 By Taylor Hill ’22
(Image Credit: huffingtonpost.com, Wildpixel via Getty Images) As December progresses and the temperature drops, the number of COVID-19 cases continues to climb. This past week alone, positive cases in the United States increased by 29%, setting a record for the number of cases, deaths and hospitalizations, despite the actions taken by government officials. After almost a year of living with the novel coronavirus, we, as a country, are almost in the same position as we were in the spring, with businesses having a maximum capacity limit or even being shutdown. Mask mandates and other rules continuously limit our everyday lives. Unfortunately, the virus shows no signs of slowing down and is projected to continue its surge through the country at an alarming rate throughout this winter season.  By Francesca Bradley ’21
(Image Credit: Pixabay) The first mass-produced electric scooter was invented in 1996 and was called the Scoot’Elec. The nickel-cadmium batteries it required were not eco-friendly and the scooter itself was heavy. In 2009, Inokim, an e-scooter manufacturer, created a new design with more efficient lithium-ion batteries that could be charged at home. Lithium-ion batteries are commonly found in laptops, smartphones and tablets. By 2020, e-scooters are found in cities worldwide due to their low environmental footprint and maintenance, ease of use and portability. Each design has a record speed, an accessible app that comes with it and less pollution than before. So what’s the catch and how much more eco-friendly are they?  By Rhys Marschke ’24
(Image Credit: Pixabay) It’s easy to say 2020 has been one of the most chaotic years in recent history, but it’s also the slowest year which seems like it will never end. So why did 2020 feel never-ending despite the same 365-day cycle? Well, as 2020 is winding down, let’s dig into the philosophy behind the ‘bats in the belfry’ year that is 2020, and why it felt so unconventionally long.  By Catherine Rodrigues ’23
(Images Credit: Courtesy of the author) The notion of using artificial intelligence (AI) for fighter pilots provokes a discussion of the pro and cons and everything between for military incorporation and the potential trading out of humans for technology. But what happens when professionals put this idea to the test?  By Sung M. Cho ’22
(Image Credit: Creative Commons, ShareAlike 3.0) There is no doubt that leftism has become a popular ideology across many of America’s education, cultural and governmental institutions, especially within the Generation Z demographic.  By Alice Liu ’23 and Aleyna Baki ’21
(Image Credit: The Africa Report) It seems like it was a long time ago when Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 for resolving the border dispute with Eritrea and “forging durable peace in the Horn of Africa.” He accepted the award “on behalf of Africans and citizens of the world for whom the dream of peace has often turned into a nightmare of war.” Fast-forward nearly a year that same president ordered the bombing of his own country. On Nov. 4, he ordered military operations against Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) regional forces in the Tigray region — home of Tigrayan ethnic group — in response to TPLF attacks on Ethiopian military bases, federal forces and camps in the regional capital of Mekelle and other areas of Tigray. Since the announcement, hundreds of civilians have died and more than 40,000 have become refugees.  By Keegan Bankoff ’22 and Ben Mihailovich ’22
(Image Credit: Getty Images — Creator: Wesley Hitt) COVID-19 has had a profound impact on everyday lives for what seems like an eternity. The virus has especially devastated universities and their student bodies, many of which rely on sports for various reasons — the largest being money. For most schools, the most celebrated sport is football, an industry that rakes in billions of dollars annually. Due to the unprecedented circumstances of the novel coronavirus, the typical college football we are used to watching (and sometimes screaming at) has changed dramatically over the past year.  By Lucy Jones ’21
(Image Credit: iconscout.com) As we head into winter, a second lockdown seems to be imminent. COVID-19 daily cases are rising, and although a vaccine is on the way, it will be a while before the general public can access it. Since all of us experienced some of the worst of quarantine back in the spring, it is hard to stay positive when thinking about another similar situation. And, given the fact that online classes are ending, there will be limited activities to keep busy or entertained. Luckily, I have come up with a list of shows and movies I recommend watching while cooped up at home staying safe.  By Hudson Stedman ’21
(Image Credit: Des Willie / Netflix) One summer evening in the washout period before the fall term, I took my time rewatching Peter Morgan’s “The Crown.” I had lost interest after season two, months back when the actors had been replaced to ‘keep up’ with the aging royals. Though I found it ultimately quite entertaining as the story combined both historical fact and dramatic elements, whether or not said dramatic elements are entirely accurate. |
