Author: Houghton STAR

The student newspaper of Houghton College for more than 100 years.

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News

Harvestival Returns

By Jax Johnson

Hosted by the Center for Sustainability, Houghton University’s annual Harvestival returns today, from 3-5pm on the quad, bringing craft vendors, live music, pumpkin carving, and more.  

Director of the Center for Sustainability, Brian Webb, says,  “The main goal of the Harvestival is to connect students and our community to local vendors. It’s also a great opportunity for students to learn about the Center for Sustainability. We offer free cider donuts to anyone who makes a sustainability pledge (any commitment to put creation care into practice in their daily lives).  Finally, this is the most beautiful time of year at Houghton, so we might as well get outside and enjoy the beauty of God’s paintbrush on the trees around us!” 

Along with  Webb, the event will be run by  Anna Zimmerman, a senior, who is one of the Center for Sustainability interns. Houghton MANRRS will also be partnering with the Center for Sustainability to run the pumpkin carving table. 

The Harvestival vendors will consist of both Houghton students, the wider Houghton community, and members of nearby towns. Also in attendance,  local businesses such as Jockey Street Coffee and Coppa Co will be selling coffee and art.

Senior Emma Wetherell,who will be selling her art at the Harvestival, says, “I have always loved art and making homemade gifts, but recently I have started making jewelry. I have found a real love for it and wanted to show others what I have created. I hope that it can inspire others to turn their hobbies into something they can share with the community. This is the first time I will be selling something I have created and I am very excited for what’s to come.” 

Sophomore Aubrey Armes says, “ I am so excited to be selling at this years harvestival! The harvestival is such a great opportunity for the community to gather and support one another, to appreciate the work of artists within the community, and to celebrate fall! I hope that what I’m selling will bring joy to the people that decide to purchase it from me, or to who they decide to give it to. I’m thrilled to be involved!”

Another vendor, senior Abby Weeks,  shares her excitement by saying, “I am a senior biochemistry major with an art minor and this is my first year as a vendor for Harvestival. This year I will be selling my ceramic mugs, cups, and bowls, as well as some jewelry. I am so excited for Harvestival, and I can’t wait to see what my peers have made for the event!”

Aubree Niles, a junior and returning vendor says, “This will be my second year setting up for Harvestival, and I am so excited! As an art major, it’s such a great opportunity to showcase my work and also build experience. I will have original paintings, prints, stickers, and jewelry for sale. Connecting with community members, faculty and staff, and other students is another reason why I love Harvestival. I hope to see you there, you won’t want to miss it!”

The music performers of this year’s Harvestival expressed excitement for the event, with many of them having performed at  Harvestivals in years past. 

Senior Linette Taylor says, “In general, I take any opportunity that lets me make some music outside. I love playing at Harvestival because I’m surrounded by other creatives and I get the chance to enjoy a lot of new art and music.”

Another performer, junior Josey Ikker, shares  joy  for Harvestival by saying, “Sharing different covers of my favorite music, especially when they’re more relatable songs allows me to share stories from experience with others. Harvestival is an incredible stress-free time to spend with friends as well as with the community as a whole.”

The Harvestival is an opportunity to experience the fall season here at Houghton, while also taking a minute to explore sustainability. It is also a chance to support local creatives and their work. If you’re interested, stop by the quad this afternoon. ★

Categories
News

Creation Stories: People and Their Origin Tales

By Timothy Rasmusson JR.

Indigenous Creation Tales is a new campus activity this fall semester  that is hosted by the Men’s Area Coordinator for Rothenbuhler and Lambein Hall, Shua Wilmot. 

Regarding the event,  Wilmot told  the STAR that  members meet once a week, and they listen to a creation tale about various religious groups. After discussing the cultures together , he  asks the other members what stood out to them.

Some of the questions that are often asked are, “What does the story suggest about their creator?” Another is, “What might you think about these values?” 

Wilmot describes the environment of  the event as “a safe space for students to develop critical thinking”, and it challenges the students to dig deep into what the stories are all about. They also reflect on the Genesis story, share knowledge, and he claims that “there is truth in every story”. 

