search.
– Genevieve M. Blaber
June 10th, 2008
Snoop tells the new issue of Esquire: “A lot of people like to fool you and say that you’re not smart if you never went to college, but common sense rules over everything. That’s what I learned from selling crack.”
This from the man who speaks in “izzle-isms.”
Sure, college doesn’t teach you everything, Mr. Dogg, that’s why it’s important for people to live life, act on their entrepreneurial passions, soak up lessons both in and out of the classroom, and then go, go, go. But still, college equips you with the foundational knowledge to make sound decisions, excel in the business world, and deal with everyday situations both on the job and off.
And for those who have a life goal greater than dealing crack in a back alley, it sure does help.
–G.L.
June 9th, 2008
Yesterday was Earth Day but that doesn’t mean that you can’t keep on keeping green today and tomorrow. Living green will not only help the Earth, it can also help tighten your budget — a concern shared by plenty of college bound students. With that in mind here are a few tips for staying green during college:
1. Use Canvas Bags: Chances are you won’t be buying as much as you did when you lived at home, so why waste a few plastic bags when you can be prepared with your own canvas ones? Doing so will help keep plastic bags from hitting the landfills. If you find that you must use plastic bags, make an effort to later reuse them as trash bags, lunch bags, and even laundry bags.
2. Skip the Laundromat: While most people would rather go the automated route, handwashing can be gentler on delicate fabrics and clothing while also conserving electricity and water in the process. Not sure you want to get your hands wet? Then opt for a device like the Wonderwash Washing Machine which can clean small loads of laundry with the turn of a handle and zero electricity.
3. Create a Homemade Lamp: Sure, you can find dozens of happening styles at places like Ikea and other stores, but nothing compares to making your own one-of-a-kind lamp. How-to instructions and kits are available both on the Internet and at your local crafts store. Recycle vases and glass jars to create the base of your unique lighting fixture. (Interested in more tips for decorating dorms on the cheap? Click here.)
4. Don’t Write-Off Refillable Pens: By this stage in your education you’re probably used to purchasing bulk bags and boxes of pens at the beginning of each school year. But what happens to all of that plastic once you’ve run out of ink? They write their way into the trash. Though it may not seem like much, all those pens do add up — so consider buying a refillable pen instead. When the ink’s done you’ll only have a small tube to throw away, rather than an entire pen.
5. Think Outside the Margins: Your elementary school teacher taught you to always write inside the margins of the paper, but when all you’re doing is taking class notes there’s no point in wasting paper. Ignore that red line and start writing — or doodling — near the edge of the paper. You’ll be surprised by how much extra material you can fit on every page.
– Genevieve M. Blaber
April 23rd, 2008
It’s January and that can mean only one thing: time for Simon Cowell’s scowl!
If you’re like millions of other TV viewers, you’ve spent the last two 
weeks laughing and singing along with the latest season of Fox’s American Idol. Over the last six years, this nationwide singing contest has helped get some stars off the ground, including Kelly Clarkson, whose pop rock stylings have rocketed her up the charts, and Fantasia Barrino, who recently starred in the Broadway musical “The Color Purple.”
But not everyone can get their start through “American Idol” which is why many aspiring singers turn to performing arts schools for the training and opportunities it takes to enter the industry. Take for instance, Sunita Puleo, who chose to earn a bachelor’s degree in music with a concentration in vocal performance. Performing arts schools help students learn proper techniques while also giving them a leg up in the audition world.
Although it may not be the glitz and glamour of a hit TV show, performing arts schools will set you on track to your dream career — while also protecting you from Simon’s sharp tongue.
– Genevieve M. Blaber
January 30th, 2008
When the Oscar buzz starts it’s usually the actors and directors who take top billing in the news. But the reality is that it takes a host of artists from different mediums and fields to make a feature film possible. Before you change the channel, check out these lesser known Oscar categories and what they involve.
