I'm writing this blog because I feel like every student at our university should be aware of a publication called "The Student Review." Students have finally and thankfully restarted the independent student newspaper, widening your newspaper choices beyond the Daily Universe. As we all read in class on Thursday, the Daily Universe can be pretty one sided (and disturbing). The Student Review provides an open forum for student thought. It encourages positive discussion about our campus culture, a thing that is sorely needed. And, before you get too paranoid, it isn't subversive or negative about our school. It seeks to be balanced. And I love it. I LOVE IT SO MUCH. Ok, mostly I just love the fact that it exists. The Daily Universe has its place - mostly I read it for amusement (when I can convince myself that people aren't really seriously that narrow minded).
As an example, I'd just like to point out one difference I recently noted between the two.
An article published on 7 November 2011 titled "Romance Novels on the Rise" was hands down THE MOST OFFENSIVE thing I have ever read in the Daily Universe. The author swept the Bronte sisters right into the same category as Stephanie Meyer and "bodice-ripping" (seriously, they used that term. seriously) novels. In just the first paragraph, they simplified all literature written by women as a cute little side category of "chic-lit", and they basically offended me on every level. Plus, they quoted some poor misguided soul who whined publicly about how his wife complains about him playing Call of Duty, while she reads romance novels. Ok ok I'm not being fair, but read the article here and be offended with me.
In contrast, the December issue of the Student Review published an article about the disturbing decline in BYU support of Women studies. Not only is this issue more important than Romance Novels, it is also REAL. for the love. Read the Student Review. Here.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Christmas!
As is everyone, I'm getting really excited for Christmas (and especially the end of the semester). It was great to watch the Christmas Devotional tonight. I think it is my favorite general authority address of the year. It is always a positive message, and it always makes me feel like Christmas is really coming. Since we are low on funds this year, I made a tree out of some old fabric while I listened to the devotional.
Ok, so its not the most fantastic thing ever. I'll add some ornaments or something later. But still, it was really nice to get in the Christmas Spirit tonight. When we were walking off campus the other day, I told my husband how much I hate that every year they put Christmas lights up on campuse right before finals, because its like saying, "Hey look - Happy Christmas! What? You have a thousand things to do and finals week is about to kick your butt? Oops. Guess you better go back to the library." I realize that is a pretty negative outlook, but sometimes I don't want to see anything Christmasy until I can actually enjoy it. Despite the fact that I have to write about 15 pages by tomorrow night, I'm actually glad that I was able just relax, enjoy the Sabbath, and yes, even let myself enjoy the Christmas spirit. We're almost there!
Ok, so its not the most fantastic thing ever. I'll add some ornaments or something later. But still, it was really nice to get in the Christmas Spirit tonight. When we were walking off campus the other day, I told my husband how much I hate that every year they put Christmas lights up on campuse right before finals, because its like saying, "Hey look - Happy Christmas! What? You have a thousand things to do and finals week is about to kick your butt? Oops. Guess you better go back to the library." I realize that is a pretty negative outlook, but sometimes I don't want to see anything Christmasy until I can actually enjoy it. Despite the fact that I have to write about 15 pages by tomorrow night, I'm actually glad that I was able just relax, enjoy the Sabbath, and yes, even let myself enjoy the Christmas spirit. We're almost there!
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Books vs Movies
On Black Friday, my husband went to Walmart and got:
I Am Legend
Dark Knight
Taken
Return of the Kings
The Two Towers
...And some other ones that I can't remember off the top of my head..but all basically dark and somewhat depressing (LOTR not so much but, still).
I remember going to see Dark Knight in theatres, and I remember leaving thinking, "this is why we have so many messed up crazies out there. They see movies like this and think it will be cool to be the Joker" (cue 7 out of 10 boys dressing up as the Joker the following October*).
On the other hand - I have read my share of dark novels (The Road - ok, really The Road trumps all other dark novels I have read), and even though they are disturbing and dark, I still enjoy reading them.
I realized over Thanksgiving while my husband and his friends were watching "The Shooter" that the difference is that with books, there isn't the visual. You can see things in your mind, but not in full color in front of your face.
I've thought about what books I will read my kids. The real Peter Pan? Grimms Fairy Tales? A lot of stories are surprisingly violent - but I read somewhere (yep, wont cite it) about how violence in stories can be good for children because they can understand that there are bad things out there without actually having to experience them first hand.
Anyway, point of this is that I don't know if watching violence in movies is actually worse than reading violent books, or if it's just that I prefer books to movies.
*Not a real statistic, just to clarify
I Am Legend
Dark Knight
Taken
Return of the Kings
The Two Towers
...And some other ones that I can't remember off the top of my head..but all basically dark and somewhat depressing (LOTR not so much but, still).
I remember going to see Dark Knight in theatres, and I remember leaving thinking, "this is why we have so many messed up crazies out there. They see movies like this and think it will be cool to be the Joker" (cue 7 out of 10 boys dressing up as the Joker the following October*).
On the other hand - I have read my share of dark novels (The Road - ok, really The Road trumps all other dark novels I have read), and even though they are disturbing and dark, I still enjoy reading them.
I realized over Thanksgiving while my husband and his friends were watching "The Shooter" that the difference is that with books, there isn't the visual. You can see things in your mind, but not in full color in front of your face.
I've thought about what books I will read my kids. The real Peter Pan? Grimms Fairy Tales? A lot of stories are surprisingly violent - but I read somewhere (yep, wont cite it) about how violence in stories can be good for children because they can understand that there are bad things out there without actually having to experience them first hand.
Anyway, point of this is that I don't know if watching violence in movies is actually worse than reading violent books, or if it's just that I prefer books to movies.
*Not a real statistic, just to clarify
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