Senior Gabriel Huizenga told the STAR  that the event is more of a come and go, and you do not have to commit to going every week it is  held. 

Andre Spronk, a sophomore, said the event takes place  in Echo Base  on the first floor of Rothenbuhler, and that they meet every Monday night at 7:30.

When asked what he liked most about the event, Huizenga said that everyone goes to it not knowing what to expect from the stories. Additionally, he said it allows them “to leave our own expectations and our own assumptions, and cultural ideas behind.” To him,  “the point of it is to listen to them and talk about them as if we don’t have preconceptions of our own of like how the world was made.”He described listening to these stories as “seeing it [the world] through a new lens”. ★

Categories
News

Homecoming 2022

Today, October 7th, concludes the activities for Houghton’s annual Purple and Gold week, though  as Homecoming Weekend commences, a new wave of activities flows into campus. 

 At 7:30 pm tonight, Wesley Chapel  will host the Homecoming Collage Concert, in which the Greatbatch School of Music students will perform a number of astounding pieces. When the concert ends, the homecoming dance will begin at the Nielson Center, where students are encouraged to dress comfortably and fashionably, in all kinds of evening wear.

On Saturday, October 8th, there will be several Homecoming sporting events, including Cross Country’s Invitational on the Field of Dreams at 11:00 am, Field Hockey at 12:00 pm, Women’s soccer at 2:30pm, and Men’s Soccer at 5:00pm – all of which will be located on Burke Field. The Equestrian Center will also be hosting an Open House event starting at 9:00 am and running through 5:00 pm. 

  • Throughout Saturday, Houghton will be hosting Family Weekend, where several Alumni class reunions will be held and activities for families of the campus will be conducted. The “Hands-On Houghton” Festival will be located in the Kerr-Pegula Field House from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, where all members of the community are encouraged to learn more about the opportunities for active participation on campus. Representation of numerous clubs and groups can be found there, as well as games and activities.

To formally conclude Homecoming Weekend, the student body will gather in Wesley Chapel at 9:00 pm for the annual and highly-anticipated SPOT. There, hosts, seniors Colin Campbell and Bekah Fenn will feature a number of goofy and spunky numbers, acts, and bits presented by numerous students. The winners of Purple and Gold week will also be announced. 

When asked about the planning process of these events, senior and CAB Director Joey Schunemann stated, “It’s fun, but equally as stressful sometimes. Trying to create an array of events that are diversely enjoyable by people of all walks of Houghton life proves to be a challenge, but having a CAB staff that tries to explore those differences is a great first step to ensuring we represent students in everything we do.”

Schunemann also spoke on the purpose of these activities, expressing hope for the Houghton community. “Houghton University is ultimately our home. Our desire is to inspire students with that belief, even as they wrestle with unpleasant experiences contrasting with beautiful ones.”

Schunemann’s statement encapsulates how many view the tradition of Homecoming Weekend at Houghton as one of togetherness and communal growth. Homecoming Weekend presents an opportunity for students to come together during the ebbs and flows of semester coursework to enjoy and celebrate the Houghton community for what it was, is, and continues to be. ★

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News

Equestrian Open House

By Hannah Avery

The Houghton University Equestrian Center is bustling with activity this fall semester with the conclusion of the annual Houghton Horse Trials, Combined Test, and Dressage Show in September. 

 If you missed the opportunity to check out show day, there are still many opportunities to explore Houghton’s beautiful equestrian facilities, starting with the annual Homecoming Open House event on Saturday, Oct. 8th, from 9-11 a.m.

The Open House is “an amazing opportunity to show the community, especially alumni, how much the equestrian program has changed in such great ways,” said Equestrian Society President, and senior, Cassidy Kuhlmann. “We also love to give people hands-on experience at the barn to show them what we love so much about the barn!” 

The Equestrian Open House will host a variety of activities, including a photo booth, pony rides, and hay rides. There also will be a variety of demonstrations from the upperclassmen who will showcase disciplines such as jumping, dressage, and horse training. 