Category: Sound Editing
From the screeching car chases of nominees like “Transformers” and “The Bourne Ultimatum” to the subtler orchestral turns and bustling kitchen ambiance of “Ratatouille,” sound editing plays a major part in making a feature film possible. It’s the sound editor’s job to select and supervise what kinds of music and effects are included in a movie and how they are interwoven. Unless you’re interested in the silent film era, sound editing is a must for any movie.
Category: Cinematography
While directors use their vision to translate a screenplay to the big screen, it’s up to the cinematographer to make these concepts into a reality. Cinematography may involve everything from conferring with the director on camera angles and shots, to selecting the type of film and camera lens used. It’s an involved profession, especially for films like “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” in which many scenes were filmed from the perspective of the paralyzed main character.
Category: Visual Effects
Whether it was creating polar bears who could talk and fight in “The Golden Compass,” or transforming actor Bill Nighy into the fearsome pirate Davy Jones in the “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End,” visual effects pros got a work-out this year. With its heavy reliance upon computer-generated imagery these days, those who work in the visual effect industry are generally trained in digital animation and its facets. However, related fields like model-making and animatronics still play a part in the creation of visual effects.
If you think you’d like to work in one of these film fields, it’s never too early to start researching. And remember, these categories and their related professions can be equally important in areas like television, music, and theatre.
**Image from “The Golden Compass” copyright of New Line Cinema.
– Genevieve M. Blaber
January 23rd, 2008
In today’s “press releases that caught my attention” category, this one takes the cake (although, considering the subject matter, perhaps I should say “takes the low-fat, sugar-free Jello”):
First College Weight Loss Program Opens in California:
Young Adults Earn College Credits While Losing Weight
It’s actually a pretty cool thing: the Academy of the Sierras, which is a residential weight loss boarding school for overweight teens in California, is participating in a college program with nearby Reedley College. Students who are schooling at the Academy–and by schooling, I mean readin’, writin’, and getting’ fit–can exercise their minds by studying toward an associate degree from Reedley.
Instantly I pictured an MTV promo commercial: “Celebrity Fit Club meets The Real World… tune in to see 10 teens battle the bulge and hit the books. Find out what happens when students stop eating carbs and start getting A’s.” I’m sorry–that was a bit snarky–but in our reality-obsessed culture, I must admit that’s what I initially thought. Until I read on….
What really captivated me was this startling fact: A recent national survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control showed that college students increased their rates of obesity more dramatically than any other age group–a 68% increase during the 1990s. Coming from someone like myself–who probably could have done better at math had I spent as much time analyzing formulas and algorithms as I did counting calories–I think this is a great idea.
Part of what contributes to overeating is a low self-esteem. As editorial director of The CollegeBound Network, I have heard countless stories from students who say that college changed their lives, their outlook on the world, and their perspective of themselves. And, when you listen to kids who’ve successfully completed the Academy’s weight loss program, the connection between health and happiness definitely computes:
“I was going nowhere. I was no longer in school, putting on weight, and didn’t feel good about myself,” said Liz Roe, part of the founding class of the College Program. “But I decided that I cared enough about myself to make changes and go to Academy of the Sierras. And I’m glad I did. I’ve lost over 100 pounds. It has changed my life.”
According to Phil Obbard, executive director of Academy of the Sierras, there is no reason why students who struggle with their weight shouldn’t be able to binge on the benefits of college, and the new Academy of the Sierras College Program lends valuable support. “The college environment and the freedom it brings are often problematic for students, as some establish lifestyles that can negatively impact their physical, psychological and even vocational futures,” he explains. “Our College Program provides students with a path to a healthy weight and lifestyle while they start or continue college and transition into adulthood.”
Sounds to me like a perfect recipe for scholastically-fit success. Find out more at
http://www.healthylivingacademies.com. And if you’re from MTV, I want royalties on the idea….
—> Weight-challenged, math-whiz… find the perfect college for you at CollegeBound and CollegeSurfing.
-Gina LaGuardia
November 12th, 2007
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Chapters are written by college professors from across the nation and are as educational as they are representative of fandom at its finest, with everything from character motivations to plotlines discussed.