The program’s assistant barn manager and event coordinator, Hannah Williamson, and the Equestrian Society Club have remarked that this year’s open house may be the biggest one after the COVID-19 pandemic, and a lot has changed over the course of these past few years. It gives an opportunity to students, alumni, and community members alike to get out and experience what is happening at the equestrian center and see the four-legged teachers that help get the job done through a variety of fun activities.

Included in the Equestrian Center’s changes, a brand new custom jump course was recently unveiled – a project made possible by generous donors. The program is very excited to have these jumps, which includes a custom “Houghton University” banner, for the students to learn with, and put to good use at events and shows.

“The new jumps mean a lot to our program. We so rarely get things custom made for [the program],” said senior, Izzy Gritsavage. “One of the great things about them is that they look different than our old jumps, which presents new challenges for both us and the horses.” ★

Categories
Columns

Review-Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)

By Caleb Tiedemann

There is no doubt about it, Quentin Tarantino’s ninth film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is amazing! Typical of Tarantino, it’s a fun film full of heart and love. Of course, those interpretations are subjective if you know anything of his filmography. Tarantino is very much one to push the limit in movies, a fact that I admire and love about his work. His lack of care about what other people think of his films really just unleashes him to create the wildest movies ever. OUATIH is probably Tarantino’s most relaxed film, toned down in violence, it delivers wonderfully in ways completely unexpected from the director. However, it should be of no surprise that he would flip the script and surprise audiences with something so uncharacteristic of himself.

OUATIH is a simple film. There are no real convoluted plot points or anything out of the ordinary. The movie takes place in a day of the lives of actor Rick Dalton and his stunt double, Cliff Booth in late 1960’s Hollywood. Rick, played by the marvelous Leonardo DiCaprio, is an actor who has fallen out of the limelight after leaving the television show that made him famous to pursue his acting career in movies. As with any gamble, there is a chance it does not pay off and, in this case, it does not. By his side, is his stunt double/friend Cliff Booth, played by Brad Pitt who offers both support and understanding in his buddy’s time of hardship. As an aging television star, Dalton has to come to terms with the fact that he is not only older but also not as popular as he used to be. Being in the limelight for so long makes this transition incredibly hard for him, and DiCaprio plays the part of a struggling and insecure actor so unbelievably well. There’s irony in there somewhere. The situation is made worse for Dalton when, living next door to him is up-and-coming movie star Sharon Tate and her husband, big-name director Roman Polanski. In a world of shining and fading stars Rick struggles with where to take his career, often abusing alcohol as his vice. 

Meanwhile in the outskirts of Hollywood, trouble grows in the form of the Manson family cult. Charles Manson was a talented manipulator and white supremacist who feared an “apocalyptic race war.” He formed his cult in college by targeting those who were socially inept or emotionally insecure. Over the next couple of years, he formed a “family” of about twenty individuals; through LSD and “unconventional sexual practices,” he was able to turn them into his dedicated and devoted followers. For those of you who are unaware, this was a real cult. They were responsible for the deaths of seven individuals, namely actress Sharon Tate. Though the only events depicted in the movie are the attempted murders of Sharon Tate, it is nonetheless important to provide a backstory of history. Under the commands of Manson, he ordered his followers to “kill them as gruesomely as you can.” Later one of the murderers admitted that they killed Tate because, “we wanted to do a crime that would shock the world.” So, when watching this movie, I knew how it was going to end. Or I thought I knew. Tarantino often rewrites history in wonderful ways and this movie is no different. The end of OUATIH is one of the most absolutely insane things Tarantino has done. 

The acting in this movie is wonderful, DiCaprio and Pitt both manage to be loveable and relatable as they realize their place in a tumultuous movie industry is constantly changing. Meanwhile Margot Robbie as Sharon Tate is a wonderful depiction of the golden age of Hollywood, its beauty, elegance, and grace, all destroyed by a senseless act of violence. It was what truly changed movies forever. The setting is beautiful. Tarantino completely remodels all of Los Angeles to fit his 1960’s childhood dream. The scenery, the sets, the costumes, it’s all gorgeous. Getting a behind the scenes look at how movies are made is an interesting change of perspective. The score and soundtrack are also great; using classic songs that just helped me to fall in love with this movie. It is a completely unique experience that had me fascinated and intrigued all the way through.

When I first saw this movie, I was kind of disappointed; this was the guy who gave us Pulp Fiction, Inglourious Basterds, and Django Unchained, where did it all go wrong? Yet at the same time I was completely smitten with this world he built, and I had no idea why. It was not his style, but at the same time it was, it felt different and that’s why I loved it so much. Throughout it completely subverts your expectations and builds up tension in an amazing way with fun characters and a real story. It’s magnificent. This movie has since become a comfort movie to me, one that is relaxing and fun until the final act of mayhem. Ultimately it is a movie I enjoy completely and sometimes competes with Pulp Fiction in my mind for the best Tarantino movie. It offers everything I want and amazes me with every watch. I strongly recommend this movie. ★

Final Grade: 10/10 (A+)

Categories
Opinions

Civic Brotherhood

By Cody Johnson

Did you know that the United States’ oldest surviving daily newspaper was founded in Philadelphia? 

The Philadelphia Inquirer has been published every day since September 21, 1784, sometimes under a different name. The Inquirer’s predecessor was even the first newspaper to publish George Washington’s Farewell Address. Our nation is built on news. And it seems appropriate that Americans’ ritual of reading the daily news began in Philadelphia, “the City of Brotherly Love.” 

As a community of Americans, we have obligations. There are civic obligations (obeying the law, paying taxes) and civic responsibilities (voting, community engagement). We do these things because we love our country — and furthermore, because we love each other.

Some people say that love does not discriminate. But we necessarily discriminate between our friends and enemies; friends receive love that enemies do not. That is philia, or filial love. 

Philia demands more than other kinds of love. Agape — the word Christ uses when He says to “love your enemies” — does not discriminate. Philia, on the other hand, describes love between close friends or brothers, like David and Jonathan in 1 Samuel. It makes us feel loved and safe, like people in a perfect city. This was William Penn’s vision for Philadelphia. 

Americans are bound to each other by filial love. To love America is to love Americans and to love them especially. We afford each other rights and privileges because of our shared love and community. 

Loving someone in this way requires knowing them and their needs. You cannot treat your professor to their favorite food without first knowing what their favorite food is. Knowing your professor’s favorite food is a prerequisite if you want to love them filially. Knowledge is an obligation. 

The same obligation extends to the country and people you love. It is impossible to love them fully without first knowing them. 

Last weekend, I attended a conference at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C., and heard from scholars in foreign policy, technology, and culture. I felt disconnected from those conversations because they were not happening on our campus. Students stare blankly at professors when asked about current events. We do not engage with news on a regular basis, so our conversations remain theoretical and opinionated. 

We joke about the Houghton bubble, and it has its merits, but the Houghton bubble is dangerous to civic engagement. We become so focused on our present community that we disengage from the rest of the world. While you are at Houghton, you are simultaneously in Allegany County, New York, the United States, and the world. Brotherly love extends beyond Houghton and demands that we learn about the world we live in. When was the last time you read a newspaper that wasn’t The Star? 

Staying informed is a commitment; it requires time that we could commit to other interests or relationships. Nonetheless, it is the same commitment we make to our closest friends: to listen to what is happening in their lives and love them better accordingly. Your friend complains about being tired, and you buy them a latte from Java. 

We must make the same commitment to our country — not to buy it coffee, but to learn and respond to its events. Staying informed allows you to engage with the world intelligently. 

Love — even and especially between brothers — does not guarantee agreement. Conversations between well-informed people will be uncomfortable as you learn and grow, but that is part of our civic obligation. 

My daily ritual has been to delete The New York Times’s morning newsletter from my inbox without opening it. This week, I am changing that out of love for America and my fellow Americans. It takes five minutes to read the headlines and learn what is happening in our brothers’ and sisters’ lives in the United States and abroad. Pick up an old-fashioned newspaper and reclaim the media tradition our nation is built on. Follow a specific issue, journalist, or scholar. By engaging with the news, you demonstrate filial love for the people around you. 

With whatever means necessary, it is time for us to step outside the Houghton bubble. ★

Categories
Stories In Focus

New Addition to the Center for Student Success

By Marith Anderson

The Center for Student Success (CSS) is introducing a Wellness Room this semester that provides students with a safe place to take a break from the day-to-day stresses of college life. 

Located on the counseling side of the CSS, the Wellness Room is equipped with various features and resources added to suit as many wellness needs as possible. “[This addition is] the result of our efforts to find creative ways to meet the needs of students,” explains Executive Director of the Center for Student Success and Director of Counseling Services Dr. Bill Burrichter. “The past few years have been really hard for students and we wanted to provide a comfortable and relaxing space where students could go to find rest, renewal and support.” With a record 33% of the student body coming through the Counseling Center last year, the need for other ways to meet students’ needs besides individual services became apparent.

When asked to describe the space, Center for Student Success Area Coordinator and Diverse Student Success Coordinator Hannah Bailey explained that “When you walk in you are greeted with a view of the quad and the soothing sound from our water fountain. Inside the room are a bunch of resources, so students should feel free to look around and explore the different things available to them. Some things the Wellness Room might be used for are telehealth sessions [- meeting virtually with one’s healthcare professional], scheduled self-care time, light box sessions [designed to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder and boost one’s mood], or just a space to relax.”

She added that resources currently available for student use in the Wellness Room include a massage chair, light boxes, a yoga mat, weighted blankets, journals, books, coloring books, a muscle relaxing mat, and more. Bailey is incredibly excited about and looks forward to what the Wellness Room could grow to be and is open to any suggestions students might have to help their needs be more effectively met within this space.

 Students might be under the impression that the Wellness Room and its resources are only available to those who are currently utilizing other Counseling services, but this is not the case. In fact, even those who have no prior connections with any CSS service are able to engage with this new addition. However, Burrichter mentions that if needed, you can also connect with the CSS staff following your visit to the Wellness Room. He says that students “can come into the office and engage in some self-care as they need it without needing to connect with staff. But if they want or need to meet with someone we can arrange that as well.” 

In addition to connecting with staff if needed, Burrichter further noted that there are additional resources students can connect with if they so choose. “We are also offering several sessions of an Anxiety Toolbox psychoeducational workshops for students to learn skills and strategies for managing their anxiety. We will also have future workshops on how to manage depression, stress and healthy relationships.”

So, how should one go about scheduling some relaxing time for themself in this space? When not in use, the Wellness Room is available for walk-ins. However, it is recommended that any students who are interested in using this space reserve a time slot of either 30 minutes or 60 minutes on the Handshake website or mobile app.

The Center for Student Success (CSS) is introducing a Wellness Room this semester that provides students with a safe place to take a break from the day-to-day stresses of college life. 

Located on the counseling side of the CSS, the Wellness Room is equipped with various features and resources added to suit as many wellness needs as possible. “[This addition is] the result of our efforts to find creative ways to meet the needs of students,” explains Executive Director of the Center for Student Success and Director of Counseling Services Dr. Bill Burrichter. “The past few years have been really hard for students and we wanted to provide a comfortable and relaxing space where students could go to find rest, renewal and support.” With a record 33% of the student body coming through the Counseling Center last year, the need for other ways to meet students’ needs besides individual services became apparent.

When asked to describe the space, Center for Student Success Area Coordinator and Diverse Student Success Coordinator Hannah Bailey explained that “When you walk in you are greeted with a view of the quad and the soothing sound from our water fountain. Inside the room are a bunch of resources, so students should feel free to look around and explore the different things available to them. Some things the Wellness Room might be used for are telehealth sessions [- meeting virtually with one’s healthcare professional], scheduled self-care time, light box sessions [designed to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder and boost one’s mood], or just a space to relax.”

She added that resources currently available for student use in the Wellness Room include a massage chair, light boxes, a yoga mat, weighted blankets, journals, books, coloring books, a muscle relaxing mat, and more. Bailey is incredibly excited about and looks forward to what the Wellness Room could grow to be and is open to any suggestions students might have to help their needs be more effectively met within this space.

 Students might be under the impression that the Wellness Room and its resources are only available to those who are currently utilizing other Counseling services, but this is not the case. In fact, even those who have no prior connections with any CSS service are able to engage with this new addition. However, Burrichter mentions that if needed, you can also connect with the CSS staff following your visit to the Wellness Room. He says that students “can come into the office and engage in some self-care as they need it without needing to connect with staff. But if they want or need to meet with someone we can arrange that as well.” 

In addition to connecting with staff if needed, Burrichter further noted that there are additional resources students can connect with if they so choose. “We are also offering several sessions of an Anxiety Toolbox psychoeducational workshops for students to learn skills and strategies for managing their anxiety. We will also have future workshops on how to manage depression, stress and healthy relationships.”

So, how should one go about scheduling some relaxing time for themself in this space? When not in use, the Wellness Room is available for walk-ins. However, it is recommended that any students who are interested in using this space reserve a time slot of either 30 minutes or 60 minutes on the Handshake website or mobile app.

The Center for Student Success (CSS) is introducing a Wellness Room this semester that provides students with a safe place to take a break from the day-to-day stresses of college life. 

Located on the counseling side of the CSS, the Wellness Room is equipped with various features and resources added to suit as many wellness needs as possible. “[This addition is] the result of our efforts to find creative ways to meet the needs of students,” explains Executive Director of the Center for Student Success and Director of Counseling Services Dr. Bill Burrichter. “The past few years have been really hard for students and we wanted to provide a comfortable and relaxing space where students could go to find rest, renewal and support.” With a record 33% of the student body coming through the Counseling Center last year, the need for other ways to meet students’ needs besides individual services became apparent.

When asked to describe the space, Center for Student Success Area Coordinator and Diverse Student Success Coordinator Hannah Bailey explained that “When you walk in you are greeted with a view of the quad and the soothing sound from our water fountain. Inside the room are a bunch of resources, so students should feel free to look around and explore the different things available to them. Some things the Wellness Room might be used for are telehealth sessions [- meeting virtually with one’s healthcare professional], scheduled self-care time, light box sessions [designed to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder and boost one’s mood], or just a space to relax.”

She added that resources currently available for student use in the Wellness Room include a massage chair, light boxes, a yoga mat, weighted blankets, journals, books, coloring books, a muscle relaxing mat, and more. Bailey is incredibly excited about and looks forward to what the Wellness Room could grow to be and is open to any suggestions students might have to help their needs be more effectively met within this space.

 Students might be under the impression that the Wellness Room and its resources are only available to those who are currently utilizing other Counseling services, but this is not the case. In fact, even those who have no prior connections with any CSS service are able to engage with this new addition. However, Burrichter mentions that if needed, you can also connect with the CSS staff following your visit to the Wellness Room. He says that students “can come into the office and engage in some self-care as they need it without needing to connect with staff. But if they want or need to meet with someone we can arrange that as well.” 

In addition to connecting with staff if needed, Burrichter further noted that there are additional resources students can connect with if they so choose. “We are also offering several sessions of an Anxiety Toolbox psychoeducational workshops for students to learn skills and strategies for managing their anxiety. We will also have future workshops on how to manage depression, stress and healthy relationships.”

So, how should one go about scheduling some relaxing time for themself in this space? When not in use, the Wellness Room is available for walk-ins. However, it is recommended that any students who are interested in using this space reserve a time slot of either 30 minutes or 60 minutes on the Handshake website or mobile app.★

Categories
News

Weekly Math and Science Colloquium

By Skye Chaapel

Attending the Science and Math Colloquium that occurs every Tuesday from 11:30 am to 12:20 pm in the dining hall is a great way to learn about the research and internships students and alumni are doing within the various scientific fields.  

According to Associate Professor of Mathematics, Dean of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and colloquia organizer, Dr. Jill Jordan, speakers from a variety of disciplines and careers are invited to give presentations that are “purely research talks, some are more career-focused, some are about integrating faith in the workplace, etc.”

The goal of the colloquium is to communicate ideas within the scientific community.  As Professor of Biology and Director of Pre-Health Professions, Dr. Jamie Potter, worded it, “advancements in scientific research are made in collaboration with one another. We build off of one another’s work…  Students who attend have the opportunity to engage with the research and learn how science can be shared through oral communication.”  The colloquium is open for everyone to attend, science and non-science majors alike.  One non-science major who had the opportunity to experience a colloquium is Senior Jax Johnson.  Commenting on their experience at the event, they said that “I found the colloquium I attended a great way to get a taste of scientific thought and ideas in a way that was both challenging and thought-provoking yet accessible.”

Even if you are in a science-related field, the colloquium is a great way for you to learn about the other fields.  Senior Adora Colicci expressed her enjoyment of the colloquia.  Specifically, she noted that her favorite thing about them is that they are “an opportunity for students to hear what alumni or science professionals outside of the Houghton bubble are doing in their fields…  They introduce me to areas of science and mathematics that I don’t get to hear about very often.”

Senior Mary Vandenbosch, a future presenter at the colloquium, is a biology student who participated in an internship over the summer and hopes to share her experience with others.  The internship she did was for the Genesee County Soil and Water Conservation District.  She collected and tested water samples, worked with farms to ensure the crops were growing correctly, investigated lands that were being converted back into wetlands, and did outreach and provided information for the communities to learn more about stream health and to learn more about the corporation for whom she worked.  When talking about her experience, she stated, “I am hoping to shine a light on something that I am so passionate about.  I would love for people to walk away with a new appreciation for the nature around them and how complex it is.”

Everyone has something to contribute to the scientific conversations.  As Dr. Potter stated, “We all have gifts that could enhance the learning and discussion of the presentation. If we live in community and dialogue with one another, shouldn’t our research be shared and not only available to those in science?”★

Categories
Columns

Review- The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022)

By Caleb Tiedenmann

Now I may absolutely adore film, but I have very high standards for what constitutes a “good” film, which is why I am always wary of films that fall into the comedy genre. However, when searching for movies to watch this year, I stumbled upon a film that goes by the name of The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. After watching the trailer about a week before actually seeing the movie I was interested, and the marketing only made me more excited. So I sat down hoping to see something enjoyable and funny. Lucky for me, it was just what I wanted. 

When it comes to comedy, you get a mix of movies. Many claim to be comedic, but are just worthless and unfunny outings. I am sure the first time a guy got hit in the crotch on TV was like Jesus healing the blind man to comedic writers who believed they struck gold. Now, let’s not deny, that is peak comedy, but today if you see that in a movie, it will not have nearly as funny of an effect as it did ten years prior. You’re probably wondering why I made this whole paragraph, but there is a point. The point being that Massive Talent is genuinely funny. It does not rely on cheap gags alone. It relies on the fact that you have some knowledge about film and culture.

The movie stars Nick Cage as Nick Cage (a daring casting choice) who is running out of luck and experiencing burnout. His career is dying as well as his marriage and relationship with his daughter. On the verge of financial collapse, he accepts an offer to make an appearance at a rich billionaire’s birthday party. However, there is a twist: the billionaire, Javi (played by Pedro Pascal)  is a super fan of Nick Cage, as well as a crime lord wanted by the US government. While Nick is pestered for information about Javi, the two of them start to become close friends and form a wholesome brotherhood, attempting to write a movie together. 

From that brief synopsis alone you can tell that this movie is already something interesting. The whole movie is one big love letter to two things: movies and film, and Nick Cage. There are multiple references to Nick Cage’s wacky and wild career, from his hits such as Face Off and The Rock to things like his voicework in Croods. It talks of movies, classic and non, poking fun at them and the cinematic “system.” Nick Cage is just awesome in this movie, he seems to enjoy his time on screen and really sells his act. But the star of this movie has to be Pedro Pascal as Javi. The whole time he acts like the biggest nerd and is super convincing in every way, I literally loved his performance. 

The cinematography was just gorgeous as the whole movie takes place in an exotic country. The costumes were nothing special, but I just really love floral button ups so the whole movie was tailored to my choice of summer ware. The humor was funny and it had me laughing throughout the entire film. Overall, I strongly recommend the movie. If you do not want to take it from my word alone, check out the trailer because that was enough to convince me to see it. In my mind, it is the perfect 100 minutes to kick back and put your brain on autopilot. I strongly recommend the movie with one of the longest titles ever: The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.

Final Grade: 9/10 (A-)

Categories
Opinions

I Couldn’t Agree Less: Debate in the Modern World

By Christian Welker

 I love to debate, sitting down with somebody who truly believes something I disagree with. I have spent hours sitting with friends, family, and even strangers on the internet, debating on all topics, from politics to religion, to what would happen if Time Travel was a reality.

However, it seems that as time passes, a debate has become less about exchanging ideas and more about beating your opponent in a shouting match. The “winners” of these debates are the people with a louder voice or more followers on their social media. This, combined with the echo chambers social media builds, which constantly feed people their opinions and views while blocking out alternative ones, makes it nearly impossible to share your idea without an argument and somebody feeling hurt at the end of the conversation. It seems we have lost the ability to debate.

The added tragedy to this loss is Christianity builds an echo chamber around itself and makes it difficult, if not impossible, to effectively show the light of Christ to the people around us. Nobody is going to believe that God is love if the way they are being told is by a man screaming in their face about sin and evolution.

I believe there are two leading causes of this new idea of debate. First are the social media echo-chambers that I mentioned before. These constantly affirm that your beliefs are correct while connecting other aspects of your life to them and making you see these opinions as your identity. The second is the idea that all debates need to have a loser. We defend our positions vehemently because we are afraid if we do not, the other side will “win the debate,” making our opinion, our view, and our identity wrong and, therefore, inferior.

This view is dangerous for several reasons. It pushes us apart from family, friends, and classmates who may have different opinions than us. We become convinced that those people are bad because they don’t share the same view that we do and we don’t want to associate with who we view as a “bad person.” We break away from them and find more people who agree with us on everything, going deeper into the echo chamber and making it even harder to hold a conversation with someone we view as different than us. In this process, it also becomes more likely that we become more extreme in our beliefs, vilifying those who disagree with us and eventually going so far as to view them as sub-human. These people become “heartless” or “too stupid to get it,” clear dividing lines are drawn, and crossing those lines becomes a traitorous act. 

So what do we do? How can we break ourselves out of our echo chambers and connect with those we’ve begun to see as less than ourselves? Over the summer, while working at a Christian Bookstore, a coworker would always tell me to “Remember their hearts,” to remember that the other side is just as much of a human as you are. They don’t believe what they believe because they are evil or idiotic. They have just as much heart as you do, as much love, compassion, and care for others. Pastor Wes Oden at Houghton Wesleyan Church said during a recent sermon, “When we look at someone, we need to remember, they are a child of God, made in His image.” Being a child of God does not rely on being Republican or Democrat, Pro-Choice or Pro-Life, LGBTQ or Straight. Everyone is a child of God, no matter what. So remembering that is the first step to being able to communicate with the other side.

We also need to break out of our echo chambers and remember that these views don’t encapsulate everything we are. Go to subreddits or Instagram profiles with different opinions than you, talk to someone who disagrees with your beliefs, don’t argue, listen. Everyone has a reason for seeing the world as they do, and if we know why they think that way, their beliefs will likely become less foreign to us. Thoughts also grow and change over time. Therefore, believing that you’d lose yourself if you alter your beliefs or become friends with someone who disagrees does not make much sense. Debates can be used as an opportunity to grow your opinions and views of the world in a calm environment, as long as both parties are willing to discuss it with you with clear heads and level emotions.

Viewing a debate as an exchange of ideas instead of a fight for survival, removing yourself from echo chambers that make it hard to hear alternate opinions, and viewing the person you are talking to as a human being and a child of God instead of a heartless monster are ways that we as people can grow. We will grow our connections between people,  our knowledge on the subject, and our own opinions and beliefs. While getting angry can seem inevitable, we can choose what to do with that anger, whether we lash out at our “opponent” or calm ourselves down to continue the conversation with our friend, family member, or classmate. Debating calmly and kindly will help shape your own mind and opinions and allow you to grow as a person. ★